Latest News... October 2007 UpdateWell the most pressing news is that I’ve got a bad back!
This is probably due to a pretty hectic year, and one or two stupidly silly (but brilliant!) events in the last few weeks. But I have no regrets and wouldn’t have missed any given the choice again. I’ve suffered on and off over the years with Sciatica, which is a wonderfully weird and uncomfortable, but occasionally extremely painful spinal problem. No point in worrying though, as I did parts of the last Ace Race Night Nav with a numb foot, which disappeared by morning. Louise Wilkinson and myself really enjoyed our mixed pairs outing from Lowther Park, which was a ‘first’ for us as we are usually part of a team of four; I kept looking around for another other two team members, as in ARWC or Heb format.
Looking ahead, the OMM is looming large and by the time you are reading this, ‘Wilko’ will have dragged me around the Long Score! The season is slowing down a little bit, thankfully, so I’m looking forward to an Open5 at Coniston and then some easy fell running, and proper re-habilitation and training. Or a sympathetic Vet to put me out of my misery!
Recently, I enjoyed The Ben Nevis Triathlon, which was a tough but friendly event with an epic hobble up The Ben bringing back memories of that race. Each time I cycled through the forest below Cowhill I remembered both the WARC and the ARWC for different reasons. The evening session in the Ben Nevis Inn was pretty enjoyable too. It did mean I missed the Open5 at Grassington but ‘Chief Carbo Dave’ pointed out that driving straight from Fort Bill to Grassington for an event the next day was a little unrealistic, and we deserved a few beers. (I did try James … honestly!)
‘Big Bad Ben’ was a nice little warm up for a double Longmynd Hike a week later, and the awarding of our ‘It Seemed Like a Good Idea at The Time Award’ is most appropriate! The reason for the double was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the event, and the founding of it, and continued involvement by Terry’s family and my own. Many thanks to them all, and a big hug is also due to Pauline for her tolerance on ‘Lap Two’, Angie for her help, and to my mate Terry just for being bl**dy Terry!
Finally, whilst I’m enjoying this self-indulgent waffle, my thanks go to all my team mates, their partners and the many friends and helpers for a great year of racing.
NAV+art 2008 – Save £10 if you’re quick!
Dates have finally been sorted for 2008. Our Spring course will be on 5/6th April and the Autumn one 20/21st September. The April course will be hosted from Borrowdale YHA and the 2007 cost of £195 has been retained for April. 2008 is our 10th Birthday, and so to celebrate, and try to get as many people to come along in early season we offer a £10 discount to those who book before 2008. In other words you save £10, if you get your booking form, and deposit of £75 to me by 31st December. Just print off a booking form from the website and send with payment for £75 instead of £85 as stated. You could buy your partner a NAV+art course as a Christmas present, and worthy investment for a good 2008 racing season. This might just be the Christmas present your partner needs; buy them half a course by paying a deposit even if they need to pay the balance. I will of course refund the deposit if they choose not to go ahead.
There is no fancy on-line booking available, but you can pay over the t’internet by emailing me your booking form and requesting my account details for internet bank transfer. Cheques, cash and other currencies by negotiation are also accepted, of course.
GL3Day 2008 news remains at – ‘Yes there is one, and it is in the Lakes on 3/4/5th May. Further details to follow here and previous 2007 participants will be mailed automatically.
The date of the Dockray-Hartside Fell 2008 race is Wednesday 7th May at 7:00pm
I think that’s it for now…. There will be more updates over the next few months, and once GL3Day details are finalized. Please email me (faulknerjoe@hotmail.com) if you have any questions arising from any of the above, or regarding future NAV+art activities.
Have a good Autumn. Joe |