You do have a family, you know?!

Jonathon Ross...

KNACKERED is not a big enough word to describe how I felt after completing 26 miles on Sunday. I planned a great route through Bournemouth, along the seafront through the pleasure gardens, over some quite impressive hills then finishing via a lovely forest. I taped my feet up and set off at around 9am.

All was fine – except for some maniac who nearly ran me over at some traffic lights. I couldn’t get my two fingers up in time to let him know my displeasure before he had disappeared!

It was around the 23 mile point that I got severe stomach cramps and had to walk for a while. I finished the run but was still in some discomfort. After reading our Silver Surfers quality advice on nutrient intake I think I should watch exactly what I am eating and drinking more carefully. The good thing is that this is the reason we train, so we can eliminate all these problems and not suffer them on the actual event.

There are of course physical dangers when running. Just last week I was rounding the last bend to my home. I noticed a car starting to reverse out of a driveway. I slowed slightly, ready to take evasive action but actually thought he would stop. Well, he didn’t stop and I ended up trying to run round the back of his car. The trouble is he then accelerated and I ended up sprawled all over his boot lid. I had to bang on his rear window for him to stop. Needless to say I let him know where, in my opinion, he had gone wrong!

On a more domestic front, my wife Sarah has been fantastic in her support for the cause. She even let me purchase some very exotic looking trainers which almost required a second mortgage. She also let me buy a set of ‘Skins’. I have no idea if they do what they are supposed to but I find them great to run in. There is, however, a slightly strange feeling you get from wearing them, which is probably best not discussed.

Sarah did mention that. 'This 65 mile run thing you are doing is taking over your life, you do have a family, you know?!' So, I now have to pretend it hasn’t taken over my life and think more of my 18 and 20 year old sons, who quite frankly wouldn’t notice if I was thinking about them more or not. Unless of course they want more money or a lift to the pub. (Cynic! Of course they would! - Ed)

It is very difficult not to let this event take over your life especially as I can actually see Tarrant Rushton airfield from my office window!

Best regards to you all – stay fit.

Steppin' it Up..!

Matt Barker from Hants keeps update on his progress...

Hi, it's the firefighter runner with the hectic family life back for my second blog.

This week has been quieter than usual on the rural Hampshire firefighting front so I have to talk about running which I prefer to do anyway. I am quite chuffed with my training efforts this week. I planned a long run this last Sunday to be the longest yet involving a lunch break to mimic the actual Project65 plan to stop at 30 miles. I wanted to see if I could eat my carbs for half an hour and then start again. Would I cramp up, throw up, seize up or be ok? So I set off towards my local sports centre which is 12.75 miles away making the total run just under that of an ordinary marathon.

Most of the route through the pleasant Hampshire countryside was known by me from previous runs, bar the the final 4 miles to the centre and was made even more beautiful by the amazing sun and blue sky that day. I always find running in new areas easier as I am distracted - mainly by trying not to get lost!

I reached the centre in 2hrs19 which is roughly the pace I wanted. I wolfed down a baked potato and beans, put some sponsorship posters up and then set off again on a slightly different wooded route. I felt awful for about a mile but then got back into the swing of it until a lady with a dog said, "Good luck up the hill!" Not what I wanted next but its all good for training. It wasn't to0 bad though, only half a mile of slogging and tripping on roots but through a picturesque hazel and oak woodland.

I continued on, sipping from my backpacks of sun warmed water and isotonic drink until I hit the wall at 20 miles where I became very negative (and nearly threw myself under a truck) for all of about 2 minutes then I cheered up again and reached home in a total of 4hrs29....for 24.6 miles. I'm pretty happy with that for this stage in the training.

So far, this is my most successful training week. I had two days rest and ran again Wednesday and Friday. I do have some considerations for everyone though. I have a habit of saying 'Hi!' or 'Good afternoon!' to people when I pass them. Other runners always respond happily, most dog walkers do but certain other road users tend not to!!! You may know who I mean! Is there a reason for this? I am relatively new to running so may have missed some rule or something but manners cost nothing...and I am more than happy for a head nod or raised finger. Anyone else get this trouble?

I have also sadly had to stop taking one of my dogs on these runs as they get longer and hotter. I usually take my two Spinones (big shaggy dogs) on a home made 2 way lead but alas, it is getting too much for the oldest one. He's not fussed though, he prefers to eat and get fat!

So the effort continues. Let me know your thoughts on other road-users...! See y'all next week, hopefully!