We are now in Moscow and have just had lunch.
The flight over was relaxed and calming, as only BA can be, and immigration was friendly enough so now we are doing some serious hat watching at the airport. I am determined to trade the contents of my pockets for a new hat or two on this trip which Trevor seems slightly horrified about.
On a personal note I am raising a glass of mineral water to the memory of my father who would have celebrated his birthday last week. It seems like eons ago when I took up a pair of running shoes when he was first ill and I can not believe that it has lead me to a café in Moscow with Trevor.
I am sure Trevor cannot believe it either but here we are, one red-eye flight away from Siberia and a cheeky marathon along the ice.
I cant wait now to get there, to get my running shoes on and to get out running. I have not been for a decent run for what seems like a long time now so I have plenty to think about. However, I plan to let myself be absorbed by the experience, soak up the beauty and enjoy every moment of the race.
I just hope that this running lark does not become habit forming.
Sunday, March 4th, 2012, Philip and Trevor will be running across the frozen ice surface of the world’s largest, oldest and deepest lake, Lake Baikal in Siberia. It's generally considered one of the 10 toughest marathons in the world. Philip and Trevor are running in support of Iain Rennie Hospice at Home, a charity offering specialist and supportive care and advice for patients with cancer and other life threatening illnesses in their homes.
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
On Way to Moscow
So here we go…
We are now waiting to board the flight to Moscow. Weeks of training and hard work are now about to be tested in one of the most hostile environments known to man. We are wired, excited and nervous.
The next few days will define a period of time for us and it is a sobering thought to think that there is one proper run left to do. Everything has been leading up to this point and now it is time to get out on the ice and run.
In six hours we shall be in Moscow and then real nerves will kick in.
\
We are now waiting to board the flight to Moscow. Weeks of training and hard work are now about to be tested in one of the most hostile environments known to man. We are wired, excited and nervous.
The next few days will define a period of time for us and it is a sobering thought to think that there is one proper run left to do. Everything has been leading up to this point and now it is time to get out on the ice and run.
In six hours we shall be in Moscow and then real nerves will kick in.
\
Trevor's Update
Last day at work before leaving for Siberia, from going very slowly this week time has flown pass. We have a long day of travelling tomorrow, arriving Thursday morning to a whole new landscape, which I believe will be snow as far as the eye can see.
Training has been very gentle, although 2 hrs of Zumba on Friday night to help raise money in a “Mankinee” probably is not on many training schedules..
This will not be repeated….. A big thanks to the ladies of Zumba on Friday night who help with this..
We are both getting excited and nervous about Saturdays run, why is that the nearer you get to a race that you start feeling every ache??????
Will try to update from Siberia with pictures etc
A big thanks to everyone who has help and donated to our charity
Trevor
Training has been very gentle, although 2 hrs of Zumba on Friday night to help raise money in a “Mankinee” probably is not on many training schedules..
This will not be repeated….. A big thanks to the ladies of Zumba on Friday night who help with this..
We are both getting excited and nervous about Saturdays run, why is that the nearer you get to a race that you start feeling every ache??????
Will try to update from Siberia with pictures etc
A big thanks to everyone who has help and donated to our charity
Trevor
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Man Flu and Clare Anderson
It is a week to go and I am lying on the sofa with what appears to be terminal man ‘flu.
I feel thoroughly miserable. My nose is running, I am shivering and shaking like a shitting dog, and I have a headache. This is not how I should be a week before we run. I should be feeling supremely confidant and relaxed not like a dead-man walking.
Last night I barely slept. I alternated between feeling hot and cold and ended up cuddling the dog for warmth at one stage. It didn’t help that every time I did fall asleep I had terrible nightmares after watching the film Insidious earlier in the day (and can someone please explain the ending to me…)
I have dosed myself up with vitamins, juiced the contents of the fridge (anyone for fennel, apple, garlic, ginger juice…?) and am now awaiting the arrival of the Grim reaper.
The only positive to the day is that I have the beautiful music of Clare Anderson on the radio. It seems that where rest and vitamins can not reach, Clare can, and I am at least a lot stressed since I turned on the radio as loud as it will go.
I dont envisage getting off the sofa today but plan on making a full recovery around about 4pm tomorrow afternoon….if you know what I mean…
I feel thoroughly miserable. My nose is running, I am shivering and shaking like a shitting dog, and I have a headache. This is not how I should be a week before we run. I should be feeling supremely confidant and relaxed not like a dead-man walking.
Last night I barely slept. I alternated between feeling hot and cold and ended up cuddling the dog for warmth at one stage. It didn’t help that every time I did fall asleep I had terrible nightmares after watching the film Insidious earlier in the day (and can someone please explain the ending to me…)
I have dosed myself up with vitamins, juiced the contents of the fridge (anyone for fennel, apple, garlic, ginger juice…?) and am now awaiting the arrival of the Grim reaper.
The only positive to the day is that I have the beautiful music of Clare Anderson on the radio. It seems that where rest and vitamins can not reach, Clare can, and I am at least a lot stressed since I turned on the radio as loud as it will go.
