tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65300865328768161292024-03-13T09:12:52.024-07:00Mount Everest Marathon Team 2013The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-18082195157728990282013-09-25T03:54:00.003-07:002013-09-25T03:54:49.128-07:00Thank you evening invitation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWbhTSKfphoVd-s9z1wfZyNnTSyW3Ehym6WZfiRbyL4QHLjdsVzU8T-x4tW1-AP4vaELJFuM48ytLpj0NuWLRSLj47rXY46wihZOvrQWpfft7l2GkHiHzO7G9r1ium4UFYd_SkEiu2A9-/s1600/image003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWbhTSKfphoVd-s9z1wfZyNnTSyW3Ehym6WZfiRbyL4QHLjdsVzU8T-x4tW1-AP4vaELJFuM48ytLpj0NuWLRSLj47rXY46wihZOvrQWpfft7l2GkHiHzO7G9r1ium4UFYd_SkEiu2A9-/s320/image003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">s
a thank you to all our supporters, you are invited to an
informal evening recounting our exploits as we participated
in the world’s highest marathon:<br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="color: #c55a11; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The Mount Everest Marathon<br />
</span><span style="color: #c55a11; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">on Monday 30th September<br />
at 7.30pm<br />
in Ballyclare Town Hall<br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br />
As well as presentations from us, there’ll also be coffee and
nibbles, a brief thank you and explanation from Stand by Me
on how the funds raised will be used to help transform the
lives of some children in Nepal.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #c55a11;">Everyone welcome, please come along - we’d love
to see you<br />
</span></b><br />
<i>Andrew, Ralph, Richard & Robert<br />
</i><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br />
To see the latest fundraising total visit: <br />
<br />
<u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.standby.me/projects/the-highest-marathon-in-the-world"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.standby.me/projects/the-highest-marathon-in-the-world</span></a><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></u></span>The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-49965579656804290182013-06-05T02:02:00.001-07:002013-06-05T02:02:39.524-07:00safely homeSafely back home in "nor iron"<br />
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The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-74200969404578253882013-06-04T01:46:00.002-07:002013-06-24T04:39:44.849-07:00adventures planned and unplanned<b>Mon 3rd </b><br />
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Another 5.00am start and its Celts away. Debs and not so big George and the three of us hit Tribhuvan airport for a gradual reintegration to first world comforts. Even RK and his galvanised bucket of a digestive tract is feeling slighly green ...looks like the Kathmandu quickstep as he skuttles off to the bog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b>Sun 2nd </b></div>
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5.30am like a scene from apocalypse now the big beast rose over
the runway horizon...look at the it huvvers was another classic Dougism.
Farewells to friends Addie, Mann, Bindra, Gaji (sorry about the spelling lads)
Survived further blatant exhibitionism as Atilla desecrated the unnerving last
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Impressive noise and downdraft from the rust bucket.
International relief on take off and spontaneous applause as we landed in a
livestock field. Sultry heat cracking toast and eggs ...things were looking
until the bus arrived ...mmm. Team player rob was ferrying big bags up from the
feed trough to the bus miss placed footing on a slippery stepping stone
valiantly fought to recovery to finish ten toes in the air trapped on his back
like a gassed up auld ewe...sorry to report it was a German bag that got dunked
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Within 30sec it was clear the bus was easily<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the most extreme undertaking since
entering Nepal. Steep switch backs, landslides, single track, no handbrake,
zero leg room, Bollywood and horn blaring...it looked like an epileptics trip
to Kathmandu. Brief rest bite to empty bladder and underwear. 7hrs of all over
body massage and the big smog of KTM appeared as twilight fell. Relief to enter
the oasis of the shanker hotel. Finally we could think of home. RG whistlestop
spree in Thamel where he was sitting duck for shop keepers. RK&A had more
wit. A final delicious but bus lagged meal. Hugs and emails exchanged. We had
met some great people enjoyed high, endured lows and the craic has been mighty
on the way. Sincere thanks to you it's has been a privilege. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76k2q94YAy8clMPxm0JcY5xavFs0g3BDH-7FYIX3F0yziNUviLLfAichTOu6zRSilZp0hhac_dkhjlqwG66BsFc-JoTI0V4y61XDiYw3-beVDYMVQg1Cwi7IwpcYo1ITtaP9rLl1ecZNb/s1600/Evac+Heli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76k2q94YAy8clMPxm0JcY5xavFs0g3BDH-7FYIX3F0yziNUviLLfAichTOu6zRSilZp0hhac_dkhjlqwG66BsFc-JoTI0V4y61XDiYw3-beVDYMVQg1Cwi7IwpcYo1ITtaP9rLl1ecZNb/s320/Evac+Heli.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong>Sat 1st </strong></div>
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After an encouraging first light rain and cloud enshrouded Lukla hightening tension and rumours of stuck for a week, missed slots back of the queue, 400 trapped with no food water. Sensibly Raj was absent to work the problem leaving opportunity for Kangaroo coffee shop courts like side show Bob to mobilise the minions and spoil every flat white in earshot. Units of time involving food was our plan to avoid going stir crazy with Yatzee as back up. A was straight in rhythm snickers pause bun pause mars. Rk was wisely waiting while Rg was emersed in blogsnorkling. People<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>watching as folks lost the plot became entertainment. Attillas hen night europop disco almost killed off old Christof...along with the rest of us. Interesting to observe miraculous recovery of Eva Braun to the tones of like a virgin. Doubting Thomas became a troublesome truck with his mind as pickled as his dress sense<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I demand a shower every 3hrs and a 5 star hotel in Lukla. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINValw5QBsQfR1nQ8VFKZYAM6YZKmYERChAz-_ha815dMRPRIYGLxZ688GmaWFY0zYbh81gi2qNM2RTbgdqqc4rICPEt1Tb-pOntjhTxLWBCCsoizZFMlOU8MmEzQaUnkKWx8TH3LK7gY/s1600/IMG_0674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINValw5QBsQfR1nQ8VFKZYAM6YZKmYERChAz-_ha815dMRPRIYGLxZ688GmaWFY0zYbh81gi2qNM2RTbgdqqc4rICPEt1Tb-pOntjhTxLWBCCsoizZFMlOU8MmEzQaUnkKWx8TH3LK7gY/s320/IMG_0674.JPG" width="320" /></a>Learning the next oman air flight was both 4 days away and full a sense of gravitas set in...steady hoofed Rk advised patience. Murdock, Face and Hannibal Raj had a plan not the Luftwaffe but 1975 Russian M17 millitary evacuation helicopter would shuttle us on batches of 25 to the road head at Jiri for a 6 hr bus ride to Kathmandu all for a fist full of dollars. All internal flights in Nepal had been Cagrounded due to 2 crashes that day explaining the silence inspite of improving conditions. Debs George and Caroline rejigged their contingency plan with Trotters independant copters. Another unrolling of the sleeping bag for what we all prayed would be our last night in Shangri la ...Lukla style. Thankfully night watchman Doug openned the port cul lace before John had the windows in chaperoning Tim and Paul after one too many lemonades </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzkHKWWhGmyYrisztlHVRw7qjRH_M_Fai0omyQmh4UQbmGPXKfi1BmHtHIjQZ97q7gnzoXDf5k4T22kjKXOLzEnLhOcx2ce_HwTfYLaV9503oM-vxURoA93zalKYENAR4E7jV36acLDPG/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzkHKWWhGmyYrisztlHVRw7qjRH_M_Fai0omyQmh4UQbmGPXKfi1BmHtHIjQZ97q7gnzoXDf5k4T22kjKXOLzEnLhOcx2ce_HwTfYLaV9503oM-vxURoA93zalKYENAR4E7jV36acLDPG/s320/IMG_0361.JPG" width="320" /></a><b>Fri 31st</b></div>
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Monjo to Lukla was our last day trekking slightly fairer skiers gave hope to getting out Lukla. Trek finished its been a great bunch to spend time with. Seeing other groups factions and rifts we have been most fortunate. Groups who couldnt see beyond their own noses. george contimplated suicide as Gloria Gurner joined us for lunch with her top ten gripes...incredible what some folks expect inspite of how well we cared for in such primative circumstances. A la carte dinner was chips beans fried egg and bread to the horror of the Catalans.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEquchp2jLfmVwJyet3ZP9yPhHOo8pFVXabu9_7wmFTaRih6scuUIBWtINHmriqytBPkXH1qrkAy0okBSsXF2wnDc7sGlvUkNtX9ZvCQ0HhjjJFAwZ5wE2WedmOzL2lx6sfl6gAl8rE254/s1600/yak+bell+boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEquchp2jLfmVwJyet3ZP9yPhHOo8pFVXabu9_7wmFTaRih6scuUIBWtINHmriqytBPkXH1qrkAy0okBSsXF2wnDc7sGlvUkNtX9ZvCQ0HhjjJFAwZ5wE2WedmOzL2lx6sfl6gAl8rE254/s320/yak+bell+boys.jpg" width="320" /></a>Crew tips and gear were distributed with a demo in efficiency for the long winded and wingy swiss .....including star attraction of Percy pigs. Sirdar guides and porters are the heroes who make this trek possible.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWq585Yq3GS-yp0tm9Vf8P-iplzHQP8HVL43yNjvuY_B2fswmZ8mL3w0aUPkRcAksMOdASAgugylEKY4Af_hvsfYjGNNx6k5Wudx_DMUFvM5Tz4CqVUFGnh2ObetcvANt2-ruOhq-bhgp/s1600/Georges+feet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWq585Yq3GS-yp0tm9Vf8P-iplzHQP8HVL43yNjvuY_B2fswmZ8mL3w0aUPkRcAksMOdASAgugylEKY4Af_hvsfYjGNNx6k5Wudx_DMUFvM5Tz4CqVUFGnh2ObetcvANt2-ruOhq-bhgp/s320/Georges+feet.JPG" width="240" /></a><b>Thur 30th </b></div>
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Breakfast was like a paraplegic shell suit convention. As the rain lashed the price of ponchos rocketed. 2 ultra runners staggered in after overnight stay in yak sheds and even a cave .reassurance 42k was extreme enough 60k was just wrong. Pictures of George's blistered feet quickly ended the feeding frenzy. A 3 hr tramp to Monjo was subdued until Nepals answer to. Colombo and side show Bob started into karaoke.... solutions ranged from dead leg, Chinese burn, diddy nip or a wedgy. <br />
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<b>Wed 29th race day </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkTDlO68NAmjJUmWtXTr82di7gxhP6-_1Q_qKR_BggLynhqVwAlVAKRPpD4q-iYbyIceQ3KQ_vhE9atFq1y_AkXbtFmXxC4RJ6jgRDjK3KsBmnV0QZeYmS-p_AFYI69IM8uHTaY9V_Pn6/s1600/Scots+wey+hey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkTDlO68NAmjJUmWtXTr82di7gxhP6-_1Q_qKR_BggLynhqVwAlVAKRPpD4q-iYbyIceQ3KQ_vhE9atFq1y_AkXbtFmXxC4RJ6jgRDjK3KsBmnV0QZeYmS-p_AFYI69IM8uHTaY9V_Pn6/s320/Scots+wey+hey.JPG" width="320" /></a>2 yrs in the planning and finally here. Buffet breakfast aka free for all was paused as 28 ultra runners left ...the Nepali military making light of the ice clad loose rock. We did well to survive the tramp to the start line thanks to cantankerous yak aiming a kick at big George...hoots man </div>
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700am start after another Buto balls up. Debs was a vision of patriotism..like an SNP cheerleader. Like a slow motion scene from braveheart big George led the celts out of basecamp with RK wheezing a meddally of ice ice baby flower of scotland and the sash.The Jelly baby nature valley feedathon started 745. <br />
