Kevin's build up to Paris Colmar

Nearly there!

2008-06-02T00:05:00.000-07:00

Ever since taking part in my First Roubaix 28hr race I have been determined to have a go at Paris Colmar. I have now been given that opportunity and to my surprise I have been able to put together a very strong support crew. My biggest fear after I received the invitation, was who would be willing to give up their time to support me! My biggest fear now is can I do it, can I get all the way to Colmar.

Positive thinking, I am at every opportunity picturing myself along the way and arriving in Colmar. I am not trying to be delusionary, I know there will be pain and bad times, when I'll feel desperately like calling it a day. But the believe that I can do it is embedded deep inside me and on top of that I am sure that my support crew will be willing me on and providing plenty of 'tough love'!

As the days tick off and the start gets closer the more nervous I become. This is so different from anything else I have taken on. My normally approach is to just get on with the 'job' without a lot of fuss. I feel I am the centre of attention on this occasion and that doesn't feel comfortable.

Well, I better get off to work...

Countdown to Paris Colmar

2008-05-28T01:23:00.000-07:00

Well not long now before I will start my longest race, nothing more I can do all the training is behind me and the important thing over the next three weeks is rest and stretching (and a little light training).

Since Dijon I have had a week end away with Frances and two tough weekends walking, firstly in the Peak District where I completed a 36 mile circuit on day 1 and a 25 mile circuit on day 2. This last weekend I was participating in the Long Distance Walkers Association annual 100 mile challenge walk. This year it took place in the Yorkshire dales staring in Skipton and heading via Ingleton to Hawes before heading back to Skipton via Buckden, kettlewell and Bolton Abbey. A very enjoyable weekend (despite gale force wind). I completed the 100 miles in 29 hours and 26 mins.

All the major planning is done for Paris Colmar ie crew in place, motorholme hired, second vehicle sorted courtesy of Winning Ways, ferry booked. Over the next week or so its attending to detail ie kit, schedule, food, how the support crew will support me...

As the race gets closer the more scared I become and excited at the same time! I have a huge respect for the challenge I have taken on and I am 100%+ committed to completing the race and will give it my all. Time will tell whether my training and commitment are sufficient to get me to Colmar.

Reporting back from Dijon

2008-05-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hi

The journey to Dijon and return was most eventful, not to mention a drag and a huge stress point. Seriously I would not recommend traveling my coach if a) time is importance and b) if you plan to connect with trains!!! In essence the journey there involved a three hour delay at Dover due to the boat having technical problems! This meant arriving in Paris well after 10:00pm (after leaving London at 10:00am), missing the last train to Dijon (where my hotel was), therefore on a bank holiday weekend I ended up looking for accommodation late Friday evening. I struck luckily found a lovely cheap hotel near Bastille. The next morning I caught the train to Dijon and all was well! My return journey was equally a nightmare, we got held up Calais having been scrutinised by both the French and English police/customs. this resulted in missing our boat and having to wait three hours for another boat with space, you have guessed it we ended up in London after 10:00 and I had missed all trains to bury St Edmunds. i had to find another hotel and complete my journey this morning!!! Certainly an adventure in itself, next time I'll stick to Eurostar...

Any way the important stuff the race itself, Dijon was good, even if the weather very strength sapping hot. The night was a welcome respite form the heat and for me it was the best part of the race. In the early stages of the race a lot of the walkers went off at a fast pace (the leaders were doing 10km per hr), this took its toll, there was a lot of retirements and or people doing lower than expected distances (only 10 men and 2 women qualified for classification having completed 160km).

I wasn't sure if it was the heat or if it was Bar le Duc still in my legs but in the early part of the race I had noting in my legs and doubted I was going to last the distance. As I say I picked up during the night and spent a few hours before and after dawn racing with Sandra, this was great the laps /time flew by and my legs was flowing. by this point Richard had called it a day after completing 100km.

Sandra was able to sustain the pace and went on to win the women's race (for the fifth time), I fell to pieces, this time I knew it was my last race in my legs!! The last few hours were a horrible blur especially as the heat began to build up again, I was by this point down to a strolling pace!!!

I managed with support to complete 174km and because of the relatively small field and the number of drop outs I was 4th male finisher.

During the later stages of the race both Sandra and I had support from Richard and from Vincent Peter (french) who had been racing but dropped out, after some sleep he was there encouraging and feeding, much appreciated (he even got is friend to walk a lap with me to keep me going).

Its only the beginning of May and I have been over 100miles now on 3 occasions now, it is important (as Richard was nagging me, sorry I mean insisting) to now rest and let my body repair and regain strength, the miles are behind me and I must be confident that what I have done to date will get me to Colmar!

