MONDAY 30th

JOHN METCALFE MEMORIAL 3 : HEY ! HEY ! I DID IT !!!!  Did you wonder where the blog was ? Did you wonder where I was ? Did you think I had blown it ?  Well NO !  I was forbidden from racing on Monday night, until I found a race in Rochdale, which was less than an hour's drive away from Liverpool. My darling daughter was graduating at Liverpool University on Tuesday morning, so this was the only way I could fit in my final race of the challenge.  And what a fantastic way to complete what has been an unbelievable fantastic month, full of wonderful little races, fabulous runners who have stopped and chatted with me about the challenge, and the most amazing race organisers. And none more so than one Andy O'Sullivan MBE who has been organising races for over 25 years, and promoted this 3 mile event in memory of his old PE teacher who died in February in a motorbike accident in New Zealand.

Andy knew I was coming, and as soon as I walked into the Albion pub in my Tour tee-shirt, he leapt across the room to welcome me, shook my hand, and told everyone what I was achieving that night. We had arrived early following a trouble free and fast journey up the M6 and M62, and Linda & I had already been for a walk on the hills at the back of the pub. That was the direction of the race, which was ' almost a fell race' with a long steep climb (on tarmac) before turning off onto a narrow track with a stream running in it, which dropped down towards the disused Brown House Wham Reservoir (great name). Two laps 'round the Reser' and it was back down the way we had climbed.  Andy took time at the start to introduce John Metcalfe's daughter and grandson, then introduced me, again telling the story of my challenge to great applause. The race was fantastic - I started off slowly and towards the back, but started to pick people off at the reservoir, before heading back down to the finish with a turn of speed that I hadn't allowed myself for 30 days - and yes, a SPRINT FINISH into the line, where the wonderful Andy was already telling everyone that it was me coming in and the applause was fantastic. Thanks to Andy and all the runners and spectators at this event for their wonderful support and comments - as the front runners lapped me round the reservoir, the guy in second tapped me on the back and said "great achievement mate " : fantastic.

So that's it - the challenge is done. 31 races in 30 days, and I have run in an official race on every day in June 2008. Every race was on the calendar; I had to pay an entry fee for every race; I wore a race number in every race; every race was marshalled and signed; and every race was open to anybody to take part. The unbroken run is ended with July 1st, and after all the adulation and support from everybody I came into contact with especially over the last few days, I really don't know where I go from here. Simply running a race can't possibly be the same ever again.

Oh, and the Graduation Day on July 1st was quite simply the greatest day that I can ever remember : to watch your daughter walk across that stage in her gown and cap to shake hands with the Vice Chancellor was just the proudest moment. The glorious summer weather and a three hour lunch with her housemates and their families was all added to just the best day ever.  Life will be all down hill from here !

Richard heading towards the final 100 metres of this amazing and unbelievable challenge at Rochdale.

Richard talking with Andy O'Sullivan MBE after completing the 30 in 30 days challenge

SUNDAY 29th

WOMBOURNE 10km : Phew, the stomach held up, the legs held up, as did just about everything else. There were times today when I could hardly move, with tired legs and an empty feeling inside, but my mate Chris Harrison was close by or with me for most of the way, and chatting to him helped as we headed back in towards the finish. There are so many people I want to thank for making this month such a great time for me, but I'll save that until the challenge is finally completed tomorrow night. 30 races now completed in 29 days, with just tomorrow's John Metcalfe Memorial 3 miler in Rochdale left to complete my great personal challenge. I didn't think it was possible to do - 30 races (it will actually be 31) in 30 days at the rate of one a day with no recovery time or rest periods. By day seven I was in so much difficulty I really thought it wouldn't happen, but to be honest it did get easier towards the final week - raced myself back into fitness I guess.

The Wombourne 10km is more or less a repeat of the Wiggle that I did last year, with a slightly different start position - off down the South Staffs railway path once again, but with a country lane and field section off the end, before another diversion off the railway just before the end for a hilly little loop around a park. Well marshalled, with a good medal, bottle of water and a banana for each finisher, plus a free cuppa back at registration. Excellent stuff.

If I may, I would like to dedicate this penultimate race to an old friend of mine, KEN RICE. Ken was 76 years old, in good health, and would lend a hand to help anybody and everybody. I sold programmes with him at both Aston Villa and West Brom, and he was always willing to hump boxes of programmes around, help with cashing in etc etc. Ken was a smashing fella, and always greeted you with a firm handshake and a wry smile. For his age he was very active and healthy, often heading away on the coach for a holiday with his wife and growing family. He always asked me about my running, despite not knowing anything about the sport, and he would certainly have been impressed with my 30/30 challenge. Ken Rice was helping his local newsagents delivering papers when he was knocked down and killed by a speeding motorist on June 24th !

