Now that is a long run...The continuing adventires of Hunny Monster

--amadeus--

You all know that HM is the Duracell bunny of runners (2 marathons this coming weekend for example). Well it turns out that she’s not just doing it for the good of her health. She’s got a master plan. And this time it doesn’t involve a fire-fighter’s outfit…

No this time she’s decided that running against other runners is old hat and she’s going to try and set a new record. And not just a road race record but a proper Guinness World Record.

Sitting in a bath full of baked beans has been done. Growing the worlds longest toenails seems not to be an option as they keep falling off. The record for most t-shirts worn at one time (121, since you ask) looked good for a while, we were going to use race t-shirts but the fear was the static from all the synthetic fibres was a bit of a fire risk.

So the only option is to attempt to run from Malin Head (in lovely Donegal) to Mizen Head (which is in Cork, but you can’t have everything). In a little over five days. 350ish miles in total. 70ish miles each and every day (pffft, not even 3 full marathons). Against the prevailing winds. I mean, how hard can that be?

Loads of people are helping out – the ever dependable Ger is providing kit (including, I assume, a stylish Pearl Izumi straight-jacket), Vanderlust are giving a camper van free of charge for the week and a whole host of other companies are on the verge of signing up, either for cash or equipment donations.

She’s also being good enough to do the whole thing in aid of The Carers Association – leading to the rather splendid slogan “There to care, every step of the way!” It’s the charity my wife runs in Limerick and North Tipperary so I’ve been roped in to help out. Oh lucky me…

So if anyone has anything they can do to give us a dig out – if you have press contacts to get a bit of coverage, if you have contacts that may be able to provide kit or equipment, if your company have a sponsorship budget looking for a home or if you can get involved (either helping out or just running a bit of the route to keep her company) then please yell.

There will be a blog tracking everything with kick off at first light on May the 21st so keep an eye on that and no doubt we’ll be keeping a running report on here as well.

She’s mad I tell’s ya!

donothoponpop

Brilliant! My kids keep commenting on freak pictures in the modern Guinness Book of Records (most celebrities sitting on cart pulled from nipples...), so I'm all in favour of bringing it back to basics- Malin to Mizen is what its all about. Plus, according to my map, its all downhill...Best of luck HM.

baza1976

I wonder when HM is runing through the various counties could some of us run with her for a few miles for support. I mean HM could support me, keep me going

Best fo luck HM

RacoonQueen

baza1976 wrote: »

I wonder when HM is runing through the various counties could some of us run with her for a few miles for support. I mean HM could support me, keep me going

Best fo luck HM

She'll be glad of the company and help.

aero2k

Unfortunately, my trip to Edinburgh (20th-25th May) conflicts with this - I'm thanking my lucky stars I've escaped raging I won't be able to run a few miles with HM.
I'll see if I can dig out a few quid.

dna_leri

--amadeus-- wrote: »

So if anyone has anything they can do to give us a dig out – if you have press contacts to get a bit of coverage, if you have contacts that may be able to provide kit or equipment, if your company have a sponsorship budget looking for a home or if you can get involved (either helping out or just running a bit of the route to keep her company) then please yell.

There will be a blog tracking everything with kick off at first light on May the 21st so keep an eye on that and no doubt we’ll be keeping a running report on here as well.

Great stuff, is there actually a recorded Guinness World Record for this?

Is the route mapped out, or can you let us know the major towns on route, might help to get people involved if your passing close by ?

RacoonQueen

dna_leri wrote: »

Great stuff, is there actually a recorded Guinness World Record for this?

Is the route mapped out, or can you let us know the major towns on route, might help to get people involved if your passing close by ?

I believe Richard Donovan holds the record for it, for now...

--amadeus--

My understanding is that he has run Malin to Mizen but HMs attempt is being sanctioned by the Guinness Book of Records and that there isn't a record recorded by them (that doesn't mean that there is no record just that any record is not a Guinness World Record). They have a particular set of regulations and restrictions that you have to abide by around witnesses, GPS logs and the like and obviously that's a pretty laborious process.

As for the rest there is a route and it will probably go up onto the blogsite but anyone and everyone is welcome as the more independent witnesses we have the easier the certification process is! And if any of you have bright ideas for fundraising off this we'd love to hear them!

hunnymonster

Thanks for all the good wishes.

Baza, I would love to have you and anyone else along the way to join me for a couple of miles. Running is going to get very lonely on my own and even if anyone doesn't want to run, if you are available to witness a part of the journey (one of the guinness stipulations) of shuttle a support runner we would be very grateful. Drop me a pm and I'll send more details.


