Barcelona!

After Susan's week of Arctic survival training back in February in Yorkshire. It was my time to do something slightly different so to keep the "Tears for Beers" tradition going! This time in the shape of the Barcelona Marathon, OK I did one back in September, but believe me it gets no easier for number two, as you know what's coming!

Training was suppose to be 15 week training program starting in December tailored for a 3 Hour 30 finish time, but thanks to work, missed the first two weeks, followed by another 10 days over Xmas/new year thanks to the snow and ice. But got stuck in as best I could. This was harder than last time as included efforts. I consider it all as an effort, but to the club runners it's silly things like running up and down hills multiple times, doing stop start circuits all stuff to improve your speed. I'm not a club runner so headed off by myself in my own MP3 world. For January all it seemed to do is make my legs continually ache and was a test on motivation, training on cold, dark, icy nights is not fun. But February saw the benefits and smashing 4 minutes off my half marathon time on a training run. Maybe 3.30 would be feasible although I boycotted the last few training runs as felt continually tired this couldn't be right?

So there I stood at the Placa Espanya, Barcelona at 8.25 on Sunday the 7th March with just 5 minutes to go. Some 12 thousand runners but as I had a previous time could start further down the start grid. The previous 3 days had seen 12 hours days exploring what is a wondrous city with so much on offer, probably walked a marathon in those days, just couldn't miss out.

Decision time, I had made the discovery a couple of weeks before that if I got 3Hr 15 would have a good chance to get a "good for age" entry into the London marathon so bypassing the ballot and probable future disappointment. That was a different training plan, but what the hell, what did I have to lose?

So the gun went off, this time was over the start after 3 minutes, a little quicker than the 14 minutes at Berlin and looking at the stat's was in 3012 position wise. Still congested for the first few minutes, but a good pace as we headed off to towards the Nou Camp stadium (Barcelona FC). Was trying to catch the 3.15 pace maker so made my way through the masses getting to 2129 by 5km, caught and past the 3.45 pace maker then the 3.30 pace maker by the 10km mark. Feeling fine, no clocks on the course so hadn't a clue how fast I was going but still overtaking. By 15km was up to 1859. I could now see the 3.30 pace maker and his attached balloon ahead and was slowly closing in. By this time we had rounded the Nou Camp and were almost coming back on ourselves and yes passed the roundabout which we went around at the start, that isn't that motivating! The course now headed into the new Barcelona past Gaudi's La Pedrera although I didn't notice it, concentrating on the running to much, but couldn't help but gaze at the unfinished cathedral (Sagrada Familla) on the way past. Was now the furthest point away from the start and the half marathon point and a long walk back if I gave up now! But was only some 10 seconds behind the pacemaker and half way on 1.34.31, wow still felt good, if I kept this on would be sub 3.10!

So down we went towards the shore but just couldn't catch that extra 10 seconds to get to the Pacemaker. But I started 3 minutes after him so had this in hand. I could do this. The 30Km point came (18 miles) and feeling a bit tired but not bad and was in the 1758 which was going to be my best position. Suddenly the 3.15 pace maker stopped for a loo stop, I was ahead of him! But five minutes later he sprinted past and caught his balloon on a traffic light and burst, I couldn't identify him now in the crowd. But then it happened, I slowed a bit and tried to pick up the pace but I couldn't, however hard I tired. OK, hang in there I have 3 minutes in hand. Then a board only 10km to go, that 6 miles, thats just a local circuit at home. I was now tracking 30 seconds a km slower. Past the Port Olimpic we go through the Arc de Triomf and down the La Rambla the most famous street in Barcelona. Just 5km now. But what happened at Berlin with 1km to go hit me at 5km, this was the runners wall! Its different for everyone, but for me was running but falling asleep at the same time. The eye lids were very heavy, guess it was the body shutting down. Some people were walking, but I mustn't, I would never get going again. It seemed l I was running backwards as people over took. This was hell! looking at the stat's the last 5km took 8 minutes longer than the other 5km segments and dropped 300 places, I had a dread that that the 3.30 pacemaker would pass me any time. But then the finish, I had made it 3.23, 27 minutes better than last time.

As expected, the legs seized straight away, got the medal, gulped down 3 cups of energy drink and lots of fruit. By the time I got to the bag storage, walking was a challenge. But there you go, done and despite thinking "why am I doing this to myself" at the time, look back at it with some pride. After a marathon you are absolutely starving (having burnt 4000+ calories) so headed off and after months of healthy eating indulged in Kentucky Fried Chicken! So after getting back to my room for a shower and rest, yes did venture back down, it would of been a waste not to? Despite some strange looks regards my walking technique! To be honest it the next day which is the worst.

