An Aussie running across France

Just a good concluding post

2006-12-06T18:55:00.000+10:30

All good things come to an end (so does this blog !)

2006-10-01T19:45:00.000+09:30

Thought i should officially finish off the saga of this blog with an update of my running since returning home to Australia.
Funny enough did not run at all my first week back (but still did 13K's a day simply walking to work and back), basically little stiff above the knees but otherwise fine.
Finally dawned on me that possibly in my slower state i'd be a better chance of reasonably consistent 24 Hour track race so enquired about The Adelaide 24 Hours the next weekend, ran to work on the Monday and Tuesday and thought that it was a serious option, also decided i had better do a real race over a distance i know well (and hence know what time i should do) to check out whether i was really race ready, so set out that night for the 5K Gunn Run http://www.heartnsole.com.au/store/default.pl
at Albert Park (and hopefully something close to my standard 20 minutes dead), well first K had bit of a twinge from the left hip then that went away and was feeling fine, all the way to 4K's and simply the back went nothing more complicated than that. Did a rather painful last K to finish in 20:37 (third place sounds better though :-)), and realised that it was going to be enough of a challenge just to make it through the Melbourne Marathon the week after. After plenty of manipulation by my chiropractor on Friday (i really do had the electronic version of acupuncture but it does appear to work), was feeling a little more confident that Melbourne would not be as painful, embarassing run as i thought but again thought it best to test it out on the weekend.
So off to Coburg on Sunday for their regular 12K Fun run

Well i could say i won first male (second overall as i had a lady in front of me) and actually got a very impressive trophy, but frankly 51:16 for the distance (25:46 for the first half and slightly faster the second at least) and again a sore back on finishing as well as lacking my usual "Raceday Mongrel" just seemed to prove to me that Melbourne Marathon is probably it from me for the year.
Not sure whether i can blame racing 18 days successively for my lack of motivation since, but as a man who's usually champing at the bit on raceday have had none of that usual "fire in the belly" the last couple of starts, so i think i'll just rest the body, get rid of the niggles and enjoy a non-competitive life for a little while (well maybe all the way till 2007).
I'd hate to think that now i've done my running ambition "A multi day Ultra across a country" i now lack motivation but at this moment i'm wondering whether that may be the case.
I'd be honest this next part of the blog is for me (who knows i may get the motivation and race day excitement back after doing Melbourne and actually want to know what is ahead !!).
So potentially the rest of the year is as follows
8Th October - Melbourne Marathon
I'll be there for my 21st Spartan Number S849 and probably the beginning of the long rest
14th October - Fitzroy Falls Firetrail Marathon (NSW)

Love this race and have done it 5 of the 6 Times it's been on, just can't imagine backing up 6 days later this year
22nd October - Brindabella Classic (ACT 54K's)
A great run back to it's original one way downhill course, having done it 10 times am dying to try out my permanent race number (13) who knows maybe i'll get there
5th November (Melbourne Cup Weekend)
Choice of
Portland Marathon (VIC)
One of the toughest and most scenic marathons probably why it's one of my favourites having won it in 2000 haven't been able to go as good or as fast in the years since so it's always tempting
Bright Alpine Four Peaks (Nov 4th to 7th) (VIC)
One of the most enjoyable long weekends you can have running, and i've been promising to come back since 1999 for my tenth start, certainly 4 runs totalling just 45K's no longer sounds daunting.

12th November
Again a choice:
Great North Walk 100K and 100 Miles (NSW)

Australias newest 100 Miler, never made it there last year so there is some sort of temptation but somewhere in the month before i would really have to have found that will to race again
Victorian 6 Hour and 50KM Track Championships at Moe

Again a regular race on my calendar and certainly less chance of being lost than at GNW

10th December
Kurrawa to Duranbah and back (50K) (QLD)

Possibly the race with the course most familiar to me, have run every year bar the first in 1997 and last year but basically Burleigh, Palm Beach, Currumbin and Tugun are so familiar it's like going for a stroll down the road (yeah maybe i have spent too much time on the Gold Coast) always a marvellous way to finish the year, but of course there's always the chance i may get serious and do
Coast to Kosciuszko (246K) (NSW)

An incredible run and an awesome experience, but i wouldn't be putting money on seeing me there this year !!

All the above i can't imagine doing at present (well except Kurrawa have to get up the Coast for Christmas), but who knows i may get that "special something" back when i do Melbourne Marathon i may not (i'd like to think i get it back sometime at least !!).
Enjoy this last entry as my journal of the trip and before and after is now complete.

Kelvin

Finally the end

2006-09-18T06:09:00.000+09:30

Now for a real early morning (normally it was breakfast at 5AM followed by the run at 6:30) as today being our last day was 3AM breakfast and 4:30 start !!!.
Anyway interesting start to the day in the confusion of early morning myself and Jim miss our truck (and get a lift with some of the crew), however first thing i do is accidentally kick a stone in the town square and the body being how it is just can't do something like that, leg reacts really badly with feeling of numbness not really a good start.
Probably one of my worst mornings, just can't get moving at all (thoughts of day 16 race through my mind) as i fall back to last again, shame i never gave a thought a but wearing my headlamp as it was pitchblack (no street lights on the roads here).
Finally after 20 odd K's i can finally feel my legs and am starting to pick up people, alot happier now although still over a marathon to go.
Hit the canal paths now, certainly was happy to run against the odd barge, and was running with Bernard and Phillippe for the most part, strange detour was up to the railway line over the bridge and then down a hill with steps (steps are not the thing at that point), keep on ploughing on to bustling down town Narbonne, a big town and just in time for traffic (at least it's Saturday), just could not run and follow arrows though so let Bernard pass me and follow him, very happy to get out the town and into a little road i know somewhere the beach (and end) is there.
Starting to feel good as i know i won't be doing this tomorrow, and pass him and see Hans-Joachim in the distance, starting to get the old racing feeling, pass him and then a great sight a flock of flamingoes in a lake one on the side and Gruissan in the distance. Finally hit the final path and then through the beach town and the beach, finally it's all over. 14th in 8:57 and at this point i've slipped to 11th overall (eventually Don comes in 40 seconds later than the time required to beat me in to tenth maybe now he regrets lending me his shoes ??).
A quick dip (and now to toss the water i have carried from the English channel into the Mediterranean) and words can't express how i feel.
Even get to have a look around the old town (the castle in the picture is from the 1200's and has heaps of steps but who knows whether i'll ever get there again so i had to see it.
Hope you've enjoyed my tale.

Day 17 - Again back from the dead ???

2006-09-18T05:59:00.000+09:30

After probably my best sleep of the whole race (strange considering it was probably the worst hall), felt good (relatively speaking), very nice stage as we were again climing some decent hills (1,004 the highest), however as we started at around 300 Metres and finish at around the same height meant there would also be a lot of downhill to look forward to. Seemed to be a new refreshed me as spent alot of the day in the front half of the field, but was even more rapt to find the 11K's was basically 600 metres downhill, apparently you can see the Mediterranean on a good day but just a bit smoggy out the front today.
In short a good day, really loved the downhill, and was happy with my 9th in 8:24 just over 2 hours behind the stage winner. Totally different hall tonight really big, however i do manage to find the shower with a broken handle and have to bang on the door to get out (me and doors is an issue not sure what day now but i infamously managed to break a toilet door lock and had to have someone with a tool break in for me - apparently the same happened the previous year so it's just not me - would have been a very interesting 'DNS'). Now for dreams of the end.

Day 16 - A nice day for a walk ???