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RK grafted up to The half way point with the tank empty. Fluids, gels and quick lesson in JBs as nutrition. Having been up on RGs prediction the hard earned gain ebbed away as fatigue set in. The formation of choice was A setting sensible pace with RG shadowing RK with a menacingly sharp trekking pole. It was working as we passed the king of India and General Mao but not enough to pick off Attila the hen. Gelling pup for the very unpleasant climbs to come. Flash back to 2008 mera peak summit day where Monty returned an essential gel as unfit for purpose ie it wasn't opened! Thankfully we all manned up and self openned....troopers. RK climbed like Messner as we topped out for the last trot home we swept up team mate Rob having "the worst day of his life" <br />
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As mist and rain enshrouded us it became a typical Norn iron training session. Finally Namche emerged from the gloom one final turn to an eerily deserted finish area. 10 hrs 48 mins of hard labour. Respect to A&RK on first marathons esp RK epic effort. Kata, medal and shell suit gifts we were ready to for a night out in .....Liverpool. Hobbling back to the lodge the final stairs were almost too much. A warm welcome home from<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>team mates Sub 10hrs<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were Doug, Tim and one legged Hyo Sub 9 were Mike, Paul, Richard. However John<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>set the bar high with a stunning 7hrs23mins. Caroline was home 20mins ahead of the paddys. Greatest cheer for Angela, Debs and big George. The team was all in safe as Joan and Isabella completed....and so to a rock free, dry, warm bed...out like a li....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnHKGBd6QzdBZTK-KijgwTEb4nUFNSj5Af8iEqavBQA6iKu6cKFXOv2r2h0Ifu5QH4y44KjDowscQQ_ujKapGNsPtS7hlIsFIpQtvI16wx2-ybZVDhOEduDF4PFQ6SCWo0MDMgCdq1Ur7/s1600/IMG_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnHKGBd6QzdBZTK-KijgwTEb4nUFNSj5Af8iEqavBQA6iKu6cKFXOv2r2h0Ifu5QH4y44KjDowscQQ_ujKapGNsPtS7hlIsFIpQtvI16wx2-ybZVDhOEduDF4PFQ6SCWo0MDMgCdq1Ur7/s320/IMG_0324.JPG" width="320" /></a><b>Tue 28th </b></div>
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Base camp life seemed much easier with a bit of viz and brightness.</div>
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Amazing effort to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>feed 120 runners in shifts in this harsh moonscape.</div>
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Mock race scheduled for 900am right under the cracking Khumbu icefall what a place to run a race. </div>
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SbM banner in as many pics as possible. Last years winner paraded an Olympic torch while like lemmings hell bent on mass injury we followed instruction on an ineffective announcer who looked like BenazirButo on a bad lippy day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpLM0aoqpUS_22LwhvXvhUFk45CF6aOu7L4HStFUKuBhi48LaS5ip7oW7v0Ydx295Dh7eylJfYq9JLwHpcDQ5NqcQDXez4pdqkvhQNLcTJBpcbnS2vOHz803y0W0MbuL7EcF6RUqNmhRF/s1600/IMG_0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpLM0aoqpUS_22LwhvXvhUFk45CF6aOu7L4HStFUKuBhi48LaS5ip7oW7v0Ydx295Dh7eylJfYq9JLwHpcDQ5NqcQDXez4pdqkvhQNLcTJBpcbnS2vOHz803y0W0MbuL7EcF6RUqNmhRF/s320/IMG_0328.JPG" width="320" /></a>Further team fun with a snowball fight on the worlds highest mountain. Slow mo kit organisation, feed and hydration in readiness for tomorrow race. A on one lung RG on a strapped cankle and RK sporting a yak bell it was setting up for another pantomime. </div>
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Our last meal included 2 foil wrapped dairy milk...what a treat. Sleep was elusive esp as 2 huge rocks subsided beside the death tent...loosening bowels and sphincter...unfortunately the crows nest bog had also collapsed. RK hummed himself to sleep with "ice ice baby" as temperature fell to -11 degrees</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NW9AamozXKkQgO89AYLSig1LJUdeyKBvqAJSVC8mHKFGflSfROOvGscUVI_AGcvGfZDM9XzcYeSCjJNW5pvr4arw-tT8Z1m-J-1YgDO3TKKakt9CWJuOG6sSDL7afIWqWwGYIdTxZq8i/s1600/Tent+splat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NW9AamozXKkQgO89AYLSig1LJUdeyKBvqAJSVC8mHKFGflSfROOvGscUVI_AGcvGfZDM9XzcYeSCjJNW5pvr4arw-tT8Z1m-J-1YgDO3TKKakt9CWJuOG6sSDL7afIWqWwGYIdTxZq8i/s320/Tent+splat.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Mon 27th Gorak Shep to EBC </b></div>
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Breakfast was highlighted with arrival of Lizzie Hawker (worlds best lady ultra marathon runner) competition for the yak bell boys </div>
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A duff weather trek today with snow in a very quiet base camp as summit season had almost finished. However rumours of an 82yr old Nepali high on Everest planning for a diamond anniversary on 29th </div>
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Choosing tents RG room mate Hyo opted for the death tent perilously close to huge rocks resting on melting ice. Close by was the crows nest of a toilet which required quads of steel and a safety harness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">RK&A
the tent looked less perilous but contained marginally less water than the
Bhote<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Kose river. A spent a tough night between a rock and a wet place. </div>
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RK&A the tent looked less perilous but contained marginally less water than the Bhote</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FfFzNaZ4A_n5Sxu3apSqToBsoSuwAu3yP7R6i9ghwmTyaL2vHhyphenhyphenzBWxaqv4Z12z7HbntraIIiyXRBeJFLKW_u1HpXgAusO5ckEw6bX9lkN5TYpJF1BvLBHzDET8NfR8KkT_LrTm3ZYVI/s1600/Photo+26-05-2013+02+44+50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FfFzNaZ4A_n5Sxu3apSqToBsoSuwAu3yP7R6i9ghwmTyaL2vHhyphenhyphenzBWxaqv4Z12z7HbntraIIiyXRBeJFLKW_u1HpXgAusO5ckEw6bX9lkN5TYpJF1BvLBHzDET8NfR8KkT_LrTm3ZYVI/s320/Photo+26-05-2013+02+44+50.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Sun 26th Kala Patar 5500m</b></div>
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Another clear day early start for acclimatisation trek to the summit for one the best views on our planet. Hard graft but so rewarding. 40minutes absorbing snapping recording the grandure....lifetime moment to bore the grand kids with.</div>
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The afternoon was spent reclining on the beach that is Gorak strand before A&RG tested their performance over the bouncy mud to find 20mins per km was possible.</div>
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RGs school boy error in the hairy armpit room. 1 led to 2 as slash became movement. Reaching into an empty pocket for tissues and wipes....not good....options?</div>
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1 sacrifice the kacks with a wipe and dump (only 2 pairs in trek</div>
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2 Hoik up the breeks and John Wayne it back the room</div>
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3 Nepali style wash the undercarriage and shake you booty until dry</div>
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4 revisit the used toilet tissue bucket (the lowest form of reincarnation) </div>
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Opting for 4 RG unplugged the relevant synapses and completed the paper work</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WOMOMqelIwfYUmAG0b1FnHwJs2WKQEH_G1Ldf4sVwIFps5qUCyB5Uf-2yScXjSK0rvQGS1p6g3ILnnSThH1nsrrCx6i6RyWMHOAZ6ENuk9Zz5JyrS5S1JoAhTD0nF1gwz4KiyBP-775m/s1600/Gorak+shep+twinned+with+Buckna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WOMOMqelIwfYUmAG0b1FnHwJs2WKQEH_G1Ldf4sVwIFps5qUCyB5Uf-2yScXjSK0rvQGS1p6g3ILnnSThH1nsrrCx6i6RyWMHOAZ6ENuk9Zz5JyrS5S1JoAhTD0nF1gwz4KiyBP-775m/s320/Gorak+shep+twinned+with+Buckna.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Sat 25th Loboche to Gorak Shep 5140m</b></div>
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Breathtaking literally and metaphorically. Personal highs for most of the team. The notorious Khumbu icefall, base camp and indeed the summit of Everest complete with spindrift limiting summit bids for today. Our bubble burst entering the armpit lodge of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Solu Khumbu. Silver lining as chips and beans lunch reminded us of hame. The hairs of the armpit were the lodge toilets...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzugjtq1SXsUQqENZgMHDyDyjzbdTt01V_8cOAanwoxRV5umPscy2KOyWTPccV8Zos6avMrnY50P8A-a9G5-4k06wv6nC8Qk4j0HgXp3ajOb574cJ2fN0-9IF1-40iDiqsVXMoI707s_PI/s1600/Lhotse,+Island+Peak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzugjtq1SXsUQqENZgMHDyDyjzbdTt01V_8cOAanwoxRV5umPscy2KOyWTPccV8Zos6avMrnY50P8A-a9G5-4k06wv6nC8Qk4j0HgXp3ajOb574cJ2fN0-9IF1-40iDiqsVXMoI707s_PI/s320/Lhotse,+Island+Peak.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Fri 24th Dingboche to Loboche 4910m</b></div>
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One of the most memorable day walks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Island peak, Lhotse, Peak 38, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Nuptse, Lingtren all majestic peaks. Terms for RK marathon were finalised a yak<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ebell and tail to be worn and the team would contribute SbM funds.</div>
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<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
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<br />The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-28173290096052184692013-06-01T05:36:00.002-07:002013-06-01T05:47:07.504-07:00We did it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0w7z_pe6ZPNaqQpNpa5Iepq_0uGz8Jz_YktQofe-ZLfdM32PbDw-hSEFRQ4nu5ubRCNY3n1nu1FspIa2Ci7tKRwngi34AyXlFbvEphkUe-Ca1kau_blXEZqPELvWY_CIY2It5awmX8eZ/s1600/sbm+mar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0w7z_pe6ZPNaqQpNpa5Iepq_0uGz8Jz_YktQofe-ZLfdM32PbDw-hSEFRQ4nu5ubRCNY3n1nu1FspIa2Ci7tKRwngi34AyXlFbvEphkUe-Ca1kau_blXEZqPELvWY_CIY2It5awmX8eZ/s320/sbm+mar.jpg" width="320" /></a>FIrst photos from the start of the 2013 Mount Everest Marathon - Richard displays that banner very effectively! photos from the finish line will follow.The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-24632711653637235132013-05-29T01:29:00.001-07:002013-06-24T03:24:43.682-07:00a taste of what's to come
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And so from Namche a taste of what is to come on the 29th
begins! After a 'rest day' (clearly a misnomer) climbing to 3880 metres to aid
our acclimatisation we set off the following day along the marathon route.</div>
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Our first day along the route itself began in bright, warm
sunshine but alas not all the group were feeling so cheerful. There were a few
sore heads courtesy of the altitude but more worryingly several of the 17,
including RG & AT were experiencing the Nepalese equivalent of Dehli Belly
(answers on a postcard!). Big George, the tight head prop fae Fife was really
struggling but despite dehydration and frequent vomiting along the route
manfully made it to the riverside lunch stop. Not to be outdone RK complained
of a sore throat and common cold! (Most likely attention seeking behaviour!)
