Dude,

Thanks for visiting the page dude. This is dedicated to Andrew Baldwin/Baldy/The Madness who will be sadly missed but not forgotten.

So who the heck are we then?

We are group of friends that have known Andrew, and each other for the last 25yrs. We are proud and grateful we were able to share those years with a very beautiful and gentle person who wanted nothing than to have a laugh so when one of us saw that there was an event we could do to raise some funds and awareness of course we were interested. When they said it was for Epilepsy Action we were very interested. When they said we would be running through the streets of Bradford we said "You're having a laugh aren't you?" and I am sure we will have a laugh, a stitch, a slight wobble on tired legs but we'll carry each other over the line.

Everyone is on an intense training regime which has already included many hours of trying to agree what a training regime should be but there is no point rushing these things, over doing it and injuring yourself is there?

One thing we have all come to an agreement on though is our team moto - "If exercise is meant to be good for you, why does it hurt so much?"

So what is the event?

Well it's a 10Km run starting in Bradford City Centre which will then progress along one of the many beautiful tree lined boulevards for a while, we don't know how far, they just said "If you can't smell the abatoir you've gone too far!" and then we head back into the city centre. I know we have all been friends for a very long time, been through thick and thin, picked each other up and taken shots for one another but I'll be dammned if I am losing to you lot in a sprint finish.

What happens after the race?

Well once the smelling salts have brought us round and we have finished the juice and biscuits generously donated by the St John's Ambulance Team (They are coming right?) then there is only one thing left to do.

COSSAK!!!!!!!

We know times are tough and ends are getting harder and harder to join together but try and give a little and it will be used to do a lot.

Updates to follow so come back as much as you want.

Laters dude.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=334334946538

Ian "The Gazelle" Hutchinson - Training Diary.

11/02/10 - Thought I'd better get the ball rolling so went out with the dogs for an hour and half walk, called in for fish n chips on the way home and then rested.

12/02/10 - Well it's Friday so that means a full cooked breakfast at work. This was then followed by an egg mayo footlong, a packet of crisps, a Snickers (they're quite sporty) and juice. I had to walk for all of these so I am slowly building up the pace and distance.

27/02/10 Really upped the training schedule now with thoughts of running going through my mind so the mental toughness is there, especially with some of the imaginary hills I was running up. Also had the "Born Free" theme tune going through my head which made the whole experience delightful.
A quick kit inspection has resulted in the search for a new pair of tyres. The weather isn't looking too cracking for picnics but then this is no picnic or walk in the park so I got Ross Braun on the case who suggested slicks. I should be ok as long as I watch my speed going into the corners. Got Fleetwood Mac in my head now and Murray Walker blasting in my ear "GO! GO! GO!".

02/03/10 Welcome to multiple choice heaven.

If you go to Starbuck or any coffee shop that doesn’t want to be branded as "A Cafe" there is always a queue. This is not because of the amount of customers in there who have decided to go for a coffee at the same time as you, no. This is due to the barrage of question you get asked about to ensure your coffee is just right. I, like 90% of the general unpedantic population, want only three main characteristics from my coffee - hot, in a cup and tastes like coffee. No fancy all-singing-all-dancing cream, grated chocolate and caramel infused sauce - that is what is commonly called "a pudding". The questions and options presented to Joe Public when they approach the counter is what is causing the queues. I have known people to spend a whole morning in a coffee shop without actually getting a coffee in their hand. They end up slumped on the counter wishing they'd never asked for a coffee. If I put a full kettle on at home I can put 6 brews in people's hands in a breeze.

I am now experiencing the same situation but with trainers. This is a new world I never knew existed. I have only worn them because they are comfortable and look like they are something to do with sport.
Apparently I "over pronate" meaning my foot moves when I run. Genius. This means I need a trainer that will "support" me. I can't buy any old pair of trainers now, oh no, they may not cheer me on or provide wise words of encouragement when I start slowing down. 
After selecting the Support Trainers option (I guess the cost is really a donation. Too many neglected trainers. Especially in my shoe cupboard) I have gone from a narrow lane of "Support" to whole shopping complex of manufacturers, cushioning systems, grips, lacing systems, products named after Greek Gods and models with numbers in them that hopefully suggest break horse power of cylinder capacity.

