tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9704113597535860652024-02-19T06:22:01.010+00:00RunningMan.co50 Half Marathons before 50 Birthday in Every Country in Western Europe #runeuropeRunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-11172163588682914902018-01-11T15:26:00.001+00:002018-01-11T15:26:43.333+00:00Challenge Complete - 50 Half Marathons before my 50th Birthday with a full 5 days to spare
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A long time ago,
back on the 22<sup>nd</sup> June 2010 to be exact, after a few too
many glasses of wine I decided to enter a half marathon in the Arctic
Circle. At the time I was not a runner at all. That was the start of an
initial challenge to try and run 10 half marathons in 8 months in 10
different countries. That completed it proved not to be the end of it.
Now 7½ years later it only seemed fitting to finish the challenge (for
now) running the most northlery and probably toughest half marathon yet
again. So it is back to Tromso in the very North of Norway, in the middle
of winter to run 13.1 miles in the dark on a course of snow and ice.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Prior to 2010 I
had managed a couple of Great North Runs, but since then I have completed
numerous half marathons each year, making this run my 50<sup>th</sup>
half marathon, on the week of my 50<sup>th</sup> birthday.<br />
<br />
This has not by any means been an easy challenge, since I start training
for the first challenge, back in 2010, I have logged over 7000
miles of running, ran in 23 countries on 3 continents. I have ran a half
marathon in every country in western Europe. I have ran in blistering
heat, pouring rain, snow, hailstones, flooding and even lightning. Since
1<sup>st</sup> January 2011, I have never ran less than 10 miles in a
week, which, by creating a challenge within a challenge, kept to the
training program and kept me motivated to run when I simply
couldn’t be bothered. This has raised further challenges, I have had to
run on boats, treadmills, beaches and even ski slopes, all to cover that
minimum training requirement. Almost 30 pairs of trainers have been worn
out and a small fortune spent on kit, entries and travel, but almost
£30,000 has been raised for Willow Burn Hospice and amazingly I carried
the Olympic Torch in the 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">So the 50</span><sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">th</span></sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> run (note I am not
referring to it as the last), The Polar Nights Half Marathon, Tromso
Norway, latitude 69 degrees north (The arctic circle starts at latitude
66 degrees north). Starting 3pm Saturday 6</span><sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">th</span></sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> January in the
middle of the polar winter. The polar winter runs for 3 months from the
start of November to the end of January, during that time the sun never
rises above the horizon. For a few hours, late morning dawn and dusk
quickly merge, by 3pm it is the UK equivalent of late evening, by the
time I finish the race it will be pitch black.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">It snowed heavily
the morning of the race which made the route look very picturesque, but
also challenging. I collected my number on the morning of the race and a
nice little touch by the organisers in that they allocated me the race
number 50.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Along with about
1000 other runners I set off along Tromso main street at 3pm in a nice -6
degree temperature. The first half of the race was fairly steady, running
around the island towards the airport with a slight tail wind (given my
complete lack of aerodynamics this does help). The course was a mixture
of compacted snow and occasional sections of ice, but slow and steady
pace meant no disasters. Runners from 55 different countries took part
and this for many was the ultimate “bucket list” run, so the conversation
was great with the wind on our backs.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">At the half way
point the course does a 180 degree turn and you pretty much retrace your
steps back to Tromso City centre. It was about this time that the slight
tail wind turned into a heavy head wind, which not only made running
difficult, but also blew waves of snow from the fields across the track
directly at me. In addition, due to wind chill, the temperature dropped
dramatically. I began to notice that everything had to started to
freeze, including my clothes, hat and every body extremity. At the drinks
station at 8 miles the water in the drinking cups had frozen, the change
in temperature had been so severe. I also managed to pick up an injury to
my left knee, every time it hit the ground it was equally matched by a
shot of pain. To make things even worse, given the amount of traffic on
the route, more and more of it was now polished ice, which made the
ground harder (more painful on the knee), and more treacherous.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">However, I did make
it, freezing cold and in a lot of pain, I have never been so glad to see
the finishing straight. It took me a full 2 hours after the race, wrapped
in blankets with the heating on full in the hotel room, to finally get my
body to stop shivering and with the help of pain killers eventually get
to the bar and have a well-earned celebratory beer.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">So as I write this,
I have finally warmed back up, but a day later I am still hobbling, so I
may need to finally listen to my body (and Victoria) and have a (short)
rest from running.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">All of this, plus
riding the coast to coast and climbing 50 Wainwright peaks this year with
Victoria has been done to raise money for Willow Burn Hospice. For those
that have already supported, thank you very much, if you haven’t the
Justgiving link is below, every little helps. The madness now ends and I
(currently) don’t have any other life changing challenges committed to,
but life is short and there may be time for one or two more yet!</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Thanks for reading
the updates and all of the support I have received. (p.s. I am crap at
selfies)</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://runningman.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cb6bced5ce037563e3ac3bfb3&id=6465d526d5&e=683f606e04" target="_blank" title="JUST GIVING - DONATE NOW"><b><span style="color: white;">JUST GIVING - DONATE NOW</span></b></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-4072452178245461762017-11-01T11:02:00.000+00:002017-11-01T11:02:03.968+00:00FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION<div style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">After 10 months of serious hiking on, Saturday we completed the 3</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> part of the 50</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> year challenge on the top of Castle Crag, just South of Keswick, in the wonderful English Lakes.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">This part of the challenge was to climb 50 Wainwright Peaks in the Lake District during the year. We started back on 22</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> January climbing Ullock Pike and then up to last week we had managed to climb a further 45 peaks, leaving 4 to complete the 50 target. The issue was the weather was getting worse, and the days shorter, so we set off early Saturday morning with a daring plan to climb the last 4 Wainwright in one day, even though none of Victoria’s several weather apps showed favourable conditions.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The weather in the lakes looked not too bad at on the journey across but it was only when we parked at the foot of Cat Bells that we looked up and could see nothing but thick mist and no mountain tops. It was now Victoria said, and I quote “failure is not an option”, words she would later regret.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The one thing we have learned after many days in the lakes is you must be prepared for ever changing weather. Our standard kit includes food, water, hats, gloves, coats, map, compass, mobile phones and GPS. As we climbed steeply the weather worsened, the wind grew stronger, the rain started and visibility started to reduce. An hour later we reached our first Wainwright peak of the day – Cat Bells (1480ft)</span></span></div>
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<tr><td align="left" class="mcnImageCardBottomImageContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0px;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" height="300" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/cb6bced5ce037563e3ac3bfb3/images/b8670f0b-532f-423a-9b0e-3c3a17cbe80f.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; height: auto; max-width: 1024px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="400" /> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #f2f2f2; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 9px 18px; text-align: center;" valign="top" width="546"> Wainwright number 47 of 2017 - Cat Bells - slightly limited visibility </td></tr>
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<![endif]--> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black;">After Cat Bells, we set off for peak number 2, the weather continued to close in and if it wasn’t for the “failure is not an option” attitude, we would have headed straight for the pub, but onwards we went and eventually with the help of our trusty GPS we reached Wainwright number 2 of the day – Maiden Moor (1816ft)</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #f2f2f2; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 9px 18px; text-align: center;" valign="top" width="546"> Wainwright 48 of 2017 - Maiden Moor - starting to get wetter and less visibility </td></tr>
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<![endif]--> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: left;" valign="top"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black;">2 down and off we set for the 3<sup>rd</sup> peak of the day, the weather was now terrible, gale force winds, torrential rain and next to zero visibility, but onwards and upwards we climbed to reach the highest peak of the day – High Spy (2142ft). This is when my fundamental error and lack if preparation became apparent, our trusty GPS flashed up with the low battery sign, someone (i.e. me) had forgot to charge it. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem as being a boy scout a map and compass will navigate you to safety. The issue however was with zero visibility it is impossible to see any features to navigate by map and we were over 2000ft up a mountain.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #f2f2f2; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 9px 18px; text-align: center;" valign="top" width="546"> Wainwright Number 49 of 2017 - High Spy - Now Soaked to the skin and can barely se a hand in front of us. (Even the dog looks sick) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: left;" valign="top"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black;">Two options – retrace our steps and head back on the route we knew, but “Failure is not an option” so map in hand we headed off to try and find the last Wainwright peak, GPS now completely dead. The route required us to take a sharp left turn off the faint track we had been following for the last hour or so. The map showed a Tarn situated a short distance after the turn, we soon reached the tarn meaning one thing; we had missed the left turn. So, we retraced our steps and still could not find the route. “Failure could now very much be an option”. Reading the map, the Tarn had a stream flowing from it, which due to gravity will always head downhill, looking at the map a faint track followed the stream to the valley below. We decided for safety we needed to take the safe option and head down the mountain. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td align="left" class="mcnImageCardBottomImageContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0px;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" height="400" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/cb6bced5ce037563e3ac3bfb3/images/b74d48b4-1c75-4ed2-89fc-041fccd91133.