2006-09-18T05:47:00.000+09:30

Wake up and certainly feel better than when i went to bed, however i'm not sure just how the body will respond, nevertheless it's forecast to be a nice sunny day so i guess i'd better get out there.
Body gives me a simple answer, no running today !!, just can't get going appears the days of favouring one leg while letting the other get a little better have taken it's toll as now neither leg will let me run, tail of to last which is far from ideal, especially when i get to the first drink stop and Marcel is beginning to pack up. Basically no choice but to walk at least it's now a nice sunny day, but without a watch i'm not hopeful about making the cut off as i haven't seen another runner all day. Very picturesque, and at the speed i was going i got time to take it all in.
Got to to 1,000K mark where we had pictures taken (thinking to myself that extra minute will make me miss the cutoff), thankfully Don's crew (Jessica) had gone for her daily run (he'd been in for hours) and asked whether she could join me on the way back that seemed to get me walking a little faster (just needed someone to push me), and actually run the last 500 metres, absolutely stoked to find i've made the cutoff by almost 40 minutes (last in 9:04:11 compared to the stage winners 4:45 !!).
Probably our smallest hall, and with the showers 2K's away (we get a lift) and our toilets being the public toilets (one pit toilet and thankfully one handicapped one)not the most comfortable night ahead of us, very thankful our restaurant was just around the corner and they make beautiful lasagne.
Of course the question to myself now is i've totally stuffed up the 2 short days what'll happen on the last 2 long ones ???

Day 15 - No longer enjoying big roads !!!

2006-09-18T05:33:00.000+09:30

Awake to a misty morning, at least no rain but very cold (2 Degrees), spend the first 20Ks on the very busy road to Rodez, not exactly a great way to start the morning although the regular sign saying McDonalds drive thru at Rodez (with my visions of a burger and shake !), is about the only inspiration, very thankfully to hit a bike path then for the last few K's into town (not past the Maccas though), and as it's now warm and sunny decide to take the glad wrap of my legs, seems to have helped but was beginning to feel somewhat warm. Interesting just how you lose road sense, a couple of massive roundabouts into town and i was really nervous (not like at home i'd just charge across), but was thankful to soon head into a little road, certainly the legs were a bit better and mentally seemed much happier than yesterday. Hit Cassagnes-Begonnes in 21st place in 8:16 way behind the stage winning time of 4:56, considering my lack of speed the first 20 K's was just happy to get there. Just happy to get a lift to the showers, but i come back and all is not well, hard to explain but i feel very faint, thankfully one of the runners Yves is a doctor and he has a look at me, blood pressure and heart are all right he says it's simply exhaustion so suggests i miss the Mayoral dinner and lie down (they will bring food back), i'm certainly in no position to argue and do so. Thoroughly enjoyed my "doggie bag" of spaghetti as well as a hard boiled egg, but who knows what i'll be like in the morning ??

Day 14 - At least it's not getting worse

2006-09-18T05:10:00.000+09:30

Wake up to find my Streaks are still wet, that leaves me with the interesting situation that i no longer have any shoes that actually fit me !!!, thankfully i'd mentioned that to Don Winkley the night before and he'd said i could borrow a pair of his Fila Racers (at that point i didn't realise they had a neat little cut in one side for bunions - meant later i kept on picking up stones - still way better than no shoes at all). Certainly was a struggle for 5K's through Aurillac even at 6:30 AM (hate to think what it would be like at peak hour), but finally make it out and basically get through it, this was the day that i realised just how much Ultra running uses the mind, had so many mood swings during the last 30K's that i thought i was losing my mind (at that point i was very thankful i didnt have a crew as i'm not sure what my responses would have been). Beautiful downhill run from the 30K mark, but my mind was all over the place towards the end (10K's of very flat and road) apparently an area very important to religious pilgrims. My main concern was the 500 Metre (which felt like a K) walk to the swimming pool which had our showers, very tiny little town "Saint Cyprien sur Dourdo" but at least a supermarket, needed a chocolate fix (though unsuccessfully looked for Mars bars), at least the rain waited till we finished running 14th in 7:56 was good enough for me at that point by then the pointy end of the field was something i dreamed of (5:27 the stage winner). At least tonight the Mayor comes and has drinks with us (instead of us going out), also Sebastian has managed to arrange a flight back to Brazil, we'll miss him a good fun bloke and the last couple of days his handed me his IPOD and got me to sing along with him. As he's training to be a physio i get him to look at my bad leg (well the least worse one), and he rubs some stuff in (gives me the remains of the tube later seriously it is a Brazilian horse rub - vet supplies), as well as wrapping below the knee in glad wrap (i've noticed that on a few of the others apparently it works as long as it doesn't get too hot). At least tomorrow is only 56 K's.

Day 13 - The day for scenery if only the rain stopped

2006-09-18T04:58:00.000+09:30

After yesterdays 75K's was a bit worried to here that this was the hardest day with the highest point "Col De Legal" at 1231 Metres as well as numerous ups and downs around the Volcano country, at least the Nike Air Streaks had now dried so i had a choice in shoes (and the Frees are now retired from Ultras !!).
Having been told about this also being the most scenic day i must admit i was looking forward to scenery taking my mind away from pain, however the weather had different ideas. Rain was heavy at the start and basically continued the whole 64K's, apparently a highlight is the famous Medieval village of Salers, unfortunately to us running it was just this miserable soaked place with very slippery cobblestones (one day i'll just have to go back and see if i can say something positive). Certainly we ran through places that i'm sure would have been picturesque but weather was so miserable (at least it took my mind of any body pains), highlight was seeing the sprawling city of Aurillac (todays end) with about 10K's to go meant at least we were getting somewhere, certainly fired up a little towards the end when i could see the finish line in the distance (thankfully right on the city limits), 19th in 9:20 over 3 hours behind the stage winner was not doing me any favours in the overall race but by then all i wanted to do was finish (stuff the placings), had unfortunately run out of French mobile credits so was a little worried people back home would think i'd died out there.

Day 12 - What a difference a day makes

2006-09-18T04:41:00.000+09:30

Just when i thought things were going well, i have a miserable night just to set me back, the cold that had been hanging around me (probably not helped by regular rain and a few cold showers at some stops), had set in overnight, spent most of the night sniffing and feeling like rubbish (and filled both handkerchiefs i could find), i was amazed i didn't keep everyone awake.
So it's up in the morning feeling like rubbish, knowing i've got the longest day ahead of me (75.48 K's), at least yesterdays performance meant i had some confidence in the Nike Frees, how misplaced it was i found out later but i thought i'd see if JB could organise a hotel for tonight as i really needed a good sleep and i think the sleeping bag (too hot or too cold never quite right) was not helping.
Appears as though my swollen legs and feet had also grown during the night as after a few K's realised that the socklike structure of the Free meant it was cutting into my left ankle, all i could then do was take my sock off to decrease the pressure somewhat. Absolute struggle and the body really was telling me just to stop it still 10:50 (almost 3 hours behind the stage leader) and i was there and a hotel waiting for me.
Interesting night at the hotel, as we had no scheduled meal i ate there, however the lady there did not speak English and their was no translation for the menu so basically i bought something which appeared to have a fair bit in it (more food = more fuel for the run), only wish i'd written down the name of the menu so i could look it up. Two plates, one with a sort of mashed potato and one with bacon and vegies, i have no idea how i was supposed to combine these, though i have the feeling i made a right hash of it as the only other people there had a little boy who kept on watching me eat and absolutely killed himself laughing (i assume at the strange way this man ate whatever this local delicacy was !!).
Worse was to come i woke at 3 and found that having a blanket and sheets meant that i had put more pressure on my leg and it had swollen more (at least the cold seemed better), not having a fridge it meant i had to put my legs in the shower (sitting on the toilet seat) and put cold water on them - great way to spend an hour, had a feeling for a while that the luxury of a hotel stay may have cost me a finish.

Day 11 - Nike Frees save the day

2006-09-18T04:25:00.000+09:30

Today was the day i woke up with an interesting problem, the shoes i'd worn the day before were still wet and my red racing flats no longer fitted my left foot (strange as that one is normally a size smaller - officially i have Size 12 right foot and size 11 Left foot which means i always buy Size 12), so it was either use the cushioned shoes (which frankly i had given up on or use the Nike Frees (they had been used for the run to Monte Carlo so at least i knew i could do 30 odd K's in them though i realised they weren't exactly designed for it).
So it was Nike Frees or bust, again a day for a rain coat but after a couple of K's i was actually getting warm and it was dry, so a bit happier about that, and even better the body was feeling somewhat better, a steady climb to a very large lake (apparently an artificial lake for the Hydroelectric industry), strange the difference a day makes only wish that instead of being the shortest day (only 49K's) it was tomorrow (the longest) as things change way too easily. Even got to the point that i heard footsteps behind me with 5 K's to go and i pushed harder, was rapt with 7th place in a time of 5:36 only just over an hour behind the stage winner.
We were certainly celebrities in Peyrelevade, had alot of the local kids coming up and getting us to autograph their race posters (not sure how they will understand my Australian though !!). Only downside being that the showers and toilets are not actually at our sports hall, they are around 200 metres away in the camping ground which would normally be fine but it's bucketing down raining !!. So instead of looking around spent most of the afternoon just sitting around reading.

