If you are training for a marathon THIS is the race for you!

The Rhayader 20miles round the lakes race took place on Saturday17th March 2007 and I participated for the first time yesterday. Truly this is an awesome race, not only the distance , the cameraderie of a long distance race, but the sheer outstanding beauty of the Elan valley. I want to record here a great big 'THANKYOU' to the organisers for giving me the opportinuty to run through some of the most beautiful parts of the United Kingdom, as part of a great race with well organosed support. Thanks.
Running a long distance race depends on many factors atitude & determination, training & fitness , support and of course the weather. To these usual factors one very important addition is the good fortune to meet like minded people to run with, to chat with, to encourage each other, to marvel at the wonder of nature and support each other. And yesterday i had that good fortune to meet my new running pal Ig- South African Swansea Runer ! Thanks Ig you kept me going for around 15miles until my thigh pain held me back. Then you had to go on alone -amoungst 400 runners.! But hey; we ran 'mountaintops' together - the summit at 6.2 miles, and the views of the reservoirs.
In later parts of the race, plodding along with my mp3 player, i can thank the music makers Robbie Williams, Tina Turner, Katherine Jenkins, & the Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir.

Running long distance means burning a few calories - & my Garmin says 2469 calories burned.

Probably that or more was replaced yesterday by the dried fruit, the lucozade, the peices of mars bar (big thanks again to organisers), then on the way home the pie & chips from the chip shop by Newtown traffic lights- oh and a banana or 2, a cadbury's turkis delight; and the bottle of Guinness.

Guiness being my long distance tradition started at the trip to Dublin for the marathon in 2001.