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; height: auto; max-width: 768px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="300" /> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #f2f2f2; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 9px 18px; text-align: center;" valign="top" width="546"> Victoria trying to put on a brave face </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: left;" valign="top"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black;">Downhearted we headed down to reach the valley floor and started the 4-mile trek around the mountains we had just climbed back to the car. 49 Wainwrights completed we would need to try and fit another one in, which would mean another trip to the Lakes. Then the conversation went something like this: What time did it get dark? What time had we arranged to be in the pub? Could we possibly? We needed to be in the car home by 5pm? Shall we go for it? Remember “failure is not an option”. So, the pace was increased, arriving back to the car (now complete with a bloody parking ticket). A 20-minute drive later we arrived at the opposite side of the mountains we had just come down from and set off on another more defined track back up the hills to try and complete the challenge of climbing 50 Wainwrights in a year. So, tired, windswept and soaked to the skin we reached the peak of Castle Crag. An eventful day, and an eventful challenge. A quick glass of Prosecco to celebrate, a speedy descent, in the car by 5:01pm, home 6:50pm, Pub at 7:25pm, bad head by Sunday morning.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td align="left" class="mcnImageCardBottomImageContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0px;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" height="300" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/cb6bced5ce037563e3ac3bfb3/images/5ef22a90-9da0-4746-b9db-e745d459d627.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; height: auto; max-width: 1024px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="400" /> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #f2f2f2; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 9px 18px; text-align: center;" valign="top" width="546"> 50th Wainwright of the year - Castle Crag - A tough but enjoyable challenge </td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">So for the record this year we have climbed: Ullock Pike, Long Side, Carl Side, Dodd, Stoney Cove Pike, Hartsop Dodd, Thornwaite Crag, Gray Crag, Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Great Rigg, Fairfield, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, High Pike, Low Pike, Tarn Crag, Sergeant Man, Sour Howes, Swallows, Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick, Troutbeck Tongue, Clough Head, Great Dodd, Arthur Pike, Bonscale Pike, Loadpot Hill, Whether Hill, Steel Knotts, Burnbank Fell, Blake Fell, Gavel Fell, Hen Comb, Barf, Lords Seat, Broom Fell, Graystones, Whinlatter, Dow Crag, Old Man of Conniston, Brimfell, Swirl How, Great Carrs, Grey Friar, Cat Bells, Maiden Moor, High Spy and Castle Crag in 2017. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">66½ hours of walking over 14 days. Every possible weather from sun to hailstones, often all on the same day. 3 days when we started and had to turn back because the weather closed in – always be prepared and finally always charge your GPS </span><br /><br /><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, 1<sup>st</sup> November, now training changes to half marathon preparation. Final and biggest part of the challenge is 21km/13.1 miles of running in the middle of winter, 250 miles north of the arctic circle, in the dark, on ice at between -10 and -25 degrees.<br /><br /> Next update will be in January if and when I make it back from the extremes of the North, please remember this is all been done to raise valuable funds for the wonderful Willow Burn Hospice</span></span></div>
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RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-74758553560231523232017-09-19T09:30:00.000+01:002017-09-19T09:30:35.382+01:00Western Europe Finally Conquered - But Not Without a Battle
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<strong><u><span style="color: #f2f2f2; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WESTERN EUROPE FINALLY CONQUERED
- BUT NOT WITHOUT A BATTLE</span></u></strong><span style="color: #f2f2f2; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The one piece
of advice everyone gives you when you are injured is to rest as
time is the best healer. When you have told everyone you know that
you are going to run 50 half marathons and you are doing it for
charity, this advice isn’t on the option list. For the past few
months my right leg has decided that it doesn’t want to be a team
player and even with a small fortune spent on sports massages,
greatly reduced training it was not showing any signs of talking to
the rest of my body. I had also paid a rather expensive race entry
as well as flights and a hotel. So failure was not an option and
off to Copenhagen we flew (we being me and Victoria aka wife,
“coach” and rubbish meteorologist).</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><img align="center" border="0" class="mcnImage" id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/cb6bced5ce037563e3ac3bfb3/images/6d22d8f9-1a75-41e8-884a-c62674d70572.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border-width: 0in; display: inline; height: auto; max-width: 900px; padding-bottom: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">If you ever
watch the London Marathon or the Great North Run you will see that
the elite athletes don’t wear numbers they have their name in big
letters instead, other elite runners, not famous enough for this
are usually allocated the low numbers. For some reason, Copenhagen
thought it would be funny to put even more pressure on this runner
by 1) printing my name in big letters and 2) allocating me number
701 (in a field of 23000), which was printed under the giant name
in smaller numerals. This could be the nearest I get to being an
elite athlete!!</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><img align="center" border="0" class="mcnImage" id="_x0000_i1027" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/cb6bced5ce037563e3ac3bfb3/images/a9d24e22-cafb-40f8-abf9-31095ba72263.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border-width: 0in; display: inline; height: auto; max-width: 768px; padding-bottom: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The reason I
question Victoria’s weather forecasting skills, is that her logic
normally involves checking several on-line sites until she finds a
one that she likes and that is then the official weather forecast
for the day. I now probably more accurately forecast that I will
suffer great pain for this paragraph when she reads it. Anyway, the
forecast by Mrs C required sun glasses and a hat to protect against
the blazing sun. To be fair that was 100% accurate for the start of
the race.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">So, after two
great days sightseeing in Copenhagen I joined 20,000 plus other
runners at the start of the race. The Copenhagen Half was really
casual, each runners number was colour coded to show their
estimated finish time and rather than forced into a pen like you
are in races such as the Great North Run, you could join any group
you wanted to. In the UK, this would mean 50,000 people fighting to
stand in front of Mo Farah, but in Denmark, the vast majority of
people actually started in their recommended position. This created
a really friendly atmosphere of runners of similar abilities and
once the race started no issues with big speed variances and
congestion.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">At around
11:15 Sunday morning the elite runners left, I finally reached the
start line some 20 minutes later. The course was through the city
centre, with crowds lining route almost all of the 13.1 miles. I
made the decision to not run to a target time, but instead run to a
pace I felt comfortable with, all was going well and the sun was
shining for the first 4 miles. Then it got interesting…<br />
<br />
The first sign of the weather changing was a few spots of rain.
Then the sky got increasingly darker, closely followed by thunder,
lightning and then torrential rain. I don’t mind running in the
rain, but to have to do so with forks of lightning all around was a
little frightening. Then the fun really started…</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The rain slowly started to change to hailstones, which
got steadily larger in size and heavier in quantity. At around 7
miles I had one of the most surreal running experiences I have ever
had. The majority of the 20,000 runners started to take cover in
doorways and anywhere else they could escape the storm. Being a
stupid northerner, I saw this as an opportunity to improve my
already rubbish position, so onwards I persevered. I ran on with
another Danish runner and we pretty much had the course to
ourselves. It is difficult to accurately explain the intensity of
the storm, other than to use a childhood expression which sums it
up “It bloody knacked”. I didn’t realise how bad it was until I got
to the end of the race and discovered both arms covered in tiny
bruises from the hailstone impacts. It may have only lasted 5 or 10
minutes but is was one of the funniest running experience I have
ever had.</span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As the storm subsided the soft runners came back out
of the shadows and with 5 or so miles to the finish the sun again
came out. This caused the next running problem, when you add bright
sunlight to a route white with frozen water, flash floods appear. For
some reason, most of the runners, already soaked to the skin from
the earlier rain, thought they needed to tiptoe around the puddles.
Sod that. I was already so wet, I had had dryer baths in the past,
my option was route one, straight through the puddles regardless.
This is not somethings the Danes embraced and when the rest of the
field went in single file around the lakes that covered the
majority of the roads, one Geordie bull-dozed straight through the
middle (I use the word bull-dozed as skipping over the surface is
not something that describes my running style), and again made up a
few more places and valuable seconds.</span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Given the
extreme conditions, I crossed the line in just over 2hrs 15minutes,
far better than I had ever thought, and amazingly the weather had
completely taken my mind of my painful right leg. Crossing the
line, as is the norm, I was given a medal and immediately received
a text confirming my time, job done. There then came an
announcement on the PA system to say that the race was now
cancelled with immediate effect. Running through the storms had got
me in just in time. I later discovered the reason for the race
being stopped was due to 2 runners being struck by lightning,
fortunately not to seriously I believe.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">So, by the
skin of my teeth (and some of the skin of my arms), Half Marathon
number 49 was completed and along with it the challenge to run a
half marathon in every country in Western Europe. Denmark completed
a list that includes England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland,
Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Portugal, Czech Republic, Sweden,
France, Switzerland, Finland, Belgium, Iceland, Italy, Austria,
Germany and Luxembourg.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So only 2 more challenges left <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Coast to Coast – <strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">COMPLETED</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Half Marathon in
every Western European Country - <strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">COMPLETED</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">50 Wainwright Peaks
(35 completed for far)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">50<sup>th</sup>
Half Marathon – Artic Circle flights booked for January<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thanks, everyone for your kind sponsorship so far.