Take for example product number 3 of 83 that I can choose from now. It is the New Balance M769 (2e) Running Shoe. The review states that it is "The updated version of the much loved 768". I have to admit to picketing when they decommissioned the 768. Such a great ambassador for the sport. You will be remembered as a true legend in the synthetic products industry. Unfortunately the New Balance M769 (2e) is not available in my size. Not getting the market penetration of it's predecessor.

I have opted for the Asics Gel 1150. It is "an excellent shoe for those requiring mild structure from a shoe at outstanding value for money with the added benefit of a full length SpEVA midsole". I didn't know I needed one of these or would benefit from one. They never mentioned it to me in P.E!!! This now poses two questions in my mind:

1) What are the implications of having less then a full length one of these?

2) WTF is one anyway?

The explanation is as follows:

Two Piece SpEVA Midsole - A supreme midsole material that improves bounce-back characteristics and decreases midsole breakdown and new for this season Asics have made this a two piece SpEVA midsole. The new set up provides improved shock attenuation and a smother transition from heel strike to mod stance.

SpEVA 55 lasted - Enhancing the cushioning and support by utilizing SpEVA in the construction of the shoe between the midsole and the upper. Adjusted in density specific to the level of support required from the running shoe.

I am so sorry Mr Paxman, can you repeat the question?

Things I want to know - Will I be able to run in them? Will they provide me with blisters? Will they make me look like a complete pompous tool amongst my peers?

The answer combination I am looking for is - "Yes, no, definitely not sir".

Coffee, white, one sugar please.

Edit - "We suggest running socks with your purchase" - I suggest you stick your socks up your.......

03/03/10 - The trainers arrived care of "FedUp - The new parcel dumping service by FedEx - "We'll hide it somewhere for you so you can enjoy a treasure hunt". Free next day delivery is such an underutilised facility.

The picture on the website looks slightly different to what I am presented with - It didn't look like this in the brochure!!!

Cometh the hour I feel I may be stereotyped as a person who no longer drinks ethnic coffee but one who rather prefers a "double-shot-latte-mocha-mix-full-fat-half-fat-vole's milk-choco-floating-carmachiata-on the rocks - with a twist to go please?" I am going to look like what can only be described as a douché.

Took them out for a spin anyway with dogs in tow. Covered about three miles in 25mins with the only breaks coming when the dogs took the opportunity to do what I believe is known in the running world as a "Paula Radcliffe" - I bet she wasn't carrying small plastuc bags to clean up after herself, oh no!!! Dirty girl.

04/03/10 - Nearly rang in sick this morning but couldn't summon the strength to reach the phone.
Wobbled around the moors with the dogs on what can only be described as someone elses legs!! I had no control over them, they didn't want to do what I was asking them to and when I had Kes hanging off the left one by his teeth it went completely unnoticed for a few minutes. Everytime I bend my knees it feels like someone is trying their best to give me a dead leg which I don;t mind when in the privacy of my own home but when trying to cross a busy street in a city centre everyone thinks you are a cause for concern.
I'll be back out for a run tonight as I think I need to find my legs asap before the ferral popultaion of Shipley take them in as protein dietary suppliments.

14/03/10 - I hated cross country running as child and especially distance running but after watching Eddie Ixxard's Marathon Man programme I felt inspired so I told a few jokes.

After this I headed out for a true trainign day, to push the limits of a man that hasn't really run in over 9months and of course to get used to my new super duper trainers. The Ascics Gell 1150 could be a legendary model of trainer yet!!

7.5 miles of gruelling moorland, golf course and glen in 90mins with a when Dillon decided to run off to see some friends wasn't a bad effort I thought. My legs were burning after running what turned out to be 725ft in elevation but the relief from a couple fo fog rolls as a job well done was worth it.

Hope the Beast's ankle recovers quickly after tripping over his own feet. I'll make sure you have plenty of room at the start mate. Don't want you injuring anyone else. 

More runs to be done this week though.

15/03/10 - After spending most of the day trying to get some form of bend back in my legs I decided the only way to get over the stiffness was to run through it off. So with iPhone in pocket, application running and dog in tow I ventured out for what was going to be the most painful run yet.

To my surprise I got the feeling back in my legs after a couple of large cracking noises and found the going pretty easy as I kept to a steady pace. Still plenty of bounce in the famous Asics Gel 1150s so confidence is high for Sunday in the "No blister" department.

