Jan-15

camped out at the side of the road.
15600 miles Barcelona Marathon Mar 2010. Not very scenic for most of the route but a fast flat
route. Sue and I decided to stay over for a few days but the day after the race
Barcelona had its heaviest snow in 50 years so we had to spend 3 days sheltering in
the local hostelries.
18500 miles Coniston Trail Marathon Jul 2011. My nemesis in endurance running has always been
calf cramps at about 18-20 miles and I remember this race as the worst occurrence.
When I suffer cramp I can usually carry on running by slowing down and not bending
the cramped leg at the knee for a few strides until it subsides. With about 3 miles to go I
stopped to open a style and both legs cramped up. All I could do was stand in pain for
about 2 minutes holding the gate open for other runners to go through before I could
carry on.
20000 miles Rome Marathon Mar 2012. Some city marathons start and finish on the outskirts but not
Rome. It starts and finishes at the Coliseum and takes in most of the major sightseeing
spots. There are a few cobbled sections but is a good overseas marathon to run. (Sue
will tell you otherwise).
22000 miles Bolton Hill Marathon Mar 2013. A challenging winter trail marathon that passes to within
3 miles of my house. It would have been rude not to enter it. So I did. And again in
2014.
23000 miles Palma Marathon Oct 2013. Sue and I decided to run this one and stay over for a
holiday. We both won our age categories and were rewarded with a hot and sunny
week after the race.
24901 miles Darwen Tower Nov 2014. There can't be a better place to mark the occasion.
A few mementoes picked up on the way:
Good
A limited edition print of Greenburn Beck (near the Three Shires Pub) for finishing 3rd in
the Great Langdale Marathon.
Cans of London Pride Beer in the London Marathon goodie bag.
Delicious cheese at the Blacksticks Blue 10k.
As much beer as you could drink after finishing Palma Marathon (but it was alcohol free
beer).
Not so good A mug emblazoned with "Best Golfer in the World" for winning the V50 category at
Gloucester Marathon.
Not my prize, but I remember the Burnden 10k in 2004 when the Dashing Ladies won
the team prize. Sue, Linda and Janine were presented with a box of house cleaning
products.
Practical
Two chicken breasts, two large potatoes, 1lb of carrots and a cabbage for winning the
V50 category at Run The Lanes 10 miler, June 2013.