Marathon No.23 - Carvers Wolverhampton Marathon

The Wolverhampton Marathon was my 23rd Marathon, my 3rd of 4 Marathons within 3 weeks! It's a 2 lap course.  Must say everyone involved in this run were very friendly and the organisation couldn't be faulted.  Top group of people! The only difficulty I had, was trying to reach Wolverhampton on time for the race.  Unfortunately it wasn't the most convenient races for me to attend, as the earliest train from Coventry/Birmingham wouldn't arrive on time for my Sunday morning marathon start time.  I need to thank 'Mark Reid' for getting up bright and early and offering me a lift to the venue, bless his cotton socks; he drove me all the way from Coventry to Wolverhampton - What a Champ!

Before the RUN - With The OFFICIAL CARVERS Charity Volunteers! - 2nd September 2012

Overall the Marathon course was quite varied; urban, estates, country; it passes major pottery factories and the wolves ground too.  You get a general feel for the place and get to take in some historical sites too on this run, so well worth it.  I started the run off nicely and steadily and just as I was reaching a few miles off the half way mark, I met brother - Martin and Chris.  We ran together for a while at a comfortable pace, I guess we chatted more than we should have and lost our pace a little. Chris started having stiff calf muscles so was taking a very steady pace with this run and quite rightly, having regular stretching intervals... Martin eventually started having similar problems and we parted ways at Mile 18.  At this point, I had to force myself to pick up the pace a little to my usual speed, this was hard work - my rhythm was lost and concentration.  This was a nice social run for me, as I kept meeting quite a few friends from previous events here, so would definitely run this one again. 

RUNNING - The BOTTLE hit the 'M'

At the FINISH Line................

West Park, Wolverhampton

No better way to RELAX on an ICE~CREAM at the FINISH........... Yummy!! XxX

Generally the weather was fairly warm, my usual 2 layers of clothing was comfortable enough and kept the chills out.  Towards the end was feeling a little peckish, I had ONE Ninebar, 2 Sports Gels and loads of JELLY BABIES to keep me fueled up.

FINISH Medal - My Official CHIP Time was : 5 Hours, 24 Minutes & 17 Seconds!!

The day after the RUN, I had no aches or pains and for once I wasn't limping.  A little bruising after the run but that's to be expected.  Was very pleased that the blisters from last run were healing nicely and had't been worsened by this run. I won't hold my breath though, I'm expecting that my blister free toes won't last long and I'll soon be soaking them in pain again...

Distributing the GOODY Bags at the GREGGS Truck!!

The Goody Bag

FINISHERS T-Shirt (Which I wore back to London in after the Marathon)

Marathon No.22 - Enigma August Bank Holiday 30 Mile Ultra

30 Mile Ultra Marathon -  Monday, 27th August 2012

Day 2 - Started the Ultra with the same stitches that had plagued my run the previous day. This time it took me TWO Sports Tablets which I diluted in to my bottle of water which helped me through the Ultra. Took one on the First Half and the other on the Second Half. I also had to mix into my run, plenty of fast walks and occasional jogs.  The weather was much cooler than the previous day and it drizzled at times but never wasn't too much of a hindrance to this run.  I've learn't to be prepared for all types of weather in past events.  An adrenaline surge kept me going on the final 2-3 laps;  I felt no pain at all.  The time was 6 Hours, 10 Minutes with just 50 Minutes left to achieve my target of 7 Hours on the very last final lap.... I was over the moon with excitement when I heard the Race Director called out my final time of  '6 Hours, 58 Minutes & 41 Seconds'.

For my First Double Marathon (26.2 & 30 Miler) - My 21st and 22nd Marathon. I would describe my state of mind as 'Mentally Drained' during the Ultra Run as I was at times so close to quitting, but somehow my body kept on going.....................

The blisters on my feets were beginning to cause me a lot of pain.  Must thank  fellow runner 'Kaz  Hurrell' for handing me some of her SudoCream on the 2nd Lap. It did the trick and lessened the pain but I still had 2 gigantic blood blisters (The size of Grapes) on both the sides of my big toes at the end of the day.....

Sports massage after both Events (From Trinity Booth-Ultra Elite Runner). Was very good and inexpensive for 15 Minutes. It hurt a little but well worth it.... Just perfect for relaxing those weak/achey muscles and ending the days Run. Big Thank You Trinity/Paul for hanging around little longer for me! 

