tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27011298872347549152024-03-05T12:05:39.985+01:00Running for PearlRunning for Autism.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-38866219827122311912014-05-07T12:13:00.003+02:002014-05-07T12:13:33.610+02:00New Site.I am no longer actively blogging on this site but feel free to peruse older articles. Please head over to <b><a href="http://www.malcolmmcloughlin.com/">www.malcolmmcloughlin.com</a></b> to continue following my activities. Thanks.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-88029652408895451312013-09-14T12:21:00.000+02:002013-09-14T12:22:00.347+02:00Kilian Jornet - Matterhorn VideoMuch has been said of Kilian's recent Matterhorn record but nothing comes close to the scale of this video. The speed of the ascent is impressive but the descent is absolutely nerve-wracking. Best athlete in the world, by a long ways.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rDV1j0SZMZI" width="420"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-36638249542341149852013-06-25T21:57:00.000+02:002013-09-24T10:43:45.308+02:00A Fine Line - An Evening With Kilian Jornet.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSLYj_j7kvnnrdhdzS8LE7v64hjs4afTtfsqfxKBEYi6YAk6rfU_sZ7ZbED4FIqDedlrHuonuN1WnNVh3fh6-otf1SNVZNTQsACz70sbIa39tIehYXXyMP5Mfx8KiXfE9PwQfrWlz5g4/s1600/iPhone8+173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSLYj_j7kvnnrdhdzS8LE7v64hjs4afTtfsqfxKBEYi6YAk6rfU_sZ7ZbED4FIqDedlrHuonuN1WnNVh3fh6-otf1SNVZNTQsACz70sbIa39tIehYXXyMP5Mfx8KiXfE9PwQfrWlz5g4/s400/iPhone8+173.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sold Out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Last I night I had the great pleasure
of attending a sell-out screening of <a href="http://store.summitsofmylife.com/en/home/12-dvd-a-fine-line.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">A Fine Line</span></a>, part one of <a href="http://www.kilianjornet.cat/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">KilianJornet</span></a> and <a href="http://www.sebmontaz.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Sebastien Montaz-Rosset's</span></a> epic series, <a href="http://www.summitsofmylife.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Summits Of My Life</span></a>,
at MK2 Paris. Kilian was in town for the weekend to run the <a href="http://www.10km.lequipe.fr/paris/fr/les_news.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Equipe10km</span></a> for charity. A novel idea for an athlete who is more accustomed
to 160km treks through rugged mountains. Kilian needs no
introduction. Really. He is the first global superstar of the
ultra-running world and people go nuts to get close to this modest,
diminutive Catalan. He reminds me of a monk. Quietly spoken, wise,
and with eyes that tell stories of things that most of us will never
see. His physical prowess is beyond what most people can grasp and
his pure love of the outdoors is like a conducting rod for runners
the world over.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzZaMzAaSeUVPz6XpSKhk7ZtDfvWYX-zLODx5NKynlwBUIoY7gu9vJEEgvt-QfA_H_L23LtBxoLjkYAA8JkHWowwj9kCpYN_rE3yxgxDb6H_5tN8Ug_TL7WAxgM3lIMgMEkBmWGWIQIk/s1600/iPhone8+174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzZaMzAaSeUVPz6XpSKhk7ZtDfvWYX-zLODx5NKynlwBUIoY7gu9vJEEgvt-QfA_H_L23LtBxoLjkYAA8JkHWowwj9kCpYN_rE3yxgxDb6H_5tN8Ug_TL7WAxgM3lIMgMEkBmWGWIQIk/s400/iPhone8+174.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Fine Line equals a long line.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I first found out about the screening
ten days ago on social media and was quick to snap up a ticket. Wise
move. Upon arrival (early) the queue already stretched the length of
the promenade with a hefty aggregation of lithe, weather-beaten faces
attired mostly in Salomon gear. I hopped in and waited. Eventually we
were led to a screening room with a six hundred seat capacity. Spaces
were few and I settled for a corner seat towards the back. Kilian and
an emcee arrived half an hour before the film rolled. Kilian spoke of
the experiences of shooting such a lofty project and how the death of
his climbing partner, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St%C3%A9phane_Brosse" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Stephane Brosse</span></a>, left him wondering if indeed
they would release the film at all. The crowd hung on his every word.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wQ2Dmu9Scg3Xx1EWdpxetQBj3_FuP4eT3CLVUHaCqYc94XwnA8T8sSdgoTsfhSeFK25Pt05LtZt38qNKRxAzCKZ8yHHwP88RSSOC5nMf1azjvFZf3bWkhzzQsZd25s8ggTZCj_3P85k/s1600/iPhone8+175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wQ2Dmu9Scg3Xx1EWdpxetQBj3_FuP4eT3CLVUHaCqYc94XwnA8T8sSdgoTsfhSeFK25Pt05LtZt38qNKRxAzCKZ8yHHwP88RSSOC5nMf1azjvFZf3bWkhzzQsZd25s8ggTZCj_3P85k/s400/iPhone8+175.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking our places.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEswh2IWMu1krd0xa2kZR9994f9VPL00oh2_dX-17sr2aQa9n_10VXK3lBDTF9Z8J7uI4u2rxHTfNM2CYYlcZSjpK0Y6YpSQT8Ax8vdAjBnvWssKtEwuU1nkbmyBQ6e1nqQzmSts4XB2k/s1600/iPhone8+176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEswh2IWMu1krd0xa2kZR9994f9VPL00oh2_dX-17sr2aQa9n_10VXK3lBDTF9Z8J7uI4u2rxHTfNM2CYYlcZSjpK0Y6YpSQT8Ax8vdAjBnvWssKtEwuU1nkbmyBQ6e1nqQzmSts4XB2k/s400/iPhone8+176.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilian discusses his passions.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmWmyIj85J8qBFXEv3dkkrBVNQXsFbIFD6x9AwTAUwKAaPZX6KSymRdXjIBYKvpQWweFfbSJhuPYv4xX5o1GqbxfEPWuVFMhbSo-Ui3_XwZ98aE3pEFuQT7OABfbwGbYqiN4vlx4HJyI/s1600/iPhone8+180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmWmyIj85J8qBFXEv3dkkrBVNQXsFbIFD6x9AwTAUwKAaPZX6KSymRdXjIBYKvpQWweFfbSJhuPYv4xX5o1GqbxfEPWuVFMhbSo-Ui3_XwZ98aE3pEFuQT7OABfbwGbYqiN4vlx4HJyI/s400/iPhone8+180.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The signing, it was a long night for him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGiYm1IV8cAnoH0YKmpB0QsZgO_KX8YQr8uD-wzyPsc-dlkyuOVaA4g88b2tf_z8-2lQvqwMf3i8YX-DCf9YmcDed8v72o2S-9RB0wwz2Xyb7esOWcZ40N9DecJ1jxcIkB9sxsa-nZQs/s1600/iPhone8+181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGiYm1IV8cAnoH0YKmpB0QsZgO_KX8YQr8uD-wzyPsc-dlkyuOVaA4g88b2tf_z8-2lQvqwMf3i8YX-DCf9YmcDed8v72o2S-9RB0wwz2Xyb7esOWcZ40N9DecJ1jxcIkB9sxsa-nZQs/s400/iPhone8+181.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot the mountain runner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVBox2tuo-HqVzrXGd7igIvwfBr6ScXn8ByZTy60sFkxhD6hK5_v5STDQMotuwIwrpmPubwcWBs3FvArWtNKILWZd71c1r74LdH1g6tdNJ72Gd_Q-hSCYQonoNf-0rytQXBlkaRn0UFQ/s1600/iPhone8+182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVBox2tuo-HqVzrXGd7igIvwfBr6ScXn8ByZTy60sFkxhD6hK5_v5STDQMotuwIwrpmPubwcWBs3FvArWtNKILWZd71c1r74LdH1g6tdNJ72Gd_Q-hSCYQonoNf-0rytQXBlkaRn0UFQ/s400/iPhone8+182.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running for Pearl.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The screening itself was probably one
of the most moving experiences I've had whilst sitting in a chair.
The emotion, Seb's spectacular camera work, Kilian's incomprehensible
prowess...... He is more than an athlete, he is an artist. I felt
rejuvenated and without using the term tritely, inspired. I mean<i> really</i> inspired. To the point where one exits in a daze and
sees everything in more detail, the sound of life being
fine-tuned to block out the white-noise of traffic and chatter, my
inner heartbeat the only auditory sensation. When it finished and
Kilian reappeared, the applause accompanying our ten minute standing
ovation was rapturous. He simply nodded and thanked the crowd
repeatedly and said he was looking forward to returning south to his
beloved mountains the next day. Having a seat at the back had its
perks. When I exited I managed to get funneled into a line with four
people in front of me for a book and DVD signing. Kilian took time to
dedicate each item to his fans. After telling him how much his
efforts were appreciated and recognised, he dedicated a message to
Pearl and told me I was courageous for what I did for her. My respect
for him could not be any higher. It is not because he is a running
idol that he is so well liked, it is because he really is a wonderful
person who loves what he does. Yes there may be sponsors and a crowd
following him wherever he goes but you can tell he is the real deal
just in the way he carries himself. I have met a few other
“ultra-stars” in my time and they could do with taking a few
lessons in humility from him. What I learned from that night is
simple, life is A Fine Line. One minute you can be here and the next
minute gone. The trappings of life and the excess baggage we feel we
need to carry in order to be fulfilled or acknowledged is the surest
way to never achieve anything lasting. Living in the moment with a
purposeful stride that is aimed at a cherished goal must surely be
the fuel to sustaining a simplistic and all encompassing happiness. <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/i04NJV6tmco" width="420"></iframe><br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-58318160250870706642013-04-16T21:02:00.000+02:002013-04-16T21:09:12.484+02:00Running for Boston.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
In April 2010 I ran my first marathon,
in Paris. The build up to it was a long and well trodden path of dark
early mornings and wets evenings. It is often called the distance of
truth because it is the perfect measure to pitch oneself against and
define ones perceived boundaries. 26.2 miles. The dreaded number that
instills equal parts fear, fascination and excitement. It is a long
distance to travel on foot, whether you're a lithe Kenyan from the
running-mecca Eldoret or an average Joe (or Josephine) who runs to
permit themselves that extra scoop of ice cream on the weekend,
twenty six miles is twenty six miles. The hardest distance to conquer
though is a mere six inches, that's the distance between your ears,
your own brain. It will tell you that <i>you are insane, it cannot be
done, walk a little, you've run far enough</i>. As loud as that voice
gets we have a fighter within us that quiets its sometimes thunderous
roar. We are runners, and we are stronger than we, or anyone else
realises.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Marathons unite people in a way that no
other sporting event in the world can. Age, race, sex, creed, sexual
orientation, none of it counts on the road. We are family. We are not
just united on the day of the event, no, we have been united through
all the training and the injuries along the way. When we get to the
start line we see ourselves in the faces of everyone lined up, and we
are genuinely happy. Our hearts are full with love. We have spent
time away from our families to get to this starting line and most of
our loved ones will be lining the course to cheer us on when it
gets really tough, we love them for believing in us and supporting
our crazy dreams. We feel the nerves in the air and talk amongst
ourselves, we laugh and pat each other on the backs at the beginning,
we pick each other up when we fall and we hug and cry together when
we finish as we have run in the footsteps of the fastest men on
earth. Where else does that happen? Where do elites and the likes of
me get to play on the same pitch? Not the Tour de France, Wimbledon,
Football, Swimming, Track, Golf. We run the same distance of truth
and there is no difference between a 2:05 run and a 7:05 run, twenty
six miles is twenty six miles. We do not want any of the fifty
thousand runners to fail or lose out either, we are all one mass
plodding through the city like a colourful parade of pain.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Runners are often said to be running
away from something or toward something, I have a theory on why we
run that is not that common. We <i>like </i><span style="font-style: normal;">to
run. Why? Who cares why. If it's fun and not harming anyone then get
out there. Some don't get it of course which is fine, all the more
room for me on the trails. I think to try and describe why we do it
is like trying to quantify what being in love feels like. I run for
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">the </span><span style="font-style: normal;">meditative
time it allows </span><span style="font-style: normal;">me</span><span style="font-style: normal;">.
Just last week I had a crazy busy day and managed an hour in between
work appointments to get out on the road. It gave me everything I
needed </span><span style="font-style: normal;">spiritually </span><span style="font-style: normal;">and
created space where </span><span style="font-style: normal;">I had</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
none. It's ironic but the faster I run, the slower life </span><span style="font-style: normal;">feels</span><span style="font-style: normal;">.
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Spectators
love to cheer us too. They do not rise early to catch a glimpse of
the studs blazing through at incomprehensible speeds. No, they stand
at the side of the road for hours cheering people they do not know.
Because some of them will never run a marathon (and may secretly want
to someday) we are carrying their dreams too. Just as we see
ourselves in other runners, spectators see themselves in us. On April
7</span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;">
I went to the 30km point of the Paris marathon and </span><span style="font-style: normal;">cheered</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
the people sometimes called “The Street Sweepers” </span><span style="font-style: normal;">T</span><span style="font-style: normal;">hey
are the back of the pack and sweep up all the crap that has
accumulated from the people before them. In the</span><span style="font-style: normal;">ir</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
faces I saw </span><span style="font-style: normal;">both </span><span style="font-style: normal;">agony
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">and discovery</span><span style="font-style: normal;">.
