Bupa Great North Run - Half Marathon (Newcastle)

I have been training for the GNR for about 6 months now as i attempt to do my second half marathon, my first being the Nottingham Half Marathon in 2006 ran in 1:51.

The training went well, and I had booked a weekend away in the Albatross Backpackers to make the most of the experience. The Saturday before the race they had on the banks of the Tyne some world class mile and 3 mile athlets all competiting as there seasons comes to a close, the likes of Motram from Australia was running and I had a great view from the front, a really good experience to see the speed these guys can get up to over this distance. They also had the running Expo and the lots of childrens fun runs and I enjoyed spending the day of rest watching everyone else getting tired. As a small bonus I bimped into steve cram and said a very quick hello, nothing to really shout home about you understand it was so brief....

So after a really bad nights sleep (snorers and party goers) I got up to realise I was so unprepared I had no breakfast and I was about to run 13.1 miles!!!! I cant run on an empty stomach I thought so off i went out to search for fooda nd the only place I could find was Macdonalds, so yep ordered everything I could and that was what I ran 13.1 miles on a Maccy D's.

I went down to the start with a girl from the hostal Fay she was from Nottingham and a seasoned runner by all accounts, we made our way slowly with the thousands of people along the streets to the start line and the buses which take your bags, they mark your number with a stamp so you dont forget which bus your bag is on, then we headed for the starting pens we said our farewells as she was much nearer the front than me and was on the other side, we said out farewells - I could have lined up for a wee but what was the point, everyman and his dog was doing it in the bushes and so I joined them I was sooo aaahhhhh peeeeee.....

I was in pen J, they start at A I was at the back there was only one other pen behind me, the pens hold about 7000 people each and you are fenced in. I went in and chatted to 2 40 year old Geordie fairies who were in great spirits and we joined together to do the pre arranged exercises with 60,000 people at the same time - think about it a sight I have never seen, the helicopters roamed above our heads and the Red arrows flew over the start. And the gun was fired and we were off !!!!

Well when I say off I mean we waited about ten minutes before we started to walk and then 15 later we were strolling over the start line, I started running and set me watch I was off behing 50,000 people - looking for PB.....yeh what ever.

The strangest thing though, as we went over the line the noise of the DJ's the Bobby Robson Chants the the thumping music all the hype suddenly disappeared and was replaced with the eery sound of a million rubber feet tippy tapping there way along the motorway the heaving chests of all around, then the realisation that not only had it all been a laugh at the start you were actually now gong to try and run 13.1 miles, never easy, I accepted the reality and started in my attempt to overtake 45,000 people ha ha.

The race was fantastic an as before I did not stop so I ran the full distance, I ran the race in -

1:54. and I started at the back (overtaking 42,000 people as I came 8045th)

Highlights were -

Children offering oranges and ice pops & sweets.
People calling my name (had it on me front shoulder)
The wall of sound - I had Queen 'we will rock you' - it worked
The atmosphere and the support of fellow runners.
The crowds always so supportive
The showers on route - Human car wash.......
The free lucozade always nice.
Sense of achievement at finishing
Free sweets and grub in the Yorkshire Cancer Charity tent lush for sure.

The bad part was runing with a bad back which I had sprained few days before lugging cement around on site so annoyed but stil made in anyway.

I would highly recomend it and may do it again but my goa now is to get a place in the Edinburugh Marathon next May, I am in the ballot at present, and during the training for that Marathon I want to do another small scale half marathon event to see if i can really get my 1:40 time that I am sure I can get with clear run.

Lastly I would like to thank all of my sponsors who donated money in the end I got over my target of £500, and I am very gratful for that.

Well thats it, here is proof in case your not convinced I did complete the Bupa Great Northern Run.

Computer crash....AArrgghh

OK folks, my computer is down down down, it has crashed well it simply wont turn on...so until I sort I am unable to post anything as well computer sufing is not as much fun as you might think.

It is a such a pain in the arse when you go and trust your life to Microsoft and then blip....all gone sorry.

The Laptop is out of warranty so I have let someone take it apart and try to fix it at the capacitor level....sounds fun if not a new one will be bought and the information from the hard drive will have to be sucked out of it as i have some sweet tunes on there...

Well I have bought a new one - A Sony vaio N38Z model in white, i like it but lets face it a my old brick had more power then this new vista powersucking baby has. It is nice and i like it, but i kinda still want me old one back. It is at present waiting for a new motherboard to become available, i will be keeping it, in the mean time i have had my hard drive returned to me in a caddy case, but i cant open files due to administrator rights.....what a pain. Anyway it great on the road as its so quiet, beter than the Amilo D brick that fanned people and made the lights flicker as it went. anyway here is the new laptop....

