blog One: 10 marathons in 10 days: Too much lilac wine

Too much lilac wine: I lost myself on a cool damp night Gave myself in that misty light Was hypnotized by a strange delight Under a lilac tree I made wine...

Too much lilac wine

I lost myself on a cool damp night
Gave myself in that misty light
Was hypnotized by a strange delight
Under a lilac tree

I made wine from the lilac tree
Lost my heart in its recipe
Made me see what I want to see
Be what I want to be

But I think more than I ought to think
Do things I never should do
I drink much more that I ought to drink
Because it brings me back you

Lilac wine is sweet and heady
Like my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady
Like my love

(Elkie Brooks)

I’VE have had a bad week, warts and all.

I’ve been out socialising and ending up in some strange venues (I vaguely remember watching a drag act in a London pub at one stage but it could have been a dream).

I’ve not been sleeping, I’ve been drinking like a fish and I haven’t managed to get out for a run. Hardly sound preparation for the hurdle ahead – 10 marathons in 10 days along the twisting undulating lanes that circle Windermere.

‘I drink much more that I ought to drink. Because it brings me back you. Lilac wine is sweet and heady. Like my love.  Lilac wine, I feel unsteady. Like my love.’

Maybe it’s all a reaction to the two half marathons I did last weekend – around Dorney Lake (venue for the rowing events at the Olympics) and then the next day the streets and lanes of Wokingham.

But if my reaction to 26 miles in two days is to go on a five day bender, what am I going to do after two marathons in two days (a fifth of the 10 in 10)?

Run naked into Windermere? Drink Ambleside dry of Bluebird bitter?  I have problems ladies and gentlemen. The road that ends up at the ‘10 in 10’ is not paved with gold. It’s full of potholes that I am liable to fall down and then crawl out of.  Every single one of them.

Thankfully, there are things/people/events that put me back on course. And last Friday, I attended such an occasion – the media lunch for the Virgin London marathon, held at the majestic Le Gavroche in trendy Mayfair, London. The restaurant is owned by Michel Roux, himself an accomplished marathon runner and like me participating this year.

First to the vices surrounding this wonderful lunch. As befits a first-time visit to such a fine dining establishment I gouged myself on a mix of calorific food and sumptuous wine. Souffle Suissesse (cheese soufflé cooked on double cream) was washed down with Viognier ‘Gavroche’ while Filet de Veau aux Morilles (roast tenderloin of veal with creamy morel sauce) was accompanied by Chateau Raby Jean Voisin 2000 (served in magnums) which meant the guilt of imbibing too much was assuaged.

Only work deadlines prevented me from sampling the Sable a la Rhubarbe et Bergamote (shortbread with poached yorkshire rhubarb scented with Bergamot), the petits fours and the dessert wine (Coteaux du Layon Saint Lambert 2010). But I tell you. If I had stayed the course I would probably have been carried out of Le Gavroche on a stretcher. The food and wine were irresistible.

Yet the event had its virtues. It was inspiring to be surrounded by some of the marathon greats including London marathon race director David Bedford (standing down next year to let Hugh Brasher, son of the late Christopher, take over the reins) and wheelchair marathon legend David Weir. There were also a few celebrities scattered across the tables – Steve Hartley (Superintendent Tom Chandler from the Bill) and Amanda Mealing (Connie Beauchamp in Holby City).

But the highlight by far was listening to Michel Roux enthuse about the London marathon and his running in general. The London marathon, he said, is the highlight of his year (on a level with his wedding anniversary) and for crowds and organisation knocks spots off other marathons such as Paris. A time around 3.30 is his target this year and looking at how lean and mean he looks, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s closer to 3.15. He’s truly an inspiring man. I would rather have a Roux than a Ramsay in my kitchen any day. I would rather have a Roux as a running partner than a Ramsay.

I walked (wobbled) away from Le Gavroche determined to put all my energies into licking myself into 10 in 10 shape in the weeks ahead.  And as Michel Roux advised, there is no harm in having a glass of wine the night before a marathon (glass, not bottle or magnum).

Just a glass Jeff. 10 glasses in 10 days. And then a bucket to celebrate!

Enjoy life. And if you fancy supporting a brilliant cause, may I suggest you have a look at the Brathay Trust website (brathay.org.uk) and then maybe sponsor me a penny or two at: justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for getting to the end. And if you feel good about me and Brathay Trust, spread the word. I’ll buy you a drink in return.

Ps: I have just run six miles along the glorious canals of Birmingham. Thanks Michel. One glass. Just one glass.

Search for the hero inside yourself

‘SOMETIMES the river flows but nothing breathes

A train arrives but never leaves

It's a shame

Oh, life like love that's walked out of the door

Of being rich or being poor

Such a shame

But it's then, then that faith arrives
To make your feelings alive
And that's why (why) you should keep on aiming high
Just seek yourself and you will shine

You've got to search for the hero inside yourself
Search for the secrets you hide
Search for the hero inside yourself
Until you find the key to your life.’

(M People, 1995)

SOMETIMES in life – as well as in running – you look for people to inspire you. To help you search for the hero inside yourself.

Of course, my fellow 10 in 10 Brathay runners inspire me – every single one of them,  especially those who are coming back for more this year (the mighty duo, David ‘Foxey’ Bayley and Jim Meta).

But earlier this month I was inspired by another athlete. Step forward Roger Allsopp, a 70 year old retired surgeon from Guernsey.

I ‘discovered’ Roger when I was privileged to attend the 2012 Oldie of the Year awards at Simpson’s restaurant on the Strand. Organised by The Oldie magazine (an older person’s version of Private Eye), the idea is to recognise the talents of those in the latter stages of their time here on earth. And the awards are much coveted – past winners include Barry Humphries, Joanna Lumley, Sir David Attenborough and Richard Wilson.

The awards are always well attended and littered with leading lights in the world of entertainment and politics. This year was no exception. I was sitting opposite Tony Benn. Martin Bell was behind me while on the top table sat Sir Peregrine Worsthorne, Ken Loach, Maureen Lipman and Joan Bakewell. If only I hadn’t left my autograph book at home!

The overall Oldie of the Year for 2012 was Ken Clarke. But my Oldie hero by a country mile was Roger Allsopp. Last August, at the age of 70, Roger decided to swim the Channel and in the process he became the oldest person to complete the arduous task. It took him 17 hours 51 minutes to complete. What a hero. Roger certainly searched for the hero inside himself that day – and the key to his life.

What was so fantastic about Roger’s achievement was that in completing the swim he was able to raise £750,000 to buy a mass spectrometer for Southampton University – aided by a £250,000 donation from entrepreneur Derek Coates. These spectrometers help detect cancers early. In effect, it gives  people the greatest chance of overcoming cancer by detecting it early.

If Roger can swim the Channel  at the age of 70, I am certain I can do 10 marathons in 10 days. OK, I am not going to raise £750,000 (I am at £39,000 so far) but if there are any Derek Coates out there who would like to back me to the tune of £250,000 I would be delighted. Just visit justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge.

Roger, you’ve helped me search for the hero inside myself. Thank you. You are a mega person and you deserve to be recognised by The Oldie for being the glorious Oldie you are.