Wednesday in Paris and then back home

2006-09-18T02:19:00.000+09:30

As indicated in my previous blog Wednesday was my day to actually see (and enjoy rather than trying to stay out the rain), the spots that you immediately think of when that city is mentioned. Was rapt to wake up and see a fine morning, so got out my map and realised that first i should head towards the Louvre if i wanted to see Notre Dame and various other points along the Seine and then head back to see the Tower. Despite my reputation for getting lost i'd got to the point i was pretty much able to find my way reasonably competently (well with a map in hand at least), of course i was soon to realise there was one downside to a sunny day the actual fact that every time i wanted to take a picture the sun was in the wrong place (and ruining it). Still got most of the places i wanted but then realised that the battery level of the camera was low (one thing i did forget to do was charge the camera), and even worse just after Notre Dame (and just on my way back) and battery level would no longer permit pictures, so it was back to the Hotel room and a quick recharge (having spotted a second hand English book store was very handy as it now meant i had something to read as well - certainly handy for the flight back too), i guess after being on my feet for about 5 hours a break of an hour or 2 was probably a good idea too.
Two hours later and the camera charged and me revitalised, off to the last "must see" of my trip, however was distracted a bit by my map and thought i may as well go via Porte Maillot (essentially the city limits) where i'd been on the Metro before but had spent all my time dodging downpours, this would then take me via Longchamps (the famous racecourse) as well as Roland Garros (where the French Tennis Open is held). Probably nothing remakable on the tourist side but it was good just to get away from the crowds and into normal life, was impressed by the old Grand Stand at Longchamp and the course itself (don't know if it was making me homesick for Caulfield ??), and then hit the Seine, of course from then on absolutely everything points towards to Tower.
First disappointment was when i reached there, you could only walk up the tower till 6PM, was 7 odd by then and well i had really wanted to walk the thing, the lift wasn't something i'd even given a thought to (although the only way to the highest level), seemed strange as sunset was not till 8:30. Anyway i decided to at least get some pictures, doesn't matter how many times you've seen it on tv and pictures it did blow me away. More interesting was later when they lit it with flashing lights (certainly it sounds touristy and cliched but you have to be there to understand how good it looked), reckon i spent the next hour gobsmacked by it (don't ask how many camera angles i got as well as couple of pics with me in front of it as above - still wearing that Trans Gaule T shirt think it will need to be surgically removed !), finally dragged myself away and across the river to the Trocadero (and more photo opportunities), and then back via the Arc D'Triomphe, certainly a good way to finish my last day there, very thankful the local fruit shop was open till 11 (bag of apricots and a banana and apple would do as dinner think i'd eaten enough in Bordeaux !!).
Next day the beginning of the end, walk up the road to the local railway station (not a Metro one) Pont Cachonot for the trip to St Lazare (one of the main stations) and a couple of metro lines later the train to Charles De Gaulle Airport, 5 hours to kill but simply a case of making sure i got there. The rest is history, flight to Hong Kong (no typhoons this time), having only 5 hours to my next flight all i saw was the airport, and having only Euro's (no local currency) wasn't exactly going to do much !!, however smog appeared to blanket the whole city so i don't think i missed much. Much admit i enjoyed the "Resting Lounge" basically metal banana lounges set up for us tourists to lie down, was too tired to sleep but read and kept an eye on the free internet access. Funny thing is for a supposedly high tech city the airports free internet consisted of a dozen old Apple IMacs with an ancient version of internet explorer basically only 3 (or maybe 4) worked as the rest had gone to sites that needed refreshing and were simply stuck as the browser was not able to handle them.
Catch my plane, was looking forward to this flight as i'd noticed the Da Vinci Code was one of the movies available (i'd read the book during Trans Gaule - was the only English language book available in the little town i bought it !), so wanted to see it while it was still fresh in my mind. I'm no movie critic but it stayed pretty much true to the book and wasn't bad 3.5 Stars from me !. Have to admit i didn't mind the airline food, very nice curry with rice and crisp French white to wash it down. Still it was good when i spotted Melbourne at 5:30AM and half an hour later we were down, no lost luggage this time and an easy trip through customs, basically the end of my saga, once i have days 11 to 18 down that will be the end of this blog as well !!.

Back in Australia

2006-09-18T01:34:00.000+09:30

As my last entry said, i was quite happy to play tourist for a few days before heading back to Australia (i still don't believe that 6 weeks have gone but that's what my calendar says), first of all i have updated my comments for days 6 to 10 the feelings (and pain) are still very fresh in my mind.
However i think the body is still in a time zone of it's own, got home from Tullamarine at 8AM on Saturday 16th felt good though i had not slept at all during the flight as my sore knees meant i couldn't bend enough to get into a sleeping position, felt strange getting into my car (i hadn't driven for that long either), but had to get food in, off to bed at 10PM however i then woke at 3 and though "that's strange it's sort of light" 15 minutes later i got up and realised it was actually 3:15 PM, the whole day had gone - must have needed that sleep. Meant i didn't even get to do all the gardening i wanted to do, strangely that 15 Hour sleep now means i'm up at 2AM typing this blog as i'm now no longer tired (well it is a bit early to head off to work although i think it will be a slow run in !).
Monday was St Emilion one of the really big wine growing areas of Bordeaux, so of course we went to a couple of the local wineries, including one with age old "catacombs' where the wine is stored at a constant temperature, will admit to having enjoyed my tastings.
Lunch at a local restaurant, duck was the main course probably my best meal so far (did the animal rights thing and didn't have foie gras as entree however my entree was still delicious just wish i took notes as to what it was !!).
Then a 2 hour guided tour of the actual town, have to admit i find it hard to relate to the age of the place as essentially it was named after Emilion a Benedictine monk (who was a miracle worker - i think the story was he turned food into wood as he was not supposed to have food under his coat - for the poor - when he was stopped) who lived in a cave around the year 750 !!, we actually went into this cave (funny enough the statue of this saint in the cave is actually St Francis of Assisi - talk about false advertising) as well as other incredibly old places, it may sound like dry history but it was actually fascinating and on a warm day (30 odd degrees) his cave was the place to be as was the underground church.
Back to the hotel, and for our last night in Bordeaux another local restaurant (at least it was 2 K's from the hotel so it was a chance for some exercise), probably the most genuine real local restaurant i've been on this trip (La Tupina), family pictures on wall (who knows how old some were) and a 300 year old local version of a rotisserie !!! (i do have a picture but i'm still sorting out downloading all that so that may be put in later). Only downside was the menu would you believe duck (and frites) again !!, however any qualms i may have had about the menu were gone when i tasted it, even better than lunch (but let's face it that was the second time during the week in Bordeaux i'd had two 3 course meals in one day due to the fact they were part of the tour - talk about too much of a good thing), however i did have the foie gras for entree this time (simply as there was no choice of entree and the toasted bread given to us was too tempting !, however i still can't fathom the incredibly sweet wine given with foie gras possibly i just don't have the right taste buds ??). Anyway a great way to finish the Bordeaux trip and also to say good bye to others from our tour (they were leaving at 8AM whilst i didn't have a train till 2:30PM so i was unlikely to see them at breakfast), ceratinly a late night but an ideal finish to the day as it was beautifully balmy and all the monuments on the walk back were lit up brilliantly.
Tuesday was back to Paris, with a 2:30 TGV from Bordeaux had plenty of time to kill so was happy to see on the net that Paris was warm and 26, so much better than last time i hoped.
Certainly the fast train is, as it's name suggests fast, 2.5 hours for the 370K trip to Paris, and then a short trip on the Metro to my hotel (funny thing is i now knew the Metro and it's stations as well as the Met back home and had probably used it more often) in Wagram, finally a room with a double bed absolutely every other place i'd stayed at had two singles which frankly i didn't quite fit !!, basically a couple of miles straight down the road from the Arc De Triomphe, thought i should at least go for a wander down there and get some night time photos (it's a worry every time i see a McDonalds i go in and get a 0.95 Euro milk shake it appears to be the only place in France with milk shakes so of course i had to pop into the Champs Elysses Maccas on the way through), looked quite incredible as well as the Eiffel tower in the distance with sparkling lights.
Of course Wednesday was to be my big tourist day, as i had to finally get to the Eiffel tower as well as Notre Dame Cathedral and a few other places on the Seine, so i was just hoping for fine weather.
That i will continue in the next blog

Marathon Du Medoc

2006-09-11T02:52:00.000+09:30

Having played tourist for a couple of days, i suppose sooner or later my next run would soon appear (and hence almost the end of my trip).