The new Toy 'Tom Tom'

I took a long time before I laid my cash out for this new toy, I went on to as many review sites as I could to be sure that it was worth the dosh, next came the game of researching in stores as well as online and checking the prices in those areas.

My experience was that the shops were rubbish the staff simply did not know what the devices did, they just knew that they could be in for a good sale and tried the pathetic sales patter on me, they would not open one up, they could not locate the details or the specifics from the box of the display model, and then in one shop where I nearly bought one they didnt have any in stock after all and there would be a waiting list.

DO NOT BUY FROM A BLOODY SHOP !!!!! DYOR online.

In the end I bought on online from Currys and got it for £20 cheaper with a discount code, the same model was in the store for £95 more, yep no shit. What did I buy, well I bought the -

Tom Tom One XL with the full UK & European Maps. £209.98 free delivery.

External Antenna - £9.99 Amazon

1GB memory card - £6.90 Amazon

Carry Case £14.20 - Amazon (It will be filthy in a week if you dont)

''you dont need a mains charger, plug it into your computer or car....!! really you dont.''.

Why did I buy one? Well I get lost alot, not where I live of course but anywhere else always... not only that I am without doubt one of those people who drive passed the turning they think they need all the time only to get lost on the way back looking for it again, and I get really pissed off & stressed with this whilst driving if I am honest....so yep hand on heart I have wasted hundreds of pounds worth of fuel going nowhere special. Also though it can be used on me push bike as well when walking through towns or in the countryside as it works with Long and Lat readings as well...

Does it work? thats the Q, when I did my reasearch some people said it loses a signal fair play I thought hence I bought the external antenna which sits on me roof, I have a full signal everywhere I go now, but yes it does work to coin a phrase 'It does exactly what it says on the tin' it is though not an autopilot and it does put you off your driving a bit at first but it is an invaluable resource for finding your way in a new City. I have tested it for three days so far and it has always got me to the destination I have asked of it. It also slows you down a bit in town centres as you are trying to follow its intructions good for me, as I have a heavy right foot sometimes.

It doesnt always take the route you would take in your own area, but thats not what its for, when you turn up in a town you have never been to before it is a God send.

I wont bore with you what it can do (DYOR), but it can do alot more than you think.

Would I recommend one - Yes I would.......Cant wait to test this baby on my Trip to the Alps and my Trip to Tenerife.

Sardinia June 2007

I was searching through Ryans Air's destinations at work searching for the elusive 1p flights and found a return flight to Sardinia (Alghero) from my home airport of East midlands. Total cost with taxes and with one bag £50.

Now I've never been or ever expected to go to Sardinia, simply because other places were a priority, but where Ryan Air goes I go, so after a bit of research it began to look like a secret little Gem and I was not let down, I can assure you I will be visiting sardinia again real soon.....if you make the effort the rewards are all over the Island.

I arrived at 4pm hired a car £235 (7 Days unlimited full Insurance)I got the full insurance, now I know I know I can drive safely but I'ts the dam Italians (Sardinians) that cant period !! As well as the road signs being beyond ridicule, they are a joke, the Italians have no idea how to manage a road system, I got stuck in one mountain village (Nouro) for 45 minutes!!

I had a rough intenery but essentially was as free as a bird - I stayed on the beach in my Bivvy for two nights, I stayed in 2 different mountain ranches (Refugios)and a swanky Hotel for two nights in Cala Gonone, my first night after bit of haggling was in Alghero.

My Itenary was -

Algero - one night
Lido Orri - 2 nights on the beach....awesome
Chiesa San Pietro / (Hike 1) Cala Goloritze - Staying in the Refugio...
Cala Gonone - (Hike 2) Cala Luna return on foot... - Hotel Luna 2 nights.
Oliena - (Hike 3) Summit of Nidos 1348M - Cooperative ENIS Hotel
Stintino / Cappo Caccia (hiked to the bottom and back up!!!) return car/airport.

I had a great time adventuring around as always and have to say that it is a beautiful Island it was blistering heat the whole week while you lot were getting soaked ha ha...and I have never swam in water so transparent in all my life.....take a look.

Above Cala luna and below Cala Goloritz - Hours of swimming and diving..

These places were hiked to, and although you can get to some of the beaches by car most are only accessable on foot or by boat, making them feel more personal.