Still a lot of climbing and training to do between now and the
beginning of next year.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">REMEMBER I
AM RISKING MY LIFE IN EXTREME WEATHER, PHYSICAL CHALLENGE AND
POTENTIAL BEATING FROM MY WIFE ALL TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE AMAZING
WILLOW BURN HOSPICE. SO IF YOU HAVEN’T SUPPORTED, PLEASE HELP IF
YOU CAN</span></strong><br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-44966350392846068082017-06-27T08:19:00.001+01:002017-06-27T08:19:43.614+01:00Coast 2 Coast Bile Ride - June 17
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<h1 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Coast
to Coast (via a few pubs)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The main story<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></em></span></h4>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As part of
the year long challenge I decided to take on the Coast to
Coast cycle ride which is 140 miles from Whithaven in the West to
Tynemouth in the East. (There is a slightly shorter route, but that
ends in Sunderland - always going to go the long way). To make
the logistics easier I decided to do it by joining a group of other
cyclists, this should have been a really sensible option,
however in hindsight choosing your riding partners carefully
is time well spent, i didn't spend this time. I chose the “Plods and
Bombs” annual trip (no I don’t know what it means either),
organised by one of my staff; John Geoghegan and his
sidekick Steven Morrison.</span><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, at
shortly after 5am on Thursday myself and 35 other “keen” cyclist
left on a bus from Consett to the start, closely followed by an 18t
rigid full of bikes and a support van full of luggage laden with
excessive amounts of lycra. It was about this time the rules sheet
was handed out, 11 rules which had to be obeyed throughout the
trip. They included, only drinking with your left hand, only
pointing with your elbows, addressing Mr Morrison as “Your Honour”
for the duration and always carrying your rules at all times.
Pretty much a stag doo with bikes then.</span><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After breakfast
in Whitehaven the Peloton headed out for the first day of riding,
crossing through the Lakes to Penrith. This involved just over 50
miles of riding with almost 4000ft of ascent including climbing
over Whinlatter before dropping into Keswick for lunch then on to
Penrith. The day went pretty well, although I did get a puncture at
10 miles, and showed my complete inexperience in changing them to
the watching crowd. All hills were conquered without the urge to
get off and walk, however I had apparently broke one of the
unwritten rules and had weaved while climbing a hill! This resulted
in a summons to a court session over dinner. “Your Honour” turned
up with the full judge’s wig (see above), with Mr Geoghegan as
prosecutor. As you will probably expect the court session was
pretty much “you are guilty, until you are proved guiltier”, so
then the sentence was passed, a lovely ½ pint of chilli sauce, made
with the finest Scotch Bonnet Chilli’s topped with a raw egg. Let’s
just say it didn’t last long. On a positive note, I am sure John
will love the 10-year-old Hino he will be getting to replace his
brand new 17 plate Mercedes Actros (Trucks for those who don’t
know).</span><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Day 2 was a
little shorter at just under 35 miles, but still with almost 4000ft
of climbing including Hartside Pass. The views from the top are
spectacular, except when we got there it was shrouded in mist.
After passing through Alston and into Nenthead there
is another nasty climb out of the village before a long ride
down to our overnight in Allenheads. Accommodation this night was
in a dorm with 4 bunk beds and 6 other riders, most of which had
eaten spicy food for the previous 48 hours and drank their own body
weight in beer. This was not conjusive with getting any well
needed sleep. On a positive note I did narrowly avoid a
second Court Session. I committed the crime of forgetting my
rules, so when the rules check was called I managed to steal the fixture
list for the Allendale Darts League from the notice board in the
pub and hold it up, no one noticed. Sorry to any Allendale
Darts players who have no idea who they are now playing this week
in the league.</span><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: grey; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Day 3 was the
final push from Allenheads to the coast, but not without more
hills. The start of the days was straight into a climb out of
Allenheads before dropping down to Stanhope and the hardest climb
of the trip, Crawleyside Bank, just over 2 miles and near 1000ft of
climbing to the café at Parkhead. The first mile averaged 10%
gradient, which doesn’t sound much, but I suggest you try cycling
it with a hangover and little sleep. After Parkhead there is a
steady run down back to Consett, so near to my home, but still 30
miles to go before the coast. All the riders regrouped and we
annoyed all the motorists of my home town by driving through in one
large group before heading off to Newcastle. The pace to the
Quayside was as quick as I have ever done it, joining 4 other
riders we averaged over 17 mph, which for a large amateur on a
heavy bike, is pretty good going.<br />
<br />
After rehydrating on the Quayside at Weatherspoons we all
headed for the last push to the coast, 140 miles, 10000ft of
climbing, one puncture, ½ pint of chilli, several beers and very
little sleep. At the end as is tradition having dipped the back
wheel in the Irish Sea at the start, the front wheel was dipped in
the North Sea. We didn’t all make it, 3 of the 36 starters ended up
in hospital after falls, fortunately nothing major, a couple of
broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder and some severe grazing
- it is dangerous sport cycling.<br />
<br />
Having heard about my fundraising the other lads generously clubbed
together and donated £300 towards my fundraising, which is a great
effort. Big thanks to John and Stephen (Your Honour), for putting
on a great trip. They managed to put on a bus to the start, 2
nights’ accommodation, dinner and breakfast twice, all for £110,
exceptional value. Hard work for 3 days but a good laugh and
another challenge completed.<br />
<br />
Now for a summer of training and mountain climbing. Next race is
Copenhagen in September. Until then thanks to everyone for their
support so far, I will send the next update after my trip to
Denmark.<br />
<br />
The link to the Just Giving page is below. Have a great summer.</span><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-91872204334044886252017-05-03T08:26:00.002+01:002017-05-03T08:26:45.795+01:00Hills, Hills, Hills and More Bloody Hills<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; max-width: 600px !important; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td id="templatePreheader" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background: no-repeat center / cover rgb(250, 250, 250); border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter">
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<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: 150%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: left;" valign="top"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 24px;"><u><strong>Next Exciting Instalment in the 50th Year Challenge</strong></u></span></div>
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<tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><!--[if mso]>
<table align="left" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100%;">
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<![endif]--> <!--[if mso]>
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<![endif]--> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: left;" valign="top"> The last couple of weeks have had a lot of ups and downs, all in the name of this 2017 challenge.<br /> <div style="text-align: justify;">
When many people had a relaxing time over Easter, myself and Victoria booked a cottage in Ambleside and set about climbing as many Wainwright peaks as we could in one week. The lakes threw every sort of weather at us in 7 days. On day one we ended up buying after-sun, after getting burnt, on the final day we almost got blow off the top of Clough Head due to gale force windows. In the interim we had hail stones, rain, wind and sun. A typical week in the English lakes.<br /> </div>
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<tr><td class="mcnImageContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/cb6bced5ce037563e3ac3bfb3/images/22a3ad1e-c4ee-46d2-b6aa-3a4862d8bafe.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline !important; height: auto; max-width: 800px; padding-bottom: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="563" /> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><!--[if mso]>
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<![endif]--> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: left;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: 12px;">This is not Victoria doing a Donald Trump Impersonation, it was Very Windy, honest</span> </td></tr>
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We did however manage to “bag” 21 Wainwright peaks in a week, taking the total for 2017 to 25, so halfway through this part of the challenge. For the Fitbit geeks, we walked over 110 miles in the week and around 210,000 steps each. For the non Fitbit geeks 10,000 steps per day is considered an acceptable level, we averaged 3 times that, and our steps were 50% up hill. The Wainwrights conquered were: Hartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike, Thornthwaite Crag, Gray Crag, Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Great Rigg, Fairfield, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, High Pike, Low Pike, Tarn Crag, Sergeant Man, Sour Howes, Swallows, Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick, Troutbeck Tongue and Clough Head.</div>
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So, after that week of hills we set off to visit Luxembourg to tick off another country and my 48<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Half Marathon. The weekend actual involved two runs, the first was an impromptu run across Newcastle Airport. When I booked the flight to Brussels the confirmation confirmed the flight departure as 6pm, when we arrived at the airport at 4:20pm there was no 6pm Brussels flight on the board, several expletives followed when we noticed the 5pm Brussels flight. A very quick sprint across the airport only just got us to checkin before they closed. Within 40 minutes of arriving at the airport we were on board and taxiing down the runway. Victoria thinks this is a great way to travel, a sentiment I don’t agree with.<br /><br /> Half Marathon preparation wasn't brilliant with a couple great and late nights in Brussels. A night at Delirium Café which boasts over 2000 different beers apparently is the wrong type of carb loading, I have now discovered. After 2 nights in Brussels it was off to Luxembourg for the Semi Marathon Des 2 Luxembourg.<br /><br /> Finding a half marathon in Luxembourg had proved difficult as there only seems to be 3 in the year and due to prior commitments, I could only make this one. This event took place in the small town of Beckerich (population 635 according to Wikipedia). I had emailed the organisers to get a list of hotels in the area, the list was very short, there wasn't any, but one of the local farms had a B&B. We arrived Sunday afternoon at Four Oaks B&B, only to find it to be an American Ranch themed farm, with all things cowboy everywhere. We had cow hide lampshades, horseshoe towel rails and cowboy boot toilet roll holders? What we also discovered was Luxembourg shuts on a Sunday night, fortunately Mike, the Cowboy who ran the “Ranch” (he even drove an American Dodge Ram Pickup), had found one restaurant open, about five miles away, which turned out to be quite good, actually.<br /><br /> In my haste to book the Semi Marathon Des 2 Luxembourg, I had not bothered to look at the route, which most races post on line. I made the mistake two days before I ran of looking at this, the online description “hilly” should have set the warning bells away, (this may have explained the need to have a few beers in Brussels).</div>