Firstly i'd been to the Dune De Pyla, which i'd best describe as the French equivalent of Ayers Rock, a 117 metre sand dune sticking out of a forest which

basically everyone has to climb (you'll see at the bottom of the picture a bridge like thing that is actually stairs to the top), very impressive and certainly a popular tourist spot nearest to a town called Archaron. After working up an appetite going up it was off to this historic town and then a beachfront lunch, and then boat trip amongst the oyster farms (no eating of local oysters on this trip as apparently 2 people had died from them in the past week).

The next day was a guided tour of the many historic sites of the town of Bordeaux, most of which were older than European settlement of Australia.

That night was the Pre Marathon Pasta Party, as far as i can work out this was only the one for tour groups as we were all from overseas, strangely when the Australian contingent was introduced (10 of us) they played Midnight Oil's 'Beds are Burning' not quite the national anthem ??? (At least for the US they got Springsteen's 'Born in the USA' however i was mystified by some of the other selections). Very classy as Pasta Parties go with Salmon Ravioli, 4 Cheeses Ravioli and Tortelliini i certainly made sure i got my share.

Saturday morning and we were up for breakfast at 5:30 and left for Paulliac at 6:30, however unfortunately this was not because of an early race start but because there was to be a 90 minute parade of costumed runners before race start at 9:30 - Hardly ideal with a weather forecast of 20 to 31.

We were there bright and early, complete with our one costumed runner, Phil dressed as a Kangaroo, and it was a 1K walk to the start (Paulliac is the best part of an hour drive from Bordeaux). Some incredible costumes (hopefully i can get hold of some pictures later), but i had no idea how people would do 42K's in them in that heat.

I certainly had no expectations runwise, the knee was still sore, but fellow runner (and doctor) John from our group was confident it was structurally sound but there were muscular problems (and had given me a panadeine to deaden the pain). Certainly it was a long wait till race start at 9:40 and even then it was warmish.

I'd be honest and say that it was probably one run too many for me this trip, as i'd found a pace that was not too painful (but not particularly fast) but frankly the combination of heat (according to the local paper it hit 36 !) and what was actually a hard course made this more of a task than the fun wander between wine stops i'd envisaged.

Basically the course wound it's way between vineyards and to the chateaus where the drink stations were, however this meant we were on many different surfaces, sometimes roads, sometimes sand, sometimes gravel, sometimes grass and worse sometimes gravel with damned big white stones.

Certainly all the locals got into the spirit of it with bands and all the kids wanting high fives, only red wine at the drink stations (as well as water, fruit cake and dried fruit), really felt like i would have loved a nice crisp white so only 2 wine drinks for me, and heaps of water including one usually tossed over the head.

Have to admit i was very relieved the get to the finish line in one piece, knee was no better but no worse but frankly doubted it wanted to be out there.

Strangely enough it wasn't a personal worst though i was within a minute, officially i was 251st in 3:50:47 with the winning time being 2:28:07, there were 8,500 starters but at the Six and a half hour cutoff their appeared to be only 5,000 odd finnishers, certainly i had seen many of the more elaborate costumes appear to pull out after only 10 or so K's (and some didn't appear to have numbers so possibly were only there to add colour), all finishers get a souvenier bottle of red wine, a finishers wooden plaque, a pair of thongs (very handy as mine were falling apart) and a Medoc Backpack to put it all in (though we got our finishers T Shirt the night before !), strangely enough it looks like the knee needed the faster hitout as sure enough as i type it's actually pretty good.

By the time the last member of our tour party had got in it was well within 6 hour time so it had been a long day, though interestingly speaking to a number of people with Garmins looks the course was just over 44KM (not hard to believe as every K was marked and i swear some were extra long).

Funny enough as though yesterday hadn't been enough today was the traditional post race stroll through the vineyards we had run through so it was back to Medoc at 8 for a 9:30 start (this time limited to 4,000 starters), we were given a tasting mug (yet another Medoc Marathon Souvenier) and walked, never had a clue we would be out there for another 3 Hours though, would have been around 15K's through the vineyards with thankfully a winestop at 5 chateaus, certainly wasn't worried about the fact we had only reds today and usually had 2 different ones at each stop (and in some were able to look at the barrel and processing rooms), was very happy that lunch was under a shaded marque as though it was cooler than yesterday it was getting warm towards the end.

Was happy to get back to the Hotel at 3:30 and even better a soak in the bath, bit of a walk along La Garonne (the main river) and i think it's early night tonight as tomorrow it's off to St Emilion and it's wineries tomorrow.

I've made it, just you'd need to see other sites to know it

2006-09-06T01:23:00.000+09:30

To all those people waiting with bated breath to see whether i made it or stumbled before the line, simple reason for my lack of updates was simply lack of access to internet as the villages over the next few days were very small (was unable to buy recharges for the phone to get sms sent about with updates), or in the instances of larger towns we were on the very outskirts as it would have been way too dangerous to have run through the main city after having already done 60 to 70 K's, even running through them at 6:30 in the morning (which we did) was bit of a logistical nightmare.
I have promised a number of people of will update this blog in the next week or so (or at worst when i return home) so that a full report of my experiences in this epic race is left in cyberspace, i'm only incredibly annoyed that my long day 7 to 10 report was lost when blogger went down, giving me only time for that rather brief and cheap last report.
Anyway sitting here in in warm (34 degree) Bordeaux at present i'm now off to play tourist for a few days before what i admit will be a pretty ordinary run at Medoc Marathon on Sunday (short of a miracle cure for my left ankle it will be a PW regardless of whether i have wine at the drink stops or not).