Every bead of sweat a testament to every foot-fall they had made,
their eyes full of doubt as to whether they had 17km left in the
tank. Heroes, every single </span><span style="font-style: normal;">on</span><span style="font-style: normal;">e
of them, </span><span style="font-style: normal;">m</span><span style="font-style: normal;">ost
of them ma</span><span style="font-style: normal;">d</span><span style="font-style: normal;">e
it to the finish line.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Yesterday
our world and community took a monumental hit. As I was texting
messages of congratulations to my friend <a href="http://www.theunitive.com/when-terrorism-comes-close-the-boston-marathon-ill-never-forget/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Tim in Boston</span></a> after his
incredible run, he replied shortly after to say there had been a
massive explosion at the finish of the race. I jumped on the Internet
immediately, the rest is a blur. The past 24 hours has seen an
overload of twitter, facebook, news media and source after source of
stories, photos and videos. I have </span><span style="font-style: normal;">a</span><span style="font-style: normal;">voided
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">it</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
all because I cannot think about it without breaking down completely.
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">I cannot measure how I feel
about an eight year old boy being murdered as he waits to cheer his
father over the line, as my own eight year old son has done for me in
the past.</span><span style="font-style: normal;"> I </span><span style="font-style: normal;">do
not know</span><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span><span style="font-style: normal;">who
bombed those innocent people killing three and injuring hundreds, or
why they did it. But I will say this. You cowards have no idea who
you are up against. WE ARE RUNNERS. We do not stop, EVER. When one
falls we rush to pick them up, when you hurt members of our family we
lock arms of a different kind. Our solidarity will be stronger than
ever before and our light will shine brightly upon your hatred for
all the world to see. We will not stop running, we will run faster,
further, stronger, longer. We will not get tired and for us there is
no finish line, when you are caught and brought to justice we will
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">still </span><span style="font-style: normal;">be
runn</span><span style="font-style: normal;">ing</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
through </span><span style="font-style: normal;">the </span><span style="font-style: normal;">streets
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">at dawn</span><span style="font-style: normal;">,
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">hiking</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
up mountains freely, sprinting around a track on dusky nights, we
will break world records and personal records. </span><span style="font-style: normal;">But
most of all we will remember, with haunting pain, our fallen brothers
and sisters, time will not dim that memory. Our marathons may have
more security in the future but our love and camaraderie will triumph
over fear and scepticism. We will move forward deliberately and
purposefully with sincerity in hearts for the ones we have lost. God bless you all.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Rzxn7ZHA-E136gigTCvLjqWmdVV8bBepaaRwwUfJXTO9mhZyBKc2V8H3526s_nuyw_7rDtoYfjcGFVVcvokdKqr4M8BNJLty_YbaBPCZkGbJQMzUxBNQDrJ34_qGkGJe0-HWCXw7I5E/s1600/547538_582837218400633_1734613901_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Rzxn7ZHA-E136gigTCvLjqWmdVV8bBepaaRwwUfJXTO9mhZyBKc2V8H3526s_nuyw_7rDtoYfjcGFVVcvokdKqr4M8BNJLty_YbaBPCZkGbJQMzUxBNQDrJ34_qGkGJe0-HWCXw7I5E/s400/547538_582837218400633_1734613901_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-28634317684003871682013-04-01T17:53:00.000+02:002013-04-01T17:53:18.690+02:00Life Trails.<div style="text-align: justify;">
As a kid growing up in The Midlands of Ireland there wasn't a lot to do, which on the contrary meant there was <i>plenty </i>to do. Watching my son and daughter use iPad and Nintendo with ease reminds me of the Commodore 64 computer I had as a kid, it took forever and a day to load a game which in the good-old-days was on cassette tape. Not having the technology we have now left lots of time for exploration and freedom. Fields, forests, quarries, you name it, I hiked, crawled and bushwhacked through it. Often I carried something to eat in my pockets in order to stay out longer. This planted the
seeds of adventure in my life, it dissipated for a while in my late
twenties and early thirties (thank you drugs and alcohol) but in recent
years has resurfaced with a child-like enthusiasm. I feel lucky to have
had the chance as a kid to take myself to places under my own steam. The
outdoors taught me about respect and humility, about shared experience
and meditative reflection. It is something I am trying to instill in my
kids and take them away from technology and truly appreciate this
wonderful earth. Over the Easter weekend they hiked a total of 10km over
two days and impressed me with their enthusiasm and stamina. I can but
hope that in years to come nature will bring them all the rewards it has
given me. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-67392544516971352192013-02-25T23:31:00.001+01:002013-02-26T15:19:31.021+01:00Beyond Running.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
It's 2am. The steam of my breath fogs
my glasses in staccato blasts, my hands on knees stance keeps a hold
on the involuntary swaying motion of my body, chunks of undigested
chocolate-chip cookies are lodged back at the intersection of my
nasal passage and throat – a result of brutal vomiting. The sky is
black, the ground pristine white with snow (save for the blotch of my
vomit) I have just run 42km and as I look back at the support van
following me and my running partner, Juan, I see the flashing lights
of the Gendarmes (country police) talking to our crew. Is this real,
the scene? Or the fact that I have just run an undulating marathon in
-4 through a snow blizzard? I don't know any more, all I know is that
I am supposed to continue for another 15km and all I want is to get
into that van and pass out. I am done, I give up, how did I get here?
For that, I have to go back to the beginning. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6r2QEcDHIyhnwAn556jHFEwQv3pjQyiYuS7jfSIvj1DeaNRIaCguOoRPIZ28z21lNXLLGGrkB73vb0VgM2xzBmvAEvg10EKDDgKCkfo4Vqhydb7h4Dbvx1ZVTS3UCZQmExMHcGOGJnU/s1600/1837_10151432831118718_445858470_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6r2QEcDHIyhnwAn556jHFEwQv3pjQyiYuS7jfSIvj1DeaNRIaCguOoRPIZ28z21lNXLLGGrkB73vb0VgM2xzBmvAEvg10EKDDgKCkfo4Vqhydb7h4Dbvx1ZVTS3UCZQmExMHcGOGJnU/s400/1837_10151432831118718_445858470_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from top left - Laurent, Marie-Pierre, Francine, Moi, Juan, Thierry, Olivier, Daniel, Carole, Leslie, Ella, Maelize. Photo: L'Bagnard Kikou</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o2yWfjJv_1b0SuoZF6htM74g41OVsoKP4w9bSAwUYMsfD1KhhiUonWtQ05_X3dYRx77RaEFe8fIScqEchOonC5BKhuAT3ZFcoMlVhqcmvIN6KmT8fVPTPVPfea2apNQFcgmJWHGDDPo/s1600/482769_10151432821403718_1994326877_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o2yWfjJv_1b0SuoZF6htM74g41OVsoKP4w9bSAwUYMsfD1KhhiUonWtQ05_X3dYRx77RaEFe8fIScqEchOonC5BKhuAT3ZFcoMlVhqcmvIN6KmT8fVPTPVPfea2apNQFcgmJWHGDDPo/s400/482769_10151432821403718_1994326877_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Champagne corks fly. Photo: Herve Baete.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZFKfPxEI_KCnfJzNhkJVeNih8CwHJ8IIVxUsyeJLpe7fh8pHLe2vCZ2cVLpZgBomhncEKaRm1d47F5dny7vfY7oqnh6bO6MSJPC1DZJ4BsKGbmxN4C0tzudULozRriFpAeucrW96Now/s1600/540933_10151432824283718_1358207209_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZFKfPxEI_KCnfJzNhkJVeNih8CwHJ8IIVxUsyeJLpe7fh8pHLe2vCZ2cVLpZgBomhncEKaRm1d47F5dny7vfY7oqnh6bO6MSJPC1DZJ4BsKGbmxN4C0tzudULozRriFpAeucrW96Now/s400/540933_10151432824283718_1358207209_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go. Photo: Herve Baete.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
It started, as most things epic do, out
of the blue. My dear friend Leslie shared a friends event on facebook
last Thursday saying <i><b>Who wants to spend their Saturday night
running? </b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
first thing that caught me was the boldness of it. If she'd have
mentioned a free entry </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">in</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">to
the Paris marathon or a Sunday morning get-together I wouldn't have
given it a second look. But this was a </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">challenge.</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
read on </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">impatiently</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
to discover that it would be a night run from Versailles to
Rambouillet, a push of 55km each way. </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
would be aiming to get it done for two causes that I mentioned in my
<a href="http://www.runningforpearl.blogspot.fr/2013/02/charity-its-everywhere.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;"></span></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2701129887234754915" target="_blank">previous post</a>. </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
details were sketchy though, some were doing it in a relay, and Juan
(our captain) would do it out and back. The fact that my longest run
previous to this was 19km in mid January did not perturb me, worse
still, my last run was 9km three and a half weeks </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ago</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
I was dawdling in signing up for races, had no mojo and felt a lack
of inspiration as to where my path was really leading. The
authenticity of my running had dissolved somewhere along the way,
eroded, if you will, like a </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">cliff
facing a slow </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">but</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
deliberate tide. The constructs of races are all well and good to
force one to bring out the competitor within. But I fear it is that
same pressure and anticipation of timing, distance and </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">performance</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
that detract from the purer essence of connecting the mind to the
feet. Running should not be about compartmentalising, it should serve
as an exploratory means to delve into the most primal of feelings,
</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">seamlessly
</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">uniting
emotion and movement in singularity. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">After
many online messages and a few questions as to what exactly would
happen (no one knew f</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">o</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">r
sure) we agreed to meet at the Mairie de Versailles (</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">think
</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">town
hall, but epic) at 20:30 on Saturday </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">evening.</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
I met Juan and the rest of the team. Leslie, Carole, Francine,
Thierry, Maeliz, Marie-Pierre and Ella. Olivier would drive a car in
front and Laurent would drive behind with our change of clothes and
water/food etc. We wrapped up to the maximum, drank champagne (well,
they did) and set off at 21:00 with 55 snowy km ahead. It was a
jovial start, the excitement of the unknown a welcome distraction
from the knowledge that in a few hours time there wouldn’t be much
talking at all. The route itself wound steadily up and down through
quaint little villages and valleys, folks in the window seats of
restaurants peering out over </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">crème
brulee</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
wondering what the heck we were up to. The snow came harder and we
laughed in its face. Occasionally Olivier would drive off into the
distance and we would meander trough a country lane with just our
head lamps to guide us. The unpredictable snow-covered trails were
technically deceptive due to poor visibility. The pace was steady and
at 20km another car that had been along for the ride and driven by Daniel, a friend of the group, took
Marie-Pierre, Ella and Maeliz back home. Leslie and Carole jumped
into the van. That left Juan, </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">myself</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
Thierry and Francine to push on. Approximately 7km later </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
decided I needed to stop and eat, we pulled over quickly and swigged
on Coke and devoured cookies, cakes and anything else caloric. We
continued at a decent clip with each of the four of us taking turns
up front to shield the hostile wind. The country lanes had given way
to open roads </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
fields </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">with</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
no protective shelter. At 35km Francine jumped into the van, Thierry
followed at 37km. Now it was just Juan and I. Quick background on
Juan – when I grow up I want to be just like him. Generous and
supportive beyond belief and a machine on two legs, has run the
toughest races in the world (finished the Spartathlon three times in
33hrs and a list as long as my arm of other great physical feats) I
knew I was in good hands. The wind howled at us like a wolf in the
night trying to guard its territory, the conditions told us we were
not welcome, we told the conditions to to f#*k off. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfGKlzH0ZwGAcnO8Aw1CgiypCb0xGcsnmd_tikUXGAxZVVS0StU03knC65q68WOqpCByFBDm6Nk9Ah3rsl7ehTSljbEfuamP86il2MkNVpbm8SqMekM5R_sky5m_8ihDg2WHf6fpiflE/s1600/538209_4656214080398_1931127695_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfGKlzH0ZwGAcnO8Aw1CgiypCb0xGcsnmd_tikUXGAxZVVS0StU03knC65q68WOqpCByFBDm6Nk9Ah3rsl7ehTSljbEfuamP86il2MkNVpbm8SqMekM5R_sky5m_8ihDg2WHf6fpiflE/s400/538209_4656214080398_1931127695_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early days, photo opp. Photo: L'Bagnard Kikou</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7TPx4fLd6Of_3ev-RAkzCaKbmtQto-wh-c-FDt36-kzZhpmhQVuzEhbfJ_muTTxgrTuzh2hvSucHRoDWBlUw-wqE8R608U4l2wjasliv4GkBcdBdKEGGCaHL9xcQ793XyRYAAmBTpnU/s1600/554210_4656217400481_1813966270_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7TPx4fLd6Of_3ev-RAkzCaKbmtQto-wh-c-FDt36-kzZhpmhQVuzEhbfJ_muTTxgrTuzh2hvSucHRoDWBlUw-wqE8R608U4l2wjasliv4GkBcdBdKEGGCaHL9xcQ793XyRYAAmBTpnU/s400/554210_4656217400481_1813966270_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leslie keeping me topped up. Photo: L'Bagnard Kikou</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQP_S6HIN7QfgO8_Xqt4yjChneyXXCdkKCgtK15SnN9Zz8_h6R9rH953qttHL-bSrVAEP4hb07hY_Ufgud7ezNjZPTjvuDrmCtHOEDxJCqGXDfKJIZ8mm5rLK-3K3DLG5vYHMrTfGOOc/s1600/164456_4656215840442_1852144065_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQP_S6HIN7QfgO8_Xqt4yjChneyXXCdkKCgtK15SnN9Zz8_h6R9rH953qttHL-bSrVAEP4hb07hY_Ufgud7ezNjZPTjvuDrmCtHOEDxJCqGXDfKJIZ8mm5rLK-3K3DLG5vYHMrTfGOOc/s400/164456_4656215840442_1852144065_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying with Juan on my right. Photo: L'Bagnard Kikou</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> At 41km I started
