bmi = go for free!

So, the long awaited trip to Amsterdam began on Saturday morning. However, even though we were booked on the 12.30 bmi flight out of LHR T1 to AMS, it transpired that a lot of rugby fans had been given our seats - trying to get to Paris. So we were given a BA flight at 5.40 from T4 - we were not happy. We now knew that we could not register for the marathon by 8pm and our race preparation was up the creak. But ... did we hear the word compensation? - bmi kindly gave us enough to cover our whole weekend package of flight and hotel with some spending money thrown in! Must fly with them again and hope for another delay!

Anyway ... we had a great meal on Saturday night (courtesy of bmi!) - our hotel was only a short tram 16 away from the Olympic Stadium and we registered easily on the Sunday morning. Sightseeing is not what this marathon route is about. The first 13 miles were a breeze and we were on course for a great time and possibly a pb for me. But, alas it was not to be! By mile 16 I was slowing and Graeme was inching further ahead. Graeme did great with a 4.10 and managed to keep himself warm at the finish to see me arrive a half hour later!

I've now used all my LS gels/drinks/bars and so on so I will have to start shopping again in advance of the Marlow half marathon on Sunday 4th November. I'll have the ipod tuned in for that one!

Allegedly some good news for our wives and children ... we have now retired from full marathons! Graeme's 5 and my 10 are enough - but we'll still do the 13.1 milers! I can now add an extra city to my list and so must get a t-shirt printed with London-New York-Paris-Amsterdam on it!

Getting ready for Amsterdam!

Having done 5 cycle training sessions in the garage this week I decided I'd take my two girls for a 10 mile trip this morning.

So that I could get acclimatised for the impending Amsterdam marathon next Sunday I thought it was only appropriate that I visited a windmill!

All is going well and I am keeping up with my Lucozade drinks and bars.

Here's hoping for a good week ...

London to Brighton ... not necessary!

The invention works! I had a great workout this evening - 45 minutes of hard cycling without having to go anywhere. All I need now is a speedometer, milometer and a carefully positioned surface with some drinks on it. I am going to be on this every day from now on!

Got to keep fit!

Now, this is what you do with an old Dawes racing bike! As you can see, literally 3 hours in the workshop at school (out of lesson time of course, during yesterday and today - Friday) and I have made an A frame support at the front and two rollers at the back. I can now sit in the garage/garden and cycle myself fit throughout the dark winter months! I was wanting to buy a 'real' one but the ebay ones were pricey and the retail ones are silly money. Besides this bike is so old that to update the rear wheel axle was not going to be cost effective. So, I've stripped off the front wheel, brakes, mud guards, brake levers, etc. Cleaned it up a bit and hey ho, here we go!

It is tough going as well - it really is going to give me a worthwhile workout! Remarkable how stable it is too!

I need to keep the fitness going and with Amsterdam only 2 weeks away I cannot afford to be slack after the Great North Run. So, this is my answer!

Hope all you runners out there managed a better photo at the finish of the GNR than I did - what a wasted mess I look! I certainly won't be ordering it.

I also enjoyed filling in my online GNR evaluation/survey. It was a really good day - so I told them so!

Cheers!