Predictably lunch, as all meals have, included pasta and potatoes. Equally
predictably it was delicious, for those with stomachs still willing to accept
any form of nutrition! RK, as always, had seconds. No sign of altitude sickness
there!! However, for those with mathematical inclinations there was a serious
concern. The day was to involve a 500 metre climb but we had descended
200m!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQnYFsZVB7UUcS_WEvkZOtApkQIPMni4Jt4Lgq1KcIWJIoKSm7WoAO2iGY3oyZkaBpDJvNv8ghxWwCDmXuQTIJoEtIBBhsy85UUOJwJpZ8vBCeKgy0WpAs36DK6r6BVMGeDTQizOuJbYf/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQnYFsZVB7UUcS_WEvkZOtApkQIPMni4Jt4Lgq1KcIWJIoKSm7WoAO2iGY3oyZkaBpDJvNv8ghxWwCDmXuQTIJoEtIBBhsy85UUOJwJpZ8vBCeKgy0WpAs36DK6r6BVMGeDTQizOuJbYf/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a></div>
Would we really have to climb 700 metres in the next two hours? No prizes for guessing that we did. A few hours later everyone successfully made it to the monastery at Tengboche. A great effort from all those who were feeling well short of 100%. Shortly afterwards we arrived at our stop for the night - Rivendell Lodge. A name borrowed from Lord of the Rings AT reliably informed us. Rivendell's bathroom facilities were well stretched that evening!! After dinner RK tucked himself into his warm sleeping bag for a well deserved (in his own opinion) nights sleep! However, he was rudely awakened at 11pm by AT moaning and rocking backwards and forwards in bed complaining of a 10/10 abdominal pain! RK suggested his wife Karen, having bourn his two children, would be unlikely to concur with his scoring system but nonetheless he was in trouble! On closer questioning RK established the AT, the fully qualified consultant anaesthetist, had overdosed on Brufen on an empty stomach!!!! Visions of a helicopter evacuation to Kathmandu for an emergency laparotomy for a perforated ulcer were foremost in RKs thoughts unless the situation could be reversed. Fortunately we managed to locate the team medical bag and, in a further answer to prayer, it contained anti acid tablets (or at least that looked like what it said on the side of the packet)! 40mg, half an hour and a mars bar later AT was cured to great rejoicing! The only evacuations required that night were by several bowels, several times!<br />
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The following morning saw only a mild improvement in the bowel
disturbances of the several affected! Appetites were generally poor but RK made
up for this by inhaling any unclaimed morsels! Again the sun was bright and
warm and the team set off at a slow pace initially towards Pangboche and then
to our resting place for the night - Dingboche. The highlight of the morning
was our first glimpse of the summit of Mount Everest or Sagarmatha, as it is
locally known. A special moment indeed for the majority of us for whom this was
our first sight of the highest of all God's peaks. A sight which brought Psalm
121 verses 1&2 clearly into focus. As the clouds rolled in and the sun
disappeared in the afternoon the team were glad to finally reach their lodge in
Dingboche. Many were quick to check out the toilet facilities which were still
going to be severely overworked during our 2 night stay!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KxT-UC-YYo9PyVTtOmou3l6S1akHfRbdxbaNzZ70elT8yEV4xznqQPvTGdk2JPvJBoTEHfw7Bj4FrJPqGorxCJ9itfny8clebYOPxVEKGMzJKB6e12olFf52ViJ7KxODG0q8YLnR7koK/s1600/Photo+24-05-2013+02+45+27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KxT-UC-YYo9PyVTtOmou3l6S1akHfRbdxbaNzZ70elT8yEV4xznqQPvTGdk2JPvJBoTEHfw7Bj4FrJPqGorxCJ9itfny8clebYOPxVEKGMzJKB6e12olFf52ViJ7KxODG0q8YLnR7koK/s320/Photo+24-05-2013+02+45+27.jpg" width="320" /></a>The next morning brought the first signs of improvement. The
diarrhoea and vomiting were starting to settle for the majority and other than
a few sore heads there were no significant altitude complications despite the
fact that we were now 4410 metres above sea level. This was another one of
those 'rest days' but as usual that involved another acclimatisation trek up
the valley to 4700 metres! The views though of Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Island
Peak though made it all worthwhile. After the customary rest at the top for
Lemon Tea (one of RGs finer ideas it has to be said) we were back on the move
back to the lodge. Since this was part of the route the boys set off at a brisk
walk along the 5 kilometres or so back to the lodge. A decent pace was achieved
but sadly RG rolled his left ankle again on the rough terrain. This was the
same ankle that came a cropper a few weeks ago in the Mournes. Fortunately on
that occasion RG had access to expert advice and treatment from Andy McMullan.
