Marathon Day 21, Tuesday 5th April - Southampton Common

What a dreadful night's sleep!  Wide awake at 4.30am and then dozed on and off until 6'ish. Should have slept in the RV!
Cracking breakfast though and on our way to Southampton Common, fighting our way through the horrendous traffic!

Set up in pub car park "The Cow Herds" - would be quite fun if we weren't all on the wagon!!

The Mayor arrived in all her finery and after the usual pre-race briefing and photographs, Andy was on his way accompanied by a substantial group of runners, some of them never having run more than a few miles before and some of them running the marathon wearing their boots!!

Barry (that's him in the hat)  lays down the Law!!

The Start!

This was a wet one for Andy with intermittent rain and  drizzle until finally clearing up.

He finished in a time of 6hrs 43mins and celebrated with his running mates, the biggest group to complete a single ultra marathon since he started the Challenge.

Almost looks like a leisurely stroll doesn't it!

The proud finishers - For 8 of the group, it was their first Marathon and Ultra Marathon!

After packing up, it was a short trip to Worthy Down, our resting place for the night via a service station yet again, to replenish our fuel.  Need to find LPG though - getting a bit low!

Parked up in Worthy Down and after quick recce of our rooms, decided that I would bunk down on the RV tonight. My prerogative, I think!

Dinner in the sergeant's mess followed by admin catch up in the RV office then off to bed.

My office!!!!

Benji's Blog

I saw you snuggling with mummy tonight when I rang you on the computer - lucky you!!! I hope that your poorly cough doesn't keep you awake.

I think that you and mummy  are hiding something from me you little tinkers - you nearly let the cat out of the bag when you talked about photos! What are you both planning?

Whatever it is, I just know that it will be a lovely surprise.

I will talk to you tomorrow sweetheart.

Love you loads

Daddy.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



Marathon Day 20, Monday 4th April - Portsmouth, D-Day Museum & Esplanade

I don't think I've been back to Portsmouth since my daughter Samantha was born in St Mary's Hospital in 1971!
I keep seeing a lot of names on signposts that were once very familiar to me!

Today's venue centres around the D Day Museum on the Esplanade at Southsea and the Esplanade, as Andy was to discover, was quite exposed to the strong wind that was blowing today.

We parked in prime position in the Museum Car Park and completed the usual pre race preparations.

Sophie checking was I was up to on the roof!

The Marathon course was run along the full length of the Esplanade, some 4.2km long, a seemingly endless stretch particularly running into the face of a 15mph head wind. I did a couple of km with him into the wind and I can vouch for that!

Andy finished in a time of  6hrs 54mins, still with a smile on his face.

A quick pack up and short journey to our next overnight stop, 17 Port of Maritime Regiment HQ in Southampton. Gosh, I'd forgotten how bad the traffic was down here.

Dinner in the Officers Mess

Dinner at 7pm followed by later than usual reconaisance of tomorrow's venue.

Then to bed . . . . . . .

Benji's Blog

What are you doing Sunshine?  Actually, I know, because I am writing this at 3 o'clock in the afternoon and you will just be finishing school for the day.

I wonder what you're having for your tea when you get home. I bet it's something really nice.

Is mummy still doing better eggs and soldiers than me for your breakfast? Just you wait until I get home and I'll make you the best ones ever!

Or maybe you'll be so grown up by the time I get home that you'll be making me my breakfast!!!

Love you to bits.

Hope you have a lovely night.

Daddy

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Marathon Day 19, Sunday 3rd April - Chichester, Priory Park

After our recce last night, we determined that we would leave the RV at the barracks for the day and support Andy from the two other vehicle. This was due to a) Priory Park being quite small and parking space quite restrictive and b)  access to vehicles over 30ft in length is restricted between daylight hours.

We arrived at the park, just after 8am and Ian and Caz (Stewart) had already arrived. Ian had committed to run the full distance with Andy and Caz was determined to walk a normal Marathon!

Ian (looking pensive) and Caz in the build up to the start

The Mayor, Andy, Ian, Kevin (from Thorney Island) and Caz lined up for the start!

Today's marathon was run in quite warm conditions and featured successes for Ian  (first Marathon & Ultra Marathon) and Caz  (first Marathon)!

Ian and Kevin doing a spot of Irish dancing whilst waiting for Andy on a comfort break!

Caz showed real resolve in the final stages and it was sheer determination and guts that got her round the final  few laps! Boy, I bet those knees ache tomorrow, Caz!!

Andy literally sprinted his last lap to finish in 6hrs 33mins and Ian crossed the line a few minutes later to finish his first Ultra - Congratulations, Guys!!

A Trumphant Caz!

Andy crosses the line with his little helper

Ian - Is that a happy man or what!

I discovered that Chichester had an extremely good shopping centre that was also very busy for a Sunday.

It's a pity we didn't have a presence on the High Street to advertise the event!

The race over, we returned to our base and completed  a recon of tomorrows venue before enjoying a well earned dinner - Cottage pie (normal & Veggie) with trimmings.  Maybe one of these evenings, we may stretch to a pudding as well!

