IS THERE ANYBODY THERE??????

I know it's been cold and wet and dark and christmas shopping and cake making and present wrapping etc etc etc have been on your minds............. but COME ON GUYS there are only 15 weeks to go before the BIG ONE!!!!!!

Forget the weather and the fact that overindulgence over the next 2 weeks will make the training even harder (for those that are running of course) 

GET POSTING!!!!

There are hundreds, nay thousands, (Ok one or two of us) that are suffering blog starvation out here. 

Where is your news? Do you still have the dream? Can you still run/walk?

Has Hazel pressed another button? Has Derek got a hotel yet? Is George still synchronised? Does Laura still qualify as an amateur after accepting a cash prize in Africa? (our spies are everywhere...) Has Jolene sent me an invite yet?

WE NEED TO KNOW>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>?

Don't panic

Honorary Baincinq member Ben made an unexpected appearance in Northend this week.

Despite claiming that he was "Just in the area" it quickly transpired that the purpose of his visit was to catch up on all matters Paris. All too predictably it wasn't long before both 26.2 mile obsessives were pouring over Hazel's vast collection of running books in an attempt to determine the optimum training schedule and race-day strategy etc.

As the attached photo shows, happily both were able to reassure themselves that their marathon plans are well on track...

High Tech Hazel

Ever the stickler for accuracy I am now the proud owner of a Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS.


This amazing gadget allows the user to track distance run, route, pace per mile, degree of ascent/descent, calories burned, etc. Truly an amazing piece of kit...amazingly complicated that is!

When I went for my first test run with it, a "two hour run" felt like it became 30 of minutes actual running preceded by an hour and a half of fiddling, button pressing, acquiring satellites, losing satellites. Aaargh! The iPod-like bezel which controls the functions is THE most over sensitive and difficult to use device I have ever encountered! Most annoying of all, I had to ask Laurence to help me set-it up.

However, having used the watch on a few runs now I'm really pleased with it. It works really well, is very motivational and is easy to use (once you get the hang of it).

I don't even mind the fact that George asks "How far Hazel?" every few yards...

Laura in New York

Photos etc are published on my original marathon blog at www.laurasmarathonrun.blogspot.com

Derek has booked his flights

I am going, how about you? I've taken the plunge on hearing that prices were moving upwards. BRS/CDG EasyJet out Friday 3rd, back Sun 5th evening*. Hope I will get in on any hotel deal that any of us come up with - I'm working on it.
*Yes, coming back on the day of the race - controversial I know. Financial considerations I'm afraid. Also, the flight back is Monday evening, rather than early morning as anticipated. We really can't decide if the rest of my gang are going to join me, so I thought I'd better get back in case we are going elsewhere that week on holiday, or save the day's holiday for another occasion. We'll be Kerry Packered, but I hope there will be time in the afternoon for a warm-down lunch, or at least a glass or three of vin rouge with mes amis baincinq to relax those aching muscles!

Stop Press

Just arrived back home with a weary but distinctly happy Laura.

Not sure of the official time yet but reckon it is around 4h 52m

Laura's verdict " that was b****y tough "

More news later and hopefully a few pics.

N aka baggage carrier and banana purveyor extraordinaire....

Last Post

Laura is tucked up in bed ready for a 3am get up to meet the designated transport to the start.

The bad news is that she then has to wait around for several hours until her start time at 10:20 - fortunately the weather forcast is good (today it was 63 degrees in old money) and she is not alone... To ensure that all 5 boro's are involved it means starting on Staten Island which causes a few logistical problems in getting every one there before they close the bridge - (I have been banned from passing comment on this !!!!*****etc)

This morning was the friendship run from the UN to Central Park and needless to say Laura met many S Arfricans and sang Shosholoza all the way through the city with them ( just a few tears of course..)

Sorry about picture position - I am using a Mac for the first time and in the dark so it is a miracle this is actually turning into a post, (and the cursor is invisible..)

We have been told that the email tracking system is not fully tested yet and may not actually work!!! if that is the case we shall post news of times and how far she managed sometime later in the day.

USA clocks go back tonight so with a 10:20 start and around 5 hour run time plus the 5 hour time difference I have calculated she should finish around wednesday GMT.

Just in case the race is shown on UK tv the late start means that Laura is likely to finish after the transmission ends so don't stay up looking too hard. Coach on the other hand has blagged a grandstand seat by the finish on the LHS as you look down the approach (runners RHS) so I will wave occasionally as the elite runners finish before setting off to perform my banana passing duties.

More news tomorrow.

New York update1

Arrived safely and smoothly, and now based in Harlem,

Registered this morning and have chip and number ready to go.

Ran for an hour yesterday evening and so far so good; a short fun run with "all" the overseas runners from the UN building to Central Park on Saturday morning and then we are off.

In case the email system does not work as hoped we will post news asap after the race.

Soryy no pics possible yet but hope to add some in next day or so when on another computer.

