Cold as Ice !!

It was a chilly Tuesday in deepest Derbyshire & I headed into the Leahurst marathon feeling like death warmed up - not that it was warm !! after the year I'd had the wheels were falling off, but I somehow had to put 'em back on one more time ? In hindsight I should have taken a break after my tough early December double but just kept on running.

I got a lift off my running buddy Dave Thompson & met a further friendly face in another Dave who I had run the Greensands Ridge ultra with in June.So off went the "3 Dave's & a little lady" (Lisa Barry) It was a race of two halves in many ways an even split between trail (fields,hills,a golf course a country park) & road (side roads,main roads, trading estates & the Long Eaton high street) plus I was even able to lauch the new series of "dancing on Ice" on some parts of the course !! Mentally there were 2 halves too by 12 miles I was starting to feel it & really had to start digging deep mentally, the extra mile on top of the 26.2 didn't really help, but eventually marathon 74 was in the record book in 4 hours 39 minutes.

Following the event Rory Coleman's wife very kindy fed us baked potatoes & bolognese. I have to say the hospitality at the Coleman's was the Mustard :)

Another running year over & what a fantastic year it was with my highest marathon tally to date - 28 in total (but I did cheat a little in May !! LOL !!)

In case you were wondering about the title a bit of Foreigner for you old timers like myself,I got my Amsterdam marathon results magazine today & I'm listed in the Masters results,horrified & yet I'm the same age as the world record holder !!! (If i'm in the Masters do i get the same as Tiger Woods ? I meant the green jacket not a golf club round the head from the Missus !!

Keep on running & ice skating !!! LOL !!

Foxy

Where the streets have no names......

Maybe that's because there were no streets, but there were cliffs,hillsides,beaches, trails,paths,fields, woods......

What a weekend !!

The weather made both runs incredibly tough.On Saturday I headed off to the Gower in Wales & it sure is a remote part of the world. The conditions & terrain were appalling & due to a coastal path getting washed away the run was extended to 27.5 miles, I ran with Tom, a cracking Irish lad & have to say without him I'd still be stuck on one of those cliff tops it would have been miserable to run it alone.We laughed in the face of adversity & as the saying goes "when going through Hell.....just keep going !"

With 3/4 of a mile to go on a treacherous hillside I fell twice, toboganning 30 yards on my back the second time, before spinning & somehow flipping myself back to my feet just before the jagged rocks !! (literally following in my mate Allan's "footsteps" - clumsy old fool - lol !!)

There was a point were I was wondering if we'd make the news with a headline "idiot runners airlifted to safety" !!

Sunday's Doyen of the Downs 30 miler started in the rain & was a very muddy affair but fuelled by Arundel's Finest Indian curry house I battled on through the fatigue & over the styles to my fastest ever 30 miler (due to flooding the course re routed us making it "just" the 29 miles).

There were many other alternative titles considered for my weekend blog including

99 Red Balloons by Nena as my good friend Allan rumbles ran his 99th Marathon at the Doyen & it also marked my 99th consecutive day of running. Many congratulations to the mad Welshman :)

Dirty deeds done dirt cheap, by AC/DC but with entrance fees of £50 & £37 it weren't cheap !!

The seasonal choice was "lonely this christmas" by MUD (obviously !!)

I finished yesterday with the usual finish "opening" Arundel's new airport :) LOL !!!

Keep on running

Foxy x

Under Pressure

It was lovely in Florence & certainly no Ice Ice baby, but I certainly felt the pressure in the final 5km in the beautiful Italian City.

The race starts in the Piazza Michelangelo overlooking a wonderful city scape, The start was delayed to allow for TV coverage but whilst in my pen I found a Brit & an Austrian to chat to & at 9.20 we were off.

It was a little congested in the first KM which is flat (before a nice downhill stretch from there until around 4km's)& after 1km I was already 45 seconds off the pace I wanted, knowing I needed to run 4.28 for each Km to achieve the goal of a sub 3.10 marathon.

In the early stages i ran into (well not literally - I wouldn't have been popular !!)a guy called Ron from Bristol & we discussed the Comrades marathon & our Mutual friend Trin :)

Over the next 13 miles I gradually chipped away a few seconds each KM & was aided by the company & challenge of keeping up with a lad from Watford I had bumped into at 5km - not sure how he knew I was British (maybe it was the Union Jack shorts & Buff or the very British (non) tan ?!!).By half way I had caught up with a chap from Aberdeen & there was some real competition in the fashion stakes - My Union Jack shorts v his Tartan shorts !!) my halfway split was 1.34.55 (5 seconds inside target !) We were both going for the same time & really helped push each other along but with 5km to go i really had to push it as i knew it was slipping away & had to run 4.20 min km's to get to my goal.I was feeling the pressure but just dug deep & with 50 yards to go I knew I was just going to make it & even had just enough time for the most picturesque of airplane finishes in front on the church in the plazza St Croce & finally touched down in 3 hours 9 mins & 27 seconds. whilst for much of the race I was behind schedule I just wouldn't let it go & my tenacity was rewarded.

yards after the finish I bumped into Ron again & chatted somemore - I met & ran with some wonderfully supportive people which makes a big difference.

If you want a destinbation marathon that combines it all this is THE ONE,a great city, scenic flat race & i bet it was warmer there than it's been here ?!!!

FORZA ITALIA !!

Ciao Bella :)

Foxy !

RUN TO THE HILLS .....

& when you get to 'em you got to run up them & when you think you've reached the top you turn & see the same in front of you.

The Cornish marathon was a bit of an animal, the first 8 miles were incredibly brutal but to my suprise I ran up every hill (a first for me)normally I break into a walk on hills but I have been feeling fit & strong lately.

The whole weekend was fantastic had a few beers with friends old & new & enjoyed the company of a foreign visitor Mr Stella Artois on Saturday night.

After vaselining up my nipples, with arguable assistance from Mr Rumbles (as shown !!)we set off round the Cornish countryside, my goal was to get round in 3.30 but 5 miles in that seemed optimistic but I kept going with great support from Allan,Chris & Colin.

Colin's much better looking other half Trin was a fantastic support around the course -taking photos, cheering us on & taking away our excess clothing, it was a lovely day, much to our suprise following the previous days storms & high winds, I was rather over dressed.

I reached halfway in 1.45.33 a fraction off 3.30 pace & by 18 miles I was over a minute off, so 8 min miling became 7.50's then 7.45's & the final 3 were 7.30's I dug deep refussed to give up & got my rewards with my 5th fastest ever marathon finishing in 3.26.48.

Over the moon I got the airplane out of the hangar for the trademark finish :)

Easily the toughest road marathon I have ever done, but the most rewarding too.

The Cornish pasty was a fantastic treat at the end & i'll be back in 2010.

In case you were wondering - Iron Maiden !!

Keep flying Foxy !!

Reflections !!!

Feeling in a reflective mood this evening.

I have lots to look back on this year (I know there are still 2 months to go).

I've been amazed by my running this year & done things that a year ago never seemed possible.It's been a year of many firsts.

I'm a bit of a stat Junkie & could go on for hours about targets I've set & goals I've reached but you'd all be asleep !!

I have done 22 marathons (or longer) & by the years end I will have run 28, 5 more than the previous year, I've run my longest race, my shortest race, my fastest marathon & completed a journey of a lifetime back in May.