to teeter dangerously on that ledge where everything feels like it is
starting to </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">cave</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
inwards. The very core of my stomach, the gut that keeps the engine
pumping, was not digesting and I felt a rapid descent into wooziness. I
wanted to puke in hope that it would purge me, but I knew an empty
engine would go nowhere fast. </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
darkness that surrounded us now was pervasive in my mind. It mirrored
my fears that it was all going to end for me soon. Juan held back to
speak to the crew as I walked limply up a large hill, slipping from
lack of purchase on the glistening ground. My head tilted to the
right as small amounts of water dribbled down my cheeks, freezing in
my beard. Then I hurled it all up, it was like an inverted Icelandic
geyser with a chocolate hue. Gushing towards the virgin white powder
like an explosion in a </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">rigid
pipe</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
By the time Juan reached me and told me that the Gendarmes were just
checking out what was going on, we were ready to go. I felt good, but
acutely aware that I was on borrowed time. I had no fuel in my body
so I would be running on fumes from here on in. My stomach was too
sensitive for anything other than </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">the
</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">frequent
sips of water that Leslie passed me through the window of the van. I
told myself that I'd call it a night at 45km, who would be
disappointed with that? I mean, come on, 45km in </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">these
</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">conditions</span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">was
already heroic, right? I got to 45km and decided to stop looking at
my GPS watch, </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">it
was too distracting, so I gazed at the silent road ahead and put one
foot in front of the other, quite simple really</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Juan coaxed me and nurtured my declining state until I hit 50km and
entered that zone where you are not </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">you</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
any more. The pain was </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">not
mine, it belonged to the guy with the burning oesophagus I'd left in
the ditch </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">an
hour ago</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
My legs were the legs of a person who has the ability to go forward
without impediment or restraint. My legs belonged to every person who
would give their all to be able to walk without aid or </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">care</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
My mind became free in all the ways it had never been in my lifetime,
free of </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">the
</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">guilty
flashbacks of addiction, free of barriers that we place on
ourselves everyday in how we judge others, free from distractions
whilst balancing on a razors edge of heightened awareness. Juan and I
took it home together, arm in arm, after 5:43 spent on our journey.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSoQsRCsT8GjtpX556aIfcCOXn_kcetzREDlL9GafId6EUf5JP_dsrTyz0rgleeRKy3BVK0dsE_pVxwSUrS_l2CsP13pryE-GDoR76fwN6P8Gh9LyFuEXInSe7T8Zt6Jx0DK-rFV6-MY/s1600/559795_4656219560535_1226106829_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSoQsRCsT8GjtpX556aIfcCOXn_kcetzREDlL9GafId6EUf5JP_dsrTyz0rgleeRKy3BVK0dsE_pVxwSUrS_l2CsP13pryE-GDoR76fwN6P8Gh9LyFuEXInSe7T8Zt6Jx0DK-rFV6-MY/s400/559795_4656219560535_1226106829_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beer, and he's off again. Photo: L'Bagnard Kikou</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAB0KPNU4LV4ROF-Zan9rFXWrRlb0CzjuRj5Ek-wUq0pjhg2gRzSIwWRnbQ4MPwOJakXdQSrJAir9M5H58HzaUn-oO_7Np8ip2AgjI60A3R1AA7xia9kbXrqji9g6k_ITkYx9ofx3M-o/s1600/533237_4656218480508_1191796142_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAB0KPNU4LV4ROF-Zan9rFXWrRlb0CzjuRj5Ek-wUq0pjhg2gRzSIwWRnbQ4MPwOJakXdQSrJAir9M5H58HzaUn-oO_7Np8ip2AgjI60A3R1AA7xia9kbXrqji9g6k_ITkYx9ofx3M-o/s400/533237_4656218480508_1191796142_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done. Photo: L'Bagnard Kikou</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Once
changed and in the car I marvelled at Juan as he downed a beer, ate a
sandwich and ran back through the night, Leslie, Franc</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">in</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">e,
Carole and Thierry joined him for the last 15km as I watched in
admiration f</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ro</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">m
Olivier's car. There was no shiny medal at the finish line, there was
no crowd gathered to cheer us on, no record of what we had done. In
our minds rests a camaraderie that time will not distort, a shared
collective of being part of something that is greater than any one of
us. Stepping out into that night changed everything for me, it gave
my running a purpose again and </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">gave
me back a slant that was until now a distant memory. The uniqueness
of this endeavour will be the yardstick in measuring the purity of
everything else that comes after. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizE-hiq9gXRAu42iQe8w_qnYiaAiuv1rQRWMfHm2MgE3dXQz7o3hXNA1GdjB4mX9O4OjhXu4X6qdcqwFg1Ltt3DVr6x5bRNNvPluhr2zwGns1NjFLAT5MfmofjpZRoGuaNJscxD6dIV80/s1600/156462_4656227400731_1512384975_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizE-hiq9gXRAu42iQe8w_qnYiaAiuv1rQRWMfHm2MgE3dXQz7o3hXNA1GdjB4mX9O4OjhXu4X6qdcqwFg1Ltt3DVr6x5bRNNvPluhr2zwGns1NjFLAT5MfmofjpZRoGuaNJscxD6dIV80/s400/156462_4656227400731_1512384975_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking it home. Photo: L'Bagnard Kikou</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NfvyONSXsEo" width="420"></iframe></span></span>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-80948328730903194252013-02-21T21:56:00.001+01:002013-02-21T21:57:21.059+01:00Solidarity.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Charity: It's everywhere. Causes,
campaigns, clipboard-wielding-happy-faced-people-with-dreadlocks,
foundations, organisations, non-profits. It is quite overwhelming in
these financially trying times as ordinary hard-working folk try to
look after their own loved ones before even wondering where to pledge
what support they might have left. For me the support of a cause can
transcend a generous financial donation, money is an incredible boost
to any charity but awareness is just as vital. Running for Pearl has
been going for three years now and we have raised some money to be
able to give Pearl the best possible education, we have also given
some money here and there to help out other causes that mean a lot to
us. As time passes I see that the biggest battle ahead lies in
opening peoples minds, yes a lottery win would make her life a lot
easier but in real life one must do what one has to. At times I want
to scream in frustration at the ignorance to Autism in France but I
can only do so much. It is the hundreds of people I have met along
the thousands of miles I have run that make the difference. What
started as an idea to feel useful has morphed into a locomotive that
travels along picking up people as we go. Some get on and ride with
us for a while and then disappear, only to reappear again down the
line. It is a constant, revolving door of characters that bring
individual flavour and approach to what we do. Solidarity is the word
that pops into my head when I ponder the journey thus far. No single
person is capable of great acts, it is a collective that pushes
against the odds, fuelled by passion and love that overcomes. I have
not run anything for Pearl in a while because I have been unfit and
also have a more than stellar team all over the globe flying her flag
for me. This weekend I will run again in a charity event but not
specifically for Pearl. Of course her and Dylan are always in my
heart when I run, that will never change. But in the nature of giving
back what you receive I will run for two causes, with ZERO training.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
First story relates to one of my
dearest friends, Sam. She lives in South Africa and has supported me
spiritually through her relentless optimism and encouragement over
the past few years. We have never even met in person but some peeps
will be with you all your life, that's just how it goes when the
stars align. Sam is no stranger to marathons and even completed
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.comrades.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Comrades</span></a> </span>last year. She is also one of the driving forces behind
<a href="http://www.growingchampions.co.za/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Growing Champions</span></a>, which in their owns words.....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>......is a character and
leadership development programme that works with boys (pre-teens and
teens) who are talented soccer players, who come from communities
where gang violence, criminal behaviour and drug dealing and abuse
are the norm. The programme aims to grow boys into men who are
leaders. Men who rise above circumstance. Men who care about their
communities. Men who understand that their characters, morals and
behaviour will determine a successful future. Boys who want to grow
into Champions. </b></i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MyxTBtq2F4PeUKMp8izVYCoOggkyKVmJAQ48LFYEW7_85Z8vLSuDzComClBqTY-fIxkaQqnI-mAovciHVWd64IKNx-qUOsxFIxOHdzIdc0OLmCWGOYvNaGUEG3VZjeQv0wGJbm02SR0/s1600/188345_128375897339009_944734005_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MyxTBtq2F4PeUKMp8izVYCoOggkyKVmJAQ48LFYEW7_85Z8vLSuDzComClBqTY-fIxkaQqnI-mAovciHVWd64IKNx-qUOsxFIxOHdzIdc0OLmCWGOYvNaGUEG3VZjeQv0wGJbm02SR0/s400/188345_128375897339009_944734005_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Growing Champions, showing their strength,</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><b> </b></i>
</div>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Kind of says it all really, helping kids rise up from whatever
circumstance to become leaders and champions. Sam was supposed to run
the <a href="http://www.runnersworld.co.za/event/the-18th-gift-of-the-givers-township-marathon/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Township Marathon</span></a> on Sunday for them but is injured, as I runner
I know how disappointing this is. The kids will run it in a relay and
I know a united front will carry them across the line. I'll be
playing my part too, but we'll get to that in a minute.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Story number two relates to a young lady named <a href="http://www.fannyetlavie.fr/accueil.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Fanny</span></a>. I do not know
her but through a friend of mine in the running community I found out
that she is a twenty three year old angel with cerebal palsy. Some
ultra runners in her association are organising a run this Saturday
night from Versailles to Rambouillet, a distance of 55km. It starts
at nine o'clock and is being done by some as a relay, some just doing
the outward leg and a few brave ones doing the round trip. Instantly
I thought <i>hmmm, Saturday night, zero degrees, no training, 55km,
going to see a Deftones concert the night before and playing drums
the following Sunday, pass me a pen as I sign up for this.</i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPraGuXj_V129EDbFvfUEkOg5EMQd9nhyphenhypheni3JFZz1swLFET66QGAWfOPXIVe8Qh4Oz8X__hYA5d4vs9By7VexvluQUcRilzV35e-CV4zKqHpyTt3RkZmMvg_5JABOsHeMoMfTtKuPQzLCE/s1600/11099_10200666958980040_373796565_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPraGuXj_V129EDbFvfUEkOg5EMQd9nhyphenhypheni3JFZz1swLFET66QGAWfOPXIVe8Qh4Oz8X__hYA5d4vs9By7VexvluQUcRilzV35e-CV4zKqHpyTt3RkZmMvg_5JABOsHeMoMfTtKuPQzLCE/s400/11099_10200666958980040_373796565_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure how fast it'll be but we'll get there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i> </i>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
I have been greeted by most with that <i>your crazy </i>stare. Nope
folks, spending my life drinking into the dawn, stoned off my face
for nearly two decades was CRAZY. This is LIVING. I have no idea if
I'll be fit enough, but I am participating in two movements that are
bigger than I or any of the other participants involved. What's the
other option? Sit in front of the TV with a cup of tea and then read
a book whilst wrapped in my warm duvet, or step outside the comfort
and feel the steam of my breath warm my face as I run through the
night? No contest. I also get to pay back some of the love and
support that I have been blessed to receive and has changed Pearls
life for the better.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-9909059396232310292013-01-07T21:10:00.000+01:002013-01-07T22:24:13.397+01:00Next Steps.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
There's a certain element of
self-torture to ultra-running, a preternatural exploration of the
limits as to what is and isn't possible. It's a sport that attracts
everyone from housewives, recovering junkies/alcoholics, lawyers,
business men, pastors, hippies, and so on. In the years I have been
involved in the sport I have met every conceivable type of person who
all have a single goal in common – to break through the pain
barrier, into agony and find the untapped resource that lies where
few dare to go. So taking all this into account, January is the time
of the year when aforementioned sadists start looking at racing
calendars where a marathons are viewed as training runs. I liken it
to drunk dialing in a way, it seems like an incredibly good idea at
the time “<i>Ah sweet man, there’s a 100 miler in August”</i><span style="font-style: normal;">.
Thousands of training miles are put in and by the time one gets to
mile 70 of that 100 miler, the cursing commences. The verbal
self-flagellation starts to drown out the voice of reason that got
you into this mess in the first place “</span><i>What is wrong with
me, why do I keep coming back for this shit, why can't I just run a
10k like a normal person and be happy with that? </i><span style="font-style: normal;">At
that point the legs are no longer dictating the game, it is entirely
mental from here on in.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaEhitSZUwvDplTZnjxBji2ud9b-5fpyvPBiIOu-5rVeqsrAOs2S0vYl6UIkxkdTv1iNqmh_6afMJm5xRA57oEY_dhfEi5m-brroFSlXhNh2UC5TdR7HakKeaaiiItVdWk6FPOKgyV4w/s1600/runner2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaEhitSZUwvDplTZnjxBji2ud9b-5fpyvPBiIOu-5rVeqsrAOs2S0vYl6UIkxkdTv1iNqmh_6afMJm5xRA57oEY_dhfEi5m-brroFSlXhNh2UC5TdR7HakKeaaiiItVdWk6FPOKgyV4w/s400/runner2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-style: normal;">I have
not been fortunate enough to have that giddy, nervous,
calendar</span><span style="font-style: normal;">-</span><span style="font-style: normal;">scrolling
feeling in the pit of my stomach </span><span style="font-style: normal;">in
well over a year</span><span style="font-style: normal;">. </span><span style="font-style: normal;">2012</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
was mostly spent healing various wounds of the body and the heart.