I dont envisage getting off the sofa today but plan on making a full recovery around about 4pm tomorrow afternoon….if you know what I mean…
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Trevor's Update
22nd Feb 2012
Getting very close now, less than a week to leaving for Siberia, I so wish it was this weekend, tapering is the hardest part of training, all the hard work has been done, you are physically and mentally ready and then you have 2 weeks of very light training, waiting for the event.
I know it's important to taper so that we arrive fresh but it's still frustrating, you keep thinking have I got everything correct, right kit, will I be warm enough, will I like the food there etc, everything becomes a bigger problem than it really is.
This week so far has been an hour of cross training on Monday, 3 miles Tuesday, 5 miles this morning, tomorrow an hour of Kettlebell training, rest on Friday and Saturday, then 8 miles on Sunday.
An easy week!!!!!!!
I have agreed to take part in 2 Zumba classes at The Fitness Company on Friday this week, as have agreed that the ladies and chose my costume for the event, not sure if that was the right thing to do, pictures will be the online soon.
Philip is still doing really well, and is focused on the job ahead..
Trevor
Getting very close now, less than a week to leaving for Siberia, I so wish it was this weekend, tapering is the hardest part of training, all the hard work has been done, you are physically and mentally ready and then you have 2 weeks of very light training, waiting for the event.
I know it's important to taper so that we arrive fresh but it's still frustrating, you keep thinking have I got everything correct, right kit, will I be warm enough, will I like the food there etc, everything becomes a bigger problem than it really is.
This week so far has been an hour of cross training on Monday, 3 miles Tuesday, 5 miles this morning, tomorrow an hour of Kettlebell training, rest on Friday and Saturday, then 8 miles on Sunday.
An easy week!!!!!!!
I have agreed to take part in 2 Zumba classes at The Fitness Company on Friday this week, as have agreed that the ladies and chose my costume for the event, not sure if that was the right thing to do, pictures will be the online soon.
Philip is still doing really well, and is focused on the job ahead..
Trevor
Trevor's Update
Another week nearly completed, 10 miles completed on Thursday, again pleasant weather, we have been so lucky with the weather through the training.
Another 10 on Sunday, then we are down to single figure runs.
2 weeks tomorrow we will be lining up to start the Baikal Marathon, it will be an amazing experience, one that I will not be repeating..
Had an email from the organisers yesterday, they commented that they were hoping that the ice will be stable, slightly worrying, had to reply and ask what happens if not, don't think I can swim 26.2 miles....
They replied stating that there was nothing to worry about and the ice is thick enough,what a result otherwise would have been a problem.
Philip is starting to get nervous now, although honestly I feel the same, it's a massive challenge and not one that we have done before or run in those condition and also on top of all that we are thousand of miles away, unsure about the food, etc.
Not many variables to worry about..
Trevor
Don't forget to donate, click the DONATE button at top of the page..
Another 10 on Sunday, then we are down to single figure runs.
2 weeks tomorrow we will be lining up to start the Baikal Marathon, it will be an amazing experience, one that I will not be repeating..
Had an email from the organisers yesterday, they commented that they were hoping that the ice will be stable, slightly worrying, had to reply and ask what happens if not, don't think I can swim 26.2 miles....
They replied stating that there was nothing to worry about and the ice is thick enough,what a result otherwise would have been a problem.
Philip is starting to get nervous now, although honestly I feel the same, it's a massive challenge and not one that we have done before or run in those condition and also on top of all that we are thousand of miles away, unsure about the food, etc.
Not many variables to worry about..
Trevor
Don't forget to donate, click the DONATE button at top of the page..
Monday, 13 February 2012
Some Pictures of Training so far....
13th Feb 2012: Philip on the Scales....
The End of the Row
Trevor's Zumba Class
I hate Monday
Today was a hard, hard run.
I was tired, it was icy and my car decided to break-down as I pulled up outside Trevor’s (which is serendipity for being somewhat less than supportive yesterday of Trevor’s own problems…).
I didn’t sleep well last night as my wife is away and the absence of her snoring, which normally lulls me asleep, was replaced with a silence that was, quite honestly, unnerving. Even the dog seems lost and has started taking herself to bed at 6pm…
I also didn’t sleep well as I am getting a few jitters about the run and I know that time is short. Each and every run now becomes critical and it would be truthful to say that I am really feeling the pressure. Diet has to be right. I have to follow the program with care and diligence and I have to drag my sorry self out of bed at 5am on a Monday morning to go running. Trevor, like the trooper that he is, doesn’t let this really bother him, and makes it seem like it is a perfectly sane thing to be doing on a Monday morning. I shall be talking with his wife, about this later today…
The hardest part now, especially with my wife away, is killing time. The last year has been consumed with training runs, kettle-bell sessions, sprints, slow runs, selecting equipment and dreaming of Russia. With a few weeks to go I have to cut back on the activity so that I hit the ice fresh. For someone like me, who needs continual activity, this is hard.
I think that the next few weeks will be incredibly hard and it will take a lot of fortitude to get through them. It is not like I can go for a run when I have some spare time or head into town for a drinking binge is it?
Russia awaits and come what may, the excellent work that Trevor has laid down over this last year, has put me in a good place, and I know that come race day we will go out there and do all our friends and supporters proud.
