tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80612966374384882172024-03-13T23:37:45.787-07:00Challenge Team BOB1 Man & friends setting physical challenges, running, cycling, to help others through charitable fundraising.Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-80045198359854596452013-04-14T06:47:00.001-07:002013-04-14T06:47:40.417-07:00I refuse to use the "i" word: 7 Sleeps Until VLM This post is based over the last few weeks, I've never had enough dribble to post & have been in a bit of a grump so just made notes. Everyone wishes for a perfect training plan into any big race especially when committing to raise money for a charity no one wants to get injured, sometimes even Super Hero's find it hard, never mind a skinny kid who's only been running 2 years.<br />
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It all started with a trip to the Chiropractor, things have not been right with my lower legs for a while now & really wanted to get this sorted. I explained to my Chiropractor that I've not been able to follow a full week of training because of the niggles. Jwalla did her usual & abused my legs like they were a lump of playdough, apparently I have some Super Human pain barrier in my lower legs. Very apt as I hope to be able to run the London Marathon dressed as MEGA MARTIN!<br />
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At this point VLM seemed miles away, 5 weeks is in fact a long time... But do you know that feeling when you realize VLM is 3 & a bit not 5 weeks?!?! YEAH THAT!<br />
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I started to panic, I'd not ran a full week of planned training all year, I have constantly had these "niggles" & I'd not even tried on my MEGA MARTIN suit!.<br />
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I was on strict instructions not to run for at least a week & not to "race" until VLM. I had a race number for Lincoln10K but I made the decision to just run it with a friend @Rustyw5 if the "niggles" go down in time, I refuse to use the "i" word . My Tibia & Achilles are in bits, shin splints is a huge possibility too, oh & ive started to get throbbing in the soles of my feet, so I can't rush this. I know I can run VLM in my head but I have to think of the bigger picture, VLM was a training run for Edinburgh then I was onto the main challenge of the 24hr race & the 100 milestone. VLM is now turning into a bigger challenge than I'd thought it would be, although I've never ran in a Marathon Race I have ran the marathon distance a few times, I've even ran in a 50 mile race so in my head this should not be a worry but with all the niggles I'm carrying I really have to be careful & maybe even think about dropping out of the TR24 in July, but never say never, where would the fun be if life was easy ;o)<br />
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By the time Lincoln 10k came the rest had done me good. Charlies Angles have Charlie, Batman has Alfred & 007 has Q, MEGA MARTIN on the other hand has a Auntie Eileen, Auntie Eileen is a whiz with a sewing machine & after a few alterations to the costume to stop chafe & camels toe, I was away.<br />
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After a chat with Tux-Man (aka @Rustyw5) we agreed to take it easy but after fighting to get out of the crowds we agreed to up the pace & see what we could do in the costumes. I find it really hard not to go in to race mode when at the start line but did hold back a bit. I soon got very hot & I started to dehydrate just before half way, the crowds were great & I was having lots of fun but desperately needed water. @Rustyw5 ran very well & we ran together through the busy streets up to the water stations at 6K where I had to slow down to tip water down my back to help me cool down, Russ was running really string & I could not catch him back up. Overall it was a great day & I think we came in 1st & 3rd Fancy dress in 44mins chip time & 45min Clock. I had slight aches but nothing to worry about. I did need to get more air holes in the suit & certainly needed to slow down for VLM though.<br />
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The next dat I went for a recovery run, I ran at 8min/mi but sadly I got pins & needles in heel. My worries had come true, Plantia fascistis! I wont lie to you I'm not happy at ALL, first Shin Splints the Achillies tightness NOW P' CHUFFIN F! I went to my local running store (meters to miles) for a gait analysis & a great chat with <a href="http://www.metrestomiles.co.uk/acatalog/THE_TEAM.html" target="_blank">Julian</a> the owner & ex international runner. Julian filled me with confidence & gave me some great advice about running barefoot & how to safely make the transition. I ran on the treadmill but ran like a pissed up tramp. My form was all over the place! Its been that long since I've ran on one a treadmill I seem to have forgotten how to run on treadmills. This cemented the fact that I need to work back to basics, core, flexibility, form & style. <br />
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So i basically did too much too soon whilst working towards running barefoot / minimal. <br />
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To be honest I only have to run down the garden with nothing on the feet & I automatically run "correctly", I say correctly but maybe I should say naturally? So I do naturally run barefoot on my toes, the way we are apparently supposed to run, my problem is I still over stride & over pronate. This is how my body has learnt to run & I know if i change too much too soon it will no longer be natural to my body & do think unnatural form will continue to cause injury, so is "natural" form different for each person? Or do I just have to re teach my body?<br />
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So here is what I've come up with...<br />
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Heavy shoes make me heel strike.<br />
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I will continue to run in them but will no longer heel strike & will slowly work on my stride & posture/strength while running,<br />
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I will however be ending most of my runs with a cool down running in my new minimal Brooks Pure Connects or bare feet (where not in a local area when standing on needles or broken glass is inevitable). <br />
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Basically I have the head of an ultra runner but the legs of a newbie again. The ironic thing is that I now have to run the London Marathon on these "newbie" legs before I can go back to basics again.<br />
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<i>I think that sums me up this year Ha Ha.</i><br />
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But i'm going to enjoy VLM, not many people get the chance to run this great event so I'm going to have fun all the way around. I was told last week that the marathon is already in my legs. I dont need to train any more. The important thing I need to do now is to get over the niggles & get to the start fit! So I need to rest properly, today is 1 week until VLM, yes 1 week, 7 sleeps, then I need to get suited and prepare to high5 250,000 people that will be lining the streets of London. Oooooooh YEAH!!!! <br />
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SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT!<br />
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As you all know I'm running VLM for the terminally ill children that Rainbow Trust care for, I am still about £600 off of my required target & £1000 off of the full target I hoped to raise so please if you can dig deep and sponsor me for running the London Marathon, MEGA MARTIN will always be in your debt if you do & you never know when your cat will next get stuck up a tree. <br />
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<br />Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-5898800412003943322013-03-21T06:56:00.000-07:002013-03-26T15:44:09.355-07:00*#%£@ : Insert own swear word then think positive5 weeks to VLM, 10 week to Edinburgh Marathon & 19 weeks until I attempt to run 100 miles over 24 hours in the THUNDER RUN 24 aaaaaand I'm still struggling to run due to changing my running style! Hence the title of this post.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, if I had kept heel striking I'd be in a bigger mess. Changing my running style has also made me faster, I changed to a more mid foot/toe strike & I've got new PB's in both 5K (19:24) & 10K (41:21). Not only have I got faster I was feeling stronger, in my last post I was getting ready for the Grindleford Gallop, a 21 mile trail race over 3500ft of hills & fields with an Ultra feel to it. I ran this race in a conservative manor as I never wanted to get injured this close to VLM, the weather was not brilliant so the views were not to be seen but it was lots of fun, 3 climbs, lots of mud & a really fun down hill made it a really entertaining race, mix into that a healthy dollop of good Twitter friends & you get a very good day. The torrential rain & snow held off & my legs played ball, I felt strong right up to mile 16 then when we were crossing the Chatsworth estate I pulled up with cramp in my thighs & calf's. I reverted to walking for a bit & once I walked it off I started running again, sadly I had to revert back to heel striking as my new style was causing the cramp & this felt odd, it felt clumsy & hard work. The last climb was a killer, I walked the most of it drinking a cup of tea I picked up from the last control point, (see I told you it had a great Ultra feel to it) I was cold to the bone on that climb but the tea helped & so did your support. Those of you that follow me on Twitter will know that when running long races like this I have my phone read out all your tweets. A couple of you took massive advantage of this & quite literally had me laughing out loud at your tweets of support. The last down hill was a tad technical on tired legs, so I turned the tweets off as I needed to concentrate, I ran the top with @Rustyw5, who by this point had ran the furthest he has ever ran & was not thanking me for it at all. It was a hard end to the race but LOTS OF FUN, even if it felt like a lottery on whether or not my legs would cramp up again leaving me in a messy heap rolling down the trail.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKn0kd5PH3PRbC4UcCj0ptQo51Z516NJB8NhEUHdaNv3XMtNSy1RIO04C3ze9O4p3Bvk4JujjGAtUTflzq97VjT2g6vmaqRCYOujjzVfEcYrfu6DHsieAqdlfuD0aUvSvUSqXjxPjPgbc/s1600/ninja.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKn0kd5PH3PRbC4UcCj0ptQo51Z516NJB8NhEUHdaNv3XMtNSy1RIO04C3ze9O4p3Bvk4JujjGAtUTflzq97VjT2g6vmaqRCYOujjzVfEcYrfu6DHsieAqdlfuD0aUvSvUSqXjxPjPgbc/s320/ninja.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm the ninja on the left, @Dunsrunner is on my right. Photo courtesy of @Mikew30 & his backwards running </td></tr></tbody></table>All in all a great event & I recovered fast, I did a couple of fast training runs the following week & my lower legs started to ache, to top it all off I came down with a bit of cold, head aches, sore throat & feeling sick so I held off running for the rest of the week as I had Gainsborough 10K coming up, Gainsborough was to be my last PB attempt before I slowed down & upped the miles for TR24 training. I decided not to run in that weekends Parkrun but went to support The Wife & Lucy, Lucy is 8 years old & has come on leaps & bounds since re finding her interest in running, she's joined the school athletics club & the schools "run walk club" at dinner time (thats Lunch time for my Southern followers). She set off near the back running with Sue & I met them on the turn around about 1mi in, I ended up running with them from this point as I could not resist. Lucy was running really strong, smiling & chatting away to me, I love running with my family, it really does put a smile on my face. With about 800 meters to go Lucy was pulling away from Sue so I took her barcode & we picked up pace, there is no better feeling than seeing your Daughter get her "race face" on, seeing her grit her teeth, open her stride & hunt down the grown woman in front. Hahaha she nailed a massive sprint finish to overtake her finishing in 32:17, another PB! The marshals at Scunthorpe were fantastic again, praising her throughout & shaking her hand at the end, this really makes running that bit more special & adds to the magic for her. Lucy asked if she could save her PB sweet money this week to buy a pink runners water bottle, this brought a massive smile to my face and put the icing on the great start to a weekend. I cant emphasize how much I love running with my family, this Parkrun had set me up for my own PB attempt on Sunday. I still felt "icky" in the morning but thinking back to Lucy wishing me good luck for my PB really helped me suck it up, Gainsborough went a dream, unlike last year the rain held off & I headed out fast & strong, I felt sick a few times but I kept grinding through the gears on this fast course & managed to get my PB by over 3mins. Ian Man, @Mikew30, Sarah, Ian Man all got PB's & @Joel_L80 ran his 1st ever 10K. Happy Days!!! As Lucy gets a trip to the sweet shop on PB days, I get to open my bottle of special JD. I spent the rest of the evening sat on the sofa toasting all the other PB's my Twitter friends had destroyed over the weekend. Social Networking at its BEST ;o)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWpYIMU_0XygV0gbpLY54fOfK8ZZwecSxGTl6iEPlxE4sIFkZL35BeTGr74PTAtquZFffe1FcAoSFxRzGx-Q1AGR5vPbwQLy2BjDXkSV9p8WKMaiKm_ath-SdSlCch_Z9T_8owgPjREc/s1600/Jd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWpYIMU_0XygV0gbpLY54fOfK8ZZwecSxGTl6iEPlxE4sIFkZL35BeTGr74PTAtquZFffe1FcAoSFxRzGx-Q1AGR5vPbwQLy2BjDXkSV9p8WKMaiKm_ath-SdSlCch_Z9T_8owgPjREc/s320/Jd.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PB celebrations</td></tr></tbody></table>I took Monday off as a rest day & dosed myself up on Flu tablets, the JD had cleared my throat & the sickness had about gone. Tuesday I felt great so went out on a 4mi training run. I again felt strong & picked up pace, all went well until for the 1st 2 miles then my shins got instantly tight, by mile 3 I had to stop dead, I was limping badly but the more I walked the tightness (throbbing) went down. I was not happy as my Runkeeper had paused itself at mile 2 to top it all off. I eventually got back to running but had to heel strike again. as running on my toes was causing my shins to tighten. Once home I jumped straight into a good old ice bath before going back to work & although a tad aching the pain had gone. I've not ran since but have been icing, stretching & massaging the tissues around my shins (where it hurts) with a tennis ball, I can foam roller without pain but when I got to the point by my shins with the ball it certainly comes keen. Day by day the aching goes down & I'm getting more & confident that I can run again soon.<br />
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I now need to take the positives out of this, I've coming up to the end of my 2nd year of being a runner & I've already ran a 50mile Ultra, I've ran around Great Britain, raised lots of money for charity, I'm about to run in the London Marathon & I've already PB'ed my 5K, 10K & HM times this year & its only March. Those of you that read my blog often will know I'm constantly telling you this, I'm not boasting, I'm writing it to tell myself. I put far too much pressure on myself but when I write on this blog it takes me away from that, I tend to look back in 3rd person mode, I then can put everything into perspective. At the end of the day I put my body though a lot, then I decided to teach it how to run differently, again while doing too much, running too hard, running too fast, all too soon. For now I'll forget about the training plan I have on my fridge & maybe start up a Runstreak, my friends on twitter have been great at supporting & giving advice, one thing I have noticed is that the ones doing Runstreaks tend to avoid injury more. I may not stick to this Runstreak as I do like cycling & have promised myself to start swimming, but the moral of this is to cross train more & listen to my body. I have had some great advice from @Mineamie who has also battled with the same problems when she changed her bike for a pair of running shoes. She called it her KitKat Leg, I've been calling mine something a little <b>*#%£@ </b>stronger as it has been making me very angry but maybe I need to stop being angry & look more positive again. Taking you back to the title of this post:;<br />
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<b>*#%£@ : Insert own swear word then think positive</b><br />
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</b>Maybe I should change it to "Insert your own positive thoughts", I'm confident I can drag myself around the busy streets of the London Marathon, after all I'll be running suited & booted as my Super Hero alter ego MEGA MARTIN & running it for the kids at Rainbow Trust. As for the TR24? Well that's a different kettle of fish, I do need time on my feet in training but I once read that running 100 miles is 10% physical & 90% mental so I should be ok.... ;o)<br />
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Thanks again for ready my blog, I don't pretend to be a writer, I just throw down whats in my head & then click Spell Check (if I remember), at the end of the day this blog is more like a diary & can get a tad messy, sooooo THANK YOU!!! If you are feeling generous PLEASE click on the link for Rainbow Trust & donate a pound or two towards the poor kids I'm doing this for. You guys have already donated over £600 so please keep up the great work in spreading the word, spreading the love & showing the support.<br />
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YOU GUYS ROCK!Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-68828205564712622982013-03-08T04:02:00.003-08:002013-03-26T15:44:00.163-07:00More Ramblings on the build up to VLM & TR24 (The Grindleford Gallop)A few weeks back I set out to "learn to run again". If you have not read my previous post I was basically putting my legs through too much shock & awe to even try running a Half Marathon never mind 100 miles on them, soooo I had to change my style. Yes changing from running off of my heal to running more mid foot / toes felt strange at first but strangely I got faster, (yawn, yawn, bare with my it gets a bit more interesting honest, just think about the prospects of the finger jamming) I started to up the miles & although I started to ache in places I would not normally ache the transition went quite smoothly. Well when I say smoothly... Erm it did until last Friday! The aches were coming from my shins, they then turned into throbbing in my whole lower leg, BOTH legs. Saturday morning was an uncomfortable walk down stairs but I maned up as it was the 1st Scunthorpe Parkrun & my youngest daughters 1st ever Parkrun / 5K. I suppose it was less "manning up" & more putting my proud Dad face on over the fact that my 8 year old daughter had asked me if she could run. So as a family I, The Wife & Daughter#4 headed to Scunny. The Wife & D#4 planned to run together & I planned to run by myself to test the legs, once finished I would run back to run the final stages with them. I headed out with stiff legs but it became apparent that faster I ran the better they felt, so after running cautiously for few mins I widened my stride & opened the valves. A very pleasing, un painful sub 20 gave me plenty of time to run back & run the last mile with D#4 who said her mum was slowing her down (that's my girl). I cant express how proud I was proud to see The Wife running again & to see Daughter#4 run her 1st ever Parkrun in 37:36 with a sprint finish. *Puts on proud dad face*<br />
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I finished the day with a steady 12 miles run over the moors then was up early on Sunday for climb up Mam Tor & a steady but hilly 9 miles along the snow capped ridge with @Rustyw5. A very steep 500ft climb followed by stunning views, tired legs, great company & no throbbing, Happy days. This is what running is all about. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a-LgTPa74Rrz4TcGCZBVNKmIuerZOleq6VHu91wNadNbsHrim3eRso-rAqWniif-vS4HaaXTzTIdDSPims3wvLD_29_hbx0efdx8pir1kq0Mw5YSrldHwyKJT3vRhWSNRzhV_rAy-Fw/s640/blogger-image--1240170582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a-LgTPa74Rrz4TcGCZBVNKmIuerZOleq6VHu91wNadNbsHrim3eRso-rAqWniif-vS4HaaXTzTIdDSPims3wvLD_29_hbx0efdx8pir1kq0Mw5YSrldHwyKJT3vRhWSNRzhV_rAy-Fw/s640/blogger-image--1240170582.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah that little dot is me struggling to make the climb</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJ7fzyJTVu1l21oGMzrk70lXawR9MhTM4TMxtQitxvyzTFmy2UMwqPhIT63NN2-TZ96Dwhn9B02_1WqC-VXOJSqE4aK66Kzj-L2OHpI2FNHdv_uMBciY3EqsiFvqn9bb3qfD3pZnleNY/s640/blogger-image--345179557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJ7fzyJTVu1l21oGMzrk70lXawR9MhTM4TMxtQitxvyzTFmy2UMwqPhIT63NN2-TZ96Dwhn9B02_1WqC-VXOJSqE4aK66Kzj-L2OHpI2FNHdv_uMBciY3EqsiFvqn9bb3qfD3pZnleNY/s640/blogger-image--345179557.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russ running along the top</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuGFjG8yILgvDlDMMnNmteBWnRd5gA_UAoPWCU7ywxlLKdINEr8Mh37MBmLCHHA_oAN3f5rruvHWNUA2qkS_ktKAgodcA7PSFZfpfHi2YjXHDuWpOyeAItf_rHlz0WwxAwKlCsYYUN1U/s640/blogger-image--2109466696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuGFjG8yILgvDlDMMnNmteBWnRd5gA_UAoPWCU7ywxlLKdINEr8Mh37MBmLCHHA_oAN3f5rruvHWNUA2qkS_ktKAgodcA7PSFZfpfHi2YjXHDuWpOyeAItf_rHlz0WwxAwKlCsYYUN1U/s640/blogger-image--2109466696.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What goes up must come down! LOTS OF FUN!</td></tr></tbody></table>All went well until Wednesday when the throbbing came back on a steady 10 mile canal run, on the return leg I had a light bulb moment & picked up the pace. Magic! The faster I went the pain dispersed. I nailed the final 4.5miles in 5k pace then BOOM!!! I cramped up in my right calf, dam it was the size of a cuffin golf ball, a golf ball that took 3 days of foam rollering & a shed load of Tiger Balm to get rid of it. Oh & apparently the smell of Tiger Balm is not an aphrodisiac & compression socks do not "bring sexy back". So not only did I repulse my wife, I was in pain with my calf & my shins again. It hurt when I walked never mind ran so the following Saturday was spent cheering on The Wife & Daughter#4 from the sidelines at Parkrun. Another Proud Dad moment put my pain to the back of my mind as she set her 1st 5K PB with a 35:14 even after falling over. As promised we called into the old fashioned sweet shop for PB sweets (50p worth for every run & £1 worth for a PB). <br />
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As I'm writing this post I am still to attempt to run again due to the pain, I've not been my usual cheery self & have been worried sick that I had officially picked up my 1st running injury. This would put a stop to not only Saturdays Grindleford Gallop but to the London Marathon & even Project100in24, The Thunder Run 24. I needed a confirmation on this either way so booked an appointment with my chiropractor Jwalla. I lay on the torture bed & she reset my ankles, hips, pelvis & back, then went to work on my shins. I say shins but as it turns out my fears were not correct, the pain was from my lower leg deep muscle fibers & tendons, I say pain but after you've had "the stick" (a posh rolling pin) rolled up & down already painful shins & a finger jammed that deep into your lower leg it touches your soul & gives that a deep tissue massage, you can't call throbbing legs that hurt when you walk painful. <br />
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Oh so you think you can handle childbirth now do you? Said The Wife after I told her my ordeal. <br />
I'll tell you what I told her... Sod Off! You experienced child birth then went back & had a total of 4 children, I don't want to go through THAT again any time soon! ;o)<br />
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So after a mad 30mins on the torture bed I felt like a new man, I was not injured, I may still be feeling the niggles but my pain had gone, my mood had lifted & had been given the go ahead to race the Grindleford Gallop on Saturday. The GG is a 21 mile race with a 2500ft (ish) worth of hills, although this is a small distance for an ultra it's got all the characteristics of one. It has Cake stops & you are advised (now mandatory) to bring a compass, water proofs, a change of cloths, a whistle & a pack up!<br />
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I'm also going out on a whim to say that I will do more than the 21miles due to getting lost!<br />
I also seriously don't think I have knocked out enough training hours in to comfortably run a flat 21ish miles never mind a very hilly one,<br />
I should have ran 50 miles last week but only managed 10.<br />
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With all this in mind & the sudden change in weather causing race weather warnings to be sent out by the race officials (welcome back winter) for this weekend... Also bare in mind that the hills are going to be nuts, the weather may cause zero viability & I've not trained enough, it's safe to say that this should be "fun".<br />
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Seriously will this be fun? Hell YES it will, I'd be lying if I said I was not nervous but I am looking forward to this, I've lost count at the amount of Twitter friends that are running or coming to support this race. Twitter is currently alive with chatter of race gear, cake & where the nearest post race pub is. This is what running is all about to me, meeting inspirational people, making new friends, visiting stunning places & pushing my body to do things that are just out of my comfort zone. BRING IT ONNNNNN!<br />
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Please don't forget to sponsor me if you can, its for a great cause, but if you cant sponsor me please be kind & tell all your friends about this slightly crazy Yorkshireman & his challenges to raise money for the kids at Rainbow Trust.<br />
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Thank guys, you lot continue to to amaze me with your support. Keep up the great work.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>MARTIN</i></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacoto-_hAbfB6PEXz1iiH-W1X1nwvM5J0vAgancrib0FwfwedIb8RsY_EHuVRVnMziOPMhGFJxebgOG7yXvvR8SXb-3l6PTcxwbiRxYjXVdPGnPly4eweoJqHRUnHnH37RhUh4E1phiE/s640/blogger-image--191568785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacoto-_hAbfB6PEXz1iiH-W1X1nwvM5J0vAgancrib0FwfwedIb8RsY_EHuVRVnMziOPMhGFJxebgOG7yXvvR8SXb-3l6PTcxwbiRxYjXVdPGnPly4eweoJqHRUnHnH37RhUh4E1phiE/s320/blogger-image--191568785.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice, Ice, baby... </td></tr></tbody></table>Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-83496665934365987812013-02-06T14:24:00.000-08:002013-03-26T15:43:47.064-07:003 Marathons & a Silly 24 hour Race. Oh & an Injury Scare<span style="font-size: large;">S</span>o I raced my first race of the year, old niggles continued & new ones arouse, my visit to the Physio angered me, I mean what does he know, right ;o)? I was in a bad place, but lets start with the good.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">THE GOOD:</span><br />
My 1st Race of the year, The Ferriby 10. In fact my 1st ever 10 mile race. Travelling down with local friends @Rustyw5, Ian, Ian & Bret then meeting up with Sally & Steve, Twitter friends @mikew30 & his fiance Sarah made it a great start to the race year. The Race itself was a fun affair with rolling hills, blustery winds & my race plan worked a treat. Running on my toes up hill (See THE BAD) & widening my stride downhill saw me constantly overtaking the other runners. Sadly all this was to no avail as on mile 8 I hit a massive wall, with No Energy & TOTALLY Out of Breath my lack of training had taken its toll. I limped towards the finish slowly being overtaken by all the guys I'd only recently "left for dead" on the downhills. The last climb was a killer, I felt like walking but I was caught up by an elderly gent who looked more like Tom Hanks in Castaway. "COME ON YOU CAN DO IT" he croaked at me, all the time catching me up! "COME ON LETS DO IT" he picked up his pace & tapped me on the back! BLOODY HELL!!! I gritted my teeth & "Sprinted" (the word Sprinted is used in its slowest form) up the last couple of meters up the hill, unknown to me the old guy had slowed back down but I'd already forgot about him as once I overtook a bloke who'd been cat & mousing with me over the 2nd half of the race, I'd engaged in a new race, I could have cried when he too found a sprint finish & kept by my side. Check the video below (1;57mins in. I'm in the red top, he's the one in the black top pushing me into the mud at the side of the road).... Oh & the "ROAR" out of shot is also me as I let out the last bit of energy I had to challenge him on the line. The ROAR was <b>EPIC</b>, you should have seen the *cheerleaders flock around me as I *gracefully flew over the line with this *powerful roar!<br />
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*St Johns<br />
*fell<br />
*painful<br />
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Anyway 1:57 min in, watch for me top of screen & the cheating black top loser ;o)<br />
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I finished in 1:14:22 by the way if anyone is interested & @Rustyw5 finished only 45 seconds behind me! Mike paced Sarah in with a fantastic time too, both Russ & Sarah have only just started running BTW. I felt good, recovered fast & my niggles were minor (sore) as I'd taped up well to minimise the damage.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">THE BAD:</span><br />
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Rewind back to my last post, the niggles were still there so just before the Ferriby 10 I visited the physio, after a gait assessment (ran on a treadmill for you none runners) I was told what I already knew, I ran with a heel strike & over pronated (<i>ran funny</i>). This was causing stress on my achillies & the pain in my shin (<i>my</i> <i>legs hurt, ok I'll stop you knew that right?</i>), the answer was orthotics (<i>special shoes, sorry</i>). This I never wanted so after a chat with fellow Twitter friends who also run &/or run funny, I attempted to correct this myself before returning back for my 2nd appointment at the physio. So I starting to run on my toes instead of smashing my heel into the pavement each stride. The day after Ferriby my ankle & calves started hurting due to my body now using muscles to run that it normally would not use, I went back & told my Physio I never wanted special shoes so he kindly gave me info on how to correct it myself & I was on my way.<br />
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Did I feel like an "Ultra Runner"? No,<br />
Did I feel confident about the London Marathon? No,<br />
Did I feel confident about running int the Thunder Run 24 Hour Race? <b>HELL NO!</b><br />
Dam I struggled to imagine running for 24 hours never mind running 100 miles in that 24 hours!!!<br />
So I booked an appointment with my Chiropractor to "Press the Reset Buttons" put me back together & more importantly ask if my challenges were now realistic.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">THE GOOD:</span><br />
<br />
See what I did there? I gave myself a motivational sandwich, The bitter taste of bad news made more palatable by the couple of slabs of good news encasing it. Anyway, today I dragged myself to Bawtry Chiropractic & told them my story of destruction & demise, explaining I'd started training again for 3 marathons & a silly 24hr race but sadly was learning to run again from the beginning, I explained I was currently struggling to run 6 miles without cramping up or walking like "I'd ran a marathon" the next day. I was laid on the torturer slab & went through the dance of "Does this hurt? As my muscles are "manipulated" to their extreme & I grinded a couple of millimeters of my teeth enamel away." A sensation very similar to the Foam Roller after race day but with more pain, I say pain but its a nice pain, a pain that you know is making you better. To cut a long story short I need to keep doing heel lift exercisers to learn my feet to stop over pronating even when I run on my toes, I need to slowly build up my miles again so the 43 miles week I should be running this week will be a lot less than that. I need to put the TR24 to the back of my mind & concentrate on running VLM first, then Edinburgh, THEN the TR24. The Yorkshire Marathon will end this years challenge but at the moment that's top secret stuff & I will have to kill you if I told you so don't ask.<br />
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Am I an Ultra Runner? Well I'm still believe I'm mentally an Ultra Runner but need to work on being physically upto running another ultra.<br />
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Am I injured? NOOOOOOOO! I just need to accept I'm learning to run again, I've put my body through a lot over the last year & need to let it heal, I ran my 1st race 18th May 2011, I did very little again until Feb 2012 when running took over, fast forward a year to today & my a body has found its own way of running. I dragged it around the country & through its 1st Ultra with my head held high, sadly its the "wrong" way of running if I want to continue to run faster, further & stronger. I am very proud of what I have achieved to date but now its time to start from the beginning & build this sorry excuse of a runner back into an Ultra Runner & of course raise some cash for the kids at Rainbow Trust along the way.... Oh & have fun, I will continue to run as long as my body lets me & more importantly as long as I'm having fun while running.<br />
