South Kent Duathlon

Dom came to stay with us for the weekend, a relaxing break away from the stresses of working in London.......wrong! Did a couple of hours out on the bikes together Saturday afternoon, out Saturday night and up early Sunday for the South Kent Duathlon at Fowlmead Country Park. First duathlon for both of us.

Dom and I were very eco and even cycled to the race start (ok, only about 2 miles from home). About 40 competitors, all looking very fit and eager.....and us two!! Lots of transitions in the 2 mile run, 10 mile bike, 2 mile run, 10 mile bike and 2 mile run format. I quite enjoyed it although my legs hurt a bit by the end of the second bike. Indie cycled with me for the last mile of my run which was cool. She then headed back out to cycle in with Dom. Sweet!

Chantal 1hr 58

Dom 2hrs 17

London Marathon 2008

Having had a pretty shabby week, coming down with another nasty lergy, I spent until Saturday morning thinking 'shall I? shan't I?' Saturday was the last chance for me to head to London and collect my number, so I did, giving me another 24 hours to decide whether to run or not. 5am Sunday morning saw me up and out, heading for the Deal Tri coach, cursing that I was about to run another marathon feeling like pants, an exact repeat of two years ago.

The weather for the race really was four seasons in one day, warm sunshine, torrential rain, cold wind.......got absolutely soaked at the 11 mile point and my kit never really dried out, running in wet trainers I am sure made my feet even worse (currently 3 big bloody blisters and 4 dead and decaying toenails). Anyway, to cut a long story short, I found the marathon OK! It was hard work but I just stuck to a really consistent pace, making sure I never really got out of breath (which would start me coughing) and if I am totally honest it was probably the 'easiest' I have found running a marathon (it's my 5th) and did my second fastest marathon time and knocked 11 minutes off my PB for the London course..............WEIRD!!!!

The crowds were great and saw the masai warriors, the woman on stilts, the womble, Borat in a mankini, another man running in just a thong....great atmostphere. It poured again for the last couple of miles so I finished in the rain - 4 hours 13 minutes - a very relieved and happy bunny. Chris sounded pleasantly surprised when I rang him! Met up with Sasha and fellow Dealies before heading back to Kent.

Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway

We took the kids on this minature steam railway today from Hythe to New Romney where we had chips and beans in the station cafe. Indie and Kofi loved it despite it being pretty chilly and the odd hail storm.

Spring Has Arrived