Week One. Baptism of Fire (and a bit of fear).

I'm sitting here in my room overlooking the stable yard of Plas y Brenin, the National Mountain Centre.The room has a good feel about it and is pleasant to spend time in, not that there has been much chance so far, busy as it has been. We students of the Rapid Development Clinic have our own rooms in Tryfan, a lovely stone cottage facing the courtyard of the centre. This arrangement is unique and one of the benefits of being here for the month.

I have now done a week's climbing and feel a lot more competent than I did at the beginning. Our group consists of me, Bethan, Keith and Jack. Jules was also part of our group but only here for a week, on a Touching Stone course. We have tried to persuade her to stay but to no avail; she is a teacher and her children mustn't be left illiterate. So we continue into next week feeling a little sadder, particularly Bethan with whom Jules giggled, alarmingly on the more exposed areas of the rockface. We shall all climb together again I'm sure.

Our head instructor is Phil who really ought to be a botanist given his knowledge/obsession with each small flower we pass. Stopping to gaze fondly at each one, it takes some time to reach our climbing spot. None of us minds this though, the environment being part of the experience.

The teacher/pupil ratio is excellent, having 2 instructors for 5 of us. In addition to the ever present Phil we have been instructed by Alice and Dave. We started with similar levels of ability which was a relief all round. The first week concentrated on technical aspects, with an assumption that we could actually climb a bit. Not sure how true this is in my case but I certainly needed to know how not to kill myself so learning about placing protection, making anchors for top ropes and belays is critical.

As we progressed during the week my brow became less furrowed as understanding grew. Phil may find that statement amusing. What he didn't find funny was my moonwalk back towards the edge of the cliff without rope or helmet on Thursday. Just testing the reactions. Concentration and consternation grew when doing escape from the system and self rescue with the prussik in the climbing wall. I had to upend myself on my harness when a screw gate on my karabiner got stuck. Arguably this defeats the object of the exercise but having prussiked up and down the rope successfully by that stage I felt I'd proven the point. Climbing experts need not admonish me on these points as I have some idea of my current limitations.

By the end of the week we all felt we had come on a great deal. The instructors have the right balance of patience and allowing us to take responsibility without letting us actually kill ourselves or our climbing partners. Most of the time I think we have been OK.

Friday was a sort of catharsis for us all. It was a cold day and no one was very enthused as we arived at Norwig quarries. We had to get on with it though and anyway the slate mines are awe inspiring places to be. Keith likened it to Mawdor from Lord of the Rings, an impressively dark and uncompromising place complete with bad weather, as the hail began to fall. Phil and Dave were patient with us but also insistent that we get on with it and rightly so. We learned a lot, were told to look at our feet, not our hands, and to trust that our shoes would hold on the narrow ledges or toe holds. For those who don't know (how wise I am after 5 days), slate, though often appearing a flat slab, has plenty of ridges that are ideal for foot, rather than hand holds. Feet are the key to climbing; the muscles in the legs are bigger than in arms and other obvious stuff if one only stops to think about it.

Phil explained that rock shoes have rubber based on aircraft tyre technology - the memory allows the shoe to mould onto the surface provided it is firmly placed. Though doubtful I nodded and found it to be true. If nothing else it slowed me down. Concentrate on your breathing I was told and it helped. Having sworn at myself on one climb, I was asked what the problem was, and saying I was too concerned about the climb (though ascended successfully he pointed out huffily) was promptly told to go up again, on a top rope, as quick as I could. I did so and this helped. Phil has a skill at reading his students and what is the best way of getting them to perform. Climbing may reveal character more than one would wish of course. Phil reminds me of a colour sergeant I once knew which is a greater compliment than it sounds. His interest in botany is deeper, Phil's, not the chap in HM's Forces.

I am already seeking accommodation in Snowdonia for after the course finishes, knowing that I must keep climbing in order not to forget what I will have learnt here and to get increasingly comfortable with it. Taking this up twenty years ago would have helped, but I can't help that.