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Training has started. BRING ON LONDON!!!Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-4221602142650525052013-01-22T13:41:00.004-08:002013-01-22T13:41:51.723-08:002013 a new year brings new challengesFirstly can I apologise for my lack of recent blog posts, to tell you the truth not much has happened & as the majority of you follow me on Twitter, Runkeeper &/or Daily Mile you pretty much know everything I do anyway, if sometimes maybe too much. I do use Twitter far too much, but who can blame me when you fantastic lot are on there supporting my every move. So let me start this off by thanking you all for the support, laughs & jokes you've given to me over the last year. You guys have been bloody brilliant. Anyway, now the gushy crap is out of the way let's get down to business, 2013's Challenges! What are they?<br />
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So kicking 2013 off we have VLM, yep I'm running:<br />
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<b>The London Marathon</b>, 26.2 miles, 21st Apr 2013... Oh & I'm running it in fancy dress as everyone's favourite Super Hero.... MEGA MARTIN!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron Man Who? Move over its Mega Martin Time ;o)</td></tr>
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26.2 miles in a suit that's weakness is not Kryptonite but in fact rain, something our country is well know for. To be honest I'm buggered any way as if it's a hot day I'll bake under all my foam muscles (sorry ladies thats right, the above muscles are not mine). All is good though because it's all for charity, all proceeds raised from VLM will go to the terminally ill children of Rainbow Trust so please dig deep & sponsor me via the link on right of this page or why not make it a bit more exciting & guess what time I will finish the Marathon in, whoever guesses correctly will win a Cash prize. (£3 per guess, £2.50 goes to charity & 50p goes into the Winning Pot. The more people guess the more you win) Guess by going <a href="http://login.guess2give.com/event/martin_hookway/1364" target="_blank">HERE</a> & placing your bet.<br />
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Then after a bit of "rest" I will run:<br />
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<b>The Edinburgh Marathon</b>, 26.2 miles, 26th May 2013, as... Errr just me (so far)<br />
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I cant wait to get back up to Edinburgh, twice I've been there to run, once we passed through the ghostly city center in the middle of the night during RelayGB & the 2nd was when we ran 12 Hours around & around & around Arthurs Seat. It will be nice to be able to actually see this city in all its glory. This will also be a great run to help me get training miles up for the TR24 challenge in July & a great chance to meet up with some of you guys, I know of a few of you running this & VLM so if you fancy a beer or two after just give me a shout.<br />
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Then it's THE BIG ONE!<br />
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On the 27th July I will set off racing in the <b>ADIDAS THUNDER RUN 24</b>, The <b>TR24</b> a 24hr endurance race around Catton Park in Derbyshire. I will run as many miles around the 10k trail course as I can in the 24hrs allotted from the 27th to the 28th of July. I ran 50 miles in my 1st Ultra Marathon last October so the next challenge has to be the 100 right? <i>HELL YEAH IT DOES</i>! So here starts #Project100in24 & here's where you come in, fancy joining me on this challenge? No I'm not asking you to run with me but I do need a support crew, *<i>Que advertising voice</i>* Are you a crazy individual that just likes helping others? Then just read on. Obviously a background in nutrition, running, psychology, physio &/or massage would be brilliant but to be honest if you can tell the time, have a friendly smile & can point me in the right direction that would be bloody brilliant! All I'm asking is for a couple of hours (more the merrier) of your time, hopefully we can get a support team together to cover the full 24hrs. We will have a large Outwell 9 man tent with 3 bedroom Pods & a large living space, fully working kitchen, music, I'll even throw in a couple of beers for you. Look, it's turning into more of a party as we speak. If this interests you just give us a shout & let me know what hours you can do.<br />
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Are you already running TR24 as part of a team? Why not join me in my humble abode of a party tent? Share my tent with me, I'll not be there so you'll also act as a guards when not running. I have pods you can sleep in when not running (or guarding) & apparently Solo Runners (Me) get priority camping spots, this means that my tent is closer to the track than the teams tents..... Or so I'm lead to believe, I don't think there is a club shop or swimming pool near by but every little helps. All I ask is you help me along the way, tell me if I'm on pace every lap to beat my challenge, give me the kick up the ar$e when needed & dry my eyes when I'm an emotional mess through lack of sleep & will to live. <br />
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Then to end it all off:<br />
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<b>THE YORKSHIRE MARATHON!!! BOOOOOOM!!!</b><br />
(^extra sound effects added to show my excitement^)<br />
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On the 20th of October, exactly 1 year after I ran my 1st Ultra Marathon I will run a marathon in Gods own County (No offence meant to my none Yorkshire friends, I'm sure home county is lovely too.) Yes, 26.2 miles around the stunning county of Yorkshire, to be precise it its around the beautiful city of York. This will be my 3rd Marathon of the year & I will be joined by one of my closest mates & best man to my wedding, Russ Walker. Russ only started running late into last year & has already shown promise in long distance running by knocking out 2 races last year, 2 Half Marathon Races may I add, this however will be Russ's 1st attempt at a marathon & will also be running it for Rainbow Trust as part of TeamBOB, you can sponsor him using the same links on the right if this screen. Closer to the time we'll revival more about this challenge & introduce Russ better but until then can we all give him a HUGE welcome to the team & check out his Twitter page <a href="https://twitter.com/rustyw5" target="_blank">@Rustyw5</a>. <br />
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Each challenge will in time get its own post with more details but for now that's my drive & aim for 2013, there will be other mini (or not so mini) challenges, races, runs & rides in the pipeline but the 3 Marathons & #Project100in24 is where my head is at right now. My lower legs are still causing me problems, I rested during December as I promised to let them heal but in last week popped out a few miles just so as I could break the 1000 miles ran in a year marker then a couple of weeks ago I ran Hull Parkrun in the attempt to beat my 5k PB. Beat it I certainly did, 19:23 was the time putting me in 6th place in the day. Chuffed to bits was an under statement, I finished strong & recovered fast, I then went out the following day on my 1st long run Sunday of the year with Russ, this was a brilliant 17 mile trail run over moors, making it the furthest Russ had ever ran. We both finished with only stiff knees, a great result to say Russ was victim to the invisible sniper in the trees, his foot vanished into a peat bog and stopped dead as the rest if his body (arms up high Platoon stylee) flew forward through the air landing him face first in the dirt. I so wish we had it on camera! Sadly we never and sadly I'd not got away as Scott free as I'd hoped. Monday was a rest day & as the day went on my lower legs showed the signs of Decembers injury, a pain in my right shin & the backs of both ankles were a tad soar. I have ran a couple of times since but the pain/numbness keeps coming back so I've booked a physio session to get it looked at, fingers crossed it sorts it's self out soon as I need to be training for London right now. <br />
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Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings, dam you've done well to get this far *Applauds*<br />
Please come back soon, in fact why don't you click that Subscribe button? (<i>Its on the right & down a bit.</i>) That way you get a shiny new email every time I post some stuff in here. <br />
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Until next time, laters....<br />
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<br />Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-44167089791724994072012-11-29T06:07:00.000-08:002013-01-21T06:28:19.270-08:00Unexpected MilestoneSo I lay here in bed (27.11.12), residing to the fact that I am injured while tweeting my apologies for not being able to make the Painbarrier Team Event I was supposed to be running in on the weekend. I was feeling pretty crap about this (I say was as things soon changed, plz read on)... The Pain Barrier was to be the fun run to finish off my year & I was really looking forward to it... BUT I raced in my last HM on Sunday & pulled my Hamstring. I had planned to tame my running over Christmas so I could spend all my spare time with my family & to allow my body to fully repair but now this is a MUST!<br />
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As I'm on Twitter wallowing in self pity a few friends cheer me up by commenting on my achievements this year, thanking them I open my Runkeeper App & looked back at my previous runs to put it all into perspective. In my head it feels like I have been a runner for EVER! In reality I see I have only been running for 18 months.<br />
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I ran for the 1st time since leaving school on 27th April 2011, I was cycling as a hobby but was loosing confidence on the bike due to a few near misses, these brought up old fears from when I was hit by THAT car in 2010. Soooo I put on an old pair of Reebok gym shoes & I went for a very painful run, I ended up running 5 miles due to bad planning, I hurt from start to finish, my lungs felt like they were going to burst & my legs were screaming obscenities at me for the whole 50 mins it took me to drag myself around the streets. I bitted a bobbed from then on but only ran to keep up my fitness (or what fitness I had left, I was turning lazy again). It was not until May 18th 2011 that my running mate Ian talked me into coming to a race, the Askern 10K. I was petrified on the night, all I saw was seasoned athletes but I before I knew it I was huddled in with a few hundred runners & the klaxon went off. I ran this in 49:04 & it all fell into place, I LOVED IT! I still used my bike but running had become a passion now & I loved adrenalin I got from racing.<br />
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Fast forward 18 months & you get to here, 19 official UK Road Races (plus countless more races & runs) including a chance to run for BrooksUK (a running shoe company for you none runners), I also not only ran around our stunning country with some truly inspiring friends as part of RelayGB but, along the way we fund raised for BraintumorUK & we may even have set a World Record while doing so (still awaiting confirmation), I've ran my 1st Fell Race in the form of the "Hardest Event on the UK Fell Calender" (apparently) The Red Bull Steeple Chase, I've ran around Arthur's Seat (again & again & again...) for 12hrs with some new found Scottish friends (just to say we have done it, no other reason) & not forgetting highlight of the year in my first official Ultra Marathon, The Round Rotherham 50, a 50 miles trail ultra marathon.<br />
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I have acquired a few shiny medals along the way as well as a load of T-shirts & mementos inc socks & a Thermos flask (Sorry Russ, I promise you'll get a medal next year) but none are as prized as my Round Rotherham felt badge & my RelayGB bling. <br />
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The moral of this quick post is to drag my head out of my arse & stop feeling sorry for myself. I've achieved far more that I ever thought I would on that painful run back in April 2011. I have "The Bug" for sure, why else would I be already planning for next years challenge to be on foot again.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDWG9pXf4UjrRWOzCxNI6FhiAkbqRIn8rLOXppIS-rPV5qUDyxroznzkha3GebzUKWMvH6m1WtSWjSLDN0OYYgxm2DiJgHOVlTYz5wLHUTdNlyx_4syPZTK5sSADfazRjqmYySuE3unw/s1600/2012-11-27+12.26.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDWG9pXf4UjrRWOzCxNI6FhiAkbqRIn8rLOXppIS-rPV5qUDyxroznzkha3GebzUKWMvH6m1WtSWjSLDN0OYYgxm2DiJgHOVlTYz5wLHUTdNlyx_4syPZTK5sSADfazRjqmYySuE3unw/s320/2012-11-27+12.26.57.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its already taken over the fridge</td></tr></tbody></table>In 2013 I have 50 miles to beat & I hope to beat it in style. I have a place at the London Marathon (April) who I am running for the children's charity Rainbow Trust & currently have over £400 of the hoped £2000 I hope to raise for them. I also have a place at the Edinburgh Marathon (May), then I am running in the Adidas Thunder Run 24 (July), a 24hr race around & around a 10K course (you see, the Arther's Seat Challenge never put me off). During the TR24 I hope to be able to run 100 miles. This is PROJECT100in24, but 1st I need to rest up, enjoy Christmas (& when I say enjoy, I mean REALLY ENJOY Christmas) "hic" then in January I will start building the miles back up before the BIG training kicks in in February.<br />
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Thank you all for your support guys, you have been amazing. Over the 18 months I have met some truly inspirational friends & would like to thank you all, you all know who you are so I'm not going to embarrass you, but thank you LOTS.<br />
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Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-20569171711425193442012-11-21T15:51:00.001-08:002012-11-21T15:51:22.037-08:00VLM 2013 TweetUpJust a quick post as a lot of you are lucky enough to have a place for VLM 2013. I mentioned a Tweetup over the weekend of VLM & have already lost track of everyone who is running or coming down to support so am posting this to so we all can see who is running & what wave (when we know), who is supporting (& where they plan to be) & obviously who fancies meeting up prior to the run or after for a well deserved beer. Just post your comment below this post & lets get the VLM train rolling! Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-49406028980777485982012-10-21T14:55:00.000-07:002013-03-26T15:43:17.668-07:00The Round Rotherham 50 - My 1st Ultra Marathon"BRING IT ONNNN" this was the first thing that ran through my head as the alarm went off at 3:30am on the 20th October 2012, this was not the usual me, I'm the type of guy that presses snooze at least 3 times, but this was not any old day. I'd set my alarm for silly o'clock as I was to take on my 1st Ultra Marathon, The Round Rotherham 50, 50 miles of roads & trails, believe it or not, around Rotherham.<br />
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I showered, dragged my amazing Wife out of bed, made a smoothie, packed the car then we were off. We collected my Dad en-route, as he was going to be my support crew with The Wife, then jumped onto the motorway. We got to the start point just before registration opened for the runners & in time to watch the "walkers" set off "running". The race was broken into 3 starts, Walkers (6:00am), Runners (7:00am) then The Relays (8:00am). I promptly went to register where I met Andrew (@MrAFletch), Andrew has popped up on my blog a few times, he's a top guy & a very good runner, albeit a very modest one. At registration we were given our race numbers, a memento which was an orange sew on patch & a horrid (you've been tango'd) orange T-shirt. Items that at the time meant nothing but later that day would be prize possessions (even though I may never wear the T-shirt) . I threw them in the the boot of the car, got my kit on & headed back into the hall to mingle, there were some sorry sights in the hall, I instantly spotted the guys that had travelled down the night before & slept on the gym floor, I felt especially sorry for the poor bloke who was brushing his teeth in the toilets that were filled with the over powering smell of "protein". Heading back into the hall I bumped into Laura (@LauraInglis1) & her partner Steve. I ran with Laura when we did a recce run of the 2nd Half of the race but she had ran the whole of the route so hoped to run with her for the 1st half at least. <br />
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<u><strong>The START: Dearne Valley to Grange Park 10.8 miles</strong></u><br />
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As we lined up at the start line (a bloke waving his hands in the air holding a fog horn) the sun started to rise. As I stood on the start line I bumped back into Andrew & we wished each other a good race, I know I would not see him again as I don't call him "The Machine" for nothing. I instantly loved the relaxed feel to the event, I was used to runners jostling for position at a start line with road races, but here I could not see a start line, we were just a huddle of people outside a sports hall. I stood there in the fresh morning breeze & had a giggle as I recalled my mate Trent (@ManicMilner) saying "just remember when you hear a gun go off it may not be the starting pistol", Trent lives nearby & is a bit of a comedian. <br />
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At 7am with a 3,2,1 we were off. I'd planned/hoped to run at 10 -10:30 minute miles but instantly set off too fast. I slowed a bit as the group I was running with was way too fast for me, we ran down main roads & around footpaths, the terrain seemed to be changing fast but I never needed my map. I found myseld running with a veteran Ultra Runner, a lovely woman who had ran this race a few times before, she never divulged how many times & I never asked again. Running this Ultra turned to be a great social event, everyone was very friendly. The lady eventually slowed & I ran on, I was caught up by a man from Clowne Running Club who slowed to chat, he too was great company but without realising it my pace had increased again to 9min/miles while we were chatting. I knew Laura ran at my pace & as a bonus I knew she remembered the route so really wanted to run with her. I arrived at CP 1 in 1:45, this was way too fast so I hung about a bit longer to wait for Laura. The first thing I noticed was the cake fest at the 1st Check Point!<br />
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<strong>10.8 miles out of 50 completed</strong><br />
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<strong><u>Park Grange to Treeton 6.4 miles </u></strong><br />
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Still "fresh" I gave The Wife a hug, much to her disgust & headed out onto stage 2 just in front of Laura. I only managed to get around the corner & I had to stop as my Camalback was digging into me, as I fiddled with it a voice came from behind shouting something on the lines of "what are you playing about at, come on", yup Laura had caught me up... This stage was nothing to write home about, we plodded past a sewerage plant & through some "dodgy" residential areas where I just thought thankful that they were early on & not at the end, this way I could at least run away from any mugging attempts :o) <br />
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Half way through this stage i noticed my battery on my phone was not charging, I had it plugged into an external battery and assumed it was a faulty lead so phoned ahead to CP 2 &basked Sue (The Wife) for a spare. At about mile 15 I started with a niggle in my lower back, it was obvious that it had not healed 100% after the pounding it had taken on the Red Bull Steeple Chase's downhill sections.<br />
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<strong>17.2 miles out of 50 completed</strong><br />
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<strong><u>Treeton to Harthill 7.5 miles</u></strong><br />
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Sue greeted me with B.O spray (point taken, no more hugs) I swapped the cable but it was to no avail, my external battery had died. I dumped my camalback & the phone, this annoyed me lots! I knew a few people were watching the live feed via Runkeeper and the tweets by well wishes were rolling in which I was relying on to perk me up on the latter stages. A quick bite to eat (CAKE) & we were off Laura set off first as I grabbed another Swiss Roll. Eventually I caught up with Laura down the road then realised I'd left my bottle of water on the path at the CP & also forgotten to replenish my Jelly Babies & Haribo Tangfastics, a massive FAIL. On the plus side my back eased off fir short while. The terrain swapped from track to field to road, eventually Niggles & fatigue started to creep up on me at 18 miles so I decided to walk up a hill to save my energy. As I looked around I noticed so did everyone else around me. All apart from Laura, she had pulled in front by now & I started to get the first sign of doubt, I had secretly hoped to beat her & I assumed she had the same goal as we cat & moused the last few miles of the stage. I'd been told that this ultra would be 10% fitness & 90% mental, i was starting to see why. My mood soon picked up when I saw the friendly smile of Mike (@Mikew30), Mike had come along to support and had jogged back to meet me & run the last bit with me, a massive boost that I needed, its always a pleasure to run with him. <br />
<br />
<strong>24.7 miles out of 50 completed</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>-</strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
<strong><u>Hartill to Woodsetts 5.8 miles</u></strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
Check point 3 was heaving, I logged my number & went inside for a drink & some food (CAKE), I grabbed a couple of oranges (& CAKE) then headed out following Laura, I felt as though I had more energy but I stayed back, I never attempted to catch her up this time but was keen to kept her in my sights, I knew I needed to run alone for a bit at this stage. My socks were soaked wet through by now but I squelched on with cramps coming & going, my mood would swing from one mile to next as pains came & went. A lot if these miles mingle together but I do remember running past the airfield & a plane flew past us very low, another runner called from behind, "I live local to here & I've never seen that before, that was for us that was" I was not going to argue with him, it made me smile,<br />
<br />
"I'll take that, Hooo Rah" I replied.<br />
<br />
The guy ran with me for a while & I appreciated his knowledge of the local surroundings he was running too slow so I pulled away and caught up to the group in front. All was well until we got slightly lost coming into CP4, as we crossed a golf course a few of us took the wrong side of a tree line & ended up down a road to a massive house with walled grounds & a missile in the garden. Yes a missile! Seeing a missile in a garden at the best of times would make me question my sanity but seeing it while running 50 miles? Yeah it too made me question my sanity. We decided to take a chance and carry on, luckily we intercepted the group again just down the road, we had taken the road that ran parallel with the route so the detour was not too costly. Mike was there on queue to run me into the CP at the top of a small climb, his praises & support helped loads as I was really hurting now.<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>30.5 miles out of 50 completed</strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
<strong>-</strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
<strong><u>Woodsetts to Firbeck 5.6 miles</u></strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
I saw Sally, a running friend, at the entrance. Sally was part of the Maltby Running Clubs Relay Team for the event, again it was nice to see a familiar face. I headed inside to the CP & grabbed some bits, once outside again I changed my soaking wet socks, the freshly ploughed fields had taken their toll. I gracefully lowered myself to the floor, who am I kidding, I groaned & squealed so much so a passing spectator looked over in shock & asked if I was ok. I changed my socks, got back up & headed back out. Laura had gone & I was guessing she was 5 mins in front of me by now. Mike ran out with me & took my mind off of the pains that were getting worse. We ran over one muddy field before he turned back. The change of socks was not the best idea I have ever had, although they felt like heaven initially the next field was not only freshly ploughed but looked like it had just been watered! My fresh comfy socks were soon the same as the last pair that were by now fermenting in my car. I remembered this part of the route well after the recce run but it made it no easier. At each checkpoint I read some of my tweets of encouragement & at this point I really needed them, I tweeeted at one of these CPs "I HURT", my head had stopped working, I could not even write a plain tweet, never mind a "funny" one. We ran past Langold Lake & the Dad of a family asked "I know your tired mate, but how far is the race?" I had all intention of politely saying "50 miles mate" but I think it came across as "50 MILES MATE!!!" the look of shock on the mans face sure did cheer me up, "Wow" he replied, "enjoy" I had a giggle to myself as I heard his wife telling him off "enjoy? what a silly thing to say, he looks shattered". <br />
<br />
I tagged onto two ladies for the rest of the stage as they ran with their maps in front of them so was confident on not getting lost again as we ran thought small villages.<br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
<strong>36.1 miles out of 50 completed</strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
<strong>-</strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
<strong><u>Firbeck to Maltby 4 miles </u></strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
At CP5 I was really please to see Sue, her bright pink camping coat that I wind her up about all the time stood out from the crowd. I was at this point slightly "punch drunk", I was giddy & full of "life" as I ran in, I use the word "life" very loosely. As I pulled up I noticed Cat (@CatkinTaylor) smiling away, its always nice to put a real life face to a twitter friend & Cat was no exception, she came across as being as full of beans in real life as she does on twitter. I need to do an apology now to Shaun (@SpontaneousPlan) Paul (@paulbuchanan80) & any of the other guys that were stood with Cat as I never recognised any of you, thank you guys. I dropped to the floor again for the 2nd time to change my socks & shoes, it was a risk as I knew deep down I may not be able to get back up, I cant remember what we talked about but I remember being happy & laughing throughout the CP. Laura was about10 mins in the lead by now so with a war cry I headed back out, I knew there was a chance of beating the 10 hour time but I had to dig deep. This stage was a pretty stage with a couple of fields, Roche Abbey and some scenic woods, apart from the pains & cramps it was kinda pleasant. I caught up with a guy who's name for the life of me I can't remember, he lived in Scunthorpe which is not far from me, we chatted about anything & everything in an attempt to block out our pain, he had set off at 6am with the walkers but was running & walking, this is the style I'd now adopted, initially I only walked on inclines but the pain was too much now, mentally & physically I was exhausted. We had to check our maps at 38 miles as we had missed a turn under the railway bridge & picked up another runner who had made the same mistake. We caught up with someone else shortly after & the 4 of use cat & moused the rest of the stage. The church spire was a welcome sight and so was Mike who stood there lije a homing becon to CAKE, the sharp climb into the graveyard hurt like hell but I forced myself to run into the CP6.<br />
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<strong><u></u></strong><br />
<strong>40.1 miles out of 50 completed</strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
<strong>-</strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
<strong><u>Maltby to Denaby 7 miles</u></strong><br />
<br />
At Maltby the CP steward was not at his desk, my Dad shouted for him but I was in no rush at that point. As I stopped I could not think straight, I wanted a gel but could not get the words out, I filled my water bottle up and as the pain got worse I knew I had to move, I needed to finish this before my body gave up. I headed out in a huff, I was snappy & feeling sorry for myself. Praise & encouragement from others never cheered me up, they were just words, even the fantastic twitter mentions did not lift up my mood, I was in a hole. I ran on in so much pain, having to stop to walk more often than before, this just made me more angry with myself. In the end I gave myself a good talking to & accepted I was broken, broken but I would finish this race. The group thinned out with me taking the lead but they soon reeled me back in on the walking stages, my stride had shortened dramatically and I could not extend it due to the pain, it was everywhere, I could not pinpoint any point as I hurt from head to toe. I was over taken again & again. The down hill into CP7 was a welcome relief to the legs,bit was very quiet & I was a tad emotional to say the least.<br />
<br />
<strong>47.1 miles out of 50 completed</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>-</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong><u>Denaby to Dearne Valley 3.2</u></strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
I grabbed a cake and asked Sue for a gel, well I say ask, apparently I was quite abrupt (Sorry). As she went back to the car for my gels my Dad calmed me down and reminded me I only had 3 miles to go, I'd ran 47 and it was nearly over. In a strange attempt to sort myself out I for some reason thought it would be a good idea to take a pic of myself and look at it. I have no idea why I thought this would work but it what I did (I told you my head had gone)... I pulled out my phone & took the picture.<br />
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I looked at this pic and though who's that mardy B@$~#*!<br />
<br />
My Dad gave me a pat on the back, I fought back the tears, kissed Sue on the cheek, thanked then both then headed off for one last push, this was the 1st checkpoint I walked out of. I gathered my thoughts, I could not work out why I was upset, I felt happy, I felt proud, yes I hurt but I was not upset with pain, I started running with a couple, a husband & wife running together, this brought a massive smile to my face & my mood instantly picked up, the rest of the race felt strange, I knew I was hurting but I felt numb, I ran the whole of this last stage only walking to climb steps, pass through gates & to cross over a bridge. I caught up with two Germans on the Canal & we discussed Ultras, I mentioned this was my first & they was shocked, they had done many & said they were having a bad day before praising me & one of them patting me on the back. We chatted for the rest of the stage until we saw the school roof over the trees, <br />
<br />
"THAT'S IT!!!!" I yelled, "COME ONNNN, LETS HAVE IT"<br />
<br />
We instantly stopped talking & picked up our pace, we were racing! England vs Germany!!! Good God I don't know where it came from, I have no idea, I some how stared to pull away from them and when I hit the grass I gave it my all. I came down the finish shoot with a massive smile on my face, holding back the tears, (there was no way I was going to cry) I saw Sue & my Dad smiling back then my mate, best man & newly converted running buddy Russ (@Rustyw5).<br />
<br />
"GET IN THERE, COME ON!!!!!! YESSSSSSSS!!!! LOVE IT"<br />
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I went nuts, my arms went up and I punched the air, I was over the moon, I had bloody done it, I was now officially an Ultra Runner, OOOOOOOSH!<br />
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I was promptly ushered into the tent by Andrew who had kindly waited to see me in, I was that ecstatic about finishing I'd forgot about signing out of the race. I saw Laura & gave her a big sweaty hug, she had nailed it in 10:03, I know she was a little upset to be so close to the 10 hour and not break it but this lass ran the last 5 miles on a bust knee on top of all the pain she was suffering with from the general mileage, she beat me fair and square (you can read her side of the story <a href="https://runningandramblings.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/rowbothams-round-rotherham-debriefing/" target="_blank">HERE</a>) . As I thanked everyone for being there my legs started to give way on me, I <strike>lowered</strike>, fell back onto a bollard and I saw from Sue's face that I only just made it. <br />
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The drive home was in luxury, well I sprawled out on my back seat with a bottle of beer and my phone catching up on all the missed messages and replying to every last one of them and thanking everyone who had sponsored me.<br />
<br />
On arriving home I will not sugarcoat it, I felt awful, I was starving but could not eat. I could only just walk and every forced stop hurt like hell. I promptly went to bed, proud as punch but feeling lousy.<br />
