Done it!

On one of the hottest days this year in Paris, Andrew and I set off at 8:45ish on Sunday morning with 32,092 other people to run the 26.2 miles round Paris. 31, 169 finished.

It was quite an experience, even pre race, finding where to drop the bags, queuing for that last minute toilet stop, moving to our starting areas, loud music, people cheering, runners preparing and then .... nothing. More waiting while the thousands tried to move half an inch to the start line.


The first 10k was jammed with people (to be expected in an event like this but still a shock) and it reminded me of how the traffic worked in India. See a slight gap and go for it, at the same time as everyone else, no backing out!  At about 10k,  i finally felt like i got into my stride and had the space to run how i wanted to. From 10k to 25 k, i felt good, in control and running around 7 - 7:45 min miles and then the heat got me.

From 28k to 33k, i felt pretty shattered, had used my last energy gel and had started to feel a bit of cramp in my left leg. However, i got some drink, fought the masses for half a banana and limped on to the finish in 3 hours 33minutes and 12 seconds.

I was so glad to start the race with Andrew and gutted not to see him at the end. It was manic and there were cramped up bodies, ambulances and a few smiling people all along the finish avenue. Well done Andrew on your third marathon and i'm not sure if I ask him again next year for another event, what the response might be, but i know we are really thankful to you all for your kind words of encouragement and support.

My highlight of the run was seeing the family by the side of the Seine. Seeing Sam dressed as superman and my father in law shouting GO ON WEST HAM! kept me laughing and amused. 

I will update soon with a total amount raised for the HIV orphans in Zimbabwe, but until then
God Bless,
Rob

2 and a bit days!!!!

Nearly there and very excited now. It's been a good couple of weeks training and the tapering down has...tapered. Ran 9 miles with Andrew last Friday and then had a really busy weekend so did not manage anything else apart from ice cream on the beach with my boys. Did a training session with the Ipswich running club on monday (12 x 300m sprints) and then 4 miles yesterday in the heat!

I think that is all before the race as my legs feel heavy and I need them ready for the 42k on sunday (sounds better than 26 miles).

Thanks to everyone for all the support and for all your money. It has been a worthwhile event to do, even before running and the money raised will make a significant impact to the people in Zimbabwe. I will let you know the final total after the run - but no, as someone asked, - you do not get your money back if it takes a bit longer than 3 and a half hours.

Enjoy the sun this weekend and thanks again - bring it on!!!

I'm a runner

Great clip about what a runner must sound like to the rest of the world. When I watched this, I had that horrible feeling that this is what my conversations have sounded like this over the last few months.

Enjoy!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw5MHsO-JI8

International runners and encouragement.

How great is this. 
Tamara from North Carolina will be running the Paris Marathon this year, to raise money for the SIM HIV project in Zimbabwe. Tabitha, her friend and who works for SIM, will be there taking photos and giving moral support. Their church already supports the work of Caiphas and have met him when he came to talk about the needs of people in his country. The funds they raise will go to an income generating chicken project under Caiphas's programme. Check out her blog on http://livebirdsprogress.blogspot.com/

Keep on going with that training Tamara!

Also, below is an encouragement from Caiphas himself. Makes me want to go out and run right now, 15 days to go!

How I praise God for the fund raising efforts being done. I am greatly encouraged and at the same time humbled by what our God does. My team and I are certainly praying for Rob, Andrew and Tamara, that God grants them good health and enough strength to fulfil what He has put on their hearts.

All the blessings

Caiphas

Update

Did 20 miles at the weekend (2hrs 35) and felt good for about 5 minutes afterwards - but then had to lie down, felt sick and could not move. Not good but well worth it!
This week's plan - (18 days to go!)
Mon - Rest; Tues - 8 miles ; Wed - Sprints ; Thurs -4 miles ; Fri - Rest ; Sat - 16 - 18 miles ; Sun - 3 mile
Got my race number - 27 910!!!
Have a good week,
Rob

Introducing Caiphas Ngarivhume

SIM has HIV ministries worldwide under the umbrella of HOPE for AIDS. Their vision is to build capacity in the local community to enable them to deal with the AIDS pandemic in the most effective way in each culture.

Zimbabwe’s HIV work is led by Caiphas Ngarivhume. A devoted husband and father of 3 girls, he grew up outside of Muture without many resources. Out of determination, he received his Masters of Education in Sierra Leone and then came back to teach in his home town. Whilst teaching in the college, many of his pupils were dying in their hostels from HIV. The stigma associated with this disease prevented them from coming and asking for help. Caiphas initiated an education programme to reduce the stigma and to prevent people from getting the HIV virus. He now oversees the whole HIV programme, of which this run will raise vital money for one project. 

