Paris Photos

A few photos in more or less chronological order.

(left click any picture to enlarge - back button to return)

This made up for all the pain (no not bread en francais!)

Ready to leave Northend Friday noon

Breakfast on Saturday 

So Ben does exist after all ....

..and is immediately useful!

Ready to collect race bibs etc.

The usual suspects.

Team Baincinq plus 1

Derek, Laura, Hazel, George, Jolene, and Ben

Checking out the start

Tourist pose.

Lunch stop Saturday - already looking worn out with all the tension...!

Sart line 08:40 Sunday

We started back there ...

and then ran all the way down there.

There go the fast boys ( where's George?)

Derek sees a camera!

George, Hazel, Jolene, and Laura have taken 11 minutes to cross the line but are now on their way.

George at Km11 (the only one who was paying attention at this point)

and again at Km21 - nearly half way and the sun is getting warm

John and Moira spot Hazel and Laura who spot the camera

Derek and Jolene slipped by unnoticed

Hazel at Km42 only 195m to go... Laurence standing behind looking for Laura

Laura with head down for the final run in - you can see it is hurting!

But it was worth it!!!!!!!!

Back in hotel showered and exhausted.

On the way for meeting at restaurant (Laura still talking...)

Chez Chartier for a late lunch for Team and supporters. (beer wine and red meat!!)

Team Baincinq plus 1 minus Derek who had left for earlier flight.

Medals proudly held.

Results

All of Team Baincinq survived the Paris course and recorded the following times -

George 4h 26m 07s

Derek 4h 40m 57s

Jolene 4h 47m 35s

Hazel 5h 07m 05s

Laura 5h 12m 37s

Plus 1 Ben running his first marathon recorded a very creditable 3h 31m 08s

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! 

Hiiiiiii Hooooooooooooooh

Hi Ho, Hi Ho,

Its on the plane we go,

With our luggage full of kit

and a hope that you're all fit

Hi Ho, Hi Ho,

Hi Ho, Hi Ho,

(repeat for next 72 hours)....

Click on the following links to be inspired

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYJzcUvS_NU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-7Vu7cqB20

 

See if you can spot yourselves in the videos

Me? - I'm the pianoplayer

Hambe Kahle

Paris progress tracking

Last year there was a system for tracking runner's progress by sms.

The link is http://marathondeparis.jetmultimedia.fr/index_ang.php4 but registration only opens tomorrow.

Not sure how many can use this but if similar to New York may allow some to follow progress.

FUNDRAISING PLAN

OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE NOW AVAILABLE!

BainCinq merchandise is now available at http://baincinq.spreadsheadshirt.net/-/-/shop/

Dreddi

TGITTTD

With 26 days to Paris and only five to the Bath Half I guess the hard work is either now done or it is too late to worry about pushing for those extra training miles.

On sunday I ran the Devizes 10k in 58m 31s which was 3 seconds slower than my pb, BUT there was a barsteward hill in the middle and it was blowing a gale. (and of course I am saving myself for Paris.....) 

But I came third in class - winner was TEN WHOLE MINUTES faster( she is an ex pro I reckon) and second only two minutes ahead of me was my coach, two minutes behind me was the person who beat me in Broughton Gifford last year. Competitive Moi???

AND another medal for the trophy board!

This week will just be a couple of shortish runs before the half and then there are just two weekends before the race. (Tonight Jolene will be able to show me whether those early morning runs before work were fact or fiction...)

As one is supposed to have a rest after a full marathon, and by extension half a rest after a half then it seems that I can find a good reason for not beating myself up between Bath and Paris - hence the post title...

Thank Goodness It's Time To Taper Down.

Love Flossie Flatfoot

Hazel Hamstrung

In this post Purple Hazel will keep you updated with her latest injuries and treatments and the rest of us will give (probably unwanted) advice and sympathy. 

Open question: Should Hazel a) give up like her husband did for the Bath Half last year, b) stop training and have complete rest until race day, c) carry on and bravely tough out the pain d) spend loads of money on whacky treatments e) something else.

When's the post race party?

??

Ben needs some inspiration

Ben, stop wingeing and pull your finger out, barely four weeks to go.

I generally dislike gurus and their books (see Hazel for a fine selection of those). But, one of the things that got me into running was visiting a specialist running shop called Run & Become in old London town. Like the one in Bath, they make you run up and down a busy alley in shiny white trainers (being in Victoria, most people are mostly wearing suits at the time, looks very funny the first time you see it). The shop was clearly started by a couple who were inspired by a guru who preached about the higher qualities of training and sport, Sri Chimnoy. His mantra was:

'Run and become, become and run, 

run to succeed in the outer world, 

become to proceed in the inner world'

So, run and become dear boy, run and become.

Alternatively:

'Take it to the bridge' - J.Brown.

Well, I tried. 

Dreddi

Anyone else done this yet?

It must be groundrush, a first for me...out at 06.30 around the Bathampton loop and then out again this evening for Bannerdown/Bathford. I get the feeling that this is what was needed three months ago, but I've started my training programme properly now!!

(PS. I'll wager Georgeous can trump this)

A lovely day at Saltford Marina

I can recommend this run, it has everything, road work,canal tow path,footpath and lovely river views. Pick up the tow path at Churchill Bridge and onwards to Newbridge just before the bridge go right over the old railway line down the other side and onto the river side footpath. Follow this and eventually you reach Saltford Marina. Return the same way or as I did go up onto the bridge at Newbridge turn left and follow the road into Queen Square and home! Job done. 2hrs 20mins
Don't ask me how far it is, any idea Hazel?
My flabber has never been so gasted , I really must try harder to go slower during the early stages, but it was such a nice day!
Georgeous