Friday, August 24, 2007
Toilet's Out
The plumber came today and removed the upstairs toilet in readiness for knocking through into the extension next week. Indie was enjoying weeing alfresco this afternoon!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Ironman UK - Sherbourne, Dorset
Chris, Dom and I headed to Dorset to do a bit of Ironman spectating last weekend. Imagine Glastonbury with the mud but without the music and add in 1500 would-be ironman triathletes.....that was this year's IM UK! Foul weather all day Saturday and Saturday night meant a cold, damp and windy 4am wake up call on Sunday morning.
The swim start was delayed as some of the competitors were late as they couldn't park in the mud, but the race got under way at 6.20am. At least there was no mist to wait to lift like last time.
Paul came out of the swim earlier than expected in 1hr 8mins (I asked him if he had missed a bouy out!) and we also saw Patrick a few minutes behind. We then headed back to the campsite, grabbed our bikes and cycled out to the course, generally cycling in reverse to the competitors on the opposite side of the road which was a pretty cool way to watch the race. We saw Paul twice looking very strong and comfortable and saw Patrick and Mark briefly too. Got a bit wet and windy at the end of our ride but managed to get back to Sherbourne Castle in time to see Paul head out on the run, still looking remarkably composed and comfortable.
The wind really picked up then and it was quite cold. Luckily Paul didn't keep us waiting too long at the finish line coming in at 12hrs and 11mins. Not bad for a first ironman, on a difficult course in shit weather! Needless to say, he looked well chuffed. Patrick came in an hour or so later, and Mark an hour after that (by which point we were really cold).
A cool weekend in a mad kind of way, made alot easier by the kids being safely spoilt at my mum and dad's back in Surrey. Next Ironman stop - Western Australia!
The swim start was delayed as some of the competitors were late as they couldn't park in the mud, but the race got under way at 6.20am. At least there was no mist to wait to lift like last time.
Paul came out of the swim earlier than expected in 1hr 8mins (I asked him if he had missed a bouy out!) and we also saw Patrick a few minutes behind. We then headed back to the campsite, grabbed our bikes and cycled out to the course, generally cycling in reverse to the competitors on the opposite side of the road which was a pretty cool way to watch the race. We saw Paul twice looking very strong and comfortable and saw Patrick and Mark briefly too. Got a bit wet and windy at the end of our ride but managed to get back to Sherbourne Castle in time to see Paul head out on the run, still looking remarkably composed and comfortable.
The wind really picked up then and it was quite cold. Luckily Paul didn't keep us waiting too long at the finish line coming in at 12hrs and 11mins. Not bad for a first ironman, on a difficult course in shit weather! Needless to say, he looked well chuffed. Patrick came in an hour or so later, and Mark an hour after that (by which point we were really cold).
A cool weekend in a mad kind of way, made alot easier by the kids being safely spoilt at my mum and dad's back in Surrey. Next Ironman stop - Western Australia!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Cardiff Reunion - Doone Valley, Exmoor
A whole gang of the 1991 Cardiff freshers met up last weekend on Exmoor. It was a stunning setting, a really remote campsite up the Doone Valley (the setting for the book Lorna Doone), with a gorgeous stream running through it which the kids played in all weekend. We spent Saturday in Lynmouth on the coast and Sunday stripping off and flinging ourselves into the stream which was mighty cold! Night times saw us drinking and nattering round the campfire...
Monday, August 06, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Strange Sightings In Barham Woods
Just prior to doing my back in, I decided to run somewhere new one evening and this is what I found.......
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Deal Tri Dinosaur 10km
Headed down to Deal seafront early this morning so Indie could run her first race, the Junior 1500m. Unfortunately she got knocked over as the race started and ended up with a split lip, brusied face and a bit of a bloody mess, poor thing. I knew how disappointed she would be if she didn't run, so managed to calm her down enough that we could set off hand in hand and complete the race....which she did through a few sobs and tears. She got her medal but not the best start to her racing career!
The 10km then started, luckily it was not nearly as hot as last year's scorcher, although the hill up to Kingsdown unfortunately hadn't got any shorter. It was a tad painful as got a sore back (dusting injury, can you believe it?) and was relieved to go downhill and out onto the flat stretch back to Deal. I knew I had no chance of catching running comrades Jason or Paul but was determined to do a PB which I managed so all was not lost!
Jason 39.33
Paul 46.23
Chantal 49.15
The 10km then started, luckily it was not nearly as hot as last year's scorcher, although the hill up to Kingsdown unfortunately hadn't got any shorter. It was a tad painful as got a sore back (dusting injury, can you believe it?) and was relieved to go downhill and out onto the flat stretch back to Deal. I knew I had no chance of catching running comrades Jason or Paul but was determined to do a PB which I managed so all was not lost!
Jason 39.33
Paul 46.23
Chantal 49.15
Sunday, July 15, 2007
50 Mile Challenge
We headed to our friends Zoe and Andrew in Marshside, near Canterbury today. Chris, Zoe, Stripey and Jim took part in the 50 mile team challenge, running a 6.5 mile loop in rotation to complete 50 miles. Sound hard? Well, most of the competitors were running the 50 on their own! Yep, quite mad! Totally low-key, tucked away in a tiny village, race HQ being a pub garden, race officials were two ladies at a picnic table and the feed station was a help yourself table of drinks and pasta. A little medal if you managed the 50! It was so understated yet so hardcore, it really was quite cool!
The Home Farm Harriers made it to their 50 in 7hrs 10 mins, Chris completing the final team loop in about 50 mins. Meanwhile, the seven kids had a fantastic day cheering on their parents as well as playing in Zoe and Andrew's conveniently located garden on the run route!
The Home Farm Harriers made it to their 50 in 7hrs 10 mins, Chris completing the final team loop in about 50 mins. Meanwhile, the seven kids had a fantastic day cheering on their parents as well as playing in Zoe and Andrew's conveniently located garden on the run route!
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