These are in reverse order. Is this the saddest running photo you have ever seen??

from Jezza. You probably don't know my friend Jezza. He started running again last year after giving up smoking. He likes challenges. He lives in England and sent me a postcard from his recent race - Doyen of the Downs. Jezza gave permission for me to reproduce his contribution to his club's blog. While he gave me permission to edit it as well, I decided not to because he was celebrating in true running style as he was writing it!

Please do, I know the spilleng and gram mar are a bit bad but I was under the alfluence of incohol when I wrote it and it looked OK then

You can also show this rather tired, muddy and battered limey at check point 3 at 15 miles. I think I must have eaten about 5 bananas on that run and I am now sick of them. We have also worked out we burnt up over 5000 calories!!!!

They have updated the page now, ready for next year but you can find it here Extreme Running

Absolutely brilliant, here is part of a blog I had to do for the club:

The day started at 4:45 am as I rose from my bed and traipsed to my already packed race bag, I got dressed, had a cup of coffee and left the house to be hit by a -4 °C fog. Surprised

I turned up at my new friend George's house on the turn of 5:30 am and went hot footing to Arundel. Thank God for my satnav which was able to direct us around a very nasty accident on the A27 just outside Arundel.

Race HQ was in the shadows of the Arundel castle which in the morning twilight poked its head through the fog stepping into the football club hall we went about the business of registring, toileting and dressing. Opinions differed but in all leggings, gloves and hats were the preferred clothing. Indispersed were athletes preparing for the Namibian ultra and a spattering of Marathon de Sables.

FWAAaaaart, the race started and 120 nutters stumbled down the road to the South Downs Way, it was treacherous on the roads that led us to the first trail and then the discovery that all the thick mud had frozen hard and the pain started as the ankles took a beating at every step. The first 10 miles took us to 150 metres (asl) but it was a bitch of an undulating course taking us through fields, river paths muddy woodland trails where the mud was about 10 inches deep, the puddles extended over the route and there was 1/4 inch ice that needed to be cracked with the heel.

The checkpoints were set at approximately 5 mile intervals where bananas, biscuits and cold water were aplenty. My mate and I took a few minutes rest at each of these oases, time to sort of socks, shoe laces drink and just get some calories on board. As you can see from the 15(ish) mile point Ian was in attendance and I must say:

Thank you for being there Ian, it was half way and I was tired and hurting and hearing someone shout "there's Jerry" and you appear was a really uplifting experience. George was quite chuffed, even though he didn't know you he was glad to say hello

We spent a bit of time at checkpoint 3 but sadly we had to say goodbye as my legs were tightening in the cold.......that is when the hard work really started, uuurrrghhhh, by this time the mud was getting worse at 22, we were introduced to the marshes to the north of Arundel.....if Hell froze over, this marsh was hell incarnate. We were met with ice cold water above the ankles, clay the consistency of syrup and the sun bouncing off the water and glaring in our eyes. It was pain, pure unadulterated pain as our toes curled in their shoes. Surprised the next 2 miles sapped every ounce of energy from my tired limbs, seeing runners fall into the marshed river to the groin was not one I wanted to copy.

Next the BIG hill and an ascent to 200 metres of pure hellish mud, clingy chalk mud that stuck to your shoes and made them feel like lead. By the time I reached the summit at mile 24 George and I laughed that we could "knock out a quick 6 miles" and be home for tea.

After this we dug in hard and bolted down to checkpoint 4 at 25 miles thinking that "is was only another 5 miles", how wrong we were! The route took us along a river bank and by now our legs were like frozen jelly, every turn hurt but then George's garmin announced we were at mile 26.2 and at mile 26.3 we announced that we were now ultra runners and celebrated with out last carb gels. The gels kicked in, a new confidence in our stride we attacked the hills we met, and as we turned a corner we were met by the beautiful sight of Arundel castle in the fast burning fog, we were directed onto yet another trail of mud and we were beginning to wonder where the finish was, we jumped over a stile and I was heard "George, it's the censored finish line, whoopee" we crossed the line together at 5:28 hours. Tired, cold, hurting but most importantly smiling and laughing with the other runners

I really wanted top beat the 5 hour mark but the last part of the race was so extreme it slowed us down but it was impossible to run at points.

So in all, I am really chuffed, I'm now UltraJerry

We had such a great time, it is just hard to come down now

Anyone remember the president of the Melbourne chapter of the Ferals?? This postcard is from Chris.

One from Janet

Postcard from Vanilla Lilly

Regular Joggers may recall that in the coming Hotfoot competition we run on the new Vanilla Lilly track, across to Dom's Dilemma.   Well now is a good time to go there and find out why it is called Vanilla Lilly. 

The vanilla lilies are just now coming into flower along the track.   The photo will help you locate one.   Find one, cup the leaves and flower in your have and sniff.   You will get the beautiful vanilla aroma. 

If there are enough out, the aroma will be in the air!

Neil

Hello Ferals,

With the recent rise of China to the world stage (The Olympics), as well as that bloke from America that won a couple of medals in the pool, I feel that something must be done to ensure we can always compete.

The Choppings have therefore created the ultimate athlete…………Nicholas Ryan Chopping. 

Although weighing in at 7 ½ pounds this little tacker has the blood lines of a champion. Measuring in at 49cm and with the head circumference the size of a small country look out who ever is hosting the 2016 games.

Nicholas will be competing in various sports, and has already shown great ability in the….spit the dummy stakes, as well as my pants are very, very dirty, All of which show his true fighting spirits. 

The cheer squad have been doing well themselves. Mum still feels a little fragile (funny that you feel that way after abdominal surgery a spinal block and other related drugs [please don’t tell the Olympic committee as I am pretty sure she would fail the drug test]). Damian as usual……doesn’t seem to give a toss, and is far more interested in mum’s left overs and…….lols. Dad is becoming a little horse, from spruiking.

Beijing was good……..London will no doubt be forgotten, however look out 2016 (and Mr Phelps) as Nicholas will be nearing his prime at the ripe age of 8.

Please don’t reply to this email, as my typing ability is the equivalent of Damian’s (and it is far easier to call). However if you would like to sponsor any of the Chopping’s towards 2016 please by all means drop a line. Also can I say thanks to the first sponsor the Australian government who have chipped in $5K to start the ball rolling (they know a winner win they see one).

Cheers,

Ben Chopping

Hello Neil and Johanna, (and other Ferals) 

Although not really away for this great snap when I added it to my file tonight I thought this may be a possible starter for the website……

You will see what Santa bought Damian this year- a bike seat.

Now Kerrie and Damian can ride and dad can run (well jog anyway). Look at Tocumwal the Chxxxxxs are coming!!!!!