Last post

Hey,


This will most likely be the last post of the Cornish Coastal Challenge blog, but not the last Challenge blog (watch this space).


I would have blogged sooner but my laptop decided to pack in on the way home from Cornwall.


I just wanted to share a little bit of my journey with you and share the pictures that I took along the way.


https://picasaweb.google.com/111844859232671488911/Cornwall15021st25thMay2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLKww76PlaaikAE&feat=directlink


I met some amazingly generous and kind people along the way and I would like to mention them here.  On Monday I flew down the side of a cliff into a little town called Boscastle.  I had been going around about 16 miles and this was where I was stopping for lunch, and boy did I need it.  I stumbled into a little cafe called The Harbour Light Tea Garden and managed to order a sandwich.  After a while I got into conversation with the owner about what I was doing and his family had been heavily affected by Alzheimer's and so very kindly he said lunch was on him and gave me £20 sponsorship! I have since called and thanked him for his generosity!
This certainly spurred me on in the afternoon and landed at Port Isaac where my cousins Mark and Jules met me with words of encouragement and delivered me to my accommodation.


This was the hardest time, I was worn out and didn't know how my body would cope with a quick recovery.  The thought of all the people I would be helping and who had wished me luck definitely made me motivate the next morning!


Lane End Farm was a wonderful place to stay and Nab and Linda Monk were exceptionally helpful and even moved me into their self catering bungalow annexe just so I could have an ice bath! They treated me amazingly and also donated to Alzheimer's! I will be sure to stay there if I get the chance again!


Tuesday saw me visit Padstow for lunch at the Fo'c'sle which was much needed! I then sat on a bench outside to put sun cream on and had a nice conversation with a family from New Zealand before heading off to Mawgan Porth.  I stayed at a place called Trevarrian lodge who were very accommodating and let me use a separate bathroom for my ice bath!
That night I ate at The Travellers rest where after conversing about why I was so mad to do what I was doing the staff contributed to the Alzheimer's society, very kind of them!


Portreath was my destination on Wednesday and a stop at Dolphin House which again was superb! The ice bath was welcomed with open arms and breakfast the next morning and the sandwich for my journey was well received!!


Thursday saw me pass through St Ives where I met Mum and Dad and Dad was going to run the last half of the day with me up to Pendeen and my next stop, The North Inn.  This was an exceptionally tough day, doing 35 miles and nearly 6000 feet of climb.
Whilst in St Ives and I was having a welcomed sit down on the bench I realised that the family from New Zealand who I spoke to in Padstow were again sitting on the next bench!  We got chatting and they were also very kind in donating to the Alzheimer's society! Small world!


The ice bath on Thursday was the best yet, a full bucket of ice!! Amazing!


That evening we met up with Dad's cousin and family, and also saw them in Penzance when I finished which was very nice and I hope to see them again soon!


Friday, the last day, even though in the morning I knew it was only one day, I still knew that it was a whole day of running and about 27 miles, but this seemed short in comparison to some of the other days! Dad was to meet me at the Minack theatre near Porthcurno to run the last section.


Penzance, my final destination appeared and Dad and I ran head on into the wind to finish near the Jubilee pool.  Wow, what a feeling that was! It took a little while to sink in that I had covered 156 miles in the last 5 days and the effort I had put in and how much I had pushed my body, my legs, my feet, my mind.


I would like to take this opportunity to thank every single person who sponsored me, who believed in me, who sent their wishes of luck before, during and after the run.  I want to say a MASSIVE thank you to Mark and Jules for supporting me and most importantly to my Mum and Dad who were there at the end and all the way through since the idea was born and always believed that I could complete it.


What more can I say other than I will be back blogging with something bigger and better!!!


Rob

COMPLETE!!

Firstly, Day 4 was a massive slog, the afternoon stretch was so tough, a lot of steep climbs and then steeps downhill sections too which takes it out of the legs! Luckily I had my Dad with to keep me company and keep me going!  I did 35 miles on day 4 and nearly 6000 feet of climbing so I was so tired when I finished and immediately dunked myself into a wonderful ice bath!

Today was my last day and what a day it was.  I made good time in the morning and the tracks were fairly clear and not too many steep sections and managed to visit Land's End and have some lunch.  I then went on to Porthcurno and the Minack Theatre.  The track was hard after here, my Dad joined me, he seemed to be getting the hardest sections of my days!

There was quite a lot of steep ascents and descents BUT we made it!!!! 155 miles and 5 days later I have completed my challenge!! I can't believe that I've actually done it!

