Sunday, June 27, 2010

Congratulations to one and all !

Firstly let me thank all the organisers of the wonderful Parish Walk 2010. It must have been one of the hotest we have on record - it certainly felt like it up the Sloc. Huge thanks to the Race Director, Secretary, Assistants, Time Keepers and those that helped in any way.
Thanks to the Marshalls that kept us all safe on the roads, to the Corporate drinking station sponsors that supplied much needed water, fresh fruit and snacks to keep us walking.


Congratulations
to everyone who competed, completed or supported the fantastic Parish Walk! It was a great day all round, with personal bests, many first time finishers and those who achieved their own goals!

Congratulations to Dave Walker (fellow blogger) who was a first time finisher with a brilliant time of 18:54:29 and 25th place- Well done Dave you deserved it as you put a lot of effort into your training plan and it paid off!

Dudley Butt (fellow blogger) made it to Peel in the blistering heat- I guess you knew that your injury was going to have a big impact on your walk, Dudley! Well done.

The Breakthrough Babes Team had a roaring success, we had 4 members complete the 85 miles, 2 x under 21's reached Peel in great times and others had a great walk and are already planning for next years race! We hope to have raised many £'s for Breakthrough Breast Cancer - we certainly had the publicity from BBC North West, and Sky TV - all great for raising awareness of this disease and charity.

I was delighted to score another Parish Walk finish (my 6th ) - my times however always reflect my lack training - so don't do as I do , follow Dave Walker's blog and have more success!

Lastly but certainly not least thank you to Murray Lambden (& Marie) for this fabulous website which is so impressive, accurate, informative and enjoyable. It has been a pleasure blogging , thank you for asking me Murray, I hope it has provided some enjoyable reading for those that viewed them.

Hope to see many of you on Wednesday evening at the Villa Marina for the presentation!
all the best
Angie Aire

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Parish Walk on BBC News tomorrow evening-Friday

First of all I would like to give my very best wishes to Dave & Dudley, (they sound like a dynamic duo) my fellow bloggers on this fantastic web site! Well done Dave for keeping up the blogging and the serious training report, I wish I had done half of it! Sorry if I have disappointed anyone with my lack of blogs - I had great intentions to blog more regularly - however that thing call time was always against me and still is!!

The Breakthrough Babes Team are filming tomorrow morning (before 8am) for the BBC North West News - so fame for 60 seconds if we are lucky! To be shown Friday evening 6pm.

GOOD LUCK to everyone who is raising funds for their own special charity on Saturday - every penny counts and charities are very grateful to receive these donations and sponsorships from people who .......go that extra mile! So go the extra mile, stay safe, have fun and do it all again next year!

Once the Parish is over myself and 15 other locals will be training hard for our trek up Kilimanjaro in October , so we will swap the trainers for the hiking boots and the Sloc for Snaefell! Can't wait- hope I keep my toe nails this PW.

Thanks for reading our blogs ( I know some people did as they stopped me and told me)
here's hoping everyone achieves the PARISH they want to get to or the finish they have always wanted!

Angie

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Here we go, here we go, here we go......

Hurray! the Parish Walk is upon us but maybe, like me you are feeling a little nervous too! Unless you are one of the top 10/20 finishers there shouldn't be any pressure on us BUT we do feel the pressure to succeed- whether its a faster finish or to 'go a bit further' or reach another Parish or just your own personal challenge!

After the Parish, maybe next week, or when our blisters have healed, our joints are more supple and we have forgotten the pain we were in when we stopped walking - we all set ourselves another challenge for next year's walk! and can't wait to plan our great intentions to "do more training" - or maybe that's just me!

Well I eventually managed to get No. 1 (eldest) son out of bed at 7.30am on Sunday for a walk up round Glen Roy - he thoroughly enjoyed the countryside, the peacefulness, and spending some quality time with Mum!! The walk went well but his stride was twice the length of mine - so I doubt we will walk together on Saturday. This was his longest walk yet (9miles).

Son No.2 (middle one) is walking with his 'love of his life' Sarah and as they are both under 21 they will be finishing hopefully at Peel!

Enjoy the walk everyone - pack plenty of supplies (kitchen sink is handy) it's going to be hot, hot!
Angie

Monday, June 7, 2010

Counting down....

Okay so how many of you like me are starting to panic now that you didn't keep to your training plan to compete in the Parish Walk 2010?

Well I would be lying if I said I have ever had a plan - I never have a plan of training, or even on the day where I should be at what time or what I should be eating and drinking - for me it seems to work when I just go out there and get on with it- Last year my first part of the race was quite slow and I didn't feel very motivated but the second half was a different race altogether. I never know how it is going to be on the day - but then neither do any of us.