Physical fitness is one thing, but to commit to a season where pain
and devotion will factor highly takes razor sharp focus </span><span style="font-style: normal;">and
almost arrogant self-belief. When the feet give up, the mind must
take over. My training has been sporadic at best due to other
commitments and not really having a goal to aim for. When I am
aimless I struggle with who I am and where I am going, my recycle bin
of a brain has had a major data dump and I envision racing well for
the year ahead. I have chosen three key races that I think are not
only runnable but can be run well and tactically. The f</span><span style="font-style: normal;">i</span><span style="font-style: normal;">rst
one will be the 50km Trail du Josas, it's in April and close to home. I have run the
40km event </span><span style="font-style: normal;">in previous years</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
and it is by far tougher than any 100km I have </span><span style="font-style: normal;">contested</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
in the past, </span><span style="font-style: normal;">h</span><span style="font-style: normal;">ill
training and pacing will be the key</span><span style="font-style: normal;">s</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
to a fun day in the hills. My second event will be the Sri Chinmoy
100km in the forest of Vincennes in mid June. Depending on how my
form is coming into the summer I will hopefully be in Connemara for
the outstanding 100 miler they put on in mid August. It's a splendid
course and draws some top talent. What's most important, at this
exact moment as my fingers tap the keys, is that I can visualise the
races and also the early mornings and late nights that are crucial </span><span style="font-style: normal;">in
getting back</span><span style="font-style: normal;"> to </span><span style="font-style: normal;">the</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
level I was at eighteen months ago. </span><span style="font-style: normal;">Once
I retain a<span style="color: lime;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.malcolmmcloughlin.com/conceive-believe-achieve/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Conceive, Believe, Achieve</span></a> </span></span>mentality I can accomplish all
of these ambitions, and much, much more. </span>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-69673511464663729082012-12-24T16:19:00.000+01:002012-12-24T16:19:12.989+01:00Seasons Greetings.<div style="text-align: justify;">
The spirit and camaraderie in the running community is unique (runners know what I'm talking about) and this video encapsulates it so well. I look forward to a more structured running schedule in 2013 after making a full recovery from my accident one year ago. Running for Pearl is going from strength to strength as is our passion for helping those who need it the most. Thanks to all who have followed the ups and downs of the road and life. Looking forward to bringing you new adventures and faces in the year to come. Blessings to you and yours and whether you are an elite athlete or a 5K runner. You are AWESOME!</div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/D9AmGy2QXKE" width="560"></iframe><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-75178440951518378872012-10-11T16:41:00.002+02:002012-10-11T16:43:32.969+02:00Mizen to Malin Footage.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/HUF_AFqbrAs/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HUF_AFqbrAs&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HUF_AFqbrAs&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<br />
Last year was an epic trip across Ireland and although the entirety of it was not filmed the crew did manage to get the beginning. Enjoy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-4146522258967841422012-10-09T22:22:00.001+02:002012-10-09T22:22:38.482+02:00Running--Is It Dangerous?
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WoZ-Hmr5bNGM1VrCPcf1dzrSMx8clQlq0mGL7cavBHKggaKXr7RNrMt-Mg-IHDbzViuDF7Ho42QSqz7AiCewPI7-eteoFXfKuKB0Z7IM42MmK4eWQwXaZd50W_1wmXjdOQQHPATm1oM/s1600/OLD+PC+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WoZ-Hmr5bNGM1VrCPcf1dzrSMx8clQlq0mGL7cavBHKggaKXr7RNrMt-Mg-IHDbzViuDF7Ho42QSqz7AiCewPI7-eteoFXfKuKB0Z7IM42MmK4eWQwXaZd50W_1wmXjdOQQHPATm1oM/s400/OLD+PC+027.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
How dangerous is
ultra-running, or even marathon running? Over the years there have
been many stories that have focussed on the deaths of competitors at
running events. Statistics showed that between 2000 and 2009 a total
of twenty eight people died in the USA as a direct consequence of
running a marathon, twenty two males and six females, the average age
was forty one and ninety three percent of the cause was heart
related, oh, and this is out of a total pool of just under four
million people. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Fixx" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Jim Fixx,</span></a> the pioneer of jogging and the man who made
running the popular participation sport it is today, died in 1984 of
a heart attack during his daily road run in Vermont, aged fifty two.
High profile articles have been published in newspapers and blogs
about deaths in other countries too, so where does this leave us? The
main reason for tackling this subject is because in our ultra
community we have been recently hit with a double whammy of tragedy.
The first was a few weeks back at the Cavalls del Vent race where
only 223 out of 896 competitors finished a gruelling eighty four km
course that saw even the most high profile ultra runners abandon the
course. The principal factor was inclement weather with forty eight
year old Teresa Fariol succumbing to hypothermia overnight. The
second fatality was this past weekend where <a href="http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?18225-Darren-Holloway-%28Pennine%29&p=505871#post505871" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Daz Holloway</span></a>, a much
loved runner on the British Fell Running scene died after collapsing
during the stage between Brothers Water and Patterdale at the Ian
Hodgson Fell Running Relay, the post mortem ruled <a href="http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Cardiomyopathy-Hypertrophic.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">hypertrophic cardiomyopathy</span></a> as the cause. These unfortunate events remind me not
only of the fragility of life but also to make the most of it.
Running endurance races help me to maximise living so do these risks
put me off running ultra distance events? No, because everything in
life has risk attached to it. I do however think a modified approach
needs to be taken and looking at the French way of doing things is
definitely a model that could be followed. Whilst Teresa Fariol's
death was related to the weather conditions, the majority of the
others could have probably been avoided.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
I was at a sports
therapy appointment with Pearl last Wednesday when I saw on the
notice board of the waiting area a local trail race that would be
taking place in a few days time. I thought to myself that it would be
an excellent opportunity to get back into racing again after a long
lay-off. On checking the site that night it gave me the option of
scanning my medical certificate or mailing it, at this point I
realised that I hadn't done my physical this year and it was a bit
close to the race to have to go and see my doctor and go through all
the tests. I cursed the French system for a few minutes but soon
remembered that all the previous years, no matter how fit I was, I
had to go to the doc and get a thorough check up before he would sign
off on my health for the year ahead. It has always been a hassle to
get round to doing it but whether you want to run five km or a
hundred and five km you cannot enter a race in this country without a
certificate. Most other countries require just the entry fee and away
you go, yet going through marathon death records I can't find any
that have occurred in France. My view on the importance of this rule
became even more galvanised when I was reading Runners World a few
years back. An English guy had written a letter describing the
process of applying for the Paris Marathon and his annoyance at
having to get clearance from his doctor before he could register.
Faced with no other option he reluctantly made an appointment with
his doc and had his medical check. Turns out the doc found a rhythmic
error in his heart and told him in no uncertain terms that had he run
a marathon with he would have died. After a treatment of medication
and learning more about his condition he was able to lead a full life
and did run his marathon in the end, he was a success story, not just
another statistic. I think it is not unrealistic to ask for an across
the board rule for all marathon and running events to adhere to this
simple but very effective concept. It may seem like a hassle to have
to pay a doctor and take time out of a busy schedule just to get to
the start line, but, when you consider the possible unknown
alternatives, it could be the investment of a lifetime.
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-7437071306827073452012-09-30T20:01:00.001+02:002012-09-30T20:14:09.555+02:00Focus.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
I have been lazy, OK maybe more
demotivated, I mean I haven't been inactive but I have just been
scoreless on the running front. I don't run to score mind you, but
having a goal is what makes the journey to that start line all the
more rewarding, after that it's the luck of the day. Finally getting
over the injury made me think about running differently, it made me
appreciative, I contemplated never signing up for another race again
as ultimately the races are only a competition between me and the
road. I was also <a href="http://www.malcolmmcloughlin.com/presence/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">writing of a book</span></a> that hung over every spare moment
I had, many an evening I promised myself a little trail stint only to
get bogged down in nailing a chapter or a long edit. The book is in
the hands of my editor right now which leaves me no excuses, yes
there has been life stuff too but really I just needed a kick up the
ass and to be shown that a goal can change the perspective of life. Well, this weekend did it.
Running fever hit me in the gut over the past two days like I have
never felt before. I am hungry for an event so I can use it as a
ballast in my crazy life, a beacon to guide me through the
everyday crap that only gets me down if I let it. Here are the
things that rocked my world this weekend.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.parisversailles.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Paris-Versailles</span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
This sixteen km quad-crusher passes
through my village every year in September and the hill at the
midway point is formidable and punishing. This morning I saw my
barefoot buddy <a href="http://www.courirpiedsnus.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Christian Harberts</span></a> fly through in an effort that was
just pure ease, the ease that comes from putting in the hard hours
and loving what you do. He then turned around and ran sixteen km
back home after the race!! He is just one of the many runners who laid it all out
there today but the look on his face made me think that it's a while
since I had that look.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Berlin Marathon</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
The fastest course in the world and
the one my friend <a href="http://www.dailymile.com/people/ChopinSmith" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Stefan Smith</span></a> had been focussing on for months, he
is a <a href="http://www.dailymile.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">dailymile</span></a> guy who only started running nineteen months ago. He
braved early mornings, bad weather, lactic acid induced speed
sessions and started knocking on the door of a sub three hour
marathon early in the year. This morning he ran a sub 2:54 and owned
the race. The fact that he is awesomeness personified makes it all the
sweeter.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://aliciaforpearl.blogspot.fr/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Alicia</span></a> takes up running</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
My ex was never a runner,
now she is and is doing her first half marathon in Novemeber, she
has really gotten the hang of it and loves her training, watching
her passion for it grow makes me smile wide. She will have many
adventure ahead of her.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://timmeier.blogspot.fr/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Tim Meier</span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Not only the greatest
friend one could ask for but a stud on the road. I met him two years
ago when he was injured and he is now a beast. Seriously, he threw
down a 1:13 yesterday at the Akron Half Marathon and there wasn't a
bother on him come the evening. He is going to show New York how
it's done in a few weeks time. His discipline is one thing but his
attitude is pure courage, he has more grit and fight in him than a
few runners put together. He is also a super humble person who is as
great off the roads as he is on them.
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://cavallsdelvent.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Cavalls del Vent</span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Yesterday an elite mountain
race in Spain demonstrated that it takes guts to make it to the end.
I am more inspired by everyday runners than pros but this one was
special and I followed it all day on Twitter. <a href="http://www.summitsofmylife.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Kilian Jornet</span></a> and <a href="http://wpblogs.runningtimes.com/blogs/antonkrupicka/2012/09/30/ultra-cavalls-del-vent-84k-2012/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Tony Krupicka </span></a>battled through wind and rain in an eighty four km beast
with over nineteen thousand ft of climbing. Only 183 of 900 starters
finished such was the difficulty of the conditions/route and one
lady succumbed to hypothermia during the night and sadly passed
away. There is nothing romantic about dying whilst doing something
you love, this death is a tragedy. But it is also a tragedy to not
go out there and search for oneself, to waste life sitting on the sidelines. Danger is a
part of running, but it's also dangerous to smoke and to fly on planes or drive a car. </div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't think
racing is about winning (oxymoron that it is) what it takes to get you
to that race is where the fun is. The camaraderie of the people who
support us during good training and bad, the ones who boost our
doubts and the ones who reign in the arrogance if we can't get our
head through the door. It's a community with a shared vision, to take
pride and do the best one possibly can with each adventure. In brief,
the people in the community are exemplary and to be a member of that
community is an honour. I have met friends that will lead to life
long connections, as for the people I've come to know through blogs
and the Internet, they are no less a part of my life because of a
minor detail like needing to take an international flight to have a
coffee together. Becuase of this huge weekend of inspiration and revelation I have decided to sign up for a 100km race in the
Spring of next year, having made the decision I am already
anticipating the work and effort it will take to be in the shape I
want to be in. I now have a goal and I can hold onto that instead of
drifting along aimlessly. Many thanks to the stacks of others too who get me fired up daily with stories of adventure, friendship and a love for the great outdoors. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkY90iabvvoNcFHgk6VKwVEuADUNdSM0xX8zJL5YvSNSRHVs5grXkvWW_FR_3r7Y-t5hmAQFZik1l-xe722j8MXNJma4O6KflkCbxhoqDXOYpZ43utsyyn4EJdmNufmPfvz4QPwfF17s/s1600/iPhone+293.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkY90iabvvoNcFHgk6VKwVEuADUNdSM0xX8zJL5YvSNSRHVs5grXkvWW_FR_3r7Y-t5hmAQFZik1l-xe722j8MXNJma4O6KflkCbxhoqDXOYpZ43utsyyn4EJdmNufmPfvz4QPwfF17s/s400/iPhone+293.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-37185621381127338642012-08-14T17:42:00.003+02:002012-08-14T17:42:44.902+02:00Inspirational Running Videos. Hitting the mountains recently and making my days priority a run at the moment has led to some sweet motivational finds online. These are a few videos that show the purity of the run for me, yeah there is a video camera present in them which takes away from the solitary aspect of it but overall it's very positive. Enjoy, I'm hitting sunny, western Paris trails for a few hours.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://blip.tv/play/gbdlg4C9BwI.html?p=1" width="480"></iframe><embed src="http://a.blip.tv/api.swf#gbdlg4C9BwI" style="display: none;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z_Z1-smRsoU" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Xf1Mzaqrol4" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/47355798" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/47355798">The Beauty of the Irrational</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/taa">The African Attachment</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-88426183872799230812012-08-10T20:06:00.000+02:002012-08-10T20:06:51.995+02:00The Slieve Bloom Way.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Just over two weeks ago I was sitting
at Charles De Gaulle airport bound for Ireland when a jolt of
inspiration hit me: The Slieve Bloom Way would be on my doorstep. So as I
pondered the logistics of how to make this happen, given I have zero
gear for such an unsupported mountain endeavour, during the short flight over it was a puzzle I started fitting together. <a href="http://www.slievebloom.ie/index.php?page=slieve-bloom-way">The Slieve Bloom Way</a> is
an 82km circumnavigation of the <i>Massif of the Midlands</i>. It
was a playground for me and my biking buddies back in my teenage
years but I fancied it on foot this time. I had no backpack, no trail
shoes and no drinking equipment, the food carrying could be managed
but my worry was running this in a pair or Saucony Mirage road shoes.