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The very Hilly Profile of the Semi Marathon Des 2 Luxembourg</div>
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<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">This race was unbelievably good value for money, the cost of entry was €5.50, which when you compare it to The Great North Run at £54, it is for nothing. The organiser, Michel, was extremely apologetic that as they had gone to chip timing they had had to put up the price from €3.50!! To make it even better value every runner got a €2 voucher to buy food or a drink at the end (I spent mine on a celebratory Diekirch beer, brewed in Luxembourg). No medal or T-shirt, but I think that would be too much to ask for.<br /><br /> So, the run, as well as the hills (1500ft of climbing) the race turned out to be a trail race (again never checked that out). For those who don’t know what a trail race is, think school cross country, but 13.1miles of it, almost all either uphill or downhill, they don't do flat in Luxembourg.<br /><br /> The route was stunning, through woods, a 600m tunnel, over the border into the Belgium Province of Luxembourg (hence the race name), back into Luxembourg and home. All on a course of forest tracks that either climbed or descended (well almost all). The event was friendly, cheap, a great route and bloody hilly. It wasn't a quick run, but one of my favourite half marathons so far.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">So now back in the UK, 48 half marathons completed, next stop for running is Denmark in September, which is the only Western European Country I have not completed a Half Marathon in. First priority is to blow the tyres up on my push bike, see if it will start and get cycle training, I now have 7 weeks until the coast to coast bike ride.</span></div>
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<li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">1 Country in Western Europe to Run in</span></span></li>
<li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">25 Wainwrights to Climb</span></span></li>
<li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">1 Coast to Coast Bike Ride to cycle</span></span></li>
<li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">1 fiftieth Half Marathon to Run in the Arctic Circle</span></span></li>
<li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">1 embarrising flashing incident in Wales</span></span></li>
<li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">1 nearly missed flight to Belgium</span></span></li>
<li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">1 expensive pair of compression socks purchased</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">So, the rest of the year will be fairly quiet… Thanks for all your support so far, the challenge continues……<br /><br />The Justgiving Page can be found at </span></span><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Nigel-Cook2" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;">https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Nigel-Cook2</a></div>
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RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-28895163467004057262017-04-03T21:45:00.000+01:002017-04-03T21:45:17.002+01:00Injury, Hospital Admission and Support Stockings<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; max-width: 600px !important; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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Firstly thanks for the amazing support I have received since the last update. So far you have raised £2765 for Willow Burn Hospice, which is an amazing amount. It is really appreciated by both Willow Burn and myself. It makes this stupidity all worth while. The link to the Justgiving page is below.</div>
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The Berlin Half Marathon was nearly the Half Marathon that never happened. When I first set about this challenge I didn't think for one minute I would get injured. I had managed almost 7 years of running several Half marathons a year without any issue. The only time I came close to injury was after completing the London Marathon and then stupidly starting training 48 hours after finishing it, not a good idea. However this bravado proved to be ill founded, Wrexham injured me, not too seriously, but my right calf decided it didn't want to be part of the team anymore, and would do its own thing. A lot of rest and a small fortune spent on Sports Massages did help, but the subsequent lack of training due to prolonged rest meant I was both still a little injured and also not race fit. If I hadn't paid for flights and hotels in Berlin and told the world I was doing this event, I would have and should have pulled out. But I am too stupid to do that.</div>
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This dilemma over, my son Jack through a curve ball 2 days before we were due to fly, when he got himself admitted to hospital and put on an IV drip. What he initially thought was tonsillitis turned out to be glandular fever. So Wednesday night the choice was either cancel our travel plans totally and look for another half later in the year in Germany, I fly by myself leaving Victoria at home to look after Jack, or finally he gets discharged from hospital and is well enough for us to both travel. Fortunately by Thursday he was home, Victoria had spend a fortune on ice cream and other associated liquid foods and our daughter Ellen had agreed to make a rare visit home to keep an eye on her brother (rumour is she needed a sat nav to find our house, her visits are that rare). So the race was back on. He better not take ill before the Luxembourg half marathon, as there isn't an alternative to that one I can run this year.</div>
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So, support stockings, or in running speak - Compression socks. This is a product that they issue free to all patients in hospital (I discovered while visiting my son this week), you can also buy them in boots for £10 to stop you getting DVT on long hall flights. But buy them to both avoid injury and assist with injury recovery with a running logo on and your local sports shop will fleece you £30 for what is fundamentally the same product. I had bumped into a seriously good runner at a business lunch in London by the name of Rebekah Randell who I discussed the challenge with and mentioned my current injury issue. It was her advice that I buy compression socks, and I have to thank her as it got me around Berlin in one piece. The only issue is I also have to thank her for making me look like a dick every time I go running now. (before you ask the running shoes were in the sale!)</div>
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So the Berlin Half Marathon. Unlike Vienna, when I was one of two Brits in the race, Berlin was a very large event with runners from all over the Europe and beyond. The course was also very impressive traveling through both East and West Berlin, including running through the Brandenburg Gate at around 3 miles. This did mean I stopped on a few occasions and took photos of bits of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and Kaiser Wilhelm Cathedral. I stopped worrying about times a while ago, this was about enjoying the day. The atmosphere was great and Victoria was joined by our good friends Mark and Marie who flew out for the weekend, for my own personal support crew. They sometimes may not be the most motivational support crew however, when I saw them at 10 miles, Mark did point out that there was a runner dressed as a beer bottle ahead of me, frustratingly I knew this already as he had just passed me.<br /> </div>
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If you haven't been to Berlin, I would certainly recommend it, I was really impressed with the city, it has a great vibe about it (Victoria’s words not mine). What I don’t recommend is running a half marathon, booking a flight back that gets into Manchester at 11pm that night, then having to drive 3 hours home for a couple of hours sleep before driving to Birmingham for 10:30am the next morning. I may be in logistics, but this was crap planning.</div>
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I now have a month before the next race in Luxembourg, but not one to sit still, we have booked a week in the Lakes at Easter to start getting as many Wainwrights bagged as we can. Whatever happened to lazy beach holidays?</div>
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<br /> The challenge continues with only 3 half marathons, 1 Coast to coast bike ride and 46 wainwright peaks still to do.<br /> <br /> The justgiving page link is <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Nigel-Cook2" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;">www.justgiving.com/Nigel-Cook2</a>. if you would like to help support the wonderful Willow Burn Hospice.<br /> <br /> Thanks for taking the time to read the update, will keep you updated through the year</div>
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RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-87884809613508044092017-03-15T11:39:00.000+00:002017-03-15T11:39:02.487+00:00What part of running 2 half marathons in 7 days did I think was a good idea? Definitely a tale of two cities and a broken man. Half Marathon number 46 - Wrexham Half Marathon - 12/3/2017<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibimS50LkfNx-ZnPIFMSBK4PNuBet3YqKTd6GaQZWMUfd0rJLxvxTzBb7rzWsgn7edmwilB7SY_LpFcvqRbCXtPBjLPme8CfktWMvkg8wyeW7BIt0Bv5Vb2D2hywMwgWefsRb0csxT-Jw/s1600/IMG-20170313-WA0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibimS50LkfNx-ZnPIFMSBK4PNuBet3YqKTd6GaQZWMUfd0rJLxvxTzBb7rzWsgn7edmwilB7SY_LpFcvqRbCXtPBjLPme8CfktWMvkg8wyeW7BIt0Bv5Vb2D2hywMwgWefsRb0csxT-Jw/s320/IMG-20170313-WA0001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 13.5pt 6.75pt;" valign="top"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This weekend involved ticking off Wales from the
country list by completing the Wrexham Half Marathon. It was not my most
enjoyable or best run. The excuses why I ran so badly are as follows: </span><span style="color: grey; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: grey; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1) it was too close to the last race </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: grey; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2) it was hilly (well slightly undulating) </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: grey; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3) it was warm (yes Wrexham was warm in March) </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: grey; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4) I am getting old, too heavy and probably not fit
enough </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: grey; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5) At 6 miles I got overtaken by a Gingerbread
Man, who had started 1 hour before me and was running the
marathon with the 3hr 30min Marathon Pacer</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: grey; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6) My head was too focused on making excuses to run
well. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyway over 10 minutes slower
than Vienna and after dragging myself painfully through the last 3 miles
I ticked off Half Marathon number 46 in Wrexham. A pleasant course
through the town and surrounding country side.<br />
</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsL8otLQzOnhmWoexT-Q0W6PuirrJUcSWQ5tqA8o8IbvRha-I0ljsJZ6FJGFkqbGyxhbS8WCxkSicmO_weXZsXdMpuj0g-wr6Td5i5aUpvGfSREMRvpyAJW2QyS3RBR1nT_Vn5f0K8tU/s1600/IMG-20170313-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsL8otLQzOnhmWoexT-Q0W6PuirrJUcSWQ5tqA8o8IbvRha-I0ljsJZ6FJGFkqbGyxhbS8WCxkSicmO_weXZsXdMpuj0g-wr6Td5i5aUpvGfSREMRvpyAJW2QyS3RBR1nT_Vn5f0K8tU/s320/IMG-20170313-WA0003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
To finish a bad day, i may be now banned from the Ramada Inn in Wrexham.