I guess the reason for my Reflection is tommorrows New York City marathon as for me that marks where it all started just 4 years ago & I was able to say I had run a marathon, I never had any intention of doing more than 1, once you've done one & proved you can do it what's the point in doing it again - it has become my "heroin" & after May 2010 I will be looking to wean myself off it & get my life back, I'm not gonna give up the running as it has given me so much, It has given me some wonderful friends, it's made me fitter, more positive & has made me see nothing (within reason) is out of reach,but I will be cutting back & trying to lead a "normal" life again.

There will still be a few boxes to be ticked off - I want to get to 100 marathons & then pick just 8 or 10 "Special" ones each year - Boston is already on the calendar for 2011, To my amazement I managed to qualify for this & may have to do it in case I never get the oppurtunity again & I also fancy 2011 could be the year I finally make my half marathon debut ?

I'm looking forward to tomorrow,watching Paula destroy the finest women athletes on the planet whilst enjoying a lovely cup of tea before heading out dreaming of once again seeing the crowds in Central park & the tears running down my face remembering the day I became a marathon runner, my only regret that I didn't do it whilst my father was alive. In the 1970's he worked in Kenya & he'd have given me so much ribbing about keeping up with the runners from the country that for a couple of years he called home.

Setting foot in Africa in May for the first time in 33 years will I'm sure be emotional & i'll be dedicating my Comrades run to the greatest man I ever knew, My father - he truly was "Da Man" :)

keep on running

Foxy :)

ps - was it the Smokey Robinson & the miracles that did tonights blog title ? really should google it !!

More than a feeling, by Boston

In the Dutch capital I got everything i wanted & so much more.

Amsterdam marked my 50th Road marathon & i had been thinking for a while this had to be the one I went for a PB.

Most of the races I have done in 2009 for a variety of reasons hadn't given me that oppurtunity. Gloucester was too undulating & day 2 of a double,Duchy was a tough course but I suprised myself by just dipping under 3 hours 30, Shakespeare's a potentially quick course but it's not always about time & I got a lot of satisfaction getting my friend Lorraine around her first ever marathon,Windermere is an undulating course & "The Picnic" Britain's toughest marathon was followed by a series of off road races over hilly courses, some even short Ultras.

I did finally grab myself a new PB at the 3togo, but knew I could do better on a more favourable course, having done Amsterdam twice before I knew it was the perfect course, fast flat & fast, i would probably say of the courses I have done Berlin is the only one which is potentially quicker.

I headed off out of the 1928 Olympic Stadium & knew I had to start quicker than I ever usually do, I had a pace band & after the first kilometre I was 10 seconds behind, but I put that down to the usual starting congestion, there was some confusion with the 2km marker as I passed it in 11 plus mins & was horrified, I later realised it must have been in the wrong place or for one of the other distances on offer on the day.

By half way I had got me a minute in the bank as I aimed to break 3 hours 15 minutes, which is the qualifying time for the world famous Boston marathon & would also give me a "B" pen qualifier for the Comrades marathon down in South Africa at the end of May.

I knew it was going to be a good day as I missed a sponge station around halfway but got the yound lad giving out sponges to throw me one, reaching back over my head on the run I made a fantastic grab (poor throw !!) made me smile & think of my previous life playing baseball.

I came out of Vondelpark with about 2 kms to go & from my previous experience of the course I knew exactly how far I had to go as I gradually increased the pace & knew I was easily about to eclipse 3.15 & with 100 yards to go on the track in the stadium I had 17 seconds to break 3.12 & went for it - a big growl & I gave it may all but 17 seconds for the 100 after over 42 kms was too much to ask but I was still over the moon with a PB of 3 hrs 12 mins & 3 seconds almost 7 mins of my previous PB just a month before.

I'd planned the race & visualized it in my head & it all worked out on the day.

Mixed showers at the sports hall was the icing on the cake only in Holland would men and women be showering together and no one batting an eyelid - even had a full chat whilst naked with a lady wearing the same, we discussed times & parts of the course - really need to work on my skills with the ladies - crazy !!

Finishing in a PB & qualifying for Boston,really did give me more than a feeling....:)

See you in New England in 2011 :)

Foxy !

The Magnificent Seven !!

I can hear you whistling it & next you'll be trying to name 'em all & you'll get to six & be pulling your hair out - I'll start you off with Yul Bryner !!

Now you're wondering what's that nutter banging on about ?!!

The 7 in question is the 7 hours I was running over the weekend :)

After a PB on Saturday I headed out to one of my favourite marathons, The Robin Hood in Nottingham & again the event failed to dissapoint. Fantastic organisation, great support & many of the Usual Suspects were there, although "Kaiser Sauzee Rumbles" had fled the country leaping over Hadrian's Wall !!

I was joined out there by Manic, Naomi P, Anna, Gymfreak, Dirt Monkey, Gary, club mate & chauffeur Michelle (many thanks for the lift) & Stevie "Wonder" to name but a few.

But the star of the show was Simon illingworth coming back from Cancer & earning an MBE along the way the "super postie" completed marathon number 100 (& in under 3 hours 30 mins!!) thus completing a 20 odd year journey from marathon number one (not the original one from Marathon,Greece but almost as far back - LOL !!) . Many congratulations to a true gentleman.

My intention after running myself into the ground Saturday was to see if somehow I could drag myself round in under 4 hours as my previous 3 Robin hoods had all been sub 4's. I started steadily & after 3 miles was 30 seconds behind schedule but as the race unfolded I got into it & those 9 min miles became 8.30's by half way & become 8's by mile 18 & became 7.45's in the last 3, there was lots of mental maths as i went round & my goals changed a few times & with 6 to go my aim was to complete 2 marathons in 2 days in under 7 hours & I made it with over 3 mins to spare. Lovely bling medal with Lincoln green ribbon (obviously !)

After a few tough times through the summer I'm now back & loving my running :)

No way could I possibly blog today without a big shout out to a very special lady "Super Mel Johnstone" who on Sunday took Moray by storm finishing her 100th marathon & in doing so becoming the youngest female ever to achieve the feat - much respect to her amazing achievements.

On the subject of milestones my buddy Dave Ross notched up number 150, I've been honoured to accompany him on 31 of those :)

Have you worked out all seven yet or did you have to Google it ?!!!

Ok I'll give you Steve Mcqueen too !!

keep on Running

foxy !!

Fox on the Run !!

What a fantastic day at the 3togo marathon :)

I knew it was going to be a good day when I saw a fox in central London at 7.15 am whilst trying to grab a cab - as my alter ego is Foxy Davy it seemed a good Omen & so it was :)

I took the train out to St Margrets in Herts meeting a few friendly faces on the way & shared
a few laughs with a few fetch buddies before a quick race brief & we were off, heading for Hackney Marshes, through the Lea Valley along the canal.

Having run the course in 2008 I knew it had PB potential as it's very flat & many sections along the canal are very straight.

The course was marked every 5km so as I'm old skool & run Garmin less I could only gauge my time every 5km, I went through the first 5km in 23.30 & decided I would try & do that for every 5km & pretty much did, by 15km I was going past runners on a regular basis & just kept going.

my friend James Adams was out on the course marshalling & said as I went by I was "right up there", I had figured I must be in the top 10, but at 35km a marshall informed me I was 4th to which Ii responded "you're joking" i couldn't believe it, I've never been so far up the field, a km later & i saw a runner on the horizon & so figured it had to be the guy in 3rd, I set off after him & finally hauled him in at 41km & held him off by almost a minute to finish 3rd in a PB of 3.18.51 & even managed to finish with the trademark aeroplane :) & for the first time in my 71 races I got to be present at a presentation & got my prize from the mayor (not sure who's mayor - wasn't Boris !!)

