50th Year Challenges Part 1,2 & 3

Dorking Bacchus Marathon 10^th September:

The first of my challenges for my 50^th year was the Dorking Bacchus Marathon, this is a marathon that is run around the Denbies wine estate in Dorking.  Being run around a wine estate it is not unsurprising that along with the water stations around the course they have something a little stronger to taste! 6 wine tasting stations per lap and for the Marathon it was 2 laps so 12 chances to taste the local produce.

Amanda dropped me off nice and early, note I wasn’t driving! Having found my way to registration and picked up my number, chip and t-shirts I was ready to go! I was quite pleased that I did arrive in plenty of time as there was quite a queue a bit later.

I dropped my bag an made my way to the start, due to standing the wrong side of the start initially I ended up quite near the front. As we started it was a bit congested even for me being near the front but this soon thinned out as we ran through the vinyards.

The course was largely off road and has some rather large hills in it but it was an enjoyable run (walk). As I approached the end of the first lap my garmin was showing less mileage that the boards at the side of the course but really this run was not about the distance and time more about having fun.

At mile 17 a fellow runner asked me if I would take his photo next to the 17 Mile marker, transpires that he had a bad experience of a marathon once at mile 17 and now likes to get a photo at that point on his runs.

Coming to the end of the second lap and the 13 mile board for the half marathon and the 26 mile board for the full marathon were attached to the same fence, now as it was the same distance from this point to the finish I was a tad amused as to how this was possible.

After crossing the line, collecting my medal and retrieving my bag it was time to partake of the hog roast and wine, by now it was starting to rain a little so I was glad to be under the shelter. At this point my fellow runner from mile 17 came up to congratulate me on finishing, he had finished somewhat earlier.

Now I had to wait for Ed to pick me up and take me home for George’s birthday meal!

Swim Serpentine 16^th September:

This was an event that I hadn’t really heard of much before but when it appeared in my twitter timeline as part of the new London Classics I just had to enter (Thanks Sophie Raworth and Susie Chan for bringing this to my attention)

I was in the first wave of the classics swimmers at 10.40 so it was an early train to London and a walk over to the Serpentine to get changed into my wetsuit ready for the start.

There was quite a bit going on with all sorts of different events happening from elite swimmers at one end to people like me who struggle round a swim at the other.

Having changed and registered it was time to wait for the start, a briefing on the pontoon before we entered the lake for a 2 lap swim.

On exiting the swim we were checked as being a bona fide classics person and then presented with 2 medals one for the 2 mile serpentine swim and the other for the Classics, which I think was also supposed to test your ability to stand up given the size and weight of it.

William decided to demonstrate the size

Having changed out of my wetsuit and had a brief look around the activities going on it was time to head back to the station and get home.

The Gauntlet 24^th September:

A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to win a place in the Bastion triathlon, I say lucky this is a full iron distance triathlon based at Hever Castle and part of the Castle Triathlon Series. It is without doubt the hardest of the iron distance triathlons I have done.

The Castle Triathlon series is a fantastic series of events and great organisation, so having taken part in one I felt that I should give something back, so last year I volunteered at the Hever Castle weekend, marshalling on the bike course for both days.  In turn Castle Triathlon donated me a place in the Gauntlet this year to add to my year of challenges for the Rockinghorse appeal.

The Gantlet is a half iron distance around a similar route as the Bastion, so again quite a tough course.

I drove over on the Saturday evening to register so that I wouldn’t have to worry about this on the morning, I have plenty else to worry about on race day!

Sunday morning arrived and an early drive to Hever to rack the bike and get sorted into my wetsuit and down to the lake for the briefing by Brian the race director and explanation of some of the rules by the BTF referee, amusingly this was Jamie who was also the ref at the Lakesman!

As soon as the formalities were out of the way we were into the lake and ready to go. The swim at Hever is quite a nice swim up the lake and then back round a river section to the finish, then it is a bit of an uphill run (well walk) to transition and time to change into bike kit and head out onto the roads.

Amanda, George and William were waiting in the ice cream van car park when I got there for my second lap. I then saw them a couple more times around the course, amusing William by throwing a bottle at George. Amanda even managed to capture a picture of my best side!

Back into transition and time to change into my running kit for the half marathon, I had completed the whole bike section with a funny feeling under my foot, I had assumed it was my socks that were causing a problem and was quite pleased that I had a spare pair with my running shoes, however even changing socks didn’t make the feeling go away, I found out later when I got home that I had cut under my big toe!