I was tired, it was icy and my car decided to break-down as I pulled up outside Trevor’s (which is serendipity for being somewhat less than supportive yesterday of Trevor’s own problems…).
I didn’t sleep well last night as my wife is away and the absence of her snoring, which normally lulls me asleep, was replaced with a silence that was, quite honestly, unnerving. Even the dog seems lost and has started taking herself to bed at 6pm…
I also didn’t sleep well as I am getting a few jitters about the run and I know that time is short. Each and every run now becomes critical and it would be truthful to say that I am really feeling the pressure. Diet has to be right. I have to follow the program with care and diligence and I have to drag my sorry self out of bed at 5am on a Monday morning to go running. Trevor, like the trooper that he is, doesn’t let this really bother him, and makes it seem like it is a perfectly sane thing to be doing on a Monday morning. I shall be talking with his wife, about this later today…
The hardest part now, especially with my wife away, is killing time. The last year has been consumed with training runs, kettle-bell sessions, sprints, slow runs, selecting equipment and dreaming of Russia. With a few weeks to go I have to cut back on the activity so that I hit the ice fresh. For someone like me, who needs continual activity, this is hard.
I think that the next few weeks will be incredibly hard and it will take a lot of fortitude to get through them. It is not like I can go for a run when I have some spare time or head into town for a drinking binge is it?
Russia awaits and come what may, the excellent work that Trevor has laid down over this last year, has put me in a good place, and I know that come race day we will go out there and do all our friends and supporters proud.
Trevor's Update
Really not long to go now, although as training gets into the taper mode everything is conspiring against us.
Due to go out on Sunday for 12 mile run, and my car breaks down,
changes my plans for the day and meant that running was the last thing on my mind.
Not in a good place yesterday.
Rescheduled yesterday's 12 mile run for 6 am this morning, mild weather considering what we have had lately, so it became a pleasant 12 mile run, although I don't think Philip thought that, it's very easy to get complacent at this stage of training but we must remember that
the taper phase of training is as important as the long runs, we must get to Siberia as fresh as possible..
So this week we have a 10 miler on Wednesday morning and on Sunday, it getting close to make sure all the equipment that we need is here, gels are ready, tactics are set in place and trainers are broken in, now is not the time to start playing around with new equipment.
It's getting very close, so I'm sure nerves will start to kick in soon..
Until next time.......
Dont forget if you haven't donated please go to our Just Giving Page at
http://www.justgiving.com/Philip-Blazdell
Trevor
Due to go out on Sunday for 12 mile run, and my car breaks down,
changes my plans for the day and meant that running was the last thing on my mind.
Not in a good place yesterday.
Rescheduled yesterday's 12 mile run for 6 am this morning, mild weather considering what we have had lately, so it became a pleasant 12 mile run, although I don't think Philip thought that, it's very easy to get complacent at this stage of training but we must remember that
the taper phase of training is as important as the long runs, we must get to Siberia as fresh as possible..
So this week we have a 10 miler on Wednesday morning and on Sunday, it getting close to make sure all the equipment that we need is here, gels are ready, tactics are set in place and trainers are broken in, now is not the time to start playing around with new equipment.
It's getting very close, so I'm sure nerves will start to kick in soon..
Until next time.......
Dont forget if you haven't donated please go to our Just Giving Page at
http://www.justgiving.com/Philip-Blazdell
Trevor
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Trevor's update
Getting close now, less than 4 weeks, will be so glad when this adventure is over now, feel that we are both ready now...
Philip continues to prove his dedication to this cause and to his fitness always turning up to training with a smile on his face, regardless of the time of day.
Ironically we missed our last long run due to snow, sounding like British Rail it was the wrong type,more in our case not enough of it. It would have been dangerous to run outside, the paths had turned to a slushy mess early Sunday morning and it would have been too easy to trip over.
We couldn't wear spikes or YakTrax as to little snow.
This is ridiculous as where we are going there will be plenty..
The good news is that we have our Visas now so there is no escape from the challenge.
We have 3 weeks of lite training and trying to keep fresh and relaxed before we complete this marathon.
If you haven't sponsored us yet please go to our Just Giving page at
http://www.justgiving.com/Philip-Blazdell
to donate now, this is a fantastic cause and every penny that we raise will make a difference.
Trevor
Philip continues to prove his dedication to this cause and to his fitness always turning up to training with a smile on his face, regardless of the time of day.
Ironically we missed our last long run due to snow, sounding like British Rail it was the wrong type,more in our case not enough of it. It would have been dangerous to run outside, the paths had turned to a slushy mess early Sunday morning and it would have been too easy to trip over.
We couldn't wear spikes or YakTrax as to little snow.
This is ridiculous as where we are going there will be plenty..
The good news is that we have our Visas now so there is no escape from the challenge.
We have 3 weeks of lite training and trying to keep fresh and relaxed before we complete this marathon.
If you haven't sponsored us yet please go to our Just Giving page at
http://www.justgiving.com/Philip-Blazdell
to donate now, this is a fantastic cause and every penny that we raise will make a difference.
Trevor
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