Swapping trainer for trekking poles....

Great workout today! Climbed Great Gable in prep for S.K. 2 and 3/4 hours to the top, but over 3 hours to get down after a bit of a bad choice on the descent route. Oh well! Must have been a good workout because I feel s-h-a-t-t-e-r-e-d!

It takes 30 seconds to help end a lifetime of fighting

I just campaigned with The National Autistic Society to urge my MP to support the Great Expectations campaign.

The NAS found that 1 in 5 families have taken legal action to get the right support for their child’s education.  This is unacceptable.

This is our chance to make sure the Government get their education reforms right so parents don’t have to fight the system to make it work and children with autism get the education they deserve.

Please click on the link below to take part in this campaign action now. Thank you!

http://e-activist.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=10&ea.campaign.id=11038

Day Three of 3 marathons in 3 days: The final marathon!

At the finish

Finally!  I've got around to writing up my blog for the 3 marathon challenge.  It's going to be hard to relive all of the emotions I've gone through in the last couple days.  I've been procrastinating about it.  When I finish this blog post, it'll all be in the past.

I managed (just about) to run 3 marathons in 3 days, a goal I set out to do.  

My dad ran the marathon today with me, which was a massive boost.  I was tired at the start of the race, really tired, but set out at quite a quick pace (11 minutes a mile).  By the time we were 4 miles in, I realised I really needed to slow down to conserve energy.  My body was shot!  I slowed down to 14 or 15 minute mile pace, and dad carried on.

Day Two of 3 marathons in 3 days: The Empire Strikes Back!

At the finish of day two, medal in one hand,
 picture of Peter in another.

That morning I had a ton of time to get ready.  The marathon only started at half past three!  Arrrgggh!  Worry, worry, worry....

As I arrived there, nerves set it.  I'd never ran two marathons back-to-back!  Here I was saying I was going to run three!  I was so nervous and anxious to get going.  I'd had all morning to think about it!

I started the run.  The Liverbird marathon is a course of  4 'out and back' laps of 6.6 miles or thereabouts (it was a marathon I assure you!).

I was fully aware of how anxious I was, so allowed myself to relax.  My knees had been sore overnight and so I used the first few miles to 'feel out' my body.  I listened to Michael McIntyre's Audiobook to calm my nerves!

The Liverbird marathons take place on a gorgeous Merseyside promenade between Brunswick Dock and Otterspool.  I'd ran a marathon there at New Year's

Day One of 3 marathons in 3 days: The 'Peter Ryall Marathon' (named after my nephew who has autism)

Finishing a marathon!  (Not a medal or goodie bag in sight!)

Okay, I'm actually writing this shortly before I run my second marathon, but I'd still like to give a brief report.  I called this run the Peter Ryall Marathon, as I'd be running to his house three times.

Time? 6 hours and 1 min
Where? Coppull and Standish - 3 laps of an 8.7 mile route

The plan of the route was great.  I had two 'aid stations' set up: my house and my sister's house.  The lap started and ended at my house so I had two opportunities there to pick up drink and supplies.  Halfway through the lap was my sister's house, so I had three opportunities to take on board whatever I needed, leaving my carrying of stuff to a minimum.  To always be running to one or the other was psychologically a real boost.

78.6 miles - can I do it?

The route for the 'Peter Ryall' marathon on Sunday

When I started this challenge at the beginning of the year, it was a huge jump in running mileage for me.  I'd need to average 100 miles a month.  To put that in context, last year I ran 100 miles in November and December combined.  At the time, that was a big achievement for me.

Now, I stand on the brink of trying to run 3 marathons in 3 days.  The big question in my mind is 'Can I do it?'  Maybe the bigger question that I should be asking myself is 'Why am I doing it?'  A big reason why I'm doing it has been to focus on something over the last two months, something to aim for.  It has been a reason to channel my running before the start of the preparations for Stok Kangri and the Summer ahead.

Why am I fundraising for the National Autistic Society?

Why am I doing it?

Me with Peter at his favourite spot near Birkacre pond

My nephew, Peter, is autistic and was diagnosed with the condition in 2007.  My sister and her husband inspire me with the way they deal with the daily challenge that autism brings.  He is now in Year 1 at Hillside Special School and making great progress at the school but still faces challenges.  My sister has a network of friends who also live with autism on a day-to-day existence.  I've met inspiring people that live with autism everyday.  Hopefully, I can help by raising awareness of autism.

Inspired by my sister

My sister, Carla.  My inspiration for the week's running!

I've had a cracking week of running.  I've absolutely loved it!

To be honest, I was on my second week of my Easter holidays and hadn't got much planned.  In addition, I've got a marathon double to train for at the end of May.  Therefore, I decided to really push myself and spend most of the week running!  The goal was to run three days of 18/20 mile runs.

Snowdon and Scafell Pike in consecutive days: Training for Stok Kangri

'Now give me this mountain region which the LORD spoke of that day.'  Joshua 14:12

Well I've definitely had my 'mountain' hat on this week!  I had a fab couple of days, climbing Snowdon followed by Scafell Pike.

On Friday I climbed Snowdon with some stunning views of the Welsh landscape.  The next day, I woke up, contemplating whether to head to the lakes for Scafell Pike or not.

Coniston 14+ 9th April 2011

"Never settle for the dream you think you can reach. Settle on the dream you want.” - anon


'Keep on running' Spencer Davis Group


'I just felt like running' Forest Gump


I really enjoyed this run today, finishing in 3 hours and 4 minutes.