Having stayed the night before, i had arranged to call back and have a
shower in the Spa before returning home. What they didn't tell me was the
only shower in the Spa was an open shower in the spa room which contained
the Hot Tub and Sauna. Having checked there where no other guests a quick
strip off and shower followed. It was only when leaving I noticed the
Security Camera and the "This area is covered by CCTV sign".
What made it worse was handing back my key to see the large CCTV monitor
behind reception clearly showing the spa. May be a while before i go
back!!</span><span style="color: grey; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">There is now a justgiving
page, which will be open for the duration of the challenge </span><span style="color: #ac28b5; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://click.contact.justgiving.com/?qs=d57056c060f45676d996baacd5739cbc844903474eede6caa496ba023fb9b6ea3049a577e1fd766b360dbfbc6a154a64e342146136ba783a" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #ac28b5; text-decoration: none;">http://www.justgiving.com/Nigel-Cook2</span></a></span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="color: grey; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><span style="color: grey; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-8049930192039983982017-03-09T12:48:00.002+00:002017-03-09T12:48:58.068+00:00Half Marathon number 45 - Vienna, Austria 5th Match 201745 half marathons done, now only 4 left to complete the first part of my challenge to run a half in every country in Western Europe.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTPtHJQ0huBibY91SxGdN8xg5GwiHgI6_TX3W7FxerRvtKs4qnKqMJ7qzTwxp6RrWXF8skxw5sj1MpuxBz5L4flD_iD3l3rM-X4EuPS_zKsJXg5WjS4gMYmcHC40fcG_Aw2cj_praczI/s1600/sportograf-90991918_lowres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTPtHJQ0huBibY91SxGdN8xg5GwiHgI6_TX3W7FxerRvtKs4qnKqMJ7qzTwxp6RrWXF8skxw5sj1MpuxBz5L4flD_iD3l3rM-X4EuPS_zKsJXg5WjS4gMYmcHC40fcG_Aw2cj_praczI/s320/sportograf-90991918_lowres.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Laufen Hilft was a great fun event starting next to the Ernst-Happel Stadium. The race combined 3 events, a 5k, 10k and Half Marathon round a 5k lap. The first half of the lap took you down the main boulevard in the park, before turning off to run through the middle of the fair ground, before winding through the back streets back to the Stadium. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21bIWTHyTj659K8I-wF7L9Oah1_aZQLJbBAR-yNCerwTWdevA72mVITmQUQYjjE0DN_l5y6_veO2uMQbKOOtchOydNuypUaJ7OIXTJDAXbjrz1DKZFHfUs9tIhpaRUD0-wQOfd80OSBo/s1600/sportograf-90995368_lowres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21bIWTHyTj659K8I-wF7L9Oah1_aZQLJbBAR-yNCerwTWdevA72mVITmQUQYjjE0DN_l5y6_veO2uMQbKOOtchOydNuypUaJ7OIXTJDAXbjrz1DKZFHfUs9tIhpaRUD0-wQOfd80OSBo/s320/sportograf-90995368_lowres.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After lap 1 the 5k runners pealed off, after lap 2 the 10k runners finished, then with a little added the 1/2 marathon runners completed a 2 further laps. It really was a fun event with a great atmosphere with great weather. I set off to run 10 minute miles and ended up averaging 10:03 which was exactly what i wanted to achieve.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIpCLjk4a15fiU39KaYBPZlWMCU55pqsih_nmJFDgg0GaCDtOrqU-QT6CFFx3zpu9VvmhEZFQpHnaPma-u2Arev8AbBfcWkjck6EtsgUdfhS517KEWlD0kAMICNVwQxtsrKpu36Njvyo/s1600/sportograf-90982342_lowres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIpCLjk4a15fiU39KaYBPZlWMCU55pqsih_nmJFDgg0GaCDtOrqU-QT6CFFx3zpu9VvmhEZFQpHnaPma-u2Arev8AbBfcWkjck6EtsgUdfhS517KEWlD0kAMICNVwQxtsrKpu36Njvyo/s320/sportograf-90982342_lowres.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At the end all runners received a wooden carved medal, a first for me. This was followed by an evening enjoying the Austrian hospitality (to excess). <br />
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Next stop Wrexham this weekendRunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-71955445202440118032017-01-22T20:14:00.001+00:002017-01-22T20:14:46.462+00:00First 4 Wainwrights to start off the 2017 challengeA very icy walk taking in 4 Wainwrights - Ullock Pike, Long Side, Carl Side and Dodd. Only another 46 to complete this year<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_je4y6RgzR307jdL_8tZOVghoSpNAJA8i2ctSiA65OlQlz1jhfbfqXDK1u-GJ61H_H4Mz-NJ9yH97f8fRBDu88j3GjTnGuNPYb3ZtkJASonPYFsP7cmawNwIcF3lLiQ-IHOaY9eejRRA/s1600/2017-01-22+12.19.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_je4y6RgzR307jdL_8tZOVghoSpNAJA8i2ctSiA65OlQlz1jhfbfqXDK1u-GJ61H_H4Mz-NJ9yH97f8fRBDu88j3GjTnGuNPYb3ZtkJASonPYFsP7cmawNwIcF3lLiQ-IHOaY9eejRRA/s320/2017-01-22+12.19.40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicILBdEw6JZnUQmd6caB_Ruw305d0aZE2k4_2bJgppUxf6Way0cXNTrb4XiMXi6AjyLLCnKWIhzaAPdUwRiurq2oe9g4rcRu9i0QXij9Ry1NYJonW-bPrMChroyNuuD0dAIBRxrjomBvw/s1600/2017-01-22+12.49.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicILBdEw6JZnUQmd6caB_Ruw305d0aZE2k4_2bJgppUxf6Way0cXNTrb4XiMXi6AjyLLCnKWIhzaAPdUwRiurq2oe9g4rcRu9i0QXij9Ry1NYJonW-bPrMChroyNuuD0dAIBRxrjomBvw/s320/2017-01-22+12.49.56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOi5VlVWg9k9PxFMmpfsg7jzrU9V7n6W-Nl_8h_Z2gFKw1hoSfQ3zdZXWZ7vmetCXNHj134drZmVvaHHN5mZZFGnn_a9OBY1c-ynCET0aOrrAM3oAnM5x_LIU_Qf4xkYG538U122pn7Y/s1600/2017-01-22+13.56.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOi5VlVWg9k9PxFMmpfsg7jzrU9V7n6W-Nl_8h_Z2gFKw1hoSfQ3zdZXWZ7vmetCXNHj134drZmVvaHHN5mZZFGnn_a9OBY1c-ynCET0aOrrAM3oAnM5x_LIU_Qf4xkYG538U122pn7Y/s320/2017-01-22+13.56.10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-32356290701061824122017-01-17T12:52:00.001+00:002017-01-17T12:52:40.545+00:00Carlisle Resolution 10k First race of 2017 in Carlisle on a wet Sunday morning. Great route, well organised and good fun. Pace wasn't too bad, but will need to be a lot fitter for the half marathons. Training must go on.<br />
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RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-48356917058204249412017-01-11T18:26:00.000+00:002017-01-11T18:26:36.573+00:00The 2017 ChallengeSo today is my 49th birthday, the start of my 50th year on the planet. So this is my challenge:<br />
<br />
- To run 50 half marathons before my 50th birthday<br />
- To have run a half matrathon in every Western Europe Country (Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Denmark and Wales left to do)<br />
- To cycle the coast to coast<br />
- To climb 50 Wainwrigt Peaks<br />
- To go to the Artic Circle in January 2018 and run the Polar Nights Half Marathon which takes place in the depths of winter, in the dark, on ice and in freezing conditions.<br />
- Finaly and most importantly to raise as much money as possible for Willow Burn Hospice.<br />
<br />
The next year is going to be a challenge and most importantly a great year....<br />
<br />
Watch this space<br />
<br />
Nigel Cook aged 49 years and 0 daysRunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-27514913362690408912017-01-09T09:22:00.000+00:002017-01-09T09:22:23.434+00:002017 Serious Training has began2017 is going to be a big year (details to follow), so i am having to take it very seriously with a Personal Trainer, a training program and a low carb diet (plus a dryish January). <br />
<br />
Week one now complete and over 20 miles ran, with interval and hill sessions included. Finished the week off in style with a 10.5 miles run across the fells to take the decorations off a tree! <br />
<br />
To explain Blackhill Bounders, my running club, decorate a single tree in the middle of the Pennine Fells each December and un-deck it in January.<br />
<br />
Let the fun begin....<br />
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RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-65890524628003981772016-09-13T21:03:00.001+01:002016-09-13T21:03:35.540+01:00Monza Half Marathon – 11th September 2016 – Half number 44
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If Carlsberg did half marathon weekend (almost). A weekend
in Italy, A Formula One Circuit, A Favourite band in an Outdoor Roman Amphitheatre
and a Half Marathon, what possible could go wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We arrived late Friday night in Milan, too late even for a
drink in the hotel bar </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.