The route is not fixed you simply need to get from one point to the other by foot (walking and or running). I've had some help from the cycling forum (particular thanks to Blorg) and the best we've come up with is
route

Malin head
Carndonagh
bypass Quigleys Head
Muf (entering NI)
entering Derry
crossing bridge in Derry
entering Strabane
bypass Omagh
entering Enniskillen
Bannlinamore
Longford
Clogh
Rathmore (start bypassing Athlone)
Ballinahone
Cloghan
Borisokane
Nenagh
Newport (start to go around Limerick City here)
Cathercomey
Bruff/Holycross
Charleville
Newtown Shandrum
Tuilladuff
Kanturk
Ballymaquirk
Macroom (masssytown)
Bantry
spanish cove
Mizen Head.

This has been put together with a map and a ruler. If anyone lives along the route and knows a better (i.e. shorter) way or maybe something about road closures etc, please let us know.

Pisco Sour

WOW, fair play to ya!

MoonDancer

Whoa, you go girl!!!! :eek:

robinph

Google claim 4 days 15 hours to walk it. Presumably their calculations don't allow for stopping or sleeping though, so 5 and a bit days is an impressive target. :eek:

MoonDancer

robinph wrote: »

Google claim 4 days 15 hours to walk it. Presumably their calculations don't allow for stopping or sleeping though, so 5 and a bit days is an impressive target. :eek:

:O Yes that is impressive!! Hunnymonster, how many hours do you plan to sleep each night? Are you going to take any breaks? Will you eat while running?

hunnymonster

lots. best estimate is 6 days for us to make it.

Munster_Gal

OMG! Girl ur a legend. I'l have to check out your route and see if I can catch you along the way somewhere and offer you support. Best of luck with it!

Daithi BC

If you'd like a bit of company HM, I'll meet you in Ballinahown (just after Athlone) and run the 16km to Cloghan with you.

hunnymonster

fantastic guys

Rob!

Hey!

Live on the Charleville - Newtown segment of the route! If you need me as witness or just want some support for a few miles along the latter stages of your run, i'd be more than delighted to help out!

--amadeus--

Huge thank you to new Boardsie (and fellow Limerick pacer!) runningcoach who runs www.gocycleireland.com and who has stepped up and offered to loan us one of his bikes to us for the length of the run. He's one to watch as he's gathering up his badges and will be running coaching sessions in the near future too...

Don't forget there is a blog as well, the action will really start on the 21st when the run begins but we're doing regular updates

shotgunmcos

Best of Luck HM with this endeavour. You are some woman! Also, I have a lieu day to take off work that I'll save for when you are down my neck of the woods. I'll join you in Newport and run towards Limerick with you. That should keep you company for an hour or 2 anyway. Ha a tiny segment of your journey but a whole LSR for me Looking forward to it. I'll keep track of your progress as I'm sure most of the ART community will too.

Cabaal

Impressive challenge, wish you best of luck, who knows I might get the chance to see you along the route somewhere

--amadeus--

Right a week to go until we start....

Plan is that we will be keeping the main blog updated with general news and stuff and probably with this thread running as well. KC is (I think) going to maintain a page somewhere that will have updates through the day so you can follow progress "live".

Pretty much everything is sorted now (several boxes and bags full of "stuff" were unloaded in Limerick today, HM doesn't travel light!), camper van, bikes, food, sports nutrition, physios & medical equipment lined up and rout maps printed.

The only thing we really need at this point are witnesses, we'll be photographing, videotaping and GPS logging HM as she goes but we need independent witnesses for as much of the route as we can. If you want to run with her that's great but it's not vital, if the route goes anywhere close to you and you can watch her go by and then sign a piece of paper to say so then that would be great. The more of those we have the easier the ratification process will be!

Drop either HM or myself a PM if you want to get involved and we'll sort out the logistics offline, or head over to the blog where there is an email address to talk directly to my boss (MrsA )

(I found out today that she expects to be fed every 30 mins, so much for my lazy cruise down the country, I reckon I'll be working harder than her..!)

Krusty_Clown

Do you guys want to link to the existing route (Google maps) so we can visualize where exactly HM will be going? There are very few of those towns that would be familiar to me, apart from Longford and Charleville (real city slicker here!).

--amadeus--

The Charleville? Wow, you are more sophisticated than I thought....

