Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Trailblazer Challenge


Held last Saturday, I'm glad to say we all completed it in one piece. Over 800 took part, with many walking or running 50k or 100k. We did the 34k course and were well glad when we had completed that. If we are to attempt the 50K next year we will need to seriously need to up our training.

We started in the City at 7am and the first 18k was along the banks of the River Torrens gradually making our way out to the foothills surrounding the city. It took us though many suburbs, even one called Highbury, which even over here had a weird smell about it. Sadly it was a nice area unlike the hovel that surrounds the red half of North London. We reached checkpoint 1 about 10.15.

Then started the first of the 2 hill climbs up the aptly named Black Hill. As we got higher so too did the scenery over the City start to spread out beside us. Good spirits, camaraderie and a few sugary sweets got us to the 2nd watering point. From here a further steep uphill climb to the Morialta Conservation Park. On this section the aches really started, but I think it was the mental side of getting near the finish. There were others who were doing the 100 k walk about us and they actually looked in a worse state than we were. God knows if they competed their target.

Anyhow Peter Williams my boss and Andrew Tatlock my Geordie Chum, completed our 34k challenge in 6 hrs 47mins well ahead of our expected time. We have raised in excess of $1500 between us, for "troubled children" so we're happy with our efforts. Needless to say we spent the rest of the afternoon at the well named Edinburgh Hotel supping several well earned Coopers pale ale, with our other halves and kids. Roll on next year and the 50k challenge.....

Move in to the new house on Weds 21 Oct at last....

Monday, October 5, 2009

City to Bay 12k and bloody nipples

Well I'm glad to say, I managed to run the whole way, but not in much of a time. Well by the time I got through the start line 1000's had already started. Hence the 7500 who finished ahead of me. Also have to admit to some surprise when I read in the paper that 75 people had actually walked it quicker than I had run it...

At the end I was asking a lady where to pick up the kit bags. She looked me up and down in amazement. It was only when she'd gone I noticed I had 2 great bloody patches around both of my nipples. Not very cool I can tell you. I did say I was not built for running, this proves it...

It hasn't stopped my enthusiasm for the charity raising Trailblazer challenge which is actually next weekend. A 34k hike, starting in the city and ending in the Adelaide Hills. Next year I'll attempt the 50k, and the year after the 100k (not). Some people actually run the whole 100k, amazing. Sadly no-one from the UK has sponsored me yet, other than my Dad. Ah well, out of sight...

Oh yeah news on the new house. We should be moving in on the 21st Oct - can't wait.