Steyning Stinger

Well, that was ****ing brilliant! :o)

Nigel and I set off with the mass start at 9.00am. The sun was out, the ground was dry and there was a cool breeze blowing. Perfect! We ran though a small field and onto the opening stretch of tarmac. After about a mile we were off into the forest . A couple of rises to warm us up, a short slippy downhill into Washington village for a quick cup of water and then the first 'Sting'. Sheesh, that was steep, after a hundred yards or so everyone gave into the inevitable and walked up, after all it wasn't much slower than running anyway. Then we were onto the top of the downs. Windy now but we only had half a mile before we turned and then the wind was behind us for the rest of the day. We then had a long steepish but runnable climb topping out at chanctonbury ring where we passed our support team. Cheers all, that certainly helped keep us moving!
A run down through Chalk Pit woods followed, this was my favourite part - rooty, steep and with the odd slippy patch to add excitment! Then it was just a couple of miles along the flat back to the finish and our free and very welcome cooked breakfast.
I finished in 1:56. A time I'm well pleased with, only 10 minutes slower than for the on-road half marathon in Brighton two weeks before. Nigel came in just a minute or so behind my, despite claiming to have hardly prepared at all (secret training I reckon).
All in all that was one of the best events I've ever attended. Now thinking about having a crack at the full Marathon next year...

(Thank to Rory at U.S.E for the pic)

Brighton Beacon Half-Marathon

Oops, I seem to be doing this this weekend! I wasn't down to but Ian has had to drop out due to a broken fingernail or something so I'm filling his shoes for this one. Actually this will make a nice warm up for the Steyning Stinger a couple of weeks later.

:o)

UPDATE: Well, that wasn't too bad. Weather wasn't good, overcast, drizzly and with a headwind all the way on the longest straight section (about 6 miles). Still, ran it in 1:45:59 which is pretty much what I expected. Don't even feel too bad today, bit achey but nothing too serious. Looking good for the Stinger in a couple of weeks. :o)


Some rather small and rather expensive pics here

Epiphany

That's what today is - or twelth day, take your pick. It's all to do with magi and stuff and of no real consequence to me. What it does mean is that the xmas tree will soon be making a pilgrimage to the green waste recycling bin and my *cof* extensive decorations can come down. A sign that the winter/new year hiatus is over and it's time to press on with new projects.

So what's in store this year? Well nothing too ambitious yet: Bathroom will need addressing soon and various bits of DIY to finish off but this year I'm hoping is one to find balance. Balance between work and play, between training and twatting about, between exercise and exotic dancing. So shall be looking for a few things to challenge myself with while trying to enjoy the ride a bit more.

Have foolishly put my name down for 'The Steyning Stinger' in March. An offroad hall-marathon - so, essentially twice the distance I've raced over before plus added hills. Better get training!

Oh, an I've turned up in Delbert's blog. God knows why but go and say hello, he's an entertaining sort of fellow. Probably not all there like but he seems harmless enough...

It just gets better and better...

So, after my camera plus most other electrical goods I own inexplicably developing faults all at the same time, the said camera has now disappeared on its way to the service centre! Good thing I paid the insurance... If it's lost for good I'll just have to get something smaller and better. :o)

No more pics :(

Well, tis the season of office parties and more or less continuous drunkeness but sadly my so far excellent powershot S70 has chosen this moment to die. It's on it's way back to the service centre now. I'm beginning to suspect someone's been testing an EMP device in the vicinity of my house. That's my camera, 4 remote controls, my boiler and by car all developing faults in the last few days (ok, the car might be a red herring).
Office party last night went pretty well, I was horribly drunk but don't *think* I did anything too appalling. There's another one tomorrow though so there's still time :o)

Kitchen is pretty much finished but of course - no pics...

Progress....

One more cabinet to build and the worktops still to go on but looking a lot more together now. The floor is great, particulary amusing when the kids run around in socks - Like hogs on ice! ;o)

Owww....

My poor soft office worker's hands!

Too much time at the keyboard these days. Back when I was labouring I had proper leathery man's hands but these days they're just not up to 3 solid days manual work. Tshh!

Well, I've fitted no new kitchen stuff yet, ripping out and replacing old floor took far longer than I expected, still, the worst of it's done now - see pics here



What else - Umm, run the 10k last weeken, missed my PB by 2 seconds! ie ran it one second slower than my best - Ho hum, need to be a bit more pushy on the start line I think, spent the whole time overtaking.