The event was very different from all the others as I attempted to row the equivalent of crossing the channel and back a total 42 miles!
Up to the week before the furthest I had actually rowed was 7 miles, then on the Sunday before hand and less than a week before the actual event I rowed 26 miles. Was this foolish to do it so close to the challenge..well as it turned out no it wasn't and I completed the distance in 6 hours and 39 minutes.
I was anticipating around 8 hours so to finish 1 hour and 20 minutes quicker took me by surprise, although given the pain I had in my arse it was a blessing really!
The challenge was carried out at the Borough Shopping Parade in Chippenham. Halogen UK who operate the shopping parade were brilliant and provided gazebos, a face painter, elves to give out chocolates and the Santa suit!
They had also advertised the event which was awesome.
I arrived at Chippenham on Friday evening where I stayed with Russ and Jen (Eva's parents), they provided me with a great carb loading meal as we made the final arrangements for the Saturday.
Unfortunately Veryan (the wife) and the kids weren't able to join me for the last challenge as it was a case of either the rower or them...on this occasion the rower won and they stayed at home.
It was a relatively early start on Saturday morning but I was able to enjoy having breakfast with Eva who became partial to my toast in the process!
Russ and I set off about 7:45 with the plan to start around 8:30, unfortunately this message didn't quite reach Jane Boulton the manager at Springboard who, along with a team of helpers, arrived just before 7!
With the gazebos and rower in place there was only one thing left to do.....that's right change in to the Santa outfit!
So at around 8:40 with my support crew including Bouncy Bear in place I started the first half of the challenge 34,000 metres or 21 miles!
Being outside was great as it meant that I didn't get too hot even in the Santa suit and I had lots of distractions from all the shoppers.
I must also say a big thank you to cafe Nero who gave me free tea all day which for a massive tea drinker like myself was amazing, the only issue was trying to drink it and row at the same time!
Throughout the day supports came and went thanks to a rota put in place by the springboard team. Even Bouncy Bear seemed to regenerate more times than Dr Who but the kids loved it unfortunateky they weren't to sure of the guy on the rower who sort of looked like Santa!
After 3:09 I had completed the first half of the challenge and in theory had landed in France.
I made a quick pit stop (again thank you cafe Nero for letting me use the toilets) and reapplied some lube then it was back on the rower for the return journey.
This was the tough part and I went through a tricky spell but after more tea and a warm pasty (eaten whilst rowing) I came out of it the other side.
As I said earlier I had a number of people who distracted me whilst I was rowing including some carol singers
And the Mayor of Chippenham
After another 3 hours and 30 minutes I completed the second half of the event.
So in a total of 6 hours and 39 minutes I had done and completed challenge 12 and the entire Average Joe Challenge!
The team from Springboard did an amazing job on the day and as a result they collected over £590 (including gift aid) which has helped get the fundraising total to just over £4,800 which is bloody brilliant and made one girl very happy!
The donation page is open until the end of January so all being well we should pass the £5k target!
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/averagejoe
Again I want to thank everyone for their support throughout the year, it has been epic and in the coming weeks I will post a blog to summarise the last 12 months.
In the mean time I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Andy
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