2005 - December

[El Gordo]

Hey Sweder

I've deliberately not responded to mentions of the Two Oceans before, because I wanted to see if it was an idea that was really taking root with you. Hmmm, I reckon it's an idea that really is taking root with you...

Me too.

[Sweder]

Nice report on the Cliveden Andy. I read it this morning before heading out myself. When I read it I though 'Hey - this sounds like my kinda race!'
I proceeded to struggle around my usual 5 mile circuit like a wounded wildebeest - so much for that idea!

Two Oceans started as a starry-eyed dream but is rapidly becoming a serious prospect. Paris is no longer a PB effort - it's a qualifying run for 2007. I don't mean to sound arrogant - the 26.2 still holds a great challenge for me and I'm a long way from giving of my best over the distance. It's just seeing the course this year, the impossible majesty of the land and sea-scapes, imagining the pre and post run festivities, the food, the wine, meeting the challenge of the extra distance . . . it's exactly the sort of romantic madness I'm looking for. It would be fantastic to share the adventure with one (or more) RC runners.

Maps and restaurant guides already packed for Almería . . .

[Bierzo Baggie]

Do it! do it! ...and then write about it....

[El Gordo]

Yeah dammit -- I'm up for it.

Do we have a date for the race? I did email them a while back to ask but haven't heard back.

[Sweder]

No dice on a date. Its 15th April (Saturday) in 2006 - race starts at 07:00.
I've written to the race entries guys for the '07 date & to see if my Paris time will count as a qualifier even though it's a tad outside the calender year.

To echo what BB said in his post today thanks for this excellent site.
RC's a cyber home for many running waifs and strays (like me).

Having helped start up a couple of sites myself I know it's not all wine 'n' roses; along with the fun stuff there are days when you wish you'd never heard of the internet (or running, come to that). It never shows here.
Thank you.

[El Gordo]

[wipes tear from eye...]

Well the qualification period for 2006 goes back to the start of April 2005, so IF the 2007 race is on the equivalent day to 2006, then we'll be OK.

It's a pretty good incentive for me to finally dip below 5 hours in Zurich. Not to mention the fact that you don't get a medal if you don't finish in that time. What a double whammy that would be.

Once we get a date for the 2007 race I'll start a new thread for the Two Oceans. See if we get any more takers.

[El Gordo]

Some reading material:

Interesting training article, including a description of the race:
http://www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/Port...y_Blue.doc

Some stuff from the RW forums on the race:
http://search.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/forumsearch.asp?search=two+oceans&area=titles&submit=go&src=1&SP=&V=6

And according to something I found on the web, the 2007 race is on April 7th i.e. just under a year after Paris and Zurich, so these races should be OK for qualifying times.

[Sweder]

Wow, that training article is a piece of work . . .
In answer to the RW points Chapman's Peake is fully open and forms one of the most beautiful sections of the course. A couple of shots from the 2005 race below - my own pics of the Peake route can be viewed here.

[Nigel]

I'm very glad to see you have emerged from Christmas and file-save disasters with ambition and appetites intact. Serious stuff, guys - way to go (as they say in Chicago).

Meanwhile, I am just back from Christmas in the Scottish Highlands. Report to follow. Here's the abbreviated summary until then:

Cold. Hills. Temporary greens. St Johnstone 1, Ross County 1. Lochs. Fish ladder. Food. Snow. More food. 12 vslow + bcold.

Cheers for now, and happy new year...
Nigel