After months of training and determination, our very own Dr Nicky Baker has completed The Wall, an incredible 70-mile ultra-marathon along Hadrian’s Wall, raising more than £1,300 for The Myton Hospices.
Taking on a challenge twice the distance she had ever run before, Nicky set herself an ambitious goal of completing the route in under 16 hours. Not only did she achieve it, she smashed it, crossing the finish line in an astonishing 13 hours and 31 minutes.
Reflecting on the challenge, Nicky said:
I went into this challenge with more than a little trepidation – after all I was embarking on running twice as far as I had ever attempted before. Everything from 35 to the full 70 miles was going to be a leap into the unknown.
I’m not going to lie and say it was easy – blisters, pressure sores from my heavy kit bag and a bit of vomiting at 50 miles in all added to the drama of the day – but I had an absolute blast.
I chatted to so many amazing people along the way, experienced some incredible views, a bit of fascinating history, and got to enjoy a plentiful picnic on route.
I had hoped to finish in 16 hours, which would have got me to Newcastle in time for a celebratory pint. Not only did I achieve that, I absolutely smashed it, crossing the finishing line in under 14 hours, which as the drunks on Newcastle quayside pointed out, left me with time for several pints!
The icing on the cake of a fantastic day was raising more than £1,300 for Myton, so thank you to everyone for indulging and supporting me. I said ‘never again’, but I’m already browsing for the next one…
It costs over £15 million every year to provide our services free of charge to our patients and their loved ones. As a charity, with less than 20% of our funding coming from the NHS, we must raise more than £12 million this year.
Nicky’s incredible effort will help us continue supporting people living with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones across Coventry and Warwickshire when they need us most.
A huge congratulations and thank you to Nicky for taking on this extraordinary challenge, and to everyone who supported her along the way.
If you have been inspired to take on a challenge, no matter how big or small, you can find out more online via the link below...
