Wibbling

So...tomorrow I get on a train to Birmingham, then get a lift to ...somewhere 100km from Brighton. Can't even remember the name of the place we start from..sheesh. The day after tomorrow, I'll get up at about 4:30, so that at 06:00 I can start running, and walking, towards Brighton. All being well, I'll get there for 21:00 on the same day, having had a lovely time in the company of some chums while pottering along a nice bit of the South Downs way.

It all sounds so...easy. Relaxing, even.

I'm currently pretty nervous about this. Red wine (only a glass or two!) is helping, maybe some positive visualisation will also be beneficial:

Pros:
- loads more experienced than last time, particularly in bad conditions on hard terrain (living in the Lakes has seen to that)
- loads fitter than last time. I was a 4:15 marathoner then, I'm a 3:10 marathoner now.
- much better kit. Even if we get the rain we got in '03 I have Paramo's finest to keep me warm and dry
- a stronger and more experienced team. They've all done it. V-Rap could probably do this in her sleep
- a better support team. None of whom I'll have to worry about.
- I have absolutely no pretentions of being in charge. My only responsibility is to keep my own little legs going.

Cons:
- None. Nada. Zip.

Yup, that worked. This is going to be good!

Just for chuckles, a list of what I'm taking....

Kit:

Team vest. (the Foska 'bones' top)
LS Paramo base layer
Paramo Fuera Windproof
Paramo Velez Smock
Paramo Aspira mountain pants (ffs - but I'm taking no chances. Memory of 2003 is still bitter. And bitterly cold)
Berghaus Gore tex paclite overtrousers.... I justified buying these on the basis that they are perfect for fell running....
NB Shorts
NB Tights
Spare shorts
Two pairs techie socks
NB RX441 - these will be the main shoes I'll run in.
NB...er... those experimental trail things they gave me. These are for later in the race....a bit more cushioned
Trailwalk T shirt for the last section
Hat in case it's cold.
Different hat in case it's hot
Gloves in case it's cold
Different gloves in case it's wet.
Zinc oxide tape/micropore tape/sunblock (consider taking sunblock in light of all the waterproofs..yeah)/vaseline/ibuprofen/compeed/spare inhaler/toothbrush/mobile phone
Suunto Vector (of course)
Head torch for the worst case scenario (must get batteries on the way)
Bumbag
Water bottle

sleeping bag and thermarest for Friday night
change of socks and undies for Sunday

Food:
12 jam butties. No, really. Well, honey rather than jam, but the principle is the same. My top tip for anyone in an endurance event where you'll need to eat a significant amount. Make 'em out of buns, cut them into quarters. Instant bite sized carb-chunks.
Some kind of oat bars that looked not too sickly
Haribo gummy bears
Werther's originals
A bar of Green and Blacks 'darker shade of milk chocolate'. In case I need a real pick me up.
A couple of SIS gels....just some odd ones I had left.

And that's it. God knows, it should be enough. I usually pack a change of undies and a credit card...and the change of undies is only if I'm going somewhere posh.

Wish me luck!