To hell and back

2006-08-26T02:18:00.000+09:30

A very short update as really i feel i should be asleep as i type this (now re edited using notes i wrote at the time and lengthened, original was longer and more rambling - ie typical me however Blogger went down when i entered it):
Day 7: Run through wineries and cornfields as well as passing a big wine bottle made of bottles: 7th in 6:02, very flat which meant i found it hard to run. Certainly the day i found the value of frozen vegetables. Having two incredibly sore knees, and not much ice around decided the local supermarket was the place to be, probably the best value i've ever got for 1.31 Euros was a kilo bag of frozen chips (certainly they aren't called "French Fries" here), place wasn't big enough for frozen peas or beans (which in theory would have covered the knees more thoroughly and worked better) but after 3 hours lying down with them was not complaining reckon i had a new set of knees and certainly the next day proved their worth.
That night we had Mayoral Drinks at the town hall which is in the remains of the 15th century "Castle Chateau de Monts", our race director was given a local award (something similar to the Key to the City is how i would best explain it), and we tasted some of the local wines and then off to "Le Cheval Blanc" (even i know enough French to get that one "The White Horse") for dinner (sooner or later i will get used to 3 course meals the body will wonder what's happened when i'm back home and one course only).
Day 8: 8th in 6:37:01, finish in lovely historic town Angles-Sur-l'Anglin, shame the last few hundred metres are all downhill though, river (with walks listed of up to 300 K's) is just down the road so i spend afternoon cooling legs in river, unfortunately town appears to mean no supermarche so it's river instead of frozen vegetables. Very new gym, however the downside being that there are no showers only a hose !.
It was a free night meal wise and the only restaurant with a full menu that night knew we weren't going anywhere else, so some of the slowest service i've ever known (thankfully being a bit late there meant i didn't get as bad as some of the earlier people).
Day 9: The day from hell, i've never had shin splints before till today and did they hit me 9:24 in 24th place no idea how i'd last the next day. Really can't add much to this one, at the 40K mark my legs suddenly didn't feel they were my own and when i hit the next drink stop felt as though they had been "possessed", at that point was running around 13th, but the next two stops saw me being passed by groups of 5 or 6 each time and i could do nothing about it. We were all supposed to be looking happy at the 54 K point (half way point of the race), but i'm sure that the picture taken did show no joy what so ever (yeah i could see the end - not 575 K's away more like 5K's !).
Only positive was last drink stop (60K's) was passed by another group of 5 and couldn't do anything but keep them in sight, however with the city in sight and spurred on by the fact a couple now had their crew pacing them in (all within the rules but it's little things like that fire me up), caught 2 in the last K. No idea about our finishing town "St-Sulpice-les-Feuilles" as i spent most of the night worrying just how i could physically stand up and run the next day.
Day 10: One of those days, having spent most of the night wondering how i would actually be able to run the next day, was woken to hear rain (anything else to make it more miserable ???), realised early on that running wasn't an option (if i could describe the feeling of shin splints i would but frankly it was sort of an out of body experience). Knew things were not looking good when i was passed by Malou and Jim to slip into last overall at 25K's, however after that the persistent rain appeared to have a painkilling (numbing at least) effect and firstly found i could walk faster and then having passed a few found if i totally ignored pain (the brain does strange things) i could run finished 22nd in 8:23 but who knows how many days like that the body can take ?

A bit of everything

2006-08-21T22:11:00.000+09:30

Firstly before i forget for people wishing to read a more detailed description of the race rather than my ramblings there is an English translation from the official website here

http://www.coolrunning.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=12400

I'd admit i had been a little worried since the last entry as after a walk around the Chateubriant castle and wander back i had felt a little swelling in my knee, i was thankful that i'd got the Voltaren but i was worried just what effect this would have in the long term racewise.
Had spag bol done the local restaurant with the crew of legendary US Ultra Runner Don Winkley (who has not only done this race every time but also Trans America and numerous other races and is off to Spartathlon again after this), i was very worried when feeling very sore just walking 500 metres back so things didn't bode well for the next 69K stage i'd pretty much decided to take it easy and not bash myself around further that day.
Life had settled into a comfortable rhythm bed at 9PM (although the fact the sun doesn't go down for another hour ? makes instant sleep problematical), and then lights on at 5AM and then off to the start at 6:15 (if going by van) in between having breakfast and a never ending battle to close my suitcase (not buying stuff just seem to be packing worse at this rate i'll need an extra couple of suitcases by day 18 !).
Off to the start not particularly optimistic, this time in my 'MiAdidas' shoes so four brands used in 5 days (any shoe sponsors out there ?), as all i wanted was to be comfortable and speed wasn't an issue.
No rain, and pleasant conditions early on, we appeared to be in cattle country (obviously the local cows do not understand English as feeling tired i stopped near a fence and a herd moved towards me when i said 'who wants to go to dinner tonight you can be the steak' they moved closer). The further the day went on the warmer it got and me slower, only time i was making ground was on my old sparring partner Pierre-Michell at 36 K's and again he passed me at the 40 K drink station when i changed into a running singlet as well as Legionairres Cap, all this seemed to do was make me slower.
By the time i hit 52KM drink station i had been repassed by Pierre (i assumed he was in front of me but he'd done the wise thing and stopped for a cold drink in one of the numerous pretty little villages we passed through) and it would have hit 30 degrees, i was stuffed finally decided to have my powerbar (which i'd been carrying for 5 days) to see if that would help but the weather meant the usual cold coke was not overly cold (or refreshing). While struggling with the Powerbar i was passed by 4 runners including Don and first woman Selina, but was in no condition to chase. At least there was a lot of scenery, a big piggery (massive pigs with big litters of piglets) and just down the road a deer farm (massive antlers on one - certainly wasn't thinking venison in his presence).
Very much a long haul to the last drink station and another 4 pass me, this at least fires me up a little struggle to stay on as 5th in the pack of 5 but sight of straight last 2K's into town (and 2 of them being paced by crew gets me going) and i pass 2 so 17TH in 8:21:05 which knocks me down to 9th overall. Too tired to say much about that night, in van to Hall and try to rest but knee is very sore, we had some very nice local wine and another feast but really all i want to do is rest and see if i can survive the nice short day 5.
Wake up a couple of times during the night with knee aching (and too hot for sleeping bag or wearing 'Skins' so it's more Voltaren not looking good.
Back to wearing racing flats (simply for less weight) and we are off again, run over three really nice bridges and then turn around and head into the wineries, knee sore but able to move well.
Next problem i stop and then can hardly move again the knee, very tight very sore, however after 1K it feels better so give chase again, beautiful scenery wineries everywhere as well as sunflowers, right till the next stop and same problem knee just need to warm up (a worry in the future).
Run well following Tahitian till the last drink station, big round about and then the biggest pumpkin patch i've ever seen and then 3K sprint to the finish, pass Patrick (try to ignore my knee) and follow another runner in for 6th place in 5:10:20 with the winner in 4:52. Totally stuffed and somewhat worried what the knee will do tomorrow still it's another shortish one so nothing moire to do than enjoy Doue La Fontaine;

Good days and bad

2006-08-19T23:28:00.000+09:30

Here i am in a net cafe in Chateaubriand (picture above), my sort of town went for an ice cream and asked did i want a beer with it ?.
Been an interesting couple of days, rained sporadically the second night (big storm at 2 woke me) and i was worried about the day ahead, body was good but at no point had my stomach been quite right (possibly something to do with running in bike shorts as well as sleeping in Skins and having a camelbak across my stomach), certainly an interesting start to the day as they put us into the back of the vans - just like people smuggling with ten in the back - to take us to the start from the Sports Hall (it was only 2Ks out of town but every time i'd left to go to the Supermarket the heavens had opened up and i'd spent time in bus shelters).
A clear morning was awaiting us finally a decent looking day, still wearing bike shorts (with speedos underneath) and my Coolrunning Tri Top with my ASICS DS Racer 7 flats so same as the day before, as well as the larger camelbak still worried about rain so carried a jacket, nice run out of town and then bit of a shock as i was chasing only the race leader Sebastian, beautiful country side with some crop - corn i think, and lovely villages every 10K's or so, first time i'd really put on a 'race face' here, instead of my normal 5 minute feast i was arriving just after the leader and standing and drinking and ignoring him (and letting him leave earlier so that i could chase again), was really enjoying the sunny (25 degree day) and this happened for the first 51 K's.
In the meandering streets of the village after this stop he had gone out of sight (too many corners) and i was happy to race organiser JB and to be told we had only 18 K's of trail (disused railway without tracks) to go. Here i spotted my first ever wild Squirrel and i'll admit to be excited although i still could not see Sebastian, now with 3 or 4 K's to go my first ever navigational error here, we had been told the trail was straight the whole way, however you could not ignore an arrow facing left, so i took it, hitting the highway into town i knew this was wrong but with only a K to go couldn't do anything about it. Apparently the race leader (and stage winner) also took this turn and informed JB who then went and fixed it (these arrows had been put in a month before), so apparently we had both run an extra 500 metres so we had 4 minutes taken off our time so his time was 7:01:30 less 4 and mine 7:11:24 less 4 certainly never expected a podium finish.
Then driven to the sports hall absolutely stoked, especially when i saw a supermarket within easy walking distance. The local Aldi (Lidi here) was like a treasure trove with cold drinks and chocolate and i also bought some cereal as i wondered whether the lack of milk was doing my stomach harm, also bought another pair of bike shorts as i only had one and thought more may be needed (looked in the same sports shop for another pair of racing flats but none my size - small feet in France ?).
At night we were treated like royalty by the mayor of Guer, lovely wine, very nice casserole type thing with little spuds and carrots.
Off to bed and again the rain raised it's head (now i know how Brittany is so green), again we were put in the back of trucks to the start.
We were 2 runners short, one having dropped out yesterday and another off for a wedding (and rejoin us tomorrow).
Well a day very unlike yesterday, miserable wet drizzly weather the first 3 hours (20 odd K's), meant i never got going seemed to be spent from yesterday and couldn't get into it at all.
On the wildlife front saw my first ever wild badger (unfortunately as roadkill) but that was the only highlight straight roads meant i could see other runners getting away from me.
This continued till 50K's when to add insult to injury i realised that the chocolate and singlet i'd put out must have been at the one before (not at all happy but as the people at the drink stations were so friendly and welcoming i resisted a dummyspit which i sorely wanted).
At least now the sun was out and at 51K was finally fired up when first woman Selina from England, casually cruised past and said 'bonjour' powered past her after that (and as her husband said later ran like a man possessed the last 17 K's), certainly the way to get me going !!!.
Was flagging a little at the next drink stop (9K's to go) as frankly i'm not one to be passed by a woman (specially a Pom speaking French to me !), and was happy to sit down (didn't think i looked as bad that a funeral possesion of a couple of dozen cars was needed though - that came through as i was sitting).
After that the heavens opened up again but for a change it was good as i had sweated heavily and needed freshing up, was even better when i saw my nemesis of days 1 & 2 Pierre-Michell in front of me, picked him off and then Jacques another 500 metres ahead with the impressive 'Chateubriand' in sight, long way to it though and i was worried i had nothing left, but finally there in 7:21 in 10th place with the winner in 6:22 really just happy to finish (at this time have no idea of overall placing having probably slipped from last nights 7th).