The centre is a comfortable place to be; has an unintrusive but inclusive atmosphere. The staff help too - the centre assistants are the equivalent of redcoats (in a good way), not instructors but competent in most sports and work the bar, reception etc and we're getting to know them. They have the lowdown on what goes on here; Alice and Lucy in particular. They are fundamental to our enjoyment here really. Dave the Australian barman is a mercenary as he says himself (how much to they pay bar staff here?), but a decent bloke nevertheless. I'm pondering a suitable opportunity to get us all hammered with them in Betwys, or any venue in the vicinity where the entertainment isn't limited to an old woman sucking a pickled egg and a pint of mild at the end of the bar.

Now into the second week we feel like old hands, in fact we have since Friday, watching the weekend students arrive on Friday night and since their departure yesterday, the new ones again today. The youth of the group becomes a little clearer - most of this lot are on expedition medicine hence young and bright. Invigorating rather than depressing; being round lively people is always appealing. The veneer of us as experienced campaigners, if others recognise it at all, will wear off quickly. People find their feet and get into the course. Soon we shall be straining to hear what they're up to and hoping to catch them in the bar.

The ritual over the weekend changed with us not having to get up early but I did, unable to ignore the lure of a good cooked breakfast. The food is sourced locally and it shows. Not being on a course at the weekend did not leaving the void that educational institutions can, if one is not continually there for a specific purpose. It's pleasant to sit in the bar, tapping away whilst the new influx of others on weekend courses comes and goes, rather like watching a tide of people rushing to get the tube to work when one is not. This is leisure of course but I think there is still a little trepidation for most people that one feels when starting something new. I still have that every day when climbing.

For anyone interested in the specifics of what we did rather than my half baked self analysis, take a look below.

Monday 3rd: Upper tier of Tremadoc. Anchors and gear placements. White knuckle holding of rope on way down and scampering up.

Tues 4th: Anglesey, Crax X, Rhoscolyn. Anchors again, lowering down to touch the water (and occasionally cloth..) climbing back up, quickly.

Wed 5th: Indefatiguable (Joint Services Climbing Wall), Anglesey. Top anchoring, escaping from the system and prussiking including self rescue and topsy turvy exit (for me).

Thurs 6th: Holyhead Mountain, Anglesey. Top roping climbing teaser, Laceration, New Boots and Panties, Big Dirty Crack. Or maybe that last one was the description of several we did.

Friday 7th: Norwig Quarries, specifically Australia. Near Looning the Tube. The cause of most of my profanities this week, but a very satisfying series of climbs, particularly the last one which Phil made me do twice.

Thank you all.

I would like to thank everyone who has kindly and generously donated to Marie Curie Cancer Care. The money raised so far makes a huge difference to the charity, is much appreciated and makes me feel the journey was really worthwhile.

Equally, thank you to to those who have supported me and followed me on the website, Twitter and Facebook. Knowing there are so many people (some of whom I've never met) encouraging me along the way gave me the impetus to keep going.

Thanks also to all those who joined me along the way and on the last day, particularly Stripper, our own Marathondog!

I shall be back for more challenges soon.

Best wishes, Hugh

Job done. Strike up the band, put out more flags.

Right, just back from a run with the PR department (yes, his hair is still bouffant) so time to flex the cerebrum. Just a lap of Battersea Park, in honour of H but didn't seem worth while getting any Run Matt Run caps just for this.

The final day was an epic one. We were picked up from our Travelodge in Kingston by Samia who strapped my tendon rather than have me botch it myself. Hugh, again required nothing, pink tape having sorted a twinge in his shins yesterday. We were deposited at Richmond Gate, my old running haunt and Hugh's training ground during the winter snow. What a very long time ago that seems, but is a fundamental reason why by this stage he had done 49 in 49; 5 months of adhering to an intensive training programme.

