I have been a little quiet on the blog front over the last week as I had been struggling with my training and didn't really know what to say.  Anyhows, I seem to have got through that and am feeling in pretty good shape for next week, if not i shall get by on the usual truckload of painkillers.

We have received most of the details of the run and Project 65 have done an unbelievable job in organising this race, the logistics of an ultra-marathon in two countries must be staggering.  They have sent through details of the serviceman I am representing which is WO Berry.  From what I can gather Berry was  the bomber "tug" pilot that towed glider number one into position over the channel before continuing on with a bomber mission over europe.  I have been unable to find any records after that but feel very privileged to represent him, although unlike him i won't be at the front i will definitely be at the back - pushing not towing.

I spoke to Hugh Peachey last night who has been busy with the Hay festival and is raring to go.  He is planning on running as much as he can so I suspect i won't see him until we get to portsmouth.  I have had my instructions from my running coach (sounds posher than it is, all my training plans are produced on a weekly basis by a chap called Mike Shreiber, who bullies me by email, I have never met him as he lives in america, it is a little odd but it works for me) and I will be trying to run on a 9:1 run:walk pattern,  plus walking all the hills.  I'll give it my best shot.

Ma is organising for Bill to come down to portsmouth to see my arrive at the ferry which should give me plenty of incentive to arrive on time.

 

The ledbury reporter put in an article about the race this week which was very nice. 

http://www.ledburyreporter.co.uk/news/local/4385564.Running_65_miles_to_mark_D_Day_anniversary/

 

A map of the route has been produced in a powerpoint file, it also includes the timings which will be stretching to say the least.  You can download the file below or alternatively watch it as a flickr slideshow.

Click here to upload file

 

Luckily at the end of the Project 65 run we get to take a ferry to France, I won't have this luxury on the 18th of July when I take part in a swim from Southsea to the Isle of Wight in support of Champion Behaviours.  So in addition to my training for the 65 mile run I have begun to increase my swimming in preparation for the 4 mile paddle across the solent.

Saturday morning saw me arrive at a lake just outside worcester resplendent in my new wetsuit.  All in all it was a revolting and deeply unpleasant experience.  Openwater swimmers must be seriously troubled to choose to do this on a regular basis.  I moaned and limped my way through 2 miserable miles before getting out (well crawling out) and shivering wildly for 2 hours.

Aside from that I had some good runs and my hamstring is nearly better, I ran the course for a new race organised in Putley by the Big Apple which was beautiful taking me down some lanes I hadn't run through before and down one arcade of apples which was so heavy with blossom and scent it was overpowering.  On sunday Merlin and I ran another favourite route in the blackcurrant fields where I took a photo of a relic of an Innocent ad campaign from a couple of years ago, so far the conditions have been so lovely it looks like it will be a bumper year for fruit (of course given the english weather there is lots of time for this to change).

My overall mileage on my runs is someway behind where I would like to be with only 4 weeks to go so I suspect it will be a long 20hours to get to france, but nobody said it would be easy.

    What am I doing ?

    On the 4th June I am taking part in a 65mile run for Project65.

    Why ?  I hadn't planned on doing any runs this year but as my mum phoned and asked me I thought I best oblige.  I feel very privileged to be able to take part in this event.  My stepfather Bill is an ex para-trooper and has not been too well recently, this event has really fired his imagination and he has already supported me by paying my entrance fee. 

    Both my parents were in the forces and my stepfather's brother was a sergeant navigator who died in the war so I am delighted to be involved in the D Day commemoration.

    "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them."

    if you would like to support me and make a donation please go to:  www.justgiving.com/kesterwilkinson

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