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Richie B

Apex Everest 2024

Donate to Richard and help them reach their fundraising goal of 2500 ❤️

My Activity Tracking

1,289
mi

What mountain??

Update following last weekends conquering of the APEX Everest Challenge in aid of Combat Stress.

Highs and lows, sunshine and storms, unbearable pain and immense relief it had it all.

What an event, what an experience, and what an amount raised with some donations still rolling in.

Recovery mode and rest time now while I contemplate what's next... watch this space.....

Apex Pro was by far the hardest ultra endurance race I have tackled so far 36hrs to complete – 29hrs 43 mins 35 seconds – 4th place male, well chuffed.

As for my accomplice – WOW… I don’t know where to start with this, Matt Lamb has not only completed the challenge but also done it in fantastic style, he listened to advice from myself and fellow runners to help him get through this feat of physical and mental endurance regarding his nutrition intake of what and when, what kit to use and pacing strategy’s etc, he remembered small lessons and tips from some of our training runs when massively sleep deprived and completely exhausted and gave it absolutely every single ounce of effort he had to give.

A real heart of a lion performance Matt left nothing on that mountain and not only finished inside the allotted 48hrs cut off time for the Apex individual category he had entered but managed to cross the line in 32hrs 25 mins 21 seconds which was fast enough to place 7th overall in the Apex Pro category.

Gobsmacked!!! Unbelievable effort, well done kid – be proud of yourself. 100 starters 27 finishers that mountain broke a few over the weekend.

Thanks again to all who have supported us on this amazing journey we have loved every step of it, especially the push on the fundraising for an amazing charity. 

Thank you for helping us to change the lives of our veterans who are struggling with all aspects of mental health and PTSD.  

We couldn't have done it with out your motivation and support. 

Race across the Isle of Skye Trail Ultra = broken but not giving up...

Everything was going to plan, all the training had paid off, nutrition, race strategy, navigation was on point, weather was great and I was loving every stride of the gruelling Skye Trail Ultra I was in my happy place and then at around 56 miles crack - instant agony, right foot felt immobile, red hot and really didn't want to play anymore... SHUT UP BRAIN, I WILL CONTINUE!!!

Pace took a nose dive, plan, what plan? this wasn't part of it, I wont make the 26hrs cut off at this pace... I've been running for 18hrs already and now I'm hardly moving. 

Checkpoint 6 - Well past midnight, Race Marshall "are you sure your ok? you don't look ok" My Head was screaming "NO, PULL ME OUT - ITS MY FOOT - MY FOOT IS F*****!!!" but what actually came out was "yea, I'm fine... just a bit of cramp, I'll trot it off" 

Run Run Run - Power Walk - Do anything to look half ok to continue until you get round that bend and out of sight!! JUST F****** GO! 

25:03:05 Finish Line - I did it.
Did it go to plan? - No
Does life always go to plan? - No

Outcome - fracture and severe ligament damage. 
Will it heal? - Yes
Will I be fully recovered in time for APEXEVEREST? - ???
Why did I continue? - Because I'm a stubborn B@$7@Rd? - No, because I chose to put myself in that environment, your head will always look for the easy option, the fastest way out - your head will always want you to quit when things don't go to plan. 
Am I going to quit or backout of the event? - You've got more chance of platting p!ss!!!

Many of our veterans don't have that choice, they haven't volunteered to be in the mental battles that they face everyday, constantly arguing with their own mind about throwing the towel in... 

They need our help, they need our support, after all the battles they have fought for us to have what we have, to live the lives we live and make the choices we do, lets help them win the war they are still fighting...

Race across the Isle of Skye Trail Ultra

https://strava.app.link/sIYplSPWpKb

Mattys 1st proper run 27/04/24

Training is going well and as planned, Saturday saw me and Matt Lamb who is attempting this stupidity with me, tackle his first proper outing - 3 laps of our local The Wrekin totalling 21 miles and over 4000' of elevation, this took him to somewhere he had never been both physically and mentally but he smashed it, with grit, determination and self belief - Well Done Matty....

As for the fundraising - WOW! - Speechless, all I can ay is a HUGE "THANK YOU" to all who have got behind us already, keep spreading the word and lets make a difference together.


Mattys 1st proper run

https://strava.app.link/AYo2SbMXbJb

Support my challenge

I'm taking on the APEX Everest challenge to raise vital funds for life-changing mental health treatment for veterans.

Combat Stress is the UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health. For over a century, they've helped former servicemen and women deal with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, they provide support to veterans from every service and every conflict.

I’m taking on vital steps towards ensuring veterans can get the support they need.

Thank you so much for your support.

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

£6,987 + £344.05 GiftAid

My Goal

£2,500

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My Achievements

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Self donated

Raised £250

Raised £500

Raised £750

Reached Fundraising Goal

Created a Team

Completed my challenge

Thank you to my Sponsors

£1.25k

Vivo Defence Services Limited

Good luck and well done from VIVO

£1,000

Midwest Mechanical & Electrical Services

Good luck Rich!