So, off we went, accompanied by Simon of Triathlon magazine Tzero. The run was hard work, laborious jogging when we should have been savouring these last miles. In part this was due to final emailing, blogs and speech writing to the early hours the night before (aah). Completely ignored my notes as it later turned out anyway so that was time well spent. At Putney, Simon left us as we had a Marie Curie photo shoot. In order that they could get photos of Hugh with and without his sidekick I weaved in and out of the pavement concerning both yummies behind their McLaren buggies and policemen who thought I was trying to launch myself off the bridge, changing my mind then having another go. With the prospect of another 20 miles at this point that thinking wasn't far off. Anyway off we trotted onto the King's Road.

Stopping at Starbucks for a quick coffee we bumped into Jonny PR holding an important file about something complicated so we let him get on with it - good to see him working hard as usual. This was a day where we had strict timings and we were due to start the half marathon at 11.45. Channel 5 and the Metro, who Hugh had secured at the last minute, needed interviews, so we set off a little late at 12.15 with lot of runners. Our route had been changed because of the Queen's birthday. The old girl couldn't pop out and join us because she had to listen to a 41 gun salute. Life is tiresome for some people. Anyhow, I was given a map of Hyde Park which I stared at, failing to follow very well, going over a bridge rather than under but everyone was very patient. Got the hang of it by the second lap of 4, going at a reasonable lick with the WSM team - good to be re-united with Gravel-Tarmac and Motorway-Bollard and meet the Chief Executive, Andrew. Good luck to you all (& Concrete-Slab) for the London Marathon incidentally.

Thanks to Marie Curie Cancer Care marshalls who were invaluable and for handing out water on another sunny day. Various family members and friends were there, cheering us on, and it was great to see my sister and father which I didn't expect (good work guys) and Hugh's family, many of whom came out to see us en route. The 50in50 team's families and friends have been fantastic in support. To those who have followed our progress and took the time to run with us, many thanks to you all. Hugh was joined by the Dragon School, his old preparatory alma mater, for the last couple of miles and we forced the old legs into a higher tempo to cope with their pace. Kids, thanks for making us feel like old men.

We had a couple of miles to run after the half to ensure this was a full marathon. Silly to mess it up as this stage. Then off to Trafalgar Square for the final chukka. We left a little after everyone else in order for a crowd to get warmed up. I understand Jonny PR and George were recruiting supporters from the crowd, concentrating on the 18-30 Scandinavian female demographic. Anyway we were running behind a rickshaw containing Tim our cameraman, Tripod elsewhere looking after kit and getting a suitable spot in TSq. What a team those chaps are to record all this for posterity. Hugh picked up Stripper, smartly attired in Marie Curie Cancer Care running vest, from Kim and Rosie and we ran on. Entering Trafalgar Square was an extraordinary experience. Barring tripping up into the fountain or being mobbed by a collective word for loads of Japanese tourists, the lad was actually about to finish. What a noise, spine tingling stuff that I'll not forget. Hugh grabbed Stripper and ran up the steps, funnelled into a wall of noise, lined by bunting, flags, supporters and nurses, some in uniform (added bonus), towards the National Gallery to a balloon lined arch and a phalanx of photographers, then breasted the finishing tape. Reunited with Sophie and Freddie, his son, this was a splendid finale. What an achievement this suddenly was. All the days of hard grind in the rain and those of effortless runs in beautiful countryside had culminated in success. Embellish it how you like, he did 50 marathons in 50 days. He could get a few pints out of this.

What a finish. This is where the UK desk really shone, in tandem with Media tree, Marie Curie Cancer Care and WSM. There were 100,000 people supporting at Brighton last week, but it didn't touch the atmosphere of TSq. To arrange this venue took hard work, cajoling and probably coercion and it was definitely worth it. Make no mistake, this and Hyde Park took an incredible amount of work - risk assessments, contacting and persuading Westminster and the GLA, and other stuff, he finished lamely. Particular thanks to Mia from Marie Curie and Jonny PR with excellent back up from George.

Following Hugh up the steps and having photos taken with him and Samia was tremendous fun and we all savoured the experience before I started to think whether all the lycra in public was a good idea. Thank you to one of my friends who offered to lend me a pair of socks to stick in my shorts.