I love this shoe but wasn’t sure a flat sole was going to help me
out much, and it didn't.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With my ever supportive sister Alison
taking care of the kids, my mum dropped me at the mountains foggy,
eerie base at 7:30 last Monday morning. I had packed enough food and
water to get me through the day, additional hydration would be
provided by mountain streams. The first 30km consisted of meandering
single track and gravelled roads which made the ascent to the
mountain top a lot easier than I expected, the river flowed beside me
as I power hiked up very steep and technical tracks. The momentum was
ever changing but I had to play it cautious given my footwear, I
could feel every muscle getting a thorough workout. Stopping for a
two minute break at the top I wolfed down two bacon sandwiches, three
tortillas smothered in Nuttella and set off on a 1,200 ft descent. My
quads were feeling the strain but overall my form felt good. After I
hit the 40km mark though it became a real struggle on the next
ascent, the route became heavily forested and the underexposed floor
was pure sludge after Ireland’s rainy summer. I got no purchase on
the ground and slipped constantly, I could feel all the muscles in my
legs being overtaxed with the strain and was sure I'd pull and
hamstring or worse, fall down a ravine. The fun of the experience had
now gone and I was too afraid to fall foul of injury again. 20km
later, at a snails pace, I decided to cut the route short and head
back down from the peak. I had trudged through ankle deep muck for
close to three hours and it showed no sign of letting up. I'll let
the photos tell the rest of the story but suffice to say it was a day
that taught me how to really live my life to the fullest. I think
it's highly possible, given the right conditions and gear to nail
this loop in a sub 9 hour push, gives me food for thought for next
time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Total distance 61.2 kilometres.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Elevation gain 5.315 ft
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Time 7hrs 6mins.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqOdOBc93s8qRh1YCT4ouOMO8VykF6-s0-8K2eiDxouB7yTYfFIdYeygRUpxW1tFjwW_eh4M7pqyu_iCinq6x-1fonUXvxIFMcf97yjKs5LIazEMDyfc0pnQAdhzu6D3AYSoaQh0wTsc/s1600/Vendee+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqOdOBc93s8qRh1YCT4ouOMO8VykF6-s0-8K2eiDxouB7yTYfFIdYeygRUpxW1tFjwW_eh4M7pqyu_iCinq6x-1fonUXvxIFMcf97yjKs5LIazEMDyfc0pnQAdhzu6D3AYSoaQh0wTsc/s640/Vendee+002.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting forth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPyZ53DUqjasFd0ZI3atAKUv9m0GQ3W3wkv-lMvadOorhDI25_tcrKUtrARsIfgvtn_4ZRZ8rZArqy6vDmuRfm3pyzSXwocViXsRNL-jr-jfCyNjayK-1d4j-0SUjikkLqVf1q7iWcvo/s1600/Vendee+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPyZ53DUqjasFd0ZI3atAKUv9m0GQ3W3wkv-lMvadOorhDI25_tcrKUtrARsIfgvtn_4ZRZ8rZArqy6vDmuRfm3pyzSXwocViXsRNL-jr-jfCyNjayK-1d4j-0SUjikkLqVf1q7iWcvo/s640/Vendee+003.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early days.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHETUGEgT6mONBNR44v7Ci8zQ_hXxphy517jlAz-vyu0pQcDFzywckNyhn-Bo2v_picAMdwxX8WcCcyF-rWt9257NlPy-Vd5nOReDXvMYoxFNtUPL0ombresYbYYAhM8YC__2NMJFLbk/s1600/Vendee+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHETUGEgT6mONBNR44v7Ci8zQ_hXxphy517jlAz-vyu0pQcDFzywckNyhn-Bo2v_picAMdwxX8WcCcyF-rWt9257NlPy-Vd5nOReDXvMYoxFNtUPL0ombresYbYYAhM8YC__2NMJFLbk/s640/Vendee+004.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good roads early on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hzoj-Rg6VRF5stOzZCJDWoNyZIQECiMa9lkpKi8VDkMGlL1Jirh2VPah5KIvACIVDRf870WwrvHDmq8lxKBxSqD5Vfwk3StHsiHaMx_nsf3Xo3nTxpBZyhPhffTSBphEUioqDUcjeC0/s1600/Vendee+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hzoj-Rg6VRF5stOzZCJDWoNyZIQECiMa9lkpKi8VDkMGlL1Jirh2VPah5KIvACIVDRf870WwrvHDmq8lxKBxSqD5Vfwk3StHsiHaMx_nsf3Xo3nTxpBZyhPhffTSBphEUioqDUcjeC0/s640/Vendee+006.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many road/stream crossings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTwNQkPe6FTsFGFhpXYmWW64Ycl5PY6xS9ZuK00-5JS7-g4Qvh1yujpxqLFnlRVvOZXjijXlKLsacyOw4OsyT3kTCUVKqeq60QTfvv-iHzQNz3nWX2wHI0JnarTn6UWzt1vGYAXJ88bw/s1600/Vendee+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTwNQkPe6FTsFGFhpXYmWW64Ycl5PY6xS9ZuK00-5JS7-g4Qvh1yujpxqLFnlRVvOZXjijXlKLsacyOw4OsyT3kTCUVKqeq60QTfvv-iHzQNz3nWX2wHI0JnarTn6UWzt1vGYAXJ88bw/s640/Vendee+007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg949Hj5bGfu8zPX5lb7kGkdbjVYUn9yq_qLBYVQlxoJ-VZmdFczmc1rZgtJJN9AhhkXwM4r2QSYmuCzAACsh8NohcyNVmEn4faHQ96ljgB_DurlfKf58r8bHsrhRUnTH2CsQFeTeblGNc/s1600/Vendee+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg949Hj5bGfu8zPX5lb7kGkdbjVYUn9yq_qLBYVQlxoJ-VZmdFczmc1rZgtJJN9AhhkXwM4r2QSYmuCzAACsh8NohcyNVmEn4faHQ96ljgB_DurlfKf58r8bHsrhRUnTH2CsQFeTeblGNc/s640/Vendee+011.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Company.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcljxwjDQbrSIzuW6YHJSLxxp6GKPVaV1SJ_6ohYlxA8OQw_mP1Aa3ZW033cRHiPJGZz4zWCRHrk6sDXio4Uj0g_kHrdSt5rtcJsrLEZT6_yaB1lOrxHHQymlh14lCXxm3oZSzDAfFwk4/s1600/Vendee+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcljxwjDQbrSIzuW6YHJSLxxp6GKPVaV1SJ_6ohYlxA8OQw_mP1Aa3ZW033cRHiPJGZz4zWCRHrk6sDXio4Uj0g_kHrdSt5rtcJsrLEZT6_yaB1lOrxHHQymlh14lCXxm3oZSzDAfFwk4/s640/Vendee+012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04t-tLMfEIaoUmqOvy9ksKzFFQsGmpkIUrNkYnY7Ekleo217X1wyVw3hqi9Q6R_9wJV-J4VvnL1eBFLblhpoiKNVsmmtPpJ1Ezz5JOwTCVykBNFRcPvzZ0nITR8c5HflUiEB4-Mqznlw/s1600/Vendee+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04t-tLMfEIaoUmqOvy9ksKzFFQsGmpkIUrNkYnY7Ekleo217X1wyVw3hqi9Q6R_9wJV-J4VvnL1eBFLblhpoiKNVsmmtPpJ1Ezz5JOwTCVykBNFRcPvzZ0nITR8c5HflUiEB4-Mqznlw/s640/Vendee+013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_gvf9k_3qgdhMxAnC0s3uqkorZh1blXqbERP7sIgQqX1La75iU4Ih7rCq85Xw0KO-wvn_dE8el0FFNZGccPpxUadgeODB8W-VYwdvQJzid90ytCD3RIw88pqxVjWs_ivlNs_m0j3jAs/s1600/Vendee+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_gvf9k_3qgdhMxAnC0s3uqkorZh1blXqbERP7sIgQqX1La75iU4Ih7rCq85Xw0KO-wvn_dE8el0FFNZGccPpxUadgeODB8W-VYwdvQJzid90ytCD3RIw88pqxVjWs_ivlNs_m0j3jAs/s640/Vendee+014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5UEsDTCQEYhrzSNyeo8b9F2hpYqg1UoKY2l_MysKtMGkaKYD164mOR5yNIm5ioKsH6rQxDpFhAnnrLpWwyaOQUbg_xasEYmoS4DE6XQKUaLOW-8jYN7r3YRn6vyz7Uv5zGyv48eI0DQ/s1600/Vendee+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5UEsDTCQEYhrzSNyeo8b9F2hpYqg1UoKY2l_MysKtMGkaKYD164mOR5yNIm5ioKsH6rQxDpFhAnnrLpWwyaOQUbg_xasEYmoS4DE6XQKUaLOW-8jYN7r3YRn6vyz7Uv5zGyv48eI0DQ/s640/Vendee+005.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78NXEDZMGjeMpp1yVG4dGvf9BfjYcTDZDfI09sWQVpsw1imtDiDLCnKzTFQ6tHdlRJzBAQ6B4Sj7QfQRPbSLCHjKRW95vCh0UJq19xHv5wsPnOW0IzpMrrT63Lv6bERg_4S8leW6yplk/s1600/Vendee+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78NXEDZMGjeMpp1yVG4dGvf9BfjYcTDZDfI09sWQVpsw1imtDiDLCnKzTFQ6tHdlRJzBAQ6B4Sj7QfQRPbSLCHjKRW95vCh0UJq19xHv5wsPnOW0IzpMrrT63Lv6bERg_4S8leW6yplk/s640/Vendee+015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect technical trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUEdChyTwyqup93ffzZFxr6HGRPqbarPQaHzwryRP-RZEXV81f_VR73Xrs-T6zihRitzbxCNpNlnDwsQrTn4Hbyd3OYD1_JoH5dz4ghDCypRPu6NVe2gl3d2CCdzWp_9_v0rsU5w26NA/s1600/Vendee+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUEdChyTwyqup93ffzZFxr6HGRPqbarPQaHzwryRP-RZEXV81f_VR73Xrs-T6zihRitzbxCNpNlnDwsQrTn4Hbyd3OYD1_JoH5dz4ghDCypRPu6NVe2gl3d2CCdzWp_9_v0rsU5w26NA/s640/Vendee+016.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7u65QpsQkocV7vSDdzw2O5v9x7iIfZ41IZIGFA_jXEAftqerN-lkRaIfkZpW0YlGT48lG8yvVpit07roTZV1xWkY0UzyR7A6xISSFd876dzG-V_LXD_Gq_JAFCUAU1bSSvtIJNVJDXw/s1600/Vendee+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7u65QpsQkocV7vSDdzw2O5v9x7iIfZ41IZIGFA_jXEAftqerN-lkRaIfkZpW0YlGT48lG8yvVpit07roTZV1xWkY0UzyR7A6xISSFd876dzG-V_LXD_Gq_JAFCUAU1bSSvtIJNVJDXw/s640/Vendee+017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading into bogland.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cresting the summit.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ5wRJqF8Q6FmxgRDL0JRVUwVrHjGJProXVpW88iWYA_Hi-CwJjNkBGEHqG4a_Bia8fIe3b64dOCGONyQwYvPYTNDDQH2LcnYpRbJG3Srr3kW-WRvT5_niofv5zyc5ioIBBpQvPstva4/s1600/Vendee+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ5wRJqF8Q6FmxgRDL0JRVUwVrHjGJProXVpW88iWYA_Hi-CwJjNkBGEHqG4a_Bia8fIe3b64dOCGONyQwYvPYTNDDQH2LcnYpRbJG3Srr3kW-WRvT5_niofv5zyc5ioIBBpQvPstva4/s640/Vendee+024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slogging to the top.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzPF8l2_BbSdzNVTFVQhfzkKUEDk_D6NBzu6SQk7fj5PhsCx2aNZz3kf1ewhQncxsIBFezbnVIvGnGbmjoAgDGgtH4WUoBJ81zQdMKYr6Y6KMxU9EcKdAcurOcw51slyxs4gdG4ayAUE/s1600/Vendee+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzPF8l2_BbSdzNVTFVQhfzkKUEDk_D6NBzu6SQk7fj5PhsCx2aNZz3kf1ewhQncxsIBFezbnVIvGnGbmjoAgDGgtH4WUoBJ81zQdMKYr6Y6KMxU9EcKdAcurOcw51slyxs4gdG4ayAUE/s640/Vendee+026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 20km of this, I packed it in.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-32901752620646272682012-07-22T13:01:00.000+02:002012-07-22T13:01:34.581+02:00Realisation.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn663mnxFn84R9OAXkEp0XYAIjicHrUtqHY5_T0-7WulG8T_pf-_5br8LOraco-51i3KY4y_lQxZIhOVuR2wn25kyUITMoUdp7_VGZ3paILGjNkScGFWlBSnWJToxKJBgf0nJc0tzGY0M/s1600/OLD+PC+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn663mnxFn84R9OAXkEp0XYAIjicHrUtqHY5_T0-7WulG8T_pf-_5br8LOraco-51i3KY4y_lQxZIhOVuR2wn25kyUITMoUdp7_VGZ3paILGjNkScGFWlBSnWJToxKJBgf0nJc0tzGY0M/s400/OLD+PC+029.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local trail route. Photo M McLoughlin.</td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It's amazing how ones attitude to
running changes over the years, in the beginning; naivety, curiosity,
occasional frustration. Then is the mid-phase as I call it;
obsessive, hyper-analytical, running-gear-junkie,
running-blog-fanatic. The phase after that is the one I'm in now;
simplicity and appreciation. It is maybe not like that for <i>everyone</i>
but I have noticed these rites of passage in others who take up the
sport or graduate from one phase to another. It's natural. As an
addict I can readily admit that running filled a huge hole in my
quest for sobriety, it did replace, and almost eclipse my propensity
to crack a beer at any given hour of the day. No more stumbling drunk
to bed at 4 am, nope, I'd get up at 4 am and run a marathon, for fun
of course. Putting in 160km+ each week was healthy for my heart and
body and mind without a doubt, I looked and felt pretty darn good.
