2 weeks, 4 Challenges

I have gone from wondering what comes next to facing the most intense challenge period of the year.

9 November
Athens Marathon - you all know what one of these is. A separate post about the background should be up next week.

15 November
Now, I've heard a few theories about the best way to recover after a marathon. They include drinking about 2 litres of water immediately after finishing, light exercise (swimming is particularly good) the day after to break down lactic acid and getting a lot of rest. What no one seems to have suggested yet is running up the 60 storeys of the tallest structure in Austria 6 days later. I am putting that down to a lack of research in the area rather than it being a bloody stupid idea.

18 November
They say that you can burn up to 2600 calories running a marathon. So with that and the Tower Run I will clearly need to get some food in me. Lucky then that the British Mince Pie Eating Championship takes place just a few days later. One mince pie contains 20% of the Government guideline for saturated fat (have you ever noticed how if it's good for you it is measured as RDA, if it's bad for you it's a Government Guideline?). The world record for mince pies eaten in 10 minutes is 48. I won't hit that marker but should down enough to give Gillian McKeith cause for concern.

For all the scoffers (do you see what I did there?) this is a proper competition. First prize gets £1000 and a place in American gastrogames (competing with professional eaters). I am taking this as seriously as any of the other challenges and so will be genuinely training for it - the best competitors treat it like a sport and are not just bloaters. Also the event will be about as spectator friendly as it gets this year so take the day off and watch me be very sick.

23 November
Back to the physical stuff. I have done a triathlon, I will have done a marathon so it would be rude not to go for the clean sweep and take on a duathlon. But not a nice clean road duathlon. I have done enough running and cycling on hard surfaces, that would not be a new challenge. This is cross country running and mountain biking. A nice twist and, judging by recent weather, it could be messy. So far arse and knees are not aware of their return to the saddle. I like to surprise my body parts.


I am hoping to have a bit of news on some other work in progress stuff fairly soon and, in the next few days will be confirming the grand finale. Exciting times so, don't miss out on reading all about me - subscribe.