<br />
How do I feel now?<br />
<br />
Still proud as punch. My ill feeling went over night & I am left with 2.5 black toe nails, one tiny blister, DOM's in my thighs that hurt like hell if I sit in one position for too long or move about too much, oh & a stiff lower back. On the plus side my feet have not swelled up like I was warned, my calf's are not as bad as my thighs and I managed to tackle the stairs without having to slide down them like a child on its bottom, I never even needed to walk down backwards to ease the pain. I have eaten like a horse & walked as though I have lost one today but considering I've just ran 50 miles in 10 hours 13 mins I can't grumble. I can handle walking like an O.A.P for a few days and I'll soon put back on the 3kg I shed during the race.<br />
<br />
I'd Just like to end this with a few thank you's. I know this has not been the easiest post to read as I ramble on lost mainly due the fact that all the miles and CP's mix into each other & to be honest I still feel mentally tired, so firstly thank YOU for persevering with this post and reading this far.<br />
<br />
Thank you to The Wife aka Sue (@_The_Wife_) for putting up with me and my training for all of my challenges, especially this one as the training sessions have been long and the price of new shoes & kit does not come cheap. Also a massive thank you for being part of my Support Crew during the RRR50, I am truly grateful and you helped me through the hardest parts by just being there. x<br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
Thank you to my Dad (@GaryHookway), for agreeing to be on my Support Crew for the 2nd time. I honestly thought you'd have had enough during Hookway to Hookway. I could not wish for a better person to have on board, if a job needs doing it gets done with him on board. Thank you.<br />
<br />
Mike for being there just before the checkpoints, picking up my spirits, guiding me in and running around after me when I never knew what I wanted. You never wore your pink fairy suit mate but you brought flapjack and backwards running, you even brought it up a level by doing it through a freshly ploughed field. ;o)<br />
<br />
Laura for just being Laura, she made me laugh and put me through my paces, she would make a brilliant PT. I hope you recover fast & I get the opportunity to race with you again in the future.<br />
<br />
Steve (Laura's partner) for picking up my trainers at CP5 when I changed them and Sue forgot to put them back in the car. The brave man picked them up and carried them to her before she drove off. Cheers mate.<br />
<br />
Andrew for all his support this year, as I said before it is a honour to run with him and one day (when I grow up) I want to be just like him ;o)<br />
<br />
Russ for making it to the finish line with his lovely daughter, he was working all day but got finished early to meet me. He wanted to run the last session with me but sadly due to a pulled groin he was unable to. Get well soon mate, we need to get training for the Clowne Half Marathon ;o)<br />
<br />
lastly I'd like to thank friends new and old that I met along the route, all the Marshall's and Stewards that ran the RRR50 like clockwork and everyone of you that sent messages of support and donated to the children's charity that I ran this race for, Rainbow Trust. I don't like preaching for sponsor money but I am still way off the target of the £2000 I need to raise so I can run the London Marathon for them but on the positive side I am only £300 off of the December target. So please dig deep and if you can please sponsor me so I can run the VLM2013 and we can help support the Rainbow Trust so they can continue to support children with terminal illnesses. If you fancy helping out and would be kind enough to take a sponsor form into your work for me please just ask, every penny counts guys, just click the link on the top of this page to donate or ask me for a sponsor form if you are local and don't like filling bank stuff in online. <br />
<br />
Oh and would I do it again????<br />
<br />
HELL YEAH!!!! oh and that flimsy memento I mentioned earlier... Its better than any medal I have raced for.<br />
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Thank you<br />
<br />
MARTINMartin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-61960512193245681352012-10-19T13:10:00.003-07:002012-10-19T13:10:48.136-07:00The Biggest Challenge Yet: The Round Rotherham 50 Ultra Marathon*Gulp* so here I lay, 1 more sleep until I take on my biggest challenge to date, The Round Rotherham 50. I've been staring at the bedroom ceiling for an hour now, the plan of an early night has been scuppered by a mix of excitement & nerves. I woke this morning with sore throat & when I went to my usual shop to buy my gels I found it had shut down, not the best day in prep for the biggest run I've ever attempted, but there is no turning back now! When I started running "seriously" in January 2012 I set myself a personal goal to run a Marathon before the year was out & now here I lay, it's October & in the morning I'll be attempting my 1st 50 mile trail ultra marathon.<br />
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I'm really pleased with my progress this year, I've got stronger & faster, I've set new PB's in 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon, no Marathon PB but that's because I have not raced in a Marathon yet, to tell you the truth I can count in one hand how many times I've ever ran the 26.2 miles (or over) but here I lay about to take on 50 miles in a race that I feel totally out of my depth attempting. I was told that you train your body to run marathons but an ultra marathon need more than a conditioned body, they need a conditioned mind & the only way to condition your mind to run an ultra is... Well, to run ultras. I had a solid training plan set up but sadly due to a mix of work circumstances & my inability to say no to races most weekends that should have been my long runs normally ended up being filled with ParkRuns, 10K's, a couple of HM's & a the crazy Red Bull Steeple Chase that I blogged about earlier in the week. All these races were at speed with the intention of beating PB's or until I fell. I have however recced the race (well the 2nd 25 miles) of the race earlier in the year. I joined Laura @laurainglis1 on her recce & we ran the back half of the course. We ran at a steady pace of 10-11 min/miles right up to the last 5 miles when I slowed the pace down. I had discovered that day that I had "acquired" Hay Fever, never before had I had it but everyone we ran near or through a"Wheat-a-Bix" field did I wheeze & fight for breath. It was a mixture of this & acid build up in my legs that called for Laura to tell me to "man up & fight on". I won't lie to you I was very glad to reach the finish.<br />
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Laura will also be running the Round Rotherham 50 tomorrow & so will fellow Twitter friend Andrew @MrAFletch, I will be supported by my Dad & The Wife & fellow Runners & Twitter Friends Mike @Mikew40 Cat @CatkinTaylor have promised to be strategically placed along the course with home made delights containing copious amounts of sugar that will work like magic & regenerate my legs. Fingers crossed my long standing friend, best man & recently sworn in training buddy Russ @Rustyw5 can make the end of the race to run me into the finish. Preferably before dark.<br />
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So here I lay, falling to sleep, I'm starting to babble on now so I'll bid you all good night. My kit is packed & I'm up at silly o'clock (3:30) in the morning, we race at 7am, I will be tweeting throughout the race so please send your support & dig deep to help me raise the £500 I hope to raise for the children's charity Rainbow Trust. I'll have my phone set to read out all your tweets & donations so every one of them will help me through the challenge & provide the money needed for Rainbow Trust to continue supporting terminally ill children & their families.<br />
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A MASSIVE Thank you to my Wife, Sue for putting up with me this year while I have been training for this, she has been a dimond. Thank you to everyone that has Tweeted & FB'ed your support, & to everyone of you that has sponsored me or is about to sponsor me, lastley can I thank you all for taking the time to read this post & for your gereral support.<br />
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<em>In May 2012 I ran with RelayGB, after that I felt I could call myself a Runner, this time tomorrow I hope to be able to proudly call myself an Ultra Runner.</em><br />
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Martin<br />
<br />Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-75216555988685221162012-10-17T05:42:00.000-07:002013-02-06T14:46:50.156-08:00Red Bull Steeple Chase ReviewWell where do I start? I was lucky enough to be one of the chosen runners to take on this new Fell Race with a twist. I'd never run a fell race before so it all was new to me. This was a 21 mile race over the Peak District. The Red Bull Steeplechase was described as a unique and challenging knock out fell run it saw 160 runners cut down to just 40 as they progressed through four eliminator checkpoints sited at church steeples along the route.<br />
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Billed as one of the most challenging events on the fell running calendar, the Red Bull Steeplechase course took runners up steep hills and rocky ridges, through streams and marshes and over stone walls and barbed wire fences. The unique eliminator element of this race meant that runners had to battle to stay ahead of the pack and prevent themselves from being cut from the race at the end of each stage. With an overall height gain of over 1,400 metres across 21 miles of rough terrain only the fittest athletes made it to the end. The slowest 120 competitors were knocked out at various stages along the race and unable to complete the course. only 30 men from the men's race & 10 women from theirs were left to cross the finish line.<br />
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My aim was to hit the 2nd checkpoint...<br />
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I set my alarm for 4:00am & attempted to sneak out of the house without disturbing The Wife, yeah that never happened, falling over the wash bag as soon as I dragged myself out of bed put a stop to that plan. I apologised to The Wife then went down stairs & made a smoothie, dam that food processor is louder in a morning than in the day! The drive down was quite straight forward, I'd given myself loads of time to get to the race village & even had time to stop on the edge of the Sheffield to watch the sun rise before dropping down into the Peak District through the low lying fog, the views were picture perfect. I had to make another unplanned stop just down the road but we won't discuss that in detail. My body likes to, let's say; remove all unneeded weight before races, normally when there are no amenities around!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">The drive into Hope Valley took me past the race route after Checkpoint 2 then onto the race village. I was waved down a lane by a Red Bull official parked at the foot of Mam Tor. The first thing I noticed was how well planned this event was. Red Bull Staff were everywhere & to say it was still early (7:00am) they were very helpful, talkative & smiles, smiles at silly o'clock on the morning! Did these guys have Red Bull piped into their veins while they slept? The race village was a couple of tents pumping out music, filled with massive beanbags, stands that showed everyone's race number & a map of the route stood in the corner attracting runners like kids to a sweet shop.</span><br />
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Runners arrived in dribs & drabs, I just soaked up the atmosphere, I chatted to a few guys, some beginners, some road runners & some MACHINES that obviously lived & breathed the fells. One guy stood at the route board with his eyes closed talking himself through the route, "over sty 3, bank right, steep down hill, shorten stride" BLOODY HELL i thought, now that's pre race prep to the extreme! I asked his girlfriend if he knew the route by any chance, in jest, "oh yes" she replied, "we are local but he still had to walk the course yesterday". This slightly panicked me as nowhere was there a proper map with a detailed route, even the mini map they advised us to carry (incidentally I left mine in my car) was just a map with arrows on pointing in the general direction to run. Did we need to recce the route? I thought this would have been sign posted & marked with officials. Oh to hell with it I thought, if I get lost I get lost, I turned around left the tent & had another walk around.<br />
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The first thing I noticed as the race village filled was the difference in runners, some carried Camalbacks, full compression gear, gloves long sleeves, running tights & gels, how I imagine Ultra Runners to run, others were just kitted up like Track Athletes, shoes, socks, short shorts & a vest. I was somewhere in between, I'd gone with my Saucony Guide5's as they had more grip than my Brooks that to be honest are ready for the grave, I'd opted for shorts, compression calf guards, a long sleeve Saucony top, gloves & a race belt containing my phone & 3 gels.<br />
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The fog started to lower to reveal a stunning blue sky & eventually the top of Mam Tor, the first climb of the race. I registered my arrival as soon as the registration tent opened, grabbed my race bag & headed to the HQ Tent where the pre race briefing was to start. It was here that I was called, "Did you do RelayGB? Is it Martin?" I know the running community moves in fairly small circles but to bump into Adnan Khan a RelayGB runner in a race that had only 250 runners from all over the UK. We had a catch up & to tell the truth it was nice to see a friendly face, the pre race nerves had started to set in & a conversation to take my mind off of the start of this race was a welcomed distraction.<br />
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The Brief started at spot on 9:00am, it explained the knock out rules & general safety brief before a Q&A, then the men were sent to the start line, the women were sent 15mins after we had set off. As we all lined up we could just make out the top of the 1st climb in the distance, it was a strange feeling on the start line initially, quieter than most starts, runners wished each other an enjoyable race but it all felt tense.<br />
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Well that was until the local Town Crier turned up, he started the race with a light hearted speech that brought a few giggles, pats on the back were exchanged as we all wished each other a good race. The Town Crier informed us the race would start on his 3rd OH YEY...<br />
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"OH YEY, THAT'S 1"</div>
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"OH YEY, 2" (que fits of laughter, he certainly lightened the mood)</div>
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We were off, the pack was tight towards the back where I had positioned myself, I much prefer to start further back & work my up during races but this maybe was not the best tactic for this race. As we all jostled for position down the tight road, race nerves turned instantly into race buzz, I noticed the pace was fairly high for what could possibly be a 21 mile race, but I kept in there on a the tail of a guy in bright yellow skins, picking off runners & working my way forward. The road took a steady climb as it banked to the left then we came to a Red Bull Race Official standing at a gate pointing off road to his left. "up there lads, ENJOY". As the road turned into fell we had been directed straight into a wall of grass, mud & ferns, the 1st climb had started.
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The pace dropped instantly as we all bottle necked into single file, the row slowed as runners fought for grip in the mud & wet grass, twice I took a shoe in the chest as the guys in front lost footing so I decided to jump out of line & widen my stride in an attempt to overtake by pushing though long grass, a decision I soon began to regret, dam it was hard enough climbing on the flattened grass never mind trying to cut a new path, my calf's & thighs were in bits, the groans from other runners had got louder & the odd curse word was yelled out as the climb took its toll on us all, runners used their hands to push our knees down into the climb, my calf's & thighs were screaming out at me to stop & I was already gasping for my breath. We hit the low lying clouds so visibility lowered for a while, I'd dressed in a long sleeved top over my compression top as I'd expected it to be cold, it was far from cold, so I was overheating too. Dam this was only the start!</div>
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The climb continued & so did the groans of pain & deep breathing, we broke through the clouds to reveal a stunning piercing blue sky, by this point I was wishing the top to be closer, we continued to climb then there was a short brake from the groan's as a chorus of "Wooooooow's" came down the line as people started to look back at from where had came. Wooooooow indeed I thought looking back, we had climbed through the low cloud & although we were "running" & I use the word running lightly, into the stunning blue skies, behind us was a blanket of white cloud cover blocking our view of the ground, only the odd hill top in the distance could be seen piercing though the clouds. The feeling of being on top of the world was Amazing, for a split second I forgot that my legs had fell out with me & began to smile again, COME ON! LETS DO THIS! A final push & I was at the top, I glanced to my right looking back again at the stunning view, I was tempted to stop to take a photo but the adrenalin was flowing high so I pushed on, the climb was hard & had already stopped a few men in their tracks as they resorted to walking a while before running again.The climb turned out to only be 0.4 miles but we climbed from 940ft to1473ft, a 533ft climb in 0.4 miles & dam did my legs know about it.<br />
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The path at the top was made of broken rocks unevenly laid, my legs were burning but it felt good to eventually stretch them out as I ran over them altering my stride to ensure I hit each one in the centre to minimise the chance of rolling my ankle if I missed one. I had resorted back to a faster pace than initially planned as I worked my way along the undulating ridge & confidence rose as I worked up the line of runners. This confidence was soon to leave me as fast as it came as we hit another climb, this time up a worn down dusty, rocky path, I was overtaken again & again as runners reeled me back in on the climb. At the top I took my 1st gel as we bottle necked at a gate, then on the flat I fought back & worked my way back up the line, another bottleneck let all the runners regroup as we helped each other over a barbed wire fence then we were onto an epic down hill. My legs were spinning like a Katherine Wheel as I continued to overtake more runners who had took to side stepping or walking down the steep incline, I noticed Adnan further down the incline & aimed to catch him but his style of skipping down hill made brilliant ground, oh & I slipped as my legs went far too fast for my body to keep up. Strangely enough as my backside hit the ground I continued to slide down the wet grass like I was on an invisible luge, I pushed off with my hands to help propel myself down, "Hell Yeah" a voice came from behind as I looked back another runner had thrown himself to the ground too & believe it or not we actually over took more runners.<br />
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Above is the video the other runner took, I'm on the 2:00 mark in black. I still can't believe how fast we were sliding & how fast I pulled away once we got up. I had NO Energy left, must have been gravity pulling me down lol.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5rtOi7cWNx0PDu3U5ui9f6j-ahZRzAeWZgeLms-CfbevLW3P2JDP6HET3WfKtgOHCXpL8j4GwePxH1OX_K1lutdOgwKdQgK2l4NQQJYZfyYTwV3Y52RhLLdongLhBUokeA3cX3R7ru4/s1600/528589_10152178697210352_784909233_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5rtOi7cWNx0PDu3U5ui9f6j-ahZRzAeWZgeLms-CfbevLW3P2JDP6HET3WfKtgOHCXpL8j4GwePxH1OX_K1lutdOgwKdQgK2l4NQQJYZfyYTwV3Y52RhLLdongLhBUokeA3cX3R7ru4/s320/528589_10152178697210352_784909233_n.jpg" width="227" /></a>The fun never lasted long as it we soon hit the half way point, I was in a dissapointing 112th place, only 90 runners would get through to the 2nd Stage so I needed to dig deep, I grabbed water & most of it went over my head, it was surprisingly hot on the hills. As we hit another climb a voice from behind said "Well we may as well just enjoy the race now, we are knocked out" this just gave me more drive as I pushed up the climb, I was no way giving in that easy. This was to no avail though as I was overtaken again twice, one of the guys was Pete <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Mackintosh" target="_blank">@P_Mackintosh</a> a runner who had cat & moused with me throughout the race, Pete gave a spur of motivation & another runner tapped me on the back & gave what he had left of his water, I was in bits as I took my 2nd gel. at the top, dug deep & picked back a couple of places, the guy in the yellow skins from the beginning was one of these & so was Pete, the ground ran along the edge of a forest & at every turn there was either a Red Bull Race Official or a sign, I had a giggle to myself at that point, thinking back to the guy at the map in the race village. I pulled away from everyone but could not see anyone in front of me, the ground at this point was very muddy & I rolled my ankle a couple of times on rocks hidden in the mud & puddles but luckily I was ok. Tired legs made a rocky downhill section very difficult & at one point I nearly went flying into a tree as I lost my footing on a fast bend. Pete caught me back up & after a chat he pulled away as we hit the roads again, my legs were feeling it again as we crossed a river with spectators on the far bank, the race buzz kicked in again & I picked up speed, this was short lived as another small climb made me slow to a hobble. The locals were fantastic & walkers gave much needed praise & encouragement but I was spent, I was 99% sure I was knocked out on the 1st stage of 3 but wasn't sure, I can tell you now though that I was 100% hoping that I was knocked out. I was in bits the final downhill led us down a partially closed road into Bamford, I saw Pete put on the afterburners & pull away from me, Pete finished the 1st Stage in 1:38:14, I came in at 1:39:01 as the 113th male, with the next place at 1:35:31. With legs like jelly I could have hugged the lovely woman who apologised when telling me I could not run on as I was knocked out. I honestly thought I would have been upset if I never made it at least to the end of stage 2 but I wasn't, I'd given it 100% & enjoyed every minute of it. Its not every race that you can hardly walk after it but when asked by a Red Bull Official if you'd do it again, you instantly reply with HELL YES! <br />
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The Race Pack we got was fantastic, a snazzy Red Bull Towel, a shiny medal, Unlimited Red Bull & a Cracking Red Bull Hoodie that everyone I saw proudly wore, if I had to be picky the only down point was that there was no BO spray or baby wipes in it, but then again everyone on the race bus to Castleton was carrying the same well earned aroma, I just felt sorry for the poor bus driver. I stayed back & watched the rest of the men finish & watched the 1st women come through, one poor woman looked distraught when they told her she had made the cut & could run on to stage 2. The bus ride back was a good laugh as we all discussed our highlights of the race, as well as past & future challenges. The Bus driver had made sure we all had plastic shoe covers over our muddy shoes but I could not help but giggle to myself at the mud that was caked to my backside & the overwhelming smell of runners taking over the bus.<br />
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Shout outs to Roger <span class="username js-action-profile-name"><a href="https://twitter.com/Rogs128" target="_blank">@Rogs128</a> & Reuben <span class="username js-action-profile-name"><a href="https://twitter.com/ReubenTabner" target="_blank">@ReubenTabner</a>, both top blokes with top banter & similar drive & ambition who made the time for the trip back fly by. I'd definitely work along side these guys on a future challenge.</span></span><br />
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We arrived back in Castleton to see 2nd place cross the line but sadly missed the 1st guy who was black with mud from head to toe, he must have chosen to take on the down hill head first! The guy was called Russell Bentley & he nailed the 21mile course in 2:48:18. The leading lady Sally Fawcett ran a cracking 3:37:03. Red Bull had put on a Hog Roast at the Castle Pub for all the runners & free bar, yes a FREE BAR! & guess who was bloody driving? *waves* I had one & as the barman congratulated me on my run he mentioned that all runners could come up to the bar as many times as they wanted, it ALL HAD TO GO!!! Gutted!!! I could not even enjoy the hog roast as I could not get food down. The one beer I had though went down a treat... It was the best bottle of larger I had tasted in months, to be honest it would have been filled with cat pi$$ & it would have been epic. I sat back & savoured every drop before leaving the bar tent & sitting in the courtyard for a bit in the sun, looking back over to hills we had just ran...<br />
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WOW what sense of achievement, I had only ran 8 of the potential 21 miles but still felt over the moon, it was Painful yet Fun, Those 8 miles were the hardest miles I have ever ran, I could hardly walk the next day never mind run, I ran 26 miles recce of my next challenge & 47 during the Arthurs Seat challenge & although they were far from comfortable runs this challenge was certainly the hardest of any challenge I have ever attempted (to date). I aim for bigger & better, to push & challenge myself with bigger & better challenges & this was certainly in the keeping. But what now? How do I top THIS? The Red Bull Steeple chase was EPIC!<br />
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I'll end this post with a Massive Shout out to The Wife (<a href="https://twitter.com/_the_wife_" target="_blank">@_The_Wife_</a> ) Steve Taylor (Spud), MrsG (@<a href="https://twitter.com/nickyg25" target="_blank">NickyG25</a>) <span class="sponsor-name">Susan (<a href="https://twitter.com/Susy412" target="_blank">@Susy412</a>) Lozza (<a href="https://twitter.com/TheLozzatron" target="_blank">@TheLozzatron</a>) & Steph <a href="https://twitter.com/Stephsputnick" target="_blank">@Stephsputnick</a> your guys donations to Rainbow Trust have made all the aches & pains I've had to shake off this week worth while. YOU GUYS ROCK!!! The last shout out goes to </span>Jordan (<a href="https://twitter.com/JordanMcQueen1" target="_blank">@JordanMcQueen1</a>) another runner that took on the Red Bull Steeple Chase, a guy that I'd chatted to throughout the day & ended up being parked next to at the beginning of the race near the race village only to realise as we were about to drive off that we followed each other on Twitter. Again it was great to put a face to a name.<br />
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So whats next? Well its funny you should ask, this coming Saturday the 20th October (this coming Saturday) I will be attempting to race the Round Rotherham 50, an Ultra Marathon that last... Yup 50 miles! I'll be posting another blog post pre race day with more info but in the meantime please don't forget that I'm doing this for Rainbow Trust & need to raise £500 before Christmas to secure my place to run the London Marathon for them so please dig deep & sponsor what you can to an amazing charity that supports terminally ill children & their families.<br />
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<a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/teambob" target="_blank" title="Link opens in a new window"><img alt="Make a donation using Virgin Money Giving" border="0" height="107" src="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving/Images/banners/261x88_donate2.png" width="320" /></a><br />
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In the meant time, thank you for taking the time out to read my ramblings & thank you for all your support. Check out the video from Red Bull & see if you can spot me. Got to be quick.<br />
<a href="http://www.redbull.co.uk/cs/Satellite/en_UK/Video/Red-Bull-Steeplechase-Video-Highlights-021243270782554">http://www.redbull.co.uk/cs/Satellite/en_UK/Video/Red-Bull-Steeplechase-Video-Highlights-021243270782554</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many Thanks</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Martin <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamB_O_B" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">@TeamB_O_B</span></a></span><br />
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Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-39051894235221568092012-10-02T06:42:00.003-07:002012-10-03T10:25:29.542-07:00RED BULL STEEPLE CHASEFirstly can I welcome all you 1st timers to my little blog, if you want a bit of a feel of what to expect from the next couple of months then check out the "<a href="http://challengeteambob.blogspot.co.uk/p/past-challenges.html" target="_blank">Past Challenges</a>" Tab at the top of the page, it'll put a smile on your face if nothing else, if you know know me in "real life" or off of Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamB_O_B" target="_blank">(@TEAMB_O_B)</a> you'll know that I'm a bit of accident waiting to happen so challenges never quite go to plan!<br />
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Anyway back to the job in hand... Apologies for the lack of posts, (excuses out of the way first) without boring you I have been drowned in paperwork to get my business re opened *cough* & errr decorating, (end of excuses). So why am I asking you read my blog I hear you ask? Well I'm back to my mad ways & have a couple of challenges coming up you may be interested in supporting me with.<br />
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I received a free copy of runners world in a race pack & saw this advert:<br />
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Only 250 lucky runners! A Race over the hills of the Peak District across fields, through forests, fields while taking in some of the fantastic views on offer before taking on final hill of the Peak District! WOW!!! The only way of describing how this made me fell upon reading is like being a kid in a sweat shop wanting the golden ticket for Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. Never in a month of Sundays did I think I'd win a place but posted off my "<em>I should be chosen because (in 100 words) form</em>" & in true Charlie & the Chocolate Factory style a few weeks after I got a knock on the door by the Postman & handed a parcel.<br />
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Oh crap! I'd been chosen!!! I was one of the 250!!! I will not lie to you I'm very excited yet very nervous. This will be a knock out race, the back (slowest) 20% of the running field will be knocked out at each checkpoint. only 30 men & 10 women will finish the whole race. Looking at the starting line up there are some MACHINES racing this. Runners who have been fell running for years & people who run Ultra Marathons on a regular basis. Than as per usual there is little old me who's been running only a year & has upped his miles & pushed himself to complete bigger & harder challenges far too soon. BRING IT ON!!! That's how I like it, I like being the under dog, the one out of his depth, it puts hairs on ya chest.<br />
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I've been training on & off since the Arthur's Seat 12hr Challenge, I've picked up the odd niggle, Lost my running Mojo then re found it again with the help from Twitter friends & a "real life" friend & new running buddy <span class="screen-name"><a href="https://twitter.com/rustyw5" target="_blank"><s><span style="color: #666666;">@</span></s>rustyw5</a> who has just started running, (I wish I could take credit for how fast he's coming on) </span>but with all that aside I also managed to set new PB's in 5k & Half Marathon so I cant grumble. This however is new territory, I've raced Trial Races & trained over the Moors but all of these have been flat. I have only ever ran in hills like these during RelayGB but all routes were on roads & during a training session with <span class="screen-name"><span class="screen-name"><a href="https://twitter.com/mrafletch" target="_blank"><s><span style="color: #666666;">@</span></s>mrafletch,</a> <span class="screen-name"><a href="https://twitter.com/m8dkn" target="_blank"><s><span style="color: #666666;">@</span></s>m8dk</a>, </span><span class="screen-name"><a href="https://twitter.com/mikew30" target="_blank"><s><span style="color: #666666;">@</span></s>mikew30</a>, <span class="screen-name"><a href="https://twitter.com/mrafletch" target="_blank"></a></span></span>& a couple of Mikes family. This run was a recky for the HighPeak40 Ultra The guys ran 20 miles of while I had to drop back after 10 then pull out at 14miles due to stomach & leg cramps, the hills killled me off, all that I want is not to get knocked out after the first checkpoint. I will never finish the race as it expected to be won in 2hr 15mins, 21 miles over 1400 meter climbs through the Hills in 2hr 15mins!!! I on the other hand would struggle to run 21 miles on the road in under 4 hours so you can see what I'm up against. My aim is to go hell for leather up the 1st hill & put everything into making the 1st checkpoint. After the 1st checkpoint I'll hopefully be putting Red Bulls theory to the wind & crossing my fingers that it does give me bloody wings as my legs will be in bits by then. </span></span><br />