Problems? I'm not a professional athlete and running those distances
with no job tends to seem pointless, I dreamed of being a running
star and realised after years of training that my so called 'idols'
were able to run when they pleased and had sponsors to cover travel
costs and so on. They were also gifted. I found it hard to accept
that even though I put in the work and loved my sport I would never
be able to rub shoulders with at these oh-so-cool runners on facebook
and various blogs that I had become so overzealous about. I wanted the best
running shoes and all the latest apparel on the market, I was hooked
bad. But as this phase passed I came back to running and the very
source of its hold on me. Whilst recovering over a seven month period
(that finally ended this past week with a few solid, double figure
efforts) I started to pay more attention to friends who were
beginning to get the running bug. Some of them were newbies preparing
for a 5k or maybe feeling adventurous to go half or full marathon.
Then there was the more seasoned runners whose commitment to rising
early in the worst of weather to get the runs in before work, and
then nailing a marathon PR, filled me with joy that they had been
rewarded. I got emails from people I knew in school back in Ireland
who caught wind of the fact that I was a now runner and had decided
to take it upon themselves to give it a shot. All of this activity
was bustling in cyberspace and here I was laid up with my battered
foot that I had grown to hate. I chose though to embrace my friends
victories, however big or small it may seem on the outside, they are
monumental to the individual who achieves it. The mum who works hard
at taking care of her kids and trains for a 5k or 10k is no different
to me that the guy who nails a 2:40 marathon. Every individual has to
put in the work to get the job done.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My period of inactivity had me thinking
hard as to why I run and what my motivation is. The answer slowly
revealed itself to be in front of me the entire time. I run because I
like it. No medals, no great achievements and not thoughts of
grandeur are circling my mind on a day like yesterday where I felt
the branches crunch under my feet as I wound my way up through a
narrow trail line. No rock star runners kept my outdoor spirit alive
during my injury period, no, it was the support of decent 'ordinary'
people who, even though they did not know it, were carrying my own
hopes and passions with them every step they took in their own
training and racing. The selfless, communal attitude of the sport is
a strange thing given we spend a lot of time in solitude and I think
it's because of that telepathic introspection that we can connect
with others so well. Everyone just <i>gets </i><span style="font-style: normal;">it,
like a secret handshake. My current phase depends not on the shoes I
wear or the times I post, it is not driven by a goal that will stamp
an identity on my contribution to running. It is more about what
running has contributed to me, to enable me to analyse the world
around whilst being </span><i>in </i><span style="font-style: normal;">the
world around me. I am able to transcend the 'barriers' that society
(and my own mind) surround me with, I am free and roaming under my
own steam, exploring and learning, fulfilling my role in life. To all
the people who got me back on my feet and kept my mid in the game,
thank you, you most definitely know who you are.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-18944163077354251932012-07-04T20:02:00.002+02:002012-07-04T20:04:59.983+02:00Plodding Along, Still.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgAkuAx6YWJc1J8PXeo5jwnkcYIeYbFQ4M7CHRDYlfbna_8cVhgEoKR3-apbRsr_OE7hNLYFAt9TZ0idUZo4QddnHKwpiN8WHu0bJj7S2e_2e8V8l3wIlnhnz0n9r6DszvRSQ-NlFtnc/s1600/logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgAkuAx6YWJc1J8PXeo5jwnkcYIeYbFQ4M7CHRDYlfbna_8cVhgEoKR3-apbRsr_OE7hNLYFAt9TZ0idUZo4QddnHKwpiN8WHu0bJj7S2e_2e8V8l3wIlnhnz0n9r6DszvRSQ-NlFtnc/s400/logo.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So, I haven’t been busy <i>here </i><span style="font-style: normal;">but
I have been elsewhere. As the previous post pretty much summed up the
reasons for my inactivity this one will explain the progress and
direction of things to come. I have finally started my own business
at <a href="http://www.malcolmmcloughlin.com/" style="color: lime;">www.malcolmmcloughlin.com</a>
It is a venture that took some time, networking and a lot of mistakes
to get off the ground. It reminded me of learning how to be a good
runner. I have always written but in a Sunday morning jog kind of
way, stepping it up and trying to hone my craft with a variety of
projects has taken me to the level of running ultras. I'm careful
when to go all out and careful when to reel it in. I will also be
blogging on that site but it will be of a more personal
slant. I aim to carry on writing here about running, Autism and the
progress of Pearl. I have seen a great community of activists,
athletes and volunteers come into the picture since I started this
blog a few years ago. Seeing how Autism is becoming more relevant and
talked about here in France reinforces my belief that smallest oceans
can make big waves, it just takes persistence and drive. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">The
book has reached the halfway point and that material has been sent to
my editor, when the kids leave at the weekend for a two week break with Nana I shall turn my
attention to it again having stepped back for a week. Going through
the back catalogue of my mind has taken me to some very strange
places, I have recalled some things with more clarity than others and
some I'd rather forget. The process is a journey and to get the best
out of myself I have to prod at a few old scabs from time to time. I
am very lucky to have an incredible friend, <a href="http://www.dannyguinan.com/"><span style="color: lime;">Danny</span></a>, who is editing and a
great guy I met in London many years ago, <a href="http://www.socialite-media.co.za/" style="color: lime;">Bruce</a>, who has delivered a
top class site for me and then the friends whose encouragement keep
my going when my eyes are closing at midnight. Teams and communities
make us who we are, no one ever achieved anything significant without
a squad of optimists and drill sergeants behind them. I'm just lucky
that mine know when to use the carrot, and when to use the stick.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Injury
wise, it's the first time I have been able to walk a lot and not feel
too much pain. I am wearing flat soled (dare I say it) minimalist
shoes for day to day getting around. I have played a lot of barefoot
games with the kids at the local football stadium on astro-turf and
its almost been like interval or sprint training. My friends in Paris
are egging me to get out for some slow miles soon and I'm tempted. I
will be on vacation for three weeks in Ireland too and should give me
an opportunity to clock some miles. When the time is right I'll know.
Happy summer everyone. </span>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-62598995592443148482012-04-28T17:14:00.003+02:002012-04-28T17:14:45.790+02:00Transition.I could list off ten things in a single exhalation as to why I haven't been blogging but those reasons are long winded and very personal, lets just say being on here was pretty far from my mind. I have been blessed that both Tim and JP have flown the RFP flag in pretty spectacular fashion these past few months and I'll never forget that. I have just been busy with a lot of life changes and the transition period through a divorce and moving homes is just beyond stressful (you know when you're moving and someone says "It's as stressful as divorce they say" Well, I say 'they' are wrong. Doing both within six weeks of each other doesn't help much either. But there is new light on my horizon and it comes in many forms, writing has taken on a much more disciplined and methodical approach recently as I've started my book as well as some freelance pieces that are thoroughly exciting prospects. Life changes and you adapt or you wither. It's evolution baby and the only way is forward. I am currently delving into many things related to my past and it's a trip and a half. Sad, revealing, funny, haunting and tragic--it's always been a goal to get it down on paper but I was never strong enough or ready until last week. When you know, you just know. My running has recommenced with three little outings in the past six days for a grand total of thirty five kilometres for the week, I have no goals other than the pure enjoyment of it. It's what brought me the distance through battling the booze and understanding Autism. It's my constant friend and after four months of limping inactivity I love it as much as ever. More details to come soon but I couldn't resist plugging back in as I sit here in the French countryside looking out at the rain. Happy trails friends and see you round the bend.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINHfu8eOs2W7ZANnW4swSmiEpEpOdWUMy70WZ82fSZxVU8sXOKBA8us1REVwllvyXTW-is-E1A2UA6eAcb5PKq5qiGjkeUQHXO9kw8voq7p9PHnDwGdTYxVeRv67X1Ko-RIl451YXjFI/s1600/iPhone+319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINHfu8eOs2W7ZANnW4swSmiEpEpOdWUMy70WZ82fSZxVU8sXOKBA8us1REVwllvyXTW-is-E1A2UA6eAcb5PKq5qiGjkeUQHXO9kw8voq7p9PHnDwGdTYxVeRv67X1Ko-RIl451YXjFI/s400/iPhone+319.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next generation of trail heads, so proud of them.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-68258444594651618452012-03-07T18:54:00.010+01:002012-03-07T20:10:18.905+01:00Jean Phillipe Brunon Interview.<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZjZbBkCf64yxPyn7BwBrpdLLmBP6TlBoyrApHBdnhxl1_18oSxkWg4_H1mHK49uv8GMHyR3bJbk44t1WUZRdqP4wrYTsoUjwj_GJZWlVRxXp3axF1Q87x9hqNpK7rR2AxNps_Of9qJo/s1600/Feb+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZjZbBkCf64yxPyn7BwBrpdLLmBP6TlBoyrApHBdnhxl1_18oSxkWg4_H1mHK49uv8GMHyR3bJbk44t1WUZRdqP4wrYTsoUjwj_GJZWlVRxXp3axF1Q87x9hqNpK7rR2AxNps_Of9qJo/s400/Feb+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717231047684415922" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(hanging with 'JP' after 12 hrs of battle at Feucherolles)</span><br /></div><br />Just under a year ago at the <a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);" href="http://runningforpearl.blogspot.com/2011/05/12h-de-feucherolles-2011.html">12hrs de Feucherolles</a> I met <a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);" href="http://jp75018.blogspot.com/">Jean Phillipe Brunon</a>. We instantly hit off and during a days racing and well into that night got to know each other a lot better. Since then, thanks to the Internet, we have become pals who share a passion for running and for the human connection that is such a vital part of why we do this. With my current injuries sidelining me from anything remotely resembling an ultra it is Jean Phillipe who, along with <a href="http://timmeier.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Tim</span></a> are the torch bearers for 2012. I caught up with JP over emails and this is what he had to say. On a side note, English is not JP's first language so he did really well and I thoroughly enjoyed putting this piece together with him. Thanks JP on behalf of all the people involved in Running for Pearl.<br /><br />We first met at the 12 hrs de Feucherolles in may last year, how was you race that day?<br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Up until Feucherolles my longest race was 100 km, I wanted to properly test myself before running my first 24H race in October, especially hydrating and fueling properly. My target for this event was initially 132 km (average speed 11 km/h) so I started at 12 km/h. But the weather was a bit hot (departure was at 11 am) so this was a bit too fast. Fortunately though I slowed down preventively after the marathon mark (during the afternoon the temperature went up). I had no problem during the race and I even accelerated a bit at the end as it was fresher during the evening.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> After this my decision to run a 24H race in October was reinforced! My final mark was 127,2 km and I was happy with it despite the fact that it was less than expected because it was quite hot and I finished in good shape. With this kind of race what is more important than performance is the friendship with other participants. I was very pleased to meet you in person after getting in touch on the DailyMile site.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><div style="font-weight: bold;" class="im"><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tell me a bit about your running background/career?</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> When I was a teen I practiced cycling but due to knee problems I has to stop at the age of 21. After that I did almost no sport, maybe a jog every few months. I began running in summer 2005 just to get in shape and to lose some weight (I've lost 12 kg). I took part in my first race (a 10K) in 2006 and I liked the atmosphere. Also a lot of elder runners ran faster than me, this motivated me to begin some structured training. I was soon fascinated by long distance running, so I ran my first marathon (Paris) in April 2007 and y managed a sub-3H marathon for my 4th marathon in November 2009 (Nice-Cannes, 2H57).</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Regarding ultra-marathons, my first one was the 6 hours des Yvelines in May 2009 at Villennes/s/Seine (now it's in Feucherolles). I entered it just to see if I was going to like it, and I really enjoyed it! Despite many newbie mistakes ( starting too fast, bad fueling) I managed to cover nearly 68 km and discovered a very frien</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">dly community of ultra runners. So from 2010 to now-and I hope for a long time-most of the running year is dedicated to ultras: my first 100K (Chavagnes in Vendée) in May 2010 then the famous Millau 100K in September 2010. I try to increase my mileage and ultra distances every year as the longer was the race, the more fun I have!!!</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> </span><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="im"><span style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;">2011 was a pretty good year for you, what were the highlights?</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> I can say that odd years are generally good running years for me. 2005: start, 2007: 1st marathon and 1st sub-40' 10K, 2009: 1st sub-3H marathon, 2011: 1st 24H and win. The even years have not been as good (in 2008 I lost my Dad, running helped but performance was not a concern, 2010) hard-time for 100 km de Millau, but this was a delight as it changed my approach of ultras.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> My main goal in 2011 was to run my first 24 hour race in Autumn, primarily to see if I was able to achieve continuous effort during 24H, and if possible break the 200K mark which is quite a psychological barrier that many circadians (24H runners) want to break. So I decided to take part in 12H des Yvelines in May to test all the logistics, mainly alternating running and walking for proper hydrating and fueling (which is even more important than training for ultras). The result was very positive because I was not exhausted at all and ready in my mind to run another 12H. I registered in 24H de Vierzon race just after Feucherolles.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">I also ran 100 km de Theillay 6 weeks before Vierzon to make final adjustments for 24H pace and fueling, I was quite confident because I completed this 100K without being tired at all.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> D-Day of my 2011 running year was at Vierzon on October 8-9th. A friend of mine (Jean-Jacques) was there to assist me. My goal was to stay 24 hours on the circuit without sleeping, and eventually break the 200K mark. I started slowly compared to many other runners, and I managed to keep my initial pace (close to 10 km/h) for 16 hours until 3 am (race started at 11am) and I was in 1st position by midnight. The most difficult part was the end of the night between 5 am and 8 am because I had a strong desire to sleep and I slowed down but never stopped. When the sun rose in the morning, it was like a revival and I managed to finish the race without being too exhausted. I was very pleased with my distance of 227,645 km as my most optimistic prediction was 215 km. Also, it was my first victory in a official race, but the most important thing is that I had no muscular nor tendinous problem, and that I really enjoyed this 24 hours most of the time, so I'm optimistic for my future ultras.