FANTASTIC VOYAGE

JOB DONE

2009-10-04T05:30:00.000-07:00

TC and I had to leave at 05:30am on Sunday 27th September in order to make the 7am registration in Limone for the 2009 Lake Garda Marathon. I was completely and utterly nervous and anxious leaving the Euro Camp site made even worse by the Italian (obviously) security guard who wouldn't let me out of the site because the

gate didn't open until 7am.

Me: But I have travelled all the way from the UK to run this Marathon and I need to be there in an hour and a half.

SG: It is not possible.

Me: But I really really need to leave now.

SG: It is not possible

And on it went for 10 mins until he eventually let me out. I hate that guy!

The drive was dark and we talked nervously about the race and how we were feeling. I was actually quite glad of the fact that we had to spend a few hours in the car before hand as it gave us time to focus.

We arrived in Limone on time and we both amazed as to how beautiful it was first thing in the morning. By now I was excited and ready to rock. The place was littered full of Italian athletes from all walks of life and ages. I was wearing a Welsh flag vest for the occasion which seemed to go down well with alot of people. A guy called Cerith came up to me and introduced himself as well. He is from Pontypridd and this was his 20th Marathon. He had been reading this very blog. I didn't get a chance to see him after so, " hello Cerith. "

Time was dragging and by 08:30 I could really feel the heat. By the time we made our way to the starting line TC and I were jumping up and down with excitement. Just before the starting gun went The Who's Baba O'riley came blasting out of the speakers.

It's strange but I can remember pretty much the whole race from start to finish. It was the most incredible, life affirming feeling. Although there were thousands of runners it was very peaceful. The sky was blue and the lake green and it was everything I had imagined it to be and more. Just thinking about it now makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Everyone enters Marathon's for different reasons. For me it was to make a point. To prove to myself that I had turned a corner and that I was capable of completing something as epic as a marathon. I have basically been on the piss for the past 10 years and whilst that is all very well and good it doesn't really work for me anymore.

Our tactic was to stay behind the 4hours pace makers for the whole race and at 14 miles we actually over took them to the point that they were out of sight. A school boy error really cos by 18 miles I hit the wall.

I had never hit the wall before in my training and it left me pretty much unable to move. No matter how hard I tried to run my legs would not let me. I think at this point a little tear came down my face. I told TC to go ahead whilst I sorted myself out.

I managed to find the strength to carry on and ran the last 8 miles at various speeds. The truth is I was just not used to running in such heat. Someone told me that at one point in the race temperatures reached 28c.

What really picked me up was a stranger who said to me, " come on you Welsh warrior. lets finish the racer together! " I ran the last bit with him.

I eventually came down the home straight to find Deb and Noah and my Mum and Dad all cheering me on, which was beautiful.

My time was 4hrs and 20 and TC did it in just under 4hours, which was incredible really considering it was his first time. Well done!!

We had a pizza afterwoods and then had to drive for 2 hours back to where we were staying. We all went out for a beautiful meal in the evening and enjoyed my first beer in a month.

The weird thing is now I just want to do more. The whole experience has been so positive.

Thanks for all your sponsorship. Really cool that so many of you got behind me and I had a nice email from someone at Brake to say thanks.

What a fantastic voyage indeed.

Hwyl

Baz x

COMPLAIN COMPLAIN...

2009-09-23T02:57:00.000-07:00

Cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough Cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough Cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough Cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough.

I have been coughing and complaining alot for about a week now. Much to the annoyance of those close to me. In fact all I have done is talk about how bad my chest is and how much my leg hurts and how this race is really " touch and go " now for me.

I am really excited though and the cough is starting to pass. We leave for Lake Garda @ 6am tomorrow and pretty soon it will all be over.

I have thought about nothing else since March and I have been amazed at how disciplined I can be when i put my mind to it.

So here's hoping that it goes well. I have done everything I can and I am gonna smash up Lake Garda on Sunday.

