It’s been a couple of days since we crossed the finish line of the Jurassic Coast Challenge, and honestly… we’re still recovering. Our legs are sore, our feet have seen better days but our hearts are full to bursting.
This wasn’t just a weekend activity. It took months of preparation. So much running and hiking, constant sore muscles, and plenty of self belief to be remotely prepared for this challenge.
We packed up Peanut (our trusty motorhome) and made our way to Dorset the day before the big day. We camped at the brilliant Norden Farm Campsite, just a 10-minute walk from the start line. Perfect, right? Except for one thing… the local wildlife.
Turns out the crows and peacocks there are very vocal. Think midnight karaoke, bird-style. Even I, who can usually sleep through anything, was jolted awake thanks to their squawking symphony.
Running on broken sleep and strong coffee, we arrived at Corfe Castle at 6:15 AM on Saturday. As soon as we saw the buzz of fellow runners (and walkers) our tired eyes lit up. Bags dropped, last-minute stretches done, and at 7 AM, off we went!
The start was electric! Everyone full of adrenaline and good vibes. We set a solid pace, got into our flow, and the scenery? Just breathtaking. Clifftop views, golden beaches, and so many “wow” moments. Dorset, you beauty.
The checkpoints were lifesavers. Stocked with snacks, drinks, and the loveliest staff. Staying fuelled was key, even when our bodies were like, “please stop feeding me now”. We powered through with gummies, bananas, and pure stubbornness.
Midway through the day, we saw someone struggling. A gentleman had fainted along the trail so Stephen helped by offering his water and salt tablets while others called the medics. Thankfully, he bounced back and even finished the challenge. We met him at the half way point and he said thank you, which made the whole day feel even more special.
As the sun went down, the trail got quieter. Just us, the stars, and the occasional wrong turn (yep we got lost) Missed a marker, walked too far, had to double back, and added two whole miles to our already very tired legs. Cue the nervous laughter and a firm promise to double-check signs from then on!
By mile 50, things got tough. Everything ached. Then came the pebble beach… miles of awkward, foot-twisting steps. Checkpoints felt like distant mirages. But somehow, we kept each other going. Talking, laughing, and reminding ourselves how far we’d come. And finally, at 1:11 AM, after 18 hours and 7 minutes, we crossed that finish line. Tired, emotional, and so proud. It was honestly surreal. We actually did it! We wrapped ourselves in foil blankets like burritos, and found a bit of hot food to revive us.
If you’re working towards something and feeling like giving up because it’s hard or progress is slow, please don’t. The results will come. Keep going. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.
Thank you, from the bottom of our tired hearts, for all the love and support. Your encouragement means more than you know and it definitely helped us over those finish line blues.
You have also helped us reach £120 so far for the Turning Point charity. The kindness of strangers still blows our minds. The page will be kept open until after Stephens TPEC Challenge in June.
On to the next adventure (after a long nap).
With love (and very sore feet),
Terri, Stephen & Coco 🐾💛
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