I set off on the run but was soon walking up the hills, coming round towards the end of the first lap the 2 runners in front of me went across a bridge and were promptly attacked by wasps with one of them getting stung twice on the head. I managed to get through without getting stung but was thinking about it all the way round, by the time I crossed the bridge on the second lap there was no issue!

I crossed the finish line relieved to have come to the end of the event, I then found Amanda before heading off to transition to reclaim my bike and kit. At this point I saw one of the most inspirational people I have seen at triathlon, young Bailey. He was clearly in the zone for his event so I left him to it but it was quite humbling to be in the same transition as him.

Now I am preparing for my next event which is Abingdon marathon on 22^nd October!

Please don’t forget why I am doing all of these challenges, I am trying to raise as much money as I can for the Rockinghorse Appeal who support the Royal Alex Childrens Hospital in Brighton

Donation Page

Thanks

Andy

50th Year Challenges for RockingHorse Appeal

As I approach the start of my 50^th year I wanted to find a way to raise some funds for the RockingHorse Appeal that support the Royal Alex Hospital in Brighton.

Virginmoneygiving.com/andrewfountain1

On 2^nd September 1994 my first son Eddie was born, unfortunately he had a condition that meant his mouth wasn’t connected to his stomach so could not feed. This meant that at only a few hours old he was in Surgery to repair his Oesophagus.

This was a very worrying time for Amanda and myself as first time parents seeing our baby in intensive care after such major surgery:

Thanks 

The Surgeon, Doctors and Nurses at the Royal Alex were absolutely fantastic and did whatever they could to re-assure us that Eddie would be OK.

Over the first year of his life Eddie had many more operations due to the scar tissue on his oesophagus constricting and needing to be stretched, then if that was not enough Eddie decided he was going to have pyloric stenosis as well that needed surgical intervention.

Eddie’s first birthday was spent going back and forth to the hospital to have a tube that was inserted into his stomach, which was used to feed him, looked at due to an issue. Eventually we took it out and had to feed him as a normal baby!

Eddie’s final visit to the Royal Alex, now in its new home, was as a 6ft child prior to being transferred to the care of the Princess Royal as an adult

Finally he was discharged from the medical care and although he still gets reflux a bit and can be seen pushing his throat when he is eating shows no lasting ill effects of his condition.

So I am taking on some challenges to raise funds for the hospital as my way of saying thanks, albeit a very small way given what the hospital gave us!

Challenges so far

10/09/2017 Surrey Bacchus Marathon
16/09/2017 Swim Serpentine London Classics

23/09/2017 The Gauntlet Half Iron Triathlon 

22/10/2017 Abingdon Marathon
04/02/2019 Winter run 10k London

25/02/2018 Brighton Half Marathon

25/03/2018 London Landmarks Half Marathon

15/04/2018 BrightonMarathon
22/04/2018 London Marathon

17/06/2018 Lakesman Triathlon (Thanks Mum & Dad)

13 - 15/07/2018 Long CourseWeekend Wales (Thanks Terry)
08 - 16/09/2018 Ride Across Britain (Lands End to John O Groats) (Thanks Cycling Plus)

I am hoping to add extra events throughout the year but entry fees have mounted so far and not sure how many more I can afford, so if anyone knows any organisers that are willing to donate or discount entry I would be more than happy to hear from them.

I did manage to take advantage of the volunteer for entry scheme for my entry to the Gauntlet thanks to Castle Triathlon, having marshalled and both days of their Hever Castle weekend events last year so thank you for that Castle Triathlon

If anyone would be able to spare a couple of quid to chuck in the pot for the Rocking Horse appeal please visit virginmoneygiving.com/andrewfountain1

Thanks

Andy

Lakesman 2017 a view from the other side

Last year I took part in the Lakesman having said never again to an iron distance tri. I'm so glad that I did do it as the event is a fantastic event in an amazing location and the fact I knocked half an hour off my best time.

This year I was back but this time as a volunteer, I wasn't sure what I would be doing but I wanted to give something back as a thank you to all that organised and volunteered last year.

I arrived at site around lunchtime on Saturday and was set to work giving out timing chips as competitors racked their bikes.

There were 3 of us there and we seemed to have a good system going, I would find the helmet chip sticker one of the ladies would find the ankle chip and we would both give them to the other lady who would attach the helmet chip and hand the ankle chip with strap to the athlete. Sorry I didn't get my colleagues names, I was a but late arriving and dived straight into dishing out chips.

