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.

Chirunning and the battle for Brathay 10 marathons...

Chirunning and the battle for Brathay 10 marathons...: On the farm, every Friday On the farm, it's rabbit pie day. So, every Friday that ever comes along, I get up early and sing this little son...

Chirunning and the battle for Brathay 10 marathons in 10 days survival. A quest for a new running beginning!

On the farm, every Friday
On the farm, it's rabbit pie day.
So, every Friday that ever comes along,
I get up early and sing this little song

Run rabbit - run rabbit -
Run! Run! Run!
Run rabbit - run rabbit -
Run! Run! Run!
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Goes the farmer's gun.
Run, rabbit, run, rabbit, run.
Run rabbit - run rabbit -
Run! Run! Run!
Don't give the farmer his fun!
Fun! Fun!
He'll get by without his rabbit pie
So run rabbit - run rabbit -
Run! Run! Run!

(Noel Gay/Ralph Butler)

‘Run, Jeff, run, Jeff run.

Run Jeff – run Jeff –

Run! Run! Run!’

I’VE just spent a weekend being reconstructed as a runner.

Out with the stiff shoulders, the helicopter right arm and rigid upright running style.

In with the new relaxed shoulders, the pumping arms and short strides. Yes, a new runner has been born. Welcome to Jeff ‘Chirunning’ Prestridge.

‘Run, Jeff, run, Jeff run.

Run Jeff – run Jeff –

Run! Run! Run!’

Watch out Brathay 10 in 10 challenge. I’m coming to get you!

What a weekend! It was like going back to childhood as I sat nervously in a posh hotel on the outskirts of Dublin waiting to be deconstructed and then rebuilt to last by Catherina McKiernan.  Catherina is a former marathoner of note – a winner of the London, Berlin and Amsterdam marathons as well as a gold medal winner at the European Cross Country championships – so she knows her running inside out. You mess with Catherina at your peril!

I wasn’t the only ‘victim’. Also waiting to be deconstructed were an assortment of bankers, former civil servants and financial advisers all waiting to see what Catherina would do to re-energise their running lives.

First to the horror part. We were all videoed as we ran the length of the hotel car park. I won’t comment on my fellow video stars albeit to say that my running companion Joanna was by far the ‘Chirunning’ star but if my individual video ever went on public show, it would surely be rated ‘adult’ entertainment and not permitted to be shown until either after the watershed or only with the front room curtains tightly drawn.

My faults? Well, let’s start with the positives – I can put one foot in front of the other and on a good day do eight minute miles.

Right, that’s the good news over with. Onto the bad news:

1.  My shoulders are far too tense and on occasion I run with lop sided shoulders as the left one refuses to drop.

2.  My right arm has a life of its own with the result that rather than pumping away for my running benefit, it seems to want to twirl away like a helicopter. My three sons have always joked about this peculiar aspect of my running style and I’ve laughed it off. But seeing it on video makes you realise that I should have applied for a pilot’s licence a long time ago!

3.  My whole body is too rigid. I run to break away from the stress at work (I’m a journalist for my sins, constantly having to meet copy deadlines) but I now realise that I take most of the stress with me on my runs. I run as if I have all the world’s problems on my shoulders. It’s not pretty, it’s not particularly good for me and it’s not easy on the eye. Let’s be brutal. I am no bit of running eye candy.

4.  On occasion, my feet don’t travel in a straight line as I run. OK, it’s not zig zagging but it’s not far off and long term it’s not good for the knees.

5.  I overstride – rather than take short soft strides - with the result that I send shockwaves through my body that register on the Richter scale.

There’s more but let’s keep things clean.

So what are the remedies? Thankfully, Catherina has them in abundance and it’s all centred on Chirunning. As she constantly reminded us during the day: ‘if you have good posture and are relaxed, you will go a long way.’ 262 miles in 10 days? I hope so!

So, in future, I’m going to try and run with good posture, lean forward to take advantage of the forces of gravity, lift my heel rather than my entire foot and swing my arms to take a little pressure off my long suffering legs.

It all sounds so simple. It all sounds so sensible. And to see Catherina run is like watching a surfer glide over the waves. Her running action is as smooth as a bar of milk chocolate galaxy.

Will I be able to take it board and change the running habits of a lifetime (OK a tad over 14 years)? I’ll give it a try, especially if it makes the Brathay 10 in 10 challenge a little easier on the back, hamstrings and shoulders.

I’m determined to do my bit for Brathay Trust and raise lots of lovely dosh (justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge). Hopefully, Catherina’s Chirunning course will help me fulfil my side of the bargain.

