7 days of Highs and Low on my Wainwrights

I have written a blog for Berghaus going through the highs and lows of of week.

http://www.berghaus.com/community/?p=13321

Looking back on an amazing week by Emma (AKA Steve's wife)

Last week was unforgettable, with some amazing highs and some very deep lows, all exaggerated by sleep deprivation.

Steve had said beforehand ‘don’t worry about coming out to support me, I’ve got a great team around me, just concentrate on looking after the family and keeping things going as normal’ so I booked some time off work, but intended to do a few half days, thought we could turn up at the odd checkpoint say a cheerful ‘hello how’s it going’ and then get on with all the other things that you have to do with 3 children aged 5, 8 and 10.

I realised things were going to be different on the first night. After having got the children to sleep at my parents’ house in Gosforth I headed out to Ennerdale, where I met a totally exhausted support crew of Jane, Alison and Elaine in a midge-infested car park. Shortly afterwards Steve arrived with his equally exhausted support runners who informed me that Steve had been violently sick and now couldn’t keep any food or water down. I got him in out of the midges and tried to feed him, but he couldn’t eat anything, looked and felt dreadful and was understandably worried about how he could keep going with no food or water inside him, and this was after only one day! He hardly slept at all that night (well that 2 hour break, not exactly a night by most people’s standards), but in the morning set off with a great bunch of runners, minus Bill who was sleeping in his car and we didn’t realise, but he caught up quick enough! Tidied up and then headed back to Gosforth, finally drifting off to sleep at 6.30am when I hear a little voice,

 ‘Emma, it’s morning!’

 ‘No it’s not Hannah, it’s still night time, Pleeease go back to sleep’  

‘No, look outside, it’s sunny!’

And so another day began.

They somehow managed to get him going and by Wasdale he was feeling much better. Steve’s big sister Karen and husband Dan got him through the tricky next leg brilliantly, despite Karen having to do the West Wall Traverse for the first time.  She doesn’t like heights. Enjoyed a quiet Hardknott Pass at dusk, the kids scared everyone by climbing on the rocks, had to miss the Duddon overnight as had no-one to look after the kids, cramming them into the campervan wouldn’t have helped Steve sleep, sounds like the midges were hideous.

Anyway and so it went on, I managed most of the other checkpoints. In between picking up children, taking them to see Steve, getting them to sleep, cooking food for Steve, dashing out to shops for last minute supplies of food, Compeed, Medical supplies, Torq Gels etc. I got around 2 hours sleep a day/night and didn’t get much work done (thanks to Claire for being understanding – I’ll make up all that flexitime soon!)

 I think I saw him at his worst when stopped or trying to sleep, he had some very low moments and was in a lot of pain at times. He would hobble off in the morning like an old man with sticks, but once he got going his mates seemed to manage to pick him up and he would be knocking time of his schedule as if it was a walk in the park.

James, Matthew and Hannah managed remarkably well and were so sweet when we caught up with Steve (apart from at Wasdale when they had a huge argument about who opened the gate). I will never forget Matthew putting his arms around Steve as he winced in agony while Mel dressed his blisters dressed, saying ‘don’t worry, it will be worth it in the end’. He was right, that moment in Keswick at the end with all the support made it all worthwhile. We are all so proud of you Steve and pleased we were able to be a part of this epic in our own small way.

I’d like to finish by saying thank you to everyone, this really was a team effort, there are so many of you I don’t want to mention names in case I forget anyone, but you know who you are, to everyone who supported Steve or me in any way, thank you for making this happen.

I’d like to finish by quoting from the legendary Joss Naylor’s account of his Wainwrights round. While many things have changed in 27 years, some things remain the same. ‘To find words to express my gratitude to those who took part is beyond me……..It will be a very lucky man who is able to make the bonds of friendship which have been my good luck. To all my ‘team’ thank you from the bottom of my heart’.

Finished and recovering

This has been the most amazing week of my life. At times it was so painful and I have felt like giving up. But the reception I received in Keswick make it all worthwhile.

i am finding it hard to write and put everything into words. I get quite emotionally thinking about the entire journey. I would like to thank at team of around 100 people who have helped me in various ways during the week, without whom what I have achieved would have been impossible. so thank you everyone.I will write a proper thank you in my next blog.

