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The Roof of Africa (Extract)

10/9/2016

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"...we began our summit attempt at midnight on August 18th, our bodies starved of oxygen, every step emptying our lungs of the little air that was available to us, our hearts beating faster and faster to keep our legs moving; silence enveloped the entire mountain-side only broken by the sound of tired bodies moving slowly in the same direction with the odd groan, grimace of pain or slurp of water. All we could see was the beam of light provided by our head torches illuminating the ground in front of us, our world was a void of blackness outside of this beam. All we could do was follow the boots of the person in front as we trudged upwards and seemingly into the abyss, breathing heavily as we went unable to fully satisfy our need for air. But after 6 hours 20 minutes the summit was in view. Within minutes a ring of orange glow began appearing on the horizon, surrounding us in all directions, with it bringing much-needed light, warmth and unveiling the landscape that was hidden from us by the darkness of the night. It was now that the full beauty of where we were became reality. We were in a stunning place, high enough to see the curvature of the Earth and, at 5895 metres, standing on the roof of Africa..."
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2016: My Biggest Challenge Year Ever

19/3/2016

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I've been a busy boy this year but that hasn't stopped me from getting involved in a couple of challenges that will dwarf anything I've done in the past. I've learnt a lot from all my previous challenges including the numerous runs, the attempted but failed Walk Home for Christmas and the National Three Peaks Challenge but these will be nothing compared to what awaits me later on in the year. The challenges I have planned will test my endurance, will to succeed, mental and physical grit and overall determination. One will take place on British soil whilst the other will take place on foreign lands. ​
The first challenge happens in July and will see me along with 5 other comrades attempt to stand up paddle board from Bristol through to London covering 165 miles in just 9 days. The route will begin on the River Avon in the heart of Bristol before it merges into the Kennet and Avon Canal where we will remain until Reading. After this point the canal joins the River Thames, which will lead us into London to our eventual finishing point at Putney Bridge. A feat that is littered with difficulty including no less than 116 locks that will need to be traversed and the tidal Thames. It's OK though, our chief route planner has found that it is lined with pubs meaning there are plenty of refreshments along the way! This challenge is being done in connection with the Youth Adventure Trust, a charity that supports disadvantaged children aged 11-14 through free adventure and the great outdoors.
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It tries to instil the 'believe - achieve' mindset that will prepare the children for different eventualities that they may face in their lives. You can find out more about the charity by clicking here. The challenge is coinciding with 'Wild Night Out' happening on the 16th July 2016, which is a combined initiative that tries to motivate children and adults to have an adventure no matter how big or small it may be. It might be a trip away to the mountains or national parks or just a simple camp out in the back garden under the stars. It's an initiative that tries to re-connect people with the natural world around them and away from modern living such as smart phones, TV's, computer games etc... To remind people that we are surrounded by natural beauty even so close to home. It's a known fact that people who spend a lot of time outdoors whether that is with a group of friends or family have a closer relationship and bond with each other. It's also a great way to meet new people; after all strangers are just friends you haven't met yet. There are numerous ways to follow our progress before, during and after this challenge:

Website: www.paddlecrawl.co.uk 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/paddlecrawl
Instagram: www.instagram.com/paddlecrawl
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wildinspiration

And, if you would like to donate to the Youth Adventure Trust charity then please follow the link to our team Just Giving page:

Donate: www.justgiving.com/Juliette-Harris
"...strangers are just friends you haven't met yet..."
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The second challenge is a personal one for me and appeals to my love for the mountains. Ever since I trekked my first peak, which was the Pinnacle located in the Grampians National Park in Victoria, Australia I've been hooked. Within the group that I completed the trek with I was by far the most out of shape. I really, really struggled on the ascent and on numerous occasions almost quit. If it wasn't for one of my trekking mates giving me encouragement then I may never have made it. It was him who gave me the belief that I could do it and through the heat, sweat and hard work I did. Nothing could have prepared me for the intense sense of achievement that I felt when I stood at the highest point of the national park looking out over miles and miles of gorgeous scenery stretching into the horizon. By that point I was hooked. 
No matter how hard the journey was the elation of reaching the summit is something that I find hard to put into words. So, this brings me onto my second challenge of 2016 happening in August. I will attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; the highest free-standing mountain in the world measuring in at 5895 metres. This will be a 7-day return trek that will take me to altitudes that I have never trekked before. To say I'm excited is an understatement. This is a mammoth challenge and one that I'm looking forward to. I've decided to fundraise for Cancer Research on this trip, they have worked tirelessly hard to find cures and treatment for cancer but yet still only 50% of those diagnosed survive. This is a great percentage when you think of the survival figures from back in the 1950-60's but it's still not high enough. Cancer has blighted many a family and mine is no exception with my Nan having survived hers and my Grandad having it twice many years apart. The first time he survived, the second time was fatal. And, even today, I have an auntie who is currently battling the disease. This is why I think as a nation we should continue to fund cancer research so that one day not a single family will have to lose someone to this horrible disease. This challenge is about celebrating life and to help fund a company who is doing an amazing job with battling the one thing that is taking life away from many families in this country. With our help through fund raising then one day we may be able to celebrate a 100% survival rate.