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><div class="im"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-zmQxrjcRgoiXyT_lozwA89Jsx66S1Mkpzhi-CpxwcUK4DLJEkFBacRPaDhWZOodDLe4iiLby4hxRqgYMdCH3Sj_cYq8TPP7IorHRNrSDf-eeaISQsbTxLcxLivo-GgR8zsUVNdRy0M/s1600/303262_10150416803383659_735643658_10051544_833911217_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-zmQxrjcRgoiXyT_lozwA89Jsx66S1Mkpzhi-CpxwcUK4DLJEkFBacRPaDhWZOodDLe4iiLby4hxRqgYMdCH3Sj_cYq8TPP7IorHRNrSDf-eeaISQsbTxLcxLivo-GgR8zsUVNdRy0M/s400/303262_10150416803383659_735643658_10051544_833911217_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717231261580777778" border="0" /></a>What races are you taking on for 2012?<br /><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> As every year, I try to improve a little my speed on short distances (10K, half-marathon) in winter before the ultra marathon season. I don't like short distances-especially 10K-but it's good to run sometimes at a faster pace and also to meet other runners outside the ultra community.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> For the 2012 ultra season, I will have 3 targets :</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> 1. 100 km of Belvès (in the Perigord) on April 14th.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> It will be a competitive race as it's the French 100K championship. My target is to beat my 100K PR in 8H30/8H40 which is not obvious because the route is hilly. Jean-Jacques will accompany me on a bicycle so I'll have both logistic and a mental assistance.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> 2. Ultrabalaton (non stop 212 km race around lake Balaton in Hungary) on June 30th - July 1st</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> It will be my first very long non stop race and I'll run it in cool -possibly hot weather- to graduate to this kind of event and to improve logistics and mental strength in the scope of 2013 (see dream race). Just enjoy my time with other runners and finish without being exhausted if possible...</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> 3. 24H de Vierzon (same circuit as 2011) on October 6-7th</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> I'll try to improve my 2011 mark by 5-10 km but as it will be the 24H French championship, victory or even the podium is out of reach. Also it's more difficult to run a event for the second time because making mistakes due to an excess of self-confidence that often occurs when all went smoothly the first time!</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> I'll also run other ultra races, like 6H de Buc, 6H de Feucherolles, and 100 km de Theillay to prepare these events or just for the fun.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Why have you chosen to support RFP?<br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="im"><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> I first heard about Running for Pearl at Feucherolles when I met with Malcolm.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> I was thinking about supporting an association while running ultras for a couple of months, especially in the fields of youth, health, education or environment. I also prefer a small structure where I know people in person rather than large ones. Autism affects hundred of thousands people in France alone, and there is little or no communication about it in the media.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> So RFP is a "perfect match"! There is also a nice and well-know young French ultra runner and walker, Franck, who is Autistic (Aspergers Syndrome) who runs dozens of ultras every year (he also was there in Feucherolles). So many ultra-runners are already aware of Autism.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> On a personal point of view, it really can help to surpass myself during a race when it gets hard, because comparing to what Pearl and her family endure it's really nothing!</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />Your attention to detail for your training logs is astonishing, where does this come from?<br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="im"><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> I think this is due to my scientific background (I'm a software engineer). I like stats, so I always record data like speed and heart rate. I also like to optimize my training and control as many parameters as I can during the race. Logging every training session and every race is useful to analyze data. It helps in not reproducing the same mistakes and improve training and efficiency during races. I hope that in the future, once I'll have learned how to train, hydrate, fuel, ... I'll be able to run long distances more "instinctively".</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /><span> What is the dream race you hope to compete in someday</span><span>?</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="im"><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Since 2010 I have wanted to run the Spartathlon (a 246 km non stop race in Greece from Athens to Sparta, web site: </span><a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.spartathlon.gr/" target="_blank">http://www.spartathlon.gr</a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">). Because of this goal I select races as stepping stones to ultimately be able to finish the Spartathlon and kiss the foot of Leonidas in Sparta.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> My first attempt will be in September 2013, there is a countdown on my blog. Finishing this race is an achievement for an ultra runner because cut off is very aggressive (limit is 36 hours).</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Running the Comrades marathon in South-Africa is also a dream, more for the atmosphere (it is the most popular ultra in the world with 20000 runners and over 2000000 spectators). It is also the oldest ultra in the world (1st edition in 1921).</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> There are also two marathons on my to do list : Boston because of history also (oldest world marathon, 1st in 1897) and Berlin because it is fast to set a lifetime PB.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />Whats your opinion on the current ultra scene in France?<br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="im"><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> I'm a newbie on ultra scene (3 years and 8 ultras is very little) so I cannot compare with the past. Also, I only run road ultras and not ultra trail for a couple of reasons:</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> - training for trail when living in Paris is not easy</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> - I like to be very relaxed and zen when I run which is easy to do on the road as you don't need to pay attention where you put your feet on or just not getting lost.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> - There is more and more money in the trail (even money for winners on some races) and I think this begins to alter the initial spirit of those races</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> - I hate following fashions and "do like the others" and being a finisher of races like the UTMB where you first need to be selected in a lottery is not my cup of tea!</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> So I cannot tell about ultra trail (which may be 90% of the ultra scene in France)...</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">But the community of ultra road runners is rather small with the exception of 100 km de Millau where most participants do it as a challenge and are not regular ultra runners. I think there are about 1000 regular ultra road runners in France running from 1 to 10 or more ultras per year.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> There is a strong respect among all ultra runners without any consideration of performance. This is obvious during time event where every runner encourage others while overtaking (which happens often because circuits are short ~1 km). Time events have become more and more popular, there are about twenty 24H races organized every year in France. There are about 10 100K organized each year. In terms of performance, French runners are quite competitive, especially in the 24H where they win medals both individual and team at every world championship.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Who inspires you?<br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Among french ultra-runners, Emmanuel Fontaine (a member of 24H French team with a mark beyond 250 km) inspires me because he isn't a fast runner but manages to optimize his training and has a regular pace during 24H with very little slow down. His wife Anne-Cécile is also a champion because she was twice 24H world champion with a mark beyond 240 km.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Another French ultra-runner I admire is Jean-Jacques Moros (he was a 100K French champion, was 2 times on the Spartathlon podium, has the course record of Nove Colli and Trans Gaule. But he really runs for the pleasure and friendship with other ultra-runners!</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Of course I have to mention Yiannis Kouros because he is really a living legend in the world ultra running scene. Among all his world records, his 24 hours mark of 303,506 km is just fantastic.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Even more than his performances I admire his mental endurance and my motto is directly from Yiannis Kouros thought : "Without patience, you will never conquer endurance".</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>What is the race you are most proud of and why?<br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="im"><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> This is not an ultra, but a marathon. I really achieved a "perfect" race on the Nice-Cannes marathon in November 2009. It was my second attempt for a sub-3H after a missed one in Paris 6 month earlier. I started at a slower pace because I felt very unwell and I accelerated gradually. I really felt in the zone around km 30 and it was a little harder to finish but I managed to run faster and faster. I did a negative split even if the second part was a bit hilly and a 2H57 which I did not expected initially! I dream I'll run a perfect ultra-marathon one time in my life.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Are you a full time runner?<br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="im"><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> I do not practice any other sports apart from running and during intensive training I can run 6 times and up to 12 hours per week, my yearly mileage is around 4000 km which isn't that much for an ultra-runner who does not practice any cross-training. So running is a major part of my life, but of course family (I'm married and have a 6 year old son) and work (I'm a software engineer) are the most important.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> I'm a member of a running club (XVe Athletic Club in Paris), but I don't go to training sessions very often because of my work. Also, I'm my own coach and planning my training and the logistics is really part of this hobby. Also I'm a very cautious runner and I listen to my body rather than following my training plan blindly, so I have never been hurt since I run.</span><br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <br style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> I'd like to keep on running ultras even when I'll be an old man.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmKN_nLKsDPSv3BHoAz29B3l3p-5nOrD0P2FydcrT3NYq__Jju9Fk6bAe9KL6hNDEDUsJcLW42NeUWduxKJbOt_SiarOcEDXW047_mvzFJ15ljL7ymFEHVJj7hGwfvjbm_obugrgSEUs/s1600/319511_10150400947953659_735643658_9966762_2141964297_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 353px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmKN_nLKsDPSv3BHoAz29B3l3p-5nOrD0P2FydcrT3NYq__Jju9Fk6bAe9KL6hNDEDUsJcLW42NeUWduxKJbOt_SiarOcEDXW047_mvzFJ15ljL7ymFEHVJj7hGwfvjbm_obugrgSEUs/s400/319511_10150400947953659_735643658_9966762_2141964297_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717231144250175202" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-56128933082186751132012-01-21T20:45:00.006+01:002012-01-21T23:18:15.395+01:00Learning.For the end of 2011/beginning of 2012 I had a whole spiel ready to drop about the things I learned in the former and my goals for the latter. Well, life is indeed stranger and more dramatic than fiction and if someone had told me that bigger, more pressing challenges were ahead I would have tutted and rolled my eyes.<br /><br />The majority of 2011 was tough for personal reasons and my running also had its ups and downs. Cutting my <a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);" href="http://runningforpearl.blogspot.com/2011/07/mizen-to-malin-2011-part-1.html">Ireland trek</a> into bike riding stages was never my end goal and even though I had convinced myself it was all for the best and I had learned from my struggles and all that crap, I didn't really believe it, until now.<br /><br />You see, when things are going OK or maybe not so OK you still don't fully appreciate anything for the true worth it has. You can say you do but you don't. Its like having a sore thumb, you don't value the thumb until you bash it accidentally with a hammer and then try to open a jar or twist a door knob the next day. It hurts and you realise how much you love having functioning, non throbbing thumbs. Running is the same, you say "I'm so grateful for the ability to do it"or "I never take it for granted" etc. Shoot, I was <span style="font-style: italic;">always </span>saying these phrases and I always will. But, when you are cycling home from <a href="http://www.google.fr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=boulogne&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.boulognebillancourt.com%2F&ei=STYbT5vFG4-0hAf_jpmxDA&usg=AFQjCNF936EfGZYzF4oxXUXO0xslKyKFsA&sig2=iF5ySCi8o9tsH7shDUklKQ&cad=rja"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Boulogne</span></a> after teaching your <span style="font-style: italic;">last </span>class of the year on December 16th and a motorbike cuts two lanes, jams your handlebars against theirs, sending your left foot into the motorbikes rear wheel and dragging you 10 feet down the busiest route in and out of Paris then you are suddenly and acutely aware that the excrement has indeed hit the windmill. Hell, running becomes a luxury that you just can't afford after that. I could go into the specifics of the accident but the fact that it took the guy ten minutes to get my Salomon shoe out from between the spokes of his moto whilst looking around for cops and subsequently taking off immediately kind of tells you who was at fault. All I knew was that I was stranded with a bashed up but cyclable bike and twenty five minutes to make it back home to collect Pearl and take her to her physical therapists appointment. The days that followed were just a blur of looking after two kids with a foot that just tore me up with every step I took, but it was also a sharp reminder to the fact that I got severely lucky given I wasn't even wearing a helmet and the ruck sack on my back saved my ribs from being crushed on impact.