Photos from today's early stages.

SATURDAY 28th

HUMPH'S HILLY HALF : This was a huge, massive mistake. After 28 races and almost 150 miles of racing in just 27 days, the last thing I really need is a half marathon, and even more than that, a hilly half marathon. I have grave doubts about my ability to complete this one - is it all about to end in tears ?? Watch this space.  PS - does anybody know of a 10km this evening ?

Well, despite my fears, I managed to finish this, though for the first time I hit serious problems and today's Wombourne 10km may be in some doubt. From before 10 miles I started to suffer with stomach cramps, and not wishing to "do a Whymant" as it has become known, I ran through them and finished in a pace just a second outside 9 minute miling. I suffered on the way home as well, and despite a long sleep from which I kept waking, the stomach still feels very fragile. Can't fail now though, with less than 10 miles still to run. That's just 85 minutes to go hopefully. The total mileage raced went through the 150 mile barrier last night with over 23 hours of racing now this month.

Humph's Hilly Half at Bourton on the Water (renamed in honour of former Race Director who passed away last year) includes a mile long steep climb after less than half a mile, and somewhere between mile six and seven starts an almost two mile uphill drag that isn't too steep, but just goes on and on and on. The rest of it is just hilly ! The course takes in a single loop through the Cotswolds countryside including villages like Clapton-on-the-Hill and Great Rissington, and with four water stations (the second of which served up the foulest liquid I have ever encountered - maybe the cause of my stomach problems ?) and great marshals, this was an excellent event. My thanks to all of those who commented on my challenge, but especially the South African guy I chatted with through miles five and six - I don't know your name, but you helped to pass two miles away very quickly as we chatted. Shame about the incredible lack of organisation at registration though, keeping us all waiting for over half an hour in the sun before they finally condescended to take the on the day entries. This was after they had put up the 'No I-pod' pictures first - H&S gone barmy again. I was pleased to see at least three of the runners I passed wearing them anyway - good for them ! It was also strange that my late entry (admittedly not sent until Thursday, but posted first class) "hadn't been received" and I had to pay the full on the day extra. Only the second time I had entered a race so late to collect my number, and both times the entry hadn't been received. Conspiracy theories abound ! Never mind, the tee-shirt received for finishing is superb and good quality, and I may well be back for another go at Humph's Hilly Half.

Heading out at the start of Humph's Hilly Half

Thirteen miles later, approaching the finish

FRIDAY 27th

JOHN O'CALLAGHAN MEMORIAL 5 : And so, down the M1 to Luton for this annual 5 miler, which I believe used to be called the Vauxhall 5. It was a cloudy but warm evening, with a breeze, but thankfully the few spots of rain just before the race start came to nothing. The course here was an out & back lap of two and a half miles, which we did twice (obviously), along the approach road to Luton Hoo, which is now a hotel. There were pleasant views to the left as a river meandered along and some gentle ups and downs along the way, but nothing too severe, and a downhill finish. Excellent drinks station at half-way and at the finish, with huge cups of water (McDonalds style) - other races who seem to want to ration water to half a tiny cup please note. There were also Frusli bars and bananas at the finish - excellent stuff.

My fellow runners at this one were less impressed with my "28th race in 27 days" notice on my back - either that or they were so impressed they didn't want to speak to me. However, Luton AC treated me like a star - Race Director Des Haughney looked after me and even arranged for a photographer to take my photo in front of the field just before the start. Runners World here we come ! I also chatted for ages with one of the clubs' former coaches who was there for the race, sadly whose name I didn't get. Once again, the host club made me feel very special, though agreeing with me that my main reason for this challenge is insanity !

So, a little tougher tonight - my knees are starting to hurt, and my old friend the right hamstring is playing up again. But my time of 41.17 is only 26 seconds outside my fastest 5 miler of the year so far. Not bad.

Oh, by the way, I understand John O'Callaghan was a former coach and a founder member of the host club, hence the race title. And my race entry fees have now moved over the £150 mark for the month - anybody care to sponsor me ?

The finish line of the John O'Callaghan Memorial 5

THURSDAY 26th

OLD TOWN EIGHT 4M : A late decision, but I have decided to switch events tonight. I had entered the Wollaton Park 5km, which is part of the excellent Holme Pierrepont Grand Prix series, but given the distance I have travelled and still have to travel, I have decided to head back to the friendly lot from Kenilworth Runners and tackle another of their summer league series events. Another change of mind is of course always a possibility before this evening.

