Saturday 23 May 2009

He is still going! 7.45am




There were moments when we thought Chris wasnt going to make it. He needed to apply industrial amounts of anti-imflammatory gel to his shins and thighs. He said it felt like a cheese grater was attacking them. And he wasnt the only one who was in pain. Every runner we have passed this morning is running with a grimace and at 7.30 when we reached the 100 mile mark at least three dropped out. All of the buddy runners have done 10 miles and now Matthew is on his 19 mile leg

02:30 Sunday


Sat in a car park in the pitch black waiting for Chris and Dad Webb to reach 87 miles. There are about 3 runners 10 mins ahead but we havent seen anyone else for a couple of hours. I must admit that it isnt the safest job and we are all looking forward to the sunrise! Chris was very tired at mile 80 and said he could have fallen asleep on his feet. Im sure it wasnt helped by Matthews expenses conversation! And turns out Matthex didnt find it that interesting either- he is crashed out in the back of the car! Just about to put the kettlf on. . .

Saturday is nearly over


Thank you Simon, James, Lisa and Emily, and the Dowlands for your blogs! I have read out all of the messages and Chris said they were tidy. Team Webb are also enjoying the comments. Matthew is just about to swap with Dad Webb who is limbering up at the mo. It is just approaching midnight now and as the field has started to thin out its starting to feel a bit lonely at the canal side check points. We have adopted a couple of lone crew supporters as a result which will hopefully help us all through the night. Speak to you all on Sunday!

Half way point passed!



I wanted to let you know that the timings on the postings are incorrect but for some reason they wont change! Its now 22.20 and we are in the Milton Keynes part of the race. Matthew has joined Chris for the next 10 mile leg and having a fresh pair of legs with him seems to have boosted Chris who looked fairly spritely when he ran off into the night with his trusty best man.

51 miles in - over a third of the way



Thanks to Ann and Dan for the comments! Chris will be really chuffed. We are just waiting for him at the Weedon checkpoint and he is still about tenth in the pack. The guy in 12th place is jogging backwards! Team Webb are still in good spirits. Buddy runners starting to feel pretty nervous. Its still very hot and support crews and runners are incredibly rosy! Will update again soon

Flecknoe bridge (weak)


We have arrived at Flecknoe which is 41 miles in. Currently an hour and twenty mins ahead of schedule. However, the heat is taking its toll and these desperate times call for pot noodles. Team Webb are firing up the stove as I type. The rest of the field is doing well- Chris is about 10th at the moment. I think the next few check points are going to be a hard slog because there are quite a few busy pubs and most runners are dying for a drink of something stronger than power drinks! Does anybody know what 10mgw means by the way? It says that on a weak bridge sign and I cant understand why. Hope you like the photos

Check point 3-Knowle Lock




The race is underway and so far so good. Chris is approx 40mins ahead of schedule which is promising but could be a risky strategy. Other runners are taking it at a slower pace for the early stages. He is feeling confident so far although the testing stage will be after the 70 mile stage when runners must decide if they can continue. Team Webb are also doing well! We are definitely the most vocal support crew. We even accidentally cheered on a casual jogger- he said he had never had so much support! Please do add comnents and/or ask any questions. Speak soon

Friday 22 May 2009

Friday 22nd- The last supper!

Team Webb are all present and correct in Birmingham. We have got so much stuff it will be a miracle if we can all fit into the van and make it to the start line! Roll on 5am. . . . . . . .

Tuesday 19 May 2009

TUESDAY 19TH MAY - 4 DAYS TO GO


Final preparations for the race are proving costly - blowing almost £100 on nutrition at least makes me feel more like an athlete! A bit of publicity in the Oldham Chronicle was nice - you would have had to buy a copy of the paper however to witness the buffon hair-do as I jogged across Oldham Edge looking, at the photographer's request, 'gritty'. TeamWebb is meeting tonight to discuss the final particulars (vital stuff like whose bringing the custard creams etc.) and then we're good to go. The next post will be via Blackberry courtesy of Clare who assures me that this blog will be kept updated throughout the race...I bet you can't wait...

Monday 4 May 2009

MONDAY 4TH MAY - 19 DAYS TO GO


Welcome everyone to my blog. I'll be keeping you posted with my preparations for the race on the weekend of 23rd/24th May and on the weekend itself you'll be able to track me here as my crew upload photos and updates of my progress.


For those of you who don'ty know about the race, feel free to look at http://www.gucr.co.uk/. I'm being sponsored to run for the Friends of Blue Coat and associated charities. Thanks to all of those who have donated so far.


So far training is going well. Spent this weekend running in the Lake District from Ullswater to Ambleside via Stybarrow Pike, Raise, Helvellyn etc. I'm not sure this is ideal preparation for a flat 145mile race but hopefully it all counts!