The money you have all been donating to brake has proved that you are all incredible, gentle, caring people and I love you all. Brake is a brilliant charity and they told me to tell you that they think you are very cool indeed.

I will let you know how i get on.

Cough.

Baz x

Flopsy

2009-09-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

My training has been injury free for the last 6 months. Typically, less than two weeks before the race I am having pains in my right leg. Everytime I bend down to pick something up or walk down the stairs I get a shooting pain. It feels like I am being stabbed and I am starting to feel that sinking feeling. Again..

I remember the last time I had this " sinking " feeling. It was 1993 in Fairwater, Cardiff and I was sitting in a circle in my drama class. I was 12 years old and was enjoying being in high school. I was fascinated by a girl called Lee Anne Butlin who happened to be sat opposite me in aforementioned circle in my drama class.

I don't know why I wore boxer shorts on that day. But, as I sat crossed legged on the floor in Fairwater in 1993 I felt a strange sinking feeling as I realised that both my left and right testicle had " flopped " out to say hello, much to the amusement of the 26 children who were all pointing and laughing at me and them. From that day on all the girls in school called me flopsy.

No wonder I was a virgin until I was 20.

I have that sinking feeling again now, almost 17 years later. I am scared that there is something wrong with my leg and that I'm not going to be able to do the race.

I went to the doctor today and he said I needed to rest and not do any running for a while.

The race is next week.

Flopsy X

The schedule

2009-09-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

They say that to succeed at running a marathon you need to be prepared. I have heard horror stories of people who don't put the miles in before the race and don't even manage to complete half of it.

To not prepare you would have to be a nugget and I'm not a nugget. A muppet for sure, but definitely not a nugget.

The schedule has been difficult. It has at times been joyful and fun and other times completely soul destroying/bad and nasty. It has been my everything since April and I love it.

Give or take a few miles here it is...

week number	week commencing	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Total
1	4/5/09	3	4	Rest	3	Rest	3	3	13
2	4/12/09	7	Rest	3	5	2	Rest	0	17
3	4/19/09	7	Rest	0	7	5	0	3	24
4	4/26/09	0	Rest	3	6	4	Rest	4	26
5	5/3/09	4	Rest	3	Rest	4	Rest	4	15
6	5/10/09	8	Rest	3	6	5	Rest	4	28
7	5/17/09	9	Rest	5	6	6	Rest	4	30
8	5/24/09	9	Rest	3	7	6	Rest	5	32
9	5/31/09	10	Rest	6	8	6	Rest	4	34
10	6/7/09	12	Rest	6	8	6	Rest	4	36
11	6/14/09	6	Rest	4	Rest	4	Rest	4	18
12	6/21/09	14	Rest	6	8	6	Rest	4	38
13	6/28/09	16	Rest	6	8	6	Rest	5	41
14	7/5/09	17	Rest	6	8	6	Rest	5	43
15	7/12/09	6	Rest	5	Rest	5	Rest	4	20
16	7/19/09	20	Rest	5	7	6	Rest	4	42
17	7/26/09	14	Rest	6	8	6	Rest	4	38
18	8/2/09	7	Rest	5	Rest	6	Rest	4	22
19	8/9/09	12	Rest	5	7	6	Rest	4	43
20	8/16/09	14	Rest	6	8	6	Rest	4	38
21	8/23/09	20	Rest	6	7	rest	rest	3	36
22	8/30/09	10	Rest	5	7	6	Rest	5	32
23	9/6/09	16	Rest	5	7	10	Rest	3	36
24	9/13/09	10	Rest	7	Rest	5	Rest	4	30
25	9/20/09	10	Rest	6	Rest	4	Rest	1-2 Opt.	20-22
26	9/27/09	26.2	Rest	Rest	Rest	Rest	Rest	Rest	Marathon
		26.2	Rest	Rest	Rest	Rest	Rest	Rest	Week

Thanks

2009-09-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

I have to say that I am very impressed with everyone's generosity with sponsoring me. You're a lovely bunch of people aren't you?! I am well over 600 quid now. I will repay you by running around the Lake without stopping!