I'm back

2006-08-17T22:12:00.000+09:30

After that rather dire last email, all is somewhat better. Was sick of Paris weather (very much like Melbourne back in the days it rained) and back was giving me hell. Anyway Monday off to Montparnasee (the main railway station) and the train to Roscoff. 4 Hours of intermittent rain later we get to Morlaix and the smaller train to Roscoff, catch up with 3 other Trans Gaule runners locals Xavier & Bernard and Jim from the US (a 23:38 Western States runner and one we will see next year as he has missed the ballot the last two years), off to the Sports Hall and a night of rest, after a wander around town (and for me fish and chips), very nice little fishing village (noted for it's healthgiving seaweed), above is a picture of the town taken from off the pier, i'm just hiding the start line in the distance.
Next morning i have a osteopath arranged, know the exact problem being where my spine and rib cage join.
Of course it is hard to explain the problem when i speak English and he French but eventually it's sorted.
That night it is dinner with all the runners at a very nice restaurant, as well as some very nice red wine (sort of enough to make me forget that a 26 minute phonecall to Australia cost me 35 Euros ! will i never learn).
Next morning after a restless nights sleep it's a 5AM breakfast then a 15 minute walk to the startline, first big mistake after presenting the runners individually to the mayor i am freezing by the start (and non competitive first 6Ks) at 8:30.
Funny enough i am first for that run to St Pol Leon so it means i must wait longest and 9:05 we start with 15 degree temp, sporadically it rains and then gets cold, and i question my running singlet and also the rather chafing running shorts. Spend the last 13 K's running with a local girl who speaks good English and am happy with 6:28 for the 62 K's overall 9th with the winner 5:40, very tired but thankful to be in before the next downpour, last runners in 9:10, we had dinner in a veritable feast, salad, pasta but a dodgy gut means i stay from the wine. Off to bed at 9.
At 3 am awoken by pouring rain, though thankfully this has eased by 5 when we get up for breakfast, use a larger camelbak as it looks like rain and also bike shorts as very badly chafed and this time racing flats not happy yesterday with cushioned Brooks Trance 6.
Finally at 6:30 we begin, feel good until it rains again and very thankful to see drink station with coke and coffee and veritable banquet at 15k's, again it rains and gets cold and am happy at 40K when Pierre-Michel (who beat me by 2 minutes yesterday) suggests we run and walk together for a while. Have a feast at 52 K's and then the heavens open up, put coat on and finally finish in 7:06 11th place and behind the winner in just under 6 hours.
3K lift to our accommodation and i see this pub with the net so walk back (and have a couple of Heinekens while typing), in all pretty happy but now for a long day tomorrow

Good News and Bad News

2006-08-12T17:46:00.000+09:30

Been an interesting couple of days since i last updated my blog, check out of the hotel in Nice on the 10th just as my luggage was coming in (okay i was happy to see it but on the other hand needed it at that time like a hole in the head). Caught up with Coolrunner Under Cover Brother (David) as the picture shows (it's meant to be two Coolrunners in Nice but it's a hotel room and could be anywhere - so just trust me it's Nice !!) and then off to the airport by bus.
As i said the luggage would have been much better off still in Paris, as bus came to a sudden halt and me holding onto the luggage managed to get pulled over by somebody elses luggage straining that delicate thing known as my back. Uneventful flight to Paris (looking at CNN after i was very thankful it was Paris not England) and even got a ham baquette and 250 ml white wine on the trip. At least the baggage was waiting for me at the end this time, using public transport to my hotel was interesting to say the least and probably stuffed my back further.
Am at the far side of Paris in an area called Porte De Bagnolet straight above the metro.
First difference from Nice is the temperature was 17 at 6PM when i got there and i was rather cold, but on the positive side i can now see how expensive it was there, probably why the local supermarket brand name is 'Casino' you could lose your shirt at there prices, 0.30 € for 1.5 litre soft drink as opposed to 0.90 there, bananas 1.20 per kg (yeah could make a fortune smuggling them home) and 440 ML beer only 0.50 (even Fosters only 0.99 but no i'm not that desperate).
Knew sooner or later my looking the wrong way (to me) for traffic would get me into trouble and almost got bowled over by a motor scooter (he was in the wrong as i was crossing with green pedestrian probably for the first time this trip) no idea what he said but i'd get this blog censored if i repeated my comments which he probably didn't understand. A bit shaken and the back probably a bit more strained.
Anyway spent most of yesterday (Friday) doing the tourist sights, the Louvre (massive queue like HK airport) but incredible place, museum (funny thing is there is a zoo there and sure enough first animals i see are kangaroos), arc d'triomphe and various others plenty of pictures caught bus past Eiffel tower and will get there today.
After something like 8 hours on my feet fairly tired, but good training for run though i wish i'd put jumper on as cold seems to have made back even worse, i'd be honest and say that even 200ml duty free bottle of Bundy couldn't put me to sleep as back was that bad not a good sign.
So here we are right up to date, was up early (as back too sore to sleep) big breakfast and then i thought i'd go for a walk to ring race director to organise chiropractor (had rung last night on mobile and kept on getting message in French about being on wrong network - totally confused).
Of course 7:30 no shops open, 14 degrees (according to ever present chemists - i have never seen so many chemist shops in my life, that and the fact that every street corner has a condom vending machine makes me wonder about the local mindset ?????) and then rain, walk till 9:30 till shops open and here i am now have spoken to race director and will have chiropractor before race begins just hope i can sleep between now and then.
One last problem so far last day in Nice and finally go to atm to get money and it says i can't have any (not like my local Comm bank told me), ring during Aussie banking hours and they say they have to transfer debit card from cheque (which doesn't exist in France to savings) which they can do overnight, borrow some money from UCB just in case it doesn't work (picture myself busking the rest of the trip - only song i know with French in it is Bill Wymans late 70's hit 'Je Suis Un Rockstar - reckon people would pay me to shut up). Good news yesterday tht worked i now have access to money.
One word of warning to anyone who has smsed me from Aussie looks as though it costs a fortune, something like $5 (well that's how much from my end so i think my messages will be few and far between)
Au revoir,
Kelvin

Life is good :-)

2006-08-09T19:56:00.000+09:30

Think i'm slowly going native, get to bed late, get up early (always last in for breakfast that finishes at 9:30). Finally Air France has tracked down where my luggage is: Hong Kong - hope it had a good holiday !, they said it will be back the 10th however as i'm in Paris then i said i'll get it then rather than them probably missing me in Nice. Downside is it meant i couldn't get any pictures from the Stones gig and all the marvellous places i've seen, everywhere i go there is a new beautiful view worthy of photos.