No - Kenilworth it was on a night when the weather turned on me. For the first time since the Notts 10 on day six, it rained during the race, only this time it just didn't stop. The Old Town Eight four miler is apparently so named because it takes on a figure of eight route around the old town (blindingly obvious really) and has nothing to do with a hidden eight mile race lurking in there. I'm glad that I switched to this one, as my travel time to get home was just 21 minutes despite the speed restrictions on the M6, and with Luton tomorrow evening, it was nice to get home before nine o'clock for a change. Plus the fact that Kenilworth Runners are a friendly lot, many of whom remembered me from last week. The race set off in two groups as last time, with us "slower" athletes starting off first, allowing the whippets to catch us up and pass us in the later stages (only three or four actually beat me tonight). The course was a hilly one, winding through Kenilworth old town, around the local houses and along country roads. Excellent stuff, and despite a sore foot before the race (more to do with work I think than with running) and some stiffness and sore knees I had another reasonably good run. If you can't be bothered scrolling down to the stats below, I had already travelled over 2000 miles to these 27 races, but after tonight's four miler, I have now raced this month for over 20 hours !

With thanks to Joan Mason of Kenilworth Runners, a wet and bedraggled Richard after the Old Town Eight 4 miler before I had to hand back my number (to be used again).

WEDNESDAY 25th

WOMBOURNE 5km TIME TRIAL : After the travelling of the last couple of days, it was good to stay closer to home for race number 26, and my first attempt at the Wombourne 5km time trials. Not my favourite type of race, with runners heading off individually at different intervals and unlike a handicap race, there appeared to be no system to the actual start times - eg David Whymant was there and he started before I did. Given the fact that the runners before me were quicker and I could never catch them up, and those starting behind me were sprinting past me within 200 metres of the start, I was soon wondering what I was doing here. It was close to the end of the line (the route was an out and back run along the South Staffs railway path) before I started to catch up some of those who had started off before me. By now I wasn't being passed with quite so much frequency, and I did start to pick off a number of runners on the way back home. The course was flat and with the lack of any heavy rain recently was dry and hard, and once again I had an excellent run, finishing in under 8 minute mile pace, and roughly in the middle of the field. Thanks to organiser Stuart Webb, my celebrity status was further confirmed with a mention after the presentations in the Mount Pleasant Pub, followed by an interview by the man for his website podcast section (check it out once it is uploaded, my 15 minutes of fame at last). By the way, the tee shirts are ordered !!! No, no - they REALLY are !  So, it is now just 5 days to go, and 5 races left. I am starting to feel a little sad that it is almost over -

Starting the Wombourne 5km time trial

Thanks to STUART WEBB for the photo

TUESDAY 24th

BURTON ON TRENT MIDSUMMER 10km : I just do not believe this any more. Tonight I ran my fastest 10km since August 2007 at Frampton, after racing 24 times in the last 23 days. This just cannot be surely ?  I do have a theory however, and that is that my body is now honed (I don't recall my body ever being honed before) to such a point that I am actually getting stronger as a results of all the race miles in my legs. I have now idea whether that theory has any sense in reality, but certainly I have felt stronger and fitter over the last four races than I have for many months, so something must be happening. This race appears low-key in advance : no pre-race entries, on the day entries are done at a desk in the Leisure Centre corridor, and your £7 entry fee includes a free burger - no memento or tee-shirt, just a burger. In reality, this event is up there with Frampton as a very fast, flat 10km - the first km is downhill on the grass around the Leisure Centre, then 4km along the canal towpath, before a lovely couple of kms around Branston Water Park. A country lane with a very gentle climb then leads into a good footpath all the way to the finish outside the Albion Pub. Nice to see my mate Chris Harrison at this one - and thanks to the Tamworth AC runner who likened me to dog-sh**. Actually he meant that everywhere he has raced recently, I have been there ! A compliment I think. And at the finish, the water was ICED for us runners - now there's a different and very welcome idea - very refreshing.

The start is (fortunately) just at the TOP of the grassy hill

MONDAY 23rd

TRUNCE 4.25 FELL RACE : I cannot believe that I actually enjoyed this ! A long downhill queue to get through a kissing gate early on. Two water crossings across slippery stepping stones. Another through the fairly cold waters of a muddy stream. Long walks up the 550 feet of climb (everybody else was walking too). But this was GREAT !  Fantastic scenery as we started uphill (gently) and along a track, then dropped down through a field, across the river, hit some tarmac before turning off right, climbed high up then dropped down through a gorgeous woodland to the stream crossing, and back along the road and eventually back to a nice downhill finish. Seems this event was first run in 1966, and now attracts fields of 250 entries for the NINE Trunces that are held each year (according to one of the local athletes, Trunce is the name of a farm that we passed around half-way). The entry fee is £1.20 and the race HQ is Andy's white van. Oh, and believe me, you will never get a smaller race number than the one at the Trunce. I would love to do this one again - who knows, I may even join Craig & Sarah and become a fell runner !