So, off to Parliament Square, almost getting lost when my father was launching into a story about an tricky interview he had in the Admiralty once. We arrived on time though and then the speeches. Fluffer did his warm up act. After a rather witty speech by Chris Dainty on behalf of Marie Curie I became concerned this might be tough to follow. Regretting having rebuffed the offer of the socks I took the stage and ignoring my notes as per usual launched off. No one was actually snoring by the time Hugh came on which was fortuitous. He made some splendid comments about the Expedition Manager (blinking, I finally realised he meant me), amongst other more worthy recipients of praise. He is very good at this.

Tim's five minute film finished off the formalities in splendid form. Fluffer Hills was rightly shown up on the karaoke though I may eat those badly chosen words when the full documentary comes out. We wait, with a little trepidation.

Off to the Golden Lion, our planning HQ and 3 minutes walk from Hugh's office - in St James' Place. Vince, the social secretary, hadn't laid on a drag act from Legends bar (see Brighton blog) for which we were grateful so we stuck to pints and in my case, nonsensical conversation. Great venue this and fitting that everyone, it seemed, attended. Hugh very much enjoyed the bash at the Cinnamon Club put on by Media Tree so many thanks to them for this.

Tottering out later trying and eventually succeeding in getting a curry I wished I'd actually picked up my shoes from Hugh's office. I am still wearing running shoes of which I have seen enough, apart from being socially unacceptable (the shoes, not me I hope). Hugh has 9 pairs which personally I think he should keep for posterity though throwing a few off a cliff in wild abandon would be perfectly understandable.

Thanks to everyone for supporting and following us and for all the donations to Marie Curie Cancer Care. We are striving for more donations so now is the time to see if there really is a fiver stuck down the back of the sofa.

There has been unstinting effort made by the charity and sponsors and you have the sincere thanks from the 50in50 team. You made this possible. Equally friends and family - you've kept us going and to those who came out to see us en route you added something valuable to the journey. As for the 50in50 team, you are outstanding. For me it's been a humbling and deeply satisfying experience. Most of all Hugh got there. Not a bad jog, my friend.

Now then, just because this is over I don't want you all sticking your heads in the oven and turning on the gas. Therefore we've had a board meeting and have decided we'll keep the blogs going. though these may be every couple of days. These will probably be themed to give you a flavour of aspects of the trip. There are videos and photos we have not yet been able to upload and these will give you a further taste. The post event story will be interesting, we're still fundraising and Hugh has much to personally achieve as well. Other events may follow too - in the short term we have the Cadar Idris Fell Race, a race up a Welsh mountain on 29th May -Jonny PR, Hugh and I are up for this. So please keep looking at the site.

Also note that Hugh will be on the BBC Breakfast Marathon show on Sunday 25th April between 6 and 9 am to comment on the London marathon . We will confirm further details of this and other media appearances as soon as we can.

Incidentally, Hugh and I are seriously considering writing a book about this. Any prominent and generous publishers, please step forward. Signing off for now, but will be back soon. Again, thanks for your interest and involvement in 50in50, you splendid people.

4hrs 30mins. Stiff test and unfair at this stage.

Time to stop being silly with this route planning. However, with no time left I had to have a bit of fun with this one. Lovely run route but a tad hilly. Hugh said this is in his top ten of tough runs on the challenge - to re-cap, that's immediately after a stinker yesterday and pulling a PB out of the hat at Brighton the day before. Just so you know, he's turned into a damn good endurance athlete.

This was a group run and the most publicly attended after Brighton. We started from Mayfield High St but not before Hugh had done a day's work with media duties: firstly the Megaphone on Chris Evans' breakfast show, followed by an interview with the Kent and Sussex Courier, and then BBC Sussex TV whilst we were breakfasting. Marie Curie Cancer Care were there again with a cheer station - so many thanks to Katie Nicholls and Ben again- absolute legends - after seeing them at Brighton only a couple of days ago. Hugh was joined by brother James (Johnny Two Guns), friends Chris and Guy, and Albert, chairman of Wadhurst Runners.