So will I do another another, I suspect so, London is my aim, but won't decide for a while, got a Yorkshire 3 peaks and Coast to Coast to keep me fit in the mean time. That will do for now :o)

Pennine Way on Ice

Well, I have now thawed out enough to write the blog for my latest day on the Pennine Way. Finn and I spent a week in Yorkshire in January with our friends Shiriin and Galey, and Maria. Quite why we decided to go and spend a week in north Yorkshire during the coldest winter in thirty years is beyond me. But go to Yorkshire we did.

We did a number of circular walks during the week – mostly in ice, snow and mud – around Swaledale – Gunnerside, Richmond, Barnard Castle, Reeth and Grinton – but Finn and I decided to be antisocial one day and take ourselves off for a Pennine Way jaunt, while Maria went and did some forest walking to collect pine cones for the cottage fire.

We drove from our cottage just outside Richmond the twenty odd miles to Middleton in Teesdale where I went to the local MOT garage to book our places on the minibus back from Langdon Beck later in the day – how very civilised! Once we’d got the admin done, we were free to spend the whole day if necessary walking the eight miles to our destination.

The path was very muddy on the low level and very icy on the higher level – we walked alongside the Tees all day practically, past a few waterfalls – most notably Low Force and High Force – to head steadily uphill towards Langdon. The sound of the waterfalls was very evident before we could see them – the sound was deafening at High Force, due to all the extra water because of the thawing snow.

As we headed away from the river and uphill, the path became very hazardous, although Finn loved rolling in all the ice and snow. I had to haul him out of a couple of snowdrifts where he fell in – sadly he couldn’t do the same for me, I had to extricate myself on my own! The really tricky bit was having to come down off the hills towards the road and Langdon – the path was basically in a gully which had become really muddy and of course I fell over and ended up on my bum, which has quite a lot of padding so it wasn’t too bad. However, when I then fell forwards onto my knees on ice and a cattle grid, there were definitely tears then, and dizziness and I saw stars. Time to call it a day.

So, we headed out to the road to wait for our bus – the cloud was really low at this time and it was freezing. The bus was on time and Finn immediately jumped up onto the seat but the lady bus driver wasn’t too bothered. Apparently that’s what “all sheepdogs do”. Hmmmm. It wasn’t long though before he got on the floor which was very warm and fell asleep, so the journey back to Middleton was punctuated by some very gentle snoring down by my feet! Sadly, I have no photos as evidence of our day though as my camera froze (and still hasn’t thawed out, three weeks later!)

A good day – despite the cold – but it makes life a bit easier later in the year when I’m due to come back and do the next bit. Roll on May …..

Walking in a winter wonderland ….. Sunday 3 January 2010

Six walkers and two dogs braved icy conditions to drive to Burnham Overy Staithe on the North Norfolk coast for the first walk of the new year – Steve and Ruth, Pam and Andy, Tristan and Sasha, and Susan and Finn. The first adventure was getting the coasthopper bus to Holme to the coastal path where we started our thirteen mile walk back to the cars at Burnham.

The walk started with a slippery scramble on the icy road down to the golf course and then followed a lovely walk along the boardwalk at the back of the sand dunes. The weather was gorgeous – blue skies and slightly warmer than we’d anticipated, which meant that layers were stripped off and put back on again all day. The boardwalk eventually gave way to a wooded area and a carpet of pine cones before we headed out to very muddy paths skirting the water’s edge.

Our catering corps were very well organised with Christmas cake and mulled wine breaks and the day passed by without incident.

This walk was intended to get us back into the swing of things because we had planned to complete a twenty-five mile challenge walk in the Brecon Beacons the following weekend. However, because of the weather warnings across Britain, it was decided mid week that we would cancel – we weren’t sure of our chances of reaching Wales and, even if we had, we were even less sure of our chances of ever leaving there again!

So disappointment with regard to Wales, but a brilliant day in North Norfolk instead.

The last walk of 2009 .....

