REALmadRED

Having recently done only my 9th marathon, my 1st Ultra (he says wishing he done so many more by now) I am going to up the ante... I want to compete in many more longer distance races. Istanbul & The Picnic marathons opened my eyes as to what can be achieved when I apply myself to adverse conditions - never, ever give up, ignore the pain... believe and achieve.

Marathons to date:
1. VENICE - 28/10/07 - (on my 38th birthday!) A fabulous place to lose my marathon virginity - 10 bridges to go!

2. CORK CITY - 4/6/08 -

3. ISTANBUL - 25/10/08 - (Cancelled flight / airport closure at London City, 2 time zones + end of BST - Got up 1hr early so no breakfast before marathon + a 14hr monsoon!)

4. NEOLITHIC - 5/5/09 - Avebury to Stonehenge (across the MOD site on Salisbury Plains).

5. THE PICNIC, Box Hill, Surrey - 20/6/09 - Reputedly Britains' hardest marathon (including 2,000 steps and 6,000ft of ascent/ descent! Took 4 days to recover!)

6. Salisbury 5-4-3-2-1 - 9/8/09 - A Trail run clocked at just over 27 miles.

7. JERSEY (Channel Islands) 27/9/09 - A Marathon PB of 4:11 (After a trip to A&E with back spasms!)

8. GREENSANDS - 25/10/09 - Started 20mins late but finished 6th from last!

9. TANNERS 30 MILE ULTRA - 24/1/10 - Forget the time, I got injured after 6 miles to the point I couldn't/didn't run for 2 weeks afterwards. Despite being just a little pissed off with my condition I completed the course and enjoyed the event. All the same the route was fantastic, challenging - read mud & hills, and the weather was quite pleasent

for the time of year. My 1st Ultra is one I won't forget but I'm keen to try a few more.

***********************************************************************
Mid January - mid February 2010... For the 1st time since I took up running I've had an injury that has lasted more than a week, 4 to date! After a tweeked groin at the Tanners Ultra it morphed into a tendon strain on my right instep. After 2 weeks rest and having not run at all I went out for a 15.5 mile run with Nicky from our club. 5 miles in and PAIN! 10.5 miles later I discovered a blister which had replaced the tendon strain in virtually the same spot! Not the start I had anticipated for 2010 but the show must go on...
***********************************************************************