Hey Simon - 72 Miles!

I seem to be finally overcoming my pathalogical fear of cycling with long rides every weekend. Paul and I set off today hoping for a race equivalent 56 miles and we actually managed 72 miles via Wye, Ashford, Hythe and many, many villages inbetween. (Paul did 90 miles in total). My longest ever ride and the route wasn't exactly flat either! Got a nasty beesting on my face about 2 miles from home which kind of finished me off, quite tired by that point! Think I may have a day off tri training tomorrow.....

London Marathon

Chris' build-up to London hadn't been ideal with his nasty Easter surprise (virus)...but he decided in the Wayman way to give the marathon today a go anyway. He set off just before 6am to the startline in Greenwich on the Deal Tri coach. Indie and I travelled up to London a little later on the train after dropping mad-boy Kofster with his buddies Luke and Matthew for the day.

We met Sasha and Tim at Charing Cross and found a spot on the Embankment to try and see Chris at the mile 25 marker. Time ticked on and I had pretty much decided that I had missed seeing him somehow or he was having a bad race! It turned out to be the latter as he walked past at 4 hours+. His knee had started playing up at mile 6 and he had had to adopt the walk/run approach by mile 15. It was also a pretty hot day which I am sure didn't help most people's race.

Eventually we all found each other in the crowds afterwards, amazingly we managed to bump into our friends from Brighton twice in the midst of all the chaos. Chris was remarkably chilled about it all and was happy to have simply been part of another great London Marathon and that he got to see Ronan Keating at the start (joke!).

Chris 4hrs 21mins 23secs

The Build Has Started!

It's been 8 years of dreaming, 18 months of planning and now finally we have a garden full of builders and I can't hear myself think because of the sound of smashing concrete - hurrah!
The pool is already nearly full of rubble and soil and the garage was gone in half a day. There is now a big muddy hole where it stood.

Kofi is beside himself having diggers and dumpers out there in HIS garden, maybe he thinks we organised it all just to keep him entertained!

Good Friday - Folkestone 10 Miler

Well, Chris was meant to be doing this race with Dom, Paul and myself but he managed to contract a handy pre-London marathon virus-from-hell that rendered him virtually unconscious for most of this week. An inability to drink, eat or swallow all somewhat hindered his appearance at the start line on Friday.

Anyway, for those of us who did head to Hythe for the race, it was a bit of an 'exciting' journey to get to the start line in time after dropping the Wayman kids all over the place to helpful local friends. It was to be a warm, flat race going from Hythe to Folkestone and back. Early on, we all passed a not very well looking jogger being resuscitated by some selfless competitors (the air ambulance later picked him up). I followed Paul from a distance until just after halfway, then caught him up, thought I might throw up and finally made it to the finish line, where a sneaky little manoeuvre meant I beat ginger by a couple of seconds.

Dom was racing her first ever 10 miler, well actually it was the first time she had ever run 10 miles and had only run 10km once before, a few months ago with me. Despite a nasty cough, she did brilliantly and it was wonderful seeing her finish. Well done Dom! Half marathon next time......?!

We all then had a lovely afternoon with Sara, little Tommy, Izzy, Indie and Linda on Hythe beach eating partially cooked chips in the glorious sunshine. Then it was back home to carry on emptying the pool in readiness for our impending build. Newts anyone?

Chantal 1hr 25 06 secs
Paul 1 hr 25 08 secs
Dom 1 hr 53 40 secs
Chris DNS

Valencia

Spent a great weekend in Valencia with three lovely friends, Cath, Bron and Dom. We all talked non-stop for the whole two and a bit days, it was fantastic to catch up with everyone's news and lives whilst wandering round such a beautiful city. We stayed in the middle of the old town but did venture out to the City of Arts & Sciences, what amazing modern architecture. Strolled along the city beach on Sunday and spent the rest of the day leisurely walking back to the old town via a few pit stops and some sangria! We'd all thoroughly recommend Valencia for a weekend away. Don't forget your suncream though!

Hastings Half Marathon

Chris, Paul and I set off early today for sunny Hastings on a glorious Sunday morning. Spent the journey there debating whether or not I should race, having had a cold all week and still feeling pretty rough today. Took a load of painkillers, which along with the great atmostphere, saw me to the start line. Around 5000 runners started this very hilly race, the first 6 miles were almost consistently uphill and my chest was pretty painful. I knew I had to carry on as I had no idea how to get back to the start area! Fantastic crowd support, vicars and choirs singing on the roadside and some pretty good views from the top of the hills all saw me to Hastings seafront for the last few miles to the finish. Was extremely relieved to finish (always am!). Both Chris and I saw some old friends at the finish who had also raced so had a natter and a cup of tea in the sunshine before heading back to Kent.

(Chris 1h 43, Paul 1h 57, Chantal 1h 58)

The Killers at The Brighton Centre

Had a kiddie-free weekend down in Brighton, leisurely lunch with Sasha and Tim in fantastic veggie resturant called Food for Friends. Then Saturday night Chris finally got to enjoy his Crimbo present and we saw The Killers. They were supported by the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club who were ok. The Killers came on at 9.15pm and played for an hour and a half. They were fantastic, we were about eight people from the front so got very squashed and sweaty especially during Somebody Told Me and Mr Brightside. Really didn't want them to finish! Cool set, great venue and a truly memorable gig. Love ya Brandon!