Big decisions like that I leave to the executive committee. I'm just there to fetch the water bottles If HM doesn't see this thread maybe drop her a PM or MrsA an email?

Magnet

It so so Great to see it all coming together...
What are the rules about me turning up to cycle 20mile stretch?

RacoonQueen

+1 on what Magnet said.

Really wish I could come along the whole way for the ride as we talked about.
Still hoping I can get down to join you for part of it.

Suppose I'll just have to wait to my attempt 'next year' (yeah right) to experience this.

--amadeus--

Magnet wrote: »

It so so Great to see it all coming together...
What are the rules about me turning up to cycle 20mile stretch?

I don't want to post MrsA's email on here but it's on the blog or drop me a PM with your email I'll get her to drop you a line. It's a bit of a balancing act - we want people with us for as much as is practical, just to help out and give moral support as much as anything, but obviously we can't have 20 or 30 runners holding up traffic on a major road (or worse getting flattened on a country road) which is why we want to try and coordinate who will be where and when.

But yeah rules on turning up to cycle 20 miles (or all of it RQ ) just let us know when & where and turn up! If you are planning an overnight you will need to provide your own accommodation (unless you are tall, blonde, drop dead gorgeous and have the morals of an alley cat)

eliwallach

hunnymonster wrote: »

fantastic guys

I can join you/verify around the Macroom area on 24th May if that's any help?

RedB

I should be able to jump in with ye for a stretch somewhere between Newport and Herbertstown on Sun 23rd May. I've emailed the Carers Association.
Wow, does this mean I'll be in the Guinness Book of Records too?

pgibbo

WOW! best of luck HM. Fair play to you. If anyone can do this you can. :cool:

Dotcomdolly

I have a friend who works in the media (98fm/tv3) - shall I show her this , maybe get some publicity, even sponsorship?

--amadeus--

That would be great! If you drop Steff an email (address on the blog or pm me) then she can send you / your friend the press release.

Thanks!

ultraman1

--amadeus-- wrote: »

RQ ;)If you are planning an overnight you will need to provide your own accommodation (unless you are tall, blonde, drop dead gorgeous and have the morals of an alley cat)

1 outta 4;)......but which 1

Rineanna

Looking forward to following this adventure.

I'm in awe. Best of luck HM.

Dotcomdolly

--amadeus-- wrote: »

That would be great! If you drop Steff an email (address on the blog or pm me) then she can send you / your friend the press release.

Thanks!

bottom, she's only gone on holidays :rolleyes:

hunnymonster

Thanks for the good wishes. It's getting scary now. it's amazing the dreams/nightmares (delete as appropriate) that the prospect of a week of being sweaty with amadeus conjures up! Poor guy, I think it came a bit of a shock to him when he got the crewing document and realised just what is involved. I have to say both Amadeus and more especially Mrs A have done so much work for this you would not believe the number of emails, phone calls and lists that are in existence.

Thanks also to the boardsies who have donated to the Carers association. I know they will use your donation wisely.

Anyway, it's all serious now. If you've offered to help out at any stage along the route, and have not yet received an email from Mrs A or myself with details, could I please, please ask you to drop me a pm with your email address, contact number and the part of the country you are in and I will get the details to you straight away. If your granny lives along the route, if you know the local farmer or even that ex boyfriend that ended badly is in the area's we're passing, could you ask them them to come out and give us a cheer. It's all too easy to give up when noone is looking. Not so easy when a friendly face is cheering.

--amadeus--

hunnymonster wrote: »

it's amazing the dreams/nightmares (delete as appropriate) that the prospect of a week of being sweaty with amadeus conjures up!

Let's get physical baby

dublinrunner

wow! What an incredible challenge! so brave!! Best of luck, will be following your progress!!! Will see if i know anyone en route who i can get cheering!!:)

Krusty_Clown

Hi HM, any insight on how you have prepared for this massive undertaking 'delightful tip-toe through the tulips' from Malin to Mizen? What do you think will be the greatest challenge?