After the race I enjoyed a great evening with Richard and Sandra and even managed a gentle hobble around the old parts of Dijon. A lovely city.

A remarkable weekend all in all!

Heading for Dijon and another 24hrs of walking!

2008-05-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

Well what a week.

Confirmation that I will be redundant and that I will be gone within the month! But prospects of another job (short term three months), I have just got to work the detail out. All of this mental anguish just what you need as you prepare for another 24hr race! Never mind as Jill Green would say its all good training for something! Or as I would prefer; what doesn't break you will make you stronger!!!

Tomorrow I head off to Dijon traveling by coach for mot of the way in order to keep costs down, after all this will be by third race in France this year!

Very apprehensive about the weekend, I always respect a race of this length as anything can happen (and usually does), however, having completed two successful races so far this year, I know I have been pushing myself hard and I am just hoping I can hang in there this weekend to make it three successful races?!

Physically I am in good shape (albeit very tired) other than my knee which is strapped up to try and give it a little more support. If the Sunshines it should make for an interesting sun tan!!

Positive thinking, put all my worries behind me and focus on the now! That has got to be the order of the day. The weather sounds promising and the course at Dijon is good, a 2 .5 km lap around a lake. I arrive at Dijon at 22:00 tomorrow night and I leave there at 8:00am ion Monday, so once again I shall not have a chance to do any sight seeing!? Richard and Sandra Brown are also competing so it will be good to have some English company.

Still no promise of sponsorship, I have had confirmation today that Ilford AC have a pot of money to support their athletes, but that the committee have voted against providing me with any support. Despite three international appearances this year and being selected for the prestigious Paris Colmar Race. It is good to know my club appreciates my efforts...

Well better go and pack, leaving Bury St Edmunds early ion the morning.

Mad frogs and Englishman

2008-04-28T05:23:00.001-07:00

Hi just to say that the film recording of Sandra and Richard Brown Paris to Colmar race in 199o is now on my website ( http://kevinmarshallpariscolmar08.co.uk/) and well worth a look, OK I think it should be 'X' rated due to the coverage of human suffering!!?? No seriously these are two outstanding athletes and their achievements are huge, seeing them race almost made me question whether I was up to the task, only time will tell!

Sponsorship (or should I say the lack of)

2008-04-28T05:18:00.000-07:00

I am very frustrated all I need is some business to underwrite my race by the sum of £5K, it looks increasingly likely that I'll need to take a personal loan.

This is an international race and I have reached the required standard, confirmed in my last international race in Bar Le Duc where I cam 7th, walking 180km in the 24hrs. I cannot think of any other sport where a competitors is left to fund it all himself in order to compete in a major race (all of this on top of a very heavy training schedule and the planning for the event), not to mention all the other races in France this year, which I have had to fund myself....

Having the opportunity to compete in the Paris Colmar is a dream come true for me, so of course I'll find the money, but hey a little help from the business community wouldn't go a miss.

phew ... I'm glad I've got that off of my chest.

2008-04-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

Hi

Radio Suffolk have started promoting me and the race, the interview that went out yesterday morning will shortly be uploaded to my website, thanks Radio Suffolk.

Back from my second 24hr event of the year, in Bourges I completed 177.5km and in Bar Le Duc this weekend I covered 180km. My build up for Paris Colmar is on course. Dijon at the beginning of May will be my final race, although I intend to complete the LDWA 100miler at the end of May.

The race in Bar le Duc was a race in two halves! I decided to go for it right from the off, completing 100km in 12:27 The last 80km was a slog to keep going, this was deliberate on my part as I needed to know what happens when I 'fall apart' I needed to know I could hang in their and continue! There are going to be many such points on route for Colmar!

At Bar Le Duc both Chris and I was supported by our Friends from Roubaix, this proved another valuable learning curve, their support was invaluable They fed and watered me little and often, with a great variety of food and drink, some of which was hot, it made all the difference, mentally and physically, watch out support crew I think I will be demanding!!!

The other lessons I learnt from the weekend are about pace and 'balls' to continue

The big issue I need help with is my feet, I do not normally blister, whether it was the severe camber on the road I do not know, but my feet have 'mashed' up nicely! I need to find a solution to 'hardening' up my feet before June!

Oh yes Richard and Sandra invited me to view the CD's of their Paris Colmar Race! It nearly served to put me off! To see tow accomplished athletes suffer really scared me!!! They have kindly agreed that the CD can be uploaded onto my website, compulsory watching for the support crew!

Well tomorrow, begins the real commitment, I am going to sign the consent form (entry form) and return it to the organisers and I will book the motorhome, point of no return! Oh did I say as yet no sponsors have come forward as yet! So committing myself is a real act of Faith!!!

Thank goodness Frances (partner) is most supportive!