Hi, the past couple of weeks were spent running about (but no training). The Ridgeway 85 and breaking in the new shoes left my feet sore and inflamed the tendons across the top of the foot. So, notwithstanding that I really wanted to get out there and run….I was a good lad and rested. Sort of… Zoomed around on the motorbike and dug my allotment.

Yes. I have an allotment. It’s good for the kids and even though digging like a mad thing causes my right arm and hand to shake like crazy, the end results are worth it. I am a veg king and we are eating organic veg for next to nothing! I guess that the urge to become a urban farmer is the belief that you are what you eat. It has to help and at least my boys and Aurelie benefit…a feel good factor indeed. Shame that eating organic is not an effective treatment for Parkinson’s.

The campaign for the £1million is coming on. Q (Helen at Cure Parkinsons Trust) has been organising sponsor packs for corporates and marshalled the troops for the next meet for the documentary. She really is a wonder and puts up with my phone calls after 9pm…above and beyond the call of duty, I say!!! I have also decided that I need to get celebs who suffer from Parkinsons or that have close friends and family who are sufferers to join the cause. Harder than you may imagine. I just hope that my emails to those (presently not to be named) elicit the required results. I am still waiting…will let you know if anything happens.

Back to training and ran a couple of 10k’s over last weekend…the half marathon looms and the feet are still sore. A trip to see Mr Paul Martin (see sponsors page) certainly did the trick on Wednesday. The foot feels better notwithstanding that I’d been to Judo the night before. Check out Paul and if you have a sporting injury…well, you’d be in good hands.

I decided to start up Judo again after 25+ years, as my two lads were doing it and I thought that before I become to shakey, I should give it a go. It has been a learning experience. Gary Marcham who runs the club on a Tuesday evening at Trinity Hall, Henley-on-Thames (gkmjudo@btinternet.com or call 07717 492592), is a good instructor who is passionate about judo…and he really knows his stuff. Apart from discovering that you never (thankfully) forget how to breakfall, the time spent with my lads is great! The class that could do with more participation is the seniors (adult) class at 7 – 8pm. If you live in and around the Henley area and are interested, give Gary a call or turn up.

Big news of the week, is that both Rich Merry (www.justgiving.com/richard-merry) and I are now sponsored by X-Bionic (http://www.x-bionic.com) “winners of the Plus X awards and with over 200 test victories to their product’s name, X-Bionic kit is certainly impressive. The guys from X-Bionic liked our challenge and the cause and have decided to give both of us running gear to test and review. Please check out their website for more product information and news and watch this site for forthcoming reviews.

Still looking for a company that wants to advertise its brand to over 120 million people across the EU. I am seeking funding for the Marathon des Sables 2010. If you believe you can help and are interested in discussing this opportunity, send me an email at alex@alexflynn.co.uk

Out for a slow half marathon today… ’till next time, spread the word. Thanks for reading….

Alex

Wow. What a few weeks. Dashed to France on a last minute opportunity with Aurelie. Good times were had and caught up with friends and family. Not so good was the realisation (less than one week before race day) my Asics died (through over use I may add). New shoes were purchased (Salomon XT Wings). I was going for Asics again but didn’t have the small fortune that Decathalon were asking for them.  I then spent all waking hours in them trying to wear them in. So transfixed in my endeavours that Aurelie finally had enough and told me that I could not wear them to bed!

Spent most of the time in France, driving, looking at houses and eating (alot). Good prep for the calorific hell that running 85 miles causes. We got back late on Thursday and happly discovered that the house was ok and that I had a day off before the race. Could I sleep? Nope. Spent Friday in a tired and nervous daze.

Race day came and Aurelie dropped me, Tony and Quent on a hill in Hertfordshire. Climbing to the top of Ivenhoe Beacon the wind was strong and the view amazing. For the first time in days, I was so calm. The run was fantastic. The three of us chatted and laughed our way over hills, along paths, through woods and across fields. Good banter makes a good distraction. Before long we had run the first couple of hours and then began the run/walk that would take us the 85 miles to the finish.

It was near 10pm when we left Goring (the half way point). We had spent an hour there eating, sorting blisters and taping feet. I arrived at the village hall feeling drained, with heavy legs. In fact my right leg did not want to do the race and was moving in a fashion all of its own. The rest did me good and I took extra meds. I thought that as i was pushing my limits and the leg was playing up, it would help. Help it did. When I left and started the climb out of Goring and Streatley to the rough track of the Ridgeway, I felt alive and strong. However, Tonys right knee was playing up and Quent…well he was suffering from a lack of energy. Joining this ramshackle crew was Johnny Hall, who fitted in immediately and quickly understood the rules of fart football.

It was 4 am and having decided to walk the night stage so as not to break ankles, we had reached a checkpoint. It was at this point that Quent sat down and rested…for an hour. It was debatable whether he would carry on and was particularly difficult to leave him there. We had planned a three amigos’  tribute on crossing the line (leave that to your knowledge of film) and it didn’t seem right parting. However, we could not wait. 15 minutes had passed since arriving and I had to get to the end…cannot raise a million by not finishing.

Tony, Johnny and I set off but Tony’s knee was playing him havoc. Johnny left us as time was getting tight. I have to say that without Johnny, I would have frozen that night. It was so cold and he gave up a jacket which kept me going. Owe you one bro!

Tony and I forged ahead and I demanded that we pick up the pace. We were not going to fail! Tony, in true hero fashion just put the pain in the box and ran. We ran and ran and at 10am we were making great time. However, my right arm was shaking like crazy and I was losing energy. The last 5 miles was a slog and a half….all the way to the finish line.

I cannot describe the feeling crossing the line (actually no line but waling into the social centre in Avebury). It was a mixture and for a moment, I didn’t know what to say. I just smiled and smiled. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! 26 hours of pain and effort and we had arrived. Tony laid on his back and found he could not move. I decided that if i did the same, I too would be stranded and I had yet to meet Aurelie; who was going to meet me at the pub.

Medal on, the greatest pimp walk to the pub and stinking like a pig, I finally met Aurelie. Food was eaten and beer was drunk! Well, you might think that was the end but Tony arrived with him mum and dad, and when there was only 4 minutes left until the deadline for the race, and who should come running down the street but Quent!!!! I managed to hobble to the pub door and cheered him as he loped past. Hero! In fact, everyone who finished that race is a hero in my book.

Huge respect to Tony, Quent and Johnny! Thanks to the Trail Running Association (Anthony – Thank you), Quent’s mum and auntie for providing food, drink and smiles, Johnny’s amazingly understanding wife (whose name I have forgotten) thanks for giving up the spare jacket to a cold stranger, Piers for the great welcome at the finish and everyone else I have forgotten to thank.

Right, a biggie down and more to come. If you haven’t sponsored me yet, please take a moment to visit my justgiving page www.justgiving.com/alex-flynn and donate…even a £1 will do.

Photos

Next up…Henley half with Richard Merry.