It was easier said than done however Team Commsworld rose to the Challenge and completed the Rob Roy Challenge 2010.  Team Commsworld were officially last on two counts; we were the last team to cross the finish line, officially timed at 12 hours and 33 minutes for the event.  More importantly we were officially last out of the pub the night before (or should I say early hours of the morning). Officially timed at 12.45 am, there was a lot of synergy therefore with our official time for the event, and the time that we left the pub!

This says a lot about our team.  Firstly, we enjoyed ourselves, we had a great time; the drink was flowing and the banter was razor sharp.  Sitting in the Clachan Inn, Drymen, you could have been forgiven for thinking you were in the Wild West! This could have had something to do with the fact that we were slap bang in the middle of a Hen Night Drymen style where the local ladies wear cowboy hats!! 

Secondly and most importantly, our team dug deep to finish the event which was a gruelling slog of 16 miles on foot, followed by a further 42 miles on a bike.  It genuinely is easier said than done. Doing an event like this answers a lot of questions about yourself and your ability to keep going when the going gets tough, particularly the last 16 miles from Killin to Kenmore.  This stretch of the course is exceptionally hilly, and when you’re a*** is in tatters after cycling 24 miles to get to that point on a saddle that has the properties of a razor blade, it takes a big effort to push on for the finish line.

So how did our runners and riders fare?  Firstly there was me, Mark Wright; a reasonably fit chap, I really enjoyed the event and enjoyed pushing my colleagues towards the finish line.  Next up was Paul Moore, Paul really surprised me with his efforts this year. Gone was the pained expression of two years ago. This was a man that had reached gold before, and knew just what was required to get there again.

Then there was Jane McVey. With proper trainers this year, Jane waltzed the first 16 miles.  On to the bike and Jane powered on for 24 miles.  At Killin, and with the battle cry of “going for Gold” Jane dug exceptionally deep after hitting her personal “Wall” at Cardiac Brae which is halfway along the last stretch.  The last 8 miles were cycled on auto pilot….nothing was going to stop her reaching gold.
 
Next up was Andrew Grove...the founder member of the Herbalife training plan.  He changed to Tennents Herbalife the night before!!  His personal Nemesis arrived from Balquidder to Glen Ogle.  He dug equally deep to complete this stretch. At the top of Cardiac Brae he uttered his famous quote “my b**** are nonexistent and my *** is in tatters”.  That is the price you pay for no training prior to the event then buying a bike with a razor blade for a saddle!!  He should have bought a gel seat lol. 

Next was my good lady wife Lorraine; her training regime of five spin classes and two circuit classes per week paid off and she looked comfortable for the most part.  She started to flag at the top of Cardiac Brae, however a wee energy bar gave her a second wind and it was onward to gold.  Then there was Pat McGuinness.  Pat dug exceptionally deep...into a humungous jar of Vaseline!!  Chaffing would be an understatement however the big chap exceeded all expectations and got to gold.  He was almost ghost like in the Balquidder to Killin stretch but with desire and guts a plenty he reached his goal.

David McDonald aka Big Div - his goal was to complete the on foot section and he did this with style.  On a day that was hotter than a cow on fire, Big Div ploughed a furrow up the big hills from Aberfoyle to Callendar in a way that would make Sir Ranulph Fiennes look like a beginner. He reached his personal goal. 

Why were we doing this event?  Well apart from being great fun and extremely punishing, there were some great charities being helped by the Martin Currie Charitable Foundation.  Final total is not yet known however we have exceeded the £1,600 that we set out to raise. You can still give at the following link If you fancy sponsoring our heroic efforts just click on the following “just Giving” link http://www.justgiving.com/commsworldltd Thank you in advance.


And now that the aches and pains have started to subside, our gallant troops have suggested “Maggie’s Monster Bike and Hike” for May 2011. Like I always say............easier said than done!

Take a look at some our footage from the day here http://www.commsworld.com/index.php/commsworld-tv

Please leave you comments or share your charity events with us. http://www.commsworld.com/index.php/blog

Mark Wright