The route out across the fields

The start/finish line

SUNDAY 22nd

ASICS ARDEN 9 : I have done this event for the last two years, and despite the fear of a 9 miler at this stage, I am delighted to have had an excellent run to-day. The course is a fabulous loop on country roads that takes in scenic Warwickshire villages, gorgeous cottages and expensive houses, stream crossings, little bridges and some very appealing pubs. At seven miles the route goes off road for about a mile through the West Midlands Golf Course and Barston Fisheries, then back to the tarmac for the final climb up to the finish at the tennis club in the village. I started near to the back and had a good steady run, finishing only 51 seconds slower than last year ! There's a lot to be said for this racing every day and not training regime. No injury worries, with even the tight hamstring and calf muscles behaving themselves.

The wearing of a blank number on my back with the number of races run in the number of days has been a great idea, with fellow runners who catch me up in the later stages of races quite happy to offer their congratulations and best wishes, while some even run with me chatting about the 30/30 challenge. Great fun. And of course, as I pass some of the runners early on in the race, I can hear their gasps and frequent comments of "My God", or cries of "Well done mate" as they read what I have done so far. You know, I am actually starting to believe that I can do this and run a race every day in June 2008. Only eight more to go !!!

Queuing for post race massage after the Arden 9

The finish line of this year's Arden 9

SATURDAY 21st

BREEDON-ON-THE-HILL FUN RUN : This running lark is a strange, but wonderful sport. From one race to the next, you just do not KNOW how you are going to do. After yesterday's Bolt I felt tired and weary, but to-day I had a really good run and enjoyed every minute of this Saturday afternoon delight. Another wonderful race that I had never heard of until I started to look around for a race a day in June. The race started in the car park of Breedon Quarry, then headed down and up a narrow path to Breedon Church and Beacon, with fine views across the Leicestershire countryside. Part of the path was overgrown and single file only, so an early breather on the steep climb was welcome. From the church it was a steep downhill on the road, then a wonderful flat grassy avenue under the trees at the edge of a golf club, through a village and then onto a cycle route which was obviously an old railway line. 2kms on this flat tarmac path, before we turned right and headed through a cornfield climbing with fantastic views of Breedon Church on top of the hill, then a downhill sprint to the finish on the school field. Tee shirts to all finishers as the rain fell again, and a very very happy 22nd race completed. This really was a wonderful event, well organised  and marshalled. Back at the car park, my neighbours from Shelton Striders were chatting about another race tonight. I could have run this evening, but with a long nine miler tomorrow, I decided against it. The lads and girls from Shelton Striders however had run in Barnsley this morning, Breedon this afternoon, Market Harborough tonight and at Stone tomorrow morning to complete FOUR races within 24 hours ! Now, that is just the kind of thing that appeals to me for 2009 ! Or maybe I will just go for 100 races in the year ?  By the way, I have now been racing this month for exactly 1000 minutes and 55 seconds. Whew !

An unusual start line with the banner strung between two of the sponsors lorries.

RICHARD heads into the school field to finish race no. 22.

(THE KEY OF THE DOOR)

FRIDAY 20th

BLAKEDOWN BOLT : To-day I reach day 20, which basically means there are only 10 to go, and by the end of this weekend, it will be down to single figures, and starting to look a little more likely. However, despite the fact that I feel generally OK, my right hamstring and now my right calf feel very tight, and my knees are sore. Strangely all of these conditions feel better when I am actually running. Mentally, the 30/30 challenge is proving to be tough - standing on start lines night after night is fine for a while, but after 21 of them it is more a case of "Oh no, not again" rather than "Yippee". The hills are also proving to be a problem - usually I just take them in my stride with little change of pace, but at the moment, I am really struggling to get up them. Bourton-on-the-Water on the 28th should be fun then ! Plenty of club members at Blakedown tonight - come on folks - I need your full support !!!!