hunnymonster

I really don't know. Last time I did a really long distance, it was nutrition that floored me. I just couldn't keep anything down. Le Cheile has been very generous with his expertise in this area this time and I think we have a pretty good feeding plan if all goes well but that's my big worry. Mind you it's never what you think will get you that gets you in the end. Things I've tried to consider include

hypothermia - I get cold as soon as I stop moving so that crew have enough warm gear for a polar mission

hip - I did something to my hip in the Limerick marathon and it's not happy when still. It is fine a couple of miles into a run but who knows what 5-6 days of ultramarathons will do to it

route: we;ve tried to get the shortest route possible but this means a lot of back roads: will the camper van fit under bridges? will we get lost? will amadeus stop in a chipper and never be seen again? Anyone who knows the areas we're passing through, fee free to send us info

becoming "difficult": I know I'm going to be cranky and demanding and an all out cow when tired. I just hope it doesn't ruin a good friendship with amadeus and MrsA.

hunnymonster

Hi Guys,
Can I send out another rallying call for some more support runners for Saturday? I'd really appreciate some friendly faces out there.

again the map is
here


Saturday 22nd May
leave Enniskillen first thing (5:45)

8am Bannlinamore
11:45 Longford
13:30 Clogh
15:30 Rathmore (start bypassing Athlone)
17:15 Ballinahone
Staying in Athlone Saturday night

--amadeus--

hunnymonster wrote: »

route: we;ve tried to get the shortest route possible but this means a lot of back roads: will the camper van fit under bridges? will we get lost? will amadeus stop in a chipper and never be seen again? Anyone who knows the areas we're passing through, fee free to send us info

becoming "difficult": I know I'm going to be cranky and demanding and an all out cow when tired. I just hope it doesn't ruin a good friendship with amadeus and MrsA.

If I'm following the route correctly it goes past Harry's Fish and Chip shop close to where we cross the border, about 200 yrds from where my Granny used to live and it does *excellent* chips. It will be an early test of my resolve to see this through.

And HM will not be at all cranky, demanding or cow like, at any point. Cos if she is

I'll pee in her lucozade

Shhhhh don't tell her

mitresize5

massive respect to you again

Any idea what day/time you'll be between Newport and Herbertstown?

A word of warning the route between Newport and Murroe has some really sharp hills so keep something in the tank

shotgunmcos

mitresize5 wrote: »

massive respect to you again

Any idea what day/time you'll be between Newport and Herbertstown?

A word of warning the route between Newport and Murroe has some really sharp hills so keep something in the tank

+1 HM this section Nenagh to Newport is right by the Silvermines and is VERY hilly with a couple of toughies. Just to echo mitresize5 on it. Particulary the Shalee Upper section. A long drag of 3km with a bite of it at 10+% gradient.

The good news is that I'll be right beside you for it if I can and I'll push you up it if needed

baza1976

shotgunmcos wrote: »

+1 HM this section Nenagh to Newport is right by the Silvermines and is VERY hilly with a couple of toughies. Just to echo mitresize5 on it. Particulary the Shalee Upper section. A long drag of 3km with a bite of it at 10+% gradient.

The good news is that I'll be right beside you for it if I can and I'll push you up it if needed

I run that route quite alot. Nenagh to Silvermines is not t00 bad. Silvermines to newport is a toughy allright esp as you leave silvermines and up that longggggggggg steep hill. One more steep hill after that and it's mostly down hill into Newport. Newport to Murroe isn't too bad, a few drags and a long drag as you come into Murroe.

I'm down to run that bit with HM too, so might see you Mcos

hunnymonster

Wibble....

average_runner

Sorry wont be around to see this or read about it till monday week, as off on hols.

But do you have a link to your sponorship website so I can support you?

hunnymonster

Www.mycharity.ie/events/every_step_of_the_way
thanks average runner. You're a star

donothoponpop

hunnymonster wrote: »

Wibble....

There'd be worries about your sanity if you weren't nervous at this stage, take it as a good sign. Best of luck, don't set off too fast, if anyone can do this, you can. Remember it all goes downhill according to the map:)

hunnymonster

lol, downhill eh, it seems like every conversation I've had over the last couple of days has been "I'll run a bit with you between X&Y, it's a bit of a drag uphill but nothing too bad". THe last time someone said that to me (It was indeed you do'pop) the drag was almost a sheer cliff so I don't hold out much hope.

Krusty_Clown

Just think of it like this: If you were to take the train, you would have to run from Malin to Derry, hop on a train from Derry to Belfast (2 hours 40 mins), hop on a train from Belfast to Connolly (another 2 hours 40 mins), LUAS from Connolly to Heuston (45 mins), a train from Heuston to Mallow (2 hours 30 mins), another train from Mallow to Banteer (20 mins), and then you'd have to run all the way to Mizen.

So in effect, by running the route, you're cutting about two days off the journey, and saving yourself around €145.