C2C - Final Day

So we got to the final day, 13 miles to go until we reach our finish line. A lie in at home, then the 45 mins journey to Pickerings nature reserve just south of John Lennon Airport. Off we went in the car with Mum and Dad and the kids (Daniel, Maisie & Imogen), drop off of Dave & I then they will meet us later on at the finish. Dave & I set off me running first, no rain cloudy and windy, as it is along the Mersey. Running going well, setting my first few miles at an average of 08:21, loving the last day inly 6.5 miles to do. As we go past John Lennon Airport, I have only 1 miles to go, Dave did not look happy. We enter Garston, we stop to changeover, Dave not ready to run, but got on with the job. The first few miles OK, heavy on the legs, as we start running along Otterspool Promenade, the wind kicked and Dave kept a good steady, but tough pace. As we get to the EchoArena, I jump off the bike and run the last half mile with Dave, running round the other side of the Albert Dock we see Mum, Dad and the kids with a lovely banner. Well we did it and what agreat week, thanks to our families for all the support and thanks to Dave for keeping me going. Until the next adventure... bye for now.

Day 5 - C2C

Day 5 - Coast to Coast - East Didsbury to Hale, Liverpool. An early start, in which we had planned to get the train from Winsford to East Didsbury, then on arriving at Winsford train station found that the trains were cancelled. So off back home and waking the family up, then having a lift to Crewe, thanks to Deb and kids x x x. Train from Crewe to East Didsbury, arriving at 9:30, a call in to Tesco's for some supplies then off we went, full of REDBULL and pain relief. It rained from start to finish, with only a few dry spells, too warm for the coats so toughed it out in t-shirts. After leaving the roads we got on the TPT and onto a very long and straight lane which got us covered in mud once again. (time to wash the bike yet again). The running pace today was surprisingly faster, which may be down to the REDBULL or the fact that we knew it was the last long day. We went from not looking forward to the run to actually enjoying the run and forgetting about all the pain. We split the running into 10 miles each then 5 miles each we worked quite well, and also meant you could push the last 5 miles run. As we got into Warrington and Liverpool and paths got more and more covered in water. After skipping past most of the puddles Dave (Awesome) decided to run through them which actually help clean his legs. After a quick phone call to Dad we decided to meet just after Runcorn bridge which would be the 30 mile mark. The route after going under the bridge had (unlucky for Dave) a lot of steps to take the bike down. I of course ran on ahead and left him to deal with it. We met Dad soaking wet and covered in mud yet again, but at least this was the last big day. Tomorrow is only 13 miles. John n Dave

Day 4 C2C

Day 4 - Coast to Coast - Crowden to East Didsbury DAVE.... After a good night in the Crowden YHA in which we nearly fell asleep in our dinner, helped along by a couple of cider's we starting our journey to the dark side of the Pennines (Manchester). We both felt tired and sore but helped along with some deep heat we got going. John was the first to run today and lucky for him it was raining. The views along the trail were some of the best of the run so far, its nice to see other side of the Woodhead Pass for a change. Once we got into Glossop we hit the hills and the pain started. We soon switched to and it was my time to run right on a hill (thanks John). After a slight detour (getting lost) by John we eventually found our way to yet more hills and finally the path went down to the river and some very muddy and wet paths. It was then my turn to take a detour and get completely lost. JOHN.... On the easy path of the TPT, well signposted, Dave decided to go another way... leaving me waiting on the trail. After waiting for 10 mins I turned back and went looking for him, running to the top of the hill in to Hyde, two workmen said they had saw Dave ride past, I went looking for him but did not find him, so turned back and back on the trail. After several miles running, I saw Dave, a few words said a clip round the ear and all was straight. Off we ran, we had a 14:30 pick up at Tesco's in Didsbury to meet Dad, our lift home. So foot down and rightly directed by me (John) we found our destination. Thanks to Dad for the lift home.