Whew - it's getting harder !  I missed the first km marker, and by the time I got to 2km in 12:49, I wondered what on earth was going on. Mind you, a two minute wait at the stile heading down the hill didn't help (perhaps an indication that this race should stick to it's 200 limit of last year). A subsequent improvement in pace helped me to a time that was around three minutes slower than last year. Starting at the back doesn't always help, as I tended to get stuck on the narrow path ways early on. But the right leg held up (calf OK, toe just about OK, hamstring fine) and I enjoyed my beefburger afterwards (only reason I came). I'm not sure if I would run this one again to be honest - two separate trackers suggested a 6.6 mile course (not 10km) and the 3km out reversed on the way back gets boring. The middle section was great, except for the ridiculous stream crossing which was NEXT TO the bridge. At least give us a choice !!!!  So - just 10 more days of racing and it's done.

START & FINISH PHOTOS FROM RACE 21 ~ THE BLAKEDOWN BOLT

THURSDAY 19th

BALSALL BLASTER 4.5 : Another uncovered gem, that once again I would never have known about were it not for this challenge. An excellent mid-week race, organised by Kenilworth Runners as part of their summer series, where club members compete against their own predicted times, rather than against each other. Visitors are allowed to run (hence my involvement) and at just £3 entry plus the option of sandwiches & chips in the pub afterwards for a further £2, you can see just what a gem it is. And in addition, Kenilworth Runners were selling club tee-shirts at TWO for £1 ! I now proudly own two KR tee-shirts !  The race was divided into three, with the slower runners going off first at 7.30, followed by two further groups at five minute intervals. To be passed by two of the second group before reaching three miles could have been demoralising, but I had bigger fish to fry. A series of three right hand turns, roughly a mile apart, led us through lovely quiet country lanes, though the hills were long and steady. For some reason I have now lost the ability to get up hills very well, though I did run all the way and was happy with a quicker than average pace for this one, despite the hills. The toe responded once again to ice gel and painkillers (a heady concoction) though my right calf has now decided to follow my hamstring and tighten up quite badly. Thanks to Kenilworth Runners for putting this event on, for allowing an Amazing Foot to run in it, and for being so friendly and interested in the 30/30 challenge. Shame I had to hand back my race number (90) but they use them again for the next race. Clever lot ! 

You always know when it's a good race, because the start & finish is at a PUB !  Ye Olde Saracens Head at Balsall Common

WEDNESDAY 18th

SHUGBOROUGH RELAYS : Oh S**T !  I believed when I set out on this challenge, that my body would give up on it before I did. What I didn't expect was for bloody work to totally wreck things for me, but that is what looks to have happened. I tripped and stubbed my big toe (right foot) very early on in my round today, and by the end of three further hours, not only was I limping like a cripple, but my whole foot was in excruciating agony. I did this once before running in the Lakes, and couldn't do anything for about four days - so, it looks as though this may be the end of the challenge. watch this space .....

So, my toe was throbbing and painful all afternoon, I had given up on today's race (and the challenge) and had even phoned my team mates to tell them I couldn't do it. However, eventually I tried on my socks and running shoes, and limped about five paces up the road. I then headed out to Shugborough Hall and with the help of Ibruprofen and ice gel, I patched myself up and completed the third two mile leg of the relay for our scratch Dudley-Kingswinford/Amazing Feet/Birchfield Harriers team. It's a pity we don't do these any more - one mile on woodland paths and a little tarmac, and a mile on grass makes for an excellent race both for runners and spectators. That is now 19 races in 18 days : just 12 to go folks (provided my toe remains well-behaved tomorrow.

OK - not the best photo of me ever in the world, but my toe was hurting, and I hadn't had my post-race bread pudding yet. You should have seen me afterwards !

TUESDAY 17th

HARBOROUGH 5 : Another excellent 5 miler from the East Midlands Grand Prix, consisting of one lap from Gartree Prison (yep - that's right. And they did let me out afterwards) along quiet undulating rural roads. I started out towards the back again, trying to take things steady, and promptly registered a 7:29 opening mile ! However, the next two were 8:36 and 9:18, so it could well have been the mile markers out of synch, rather than my pacing. I felt pretty good tonight however, and looking forward to an easier week this week before that 9 miler on Sunday. Worth missing the football for ? Well, yes, just about. GO ITALY !

By the way, I hit two centuries today ~ over £100 paid out in entry fees (what ? - you must be mad - DON'T TELL LINDA), and more impressively, exactly 100 miles of racing in the first 17 days of the month.