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Oh did I mention it was on the 7th OCTOBER (that's this Sunday) ???<br />
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<span class="screen-name"><span class="screen-name">;o)</span></span><br />
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I have other challenges coming up including an attempt at an Ultra Marathon (50 Miles) & the London Marathon but will post seperate blogs in the near future about these.<br />
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Thank you for taking the time to read this post & dont forget I'm doing all this for a good cause so dig deep or at least share my post with your friends.<br />
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<span class="screen-name"><span class="screen-name"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><em>MARTIN</em></span></span></span>Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-4439962470360641312012-06-07T08:07:00.001-07:002012-06-07T09:03:43.287-07:00The Run Around #Treble12ChallengeLets set the scene & put this challenge into perspective. In 2009 I smoked & drank too much, <i>(to be honest I still do drink too much but we over look that one ;o)</i> in 2009 I started training for what was to be the first of an on going list of personal challenges <a href="http://challengeteambob.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/saturday-31-july-2010-day-1-moorends-to.html" style="color: red;" target="_blank">Hookway to Hookway</a>,<span style="color: red;"> </span>this was a challenge that got me hooked on cycling & made me realise I wanted to keep fit. With work & family commitments I was unable to keep my fitness levels up & due to the bad winter of 2011 I was unable to get out on the bike & train so, as well as turning my road bike into an indoor training bike which resides in pride of place in my living room (<i>much to the annoyance of my very understanding wife</i>), I took up running.<br />
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In January <span style="font-size: x-small;">(2012)</span> I attempted my 1st run, feeling too much like a new years resolution I found it hard, both physically & mentally. I struggled to run a mile without stopping. Fast forward a few months I had improved & was talked into running in my first 10K race by my friend Ian Man (aka Ian Bullass), fast forward to <b style="color: red;">RELAYGB </b>in May <span style="font-size: x-small;">(2012)</span> where I ran 124 miles in 18 days, during which I ran my first ever Marathon. This was a MASSIVE personal achievement, never would I have thought on those dark, cold January mornings that in 5 months I could have done this, but I had.<br />
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With this in mind lets bring things up to the current date. As I write this its the 5th June, The Queens Jubilee & I'm nursing sore legs after completing a 12 hour run with some crazy Scottish guys in Edinburgh.<br />
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This was The Run Around, part 5 of Stuart Doyle's (<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Stuart_Doyle" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">@Stuart_Doyle</span></a>) #Treble12Challenge, Stuart challenges himself once a month by putting himself through physically & mentally challenging events, each lasting 12 hours, with the end goal to put his body <a href="http://outthecomfortzone.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">"Out of the Comfort Zone"</a>. I was privileged to be asked to be part of this crazy challenge a few months ago & always intended to only run parts of the challenge to keep Stuart company.<br />
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The night before I struggled to sleep, the last time I looked at the clock it was 11:00pm so 4 hours was the most sleep I could have got through the night, the alarm call at 3am brought pure dread. I climbed out of bed, put my running kit on, & prepared to leave the house. The Drive up to Edinburgh was hard, tired was an understatement, I just hoped the adrenalin of the run would pull me through. My spirits were lifted as the challenge came in sight.<br />
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I arrived at Holyrood Park which is situated at the base of Arthur's Seat at 7:15am, the first thing that sprung to my mind was that there were no toilets in sight! Stuart sent me a text to say he was on his way so I used this opportunity to ask where the local "amenities" were.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apologies for the bad grammar, I'm blaming the tiredness </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">en suite</td></tr>
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After getting my bearings the first thing I noticed were runners, the area was full of runners, the 2nd set of runners I saw contained a runner wearing a RelayGB top, we had only ran through here a few weeks ago but what were the chances of that?!?!<br />
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Within a couple of minutes the <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/jog4hampden" target="_blank">@Jog4Hampden</a> </span>lads who I were to be running with had arrived. (in September they will be running from John O'Groats with a football to Hampden Park, <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17px;">4 men, 1 ball, 300 miles. Mark Graham</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17px;"> </span><a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" data-screen-name="markoG87" href="http://twitter.com/#!/markoG87" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #0084b4; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><s style="color: #66b5d2; text-decoration: none;">@</s><b style="color: inherit; font-weight: normal;">markoG87</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17px;">, Andrew Milne</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17px;"> </span><a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" data-screen-name="HungryPuelie" href="http://twitter.com/#!/HungryPuelie" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #0084b4; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><s style="color: #66b5d2; text-decoration: none;">@</s><b style="color: inherit; font-weight: normal;">HungryPuelie</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17px;">, Stuart Doyle</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17px;"> </span><a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" data-screen-name="Stuart_Doyle" href="http://twitter.com/#!/Stuart_Doyle" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #0084b4; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><s style="color: #66b5d2; text-decoration: none;">@</s><b style="color: inherit; font-weight: normal;">Stuart_Doyle</b></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17px;">and</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17px;">Chris Strother </span><a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" data-screen-name="le_stroth11" href="http://twitter.com/#!/le_stroth11" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #0084b4; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><s style="color: #66b5d2; text-decoration: none;">@</s><b style="color: inherit; font-weight: normal;">le_stroth11</b></a>) Andrew came to the rescue with bog roll & a shovel, to be honest he came to the rescue quite a few times throughout the day, he had EVERYTHING in the boot of his car, he was proper boy scout material. The guys were a good bunch, we made our introductions & headed off around Arthur's Seat.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Instantly took the lead, he was definitely the stronger runner </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark, Stuart, Andrew & Chris</td></tr>
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This was a laid back run, the only rules were that we would aim to get as many laps of Arthur's Seat done in the 12 hours as possible. The first noticeable thing was how hard it was trying to run at a slow pace, this was uncomfortable from the start but we knew we could not bolt out of the starting blocks as we would soon tire. We agreed to start by going anti clockwise around Arthur's Seat for 3 laps, then mix it up by running clockwise for another 3. (<i>Clockwise has a long but gentle up hill & a steep downhill whereas Anti Clockwise has obviously the reverse with a steep uphill & long steady downhill</i>) this turned out to be a bad idea as the pounding of the steep down hill instantly caused pains in our knees. We soon reverted back to the anti clockwise route, each lap slowly drained our legs but we all were still running strong, spirits were high & kept high by friends of the lads who took it in turns to join us for a couple of laps.<br />
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We looped back to the car park every few miles to make pit stops (yes I said pit!) The pit stops included gear changes, water & gel refills & the occasional blister & toenail check.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrews feet had seen better days (School Boy Error #NewShoes)</td></tr>
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As the laps got harder we were jeered on with the thought of finishing the 1st Marathon, I had previously ran my 1st ever marathon only weeks before but neither Stuart, Mark, Andrew or Chris had ever ran over 13 miles before today. Spirits were still high & the last lap of the marathon slowed as Mark started to get bad shooting pains in his hip, we put in 1 walking lap to fill up on food, pasta was my weapon of choice while Mark ripped lumps out of a cake as we all soldiered. Marks shooting pains carried on so he told us to run on, we said from the beginning that this was not a race & we were in this as a team, we motivated Mark and he started running again, this never lasted long though as his pain was getting worse. As we got onto the down hill part to the end of the lap Mark insisted we ran on to the car park, he had made his mind up that the Marathon end would also be the end of his part in the challenge. We ran on, it felt strange to be running without Mark & we joked about him sprinting past us at the last corner just to finish the marathon before us, literally within seconds of that Mark came sprinting around the corner as we hit the grassed area into the pit stop. "<i>a couple more meters & I'd have beaten ya</i>" he said. We all laughed & congratulated each other on completing the 1st marathon, a massive achievement for us all.<br />
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By 2pm we were 6hrs into the run & we had ran 32 miles, a PB for us all. Strangely enough these 6 hours flew compared to the next 6, the team was down to just 4 of us as Mark went home, we started to walk up a lot of the up hills, we had a figure of 2 marathons in our heads but due to this drop in pace we knew this would not be possible. We passed other runners again & again, they finished their runs & we carried on, humours parts were when people hurried us up, "<i>Come on you can go faster than that!</i>" was a common shout, upon stating we had been running from 8am their faces dropped, they dropped even further when after asking us why we were doing this Stuart replied "<i>its just for fun, just for fun</i>". The best had to be when we were overtaken by 2 elderly ladies on a hill who found the need to apologise to us while overtaking us. <br />
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The views around Arthur's Seat were great, sea views, views out over the city, Lochs & obviously Arthur's Seat itself... Well they were great for the first 5 hours, around & around & around we ran, each time you started to notice a little more, an ice cream van, a bank of swans, a portable toilet (yes a bloody toilet, no need for the shovel after all) & a grass genital sculpture... Yes you read that correctly, after who knows how many times of running around we noticed a sculpture embedded into the freshly cut grass of a huge trouser snake. It certainly brought a few laughs on the following laps.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew stopping for Ice Cream!!!!!!</td></tr>
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People came to run with us & people went, one of these guys was Steve Murdoch (<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Tentsmuir" target="_blank">@Tentsmuir</a>) a new found friend from RelayGB, Steve had taken valuable (& well earned) drinking time out of his day to come & cheer us on, by this point we thought we were on our own, all of Stuarts, Chris's & Andrews friends had been & gone. Steve brought not only a welcome friendly face but a nice boost to all of the team, Steve's story of the day can be read here:<br />
<span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://tentsmuir.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/two-runs-and-a-stag-night-ouch/" rel="bookmark" style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Permalink to Two short runs and a Stag Night (but not in that order!)">Two short runs and a Stag Night (but not in that order!)</a></span><br />
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As the last lap came up we agreed to use this last hour to climb Arthur's Seat & end the challenge on top of the very thing we had been running around all bloody day. The climb was steep & hard on the legs, the first thing that sprung to mind was that The Wife would not be too comfortable up here.<br />
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We never spoke much on the climb up apart from the odd grumble or groan we never really made a sound until we hit the top. <b>BANG ON 8:00pm, we were there!!! Boys We Have Done It!!!</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Andrew, Stuart, Chris</td></tr>
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I was chuffed to bits at our accomplishment, slightly unsteady on the legs (mainly due to the fatigue but also the fear of heights I seemed to be suffering from, (<i>I mean just look at how much I'm leaning into the plinth</i>) we headed back down the other side of Arthur's Seat. The pain on my knees them was unbearable! The guys shot down the slope & had to wait at the bottom, although my feet & leg muscles seem to have held out well, my knees were shot. I limped down the downhill section of the last lap back into the car park, the champagne was popped & as the sun set behind us we all said our goodbyes. I got back in the car & headed back down south, this was a fantastic challenge with a great set of lads that I wish all the best for in their up & coming challenges.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Long Way Down</td></tr>
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My body felt great, surprisingly my knees were the only part of me that was hurting, every gear change caused pain in my left knee & I felt my legs stiffen as the driving miles clocked up. I drove 100 miles before my eyes started to close, the lack of sleep had caught up on me so after hitting the rumble strips for the 2nd time I pulled up & had an hours sleep.<br />
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I arrived home at 4am, I'd been out of the house since 3:15am the previous morning:<br />
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I had ran for <b>12hrs</b>, covered <b>47miles,</b> climbed <b>8770ft</b> & drove 448miles, *cough* <i>then thanks to a very understanding wife I fell straight into my bed. </i><br />
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The next morning I was definitely "<i>Out of my Comfort Zone</i>" my legs were stiff even after an ice bath, the first challenge of the day was to put on my trainers, this really sums up the last month & what I have put my body through, not too shabby for a bloke who only started running 6 months ago.<br />
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I now have a week to rest my body & prepare for a weekend of races, I have the RunnersWorld TrailBlazer 10K at Clumber Park on Saturday & my family are coming to watch so this will be the 2nd time I can share my love for running with my girls, I will race then, weather permitting, we will have a picnic & a play. Then on Sunday we have the Goole River Bank challenge, a local 10mile race & Daughter#4 will be running in her 1st ever fun run too (Proud Dad face) so getting rested is a MUST!!!!<br />
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Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings, its greatly appreciated. I have lots of time to plan my next challenge now as I'm grounded from big events for the foreseeable future, but please if you have any ideas for challenges don't hesitate to give me a shout... Did someone mention wanting to run an Ultra Run???? ;o) Watch This Space... Its safe to say running is a bug & have caught it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Don't just take my word for this, check out Stuarts video he made from the run.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Martin</span>Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-60246508645308330032012-06-01T10:37:00.005-07:002013-01-29T12:31:09.680-08:00Marathon RelayGB 2012 - My Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So where do I start? Most of you will know what <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/relaygb" target="_blank">RelayGB</a> was, you can skip this bit & go to The Team. The rest of you can read the build up story <a href="http://challengeteambob.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/another-one-opens-part-2-new-challenge.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> if you do so wish, but basically RelayGB is:<br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">A 2600 Mile, 18 Day, None Stop Marathon Relay Run around Great Britain, this is an attempt to break the current world record for distance relay running which was set at 1,923 miles set by the ‘Gillette Phenomenal Tour’ in Romania in 2009 over the course of 13 days.</b><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">THE TEAM</b><br />
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In a nutshell I (Martin the Northern Monkey) joined 5 guys, John Stanford (The Boss), Steve (The Dad) Charlie, Ed (Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dee) & Nigel (Boris) to travel Great Britain supporting runners 24 hours a day running a baton around GB for <a href="http://www.braintumouruk.org.uk/" target="_blank">Brain Tumour UK</a>. We were joined along the route by more fantastic guys who joined the support team around the country when work & personal commitments let them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet the Night Crew<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Strongjon" target="_blank">Jon Lawrence</a>, Steve, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/got_the_runs" target="_blank">Tony</a>, Me, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/boris_baker" target="_blank">Boris</a><br />
(Oh & Day Crew Ed predictably gatecrashing the pic :o)</td></tr>
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After an "interesting" late night train journey into that there London town, tackling The Tube & its grumpy inhabitants that can't stand still in case they explode, I arrived at The Bosses house. His lovely wife had saved me some chilli, so after a quick meet & greet with Charlie & Ed I headed off to bed for a massive 3hrs Sleep (something we would get used to over the challenge) before we headed into Wandsworth to start the Challenge. <i>Oh & I can confirm to all my fellow northerners that they have carpets down south as well as something called Eeelectricity, but the streets are not paved with gold.</i><br />
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Its was a damp morning (again something we got used to fairly fast), there was a no show from the television crews that were rumoured to be coming, the crowds were disappointingly low, I was in a strange park with people I never knew & had no idea what I was supposed to be doing, but it all felt right, there was a good mix of excitement & nerves in the air, the realisation of what we had let ourselves in for had started to sink in, IT FELT GREAT!!! John (The Boss) had even less sleep than the rest of the crew but was running on all cylinders. He gave a quick overview of the plan & after registering the first lot of runners the baton (which turned out to quite phallic to say the least) was off!!!<br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The 1st mile of the 2600 miles aimed for was under way...</span></b></span>
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The first day was NUTS!!! Strangers became instant friends, the manic streets of London turned into quiet country lanes & soon came the hills, something I rarely see living in the flattest parts of England. The 1st Day/Night set the bar of what to expect. On 3hrs sleep & very little "real" food I went against all my running rules & at 11:52pm I decided to join Jon (<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Strongjon" target="_blank">@strongjon</a>) on his first Marathon of the Challenge from Rye to Eastbourne, it was 19hrs into my day & was running on adrenalin alone. This was my first night time run & it was AMAZING!!! I managed half of the Marathon & was chuffed to bits!!!! I even ran up a big chuff off hill, YES A HILL! It shocked me too.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i> Massive Thanks to Jon for the company & motivation up that hill, it was a good one to brake my duck.</i></span></td></tr>
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Normally after a run like this I'd have an ice bath then a warm shower, hot meal & rest, BUT THAT'S NOT HOW WE ROLE ON RelayGB...!<br />
A Quick energy drink, change of top (if your lucky), the Lynx Effect & your back behind the wheel of one of our support cars or the motor homes. The baton had to keep moving & it was our job to ensure this happened. The 1st Day/Night (33hrs without sleep) ended with 8 marathons completed, I'd met far too many inspiring people to mention them all, but wow an event like this really does bring the best out of people. The days & nights merged into each other as we moved around the country & we met runners from all walks of life, all ages & abilities. Each runner had their own story & their own reason for running with RelayGB, but we all had the same goal in getting this baton around GB whilst raising money & awareness of<a href="http://www.braintumouruk.org.uk/home?gclid=CJ-LqPaspbACFTMetAodw0IRYQ" target="_blank"> Brain Tumour UK</a> & to brake this world record.<br />
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I'd need a book to write down all the inspirational stories I heard, maybe one day I'll write a blog for all those stories but for now I'll just concentrate on the ones that will defiantly stay with me. One of those stories was of Carole Loader who ran from Poole to Dorchester in the early hours of the1st night. GPS signal was poor on this leg, to be honest none of us could even get a bloody phone signal so the GPS maps never stood a chance! Carole spent the majority of the night running alone down dark lanes in the middle of nowhere as both support cars on the night shift were looking for a runner that had taken a wrong turn (<i>last seen running down a dual carriageway as he thought is was a short cut</i>). At one point I got out of the Astra to wave my phone in the air to try & get a signal, trust me when I say it felt like a really bad scene from a B movie! I SOON shot back in the car when a twig snapped behind me & a massive dear jumped out of the wood & over the wall I was stood on... "Manning Up" I went looking for Carole. It was about 9mile into the marathon that I caught up with Carole, I turned on the hazards, full beam & drove beside her offering the already customary Water, Bananas & conversation. I had a great chat with Carole and it soon came to light that this was her 5th marathon in as many weeks, a fantastic effort by any runners standard but to run her final one in the middle of the night, in the middle of nowhere was a brilliant achievement in my books. Carole had certainly set the bar high.<br />
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More inspiring ladies followed in the name of Marilyn (pictured with John Stanford) & Jenny , who nailed some monster hills on the south coast.<br />
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Wales brought some nutters out of the woodwork, the machine that is <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/RGwelshathlete" target="_blank">Richard Gardiner</a> (Welsh Commonwealth Champion,) joined up with us for a night shift, even the support car had trouble keeping up with him & his team as they sprinted down the Welsh hills. It was great to see the Welsh support & great to put faces to twitter names. The night time runners friends & families came along to support them, there were convoys of cars at every turning point, it was brilliant support, well it was until we all tried to follow the runners down a footpath that due to rain had turned into a river!!!<br />
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Turning the *cough* 5 support vehicles out side of a farm house seemed to anger the Welsh Farmer, who after dishing out a tirade of abuse (<i>it would have been interesting to know how more irate he would have got if he'd have found out that there was a Yorkshire man hiding in the pack</i>) phoned the police, thankfully the police saw the funny side & we were soon on our way to catch up with the Support Motor Home who was struggling to keep up with the runners who were heading up to the Brecon Beacons.<br />
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The rain was pouring down & the fog was thickening by the minute. The Motor Home just could not get up the hills so Steve shot forward to the end of the Marathon, Me & Bozza stayed with the runners as they battled up the monster climb. The pack of runners was starting to split, Bozza thought it was a great idea if one of us got out of the Astra & run with the runners. As Borris had his legendary flip flops & shorts on (Typical student on his holidays) this fell down to me.<br />
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As you can tell from the pictures the view was FANTASTIC from the top of the Brecon Beacons ;o) Oh & Boris never came back to pick me up so I ended up running an impromptu half marathon.<br />
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All the <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AberdareVAAC" target="_blank">Aberdare Valley AAC</a> runners were great guys but I want to tell you about one guy, Lee Griffiths (aka<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/26point2by52" target="_blank"> @26point2by52</a> ) Lee was on his own mission & RelayGB fitted in with this. Lee is attempting to complete a Marathon (26.2Miles) a week to raise awareness for Brain Tumours, with his friend Ian Phillips as his inspiration, Ian himself is battling a brain tumour. Ian provided much needed support by driving along side us playing the Rocky sound track as & when needed. My GPS failed on my iPhone due to water logging so I lost my Runkeeper log but thankfully Lee broke down the run with this diagram. <br />
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The Marathon was hard, it would have been hard on a good day never mind on a rainy, windy, foggy night at silly o'clock. The run was great though, we laughed & joked through the painful bits & although we never saw the amazing views the run has to offer it was a great run with some fantastic people that I would definitely run again with given half the chance, who knows maybe next year the RelayGB team may be back in Wales.<br />
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Sadly the Night Crew missed more fantastic views, the Lake District landed on the Day Crews Shift but we were heading into Scotland, after a long night of running by the Night Crew, Loch Lomond was a welcome relief to camp up. As we took a natural ice bath in the Loch to ease the legs the Day crew had a full day of Marathons to cover as for some reason nobody in their right mind wanted to run in the Highlands.<br />
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The harsh weather of the highlands made both shifts tough, the hills were massive climbs & when you were not climbing you were faced with open baron land where the wind & rain ripped through you. The nights were pitch black & the weather never gave us break, but all was forgiven when the sun came up to reveal some stunning views... </div>
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The Northernmost road in Scotland was a hard one for me, I was missing my family & we had to run the baton up & down the same long road all night as we were too far ahead of time, thankfully the insomniacs of Twittter kept me company tweeting messages of support into the early hours. The next day was a nice turning point though, we were about to hit John O'Groats which not only meant we were on the way back to London & the finish line but about to meet up with Carolyn (of <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/BareAll4BTs" target="_blank">@BareAll4BT</a>) who had not only been hard at work drumming up support from local runners like the <span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">Metro Aberdeen </span> running club with fellow Scot, Steve Murdoch, & Strong Jon she had organised food parcels. A welcome relief from the prison style food we had been cooking for ourselves. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolyn leaves John O'Groats</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day Crew & Night Crew take the photo opp<br />
The Boss (John), Charlie, Steve, Ed, Me<br />
Nigel (Bozza)</td></tr>
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We had some very inspiring / NUTS runners up in Scotland, & I'm not talking about the great work from <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/distking" target="_blank">Liz Mccolgan</a> (<i>World & double Commonwealth champion, Olympian & probably now be the world record holder of longest breath held while she filled in her paperwork in our van only inches away from my fermenting running shoes</i>)<br />
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I'm talking about those runners that quite literally went the extra mile for RelayGB, we had runners that finished their Marathons & then later in the week returned to run another marathon to help us out. Runners like:<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/mrafletch" target="_blank">Andrew Fletcher</a> who ran <i>Helsby to Old Trafford</i> went home then travelled up to Scotland days later to run <i>Beauly to Easter Fearn</i> in the middle of the night.<br />
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Howard Seal who ran<i> Berwick-upon-Tweed to Bamburgh</i>, <i>Runswick Bay to Scarborough</i> – plus a 10K at the start of <i>Grasmere to Caldbeck</i><br />
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Trevor Keep who ran some good hills in <i>Taunton to Glastonbury </i>&<i> Scarborough to Driffield</i><br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Tentsmuir" target="_blank">Steve Murdoch</a> who not only ran <i>Nairn to Elgin (the scenic version of the route) </i>then<i> Inverbervie to Arbroath</i> but stayed with the support crew, putting up with the smell & helping out for a couple of days after.<br />
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There is also our very own Support Crew members <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Strongjon" target="_blank">Jon Lawrence</a> who ran <i>Rye to Eastbourne, Ipswich to Colchester</i> <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/got_the_runs" target="_blank">Tony Meenaghan</a> who ran <i>Old Trafford to Widnes</i> & <i>Miami Beach to Friskney</i> – plus 8 miles<i> Chester to Helsby</i> and countless RelayGB Support team miles, Ed, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/cwmmclean" target="_blank">Charlie</a>, Steve, Brian & <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/boris_baker" target="_blank">Boris</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/yusufgray" target="_blank">Borat</a> (Joseph) all the support crew put some miles in normally in the darkest & bleakest conditions as no one else wanted that stage ;o)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nigel - Boris</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borat - Allo Allo Policeman - Jo</td></tr>
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Then there were the guys that proved there was a fine line between inspirational & just plain crazy...<br />
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Jim Groark (Beauly to Easter Fearn to Rhian Bridge – back-to-back marathons)<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/crazy_legs77" target="_blank">Craig Mackay</a> (Loch Lomond to Crianlarich to Kingshouse – back-to-back marathons)<br />