If you would like to donate to Cancer Research then please click on the following link:

​www.justgiving.com/marcus-to-the-top

Again, there are numerous ways to keep up-to-date with this challenge:

Website: www.memoirsofascribbler.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/msamperi
​Instagram: www.instagram.com/mrsamperi
"...Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being..."
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Please don't forget to favourite memoirsofascribbler.com and paddlecrawl.co.uk for future updates; also follow me or the team on social media. 2016 has a lot to offer and I'm looking forward to tackling these challenges head on.
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Great North Run

15/9/2015

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"... as I began the final hill every fibre in my body started to scream. This was unchartered territory, I had never run past 12.45 miles before. A big question mark was hanging over my head: could I do it? It was only a mile but with exhausted legs and a hard course it felt like a big ask. As I neared the crest of the hill I could hear a rumble of a jet engine coming from behind, I looked up, as a Red Arrow thundered past at a low altitude, giving me a sudden burst of energy. As I got to the top of the hill I was presented with an awe-inspiring sight: the North Sea stretched as far as the eye could see, the road was lined with hundreds of supporters and as I started the steep descent three more Red Arrows sped by leaving a trail of red, white and blue behind them. It was a picture perfect moment..." [Marcus Samperi]
Great North Run
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Two Down...

12/7/2015

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The 'Summer of Running' is now underway having today completed race number two in preparation for the Great North Run. This morning was the turn of Vitality's: British 10km Run that boasts an array of Central London landmarks on it's route including Piccadilly, Houses of Parliament and Downing Street.
     I have been incredibly busy with work lately that has left me feeling exhausted and a little low. This played a huge part in feeling lethargic this morning. Taking this in my stride, I made my way to the start line finding myself in the first wave of runners ready to be unleashed on the circuit. The first 5 kilometres were difficult with my limbs feeling like lead, I felt like the tin man in 'Wizard of Oz'! After 2km, I picked up the beginning of a stitch that thankfully didn't materialise into anything too substantial; although, trying to manage it so it didn't take hold was exhausting work especially during the surprisingly undulating route. It was hard to believe I didn't give in and start walking. 
     It wasn't until I hit the 5 kilometre marker that I found my rhythm.  It was accompanied by a short but brisk breeze that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I felt a tingling through my body as endorphins started flooding my system. By this point the route was lined with spectators supporting us by clapping, cheering, and making noise in whatever way they could. It created a beat that, up until this point, I was missing. It is usually provided by my iPod blaring away distracting my mind from the perils of road running. However, headphones were banned from this event so in the absence of my usual friend the spectators took over. It is hard to explain the motivation and rhythm that these cheering spectators can give you when you are struggling physically. For the next few kilometres I felt like they were sweeping me through the streets of London beckoning me to eventually pass the finish line, something that felt almost impossible a few kilometres before. I was riding high until about 7.5km when the course ran parallel to the finish line taking us past the end point and away from it in the opposing direction.  This was mental torture, you would think that by seeing the finish line it would motivate me even more but quite the opposite was happening; it felt like every step from now on was taking me physically further away from it. I was essentially running away from the finish line. Every bone in my body was rebelling and questioning why this was happening. We were so close that, on passing, I could see some of the tired faces of those who had completed the course, relieved and happily yelling encouragement to those who were passing by: "Not much longer", "You are doing so well", "Not far now". And, it wasn't just me that hit a lull at this point, I could hear others commenting that running past the finish line was torturous! 
     Not long after my first encounter with the finish line, the course turned a corner leaving the final straight well behind me and hitting the 8km mark. Only two kilometres stood between me and the end. Seeing that sign motivated me no end and, from nowhere, the fire in my belly ignited, endorphins radiated throughout my body and my stride got longer, knees higher and my speed increased. From this point on I literally covered the last two kilometres in no time at all, running down Whitehall with my head held high and a smile on my face. Not long later I flung myself head first through the finish line completing the first 10km circuit of my challenge thus far. What greeted me was an orchestra of cheers, clicks from the official finish line photographer and a lady cradling a tray of water bottles. I had done it, I had finished, I was elated and happy to be there in 01:02:15. Not the fastest but completed none-the-less.
     The whole circuit was a mental rollercoaster that was made even more so by the inability to lose myself in music. It was hard but not impossible and I have come away looking forward to my next event in 7 days time. All the while remembering that these shorter circuits are in preparation for the big half marathon that is waiting to greet me in Newcastle in September. I still have a lot of work to do in order to build up to that mammoth 13.1 miles but I do have time between now and then to get there. 
     Let's not forget, the running is only half the challenge with the other half celebrating the charity sector and the fantastic work that they do for so many millions in this country and around the world. As stated before, I would like to raise £1000 for charity and I am leaving it in your hands as to which charity will receive your money. All you have to do is donate to a charity of YOUR choice and let me know WHO received it and HOW MUCH was donated and I will add it to the total. This is a way to support as many different charities as possible as there are so many out there doing fantastic work. The power is in YOUR hands. Donate to something that you feel strongly about or maybe something that affects you or a loved one. Let this be an opportunity to help them out whilst motivating me to continue pounding those streets in order to prepare to take on challenges that are usually way out of my league. All I ask is when you do donate just drop me an email stating the details so that I can add it to my list in order to hit my £1000 target to support the charity sector.

