Myself and Mike are going to do a run tomorrow (Sat 16th April) from The Lookout at 8.30am. We're heading down to Lightwater Country Park, and will be about 11 miles. If you want to join us, meet us in the car park.
Nigel, very wise words, but then you do have youth on your side; clearly I am batting for the other side now. I must say a holiday on the South Downs in the English sunshine does sound very appealing, but that could be thanks to the Guinness from Bracknell Sports Centre. Don't rule me out yet, but a reminder would be appreciated.
George, so sorry to hear about your recent senior moment (or moments .....i wasn't going to mention about you booking two races on the same day).But i believe everything happens for a reason, maybe you weren't meant to run a boring old road marathon maybe you should be thinking of a lovely trail marathon, say the beautiful South Downs Marathon where you could join myself and possibly a few other BFR'S (hopefully) for a lovely jaunt in the country. Be a shame for all that training to go to waste. BTW I think it is us who should be buying you a pint to help you forget.................but forgetting was the root of this problem............ maybe not such a good idea!
George don't let it worry you. I turned up at the Elmbridge 10k in odd trainers, but luckily 1 left and 1 right. But that is topped by the guy who organises the tours I go on, who last year went all the way to Luxembourg to do the Marathon without ANY trainers. Luckily a fellow runner had a spare pair. But he topped that in India where you have to split your baggage into 2 bags, one you leave at the bottom of the mountain at base camp with all your smart going out gear and the other that gets taken up the mountain by Yak/Porter for you to run in all week. This led to some confusion and he ended up with the wrong bag up the mountain and had to do the whole weeks race in his wife's Winnie the Poo pyjamas.
Hopefully you don't feel quite so silly now George, but I will still give you a sympathetic pat on the back.
Back in 2000 I had to defer my London Marathon place as I underwent heart surgery. The next year no form appeared for me to re-enter, so I eventually contacted the organisers after a 'reasonable' delay (it was damned difficult to get hold of them too, I seem to remember) and explained my predicament. I told them why I had to defer from the previous year, and also told them I was running for British Heart Foundation on my own number. They said that they did have a record of my deferral and the entries had closed, but given the circumstances they allowed me to enter late anyway.
So a heart does beat within the organising machine after all.
You poor thing George. I can sympathise however as I did a vaguely similar thing. I am not quite sure why I am admitting to this!
Due to a good run at Stratford Marathon back in 2009 I had a good for age place for London. I sent off for the form, carefully photocopied my results, filled out the form and sent it off.
I didn't hear anything so eventually called them up to be informed that they had received my form etc but that I had failed to put my address on the back of it and that it was now too late!
Hopefully this might make you feel a bit better and remember you now have a great base to work from without the trauma of a marathon...
Anybody want to run on Saturday (30th Oct) 9:30am? Those of us doing the Hallowe'en 5K don't want to be running on Sunday morning just a few hours beforehand.
Hi Gary, there is no doubt that mental attitude plays a big part. I am amazed by the lift I get when I run past one of those drumming bands, like they have at Reading and the London Marathon. Good luck with all your preparations, and don't leave anything to chance.
DId this last night in just under 41mins (albeit on a rather full stomach). I think it has potential to be a very fast course as long as it isn't windy as you are totally exposed.
As it is a series it gives you a good indication on improvement. Twice around the lake for the 10k is a bit boring, but not as bad as the Dorney Dash as the QMR resevoir is elevated giving you views of Heathrow, Windsor Castle & London. However it also means that it can get windy. Worth a try, its well organised, I was going to do the series again but all 3 races clash with something else this year.
That's right, I did take lots of photos, but unfortunately the autofocus was switched off and a lot of them were poor quality as a result. That will teach me to use someone elses camera. Anyway, I do have some of you and your lovely daughter that I can send to you. If you want to send your e-mail address via the chairman, I will send you all the photos I have.
Thanks for cheering us on at the Maidenhead by the way, it was nice to see you and the family there. I was struggling, but was pleased to get over the finish line with my legs still in- tact, after a nasty achilles injury. Onwards and upwards I hope. You seem to be back on form, so I hope to be racing with you soon.
Funny! Def side with the ultra runner
I've posted my photos from the Bracknell Half Marathon here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.160975783965304.42579.100001586509789&l=516333851a
Well done to all who competed, and sorry I couldn't picture everyone
Myself and Mike are going to do a run tomorrow (Sat 16th April) from The Lookout at 8.30am. We're heading down to Lightwater Country Park, and will be about 11 miles. If you want to join us, meet us in the car park.
Don't be scared - we'll take it steady!
Nigel, very wise words, but then you do have youth on your side; clearly I am batting for the other side now. I must say a holiday on the South Downs in the English sunshine does sound very appealing, but that could be thanks to the Guinness from Bracknell Sports Centre. Don't rule me out yet, but a reminder would be appreciated.
Cheers
George
George, so sorry to hear about your recent senior moment (or moments .....i wasn't going to mention about you booking two races on the same day).But i believe everything happens for a reason, maybe you weren't meant to run a boring old road marathon maybe you should be thinking of a lovely trail marathon, say the beautiful South Downs Marathon where you could join myself and possibly a few other BFR'S (hopefully) for a lovely jaunt in the country. Be a shame for all that training to go to waste. BTW I think it is us who should be buying you a pint to help you forget.................but forgetting was the root of this problem............ maybe not such a good idea!