Saturday was spent exploring Monza and collecting my number. I ended up with number 36, worrying almost elite status. Then a 2-hour drive in the evening to Verona
where we had arranged to see one of my favourite bands, Marillion play a gig in
an ancient Roman amphitheatre. The Gig was one of the best we have seen, the
only downside being the 2-hour drive back to Monza at 11pm at night. Arriving
back at the hotel 1am, alarm was set for 7:30am for breakfast and the run. </span></div>
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At the Start of the Race </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Weather was brilliant for a beach holiday, but worst case scenario
for a half marathon. 32 degrees, clear blue sky and no shade. Many of the
Italians were complaining about the heat, which suggested it was the usual
weather they expected at this time of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The run started on the start line of the Monza Grand Prix
Circuit. The route then follows the circuit for around three quarters of a lap
before turning off into Monza Park, the large public space in which the Monza
Circuit is located. There were 4 distance options 5k, 10k, 21k (the half) and
30k. All runners started together with the 5k completing a single full lap, the
10k taking in the inner banked circuit while the longer distances took to the
paths of the park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The First Chicane at Monza</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The heat was intense after 5k I started to see what I would
consider as “elite” athletes pulling out and walking back to the start. I took
the decision to make sure I took on as much water as possible to try and keep
hydrated. Over the 13.1 miles I drank 3 litres of water, but the heat still
caused me to vomit on 4 or 5 occasions. This was a tough run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkpeHrdfz67pyf3GciCm5V3eVMqic2n8UbApOQPrVi6nczkk87knB1sn-jqsSrRVp0kvkfCror3dddwCMpdH44k433zhxQfasNUKzYLtgIEn1O7rHoB3lmG1a5q_JAeTMudTKRwOh0NM/s1600/2016-09-11+12.01.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkpeHrdfz67pyf3GciCm5V3eVMqic2n8UbApOQPrVi6nczkk87knB1sn-jqsSrRVp0kvkfCror3dddwCMpdH44k433zhxQfasNUKzYLtgIEn1O7rHoB3lmG1a5q_JAeTMudTKRwOh0NM/s400/2016-09-11+12.01.48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Final Corner</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eventually we turned 90 degrees and re-joined the main
circuit with only the long last curve and finish straight to complete. What the
week before took Lewis Hamilton a matter of seconds, took a very weary middle
aged runner a significantly longer time, but I made it in around 2hr 35
minutes. One of my slowest half marathons, but in the toughest conditions I have
ever ran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4DBWlcr3-Ly2KiPVPREaApPeHjaEwHGqpPYUMKuL4Qq1zLNKT13CIvUHDElk0ffNXMevE57YECSIP5tN_1Kw9TEvxXtmZJabjORVzAS2J3i22cQze65EokdEk_nRworfKX_z8d1Fij4/s1600/2016-09-11+12.04.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4DBWlcr3-Ly2KiPVPREaApPeHjaEwHGqpPYUMKuL4Qq1zLNKT13CIvUHDElk0ffNXMevE57YECSIP5tN_1Kw9TEvxXtmZJabjORVzAS2J3i22cQze65EokdEk_nRworfKX_z8d1Fij4/s320/2016-09-11+12.04.35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Finishing Straight</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What was unusual in Monza was the lack of running tourists, I
normally see a number of UK running club vests on my travels, but in Monza I didn’t
come across a single other Brit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" height="400" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14322529_10154087979133167_3458680476516919234_n.jpg?oh=0d8a9f9cf91810364dd788f3459f77c1&oe=5839579B" width="300" /></div>
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Number 44 Half Marathon Finished</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A lovely receptionist in the hotel who let us have late
checkout after the race, a wonderful Italian Pizza alfresco in Monza on the
Sunday afternoon all made for a great weekend. We certainly rejuvenated our
love of Italy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now for a rest and start to prepare for 2017 and the final
push to 50 Half Marathons. I have already booked flights to Luxembourg at the
end of April, not I just need to arrange runs in Germany, Austria and Denmark,
plus a wildcard race and then up to the Arctic Circle in January 2018 for the
final run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-75423265357795962582016-06-27T21:19:00.000+01:002016-06-27T21:19:31.131+01:00Suzuki Midsumer Sun Half Marathon 23/6/16
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Preparation for this race was not good. A busy day prior
driving over 300 miles to eventually get to Luton. Staying over night before a
4:30am alarm to fly to Iceland. A look round Reykjavik to while away the hours
before the race start at 9:20pm (10:20pm UK). Completely shattered before I
even started.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It wasn't a big race with only 3000 runners between 3
events; 5k, 10k and half marathon, there was however over 30 countries
represented, including a lot of British runners. At the start I bumped into 5
lads from North East Front Runners who had done Blackhill parkrun the previous
week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The route was excellent, the first and last miles on closed
roads, then the rest a giant loop through the countryside on Tarmac tracks.
Although there were always houses in sight the path followed streams, went
through parks and even crossed a golf course. The only issue was the hills, on
one serious one, but there seemed to be a lot more ups than downs. As is
becoming the norm, the first half of the race went well, then my lack of
fitness and niggles from my calfs started to slow me down significantly. The
last few hills were particularly tough, but I got to the end and ticked off
half marathon number 43 and Iceland as a country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bad planning again, I eventually got back to my hotel after
being awake for over 24 hours only to set my alarm for 3 ½ hours later to fly
home, via Luton and Friday afternoon drive north.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Probably one of the cheapest entry fees I have come across
recently, however Iceland as beautiful as it is, is very expensive. The one
beer I had at the end of the races was £6 for bottle!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Map is slowly turning Green</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Og6CJdfQR9o9gBEL3NnWoZhQeKgcxxqTLOOLJ4qYIy5Z9lVARBaWfmgYRVZnkzdBH1QBtmCg8MvgHUlrcHr1aFb3aRcZ93AH-n83RBxolABkBq0jIOoaMP0I_OzaPfvcv9DGaaZT7gw/s1600/Europe+Map.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Og6CJdfQR9o9gBEL3NnWoZhQeKgcxxqTLOOLJ4qYIy5Z9lVARBaWfmgYRVZnkzdBH1QBtmCg8MvgHUlrcHr1aFb3aRcZ93AH-n83RBxolABkBq0jIOoaMP0I_OzaPfvcv9DGaaZT7gw/s400/Europe+Map.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Next stop Monza in Italy in September </span>RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-10821265871221187762016-06-06T18:36:00.000+01:002016-06-06T18:36:19.599+01:00Great Brewery Marathon 25km Run – Half Marathon(ish) number 42
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There must only be a small number of people in the UK who
google beer and half marathons together, well actually there were 34, 2 of
which were myself and Victoria.</span></div>
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Ready for the start</div>
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The route through the Countryside</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There were actually 3 events taking place on the day, a
Marathon, a 25km run and a 25km walk. I opted for the run, Victoria the walk. The
race centred around 3 breweries just outside Brussels; Duval, Palm and Karmeleit.
The race began next to Duval and then meandered through the beautiful countryside
of Belgium on a mixture of single track roads and cross country tracks. It also
incorporated running through 2 breweries, literally the track went through the
beer hall!</span></div>
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Running through the beer hall (and a bit of truck spotting)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the Walkers there was the opportunity to try various
beers on the route, the runners unfortunately were restricted to water and energy
drinks. Probably a good thing as it was 25 degrees, probably too hot to run
comfortably. Victoria managed to be first female walker home although it wasn't a race or timed.</span></div>
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First lady walker home</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I thoroughly enjoyed the route, just hated the heat. To
compound it a little further, the route had to be changed slightly due to
flooding and the 25km/15 mile route was almost 16 miles by the time I shuffled
over the line. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Great route, well organised, nowhere near a PB but free beer
for all at the end. If I hadn’t been driving it could have been a messy day.
