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The Kathmandu Marathon (www.justgiving.com/james-and-nicola)
Now why on earth do we need a blog with this title?
Yes, you guessed it - we'll be running in the Great Kathmandu Marathon (actually to be precise, James in the half marathon and Nicola in the 5k) on 24th September and we're asking all our avid blog readers - and those with less time and/or more sense - to sponsor us.
If you have even a limited knowledge of our individual sporting persuasions, you may have appreciated the comical nature of our conversation that thrashed out the various pros and cons of this proposition on a lengthy bus journey and arrived at "let's do it".
In no particular order, it went something like:
- We're spending this month in Kathmandu volunteering at a home for 25 disabled Nepalese children. Working with these guys makes any kind of Western troubles pale into insignificance and, while our time is the most precious thing we can give them, we'd love to raise some money for the charity. Specifically, they live in a half-built house and we'd rather like to help them finish it.
- We're spending the 3 weeks before the marathon climbing to Everest Base Camp (this time the South / Nepalese camp) and this is hardly the place to put in those final big runs before the taper.
- We're spending the 3 weeks before the marathon climbing to Everest Base Camp - that is serious altitude training.
- We're spending the 3 weeks before the marathon climbing to Everest Base Camp - Nicola should be relaxing in a posh hotel spa (hence choosing the 5k "to the shops and back" option).
- Whilst we haven't been sitting behind a desk for 4 months, from Bintang to Tsingtao, we haven't exactly gone light on the local brew.
- We've spent the last month above 4000 metres where walking is hard work and running is impossible.
- Where can we buy decent fancy-dress in Kathmandu? Is it too late to get The Emu and Minnie Mouse shipped out?
- The marathon itself is at 1600 metres, it will be hot and, surprise surprise, Kathmandu Valley is not flat.
- How does one shape and style The Beard for a charity marathon?
- Does Nicola have an excuse to buy her first new pair of shoes in four months, even if they are only cheap Chinese trainers?
- Iron couple Mr and Mrs Pettersen laughed at the idea and in particular our training schedule (pro and con).
- It is a marathon in the bloody highest country on earth (con).
- It is a marathon in the bloody highest country on earth (pro).
You can read more about the children and the charity and sponsor us at
www.justgiving.com/james-and-nicola
A small amount of Sterling goes a very long way in Nepal so please give what you can.
In return, you get:
- a warm feeling inside
- to read a free blog on JLa and NCo's epic Kathmandu Marathon Experience
- vote on the style of The Beard on Race Day (hold tight - blog to follow on this!)
- comments
mum Yes Dad and I will sponsor you, dont know whether it is the lack of oxygen or the local brew, that seem to be getting to you both. Laura Croft eat your heart out! What next nothing seems to surprise me anymore! I'm chilled
Mary Jones I will most certainly sponsor you both. It might just give you that extra energy to finish it when you feel yourself flagging by thinking of all the money you have raised and maybe that finished house they will be able to live in. Really love reading your blogs. Mary xx
cs When is this now?