The time has come!

Well its here now.  I have offically run out of time.  On Saturday i will take part in my first ever mountain marathon, the Mourne Mountian Marathon.  I have done all the training i can.  I must say i feel as fit as i ever have.  Walking around work i almost feel like a spring that has been wound up and about to explode.  Guess Sunday afternoon will show how fit i am though. 

Friday is all about carbs.  I will be taking in all i can.  I plan to start the moring off with a flat out 5 mins on my bike and then try and take about 6 Torq energy drinks and loads of pasta, then an early night and hit the hills.

Will take a camera with me so should have a report up in a few weeks.

Simon

Keep those knees up!

I realise it’s been a while since I have done any blogging.  Always seems to be something else to do but guess it’s about time now. 

I have mentioned to some that I plan to take part in the Mourne Mountain Marathon which is a 2 day event in September.  This will be my first ever race so really not sure how it will go.  It’s a self-sufficient team event.  My older brother Phil and I will do it together and must carry tent, stove, waterproofs etc.  The event has been going for over 30 years now and I have dreamt about taking part since I was a teenager.  We decided at the tail end of last summer so have been trying to get fit since then.  To be honest I think Phil is much better prepared than me as he’s been doing a lot of running, though the category we have entered is more a walking one.  I have done some running but mountain biking has sort of taken over as its more fun.  Time has been the biggest thing though as my wife has been running her own business for the past year, Candytuft Cakes, baking and decorating the most wonderful cakes and cupcakes.  Much of my time has been taken up with this, taking photos, doing the website, deliveries, supplies etc.  Its been hard to find the time but i'm getting there.  I have even resorted to cycling to work when i can to get some extra training.

So with the event in mind and through reading some blogs I have purchased some new gear recently, Montane Terra Pants, Montane Lightspeed H2O, Inov8 Terroc 330s, Inov8 Debris Gaiter 32,  Alpkit Numo and Alpkit Gourdon 30 which with some training and along with the event itself I plan to do some gear reviews and a report on the event itself so keep watching.

Betting get back to the training!

Tents, tents, tents!

As you may have guessed money changed hands for some used pieces of plastic and metal.  Simply put, I bought a new tent.  I love tents and camping.  I have been camping for years and my preference would be wild camping.  I can remember my dad’s first attempt of taking me and my older brother up the mountains for a night.  We had an old Vango canvas ridge tent.  It had large heavy poles and a rubbery plastic floor that alone must have weighed more than the average tent available today.  It was obviously similar to the old force 10 tents but not the same protection.  For this first adventure the weather was terrible.  Howling wind and driving rain. My dad was obviously really keen not to disappoint us and we got in the car and headed for the hills despite the weather.  I don’t know as what stage he decided but he didn’t go to the mountains.  We did make it to Newcastle but camped at his uncle’s property.  We lay under canvas listening to the elements and the creaking trees which dripped on the tent sounding like someone throwing marbles but safe in the knowledge that we were only a quick dash from a dry, warm house.  I can’t even remember if we made it into the hills the next day or not.  That didn’t matter.  I got to go camping with my dad and brother and not just in the back garden.  That was more than enough for me! 

Flower power

Photography is something i have enjoyed for years.  Guess i may have got that from my father as he used to be into it.  I love looking at photos and letting my imagination take over.  I look at the colours and textures or the scene and imagine myself there, quite often with my tent pitched and a fire going.   For years is was only looking at photos.  I did get a compact Pentax about 7 years ago and that only made me even more eager.  I soon was wanting something better.  A DSLR was a must.  A few years ago i bought a Sony A200 (nothing fancy i know but a start) and have since got a few different lenses for it.  I have a lot to learn but still enjoy it everytime.

Getting started.

I blame twitter.  Oh and in particular @HelenjFisher and @tookiebunten.  They made me do it.  Honest they did.  And all those other bloggers i follow on twitter.  Sort of thought, why not.  Guess i will have to think about things to write about or get out and do some interesting things to be able to write something.  Part of the reason for starting a blog was to give it a go before my wife started one for @Candytuftcakes.  Another reason was to be able to share my stuff.  I love buying new gear for the outdoors and telling people about it.  I love taking nice photos and sharing them with people.  One of the things i really love about blogs is getting lost in others stories of their walks and the interesting places they visit.

Anyway, if you do follow my blog i hope you find something interesting as some stage.