The Working Hour - Tears for Fears

Hemlock Stone 1910 (not ten past 7)...

More like the working 10 hours today as we put down the rest of the arrows and tape for The Nottingham ULTRA... did it rain? Of course it bloody well did... luckily the Duracell Bunny Girl ran a lot of the first part of the course and did the Papplewick section of the route in terrible running conditions. It was tough for me too trying to keep the Chevy's windows from steaming up! Talk about hard work.

The rest of the course wasn't hard work, it was just real fun to run on and as I said earlier in the week, I am gutted that I will never run this race for real as the course is just brilliant imo.

Let's see if the 150 runners think so tomorrow... more then.

Pull up to the Bumper - Grace Jones

We've been out marking The Nottingham ULTRA course today and have been wondering at times whether the people in the cars behind us are wanting to be part of our conversations. I say that because at times various drivers were just a paper's thickness behind us!

Now this might be that I am driving just within the speed limit or that I am just becoming an OAD (old aged driver)... but it's plain daft how some of the driver's we saw were going about their business. As runners, we rely on how people drive and it's totally out of our control... and that's always been a worry to me.

I think I have 8 of my 9 lives left after a narrow miss in Stratford-upon-Avon, many years ago?

Luckily, I am still not part of the 'Hi-VIZ Groovy Gang... let's hope it stays that way.

More tomorrow, from a forecasted wet day in Nottingham...

The Whistler - Jethro Tull



Papplewick Pumping Station

We've been out on the Nottingham ULTRA course today spraying arrows out on the road to make sure that all you runners manage to follow the route from Blidworth to Nottingham Castle. We did a good third of the course today taking in some stunning scenery and great trail around the Burnt Stump and Papplewick area.
The route really is stunning and one I am itching to have ago at in the next couple of days. I will never be in the race itself... it can't be but it's one that really captures my imagination.

If the weather is good, it will be even better at the weekend for the 150 or so runners.

Can't tell you how much I am looking forward to the RRR50 and a day out with Mr Whistler & Co... happy days.

More tomorrow

Enter Sandman - Metallica

We've been in Sandstorms today sadly in Morocco but up in Filey in Yarrrrkshire. Talk about dry landscape, the soils just being washed away. This place needs rain, lots of it too... maybe they can have whats in store for our Nottingham ULTRA runners at the weekend as the weather is not looking brilliant right now for Sunday.

Better news is that I can finally feel my quads following the Mablethorpe Marathon on Sunday and a few jogs will get me sorted for RRR50 in ten days time.

We are back tomorrow and route marking for the next few days... can't be bad eh?

More tomorrow...

Big Country - Big Country

My word a couple of years go by quick... and we are planning some JOGLE tester days again.

A couple of 46 milers should sort out the class of 2012. It was amazing how much this weekend helped our original JOGLE runners and how much it helped Jenny in her GWR preparations.

I will be giving some of it a go as I start to go back into some heavy training for my own 2012 events I have planned.

As for today, legs have been very hurty after yesterday's marathon and I lost a lot of skin off my bum in the gym doing sit-ups, so can't sit down too well atm!

More tomorrow...

Message in a bottle - The Police

It was at he Mablethorpe Marathon today. I did a 3:58 for my third 26.2 in five days... so I am really pleased with my time. Shows what you can do if you really try. 'Cos boy I tried... as it was f'kin hot.

I mean 29 degrees hot. I even got rid of my cap at 20 miles. Talk about thirsty, 3 milkshakes, 3 cups of tea, 2 pints of squash and a bottle of Diet Coke later I still haven't had a wee!  Not sure that I will keep you posted on that one though.

Hopefully it will lead onto a good time at Rotherham in two weeks... let's see eh?

Son of my Father - Chicory Tip

Thirty years ago, I saw Tangerine Dream at The Assembly Rooms in Derby. It really was THE place to see bands in the East Midlands - well there and Rock City anyway. Today George (son of mine) is on that same stage with his band Toxic Federation . Back then I could never have for seen anything like this ever happening and I sure am one proud Dad today.

George and the lads really deserves the accolade... they have worked SO hard to get to where they are. That's right on the cusp of making it. Their next album is in HMV on pre-order for release on October 17th.

Let's hope it happens for them!

More tomorrow post Mablethorpe Marathon.