When someone sponsors me I get a little ping on my phone, which means I have an email. I say to Deb.. " someone has sponsored me. " and I open up the link on the message which takes me to the justgiving site. I had 3 pings within the space of 10 minutes this evening, which is a record.

It's all going quite well actually. The training I mean.. Did 36 miles last week up and down the Taff. As of this week things are starting to slow down now. All the big miles are done and it is just a case of maintaining my fitness.

Might give the Taff a wide berth post Sep 27. I like it but I am sick of it.

I thought ( very briefly ) about doing the race in costume. But I had visions of me collapsed at the side of the lake dressed up as Hitler and decided against it.

Gute Nacht

Baz

Nak-an

2009-09-08T05:09:00.000-07:00

Things been going splendidly on the old running front. Since becoming a monk I seem to have much more energy and it feels splendid. I'm actually think of changing my name to Na- Kan. This fella was a monk y'see and described by many as a " selfless, humanitarian who spent his whole life giving help to others. " It certainly has a certain ring to it. I might start including it in the " about me " section on my CV which I am actively flaunting and promoting these days.

Did a total of 39 miles last week with not too much difficulty. Getting a bit bored of just running up and down the Taff mind. A monk can only tolerate the Taff for so long but too late to change it now (the route, not the taff).

I'm currently building a new site which is called www.whybaz.com which is very exciting. Will let you know when it is live.

I managed to get food poisoning from a cake on Sunday. It was from the Llanishen Starbucks and i have never been so ill in my life. I'm gonna sue 'em.

Not really. I hate the " compo culture " in this country and would quite frankly rather choke on my own running shoe.

Hwyl

Geraint x

FANTASTIC

2009-09-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

Did 8 miles tonight in the rain and wind and enjoyed every second of it. 3,300 seconds in fact. Do the Math.. I am quick! Deb will back me up on that.

I think I wrote yesterday about turning a corner. Well, It turns out that around the corner the street was named after me! I love corners me and I love going for a run and not stopping, swearing, crying (!) and feeling like a criminal.

I am inspired now. I feel like I can do anything I put my mind to. I will go to sleep tonight and go through in my head what needs to be done.

For maximum results i have learnt that diet is a key part of marathon success. Here's what i am eating lots of.

Whole grain bread

Whole grain rice

Whole grain cereals

Yogurts

Fish

Chicken

Pulses

Lots of fruit

Raw vegetables

Steamed vegetables

Also, not a drop of booze will pass my lips until after the race. I think it is safe to say that i do enjoy a beer but i think a teetotal month can only be a good thing and i will be glad i did it whilst 20 miles into the race.

And on that note I bid you good night friends.

Hwyl

BJ X

One month to go

2009-09-02T04:18:00.000-07:00

It is getting near to hammer time now! Less than one month to go and I'm starting to get very excited. It has been a brilliant experience training and I am definitely a better person for it.

I am teetotal now as of last weekend and plan to live like a monk until after the race.

Got loads and loads of training to do now over the next few weeks. Will keep you posted.

Hwyl

20 miles (part2)

2009-08-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

About 10 miles into today's run i saw a reflection of myself and thought, " what am I doing! " The last few weeks have been difficult and at the exact point in time I felt like I wanted to stop, turn back and just do what normal people do on a Sunday.

I've been nervous about today's 20 miles all week 'cos I knew if i didn't do it then it was unlikely that the actual marathon was gonna go that well. So put on my silly camelback (stores water and makes you look like buzz lightyear) and gave Deb and Noah a kiss and embarked on 20 long, miserable, miles.

The route was from my house in Canton, through to Sophia Gardens and then the Taff trail down to Cardiff barrage and then back on the Taff trail up to Castell Coch and back to Sophia Gardens again. I did it but found it much more difficult than the previous 20 I did. To be honest I'm getting a bit sick of the training and my legs are starting to hurt alot.