Most of all it's a great event, bringing many of us all together around our wonderful countryside.

Oh so what walking have I been doing - not much as I have been in Italy on holiday with my family which we all enjoyed - lots of walking whilst sightseeing though!
Am walking to work and back this TT week as it's quicker than driving!

Have a safe TT everyone and take great care on the roads this week if you are out walking or driving.

Angie

Friday, May 14, 2010

Not long now..........

I had a lovely walk tonight with Sarah (PW 1st timer) straight after work and we walked the route from Upper Pack Horse Lane in Lonan up the tiny windy roads (more like a pony track) to Glen Roy and dropped back down to Laxey - what a beautiful part of the island !

The views looking back as we climbed the hilly roads were breathtaking - there were new lambs jumping about in the sunshine, horses and ponies with their heads up when they heard us talking and spoiling their peace and quiet, a pheasant jumped out of the hedge, cows grazing on the fresh new grass, a beast that looked like a Yak! with long, pointing and menacing horns, cockerels were crowing in the nearby cow field. We heard a peacock calling and there was birdsong over head.

The hedgerows were full of golden gorse, primroses and bluebells abundant, and the may flower peeped through the long grass! I know this sounds more like a wildlife stroll but.... it really was a
very enjoyable walk and it was quite challenging "up hill and down dale " . We walked about 9 miles and plan to do it again on Sunday!

The weather is looking good now and you can see many walkers out training in the early mornings and late evenings.

What ever training you do, be it long distance or short walks just enjoy it, take a look around you and remember how lucky we are to live on this beautiful island.

Have a good weekend all - Angie

Sunday, May 2, 2010

All things bright and beautiful..............our countryside

Training has been hit and miss over the last few weeks! I have been keeping up the short walks as they are less time consuming and very enjoyable. However I did take a loooong walk today with my son James, who is competing in the Under 21's race to Peel. Our older son, Rob, remained in his bed - again! Will he even get to Rushen on the day I ask myself!!

We walked from Douglas and followed the Parish Walk route to Rushen Church. It was a beautiful day and although chilly to start, we soon stepped up the pace and stared to really enjoy the challenge. We have now walked the first 32 miles to Peel in 2 parts and thoroughly enjoyed the route, the views and generally the countryside. The daffodils are fading, but the primroses and bluebells are really starting to flourish - and the hedgerows are abundant with them - I also noticed that there are numerous dandelions everywhere - even our back garden! The cattle have been turned out to the fresh spring grass after a long Winter indoors, the little lambs were following the ewe's round the fields. These are all wonderful things you just don't see when driving the car.

Over the next few weeks I need to step up the miles - yeah rather late as usual! but it's never stopped me getting round, so best foot forward and lets all enjoy the Springtime.

Any tips on how to keep your toe nails I really would welcome!

Thanks Angie

Friday, April 2, 2010

......up over the Sloc and down to Peel !

2 weeks ago I encouraged my 2 older sons to attempt the Parish Walk this year - James is 19 and Rob is 21- a little unsure they agreed to let me sign them up ( and pay for them!!) After all the years of supporting me I felt it was time for them to give it a go!

Last Sunday was a beautiful morning and with my son James, his lovely girlfriend Sarah (both new entrants in the Parish this year) and my friend Kim, we all set off from Rushen Church and slogged our way up the Sloc! I thought it would be good for James and Sarah to experience this section before the big PW day.

'The Young Ones' led the way and set the pace for Kim & I. We were sure us ' Not So Young Ones' would out walk them on this 12 mile walk over the hill and down to Dalby - not to be! They stayed ahead and walked in great style, enjoying their first long training walk -

Walking past Niarbyl around midday I sent a text to Rob to let him know what he was missing - but he said he was in the best place after a heavy night out - still under the duvet! That won't get you far Rob!

We all made it to Peel in a good time and deceided we would walk more of the route from Douglas to Ballasalla or even to Rushen next time.

2 weeks ago I walked (crawled ) up the coastal side of Cronk Ny Arrey Laa, in training for Kilimanjaro with the other 14 trekkers led by farmer Paul Costain - this was tough and very steep climbing up from the shore line - even the sheep didn't get to some sections we did! Whilst we didn't experience any 'altitude sickness' it was exhausting!

My training at the gym is going well -visiting twice a week I am feeling fitter than ever and looking forward to a long walk on Easter Monday with friends.

I hope you are having a good weekend and I wish you all a very Happy Easter!

Shame about the weather ! Angie