After an hour of running the iPhone told me I had cover 5.99miles, burned 724calories and my avergae pace was 11.34 per mile. I quite like my iPhone.

Warning: Running across moorland in the dark is not recommended. Beware of the moon and stick to the roads!!

Daniel "The Beast" Gower - Training Diary.

16/02/10 - The New Years fitness regime took a turn for the worse a couple of weeks ago when I tweaked a calf muscle playing football.  I am soldiering on though, and managed a robust walk after the bus the other day.  On a more positive note, my brother gave me some proper running shoes, and I have received some passed on insightful running advice from a qualified running instructor, Mr Grindrod  - 'don't stretch before the run, and run with your fingers splayed'.  Bring it on!

20/02/10 - Decided it would be a good idea to work on the 'cardio', so managed an exhilarating 5 mile bike ride yesterday morning to work.  It was a good ride and I only nearly got killed twice by taxi drivers in Harehills - a triumph.  The calf is bearing up well - looking forward to Monday and Tuesday double-header of football to really test (ruin) it.  Not yet managed an actual jog, but you can't rush into these things.

28/02/09 - It's now 3 weeks until D-day, so it was time to dust down the Ron Hill jogging pants and step it up a notch.  This fine morning I went on my first official 'jog', I did 3 miles in around half an hour.  It started off quite well, climbing up the hill past the Bull in Baildon I started to think I could get used to this lark.  But after 5 minutes my jog had degenerated into what can only be described as a 'stagger' - shooting pains in my knee caps, intense burning in my lungs - was this the 'jogger's high' I'd heard about?  It certainly didn't feel like it.  The last 20 minutes were a deliriuos blur, but somehow I made it back.  On arriving home I did some Mr Grindrod inspired warm-down stretches, and began to regain a sense of normality and achievement - witness the fitness!

07/03/09 - Two weeks to go now, and being inspired by peoples amazing generosity to the cause and watching a documentary about Eddie Izzards running exploits, I have really upped the training regime with 2 more runs under my belt since my last update.  On thursday night I had a 25 minute wheeze-athon around the (bloody steep) hills of Baildon.  With legs feeling sorer than Vernion Kay's texting thumb, off I set into the star-lit night, looking like a sweating day-glo lunatic.  Heading down Baildon Road near the Bay Horse it just so happened that I bumped into 'The Gazelle' Hutchinson!  What was this? A covert undercover operation to get the heads up on my unique running style and fitness programme?  No.  It turns out in true athletic style he'd just nipped to the chippy.  The run was enjoyable, the route been dictated by avoiding hooded teenagers on street corners and going back up any hills.  I even passed a few sites that brought back some fond memories of Baldy - Silson Lane (skateboard incident), and the steps down to Hoyle Court from the train station (er, another skatebord incident). 

And today was my toughest challenge yet.  A 50 minute jog atop the beautiful Baildon Moors, alongside my co-runner 'The Gazelle', and Helen, and a dog called Dylan.  This was hard going, but a good test of my stamina.  We must have done around 5 miles.  I got the vague tug of a stitch in my gut towards the end trudging up West Lane, oh boy, I haven't had a stitch since PE with Mr Hellewell in second year at Ladderbanks!  Luckily it faded, and we all ran a very respectable time.  It will be interesting to see how my legs feel in the morning, but it could be a shock to the system playing another football double-header over the next 2 nights.

MC "Lightning" Rowther - Training Diary.

19/02/2010 - The dust has been blown off the running trainers (finally found amongst the newspapers under my bed) in preparation for what will be my first meaningful attempt at tackling the 'Queens Park' running circuit tomorrow morning...

23/02/2010 - My legs (especially my shins) have just about stopped aching after the 2 laps I completed on Saturday. Think I need some advice when it comes to stretching - was it before or afterwards according to the silver fox?

02/03/2010 - Another 2 laps round the park last night, at a somewhat more 'relaxed' pace than before. Felt as though I could have maybe done a 3rd, but didn't want to push it and peak too soon.

09/03/2010 - Quite worrying that The Gazelle and The Beast managed 5 miles, almost race distance, with apparent ease. Will definitely be tuned into BBC3 on Thurdsay evening to watch the repeat of the Eddie Izzard documentary...