Then the worst thing possible happened number 377 came in, I had found his helmet sticker but his ankle chip was not there. What would we do now someone had the wrong chip. Despite being horrified that she had given out the wrong chip the young lady had the presence of mind to realise that the wrong chip had been given to someone else with a 7 at the end of their number. Very quickly we had checked through the helmet stickers with the chips and realise that number 347 had the wrong chip. A phone call made and fortunately he was still on site and came back to swap his chip. Phew!!

As the athletes racked their bikes something seemed odd with the racks and they were bending more than expected. After transition was closed the race director, Phil, came in to see what could be done. The same number of bikes were on each rack and they were the same racks as last year so why were they bending. Quickly Phil saw the problem that some of the legs were in the wrong place.

An hour later we had managed to adjust the racks and all was good!

Now my shift had finished it was time to make my way back to Andy and Nicky's where I was staying for the weekend. Now where did I park? I had followed Andy and Nicky to the venue but they had left after Nicky had racked her bike and bags etc. Fortunately I did manage to retrace my steps to find my car.

Sunday morning arrived all too quickly and we were off to site about 4:15am!

On arrival I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be doing but was given a medium T-shirt and directed into transition chuffed that the shirt actually fitted!!

Once in place I was just doing what I could to help triathletes prepare for what they were about to take on, which for me was interesting having been through it the year before.

Then once they had all started it was down to the lake to see what else I could do and I was soon shoeless standing on the edge of the carpet on the exit to the lake ready to help any athlete exiting the lake on their way up to T1. It was here that the funniest moment of the weekend occurred with Andy King helping an athlete out and loosing balance completely and both of them ending up under the water, there is photo evidence somewhere but unfortunately I don't have access to the photos.

After everyone had left the lake I had some time as the next job I had was to marshal at the Bike In, ensuring that all riders dismounted before the line, a few came in a bit quick and ended up on the floor, fortunately no one badly hurt.

We did have a few offers to take their bikes off them as they never wanted to ride them again and a few comments that were too rude to publish online!

As the last few riders came in I was then free to go and support Nicky as she started her final lap of the run which she did as lead woman, then it was quite a nervous wait for her to come round again hoping that she had maintained her lead.

Then Docker on the mic pipped up that she was indeed heading to the finish to cross the line as first woman a fantastic achievement and great to be able to watch.

The Lakesman is a fantastic event with the Race Directors putting their all in to organising the best event that they can for the athletes, this was only the  2nd year of the event and it was clear that they had listened to the feedback from the athletes that competed last year and make some changes to the event and that is all you can ask. No one is going to get everything right first time or even 2nd time but as long as you listen and act on the comments coming through that is what will make the event even better than it already is.

I feel like I have unfinished business with the Lakesman as I didn't have the best preparation last year, so I will be back next year to take on the Half!! Entries open Monday 26th June at The Lakesman go on you know you want to!!

Now all that is left for me to do is check their online shop to see if I can buy a new Hoodie having foolishly left mine lying around on Saturday evening! Doh!!

London 2 Brighton Ultra Challenge

A while ago I phoned to have a chat with Dave and he mentioned that he and his brother James were taking on the London 2 Brighton Ultra Challenge, now this sounded like a great idea at the time and I jumped at the chance to join them!

As time passed and my friends and colleagues were asking me about what my next challenge was and I had to explain that my London to Brighton was not the famous bike ride but actually an Ultra Challenge by foot my great idea seemed to becoming less so!

I had entered and now I was stuck with it I had to do it, no pulling out! I had arranged with Dave that I would leave my car at Brighton Race Course on the Friday night so we had some way of getting away from the finish on the Sunday morning.

Getting my kit ready and making sure that I had all I needed I received a text from Dave, he had a bronchial infection and his Dr. had told him he would not be able to do the challenge, James was still doing it and Dave could still provide transport and support.

At about 4pm on the Friday Dave arrived at my house to follow me down to Brighton to drop my car off, not the best of time on a bank holiday weekend to be travelling through Brighton but we arrived at the racecourse and found the Ultra Challenge banners around and signs to indicate the field that was allocated for the Event parking. There was no one around to advise where we should park so I abandoned my car in what seemed like a suitable place.

4.30am on the Saturday Dave once again knocked on my door to collect me to drive to the start in Richmond, quickly back to his house to collect James and his family and we were on our way to London.

At the start I was quickly registered and make use of the breakfast provision and stocked up on some energy tabs and bars for the first leg of the challenge, a quick visit to the loo and all set for the off.

We watched as the runners in the 6.30 wave left wondering how anyone would be able to run a 100km! then all too soon it was our turn to be called to the start pen for the 7.00am start!

