Rob's epic!

Hiya peeps!

Only me, I know, it's been ages but to be fair, nothing has really happened that's exciting to tell you about!

However, the moment I have been waiting months for finally arrived - Rob Starbuck runs the Forces March route solo, 132 miles continuous! Mad mad man! I can, however understand it.

I volunteered as support driver for Rob back in May at The Forces March, we make such a good team, I understand Rob's stubbornness and occasionally he listens to me!

Janine and Graham from the March also helped out as Janine was worried about me driving so many hours on my own, and to be fair I am very glad of that decision!

Rob arrived Tuesday afternoon in Devon, I abandoned him to go and teach and left him to it.

We chilled out that evening, carbed up, danced and listened to some great music and finally got some sleep.

I abandoned him again to go and take out 2 clients before we set off.

Packed up, van dog-ready and all set to drive to Ilfracombe.

I am honest, you all know that so I am not going to deny the fact that I drove accidentally to Western Super Mare or however you spell it! We were chatting and listening to some Funky music and I thought it was further up. Finally we managed to turn around at a sign for Bristol!
There was some epic cloud there though, which we wouldn't have seen if I hadn't have gone wrong!
Oh how we laughed!!! ;)

We got to Ilfracombe, parked up and went for a seaside stroll with the dogs!

Rob took the puppy, how much attention did he get?! haha

We walked up a massive hill and took in the view, had an epic hot chocolate drink and then fish and chips!

Killed some time, odd stuff going on in the car park by the swimming pool, think it's a local dogging spot! Prepared the van signage, Rob got changed and then midnight! We were off!

Those of you who know my driving will know my 2 speeds, fast and stop! So driving at a steady 5mph was extra hard work for me. It was raining, dark and cold, but my only concern was to make sure my funky team mate was safe and all was good for him to do this challenge.
I think having a support driver who has actually done a night time ultra, who knows what you go through, physically and emotionally helps!

The first marathon seemed to go on forever, but actually Rob did a super speedy 5 hours! We got to Simonsbath and the landscape becomes so boring, there is no variation, those last 5 miles are tedious, really brain taxing!
We hit Exford, I had a wee behind the van and off we went again, soon to be met by Graham who took over from me.

I shot off to Crowcombe to the Steam Railway and waited!

The Station staff turned up at about 8.30-9am, I got a cuppa straight away, offers of cake and the most friendly welcome you could ever wish for. I love that place, not only because of the steam trains, but because of how genuinely lovely they all are.
They let me be Station staff for a bit and I got to see 3 Steam trains come in!

Finally Rob and Graham arrived, I ran a little of the way down the road with my team buddy and friend, and we prepared for the next section, the hardest in my opinion, starting with Crowcombe hill!

The weather had turned slightly, no more rain, but it was starting to get hot, which also caused me concern, but we had enough water on board so all was well.

I remember running this section, it's not great, it appears to just go on forever.
We finally made it to Bridgwater, made a plan to meet up at a particular road, and I waited, and waited, and panicked, and called Graham and Janine and got myself into a right state!
After doing 3 circuits of Bridgwater following where I had left him, running up and down several roads in my flip flops I decided to continue on to where he should be going, and low and behold, there he was trotting along as though nothing had happened!
He got a massive hug, I sighed with relief, we waved at Graham as he passed the other way on a search mission and off we went on what I think is the most dangerous stretch of road I have ever come across! I feared for Rob's life I'll be honest.

I went far ahead, flashed my lights like a nutter and stuck my arm out the window, waving up and down to slow them down, massive insight into drivers!
The men I waved down to slow thanked me for warning them of whatever it was and slowed down, the idiotic women, approx age 20-40 most of them on the phone, ignored my flashing and waving, gave me an evil and speeded up! No wonder women drivers get a bad name, I actually couldn't believe it!
Since this Rob and I have discussed missing this section of next years Forces March, I nearly got hit by a car there this year, I think a re-route is in order before there is a fatality!

We finally got to Somerton and had hugs with Janine and Graham, then I left Ron in their capable hands and I shot off to Maiden Bradley (via McDonalds) where I found the pub shut and the village shut up for the night!
I walked the dogs around the field where we camped (and I streaked) and sat in the van waiting!

I must have dozed for a while, soon to be woken by a frantic Duck who had lost Rob and Graham. Easily done, I lost Rob that same day, but Rob had Graham with him.

I decided to go and look for them as I couldn't sleep so us chicks set off back along the original route into the darkness.
We must have missed them at some point and eventually met up with them back at Maiden Bradley where there was a little re-fuelling, napping and preparing for the last section!

I think I was over-tired, slightly insane and wired all at the same time by this point, but off we went along the last of the Wiltshire roads.
Rob had a mission at Larkhill to sit on the bench he sat on last time, where they first noticed his damaged calf muscle. Rob is stubborn, I like that, I understand that, but not to the detriment of your body!
Anyway, sleepy Rob, sleepy drivers got to Larkhill, re-fuelled again and Rob set off for the very last section!

Funny though, it seemed shorter than when I ran it in May, and soon we were cheering Rob in at Bulford.

I don't think I can express in words just how proud of Rob I am, he is one of the best friends I have ever had, is always there for me, understands me and I know we are going to be friends forever!
Experiences like this make the best friendships, Janine and Graham, honest, brilliant, kind, and you know they will always be there for you.

I thank Danny and Veterans Charity for giving me The Forces March experience and with it, some of the best friends in the world!

I'm still tired now, I'll catch up though, ready for the next Team Adventure - The Dawlish Triathlon!