Persévérance

Eric Mehl (D 268-FRA), Siobhann Royce (D269-GBR), Christophe Guillamet (D 270-FRA) and Neal Johnston (D 271-GBR).
Team Persévérance raises funds for the  Mac Millan cancer research foundation and Eric Mehl runs for Solidarité France Brésil, a charity that works with favella children.
Eric and Siobhann, from Team Persévérance, made it to the finish line of the long stage at 5am. By 2pm, Christophe and Neal were still somewhere between CP 6 and the finish line.
Eric spoke: « Normally, we get to the finish line all together. But this time, Siobhann and I got there on our own at 5am, adrenaline at its highest level, our legs still in action and our heads buzzing. We set off for the long stage running, thinking that the other two would catch up with us in the sand, where Siobhann is slower. At CP 2, after waiting for a long time, we inquired and heard that Neal was really sick. At each CP we left a little note of encouragement for them, so t hey would carry on.
At some point, I came across a competitor who was really struggling on the track:
« How are you? 
- I feel old.
- Well then, when I’m old, I want to be like you. »
That cheered him up.
For the last 10 km, we were on automatic pilot, we weren’t even talking any more, we were zigzaging along but we managed to keep a good pace. We didn’t stop to eat but we had energy bars on the way. I thought about my two sons a lot last night. There are certain values I would like to pass on to them, even if they’re only young : when you set yourself a goal, whatever it is, you can achieve it; it’s also important to often question and challenge oneself.
I feel hugely proud about last night: this is only our 3rd marathon. We went straight into the major league! When we were handed the road-book in the coach on the first day, we got rather apprehensive. Now, we have gained self-confidence.
NB : retrouvez le récit de l’étape longue (étape 4) telle que vécue par Christophe Guillamet (D 270-FRA) et Neal Johnston (D 271-GBR) dans nos autres portraits.