Steps to heaven (or so it felt like) - the GU36

It was an early start Saturday morning to get to Gatwick airport, but on the bright side no DART charges and we arrived at the South Terminal just after 6.30am, parked the car and checked in. Linda's hand luggage was selected for an extra security check, so a slight delay and then onto Starbucks for breakfast.

The plane was delayed evidently the back door wouldn't shut properly, couldn't see the problem providing someone held it shut for the journey, the delay was longer than the flight. We had good seats down the front but the journey was only about 35 minutes and then we landed in Guernsey around 9.45am

We waited for our luggage and then caught the number 95 bus into St Peters Port which took about 20 minutes. The fare was £1 and you can go anywhere in the Island for £1. We then decided to walk to our hotel, which was at the top of a hill, this was a slight mistake as we were halfway there when the heavens opened and we got soaked, our cases were soaked and there was nowhere to shelter. Our friend Daniel was with us, who was also running and he got wet as well.

We arrived at the four star Duke of Richmond hotel looking like drowned rats. Daniel was lucky his room was ready, but ours wasn't. After a quick dry out we left our luggage there and the three of us went back into town, the rain had stopped fortunately. It was downhill back to the port area and as we were hungry we found a restaurant for lunch.

After carb loading for tomorrow we went for a walk, first finding the starting area, where we had to be just after 6am and then walked around the port, past the Castle Cornet and back into town. The sun was shining which helped dry us out.

We then found a quicker way back to the hotel and our room was ready. I found that some of my clothes were wet so I ended up hanging them up around the room.  I got my backpack and clothes ready for the morning. The hotel was really good they left us cake and a good luck card in our room and we could have breakfast delivered at our room at 5am.

On Sunday the alarm went off at 4.45am, the moment of truth is here will the training pay off, will I finish, will any of my injuries play up, the great unknown. Breakfast was delivered just after 5am and I had toast and a croissant with my coffee. I then put all my running gear on and met Daniel in the lobby. Linda was marshalling so she had to come along too.

It was going to be a lovely day, the sun was shining, no wind, so I put plenty of suntan lotion on.   We had a 10 minute walk to the start position at Liberation monument, we checked in and got our race numbers, I was 18. The briefing was at 6.45am and then at 7am we were off. The first mile along the promenade was easy and we reached the Aquarium after about 1/2m and then it went down hill from there - or uphill I should say. The next 16 miles were torture, I had expected it to be tough, but it surpassed my  expectations, it was really hard. There were steps up to the cliff, then you would get to the top and run a few hundred yards and then it was steps down to the bottom again.  The first check point was 8 miles, normally an hour and 15 minute run, it took 2 hours. I had allowed 4 hours for the first 16 miles, thinking I would have some spare time, I didn't - I had about 2 minutes to spare.

The scenery was great and really beautiful, someone said there were over 300 steps, others said we had climbed the equivalent of Snowdon, someones Fitbit recorded 790 flights of steps - all I know there were a lot. The first checkpoint was just water and a few jelly babies and at the bottom of a hill and then to carry on, up some steps, it was fortunate they weren't playing Steps music '5,6,7,8...' It was quite difficult as some areas were really steep and muddy, but the views tremendous.

Linda was helping out marshalling and was at the second checkpoint. A local was very helpful as she said its only three miles to the next village and mainly flat - she lied or her definition of flat doesn't include steps. We reached checkpoint 2 after 4 hours and Linda was there to greet me. I had a rest, cup of coffee, some food and an ice cream. We rested for about 20 minutes and then it was off again. It was now mainly flat following the costal path for the next 20 miles around the island. 

Looking on the bright side, I did save the £1 bus fare by running.  It was now sunny, no shade or wind, the hottest day of the year so far - typical, a short shower would have been welcome! We made checkpoint 3 which was at mile 25 and then it was a push for home. We had a walk run strategy which was getting us through. Daniel stayed with me all the way round and chatted to me through difficult points.

Linda was at the finish helping with the medals and timing. I arrived after 8 hours 58 minutes and 21 seconds - which was under my target of 9 hours so I was pleased, although we had to run the last 1/2 mile quickly. I was 47th out 59 finishers. I had an average of 15.12 per mile, but this does include stops at checkpoints.  There had been 65 starters, most DNF dropped out at checkpoint 2 after all those steps. I had my medal and finishers t-shirt and just sat down - exhausted. 

I then had to wait for Linda as she was helping the organiser and so went to get a cold drink. Linda was finished just after 5pm and then it was a walk back to the hotel - up a hill!

A great race, really enjoyable, I wouldn't do it again mainly because I have done it but I would recommend it to others. The winner only took 5 hours 34 (not even a course record - amazing!).

The hotel was really good, offered us complimentary drinks, fruit and ice cream on our return - which we enjoyed. I had a refreshing shower and relaxed. In the evening we wandered back down to the town and went to The Boathouse for a fish dinner.

I came I saw I conquered #GU36.

On Monday Daniel was going home, so we had a late breakfast, although I was awake at 5am. My calves are hurting today, but only when I walk downhill. We had a wander into town as Linda wanted to go to Marks and Spencer's, but fortunately she didn't buy anything there (although she did in other shops). We then had a coffee and relaxed, it was sunny and hot. We caught the lunchtime boat to Herm, a 20 minute ride on a calm sea. The first thing we saw at Herm was steps up to the main village - fortunately it was only about 1/2 mile. Herm is only about a mile wide so we walked to the top of the hill, and then down again to the other side, had an ice cream and sat on the beach. 