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These guys ran back to back marathons that fast that we had to ask them to slow down. YES that's right, these guys not only did back to back marathons in bleakest conditions that the Scottish Highlands had to throw at them, they powered through them putting the Relay hours in front of schedule, making the poor support crew run the baton <strike>around</strike> up & down the Highlands to kill time (<i>mentioned above</i>). Fantastic effort guys, when I grow up I definitely want to be like you.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*SINGS* What's that coming over the hill... Its the morning, its the morning</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out here none can here you scream (at the hills)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any chance of Hope was miles back</td></tr>
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The most marathons during RelayGB were ran by Dafydd Biffen. This guy had never run a marathon before RelayGB and he turned in 3 marathons in 10 days (<i>Shrewsbury to Chirk, Glengarry to Invermoriston, and Berwick-upon-Tweed to Bamburgh Castle</i>) plus a 10K to help us out from <i>Wick to Ramscraigs</i>. Dafydd not only saved our legs by running he continued to pop up during all hours too, in the most random of places, like a ninja in the night to offer support. Cheers Dafydd, awesome performance, TOP BLOKE!<br />
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Up in Scotland we gained an extra crew member in the name of Brian (Johns brother) sadly for Brian the day crews Motor Home broke down & he had to stay in a sleepy Scottish village while the locals argued with the AA to get it back into civilisation. Saying that, as we were 1 Motor Home down all the crews had to live in the other Motor Home. As you can imagine the smell was bad! So Poor (or lucky, depending if your glass is half full or empty) Brian caught up with the team just as he had to head back home. Heading back down South we picked back up Tony & Jon, (<i>both welcome additions to the support crews, fresh legged & ready to roll, both were soon put into action.</i>) we also welcomed <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/The_Robbo" target="_blank">Liane</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/wilko33" target="_blank">Leanne</a> who not only had water & bananas to offer but Percy Pigs, Jelly Babies & Monster Munch!!!! We were also joined by Angela who ran a Marathon & joined the Day Crew right to the finish. (<i>Thank you Angela & Andrew for the lift home too, greatly appreciated</i>)<br />
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As we approached Middlesbrough I managed to get away for the day & drove home, never has collecting my girls from school felt so good, they nearly bowled me over with excitement. The Wife made me a fantastic tea, I had a MUCH NEEDED warm bath (with a beer) & I really enjoyed the few hours I had with my family before I settled down for an early night. The next day was the turn of TEAMBOB!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ian, Me, Steve, Sally</td></tr>
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I met Ian, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/SallyWheelhouse" target="_blank">Sally</a>, Steve & <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/supermu62" target="_blank">Julie </a>(who had kindly come along to run with Ian Man) at 5am & we drove to Grimsby to start our 2 back to back marathons along the east coast that finished at Friskney & took in the sights of Miami Beach of Mablethorpe.<br />
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We took the baton from Grimsby & even though Ian & Julie somehow managed to take a wrong turn on a straight road, adding an extra couple of K, they beat all the other Relay runners & Ian not only smashed his 10K PB he did it over 8miles!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julie & Ian Man</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sally</td></tr>
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The baton was passed onto Steve who shot off at a fantastic pace, sadly he had to pull up short of his intended distance due to a foot injury so Sally took over & destroyed the miles arriving in Mablethorpe miles before anyone else. The baton was passed onto Tony & we headed off to Friskney, as we had a full marathon to go (Ian had gone home for his daughters birthday, <i>I still cant work out how he got a pass to come & run. </i>Steve was Injured & Sally had just ran) I decided that this was the perfect time to attempt my full marathon. With Sally & Steve acting as my support crew, along with Liane & Leanne, I set off running with Tony & Chris.<br />
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The weather had brightened up & it was not long before Tony shot off & Chris made a pit stop to take off some layers. At every corner Liana & Leanne were were there armed with a goody bag of treats & sweets *cough* it turnes out that they were stopping to ask us for directions as they were lost & could not read the maps ;o)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris strips off</td></tr>
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I've known Chris from when I first joined Twitter, (many of you will know him as <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/TakeaChallenge" target="_blank">@Takeachallenge</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/6amCLUB" target="_blank">@6amClub</a> ) Chris is a top bloke, a very inspiring man who dedicates his time to help others achieve their goals. It was a pleasure to meet Chris in person & hear his stories as we ran the marathon (if you have a spare 2 mins check out his <a href="http://www.takeachallenge.org/bio.aspx" target="_blank">story</a>, its a very motivating story, one of which I still go back to read when feeling deflated), we ran at a steady pace & I thoroughly enjoyed it, this was my first ever marathon & it was flat!!! Yes FLAT!!! This excited me just as the fields & drainage ditches excited the city boy Chris. The last hills I ran were up in Scotland, the climb out of Loch Ness was the last major climb for me & it was a killer 1000ft climb in one steep go, this was rolling hills, pure bliss.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hiOw4H_r4Qsl1txaaZMQauRrW1Wn9dEW3MEseelYN6Y3bZ73P27B9yfZx0PQ10mm-jfP7BQmSo1xWZyULCBhiPEMaBweeNjGTlqtvCURLGvnGSYdTKTVr8I2hfi92OWpPvBnGDAIkKM/s1600/Loch+Ness+RelayGB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hiOw4H_r4Qsl1txaaZMQauRrW1Wn9dEW3MEseelYN6Y3bZ73P27B9yfZx0PQ10mm-jfP7BQmSo1xWZyULCBhiPEMaBweeNjGTlqtvCURLGvnGSYdTKTVr8I2hfi92OWpPvBnGDAIkKM/s320/Loch+Ness+RelayGB.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Loch Ness climb</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFeVHU6zEXlNLj_kROMlo7cO_19zHVPP1fbvHnnyih5bN1Hjm4ZdQPu98NplfN01Nbkvp_Nc4jgRIvDlMN-RGhyPxKNq_3LRZekElROpDUo3FS1RPSA_S9kxnDQOdfj3kpaHsR98f6S4/s1600/Mablethorpe+Marathon+RelayGB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFeVHU6zEXlNLj_kROMlo7cO_19zHVPP1fbvHnnyih5bN1Hjm4ZdQPu98NplfN01Nbkvp_Nc4jgRIvDlMN-RGhyPxKNq_3LRZekElROpDUo3FS1RPSA_S9kxnDQOdfj3kpaHsR98f6S4/s320/Mablethorpe+Marathon+RelayGB.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The virtually FLAT Mablethorpe to Friskney </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WYyWamW4rYQtoSVGzyWlKf6srp3CSm3pm9_1DAskEB2Aqvol9TzvxH9B2rIoETYFfUp7uU8bbhkxWquerBaHYAPw5cZWo0INz_0NHfz6Fbl9mboWJHvuwoYSp3woV5lu3qQqoeoewpc/s1600/1Phone+23.05.12+911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WYyWamW4rYQtoSVGzyWlKf6srp3CSm3pm9_1DAskEB2Aqvol9TzvxH9B2rIoETYFfUp7uU8bbhkxWquerBaHYAPw5cZWo0INz_0NHfz6Fbl9mboWJHvuwoYSp3woV5lu3qQqoeoewpc/s320/1Phone+23.05.12+911.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris takes in the sights</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNlYQXfrcBLxZbWoLTt1WSx1HgPNB-vTrRSEyqSNpHbV3kcfuWFvZBFOZWUvawebGO8biaty8uQHeE6X4jVtTiIE0eBj7XTTcaV6H9oOza729hBaUJ2cP10rDb1c9P9zZqxL-31mNN-M/s1600/1Phone+23.05.12+918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNlYQXfrcBLxZbWoLTt1WSx1HgPNB-vTrRSEyqSNpHbV3kcfuWFvZBFOZWUvawebGO8biaty8uQHeE6X4jVtTiIE0eBj7XTTcaV6H9oOza729hBaUJ2cP10rDb1c9P9zZqxL-31mNN-M/s320/1Phone+23.05.12+918.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris's Picture of a field that I happened to get in the way of</td></tr>
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The GPS played up at the end cutting 6 miles off of our marathon, this was my 1st marathon so there was no way I was going to finish short!!! Thankfully Chris agreed to add an extra loop into the run to make up lost miles. On this loop we discussed future challenges, Chris asked if I was planning any Triathlons (<i>I replied with an excuse about being rubbish at swimming</i>) within 10 mins of this conversation we met a guy on on a bike, picture an bloke in his 60's (maybe closer to his 70's) on a bike with a basket on the front & his trousers tucked into his socks. After asking what we were doing he proceeded to tell us he was training for his 1st Triathlon! He told us he had already been for a run & he was on his way to the swimming baths to learn to swim, YES you read that correctly, TO LEARN TO SWIM! Chris looked at me & laughed, "there's no excuse now chap" this guy could not have been in right place at the time. Chuckling away we said our goodbyes & headed on to Friskney.</div>
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Thankfully the support crew had waited for us, I finished feeling strong, no loss of toes, no blisters & no major cramp!!! Obviously I never went hard enough but considering what I had put my body through over the last 2 weeks I was not going to beat myself up over it. I was happy, I'd ran my first marathon & it was more about finishing my longest ever run that setting a time. Now I know I can run a marathon, with these miles under my belt & the inspiration from all the fantastic people I have had the pleasure to meet along this challenge, it opens a whole new world for me.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony, Chris, Me at the finish</td></tr>
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The following miles seemed to fly by as we continued to support runners with back to back marathons back down to London! The final goal was in sight! As we heading into London we got word of previous runners starting to gather at the B&Q in Wandsworth, this was the 1 mile mark from the finish line. Ed & Charlie got the bikes out & supported to runners through the busy city streets as we headed through London (Mario Kart styleee) to drop the Motor Home & Vans off at he finish. We walked back along the route to the B&Q 1 mile mark to meet with the runners that were able to attend the last mile. It was great, so many familiar faces, so many stories & so many laughs.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">As we waited for the baton to come the realisation of what we were about to achieve crept up on me, we waited for an hour until the baton arrived then 50 runners set off on the final mile a truly epic adventure. Seeing the grin on The Boss's face was fantastic, John Stanford was about to cross the line to end a challenge that people said he had no chance in completing, as he skipped across the bridge he was ushered up through the bunch to the front & given the baton. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.braintumouruk.org.uk/home?gclid=CJ-LqPaspbACFTMetAodw0IRYQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlxZnMye7STbXlXauKMGgyj1OqQb1v2O3pXnib-rKr_R1TKL0C4VhKFbI905EAj59GmizvpS1K-aMa-7l-yKSRGu_h2EJMQMpu4ykItNmQ5if4IZCG4RO5YIo3pzQiAJCYZvYxXzpVTk/s320/brain_tumour_uk.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8Iw9SyQ0BsEQFXmDznEEKP5M1I6uClUHJpjpjkBDjhO69Xvo2npGT8FmMwvrWMm7H8SaArsySQwvIEntU4qtxC_-PcoTs6nF3vYfHC0CQwrC1Hp5NJJXBzZ2BtxW5yYKW9lgKFo8BrQ/s1600/1Phone+23.05.12+979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8Iw9SyQ0BsEQFXmDznEEKP5M1I6uClUHJpjpjkBDjhO69Xvo2npGT8FmMwvrWMm7H8SaArsySQwvIEntU4qtxC_-PcoTs6nF3vYfHC0CQwrC1Hp5NJJXBzZ2BtxW5yYKW9lgKFo8BrQ/s320/1Phone+23.05.12+979.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">As we entered Wandsworth Park there was a round of applause & cheers from a big crowd, people using the park stopped cheered & waved, we did a lap of honour & with arms out wide John lead us across the finish line to the sound of Queens "We are the Champions". WE HAD DONE IT!!! This was certainly the best mile I have ever ran!</span><br />
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This was an exhausting, exhilarating, challenging and ultimately rewarding experience for all those involved. <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>2,680 miles </i></b></span>in 18 days breaking the current world record by a whopping 757 miles. This World Record still has not been clarified by GWR but that's not going to dampen our party. It was an honour to support & run with so many inspiring people for the 18 days, it will be something that stays with me forever. The support crew alone could have not been as different in background & personality if we'd have tried, but with John & Steve running the show it all worked a treat! No arguments, no cross words, just lots of laughs, a massive sense of pride & some fantastic stories, on the challenge I celebrated my 32nd Birthday in a lay by at 6am after a tiring night shift with a bottle of Stella & some FANTASTIC people.<br />
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Not many people can say they have been part of something on this scale, but then to not only complete such a challenge, but to be a part of smashing it is an incredible achievement, everyone involved with RelayGB should feel so proud of themselves, every runner, supporter, sponsor, everyone that retweeted our tweets & helped raise the awareness of RelayGB & Brain Tumour UK, Everyone that sent messages of support right through the night. You ALL ROCK! Together we have raised (an unofficial) £100,000 at the date of me writing this for Brain Tumour UK.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Full Crew </td></tr>
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<i>The End of an Era, the start of a Legacy...?</i><br />
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Thank you for taking the time to read my blog<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Martin</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">SO WHAT'S NEXT?</span><br />
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I will not lie to you, it was hard for me to acclimatise after this back into "normal" life. I'd ran 124 miles, during the 18 days, My body could not sleep for more than 4hrs & I could not sit still. I'm still buzzing about what we have achieved, my head will not stop thinking about "What,s next?" We all have agreed to that the main thing is to keep RelayGB alive. A new challenge will certainly be started via <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/relaygb" target="_blank">@RelayGB</a> so if you do not follow us on Twitter then do so now.<br />
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We will continue to support <a href="http://www.braintumouruk.org.uk/" target="_blank">Brain Tumour UK</a>, I personally will keep my Justgiving account open as I take on my next challenge as I never quite reached my target.<br />
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So After 2 weeks of rest I have picked up my running shoes to join <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Stuart_Doyle" target="_blank">@Stuart_Doyle</a> & the <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/jog4hampden" target="_blank">@Jog4Hampden </a>Team as they attempt to run 12 Hours non stop around Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh. We will start at 8am on Saturday & finish at 8pm so if you are around Edinburgh at that time come & give us a cheer, if not give us a shout on Twitter. I will be running as usual with GPS via Runkeeper & tweeting as I run via <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/TeamB_O_B" target="_blank">@TEAMB_O_B</a> so all your support will be gratefully received.<br />
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Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-32362739806240698312012-05-03T22:11:00.001-07:002012-05-06T13:09:56.896-07:00RelayGB the calm before the stormMORRRNING! 5:50am on the morning of the challenge & we are on route to Warmsworth Park for the start.<br />
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Yesterday's trip was fun, from the sleepy train station of Thorne, to Doncaster, to that there London (Kingscross) conquered the rat maze that is the Tube, to finally meet Jon the brains behind this challenge at Basingstoke. <br />
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As a Northerner the first thing I noticed was how fast people walk around here! Let me also confirm that the street are not paved with gold down here, but they do have a magical power called electricity!!! Oh & EVERYONE has Carpets! <br />
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The guys I've met are good guys, Johns wife made a fantastic chilli last night & I got a comfy bed. I made a mental note not to get too used to home comforts as we will be living in a motor home for the next 2 weeks, I had very little sleep but I dont think ill have to run today, fingers crossed we all get on by the end & we have not ripped each others heads off. ;o)<br />
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There is a massive buzz about the challenge, John has put a lot of hard work into this. He has a radio interview on BBC London at 6:20 so if your about tune in.<br />
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Right I'll get off now, I'll tweet when possible throughout the day & post again tonight with highlight of the day. If you around Wandsworth Park before 8am this morning why not pop by & say Hi. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QgDyTqtiKK_LMnMozPTnrvVy4NwtUE25fgch9-s0McI_I0fLlPP6h8PEHGc22ymqtkdUV4QHBQiGp5Wwl0kwXs-iroK-tF-aPs8AippLNbFxTfWnsPysjFhkpc-rt5znHobdtmFYtNg/s640/blogger-image--77485335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QgDyTqtiKK_LMnMozPTnrvVy4NwtUE25fgch9-s0McI_I0fLlPP6h8PEHGc22ymqtkdUV4QHBQiGp5Wwl0kwXs-iroK-tF-aPs8AippLNbFxTfWnsPysjFhkpc-rt5znHobdtmFYtNg/s640/blogger-image--77485335.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJMS8skt7FQwh2gW41A0FWlHRSrG7OQF1cKYY2iJNuKlcA6LAmAZPEy-eq8NIRfo1dFLzUa6b_edp5pnUEF5Z1X_CVzeVcMRKoPBX6Jc1zRhD4MpmbLu7B-MXZOAqt8NHmhLp7X8UZME/s640/blogger-image--29481749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJMS8skt7FQwh2gW41A0FWlHRSrG7OQF1cKYY2iJNuKlcA6LAmAZPEy-eq8NIRfo1dFLzUa6b_edp5pnUEF5Z1X_CVzeVcMRKoPBX6Jc1zRhD4MpmbLu7B-MXZOAqt8NHmhLp7X8UZME/s640/blogger-image--29481749.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgRa7KuM_Hq6tJ1b8EH_pZ6ddNHwICxUmXtKtrw9uuz-dPhD6816LsVYDAosdgnLSIWOfTUwZL7TPvEoXi4Wvg1c51BtQoi4FIBHAtH3gu-ccbSiD63lfvWQHcqOcqGn5W1yVIQKFGgk/s640/blogger-image--1371499196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgRa7KuM_Hq6tJ1b8EH_pZ6ddNHwICxUmXtKtrw9uuz-dPhD6816LsVYDAosdgnLSIWOfTUwZL7TPvEoXi4Wvg1c51BtQoi4FIBHAtH3gu-ccbSiD63lfvWQHcqOcqGn5W1yVIQKFGgk/s640/blogger-image--1371499196.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbJ73bSgJxLDvFU4qbVXPIJtxyBKWWMQqNNItzhUwCen1rOdK_No7pU7wAbGMqlCEsYFMySApxcLQT8_k31OXJYd_AlMwIa33UvsFjMuCChQFer5qqEBQ1LFVh43FJ0UP75n2LZ5HkH4/s640/blogger-image--1004794351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbJ73bSgJxLDvFU4qbVXPIJtxyBKWWMQqNNItzhUwCen1rOdK_No7pU7wAbGMqlCEsYFMySApxcLQT8_k31OXJYd_AlMwIa33UvsFjMuCChQFer5qqEBQ1LFVh43FJ0UP75n2LZ5HkH4/s640/blogger-image--1004794351.jpg" /></a></div>Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com0Crockford Park Garden Services 15 Gloucester Rd, Bagshot51.364936 -0.686774tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-10507843030547477482012-05-03T07:26:00.001-07:002012-05-03T07:50:11.121-07:00RelayGB 1 More Sleep (15:30)Just a quick test of the iPhone app before I set off down to that there London in a couple of hours.<br />
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The first challenge of the day was to pack! DAM ITS HEAVY!!!<br />
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Then to find my car licence, in true Martin style I turned the house upside down with no luck! & in true "The Wife style" she came in to pick it straight up! Well who hides driving licences in the birth certificate folder?!?!<br />
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Right best shoot as I have still got to get "things" sorted for the train, as promised I'll be tweeting via @TEAMB_O_B as normal & posting updates on here when possible. Don't forget to show your support for the challenge by visiting our just giving page for Brain Tumour UK it texting:<br />
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TBOB50 £(amount)<br />
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To 70070<br />
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Thank you<br />
<br />
a very nervous Martin<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwHfsMAELwI5axQQ3lsfTtlAFHFc7yAPbHwVCC0oh0bfXdDxPxTihklH533fLF4_YDtFujyGdKj6Q1jCcs_hzll3i8a62lLK5x3opxnLpJg5Kf0ixj7HNW98gtBaUwtpKo42YhUMESkA/s640/blogger-image-1186418023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwHfsMAELwI5axQQ3lsfTtlAFHFc7yAPbHwVCC0oh0bfXdDxPxTihklH533fLF4_YDtFujyGdKj6Q1jCcs_hzll3i8a62lLK5x3opxnLpJg5Kf0ixj7HNW98gtBaUwtpKo42YhUMESkA/s400/blogger-image-1186418023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-51949087836130441312012-04-10T06:05:00.002-07:002012-04-25T02:55:31.455-07:00Keep The Dream AliveThere are lots of ways to get motivation & support while training, My main one is Twitter. People use Twitter in various ways from stalking their favourite celebrities, abusing their less favourite celebrities, keeping in touch with family & friends, finding new friends, advertising, spamming, the list goes on. I started using it to promote this blog and my challenges, 2 years & 15K tweets later it has become much more than that. I have found some great "Tweeps" who I share laughs, worries & the occasional beer with. These people are fantastic and their support is second to none, tweeting me while I run from *High 5's* to Good luck tweets, even COMMMMME ONNNN tweets while I'm running in races, they all rock! I could easily list all of them on here but I wont, not this this time, you guys know who you are and I appreciate it LOTS!<br />
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I want this post however to be about the group motivators, not my personal ones. Twitter accounts such as @takeachallenge, @6amClub, @12pmClub, 6pmClub, @2012milesin2012 the list goes on. These guys reach hundreds & thousands of people with each tweet, inspiring & motivating people of all abilities to get out there and exercise or train for a personal goal, to push and challenge yourself whilst at the same time helping & supporting others.<br />
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Chris (@takeachallenge) was the first account like this that I followed, Chris is the perfect balance of an ANIMAL and a true gent, a long run to him lasts days not miles, he's a very humble man with a fantastic story of determination driving him in his quest to help others. Chris set up a very basic concept of @6amClub it's aim is simple, if your busy all day & don't have the time to train, just get up earlier & join other like minded people:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px;">Wakey Wakey rise & shine, we've had our sleep & it's that time. Always the best way to avoid being a CHUBB, is get outside & join </span><a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" data-screen-name="6amCLUB" href="https://twitter.com/#!/6amCLUB" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0084b4; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; font: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><s style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #66b5d2; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; font: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">@</s><b style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6amCLUB</b></a><br />
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Waking up at 4am in winter when it was dark & cold was far from fun, the last thing I wanted to do was get out of my warm bed and go for a run but one look on @6amClub made me realise that I was not the only one & some people were already out pounding the streets.Inspired by Chris and his @6amClub other Clubs soon popped up including @6pmClub & @12pmClub, all very motivating accounts ran by very inspirational people. @2012milesin2012 is a community aiming to cycle, run swim 2012 miles in 2012.<br />
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Sadly on the 1st April Ged (Mr @12pmClub) died at the finish line of the Reading Half Marathon. A very sad day for not only his family & friends but to everyone who followed @12pmClub, just by looking at the account @RIP12pmClub (Set up by a close friend of Ged & his Wife) you can see how much this sad news has effected the whole running community. Messages of sadness & support soon turned into messages of pride & motivation, @12pmClub was a true fighter with drive that not only pushed his own personal goals but helped others to achieve theirs. By reading the messages of support on Twitter & on his friends blogs it is clear he had a big heart and selflessly gave his time to others, he was a devout family man that everyone looked up to. One of favourite posts is by one of his friends (@TheRamblingDuck) titled <a href="http://www.theramblingduck.com/1/post/2012/04/too-young-to-die-keeping-your-dream-alive.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Too young to die - keeping Your Dream Alive</span></a> & also a speech from the Reading Park Tribute Run on <a href="http://www.12pmclub.com/" target="_blank">WWW.12PMCLUB.COM </a><br />
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The @12pmClub still goes on, people are still tweeting about their runs at midday, most in memory of Ged and the accomplishments he made in his short life are being left on the @RIP12pmClub. The Dream is certainly being kept alive in Geds name.<br />
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I sadly picked up a niggle on my run on the 1st of April so I was unable to put in a run in memory of @12pmClub until the Easter Sunday. I mentioned to The Wife the night before that I planned to be out at 11:30pm so as I could be on the moors at 12pm to show my respect from "my playground". I thought nothing of this again until 11am on Sunday when The Wife came down stairs in her gym gear;<br />
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"<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>come on then, thought you wanted to be on the moors for 12?</i></span>"<br />
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I threw on my gear & we were off!!! Me, The Wife (Sue) and Cole (Stupid Dog). Its been over a year since The Wife last ran, I've asked her to come out with me on various "recovery runs" & dog walk/runs but to this time she was here running with me. Yes it was a slow run but that was not the point, it was not a recovery run, interval run or long run, it was us doing something as a couple. I was chuffed to be letting her into my world, the conversation for the first <b>2 miles</b> was very one sided (bless her she was huffing & puffing like train ;o) but that was not the point, the point was THE WIFE WAS RUNNING WITH ME!!! Happy days!<br />
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Now lets rewind that a bit, yes 2 miles!!! The Wife ran the first 1.6 miles without stopping at all & she did it in a very respectable 17min. Not too shabby for a non runner running for the 1st time over trial ground.<br />
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*PROUD FACE*<br />
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We walked for a short length of time before running again, this pattern continued and at 12pm in memory of @12pmClub and to capture the memory of this run with my wife I pulled out my phone and took this pic.<br />
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I had planned to leave The Wife once we got to the edge of the moors, she would head home and I would head into the moors but she wanted to continue her run, we ran out to the viewing tower on the moors (a whole 3.6 miles! in 47mins) then decided to walk back. The Wife had done GREAT! I even had to stop her from running again, she had done enough, she had done above and beyond what anyone would have expected from her. All in all it was a fantastic run, a run that was in memory of a man that I never knew in person, a man that will continue to inspire people & bring people together, a man that would be pleased to hear The Words "I want to be able to run in a 10K race" come from the The Wife as we walked back home.<br />
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Please take the time to check out the website made in his honour <a href="http://www.the12pmclub.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">WWW.12PMCLUB.COM </a>and if you have a challenge you want to compete in in memory of Ged and the British Heart Foundation take a look at the challenges tab<br />
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Thank you<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Martin.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><a href="http://challengeteambob.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/another-one-opens-part-2-new-challenge.html">Click HERE For My Latest Challenge</a></b></span><br />
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</b></span>Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-50648861223798708012012-04-05T06:06:00.004-07:002013-01-29T12:20:05.932-08:00(PRE) Marathon RelayGB The Build UpSo here we are, at the beginning of a new challenge where all I have to do is run! There is minimum paperwork & planning to do on my part as it is organised & supported by some fantastic people. The Director and Event Organiser of this epic event is John Stanford <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/relaygb" target="_blank">@RELAYGB</a><br />
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The new challenge is Marathon Relay GB. It's a unique challenge that will aim to run a relay of marathons around Great Britain to brake the current World Record of Marathons ran back to back. We are starting in London on May 4th 2012 and will follow the coastline of Britain, taking in major cities such as Southampton, Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle. The Challenge will end on May 21st back in London after 2600 miles. I have got TEAMBoB a local stage for this challenge but as of yesterday I (Martin) am now part off the support crew so will beheading off to that there London in a couple of days & will be spending the next 2 weeks travelling Great Britain while living in a Camper Van, Driving the team vehicle's, running extra stages & cycling along side runners when need.<br />
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This challenge but not a race but each marathon must be done in 4 hrs to keep on track. Therefore, runners will be running on their own or in small groups, at night or during the heat (or Rain) of the day. All the while, the runner will be notching up the miles that will try to break the current world record for distance relay running which currently stands at 1,923 miles set by the ‘Gillette Phenomenal Tour’ in Romania in 2009 over the course of 13 days.<br />
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As you all know I am not an athlete & am not up to Marathon distance "yet" but that's where TEAMBOB comes into this challenge, although I am in on the whole distance I was lucky enough to get a stage close to home so I asked around & straight away got a running partner in Ian Man (aka <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/doomon1">@DOOMON1</a>. Ian Bullas) Ian was the man that got me back into running, at the age of *COUGH* he still pushes his body though Monthly 10K's, Triathlons & those silly races where you run trough walls (yes through), streams & swamps. Some people say he uses it as an excuse to get out of workshop & house and they are probably right (Sorry Tracy ;o) but the point is that he does what a lot of people say they they will do & rest will not even attempt. Running Half a marathon between the two of us would have been "comfortable" *COUGH* but I also wanted to give the opportunity to Sally Wheelhouse a parent at work who has been training really hard for this years London Marathon, Sally completed VLM in a very respectable time so can carry us through this challenge ;o), Sally in turn asked if her Partner Steve Durdy could join the team, Steve who is also an avid runner and has real hills to train on at home, not like the motorway flyover that we have to use around here for hill training, could join the team. So now TEAMBOB consists of Me (Martin), Ian, Sally & Steve. Our stage will be run on the 19th May 2012 and is part 1 & 2 of STAGE 13, we are running from Cleethorpes to Miami Beach, Mablethorpe for the 1st Marathon then onto Friskney for the 2nd Marathon these <b>52miles have to be done in under 4 Hrs. </b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leg1 Ian, Steve & (Runner to be named)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leg 2 Martin & Sally</td></tr>
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Although there are runners taking part like Former London Marathon winner, Mike Gratton, who will be running a full marathon leg amateur runners can also take part as a team breaking up each stage between them. Runners can enter as individuals or as teams doing a ‘relay within a relay‘ sharing the 26 mile leg. Corporate and running club entries are also welcome.<br />