I checked the results & was great to see Milton Keynes Lakeside appear without having to scroll down or search :)

"Fox on the run" by sweet just beat out "Life in the Fast lane" by the Eagles & Fantastic day by Haircut 100 for today's title & to celebrate my day I'm gonna do it all again tommorrow at the Robin Hood marathon (although won't be so quick that's for sure !!) i won't be wearing the Lincoln green tights !!!

When I'm 64 !!

That's number of marathons not age, cheeky lot !!! I can still pass for under 50 just !!!

Talking of the Beatles - After yesterday's 30 mile Downland Challenge I felt like Paul McCartney in his time with Heather Mills, lots of ups & downs but at the end of it I was F**ked !!

Actually I really enjoyed the whole day, although turning up late wasn't exactly in the plans, British Rail at it's best decided to have a lie in & not run the 7.11 am train, hence had to "phone a friend" Allan to sweet talk the organisers to let us go off late.

We headed off 17 mins late & was like a velodrome pursuit as we head off after the 9am starters, it seemed cool to be fashionably late & make an entrance but no one was there for our entrance they were 2 miles up a hill !!!

Met some great people including Fetchie & Facebook buddies I'd never met.

following the race there was a fair few of us carbo loading in the pub - sausage butties, chips & lager :)

I managed to pick up a lovely "run tan" including a stripe across my forehead much to the hilarity of the guys !!!

was an all round good day at the "office" :)

Keep on running

Foxy !

run for home

run as fast as i can....... (Lindisfarne)

well actually I didn't run as fast as I could to get home, I'd just finished my first 10km race, after 33.4 miles on the Saturday & a Monday rest day I was wondering if I could break the 45 minute barrier, that was my goal in my first attempt at the distance - I got round in 43.41 so was very pleased with that, it's a tough distance you have to run faster than normal pace & you don't get any rest, won't rush to do it again, but if i can break 43.30 that's sub 7 min miling so something to aim for ?

First time I have run home from a race, just 3 miles from my doorstep. With £3.00 in my pocket the choice was get the bus home or have a pint & run home, I went for the latter - a good choice :) Got to meet some fetchies - aka billy & sparkly bridget, plus Tim from the club & Mr Bbiggs was there too, couldn't let the old boy beat me but didn't finish much ahead of him, a minute perhaps ?

The title was very nearly "spit it out" by whitesnake, last week I ran an hour after a spicy Chinese & ran quickly but my stomach wasn't greatly happy, got home & threw up to the sounds of spit it out by Whitesnake - that ipod can read my mind - it had 1500 songs to randomly choose & picked that one !!

Counting the days until the end of the month with my fingers crossed for that 10 in 10 in '10 place & being able to throw myself into the fundraising head first.

Keep on running

foxy !!!

The Heat is on !!

The heat certainly was on at the Greensands Ridge relay & ultra.

Until Yvette at my club mentioned it I had no idea it existed,but I'm told it's been going for over 20 years.Essentially it's a team relay event, teams of one are allowed.I made the 100 marathon club aware of the event & a few centurions came along to bolster numbers to 16 for the individual event, the highest turn out of ultra runners in the events history.

The 33.4 mile course starts with a very flat stretch along the canal, before heading off over fields & farms, There are a few hills on the course but I'd describe it as gently undulating, This was my longest ever run & the distance didn't prove a problem, the sun & intense heat for over 6 hours though did make it tough, it was 30 degrees.

A very sociable event with all the teams cheering runners through the chageover checkpoints. was great to see my club mates along the way & the finish was at a great Pub, with fantastic beer garden.

I ran with my good friend Allan & a lad called David (great name !) from Cambridge. Allan not realising it was a point to point race then had rather a panic to get back to his car to get back to Surrey for a night out with the wife, 2 Leighton Buzzard fun runners very kindly helped us out with a lift back.

There was a lot of banter along the course & it's always great to run with a group of people,big thanks to the 3 guys from Ampthill & Flitwick Flyers who helped us with the route through the first 3/4 of the event.

Very much lionel ritchie today "easy like Sunday morning" trying to get as rested as possible in time for my first ever 10km race on Tuesday.

in case the title still has you puzzled - Glen Frey !!

keep running

Foxy !

Who's that girl....?

running around with you ? (the Eurythmics).

That girl was my Fetchie buddy Naomi.

A busy weekend, which started after work on Friday night with my first ever 5km & I really enjoyed it & look forward to more midweek sprints, I was hoping to break 22 mins but suprised myself by just missing out on going sub 20 mins (by 2 seconds on my watch, but with the few seconds it took from the gun to get to the start line results will show a few seconds more I'm sure) the goal now is to get that sub 20 mins.

On Saturday my good buddy Michael from Dunstable Road runners came & picked me up & we headed to Box Hill for "Britain's toughest marathon"

http://www.trionium.com/picnic/

I met a few mates at the start all the usual suspects !!

The race starts at 2pm with a 400 yard run straight up the first hill & it doesn't let up, some races are described as undulating or hilly, but this was almost vertical, plus there were were steps & I have to say it wasn't the stairway to heaven !!!

We both found it tough & Naomi was struggling a bit but we dug deep & kept going, was both tough physically & mentally. I really am getting too old for this !!!

After 6 hours 35 mins & 20 hills it was over & everyone got a T-shirt with a list of all the competitors on the back,a fantastic sunhat & impressive medal.

My mate Andrew Stally celebrated his 100th marathon & couldn't have picked a tougher one.Well done to him, 38 to go for me.

There were sandwiches at the end - well what do you expect it was a "picnic" ?

I can certainly confirm it's the toughest marathon I've ever done, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't go back again :) It's only held every other year to ensure you have enough time to forget the pain & sign up again !! not for the feint hearted.

Keep on running (& climbing !!)

Foxy

The Number of the Beast ?

a bit of Iron Miden for you rockers out there.

i know you're thinking ? what's he banging on about now, has he lost what little of his mind he had left ? (trust me there's nothing left to lose !!)

following the completion of the 10 in 10, the folks at Brathay in conjuction with Legendary Fell runner & MBE Jos Naylor have decided to set up a very exclusive club to recognise the 27 people who have completed 10 marathons in 10 days.

i do have to say i'm honoured to belong to such a small & selective club.

Similar to the Comrades marathon in South Africa where those with 10 completed get a green number for life, all the 10 in 10 members will have a lifetime number, memberships starting on crossing the finish line on day 10, i am thus number 21 & always will be.

i have been thinking too much lately, due to lack of running due to a knee injury followed by my current thigh injury & in the words of both Martin Luther King & ABBA "I have a dream.......

with 61 marathons under my belt i was wondering if the Brathay windermere marathon in 2011 could be my 100th marathon ? I know that's 2 years away but you gotta dream, for this to even become a possibilty there are a few things that have to happen, firstly i have to stay injury free, I have to be accepted for a place in next years 10 in 10 & i have to average 15 marathons a year, not including the 10 (i did 17 in 2007,23 last year & i'm on target for 24 or 25 this year.

if i could run number 100 in 2011 it would mark my 21st running of the Windermere course which ties in quite nicely with my lifetime number 21 :) I know alot can happen in 2 years but that would be my ideal plan.

Many of this years 10 in 10 "beasts" do now have their lifetime numbers. We have the Spanish stripey one "El Bee" at 16, Top Cat at 18, everyone's favourite dinosaur "Velociraptor" at 19, "Foxy Davy" at 21 & "Roaring lion" at 25. No i'm not mad but these are just the nickanmes mainly from http://www.fetcheveryone.com/ a runners website most of us use to moan whinge & sometimes log races & training.

