The Everest Marathon 2017
Posted by my wonderful, supportive mum who really doesn't deserve so much stress in her life!
"Well, the Marathon was on Monday and I have a story to tell you about Shauney and the awful circumstances she found herself in.
But first, thank you to those of you who have donated so generously, we know who you are and are grateful for your support. To others, perhaps once you've read this, you too will agree what Shauney has achieved is worth giving up that pound for.
So, here goes. Everything was going well. She had her final medical and felt great - she even had the highest oxygen levels they'd seen. She decided to take the trek gently to Gorak Shep and on Saturday even went up to the current base camp which is 17,598ft and where Everest climbers start. She still felt on top form.
But first, thank you to those of you who have donated so generously, we know who you are and are grateful for your support. To others, perhaps once you've read this, you too will agree what Shauney has achieved is worth giving up that pound for.
So, here goes. Everything was going well. She had her final medical and felt great - she even had the highest oxygen levels they'd seen. She decided to take the trek gently to Gorak Shep and on Saturday even went up to the current base camp which is 17,598ft and where Everest climbers start. She still felt on top form.
She had originally thought the race would take her between 7 and 8 hours (twice as long as a road marathon here). However, she felt so good it wasn't outwith the possibility she could do it in under 7 hours. Then they had lunch. About an hour and a half later she started vomiting, clearly it was the food as a few others had a bit of a dicky tummy after it but Shauney got the full works.
Now, we all know how bad this is when you are in the comfort of your own home but when you are more than half way up Mount Everest in freezing temperatures, that makes it a million times worse.(Remember that next time it happens to you - things could actually be worse).
She was up all night with it (this was the night before the marathon) and so by morning she had nothing left to give.
This is what she says:-
"By the time I was standing on the start line I had no energy to give. Somehow, though, I dragged myself through the whole marathon in just over 9 hours - the worst 9 hours I've ever endured. And despite dragging myself through it, I still came in front of a good few people. Nobody thought I'd get through it after seeing me the night before."
She actually was the third international lady over the finish line. She went on to say:-
"The first 3 miles were brutal, regardless of being ill. The temperature was minus 17 and boulderous up and down. My brain couldn't make my legs and feet react quick enough to the terrain and I thought for sure I was going to break something. I was carrying a bottle of flat coke to try to settle my stomach and by the time I got to 3 miles, it was a slush puppy.
I have no idea where I pulled the energy from - nobody else knows either but they are all amazed I did the whole thing."
Now, we all know how bad this is when you are in the comfort of your own home but when you are more than half way up Mount Everest in freezing temperatures, that makes it a million times worse.(Remember that next time it happens to you - things could actually be worse).
She was up all night with it (this was the night before the marathon) and so by morning she had nothing left to give.
This is what she says:-
"By the time I was standing on the start line I had no energy to give. Somehow, though, I dragged myself through the whole marathon in just over 9 hours - the worst 9 hours I've ever endured. And despite dragging myself through it, I still came in front of a good few people. Nobody thought I'd get through it after seeing me the night before."
She actually was the third international lady over the finish line. She went on to say:-
"The first 3 miles were brutal, regardless of being ill. The temperature was minus 17 and boulderous up and down. My brain couldn't make my legs and feet react quick enough to the terrain and I thought for sure I was going to break something. I was carrying a bottle of flat coke to try to settle my stomach and by the time I got to 3 miles, it was a slush puppy.
I have no idea where I pulled the energy from - nobody else knows either but they are all amazed I did the whole thing."
So, today was a day of rest when she was trying to regain her strength before the 7 hour trek tomorrow to Lukla, where they will spend one night before taking that dodgy plane with no radar and a very short runway to Kathmandu. They have 2 more nights in Kathmandu before flying home. So she should be back in the country on Sunday. And neither she nor I can wait. Just want my wee girl home safe and sound now and she says she's really tired and needs a mum hug to make her feel better.
I think you have to agree - my daughter is definitely MADE IN SCOTLAND.
She made a promise to HorseBack Uk and was determined to follow it through regardless of her circumstances. We could not be more proud of her. #HorseBackUK
Text HBUK55 £1 to 70070
www.justgiving.com/run-watson-run"
She made a promise to HorseBack Uk and was determined to follow it through regardless of her circumstances. We could not be more proud of her. #HorseBackUK
Text HBUK55 £1 to 70070
www.justgiving.com/run-watson-run"
I'd also like to say a massive thank you to my generous corporate sponsors A.Proctor Group of Blairgowrie, Guild Homes Ltd, IAS Dundee and Equiheal.org. Thank you for helping to support our veterans.
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