Happy Towel Day 2016

We have come to the time of the year when I like to look back in remembrance and appreciation of a man that gave us so much and left us too soon: Douglas Adams.

In moments of hardship, boredom or distress, I like to open The Book to find comfort in the words of wisdom. I find the following a  particularly suitable passage to quote today:

“For instance, on the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much—the wheel, New York, wars and so on—whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man—for precisely the same reasons.”
Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Once a year we celebrate Towel Day in rememberance of this great man and, for us, I believe it is as close as we get to a religious holiday and The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is as close to a holy scripture as I will get.

True Story!
True Story!

This year we wanted to do something especially special for Towel Day so we booked ourselves into the YHA hostel in Cambridge for the night and rode the motorbikes up to join the ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha for the Douglas Adams Tour of Cambridge.

The Douglas Adams' display at the YHA hostel in Cambridge
The Douglas Adams’ display at the YHA hostel in Cambridge

Having done our best trying to stay off the big A roads and rather use the smaller country lanes we arrived in Cambridge in search of motorbike parking. I must say riding with Christopher can be rather challenging in certain ways – he both complains that I forget that he doesn’t have 17 years of experience AND tells me off for not following the proper rules. Apparently I forgot that his bike doesn’t go faster than 80k and perhaps I was speeding a little bit, however my GPS said 95k and I was riding nowhere near that speed… apparently there was a 40miles sign, erhum. Obviously, the GPS is to blame. Obviously. In addition, he disapproved of the entrance to the car park that I found, and claimed that it was only for bicycles when it, obviously, was large enough for motorbikes as well. My defence consisiting of: no one saw so no one got angry – was not accepted. Apparently that is not a valid point in the land of CCTV. I wonder if this is how it feels to be religious? Imagining someone constantly watching over you, like a surveillance camera judging all your acts. Well, I will never know.

Anyway, I’m digressing. In Cambridge we dressed up with our nicest towels and headed to the train station where we met David Haddock, Douglas Adams expert and our guide for the evening.

The Douglas Adams Tour about to take off from the trains station, i.e. where the biscuit incident took place - or not. Photo Courtesy Robin Down
The Douglas Adams Tour about to take off from the train station, i.e. where the biscuit incident took place – or not. Photo Courtesy Robin Down

From there, we continued to Mill Road Maternity Hospital – now sheltered housing – where Douglas Adams was born and then onwards to where he lived his first years, where he lived as a student, followed by locations where he found inspiration for his writing and where he later worked with the students comedy club, The Footlights.

David Haddock with his Hoopy Frood towel telling us about where Douglas Adams were born
David Haddock with his Hoopy Frood towel telling us about where Douglas Adams was born

David Haddock was very knowledgeble (well, that is what expert means… da!) and shared quirky bits of information with us all through the evening. Well I do think I need to re-read the books now when I have all the facts, the staircase in Dirk Gently, for example, is inspired by the staircases in St John’s College, where Douglas Adams was a student. In fact, the Dirk Gently books are available as audio books so I might get them, again, since I have only read them with my eyes and not my ears. Not like The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, which I have consumed in every form available, English and Swedish. As for Dirk Gently, I have some catching up to do.

Christopher with his Japanese hand towel outside 72 Jesus Lane where Douglas Adams lived his first years
Christopher with his Japanese hand towel outside 72 Jesus Lane where Douglas Adams lived his first years

The tour ended in The Baron of Beef, where Douglas Adams used to drink, so we drank there, and next to where the tardis landed in Shada. In Cambridge, all is connected. On Saturday, the celebrations continue in Islington, apparently things are connected there too.

Nick wearing his Hitch Hiker hockey top for the occasion
Nick wearing his Hitch Hiker hockey top for the occasion

After a good night’s sleep in the hostel we headed back towards London. Christopher had to wipe his brow with his Japanese hand towel after a sweaty incident in a roundabout where his bike stalled but a part from that all went well. My compliments to Christopher, it is hard work to be a learner <3

In the heart of Hertfordshire
In the heart of Hertfordshire

Post race analysis and evaluation of Leiden Marathon

I can hardly believe I’ve done it – I’ve completed my second marathon! I am so incredibly proud of myself! And yes Bev, thank you for pointing this out – I have earned it.

