Running 7 Marathons in 7 Days – What Next?
It’s been 6 months since we completed our Dream, nearly a year of planning since descending the summit of Mont Blanc with a vision of being able to run 7 Marathons in 7 Days, following in the footsteps of non-other than the great challenger and adventurer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
Jason celebrates completing his Dream of running 7 Marathons in 7 Days
The 7x7x7 Challenge bought many new experiences to myself with the physical issues and the need to re-use the “Mind Over Matter” concept to block out any negativity and extreme pain towards the final 3 marathons. The many highs, including the “Unthinkable” of achieving the goal and crossing the final marathon line which was an actual ultra-Marathon of 31 miles called the Mendip Challenge. The support received from everyone from my home Town and across the whole of Somerset, Gareth, Rachel and Darren who were crazy enough to accept my invite 10 months ago, WE DID IT! Successfully achieved something that very few across the world has ever achieved, let alone were willing to attempt.
Achieving such a feat will take time to truly sink in but once it does it will be a Challenge I look forward to sharing in future inspirational talks and the concept of mind over matter, each challenge has helped me to prepare for the next and nothing so physical will ever be required to achieve due to the daily mileage and such stress on the body to complete all 7 marathons.
The support team were immense, Davan Caravans provided a support vehicle and driver for safety and were fantastic, we also had friends Ray Fear who also was driving and Daniel Jackson who cycled the first 6 marathons as additional support. Our medic Clare Passarelli was thankfully not required in the emergency sense was was used on a daily basis through hydration, support, blisters and general muscle fatigue/cramp/sores etc. People who had become friends turning up asking to run and support us all, Paul Grinham and Keith Trask returning to run on numerous occasions despite work and family commitments, Bill Doody flying over from France to assist and get us through tough miles, people running because they could see we needed the support, many friends and family taking on Challenges for the first time and some completing their first ever marathons.
The weather was a major positive factor due to the overcast conditions, light rain at times and light winds, the body was under enough stress and pressure regardless of additional issues through hot sunshine or torrential downpours. On returning home it seems as though running across Somerset had a very positive effect by inspiring many others to get up, go out and start running as I had received over 50 emails of messages, thanking us for what we had done for the 7 charities and inspiring them to do more Sport and active things such as running. Many said they felt inspired watching the BBC News Points West and seeing what we were attempting and then watching and hearing the updates on the progress each day. Being asked to appear on the BBC News was a definite highlight for me and to hear how many at BBC Bristol were amazed by what was achieved, despite me walking like John Wayne into the BBC studio. I wanted everyone to join me on the sofa, only to be told there was room for one and even that wasn’t confirmed until I arrived at the studios in so much pain, the cartilage in the knee was badly damaged, but we were all suffering after our epic achievements.
The whole 7 days was also filmed by Professional local film makers Black Sheep Filming, the owner James Mason created a team to oversee the process of filming and photography on a daily basis. I was delighted for them as their footage was used during the week on the BBC News updates. I look forward to the DVD editing and fun that comes with trying to piece together a huge amount of filming and photography taken over 7 days and pre-interviews to be presented by James and his team.
Having a close association in the past with Weston College it was great to invite the media students the opportunity to also film the challenge and to have a total of 12 students involved with the week event. They too are going to present a complete insight into how we got through the challenge, highs and lows, hills and tears.
As always a massive thanks to our sponsors and a special note of thanks to NK Sports, Neil, Jerry, Louise and the Sports Shop Team for once again showing support with tops and running equipment.
I return to add my final notes of this Challenge. 2015 Looks to be a year of “Get On Your Bike”! Yes, I shall be attempting the Cycle of Britain, better known as “The Jogle”, cycling from John o’Groats to Lands End, covering 1,000 miles over 7 days.
Gareth, Rachel and Darren continue to inspire with many new challenges, running, swimming, Iron Man Challenges and cycling ultra distances, breaking new PB’s, the list goes on. I hope in time we all find a chance to share the high’s and lows of our journey.
Looking back on the 7 Marathons in 7 days…………WOW! It truly was amazing. Emotional and all made possible from good planning and immense support.
I will never be able to thank Gareth Starr, Rachel Smith and Darren Abbotts enough for joining me on this chapter of Challenges, the hours and hours of training and time spent together creating something memorable during the 7x7x7, for us, for our friends and our families but also, as we all know, for the 7 amazing charities. We won’t be able to thank Daniel, Ray, Richard, Claire, Bill, Pete, Dana, Paul Grinham, Keith Trask and our families and friends ever enough for giving up so much time and support, the planning and hard work certainly paid off. It takes a special kind of person to give so much, as time is priceless in value, we all thank you all x.
For everything that is wrong in this life, for every mistake we make, there’s far more positives that each of us can and try and do to provide on a daily, weekly or yearly basis that counteracts the bad, the sad and the awful things that are seen in this world and the 7x7x7 Challenge had so many amazing positives for ourselves and for so many other people. The past 12 months for my family have been tough, and the next 12 months look to be made somewhat harder, but we’ve got to cherish each and everyday we area ll given, to make the most of our lives and to look at the good things and not dwell on the bad.
Just one of the many great highlights for me personally from the 7 marathons has to have been seeing little Archie Pearson’s face light up while a surprise meeting with his hero Batman, or another with Gareth, Rachel and Darren’s family hugging each of them after greeting us all at each finish line, my wife and my parents from Spain who were able to see us finish before flying back home in what was a whirlwind week to me was priceless memories, as I think each of our loved ones shared our pain and took many running steps for everyone of us during the 26.2 miles each and everyday that we all endured. There’s certainly many more great memories I will remember as flash backs and memories come flooding back to me and that have done so since that epic day in June, as they say, time is slowly ticking and time may be running out, but I’m sure there’s one or two more Challenges left in these old legs yet and I hope to share a few more with you all, a challenge or 2 with old friends and new too.
With age brings Wisdom, but I still Dream of many things as there’s so much more to life with an ever growing bucket list of life to fulfill. Once again, thanks to Gareth, Rachel, Darren and each of you who became part of something very special making 2014 a year we will never forget. Jas x
Wishing you all A Very Merry Christmas and an Inspiring 2015 x