On this occasion however he had to make do with two suitably untrained clampits
in AT & RK whose strapping looked much less than impressive!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YQE0AiZ6xrZ0QrTjeoHk4bnPAsMl8dRbPv0Q2Dfxkw262gNV7u4iNkxaiPTJfGaxus_2RsVmxfc-qyNQDDJC9rUoAcaQ1L6f_O8ruOXtcH0NC6DiXZJHalA93Kv-WL_dyeFkp2f2mYQb/s1600/Memorials+(3)+-+Copy+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YQE0AiZ6xrZ0QrTjeoHk4bnPAsMl8dRbPv0Q2Dfxkw262gNV7u4iNkxaiPTJfGaxus_2RsVmxfc-qyNQDDJC9rUoAcaQ1L6f_O8ruOXtcH0NC6DiXZJHalA93Kv-WL_dyeFkp2f2mYQb/s320/Memorials+(3)+-+Copy+-+Copy.JPG" width="266" /></a>Bright, warm sunshine greeted us as we prepared to leave
Dingboche and travel further north up the Khumbu valley. The morning trek was
undertaken with a quite incredible vista! Massive mountains and plunging
valleys made for breathtaking viewing to the point where few noticed the ever
increasing elevation. The scale of the scenery was in sharp contrast to our own
insignificance! Another steep climb in the early afternoon brought us close to
our resting place for the evening - Lobuche.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However before then we came upon the memorials erected to
many of those who have lost their lives attempting to summit Everest. A
poignant moment for all. As the temperatures dropped again the team was glad to
reach the lodge for more warm Sherpa tea. Amazing how the simple things in life
can be the most satisfying!! After a quick rest and several more layers of
clothes several of us climbed another 100m to get our first view of the Khumbu
glacier. RG sent a few texts home from beside the glacier at 5000 metres above
sea level. Amazing the wonders of modern technology - and even more amazing
that RG can use a mobile phone!!!</div>
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And so to the next few days DV...... climbing above 5000 metres,
hopefully a view of Everest from Kala Pathar at 5500 metres before finally
reaching base camp!!</div>
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And then the race.............</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-71015681737565632542013-05-23T07:43:00.001-07:002013-05-23T09:00:47.048-07:00Robert joins the marathon!<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s
official – Robert has now entered the marathon!</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMnYAQbaZ7rasR_KLYIOrncPc6R2bJjhvoTFKl4UTfMBcEn_gt2FQFLx8SYZPjrZ_8frcg8QHq4yocXR1khu5O7vPAmeh-0fFs6s3heKNm_oirP52JIbkatqZftUt3zxJEUBFJWoVYL4U/s1600/image+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMnYAQbaZ7rasR_KLYIOrncPc6R2bJjhvoTFKl4UTfMBcEn_gt2FQFLx8SYZPjrZ_8frcg8QHq4yocXR1khu5O7vPAmeh-0fFs6s3heKNm_oirP52JIbkatqZftUt3zxJEUBFJWoVYL4U/s1600/image+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMnYAQbaZ7rasR_KLYIOrncPc6R2bJjhvoTFKl4UTfMBcEn_gt2FQFLx8SYZPjrZ_8frcg8QHq4yocXR1khu5O7vPAmeh-0fFs6s3heKNm_oirP52JIbkatqZftUt3zxJEUBFJWoVYL4U/s320/image+(2).jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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Self confessed “dedicated tea drinker” Robert has just TODAY entered his name for the actual marathon on
May 29th after his 10 day trek is complete. He will now be joining Richard and Andrew, despite months of mocking their training and insisting there was no
way he would ever be crazy enough to undertake “anything as mad as that!”</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVOqXRrg4Dfje6STa4bUnDMsbHEdbb4_VbgMcsvjjaKMk8ivK_AduNrY0o6Za3B4u8vwYT3j-B5gru72QCokS_ZLXDmQlMiVMSu33YgLJEMVxHgBCFoXQvBRtAsxpv_m_1bZUI8UF3frj/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVOqXRrg4Dfje6STa4bUnDMsbHEdbb4_VbgMcsvjjaKMk8ivK_AduNrY0o6Za3B4u8vwYT3j-B5gru72QCokS_ZLXDmQlMiVMSu33YgLJEMVxHgBCFoXQvBRtAsxpv_m_1bZUI8UF3frj/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once his trek was complete he planned to look forward to relaxing and drinking
tea - while his “crazy colleagues” prepared for their marathon. Perhaps
the effects of altitude sickness are manifesting themselves in an unusual way
in his case! We think it's AMAZING. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dHSqfilrvUlhos8vri5_9RTGvDiNEf_bB38TreIgetpdZLJ6WvPB-qFPnXVsVZMvo_FLF2ZWP-ezbTRbDDHlGtUsQzrkmGG9wxTMAS8eq1UadkOMAVlqSJBH9JooatKhiSzM7TWP0IZ2/s1600/image+(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dHSqfilrvUlhos8vri5_9RTGvDiNEf_bB38TreIgetpdZLJ6WvPB-qFPnXVsVZMvo_FLF2ZWP-ezbTRbDDHlGtUsQzrkmGG9wxTMAS8eq1UadkOMAVlqSJBH9JooatKhiSzM7TWP0IZ2/s320/image+(1).jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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The guys have raised well over £15,000
so far for our children in Nepal, and if this incredible challenge which Robert
has just taken on has inspired you to add to this total – please visit their donation page on the Stand by Me website </div>
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</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.standby.me/everest">Donation Page</a> </div>
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Here are the guys with their first glimpse of Everest today...</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Take care guys,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Stand by Me team</span></div>
The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-91794425950505010002013-05-21T08:12:00.001-07:002013-06-24T06:39:10.462-07:00Meeting our team<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_9WKl7ZNzSUllV1OMyPy4CkHzm1CgT4RRZkPSp2QKmk8n2SLvTowVyxteeniSow94r1OZytt9pRcALYlQrdLaF5Qrt9UbHcmAJvD71Tmm5w3XE7ZSpvwnJqXu78iulnF1AKBBbQecl7l/s1600/Publication1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_9WKl7ZNzSUllV1OMyPy4CkHzm1CgT4RRZkPSp2QKmk8n2SLvTowVyxteeniSow94r1OZytt9pRcALYlQrdLaF5Qrt9UbHcmAJvD71Tmm5w3XE7ZSpvwnJqXu78iulnF1AKBBbQecl7l/s320/Publication1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Looking
like triplet clowns the Stand by Me team are ready to take their calamities international. An alarmingly thorough routine frisking going through security
had RG carrying an inner thigh stain. Bonus as RK starts us on an airport lounge
crawl. Oman air in flight mag features noteable sporting events this month
Champions league final, French open tennis,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sudiman cup badminton, Everest marathon... oh<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>keigh what have three wee lads from Norn Iron got
themselves into? <span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">John and Paul...aka wallace and gromit <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Meeting
our team of 17 was a hint of the hardcore nutters we were about spend the next
14 days with. Ultra trail du Mont Blanc, 140 marathons, Bob Graham's, 24hr
trails had RK smiling smugly and RG & AT floundering at the deep end.
Meeting the rest of the teams was even worse... needless to say the Germans
took it off the scale and ran over the whole of Europe...old habits from the
Arians.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">4.30am
start for the infamous Lukla flight. Tribuvan domestic terminal is chaos in
action... heightening the tension which had one of our group stemming the flow with
Imodium and a strategically inserted mars bar... (mini mars) 21 people with
rucksacks inside a large toothpaste tube... safety briefing was
laughable... clearing ridges by 30m was breathtaking... landing was smooth and
smell of relief was sweet as the mars bar exited. This was quickly replaced by
distinct aroma of Eau de Porter...sweaty grubby hardest working men in Nepal
looking to carry tourist baggage on treks... 45-60kg on steep rough trails at
high altitude wearing little more than flip flops or crocs. These are the
heroes of trekking. Surprisingly only one bag had not made it to Lukla... a
veritable triumph for chaos.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIahvedUo3QvUDC8fSatKAiGALl89DfPo0pCaC-nDaRZZKF_lPuQhztN2ieP2r7vpmEp8-9rb2469jeMWBMGIMciChoxFS2kR6ZCPyfmLMMCmRHyPLCpDG6TyZsqHwUGnzaHsKUoYQjlj/s1600/Publication2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIahvedUo3QvUDC8fSatKAiGALl89DfPo0pCaC-nDaRZZKF_lPuQhztN2ieP2r7vpmEp8-9rb2469jeMWBMGIMciChoxFS2kR6ZCPyfmLMMCmRHyPLCpDG6TyZsqHwUGnzaHsKUoYQjlj/s320/Publication2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">A first
brew of lemon tea and RG was like a pig in muck. Time to hit the trail a
leisurely 2hr stroll to the Phakding. Try pronouncing that with one lemon tea
too many. Busy trails with </span><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">
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</w:wrap></v:path></v:imagedata></v:stroke></v:fill></span></v:shape><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">mule and yak and porters
carrying everything to and from the Everest region. One porter carrying 8ft
high stack of water bottles to support our marathon. Chance for more relaxed
chat with team mates </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Debs and big
George....fae Fyffe....immediate Celtic alliance</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">John and
Paul... navy and paras from last of the summer wine... have been renamed </span></span><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" strokeweight="1pt" style="height: 361.4pt; margin-left: -56.65pt; margin-top: 25.3pt; mso-position-horizontal-relative: margin; mso-position-vertical-relative: line; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 12pt; mso-wrap-distance-left: 12pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 12pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 12pt; position: absolute; width: 481.85pt; z-index: 251656192;" type="#_x0000_t75"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">
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</w:wrap></v:path></v:imagedata></v:stroke></v:fill></span></v:shape><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Wallace and Gromit... think
RG is going to regret that one</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Juan and
Isabelle from barcalona... speako no Eenglish</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Tim, Caroline,
Angela, Richard, Rob and Mike all from England </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Late
addition was RG's room mate Hyo...Dutch Korean who has been here for the last six
weeks running, learning and acclimatising on the Everest marathon route... seriously
committed effort.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Tea house
accommodation has been top class with only a few hover block bogs... usage tips
to minimise self soiling were discussed... demo offered but declined.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Breaking
news from today's climb to Namche bazaar... RK shows hint of weakness and does
not flatly reject entering marathon... yes mr "my ambition is never to do a
marathon and my training is right on course"... is it the altitude?... is
the mentalism contagious? Whatever the reason A & RG are like dogs with bones
and hitting Namches 'Up and Runners' for a pair of budgie smugglers for
RK... photo to follow... donate to view!</span></span></div>
The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-10017835029576489482013-05-20T02:34:00.000-07:002013-05-20T02:34:01.856-07:00"Sherpa capital"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYirg14rkKYC_C8Gd9YxZ-njvk_amheKhuvdfAaVEPEGDywL49jb2U_HkMXOMEcJoFeEHAAXvvdDP-ueR0-yVT67STkiSU1RefPWZiW9LfOm_Ch3qB1izeLmsYms2jsGJ_0lxrju2fNvJs/s1600/photo+c+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYirg14rkKYC_C8Gd9YxZ-njvk_amheKhuvdfAaVEPEGDywL49jb2U_HkMXOMEcJoFeEHAAXvvdDP-ueR0-yVT67STkiSU1RefPWZiW9LfOm_Ch3qB1izeLmsYms2jsGJ_0lxrju2fNvJs/s320/photo+c+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Here
we are on arrival at the "Sherpa capital" - Namche Bazar (altitude
3440m).<br />
<br />
All still standing!</span></div>
<br />The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-44752642439483820892013-05-20T02:28:00.000-07:002013-05-20T02:28:13.797-07:00Safely arrived...<div style="text-align: center;">