Anneli and Bernadette on a pre marathon run among the dunes near Bernadette's house
Anneli and Bernadette on a pre marathon run among the dunes near Bernadette’s house

The weekend building up to the marathon was very pleasant. Christopher and I met up with Anneli in Leiden, where we were collected by Bernadette, President of WIMA NL and our host for the weekend. We spent a very relaxed Friday evening chatting away about running and motorbike riding until bedtime. Saturday was spent in the same way and we headed in to the centre of Leiden for a stroll and to collect our race packs. Leiden is beautiful and we truly enjoyed ourselves. In the evening, we feasted on pasta, reminisced about WIMA rallies we had taken part in and talked about the joys of motorbike riding. The race started 10.30 Sunday morning so we could be rather relaxed with time and did not need to get up excessively early in the morning either. Also, we benefitted from having Bernadette taking us in to the centre in her car.

I'm mighty pleased they spelled my name right it does not happen that often
I’m mighty pleased they spelled my name right it does not happen that often

My main concern leading up to the marathon had been the weather – the forecast was for rain and I feared that the stretches along the poulders in the countryside might be very cold. However, on race day the weather turned out to be perfect for running, cloudy with some occasional sprinkles and very light wind. It could not have been better. Although I brought a wind jacket with me and a buff, I never needed them.

Posing with our elegantly printed running tops
Posing with our elegantly printed running tops

The marathon route was very good. We started together with the half marathon and ran together for 11k before splitting off in different directions. Therefore, this first bit was rather crowded and, in contrast, the middle section of the marathon was a rather solitary run with the competitors quite spread out. This was not a problem at all since the locals in the area around Leiden put on a show for the marathon. There is a competition for the most supportive street along the route and some were going all out with a band and masquerade. In addition, outside every house and in every intersection there were people out cheering – and they cheered for everyone using the name printed on the bib. I must say they all did brilliantly in trying to pronounce my name. At the finish, by the bag collection, we were asked to vote for the most supportive street and for me there was a tie between the brass band and crowd support cheering me along all the way through the village making me feel like a winner somewhere at km 18, and the street with the church complete with nuns and angels singing and dancing for me as I ran along. When approaching Leiden for the last 5 kilometres, the marathon route joined with the 10k route and on my tired legs I joined the energetic runners who, with great leaps, were rushing towards the finish. The pavements were packed and people were having a party along the route cheering for all and everyone passing by. However, when they noticed my marathon-coloured bib they did call out encouragement especially for me, acknowledging I had come the longer route.

Leaving Leiden full of energy and with a very long way to go
Leaving Leiden full of energy and with a very long way to go

My GPS watch had died somewhere after 4h 15min and I had no real sense of time – apart from that I was doing well. I had started off a bit too quickly due to influence from the half marathon runners but I felt ok. I also knew that sooner or later my left leg would go numb and walking would be necessary. This happened at km 29, from then on I alternated and did stretches of walking to regain the feeling of my leg. When entering the route shared with the 10k runners, I was told I had to keep right walking to not be in their way – this pushed a button and I thought, hell no, I’m going to finish running and I did run the last 5k 🙂 After all, finishing with dignity was one of my main goals, along with a sub 5 hour time. I clocked 4h 59min 41sec, and this allowed me to stop and pose for pictures when passing Christopher and Bernadette just before crossing the finish line!

Just a few metres to go now
Just a few metres to go now

The slogan for the Leiden marathon is “All about you!” and I do think they have managed to make the runners feel special in all kinds of ways: the crowd support along the route cheering us along, the nice people at the drink tables asking how you feel and what you need, the marshals providing sponges, the Red Cross staff cycling along the route… After finishing and getting a medal we got Aquarius, my favourite sports drink, and then we got beer.

Anneli was finishing just behind me
Anneli was finishing just behind me

I really think I did everything right at this marathon: I managed my speed well, quite even times along the route even though I walked occasionally towards the end. My energy levels were rather good, at the drink tables they provided banana as well as water and energy drink, and this complemented my energy gels and bars well. Towards the latter part we even got Coca-Cola and buns. With my medical condition, hypothyroidism, it is important not to exhaust myself too much because that can put me in bed for days. I was therefore pleased to have managed so well. I have only been moderately tired after the race, my body aches of course but that was expected. Tonight, I’m intending to run the social run with the club – hopefully a little jog will loosen up the muscles a bit. On Sunday, I was a super woman, yesterday I was offered help to descend the stairs in the train station coming back from the airport. The contrasts in a runner’s life.

