Here we go then, it's time for stupid idea number 1 of 2022 and to be honest, even by my standards, this ones pretty stupid.
At the back end of last year, The Brenda Parker Way trail marathon caught my eye, 75 miles from Aldershot to Andover via a meandering route through the Hampshire countryside. Sounds great, might be a bit cold and muddy in March, but what's the worse that can happen? Well, for a starters, Coronavirus uncertainties lead to insufficient numbers signing up for the event and as such the organisers cancelled it a couple of months ago! By the time the cancellation arrived and I'd had my refund, I'd already booked a cheap hotel in Aldershot for the Friday night and started scoping out the route and whilst my initial thoughts were "well that's blown that idea" after a bit of thinking about it, I thought "Sod It, I'll just run it on my own anyway". Looking at the maps, it looked like it should be achievable, self supported. There's the the odd shop on the route for resupply, I'd already sorted accommodation at the start and with a bit of planning I could leave a car at the end to get home again. The only problem being the Leg between Kingsclere and the end, which is about 30 miles with nothing at all. After a bit of discussion "The Emma" agreed to meet me during this leg with a resupply of water etc, but then she found something better to do instead (I'll forgive he this once as it is her birthday), which again called my plan into doubt. A bit more investigation identified that by diverting slightly I could reach the A34 Services at Tothill during this stretch and resupply there, just leaving 25 miles to the end, which again seemed just about achievable and the plan was back on again. So, to that end, I've been off work today, prepping for tomorrows attempt at running 75 miles and I've got to admit that I'm a bit nervous about this one. I've done all the prep work that I can, I've run most of the route over the last couple of months, so I've got a rough idea where I'm going. I've been through my kit and I think I've got everything. I know where the shops, and hopefully the problem areas are and I've had an easy week so hopefully my legs are up to it! This afternoon I've taken the Bangernomics Peugot down to the end at Andover, abandoned it in a car park and cycled the 25 miles back in the rain, which was a good start to the weekend. Fingers crossed, if and when I get there, it will still be there, otherwise I'm going to have a bit of a problem! So, I think I'm good to go, although as I said before, I'm a bit nervous about this one. Not only is it a long way to be running, but it's still winter and the weather forecast isn't looking too good for tomorrow either. But, everything's in place now, so it's now or never and whatever happens it's going to be an adventure. "The Emma's" going to give me a lift down to my palatial (cheap) overnight accommodation at Aldershot after tea tonight, so I'm going to leave this here for the time being and fingers crossed, if all goes to plan, I'll be back with either a tale of epic adventures or abstract disaster on Sunday!
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Paul PerrattOld enough to know better, young enough to still feel invincible, stupid enough to keep on trying the same thing again and again. Cyclist, Gardener, Runner, Hiker, Cook, Woodworker, Engineer, Jack of all trades and master of none, Anti social old git and all round miserable bugger. Archives
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