I am completely drained and my legs are dead but I'm happy and will upload pictures and blog again soon!!

Thank you for all your support from start to finish, it's been overwhelming :)

Rob

Day 3

Just a quick post to say I landed safe and sound in Portreath and I'm stopping in a wonderful B&B and have been treated ever so kind! There is homemade chocolate cake in my room and I am being packed off with a sandwich in the morning for lunch!!


I'm not as tired as I have been but the running is taking a toll on my knees and legs, the ice baths have continued and I am hoping that they do some good!


Only two more days and my Dad is running the last legs of tomorrow and Friday with me which will give me something to aim for in the morning and then some company and fresh legs to spur me on in the afternoon.


Got to keep going.


Rob

Hey,

I'm sat in my room at Trevarrian Lodge just outside of Mawgan Porth.  They have WiFi!

I'm doing well, today was much better than yesterday and was a lot less feet to climb which was nice. I've been told that it gets easier (well more flat) from here.

Ice baths have been going well, the trick is to get in slowly, but not so slowly as to realise why in the world you are doing it and just not bother!

The people I have met down here have been so nice and helpful and have supported my cause and I'm very touched, I have been given donations along the way and even was given lunch on the house when I was in Boscastle, words cannot describe how touching it is.

And thank you to the texts and Facebook comments of support, it really is keeping me going and I am determined to finish.  I did have my doubts to whether I could pull it off after yesterday but that was an exceptionally tough day.

I will try and update again tomorrow, whether it be online or on my phone (which my phone and its lack of function and the Blogger app doesn't produce great posts!

Rob

Day two. Lunch

Hey. For those following my blog and wondering where I was as I didn't post last night. I'm fine. I just ate and crashed out. I am currently sat in a cafe in Padstow after getting the ferry across the river camel. My phone is rubbish and doesnt let me type numbers but I have done twelve point eight seven miles. Nearly half way now and just plug on and enjoy myself. Hopefully. Rob

Wow

Wow, what can I say?  I am travelling down to Cornwall tomorrow, my cousins Mark and Jules have kindly offered to take me and then the journey will begin!


The support I have received has been phenomenal.  The sheer volume of people donating and wishing me well has been astounding!


www.justgiving.com/Rob-Webb2


I am very confident about the run, I know it will be tough but confidence is a good start to defeating the trail!


Rob

Days 4 and 5

After leaving Portreath there are some steep ascents and descents but soon levels out  and runs easily along the cliffs and around the headlands to Gwithian.  There is no habitation around here but a few cafe's which I may have a stop at!


I will be able to choose to run over the dunes of The Towans or along the beach if the tide allows.  On towards Hayle, which apparently doesn't win any prizes for prettiness as the industrial past is still very evident!


The next biggest town is St Ives which can be traced back to St Ia, a 5th century Irish missionary and daughter of a chieftain.  The natural harbour was protected by The Island (or St Ives Head) and was developed in the 18th century.  After a long history as a fishing port, St Ives has become associated with arts, crafts and tourism.

St Ives - The Island

On towards my next stop at Pendeen and this next section is reportedly one of the most spectacular parts of the south west coast path so I will be in for a treat!  Hopefully the weather will favour me and I will be able to enjoy it as in harsher conditions this section has been described as 'an arduous treadmill'. Which means I won't be smiling much!

Ancient forts on the remoter parts of the coast will change to ruined tin mines towards the end of my day.

There is a large evidence of tin mining when I will reach Pendeen with old chimneys, engine houses and winding gear to be seen throughout the town.  The tin mine was working up until as late as 1990!

My final stretch will see me pass through Lands End and on to Penzance where I intend sitting down for a long time.  Despite some of the crowds at Lands End, the scenery should be excellent and among some of the best along the coast so even if I'm dead on my feet and not good to look at, people can look at the scenery instead!

The famous signpost at Lands End

The last time someone set a record for an end to end trip from Scotland was a runner who did it in 9 days 2 hours 26 minutes! Amazing, and maybe one day!

The final stretch of my journey takes me through Porthcurno along some relatively easy stretches of coastline which I'm sure my legs will be glad to hear about!

There are a few wooded areas to pass through which is unusual for the coastal path and might bring a nice change to the scenery and running conditions underfoot.

The roads beyond Mousehole towards are through Newlyn are apparently a slog so will have my work cut out for me!

I'm sure by this time the adrenaline of nearly completing this challenge will have kicked in and will be keeping me plodding along!

Then to Penzance and to rest!

Bobby