Monday night was the fan get together at the Kings Pub (hoping to receive some pics from there at least), where i really did discover that the Stones are a universal language, fans from everywhere, Finland, England, USA, Italy and of course France and probably other places, can't remember everything :-), great coverband and typically on the dancefloor i was pretty much part of the entertainment, came through uninjured at least but was a great workout (had hit 34 degrees during the day and wasn't much cooler that night).

Thought i had better do some real running yesterday so did Nice to Monte Carlo, incredible views with mountains towering above me on the left and glorious blue sea on the right, was probably quicker than cars the last 5 K's anyway, certainly if you want to see the latest model Rolls Royces and Bentleys etc, Monte Carlo is the place to be, strange compared to the streets of Nice where it's all motor scooters and little cars (Seat's, VW's, Citreons, Renault's Peugots & Fiats). At 1:44 Euros per litre wouldn't want to be filling those big cars. Of course i was hoping to see Mick and the boys strolling around before the nights gig. Bus back to Nice is only every 2 hours so i ran an hour back to a bus stop giving me a total of approx 32K's, meant i had to have a little nap before heading off to the gig. Bus from the train station (tickets said "Bigger Band Tour" they didn't quite get it !) and probably about twice the normal load of a double bus got us there at 8, saw a number of scalpers but they didn't seem to be going too well, although i was happy to buy a scalped bottle of water.

The support act finished around 9:15 and then a hour wait till the Stones (Front of stage tickets meaning no seats so just stand as close as possible so no room to sit down and relax), and although about 20 people back was probably only 10 rows back if we were seated absolute sardines. 10:10 the people with "On Stage seats" get into place so we know the concert will begin, beautiful full moon as a backdrop and then the Bigger Bang Video show and the band comes out the darkness for Jumping Jack Flash from then on it's 100 percent performance from not only the band but from us in the audience (as paper shows 53,000 there who knows how many on the FOS field section felt like way more than that). Hit after hit as well as 3 from the new Album including Streets of Love which they hadn't played in Australia. Superlatives fail me at this point, just lost for adjectives, loved the 10 minute version of Midnight Rambler and Sympathy for the devil straight after the bstage were my standouts and an encore of You Can't always get what you want and Satisfaction only made you want them to never stop (actually technically it was a 2 day gig : started 8/8 finished 12:15AM 9/8).

Organised chaos getting out the the stadium, i think we were all just on a high (only complaint guarantee %90 of the audience smoked ! not good), and eventually back to the convoy of buses finally back to the motel at 2, totally exhausted i'd used every once of adrenalin.

Am taking it easy today and will likely meet up with David (CR Undercover Brother) tomorrow before it's off to Paris in the evening, well acclimatised and all read for the more serious stage of my journey.

Not sure when i will post next, hopefully before we begin the race

Looking more Nice in Nice

2006-08-06T17:36:00.000+09:30

Finally i've made it to Nice, incredible saga so far, after walking the length and breadth of Changi Airport finally had a flight scheduled for 10AM, however as this was an extra flight they needed to request permission from flight control at Ho Chi Minh city, we spent four hours in a non air conditioned plane on the tarmac until they finally gave up and said we could not get it and would instead go via Manilla. This finally got us to Hong Kong airport at 7PM, once staff were found they told us to get into a queue and pointed to the far end of the airport, myself and two fellow Victorians going to Rome to join a tour went to that end, well as promised the airline did provide food (one bottle of water and two very light nini cake things !!). Finally after 4 hours we were half way in the queue but at last a stroke of luck the airline was looking for passengers for Paris, so i was plucked out and put on a midnight (and very empty flight), very tasty curry and a Heineken beer was the dinner ( at midnight menu ?????), and with no one next to me i contorted my body over two seats and had a beautiful sleep waking with three hours to go. Thirteen hour flight meant we reached Paris at 6:30 AM local time, then the saga of sorting a new ticket as i was a day late. First out to terminal 2F about a mile away and then Air France about 3 hours later they had issued me a new ticket for 6:15 PM, so 10 hours to kill !. Bus into Paris (Roissybus $8.50) and then grabbing a tourist map walked for hours (unfortunately having read it upside down got it all totally wrong which i should have realised when i could not find the Arc D'Triomphe, not worried as i will spend a few days there later and was just great to get out of airports. Back to the airport at 4 and then the hottest terminal i've ever been in, glass roof on 2F meant it was like a hothouse and was very happy to board at 5:45 meal was one sweet biscuit and a glass of juice (no expense spared) flight was full and i couldn't believe seat in front had one woman with fluffy yappy lapdog and other with young child who screamed his head off when dog yapped, 90 minutes later torture by sound (but glorious scenery !) finished. Half an hour later still at airport filling in forms for lost luggage (all my running gear), and then 9PM bus into Nice and Hotel, you guessed it i got lost, finally make hotel at 10:30 (shame 2 little single beds in room but very nice and sleep).
Lovely nights sleep and not a bit of jetlag and up at 7:30 for free breakfast (what more can i say than i had 2 bananas as well) ate enough for two and then a shower at last. The lost luggage mob gave us a toiletries bag at least however a three day growth and a less than solid razor meant i am now moustacheless (would look stupid with 2/3 mo) hope that doesn't worry people when i use passport. Lovely day 26 degrees expected and lovely blue skies, now all i need is luggage, can't believe the French have non "qwerty" keyboards but now i feel used to it. At least i have my Stones tickets with me and Euros and cards for clothes (but camera in luggage so no pics yet), au revoir till the next time.

At this rate i'll be renaming this blog

2006-08-04T08:57:00.000+09:30

When we were informed during the flight that we were being sent to Singapore and would then accommodated in hotel rooms for the night, thought it couldn't be that bad, however since landing at 8:30PM local time, thnk it's dawned on me that hotel translates to "departure lounge floor". Must have walked a few miles at the airport before eventually having a lie down and sleep but was awoken by the tv's springing into life at 7 (not even programs rather some sickly sweet pop music ! certainly the sort of thing that would have made me toss the tv out the nearest window given the opportunity), so have wandered off again to the free internet. 10:45 AM our flight is scheduled to leave for Hong Kong, who knows what from there, still intrigued that they can name an airport after an infamous Prisoner of War camp but then i suppose that however frustating it is here i have it much better than they did in World War II.
Hopefully no more blog updates till i get off a plane in Europe (rather than yet another part of Asia Pacific).

Best laid plans

2006-08-03T23:41:00.000+09:30

Here i am sitting at a free terminal at Singapore's Changi Airport, not exactly Hong Kong (and no i wasn't providing navigation). Apparently a typhoon has shut down Hong Kong Airport so i'm here tonight who knows where from here. A day of dramas, realise early in the day that my train to the race start is booked for the 15th not the 14th and spend most of the trip to the airport rearranging it, and then hanging around the service desk waiting for the courier to arrive. Had earlier had luggage issues, weighed them this morning and calculated something like 27 Kilos about 7 over, thankfully was only 26.4 (it all fitted in one bag and i swear i didn't pack bricks) and got through without needing to pay excess. Anyway tomorrow the saga continues, however probably not from France !!

