20 Miles - Easy now....

First of all, I should apologise for not having updated for a while - its been a busy couple of weeks....

However, I would now like everyone to know how close the ladies now are to achieving Marathon perfection! Sunday 16th March saw 3 of our 4 plucky girls (Sian is still recovering from injury at this point) attempt the biggest challenge of their training regime so far - a full 20 mile run organised by the Gade Valley Harriers in Hemel Hempstead.......

Its the same course as the 17 mile run they did a few weeks back - only a bit longer, obviously - and all the runners needed to do was turn up, pay a fiver, and line up with the other runners. They even provide you with tea and cake at the end of the run - as so glamourously demonstrated by Lisa in this picture!

I have to say, the weather on the day was absolutely atrocious, and probably added another 4 or 5 miles to the course....the poor runners had to try and dodge huge puddles all the way along the towpath part of the course, with the wind adding to the very real danger of falling into the canal!

They had to wade through waist deep mud across the fields (NB may be an exaggeration), and all in the face of driving rain.....

Still, they ploughed on like the brave soldiers they are, and all came home together somewhere around the 3 hours 40 minute mark. Fine work indeed. I should probably put out a special word for the supporters as well - particularly Liz's mum and dad, who with perfect timing, managed to pop up at three different points around the course.

Myself and Keith just about made it to the finish to cheer the girls home in a blanket sprint finish (sort of). Sorry for pointing this out, but I actually only just made it, having stepped off a plane from Jamaica earlier that morning! (I know, I'm sorry). Actually, the biting wind was a good thing for me, as it whistled around my trousers and helped to sooth my atrociously sunburnt legs......

I will not confirm or deny the rumours that the only reason the girls are smiling in this picture is that there was half a bottle of rum spread between their cups of tea. Still there is certainly some confidence showing in their faces....

The girls were so happy with their run, they then proceeded straight to the Spotted Bull for a Sunday Roast (very good), and at least 6 bottles of red! Obviously much refuelling was required - a lot of calories had been burnt.

Not long now till the big one, and hopefully all four of our girls will be smiling at the end of it......

See you all soon.

Jamie

Charity Pub Quiz! Come and join us.....

Ladies and gents, just a very quick entry today to say a quick good luck to the girls this weekend as they go for their biggest challenge yet - which is a 20 Mile training run around Hemel.

But also, it is an opportunity to tell everyone to come and see us for our Charity Pub Quiz! Details as follows......

Crazy Ladies Go Running Present

The Great Big Charity Pub Quiz

Thursday 20th March

The White Lion, St Albans

8.30pm Start

Prizes! Spot Prizes! Charity Raffle!

£4 per person, teams of 4 or 5!

So come on down for some great causes and have a bit of a giggle, and maybe win some prizes.....as always ALL the proceeds will go towards the ladies 3 charities - Breakthrough Breast Cancer, The National Autistic Society, and The Herts Community Foundation.

Hopefully see you there. In the meantime, good luck to the ladies this weekend.

JW

Born to Run continued.....

Following the ladies' fantastic run in Hemel last weekend, the Associated Press of Hertfordshire have been searching for suitable photographic eveidence of their latest achievement in preparation for April 13th. Well finally, the wait is over, and we have the first exclusive pictures of the event.

Captured by Marathon fundraiser and consumate mobile phone photographer Keith Lewis, this image captures the essence of the girls' marathon effort.

Notice Sue grinning as she finishes a nice warm cup of tea, whilst the lyrics to "Born to Run" continue to roll around in her head. Liz looks ecstatic as she realizes that they've made it round in under 3 hours and she is actually still alive! Lisa on the other hand, made the mistake of running this race WITHOUT a hangover, and is clearly paying for it after the finish.

Definately a fantastic run from all concerned, and a great performance from the supporters too - Keith, myself, and Sian all continued to applaud the runners coming across the finish line despite the biting cold making our hands sore.....

Whilst we are digging out the photos by the way, I thought it would be good to share a more informal image of the ladies during a training "rest" period.

I believe the night in question was a Fundraising planning night, and it was clearly decided that a medicinal glass of wine would help the thought process...

Once again this fine photo was taken by Mr Lewis, and the slightly dazed grins are due to the fact that the girls had just realized that they only had seven weeks to go!

By the way, to the more observant of you who may be looking at the bottles on the table - I can confirm that there IS a bottle of Jose Cuervo in front of Mrs Lewis, and yes she did put the Eagles on the stereo as an accompaniement!

Next up for the four sporting beauties is the gruelling 20 mile warm up race once again around the Hemel course. With the prospect of more tea and cake at the end, I'm sure it will be another breeze for them, and let's face it - if you can run 20 miles, you're in good shape for the big one.

Please visit again to see how they are getting on, and to find out what other fun filled fundraising stuff is going on (full details of the Charity Pub Quiz - watch this space). In the meantime, good luck girls, and take care one and all.