Safely arrived at Lukla airport...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB57gBQHM25E7CnPWt_g9vIWSA7DxUIUzSF1IK7vwoikvmAiWzf8YPNpqAU106SguXUW82DfUj4VnqKkqb20pg_vFRT5XKBAlgatXz1GlfBKt8fGSzrennz16umMc-zO4YAT5xmysbwMDa/s1600/Safely+arrived+at+Lukla+airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB57gBQHM25E7CnPWt_g9vIWSA7DxUIUzSF1IK7vwoikvmAiWzf8YPNpqAU106SguXUW82DfUj4VnqKkqb20pg_vFRT5XKBAlgatXz1GlfBKt8fGSzrennz16umMc-zO4YAT5xmysbwMDa/s320/Safely+arrived+at+Lukla+airport.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-43596959456773360452013-05-16T07:34:00.002-07:002013-05-16T07:34:17.611-07:00And we're off! <div style="text-align: center;">
Here we are - airport bound - onto Nepal we go!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bZeoz9dDK6FMrK-CJ_ND_yHWx6310FImmTW42elUviKhcJrcXjJfwCMINvP_JW3MWW39jtg5pdjAZUsweMISHeSdFirPs1hWtP_1yR-UkmAsp7z0DCEXXH7fZPwSsdkcNv5U8DIZkfVW/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bZeoz9dDK6FMrK-CJ_ND_yHWx6310FImmTW42elUviKhcJrcXjJfwCMINvP_JW3MWW39jtg5pdjAZUsweMISHeSdFirPs1hWtP_1yR-UkmAsp7z0DCEXXH7fZPwSsdkcNv5U8DIZkfVW/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-56745585055348976792013-05-13T03:04:00.005-07:002013-05-13T03:04:46.335-07:00Robocop
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hi Folks <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Final long session was a tale of aiming for the ceiling fleetingly
glimpsing the light switch before finishing just above the skirting
board. Sunshine made a cameo appearance Tues 7th May. We planned
7peaks 19miles 7hrs a good test before tapering. The deck was stacked
against. 2 hop alongs (A+RG) and 1armed bandit (R), forecast was
heavy rain followed by very heavy rain, wind speed 29-44mph... why do we
live in Northern Ireland?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Seven days ago Ralph's head of humerus was moonlighting as
a left breast enhancement. Sedation to reduce the dislocation a
couple of brufen and he was at work eight hours later, running again
day three... me thinks he is robocop. Leaving a deserted Donard carpark in
driving rain Ralph was making a comeback as improbable as Lazarus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Soaked just nipping into the carpark toilets but enough
of RGs walnut bladder and incontinence. Always a sense of nervous
anticipation starting the brute that is the seven7s... the Glen river in
torrent reminiscent of RG's 2008 humiliating DNF. Twitcher A
spotted a heron... even the birds get lost in the Mournes. With the cloud
base at 500m the bog crossing was already playing on our
minds. Comentators curse1 as R suggested 'there is no way we could get it
wrong again'... a balls up was now on the cards and concern R had also
dislocated his frontal lobe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Left arm tucked into his ruc sac belt admiral
nelson was moving well. Long John Silver and that other well
known one legged giser made it to the saddle. Donards summit is
always hard labour. Breaks in the Mourne wall hinted at the ferocity of the
wind. A had to superman angle himself to stand in the summit blast
(attached) Camera moment alarm as A credit card whipped out of
his hand thankfully a vortex slammed it back into the wall... relief for R + RG as
their meal ticket could so easily be in Newcastle....upon tyne. RG
was moving like a timmerous wee beasty on the descent. Commedagh was uneventful
until crossing the wall... we were almost base jumping without squirrel
suits. RG connected a few sensible head synapses (cos clearly R is a
bit short of these) and called a retreat to Tollymore forest. All hail
broke loose dropping off Commedagh.The high speed ice
exfoliation was painfully laughable. A recorded a first tumble which
no one saw as eyes were unopenable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Below the col the wind abated. R+A took 70yrds out of an
embarassingly cautious RG. Commentators curse2 RG suggested a bit
Ralphesque hypnosis would improve his lamentable descending... 50 yrds
later and over went robocop/nelson/one armed bandit/mountain
goat/butchers dog with 'a grazed left knee'... aye right... two deep gaping
gashes as deep as the Glen river and blood flowing as quick. Straight line
to the car was called for... one leg and one arm and still Ralph was fastest on
the descent... not funny. Pace was interupted for a galactically stupid
question from two edjits asking 'whats it like up there?' with rain +
trees sideways and claret flowing freely from R left leg... it required a
suitably insane RG reply 'aye not too bad just stay out of the wind'</span>.</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Boot of the car treatment table after debridement RG was
convinced he could see the bonic man's wiring until a
quick Greys anatomy tutorial from A pointed out screw heads from R
previous knee surgery... QED R is a machine. 'Patch and bandage
before he starts to rust' Do we suture or weld this? Casualty or Harland
and Wolfe?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2hrs 15min 7miles 2 peaks, yarns to dine out on and humour us in
our dotage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Training has been eventful and fun. Thanks to all cast
involved in our panto especially Garth, Andrew and Ralph who have
literally given an arm and leg and added much craic. Have we done enough
of the right stuff to tackle the Mt Everest Marathon... time to go and give it a
lash. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kindest regards<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RG</span><br />
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The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-45036687819200511012013-05-13T02:05:00.002-07:002013-05-13T03:05:47.071-07:00Behind the Costa front <span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anticipation is building
with just two weeks to departure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
hat trick of mishap is completed in style with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ralph dislocating his left shoulder playing tag rugby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andy services once again required. Cankaholic
A continues<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>his rehab routes leading him
back to the Cavehill. With a record red run descent of just 13mins… it appears
everything working except the brakes. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzpIYKng620mefZORyM8HBaxKOxozTqDHqwbSWV9grYYsc7FBhLW1HelTTTYdVUr18Lf586zFBmou7GKHZFp0w7WMM2xDL7Gtc0DGzUMERGE3EtqL6WneoUZ-OImfKE6TPuBhaQ2_T3VT/s1600/Flying+doctor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzpIYKng620mefZORyM8HBaxKOxozTqDHqwbSWV9grYYsc7FBhLW1HelTTTYdVUr18Lf586zFBmou7GKHZFp0w7WMM2xDL7Gtc0DGzUMERGE3EtqL6WneoUZ-OImfKE6TPuBhaQ2_T3VT/s320/Flying+doctor.JPG" width="238" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A short admin meeting
was uneventful until the revelation that behind Robert’s Costa coffee front was
actually 10hrs a week training and employing a personal trainer… Money<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>she
is a headturner professional gym bunny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Simultaneously RG + A jaws hit the deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With cashews replacing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>chocolate… it's a serious effort / crisis … or is there more going on
with Mr Eligible?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The RK 2013 model boasts
svelt, ripped and aerodynamic lines, improved power to weight ratio, faster
0-60, no spare tyres or airbags, and no tub of lard. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bunny’s pics… show RK the
powerhouse medic in stretcher training how very thoughtful... great to have him
on our team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGaYO3xDDCvW4pUmAoNfDdK_7gQZKK3O6YYH8tTI-UuRkcZTHmPsrbnC1BGLLa4jlVaTrO_SBDvNiKN714hfnqsjZ6qChkxJO7TJHplgT3Fthzd1-FgNGlJPtx5vbNHbvLJneJRTsb3E_/s1600/Stretcher+training.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGaYO3xDDCvW4pUmAoNfDdK_7gQZKK3O6YYH8tTI-UuRkcZTHmPsrbnC1BGLLa4jlVaTrO_SBDvNiKN714hfnqsjZ6qChkxJO7TJHplgT3Fthzd1-FgNGlJPtx5vbNHbvLJneJRTsb3E_/s320/Stretcher+training.JPG" width="238" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On that
bombshell… goodnight. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RG</span><br />
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The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-1912434563697628332013-04-24T03:56:00.000-07:002013-04-24T04:10:10.167-07:00Contagious Canklitis<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Namaste Amigos,</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another session of muck, sweat and muppetry. Contagious
canklitis had now lamed Andrew, reluctantly he rerouted to
Andy's treatment table leaving RG to survive Ralph Farah pace.
Apprehension at the prospect of 5peaks and 6hrs was compounded by 30yrd
visability and significant wind... internally and externally. We strode out
of Meelmore Lodge 7.50am. Within five minutes we are struggling to pick
up trails lines... eventally stumbled on Trassey track and made Hare's gap
in an acceptable 30mins. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First slug of fluids and RG realised he was
carrying old and well fermented 'cider'... every chance TTRG would
be sozzled and unfit to drive home... and so the scene was set for yet
another pantomime on the hills featuring the ugly sisters.
</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sticking tight to the wall up the brutally steep Bearnagh before bracing
for RGs nemisis and Ralphs roller coaster... the Banzai descent.
Starting slow, RG got slower as self preservation and a gusting wind threatened
to cowp him at every step. Mountain goat Ralph found conditions
'fun'. You could smell RGs relief on a safe descent. Motorway
on top of the wall in that wind was impossible but R kept RG in
the red zone with a 'farah' pace over Mellmore and
Meelbeg before RG took a bearing for BenCrom dam. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimobecyXD5AtfTvHmyWQmPQjYArqzIf30FeXYRATiOV8ac2D05LFtRpdCf8b8zH7TUBqczxjoQmARQCVK7slPqWrPN6JCW74ywW6iZSU7oet-6VMNgKy7zPD2yqFxPbbI4qNfdrg8Npc_5/s1600/Ralph+squatting+at+snow+bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimobecyXD5AtfTvHmyWQmPQjYArqzIf30FeXYRATiOV8ac2D05LFtRpdCf8b8zH7TUBqczxjoQmARQCVK7slPqWrPN6JCW74ywW6iZSU7oet-6VMNgKy7zPD2yqFxPbbI4qNfdrg8Npc_5/s1600/Ralph+squatting+at+snow+bridge.JPG" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">R pulled a good
line into the bog to the river. 'Cleaner than usual, deeper than usual and a
snow bridge to boot'. As we began to enjoy the river run
suddenly it plummetted into a deep ravine... had last months ice age
cut a new valley?...or were we lost... again. Waldorf and Stadler had
not spotted the cleaner and deeper clues above. A quick map check confirmed we
were about to hit the dam from the wrong side... affectionately known as
the thumb breaker. RG's 7th visit to the Ben Crom bog... muppets
never learn. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PpzocTAan_uPS4LMbBQDAhP8cVpgzS54iq1whKTKW2cDg2b0w9BeKdSpMtCLQ-zbuyX8SXwTZ187lprPf8BQqPxwZOm8dbKuMLeInBsX_OBIWlmEew_Apl6HIvlodi8_ks0KnVPSi-C-/s1600/Thumb+breaker+traverse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PpzocTAan_uPS4LMbBQDAhP8cVpgzS54iq1whKTKW2cDg2b0w9BeKdSpMtCLQ-zbuyX8SXwTZ187lprPf8BQqPxwZOm8dbKuMLeInBsX_OBIWlmEew_Apl6HIvlodi8_ks0KnVPSi-C-/s1600/Thumb+breaker+traverse.JPG" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The line to recovery was a steep boulder field <span style="background-color: white; color: black;">(pictured on
far side of the water)</span> It was no place for a butchers dog, a recovering
cankaholic... in fact it was no place for a chamois or sherpa goats. Losing 45mins
on the recovery scramble we finally made the dam. Good call A to miss
this one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Relief to be on familiar ground was short lived as we
heard and saw through the cloud a silouette of the mournes stone
monster swinging his sledge hammer... very Scooby Doo. Daphne
and Velma scrambled up more elusive trails to the saddle.