£515

Prestige Windows Limited

£501

Dj Haney Blacksmiths

All the best to both of you.

£500

Stebro Flooring Co Ltd

A wonderful course Richard, admire your determinate and all the greatest of wishes on the challenge from all of us at Stebro Flooring Co Ltd

£400

Bd Services

Cracking effort mate, well done From all @ BD Services Ltd

£250

Trc (midlands) Ltd

Good Luck Rich

£250

Chris Wall

£250

Neil Barnfield

All the best Rich!

£200

Fire Door Specialists Ltd

All the best from everyone at Fire Door Specialists!

£159

Dad

Good luck son

£106

Bowmat Fencing Ltd

Good Luck Mate

£104.50

Signform Ltd

Well done Rich, you'll smash it mate!

£100

Claire Ash

Good Luck for all at H & G Ash Roadmarkings

£60.30

Richard Baldwin

£53

Allen Cross

Good luck in the endeavour dude

£53

Brian Lewis

Best of luck

£52.25

Russ D See Mith

Run Forrest run, Good on ya mukka smash it out the park Now jog on

£52.25

Crezza

One more lap brother you’ve got this

£51

James Brewerton (jewson)

Fantastic Cause - Keep it going Rich and Matt. Crazy feat.

£50

Bill Sanga

All the best Rich. Good luck!

£42.40

Paul Lokucewicz

£31.80

Linda Owen

Good Luck

£31.80

Natasha Coates

Best of luck to you both!

£31

Adam Beaman

£30

Sue Cartwright

Why climb it a mountain once when you can do it more than 9 times ?? Here's to reaching heights both literal and charitable. Best of luck.

£28.62

Angie Cole

Good Luck

£28.62

Karen Holdcroft

Kerrrtwang as much as you need, I'll always be with you

£28.62

Shane Smith

Best of luck mate!

£28.62

Midtherm Engineering Ltd

Amazing challenge!! Good luck to you both.

£26.50

Liz Dunn

Smash it Gaffa!!!

£26.50

Richard Baldwin

£26.50

Russell Gee

£25

Andy H

£25

Stu Blyth

All the best and good luck Rich!

£21.20

Dan Guy

Good Luck Rich!

£21.20

Andy Heath

Rich, best of luck, amazing thing you are doing, for a great cause!

£21.20

Kieran Mcgee - Midwest

Good luck!

£21.20

J Millis

get it bro

£21.20

Steve Beach

Legend hope you smash it mate good luck 👌🏻👌🏻

£21.20

Shaun Bate

£21.20

Leean Brummell

£21.20

Ben Wilkes

Fair play bro 👊🏻 love Bung, Vick monnie n bump

£21.20

Sam Davies

Good luck mate

£21.20

Paul Creswell

all the best mate, you've got this!

£21.20

Lisa Cotterill

Well Done Richie, sorry it's late xxx

£21.20

Craig Parry

Well done my friend

£21

Louise Franks

Good luck Richie

£20.90

Chris Bradley

Good luck mate

£20.90

Aunty Lee X

Go smash it action man,,, So proud of you xx

£20

Joe Carr

Go smash it! serious challenge, rather you than me 😅

£20

Shaun Buckley

Good Luck Rich, Great Cause

£20

Leon Brown

Go and smash it son you got this 💪🏾💪🏾

£15.90

Keith Foulger

Good Luck…..you legend. …..and get back on your bike!!!

£15

Mike Malin

Mate, thanks for taking on this challenge for me and all the other veterans who have given so much but asked for so little in return. Matt has got the other half of your donation...

£11.66

Mark

Hot tram roll Keswick

£10.60

Dan Odell

All the best mate

£10.60

Curtis Skeates-lodge

All the best Rich

£10.60

Dogtag Machine

After all the grueling training sessions I put you through in the gym, martial art training, cardio work, abs sessions I knew my apprentice would make the grade and be ready for this great cause. Pace yaself and smash it, Good luck lad..

£10.60

Jack Kelly

£10.60

Todd

Gew on ark I know you’ll smash it and all for a good cause

£10.60

Dan Stevens

Good luck mate!

£10.60

Jamie Wright

Get up there mate! 🦿🦾

£10.60

Billy Bray

£10.60

Jop

£10.60

Andy Foggin

£10.60

Dave Bourne

Pleasure running with you. Well done

£10.45

Sean Wood

Hope it goes well mate

£10.45

Craig Baugh

Richie B All the best in tis challenge. you are nuts but what a great cause good luck

£10.45

Garf Parker

Good luck with this one to you and Matt.

£10

Richard Griggs

Good luck pal. You’ve smashed your target now smash the challenge.

£10

Sue Homer

All the best Rich

£10

Robyn Murden

Rather you than me! Good luck to you both!

£5.30

Thomas Sparks

Well done guys, what an absolutely amazing effort so far. You've got this. From Fellow midwest worker Tom

£5.22

Sean Wood

Top job mate, you've done yourself and everyone proud

£5.22

Sean Wood

£5

Sean Wood

Hope you smash it pal