18/03/2010 - Hoping the 2 30 minute runs completed this week will stand me in good stead for Sunday. It's all about stretching from now onwards... 

24/03/2010 - Ice baths are the future, my legs are feeling fine! Well done fellow runners (I had you in my sights for most of the 1st kilometre) and a big thank you to everyone who sponsored us.

Iain "The Runt" Tordoff - Training Diary.

18/02/10 - There is much to be said about the silver fox (Mr Grindrods) training regimes.  A man of 63 looking at best 62 has clearly done himself the world of good.  "NEVER RUN ON YOUR TOES" - was another classic piece of CV advise from the great master of athletisism - Daniel 'the beast' Gower may want to remember that one to avoid further punishment to the old calfs.  My training began this morning with half a sit up in bed - will complete the full circuit tonight when I go back to sleep.

03/03/10 - Ian – I see your research and theory is moving forward emphatically – but how is the practical side to your regime looking?  I believe ‘Eye of the Tiger’ has the ability to excel the calf muscles and turn you into a penetrating force through the running field – so stick in the headphones, crank up the volume and listen to that unmistakable beat and lyrical genius, thinking solely of Rocky Balboa.  What can go wrong…?

Good practical efforts by both ‘The Beast’ and crazy legs Crowther.  As for the beast I find it hard to believe that ‘passing’ the Bull in your tough warm up to D-Day you didn’t call into the mighty establishment and sample some of gods finest – a Fosters Super-chilled.  It would have only enhanced you in your quest for success.  Good work on the Grindrod warm down measures. Excellent choice by the ‘Lightening’ Rowther not to peak too soon.  Never the type to sit back and leave things late I’m surprised at this choice…..

I myself have procured a new pair of ‘runners’ for the event.  Didn’t opt for quite as much depth as ‘The Gazelle’ when going in for the acquisition.  My approach was more simple – “whats your cheapest pair please?”  “Thanks, bag ‘em up”.  An emphatic purchase experience all the same.  4 miles tomorrow night – weather permitting of course……

The ‘Abbot’ seems to have gone quiet – lets hope he hasn’t been over doing it out there in the Hockwell Ring estate.  Maybe the ‘tenner hanging out of the shorts’ wasn’t the best approach after all.  Please search local hospitals in the district.

10-03-10 - Less than 2 weeks to go and plenty of mental and physical preparation still required for the event.  A potential set back incurred after receiving my ‘race pack’ through the post and being issued with runner number 13. Four miles this evening followed by the legendary ‘Grindrod after run stretches’.   Treading the new runners in was supposed to be a pleasurable experience until that all too familiar underfoot sliding feeling when you know its just not mud…..Is this the turning point in my training regime…..?  Nothing a good hosepipe down and brush off couldn’t fix though. Just the stench of that interesting fragrance coming from the drivers foot-well in my car that my take a while to go.

16.03.10 – With the tempo moving up a notch and the competition looking like they are stepping it up a gear – I also feel the need to slip into 2.  Pulling an unusual 5.6 miler out of the bag on Sunday, I felt like ‘the beasts’ descriptive account from his 1 run around Baildon fit the bill with pin point accuracy when it came to the physical suffering part….. Pains shooting down the shins followed shortly by a burning sensation in the lungs, is an accurate measure of what I endured.  My ankles felt like I’d just gone in for a 50/50 challenge with Ryan Shawcross. Only the vision of Eddie Izzard in a tight lycra spandex kept me from collapsing in a heap on the A642 to Rothwell.  All in all a worthy effort in preparation for the big day.  One more 4 miler on Thursday should help to round things up for the grand finale……  

Russ "The Abbott" Berry - Training Diary.

23/02/2010 - Struggling to get fit boys, but yesterday had a brainwave.  Decided to run through the Hockwell Ring estate in Luton with a tenner hanging out of my shorts.   Within minutes had everyone after me from hoodies to old ladies.  Done the last 2 miles in under 5 minutes - worked a treat!!

19/03/2010 - Can't believe its only 2 days away.  Only been for one jog.  Preparation has not been good.  Need to buy a load of deep heat to spray all over.  Probably be like the lynx advert, but have a load of stray dogs chasing me.  You boys seem well prepared, well done.  You might have to carry me over the line like the night out we had in Birmingham recently.