But I DID IT and feeling glad that I completed it. Cardiff City are on the box now beating Bristol City 3-0! All i need now is for England to win the ashes and it could turn out to be a good weekend.

Didn't go and watch u2 last night. I'd rather cook myself in the oven.

Going... going... gone.

Baz

Hitting a brick wall

2009-08-21T01:32:00.000-07:00

Hello

Last few weeks have been a real struggle. I just have not been able to get back into it since I did the 20 miles. It is so frustrating and i am starting to dread Sep 27 now.

I think the problem is that i have not been well, which means I have been unable to train which has completely thrown me. For me to do this now I have to be 100% focused on it. Not that I haven't been, but i do enjoy a a few beers if you know what i mean.

I'm applying for jobs jobs jobs all day and things have been a tad stressful so maybe that's the reason why. Either way, I gotta get on this now.

I have cancelled all social events. Not going to the green man festival and not meeting anyone for a drink until i get back in October.

I'm swimming every morning now so hopefully that will boost energy levels.

I'm doing 20 again on Sunday so that will be the test for me. If I can do 20 again then I can do the 26.2. I couldn't give a shit about the time anymore. I just need to finish it.

arggggggghhhhhhhhh

Rhaid mynd nawr

hwyl

Geraint H JOHN

back into it

2009-08-14T07:09:00.000-07:00

Hello. Apologies for the lack of communication. This is mainly a blog about my Marathon training and i haven't really done any running because I have been Ill and socialising.

I went to London to stay with my friend Huw who's picture you can see above. We ( I ) had a smashing time going to watch lots of bands although i suspect the novelty of being in London without any responsibilities for the night made it more of a big deal to me than to him. One band were from Sunderland and apparently the next big thing and another were managed by my good friend James who i have been promising to send Cd's to for the past month. He was in the band Small Victories and Boobytrap released all of his stuff. Cd's in the post James!

We also had a surprise party my friend Carwyn's birthday last week which actually resulted in me being Ill and not running for another week. Carwyn is in the band Colorama and is a very talented geezer. He has the goods and you should click on his name to hear his music. It was important for us to celebrate his birthday in style as he has has an awful time of it lately as one of his band and best mate, David Fletcher died two days after they played Glastonbury.

It major catch up time for me now. I did 9 miles earlier today and felt like a big fat loser.

I'm back on it now though.

Football season has started also which makes me happy. Went to the new stadium and it is definitely going to take some getting used to.

Listen gotta go to sort this pork out.

Hwyl

twenty miles

2009-08-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

I did the 20 miles on Sunday with no glitches. Canton to Cardiff Bay barrage to Castell Coch and the n back to Canton.

Nothing really more to say. Legs hurt but i did it and it took 2hrs 40mins.

Gotta go. Gotta go.

GHJ

WOW

2009-07-31T13:17:00.000-07:00

Did a brilliant run this evening around Epperstone, Gonalstone, Hoveringham, Caythorpe and Lowdham. Yup, I know what you're thinking... " Baz, these small villages sound like STD's! " and to that i would scream, " YES! I know!.. but, they are very beautiful indeed... "

The thing I love about all this training the most is the scenery. I see things that i would never normally get the chance to see and that makes it all worthwhile. It hurts and it is a pain in the arse and sometimes I wish I never bothered with the lake garda Marathon, but I am very with pleased my efforts this evening.

I did 7 miserable miles yesterday and it was just not happening. I made the mistake of drinking too much energy drink beforehand and I felt like a twat, basically.

During the 11 or so miles I ran this evening through the aforementioned "Itchy Villages" I saw the following:

A reservoir
The Cross Keys pub
The Black Horse pub
The Railway pub
The Magna Carta pub
The Old Ship pub
Big house with tennis court
A beautiful lake
Horses
And a thousand acres of fields

So here I am. Very happy with my efforts this evening and trying not to think about the TWENTY MILES i am doing on Sunday morning. If i can do that I reckon I might be rocking as the marathon is only 6 miles more.