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Not only will there be the physical challenge to runners of all abilities but the event will also raise funds and awareness for brain tumour research. There are still stages free so if you fancy being part of a world record braking team why not contact RelayGB Director, John Stanford (<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/relaygb">@RELAYGB</a>) via the challenges website <a href="http://www.relaygb.org/Pages/How%20to%20enter">HERE</a>, you can also find more information on the challenge by clicking the link. Weather its a personal challenge or you want to support Brain Tumour UK in their research this is a great challenge to be part of.<br />
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To help make a difference and to support Brain Tumour GB we are fundraising via <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/TEAMBOB-MarathonRelayGB">Justgiving</a> so please if you help up reach our target and donate as much as you can, you can visit via our Justgiving site by clicking <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/TEAMBOB-MarathonRelayGB">HERE!</a> The Justgiving link to the upper right of this screen OR by Texting <b>TBOB50 £</b>(amount) to <b>70070:</b><br />
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In the meantime please keep visiting this site, we will update it regularly with "interesting" stories. If your a regular to this blog you will no that training never really goes to plan for me (Me), mishaps happen regularly! Sooooo you will be pleased to know that Ian is even worse than me so we should not be short of humorous/embarrassing stories to follow.<br />
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Thanks for taking the time to read this far guys, its been a while since I have blogged so I'm very rusty, but on a good note I have a few "mishaps" already in my locker to tell you about so watch this space. BUT first PLEASE Click the Facebook, Twitter or/& Google share tabs below and lets get the word out about this challenge... Oh and if you new to all this don't forget to follow <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/TeamB_O_B">@TEAMB_O_B</a> and follow/stalk me (Martin) while I blunder through life.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">MARTIN</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">& TeamBoB</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-87392994417454277232012-04-05T02:35:00.000-07:002012-04-05T02:35:05.590-07:00ONE DOOR CLOSES... PT1Welcome to my blog, some of you will be new to these parts so please take a look around. Others will be my ramblings of bad grammar. I'll firstly apologise for not writing for so long, lots have gone on since I last posted but to be honest I just have not had the time or the heart to post. Secondly can I apologise for the writing to come, its just me rambling to get things off of my chest. Part 2 of this post will complete the saying "As one door closes another door opens" so please bare with it, the next challenge is here!<br />
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Firstly the JogleRelay cycle ride is no longer on my list of challenges, I'm not going to go into details, It was a nasty falling out & I was gutted to be told I was no longer wanted on the team due to a "clash of personality" by a so called friend & the fact that it was managed by a very controlling person that i refused to work for. I still wanted to ride, I just could not continue to jump through hoops helping behind the scenes, sadly I as told I could not do that. <br />
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But that is now in the past and although I am no longer part of such a great challenge that I had put a lot of work & emotion into, I am still supporting the team from the side lines as they have put a lot into this challenge & it is for a great cause. I may have lost one friend but because of this I have gained lots more in the rest of the team members & like minded people. I am still in touch with the team & a few of us have discussed future challenges to do together so get yourself over there show them your support, they are doing such a great job.<br />
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I put my drive and passion fully back into running my business again, things were going great! I'd started running again too, although I struggled to even run a mile in January without stopping the fitness soon came back with the help of people like <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/6amCLUB">@6AMCLUB</a> a Twitter account ran by <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/TakeaChallenge">@TAKEACHALLENGE</a> full of like minded people who love to run. Inspired and motivated by these like minded people I upped my mileage and lowered my times before applying for races again with IAN MAN (aka <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/doomon1">@DOOMON1</a>). I'd built my mileage up to 14 Miles and felt good, I have raced 3 10K's so far this year setting a new personal best each time, my best was <a href="http://runkeeper.com/user/MartinTeamBoB/activity/77473434">43:34 at the Lincoln 10K.</a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An absolute fantastic day out with the family, it was the first time my girls had been to watch me race so I was so glad it turned out to be a great day, very well organised. To top it all off Daughter 4 got the bug & has asked if I can enter her into the next fun run.... RESULT.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well that was a couple of weeks ago, everything was going well so something had to give. As it happened it did! If you know me in "real life" or are friends with me on Twitter you will already know that I have my work cut out to get my business open again. This has taken a lot out of me but with the support of friends, family, the community I live & run my business in we will get Marshland Happy Days back open.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I said earlier one door closes and another one opens. This whole post has been one massive ramble. It has just been thrown together to get things off of my chest. As this new door opens we are closer to opening up the business and I've started training again.... Oh and I'm on with another challenge!!! Not many people get the chance to be part of a world record attempt but somehow as I lose the opportunity to attempt one, another challenge comes my way. The Challenge is to be in a team of runners to attempt the worlds longest running relay. Excited is a massive understatement!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More info about this fantastic challenge will be in my next post! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-7947404672958207842011-09-24T11:34:00.000-07:002011-09-24T11:42:48.311-07:00WAY OF THE ROSES (DAY 3: Off Road Baby)Day 3 started bright & early, for most of the team. Martin was not in the mood for breakfast / dreaded peeling off the broken skin that was still attached to his backside that had adhered to the cotton bed sheets over night. Roomy for the 2nd night running Ian, soon threw back on his now slightly smelly T shirt, (3 Days of usage had taken its toll) & bolted for the door to meet up with the team that were patiently waiting down stairs unhappy at the fact that breakfast did not open until nearly dinner time.<br />
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The planned 7am breakfast then start unfortunately turned into us rolling out at about 8pm, the ride out of York was at a good pace as poor Sue had to work nights tonight & was being picked up from Bridligton at tea time, the conversations we mainly of who was going to be left behind due to fatigue & how much our backsides hurt & that we would not leave it as long being "out of the saddle" before the next challenge. We started on mainly "A" roads, this resulted in a lot of map checking *cough* & getting lost. Eventually we made our way back to the route only to find it took us onto what can only be described as a farmers field!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/317370_10150329550132482_619302481_7997742_1922570667_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/317370_10150329550132482_619302481_7997742_1922570667_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Again I had drawn the short straw when it came to choosing the right bike!!! As the rest of the team ploughed through the field on their bikes I was left behind weaving my bike around rocks & pot holes praying not to get my 1st puncture. Well the praying must have worked, not 1 puncture! The field was a pure shock, none had noticed this apparently on the map or while researching the ride "apparently", on the plus side my riding style to cycle over this field eased the pain caused on my backside, but it was not long before we hit tarmac on the way to Pocklington causing me to have to park my rear back on the seat.<br />
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Pocklington was our breakfast stop before our last climb of the challenge, fully refuelled Spud & Ian edged their bets on the best route out of Pocklington.<br />
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Todays Bonus? 50% chance of getting lost maybe??? A short ride soon lead to The Wolds!!! Looking out over the hills here never seems to stop amazing me, I have rode this route a few times although normally in the opposite direction. We have seen some great views over the last couple of days but here seemed special, weather it was the fact they were familiar to me or the knowing that we never had far left I dont know, but I put my head up & enjoyed the steady down hill ride into the valley.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our route was right through the centre of these hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The lasses were behind as we rolled down into valley, the elevation rises as you hit the middle of the valley & gets steeper as you climb.<br />
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At the bottom of the valley I noticed a couple of bikes abandoned at the side of the road, as I slowed down there were faint sounds of moaning & groaning, slowing further I noticed a body on the other side of the hedge, then I noticed another! "GO ON MY SON" I shouted, bless their little cotton socks, I don't think they expected to see us riding past. Well that lifted our spirits to say the least as we started to climb, the climb was no were near as hard as the climbs that we had done over the last few days but knowing it was all flat at the top made it even more of a challenge. We were tired & soar, the lack of training had certainly taken its toll, I can safely say reaching the top was a relief as the gradient on the last 100 meters just sapped all the energy I had left, using the excuse of waiting for the others I pulled up at the top to rest.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><u> AT LAST!!!! THE FLATS!!!</u></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/316445_10150329552987482_619302481_7997766_1565835319_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/316445_10150329552987482_619302481_7997766_1565835319_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It was a strange feeling knowing we were closer to home than we were the finish line at Bridlington, but this was it, we could now have some fun! We were on my bikes territory now! With my backside in bits I had to stand up while riding for a bit, luckily for me the flats pumped a bit a adrenaline through me & gave the perfect excuse to put my camera in my bag, put my head down, backside up in the air & go hell for leather on this straight level road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/313864_10150329553977482_619302481_7997785_1946574417_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/313864_10150329553977482_619302481_7997785_1946574417_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now, now guys, there is no need to be like that</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Stopping for water in a little village we just so happened to park our bikes us against a memorial that a photographer was planing to use on some wedding shots. Instead of politely asking us to move on he continued to take his pictures, I feel so sorry for the bride as she looks through her wedding proofs to find a picture of a grotty cyclist (Me) stretching off behind her husband.<br />
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A couple of miles down the road we stopped for dinner & although the bar manager had to send his wife to the shop for sandwich fillings we successfully managed to get ourselves a sandwich without needing a mortgage or upsetting any of the locals in the process.<br />
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We compared our butt cheek pain levels then set on out on the final leg, all plain sailing!!! We thought!!!<br />
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DIVERSION!!!! But were soooo close to Brid!!! This diversion took us up some hills, yes hills we were not expecting. Dont get me wrong, the "what goes up must come down" saying was true to its word this time, but when a fun down hill section (ON A STRAIGHT ROAD) causes your 1 & ONLY puncture when you have just cycled over rocks, boulders & through farmers fields.... *deep breath* I'm just saying that one may get slightly annoyed knowing that we were so close to the finish.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/303925_10150430928169358_726104357_10772803_4322425_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/303925_10150430928169358_726104357_10772803_4322425_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/306965_10150430928824358_726104357_10772806_1899447_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/306965_10150430928824358_726104357_10772806_1899447_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Changing a flat on what can only be described as the farmers A1 that has no paths, (dam I have not seen as many tractors in one place in such a short space of time!) was not, lets say "Ideal".<br />
<br />
Rolling hills followed more rolling hills, none of which could compare with their predecessors, but you have to take notice when you have just cycled (YES I CYCLED) up a hill to find this at the top:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/296924_10150329557502482_619302481_7997814_1412900003_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/296924_10150329557502482_619302481_7997814_1412900003_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/298430_10150329557697482_619302481_7997815_2115473844_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/298430_10150329557697482_619302481_7997815_2115473844_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>A couple more names were etched to the cross, a couple of photos were taken to lighten the spirits & we were back on our way. Then we saw it! No not the sea, not yet:<br />
<br />
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BRIDLINGTON! The end was near. I went into a bit of a lull at this point as the fun was nearly over, I played the last few days back in my head as we rolled through the streets to the sea front. We had to stop at another diversion sight that sent us off the road & through a housing estate that had no roads. As we got off our bikes we attempted to push them over a busy main road. There was a chorus of "GO... NO NOT NOW," "AFTER THE RED ONE.... NO WAIT" This went on for a bit until Spud & Ian made it first across, Myself, Shanni & Sue made the next gap but only to the centre of the road. As myself & Sue decided to stop, Shanni continued to push her bike across. lol, I know you should not laugh, but seeing the guys face as Shanni just walked out on him, then seeing her "<i>am I bothered face</i>" look straight back at him, followed by Sue Shouting at the bloke as we walked across the road. The poor bloke!<br />
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A couple of uneventful miles brought us through the arch & on to the sea front. A brisk weave through holiday makers thinking they own the front parade lead us to the finish post, which happened to look very similar to one we had seen 177 miles ago. Yes I said 177 miles not the 170 it should have been, I blame the diversion at the end my Bridlington council not our self made scenic route we "chose" to take just to see more hills we could walk up! WE HAD MADE IT!!! Well I say we! Me, Shanni & Sue had made it, Where were Ian & Spud? I hear you ask, well I asked the exact same thing. Apparently they had stopped in the housing estate to "Check the map".<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/293624_10150329558857482_619302481_7997821_234636182_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/293624_10150329558857482_619302481_7997821_234636182_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/309747_10150329559032482_619302481_7997823_1335938243_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/309747_10150329559032482_619302481_7997823_1335938243_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">We waited...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">And waited...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">5 mins later they rolled up.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/293610_10150329559322482_619302481_7997824_500258677_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/293610_10150329559322482_619302481_7997824_500258677_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/302655_10150329559447482_619302481_7997825_434491505_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/302655_10150329559447482_619302481_7997825_434491505_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">JUST IN TIME FOR OUR GROUP FINISHING SHOT... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/297825_10150329559872482_619302481_7997828_1277540557_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/297825_10150329559872482_619302481_7997828_1277540557_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">BEFORE ...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Guess who came rolling in behind us with their "We'll ride at this pace all day" tail between their legs?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/317086_10150329560247482_619302481_7997830_1623789866_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/317086_10150329560247482_619302481_7997830_1623789866_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bless Their little cotton socks, you should have seen their faces when they saw that we had beaten them to the finish. Talking to one of their Dads, he told us that they had even sett off on the same day from Morecambe. QUALITY!!!!! Eating humble pie we rode our lap of honour down the sea front straight to the pub!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/301681_10150329560837482_619302481_7997834_774408661_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/301681_10150329560837482_619302481_7997834_774408661_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But not before phoning The Wife!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/296068_10150429453779358_726104357_10756621_1230143_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/296068_10150429453779358_726104357_10756621_1230143_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A Pint turned into 2/4 *cough* 5? Does that sound about right? As we drunk on the front watching the sea roll in, we never once thought about how bad we smelt or even about how the hell 4 of us were going to get home on the train with bikes (Sue had to shoot off as she needed to get to work). Until we realised the last train was about to leave in 5 mins... That was the fun part, attempting to get our bikes to the station in 5mins after the equivalent of about 8 pints due to lack of food in our system. Arriving at the station with seconds to spare was a bonus until we say 3 other bikes also at the platform. Knowing that a carriage has only 2 bike holders we edged our bets & "<i>squeezed</i>" onto the train. All was well, the train set off, the ticket conductor accepted our request for tickets (even though in my drunkenness I dropped my £20 worth of change on the floor). All was well until a (lets say) "Ten bob Millionaire" made it her mission to get us kicked off the train as a safety hazard. A tirade of abuse came our way, which was returned with comments like:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> "<i>this is a working class train love, for working class people</i>"</div><div style="text-align: left;"> "<i>your not in 1st class now love, welcome to cattle class</i>"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The poor woman must have walked up & down the train at least 8 times to the toilet on the 2hr train ride, doing her best to push into our bikes every time. I wish I would have seen her face when not only 1 but 2 conductors told her to stop moaning as we were doing nothing wrong or even when after being asked by a child: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"<i>My Mum thinks you lot are those famous people that are travelling around the world, ARE YOU? Cos she daren't ask</i>."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shannie replied with:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"No love, we are just friends that are trying to catch a train home after cycling from Morcambe to Bridlington for charity"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">LOVE IT!!!!!!! She was very quiet after that. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So even right to the last breath of the last day, it was an eventful challenge, one that I was no where near prepared for. To be honest, Im so glad I wasn't. Hookway to Hookway was a personal challenge. I needed to complete it in the fastest time, I rode solo & I rode hard, I trained as best I could. This was FUN! Fun as in being a laugh, yes it was hard at times, I was kicked off my bike by hills last year I would have breezed, but I would not have changed it for the world. There were so many points where we stopped to make fun out of each other, give moral support & take make more fun out of the inflicted. WE HAD SUCH A LAUGH! While at the same time Spud & Shanni raised a shed load of cash for Yorkshire Cancer Research & Spuds sons football team.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A great ride with some great people! A ride that has given me the push to ride more, a ride more frequent.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now time to plan a couple of my own challenges... Watch this space & THANK YOU for taking the time to read my little bog. :o)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ill Leave you with the best advice I have ever received about cycling, the advice comes from Spud, well Spuds bike to be honest:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/307640_10150329561392482_619302481_7997837_104158945_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/307640_10150329561392482_619302481_7997837_104158945_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Martin</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxR94oGDkXdo9BAeDZ5YeHrIhJIJUcxd2tcwaKDtaCdeRb5kHYDbvVAt5HWVay4ituIPq3UaKoBd3TpjkP08oNRYlBLToPnfcmxBiNfb2u-y7k4pC3ZLJJHikmy1lnwUutNpyUPw1l6U/s1600/P1000307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxR94oGDkXdo9BAeDZ5YeHrIhJIJUcxd2tcwaKDtaCdeRb5kHYDbvVAt5HWVay4ituIPq3UaKoBd3TpjkP08oNRYlBLToPnfcmxBiNfb2u-y7k4pC3ZLJJHikmy1lnwUutNpyUPw1l6U/s320/P1000307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-64429674681578997442011-09-10T05:20:00.000-07:002011-09-11T00:33:22.861-07:00WAY OF THE ROSES (DAY 2: What More Hills?)Day 2 started with a fond memory of Ian adamant we would be ok to have another pint last night, the nearly persuasive words of "<i>One more wont hurt, surely?!?!</i>" ran through my groggy head as I dragged my unfit body out of my pit. Surprisingly, me & Ian were the first down for breakfast followed by Sue then Spud & Shanni. The Breakfast consisted of laughing about Day 1 & comparing aches pains & sore points..... Oh & a picture of a bloody tractor that hung near our table! The room was full of a local artists work, each one had a label at the side of it with a description of what the piece represents.<br />
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This picture of a rusty old tractor in an over grown field never:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/310552_10150271584648981_722908980_7703713_1729725_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/310552_10150271584648981_722908980_7703713_1729725_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Being all intellectual & stuff, we started discussing the fact that it may be the artists depiction of the fall in agricultural farming or... to be honest I cant remember! What I can remember is that we ended up asking the slightly grumpy breakfast waiter.<br />
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"<i>oh the tractor</i>?" he said, walking up to the picture he explained that all the other pictures had an explanation at he side of them, "<i>But this.... Well, its an old tractor in a field?! Apart from that I aint got a bloody clue! Now who wants tea and who want coffee</i>?" <br />
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An apt end to good night spent in The Devonshire Arms, at last a great breakfast, comfy bed, great food & beer provided by very friendly & welcoming staff.<br />
We all got our gear on & agreed to meet on the front court asap. As predicted I was the last one down but before long we riding the cobbles out of the court & after a slight downhill out of town the rolling hills started & before long turned into climbs & the beer sweats started!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone is waiting for Martin!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deja -vu</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Come on Sue nearly there</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/318367_10150430917404358_726104357_10772649_4289531_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/318367_10150430917404358_726104357_10772649_4289531_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reaching the last "planned" climb of the day Spud could not resists.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/296843_10150305073127482_619302481_7859006_6626311_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/296843_10150305073127482_619302481_7859006_6626311_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign at the top of the climb, now time to free wheel down... (or so we thought!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As we all met at the peak we all dismounted (if we had not already) & took in the view, even though it was still early & slightly over cast, the view was worth it. But the "Champaign Moment" had to be when Ian decided to take leak in a farmers field!!! In the middle of nowhere, not a sole to been seen for miles, Ian walks across the road & starts to unbolt a gate into field, when out of nowhere a car being driven by a slightly confused & angry looking farmer pulls up. Ian freezes (mind you I think we all did) as he climbs out of his car, then just stares at Ian. After a couple of seconds of uncomfortable silence Spud shouts over, "<i>He's just taking a leak mate</i>" What he expected 5 people with bikes to be doing near his cow field in the middle of nowhere was far beyond us but he still looked quizzical. "<i>oh, ok</i>" he replied, but he still stood there looking at Ian & into his field for a while before getting back into his car and slowly driving off. A bizarre moment that will probably haunt Ian every time he has to stop for a pit stop while walking his dog.<br />
7 miles of hills climbing about 700ft in 1hr gave me a kick up the backside to start training once I got home, but it was such a laugh, but now for the real FUN STUFF, Greenhow Hill was our challenge of the morning & our last big challenge of the ride, but we had done it! NOW we had a 1000ft drop in 4 miles, this was grit your teeth fun!!! With speeds of 30mph with brakes on & a side wind when the trees opened in places, this down hill was a case of letting go of your brakes as much as you dare. Weeeeeee... I followed Spud, I don't mind admitting that he had more balls than me, at one point I quickly looked at my cpu to see I was going 34mph but he was still accelerating faster than a police man who was late for his dinner. This is one hill id like to go down again but next time id appreciate it if the local council would sweep that bit of loose gravel up on the bent that is about 3 miles down!!! Rolling at speed over loose gravel certainly makes you clamp you seat between your thighs tight! As we hit the bottom our brakes thankfully stopped us, the village of Pateley Bridge was littered with parked cars on one side of the road so the voice in my head was screaming " PLEASE DONT PULL OUT OR OPEN YOUR CAR DOOR, PLEASE DONT PULL OUT OR OPEN YOUR CAR DOOR, PLEEEEEEEASE!!!!" One by one weel all made it to the bottom & looked straight back to see if the next person was in tow.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/319083_10150305071497482_619302481_7858969_3270800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/319083_10150305071497482_619302481_7858969_3270800_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only Ian left</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/313604_10150305071352482_619302481_7858966_6761721_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/313604_10150305071352482_619302481_7858966_6761721_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now this is a grip of death!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Regrouping and rolling off we headed for Ripon for dinner. This should have been a steady ride, but me & Spud shot off in front & while too busy messing around crossed between the joy of seeing another down hill we tucked into our bikes & shot down into the next village, unknown to us the other three had taken a sharp left turn to continue of the "Way of The Roses" track. So our 2 mins of down hill fun soon ended. After a phone call from Ian we realised that we had taken the wrong turn. "Take your next left at the crossroads & we will wait for you" Ian told us. As we turned left we were caught off guard by what can only be described as a wall, the climb kicked us off of our bikes after only a 100 meters, a 500ft climb in only 2 miles was a hard walk that would have been more suited for walking boots not my cycling shoes with cleats. IT HURT LIKE HELL, another lesson learnt?<br />
<br />
Riding another 22miles into Ripon hurt, I was so glad it was all flat(ish).<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/298186_10150305070282482_619302481_7858942_1135766_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/298186_10150305070282482_619302481_7858942_1135766_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did say flat (ish)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Ian (still shaking from his downhill fun settled his nerves with a Mr Whippy as I polluted the local supermarket with my smell to buy some baby wipes & BO spray so as I could freshen up before going into a pub for dinner.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/304607_10150430918144358_726104357_10772659_4306561_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/304607_10150430918144358_726104357_10772659_4306561_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So after a quick map check we were informed that there were 4 pubs on our outward ride. As it happened we never saw 1!!!!! We eventually passed a pub, with an outside eating area, perfect. As we rolled up a couple of locals informed us that the landlord was just shutting the kitchens but if we hurried (& asked nicely) he may let us have dinner. Shanni to the rescue!!! Surly Shanni armed with the line, "we are doing this ride for charity" would work in our favour again, just like it did with the closed bridge?<br />
<br />
Shanni walked into the pub, then we hear her voice before we see her...<br />
<br />
"Get your bikes we're $%£* not putting our money over that counter, what a RUDE ARROGANT $%&$"<br />
<br />
So the kitchen is closed then Shanni? After upsetting the locals we rode another few miles until we came across a nice little pub, this kitchen was also closed but the cook agreed to make us sandwiches & chips. £8 for a bloody sarni!!!! I was that hungry I'd have paid £8 for a that scabby piece of toast & the handful of beans we bought in Morecambe. Any way the grass proved a very popular resting place for our soar bits & it was not long before Ian got excited about the wine list & started to chat up the locals, all be it a bit stuck up & stiff Ian enjoyed the one way conversation. We also met a solo rider who was just about to get back his bike as we arrived, he made us a little angry as he proceeded to tell us how he had cycled up ALL of today's hills as he finished his pint of larger & landed his plump backside onto his bike seat & peddled away with a smile.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick smell check before going in to order</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/300010_10150430919344358_726104357_10772679_2441917_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/300010_10150430919344358_726104357_10772679_2441917_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/320314_10150305067607482_619302481_7858897_4611378_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/320314_10150305067607482_619302481_7858897_4611378_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ian Pulled (even in his smelly t-shirt)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/315397_10150271586358981_722908980_7703736_2156318_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/315397_10150271586358981_722908980_7703736_2156318_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...And Chill in the sun, Happy Days<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>So we were soon back on the road & it was not long before we bumped into another group of fellow Way of The Roses'es / idiots or what ever we are called.<br />
