I did it! 70 Wonderful Miles, even the 13 miles of steading uphill tarmac in Glen Etive to the finish. At times I though I was going as slow as this internet connection, so I'll keep this short.
No results or times (due to watching Dave Atkinson's flying finish to The West Highland Way) but it took me 6h 8mins.
Many thanks for your support - in whatever form!
More later,
Joe
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Adventure - Getting to the Start Line ... is The Hardest Part
Is hard to believe a week a has gone by since the last posting. It's been said that getting to the start line is usually one of the busiest and most difficult part of any race or adventure.
This is certainly an adventure, as well as the prep for '70 Wild Miles' I am of course packing for a two week trip to Scotland, the Hebrides and The Hebridean Challenge. http://www.hebrideanchallenge.com/ so there is a lot of gear and planning to be done, and it's amazing where the time disappears to. There has been more time spent with bikes, bike racks and roof racks in the past week then time actually training. Coupled to that, I've been watching The An Turas race unfold in South Western Ireland and just recieved the route for The Heb. It may be a late night of map marking tonight or tomorrow.
Adventure has been defined as having three key elements; firstly, a 'realistic objective'. Secondly, 'uncertainty of outcome, and thirdly, 'good companionship'. I've held onto these three things for over twenty years, since I first heard of them from a very wise old man* and while the first two usually prompt interesting debate, the third intrigues me the most. I've done a few epic Team Adventure Races and 'good companionship' shines through as a fundamental memory. Paired mountain marathons and involvement in such things as Bob Graham Rounds and other ultra events give rewarding memories, too. But what about solo events? I challenged this notion main years ago as a young man, and it took me a while to appreciate the meaning of this. I was told, by the wise old man's student, ('cos they wrote thesis on it!) that solo trips count .... My 'solo' Heb Challenge was certainly an adventure, and other solo runs, too, but having my partner Lindsey support me through out was an excellent privilege. Savouring the last few miles of that race was magical.
In the next two weeks, I will be 'racing solo' on Saturday, enjoying a few days holiday with Lindsey, then racing as a pretty strong and competitive 'pair' with Wilko. Added to that Geraldine will be joining us for the second week; no doubt 'lubricating' the proceedings with her humour, charm and mellow beauty. What might happen.....? Who knows but we are off for an adventure, with good companionship. And having great fun. I hope those out in Southern Ireland will be do so, as well.
I may find the time (and technology) to write one or two blog postings after '70 Wild Miles', if only to let you know I haven't drowned. Thanks again for your donations to the charity. Perhaps, once I've completed the event a few more pounds will be deposited.
Please keep supporting me.... pass this onto more friends and colleagues.
*The Wise Old Man's Student was called Duncan - and his tutor, Colin Mortlock.
This is certainly an adventure, as well as the prep for '70 Wild Miles' I am of course packing for a two week trip to Scotland, the Hebrides and The Hebridean Challenge. http://www.hebrideanchallenge.com/ so there is a lot of gear and planning to be done, and it's amazing where the time disappears to. There has been more time spent with bikes, bike racks and roof racks in the past week then time actually training. Coupled to that, I've been watching The An Turas race unfold in South Western Ireland and just recieved the route for The Heb. It may be a late night of map marking tonight or tomorrow.
Adventure has been defined as having three key elements; firstly, a 'realistic objective'. Secondly, 'uncertainty of outcome, and thirdly, 'good companionship'. I've held onto these three things for over twenty years, since I first heard of them from a very wise old man* and while the first two usually prompt interesting debate, the third intrigues me the most. I've done a few epic Team Adventure Races and 'good companionship' shines through as a fundamental memory. Paired mountain marathons and involvement in such things as Bob Graham Rounds and other ultra events give rewarding memories, too. But what about solo events? I challenged this notion main years ago as a young man, and it took me a while to appreciate the meaning of this. I was told, by the wise old man's student, ('cos they wrote thesis on it!) that solo trips count .... My 'solo' Heb Challenge was certainly an adventure, and other solo runs, too, but having my partner Lindsey support me through out was an excellent privilege. Savouring the last few miles of that race was magical.
In the next two weeks, I will be 'racing solo' on Saturday, enjoying a few days holiday with Lindsey, then racing as a pretty strong and competitive 'pair' with Wilko. Added to that Geraldine will be joining us for the second week; no doubt 'lubricating' the proceedings with her humour, charm and mellow beauty. What might happen.....? Who knows but we are off for an adventure, with good companionship. And having great fun. I hope those out in Southern Ireland will be do so, as well.
I may find the time (and technology) to write one or two blog postings after '70 Wild Miles', if only to let you know I haven't drowned. Thanks again for your donations to the charity. Perhaps, once I've completed the event a few more pounds will be deposited.
Please keep supporting me.... pass this onto more friends and colleagues.
*The Wise Old Man's Student was called Duncan - and his tutor, Colin Mortlock.
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Oldest Boat in the Fleet?
Hello, again
Many thanks for the generous donations for my 70 Wild Miles adventure.
The www.justgiving.com/joefaulkner webpage is up and running well , attracting lots of attention. Apparently, in one of the links I may have circulated by email there are a few extra blank characters that may be causing a glitch, sorry.
I’m astounded by people's generosity – having set a pretty high target, I was hoping to get half way there, but I reckon we might reach the £1000 target. Please keep spreading the word.
Some have asked about the event and in particular, how long it will take? The answer to that is, that I'm not sure, and it doesn't really matter. It's going to be a great day .... whatever! It does make you wonder we we do these things; you question your motivation and reward, and how and why, we aproach such adventures.
Adventure has been defined in many diferent ways ...it intrigues me, and I'll come back to that in a later blog, when I've got a more thoughtful head on.
