Posted on September 26, 2014 by Jenny Cromack

On Saturday I completed 1000 tractor tyre flips to raise money for Tom Foundation (Take One Moment)

I woke up on Saturday feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. I felt ready but also a little bit apprehensive that I had only flipped 600 in training and flipping the extra 400 was unknown territory.

The number one question was “How long do you think it will take?” I was unsure but set my self a target that I would love to finish in 6-6 half hours. I started the flips at 8.30am and it took me 3 hours 56 minutes to complete. I was over the moon with this time.

The week running up to the flips it was great to receive so much support despite most comments being ‘your mad’ I knew what I was doing was going to make a difference.

I started the flips with a count down from Jenny, Chris and Stu and I was off! I was really excited so much so that Jenny and Stu told me to stop running everywhere before I started! I set off at half 8 and it wasn’t long before my first supporter popped by.

A couple of 100 flips in and Dawn and Simon who attend classes I teach at one of our corporate clients popped along to support me with their little son. Toby definitely was excited and keen to cheer me on so much so we had to get him flipping a car tyre to help burn some energy!

 

I must say there is nothing more supportive than your family turning up, my Auntie Rosie and Uncle Keith came to watch me and that was it I was off. It added a bit of humour every time I asked how many I had done I just heard the response from Keith “not enough”! We used a big white board and counted down in blocks of 25 from the 1000 this really kept me motivated as it was great to cross off a block and be able to stay focused on how many I had left to go.

When my mum and niece Betsy arrived it was great to get their support and see my mum and Rosie attempting to flip the tyre. I think Betsy must have done about 200 flips of the car tyre as she was so excited and wanted to help.

 

By the time I got to 550 the photographer from the Yorkshire post had arrived along with Jenny’s personal training clients Carol and Heather who I train from time to time (armed with pom poms ) one my best friends had come down as well as my personal training clients Susan and Joel. I had an interview with the press, set up some camera pics for the paper and I must say it was difficult holding certain squat positions the photographer needed as by this point my legs were really beginning to burn.

 

Once I got past 600 flips my whole body started to feel every flip and I was really shocked at just how heavy the tyre was getting. I continued to slowly chip away at them but between 600 and 750 it got increasingly harder and I felt more and more sick every time I bent down but then along came class members and personal training clients Vinny and Tracey. For those of you who don’t know Vinny, his one liners are hilarious and just what I needed to cheer me right up!

I took a break and soon realised I had 250 flips left and it had only taken me 3 hours. I looked at the board were Jenny and Chris had made their predictions and I saw that Chris had predicted 4 hours. Anyone who knows me will be aware I am very competitive and the thought of beating Chris’s predicted time was too good an opportunity to miss. That was it, I was going to finish in under 4 hours so I dug down and got flipping!

I had 50 flips left and I was really tired at this point but with 11 minutes to go Stu reported that I turned into some sort of Hulk. I  had a great gathering of people, Stu, Jenny, Carol, Heather, Vinny, Tracey, Chris and my personal training client Rachel cheering and supporting me with each flip and this really pushed me through.

Chris and I had discussed what I should do when I flipped the 1000th flip all those ideas went down the drain and I just feebly lifted my hand above my head and listened to my finish time of 3hr 56 min. The adrenaline was definitely pumping and i felt fantastic. I ended up finishing a lot earlier than I and many others expected but the arrival of Ali, Stefanie, William and baby Noah who I really appreciated the cuddle from and also his incredible outfit.

I set off home feeling amazing, I was however faced with the gruelling challenge when I got home to having to go down stairs to food or go upstairs to the bath. I was very sore on Monday but it definitely was worth it.

So one week on and I have raised almost £1650 for the Tom Foundation which will mean that they can offer massive support and education to a lot of young people and help keep our roads safe.

I really can’t thank everyone enough for all the support love and donations you have given in the run up, on the day and since, It has made me realise I’m so lucky to have such supportive family, friends and work in such a fantastic workplace.

If you would still like to sponsor me and support Tom Foundation then please go to my Just Giving Page.

I’m already planning to do something bigger and better next year so watch this space.. suggestions are welcome

Thanks again

Lucy