Not even my Usain Bolt sprinters start could get me a higher number - LOL !!!

just resting at the moment taking 2 days off hoping my thigh improves as i have a race in 9 days time, i do have to say not going running is harder than going, my head is saying "run you lazy b***ard", whilst my legs are saying "take it easy & make sure you are fit to race".

best wishes

foxy !

Unforgettable.....

That's what you are.......A bit of Nat King Cole for you today. My time in the Lake District certainly was that :)

I'm in reflective mood today, the dust has settled after the 10 in 10 but I have to say I'm still on a high following the event although it does still seem amazing when I consider what I've actually done.

So what lies ahead for Foxy ? well I have been considering a few options. Firstly I had such a wonderful time in the Lake district I have already submitted my application for next years 10 in 10 & I'm optimistic that having completed the challenged & raised over £2200 this year that would put me very much in the thoughts of the selection committee ? but should I not be given a place i may then consider heading off to South Africa for the world famous Comrades Ultra (56 miles).

I'm just about to book the Florence marathon in November, I ran it in 2006 & I have to say it's my favourite European marathon, a truly beautiful city. The race starts overlooking the entire city before winding downhill through all the beautiful plazas, along the river & back to the finish. maybe a course that lends itself to a PB, I would like to think so ?

My knee still isn't right, it's 75% mobile but there's a nagging pain on the inside of my right knee so gonna get it checked over next week just to be sure, if I'm told to simply rest I can't promise to follow that advice.

I have received a DVD of the 10 in 10 from our wonderful physio Amy & have put a few more pics onto facebook if anyone wants to check 'em out.

I know many of you are wondering what my other titles may have been ? it's a close thing but Nat just beat out "reflections" by one of the Motown artists which escapes me right now - The Temptations ? perhaps ? or from Dirty Dancing - "I've had the time of my life" & as you'll see from the day 4 photo - "Bring me sunshine" !!

best wishes

fox on the run / hobble !!! LOL !!!

Friends will be friends

right till the end (Queen)

It's been a wonderful 10 days, with a fantastic group of people.

amongst the 15 of us who set out, we've shared the laughs, the tears & the pain & it's been a fantastic journey.

& in the words of Forrest Gump - "I'm tired, I think I'm gonna go home now" but hopefully unlike Forrest my running days ain't over.

For the Stat hungry - I finished 6th out of 14 this year posting the 12 fastest time ever for the event, just inside 41 hours (4o hours 42 mins & 25 seconds @ an average of 4 hours 4 mins 14 seconds & joined an elite group of just 27 to have completed 10 marathons in 10 days & not wishing to boast I do feel pretty proud of myself.

I might miss club night at Milton Keynes Lakeside Runners on Tuesday & Wednesday's track night might be a tough one, but hoping to get out for a leisurely 5km with 'em on Thursday, injury permitting.

The people I have met & lived with in the "Big Brathay House" will indeed always hold a special place in my heart, like brothers & sisters they will indeed be friends right to the end.

12 months to wait now until the start of the 10 in 10 in '10 & hopefully in the words of Arnie "I'll be back" but probably without the Ouzie !!!

Best wishes

Foxy :)

I did it My Way !!

So now the end is "here" & so I face my final curtain.........But more much more than that I did it MY WAY !!

So that's it 10 marathons in 10 days all done & It's been fantastic, the event saw a new male & female record for the 10 in 10. Adam "Tango" Holland came home under 33 hours total, Lorna "Velociraptor" Gold came in a fraction over 41 hours total, phenomemnal performances from both.

Stevie "Wonder" Edwards, "Mr 10 in 10" showed what a true gentleman he is by presenting Adam with his World record shirt after eclipsing his own mark from just 12 months earlier & further showing his legendary staus as a great runner & An even better person. Steve I salute you.

For a simple jogger like me it's been a fabulous experience, an honour & a priveledge to be in the company of true greatness.

A big thank you to my Club coach at Milton Keynes Lakeside runners Yvette for making the trip up to the Lake district after completing the Manchester 10km this morning was great to see a friendly face as I was presented my trophy by Legendary fell runner Jos Naylor M.B.E.

Other tunes narrowly missing the cut today were Soul 2 Soul with "Keep on Moving" as suggested by my clubmate at MK lakeside - Bev :) Bon Jovi with "Something for the pain" when my knee blew out at 3 miles on the final day & as I can barely walk & have it strapped to my knee "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice.

my finishing time today was 4 hours 14 mins & 12 seconds & the airplane was out of the hangar :)

A big big thank you to everyone who has supported me over the 10 days to the wonderful Fetchies out there - I'd like to name you all but you know who you are, The 100 club guys,The physios,race support & my fellow TiT's (Ten in Tens)

To to steal a line from Vinnie Jones in Lock,Stock & 2 Smoking barrells

"It's been emotional"

Foxy Davy

Take it to the limit !!!

"Put me on a highway & show me a sign & take it to the limit "ONE" more time" (tommorrow !!! )- The Eagles.

I was singing that exact line as I ran up the hill at 22 miles to be greeted by Physio Amy with jelly babies.

A great day at the the office - was like POETS day but on a Saturday, I ran my fastest of the 9 days so far so look to be peaking at just the right time :) 3 hours 48 mins & 52 seconds today for my 5th consecutive 5th place finish - not bad for a "jogger".

I was given a wonderful lift by seeing so many great friends from the 100 club & Fetchies. The fetchpoint cheering sections were a great lift & especially the huge gathering at Newby Bridge 12 miles in,I do hope the airplaning didn't dissapoint them & I'll be searching out photos shortly :)

It wasn't as easy as it sounds & as Mike the Physio & Haddi will tell you there were tears, tears mainly of tiredness but also a sense of what I'm about to achieve :) Robert Smith got it all wrong with "Boys don't cry" we do & aint something I'm afraid to say.

I pulled myself together & was driven on over the last mile with the promise of a beer at the finish from Flip & he didn't left me down, so to Flip goes today's "Champagne Moment" (ok it was Budvar but equally well received :) ) Flip - I salute you sir & indeed all the fetchies I saw out there old & new. great to put faces to names :)

Other tunes narrowly missing out on the prestigious honour of titling my blog were - "I'm still standing" by Elton John, "Against all odds" from Phil Collins & "One more night" & finally the Tamperer (ft Maya) "Can you feel it" (& in response - yes I bloody can !!!)

Day nine in the Big Brathay House (please use your best Geordie accent !!) & all the housemates are happy & looking forward to making a very special piece of history tommorrow & the chance to join the very exclusive "10 in 10" club.

Looking forward to another 26.2 miles in the morning, a lap of honour :)

Best wishes

Fox on the Run.

Beautiful Day !!

An ironic title for today as it was by far the worst weather of the 8 days so far, It was incredibly wet & I did indeed struggle, but the time perhaps doesn't show just how much I struggled, I got round today in 4 hours 14 mins & 33 seconds.

Another reason for the title today is the fact that I only have Saturday & Sunday left & once I have done "you two" it'll be over (you get it ?!!).

With just 3 to go I think the attitude today was that the bulk of the work was done,but 26.2 miles is still is & always will be 26.2 miles & is never to be taken lightly.

Adam (Tango/The Pirate/Cowboy/jesus !!) was once again first home in 3.13 sharing first place with Top Cat Tim Charles, Stevie "Wonder" Edwards was a further 5 mins back & Lorna Gold "The Velociraptor" bought home the gold in the ladies event with a flying sub 4 to take 4th overall on the day. Leon "El Bee" & Adam Thwaites struggled through injuries but got the job done.