Other prep is going well; I'm feeling strong on the bike and whilst I haven't ridden that far for a while I've no worries about pacing the whole thing well. I’ve even been for a training paddle, and was relieved to find the boat is water tight and 'sound'. My kayak may also possibly be the oldest in the race fleet and hasn't been on the water much in the last few years. Our combined ages may well be about 80 years of age. It is an old glass-fibre sea kayak. The model is a 'Baidarka' which is a classic design, and sleek and pretty fast. This particular boat was made exceptionally light and doesn't have hatches cut, or bulkheads fitted. The shape is a real classic and it was passed onto by John Bunch, a few years ago, (thanks John). I used to paddle it regularly when training on Lake Ullswater and should prove ideal as long as the weather and sea conditions are reasonably favourable. It is in remarkably good condition and cleaned up well (no jokes about cracks and crinkles, required please) and whilst I was going to replace some decklines, and the like, it seems rather inappropriate now.
My bike is somewhat younger ... I only wish my legs were, too.
It will be fun.
Joe
Many thanks for the generous donations for my 70 Wild Miles adventure.
The www.justgiving.com/joefaulkner webpage is up and running well , attracting lots of attention. Apparently, in one of the links I may have circulated by email there are a few extra blank characters that may be causing a glitch, sorry.
I’m astounded by people's generosity – having set a pretty high target, I was hoping to get half way there, but I reckon we might reach the £1000 target. Please keep spreading the word.
Some have asked about the event and in particular, how long it will take? The answer to that is, that I'm not sure, and it doesn't really matter. It's going to be a great day .... whatever! It does make you wonder we we do these things; you question your motivation and reward, and how and why, we aproach such adventures.
Adventure has been defined in many diferent ways ...it intrigues me, and I'll come back to that in a later blog, when I've got a more thoughtful head on.
Other prep is going well; I'm feeling strong on the bike and whilst I haven't ridden that far for a while I've no worries about pacing the whole thing well. I’ve even been for a training paddle, and was relieved to find the boat is water tight and 'sound'. My kayak may also possibly be the oldest in the race fleet and hasn't been on the water much in the last few years. Our combined ages may well be about 80 years of age. It is an old glass-fibre sea kayak. The model is a 'Baidarka' which is a classic design, and sleek and pretty fast. This particular boat was made exceptionally light and doesn't have hatches cut, or bulkheads fitted. The shape is a real classic and it was passed onto by John Bunch, a few years ago, (thanks John). I used to paddle it regularly when training on Lake Ullswater and should prove ideal as long as the weather and sea conditions are reasonably favourable. It is in remarkably good condition and cleaned up well (no jokes about cracks and crinkles, required please) and whilst I was going to replace some decklines, and the like, it seems rather inappropriate now.
My bike is somewhat younger ... I only wish my legs were, too.
It will be fun.
Joe
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Hello again
I've finally found the original blog. I did think that I had written a follow up from The Longmynd Hike epic, just a few days after the swollen and battered feet, but it doesn't seem to exist.
Life has been busy. All this is new to me and I'm intrigued by the idea of forcing myself to explore new things. I also have a website - http://www.joefaulkner.com/ - which has stuff on it explain what I am all about, but hear blogging is the way forward.
I terms of racing and other AR events, then 2008 is supposedly a quiet year, following some major epics in 2006 and 2007. Having said that, I'm shortly off to The Hebrides for The Heb Challenge, which is a five day 'stage race' and will take in the 70 Wild Miles event just next weekend. It's a relatively low-key non competitive event, and all for charity, so please visit www.justgiving.com/joefaulkner ... (I think!) to donate a few pennies and find out more.
I'm also enjoying getting back into just runing in 'simple' fell races and have recently enjoyed Duddon, Coniston, Anniversary Waltz and other races, including Northumberland Fell Runners Club Championship races. NFR, who I joined this year, despite living in Cumbria are a great bunch of people having fun at jolly good races. Cycling to work is good fun now the summer weather is here, too. Life isn't bad really...
Hopefully, this has appeared on my blog and I look forward to reading it again and updating it agin shortly ... if I remember how. Pictures and other clever stuff will have to wait. If you are looking for updates on NAV+art courses or our GL3Day Event please bear with me whilst I test drive this new thing; latest info on both of the forementioned productions is on my website.
Bye Bye - please sponsor me for 70 Wild Miles.
Joe
Life has been busy. All this is new to me and I'm intrigued by the idea of forcing myself to explore new things. I also have a website - http://www.joefaulkner.com/ - which has stuff on it explain what I am all about, but hear blogging is the way forward.
I terms of racing and other AR events, then 2008 is supposedly a quiet year, following some major epics in 2006 and 2007. Having said that, I'm shortly off to The Hebrides for The Heb Challenge, which is a five day 'stage race' and will take in the 70 Wild Miles event just next weekend. It's a relatively low-key non competitive event, and all for charity, so please visit www.justgiving.com/joefaulkner ... (I think!) to donate a few pennies and find out more.
I'm also enjoying getting back into just runing in 'simple' fell races and have recently enjoyed Duddon, Coniston, Anniversary Waltz and other races, including Northumberland Fell Runners Club Championship races. NFR, who I joined this year, despite living in Cumbria are a great bunch of people having fun at jolly good races. Cycling to work is good fun now the summer weather is here, too. Life isn't bad really...
Hopefully, this has appeared on my blog and I look forward to reading it again and updating it agin shortly ... if I remember how. Pictures and other clever stuff will have to wait. If you are looking for updates on NAV+art courses or our GL3Day Event please bear with me whilst I test drive this new thing; latest info on both of the forementioned productions is on my website.
Bye Bye - please sponsor me for 70 Wild Miles.
Joe
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