Gary, thanks. I wish I had the courage to run in Winnie the Pooh pyjamas.
John, nice to know that the organisers of the marathon recognised your determination, and were able to accomodate you.
Cheers
George
George don't let it worry you. I turned up at the Elmbridge 10k in odd trainers, but luckily 1 left and 1 right. But that is topped by the guy who organises the tours I go on, who last year went all the way to Luxembourg to do the Marathon without ANY trainers. Luckily a fellow runner had a spare pair. But he topped that in India where you have to split your baggage into 2 bags, one you leave at the bottom of the mountain at base camp with all your smart going out gear and the other that gets taken up the mountain by Yak/Porter for you to run in all week. This led to some confusion and he ended up with the wrong bag up the mountain and had to do the whole weeks race in his wife's Winnie the Poo pyjamas.
Hopefully you don't feel quite so silly now George, but I will still give you a sympathetic pat on the back.
Back in 2000 I had to defer my London Marathon place as I underwent heart surgery. The next year no form appeared for me to re-enter, so I eventually contacted the organisers after a 'reasonable' delay (it was damned difficult to get hold of them too, I seem to remember) and explained my predicament. I told them why I had to defer from the previous year, and also told them I was running for British Heart Foundation on my own number. They said that they did have a record of my deferral and the entries had closed, but given the circumstances they allowed me to enter late anyway.
So a heart does beat within the organising machine after all.
Thanks Joanna. Sorry to hear that you went through a similar thing. That really does not sound fair. But thanks for telling me about Tim's trousers.
Cheers
George
This will definitely make you feel better. Tim has just reminded me that he forgot to take his trousers to work.
He goes to the gym at work in the mornings and forgot his trousers. His colleagues had a field day.....
You poor thing George. I can sympathise however as I did a vaguely similar thing. I am not quite sure why I am admitting to this!
Due to a good run at Stratford Marathon back in 2009 I had a good for age place for London. I sent off for the form, carefully photocopied my results, filled out the form and sent it off.
I didn't hear anything so eventually called them up to be informed that they had received my form etc but that I had failed to put my address on the back of it and that it was now too late!
Hopefully this might make you feel a bit better and remember you now have a great base to work from without the trauma of a marathon...
A few people have recently been asking about the hypnotherapy session I had last year, anyway the practitioner has a new website:
http://www.kalmmindz.co.uk/default.html
This is the newsletter for Nov 2010:
Racing The Planet Newsletter
Anybody want to run on Saturday (30th Oct) 9:30am? Those of us doing the Hallowe'en 5K don't want to be running on Sunday morning just a few hours beforehand.
We now have 43 members on our Facebook Group, so lets try and get it to 50.
So if you have not joined yet then use the link to get involved and remember to recommend our group to your Facebook friends.
The Group is unrestricted so all members are free to post any content they wish to.
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=336110264868&ref=mf
Hi Gary, there is no doubt that mental attitude plays a big part. I am amazed by the lift I get when I run past one of those drumming bands, like they have at Reading and the London Marathon. Good luck with all your preparations, and don't leave anything to chance.
Cheers
George
Oops you all know I'm a luddite; Big Al and technology two worlds colliding.
Anyway all sorted now and all those 10 stars have meted away!
Hi Jo,
DId this last night in just under 41mins (albeit on a rather full stomach). I think it has potential to be a very fast course as long as it isn't windy as you are totally exposed.
Thanks Gary, is it a fast course?
Hi Jo,
I have done the series over the last 2 years.
As it is a series it gives you a good indication on improvement. Twice around the lake for the 10k is a bit boring, but not as bad as the Dorney Dash as the QMR resevoir is elevated giving you views of Heathrow, Windsor Castle & London. However it also means that it can get windy. Worth a try, its well organised, I was going to do the series again but all 3 races clash with something else this year.
Gary
Don't worry about getting lost at the handicap Jo - I have put you at the back!!
Thanks John. I think I will give next month's one a go as I want to save myself for the handicap. Hope I don't get lost again!
I know quite a few people who have done it, and have gone back to it, so generally good.
Fairly Low Profile, and the 5K might led to success as has lower entry. Can be windy as very exposed.
I think Alex is going next week. I keep meaning to go from work and close to Slough.
John R
Thanks for the "backstage" photos, Paul. Just shows we can still have fun even if we're not running!
Hi Neal,
That's right, I did take lots of photos, but unfortunately the autofocus was switched off and a lot of them were poor quality as a result. That will teach me to use someone elses camera. Anyway, I do have some of you and your lovely daughter that I can send to you. If you want to send your e-mail address via the chairman, I will send you all the photos I have.
Thanks for cheering us on at the Maidenhead by the way, it was nice to see you and the family there. I was struggling, but was pleased to get over the finish line with my legs still in- tact, after a nasty achilles injury. Onwards and upwards I hope. You seem to be back on form, so I hope to be racing with you soon.