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Today saw the latest in dismal attempt to convince myself that I am capable of running a full blown mountain marathon!

Turned up at Dunmere Woods for Kerno’s latest orienteering event which both myself and Mike are using as good practice for the OMM in October (providing that we get our entry accepted of course! – find out next Monday 3rd August).

As is becoming the norm, we both entered separately for the toughest course – brown, 7.8 kilometers. For those who don’t think that sounds much of a challenge, you obviously haven’t ever ran in Dunmere Woods! Mike’s ambition was not to finish last, mine was even simpler – not to get lost! OK I’ll make this quick, Mike succeeded in his, I didn’t.

But I had such a great start – by my standards anyway, and found the first 5 (from 26) checkpoints easily. In retrospect, I think the first 5 were probably the easiest, kind of lulling me into a false sense of security. Then it had to happen, of course, along came a checkpoint that just could not be found. I won’t bore you with excuses but 20 fruitless, energy sapping minutes later I decided I had blown any chance of winning (lol), so cut my losses and skipped to the next point on the map. This was a shame as I actually managed to find every other point, albeit getting totally disorientated and losing another 20 minutes about an hour later!

So I trudged home 2hrs 22mnutes later, thoroughly wet to the skin and clutching another pulled hamstring but of course I loved every minute of it! Mike had been back at the car for almost an hour (finishing time 1:27) and even had the chance to get some well deserved sleep! (grrr). Oh well, I might be getting close to admitting that he’s a tad faster, ever so slightly fitter, a mite better at map reading, can carry more weight uphill etc etc – but one day I might just surprise him – not sure how but one day, so if your reading this Mike, I’m not going to give up trying, not just yet anyway.

Oh well, better get back to resting my poor aching limbs and preparing for another week in front of the computer. I’m going to try for 2-3 training sessions in the gym at home and at college if I can summon up the energy. I think I’m slowly but surely getting the old fitness back, trouble is I’m constantly having to contend with this niggly thing called age – wish I was 30 again. Happy days.

I guess it’s time for another round up since my last post nearly a month ago! Well I was thinking about upgrading to a decent pair of trail running shoes and after much deliberation and research I finally plumped for the Salomon-XA Pro 3D Ultra Shoes-UK9.5-Quick/Alm/Pewter and I have to say they, so far, have been lovely! I’ve run about 4 or 5 times in them over various terrain and have not slipped or suffered any kind of sore feet/blisters at all. They are so comfortable It’s easy to forget you are wearing them sometimes (yes a bit cliche, but true!).

What else, oh yes, Mike has set up a shared site dedicated to our raining efforts for the Mountain Marathon – did I mention we have officially entered the race and will find out at the end of July if we have got in – anyway, yes the site shows a training calendar, training runs, kit lists, links to interesting sites etc and a countdown timer. As of today there are 138 days to the race! OK, that’s quite a few months away but I’m going to need all the training and map reading practice I can get. Plus it gives me plenty of time to build up the gaps in my kit list which will start to get quite expensive by the time I’ve added some technical waterproof jacket and trousers, plus a decent sleeping bag and possibly another tent. Not sure about that yet. It weighs 2.6 kg which is OK but there are a lot lighter out there and I need to get the kit down to bare, but comfortable minimum if I’ve any chance of keeping up with the racing snake, yes I’m talking about you Mike if you’re reading this!

So what else? Yes, I’ve ordered a few goodies for the MM – a mid layer fleece: Montane Men’s Oryx and a front attached water bottle with holder for the rucksack. I’ll let you know more about these when they arrive later this week.

Oh yes, I’ve finally traded in the old Mondeo, well not exactly traded in but sold and upgraded to a Renault Scenic. Not my first choice but was offered at a good price by Jo and Steve as they upgraded to a 7 seater so, being a pretty good all round family car, I went for it. Must say, I’m pretty impressed so far – economic, nippy, comfortable and enough room in the back for luggage, shopping or frisky dog(s). At least I can now share some of the car journeys that myself and Mike are making over the next few months. Also, it means we can use it to drive up country to see Juliette which I hadn’t planned for but now I have the new car it seems an obvious choice for a break at the end of June.

Anything else of note…yes, the central heating is 90% finished and just waiting for the electric pumps, room stat, timer and water cylinder wiring to be completed and then it’s all systems go. Shame it’s going to be hitting the warm summer months when it’s finished but winter will soon roll round again. Also I decided to install the beams in the dining room after much thought and consternation. I think I’ve made the right decision although it’s been a lot of physical work sourcing, transporting, stripping, cutting and mounting the beams into the wall. Not to mention a tidy amount of dust…again! Just waiting for Aaron to wire up some wall lights and I can get the false ceiling up to complete the look. I might post a photy once it’s all finished.

Phoebe’s got a boyfriend and has taken up residence in her bedroom on MSN (I think?), Zach has decided he wants to learn the drums now and has started off with some sticks. Could be a big mistake!!

Anyway, I’m off, catch up again in a week or so.