The wheels really fell off for me at about 18 miles up until then I was (just !) on target to dip under 4 hours, At 22 miles our physio Amy gave me a lovely cup of tea & some jelly babies & that picked me up & I was also help by some inspirational tunes - Highway to Hell, Born to run & Bohemian Rhapsody ( I was "scarmouching" as I went past my mate Gareth on the course, he recommended I don't give up the day job - cheeky bugger !.) I did alot of internal whining out there today, but finally said to myself "pull yourself together & get going" & so I put the wheels back on, sucked it up & headed "home" even just managing to break the 4.15 barrier.

The Cure were very unlucky to miss out on today's title, my pre race choice was going to be "Friday I'm in love" but I wasn't in love with it today & at 25 miles with tears welling up "boys don't cry" came on the ipod & I didn't but wouldn't have cared if I had & can assure you there will be tears on Sunday,combing joy, excitement & relief.

Just one more marathon to go before Sundays "Victory Lap" of the lake.

Today's "Champagne performance" was from "Fetchies" Dave A & YP1, not only did they give suppport & help out with drinks stations Dave even gave me a dry shirt to wear - I was soaked to the skin & had to peel my shirt off.I was very grateful for the instant dryness & more importantly warmth.

Looking forward to seeing more mates out there tommorrow & running with all the usual suspects on Sunday "Kaizer Souzee" will be out in his Collingwood vest as long as he can keep the wife happy in the meantime ?!!

Fox on the Run :)

I will try to fix you !!!!

As I can regularly hear from our overworked Physios !!! (Chris Martin, you'll have to ask Gwyneth for your massage)

Another good day out on the course & once again a sub 4, but only just 3 hours 58 mins & 51 seconds. So that's 4 x 4 x 4 & no that doesn't make me a "Chelsea Tractor !" simply 4 marathons in 4 days in under 4 hours each & I'm pretty pleased with that, but can't see my streak continuing tommorrow, I'm getting old !!

At 6 miles today I was really struggling, just very tired & with heavy legs & the tank felt empty - was very nearly "Running on empty" by Jackson Browne but i hung in there & kept going was worried I wouldn't get time for the airplane finish but managed to nail the landing with well over a minute to spare - early arrival - Easyjet take note !!!

So the magnificent 7 is in the bag & Yul Bryner,Charles Bronson,James Coburn & co we all did you proud out there :)

Other songs that almost made today's playlist were "All by myself" By Eric Carmen which I heard at 18 miles & I certainly was all by myself, "Another one bites the dust" got brief consideration, Plus an artist as opposed to a song nearly got in - I was thinking about our very busy treatment & massage room as House of pain played "Jump around" I declined their suggestion !!!

So there we go another good day at "The Office" & a weeks worth of marathons all done & just a triple to finish off.

Keep on running

Fox on the run :)

With a little help from my friends ......

What would you do if I sang out of tune ?

I frequently do & it's amazing how this motivates people around me to go faster ?!! Strange !!

Today's choice came on at 10 miles & seemed appropriate to pick a Sheffield Legend as my room mate Mark Sleeman hails from the steel city & is indeed made of the stuff, He's out there walking with Tom, hoping that he'll recover enough to run Sunday, fingers crossed for both our walkers today.

Cocaine by Cream came on the ipod just a mile in, but thought best not use that don't fancy a visit from the IOC or IAAF !
Once again I felt good & went with the simple plan of 18 minutes between drinks stations (they are very roughly 2 miles apart.) I did get between some in 15 minutes & mile 14 - 16 took 21, but I did run at an even-ish pace. At 12 miles I was a bit ahead of schedule & started thinking could I get me a 10 in 10 PB & At one point a sub 3 hours 50 was looking on the cards but wasn't to be but I did get that PB with 3 hours 51 mins & 18 seconds & I'm a very smiley boy :)

Once again the much nicknamed Adam Holland (Pirate,Cowboy,Johny Depp,Jesus) won the day, The "Jesus" nickname is nothing to do with appearance just everyone's reaction when they hear his time, But "He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy !!" (A quick boy at that !!) He was helped round by 2 guys - "Ben & Jerry" A pint of Rocky Road I believe last night ?!!

It was a close one today with Stevie "Wonder" Edwards & "Top Cat" Tim Charles a mere 2 minutes back.

At 22 miles the physio Mike asked how I felt & I replied "ok, but the Glutes are feeling it", so I knew that was an area that would need working on, Just 5 minutes later I heard The Waterboys, "Whole of the moon" & for obvious reasons that was nearly the title of today's blog !!!

My fastest ever Wednesday marathon, Ok so it's the only marathon I've done on a Wednesday but I can see that remaining my midweek PB for a while, at least until next May ?

Upon finishing we had homemade Malteseers cake & flapjack - there's been a good supply of cake knocking about the place & Ice cream arrived yesterday.

Just 4 to go & the happy stat is that every previous TiT (Ten in Ten) that has got past day 6 has finished all 10, long may that continue.

Many thanks to all my friends here, not just the runners, But Teresa Edwards & Mac who are doing sa fantastic job as race support & tea makers amongst a variety of other duties & all 3 physios Amy,Mike & Katie who are patching everyone up & getting 'em out there everyday - All 14 runners salute you.

Fox on the run :)

Halfway to Paradise.... !

....so near yet so far away !! (Billy Fury from the 60's for you youngsters !!) That is indeed where i find myself 5 done & 5 to go.

At 11 miles today's song was looking to be "Freefallin' by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, but I picked myself up of the tarmac, got some plasters for my thumb & elbow & carried on (I was really worried I'd get blood on my 10 in 10 T-shirt & couldn't bear the thought of that).

I reached 18 miles & Lindisfarne appeared on my ipod with run for home so it was karoke time again as I approached Bowness.

I startled 2 cyclists with a roar as I started boxing as I ran to "Gonna fly now" the Rocky theme, I was about to walk the hill in front of me, but it's physically impossible not to run to that - try it & you'll see I'm right !! (not often I'm right !).

Tom stepped off his crutches put on his walking boots & set off, no quit in him & tougher than the boots he's wearing, Mark Sleeman is similarly struggling & power walking today. Fingers crossed for them both & also for Adam Thwaites as he collapsed after finishing - The treatment room will resemble a scene from M*A*S*H* - Mike (Hawkeye ?!!) & Amy our Physios will be busy, I guess I'll probably be Clinger !!!

Personally I managed my second successive sub 4, first time I have ever run 2 sub 4's in 2 days & also my first sub 8 hour double - taking about 14 mins off my previous best for 2 in 2 days. 3 hours 57 mins & 9 seconds today for me.

No photos yet Amy our Physio is also the photographer but she has been busy with other things - once I get the photo to go on here it is worth waiting for & as you will see "Bring Me sunshine" was almost tune of the day !!

Off to lie in the icy river now, getting in is the most painful part of the day but the benefits are well worth while.

Foxy.

Flying Without Wings !!

At mile 10 today this came on my ipod & just had to be song of the day & I think the photo backs up why !!!

Other suggestions were "Here comes the Sun" Steve Harley & Cockney rebel or "I don't like Monday's" but if every Monday could be like today I'd be more than happy :) No work, the sun shone & I had a great run.