These guys were, lets say slightly big headed as we rolled up to them. "<i>we are just having technical problems you know, we have been going faster than this</i>" Bless their little cotton socks, they never liked the fact that 5 misfits sailed by them, they soon proved a point, caught us back up & powered past. This game of cat & mouse passed a few miles on the now boring flats until we hit a toll bridge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/320682_10150305067372482_619302481_7858894_5573863_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/320682_10150305067372482_619302481_7858894_5573863_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding with our new competitive friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/317886_10150430920289358_726104357_10772694_2519629_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/317886_10150430920289358_726104357_10772694_2519629_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopped at the toll bridge (take note of the cyclist hater on the right)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/313491_10150305067202482_619302481_7858892_8142387_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/313491_10150305067202482_619302481_7858892_8142387_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Shanni made it across</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So me & Shanni made it across the toll but the rest of the group were held back in the confusion of the debate in which no one was sure which lane a bike was supposed to go down. The Toll attendant was all in a fluster upon seeing 15+ bikes all mingled in with the cars that he changed his mind a couple of times, with shouts of "<i>YOU CANT RIDE DOWN HERE YOU'LL RUN ME OVER</i>" eventually came a "<i>GO, GO, GO, QUICK RIDE</i>" as the car in front never had the right change, to be honest no one could do anything apart from laugh at the "on the buses style" management of this toll.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/304312_10150305067072482_619302481_7858891_6737328_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/304312_10150305067072482_619302481_7858891_6737328_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See you soon lads x</td></tr>
</tbody></table> The cat & mouse fun continued until they took a wrong turn (SUCKERS!!!) the roads turned into pretty cycle paths again going into York, we stopped for a group photo 5 miles out of York at IL TRENO...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/308624_10150430920779358_726104357_10772703_959706_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/308624_10150430920779358_726104357_10772703_959706_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IL TRENO (aka the restaurant with a train carriage crashed into the side of it)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
... Before more cycle paths along the river...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/315437_10150430921484358_726104357_10772712_7833377_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/315437_10150430921484358_726104357_10772712_7833377_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/296965_10150305066112482_619302481_7858879_2071154_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/296965_10150305066112482_619302481_7858879_2071154_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where I raced a speed boat (& BEAT IT) BOOOOOOOM river speed limit IN YOUR FACE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The paths turned into a little off road syleee but luckily still no puncture for me on my roady!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/303114_10150305066367482_619302481_7858882_289231_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/303114_10150305066367482_619302481_7858882_289231_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bounce baby bounce</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/308161_10150271586508981_722908980_7703740_7511937_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/308161_10150271586508981_722908980_7703740_7511937_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing the Minster</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Arriving in York we had another "Terrain check" (LOST AGAIN), a steady ride along the main roads in York made a nice change, York is a lovely looking place & if it was not for the traffic it would be a joy to ride. Rolling into the Travel Lodge in plenty of time time to shower & put cream on our soars way a welcome rest before re grouping outside to walk to the nearest boozer that had SKY tv, England v Bulgaria was the entertainment of the night & of course a few beers could not hurt...</div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/303575_10150271587003981_722908980_7703748_4639729_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/303575_10150271587003981_722908980_7703748_4639729_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">COULD IT??????</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/296244_10150430923009358_726104357_10772734_4037512_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/296244_10150430923009358_726104357_10772734_4037512_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/301209_10150271587823981_722908980_7703761_1688123_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/301209_10150271587823981_722908980_7703761_1688123_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/310448_10150271587658981_722908980_7703758_5298413_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/310448_10150271587658981_722908980_7703758_5298413_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/296709_10150271587178981_722908980_7703751_2894367_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/296709_10150271587178981_722908980_7703751_2894367_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... OF COURSE IT WONT</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__Et1VfYelCOXDtE5vtZOzOj7WMyBBIvMqmmWofiuNE5dSSKg3tLTFvWSbDVLN1gUXWbSdhB8c28aRIWIX6DnvfDTPVUl79HTJ4zbtTkCDSSP9nYCxFoKp2Kuq1KOy8KgX4c76zQJS0c/s1600/Screenshot-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__Et1VfYelCOXDtE5vtZOzOj7WMyBBIvMqmmWofiuNE5dSSKg3tLTFvWSbDVLN1gUXWbSdhB8c28aRIWIX6DnvfDTPVUl79HTJ4zbtTkCDSSP9nYCxFoKp2Kuq1KOy8KgX4c76zQJS0c/s320/Screenshot-1.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Still to come on DAY 3, Off roading on a road bike (this time over a farmers field) One more Climb over the Yorkshire WOLDS ;o), a couple doing rude stuff in a field, fun on the flats, an unexpected diversion, we get lost AGAIN, we meet again with our competitive friends & of course we arrive in BRIDLINGTON!!!Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-45429490222809835392011-09-05T05:30:00.000-07:002011-09-08T02:52:39.138-07:00WAY OF THE ROSES (DAY 1: No Training, No Support Vehicle, No Turning Back)So I was talked into riding Way of The Roses, 170 miles from coast to coast (Morecambe to Bridlington) by friends who were doing it as a fundraising event for Yorkshire Cancer Research. In true Team B.O.B style (No training) I accepted the invite & dusted off the bike. On checking out their facebook page I realised they planned stuff like me:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oIvcguUKBl70I4kMdNmUWhBNXBOIMERK40sFckj8zpvTe2vo5oTzZbFdVpduOWhvjbA9FRV-f0dCHaGc2aAU7I-k02s-aOXdvDgElfGUyXH2IFtYokkZYH-h47YBZ-VyPjIpAc-KzhA/s1600/Photo+05-09-2011+13+07+58.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oIvcguUKBl70I4kMdNmUWhBNXBOIMERK40sFckj8zpvTe2vo5oTzZbFdVpduOWhvjbA9FRV-f0dCHaGc2aAU7I-k02s-aOXdvDgElfGUyXH2IFtYokkZYH-h47YBZ-VyPjIpAc-KzhA/s320/Photo+05-09-2011+13+07+58.png" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<br />
My 1st challenge was packing a 20ltr back pack to last me 3 days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6B6ofrqskMpM1j_Lgo9Ax5FDe1xE0z8XccOjO5pZZ7sCH8yyRO52cbyhmN376nvawKgTjhrbtfs1ctyfoB_GvK1t3p6jrxlzwgU-7nodhcs4b2X94KDoS8i0rJZb09pv-Yhe01O5lEE/s1600/P1000059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6B6ofrqskMpM1j_Lgo9Ax5FDe1xE0z8XccOjO5pZZ7sCH8yyRO52cbyhmN376nvawKgTjhrbtfs1ctyfoB_GvK1t3p6jrxlzwgU-7nodhcs4b2X94KDoS8i0rJZb09pv-Yhe01O5lEE/s320/P1000059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">form this</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDLhz5vAv2_ch-KMXUwyUxq_U40gs0OJDipzqBuB0-1UJ8kI9FW6SH2l5EIvdGU99gdErBSydBpTYLJacqZrT5YJnL8j-pK0I1aWagwgitrnulztEvl3YGoczz4tk2BcTcsVHrUZHkFM/s1600/P1000098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDLhz5vAv2_ch-KMXUwyUxq_U40gs0OJDipzqBuB0-1UJ8kI9FW6SH2l5EIvdGU99gdErBSydBpTYLJacqZrT5YJnL8j-pK0I1aWagwgitrnulztEvl3YGoczz4tk2BcTcsVHrUZHkFM/s320/P1000098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Yes I cheated, I put my trust into the British summer & left my water proofs behind taking only a lightweight gillet kindly borrowed to me by Neil Taylor (<a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/niel33">@NIEL33</a>).<br />
<br />
Thursday I woke feeling like death, the fear of MAN FLU loomed as I got the sniffles, manning up I got ready & in no time Spud arrived in the van to load the bike & off we went...<br />
<br />
Me, Shanni & Spud were in the van with all the bikes, while Ian (in 1st Class) & Sue (in common class) caught the train (<i>Ian refused to lower his standards leaving Sue in her cramped seat while he ate complementary rolls & tea by the way</i>). The journey consisted of texts between the 2 groups, oh & a "quick" phone call from The Wife as I had put our work keys in a "Safe Place" & she could not find them *cough* & I could not remember where the safe place was.<br />
<br />
ANY WAY... Arriving in Morecambe we went to kill some time before Ian & Sue's train arrived by going for breakfast, after being ripped off at Eric's Morecambe's Cafe on the front we all met, donned our gear and headed for our pics to be taken with Eric... Then searched another 2 miles or so for the actual start point.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/313041_10150304006237482_619302481_7848562_3463415_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/313041_10150304006237482_619302481_7848562_3463415_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/302539_10150304004602482_619302481_7848541_2591739_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/302539_10150304004602482_619302481_7848541_2591739_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/292890_10150304004152482_619302481_7848536_7368623_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>4 months out of the saddle, 170 miles to go, we were all in high spirits as we rolled out of Morecambe at a chilled out pace, fancy little cycle paths took the place of the usual busy A roads I was used to riding, bliss, I was really going to enjoy this ride. <br />
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<a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/292890_10150304004152482_619302481_7848536_7368623_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/292890_10150304004152482_619302481_7848536_7368623_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/299416_10150304003827482_619302481_7848528_3972207_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/299416_10150304003827482_619302481_7848528_3972207_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>It was not long before we were forced to stop as Ian had drunk too much complimentary tea in 1st Class. To his disappointment though he was put off by passers by & forced to nip & get back on his bike. Time passed & miles flew by as we laughed & joked along the route, the roads got steeper but our high spirits helped us over the peaks, then as we innocently passed through grazing land we were confronted by a not so happy cow. As Spud & Ian rang their bells the cow / bull (I'm sure it was a bull without horns) stepped back, but as I approached it positioned itself to charge at me, scraping the ground with its hoofs... (See I even had time to take a photo!) ... I gave a "manly" shout (<i>Yes it was Manly @ Spud</i>) & it backed off. So the fun had started, this was soon followed by our next set back, the bridge we had to cross was closed due to construction work. So the options were to either swim across the stream (Ian was stripping off ready), ride another 10 mile diversion, or send Shanni to "have a word" with the site manager, luckily for us he was in a good mood and after telling him they were doing it for charity he made his workers let us pass. So the sun was shining down on us & lady luck was happy to oblige. Sadly although the sun kept shinning, lady luck did one! As Spud, Ian & Shanni passed a standing HGV in the next village, the driver got a little inpatient on my approach & decided to indicate while simultaneously pulling out on me, jamming on my brakes & trying to evade the trailer I inevitably went head over handle bars, planting my left elbow into the ground followed by the rest of my body & my bike to everyone else's amusement. Apart from a bruised ego & snapped iPhone mount I was fine, Shanni on the other hand somehow ended up with a puncture, so a short break consisted of me super gluing my mount back onto my bike & Shanni fixing a puncture. A puncture that ended taking longer that it should due to the fact that she was adamant that one of us (Spud) had picked up her repair kit! After 10 mins of "<i>it was not me, are you sure you took it out of your bag?</i> Did you put it in your pocket? Have you checked your pockets????" & "<b><i>OF COURSE I DID</i>!!!!</b>" Shanni was persuaded to re check her pockets & bag, I'll say no more other than we were soon on our way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its just a scrape people nothing to worry about.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMHCaaaVcVbug1l9g1WipgYq2j_t1mgEMz-3u8zRY2J9XqOJS_SX8nNbb9awKvk9ZeqvaMncQ1LgYKUU5baL_MzDnNasIaIuWef53kg8hakI04jXzBpGhwi1k-oaJ3mHeAEoSdxESYH8/s1600/P1020625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMHCaaaVcVbug1l9g1WipgYq2j_t1mgEMz-3u8zRY2J9XqOJS_SX8nNbb9awKvk9ZeqvaMncQ1LgYKUU5baL_MzDnNasIaIuWef53kg8hakI04jXzBpGhwi1k-oaJ3mHeAEoSdxESYH8/s200/P1020625.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Back on the bikes we rolled through the village onto the hills!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/307572_10150430911084358_726104357_10772551_459801_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/307572_10150430911084358_726104357_10772551_459801_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AND MORE HILLS...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/312245_10150304002537482_619302481_7848499_4974074_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/312245_10150304002537482_619302481_7848499_4974074_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And some more hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Until we reach a hill that was not even a road!!! The road soon turned into a path that was basically sand with a few rocks thrown on top of it for good measure, even Spud with his monster truck tires had to bail off of his bike. Me on the other hand was left in every one's wake as I had to push my road bike over the rocks. Now this would have been hard enough at the best of times due to the steepness of the climb, but when you throw in my footwear being road shoes with cleats.... Well lets just say I can imagine how women feel walking over cobbles in high heels.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/299702_10150304001572482_619302481_7848479_3537558_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/299702_10150304001572482_619302481_7848479_3537558_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If Carlsberg made roads, this would not bee one of theirs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/312068_10150430911554358_726104357_10772556_5554894_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/312068_10150430911554358_726104357_10772556_5554894_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/313254_10150304001277482_619302481_7848476_1236483_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/313254_10150304001277482_619302481_7848476_1236483_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey don't leave me, oh wait, it seems they already have as that is not them...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Eventually we meet up at the end of a lane, by this time they have kindly found an alternate route so I can get back on my bike, cleats in bits due to walking in them over "rough" ground I struggle to keep my feet in the peddles. With the hills only getting steeper & our biggest climb of the day literally around the corner I needed to find a bike shop in Settle to buy some new cleats. Luckily as we roll into Settle we stop directly outside one. £20 out of pockets I change them ready for the hills.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/301137_10150430912649358_726104357_10772575_868963_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/301137_10150430912649358_726104357_10772575_868963_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As we roll around the corner we hit cobbles on a slight incline, as we all grumble an old bloke shouts over to us "The best is yet to come" & laughs. I look aver my shoulder at him & thank him, as I look forward again I instantly slow, he was bloody right!!! I was in the wrong gear & had hit a 1:5 climb!!!!! Dropping my gears like hot coals my bike made some right noises under the strain. Spud blasts past me and there is a chorus of ***F%*&$£*%^£***!!!! No Training, A 20ltr ruck sack full with gear, up against a monster of a hill was just too much. I bailed before the hill kicked me off. Pushing our bikes up the hill was painful too, in hind site I should have just put my trainers on as my new shiny cleats were again getting wrecked. The climb was huge! It levelled off every now & then allowing us to get back on the bikes & ride the hills but every now & then it would kick one of us off, again & again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/294564_10150304001067482_619302481_7848472_3304751_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/294564_10150304001067482_619302481_7848472_3304751_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More hills in the distance :o)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/302298_10150304000917482_619302481_7848470_655441_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/302298_10150304000917482_619302481_7848470_655441_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with hills on hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/294315_10150304000337482_619302481_7848464_5389958_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/294315_10150304000337482_619302481_7848464_5389958_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/297455_10150430913389358_726104357_10772582_2198011_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/297455_10150430913389358_726104357_10772582_2198011_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankfully the hills turned into rolling hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Tired & unfit we continued, we were still climbing but there was the odd down hill part that helped break the climb up. As we reached the peak looking back was a "feel good moment" knowing we had just rode over that was a great feeling!!!!! All was good as good we hit the decent everyone way in high spirits....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/311849_10150304000092482_619302481_7848461_2214459_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/311849_10150304000092482_619302481_7848461_2214459_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>... until disaster struck loooooooooooooool *cough* . So we reached the summit then started free wheeling down, well 3 of us did, poor Sue let out a yelp as her shoe laces got caught in her chain. Seeing our friend land in a heap in the middle of a country road we did what all good friends would, and reached for the cameras. Of course as soon as cars came from both directions we used one hand we waved at the traffic to slow them down & the other clicked away.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/304739_10150430913854358_726104357_10772589_4509473_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/304739_10150430913854358_726104357_10772589_4509473_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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A day of constant climbing was soon at an end, we had had a couple more painful climbs and were all ready for a pint when we rolled up to our digs... OR NOT! After arriving at the Devonshire Arms, we found out that we were not booked into this one & that there were in fact 2 other Devonshire Arms, in & around the village. After another 5 miles we found the correct one,<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wrong One</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/312712_10150430915139358_726104357_10772609_2462451_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/312712_10150430915139358_726104357_10772609_2462451_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Correct One</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>53 miles of hills, hills & more hills brought it home to me that I was, lets say out of shape, there were groans of "I cant wait to sit in that North Sea" a fun day ended with a laugh even once we had stopped, when we found out that our rooms were named after sheep, I felt sorry for the poor landlord when he showed Shanni up to her room:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/303804_10150303998677482_619302481_7848434_3432342_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/303804_10150303998677482_619302481_7848434_3432342_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quote: "What are you trying to say like?!?!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>End of Day 1: A great day had by all, our bikes were safe in the cellar while we had a great meal & a couple of pints that went straight to our heads. Not the best preparation for a morning on the hills & a longer ride to York, but why spoil a trip by planning ahead...? One more beer wont hurt, will it Ian????<br />
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<i><b>Still to come, </b>More Hills, Angry Farmers, Ice Cream, Smells, Guinness sweats, MONSTER SCARY DOWN HILL, Ian Pulls, Angry Toll Man, We wind up some other cyclist the wrong way & set a challenge. Oh & I race a speed boat!<b> All this just in day 2! </b></i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/292890_10150304004152482_619302481_7848536_7368623_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/292890_10150304004152482_619302481_7848536_7368623_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> </div>Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-25319368141800403412011-08-27T09:11:00.000-07:002011-08-30T02:47:01.084-07:00I'M BACK...Forgive me Blog reader for I have sinned, it has been nearly 3 whole months since I have graced these pages... To be honest is been as long since I have done ANY form of ?Challenge or even exercise come to mention it!!!<br />
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<i>If you are new to my blog please bear with the next bit, my blog is about my challenges & how calamity seems to follow me while I pursue them, but I just need to hijack my own blog for 2 mins (The fun stuff will come after ;o) Thank You.</i><br />
You may have noticed a pretty rainbow at the right hand side of this screen, well that my excuse for not training & writing on here. Yes that right I'm blaming a rainbow & no I'm not mad... We'll I'm not "officially" certified<span style="background-color: purple;"></span>d mad. The rainbow is tho logo for our kids club that we voluntary run (<a href="http://www.marshlandhappydays.co.uk/" style="color: red;">MARSHLAND HAPPY DAYS</a>). Me, my lovely Wife & a couple of fantastic work colleagues provide a Breakfast & After School Club for all the school children in our community which involves providing them with breakfast, giving them a fun & safe place to play before either taking them to school or picking them up from school & giving them tea before their parents/carers collect them after finishing work. We are also coming to the end of a summer holiday where we have provided care to these children from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. 10 hrs of play each day has been fun if not slightly tiring :o) . <br />
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This is such a rewarding job & although we all do this voluntary, it gives us a feeling of accomplishment after being made redundant due to a charity providing child care pulling out of our community. (You may have read my angry post about this on Twitter)<br />
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This my friends is one of the reasons that I am back today, <i><b>I NEED</b></i> your help. I'm not asking for donations or sponsorship this time, all ask is for you to sign a petition.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLFT_269ZnvohLNs4bVOt4stmPmW0isCmjPPzWaSvgI2ZZjFkp0F2aJpA2qgAtxHEi0HX2QGHqRXoDFflL-i9lmNo6obc_tuLYGhuWlMXF4bIqrroWYc-bO9KCTqCzx_oY1xTojtfK1I/s1600/HappyDaysclub+broucher+front++copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLFT_269ZnvohLNs4bVOt4stmPmW0isCmjPPzWaSvgI2ZZjFkp0F2aJpA2qgAtxHEi0HX2QGHqRXoDFflL-i9lmNo6obc_tuLYGhuWlMXF4bIqrroWYc-bO9KCTqCzx_oY1xTojtfK1I/s320/HappyDaysclub+broucher+front++copy.jpg" width="226" /></a></div> The village I live in Moorends, has 2 Primary schools (West road & Marshland), the council are proposing to close Marshland Primary School & merge them. The 2 school would run off of 2 sites until extra buildings were squeezed onto West Roads grounds, then all the children will be moved to West Road. Oh by the way my Daughters go to West Road & they already have classes made up of mixed year groups, is this not already classed as "over crowding"?<br />
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This is a proposal by fat cats in an office that do not see the damage that over crowding would cause in our schools. Not only that, the school we run our Kids club from is the school that they wish to close, we provide a service that is for our community & even if the council offer to relocate us, we know that there is no space at West Road or anywhere in the area that can touch what Marshland Primary has to offer us.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMPQB4YCpWleeT2iFUiVa24Cm9y_Twv4-mWZApvXF7oIRC90hekC9b7js9G_LiKL1Fh4k9koSDr4W2nKAzzaWppDobgXhNzRujWCahMDx-mTDHqkj8QJOeQ-negr-0NoUWAwwhwX9fE0/s1600/happy+days+over+head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMPQB4YCpWleeT2iFUiVa24Cm9y_Twv4-mWZApvXF7oIRC90hekC9b7js9G_LiKL1Fh4k9koSDr4W2nKAzzaWppDobgXhNzRujWCahMDx-mTDHqkj8QJOeQ-negr-0NoUWAwwhwX9fE0/s320/happy+days+over+head.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Please look further into this proposal & make your own minds up by checking out <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marshland-Primary-School/234508367908"><b>Marshland Primary Schools Page</b></a> & <b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1041615146">DMBC Proposal Page</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://apps.doncaster.gov.uk/ePetitions/ViewPetition.aspx?PetitionID=15"><b style="color: red;">THEN PLEASE VISIT THE PETITION PAGE</b></a><br />
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Right, sorry for the rant but it had to be done. I know the majority of you came on here to see if I was going to post a new challenge, but to be honest working 10 hour shifts looking after the kids has been a challenge in its self :o) BUT don't fear I have started doing the odd bit & although my challenge this year is a personal one that is quite boring to blog about <br />
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First I....... Washed my bike, she was a little bit sorry looking with her designer dust.<br />
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Then I bought a running top that turned out to be more of a 2nd skin!!! Needless to say it got categorised as a "base layer" & I will not be posting pics of it on here, thank you very much! I did use it to go running in though & along with the ill fitting top, my time & pace over the moors training run too showed I'd let myself go too much. 3 months ago I was knocking on the door to a 45min 10K, now I dragged myself around in 55min. Angry with myself I stupidly ran 12K on the roads the following day. I did this in a painful 1hr 2min.<br />
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So here I start (AGAIN) with my challenge to get fit again, my bike is washed *cough* Dusted, & in true TeamB.O.B style I'm going to throw myself into it head on by attempting to cycle Coast 2 Coast (Morecombe to Bridlington 170 miles) in the form of a ride I wanted to do next year as part of my training for a challenge, the ride i called <a href="http://www.wayoftheroses.co.uk/">"The Way of the Roses" </a>.<br />
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I was "talked" into this by a couple of friends that have been planning it for the last few months, so thankfully although I have no clue about the plan of action I'm quietly confident that they do. We set of next Thursday then have a leisurely ride over 3 days across the country. My friends (Spud & Shanni) are doing this for their chosen charity <a href="http://www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/events/pedal.aspx" style="color: blue;">Yorkshire Cancer Research </a> (I don't believe they have an online donation page set up but if they do I'll post it asap.)<br />
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The rest of the team consists of Ian, Peter & Sue, Ill be tweeting using @TEAMB_O_B over the length of the ride, so expect some painful tweets & hopefully some stunning scenery pics full of sunshine, also expect quote from Ian (aka IAN MAN) to pop up every now & then, I wont say anything as of yet apart from he makes me lol (think of a Yorkshire version of Mr Meldrew, One Foot in the Grave, that runs & bikes) so if you are on Twitter or Facebook drop by & say Hi. I also am attempting to track our ride live via gps again, but without a support vehicle this may not last long. Watch this space, for blood sweat & PAIN!!!<br />
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Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-92179280681877271062011-06-03T02:43:00.000-07:002011-06-06T03:30:44.693-07:00TRAINING STARTS (ISH)<b><span style="font-size: large;">T</span></b>raining has officially started, albeit a little unorthodox. I started with getting my backside into the gym and booking myself into The Selby Great Charity Ride, a 40 mile ride with 1000+ riders of all ages & abilities. This was set to be a casual training ride, BUT in true Team BOB style I'd double booked it with my & my cousins birthday weekend. Copious amounts of booze over 2 days of solid drinking is not the best prep for a charity ride to say the least! As promised though I dragged my self away from the party at midnight and walked home. The alarm went off at silly o'clock in the morning & I dragged my backside out of bed, donned the Lycra and set of riding the 17 miles to get to the start point. Meeting up with a friend we made our way to packed start line. HANGING would be a very good descriptive word sum up the scene. I could have charged alcoholics to lick my face!!! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrDd-5xr18-tFCoUyT0mcfNaF7kB3H4pSZWnVatlsp5_qh_N4j_Q9KyBsPNN6V_xmYFm9UDw3Fex_nzWfazcA1VXqoMJZNiOwmKt32t1FhpFZukSEG92ewI8Ko5D5jyrVx2nuFrdNIuM/s1600/Ride+to+Selby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrDd-5xr18-tFCoUyT0mcfNaF7kB3H4pSZWnVatlsp5_qh_N4j_Q9KyBsPNN6V_xmYFm9UDw3Fex_nzWfazcA1VXqoMJZNiOwmKt32t1FhpFZukSEG92ewI8Ko5D5jyrVx2nuFrdNIuM/s400/Ride+to+Selby.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding with a hangover is not cool kids!</td></tr>
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Needless to say I never kept up with the intended pace & was dropped by the push to get to the lead pack after only 8 miles. A very windy day with plenty of open space took it toll but after a hard but enjoyable ride my hangover had gone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPolXHd3aUOpTrBMxByhhMCeHgzac7Ry5KWa1yWPEl9Z9To4Q5O_JkDJA1ZJjAwOCI1aRjKl3SIPAartivm-QoU4wcrg871amZBLRQsUF3JOh9g87RZXL5PZOfsaav0LrJmGiSrOFPj0/s1600/Great+Sely+Charity+Ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPolXHd3aUOpTrBMxByhhMCeHgzac7Ry5KWa1yWPEl9Z9To4Q5O_JkDJA1ZJjAwOCI1aRjKl3SIPAartivm-QoU4wcrg871amZBLRQsUF3JOh9g87RZXL5PZOfsaav0LrJmGiSrOFPj0/s400/Great+Sely+Charity+Ride.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Selby Charity Ride</td></tr>
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It was a very well organised ride that enabled riders of all ages & abilities to ride together without any segregation or problems, well apart from one incident when a young lad decided to swerve his bike side to side just as we went around him missing us by inches. To be honest the only real problem was after finishing the ride I had another 17 miles to ride home (into a gruelling head wind) and that HURT!!! Lesson learnt???<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ibpOhwBs7ZQwlyhC97LJEHg0inBuqKT9RVOgQtFIMBTQW8OCuvguNJqMIrF3UY1AIHPhfLLy_FeDny3XUfSoHdbVTCdxAGlWn0Mju29FQxuIYkHfN6IaTF9jeaL8yaqK231-TDipGlQ/s1600/Ride+home+from+Selby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ibpOhwBs7ZQwlyhC97LJEHg0inBuqKT9RVOgQtFIMBTQW8OCuvguNJqMIrF3UY1AIHPhfLLy_FeDny3XUfSoHdbVTCdxAGlWn0Mju29FQxuIYkHfN6IaTF9jeaL8yaqK231-TDipGlQ/s400/Ride+home+from+Selby.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very hard windy ride home</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4V9w2OM0-UyL3M3-vhvwfHOHd_qmtc8agxrXeSr7h4vBb0mOHXzgMI_ZNN4KJVLNlBvFPcU5btfDhTNfK7QQcKpN3j692m5lZhbMLDTHgRPKDid1ewaqOmU45GdLQU0R6aU3ZbOWdxf4/s1600/Ride+to+Selby+Charity+Ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>That week I was talked into entering a race, a running race! I had not run since school competitively, an I had certainly not run 10K EVER! I had 9 days to train so I donned a pair of running shoes & set out over the Moors for my first 5K, IT KILLED ME!!! too much too soon? I think so.<br />