Setting off we decided that the best option was to start slow and get slower, so started off at walking pace along the park and up to the Thames. Walking along with James we chatted about a wide variety of topics including bizarrely the expense management employed by our respective companies, not sure how that subject arose, the other main topic that ran the length of the challenge was how Dave had pulled out!

We arrived at the first mid point rest stop and I realised that James had not been exaggerating when he said that there was loads of food provided on route. A banana, packet of crisps and a mars bar were consumed along with a cup of tea before we headed off to the first main checkpoint.

Arriving at the checkpoint again there was an amazing array of food on offer to keep energy levels and spirits up, more crisps and tea before heading off taking a couple of mars bars with us for the trek!

 The next stage took us to Tulleys Farm which was just over half way and where we would meet up with our families for some food. There was to be a mid point stop again for tea and snacks to keep us going. I think it was as we left this stop that we came across a field with a red phone box in all quite strange!

We headed on to Tulleys Farm and I was aware of time as Amanda had to be home for 7pm to pick William up from a party so we had to be there by about 5:45 to have any chance of spending any time together before moving on.

As we passed under the M25 there is a steep slope the other side, not very long but quite steep and i think this change in terrain did for my heel as I suddenly felt a blister on my left foot and had to stop to apply a blister plaster. We were not even half way yet and I was wondering if my feet would hold up.

The sign advising that rest stop is approaching is actually quite a distance from the actual stop which couldn't come quick enough for me! As we approached the stop Dave and Sam were there to welcome us in, as we turned the corner Amanda was there to give me a much needed boost!

We sat down and found some food to aid in our recovery, as we did a guy at the table gleefully announced that the 2nd half of the challenge was Brutal, nice to know as he wasn't going on any further as he had torn a calf muscle!

The time came and we had to leave to start on the next section, my feet and legs were really suffering now and I was starting to think that I wasn't going to get to the end.

The next stop was Ardingly College which is close to where Ed lives so Amanda had contacted him to see if he would be able to get there to meet us, he was waiting for an Asda delivery but said he would if he could.  As we were walking towards the stop Amanda text to find out where we were as Ed was at the stop.

If Ed had been in his car rather than on his motorbike I think that would have been the end of my challenge, I had already told James that if he wanted to press on not to let me slow him down.

After a few snacks and more tea we left on our way to the next stop, each section was getting harder and I could have done with them being a few KM's closer together.

We forced a Jacket potato and chilli down at the last main stop as we needed the energy, We were so close now that even though my knees, ankles and feet were immensely painful I was keen to not show this as we walked past marshals in case they pulled me out.

As we hit the last rest stop it was a bit disappointing that they had no tea making facilities but it was also getting a bit cold so we couldn't stay too long before making a move for the last 6K to the racecourse.

I was really struggling for the final few kilometres but James was always there encouraging me to get to the finish, this last few kilometres felt like much longer and as we hit the race course with just over a kilometre to go I was more shuffling than walking.

There really was no better sight than the finish line approaching:

So there it was 100km after leaving Richmond we had arrived at Brighton Racecourse 22.5 hours later!

It was definitely an experience and a challenge that I am proud to have achieved but not one that I intend to repeat ever!

Thanks to everyone involved in the organisation of the event, this really was a mammoth task to arrange everything and I could not fault any part of the organisation. Thanks to James for getting me through it, I really would not have made it otherwise.

Thanks to Dave for driving us around and the support during the event, even though he should have been walking with us!

Thanks to Amanda and Ed for their support on the route, especially thanks to Ed for going out on his bike rather than his car! 

Thanks to Anita and Sam for their support throughout the weekend, and Sam for the finish photo above!

Normally I listen to Heart Sunday Breakfast on my Sunday runs or when I am on my way to an event so it was quite strange listening to Jenni Falconer whilst driving home from an event for a change! 

Brighton Marathon 2017

In 2010 a new Marathon arrived in Brighton, I hadn't actually seen it advertised but Dave mentioned it to me as he had entered. When I checked, they were not taking any more entries which was disappointing, however being only a week before London the organisers had offered a deal whereby if you entered and subsequently got in to London you could cancel your entry. This meant that they then opened entries again to sell the spaces that were returned, so I did manage to get a space.

I then managed to get a place at London through work but the running of 2 marathons a week apart is another story.

I have since ran Brighton every year that it has been run, with the most recent yesterday 9th April, I am already signed up for next year to maintain my 100% record at the event.