Every entrant got up to 3 free beers to sample at the end, plus 3 bottles to
take home. The finisher’s medal even incorporated a bottle opener – a nice
touch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">42 runs now completed and less than 3 weeks until the next
run in Iceland (hopefully a little cooler than the last 2)</span></div>
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RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-71824720800777542392016-05-09T07:56:00.000+01:002016-05-09T07:56:02.345+01:00Geneva Half Marathon 8th May 2016<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This has to be one the most picturesque half marathons I
have done. First half is through the Swiss countryside past vineyards, fields
and villages, all with a back drop of the Alps. Just after halfway there is a
non Garmin friendly tunnel (a pain when you are trying to track your pace),
then a downhill to the shore of Lake Geneva. After 3 or 4 miles along the shore
the run goes through the streets of the city itself then turns for the last
mile along the lake shore again. The finish is halfway across one of the
bridges in the city.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The organisation was excellent (they even issued suntan
cream) and the support on route equally as good. I had loads of runners talking
to me about the 50 half marathon challenge which eases the journey. At the
start I bumped into a celebrity runner, the lovely Julie who founded the
website </span><a href="http://www.toofattorun.co.uk/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri";">www.toofattorun.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">, and
has the Twitter name @fattymustrun. Fortunately I had seen on Twitter she was
running and had looked up her first name, although she did say often people
just shout “fatty” to her anyway, she wasn't bothered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The only negative was the heat, it reached 23c today which
made it tough going. I managed the first 10k in just over an hour, but then the
sun started to get hotter and my pace drastically slowed. I finished in about
1:18, which given the heat I am happy with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The things I learned on this run:</span></div>
</div>
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Always bring your wife, she can enforce a curfew
and control the number of beers you have the day before.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
The cheapest hotel is not the best, paper thin
walls and a neighbour who finally switched his telly off at 2am, my alarm was
set for 6am</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
Uber is great, managed to get me to the start
for not a lot of money</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
My branded black top is not the best colour for
hot runs.</div>
</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Next stop Brussells in 4 weeks</span></div>
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<img height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBg-Lta-nyA5OFLty-sPiNNu3Ie8sQv28brh6Ka23q-HVtmcuj-ODiE3URT5zIxoS2_gwfW701qBw4QuPdai5tjbKCOjAytzUrmfR5NjUpNqQcsHvbHKEawjw9Y-yjeOAIZRdtLKHCog4/s320/WP_20160508_10_59_39_Pro.jpg" style="left: 357.5px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 837.16px;" width="96" />RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-85406034716815437972016-05-05T17:10:00.000+01:002016-05-05T17:10:04.887+01:00Sunderland 10KNot a half marathon, but a very memorable run as it was the first time i have ran a race with my wife Victoria. It was her first ever race and first time at that distance. For someone who didn't run until very recently she did amazing.<br />
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A great photo out of it as well<br />
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Next stop Geneva on SundayRunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-5691130510023802952016-04-13T07:59:00.000+01:002016-04-13T07:59:18.311+01:00San Francisco Rock and Roll Half Marathon - 3rd June 2016A little bit away from the European Country Challenge, but took advantage of an American holiday to run the San Francisco Rock and Roll Half Marathon.<br />
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A very early start (04:30am alarm) to get to the start in the dark. Due to restriction on when we could run across the Golden Gate Bridge the race had to start at 06:30am, it was only just dawn. As can be expected with San Francisco the course was very hilly, so decided from the outset to enjoy the race and not worry about any sort of time. <br />
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From the photos you may see that I took every opportunity for a photo on the way round</div>
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The highlight was running over the Golden Gate bridge - twice. Although the atmosphere, people and American support was great. Another first was having to avoid a dead raccoon on the course? You don't get that in Europe<br />
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Ran in in just under 2:30, which was slow, but I had a lot of fun on the way. That is half marathon number 40 completed.<br />
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Next stop Geneva in May, only 10 left to go.<br />
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RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-58476627065847853672016-03-07T13:44:00.001+00:002016-03-07T13:44:18.158+00:00Paris Half Marathon - 6th March 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Half Marathon number 39 the Paris Half Marathon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Great North Run can learn a lot from the Paris
organisation, stick a few police around with sub machine guns and people
certainly obey instructions. 47,000 runners and nowhere near the congestion you
get running from Newcastle to South Shields. </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hats off to the French they staggered the race start to the
point that the winner had finished the race before the last person crossed the
start line 1 hour 10 minutes after he had. The course is a flat route from
Chateau De Vincennes East of the city centre running through the Vincennes Park
before heading off into Paris passing the Bastille area, the Hotel de Ville and
then City Hall before following the banks of the Seine back towards the park
and the finish.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIwH4aJuiKp4Fn0FfPLrMxRAo_6V_a0rTVZD1ZSYlsFHTnXoiJiDhRcGNCy2ZdN4fVw2X2wpBannlg8cQIPfspzOrEYdfLH_uBJxwenx3FYiK2xoDJhufihTpXlcf1zD2hp-30_ylB3A/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIwH4aJuiKp4Fn0FfPLrMxRAo_6V_a0rTVZD1ZSYlsFHTnXoiJiDhRcGNCy2ZdN4fVw2X2wpBannlg8cQIPfspzOrEYdfLH_uBJxwenx3FYiK2xoDJhufihTpXlcf1zD2hp-30_ylB3A/s400/Capture.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The support was not as prevalent as the Great North, but
that worked well for the support crew who came with me who managed to spectate
at the start, 4 miles, 7 miles and the finish by jumping on and off the Metro.</span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Having been full of cold for the preceding days combined
with an upset stomach, things didn’t bold well. However the cold temperature
did make for good running conditions. The first 7 miles went fine at a
reasonable pace (for me anyway), then lack of fitness and feeling crap took
effect and the pace slowed drastically. Still managed a steady 2:17, and as I am
too old to worry about times, I am happy with that.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQEgl8DSslczHX89OVfhmCj46BMRg6T0Ez7r8c2iPTbzUWS3No0XULbX4m3ErUTtLO8Mzte2HbwoIP_wEonlWEm_27DJlXlxmlQIZV7wJ6XXutAZt_xJ_-1trrdYx2KiQ5ezCnv1uFAA/s1600/IMG_2787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQEgl8DSslczHX89OVfhmCj46BMRg6T0Ez7r8c2iPTbzUWS3No0XULbX4m3ErUTtLO8Mzte2HbwoIP_wEonlWEm_27DJlXlxmlQIZV7wJ6XXutAZt_xJ_-1trrdYx2KiQ5ezCnv1uFAA/s400/IMG_2787.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The couple of things I did learn with the Paris Half
Marathon Experience are:</span></div>
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="border-image: none; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
Raw Beef, French Onion Soup (or Onion Soup as it
is known in France) and Spicy Pasta are not the best food to have the day
preceding a half marathon</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="border-image: none; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
French Cyclist take priority over every other
type of vehicle, pedestrian. At one stage we were met by a cyclist riding
against the flow of runners on an apparently closed road?</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="border-image: none; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
You can get away with running a half marathon in
brand new shoes without lasting effects</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="border-image: none; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
The French are actually quite good at organising
mass sporting events</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="border-image: none; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
A cold beer never tastes any better than after a
21 kilometre run</div>
</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another country ticked off, my map of Europe is slowly turning green</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_joJjyeSyIDs-hjEB6dgf_CsqGvmAGLb9Nm5mODQss7ebNUPjLA7bfcmBSukFAZRHN6o3BXyfe2kUKqVK1YY_RKRxs4CN_Sz3k9YxT4PgOr4JTtPQ4kcsTh5NHXEUnrI06MALjSqus0/s1600/Europe+Map.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_joJjyeSyIDs-hjEB6dgf_CsqGvmAGLb9Nm5mODQss7ebNUPjLA7bfcmBSukFAZRHN6o3BXyfe2kUKqVK1YY_RKRxs4CN_Sz3k9YxT4PgOr4JTtPQ4kcsTh5NHXEUnrI06MALjSqus0/s400/Europe+Map.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4 weeks now until Half Marathon Number 40, a bit off piste
from the #runeurope challenge, running across the Golden Gate Bridge twice as
part of the San Francisco Rock and Roll Half Marathon.</span></div>
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<br />RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-44304510320947441552016-02-12T07:50:00.000+00:002016-02-12T07:50:02.155+00:002016 Filling Up AlreadyFirst race of 2016 only 3 weeks away, will be a struggle as training has not been great, but it is all about the miles not the time. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBVBhAsbs3k_ZdZeSKVOj5EELLjiiaWgZ2k70iyyASJZxzxMquirINIxgK2ZIoQ_JsS-7lFZxLBJMzlEC5NjU15GR5BBJZYboVfMK-CxFeSFDNBOKeGi8GWdzgRPd2OSjAGkm8415d5c/s1600/Europe+Map.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBVBhAsbs3k_ZdZeSKVOj5EELLjiiaWgZ2k70iyyASJZxzxMquirINIxgK2ZIoQ_JsS-7lFZxLBJMzlEC5NjU15GR5BBJZYboVfMK-CxFeSFDNBOKeGi8GWdzgRPd2OSjAGkm8415d5c/s400/Europe+Map.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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The map is also filling up with half marathons in France, Switzerland, Iceland and Belgium already confirmed (plus a slightly off-piste one in San Francisco)<br />
<br /><br />