Navigation wise we had to get this one absolutely right as there was quite a crowd looking on, so I opted not to run (wimp) but navigate properly from the car checking the pointy arrow on the gps tentatively to get the direction of travel. Lots of clapping and whooping, which died down once the blue rinse brigade and yummies left. Lingering slightly because of the latter (no offence to your chums Tessa) I then legged it into the car with Samia and George to get ahead of the runners.

We stayed close, partly because of the narrow lanes but also to see how the run would pan out. Albert, 60 something, was playing a game of chess with the youngsters, allowing them to take pawn like victories waiting to pounce on their bishop (morning vicar) at a point of weakness. Everyone has a different style of running, James' is similar to Hugh's original 'chewing gum on the shoe' look. Hugh was tired today so regressed to a bit of 'dog poo on the shoe' gait (might look back at my heel, but not too close). Albert was very efficient, Guy stoic. He escorted James to a pheasant sandwich and pre-arranged lift from Mum Tessa at 9 miles but what a pace from Preece the Elder - training has paid off. George took some great footage of the different running groups and comments which we may replay in a closed session at a later date. Hugh and Chris, the latter hopelessly fit, coasted in, closely followed by Albert and Guy. We finished by a pub, just inside Kent, drinks at the ready, and I am seriously thinking about trying to make this an official marathon. A good but tiring day, except for me, and George of course.

H and I are now ensconsed in Kingston Travelodge, Samia having delivered us safely here and we are thinking about the last day. The Leeds Uni Ladies Rugby team are upstairs but with no scrum halves in evidence, we're avoiding the front row and a late evening, possibly regretfully in my case.

The end of this adventure is something we almost couldn't contemplate as every day has been so important. No days off so no let up, but also each has been another step nearer the goal. Now it's close to being over and I for one am rather sad. It's the last day tomorrow and we'll make it one to remember but this will mean all the more if as many of you as possible can join us. Early start for us but a civilised 11.45 for the Half in Hyde Park (or merely a 5km lap) or 3.00pm at Trafalgar Square. Join us if you can.

5hrs 8mins. Testing and hilly on home ground.

Always going to be a toughie, this one. The lead into London is obviously the crescendo to all this but this marathon was always going to be a bit flat, heading home and then away again.

Heading away from Lewes, we decided after a tricky nine miles or so, that it was difficult for Samia to be lurching round bends on her own in the Fiat Tupperware and also that the A27 was too tricky to be worthwhile for Hugh. I joined again in the navigation seat H bundled into the wagon, we then left to go to Coggins Mill where he would do the remaining miles. He knows the roads extremely well owing to his months of training there. This also meant Samia and I could take the Fiat to get serviced. A good use of time all round - a commodity we find has been in short supply on this trip. We very nearly forgot to get the wine we bought seemingly ages ago in France but we loaded up Samia's 4x4 with this so we have one essential supply for the remainder of the trip.

This was a hilly run, Sussex providing a late test for Hugh and he took it easy, also having to fit in two phone interviews on the for a fitness magazine and a triathlon magazine. Proper multi tasking, this. The legs were tired after the quick run at Brighton and also conceivably because of 40 something other marathons.

Hugh was reunited at Coggins Mill with Sophie and the kids. Freddie in particular was delighted to see him, having followed his progress and watching him move agonisingly slowly towards home each day. The twins; Gracie and Louis looked more quizzically on at this weathered figure stretching in the kitchen. Later there was a splendid meal at the Middlehouse, the benchmark pub in Mayfield with Tessa, Hugh's mum presiding and also with brother James who's running the next leg, as is Guy, father of Little Charlie so perhaps a couple of running dynasties are being formed. Not sure James will agree with that.

We start from the High Street tomorrow on the penultimate run. Away from home again but this time briefly and Freddie won't be checking the map much longer.