North Downs 30km (and a kidney stone)

Meanwhile, Indie had a lovely day together back in Kent on Saturday and then on Sunday, Paul and I headed to Gravesend to compete in the Norths Downs 30km tough, hilly, hot, cross country run (sound familiar?). We were using this race as Ironman training and I had persuaded Paul to enter at the last minute.

It was a stunnning course, very up and down, some of the downs so steep it was hard to actually run......poppy fields, woodland sections. It was also probably the best marshalled and signed race I have ever run, full credit to the organisers. It was tough but I enjoyed most of it despite the heat leaving me very thirsty almost the whole race. I was downing two cups of drink every feed station, which then sloshed around in my stomach up and down the hills!

I was pleased with my finish time and for the first time ever I was first Deal Tri lady back!

Paul 3hrs 3mins
Chantal 3hrs 13 mins

But the story doesn't quite end there......shortly after setting out back down the M2, Paul started complaining of back pain and within a few minutes was writhing in absolute agony. He then threw up all over the hard shoulder of the M2 and I began to realise he was proper poorly. Eventually after another puke stop, I got him to Canterbury hospital where they got some pain relief into him pretty quick. Poor bloke, he looked terrible and was in ALOT of pain. It could be the race had dislodged the kidney stone.....anyway, he spent the night in hospital but hopefully they'll get him sorted today. Bet he's glad I persuaded him to do that race......

South Downs Marathon 2008

Chris and Kofi headed for Hampshire on Friday to stay with Ron and Jean and for Chris to compete in the South Downs Marathon again on Saturday morning.

This very hilly cross country marathon takes runners across and along the south downs from Arundel back to Petersfield. A pretty tough race by all accounts especially as it was also hot and sunny this year. Chris did really well for the second year in a row and came in at 3hrs 58mins.

Wet n' Windy Welsh Camping

The old Cardiff gang were meeting up again this weekend. We had planned a few nights camping on the Gower penninsula near Swansea in South Wales, exploring the beaches and admiring the beautiful scenery......as if life would be that straightforward.....

Chris, the kids and I set off on Friday at lunchtime, thinking we'd be clever and beat the bank holiday traffic, wrong, 6 hours later we arrived at Cath and Terry's in Bristol with a couple of grumpy kids and a hot dog. But that was soon forgotten as we had a lovely evening eating, drinking and catching up. On Saturday morning we then headed from Bristol to the Gower, thinking, gosh and golly, it's a bit windy.

Saturday night saw everyone safely arrived, with tents errected overlooking Oxwich Bay on the top of a (very exposed) hill. Our tent had already broken whilst putting it up, the winds were so strong and during the night, Cath and Terry's collapsed completely whilst more tent poles snapped under the strain. Then it started to rain as well. The noise of the wind alone meant sleep was impossible. Bleary eyed with damaged tents flapping the in the torrential rain (am I getting carried away?!), we made the decision to 'evacuate' - and we set off to Milford Haven in deepest West Wales to Sam and Matt's house. Fortunately they could accomodate us all (10 adults, 7 kids and 1 dog) and we all had a super time, eating, drinking and moaning about the British weather!

We stayed an extra night and headed back yesterday, thinking we'd be clever and beat the bank holiday traffic, yes, wrong again. Spent an hour or two in the company of the protesting truckers (fuel prices) and lots of police driving at 15 miles an hour down the M4. Still, not too bad a journey and I treated Chris to an extra big birthday latte from the motorway services.

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