MONDAY 16th

SELF-TRANSCENDENCE 3 :  Wow ! That was close ! Those of you that have known me for some time will be aware that I have always said 'the first time I finish last in a race, will be the day I retire'. I knew this one was going to be risky, and it was a close run thing. 12 of us started the event, one dropped out, and I finished 10th !  In truth, this was another little gem, run around three laps of the Sri Chimnoy Peace Mile in Cutteslowe Park in North Oxford. At an incredibly low entry fee of £1.50, this event produced more goodies than many of those I have taken part in this month - full results on the website the next day; mile splits; yummy chocolate brownie biscuits, jammy dodgers & Kitkats at the finish, and 1/4 mile markers around the Peace Mile. The Peace Mile is a measured one mile circuit within the park, taking in grass and tarmac paths as it winds it's way around the flower beds, football pitches and duck pond. There were lots of other runners utilising this unique facility, BUT only the select few actually racing. Once again, I was made to feel like a celebrity, both by the officials and runners who were reasonably impressed with my challenge. Everyone was very friendly indeed, and it would be great to return to run the final race of the series in July, but I cannot make it. I felt OK again tonight despite the miles in my legs - each mile was slower than the one before, but come on, I've nearly raced 100 miles in June ! The knees are starting to complain a little, and the hamstring is still sore, though it seems to be worse between races. My thanks to Tejvan Pettinger who answered my e-mails promptly and without complaint, and also to race referee John Searle and an unknown young lady helping to organise the event who was so pleasant. Well done to all of you - and thanks for a great night.

All 11 of us lined up at the start.

RACE HQ !

SUNDAY 15th

RUBERY RUMBLE 7 M/T :  I limped out of bed (normal) at seven, had breakfast and prepared my usual kit for today's 16th race this month. By eight forty, I was asleep on the settee again (not normal) and had to drag myself back to consciousness at nine fifteen to load the car and set out.  This race today was TUFF ! In fact, I would go as far as to say that it boasted the toughest course of the 16 so far - yes even harder than the second race in Bristol. The weather was a nice mix of sunshine and cloud, and was a little cooler than last weekend had been. I started out close to the back as usual, and managed to pass a few as we climbed the first of many long steep climbs. By 20 minutes into the race, the hills had me beaten, and I was walking up them (as were most of the field around me). The course was brilliantly marked with sawdust trails and signs, the views from the top were magnificent in the June sunshine, and all in all this was an excellent race. But TUFF ! I have to say, this is the only event I can ever remember (and I have now run 983 races) where I have been presented with my medal and a "thank you for coming" from the organisers. Now I have 31 hours before the next race which gives me a decent break, but it's back to work in the morning. Half-way through now though - 15 days gone, 15 to go, 16 races run, 15 to go.

SATURDAY 14th

NEWPORT CARNIVAL 10km : I overslept ! My knees are sore ! I am NOT looking forward to this weekend. However, should I reach Monday in one piece, things should look better, even though I am back at work. A 3 miler, 5 miler, 2 mile relay leg, 4.5 miler and the Blakedown Bolt are next week's races, so hopefully some relief distance wise. Time to go. :: As always for this race, the sun shone, and it was warm. Fortunately not so hot as last year, and with a nice breeze to help keep us cool, conditions were pretty good. This is an excellent multi-terrain course, with 2km on grass, just under 2km on paths and around fields, and the rest on tarmac. I started at the back, passed quite a few in the first downhill kilometre on the grass, and generally had a very good run - no aches or pains except for the now obligatory ache in my right hamstring. My knees however behaved themselves. I had taken it steady, finishing just over a minute slower than in 2007, but hopefully prepared and ready for race number TWO later to-day.

STOURBRIDGE STUMBLE : After Newport, Linda and I enjoyed an excellent pub lunch in the Red House Inn (two for £10 - always after a bargain) and spent an enjoyable hour or so with Steven & Helen and our delectable grand-daughter. Then, it was 4.30, and time to hit the road once again for another dose of 10km madness at the Stumble. It was good to see so many club members at a race again, and once again I started out at the back, gradually working my way through the field as much as I could. I generally felt OK despite this being my second race of the day, though my time at almost three minutes slower than last year obviously reflected the fact that I was knackered.  The good thing now is that I have completed half of my challenge, and have the insurance policy of having run twice today, just in case I have to miss a race in the next two weeks due to illness, injury, petrol shortages or Act of God. The real challenge is to race once a day, and that will still be my aim. Tomorrow will be race number 16, but it means there will only be 14 to go afterwards - finally past half-way.