Day 3 - C2C

Hello, Day 3 took us from Doncaster to Crowdon, our Longest Day (and a day which celebrated the anniversary of D-Day landings - The Longest Day) Day 3 saw us cover 37 miles ish.. i say ish as our GPS Garmin ran out of battery life, approx 2 miles from our destination. We left Dave's house at 11 am and started our first full day on the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT), a trail which we experienced every type of surface, from grass, to sand, to mud, to slushy mud, to concrete, to grit, to stone and more of each again and again. For this day we decided to split up the running, 10 miles each to begin with then 8 each after that.. this worked well, as we discovered that our bodies started tiring after 10 miles and to keep up the pace (lol pace.. )to get to our destination quicker. It was a long hard day, but so beautiful the views we had running over the top of the peaks, stunning scenery and Dave getting excited about the sheep (oh dear, lol). Eventually reaching the Crowdon Youth Hostel at 6pm, checked in, showered and changed and fed, both tired and were alseep for 9pm... lovely nights sleep.

Day 2 - Coast to Coast, Scunthorpe to Doncaster. We were excited about starting day 2, both eager to get running/cycling... What a day, should have chosen a more interesting route, long straight roads that went on for miles and miles.... mental strength required. Legs felt ok but did get heavier as the miles went on, the 4 mile stop for drink and snack helped. Got through my 15 miles in a time of 2 hrs 9 mins, quite happy with that, keep on at that pace and the Loch Ness Marathon in September will easily be finished in under 4hrs ( i wish and hope). Changeover at 15 miles, time to get warm and feed up, on the bike legs felt great (at first) roads got more interesting as we travelled through north Doncaster. Dave was off on his run and had heavy legs from day 1, he was enjoying day 2. The second half we found the trans pennine trail and made our way to Dave's house, he was happy to be home. So total mileage for Day 2 was 26.92 miles. Time to be fed and relaxed for a long Day 3, which by the way will not be updated until Thursday. Cheers John n Dave.

Day 1 Cleethorpes to Scunthorpe - Complete. Journey to Cleethorpes was a bit wet and had put our minds in to overdrive, as to why we are doing this. But by the time we got there the sun was out, blue skies and all was good. We set the bike up quick drink and picture on the promenade and all set to go. Of we went, Dave to run the first 15 miles, then swap over and me run in to Scunthorpe. On the bike for the first 15 was ok, but a bit saddle sore lol, and cold, with wind and a small shower, riding at an av of 6.5 miles per hour, does get you warm on the bike. I was glad to change over and do my run, felt great once i got through the first couple of miles a few inclines and did get very tired running in to Scunthorpe. Great to finish in Central Park, lie on the grass and chill out and have some food... i was hungry. Link for our run today: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/185574155#.T8znIpm-Pqo.facebook Now fed, chilled and relaxing for tomorrow's run from Scunthorpe to Doncaster. Bye for now... cheers John n Dave, roll on Day 2. A few pics from today...

Training for C2C

Introduction to our Coast to Coast
5 months of training and approx 500 running miles done in preparation for the coast to coast run/cycle, from Cleethorpes to Liverpool, following the trans Pennine trial from Doncaster.

My little brother Dave and I will start on Monday 4th June, from Cleethorpes running 15 miles each of the 30 mile journey to Scunthorpe, whilst one is running the other will be on bicycle.
Day 2 will be Scunthorpe to Doncaster,
Day 3 we will pick up the transpennine trail and then make our way from Doncaster to Crowdon,
Day 4 Crowdon to Didsbury,
Day 5 Didsbury to John Lennon Airport,
Day 6 we will both run the last 10 or so miles in to Liverpool and finish at Pier Head.

Many have asked why we are doing this, the answer is we are doing this because we can lol, but mainly to see how we handle it and if all goes well then it can lead to something else for our future, more endurance runs and ultra runs could be in the pipeline.

Bike is loaded and on route to Dave's house...

Snacks and drinks purchased ready...

So sleep required then off to Cleethorpes in the morning... more to follow.

Thanks to Debbie, Daniel & Maisie for supporting me and giving me the encouragement to keep on going.

Cheers
John n Dave