Drop the bags? said Daphne (in a non suggestive manner)... was almost
as ridiculous as RG's 'let me take a bearing farce'. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nk86NZRHE3BrZXvisgcJO4fZBvfxvrYTKp5BgSR-_EbkLVtZN5D8r0khbsKeSJNvnQLKbFy3w_a83ogwAY_UXaIKzbkLwCPliimPkUHpHTQNiPM16TQHjkdcNaC2SfEPGOjutw27rUTN/s1600/Moving+mountains.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nk86NZRHE3BrZXvisgcJO4fZBvfxvrYTKp5BgSR-_EbkLVtZN5D8r0khbsKeSJNvnQLKbFy3w_a83ogwAY_UXaIKzbkLwCPliimPkUHpHTQNiPM16TQHjkdcNaC2SfEPGOjutw27rUTN/s1600/Moving+mountains.JPG" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lost on Binian was in
well underway... until we spotted a trail dropped from the heavens... one tonne
builders bags... courtesy of mourne council track upgrade. The mystery was
solved as we passed 'old man smithers' and his mangey dog heading for... the
track machine high on Binian... with legs plastered and brain hammered RG attempted
some joy riding.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Summited Binian, a quick slash had RG
peeing all over himself regardless of which direction he pointed percy
in the swirling breeze. Careful retracing... passing the pancake
rocks put R on a lunch overdrive mission to Mauds.
Lamagan was its usual unpleasant upward abyss.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Homeward bound we
contoured round looking for another non-existent trail... dropping into who knows
where we took another stab in the cloud praying for brandy pad. A
gloomy unrecognisable valley could have been the foggy side of moon or as
R suggested the Annalong valley... at which point RG's already
suspect navigation was just in tatters. A brief clearing of
cloud was enough for R to pick a line for a snowpacked gully beside
the sea of tranquility and we staggered onto the most welcome brandy pad.
Steady trot to Haresgap where Ralph let the brakes off took 300yrds
out of RG before Trassey. With cloud lifting we found a good trail to the lodge
and kept an honest pace to the car. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mauds for grub and hangover cure. Tale of the GPS tape was
evidence to convict RG of navigation genocide... who even got
lost looking for the toilet. 5hr35min 15miles 5 peaks barely setting foot on a
trail. Thanks to Ralph for his commitment to training us. Hoping to have A
back with us for the next installment. RK maintains his intensive coffee
shop regime. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kindest regards<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RG</span><br />
<br />
(If you would like to leave comments for the team, you can do so below each post by clicking 'comments' and adding your message).<br />
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The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-89724379060809474902013-04-12T03:08:00.000-07:002013-04-12T03:08:06.078-07:006peaks....aye right
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hi Folks<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Barely moving after yesterdays training. Spring time in
Northern Ireland meant four foot drifts, a disappearing Mourne wall, 25yrds
of visability, unfamiliar land shape and colour... RG was a cert to
get lost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ralph was gutted to be missing today leaving Andrew and
RG to hit the hills. A duff forecast threatened a
reroute to the Causeway for predictable trails and mileage. Exec
decision 'stick with plan A'... six peaks 16miles 6hrs...aye right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Like heifers on fresh grass the Passat was released from
its ice cave hibernation we B lined for Newcastle. 8.01am we strode
out on trail. Would the kit and bodies hold up? With a track
upgrade we made good speed up the Glen river heading for Donard. At 400m
we crossed the snow line and into Siberia. Snow and ice hiding the
track and river quickly had RG + A sprackling. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dumped the rucksacks
at the saddle for a final summit push. Step up, fall in or slide
back made it heavy work. Rain turned to snow, RG feared a
stroke as the right side of face and brain numbed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The summit looked akin to spectacular frozen
candifloss. Snow holes pointed to other eedjits had been
here. A + RG claimed the highest summit in Northern Ireland thanks to the
additional 10 foot of snow. Mr Tumble descended to saddle with a
hat-trick of falls leaving RG tip-toeing over ski, sledge and
crampon tracks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Commedagh was more of the same. Six peaks was looking like a
multiday trek. Crossing the wall things changed... the snow got
deeper and human tracks disappeared. </span></div>
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Fumbling for
direction the next mile took 54mins. The blog nearly became an epitaph as both
RG +A similtaneously disappeared into a river and the waist deep
snow. Wet numb toes had us looking like two big
legless jinnys on stilettos. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">'Th</span>e brandypad used to be about here' as
RG called for a left turn....exit stategy was now priority. Nothing looked
familiar, as we crossed snow filled gullies the drop below into the white
abyss was a Commedagh version of the Kangshung face... sure
feet needed here. Each step was a lottery drop into ankle, knee or
waist. Ice age visions of RG + A lost and frozen below the crust. Finally we
saw the cross... rails of the stile. Six peaks ambitions were revised
to dry clothes and hot sweet tea.</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Descending the Glen river we left the snow behind, got out of the
wind and suddenly life returned. A was just relieved to see mudclaws had
not fallen off his numb feet. As we dropped to the forest RG suggested a few
extra miles through Tollymore. The rain increased it felt like a warm
shower. Legs were spent as we turned for home. A graciously let RG walk a few
hills home. Hadn't seen a sinner all day... until a herd of lady ramblers met us
average age 70+... respect. A final descent of wet roots on shattered
unresposive legs was like a deathrun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unbelievably A was dry..the montane kit was
renamed ronseal. RGs indecent exposure was unremarkable...his wedding
vegetables had long since gone in for heat. Mauds for tea and stew and still RGs
fingers were not looking too clever. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Text received
to inform us Mournes had been declared an avalanche risk and no go
zone for all Duke of Edinburgh work for next seven days... such info might have been
useful and we considered a reroute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 peaks 17miles 4hrs30mins...and it feels like it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kindest regards<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RG</span></div>
The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-80668959327035399542013-03-28T09:58:00.003-07:002013-04-02T02:31:02.364-07:00Namaste Snowmen...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEH-kKts9mcUSGdZIDDn22Ccr5vfHZoYqDO89IyANBc78YnhiVoxFDq9bcpQlRul_xED_CVwSjIl5dcSVBvkix7hthrJcz2iKn-Pv5n2UaPFHxueb54upbKERkSJOwNWJVO5mhwdBWVRB/s1600/IMG-20130324-00227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEH-kKts9mcUSGdZIDDn22Ccr5vfHZoYqDO89IyANBc78YnhiVoxFDq9bcpQlRul_xED_CVwSjIl5dcSVBvkix7hthrJcz2iKn-Pv5n2UaPFHxueb54upbKERkSJOwNWJVO5mhwdBWVRB/s320/IMG-20130324-00227.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br />Delighted to have survived a wintery lap of the Cavey. Three weeks since cankling myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br />Rehab report <br />'Rehab is for quitters' as brother Monty reminded me. <br />Most grateful for Andys advice. Alternative training has ranged from bizarre ninja balancing, jogging on the nursey slopes avec mon baggette. After week at 1800m with a stunning view of Mt Blanc I was itching to get back running.<br />
House completely snowbound. Lane full of snow.. passat hibernation for the next four weeks. Nephews kindly helped us to break trail over four fields to get to house. Using kids plastic sledges to manhaul luggage, groceries, and rubbish in and out...bit of craic but such a hassle. <br />
</span><br />
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My gentle return to running planned for Ballyboley forest became a 45 min stepper work out in two foot of snow... cankle was well iced and so were my hips as headed off trail and fell into a sheugh. I now seek forgiveness from the mother superior of trail runners as I was seen running.... on a treadmill... I have not succumbed to dreaded tarmac yet. <br />
<br />
Inspired by Ralph's Divis mountain run where he inadvertantly ran over the roofs of two snow burried cars it was time to get up and at it. <br />
<br />
Between the sick, the lame and the coffee shop a depleted team was summonsed to Belfast castle. Pastoral visit as RG called with big G... great to see him out in his shed MOT prepping a car... hope to see him out with us in the future. <br />
<br />
Five copies of the Irish News...hilarious to see Roberts neb on pg32. Humble apologies to A + RK being relegated to the Vauxhall conference of healthcare professionals... aka dentists. Delighted Michael PR is widening Stand by Me audience via this wee project.<br />
<br />
A was a late withdrawl due to work hassle...left R and RG who was going with full kit test of shorts, lycra+leggings. Just a canklet now which RG attributed to an allergic reaction to last nights treadmill shame. 100yrds in and we hit 'nam'... track littered with fallen trees, huge ones uprooted under weight of recent snow. Blood hound R was over trunks, under boughs, through folliage with the allure of snowy trails. Packed crisp snow under torchlight was great fun.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">
'Time to test the ankle' as RG called the route over stile. With no trail visible
we made a best guess through the crust... heavy going in places... we made the
transmitter mast. R's scorching descent left RG for dead. Next climb no sign of
sherpa feet as were both into knees and even a tumble for mountain goat R. RG
wheezed up the hill... to find R with his 'Godsent' taxi...we knew it was for R
as it was a tasty choc coated wafer. The taxi RG ordered was
motorised... preferably with an orthopaedic bed and oxygen... that would be an
ambulance then. <br />
</span><br />
Cracker night view from McArts. RG declined the red for the longer but safer
track home. Hard packed with a few steeple chase snow drifts kept R amused. RG
thought it and R said it 'not sure what Andy would say about this for a cankle
rahab route'. 'A wiff of sheep?', suggested RG, as he was cagey on the descent.