Listen. I gotta go.

GEEJAY.X

Parking Ticket

2009-07-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention in my previous post that i got a parking ticket whilst in Brighton. Here's the letter i sent to Brighton Council. I wait with baited breath for the reply.

PCN NUMBER: BH23281332

Dear Sir / Madam

On the 27/07/2009 I received a ticket for parking my car legally with a permit displayed in the window.

Can you please pass this letter on to the traffic warden in question.

Thanks. What a lovely surprise it was to see your little ticket flapping on my windscreen. Really really really really really really nice.

Are you Hitler disguised as a traffic warden? What is your malfunction? What is your game? Is it because I am Welsh? Is it because Brighton has a rubbish football team? Did the older kids pick on you in school?

We purchased a parking permit form the hotel which allowed us to park in zone C. We had also displayed the permit clearly. In fact it couldn't have been clearer really.

Please find enclosed the permit which the hotel provided us with, which I paid for. Might be an idea to familiarise yourself with it. Just in case you see another one on another car. We could call it training.

It's always a good idea I find to not drink so much before heading out to work that you can't even think or see. I do realise that you are going through a tough time what with wifey moving to Hastings with the painter and decorator but I have your best interests at heart baby.

Writing this letter is making me feel sick. I mean really really sick. You have ruined my Monday, Tuesday and now my Wednesday. What makes things slightly easier is the image I have in my head of you all alone listening to Phil Collins drinking cheap Whisky dreaming of the good old days.

Please write back to me informing me that you will not be perusing me for the 70 pounds.

Yours faithfully

brighton rocks.

2009-07-28T06:32:00.000-07:00

The last few days have not been brilliant Marathon training days. The problem I'm finding is that on weekends we have stuff planned and my little schedule says that on Sunday, " one must run for 18 miles. " which is not at all practical when one is in a wedding in Portsmouth. I keep on thinking that maybe one should cancel all social events until the race but it's not always that easy to especially when you are as popular as me.

Bumped into the SFA in a service station just outside Oxford which was random. They were telling me that they were playing an ice cream festival which confused me somewhat. Was the stage made out of ice cream?

The wedding was superb. We all caught a boat from the marina to a pub and i made lots of new friends. We even had fish and chips as seen in the picture above.

Went to Brighton then on Sunday for a look around. Saw the worst band i have ever seen in my life. They turned one song into " man in the mirror. "

Loved Brighton. I have been a few times before. The most memorable visit was when i was tour managing zabrinski who were supporting Gorky's Zygotic Mynci for a few week. But that is definitely a story for another day.

Listen i gotta go.

Hwyl.

longtime no blog....

2009-07-24T02:57:00.000-07:00

Alright? How are you doing? I am fine and dandy. This is my blog where I will share my thoughts on things like running, and music.

I just set up the just giving thing for the marathon i am running in September which is pretty much talking over my whole mind right now. I have led a pretty unhealthy life since the age of 16 and it is pretty mad how much things have changed since February of this year. Not too many late nights, tuna for lunch and lots of training.

The last 2 weeks have been pretty rubbish due to a death in the family which has resulted in lots of moping around the house. But feeling tip top now.

Deb took the above picture of me last night in the garden. The little blue pipe on my shoulder is a connected to water. I look silly and feel even sillier whilst out on my travels. I actually get quite a bit of abuse from kids. Recently a gang of kids ran up alongside me and starting pulling the pipe and a few weeks ago a group of kids tried to push me into the Taf, which was nice. Speaking of which i didn't realise that the Taf was actually clean enough to swim in?! On a hot day there are literally hunderds of kids swimming around without a care in the world. Wouldn't fancy that myself.

I gotta go so catch you later.

Hwyl

Baz