We are so happy to have completed this marathon. Thank you Bernadette for hosting us during this WIMA fundrasing event!
We are so happy to have completed this marathon. Thank you Bernadette for hosting us during this WIMA fundrasing event!

I end here with a feeling of great satisfaction, completing the marathon was my accomplishment and I’ve earned it. But more importantly, I managed to do so because of all of you who supported me and sponsored Motorcycle Outreach. I did not run just for myself, I ran for all of you and I ran for the people in the rural villages in Tanzania and Indonesia who will benefit from the donations received. Together we are making the world a better place!

The giving page is still up if you want to take a look or post a late but very welcome donation!

WIMA ride and Run: Leiden marathon 2016

All photos: courtesy of Christopher Harry Calvert

My Pre-race Analysis

With three days to go to the Marathon, I’ll try and collect my thoughts and analyse the challege ahead. Today, I have done my last run, 4k around the block at my estimated marathon pace, just a short little run to keep my body moving but still hungry for more. When I set out on Sunday I want to look forward to a long run because, indeed, I am going to be running for a very long time. I know I can do it – I have done it once before – but I also remember how hard it was.

Sporting my T-shirt form last years Hackney Half Marathon 13.1 miles
Sporting my T-shirt from last years Hackney Half Marathon 13.1 miles

My favourite distance for running is the half-marathon, I enjoy it and I think I do it well. I’m fine up to 26-28k actually, then it gets harder, after 30k it is really hard. A marathon, of course, is a lot longer than that: 42k. I estimate that it is going to take me 5 hours to complete, my first Marathon I completed in 5 hours 12 min. At my estimated Marathon pace, 6:45 min/km, I belive I can manage to beat that time and then I have taken into acount that I’m likely to need to walk parts of the latter stage when my left legs start getting numb due to my nerve problems.

Always when I go for a long run I tell myself “you love running, now you’re going to enjoy this for several hours, how lucky you are!” A positive mindframe is more important than strong legs, at least after 30k or so – if I can tell my body to continue running even though it hurts, I will be able to finish. As my friend Sapna put it: “it is mind over matter”.

Course map of Leiden Marathon 2016
Course map of Leiden Marathon 2016

When evaluating the route I’m pleased to see that the half marathon and full marathon routes split up at 11k, I should still be fresh and strong by then and not too jealous of those returning to Leiden old town. There, I will head out into the countryside, hopefully the run along the canal will be pretty and then I expect between 15-23 will be a bit harder, if the fields are not very interesting I will need to let my mind wander and entertain myself. Then, hopefully, there will be some people out supporting in the little village. The return towards Leiden may be harder, running between the fields again but the last 5k will be done on the streets of Leiden and hopefully there will be crowd support.

The weather may be chilly, 14 degrees or so and a possibility of rain. Being precious about the newly printed running top, I’m worried I’ll be too cold, but at the same time I do want to display our WIMA Ride and Run logo. I have not yet decided if I’m wearing long or shorter trousers but all other bits are planned for; plasters, gels, socks etc. All is tried and tested in training and indeed there has been a lot of training. At this point, I would again like to acknowledge the great support I have received from Sudbury Court Running Club. I have been a member for a very short time but I never felt new in the club, it always just felt right. The Sunday runs especially have been very useful for me, covering longer distances going places. Nothing brews a good coffee like a long run, Uxbridge has such nice coffee after a 21k run up there along the canal.

All the important bits
All the important bits

This is the first time I run for a charity and I highly appreciate everyone who has donated to the Motorcycle Outreach and all the supportive messages that have been posted! If you have not yet donated and want to be part of this great cause to help bring healthcare to remote villages in Tanzania and Indonesia, please visit the giving page: WIMA ride and Run: Leiden Marathon 2016

I hope I will be able to make you proud – for sure I’ll do my best!