To add to the running challenges there is also training to be done for a 45 mile lakes tour on the bike, a triathlon in August and a little cycle ride from Edinburgh to Consett in September.RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-89484841320466951082015-12-31T08:56:00.000+00:002015-12-31T08:57:47.609+00:00Another Running Milestone AcheivedA steady 5 mile run yesterday meant a big running milestone was achieved. I have now ran a <strong><u>Minimum</u></strong> of 10 miles every week for the last 5 years. This has included runs on ski slopes, boats, beaches in various cities, countries and terrains. Next 2 years will be a big challenge with 12 half marathons to complete in 12 different countries to hit my goal of running a half marathon in every country in Western Europe and running 50 half marathons before I reach my 50th birthday. Roll on 2016.RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-65287958143439247202015-10-12T18:30:00.000+01:002015-10-12T18:30:00.830+01:00Half Marathon number 38 - The Vantaan Half Marathon, Helsinki, Finland 10th October 2015.<div class="MsoNormal">
First trip to Finland, and hopefully not my last. The trip to Stockholm and this one to Helsinki have certainly made Scandinavia one
of my favourite places to visit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Early 5am alarm Friday morning to drive to Manchester to
catch a direct flight to Helsinki. The plane was surprisingly busy, but it
turns out Northern Ireland played Finland on the Sunday in the Euro qualifiers,
so majority of passengers had strong Irish accents and a belly full of Guinness for breakfast.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Decided to walk from the hotel to the race HQ to register
and pick up my number after arriving Friday afternoon. The receptionist did
question why I was doing this, but I was insistent and set off map in hand to
walk. It was shortly after this I realised how cold Finland is. Just over an
hour later I found race HQ, luckily surviving almost certain hypothermia. An
expensive taxi took me back to the hotel, sod walking.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One thing I quickly discovered about Finland is that very
few people speak English, not a bad thing but when compared to most other
European countries it is unusual. I also discovered that I was the only English
person in the race, it was very much a local event, although it claims to be
the 2<sup>nd</sup> biggest running event in Finland (there must be some tiny ones
elsewhere). I eventually figured out where the start was and after a couple of
failed attempts to find out if it was a multiple or single lap race I gave up
and joined the warm up at the start (warm up is essential as otherwise your
running shoes would freeze to the ground).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Overall there was about 800 entries for the Half Marathon,
but there was also a Marathon and a Quarter Marathon, starting at different
times. The race turned out to be 2 laps of a flat course, ran almost entirely
on pavements, roads and cycle paths. About 2/3<sup> </sup>of the run was
through the streets of Vantaan, the remainder in parks and a small amount of
woodland.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Really enjoyed the event, which was well organised and
marshalled. My Garmin showed a mileage of 13.3miles in 2:09:30. Which very
happy with, especially as every mile was ran in under 10 minute mile pace.<o:p></o:p></div>
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No t’shirt at the end, just a yoghurt, apple juice and dried
Finnish bread and a cheese slice (plus a free coffee). You did get a sort of
medal but it had no ribbon or means to attach a ribbon to.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After a visit to the hotel sauna (not mixed, before you
ask), jumped on the train to Helsinki and with a quick bit of TripAdvisor
research had a fantastic meal of smoked fish, Elk meatballs and local beer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The 4:30am alarm on Sunday morning was a bit of a shock to the system, but meant back in the UK in time for Sunday lunch.</div>
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38 races now complete, next race is booked for March in
Paris. Will definitely be heading back to Finland and Scandinavia sometime in
the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some things I found out about Finland in my brief visit (not
necessarily all true):</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">It is cold, very cold</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The biggest export is trees (well forest
products)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">You only have to so much as look at a Zebra
crossing and cars will screech to a halt</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">At Pedestrian crossings, the pedestrians will
patiently wait for the green man, even if there is not a car in sight for miles</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Finland doesn’t make many cars, in 2013 they
produced in a year about the same number as Nissan Washington produce in 2 days</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">For a country so cold there are hardly any 4x4’s</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Skiwear is the national dress</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">They serve Gin and Tonic on draft (true fact)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Every waitress under 30 is either a Goth, has a
full covering of Tattoo’s or more often than not both.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Beards are a practical face warmer not a fashion
item</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Where the rest of the world shuns fur sales, in
Finland if it can keep you warm kill it and make clothing out of it.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">There seems to be more cycle paths than actual
roads</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">No one puts their coat on the back of their
chair in restaurants, everyone is religiously hung up</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Every female has blond hair, the ones that don’t
have dyed theirs</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The trains are ultra clean and efficient. When
you get a notification that your train is delayed by 1 minute you know they
take timeliness seriously</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">There is hardly any graffiti</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Moped riders think they are cyclist and often
drive along not only the cycle lanes but also the paths.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Rudolph is not just for Xmas, it is food and clothing all year round</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">There seems to be no correlation between the
written word and the spoken word. “a” is pronounced “r” and “o” is pronounced
“a” as far as I can tell</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">If there is a baldness or obesity problem, no
one would know as everyone wears so many clothes to keep warm (did I tell you
it was cold)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Spotlights are mandatory on all cars</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Hardly anyone smokes and no one has introduced
Vaping to Finland</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Hats, Gloves and Scarfs are the biggest selling
clothing items after fur coats and fur lined boots</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">There is no public debate in Finland on the
wearing of Burka’s as most inhabitants are covered up even more.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The beer is a lot cheaper than Sweden – only 6
euro a pint</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The Finnish for Start is “lähtö”, the Finnish
for finish is “maali” I had to google them to find out where to go</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">It gets dark early and when it gets dark it gets
even colder.</span></li>
</ul>
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RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-15754844095780730232015-10-12T18:00:00.000+01:002015-10-12T18:00:00.668+01:00250 Consecutive Weeks of Running 10 miles per WeekWeek commencing 27th December 2010 I ran 15 miles in the week, last week I ran 18 mile, every week in between those dates I have never ran less than 10 miles. 250 weeks consecutive running at least 10 miles. In those 250 weeks I have ran 754 times covering 4015 miles including 1 marathon and 28 half marathons. The longest run was the London Marathon, the shortest carrying the Olympic Torch (not bad extremes) <br />
<br />
Think I may be slightly obsessed with this running lark and a little OCD with statistics.RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-66380450133896007982015-10-01T13:59:00.002+01:002015-10-01T13:59:22.979+01:00Coast to Coast Bike Ride - September 2015Not a running challenge, but 3 great days spent cycling from Whitehaven on the West Coast to Tynemouth on the East Coast with 50 other great blokes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTHvWJrrxYF9mhdz3xtyn4xcQ10XRlHhl0wbHC4AFnRA_p_Z_nUj4QXRCblwWnjbfZXuLJfc-3zJTIf9IIgTssz2ZLRVDgutu6lPM1fekwoss3KLuUOgVdgNmItht5DBUJXE3EkbL7Ak/s1600/12063470_10154216602498976_5727570571711264830_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTHvWJrrxYF9mhdz3xtyn4xcQ10XRlHhl0wbHC4AFnRA_p_Z_nUj4QXRCblwWnjbfZXuLJfc-3zJTIf9IIgTssz2ZLRVDgutu6lPM1fekwoss3KLuUOgVdgNmItht5DBUJXE3EkbL7Ak/s320/12063470_10154216602498976_5727570571711264830_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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140miles, 9000 feet of climbing, over 10,000 calories burned and several units of alcohol consumed. I was over the moon to make it up the 4 big climbs without having to get off the bike. Winnlatter, Hartside Pass, Gallowgill and Crawley Side all conquered. Next year looks like a ride from Edinburgh to Newcastle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUpMqOnwH_k3Fm4f7A6jOaAGYdJBZWRdbqWwr0c2bwMgpC_cf84bZ_ojQ5IaQTL7qXVbAphOajT4U02rxZz2dRCJaoB6TX_1z-C7i2lNk5k0a37HBYOJRescrDRsY999SvwVTrXrV59Y/s1600/12038128_10153295856158167_6969133200030102834_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUpMqOnwH_k3Fm4f7A6jOaAGYdJBZWRdbqWwr0c2bwMgpC_cf84bZ_ojQ5IaQTL7qXVbAphOajT4U02rxZz2dRCJaoB6TX_1z-C7i2lNk5k0a37HBYOJRescrDRsY999SvwVTrXrV59Y/s320/12038128_10153295856158167_6969133200030102834_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970411359753586065.post-36555882964320342232015-09-21T08:01:00.000+01:002015-09-21T08:01:01.444+01:00Barnard Castle Triathlon 20/09/15Second year taking part in the Barnard Castle Triathlon, a great event with a 400m pool swim, a hilly 17 mile road bike and a 5k cross country run. Time was slower than last year as taking it easy after last weeks Stockholm 1/2 Marathon and in advance of this weeks Coast to Coast Bike ride.<br />
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I obviously saw the camera on the bike ride, as i am very obviously over smiling!!</div>
<br />RunningManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07119159786564495103noreply@blogger.com0