March Is Moyleman Month

[glaconman]

Very good lads. I asked for that.

Actually the reality is much more civilized. One merely recovers with a bowl of stew at the school then retires to The Fleece for a pint of Taylors.

I've not run this race; although have marshalled a couple of times. It starts on the icon Main Street which, incidently, will see the Tour Peleton cycling up it this summer. I can't wait.

[glaconman]

Anyway, getting back to the point. I think, despite protestations, runners often appreciate a hard finish. It lives in the memory and adds to the achievement and reputation of a race. If it's never going to be flat then you can make the hills a feature.

Your default position could always be: What would Moyleman have thought?

[Sweder]

Your default position could always be: What would Moyleman have thought?

That's an easy one to answer:
'Suck it up, fella'


The Moyleman's not for turning. Or flattening out, for that matter.
A memorable finish is exactly what we're after. The Seaford Half has a belter, cresting the eponymous Head to overlook the finishing mile before plummeting at breakneck speed towards the seafront. Ours is like that, except you plummet towards an ocean of Harveys

[glaconman]

Sounds like a classic. Can't wait.

[El Gordo]

Sounds like a classic. Can't wait.

Are you seriously going to be there? That would be 'simply too excellent' (said in a posh voice).

Hmm. Perhaps we could find someone who might be interested in making a film about the event...?

[glaconman]

God willing EG.

Actually I think it's the least I can do to drag myself to the beautiful Sussex Downs if Sweder is going to all the trouble of putting a race on.

Be good to catch-up.

[suzieq]

I'm thinking I should try to do this - maybe as part of a two-man (woman) relay. If EG and Antonio and others from RC are there, I'd hate to miss it! Just the matter of a tough run to get through. My usual running buddy will be in New Zealand next year so I'll be looking for a possible running partner - anyone? EG, Antonio? MLCMM? And when do you open the website up for registrations? Oh, oh, I'm sounding like I might be committing myself!

[El Gordo]

I'm thinking I should try to do this - maybe as part of a two-man (woman) relay. If EG and Antonio and others from RC are there, I'd hate to miss it! Just the matter of a tough run to get through. My usual running buddy will be in New Zealand next year so I'll be looking for a possible running partner - anyone? EG, Antonio? MLCMM? And when do you open the website up for registrations? Oh, oh, I'm sounding like I might be committing myself!

Hurrah!!

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Great news indeed! I might have to go begging to the boss and the bank manager and see if I can't make it happen as well.

[El Gordo]

Tremendous news that you'll be there. I certainly won't be running, either. A calming influence and knowledgable, experienced campaigner will be if great use at times of greatest challenge. Your help is both needed and much appreciated.

Eh? Of course I'll be there. RC expects that every (wo)man will do his/her duty. And the thought of my Commanding Officer being Tom Roper sends a curious frisson of excitement through me.

I do like the idea of a walk. I reckon you could hike the route in around seven hours. We certainly need help marking the course on the Saturday. Once again, I refer my learned friend to the issue of weather. A seven hour hike in wind and rain, or, possibly, snow? Hmm. Those blurry vistas might lose their allure. But, given good weather, this would give others a chance to experience the event.

7 hours for a hilly 26 mile hike is probably optimistic, even in good conditions. It would be hard to maintain that pace through the second half. Well, depends how fit you are and what you're wearing. But it's worth considering. Would be nice for the non-butchers dogs among us who want to salute Chris, and indeed, Sweder's vision and efforts, to feel they are taking part in some way.

The more I think about it the more I like the idea of a race-day early start for walkers. Runners' start is 10am. Walkers could set off at 8 and we'd see most home in time for tea, or some other refreshing beverage, before sundown.

We should take care not to walk before we can run. That is to say, our next step is from 14 hardened hill runners to anything up to 200 souls. Given we're all novices in this sort of malarkey it might be best to keep it simple in 2015. Another reason I didn't want to add a half for next year. Too many variables. Once we've held a successful first edition we can add one or both. An 'unofficial' walk on the Saturday, as a marking out event, is a great idea and one I shall shamelessly purloin forthwith

"We should take care not to walk before we can run.""

I do hope your wit was fully intended there.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

"We should take care not to walk before we can run.""

I do hope your wit was fully intended there.

As it turns out, that was the literal truth!

[El Gordo]

Great news indeed! I might have to go begging to the boss and the bank manager and see if I can't make it happen as well.

Hurrah!

MLCMM, Suzie, Glaconman, Antonio.... too good to be true.

All we need now is MarathonDan and Nigel to appear, and it would be the RC-fest to end 'em all. Crikey, even Ian Painter might turn up.

But the extraordinary Bierzo Baggie will always remain elusive, I fear...

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

But the extraordinary Bierzo Baggie will always remain elusive, I fear...

RC's own Caballo Blanco..?

[Sweder]

I'm thinking I should try to do this - maybe as part of a two-man (woman) relay.

Wonderful news! Don't forget SP as a possible relay partner. Rumour has it the great man has been spotted loping through the forests of Friston. And you know, he does love a hill or two ...

Crikey, when do we open for registration? That's a good question. I guess we're looking at late 2014, possibly October, roughly five months out. That would give us chance to respond to the initial uptake and iron out the inevitable creases. Every RCer is guaranteed an entry or place on the event team, in whatever format or capacity they choose. I'd love to run it some day (and certainly will, possibly with one or two locals this winter, body and summer running plans permitting). For now it is my honour to serve. And what an honour it would be to welcome all of you to our gentle town.

With that in mind, accommodation/ travel info is something to consider adding to the website. I'm certain a few runners would add a night or two to their itinerary.

If launching the Moyleman brings the RC Band together it will have served an unforseen yet joyous purpous. I wonder if my old jousting partner from that first Almerian adventure is lurking around here someplace?

If you build it, they will come.

[Sweder]

Speaking of Niguel, he thoughtfully steered me towards this recently. I've not read the book under review yet, but it seems to chime rather well with what we're planning for the Moyleman. It certainly panders to my pathological hatred of all things road running.

It's also about a book by the man who wrote 'Feet In The Clouds'
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/ma...ure-review

[Sweder]

"We should take care not to walk before we can run.""

I do hope your wit was fully intended there.

I'm embarrassed to admit how pleased I was with that.
Not sure how I missed your post, though. I'm dashing on and off t'interweb whilst overseas, plus this thread is picking up some pace. Thrilled at the prospect of so many RC greats coming together. Ray Kinsella would love this.

I was thinking, I wonder if, deep down, I registered a whisper on the breeze when I last ran through those hills?
The man had the strongest spirit.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

And thanks for reminding me - I still haven't read "Feet in the Clouds" but have now ordered a copy. I was also given a copy of "Born to Run" so now finally have my own copy, which I'm currently reading... my third reading of this great tome, and which has lost none of wow factor.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

And what has happened to Nigel? His blog has been silent forever.

[Sweder]

And what has happened to Nigel? His blog has been silent forever.

Events, dear boy, events, though I suspect he doth tarry here awhile

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Thrilled at the prospect of so many RC greats coming together. Ray Kinsella would love this.

I was thinking, I wonder if, deep down, I registered a whisper on the breeze when I last ran through those hills?

Just so long as you don't start hearing voices and seeing dead athletes.