What a great way to finish my Australian Campaign

2006-08-01T09:28:00.000+09:30

Just back from the Warrumbungles 50K, was fortunate enough to get a lift up to Coonabarabran with my truckie mate David Spencer who i'd seen the week before at the Princes Park runand had said he'd be doing the race if he could get a load to Brisbane. So it was certainly a different way to get there, almost felt strange not to be behind a steering wheel and certainly being in a vehicle that size (as above) shows just how bad the roads are.
Pasta Party the Saturday night and it certainly looked as though we were going to be short on numbers compared to previous years, i was given number 1 and David as a late entry was only number 4 in the 50K. Some familiar faces, former Traralgon Harriers now living up in Woodenbong, Penny & Neil Burgess with their family and Melbourne Racewalker Brian Glover and his wife Jackie (if i get the name wrong i aplogise my name retention is very ordinary !!) . Had been a beautiful sunny day and looked like Sunday would be similar.
Not sure of exact details but i think it was a field of six in both the Marathon and the 50K's, quite cool (me in gloves and a Coolrunning Tri Top).
Ran along pretty much by myself until i hit the start of the Half Marathon at the 15 K Mark, and then got some half marathoners to chase. At the 25K mark we deviate from the course of the other events and go up to Siding Springs (up and up and up !), was interested to see the signs at the top "Quiet - Astronomers Sleeping" and really enjoyed the great views (whilst the numbers may have dropped because this was no longer a trail run, this view made up for it).
At the turaround was a little surprised to see that fellow Sydney Strider (and late entry) Chris Graham was only metres behind me. That was the queue to throw myself down the downhill 5K return stretch, saw the rest of the field coming the other way and then it was back to the main road. Was starting to feel real good and by the 40K mark could finally feel my hands so took the gloves off (only to drop them accidentally out the tri-top pocket at 45K's - i was moving too fast to put them in correctly !). Where would a Warrumbungles event be without a wrong turn from me :-( !!, didn't see the fellow at the Ultra turnaround (must have been sitting in his car !), and got to the marathon turnaround and was told i should have turned a mile or so back (won't ruin the "G" rating of this blog by repeating my comments !), and thought i'd thrown away another race. Anyway was directed to the turnaround (fellow from the marathon turn drove to there to check what was happening) and found it was where i had gone wrong two years previously (i'd gone over a bridge and continued on instead of turning), was still fuming and assuming Chris was in front and was very pleasantly surprised to find that wasn't the case when i hit the line in 4:07:54 (say 53 K's with my wrong turn). Saw second and third come in (thankfully Chris had picked up my gloves - now i can just say i'd "thrown down the gauntlet" to the other runners !)
1.1 KM walk to the showers at the campground was a good warmdown and David had just finished in 5:06 when i was on my way back and sure enough a wrong turn (still don't know how i missed the sign), meant i missed the presentations but did at least get back !!.
A barbequed rissole sandwich and slice of cake and i was ready for the bus back (large bus for 4 people as most others had brought cars down), don't know his name but one Queensland runner had pulled out the marathon around 20K's with his shoulder popping out (apparently a recurring injury) was one of my fellow passengers.
Back to Coona for a bigger feed and a cappucino and bit of a rest before continuing the journey to Brisbane, many hours and many absolute rubbish roads later we got to Brisbane, where i had a flight bck at 9:30 PM. Caught up with family and friends as well as getting some overseas travelling tips and with the flight delayed didn't hit Tulla till 12:05 (so i'd left in July and arrived in August !!). Bus to Spencer Street station meant i didn't hit the city till 1AM and by then just wanted to stretch my legs (and couldn't be bothered catching a taxi) so walked home (quite a mild early morning).
Just received an updated email this morning regarding Trans Gaule and the people involved and it mentions me as a late entry and that i'll be added to the site when the webmaster returns, so ignore it i am actually there (Number 4).
Two more sleeps to go !

Seven Sleeps to go !

2006-07-26T20:29:00.000+09:30

Wednesday and certainly feel I’m in countdown mode now, this time next week I guess I’ll be having a sleepless night, contemplating the trip ahead (or dreaming about missing a flight somewhere !!).
It all begins with a 2:40 PM flight from Tulla on the 3rd and due to the magic of time differences get to Nice just after midday the next day pretty much exactly 24 Hours in the sky as well as 5 hours in stopovers.
Not sure what to expect then, jetlag or exhaustion or just pure excitement of being somewhere so very different. Just the thought of summer and being away from the cold of winter sounds great at present.
Hope to get back up on the feet pretty soon though as I won’t acclimatise in my hotel room but I reckon taking it gently for the next couple of days will be the way to go and certainly I can‘t imagine staying away from the beach (even if not sandy Gold Coast type ones !!).
A big Rolling Stones fan get together in town on the 7th complete with cover band
“Stones Donkeys” should get me in the mood for the next part of the trip (and take my mind off the run ahead), with the concert on the 8th (now to get over those two events injury free :-) ). Another couple of days in a Stones induced natural high and then off to Paris in the late afternoon.
Would like to think I can get to see a fair bit of the city in the days I’m there before heading off to Roscoff by train on the afternoon of the 14th for the race start on the 16th .
May be pretty vague about what I do before the 16th but for the next 18 days will know where I’m headed, with the race finish 1,150 KM’s later in Gruissan-Plage. I’d like to think by then I’ll have done something worth really celebrating (no outrageous predictions from me at this point in time thanks !).
After all that, I’d hope I’ve still got a marathon left in me as it’s off to Bordeaux (mmm now that sounds like wine to me) , and join a tour for the Marathon Du Medoc at Pauillac the next Saturday. A few more days in Bordeaux and then off to Paris for a couple of days before heading back to Australia on the 14th, certainly the time difference will work against me on the way back getting to Tullamarine early on the Saturday morning (now if only the “Mighty Tigers” can make it to an AFL semi final that Saturday night).
Now that I’ve written this down I’ll know where I’m meant to be !! , but first a little trip to Coonabarabran this weekend for the Warrumbungles 50K Ultra.

Even more is happening !!

2006-07-24T21:11:00.000+09:30

Having received a postcard from the race director, with a picture of the start "Roscoff" and the finish "Gruissan" i'm now definitely getting to the point of actually realising this is actually going to happen soon (and also the fact that i picked up my tickets today).
Yesterdays 30K was uneventful 2:05:10 possibly a minute or 2 slower than usual, but i think i was out to make sure the new shoes felt comfortable (they did more or less - don't reckon my feet are as flat as they used to be ??) although once out there i couldn't help but race. At least i appear to be over last weeks problem with the blood pressure etc (just how can i have low blood pressure when i think of some of the work related stress before i head off ??).
Put in my entry for next years Western States Endurance Race www.ws100.com certainly not thinking that far ahead (or the logistics of getting there), but i realised that if i wanted a chance of being in it i had better put an entry in before i got back (knowing me it's possible i may come back and swear i'll never fly again - my biggest worry to be honest), so at least that's out the way.
Nce solid 12K into work, but an easy tired 6.5K home just keep on doing that all week and i'll be happy enough in my leadup to the Warrumbungles 5oK.

Looks like things are finally happening

2006-07-20T18:12:00.000+09:30

Couple of weeks till i head off to France and finally i'm beginning to feel that i'm getting somewhere. Picked up the passport today (although considering the price should have expected delivery by limousine, thought it was best to pick it from the passport office as registered mail would mean i'd have to get to the local post office during working hours) so that's out of the way.
Minor dramas the last few days, strangely enough i needed a doctors certificate to run the marathon (only 42.195 KM's ) but not the 1,166 KM's, however my doctor noticing my bad circulation suggested he'd prescribe me "Accupril" in it's weakest dose and said i should notice whether it would do me good after 2 weeks (so i could test it before travelling), however he also told me it possibly could lower my blood pressure too much and i'd know if that was the case as i'd be dizzy and light headed. Sure enough only a few days along and i can barely stand up making lunch and when i eventually made it to work spent most of the day trying to sleep under my desk (as was struggling to sit for long periods) until my next appointment for him (as i thought i'd better check this was actually the problem). It was !!!
12 Odd hours sleep later and i'm in better shape (not 100 percent but better), certainly was worried my race may have been over before i had even started.
As for passport photos, don't know which is worse, the left from 1989 or the latest (and if i shave the mo off won't they let me in ???).
Anyway two races before i head off, 30K's at Princes Park on Sunday then 50K's at Coonabarabran the Sunday after, should give me time to wear in my new running shoes.
I would like to think next blog update will be from France.

2006-07-17T20:43:00.000+09:30

First of all there realise there are many people out there who have heard me say i'd never do a blog (unless there was some big prizemoney for the cure for insomia :-)), however i've made an exception and from 4th August to 16th September while i am running Trans Gaule http://www.yanoo.net/index.php4?cat=12&id=285 and Marathon Du Medoc http://www.marathonguide.com/races/racedetails.cfm?MIDD=53060909 as well as spending time touring the country and of course seeing the Rolling Stones (again :-)) in Nice http://www.nikaia.fr/ this will be the spot to find me (conditional upon internet access and simply having the energy to update it !!