OK I am having a nightmare with FlickR and passwords so go to the link and when the picks change to Tenerife just close the window other wise it will show you every dam picture in my account, luckily the first ones to come up are of Sardinia, the video will show you more...

Go here for the pictures on FlickR -

Sardinian Slide show

Colonic Irrigation

On Sat 7th of July @ 9:00am!!!

To be honest I have considered having one of these for years, why well mmmm good question I guess its due to the claimed health benefits especially if you know you been eating to much sugary food for years like I have, I am on a health kick of late and one of my concerns is that I may have Candida and so I am hoping this will help with clearing some of the bad toxins out of my system.

That aside though I cant wait to see what comes out through the tube that they place in front of you, it'll be like a crap Generation Game, ya know the bit at the end where all the items passed by quickly.

It might go somthing like this -

• Kids toy
• Set of marbles
• An oily (marble)
• set of teaspoons
• Toy Soldier
• balloon

Etc Etc you get the picture. To be fair there are not alot of places that do it in what would look like a proffessional clinic but I've found one in Retford, north of Mansfield, the cost is £80 and that was a concern for me initially, but she said that she would make sure I was as clear as possible for one sitting !!! ....

Joking aside .. my other concern is that on the website she looks a big woman ya know with strength about her, I do hope shes not to forceful as I kind a like my bottom just the way it is, woudnt want any slip ups now would we... and for those who know me well - I am a little concern that I may loose my windy talents that have brought happiness and delight to many for years, that would be sad day for sure.....

Woud'nt it be a blast if her name happened to be Peace, as to book you would have to ringpiece...ha ha mmph...god I must grow up.....

Check the video out here -

In the end and being serious I think it has done me good, you do feel better as well as a little lighter, also they can see if you have any conditions and I was clear - I was actually given a clean bill of health which was the reason I went -

Would I do it again ? - mmmm Yes I would about every 3 years or so.

Labour Pains....

Have to mention this, for about the last 3 weeks now I have helping a buddy (Terry Towelling and Trevor the rockstar) rebuild a house as a labourer, I have not done this type of work for about 17 years, but I'm pretty fit and so I thought I'll be ok....

Leave it out ... this work is a killer, I have been working in an office for about 5 years at least and still do as my other job, but this labouring is killing me, god its making me fit but struth as I approaching 40 things arent the same ya know, the body has the will but well heh simply not the interest !! ha ha.

The first day (I remember it well) there I was all macho and ready for it, bring it on lads this will be a breeze Ihought COME ON!! - they made me rip all the carpets up from the ground floor and the rails of spikes that hold the carpet in place..this entailed constantly bending down at awkward angles and after about 2 hours I was in F**king Traction let me tell ya...it was agony....ha ha...of course I kept stum....being a bloke an all that....mmmph (big mistake)

...Keeping a brave face and getting on with it I made it through the day and ventured home thinking of what I do with my free evening, I sat down for about 5 mins and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...woke up at 4am on the living room sofa - still in Traction...

Ha Ha the upside is it makes you fit and me old muscles are coming back look at that body ...

This work hurts let me assure you - hope the sexy Spanish Teacher next door has seen me....Ola Como esta?....heh heh..

The long Eaton 5 Mile Challenge...

Hey Hey as part of my training for the Great northern Run 2007 I have stupidly entered into a 5 mile official race. It's on Sunday the 10th of June 2007 and starts at 10am. Now im not a morning runner (Come to think of it i'm not a competitive runner at all) but best get used to it as most races start early, I am dearly hoping to beat 40 minutes and as a heavy set 38 year old that would be good. But im not getting my hopes up, my main concern is that I will not end up at the back ..... God I would hate that - how embarrising....



Anyway look at me go....ha ha anyway will post time after race....come on 40 minutes....

OK I have acheived the unexpected, I was concerned about coming last but my dear friends I came in the top third of the competitors on the day 135th out of 370 to be exact !! I had to push myself though and it was not easy, but I even managed to squeeze a Seb Coe sprint at the end to overtake a club runner heh heh.

To be honest I went off too fast and got two miles in under 14 minutes scary for me, I then knew that I would be paying for that fast start indulgence later on and I did, I was in the norm form ya know grunting and talking to me self and swearing as I struggled round and through the pack but came into the last straight and looked up the glorious digital clock telling me I had achieved the impossible - a time of -



I then preceded to have a coupe of beers down by the river....bring on the next race....

happy Days.