This is not just a one off event but a year of 5 seperate challenges throughout 2009! Why do 1 half marathon when you can do 5? Why do them in 1 country when you can do it in 5?

I will travelling the globe to run in Norway, Czech Republic, Sweden, USA and a small island in the Baltic Sea. Many different types of half marathons, many different challenges but still the same 13.1miles. The target to raise at least £500 per race for DFFB.

NUMBER FOUR - STOCKHOLM SCANDINAVIAN CHALLENGE

Although this was meant to be a flat course the gradual inclines certainly were felt. I clocked 1:47, which was slower than was hoped for but with a busy work and baby schedule; as well as an ankle injury this was still a hard push.

At least this only further raises the bar for the last challenge in Aland, Finland!

Well one more to go and with the Webb family coming out to suport this is the one to pull out all the stops!The training is being stepped up and I am going to give it all to beat the elusive 1:40. The challenge will be made harder with the fact that it is expected to be zero degrees and we may even have a little snow under foot.

NUMBER THREE - PRAGUE AND THE COBBLED STREETS

I have been to Prague many times but I think the last time I was this tired and staggering through the streets was due to a friends birthday celebration.

It was great to be running in such a well organised event with plenty of support along the route. Taking in as much of the beautiful city as possible was definitley a bonus. However, with history comes cobbles; which were not the best to be running on and they seemed to pop up at the time just when I felt I was getting into a rhythm.

I am glad to say that my time has come down further again at 1:46 even with a bit of tiredness in the legs from Vegas. However if I felt tired then, I am sure it will not compare to the sleepless nights pending from the arrival of our new baby.

As a result I have a short restbite, despite an olympic triathlon in June in Windsor just to keep me in shape ready for Stockholm in September.

There I will be hoping to beat the 1:40 mark. a challenge but it was never meant to be easy.

NUMBER TWO COMPLETED- GOT TO BE VEGAS BABY!!

It was off to the heat of the Nevada Desert for race number 2. An early start at 8am to avoid the heat saw all rolling through a hilly course that was the old rail road track used when building the very impressive hoover dam.

As it was St. Patricks weekend I was running alongside many dressed in green and of course the token 2 guys dressed as Elivs (Well it is Vegas!) Althouh not running across the Hoover Dam the views were great and I only wished those  sat in front of the 'slots' back at the hotel managed to drag themselves away to see this great sight.

A few issues with the shins so with only 2 weeks till Prague on the 28th March I hope my legs will bear up on the cobbles of the beautiful City. Hopefully I will not be staggering through the streets on this weekend like I have on a few stag and birthday parties. 

Thanks for all your continued suport and look forward to improving my time of 1 hr 50mins that I clocked in number 2.

FIRST CHALLENGE COMPLETED - TROMSO,NORWAY.

I completed the first race in the cold Arctic Circle in the ice and snow and very cold wind of Tromso. Depsite my plan of running in customised trainers with spikes for extra grip, this did not go so well with the spikes coming loose on my first training run out there. I was therefore destined to slip my way through the course in the darkness of the Polar night lit by a few candles on the way.

With less than 100 people stupid enough to run in these conditions, it was a lonely race but a great challenge. Unfortunately due to the cloud and snow the Northern Lights were not visible but to be honest I was more pleased so see the fire and blanket on the finish line to warm up by the end of the run!!!

Off to the heat of Vegas for the next run on 14th March. For more info on this race please visit:

http://www.mountainmanevents.com/sixtunnels.htm

I will keep these pages upto date with the latest news throughout the year so please return, and feel free to add in more cash as well!!!

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