I decided to go with the best of British today & so out came the Union Jack shorts & bandana & I managed to fly the flag finishing ahead of the Welsh & Scottish contingent, but I'm sure normal serice will be resumed with the wee Scots one leaving me trailing in her wake as usual :)

I was the 5th person home today, would have been 6th but just passed Adam with 50 yards to go. I finally got the sub 4 hour time I wanted (but thought only possible on day one). I got round in 3 hours 53 mins & 30 seconds which was quick enough to get a hot meal, but swordfish isn't really top of list of favourite dishes !! I did have some pasta before heading down to river to soak my legs in the icy water - Union Jack shorts & sunglasses (just a glass of San Miguel & I could have been in the Med !!) .

The photo is from yesterday's "fly by" with Mark Sleeman, my room mate "Biggles" :)

Keep on running :)

Foxy

The Road to Nowhere !!

A bit of David Byrne & Talking Heads today, not my original selection but it came on at 8 miles & I thought yes that's the song for today, It was a close run thing other Candiates were "Slow Down" By Elo, (which i did !!) as requested by Teresa Edwards & "baby everything is alright" by Stevie Wonder, which came on at 2 miles.

You thought there was only one Stevie Wonder, but there are 2 - Stevie "Wonder" Edwards, this boy is in his third 10 in 10 & I don't know if he plays a piano but he gives a Virtuosso performance every time he laces up his runners :) A legend & inspiration to us all, 3 hours 26 mins for him today.

The mobile Karoke had a bit of an outing for the first 10 miles while I ran alone, I was joined by my Room mate Mark Sleeman at the 10 mile drink station & we ran together both walking the hills at that was our original game plan.

In the last few miles more inspiration was required & so I flicked the ipod back on & who do i get but my Hometown's finest with "Cum on feel the noize" the only thing better than Slade from Wolverhampton is the mighty Wolves from the Premiership :)

The last mile was greeted by "Highway to hell" - you can't do slow running that - simple as !!

Mark & I had lots of discussions about today's finish as we chatted around the course & decided that a red arrows finish was the way to go, having said which we did aklmost change our minds when the customary finishing rain appeared - were thought about going with Hawaii 5-0 paddling but instead Wing Commander Foxy was followed across the line in perfect syncronicity by "Biggles" Sleeman. we really had alot of fun out there, the guys on a similar wavelength to me & we had a great laugh. Once the pictures of the "aircraft" are available you'll be sure to see them :)

Our Psysio Amy even "brewed up" for me at 18 miles so i had a cup of tea. As Nick Moran said in Lock stock - "The British Empire was built on cups of tea & if you think I'm going to war without one ?, you're very much mistaken !!" Top girl :)

A tip I picked up yesterday morning is when pinning your number to your shirt don't pin it to the front & back with one pin - see photo above - couldn't work out why it wouldn't go over my head !!! LOL !!

If you just wanted to know my time sorry you've had to read through all my ramblings but I got round in 4 hours 22 mins & 52 seconds another pleasing adventure around Britain's loveliest most scenic lake.

Adam Holland leads the field & dons "Le Mailliot Jaune" after breaking the 10 in 10 course record for the second time in 3 days - 3.11 for the "Pirate" today !!

On a sad note my mate & drinking partner Gareth, one of the "3 Mustgetbeers" had to pull out in the early stages today through injury.The massage, accupunture & strapping over the past 24 hours not helping enough, but he remains a diamond geezer.

Tommorow 10 am kick off - same time, same place.

Be there or be sane !!!

Foxy

Don't stop thinking about tommorrow .......

Fleetwood Mac anyone ?

I felt good this morning & alot of that is down to our excellent Physios Mike & Amy, I felt strong so went out well, but still decided to walk the major hills with the other 8 days in mind - hence the title of the blog !!

The weather was better than yersterday (fractionally !!) Got a bit of sunshine but nearly drown in the downpour 4 miles from home & once again that turned to hail by the time I crossed the line, I was happier with the way it went today & decided to bring the aeroplane out of it's hangar for the finish :)

I crossed the line in 4 hours 6 mins & 12 seconds, 9 minutes quicker than yesterday, but I ran 27 miles yesterday after getting lost, but today decided to "taper" with just 26.2 miles.

Taking into account getting lost & the 10 mins that added to yesterday's time I have had 2 consistent times but run in very different ways. The run/walk strategy proved a better option. I will be looking to ease back tommorrow - I was hoping to get through the first 2 days in around 9 hours & I'm almost 40 minutes inside that.

I had a good karoke session & even had a tourist join me singing Sweet Caroline through Bowness :)

A good day at the "Office" :)

Foxy :)

Ain't No sunshine......

when she's gone only clouds of white & grey ...........!!!!

Reminds me of the joke "How do you turn a duck into a soul singer ? pop it in the Microwave until it's Bill Withers !!! LOL !!!

I was hoping the heading would have been another Bill Wither's track "Lovely Day" but it wasn't we had rain, wind,hail, locusts !!! & about 2 minutes of Sunshine coming through Windermere town at 21 (ish !) miles.

To be fair I would have missed the hail if I hadn't carried on into town at mile 25, but I did scope out the crazy golf, the "club pro" (lol) directed me back towards the finish & I crossed the line in 4.14.56 (if i hadn't got lost it would have only made a difference of about 10 mins & so I wasn't robbed of a sub 4 hour.) My 50th marathon (not including my 2 ultras) done.

It's been a laugh here all together with the other TiT's (Ten In Tens !) Will be taking it easier tommorrow & praying for better weather.

Just the 9 in 9 left now, down to single figures - piece of cake (hopefully chocolate cake :)

Fox on the Run :)

Foxy Davy

I'm so excited !!

& I just can't hide it, i'm about to loose control & i think i like it :)

Tommorrow I will be riding on a Virgin (train !!) flithy minds !!

I leave at just past 11 am & head up to the lake district in readiness to meet my fellow "Gladiators" taking on the challenge & i can't wait.

The plan was for an early night but i'm buzzing & don't think I'll sleep.

All the training is done, just a gentle mile & a half in the morning & then pancakes with maple syrup & a lovely pot of tea :)

Thank you all for the wonderful messages of support I have received.

if any of you still wish to donate it's not too late ;

www.justgiving.com/davidbayley

best wishes

Foxy

Easy like Sunday Morning !!

In the words of Lionel Ritchie that's exactly how my Sunday is going. A lovely bath, bit of breakfast & few cups of tea (The British Empire was built on the famous cuppa !). All the real training & big mileage is behind me & I'm now starting to taper (ease off gradualy).

This time next week it will be day 3 in the "Big Brathay House" not sure if Davina will be there or indeed there will be a diary room with a mysterious Geordie voice !!!

I'm trying to decide what to pack for my trip to Lake District, don't want to wake up & think "I've got nothing to wear !!" I will take 3 complete sets of running gear as my new shoes flew in from the States on Thursday. Gonna try & travel light as I have to carry all my stuff with me. I'm letting the train take the strain much safer than me driving & the Police get upset when you don't have a licence !!!

At the moment I'm not greatly organised, I don't even know what time the races start but sure it will probably be between 9 & 10. I don't even know where the nearest pub is to the finish line or the chippy !!

Gonna spend the rest of my day trying to plan my Autumn marathons, need to plan ahead as Abingdon in October is already full & might see if I can somehow think up some last minute fundraising ideas to boost the Brathay bank balance ?

Sorry to disapoint the ladies out there I won't be selling my body - sure 50p won't make much of a difference anyway even if every little helps !!

best wishes

Fox on the run :)

The Final Countdown

Good day to you all

If you were expecting me in an 80's peroxide perm singing with a Swedish accent, I'm sorry to dissapoint you. you're humming the tune right now aren't you ?!!!