As my Dad would sing – 30 years ago - while hopping down the garden:

Run rabbit - run rabbit -
Run! Run! Run!
Don't give the farmer his fun!
Fun! Fun!
He'll get by without his rabbit pie
So run rabbit - run rabbit -
Run! Run! Run!

blog One: 10 marathons in 10 days: Thoughts post the Gloucester Marathon

Thoughts post the Gloucester Marathon: We've had our differences and come through them Stumbled and crawled along the way but she means the whole world to me I won't ever le...

Thoughts post the Gloucester Marathon

We've had our differences
and come through them
Stumbled and crawled along the way
but she means the whole world to me
I won't ever let her go away

What a day, oh what a day-ay-ay
What a day, oh what a day
What a day, oh what a day-ay-ay
What a day ohhhh-oh-oh-oh, what a day

(Saw Doctors, What a Day, 1997)

WHAT A day, oh what a day-ay-ay. 26.4 miles (not 26.2 miles according to my Garmin Forerunner) of torture masquerading as the Gloucester Marathon.

Please, never again!

The day started off rather precariously as the alarm clock on my blackberry screeched into action at six o’clock, telling me in no uncertain times that it was time to get up and do battle in Gloucester, home of the gothic Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester Docks and Gloucester Rugby Club (disappointedly failing to get through to the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup).

Although I managed to switch off the alarm without having to get out of bed, the next ten minutes were dangerous. ‘Do I really have to do this blasted marathon?’ ‘Why not a recuperative morning in bed sleeping and listening to the Archers?’ These wicked thoughts raced through my mind.

A month ago, I would have been tempted to succumb to them. But today, I knew I had no choice. If I couldn’t be bothered to do the Gloucester Marathon, what chance do I have of doing 10 marathons in 10 days around Lake Windermere in May? None whatsoever.

At 6.10 I emerged from my pit, had a quick shower (with Original Source shower gel: Mint and Tea Tree – for more details visit www.originalsource.co.uk) and prepared for the chore ahead of me. Porridge (Quaker oats – apple and blueberry) embellished with banana and raisins were consumed as was a peanut butter bagel. I then prepared my protein drinks (professional eh) for the two hour car journey to Gloucester, a drink supplied by Team Nutrition (www.teamnutrition.co.uk).

I can’t say I felt good but my spirits were buoyed when I arrived at Seven Vale Sports Centre in Quedgeley to be greeted by a mob of 10 in 10 Brathay marathon super stars – Davey Green (looking as handsome as I’ve ever seen him); Jim Meta (a running metronome); Howard Bailey (jovial as ever); Matt Dunn (a super runner); Diane Shaw (a lovely, down to earth person); Rob Dallison (sporting some wonderful barefoot running shoes) and the running machine that is Steve Edwards (a phenomenal athlete).

To the run. What a day, oh what a day-ay-ay! It really was a question of mind over matter. Five miles and then three identical laps of seven miles. Tough? Yes. Cotswold undulations everywhere. And the wind made running difficult, especially when it was in your face as yet another hill presented itself for ascent.

Most runners were hardcore – with many sporting 100 Marathon Club shirts in recognition of their marathon prowess/madness. There were also Comrades Marathon badges galore (a 56 mile race between Pietermaritzburg and Durban in South Africa – check it out at www.comrades.com). I felt a novice in comparison, especially since someone dressed as a nun ran ahead of me for most of the race and then sprinted off as if they had been called to an emergency mass.

The event was superbly organised (well done www.beyondthelimitations.co.uk) although the queue for tea and cakes was too long to join (it would have taken me 3 hours 58 minutes – my race time – to get to the front!). And I’m sure (as I said at the start) the course was a tad longer than it should have been.

Hats off to Matt Dunn and Steve Edwards who both ran magnificently. Indeed, hats off to all my fellow Brathay 10 marathon in 10 days colleagues. They were all magnificent on the day as they will be in May. And a big thank you to the gentleman who shouted ’10 in 10’ every time I passed him – I felt a bit of a super star.

I can’t say I feel brilliant as I write this. I am walking like a penguin although the Tiger Beer is helping my recovery! – sorry Team Nutrition). But one little snippet of joy. Some kind individual sponsored me £100 as a result of reading one of my tweets on the Gloucester Marathon. Thank you Dennis Hall!

What a day, oh what a day-ay-ay.

My blogs can be read at www.brathay.org.uk or via www.jeffprestridge.blogspot.com.  If you fancy sponsoring a 52 year old mad bad ginga (53 in May) – go to justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge. If you fancy a gander at the pictorial book I put together on my Coast to Coast walk in June 2011 – email me at jeff.prestridge@hotmail.co.uk  or jeff.prestridge@mailonsunday.co.uk.

Love you all.

What a day, oh what a day-ay-ay (I love the saw doctors).