Running in the snow

It has been dumping snow here in Geneva - about another 40cms today.  We've had snow since Saturday morning, but still it hasn't stopped the training - here is a photo of me heading out on a training run in the snow at the weekend!

A family affair

Well there are two of us in this blog now, never really thought that technology would creep up on me to the extent that I write blog entries for the whole world to see, but hey we'll give it ago.

I must admit to quite looking forward to the X-Alps, after competing in three ultra races myself over the last few years it will be nice to watch others suffering, sorry, that should read enjoying themselves. Still guess it's quite hard work now for both of us up to race start in July, just hope I do not disappoint

Yippee - team GBR2

Finally, a month after the initial announcement of athletes, I had a call from X-Alps organizer Hannes Arch last Thursday to inform me that they had decided to let me compete after all.  After the initial announcement I had been told I was a ‘reserve’ in case someone else dropped out.  It seems the organising committee had a change of heart and decided rather than keep the reserves guessing (and training!) they’d let us into the starting line-up. 

Whatever the rational, it has now just been announced on the X-Alps website (http://www.redbullxalps.com/news/article/new-athletes-added-32-to-start-red-bull-x-alps-in-2011.html).

So celebrations at making the start line now done with, the real fun and games starts – training and preparation!

Lausanne Marathon

Despite not getting a place in the starting line up for the X-Alps I seem to have become quite addicted to running.  Initially intended as part of my X-Alps training, but finally just for fun, I completed the Lausanne Marathon yesterday.  The picture is taken about a third of the way around (which is why I still look fresh!!!)

Final results from the Jungle

So, after 222km of running through jungles, swamps and wading rivers, my father has finally finished his jungle marathon.  Check it out at http://www.junglemarathon.com/.   In his own words, "Dont think I did too bad for an old fart, 9th overall and 1st vet, Was in line for 1st Brit until the last day but got pipped at the post by a couple of commandos half my age, bloody cheek.!"

I'm beginning to wonder if we do get into the X-Alps if I should change my strategy and just teach my father to fly cross-country and switch roles - it might be easier! Only joking!


On my side the running pales into insignificance againt the jungle exploits of my father, but still, ran 26.5km yesterday with Tom 'X-Alps 2009' Payne (he is still quite fast!) and then ran into the office this morning (another 10km).  So I'm beginning to ratchet up the km's.

More news from the Jungle

Both day 2 and 3 results are in - my Dad managed to move up to 9th overall after two stages and is now at 6th overall after the 3rd stage (35km in searing heat including swamps!).  Wow.  Results are here: http://www.junglemarathon.com/2010_en.php?id=C0_122_31   and the video clips are here: http://www.junglemarathon.com/2010_en.php?id=C0_121_31

Jungle man

Whilst I'm running around the Geneva countryside in the cool autumn weather, my Dad's busy running through the Brasilian rainforest.  Check it out on http://www.junglemarathon.com/.  They have now posted a videoclip of stage one and it features Dad...slipping down a slope!  Tee Hee.  Still he is in 17 after one day, not bad for an old man.