Sam’s biggest challenge yet…

IRONSAM

In September 2024 Sam took on his biggest physical challenge ever. Here’s his story.

For a while, I’d been mulling over how best to fund the support work that I’d been involved in. This idea of a physical challenge began to expand, but I had no idea how it would escalatI’d written a letter to Sainsburys, Tadley and was putting off printing it because then it would need to be delivered and they might actually say ‘yes’ to the idea. That idea being to cycle in their store on a static bike for 100 miles and then the next day to run a marathon on a treadmill. After chatting about it with some friends and laughing at the idea, I somehow found the courage to press print. Even with the letter in my hand , then being invited to explain my idea to the store manager, it seemed like it wouldn’t happen. To my horror they said yes! Reality hit me like a bus and I had to actually address what I need to do to get this to happen. On came the trainers, and training commenced! And, as with the rest of this madcap idea, the plans began to evolve.

My original idea of running on a treadmill proved to be a sticking point and for reasons I won’t bore you with, we had to rethink the marathon and decided I could run a 0.89 mile loop (yes, we were that precise) that went through the Sainsbury’s foyer and out of the carpark, just a few time… 29 times to be exact

My training “plan”

I knew I’d need to spend more time than I actually had to be able to at least attempt this huge challenge. The juggling act of working in schools, alongside the joys of having a 10 month old baby already shouted for my time. I didn’t always get my priorities right: inevitably some days I had to make an extra effort to get the runs and hours on the bike done before the birds started to sing! By the time the big weekend rolled around, the furthest I’d managed to run was 15 miles. And the furthest I ‘d ridden? 32 miles! I probably should’ve done more, but a number of weeks before, my knee had begun to shout at me to stop. Determination and ignorance are close allies - I think not knowing what to expect was somewhat of a help. When those two days arrived but no amount of preparation could’ve helped me as much as to the support that I had from my friends, family and the community that showed up in full force to cheer me on.

100 miles going nowhere

Friday 20th September saw me setting up my bike in the Sainsburys foyer and by 9am I was off and riding (but going nowhere). Soon after that people started to engage and ask what was going on. My first cheer team arrived a little while later (Burnham Copse Primary School) with banners and posters, singing songs and cheering me on. They also helped pack bags and collect donations!. Facetiming with a few classes back at school further encouraged me as they cheered me on down the phone! As the Burnham Copse crew left, Bishopswood School arrived and gave me another huge boost with their infectious smiles and joy as they shared with customers about the work we do to support their school. Next up we had the whole of year 5 from Tadley Primary school arrive with their bunting, banners, posters & buckets! They spilt into teams of three, some staying with me, others bag packing and the rest doing a project within Sainsburys. Drawing near to end of 100 miles, the children were picked up by parents and I was joined by more family, friends and strangers to see me over the finish line. 100 miles done. Over £1000 raised in donations. A Friday I’ll never forget. Exhilarated and exhausted. My backside being the firm reminder of reality. Cushion anyone?

Marathon day

Now bearing in mind in the four weeks prior to this day, the furthest I had run was two miles due to the afore-mentioned knee injury, it was going to take a lot to get this one done. But I saw the children, the need. I was determined.

My legs were sore but at least I didn’t have to sit on that saddle. Fuelled by porridge, a banana and my ever important cheer team, I was ready to go. 10am and I’m at the start line of the world famous Sainsburys foyer, the countdown begins … and we’re off!

The first lap went quite quickly, and weirdly, without much pain. It was amusing running into the foyer behind the poor shoppers who had know idea what was going on. They were there to do their morning shop, and there was me, shorts and sweating, with a whole entourage of people cheering me on, running in behind them, It made me smile to try and imagine what they must be thinking as the doors slid open to welcome them in and I simply jogged out of the foyer I’d only just jogged into. If you recognise yourself as one of those shoppers - thank you for putting up with me!

A few laps in, and two students from a primary school I support, decided to join me for a lap. Then the next one, and the next. And the next… it had never occurred to me that the kids might actually want to join in to. Apparently, they’d told their parents they were going to Sainsburys to cheer me on - no-one had mentioned running, I’m not sure even they had expected to run! This snowballed, another child joined, then someone I barely knew joined for a lap. This spread to the adults. a whole community of people started to pull together, to cheer a team of runners on and dig into their pockets to support local children and youth. Family, friends and local kids continued to run with me, one student who had never run before, ended up running 11 miles with me! Legend!
My legs grew more and more painful, my mind willing me to give up with each loop, it was seeing those faces in that foyer, hearing the encouragement that kept me going. This common cause, to help children and youth in and around Tadley, became bigger than some long-ago mad cap idea, to something tangible. But still the loops began to feel longer and slower, then out came the pompoms in the foyer (another moment I’ll never forget) - thanks Faye!! And so the end was insight, one more lap and then an awkward lap of the carpark to make up the annoying 0.2 miles of the 26.2 and we’d done it (we were very precise). As I ran out of that carpark for the last time and saw those around me, the kids and my family I was so inspired by all of them and so incredibly grateful for them carrying me to this point. Back through the sliding doors and we’d finished. Awaiting cramp, I couldn’t believe it had actually happened. God is faithful.

Lacey, Jacob, Skye, Brandon, Mr P, Marian, Jo, Mum, Dad, Pete and my amazing wife Meg, plus the myriad others on the day, you carried me for those five hours which makes this a huge team effort -thank you!

The total for this came to £7,500. But the goodwill and community working together? Priceless.