This is a different final countdown, this is the countdown to my "holiday" 12 days of sun & good times in the Lake District.

I did my final warm up marathon on Sunday @ the Shakespeare marathon in beautiful Stratford On Avon, I went cunningly disguised as the King, Elvis & ran with My "Fetchie" Friend Lorraine, it was a great day & I really enjoyed her company out there & managed to get some valuable training on my Elvis impersonating - there was alot of "Thank You very Much" & I even on request burst into a bit of suspcious minds, jailhouse rock & all shook up !!!

I did get some lovely comments as i ran round, One of the St Neots girls said "Aren't you hot ?" I thanked her for the compliment & commented "you don't look bad yourself love !"

In usual style accompanied by my "Co-pilot" Lorraine we flew across the finish line a fraction over 5 hours 30 mins, was a great day out & I got meet lots of friends, New "Fetchies" & even fellow 10 in 10 ers (TiT's as we are abbreviated to - which may be very apt ?!!)

Just a fraction over a week to go now & the training is easing down, running just once a day & eating whatever I can find !!!

Many thanks to everyone for their wonderful support both with the fundraising & the training.

A very special thanks has to go to my lovely wife Tracy, she has been a wonderful support as I have been out almost every night in 2009 pounding the streets & lovely lakes of Bletchley & Milton Keynes & allowing me to complete day 10 of the challenge on American mothers Day :) She'll be rewarded with plenty of Kendall mint cake :)

Best wishes

Foxy Davy :)

A month to go !!!

Well actually at the time of writing it's less than a month to go !!

Apologies for taking so long between posts, in my defence the reason I've not been blogging is i have been so busy training & when not training I have been trying to raise sponsorship for the event.

In have inspired by many of the wonderful people on http://www.fetcheveryone.com/ & look forward to seeing a couple of dozen Fetchies & many of the "Usual Suspects" on day 10 & along with donations from my friends i have been promised lots of pints on finishing & trust me that won't be Lucozade.

Training has been tough, but that's my own doing, I keep setting myself goals reaching them & then stretching them futher, 100 miles training in 10 days became 100 in 9 & 200 for April will be more like 250 & I'm not looking forward to tapering (easing off gradually bringing the mileage down 25% for each of the last 2 weeks).

Not much really happening outside of training, the event has taken over my life, will havc to re claim my life after May 17th !!

Many thanks to all for your support :)

See you at Windermere !!

Foxy

"Woooooaaah we're half way there.......

Woooooooaaaah Livin' on a prayer !!" as Bon Jovi onces sang !!

I am indeed now half way to my "holy grail" of 100 marathons.

What a fantastic weekend I had down in Cornwall, the 6 & half hours on the train was worth it.

The weather was awful, it was windy along the North Cliffs which we had to face twice, with miles upto 50 mph, Mary Poppins would have had a PB !! (but i'd forgot my brolly & don't have Julie Andews Singing voice,although possibly a better Cockney accent than Dick Van Dyke !!). We had rain & hail & even a bit of sun thrown in at the end, the conditions were truly brutal & the worst i had ever encountered on a road marathon.

I got through half way in 1 hour 46 mins & managed 8 minute miling from that point,with 4 miles to go I could see if i upped the pace 3 hours 30 minutes was a possibility but I really had to dig deep & throw in 7 minute miles over the last 4. Very pleased to break 3 hours 30 minutes for only the 6th time in 50 races & it was also my 30th time under 4 hours.

Following the event I shared Champagne with a few of the 100 club members & handed over my membership fee to join as a wanabee member - just 50 to go before I can pull on the t-shirt (like the Master green jacket not that many get to wear it) The champagne was accompanied by a local delicacy - A home made cornish pasty - what else ?!!

Fellow 10 in 10 participants Adam Holland & Steve edwards had splendid times of 3.06 & 3.11 finishing 6th & 12th respectivly, especially good times given the tough conditions.

Bring on the next 50 - Next Stop the Shakespeare marathon on April 26th - hope I'm not "BARD" - LOL !!

Fox on the Run :)

David

Three Lions - Charity raffle :)

Hello to all as part of my fundraising for the 10 in 10 I am raffling 2 tickets to see England v Ukraine in the World cup Qualifier @ Wembley on April 1st (no joke).

raffle tickets are just £1.00 each, 7 for a fiver & 15 for a tenner.

The raffle will be drawn on 25th March (my fathers 65 birthday - makes it easy for me to remember !)

To purchase your tickets you can do so at my Justgiving page - please in the notes include your name & or Fetch Nickname so I can get the tickets to you if you win. if you prefer you can send me a cheque payable to "Brathay Challenge" to David Bayley,Nationwide Building Society,99 Queensway, Bletchley,Milton keynes,MK2 2JZ.

all funds raised will go towards the wonderful work of Brathay Hall.

www.justgiving.com/davidbayley

"I am not a number.....I am a free man !!!"

But actually in many instances I am a number. whether that's wearing my No.8 baseball jersey (for my diamond hero Cal Ripken - the Iron man) or race number 47344 whilst pounding the streets of the city that never sleeps.

numbers play an important part in every runners life, it might be the 26 miles 385 yards from Windsor Castle to White city or just 5km from home to the park or the lake. There's time.distance pace & for some calories & heart rate.

Ask any marathon runner & they will give you their Personal Best to the second without the blink of an eye, ask when their wedding anniversary is & prepare for the pause.........

This week i finally made it through my first 500 miles running, glad i ran every single one of them, i wouldn't want to have walked them & got confused with the bespectacled boys from Leith. It took me 51 days through the wind, rain, snow & ice. now onto my next goal to complete 200 miles in February.

Still almost 2 weeks until my next marathon & i'm looking forward to seeing the beautiful Cornish coast & enjoying the finisher reward of their world famous pasties :)

Keep on running

David.

What do I think of when I run ?

Many people ask me "what do you think about when you are running ?" there's no one single answer but lots of little ones.

I never seem to remember my dreams when I wake, but I dream when I'm out running.

My thoughts are always those I would have if I wasn't running, but get interupted by work, phones, computers & every day life.

I think about travel alot & some of the races I would love to do but will probably never have the funds to do. Amongst those are the Safari marathon in Kenya, the Great Wall marathon in China & Maui in Hawaii.

I also think about those I may get the chance to do & that list is topped by Boston,Rome,Lisbon,Chicago,Toronto & San Francisco.

Yesterday I got to thinking about Desert island discs & the albums I'd want with me - I concluded I couldn't be without Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet, Def Leppard's,Hysteria,Meatloaf's Bat out of Hell & AC/DC - Live. I made a rule that I couldn't pick greatest hits compilations thus ruling out Queen's greatest hits & Elvis #1's.

I was out for quite a while yesterday & went from Music to films - I didn't get a definative list but Goodfella's, the Shawshank Redemption,Forrest Gump (as shown !!) & Armaggedon were in my thoughts.

I think about the wonderful people I have got to know through running, the tales they've told, the laughs we've shared, the finishes we've celebrated & the tough miles we've battled through.

I've met & ran with folks from Cincinatti & Minneapolis in the US & a great bloke called Martin from Linz in Austria - never met 'em before & may never meet 'em again ? running brings you an instant brotherhood & everyone belongs.

A race T-shirt from anywhere on the planet can bring a smile & instant conversation & I've shared a few beers in airports with the Dutch,Belgians, Germans, Austrians, Irish & folks from across the globe, you're never alone with a race T-shirt !!

keep on running & flying :)

Foxy Davy

The Good,the Bad & the Ugly !!