Today was the first time that the entire Tears for Beers team have walked since Trailtrekker back in May. We were also joined by some friends, both two AND four legged. The usual suspects - Steve, Rachel, Tristan and Susan - were accompanied by Ruth, Amanda, Andy and Bridget and the doggy contingent came in the form of Muppet, Sasha and Finn.
We came back to do our seven/eight mile circuit from King Street down to Carrow Road, up to the A47 bypass and then back by Whitlingham Broad. It’s been pretty icy and very muddy but we finished in a creditable three hours, which included a coffee break at the visitor centre. This walk is in preparation for a thirteen mile beach walk next week and then a twenty-five mile challenge walk in the Brecon Beacons in Wales at the beginning of January - which has to be completed in eight hours - some challenge!
We are also planning our trip to Yorkshire in April to walk the three peaks - twenty-five miles and Yorkshire’s three highest hills, in twelve hours. We’re still working on Rachel to make sure she does all three peaks and doesn’t just end up in the pub at Horton in Ribblesdale - at least there are no shops there to distract her!
In May, Steve and Tristan are off to walk the Coast to Coast path from St Bees to Robin Hoods Bay, and Finn and I are walking the second half of the Pennine Way. I just hope that Finn will be better behaved than he has been today. At least the seven miles wore him out totally for the rest of the day and he’s been asleep pretty much since we got back - thank God for small mercies!
So, Tears for Beers would like to wish everyone a happy and peaceful new year and we look forward to some of you joining us for our 2010 challenges.
Susan
xxx

And then there were two .....

Only two members of the King Street Ramblers were man enough to brave the elements today - so, Steve and I were parked in Beccles and ready to walk just before nine o’clock. We’re still walking the Angles Way, a seventy-seven mile stretch between Great Yarmouth and Knettishall Heath and which joins up the Weavers Way and the Peddars Way.

It’s been pretty grey and drizzly and was quite tough because we’ve not walked very much lately. Knees and feet were playing up today – so a gentle ten mile stroll was just what was needed. Except it turned into twelve miles due to my mapreading – as usual. After having got us lost twice (in two entirely separate locations!), I finally admitted defeat and handed the map over to Steve to take charge!

The route was on country lanes and in farmers’ fields – a bit squelchy underfoot – and we also had a hill which took us a bit by surprise. This IS Suffolk after all! The trees were beautiful – lovely reds and golds – with a lot of leaves to cushion the path and our poor feet.

Conversation covered a wide variety of topics, including mortgages, finances in general, savings, DIY and holidays. And despite the fact that Rachel wasn’t with us, we STILL talked about food, even to the point of swopping recipes!

We finished at Earsham at the pub for a quick drink. And we had to be quick too, even having a little sprint to the bus which arrived at the bus stop early. So, a very good day, but we’re looking forward to having more people coming out with us!

Berlin Marathon

So there I stood last Sunday (20th Sept) in the central road in the Tiergarten, Berlin. Which for those not familiar with Berlin, is the main city centre park, with approx 35,ooo runners in front of me and some 5,000 behind. Blue skies and temperatures of 25c in the shade expected with a course of 42 Km's (26.2 miles) stretching ahead.

Training had started in the third week of June after a couple of weeks off following trailtrekkers so giving the feet a rest. Would I find this more difficult? Training mileage slowly gathered in distance with a max distance of 22 miles which passed ok. Surely an extra 4 miles wouldn't make much difference? But disaster struck a fortnight before the marathon, a strained ligament made running difficult so led to no exercise at all for the final 2 weeks. You are suppose to take things easy at this stage anyway but was far from ideal. A sports massage 4 days before helped although the guys remarks that people only normally attempt marathons after a couple years of running as a minimum didn't help. I had been running just 14 months!

Would recommend Berlin to anyone for a long weekend, easy to get too, lots to see and quite cheap in the days of unfavourable Euro exchange rates. In hind sight maybe spending 11 hours on the Saturday (day before) treading the streets looking at all on offer wasn't my brightest idea, but was dammed if I was going to miss the opportunity (Berlin Wall, WW2 and Cold war bunkers, 1930's Olympic stadium, Brandenberg gate, Alte Museum, Jewish memorial etc etc). Had collected my race number and kit bag etc from the Sports Expo the evening before at the Templehof airfield. The atmosphere was electric with thousands of runners buzzing in anticipation for the race that weekend. The hangers being another 1930's listed building in the style you would associate with Hitler. Difficult not to be impressed.

The hotel took a bit of finding but was excellent for my needs with the mega bonus that the bath also doubled up as a jacucci, this would turn out to be invaluable! The transport system is also excellent for getting around. You can buy a 3 day pass but didn't go through one barrier or ticket check during the complete trip. Everyone must be very honest? The other challenge was finding somewhere which served Pasta so I could start Carb loading. Went to the same place on two consecutive nights but a request on the second night for a Gross Spag Bol did get me a strange look! But I did get a big plate full!