Last night and today I have been sleeping and eating. sleeping has been helped by some painkillers to relieve the pain but it has still been a bit fitfull. I can hobble around the house very slowly. Everything is very swollen and it was quite a scary sight looking at my myself in the mirror for the first time in seven days.

Thanks everyone who has turned my dream into a reality.

New Wainwright Record for Steve Birkinshaw

Steve Birkinshaw sets a new record of 6 days and 13 hours (almost exactly) for the 518km Wainwright round of 214 Lake District summits. He runs into Keswick town centre with his posse of about 100 support runners with a jubilant crowd of supporters cheer him on.

Update - Steve will finish earlier!

2040 - Steve is just passing over Maiden Moor just south of Cat Bells. He is an hour faster than his schedule and is expected in Keswick at approximately 2200 now. Don't be late!!!!

A Message from Hilary - aka Steve's younger sister

Like many of you I have been addicted to the tracker this week, as one person has said it is far better than the football. But I have also developed a minor addiction to what Steve's Just Giving pages are saying. I am thrilled by the amounts that have been donated and I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to each and everyone of you that has made a donation in recognition of Steve's amazing endeavours this week.

The Samson Centre plays a key part in my life, delivering physiotherapy and a host of other therapies and support, and keeping me as active and mobile as possible. It's annual running costs are in the region of £200k so this kind of donation total makes a big difference to the centre. The MS society and it's branch network around the country ensures that all patients have access to the support and information they need to manage life with MS, and all donations are key to allowing this to happen.

The other pleasure I have got from the Just Giving pages is reading all the donation messages. The superlatives of awesome, amazing, incredible, inspirational, astonishing, phenomenal and a whole host of others are written with such regularity that I hope Steve eventually gets round to reading some of them too and see what an impact this last week has had on so many people.

Thank you aswell to everyone that has been part of the support crew that has been with Steve this week. A massive team effort I know and I am sure Steve will be the first to recognise that. Well done in particular to Emma for being there every step of the way this week with Steve whilst also trying to maintain a normal (?) family life - don't know how you have done it.

So congratulations to my brother (though as I write this he has approximately 3 hours left on the fells) on an achievement that deserves all the recognition it is getting, and finally thank you to Steve for choosing to support my two MS charities. Very proud of you bruv!

THANK YOU

Hilary

Homeward Bound. A New Wainwright Record Beckons for Steve Birkinshaw

There were quite incredible scenes at Newlands Hause as Steve Birkinshaw arrived at 1800 this evening. He was accompanied by a huge posse of around 35 support runners who had joined him at various stages on the leg from Crummock Water.

Steve arrived 8 minutes ahead of his schedule despite being nearly two hours off it earlier in the day. It is a mark of Steve's experience and his careful planning that it looks as though his estimate of 2300 finish in Keswick tonight will be remarkably accurate.

To get this far Steve has already run 500km in the previous 6 days and climbed 208 Wainwrights. Right now, Steve has just 18km and 6 Wainwrights remaining to complete his record breaking run. With 214 Wainwrights in total Steve is 97% complete of an overall journey of 518km with an incredible 35,000m (yes, 35,000m!) of ascent.

At this checkpoint Steve was in a great mood and clearly delighted with the number of support runners who had turned out. He said, "My blisters aren't so sore anymore and I am getting a real boost running with friends and so many other well wishers". 

Steve's son Matthew asked what was his favourite Wainwright was. Steve's response; "The last one!"

Joss Naylor’s 1987 record of 7 days and 1 hour looks certain to be broken this evening with Steve due back in Keswick at 2311 tonight (according to his schedule) and with a new record of 6 days and 14 hours to boot...

...However, I'll make a prediction. I think Steve will be quicker as a huge number of runners, close to 50, left Newlands Hause with Steve and many others had said they will join him along the way. I am sure there will be massive reception for Steve waiting in Keswick.  The surge of adrenalin from running with all these people, and being so close to the finish will push Steve along faster and faster as the end approaches.

I think he will arrive around 2230 but please keep watching the tracker for the latest information. We think it will take him about 45 minutes from the summit of Cat Bells to the finish at Moot Hal.

We hope to see you there!