BILL KINGSTON

Continuing Leaderboard issues

Thursday 30th May It's a real shame that after 29 days, the two leader-boards continue to show blindingly obvious errors. A quick look at the Top 10 of each also show less obvious errors, most (but not all) relate to the "capture" problems the CFCS highlighted just after the start.  For what it's worth, having checked with the Q&A information, my understanding is CYCLING efforts are not allowable - Perhaps (given the number of colleagues who cycle to & from work in my area) the CFCS should consider introducing a separate CYCLING challenge?     Share

RUNNING TRIVIA

Wednesday 22nd May By definition Ultra Running records, like their "Walking" equivalent, depend on time/distance. Perhaps the most impressive given their recent vintage are the Women & Men's 24hr records (set in 2023 & 2022 respectively), viz:- Share

More Trivia

Thursday 16th May Two of the finest Civil Servants (both now long retired) who've never competed in the CFCS Challenge are Richard & Sandra Brown. They are arguably the greatest ever British Ultra walkers/runners, with far too many PB's (British & World records) to list here. As a sample of their respective mind blowing exploits:- Richard holds the British 100m Walking record (16hrs 50min) & the world 65-69 6 day run record (705k i.e. approx438 miles): Sandra is arguable even more prolific - her PB's include a World Track Walking 100mile PB time of 19hrs 47sec & two years ago a V70-75 World 6 Day running record of 610k (approx379miles) - last but not least in 2003 she walked a PB of just over 222k in the Roubaix 28hr race (approx138mile); achieved in a proverbially heatwave (I happened to be her attendant for the race & suffered far more from the heat than Sandra did!!)  Share

OCCUPATIONAL HAZZARDS

Tuesday 14th May I've picked up my 1st major blister, fortunately having recognized the "hot spot" before it really sprouted I managed to cover it (I swear by COMPPEED plasters), & while painful, it's manageable.                                                                                                                                                                 This morning during my first session, my right foot had an earlier than intended wash when I'd stepped into a hidden deep puddle - not much fun for the last 90 mins or so!!  Share

Mad Dogs & Englishmen

Monday 13th May If April was the hottest on record, then the last few days (8 to 12) will make May a record breaking month as well. Given the amount of time I've spent walking I don't think I've ever developed a sun tan so early in May. (Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun - lyrics from a Noel Coward composition). Thank heavens things are a lot cooler and fresher for this morning's first two sessions   Share

End Of Week 1

Wednesday 8th May Day 7 saw the first decent bit of weather/sun in my part of the country (Bristol). The downside was the evacuation of the building I work in - this became something of a farce due to problems with the testing of various systems. Virtually tripling my weekly walking mileage has led to a weight loss of around 8lbs; not sure if I count that as a benefit though!!, Share

The Weekend

Tuesday 7th May Days 4 - 5 - 6 & final part of Day 3 passed by without incident, unless you count the occasional hedgehog who instinctively curls up when sensing this large object coming towards them. Paid my first visit to a local business park which actually has three "wild fowl" ponds - sadly even for a 11am'ish Sunday Morning not much about. Maybe if I had the time & brought some bread with me that'd attracted more interest Share

DAY 3

Friday 3rd May To quote the subtitle of an old mid 60's TV Pop/Rock Music programme READY STEADY GO!, "The Weekend Starts Here", Sessions 1 & 2 were akin to an earlier 60's hit RHYTHM OF THE RAIN, which only stopped towards the end of my 2nd session.                                                                                              By way of more Ultra trivia, the men's 24hr World Walking Record is below.                                                                        The greatest distance walked in 24 hours is 228.930km 142 miles 440 yd by Jesse Castenda (USA) at Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA on 18-19 Sep 1976.                                                                   Way, way beyond my own efforts   Share

DAY 2

Friday 3rd May 1st session was not enjoyable!!, but at least I managed to complete it + two more - tomorrows weather forecast looks awful, so I'll need to modify my plans for the second day running Share

DAY 1

Wednesday 1st May It's 1pm & two sessions down, with at least one more to add before I enter my daily total. 3rd session added & total distance logged; unfortunately my age old problem of stomach sickness flared up during this session which made it tough going. Will now need to modify my original aims to ensure I recover & continue. It's usually something that lasts no more than two or three days, providing I "back off" effort wise.                                                                                                  For anyone who might be interested, as a follower of the Ultra scene, both walking & running (+ cycling), I've taken the liberty of copy details below of current female 24hr WALKING record, viz:-    Share