So Sunday came, a little nervous about how the leg would cope. A light Breakfast at 7am then a 30 minute walk down to the start area. From all the streets a procession of people could be seem with their clothing bags slung over their shoulders. With typical German efficiency, was lined up on the road at 08:30, just half an hour to go.

The Berlin Marathon is one of the 5 world majors (London/Berlin/New York/Chicargo/Boston), some of the top athletes had missed the world championships the month before just to do this one. Purely I guess as the top point scorer in a two year period wins half a million dollars! The big boys only run a couple of marathons a year. Indeed last year the world record had been broken here, an incredible 2 Hours and 3 minutes!

So at 9am the gun went off and loads of balloons shot into the sky. But nothing happened, well it did but couldn't see where I stood! Berlin has the greatest number of participants then any other marathon, even shading London. So takes a while for 40,000 to start moving. After 3-4 minutes started to walk slowly, eventually went over the start line at a jog 13 minutes later! Despite it being a dual carriage way (4 lanes) trying to get past people was difficult. I wanted sub 4 hours and wasn't prepared to go with the flow. After a km, the course left the park and was into the streets, the first of 70 bands were in full flow with the Saints Go Marching In. Lots of people cheering, it does make a big difference. The swiss supporters made me smile banging on their cow bells, this wasn't a downhill!

Was thrown a bit as I expected to see clocks showing the time elapsed at regular intervals, but there wasn't, plus the distance boards weren't that numerous. So didn't have a clue on the pace I was doing. When running, you have good days when you feel like Forest Gump and can run for miles, bad days when you feel drained straight away (like most of my training runs after having worked the night before!) and those in the middle. It was a middle run today! But more importantly, the leg was not playing up. The first 5KM passed in 26 minutes.

Was still like running into a wall of runners although roundabouts gave me a chance to gain quite a few spaces, as most went around anti clockwise, while the Brits tended to go around clockwise (think about it, driving cars!). A group of 4 chefs banging their ladles on their pans made me smile. Didn't see many runners in fancy dress, just a few "man" nuns and a guy in a kilt. Think the deep Sea Diver was right at the back!

The sun was now starting to make a difference. Every 5kms they have water stops where you can get a cup of water on the move. I had a bottle with me which lasted me the first 20kms so didnt have to slow down,but under foot was wet with thousands of crushed plastic cups as early on some 30,000 runners plus had been before us. Made a hell of a racket!

The course had now entered East Berlin (ex DDR) with less people lining the streets, can remember the noise of all the feet hitting the tarmac. Its the shudder which goes through your body when your feet hit the tarmac which which takes it toll. But we soon past the iconic TV tower (Fernsehturm). Over the river Spree and back into cheering crowds. Had been going over 1.5 Hours now, breathing hadn't broken beyond normal, but starting to sweat. Legs still fine.

But it was around the 18km mark, had a real boost, caught up with the 4 Hours Pace maker who had a yellow balloon tied to her belt. As long as I kept in front, I should get my sub 4 hours. Half Marathon distance (21Km) came at 1 Hour 50 minutes was still feeling positive and still overtaking people all the time and hardly getting overtaken myself.

So the relentless push continued, more Samba Band, a pair of Indians in full dress (USA) playing pipes by the road side made me look twice and a cheery wave to the course photographers at the 30km mark just had to be done. The course had now turned and we were heading away from the suburb heading back towards the centre. Only 10Km to go, thats the same as one of my training runs from Sprowston down the Yarmouth road, I can do this!

But after 30km's I was starting to show signs of tiring. Looking at my stage times afterwards, started to fall from 26-27 minute 5KM sections to 28 minutes. Breathing was fine but the legs were start to feel heavy. Some people were starting to walk with others doing stretches against tree's. Was still overtaking people but aware fatigue was setting in. But no sign of the 4 hour Pace maker so was a good sign.

There was suddenly a lack of distance boards, the last I had seen was 35Kms. At some water stops there is fruit so garbed a bit of banana while an Italian runner who ran with me for a minute or so gave me a high energy sweet. Such is the spirit of these truly international events. This stretch was going on for ever, I was hanging in there but had gone past the 22 mile mark, this was all new territory.