Each loop was around a very scenic lake (Caldcotte, Milton Keynes). Wouldn't mind doing this event again just to take in the landscape!

Marathon Route - 1 Mini Loop (1.67 Miles) & 7 Laps (3.55Miles/Lap)
30 Mile Ultra Marathon Route - 1 Mini Loop (1.67 Miles) & 8 Laps (3.55Miles/Lap)

Ria, Ruth, Myself & Sarah - Start of the Ultra

These folks kept me entertained on the First and Second Day!
Albi & Liz.... 

Me & Karen at the FINISH with FOSTERS!
** Karen was the Race Director and the BELL Lady..... **

The 2012 Gold Enigma Marathon Race Expo - The Caldecote Arms 

Sarah Morris, Ria Bright and Me - After Party Drinks & Meals......................

Me and Lovely Dawn..... (Hogweed Trotters - Her  Amazing Time for the 30 Mile Ultra was 05:24:58)

The GOLD Shoe - That's what we all got for FINISHING 30 Miles Running!

Marathon No.21 - Enigma August Bank Holiday Marathon

I've got lots to report back after completing last weekend's double Marathon but just don't know where to start............................

26.2 Mile Marathon - Sunday, 26th August 2012

Day 1 - The run started bad, I could feel the stitches and stomach cramps just as I set off, it was so painful and I was beginning to feel like I wouldn't make it and almost decided to quit the run.  It didn't help much that the weather was hot, and I had to keep drinking as much as I could.

I have to thank Foxy's Wife for making them awesomely delicious Homemade Chocolate Cookies, couldn't resist taking a piece on almost every lap and it was exactly what I needed to keep me going...............

Thankfully, as soon as I hit the last 10 Miles, I could no longer feel the stitches and cramps. My main objective for the day was to complete the Marathon in a good frame of mind for the Ultra the following day. I was very lucky to meet David Cremins and Kelly Jackson along the way, David was pacing Kelly throughout the whole 26.2 Miles. I joined them on the last bit of the course and we all held hands crossing the finishing line together..... Very touchy and emotional moment!

RUNNING BiB - Finish Time - 5 Hours, 22 Minutes & 27 Seconds

Me,Foxy & Ria...

Me & Traviss Willcox

Me, Race Director Karen Webber & Heather-M-Hamilton

The FINISH Medal...

Marathon No.20.5 ~ The 24 Hour Thunder Run (The TWITTERATI)

Simon Wheatcroft - The Story - **Click here**

24 Hour Thunder Run - 'The TWITTERATI' - From
Left Rohan, Simon, Stuart, Colin, Craig, Brian, Rew, Dawn and Me!

Simon (My Blind ULTRA Running Buddy) and I running our FIRST Lap of 10k!
It was TOUGH, We both struggled on both laps. Simons very words were He was 'BROKEN to Pieces', He 'Wanted to CRY' and He 'Wanted to go HOME'! 

Simon Wheatcroft - ASICS Made of Sport: I am made of belief not barriers - **Click here**

It was a beautiful day for a RUN round Catton Park... Atmosphere was AMAZING....

The TWITTERARI at the FINISH Line with our MEDALS - Congratulations!!

The CAKE - With all our Names on (Made by Simons Sister)

Me and My Medal.......... Adidas Thunder Run is a 24 hour off-road relay race against the clock.

The TR24 CAKE

Simon and Me (Before our 2nd Lap). We were a Team of 9 (I was Simons GUIDE Runner, so didn't have my own RUNNING Bib, but I did get a T-Shirt and Medal for being in the TEAM)
The Guardian News - April 2012

'I'M IN FOR THE LONG RUN' - TR24 T-Shirt and MEDAL

Our Team came 77th out of 188th Teams  - Completed in 24 Hours, 57 Mins & 31 Secs...

Marathon No.20 ~ GrimReaper 40 Miler & Half Marathon

It was like Running to Hell and back. Never seen so many drop outs. At one time I was about to call it quits after Mile 30... But what harm would it do to run another 10 Mile lap. Got out there and completed my first 40 Miler in 10 hours and 45 minutes then went back on the Sunday to complete the a half in 2 hours and 30 minutes!