...and finishing the Stumble

FRIDAY 13th

DUNHAM MASSEY PARK 5km : Oh No ! FRIDAY 13th ? A recipe for disaster I think. For those who don't know, Dunham Massey Park is in Altrincham, Cheshire !  OK. Two things from my earlier posting : Altrincham is no longer in Cheshire, but Greater Manchester ! And this is the only Friday 13th this year !  So there.  Dunham Massey Park is a huge National Trust Deer Park, House and Gardens, and is quite simply a fantastic place to visit. What a great delight it was to actually run here. 2.3 laps which made up an accurately measured 5kms course, and despite the now recurring aches and pains (my knees hurt tonight for the first time) I ran another ridiculous time - 24.31 which is sub 8 minute miling. Will somebody please take me to one side and tell me to STOP racing these events. I'm tired now and bed is calling (can you hear it ?) and I am not looking forward to racing THREE times in the next TWO days. Hopefully there will be some club support around after so many events "off our patch" - I may need you guys to keep me going. I will put a couple of pics up tomorrow to show just how good this place is.

Thanks to Altrincham & District AC for making me feel so welcome at this one. Mansel Pope got me into this event at late notice - the race was full at 220 entries, but my entry was accepted only a week before, so whether it was full or not I don't know. I met the guy at Dunham Massey Park an hour or so before the start and we had a chat about what I was doing. He now knows where Amazing Feet RC come from - and he himself used to live in Evesham many years ago. As with race two, I was impressed with the friendliness of this event.

The venue for the Dunham Massey Park 5km

Richard heading for another finish line surrounded by ladies.

THURSDAY 12th

WEDGNOCK 10km TRAIL RACE : Still going strong after this latest race in my madcap challenge. Some discrepancies though in the race description for this race series : distance approximately 10k on footpaths and trails !  Well for the first 29 minutes, I was definitely running on roads, mostly of the tarmac variety. When I finally managed to get onto off-road running, it was along the edges of farmers fields, and then alongside a golf course. Certainly no footpaths, and certainly no trails to speak of. The early stages seemed to be climbing most of the time, and I really am struggling at the moment on the hills. No major injury worries to speak of, and my health is still holding up just about. To be honest, I am really looking forward to reaching next Monday and being over half way through this challenge. Weather is cooler now than it was at the weekend, and given the "approximately" in the distance advertised, I was quite happy with this one.

An early climb on the roads around Wedgnock

The closing stages along the footpaths

WEDNESDAY 11th

WORCS MIDWEEK LEAGUE 7.3 at ARROW VALLEY COUNTRY PARK, REDDITCH : The thing I hate about running at Arrow Valley Country Park is the fact that I always get lost and can't find the place. No signposts until you are already off the main road, by which time it is either too late, or you just get lucky. So, I did it again, got totally lost, drove around the dual carriageways of Redditch for 20 minutes, then found the damned place !  The race was the same as last year, two laps, making up approx 7.3 miles, but where the hell did all that mud come from ? The sun has been shining for a week and we've had no rain.  I generally dislike the midweek league events, because they seem to attract the fast runners from the Worcestershire clubs, but very few of the slower ones (like me). This course is good though - a true multi-terrain with tarmac, paths, trails, grass, hills and yes, mud. Despite this being my 11th race in 11 days, I was only 19 seconds slower than last year - pretty good eh ?

Still going strong at Arrow Valley

TUESDAY 10th

BANBURY 5 : Had you seen me first thing this morning as I got out of bed (OK, not a pretty site I know) and limped down stairs to get my breakfast, you would assume that this mad challenge was already over. Not the case, as I sit here now in mid-afternoon and contemplate another 5 mile road race tonight in the sultry heat of the summer. After four road races in five days, I am about to go off-road from tomorrow for most of my next races, and the weather forecast is for rain. Somebody up there doesn't like me.

For the first time tonight, I started to doubt whether or not I can actually complete this challenge. Nothing wrong with the running itself - I am still maintaining my pace, even though it seems very difficult to get my body up the hills now - but mentally when I had finished tonight I just felt totally fed up with racing. Perhaps the realisation of how much I have done already has been tempered by the thought of having to keep doing this for another 3 WEEKS !  The driving is also getting to be a pain, but at least there are some events coming up that are closer to home again, so we'll see how we do. Tonight's 5 miler at Banbury was all on country lanes and residential roads, making up a five mile circuit which included two or three hills, with one long drawn out affair between miles two and three. Another glorious summer's evening, with a nice cool breeze to just take the edge off it. Think I'll have me a mug of cocoa tonight before bed.