The title may seem a little misleading this ain't no Spagetti Western, although pasta does sound good !!

I guess I should cover them in order ;

The Good

Sunday's Punchbowl 30 mile off road Ultra marathon in Surrey.

On Saturday I set out for Sutton to my mate Dave's anticipating a long train journey, I got to Sutton faster than I ever had in under 2 hours. Dave's girl Mel cooked us the wonderful above mentioned Spagetti. Mel's a marathon running chef, that boy sure has landed on his feet !!

We headed off to Wimbledon for a few beers & an evening at a comedy club - had a fun night, 2 of the 3 comedians were incredibly funny & host New Yorker (via Peckham !)Lewis Shaffer worked the crowd well.

I expected a low turnout on the Sunday & whilst the event was full at 300 entrants an extra 100 were allowed on the day entry. It was wonderful running & navigating through the snow, the hilltop views of the snow covered countryside were a sight to behold. I ran with my mate Simon Illingworth & got to congratualte him on the MBE he received in the Queen's new years honours list, very well deserved for all his charity work since recovering from Cancer.

With 5 miles to go the field condensed & a group of 10 of us continued on towards the finish, Dave & Mel were amongst the group & Dave & I "treated" our fellow runners to our rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody !!

To my suprise we finished inside 6 hours & were treated to beans on toast & chips with a lovely cup of tea at the finish.

With marathon number 49 done I can look forward to my half century on March 8th, the day before my sisters 40th & a month after my mum's 60th (birthday's that is,not marathons !!).Number 50 will be down in Redruth, Cornwall & I can't wait.

The Bad

Work, it's been a quiet week & the dreaded redundancies are about to start, worry times for all :(

The Ugly

last night's run.

I ran 5.8 miles in a snow storm & it was lovely & only took an extra 30 seconds on top of my usual run but was very pleased. I met 5 hardy club mates & set off for an hours run, after 20 minutes the tank was empty & I had no energy I was really struggling but Andy & Fiona helped keep me going, I had to dig deep mentally but I made it & looking back it was good mental training for May.

Today I'm having a rest & recovering, I ran a leisurely 4 mile recovery run in my lunchbreak - you didn't really expect me to have a day off did you ?!!!

Keep on running

best wishes

Foxy Davy

Is my Ipod psychic ?

I have to say when it comes to the tunes my ipod selects while running I have to ask the above question ?

I also have to ask does it have a Ironic sense of humour ? I'm not talking Alannis Morrisette who doesn't understand the meaning of the word ? Rain on your wedding day is unlucky, not ironic. now if she was a weathergirl now that's ironic !!

This is something that first went through my mind when i ran my first European marathon in Paris. I simply selected "shuffle" & what did I get "highway to hell" by AC/DC - I wasn't seeing it like that at the time but gave me a chuckle & what did I cross the line to ? "sharp dressed man" by ZZ top - sharp dressed ? I was covered in sweat, water, lucozade & did feel that sharply dressed I have to say !! with those 2 artists I had run the alphabet too ?!!

There were other instances - in Edinburgh kicking for home I got 2Alive & Kicking" by Scotland's very own Simple Minds, In Belgium I finished to 2Start me up" by the Rolling Stones.

In Amsterdam in 2006 I pushed myself to the absolute limit to just break 3 hours 30 mins for the first time & what did I cross the line to ? "Hurts so good" by John Cougar Mellencamp & I hit the wall in Rotterdam to "running on empty" by Jackson Browne & when I needed to put down the hammer in the final 400 metres in Athens, Queen gave "Hammer to Fall" !!

But I finally realised my ipods true powers last week on a training run, I was struggling out there & what do I get "fix you" by Coldplay. The redway path has a stream of lights running down my right hand side & all of them are on exept for one & as I run past it to the Lyrics "Lights will guide you....." if magically comes on !!! How about that ?

Judge I rest my case my Ipod is physic !!!

Foxy Davy :)

Targets met :)

January draws to a close & I'm happy to have met all 4 of my targets :)

Only 3 miles to finish the month but 328 in total, i ran every day & averaged over 10.5 miles each of that day.

For february i'm gonna almost half my mileage, aiming for 172 to give me 500 by the end of Feb, looking to get my life back a little.

January was all about targets, those running ones I set myself & the work ones i had to achieve to keep my job, i think the running & positive attitude really helped me at work (along with a few friends putting some business my way & helping me in my hour of need & a degree of luck - not that i'll be telling the boss that !! LOL !!)

Roll on February - just over 3 months until the "Holy grail" at Windermere.

Keep on running

"Fox on the run" :)

5 went mad in Dorset !!!

On Friday, I headed off down to Dorset via South London & have to say 5 in a hyundai coupe is rather compact - was like Tetris trying to get us into the back - my head was on the ceiling & i'm 5ft 11, Nick is 6ft plus !!!

We finally made it to Portland & checked into the YMCA - rumours aren't true I wasn't dressed as a Cop, Nick didn't don the full Indian head dress but were rather worried about James in his string vest - he's lived in London too long !!!

We headed off to the pub for dinner & lasagne proved a popular choice & there were a few pints sunk & a few tales & jokes were told - all in really bad taste (as usual !) .

Race day Saturday @ the sailing academy (an excellent venue) - We headed out of the car park & within 400 yards our first challenge arrived a 45 degree incline stretching for almost half a mile - i managed to run 3/4 of it but then decided to conserve some energy which i needed as just 400 yards later there was a pyramid style knoll to clamber up almost on all fours !!!

over the first 4 miles alot of people flew past me, but i kept to my own pace & just kept going, i had some good chats with a variety of folks. Once at 8 miles there was no one within 400 yards behind me & the nearest ahead of me were 200 yards & to mentally keep me going i decided to try & reel in as many as possible & keep score, plus 1 for everyone I went passed & minus 1 for anyone passing me.

With about 10 miles gone we hit chisel beach & that seperated the men from the boys - everyone struggled & i didn't see a single person run the whole 1.5 miles - i ran 3/4 of it & I struggled less than most - rhythm was the key the running the pebbles.

the race was 2 laps & with all the folks i overtook on the beach each time i managed to get myself up to a score of 39 passed, not a single person came passed me & i was pleased to finish in 4 hours 37 - 12 mins quicker than last year in 33rd overall - a tough marathon but an enjoyable one.

After Portland we headed off to ledbury to crash at Philip's a fellow nutter & one of the greatest blokes i've ever met a true warm hearted Gentleman. We had a wonderful pasta meal with a a bottle & half of vino before turning in for the night.

Day 2 saw us make the short journey to Gloucester for a rendez vous at a Leisure centre & were greeted by all the "usual suspects" - there were at least a couple of dozen 100 club members & of course Mick n'Phil & I got to meet Fetchie's Fireman,Trin & Zoom plus fellow Brathay competitors Steve, Mark & Adam (briefly).

The race as it was last year lacked organisation although it was an improvement on 2008, with not knowing how far I had run the finish line caught me by suprise - i was aiming for sub 4 hours 30 & amazingly broke 4 hours.

The event was sadly marred by the death of one of the competitors as i came through 12 miles i saw the Paramedics finally having to give up CPR on a competitor, i hoped & prayed my first thoughts wouldn't be realised but sadly they were :( RIP

i think the weekend was a good warm up for May & best of all i had a good time with some great like minded people.

Best wishes

"Fox on the run"