On Friday I made the short drive to Brighton to collect my race pack and sign up for next year at the race Village on the beach just after the finish line. The weather was bright and sunny an ideal day to be off and spend some time at the beach. There were a number of us who headed straight to the entry for 2018 stand only to find that the systems weren't working correctly but would be up in 10 - 15 minutes if we wanted to come back. All being very keen we stayed where we were to wait! after about 20 minutes they were still saying the systems would be up in 10 -15 minutes, oops!

A wonderful young Lady from Texas who was in charge of the entry process made several phone calls but it was clear that there was something wrong and we would be waiting a while longer. Eventually she decided that as long as we were paying the deposit in cash she could take details to be entered into the system later, I was duly entered and then headed off to the number collection point.

Whilst we had been waiting people had been commenting about how long the queues were and the collection didn't open for an hour after the village had opened, so I was dreading what would confront me when I got there. On arriving I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of queue due to the fact that the organisers had made the decision to open early so by 10:45 I was entered into 2018 and collected my 2017 number.

Sunday morning came and I drove to Burgess Hill to get the train to Brighton for the short walk from the Station to the start in Preston Park, once again the weather was great, no shivering trying to keep warm whilst waiting for the off. Bag sealed and dropped off at the lorry all I had to do was wait until it was time to make my way to the start coral. Trying to time my last visit to the loo right, I didn't quite get it right but the fact that they had loos in the start lane meant that I was OK!

 

Fortunately due to the weather there was grass in the start coral this year as opposed to the heavy mud last year and moving from the coral to the start line was very smooth. Once in the start lane we were off and running, doing the lap of Preston Park.

Once back past the start line and off into Brighton it was clear that it was going to be a warm race!

About 3 miles in and getting into Brighton proper I heard some familiar voices cheering me on and managed to catch a glimpse of Dave and Jenni, a quick wave from the opposite side of the road and a shout from Dave that I was on 4:05 pace and I was gone. I knew that pace wouldn't last in the heat.

About mile 10 I was passed by a Unicorn and at the following water station I had to queue to get a cup of water, this was something that I had never experienced before at a marathon. The volunteers manning the station were amazing they were just swamped with runners and could not keep up with demand due to having to fill cups!

I never really recovered from this and my running began to slow. I have never liked the water being given out in cups but this year's heat just proved what a bad decision it was to use them. With the bottles and pouches that have been used in previous years and in London you can take the water with you for longer. I was really struggling between drinks stations and could have done with being able to take a bottle with me.

Just before half way I was beginning to think that my record of finishing every Brighton Marathon was under threat, and I had only just found "The Ever Presence" group on Facebook!

One of the amazing things about the Brighton Marathon is the Spectators who are all out on the side of the road cheering on complete strangers (and lying to us, telling me I look good and strong when I really don't!) one such spectator around have way saw that I was having a tough time and thrust an ice pop in my had and said here have one of these. Nothing could have been better for me at that point, it really gave me a boost and set me up for the 2nd Half.

Going out to the Power Station leg was hard but forcing one foot in front of the other I managed to get around it and back to the seafront and into the last 3 miles, I'm sure Fatboy Slim was on that corner cheering us on with the comment It's the final straight.

I had joked with Tim Hutchings on Twitter earlier in the week about course measurement and could they make it a couple of miles shorter. His response was "You wanna miss the last 2 miles? Where the crowds are thickest & roar you home? he was quite right the crowds all round the course are amazing but the masses in the last few miles are truly outstanding.

Everything was hurting in the last 3 miles, my knees, my legs, my feet but I kept on going I had to get that 8th medal. As I got close to the finish those familiar voices were cheering me on, Dave and Jenni had hung around and were there to cheer me to the finish, I managed to turn and wave before heading off down the final stretch to the finish line.

Just after the finish line I saw Tim again and told him that I had got it wrong on twitter earlier in the week and that on this occasion the run was about 10 miles too long!!

As I reached the end of the finish area and collected my bag Dave text to say that they were just near the finish and did I want a lift home, that sounded great to me and I went to meet them at the exit to the village. Getting out of the village was horrible there was gridlock of people and no-one could get in our out, eventually we managed to climb over a fence and walk along the beach.

The volunteers, spectators and medical teams around the course were fantastic, I'm sure with the heat the medical teams were busier than in previous years, my thanks go to all of them for their support of the event, without them the event couldn't run.

I have managed to make it 8 from 8 and will be back next year to try and make it 9 from 9. I am also hoping to be able to make it 10 from 10 in 2019 when I will be 50 at the time of running, but I do think that there are 2 major things that the organisers need to look at:

1. Hydration - Cups really do not work for such a large scale event
2. Entry and Exit from the Beach Village.