One person who met him writes 'Caiphas supports the growth of his staff as much as the health of their beneficiaries, he is tireless and dedicated - a man with an infectious laugh and a gentle smile.'

If you wish to listen to an interview with this great man, then follow the link:

http://hopeforaids.org/index.php/content/project-96198 

Please pray for him and his family, that he would have energy and perseverance to continue his work.

Update, Friday 18th March.

Rob & I managed a 20 mile run last weekend. It was quite a struggle, especially towards the end. I went out again on Monday 14th for some track work ... but have been ill since then. As my cold & cough have been getting worse, I've decided to take a week off running. Not ideal timing, but I'm still confident about being able to finish the marathon in Paris. Just three weeks away! Andrew.

Just Running

I thought I would enter my training plans for the week (7.3.11) - just to give an update of how things are going.With 33 more days till the marathon, I reckon I have roughly 20 - 25 runs left in me. That's a positive estimate, accounting for 10 ish rest days (2 a week), so I need to be focused now.

Yesterday I completed 16 miles and it hurt. After having 3 weeks off for the India trip, I paid for it. I actually bought a running magazine last week when I was in London, hoping to find lots of encouraging articles about marathons. One piece of advice said that if you miss a substantial amount of training, do NOT try to get back to where you were before, otherwise injuries will follow. As i sit here and notice the few niggles in my left ankle, maybe I should have followed that advice?

Another good article in the magazine helped the runner to predict their marathon time. I tend not to trust these things but this one seemed fairly scientific. By multiplying your best 10k time (average over 3 runs) by a figure they had worked out which was dependent on age, it gave you an approximate time for the marathon. What interested and pleased me was that ages 35 - 45 had the same figure to multiply by (4.62 if you want to try it). So the next time Andrew says he has 10 years on me, officially i can say it makes no difference for a marathon. Lovely.


So that is my saddo running bit done. I've decided to run from the office today as it's not fair on the boys to get back home and then head straight out. Also trying to leave the house when Sam is there has got impossible, this morning he tied me to the stairs to stop me going to work!

Here is my training schedule (7.3.11), have a good week.

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
Planned	16 miles	4 miles	10k	10k	Rest	20 miles	4 - 6 miles slow
Completed	1 hr 56	30 mins slow pace	Rest	43	Rest	3:15	Rest

Update from Andrew

After a couple of long weekend runs when I was really struggling to keep going after 14 miles I had a very good run today (6th March). I entered the Essex 20 mile championship. As I'm from Suffolk I was ineligible to win the competition ... but I finished 222nd and the winner was an hour ahead of me! I was just within my target time of 2 hours 50 mins. This has given quite a confidence boost. I managed to stick to the sort of pace I would like to run in Paris & when the going got tough I managed to dig in, find some energy & keep going. Rob & I will be meeting up next weekend to do a long training run, about 20 miles. In the meantime, my body needs a couple of days' break from running.

Some photos from India

Making chai on the streets of Kolkata

Trying to teach the Americans that Cricket is not the same as baseball

Hindi festival on the shore of the Gangees in Haridvar

The start of the road in Delhi where we walked (see below post). Note the hardware stores on the left.

India and beyond

After 2 and a half weeks in North India, seeing some incredible sights, spending hours on a bunk in a train, meeting some inspirational people and seeing their ministries, it is good to be back with the family and to be back home.

I arrived in Kolkata on Feb the 6th meeting 6 others  from America and Canada, all with similar roles to me. This was a trip of a lifetime, led by a lady who had spent more than 40 years in India, setting up hospitals, community health projects and much more. We spent 3 days in Kolkata then journeyed to the border of Nepal by train, stopping on the way to Delhi and then beyond.

Our itinerary involved spending alternate nights on a train, with a nights rest at various hospitals, schools and hotels in the towns that we visited. Sleep was not something that was easily found on these train journeys. Fighting off people trying to grab my blanket, squatting over the rail tracks, interspersed with sipping lovely chai each morning...it was great to spend time with these guys and to soak up the Indian culture. What a privilege to see the ministries to which people devote their lives!

There are many moments which stand out. I guess a hugely impacting day was the walk through a street in Delhi, praying for the thousand plus prostitutes along there. An innocuous street composed of hardware shops, each split by a staircase which led up to rooms above these stores, full of young girls, many held against their will. As you walked, it was possible to see their hands through the bars, beckoning clients to come up. Gangs of men and youths lined the street and pimps hung out on the base of each staircase.