<br />
<br />
Orange eyes startled R...a gruffalo?... no it was one of the cavehills wild
horses. Mistaking horses for other animals seems to be flavour of this months
burgers. A solid pace to home. Delighted to report no drama but plenty of
interest on tonights run. 4.7miles 71minutes... no records. Great to be out
running together again. <br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-87309016325532216272013-03-25T08:57:00.000-07:002013-03-25T08:58:32.518-07:00A later than usual start ...<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">With
RG continuing rehab (on the ski slopes…) from his career-threatening ankle
injury, and RK maintaining an admirable loyalty to his coffee shop training
routine (oh, and the daily visits to the gym!!), the average age was halved as
R and A took to the Cavehill.<br />
<br />
A later than usual start ensured that, despite the "great stretch in the
evenings" these days, head torches and reflective gear were essential as
the young pups started out for the snow-capped peak.<br />
<br />
Ambitious goals were set for the night - the main one being to remain upright
at all times, on a track that in numerous spots resembled parts of the Total
Wipeout course! (Minus those enormous greasy spheres that every contestant
comes a cropper on - obviously….)<br />
<br />
Job interviews, R's new wheels and bank holiday training runs covered, the
conversation tailed off with the increasing gradient. Once above the tree
line and past the caves, the push was on to the stile, R leading the way with
his usual consummate ease. The formation of a new gravel track (sacrilege
to some!) helped in the pursuit of an historic first - for us anyway! -
continuous running from carpark to summit. From there it was off to the
stile - the "recovery route" in reverse. But for the crazy rabbits
and some even crazier mountain bikers the track would have been invisible, and
with each stride into snow and ice-cold water the feet became more and more
numb. A fast descent from the stile back down the gravel path took us to
the caves from where, in the faint head torch light we could just make out our
next monstrous challenge - the Black Run…. Uphill. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br />
It started at a run, slowed to a jog and for A, at least, quickly became a
painful walk with calf explosion imminent. R seemed to skip, nay dance to
the summit, later admitting that he "may have walked in a couple of
spots". In any case McArt's fort was once again reached and stunning
views across the city enjoyed briefly before the descent began.<br />
<br />
Down the red we went with Mudclaws and Talons working overtime to keep their
respective owners upright on a treacherous descent - "the worst yet"
R was heard to cry (quite a claim!). R managed to stay upright despite
resembling a contestant on Dancing on Ice at times, while A lost it on one
bend. Full face plant looked on the cards but somehow was avoided with a
"knee slide" that bore an uncanny resemblance to a certain post-goal
celebration Steven Gerard……….<br />
<br />
The carpark was reached without further incident and a new descent record (for
some of us!) of 17mins set. <br />
<br />
Great night, great craic and, thanks to the wonders of hot water, limbs and
feet have finally thawed!!
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br />
(If you would like to leave the team any comments you can do so by clicking 'comments' below).</span><br />The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-53124038783002032652013-03-08T06:56:00.003-08:002013-03-08T07:46:53.317-08:00Numb below the shin.<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Namaste
Folks.</span><br />
<br />
Numb below the shin. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut0ooF3D7EV4fJyepl3zLtp5uDBjNj1kwjQHNrgzsn1deppb6OLMPqZFF4tFA5tWm_qALByo0zNDPnE8symWV_MKqSrSSkQNAvAzX6KyxbYBeIID0gGzvOFHEoKYrIFwYHK9HGJbMEi2-/s1600/100_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut0ooF3D7EV4fJyepl3zLtp5uDBjNj1kwjQHNrgzsn1deppb6OLMPqZFF4tFA5tWm_qALByo0zNDPnE8symWV_MKqSrSSkQNAvAzX6KyxbYBeIID0gGzvOFHEoKYrIFwYHK9HGJbMEi2-/s320/100_0308.JPG" width="320" /></a>Thanks to Andy's recovery regime, staff reckon I have lost it. One leg balancing is attracting storky RG or a senile Karate kid thoughts.<br />
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<br />
As for squatting in a bucket surrounded by ice... how very Nepali. Reminded of
Monty's 2008 sismic movement with a high altitude evacuation on the Mera Peak
glacier resulting in a remapping the Himalayas to include the new giant
Makapoo. <br />
<br />
Today things have progressed to an outbreak of blue toe. Cankle is subsiding
and not progressed to thankle as Andy quipped yesterday. Saturday's review with
our team psychic... will doubtless have me doing further bizarre activities next
week. </span></div>
The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-58839388852283596362013-03-05T02:48:00.000-08:002013-03-08T09:08:32.058-08:00Cankles : where calfs run untapered into fat ankles... not a great look.<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Namaste Folks </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cankles : where calfs run untapered into fat ankles... not a great look.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Buoyed by reports of RK hitting the trails on Cavehill... or have Costa opened a shop on McArts? A prompt start we were Mournes bound for our first longer session. Muppetry started as RG hit the west link rounded Carlisle Circus and retracked braving the non rush hour stampede. Andrew graciously overlooked the navigation debacle. 10mins early at Carryduff and Ralph was still ahead of us. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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Plenty of new kit on display with the montane minumus men (A+RG) both sporting
new backpacks. Good work as we struck out on trail at 8.03am. 10 dry days
winter vegetation, we have never seen better trails. Hare's gap was in
sight 29mins as we crossed the snowline. Steady up Bearnagh onto the
permafrost... 'backside may need care' R+RG commented. A cough reminded us of
his brush with last week’s flu... real flu, but moving well we summitted 7mins
ahead of schedule. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RG recounted the legend that is now
Ninja Ralphs banzai headband and his kamikaze Bearnagh descent 2011. Resulting
in RG ten toes up eyes on stalks in the afterwash. RG/Baldrick plan was for
Ninja R to stop below for some video footage of the Montane men (MM)
descending. With sticks a flurry RG started like a granny knitting,
foolishly began to gain confidence on the double black diamond, tacked in for a
showboat video moment... until a nasty roll of the left ankle. (attached not
for the squeamish) 'Looked sore' was R comment...no reply RGs guts were in his
mouth. Much to learn from our grandstanding master..big Garthy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
A cut a good safe line to the bottom. Roving reporter Ralph stowed the outside
broadcast unit and still hit the col 50yards ahead of us...how does he do that.
Two jelly babies and Mr Bump plaster and on we went.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
MM motorwayed up on the wall to the Meelmore icehouse. Biting cold pushed us
across the wall heading for Meelbeg. RG moving like a big Jessie lost 75yrds to
the happy valley col before engaging low box, dif lock, twin stick drive and
rallyed up Meelbeg...now whose sticks look daft?
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sticks swapped to A for a test
drive. R sniffed out a perfect line to the river. A minor ankle roll in the
soft followed by 2 bigger rolls on the rocks left RG 100yrds adrift and air
blue with some unprintable words. Mint conditions, the green light read +5mins
and R+A were into a Kenyan rhythm...what a bummer. R+A spotted RG floundering
more than usual. Dr A opened the tardis first aid kit. Brufen od,Crep + elastoplast
strapping and RG was uprightish. Sticks became crutches...the lengths folks go
to get their toys back. Bail out strategy agreed and blood hound Ralph had us
heading for the jolly green passat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Fascinating chat about helicopter rescue docs in Oz. Our 4hr day became 3. Good
to all get safely back. 'Jangbu' hot choc and currant slab helped revive before
hitting Mauds for IV Panini + caffeine. New kit worked well. Expecting R to
join the montane minimus men soon. Missed call from Andy while out on the
hill... freaky... was he watching Ralph’s video nasty?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
RG met Andy at Maxol station for a boot of the car consultation late afternoon.
Just fantastic to have such expertise with the team.
</span>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I email with my left cankle
submerged in icewater...much to my colleagues amusement. The MEM today seems
like an even bigger ask. Yesterday was good training 8.6miles 3hrs 3mins+a good
teamwork learning experience...thanks to A+R+A for patience and help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx9oTHKiTJgvNQK0bo8K2jjzURjICGkJHMnh2dAi9Ps7BgJTUHbUmpNxeX-T_TscKXkUzM9hze6AhxN18Ea' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Kindest regards
</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RG</span></div>
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The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-20253334062491285802013-02-28T02:47:00.000-08:002013-03-08T04:28:03.802-08:00Head still buzzing after last night’s lap of the Cavey...<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Greetings Dudes<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Head still buzzing after last night’s lap of the Cavey. Just
Ralph+RG... no hiding place tonight RGs only hope was Ralph’s 5hr Adventure race
last Sunday would slow him. Spirits were already high with the novelty of
a daylight start... that wee pig of a starting hill gets no
easier. A waft of aromatic esters through the trees. Traffic on the
steps as two lads lurched towards Ralph reeking of evostick. Sad to
see....and embarassing as they seemed to making better progress on
the steep than RG.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Dry trails, good viz... no excuses. Made the grid in a single
push...brief pause for Ralph then on towards the stile. High on something
RG suggested the whole hog and head for McArts. Further stoning this
time a trail upgrade. Past the track machine. The sight
of temporary cliff top fence evoked RG lament 'hope they don't sanitize
the place'.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Over the summit, heading down for the gorse cross track... was it the
twilight, was it the surreal misty landscape, was it the dry trail, was
it Andy's lunge + squats, was it the evostick... RG had an out of body
experience leading Ralph down a descent.... Yes it was like being
chased by a butchers dog... arms flailing for balance or was it to stop
Ralph passing? Right turn Clyde and like oorgangutangs on speed, we hoofed back
to the stile in record time.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hungry for more and in
a moment of inspiration / lunacy, Ralph called a further descent then up
the black... yes up the black. On the steep to quote David Coleman
'Ralph opened his legs and showed his class' RG opened his bowels and
showed his lunch. With a lung bust we made it back to
McArts. RG's best sprint to the view point still had Ralph pulling
away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Only one star tonight - Ralphus major...I am gutted he's not running
MEM...'could of been a contender'. Head torches lit for the
traditional red run home. Dry trails called for a return of our green shorted
and crossmax partners. A brief nod of respect at the former gorse thicket
scene of the big Garthy bulldozer debacle. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RG became Andrew as
he tramped on... could he stay in touch? A classic fast feet flurry from
Ralph over the rocky roots and RG was broken. 59mins 5miles...record
descent...just the ticket after a stressful day at the orifice. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hope A+G are recovered and back with
us next time. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kindest regards
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RG</span></div>
The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-60884658612189315142013-02-14T02:45:00.000-08:002013-03-15T03:52:56.675-07:00Last night’s session was more akin to bog snorkling...<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Quack quack Amigos.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
Last night’s session was more akin to bog snorkling. Andrew's timing was
immaculate as the deluge overhead cleared. Less immaculate was the lycra. Boy
Scout RG armed with a sac full of AAA batteries. BigG gambled on an
intermediate compound with his salamon crossmax. R, A + RG played safe with
mudclaws and talons. Off the grid is always high revs, slow speed and much
wheeezing. R+A quickly dropped the old guard. With water running on every track
it added another new challenge.<br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><em><strong>A rare early morning adventure on Cavehill when we can actually see where we’re
going</strong></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
Tito respect to R+A who keep the climb going to the stile... a new training
high. <br />
RG splashed out over the moor with a few wobbles. BigG cut a fine wake up from
the gorse crosstrack. RG called a new route...loop round and come up the red.