Love from the big apple

Laura

A picture of me is already posted (I'm in the Bain) but due to popular demand (from Flossie and 'Anonymous' at least) here is another. Taken immediately after our early morning B****** Hill run on the 26th, it shows the remains of my 'summer of love' 'tash worn as part of my St. Peppers outfit for a party the night before. The fresh air cleared my head and the remaining alcohol in my bloodstream powered me up the hill, but I paid for it later. I am thinking of following Jolene's path on this one, but am failing so far.

George's Sunday morning secret

Fellow Baincinqers L,H & D were treated last Sunday morning on the London Road to George's revelation of his secret to maintaining a steady pace, announcing to Laura it was all down to adopting the 'rhythm method'. George, TMI. Concern is now growing that this may lead to his late withdrawal towards the end of March.

Laura in New York

Laura is running next Sunday ( 2nd November) in the New York Marathon.

Her race number is 50060 and her start time is 10:20 (I think)

There is a system to track progress whereby her times at various points around the course will be sent by email to nominated persons.

To make this as easy as possible and allow many to view this I have set up baincinq@gmail.com as one of the addresses to read the mail you need to log in as - baincinq - and the password is temporarily - newyork2008 - Please remember to log off after each viewing in case it blocks others from signing on to view the info.

I will try to add some posts and pics whilst we are there.

Other info may be available on http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/

History Lesson

I haven't been good at recording times but did find these in Googleland:

Windsor HM 30 Sept. 2001 - 2h 01m 43s. My first HM and boy did it feel hard...after flying through the first 10K! The idea of running a full marathon only a month later seemed beyond impossible.

New York Marathon 11 Nov. 2001 - 4h 43m 43s. Now, you'll have to trust me on this one (my old time running partner Carlos 'Compadre' Barcenas will vouch for me I hope) this is the official clock time, my own timing across start/finish lines was 4.19; 20 mins to cross the start line you see! Wow, what a race and what an atmosphere, barely a month after 9-11. Raw, but incredibly uplifting - running brought the city back together.

London Marathon 13 Apr. 2003 - 5h 20m 19s. Oh dear. Fantastic day, nothing like the London Marathon for fun and a huge contrast intensity of NY. Training went badly, painful shins 3 months out, lack of sleep, very hot day, lots of excuses...but I made the most of the massage stops. I have a vivid memory of being overtaken by a Strawberry in the final stages!

Bath HM ?? April 2008 - 2h 00m 00s spot on! What a wet day and a now legendary 1 hour wait for a delayed start, although that meant hanging around on the starting line was in drizzle rather than a downpour, not so bad. Was separated pre-start from Monsieur Riley so finished apart but he sneakily dipped at the line to record 1.59.59 - a sub 2 hour man...there will be revenge!

DREDDI.

Derek's Story

I was teleported into this unknown enclave in April 2007 along with my fellow traveller known as 'Charlie' and our supervisor, 'Freddie', and leader 'Henry'. I recall we were previously stuck for an extended period in the small independent state of Balham, an area liberated from the neighbouring People's Republic of Tooting. Our supervisor and leader have been attending various congresses known here as 'schools' where other powerful leaders meet to make laws, but have so far failed to negotiate a release for us. I am regularly forced into joining communal activity known as 'running', which I conclude must be a way to generate heat, or perform some other mysterious function. There are others with strange stories to tell.

Springbok loose in New York

The famous Northend Baincinqer Laura 'springbok' Clutterbuck is off to NYC to take a bite of The Big Apple as a warm up event before the big day next April. Running 26.2 miles through all five New York boroughs seems a bit excessive, but maybe it's a good opportunity to go shopping as well, catch a broadway show, visit friends etc. 

HAVE A GREAT RUN LAURA

Actually, I found a slightly more challenging variation of the boring old standard marathon which involves drinking a beer in each of the five boroughs en route - what d'ya reckon Jolene?

 

Famous Five???????

Jolene - Hazel - Laura - Derek - George

Come April will it be bathing in champagne....?

Hazel’s Highlights

Running is in my genes, my father having run innumerable half marathons, the London Marathon (twice) and, of course, Paris. Most of his training and racing was done in a pair of Dunlop Green Flash plimsoles…

My own running career began with several Race For Life 5k runs, which were always good fun – despite the support team not always quite getting into the sisterly spirit of the races. On more than one occasion husband Laurence was heard shouting encouragement along the lines of “Come on Haze, keep going…that lady in front looks like she’s completely had it so you can easily overtake her and I reckon you’ll finish in the top hundred!”.

I then progressed to longer 10k races, often involving training sessions round the reservoir in Cheddar. A beautiful, tranquil and uplifting place to run, other than the time when a wasp flew straight up my t-shirt causing me to strip-off mid-stride in front of everyone. A different type of uplifting experience ensued, for which some of the local villagers are apparently still receiving counselling.

After various races in and around London I went into semi-retirement before bursting back onto the running scene and running the Bath Half Marathon two years in a row. Flushed with success, I decided that nothing less than a marathon would do, and so here I am.

