sub 4 hour group,if anyone wants to get together

Good luck Dave/Scott Looks like a perfect day to run.

FRC- Nice one

Umbongo- Well done you

Hi all - a great day out today with FRC & my friend Mark.  as FRC says, we all ran together until the last 1.5 miles - it was a great team effort with the navigation when one  person couldnt work stuff out the other could - we had a combination of a map, a garmin and some written instructions between us. Think there was about 3,000 ft of climibing in total. I've now done the race 3 times but today was definitely my favourite - really enjoyed it. On the day perfect running conditions  - a bit warm at one point but coooler in the wooded sections.  As FRC says underfoot conditions were what might be called "challenging" in parts.  The boys helped me out when I was being a bit girly wimpy in the bogs and also acted as human shields in a couple of cow fields! LOL I spotted with about 1.5 miles to go I could be on for the sub 7:20 so after shouting to the boys to make sure they new the final bit I headed off. Am really not sure where the energy came from but for the last 3 miles I jst felt amazing - fell of energy. My competitve streak kicked in and I speeded up in the last mile. It was all downhill but I htink I managed about 7:25 ish pace for the final mile to finish in 7:18 with a 13 minute PB.  Garmin died just before 7 hours so had to ask the time as I crossed the finish line.  I had actually felt really tired at the 15 mile checkpoint and was quite worried about getting round in one piece but then just got a second wind.  And yes, I can vouch for the fact that the course was literally sh1t in places - knee deep in it to precise in a couple of the farms,,,,Rounded the day off with a couple of drinks in the pub with my OH & Mrs FRC.  Mrs FRC had picked up a leaflet about a 7 day 156 mile event the orgainisers of today's race were holding....I'm not sure FRC was convinced though! LOL

Very sleepy now. My fab hubby who did an amazing job today supporting by driving round and popping up with drinks/general encouragement every few miles was great and has just cooked my tea too! He covered about 50 miles in the car!

Good luck tomorrow Martin, Dave & Scott - look forward to reading the race reports tomorrow.

Pic from the finish - thanks to Martin for the pic.

Good luck to everyone racing today

FRC and Jovi, that really is amazing. I don't know why, FRC, but I hadn't really clocked the fact that you are an ultra runner too. And Jovi, you really are incredible. I still can't believe how you stormed back from injury.

I've been very good this morning and done squats, clams, sit ups and rollers already. Oh and 10 pop-ups in preparation for surfing next weekend.

Am looking forward to seeing how Scott and Dave get on today. A friend of mine from school is running the Royal Parks half today too.

And my brother, Cicerunner, ran a new 5K PB of 20:19 yesterday and now reckons he can get under 20. Exciting stuff all round! And I have lost a couple of pounds from cycling to school so much, because of all the crappy road works, so that's good too.

All good. Off to church to play piano in a minute. And it's a beautiful day for a marathon! =)

Monsieur le Fleur has done rather well

Fab job by the ultra runners yesterday.  Thank goodness FRC didn't post a pic of his post-run socks

Ikle - you're right - woudl have been lovely with a wetsuit. Could have swum for a couple of hours which woudl be wonderful with flat sea and blue skies (no good for surfy types!).  But if I'm going to do the relay I've got to be able to swim for two hours in these temps by about May.  The horror of having to go 'naked' in Feb or March to be ready by May is just too awful to contemplate.  But god, the discomfort - burning - around the neck, chest and arms when you first start is horrid. No ice cream head yet, wierdly.

I am excited to find out DtheF and SD times...