<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">R pulled us all along to a
ridiculous 8min mile split as we dropped down towards Hightown and juked across
to the base of the red run.
<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We followed the Tigris to where it
met the Euphrates...at which point the similarity with the Garden of Eden
stalled. Willy Wonka’s chocolate waterfall almost required fixed ropes and
crampons. R+A moved lightly leaving RG+G playing about like a couple of hippos.
Totally waterlogged the high path became grand canal cavehill. The ascent was
great training the descent was unnerving and entertaining... We returned to the
Garden of Eden in time for....the fall of man...or should I say the many falls
of Garth.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What a sketch...zero
grip...careering out of control... head torch flashing everywhere...ten toes in
the air...saved only by lodging himself in a thicket of briars. Confidence and
legs in tatters G bravely finished the descent grandstanding with a triple toe
loop and landed it ... in a hole on his hole.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
The low road home was uneventful. 5.5miles 78mins....pretty quick for an
individual medally. Best of luck getting that running kit cleaned G.
<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ralph and Andrew have booked facials
and spray tan in prep for Sunday’s photo shoot. Fountain of youth required to
even give RG a fighting chance... saving grace is he is standing beside an ugly
edifice of Napoleon's nose correction... Robert's nose.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once again thanks to all for another
good night on the hill. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kindest regards
<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RG</span></div>
The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-26882496665514751402013-02-07T02:39:00.000-08:002013-03-08T04:27:28.383-08:00Great to be joined by big G on the Cavey last night....<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Namaste All.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Great to be joined by big G on the Cavey last night....or was it Ralph after a
visit to Lance Armstrong’s doctor?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Andrew's new job 'running Royal ICU' meant a kit change in the car park.
Breaking news A's candle had been upgraded to Pretzl head torch...a further
promotion to new Lenser H7R coupled with his dayglow Beanie he was... fully
lit.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Is black the new green?... Andrew played a straight bat with his choice of
running shorts but as RG + G know it is hard to'polish a turd'.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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RG after all his 'big' lycra+stick chat also kicked for touch on the kit
choice. <br />
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The nasty climb from the car park...never seems to get easier. Cracker night...
cold, clear with trail crusty with few ice and snow pockets.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the forest drag up... the feng
shui was not right...RG had company as he and big G toiled up towards the
caves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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As A rounded the headland... the sound of ships foghorns leaving Stranraer
could be heard over the channel... or was that just RG and big G groaning up
the hill? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Head torch #1 faded as we passed the prevailing tree on a 'proper trail' as G
wheezed before dropping his foot into a permafrost puddle. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Up from the Gorse crosstrail to summit again A making 'light' of the
conditions. A fast feet sprint onto McArts for astronomy blurb 2. Sirius the
brightest star in our solar system... correction, now second brightest after
Andrew’s head.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">G was still moving and naively
suggested was happy to do whatever. A last second change took RG down the black
run. Tricky at best of time... but add frost, and head torch...A suggested
'positively alarming compared to last week’s stab in dark candlelit descent...
ignorance is not all bad'.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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A yomp up the deceptively long stretch from grid to McArts before starting the
red run to home. G was down to 20watts...Head torch #2 was swapped with RG...nb
after the tricky bit. Last half mile was more akin to G recent Gosford sprint.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Good training and fun. Thanks A+G and Lenser who made the evening possible.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kindest regards
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RG</span></div>
The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-12975289684404615472013-01-31T02:36:00.000-08:002013-04-02T02:11:45.707-07:00Survived another lap of the Cavey...<span style="font-family: "Myriad Web Pro","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Namaste All.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Myriad Web Pro","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span>
<span style="font-family: "Myriad Web Pro","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Survived another lap of the Cavey... perhaps RK coffee shop training is the way
forward. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Myriad Web Pro","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
A delayed start gave Ralph and RG time to sort US gun laws, world debt, Ralph’s
next motor and we’re just about to tackle the flegs when Andrew saved us. Head
torches on and a candle strapped to Andrews beanie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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100yrds in and my heart rate was well in the red zone whilst the young guns
were having a perfectly civilized chat. As usual R+A tramped out a steady pace
stopping to check I hadn't actually wheezed up my right lung. A final push up
to the stile... inappropriate word considering Andrews green shorts. Better viz
tonight and the track was not covered in 18" of snow. Slithered past the
prevailing tree, rounded the bush and made it safely to the gorse cross track.
R+A again took 50yrds out of RG to the summit. Windy on top and out the back of
Ralph. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Myriad Web Pro","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Swapped Andrews candle for spare head torch before descending the black run
past the caves...great call Ralph. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Myriad Web Pro","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Another heanous climb back to McArts fort... RG was akin to Patrick Moore by
the way he was moving and some blurb about the plough and the north star.
Andrew was just pleased to be able to see beyond his big toe. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Myriad Web Pro","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Butcher's dog Ralph led us down the red route including the near death
compression. Tricky but exhilarating descent with RG in the bushes twice. No
sign of Cavehills wild horses tonight... they have more sense. Good wee pace
home with RG down to 20watts needing to keep Andrews pins in view. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Myriad Web Pro","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A good recovery from R after a high
tariff launch from side of the track. Good buzz. Enjoy the weekends skiing
Ralph... ne pas dans le hopital en France sil vous plait.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><span style="font-family: "Myriad Web Pro","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kindest regards<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><span style="font-family: "Myriad Web Pro","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RG</span></div>
The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-75001665274697423692013-01-30T05:06:00.000-08:002013-04-02T02:33:43.189-07:00Stand up for the Ultramen<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seemed like a good idea as we strategically booked our 2012 training events. Mourne Way marathon would give Ralph his first 26mile trail marathon (left).The seven7s is just a brute of a hill challenge. Finishing our year with the Causeway Coast Ultra.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mourne Way Marathon highlights</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A superb 4hr45min debut in the Mournes by Ralph was trumped by his wife Karen participation in the Guiness world record... longest game of tag rugby 31hrs !!<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RG enjoyed / endured a communal post race ice bath / cold mucky trough with Dawson Stellfox...first Irishman to summit Everest<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RG 6h29mins survives another year as Ralph got lost on Binian while contesting the race lead.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Richard Ross 6hr46mins Ralph+RG 6hr48mins</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having trained up to 28miles the race held a lot of unknowns. A strong westerly breeze helped us to Carrick a rede rope bridge. Support from Karen and a few brufen got Ralph over a dodgy knee at 20miles.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Survived the half marathon stampede lead by Richard Ross and the Topping brothers...what are they thinking? A landslip at Dunseverick required a mucky detour adding 1.5miles to the route.<u></u><u></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much appreciated encouagement from the 10k starters including Auldnutter and local yeti Monty gave Ralph and RG the lift needed to finish in 7hr55mins (right).<u></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reward for joining the ultra club was a big hug from Hannah Shields NI first lady and dentist to summit Everest.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Andrew Topping joins the team Sept 12 (below)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ralph unable to travel for the Everest Marathon...he's going to be a daddy...Karen due on raceday 29.05.13</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">If you'd like the full details of their challenge and how to support their project you can find it on the <a href="http://www.standby.me/everest">Stand by Me website</a>. </span></span>The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530086532876816129.post-1602874805258324732013-01-29T04:42:00.000-08:002013-06-24T06:38:37.043-07:00Meet the team...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWWwOtZAlwfX-yugoVQJQnjbV4X-9A8tz0KVVNtBUK1W6ORNWzDOwGOA6hHRuiXk-WeaNGYyic7D_5cnC3xcbuanHMyzzmyfad-Ju2doVxILe0qJdiuzQ03hHvJAJU_CAOtzaUBnVl3Js/s1600/Stand+By+Me+Everest+%23B98FA5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWWwOtZAlwfX-yugoVQJQnjbV4X-9A8tz0KVVNtBUK1W6ORNWzDOwGOA6hHRuiXk-WeaNGYyic7D_5cnC3xcbuanHMyzzmyfad-Ju2doVxILe0qJdiuzQ03hHvJAJU_CAOtzaUBnVl3Js/s320/Stand+By+Me+Everest+%23B98FA5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We are a team of four ordinary guys with a trainer, who have decided to push
ourselves with the challenge of the Highest Marathon in the World – The Mount
Everest Marathon in May 2013, as the first ever Stand by Me Team Ireland to
enter the race!. L-R Andrew Topping, Robert Kennedy, Richard McBride, Andy
McMullan (trainer) and Ralph Mercer. We thought we’d share, in a lighthearted
manner, the highs and lows of our preparation and training for this event. We’re
taking this challenge on to raise funds for Stand by Me – a charity who rescues
and cares for kids around the world – in this case kids in Hetauda, Nepal
(<a href="http://www.standby.me/">www.standby.me</a>). The Mount Everest Marathon 2013 Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03709760873533992014noreply@blogger.com0