Hey Ho - what delights are in store for tomorrow!

Benji's Blog

Hello Benji

I bet you're having a wonderful time at Auntie Jeannie's and Uncle Mel's. I hope you're not playing too rough with Ricky or Chris!

It's very nice going to lots of new places but I miss you and mummy very much and I can't wait until our holidays when we will be able to spend lots of time together. Maybe you will help me to steer our boat? That would be a good idea wouldn't it - it would certainly be a big help.

I hope that we get some nice weather but as long as we are together we will have a good time.I hope that Uncle Mel will show us how to fish.

See you soon my little star.

Love you

Daddy

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

How many kisses? lol.

MarathonDay 18, Saturday 2nd April - Brighton, Hove Park

A totally different day for us today. Other than watching the start, we would see nothing of Andy's marathon.
He started his run by participating in an organised 5k fun run around the park. There were about 250 runners who were in awe of him, oohing and aahing as he was introduced in the pre-race briefing.

WLR Member Martin Reilly with Andy before the start

The race begins -Andy is keeping out of trouble (and almost out of sight)
- spot him if you can!

The race started and we commenced our journey to Baker Barracks on Thorney Island, our RV location for the next 2 nights.
Ben Bentley, our ABF representative, shepherded us to the Barracks and made sure that appropriate facilities were available to us. That done, he returned to Brighton and left us to our own devices.
So the day was spent washing the RV, doing the laundry, general housekeeping and preparing dinner for everyone that evening.
So, an uneventful day rounded off with a dinner of stuffed chicken breast, new potatoes, carrots and broccoli and then to bed.

Benji's Blog
Hi son,
Uncle Andy is doing number 18 today, but daddy has gone ahead to the next one so that he can get things ready for everyone.
The army camp is very big and I got lost driving around it! Silly me!!
I know that you are going for a sleepover with mummy at Uncle Mel and Auntie Jeannie's today. I bet you play on the Wii and the DS a lot.
I know that you will be a good boy for mummy and I hope you have a lovely time.
See you later!!!
Daddy
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Marathon Day 17, Friday 1st April 2011 - Canterbury High School Running Track

A short journey from Howfield Manor brought us to today's venue, Canterbury High School where Andy was to have the pleasure of running 125 laps of the 400m track.
It was a good job we arrived early 'coz the car park soon filled to overflowing causing concerns as to whether we would be able to extricate ourselves when it was time to leave.

Barry and I were trackside, setting up the timer when Andy & Sophie arrived.  The look of horror on Barry's face when Andy limped painfully over to the steps and started to gingerly descend them towards us, was priceless! Andy's comment of "I'm afraid it will have to be a slow one today, Barry - Bloody hotel stairs!" immediately invoked a response (well, more of a croak, really)  from Barry of "What on earth have you done?".  Andy started to mutter something about slipping down the stairs at the hotel but then his face split into a wide grin with a loud  "April Fool!!!". I wish I'd had my camera to record the moment - What a hoot!

The tom foolery and pleasantries over, Andy had his usual send off by the Lord Mayor and  started his run all on his own, "Billy no mates" again!  All of the Year 7 pupils were allowed out to watch the start and Andy delighted them all by "High Fiving" them on the rails as he completed his first few laps.

Andy's "High Five" sparked off a chant of "ANDY! ANDY!



 Throughout the day, runners and school children joined him in his endeavours but for the most part, he was left predominantly on his own.  Towards the end of the run, I ran / walked a few circuits with him but ducked out when he put his ipod on, saying that he needed to burn a few miles!

He finished in a time of 6hrs 53mins, and very happy to do so!!

A happy bunny!

We decided that there was nothing to be gained by delaying our journey to Brighton so "set sail", deciding travel via motorway rather than cross country, which in the event proved to be a wise decision..  We arrived at our chosen overnight parking venue but determined that it was not ideal as it would have blocked all vehicular access to the park.  So, problem! A recce of the area revealed 3 options : Comet / Curry's car park, the car park of the Greyhound Track or the delivery yard of the co-op store where we had temporarily parked while we solved our dilemma. After consultation and seeking permission from Co-op management we decided to stay where we were, a good decision I thought!

Home from home!

Barry and I  discussed our plan of action for the following day and decided that there was little to gain by attempting to place the RV in the park but that Nikki and I could have a good sorting out and vehicle shake down day by driving to our next point of call, and leaving everyone else with the other 2 vehicles here for the day to support Andy.

That decided, we retired  for the night.

Benji's Blog

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hope that's enough kisses for you, Sweetie Pie!!

We had a good day today at the school where Uncle Andy was running.  There was lots of children there and the Headteacher allowed some of them to watch the start of the race.

They were very happy when Uncle Andy "High Fived" them all when he ran past them - they thought that was cool!

I am going to an army camp on an island tomorrow where I hope I'll be able to wash the bus and clean it out inside. It's called Thorney Island and the camp covers all of it. Mummy will show it to you on the map. It's between numbers 19 and 20.