Finally a board, yes 40km, only 2 kms left, but then the realisation there was still 12-15 minutes running left to do. It was past midday, the sun was beating down and then suddenly the energy seemed to of left me. This was getting very close to the runners wall, when the body just runs out of energy and you can do nothing but walk or in extreme cases people collapse. Didn't hit it dead on as I dug in deep and the pace only dropped by 30 seconds. But its an experience I've never ever had, this was pushing my poor excuse of a body to the edge, more than trailtrekkers by a long way. Saw the edge of Reichstag poking out behind a building ahead which is next to the Brandenberg gate and the finish. But the course then dog legged left and started to run away from it. Remember saying to myself, for christ sake! One of the highlights for me should of been running through the Brandenburg gate. But to be be honest, all I could see through the gate some 100 metres further on, was the finish. I had no energy for emotion, I wanted it to stop. Was now being overtaken. Went over the finish, I had done it, sub 4 hours.

The next few minutes were totally mad, you file past tables where you get your medal then its the drinks tables, hundreds of runners desperate to re-hydrate themselves as soon as possible. As soon as I had stopped I had gone light headed, all available energy had gone. But three cups of water, two cups of energy drink in quick succession after fighting my way to the tables saved the day. One Women next to me fell over and couldn't get up, her leg had locked with extreme cramp. It was a complete frenzy. You then claimed your goodie bag (snacks), had you finishing photo taken and then just found a spot and just rested. Legs started seizing but couldn't be bothered to stretch. Neither could most other people flaked out all over the place. The heat had made it tougher than past years so more than one person told me.

So there you go, my maiden marathon completed. Stayed in the runners area for the best part of 2 hours resting/getting changed before getting enough energy to walk back to the hotel. Walked along the Marathon course some of the way, still a steady stream of people were finishing (6 hours plus).

Yes a heck of of an experience, and glad I did it, absolutely. Yes the aching legs didn't stop until 5 days later and still feel void of energy a week later. But now know what it is all about. Many people who have done one, have said never again. But not me, find out in the next fortnight if accepted to the London Marathon. If not will pick another at a European city in the spring.

Yes I am totally nuts, but that's what happens to some people when they turn 40!!!

The King Street Rambling Club - Great Yarmouth to Halvergate - Saturday 22 August

So this is my first walk of the King Street Rambling Club and I was rather anxious being amongst such experienced walkers - this was not helped by various members of the group announcing that 8 miles was only a stroll and that it was hardly worth getting out of bed for! And new girls chore - writing the blog!

Anyhow, Susan and I were picked up by Steve at just after 8am and we met up with Tristan, Andy and Sasha at Halvergate, where we climbed into the truck and Tristan drove like Emerson Fitipaldi (?spelling Susan?) to our destination - Asda at Great Yarmouth! Here we had to make do with Asda bacon and/or sausage baps in lieu of our support crew i.e. Jonathan being unable to attend! (And as a side note - why is it always my bag that ends up with dozens of sachets of red and brown sauce?)

At 9.19am we had our first row and we hadn't even set off. It stemmed from the fact that a certain male member of the group pointed out that he would be walking with three biatches today and so a battle of the sexes commenced!

Only a very short one however because finally at 9.25am we were off. We headed out along the path with Andy and Sasha in front and the rest of us mooching along behind. At 10am we saw a group of 'older' blokes stood around a gate avidly watching the train line, armed with cameras and binoculars. After much 'you ask them', 'no you ask them', Steve asked them what they were looking at and apparently they were excitedly awaiting the 10:10 train from Yarmouth which was a diesel. Us girls were seriously unimpressed by this and walked on ahead leaving the old fogies (Steve, Tristan and Andy) all extolling the wonders of diesel trains and how they used these marvellous engines in their youth - must have been a long time ago!!!!

The weather was absolutely glorious and we were very grateful for a cool breeze making it easy walking. The path was fairly easy going - apart from the stiles which Sasha appeared to have a bit of a problem with. However, after much coaxing, we got her through most of them without too much assistance. We encountered a few cows which seemed to like us so much they decided to follow us - much to the anxiety of Susan and Andy. Sasha wasn't that impressed either.

The funniest part of the day, for Tristan at least, occurred when a very hot, panting Sasha decided to take a little paddle in a dyke only to sink to the bottom, becoming completely submerged. While Tris curled up laughing at her predicament, the rest of us were all wondering whether we should try and rescue her by hauling her out but luckily she is such a clever doggy and soon discovered her paddle! She emerged from the water, dignity intact, looking very fetching with her coat all nice and curly - I wonder if Tristan had to use the straighteners on her later????

We arrived at the pub in Halvergate about 1300hrs (I think! I wasn't really paying attention to be honest!) for a welcome libation and then it was off home for cheese and toast and a look at my blisters! All in all a good day!