As you can see from the picture, I’ve already managed to find some great value ‘rustic accommodation’ just on the outskirts of Paris (at least I think that’s what the sign outside “La Porcherie” says; French isn’t my strength) - so it’s onwards and upwards from here.

Countdown week 25

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The girl's team have set the bar at 2h 20m this morning (Sunday 12 oct) with a run approx 13 miles.





















8am start (even before the newspaper arrived!) into Bath and once around the Bath Half course via Newbridge and home via Warminster road and the Toll Bridge.

Apparently it went well despite all moaning about lack of sleep, Hazel woken by Elliot, Laura out for dinner and a late drive home in the fog (Nigel said he drove there so it was her turn, which is only fair), and Jolene.... well we didn't get all the juicy bits but she felt better after the run!!!

Come on Guys - catch up...
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The Kiwi Contingent - Jolene

While nursing a grade 3 hangover one lovely Buller morning I foolishly told my sister over coffee I could run a half marathon. As I was clearly incapable of making intelligent thoughts that day, she should have stopped me. The Buller Gorge Half Marathon was my first and after that I was officially “a runner”. That is how it starts…

To feed the monster, I set my sights on the teams event in the Speights Coast to Coast – A frolick in New Zealand’s lovely countryside turned out to be 243km of gruelling mixed terrain multisport madness (usually in the rain) munching on soggy vegemite sangers and throwing back the Leppin Squeezies - Good times. But with the help of training partner / mentor / coach / fellow numbnut (Heather Tommasi), “we knocked the bastard off” (as Sir Ed would say).

I arrived on these sunny shores in October 2007, just in time to take my seat at Millenium Stadium in Cardiff and watch the AB’s go down to the French in the world cup semi final - I have no comments to make on this issue.

So far, in the UK I have tackled the Cornwall leg if the Coastal Trail series and the Bristol Half Marathon (highly recommend both of these runs) – But now it’s time to work off those Cornish pasties. Paris will be my first attempt at a full marathon, and I have faith in my Baincinq mates and motivational coach, Miss Butler to help keep me out of mischief and get me to the finish.

Jog on.

.

Jolene find a local good cause

Perhaps a worthy cause?....

http://www.themagicgardenappeal.org/

George's Story

Hi
My name is George Riley, and I intend running the Paris Marathon on the 5th April 2009 with the help of four good friends. That makes cinq of us!

This is a picture of me explaining in great detail , to my friend Yanna, how I am going to achieve this feat of endurance! Obviously it was too technical for her, or she got bored, as she has gone off to shake hands with an invisible child, or perhaps to buy some flowers!

I started running about 60 years ago and my greatest achievement was to complete the Bath Half Marathon in under 2 hours. That was my first and only official run!

There is a prize for the first person to discover exactly which market and which city I am in?

Laura's Story

I started running at a relatively late age after agreeing (one glass of wine too many!) to join a friend in celebrating the start of his 7th decade by running the London Marathon.

How I wish that I had started ages ago – I have had such fun over the past couple of years running 2 or 3 times a week with a lovely group of people in our village and others in Bath.

I have actually entered a few proper races, and although the times are not world beating I haven’t had to walk yet.

Race Date - distance - time - o/all pos - age group pos*
Knysna SA - Nov 2007 - 10k - 1h 04m - ? - 1st
Bath Half - Mar 2008 - 21k - 2h13m - 7835 - 10th
London 2008 - Apr 2008 - 42k - 5h09m - 27722 - 79th
Foxtrot 5 - Aug 2008 - 8k - 46m - 155 - 2nd
Chippenham Half - Sep 2008 - 21k - 2h10m - 893 - 4th

Just finished London

* as an “old biddy” I get classified in the women’s veteran over 60 class which allows me to believe I am achieving fantastic results (mainly because there are so few entries in these bands) – What the heck! I’m enjoying it anyway.

En route to London I kept a record of my progress http://www.laurasmarathonrun.blogspot.com/ which hopefully shows how much enjoyment and satisfaction I got out of the challenge.

Next is New York on 2nd November 2008, and then on to the BIG ONE in Paris.
To aim for that and train as part of the Baincinq is an absolute joy – and boy will there be a party when we all finish.

Paris Marathon 2009

Now it is official!

We all have places in the Paris Marathon on 5th April 2009 which is just 25 weeks away this Sunday.

This blog will record the progress of our valiant (?ed?) bunch over the next 5 months as we strive for fitness in the face of adversity, doubters, winter weather, and Christmas excess.

Tonight was the latest of a series of informal chats about how and what we are going to do as we each prepare in our different ways for our assault on Paris.

"Planning" meeting - Tea and Jolene's Anzac biscuits.........
(click on any picture to enlarge - back button to return)

But now it is for real -

We have a Team Name " Les bain cinq" aka Baincinq, we have the time and date, we have the location, and most importantly we have our entry acceptances.

It might not be pretty, but it should be fun (at least for those still in bed on a Sunday morning with the newspapers whilst we pound the pavements) - Watch this space as the story unfolds