I hope your poorly cough id a bit better and that you are taking your medicine.

I will try to talk to you on the computer soon.

Lots of love

Daddy.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (is that enough?)

Marathon Day 16, Thursday 31st March - London, Horseguards Parade

In the cold light of day, the parade ground and Barracks looked even more dramatic. Barry went in search of someone to open the more sensible exit gate, directly on to Bird Cage Walk.

Waiting at the gate!!

We travelled the short distance down Bird Cage Walk onto Horseguards and waited whilst the underside of the vehicle was checked (for explosives, presumably) before the barrier was lifted and we were allowed to drive on to Horseguards Parade. It really felt special!

The vehicle pass - how sad am I!!

Positioned the RV in it's allocated space and quickly set up in time for everyone else to arrive. Andy and Sophie's arrival was delayed by security personnel who wanted to take their car apart! They were eventually cleared through and race preparations began in earnest! 

We also had time for a team photo.

Team66

Andy had several other runners with him for for the full distance today including Michael who had run yesterday and who had been working until 11pm last night!

On your marks . . . . .

Because the route was to keep Andy away from Horseguards until he finished, we used the time to catch up on paperwork and Sophie manned the halfway station with appropriate sustenance and counselling for Andy.

During the race . . . . . disaster for us - the Timer repeater display blew over in a strong gust of wind rendering 1 side of the display u/s!! Don't think that here is anything that we can do about it but will contact ECM Systems, who kindly supplied the unit to us, for their advice.

Over the finish line at last , , , , , ,

. . . and pose for a photograph

The race finished, Andy and Sophie set off on their journey to Canterbury where tomorrows marathon is to be run.  Nikki and I delayed the start of our journey until after 7pm to allow the traffic to die down a little. 

The RV in all it's splendour on Horseguards Parade

At Canterbury, accommodation was booked at Howfield Manor and it was our intention to park the RV overnight at tomorrows marathon venue but in the event, this proved unsuitable and we were accommodated in the hotel car park.

Just time then to prepare and cook stuffed chicken for the team (quorn fillets for Sophie) before retiring for the night.

Benji's Blog

Hello my Angel

How are you today?

Mummy will have told you that we've been very near to Buckingham Palace today where the Queen lives.  We parked on a big square called Horseguard's Parade which is where all the Queen's horse soldiers exercise and practice all the things they need to do on special Royal occasions.  The soldiers all wear tall, pointed shiny helmets with coloured plumes.

What beautiful horses. They keep very still!

Uncle Andy did a good race today but is a little bit tired. But he'll be alright tomorrow, after a good night's sleep.

I hope you like the pictures that I do for you. 

God Bless little one and I will talk to you soon.

Love you

Daddy XXXX .

Marathon Day 15, Wednesday 29th March - London City

Woke up to the sound of busy early morning London street noises - lorries reversing, doors banging, etc. Then we added to it by firing up our generator and just hoped that we wouldn't wake up the resident Reverend in Guild Hall!
An easy start to the day - no vehicle placement to worry about - so just a question of waiting for the rest of the team to arrive, together with Caz who was due to return home after witnessing this morning's start.

Andy started the race with 2 local runners, which was fortunate as he had not had the opportunity to familiarise himself with the route.  So laden up with the traditional water & food belts of the long distance runner, they set off on their journey of exploration!

Sophie rendezvoused with them close to the half way mark and then they were left to their own devices again until returning to the Guild Hall some 6hrs 44mins after they started. A tough one for Andy, this one having to contend with cold and at times, very wet conditions. Hats off to Phill Minns & Mike Wiggins for running the full distance with him. Mike actually only intended to do half the distance with him as he is scheduled to run in Paris next week . . . but, he was so inspired by Andy, he changed his mind. He also planned to return the next day to run the Westminster leg with him - I guess insanity must run in the breed!! lol.

The marathon was actually the only high point of the day - it appears that the people of London either do not know of Andy's Challenge or do not care - in any event, considering the location, contributions to the ABF Charity fund today were dissappointing.
We determined that it would be sensible to start our journey to Wellington Barracks after the 7pm Congestion Charge curfew when the traffic had died down a little. This was good planning and accompanied by my able co-driver and navigator, Barry, we arrived at the Barracks in good time.  I then had a driving test in negotiating the underground car park on to the parade ground.  But it was worth it - who would ever have thought that Ray Birch would be driving around such an auspicious establishment? Even got to do our laundry in the Officers Mess Quarters! Whatever next!!
"Home cooked" Chilli mince beef with pasta, washed down with a glass of nicely chilled diet coke was on the menu and after watching a little tv, we retired for the night.

Benji's Blog
Hi Benji, we are at a very important place in London today. That's number 15 on your map (or did I tell you that yesterday?)
Uncle Andy ran around London today but it was very cold and windy. He is running some more tomorrow - I hope it stays nice and sunny for him.
He asked me to thank you very much for the cookie that you made him. It was very nice.  I'm saving mine to have with a cup of tea tomorrow.
See you soon son,
All my love
Daddy XXXXX