As we walked, it was pretty hard to keep our emotions in check. Jesus came to give abundant life to all - yet we felt helpless and angry. Thank God that there are people acting to change the situation, to enable these girls to find freedom and a different way of life. May we be constantly inspired to be passionate for the gospel and to show God's compassion to his people.

Back Home
So that was just a snippet of the trip, and  I am glad to be back with my family. Sam and Caleb have been on hyper drive since returning...I am not sure how Gen managed to cope - she's amazing! As far as the running goes and preparation for the marathon, I need to really step up the efforts. My plan for this week is below and I need to get a 20 miler in over the next 7 days.

My next blog will be about Caiphas in Zimbabwe and also the exciting news that some friends in America, who have links with the HIV work in Zimbabwe, are going to run the Paris and New York Marathon for this project! Running for Hope is going truly international!  Thanks for all your ongoing support for this project.

Cheers,
Rob

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
Planned	4 miles	Rest	6 miles	4 miles	8 miles	Rest	8 miles
Completed	28 mins	Rest	Rest	27.12	64 mins

Greetings from India

I am traveling across India at the moment and this is the first time we have spent more than 1 night in one city. We are in Delhi now for the next 4 days until I fly home on Wednesday. This has been an amazing trip and one that I will not forget in a hurry. As far as running goes, there has been no time and our leader, a 65 year old lady has more energy than us six blokes put together. We are just about keeping up!

I will update on Wednesday when i am back, but for now - all the best and God Bless.
Rob

Update from Andrew....

Hello. I'm wondering how Rob is getting on in India & whether he has done any running. My training has been going quite well. I've been out three times this week - 5 miles on Monday, 8 miles on Wednesday & 15 miles today (Saturday 12th Feb). Last weekend I ran a half-marathon in Great Bentley, Essex. This phase of the build-up to the marathon is the time when the long weekend runs get really tough - Rob & I will need to do a few 20 mile runs in late Feb / early March. Celebrating a win for Wales in the 6 nations rugby today!

 

Andrew

The reason we are running............

Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Mutare, Zimbabwe
Here is some more information about the project. I hope this helps you see why we are running for this valuable and much needed work to continue.

SIM have a long history of working in Zimbabwe and for many years have partnered with the United Baptist Church. It is through this partnership that SIM can be involved in HIV and AIDS ministry, theological education, and children's ministry. The challenge of HIV and AIDS is huge and requires a response by the global church. One in four are infected by HIV in Zimbabwe and it is estimated that the number of orphans make up one tenth of the population.

This project aims to meet all the needs of the many orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS. It does this by focusing in 3 areas:

Education: Often orphans drop out of school, unable to find the money to pay for fees, uniforms and materials. This project aims to raise enough funds to keep 3000 orphans in school for one year. After this initial year, a grant scheme enables the children to finish the rest of their time at school. 

Nutrition: The orphans live with families who can care for them. As food is scarce and expensive, this project provides food packs containing peanut butter and oil but this is not enough. Seeds are given and the communities are encouraged and trained to grow vegetable gardens and also get involved in income generating schemes. Goat’s milk for orphaned babies is proven to be a good source of nutrition and is locally viable within the region. This project aims to buy goats for each family caring for the orphaned babies.

Care: Trained volunteers visit the families and orphans twice a month. There are now 300 volunteers, many from the local churches, providing holistic care. Alongside this are youth camps which provide social and psychological help. See above picture.

Having had the privilege to work in Guinea and see the long term, life changing difference a community run HIV project like this can make, it would be great to get as much support as possible to keep this work going.

Meanwhile - back to the day job -running!
A good week this week and after last weeks mishaps - I tried some new recipes. A bit more sleep, 2 days rest from running before a long run and keeping an eye on my food intake meant that Monday, I had a great run and actually felt that a marathon may be possible.

I am off now till the 28th of February to Asia. Crikey, i will miss my family  (Gen, Sam (3 and a half) and Caleb (8months) but it is a great chance to experience another culture. As for the running - the trainers will be packed - we will just wait and see if i get a chance. I hope to update you on my travels - but in the meantime, may God bless you and enable you to bless others.
Rob.

Week beginning - 31.01.11

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
Planned	16 miles	4 miles	Rest	7 miles	rest	13 miles	Fly!
Completed	1 hr 58mins	28 mins	Rest	55 mins	Rest

Mission and that long tense walk.

