We caught up with one of our fantastic fundraisers Sarah Leanne, who works for Hydrock, to discuss the trials, tribulations and successes of the Yorkshire Challenge she completed in an effort to raise money for our charity:
Whilst I am an active person, I have never pushed myself to the physical or mental limit, and I have never raised money for a charity solo. As I am an avid walker, I figured I should choose an event that plays to my strength, which is when I came across Ultra Challenge who do organised 100km walks across the country. I had originally signed up for the Lake District 100km walk in May, however I developed an overuse tendon injury in my foot due to excessive training and had to defer my event to the Yorkshire Challenge in July instead.
The walk was certainly a memorable one, partly for the stunning Yorkshire scenery, but also as it was a bit of a surreal experience. The first 50km went very smoothly as I had reached that distance in training, and I was trying to keep on top of my blister management at every rest stop. Although by the half way mark I had developed a couple of blisters, a bite on my leg that was swelling and heat rash up my legs but thankfully the medics were always on hand to give you drugs, creams and tape you up so you’re good to go.
The next 50km was more of a blur as I had no concept of time other than knowing I had 13km to walk until the next rest stop, and then 12km to the next rest stop and so on. I reached the 76km mark at around 1:00am and saw the medic (the famous Dr Nicki Lygo!) as the back of my heels were so sore and she said they are the worst feet she’s ever seen and she’s surprised I am still walking. But at that point stopping was not an option so I popped some paracetamol, had 2 cups of coffee and off I went into the darkness with my head torch and walking poles.
The 76km to 89km stretch was the worst stretch by far as it was dark, raining and I bonked really badly where I started shaking as I thought I was going to pass out as I was in such a calorie deficit. At this point though I had no desire to eat, I had no saliva in my mouth and everything just tasted weird. So I sat down on the moors in the pouring rain and wind, and had to force down a flapjack and wait for my sugar levels to sort themselves out. I was pretty scared at this point as I was on my own and thought what happens if I pass out. Thankfully the flapjack did the trick and off I went to the next check point where I wolfed down some bananas and replaced my depleted carbohydrate reserves.
There was something very special in the early hours of the morning when the sun was rising and all you could hear were the birds chirping away, and I knew at that point I was going to complete this challenge. I had a little cry as I was a bit overwhelmed with it all, I put on The Greatest Showman album and off I went to the finish line to collect my medal in a total time of 21 hours and 46 minutes.
I chose to support the Lighthouse Construction Charity as it’s a charity that I feel very passionately about supporting, having worked in the construction industry since graduating from the University of Leicester in 2013. I have worked on numerous construction sites throughout my career, as well as working closely with drillers, often the same ones as you develop a friendship with them. I will never forget the moment when I was on site and a driller broke down in front of me as he was suffering with depression and he just didn’t know what to do and it broke my heart seeing him so upset and in complete despair, and I just remember thinking how on earth can I help him as he had lost all hope. At the time, I hadn’t heard of the Lighthouse Construction Charity and I wish that I had so I could have pointed him in the right direction.
I often thought of him on my walk and of other construction workers who may be going through a similar experience, and knowing that the money I had raised was helping support those in need. It is certainly what kept me going through the tough times on my walk. My family and friends were also messaging me throughout the day and night shouting words of encouragement which definitely helped as well. My company Hydrock also matched the money that I raised and donated an incredible £1,000 to the Lighthouse Construction Charity, which will hopefully help and support a lot of people who need their help. So was it worth the ordeal that I went through? Absolutely and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