Thank you in advance for any donation that you give. And, thank you for all the encouragement that you have given me in the past and during my current and next run on the calendar, it really is appreciated.

1. The Royal Mail Greenwich Park Run: 5km (May 24th) (Completed: 28 minutes)
2. The Vitality British London Run: 10km (July 12th) (Completed: 01:02:15)
3. The Morrisons Great Newham Run: 10km (July 19th)
4. The Morrisons Great North Run: 13.1 miles (September 13th)

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2015: Announcement to Make...

19/6/2015

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It's been a pretty quiet year for me on the challenge front whilst I have been concentrating on other aspects of my life, mainly work! This has taken a vast chunk of my time that I have been unable to plan anything big for this year. Last year was a bit of a mixed bag, the high point was completing the National 3 Peaks Challenge within 24 hours and, the low point, was having to pull out of Walking Home for Christmas after 37 of the 94 miles due to a twisted pelvis. This was a particular low point for me as it was the first time that I had ever failed to complete a challenge that I have set myself. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I have decided to pick myself up and push on. 

With the Summer Solstice happening this Sunday I have renamed this period as the "Summer of Running". I am going to keep it simple yet challenging for someone who is and has always been pretty shy of running. It is not my forte and I definitely do not have a running physique! The schedule has begun with one race already completed:

1. The Royal Mail Greenwich Park Run: 5km (May 24th) (Completed: 28 minutes)
2. The Vitality British London Run: 10km (July 12th)
3. The Morrisons Great Newham Run: 10km (July 19th)
4. The Morrisons Great North Run: 13.1 miles (September 13th)

Aside from the challenges that these events are going to pose for me I would also like to raise much needed funds for charity. However, I am going to work this a little differently. I would like you to support me by giving to a charity, any charity of your choosing, then on donating, to drop me a message letting me know who you have donated to and how much. I will then compile a list of donations/charities and publish it periodically [as seen below].

I am able to fundraise in this way because I have been lucky enough to get into the events [above] through the ballot box and not through charity places. I am not using Just Giving and urge you to donate directly to the charity you wish so that they benefit from every penny of your donation. My aim is to raise:

ONE THOUSAND POUNDS

Please help me realise my dream. This is a great opportunity to donate money to your own chosen charity whilst supporting me in my challenges. 

There are so many charities doing good work out there and I want this to be an opportunity to give donators a choice as to who receives their money! It is a celebration of charities and a summer of sharing across many of the good causes.

RUNNING TOTAL: £100.00

NO.
1
2
NAME:
Marcus Samperi
Marcus Samperi
CHARITY:
RNLI
London Air Ambulance
AMOUNT:
£50.00
£50.00
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