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Lowering my miles to start with I continued to run, slowly building them up to 7K. The race night came and we set off, lining up with club athletes I felt like a fish out of water & I was worried id pushed myself too far up the starting line.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/226353_10150195919377482_619302481_6944874_3069882_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/226353_10150195919377482_619302481_6944874_3069882_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I dropped to the side to let the "more competent" runners by. Before I know it a timing car pushed its way through the crowd & the start gun went off. Standing on everyone around me I soon got myself some space to run & surprising to me I was overtaking people, I was worried that I'd set off too fast but felt comfortable so kept the pace. To my shock I continued to pass people and even had a bit of energy at the end to sprint the last 200m. A pleasing time for my first 10K I thought (1.49) then the official timing marshal tapped me on the shoulder "1.48 dead young man well done" it must have taken me 1 WHOLE min to cross the line, AN I was called a young man, RESULT I thought! I hung around for my mate Ian who had talked me into this run, so glad I did as I got this pic of him crossing the line, oh & yes the wheelchair runner was running the race too, not quite sure where along the course they started as they did not start from the start line with everyone else, but is was a welcome light hearted moment as I passed them at about the 7K mark.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/230541_10150196002752482_619302481_6945221_543894_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/230541_10150196002752482_619302481_6945221_543894_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ian's in the red</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJjqzuJTFb2IUHXVkx6Tb0CRqjl0KjFDEv1V_-iJrfmtkHtVwUEbNF5UuVByMH9IVNZofl0XCxJ7-wheJxdmu5dFf-BoLtuMfvG-uGs7pyL6GDC6DyP50LHtZRcat-EVNoUKC1l3tvEE/s1600/Challenge+Team+BOB+Askern+10K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJjqzuJTFb2IUHXVkx6Tb0CRqjl0KjFDEv1V_-iJrfmtkHtVwUEbNF5UuVByMH9IVNZofl0XCxJ7-wheJxdmu5dFf-BoLtuMfvG-uGs7pyL6GDC6DyP50LHtZRcat-EVNoUKC1l3tvEE/s320/Challenge+Team+BOB+Askern+10K.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Askern 10K route</td></tr>
</tbody></table>A very enjoyable night that resulted in me booking my place to the next meet at Ferry Bridge 10K which I run this Sunday 6th June. Again not he best prep for it as I have been all go with setting up the Kids Club & after a stressful week my Brother (now also on twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/adamhookway">@adamhookway</a> ) has turned up with beer in hand, this weekend looks like another "leaning curve".<br />
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Have a great Weekend<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Martin </b></span><br />
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<img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAKAAAAAbCAYAAAD7woSbAAAABHNCSVQICAgIfAhkiAAAC/BJREFUeF7tXHuMlNUV/803r32w711gF1neylOoWEUKChoriRGL0mqDpLSJf4ANUsRWjJqQmNg0arQxIYS0iQGqpggkCBaaACpB3lWUamERAqz7YN+PmdmZ2Zme35m547ezO8umYaEJ30ku3/ede+859577+865537DuiB06NChEV6v9w2XyzVHHkeQ55BjgUGyQHU8Hj8YiUSemz17drXr2LFjt4miQyNGjCguKSmBAHGQ9DpiHQsAAjw0Njaiurq6qbu7e65HjPLqyJEji8vKytQ+gk7HTo4FBs0CHo8Hw4YNg2VZxZcvX37VI2H3waKiIgd4g2ZyR3BfFiguLoYA8EF6wAJBowPAvqzk8AbNAuL4KHsIAeiAb9DM7Ai+mgUUgLFY7GrtnHrHAoNiAccDDopZHaEDtYDjAQdqqevQ7lSnhQ8a3HimPIoK37U5jTgbtPD8eS9uzY7jT2PCON5hYXujGysrohjm7aljX4sbB1otrB0ZQbZ1HSYsKhwAXh87D0jLr89mgYCpDbuwcVxoQH2u1mhPiwf7Wt1SgDUVXfjlt37URVwIdANvjO5KdW/rduFxqesWTBa44/hdRfhqoq9Jfb8heP/+/di1a1cvRWvXrgUPrSWN1vqzZ8/q8+23346HH3441X7NmjX6PH/+/B4yjNzXX3+9l2weUu7evRtnzpzRultuuUVl8Lp161Z8+eWXePHFF5Gdna31r732mtYtXbpUnzmWDRs26PP06dOVZ4jjYdtVq1aleJS3adOm1DjZJp1mzZqFxYsXp7PBebA/7UC51GfmauZIXawj9Tdv1nfDglc8TxDua5YYPjkMOBEEZuUDpeLxopJ99qWDALQkMWW5lvp7GS2N0a8H5PEM6amnnurRjWC7ePEiNm7cCB5gs76+vh579+7VU257e8pIT3KM3HQ+F9LIXLBgger87LPPFFBPP/00Jk+ejMOHDys4p02bpmCjvmAwmNJBHmnixIm99JJPHfv27cO8efO0H8FOso9z5syZmDRpkvJJFRUVvWR9+OGHOHLkCObMmaOyLly4oC/jpUuXdP5mjgT3ypUr9YXJNG+jxyOL75VSK85nU70ujVKJJ44HCiIgSP7e5MODcj/On0gcL3RZ2Nnsxc9LIhjuTfC+DUoobfdgSUkYWVYI03PcuM3XDfnyoPJZLoZcKR2z8qKQJson/TvwQ91PRVdZMlTXRiyc6HRrqfTFZExRjJSrna6Idz0l+mvDFnwCn/vzIzr+TNQvAE0nLoidurq68PHHHyM3NxcvvPAC+EzjDh06FJs3b9ZFkE97qS7pQDMV6XwjkwvGE3MSF/jll19WfcuXL0dOTg6qqqowZcoUnDt3TtsEAgH1RAQlrxwv+6fLN3oPHDiAqVOn4ujRowpgQ6Y9x26fczQa1cUzJJ+RFHwE2l133aV1vHL+27Zt0/kbMh590aJFvfSkGMkbLhhLVdCFV6oTHt60WTE0hFYB4JZGP/a3efHe2DatWledi08FbP8JufHnyg7lrb6YJ88WOmXIBM+b1W64XW4cmRRQ+SxfC8i+DiR0EHjbJnQon3SwzZKSqHurLkv6teAfrT6svpSLiA1Lf6wB/jA8gF+VJkL5tmYf1n2fg0AsiWSRNTXbh+3jE2NNSO/5r6qk4fsq5rPcJ598AlO++uorbctFuOOOO9DS0qKepLOzM+U1CAyzmJSRLtvITecbmfxeSFCxhMNhzJ07V/WFQiHVQZCxL6+sKy0tVTBy4bngDIUERbp8zpXtSVu2bAGB+Nhjj+mzGSfv6d3tc+Z47LIM8DmWjo4OnT+vBrSsN3OkfIKVY800byObAPD3UYrl8/ykIRbCLo/WR1yJqKL9LLfy4Hanxsh68kLSPiLA4z29KwHpk2u6jmlDIElHvBef7WYXAs2CurUCdIbneUXAW7cCS8sT4frN+hz8S5InlnU1ubKNcPWQM6vQ1WsdzHxp6373gLoyQjt27DC3mDBhAsaNG6fPXGT7t2MChJT+ZSXT9+W++AY4RiHb0AOReM995okTJ1Lei16P4e3gwYPgJ0XSmDFjMu6hCgsLsWTJEg31o0aNUg9Lr2Xk8/rFF19oMcT58tORIRNKOd+srKwU3z5/w6T8b775Rm04Y8YMZfc1b/K5N/NJKLxfpvGXiSmx2r6jowuHOnO1nu2MDE+yD6+GZ+R4BDFuAQ37kOiXeO+T66OlAqQJCT7te7Yplmq3XILX7ysTdeFwBB9U+yCY1n51Asb3amVNRJqPwoWOBP1geHZLmzJ5Wd6fAkxIOvBQKCxj/x9DsJkQ92CG6JHo9bh4XCTufwydOnVKbwlSopxEGebetDNy0/mU+fnnn+Puu+9OJRn0LtTDOran12EY3rNnj17JpzzuP+nR6IX4mSddttFNPsdHOQsXLlTPnT5Oeq2HHnrIdFGvag/B7E+iZzMelc/2+ZskivKXLVuGdevW6dxImcaWJ+7AJ+/a+WAc1XUNsifruXBlnhwNk6G4C1GZh9xKWE6E1HYJz5Qbkbou6cZ2TDqIPRNaZTVAHaz/LhhDbX2DyiAVWJ5UuypxlfX1P2xN/N68VF2WgNovQv3S50d54ngFg/cUAJsbE/1n5sVREmxGfXvCaSTFZ7wMaA9YW1vbS8AjjzyCd955B+vXr9dFb25uVi/EeyYmDFskbvq51zJkvCef7Xx6MbvMO++8U7ucPn1aQxzraGDeM8E4efKkei96ncrKSg3DDQ0N6iHtYEkptt1QxooVK9De3p4aJ6sNMBhCP/roo1QPer+xY8emnjk/zpOgb2pqQnl5OWpqanD8+HEFJOsNACmTLy2TqLfffltlZALgA4UxvFtnoV428osvlaDck9h3+gSIv8jvxLRsJhFuNIhpf/t9kYTVOGrkyIZ7uG9l3/hcbSHaYxZC8u6TNyUriipJNkxyEZexPFAYx7YGF76TPeLjF0sxTHSM8kbxTHEH7pFM+Xi7/Dav3Y0ngyUotGKY7I9gSWkEOVa27v/Gy3niz4pjKE+eU5aIx8sOBWQsPtVjiTPgfAdK/QIwk6ei8Pz8fDz77LMavnbu3KnHMPQc9957r4LREPc+LIaeeOKJVKhgP0Nc5NWrV6vM7du3K5hJBBuTD3o1A2qCjAAkmLmYBCH3o+xDMGZaYMozHplgtZPdU6ePefz48Rg9enSqOZMuHvPQ+3KvSODJT9p0/gQgI4TddhwPf4LEOmb1mca3rCiIwx254p3Ey4lvOh81/gn4a5sb71a24ScFPhwVkJyLJn63yXBr6Oswg2QiRN8ne7cf+wK40JWjIZvkisewoiyEk53ZqJa8IZDUcV5kzQiE8YocQP+myotWcV7NMbcW1s3NacbqkZLMXHbhcDtLMqYnFa8fGtU9poZ+uWaaX7J5j4tLjBcfPnx4X3XIy8tToDEB6Iv449WCggL4/X7dpzFpoFcxZM+EDY8egxkq5dqJ/evq6vQHsZRpfhjLxW5ra0vtA9mH3pKApSx6MxLlMSunjEwG4Hgoyz5G9rXz+xozx5AOWPajfbgN4Hz4cnAsRnZftuP+k2PMZE++ZDklcpLQ4MExMWPMFoEfFa9zT7QGBSWl2Nrix6ctkoxI/RwJf4vkp5zv10H7MHGYL+BblB9Cc1Mjmn35WN+Sh7GyVV3irdUXw1s8FH+74tb2pCJxQ88UtqIwFkIovwzvXbFwOrEzwXDB9Mr8RuT7PDjtKsDWK8AVm4PLl77P59XjjFWE95u8khGHMb5LGg2AGFkVgDw+cOj/wwJMcAhee3LDkXEvyUybIGW9OYin9yefPDoCAsz+IvDlYHLGF4SemUQdfGHZnsQXli8zty5sT1k+X8Kbksc9MOVyTEOGDJGE+wcPyL58OVlHma2trRqRBkI8O1YAcv/kkGOB620BAndAxzDXe2COvpvHAv0mITePGZyZ3igLEICtEscLkj+RvlHjcPTeZBZInhJ0EID75Nxmkdl03mR2cKZ7gyyQPCv8p0eOP16S45P7xAsWE4SOJ7xBK3KTqKXnI/gkU+b/C35JP+YdSvxlhLfkdo4AsO9DwZvEQM40B9cCAkB+VuNfRljFv4zwXynCd0Ij8cCAAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC" /><br />
P.S PLEASE PRESS THE +1 BUTTON BELOW & LETS GET THIS BLOG OUT THERE ON THE NET TO ADVERTISE IT READY FOR OUR CHARITY PUSHMartin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-61932940770033728232011-05-17T08:25:00.000-07:002011-06-03T01:10:24.524-07:00A NEW BLOG MUST MEAN A NEW CHALLENGE FOR TEAM BOB?<span style="font-size: large;"><b>R</b></span>ight as you all know, since Hookway to Hookway I have not done much regarding fundraising or challenges, apart from the odd bit of training I have not really kept up with my fitness either.<br />
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NO I have not been lazy before you all start, I have been busy setting up a new business adventure as both me & The Wife are being made redundant from our child care job's. I can not say much regarding this matter at the moment but I can tell you that my new business adventure is still working with the local children.<br />
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We are setting up a local Breakfast & After School Club in a local school. This provision will enable parents to drop their children off with us in the morning allowing them to go to work, we will give the children breakfast, provide them with a safe & entraining environment before we take them to their respected schools in the local villages. This Provision is extended to after school too where we will collect the children from school, give them a light snack & provide them with a wide range of activities until they are collected by their parents.<br />
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The Club is Staffed by fully trained Playworkers & Early Years Practitioners however primarily the running of the club is determined by the children attending. The younger children will be involved in making everyday decisions and the older children will be involved with the ordering of resources & managing the clubs petty cash.<br />
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As you can guess this has taken up a lot of my time to organise, I have been aiming for this for the last 4 years & although this has caused me to delay this years challenge it has not stopped it as next year I intend to do this years challenge, AND next years challenge! I have not made my mind up on the charity yet but as before it will be a well deserved charity.<br />
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So I have <b>2 challenges next year</b>, All I can tell you is that they are both endurance challenges, one will be ran & the other cycled. I gave myself the challenge of 1 challenge a year but this is the only way can catch up. Training has been slow due to work but I started cycling again last month & running a couple of weeks ago. I completed my first "long" ride last week competing in the Selby Great Ride, a 45 mile ride for a local charity with 1000 more competitors. Not a very long ride but to say it was my birthday weekend & I was drunk for the previous 2 nights, the 17mile ride there followed by the 45 mile ride then 17 back, sure sorted me out lol. I have my first "long" run tomorrow, I have been roped into running the Askern 10K road race by a friend (cheers Ian.)<br />
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To be honest in true Martin Style I have not done enough training so to finish in under 1hour would be a bonus. BUT training for next year has started so watch this space, if last year was anything to go by its going to be an entertaining journey. <br />
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You can still follow me on Twitter using <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/TEAMB_O_B" style="color: red;">@TEAMB_O_B</a> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/TeamB_O_B"><img alt="Follow TeamB_O_B on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/t_mini-b.png" /></a> & I'm using the <a href="http://runkeeper.com/user/MartinTeamBoB/profile" style="color: blue;">Runkeeper App</a> so please show your support. <br />
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Thanks again for sparing the time to read this, I look forward to hearing from you all soon.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Martin</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/TeamB_O_B"><img alt="Follow TeamB_O_B on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-b.png" /></a>Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8061296637438488217.post-17839387648423606612010-07-31T11:05:00.000-07:002011-05-03T00:35:34.437-07:00HOOKWAY TO HOOKWAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeH5DUYv53h1dENi4o1H1BerbIKXdzn2w1VNv06bGGmujojEiPiO-vJhh7hyphenhyphenEIHCvO77V-5LzfuToqkF-Jj6DT18e-4F0aCloOYefQ21GHNrGfMf2-CHwgPniMSbGbec8lTlZpKW8L7I/s1600/Hookway+to+Hookway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeH5DUYv53h1dENi4o1H1BerbIKXdzn2w1VNv06bGGmujojEiPiO-vJhh7hyphenhyphenEIHCvO77V-5LzfuToqkF-Jj6DT18e-4F0aCloOYefQ21GHNrGfMf2-CHwgPniMSbGbec8lTlZpKW8L7I/s320/Hookway+to+Hookway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Challenge: 300 mile Cycle <br />
Team BOB: Martin Hookway<br />
Support: Gary Hookway & Adam Hookway<br />
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<a href="http://hookwaytohookway.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-1-moorends-to-nottingham.html">Day 1 Moorends to Nottingham</a><br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title"></h3><div class="post-header"></div><div class="post-body entry-content">I wont lie to you, I never slept much last night. Up at 7am I went for a go faster hair cut at Nice one John's, the good lad that he is donated my hair cut money plus a substantial amount extra towards my challenge, Cheers John you are a star.<br />
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So before I knew it, it was time to pack the car and head down to the children's centre. As promised I waxed my legs in public, outside in front of the centre to be precise, for those of you that helped reach my pre ride target, for those of you that made me go through the pain... here it is:<br />
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I'd like to Thank everyone that turned up to see me off, the turnout was great even once the heavens opened. <br />
After a couple of photo's by the press we were off, Thanks to Neil for fitting part of the ride to Clumber Park into his busy schedule and already only 1hr into this challenge, he placed the seed in my head for the next challenge. After Neil split from us it left Az and Woody to ride with me to Clumber Park. Thanks lads the company was greatly appreciated. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rain rain go away<br />
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I left the lads at the park and set off to Nottingham "alone" its a good job the scenery was good as I was finding it hard setting off again without the backing of another rider. I put my head down and soldiered on, I put it down that much that I missed my turning and ended up adding another 10 miles onto my trip. The roads got heavy with traffic, the winds picked up and worst of all the hills were bigger than I has expected into Nottingham... Blowing a bit I had to give myself a good talking to as each hill got bigger and the down hill started to get less. I called it a day just as I got into Nottingham and the traffic got thicker, I was tired and hungry so thought it better to end the day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fun part of hills, weeeeeeeeee....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All by my self, finding the hills hard, big girl!</td></tr>
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I got into the bus (support vehicle) and logged the pick up point so they can drop me off there tomorrow. My mate Spud pulled some strings and got us a house to stay in for the night. BIG THANKS to Brian Corbett an <a href="http://www.corbettinteriors.co.uk/" style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Interior Refurbishment Specialist</b></a> for loaning us his empty house for the night. Not only that he left the broadband, cable and Tv in the house for us and gave us a good donation towards my cause, LEGEND!!!!!<br />
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After unloading the bus I ran myself an ice bath (DAM IT HURT) after squealing like a big girl I managed to stay in it for the longest 3 mins of my life. I phoned the wife and my girls then went out for tea. <br />
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So here I lay on my daughters pink camp bed after filling my face with pizza and having a well deserved beer. I can only have one as its my longest day tomorrow with the added pain of the last 20 miles the elevation goes NUTS!!! the climb at he ends takes me to altitudes of over 1000 ft I'm told, I darnt look.<br />
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Thank you to everyone that has donated today and to everyone that send me messages of support via text, twitter and facebook, I get the messages through my phone as you send them and although I don't reply due to riding please keep sending them as they help LOADS!!!! Time for me to log off and chill before bed, my legs are a bit sore, not sure if that because of the hills or waxing... Cheers Annie and Nichola (best Birthday prezzie by far for you, lol), you really have got your own back on me for those years of abuse. x<br />
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Goodnight All<br />
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<b style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">MARTIN</b><br />
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<b style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Map of ride : <a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/route/gb/moorends%20to%20nottingham/489128225496566784">CLICK HERE</a></b> </div><br />
<div class="date-outer"><h2 class="date-header">Sunday, 1 August 2010</h2><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8061296637438488217&postID=1783938764842360661" name="8161812138107019896"></a> <br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://hookwaytohookway.blogspot.com/2010/08/day-2-nottingham-to-cirencester.html">DAY 2 Nottingham to Cirencester</a> </h3><div class="post-header"></div><div class="post-body entry-content">Day 2 started early with a ride directly through Nottingham City centre. The roads were clear so I made great time, stopping 10 miles out of Nottingham, in high spirits I started to play cat and mouse with the support bus, a decision I would later regret...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs229.snc4/38772_424336752481_619302481_4709673_21589_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs229.snc4/38772_424336752481_619302481_4709673_21589_n.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><br />
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</a></div>Further down the road I noticed I had got my first puncture so I got in the support vehicle and we went for breakfast.<br />
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Refueled and rearing to go I set off to Leicester, the puncture and breakfast was to end up being a blessing in disguise as before long the flat(ish) surroundings turned into some good hills. The GPS started to play up and navigating Leicester turned out to be a nightmare adding an extra 10 miles to my route. Tired out dinner time came none too soon, pulling into a pub car park I had my first accident, forgetting to release my feet from my peddles I toppled over towards my Dad, who did what any caring Dad would do in this circumstance. Yep he shouted "whoa", and stepped back letting me plant my knee into the tarmac. Cheers Dad...<br />
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As the day drew on the light depleted, I was behind my target so I kitted out in a high vis vest courtesy of North Lincs Council. A very fetching number than enabled me to continue to ride until I hit my target of 100 miles in one day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">green line = hills / blue = my speed</td></tr>
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Reflecting back on the day it was my longest day of riding, 100 hard miles but no where as near as hard as it was going to get....<br />
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<a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/-nottingham-to-cirencester/765128225808143221">Click her for a map of the actual route </a> </div><br />
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<div class="date-outer"><h2 class="date-header">Monday, 2 August 2010</h2><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://hookwaytohookway.blogspot.com/2010/08/day-3-cirencester-to-bath.html">DAY 3 Cirencester to Bath</a> </h3><div class="post-header"></div><div class="post-body entry-content">A morning that started with the first injury of the trip, No not me, Adam only went and pulled his back trying to get into the car. Anyone would think navigating was a hard job! We drove to Stroud to visit The Meadows, an action for children project which provides short breaks for children and young people with disabilities welcomed us to visit the centre to see first hand where some of my fundraising money will go.<br />
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<a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs232.snc4/38961_424336477481_619302481_4709647_1995665_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs232.snc4/38961_424336477481_619302481_4709647_1995665_n.jpg" width="160" /></a>We were met by Trudy the manager of the project who showed us around, we met all the working staff and a couple of children who were attending the project for rest bite. Josh was a young boy who greeted us as we entered the living area. A very brave man who is unable to walk or talk communicated through movement and smiles. This brought everything together, a meaning behind this silly bike ride, I talked to Josh for a while explaining what I have been doing and what I intend to do showing him my bike. I must admit I felt emotional, these kids tug on the heart strings and the girls that worked there all deserve gold medals. I'm finding it hard to put into words how it made me feel, put it this way if I could have done anything to help any of these children I would have. I have 4 children of my own and could not help but think "what if". We stayed for a while but had to leave so as I could get onto the road, we said our goodbyes and got into the bus to drop me off at the point of pick up yesterday. Not much was said on the trip back to Cirencester, we were all in deep thought. Arriving 10 miles out of Cirencester I gear up, get back on the bike and tackle hills from the get go...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The white dot in right is road "near" the top of the hill</td></tr>
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The Hill's were monsters! Relentless climbs, mile after mile, the thoughts of Josh and my own children kept me going but I started to hurt. I cycled hard right up to tea time, an afternoon of nothing but hills, an afternoon where I could have easily stopped for good. But i kept going, I hit a 14% incline which stopped me dead forcing me to un-clip and bail off of the bike, pushing the last 100 meters was gut wrenching, I looked back and I could see the last few miles of constant hills from where I had just cycled, knowing I was over the worst I re mounted and pushed on towards Bath.<br />
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Only to be stopped just outside of Bath due to heavy traffic, 80 miles off of my destination, I was in a fowl mood!!! Tired, mentally and physically I was forced to call it a day. One day left and I still had 125 miles to the finish post. We went for tea in a pub then found some digs. After an Ice bath and a lengthy phone call home I started to pick up my spirits. I treated myself to a can of lager and we sat that night re planning the next days route. I hurt and fell to sleep with ice packs on my legs, back and neck... Not the best sleeping position.<br />
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<a href="http://cirencester%20to%20bath%21%21%21%21%20bad%20day.%20to%20see%20the%20actual%20route%20click%20here/">For the actual route map click here</a> </div><br />
<div class="date-outer"><h2 class="date-header">Tuesday, 3 August 2010</h2><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8061296637438488217&postID=1783938764842360661" name="6549590644599834867"></a> <br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://hookwaytohookway.blogspot.com/2010/08/day-4-bath-to-hookway-final-push.html">DAY 4 Bath to Hookway THE FINAL PUSH</a> </h3><div class="post-header"></div><div class="post-body entry-content">After spending the night working out an alternative route to Hookway I was ready for the last push. My mood had lifted and I was ready, although I was a little nervous about the busy roads that I would have to take to ensure I hit Hookway today.<br />
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The roads were kind to start with, a nice down hill through Bath, but before long the dreaded hills made an unwanted appearance, my legs were stiff, i checked my breaks on a number of occasions as i was sure they were sticking. As it happens it was just my legs, I hurt, I pushed through the pain by singing at the top of my lungs. passing cars with their windows down laughed as they over took me but I did not care!!!! "MUSTANG SALLY!!!!! BETTER NOT SLOW THAT MUSTANG DOWN!!!!!<br />
You get the picture... Out of Bath I had a climb of 16 miles that started at 59 ft and over the 16 miles went up to 855 ft.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green line = hills / Blue = Speed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>But as you can see what goes up, MUST COME DOWN!!! Weeeeeeeeeeeee<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top speed 37.9 mph down hill with brakes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I smiled from ear to ear once I saw the incline into Wells, a rest, I'm nearly there... 37 mph down hill in between cars was a little scary but thankfully the speed limit went down to 30 so the cars slowed and more importantly so did my bike. Wells was a lovely town but I could not stop to sightsee, a steady down hill ride to the outskirts of Glastonbury led to a small climb of 255 ft, an easy challenge in comparison to earlier 1000+ ft climbs. Glastonbury was a stopping place for dinner, tempted by the amenities Glastonbury had to offer I needed to make headway so I was soon back on the road.<br />
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Loosing the support team in Glastonbury I headed off to Taunton crossing a roundabout I had my first near miss, a driver took it upon them self to read my mind and decide that I was going to take the first exit on the roundabout that led to the M5!!! M5 I'm on a bloody bike!!! luckily she/he (never saw a face) stopped just at the point of bumping my rear tire, I wobbled a bit but continued on, a little shook. With this in the back of my mind I was not concentrating as a few hills snook up on me slowing me down but nothing compared to a short cut Adam made for me...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rush Hour </td></tr>
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The A35 was a busy road so in his wisdom Adam sent me down a back road / lane.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If Carlsberg did roads, this would not be one of them</td></tr>
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Uphill, uneven roads, NOT GOOD!!! I heard Adam laughing away to himself as he hung out of the car window to take pictures of me in pain. Karma came back around though and bit him in the backside as the road thinned out and my Dad drove him into a hedge full of nettles.... lol. 16 miles of hills on this road took its toll and meters from the summit i was forced off of the bike and had to push it the last few meters.<br />
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A nice 8 miles down hill followed towards Crediton, all i kept thinking was "what goes up must come down" so "what goes down surely must go back up"...<br />
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I passed my Dad who was parked on the road side with a map, "Come on son, its all down hill from here", he could see from my face that I was tired, mentally and physically.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs282.snc4/40418_424336247481_619302481_4709634_6206014_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs282.snc4/40418_424336247481_619302481_4709634_6206014_n.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br />
<br />
And true to my fears at only 12 miles from my destination as I came around a tree line. HILLS!!!<br />
<br />
A final climb of 800 ft.... Arrrrrgh!!! I could have cried, they never seemed to stop, 5 mph was my top speed in my lowest gear.<br />
<br />
<br />
So tired, battery on gps low I stopped at Crediton. I was only 2 miles off of my target but had to stop, a quick pit stop to refuel in a local Wetherspoons, pick up the local paper as I heard a rumor that i was on page 3 then I was back on the bike.<br />
<br />
A final push, to the finish...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmNnIn-emDk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
A HUGE grin on my face, bouncing on the bike I crossed the line. Hookway is not a village as such, its a street with 4 houses on it. BUT WHO CARES!!!! I had made it, a lap of honor up and down the 300 meters of Hookway and i pulled up at the sign "Hookway please drive slowly", lifting the bike above my head an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment came over me. I WAS HERE! HOOKWAY WAS IN HOOKWAY!!!! COME ONNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
It had been an hard slog, mentally, emotionally and physically draining. 300 miles of mixed roads, some of which I'd have been better off with a mountain bike. I started training in April (this year) but as you all know was involved in an accident stopping me training for a month. So with only 2 months of training I had completed my challenge. In the back of my head I had wanted to cycle back but there was no way I would have been able to (maybe next time I said to my self).<br />
<br />
distance = 300 and a bit miles<br />
time = 4 days <br />
total elevation = TBA<br />
punctures = 1<br />
falls = 1<br />
<br />
Big Thank you to Vicky (my chiropractor) for all her hard work and advice, without her I don't think my body would have made it.<br />
<br />
Thank you to everyone at Action for Children and The Meadows for welcoming us into your project and giving me the inspiration to complete the tougher days riding.<br />
<br />
My wife children and family for supporting me since May when I first started planning this ride right until today. I am so lucky to have you all in my life, thank you. x<br />
<br />
My support crew, Dad (Gary) and Brother (Adam), would have got there quicker without your poor sense of direction and with out anything getting broken (Adam). But seriously THANK YOU, your support was fantastic. You were there on the corners and hills that mattered.<br />
<br />
And last but by no means least, Aaron, Richard and Neil for joining me on the start of my trip and to ALL of you out there that sent texts, phoned, tweeted and facebooked me with messages of support and encouragement, every time my phone went off while riding it gave me that extra boost. THANK YOU for all of your donations to Action for Children, we are still adding up the collections so I will post the final amount raised as soon as I know but so far we are looking at the £700 mark. So if you have not already donated then please do so at:<br />
<br />
http://www.justgiving.com/Martin-Hookway<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/route/gb/bath%20to%20hookway/225128226123524771">to see the actual route click here </a><br />
<br />
THANK YOU<br />
<br />
Martin<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fin...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs144.ash2/40514_424336827481_619302481_4709682_6127895_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs144.ash2/40514_424336827481_619302481_4709682_6127895_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bus on Dartmoor</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs255.snc4/40074_424336122481_619302481_4709622_7637935_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs255.snc4/40074_424336122481_619302481_4709622_7637935_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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End to End next year anyone? </div></div><h3 class="post-title entry-title"> </h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8061296637438488217&postID=1783938764842360661">Gallery is Now Live</a> </h3><div class="post-header"></div><div class="post-body entry-content">I have eventually got all the pictures uploaded. Click on the link below to access the gallery.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74fr3Y0AS4AXkGT3EFTndma9gFWFmB7ETFQ6o5LjvtPh-GOCagR_y7pE9NNCU8hqTdIG5Q1DEIwY6f8YCG0fTFpfu6D-w3mYXED-5foiqsAJ5ECPHdduG2vTfH8rQ1VbL6Rtq-wewrSw/s400/Hookway+to+Hookway.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=200938&id=619302481&l=0199bcf6ad">FACEBOOK GALLERY</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If your not a member of facebook then you can view the gallery on picasa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(picasa has mixed up the order of the pictures and for some reason the quality has lowered)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.hookway/HookwayToHoookwayFin02#">PICASA GALLERY</a></div></div><div class="post-footer"><div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-2"><span class="post-labels"> </span> </div><div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-3"><span class="reaction-buttons"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
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</tbody></table></span> </div></div></div></div></div></div><span class="post-author vcard"></span></div></div>Martin [TEAM B.O.B]http://www.blogger.com/profile/09698801848982427773noreply@blogger.com0