It was relaxing just sitting on the beach, well until I needed to get up again. We walked back to the harbour and caught the boat to Guernsey. It was slightly windy going back but not enough to make the sea rough. 

We had a meal in the town before wandering back to the hotel and relaxing in the room for the evening and doing some packing.

On Tuesday we had to be up early as we had a morning flight. We had breakfast at 7am and checked by 07.50 for the 1/2 mile walk down to the bus stop, completed in 9 minutes. We had a few minutes to wait for the bus and then on to the airport. There were no queues at checkin or at security so we sailed through - and then relaxed in the lounge area.

We were soon home - although the luggage took as long as the flight to arrive at the carousel

You can see some photos here

Warm weather training

The weather in the UK has been rather cool, so I needed to do some running in the warmer weather, to improve my form, well that is my excuse...

On Monday I got up at 3.30am to go to Gatwick airport with Mara and Linda. We arrived in time so that Linda could get back home before the dart charges kicked in. I checked in at new BA area in South Terminal. It was then through FastTrack security before finding the lounge. It is a freshly built one, but as usual they have lots of room, but only include a couple of toilets, hence a queue. However, the food was good bacon rolls, cheese omelette rolls and fruit, plus plenty of coffee.

The flight was leaving on time at 07.25 so boarded just after 7. I was so full up I couldn't face the full English on board so slept during the flight, it took about 1 hr 50 mins to Nice. The luggage was through quickly and then I caught the bus into Nice. I was slightly surprised it was raining, but fortunately the clouds quickly blew over. I couldn't get into the apartment I had rented through Airbnb till 2pm so I had a wander around, visited the market, had a couple of cups of coffee and then found Starbucks for a rest.

After 2pm I went to the apartment, it is a one bedroom place with a mezzanine floor. It has everything I need coffee machine, microwave and internet. However, the bedroom is on the mezzanine floor and I am too tall so have to remember to duck or otherwise I will hit my head on the ceiling! The bathroom is small and I have to squeeze into the shower, but it is fine for a couple of days.

I unpacked my things and then had another wander around town, the apartment is right in the centre which is good for visiting restaurants and shops but the downside is the noise and the tram passes right outside.

I had a nice pizza for my tea before wandering back to the apartment. I had hoped to watch the Chelsea game, but there was only some French rubbish on the tv so watched the game by text on the BBC website.

On Tuesday I was going to go for a long run, but by the time I got up it was too warm so I decided to go for a walk instead. I walked around the old town, up the steep roads and steps to the castle and stopped for a coffee. There were good views from the top, if you ignored the screaming kids. I walked all day and must have covered 6-7 miles, through the back roads, narrow steps and challenging hills. The sun was hot, about 22 degrees and it was rather warm walking.

I got back to the apartment and had a rest. In the late afternoon I decided to go for a run, as it had cooled down a bit, so a brisk 10k to the airport and back along the promenade, trying to avoid walkers, cyclists and pigeons. It was a pleasant run and at a steady pace. I then showered and spent the evening reading and doing some sermon preparation.

On Wednesday I was up early, had my breakfast and then read the paper. The weather was cooler today, only about 17-18 degrees so I planned a long run across two countries. I left about 9.15am and jogged down to the promenade and then followed the coast road, it was warm and very hilly. I had my rucksack as I needed a change of clothing when I reached the other end in Monaco. It was a scenic route and I ran past Nice Port, up the hill (and down again) to Villefranche-sur-Mer then continued on the coast road to  Beaulieu-sur-Mer. I had run just over six miles by now and so time to stop for a coffee and watch the world go by. The coffee cost more that the train ticket would have from Nice to Monaco.  It was then back to running, up more hills, a deviation up another hill as pedestrians were prohibited from the tunnel and then through Cap-d’Ail and into Monaco. 

It was disappointing there were no welcome to Monaco signs, I only knew I was there as I recognised parts from before. There were road works on the way in so managed to overtake a Ferrari! I had a run around Monaco and then out the other side back into France, at least on the way back there were signs for Monaco. As I had done 14 miles I decided to rest. I went to the beach and used the shower, they have them on all the public beaches, but it was very cold water. I then sat on the beach to dry off, before putting my clean clothes on.

The Grand Prix is here in a couple of weeks, so they are very busy putting up stands, barriers, signs etc – so it was very noisy and nowhere to sit and enjoy the sun. I had a walk round, found my favourite Starbucks and enjoyed a cappuccino and the view. 

I was going to get the train back to Nice and I remembered from last time you had to go up some steps to reach it. There were no sign posts but plenty of steps, so I climbed, and climbed and reached the top – to realise I was back in France at the top of the hill. It did give you good views of Monaco. So I had to make my way back down again and eventually found a sign for the station. There was a lift down to the station or some stairs. I took the stairs, which was the wrong decision, it was 14 flights down to the platform.

I caught the train back to Nice, it took 23 minutes, slightly quicker than running it. I then had a wander around Nice, stopped for a coffee and relaxed. It had turned cloudy and not as warm but still t-shirt weather.

Thursday was a very windy day, although still warm. I was up early to drink coffee and read the paper. It was then time to tidy up and pack my case, although most of it is dirty washing. I then walked down to the seafront and walked towards the  airport. There are plenty of buses that go along the promenade towards the airport, so I can stop at some stage and get a bus the rest of the way. I did stop for a last coffee and watched people running into the wind.  The problem with sitting outside is that most people (it appears)  smoke in France so finding a smoke free place can be difficult.

I then caught the local bus to the airport, which is cheaper than the direct one, and it goes along the same road, although slightly slower and more stops. I arrived in time and checked in, London City here I come.

 
 You can see some photos here (hopefully if link works)