IT's done, everyone is back home and we were very successful I'd have to say. The event started with a nice breakfast witht he chairman of Oxfam Ireland (Tony) and shortly there after we heded out on the trek with over 100 other teams. We started out with our team split in pairs, Sharon and I out front and Barbara and Shelly backa little further. Teams gradually got spread out over the first few rest stops during the good weather...after the second check in we got some wind and rain. It subsided eventually but the rain would return. Lots of terrain from gravel paths in the woods, to roads, to single tracks and our "favorite" in the middle of the night a series of mucky hilly farm fields. Sharon battle her boots in section 8 and we all had some blisters due to hours iwth soaked shoes and socks. My 2 way radios were great for calling in orders/requests for what food and clothes could be prepped. We all rallied for the double section without our brilliant support team of Chris and Mike...this brought us into what could be considered the devilish last section that had every component of the rest of the trek..muck, hills (at least two more than expected), fence climbing, rocks, and some beautiful views too. We finished strong 26 hours and 11 minutes after starting in lovely Carlingford, Ireland. We got into our hotel within 90 minutes all ready for a solid nap and eventually a good nights sleep...well not Chris and Sharon, they headed off to real life directly from the finish. Sharon, was in rough shape but she showed heart finishing so strong. We were 11th of the teams finishinng with 4 members, about 17th overall (including teams who dropped a member). We ended up 2nd of all teams in fund raising. Other stats for this 100km trek include my GPS based data...which doesn't match the organizers info.
67.5 miles (108km) +1/2 mile boat ride
20:52 moving time wiht an average movign speed of 3.2 mph
Our total rest time 5:35 therefore an average overall speed of 2.5 mph
Total evevation gain/loss: 10003feet
The Spot recorded the majority of the trek but must've got flipped upside downa nd the last couple of hours didn't registier but we had many faithful, wine drinking onlookers.
Thank you to all those well wishers and those who gave fanancial support as well. I'd also liek to thank all of those willing to overlook mispelled words and typos in this silly blog.
Cheers.
