Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
We have done it yet again!
In 2002 just after we lost a close relative to cancer and feeling a little 'low', we did something we never do and entered a public competition to win tickets for the 'The Queens Golden Jubilee'.
Much to our excitiment and disbelief we were selected to go to Buckingham Palace where we had a picnic in the Royal garden before that famous shot of Brian May opening the evening concert in front of every member of the Royal Family.
Lightning Struck Twice
At the announcement of there being another Jubilee for 2012 we looked at each other and agreed it was such a great and memorable occassion, we would enter it again and cross our fingers. This we did a month ago and promptly forgot all about it.
Today - an email arrived in with this heading;
You have been successful in the Ballot for a pair of tickets to The Diamond Jubilee Concert
Dancing around the room, I called Julie and said 'We've done it again, what are the chances of that happening'? 'Done what again'? 'We've got another invite from the Queen to go to Buckingham Palace' and we danced around the room together.
I know for the Golden Jubilee there were 10's of thousands of entries but only 6,000 places (+ guest) but this year the figures haven't yet been revealed. So maybe it was just meant to be?
We have been given a link to tell us what's happening, where to be at what time. So now we do know there will be another Jubilee picnic with champagne in the Royal gardens at Buckingham Palace, after which at 7.30 the Royal concert will commence.
The week after arriving back from my Super Spartan in Miami where I was sponsored by Park Resorts Holiday Homes for £1,000, it was time to get the motorhome all packed ready to drive 3 hours to Northamptonshire and the Silverstone race course for the Adidas half marathon. I agreed I would do this with a friend who was celebrating his successful treatment and recovery from testicular cancer in the last 8 months.
It was very nice to know that Park Resorts want to speak with me about possibly becoming a long term sponsor. More about that as it happens.
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We arrived the day before and stayed on a camp site just 1/2 mile walk from the Silverstone track. Little did I know the tempratures were going to be quite as hot, but there was no hurry because it was simply a fun run for us to enjoy with other friends from Twitter and soak up the atmosphere.
Right from the start we broke off into small groups and made our way over the start line into the direct sun.
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My first 6.1 miles were quite fast but I already knew I was not going to get a negative split time and the second half would be considerably slower as the heat was starting to drain the energy from my legs. I had used both my carbohydrate gels and picked up 2 others dropped by runners before me. I think they helped a little.
In addition to the heat, it was a flat course. I found it difficult to try keep this fast pace up and I was seeing many other more experienced elite runners crumpling at the side of the road and paramedics were dashing all over the place to try to help them. This inspired me because at least I was still on my feet and not hurting too much.
I was very pleased to be able cross the finish line with a new personal best time for this distance, even though it was only by 2 seconds. Many other friends also PB'd too, which confirms just how flat this course really was. Had it been cold and wet, there would have been some cracking personal best times. But I was happy with my 2 seconds.
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The world famous 7 inch charity bear also turned up to support the team and everyone wanted to meet him and be photograghed with him. He was very happy to oblige and meet his social network fans and donors in person. Campbell and his team have now raised in excess of £35,000 (inc gift aid) and YOU can now join his team or make a small donation which goes towards the £50,000 goal for Cancer Research UK
After the event, we walked back to the camp site and sat out with a large gin and tonic in the sunshine before getting a fantastic nights sleep and driving home the next day.
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Many thanks to all the Tweeters, including the ones who arrived late and I never got to meet, also everyone who supported me, everyone who gave me money for Cancer Research UK and of course my main sponsor Park Resorts Holiday Homes.
Saturday 25th February - Miami - 84 degrees F
Finished 987 / 2097 (males)
Well I did it! It took a lot of effort, help and support from other people but I managed to secure an official race sponsor for my charity Cancer Research UK. Thanks to Park Resorts Holiday Homes who stepped in to sponosr me at the 11th hour and coughed up an amazing £1,000 and supplied me with some shirts for the event.If you are looking for a holiday caravan on the UK coast please see Park Resorts list of holiday parks here.
The flight to Orlando was 10 hours and I was so happy my hotel was only 20 minutes away. Next morning I had a slow 6 mile run at 4am because it was cooler then, which left me a day to rest before the Super Spartan (8 miles of obstacle running & Spartans beating you up).
We drove 4 hours to Miami to be there in time to register for our wave start time at 10.30 and what a superb drive it was down the I-95 and got some photos for this blog and my sponsors. Then it was to the start line for me and my Florida friend Abby.
The obstacles weren't that challenging (as in difficult), the biggest challenge were the number of people queuing for each of them. But where possible, we queue jumped and took the obstacles head on - apologising as we did so. Then came a fully clothed 1/4 mile swim which was very refreshing but congested with flailing arms and feet everywhere. I chose this time to dump my shirt.
Then came the hardest part (as far as I was concerned) a narrow 3 mile woodland run with lots of obstacles but no water and no breeze to cool you in the 84 degrees.
Zig zagging, over bridges and in ditches with very little space to overtake slower runners who were holding us back. But getting forgiveness wasn't an option, we simply asked them to 'move over I'm coming through' and went for it. Most people were only happy to stop for a rest and allow us to pass.
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By the end of the woodland part of the course we were seriously dehydrated and for a moment I seriously thought I may have to pull out and let Abby continue alone. Even when we found water at the woodland clearing, it was too late, and no amount of water was going to re-hydrate us now.
THEN I got cramp in my calf and to cut a long story short, I had to run/walk the rest of the way and younger competitors jumped to my aid and lifted me over one of the obstacles because my leg was cramped in agony with a huge tennis ball sized muscle sticking out of my leg. - Thank guys you were great. I'm not even going to mention here the severe chaffing I was suffering from because of all the dirt and stuff in my pants!
The home straight appeared before us and it was time execute our 'cunning plan' without being seen. I'd secretly taken with me a vial of fake blood and it was time to pour some over Abby's head so it ran down her face. Golly it looked so authentic that lots of peole were continually asking if she was alright.
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After the last obstacles we faced the finish line and the wrath of the Spartans to come. Struggling to walk and remain conscious, I carried badly injured Abby right past the Spartans until we have enough room to sprint for the line, looking back and laughing at them. The crowd loved this deception and were ridiculing them for being taken in by a 'girl and an old buck'.
The best bit was to come. The beer was cold and the lake was warm. So I stripped off and jumped in to got all the grit out of my 'little places'.
I really loved the Super Spartan distance and want to do another but in a cooler tempreture. After the event, we picked up a sushi and drove 4 hours back to orlando with our battle scars and the medal.
The Spartan events are just so much fun and you don't have to go to Florida to do them. For a taster there's the much shorter Sprint Spartans all over the UK and I've already registered for the Yorkshire 2012 already - Are you man enough to join me?
Below is the video of the Yorkshire Spartan I did last year, take a look and see what fun this is.. then tweet me.
Please see my links below the video.
Visit Park Resorts Holiday Caravans to enter their £35,000 caravan giveaway