MONDAY 9th

WESTONBIRT 10km : I keep telling myself that the only way I am going to succeed in this challenge is to STOP racing every event, and just get round some of them. Tonight at this wonderful event on trails through the magnificent National Arboretum at Westonbirt, I started well back in the field, but almost as soon as I had started running, that race mentality kicked in again, and I ended up with the fastest of my three 10km races so far. It was a hot, sunny evening, but as most of the course is run underneath the trees, it wasn't as bad as yesterday. The right hamstring was tight again, but incredibly nothing else is hurting or aching yet. I have started wearing a blank number on my back proclaiming "9th race in 9 days", and it really does start conversations with my fellow runners, which helps me through. Linda and I had a great afternoon, visiting Tetbury first (just 3 miles away from the race venue) and yes, we did visit Prince Charles shop there. Only window shopping though - can't afford those sort of prices !  By the way, is Westonbirt the only race that gives you TWO mementoes for finishing ? A unique wooden bookmark AND a tree.

A summer evening, off-road racing, fast time. Perfect

SUNDAY 8th

Heading for the finish line at Aldridge.

SATURDAY 7th

DORRIDGE FUN RUN 8 : Today began at 3.00 am after a poor night's sleep, and after arranging various deals to enable me to finish work early enough, it was off to the rather posh suburbs of Dorridge for their annual fun run at 10.30. There was also a bike race at 10.15 and all kinds of "fun day" stalls, barbecue, beer tent etc. But I had more important things to do, and how it hurt. Whether last night's 10 miler did it, or having to work first thing, or simply the cumulative effect of my seventh race in seven days, but my legs did not want to work. It was hot and sunny, though the tree cover along the scenic country lanes (closed to traffic !) did at least offer some relief. There were four water stops and lots of hills (only gentle ones, but lots of them). I desperately wanted to stop after 5 miles and walk, but I didn't, and eventually made it to the finish in poor condition, but I made it. Oh, and the kick in the tail ? The 8 mile fun run was in fact 8.2 miles - cheers guys !  This hopefully is as bad as it gets - plenty of rest now before tomorrow's race, and a week's holiday from work to ease the aches and pains hopefully. See ya at Aldridge.

FRIDAY 6th

I arrived in Nottingham around 30 minutes after the Test match had been abandoned for the day due to bad light, and it was dark. Soon after I got to Holme Pierrepont it started to drizzle, which got heavier, and continued to do so for the first 4 miles of this flat road 10 mile race. The course takes in the 2 kilometre rowing lake (around it, not in it) as well as the entry road that runs alongside it. I felt OK, and ran fairly well for the first half of the race, but tiredness and that aching hamstring slowed me down in the second half. At least the weather brightened up as I slowed down. Mind you, by the time David Denton announced my name over the tannoy, it was close to being dark. Home by 9.55 - just enough time for a quick glass of wine (there's always time) and off to bed.

A look back down the finishing straight in the gloom of 6.30 on a summer's evening

Much of the race is around the lake - all 2kms length of it

THURSDAY 5th

GAVIN TIPPER 5km : OK, so it just had to be Sod's Law didn't it. I woke up this morning with a high temperature (must have swapped it for Linda !) a bad throat and a really nasty cough. The last thing I feel like doing is running.

So, I just don't understand this running lark at all. I have felt truly awful all day, then turn up at Dudley-Kingswinford and run a 23.27 5km - my best 5km time since August 2007. The Gavin Tipper 5km is not the most inspiring of courses, but probably the most inventive, as it twists and turns around and across the rugby pitches for two laps, and is totally FLAT !  I wore my Puma Trailfoxes for only the third time, and they felt so light and comfortable. No injury worries tonight, and my heavy cold didn't bother me while I was running. A good one for my fifth in five days.

Plenty of company in the early stages of the Gavin Tipper 5km

WEDNESDAY 4th

SHROPSHIRE 4 : Oh no !  Today my cold has returned yet again with a sore throat and a seriously bad cough, as well as being bunged up. So things could start to look a little difficult.

Tonight's race was one of my regular June runs, a little closer to home than the previous two. The sun shone on a warm June evening, though with much of the two lap race under the trees, it was pleasant conditions for running. The one hill on the course (that we actually had to run up three times) seemed like nothing more than a pimple after the killer hills of Monday & Tuesday. Hamstring felt OK - I had no problems with my cold while I was actually running, so the 30/30 challenge is still on.

Heading off onto the trail section of the Shropshire 4

TUESDAY 3rd

A wet start line outside Weedon Bec village hall for the annual 10km race

MONDAY 2nd

RACE HQ at Blaise Castle, Bristol

SUNDAY 1st

WARNDON VILLAGES 5km : Being on June 1st this year, this was the perfect opportunity to start my 30/30 challenge despite the fact that I am Race Director and Chief most other things as well. Suffice to say that the organisation was superb (well, of course) and I had a good run. I never realised that the final hill was such a climb - it never seemed that way in the car when we set the course up !

SUNDAY 1st