<br /><br />After getting checked out it was no surprise that I had a fractured Metatarsal and that ruled out any and all running for 2-3 months, depending on the healing process which differs for everyone. I spent many of my days hobbling and limping around, taking frequent ice treatments, and supporting it with various bandages and supports. I knew that if ever patience was needed it was now. This was when my endurance running really taught me how to manage my low points. Facing uncertainty in this really played on my mind as Pearls behaviour always worsens around the holiday period and running was not going to be an escape. Then you see your friends getting in runs and being able to burn off the turkey and all you want to do is half an hour even. There were times when I was on my knees praying for a way to just be able to <span style="font-style: italic;">hike </span>up a trail head for twenty minutes. But two things really counted in my favour. The first thing is two different constituents that will always be inextricably intertwined--running and sobriety. Managing to quell an addiction that has a voracious appetite for destruction twinned with the ability to run back to back 100k stretches gives one a certain amount of perspective and resilience. The other vital ingredient is support, without this nothing is possible. From friends and family, both runners and non, the overwhelming good vibes that came my way was more soothing than any over the counter medication. Knowing that a crutch like this exists makes the waiting and the frustration bearable, in fact I would almost go as far as to say it makes it worth it because you know who has<span style="font-style: italic;"> really</span> got your back. Everything is distilled down to what is really your passion in life and how will you go about making the changes in your ways to fully live the way you want to.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LgnWcPYcnKHW-tIbIcrHuKLBSAW1bo2u9NDSePrH05k0WhOB4s-5H9C3_m4zCwy7Gp_ds0_j-g81y8XrtgE53zaAFqYZ1a8Bbs3fvdhQbSXswkNnMSYuo_tQ13wCU2Zn9LrVwBvxbSA/s1600/392288_245747415494538_100001778451764_575311_567028220_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LgnWcPYcnKHW-tIbIcrHuKLBSAW1bo2u9NDSePrH05k0WhOB4s-5H9C3_m4zCwy7Gp_ds0_j-g81y8XrtgE53zaAFqYZ1a8Bbs3fvdhQbSXswkNnMSYuo_tQ13wCU2Zn9LrVwBvxbSA/s400/392288_245747415494538_100001778451764_575311_567028220_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700211793528918690" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(looking forward--photo--M.M.)</span><br /></div><br />What I have learned is that I have a passion to run, but the enforced rest showed me that I have other talents that needed some attention and the time to rise to the surface. My life is evolving and ebbing and flowing on a daily basis but it is also making me <span style="font-style: italic;">face</span> life on a daily basis. Sure I still love to plan things and all the races I had hoped to do between Jan and April have all been scrapped but today I got back on my feet for my first run since November last year. I jogged four km's of pure joy and when I say there were tears it was not because of the wind in my eyes, it was because I am alive and I am able to change the course and path of my life for the better with every breath I inhale. I refuse to be knocked down (both literally and figuratively) and I am willing to do whatever it takes for my kids and myself to live full and happy lives. I will ease back into it but I can say right now that I feel good about my foot and my future. I have started to structure my book and although its a long road I have plenty of people walking it with me. For my upcoming blogs I will be featuring <a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);" href="http://jp75018.blogspot.com/">Jean Phillipe Brunon</a> who is a great friend, awesome runner and is flying the RFP flag this year. I will be talking to him about his success last year and why my daughter has become a cause close to his heart. I will sign out with a tune that has been getting some heavy rotation recently and also a message to the guy on the motor bike--running away from a problem doesn't work, trust me I know!<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VcNyhCXNvQE" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-20504104181821477552011-12-21T10:51:00.003+01:002011-12-21T11:02:32.828+01:00Salomon 2011Salomon are a great team. Their staff and athletes are generous with their time, advice and support and I saw this in abundance during the year in the ways they helped Running for Pearl. Below is their end of year wrap up video and what a year it was for them. Julien Chorier won Hardrock, Ryan Sandes won the Leadville 100, Anna Frost repeated her win at The North Face 50 in San Francisco, Kilian won Western Sates 100, UTMB, Skyrunner Super Cup and most of the other events he participated in. These are just a <span style="font-style: italic;">few</span> of the success stories and proof that what you put in to the sport is what you get out of it. I have been proud to be associated with them even if only as a footnote in the bigger scheme of things. It is a great community indeed.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yOfkwA26hrY" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-4316034544895009312011-12-20T12:44:00.004+01:002011-12-20T13:31:17.075+01:00Sobriety-One Year On.I don't believe in being obliged to blog. I do it when I have something I want to say. I also believe that with blogs there seems to be some discussion on how personal one should get with it. I have always insisted that since its my blog I am entitled to the freedom of its content whether its a piece on Autism, someone who inspires me or an issue I want to vent about. If people don't want to read it, they should chose not read it.<br /><br />I say this because this one is personal. Looking back on the past year I am filled with immense joy at some of the things that have happened to me. I am also filled with great sadness at some of the things that have occurred in my personal life. I do know one thing though and that is I am proud. The main source of my pride is obviously my children and it will forever be that way, my other and most humbling joy comes from sobriety. On December 12th just gone I reached a point I never thought I would, to not drink for a year. I am an alcoholic and make no secret of it, some people who know me directly or indirectly are aware of this and some people are surprised and occasionally shocked when they find out. It does not change who I am in the slightest, it just means that I carry this with me through life throwing caution to the wind everyday. I have to be careful because I have been sober before for up to eight months and relapsed without fanfare or ceremony. It was simple as walking past a shop, stopping and buying a can of beer and plunging myself into that downward spiral of self loathing and misery. So when my son said to me last year "Papa, why are you always drinking" with a sadness no six year old should have to bear, I knew it was time.<br /><br />You see, being an addict is a double life. It is a life of lies, deceit, selfishness and greed. I went through stages of having bottles hid in cupboards, garden sheds, bathrooms and even once my infant daughters changing bag (and that is just a few in a long list) Am I proud of this? No. But by beating it and continuing to go from strength to strength everyday I am in a position to help others. I have always wanted to do that but first I had to help myself. I had convinced myself it was going to be impossible to sober up. Sobering up was for other people. STRONG PEOPLE. I was weak, I was worthless and I was not going to be missed if I sloped on down the rungs of life to the bottom. But that all changed when I decided to get my shit together. I DECIDED. That was enough, and that's all you need to do. Decide. The rest of it is planning, changing routines and going through a detox that's akin you shedding your skin like a serpent. But all of that is manageable once you know and believe that you can do it. There is a wonderful lyric from a Pearl Jam song called "Life Wasted". It goes "I faced it, a life wasted. I ain't never going back again..." That is my mantra everyday. I get emotional when I think back to the state my mind was in. The self loathing because I was too weak to beat an inanimate bottle filled with amber fluid. It was me depending on it, it didn't depend on me. But when you are sick rationality is fairly low on the pecking order. I also have been supported by some incredible people whose pride and belief in me took me those extra steps to get me there. These people should have a very good idea of who they are and some I only know through the Internet, anyway that's why we have all this technology isn't it :) Surrounding myself with like minded souls has been the key in moving on. But I have to say thank you to Charlie Engle who kicked my ass one time I slipped a few years back and got me on the road again. Also to my best friend over the past twenty years, Trev Reams. My soul brother who has encouraged me and pushed me up the hills when I was to weak to do it under my own steam. I owe you everything brother. My kids remain my most motivating factor and everyday with them is a blessing I can't believe I am privileged to have(except on the days I want to throttle them of course ;) My family back home. I love you.<br /><br />I have had many comments from people in the last few months all centered around the same subject-writing a book. I have given it consideration many times before but always bailed due to many of the reasons mentioned above. Now though I think its time, I have something to say and over the next year, very gradually I will lay down the foundation of what will be a story of choosing to live and fully embracing the strength that lies within us all. Have a merry and safe Christmas. If there is something in your life you think you can't overcome, you are wrong. You CAN!!<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5bdc5ZwN7MM" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-70889154895204417462011-11-13T09:27:00.001+01:002011-11-13T09:40:00.162+01:00Anton Krupicka--Brazil.Anton Krupicka was recently in Brazil to promote the launch of the Minimus shoe and below is a very intimate video of his experience. One can be pretty much guaranteed insightful comments and views when it invloves Tony, either through his <a href="http://wpblogs.runningtimes.com/blogs/antonkrupicka/2011/11/12/nb-minimus-launch-in-brazil/" style="color: lime;">Running Times blog</a> or his personal musings/race reports on his <a href="http://antonkrupicka.blogspot.com/2011/11/brazil.html"><span style="color: lime;">own blog</span></a>. It's his stripped down reasons and approach to the sport that are that hold particular appeal to me and if you are not already aware of his tremendous impact (for the better) on trail running then I highly reccomend studying up and benefitting from his wisdom.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-MfFezjicoM" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-49511660781764535382011-11-09T18:37:00.001+01:002011-11-11T18:35:35.454+01:00U.K. Gear PT 1000 Review.Early last year, whislt in the preparation stages of my <a href="http://runningforpearl.blogspot.com/2011/07/mizen-to-malin-2011-part-1.html" style="color: lime;">mammoth trek across Ireland</a> I was contacted by the super kind folks at <a href="http://www.ukgear.com/" style="color: lime;">UK Gear</a> to test out a pair of their durable PT 1000 shoes. I had heard great things about this shoe from my friend <a href="http://runningforpearl.blogspot.com/2010/11/scotland-2-sahara.html" style="color: lime;">Andrew Murray who completed his epic Scotland 2 Sahara run</a> in them and was intrigued right off the bat at their 1000 mile guarantee--a big boast indeed. The fact that both the US and UK armies are kitted out with their shoes further piqued my interest.<br />
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For those who don't know my training routines (on the outskirts of Paris) and the miles I put into the prep for Ireland I can say in brief that hundreds of miles were logged on everything from technical trail to asphalt. I knew that in order for these shoes to impress me they were not only going to have to live up to the miles but also deliver in comfort.<br />
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The first words in regards the PT's were actually uttered by my son--"they look cool Papa". The seal of approval from a seven year old kid who is quite picky about what goes on his own feet. I agree with him as aesthetically they do look good and I would be testing the grey/red design, many runners noted that they had never come across them before so I felt pretty pleased about having unique kicks out on the trails. They were also lighter than I expected and felt sturdy without being too stiff around the uppers. This is all well and good but of course one can never tell until a few weeks in how your relationship with a pair of shoes is going to go.<br />
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My first few outings were in-at-the-deep-end 30/40km trail runs. No point in flirting, get in there and get muddy. I was pleased to find that the shoe wrapped around my foot in a snug, but not too tight hold. It's essential on rugged terrain to have that kind of fit because if you don't trust what's on your feet then your confidence suffers. I had no qualms about flying down single track switch backs and leaning into the turns as I knew the grip underneath me would hold strong. The sole of the shoe is as solid as they come, the 'Rhinopad' at the heel feels balanced and not too wide like some other trail shoes I have run in. Towards the forefoot the sole is made up of 'UK Gear Carbon Rubber', a series of small, bubble like protrusions that give great purchase on the climbs. I get the impression that the material that goes into the soles of these shoes is as closely guarded as the secret ingredient in Coca-Cola. Another great thing is the breathability and space around the toe-box area, keeping blisters at bay. The shoes held up as well on the roads as on the trails too and think that anyone looking for a high mileage, cross-over shoe should really check them out. The only suggestion or change for my mind would be the laces, I feel a notched lace that grips the eyelets would work really well here and increase on the already snug fit. I have put in 400 miles (give or take) on them and honestly...... its impressive the lack of wear in general.<br />
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I am now looking forward to taking them all the way to 1000 miles in the coming year as I begin preparation for my next Autism based challenge in 2012. I will post furhter details about that in the coming weeks and excited to work with UK Gear in the future on some exciting projects.<br />
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(On another note please sign the <span style="color: lime;">A</span><a href="http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/runningforpearl/signatures" style="color: lime;">utism Awareness Petition, its at the top left of the page or just click here</a><span style="color: lime;">.</span> This petition will be the cornerstone in making changes on my next event)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(box-fresh and ready to roll)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(400 miles later)</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-19885134613294175442011-11-01T18:41:00.002+01:002011-11-01T18:42:16.918+01:00Pearl Jam Twenty.I won't go into great detail of the emotional train wreck my life has been over the past few months but point this fact out more to explain my lack of activity and drive. A lot has happened for me on a personal level and I am using this to grow and look forward. I am currently planning a lot of things for next year and I am being helped by some formidable athletes too, also forming the skeleton of my crew for my own challenge. So, in the meantime and with the positive vibes it brings I will post a segment from the finale of <a href="http://www.pearljam.com/" style="color: lime;">Pearl Jam Twenty</a> featuring your one and only Autism Endurance Crusader. Honoured beyond words to have been featured in a documentary that shows what a truly humble band I have been devoted to for the past twenty years. To be alongside my two best friends, The Captain and Ving, is the icing on the cake. Hope you enjoy.
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A97LqpE2iPs" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2701129887234754915.post-91939115709644244032011-10-08T07:33:00.002+02:002011-10-08T07:33:37.677+02:00i Run Paris blog post.<a href="http://timmeier.blogspot.com/2011/10/running-for-pearl.html" style="color: lime;">Tim's blog post relating to Running for Pearl.</a> He is currently tapering for part two of the quest, the <span style="color: lime;">Toulouse International Marathon</span> two weeks from Sunday. Go Bro :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01922302867019501975noreply@blogger.com0