It's been a while since i posted anything. Last week was hectic and training wise was awful. There were still so many good things that happened and it's good to reflect. Something that stayed with me was a video shown at the Southampton uni mission fair on friday. I found it moving and challenging and would love to know what people think?

Here is the link (or copy and paste): 
http://vimeo.com/2843450

This week has been really good. Much more time with my family, some really good times of fellowship with my housegroup and also a church in Kirby le soken. Gen is out tonight and i was on bed duty. Things have been in such a routine - good sleeps, Caleb in his cot all night, until now. Us three boys all fell asleep in one bed and that then ruined Caleb going down in his cot. Wooops!

Tomorrow we are off to Kent, looking at houses and seeing family and friends. Cannot wait but have to remember my running gear! I used to run up and down the North Downs when I was fit and when i was also trying to woo Gen. Beautiful place and looking forward to getting there and starting up home as a family.

As far as the running is going this week, it all started so well but today was awful. I've got some annual leave and decided to get 2 hours in whilst the kids were busy. Half way to completing my 16 miles round Alton resevoir, I got that dreaded runners stomach cramp! - miles from anywhere. Without going into details - it slowed me down to a walk and i used up my alloted 2 hours just on that long, tense search for a toilet. Worrying for the marathon!



Let me know what you think about the video? Have a really great week and i promise to post more about the project soon.... God Bless

Week beginning - 24.01.11

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
Planned	6 miles	Rest	4 miles	16 miles	6miles	Rest	4 Miles
Completed	43 mins	Easy	27.03	8 miles *	Rest	Rest	Rest

HOPE for AIDS across the World

Click on this link to watch a short video about the Hope for AIDS programme that SIM are involved in across the World.

 http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5105018104572460641&hl=en#

Rob's weekly training schedule - Week beginning 17.01.11

Great news! - my little sis had her first baby on Saturday and she is also now back to full health after a rough time. I bombed up to Birmingham yesterday to have a cuddle with my new little niece - she is gorgeous! Praise the Lord they are both safe!

Back to the running.....

This week is really busy and I'm not getting enough time with my boys or my wife - so running takes a back seat. I also have an Mission event in Southampton on Friday night and 2 sermons to finish by Sunday - eeek, however here is my plan for the week:

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
Planned	6 miles	Rest	4 miles	10k	Rest	16 miles	4 Miles
Completed	Nothing	Nothing	Nothing	Nothing!	Nothing!

Got to pick it up a bit and get consitent runs in  - no choice but to do early mornings and beat the boys getting up - 5:30am starts here I come!

Have a good week.

Andrew's training schedule - Week beginning 17.01.11

My schedule for this week:

 

Monday - 4 miles track work (intervals / speed)  - done

Wednesday - 8 miles (steady)

Friday - 6 miles (tempo)

Saturday - 12 miles (slow) 

Total miles - 30

 

Good week last week. Did a total of 34 miles. Heel injury seems to be improving. I was particularly pleased to complete a 14 mile long run, along the Essex coast from Walton to Clacton and back. Nearly gave up after 11 miles ... but the car was parked another three miles away so I had to carry on. It was a really mild day for January - cool, lovely sea breeze.

 

Rob's training Schedule

Each week I'll post mine and Andrew's training plan. Here is my week's plan which is a fairly standard effort – over achieving on my rests and under achieving on my actual runs.12 more weeks to go!

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
Planned	Hill Sprints	Rest	4 miles fast	10k	Rest	4 miles fast	12 miles
Completed	30mins	Rest	Rest	42.54mins	Rest	4 miles fast	13 miles 1hr 38mins

Introducing Andrew Evans - co-runner!

I have run two marathons, both in London. I have finished in 3 hours 48 mins and 3 hours 46 minutes. If I manage something similar in Paris I'll be very pleased.

I work and live at a boarding school near Ipswich and life is very busy during term-time. Running is a good way to escape the school campus & enjoy the beautiful Suffolk countryside. My training is being affected by a heel injury but I am managing to get out regularly, about three times per week. The current challenge for me is to build up to about 12-13 miles on my next long run. I managed 8.5 miles last weekend and was exhausted afterwards! I also need to do lots of boring stretching exercises to help recovery from the injury.

In 2008 I raised funds for Ipswich Mencap & in 2010 I raised funds for Mind, the mental health charity. This year, I am delighted to be helping Rob's fund-raising for SIM's work amongst children affected by HIV/Aids in Zimbabwe.

Andrew