We crossed on a two car ferry from Islay to Jura and on the way to Jura we enjoyed all sorts of wonderful wild life plus the scenery which was just awesome. When we arrived at the Jura hotel right next door was the Jura distillery. Tuesday we went for nice walks and then it was time to go around the Jura distillery which lasted well over hour plus the large tasting. On the evening we celebrated Neil's 60th with an excellent meal thanks to Neil & Linda. Next morning we had to be up very early and Neil & Linda very kindly took us back to the airport to fly down to Glasgow then on to Luton. John was fascinated by the cattle grids around the little airports [ to keep the sheep etc off the runway]. We arrived at Luton airport and quickly found our hotel and booked ourselves in for the night ready for part two of the trip.
On Thursday 11th September we flew to Vilnius in Lithuania. The flight took about two and half hours with a good landing. We found our hotel which was ok as we were by the main high street and the start and finish which was great. Next morning we set out to find the registration for the race number, after reading the map upside down we did eventually find the centre. I handed my email entry form in and what happened next was complete confusion as when they saw my age I was getting a lot of strange looks, "will you be alright" etc etc I said "well I'll give it a go!!." Then I went to get my 5k number they kept saying they could not find it and could I come back the next day my reply was no way, so after one and half hours in the coffee shop they managed to find a number for me then asked if I would like to buy a T Shirt but at 20 euros I said no thank you.
Saturday we toured the city and found it very interesting.
Saturday we toured the city and found it very interesting.
Sunday the 10k race started nice and early at 9.15am the marathon set off and at 9.30am the half marathon went off. Now this is the truth - there were no marshals anywhere on the 10k. Everything was taped it was wrapped around anything that stood still and you just had to follow the tape - nobody was allowed to move their cars etc. We crossed the very big river three times, the streets were of very high cobbles with half raised manhole covers so I was having to pick my feet up quite high in order not to trip up. For most of the race there was hardly any spectators to cheer us on. I did go astray a couple of times but there was a miserable man on his bike who ranted at me in Lithuanian - he came in front of me and spun me around to which I said "English - don't understand" but in his grumpy voice he put me on the right road again. By this time the sun was out and up in the high twenties however like a true Wrekin Road Runners I thought I'll show him by running up big hills and down back in to the city centre towards the finishing line with the Union Jack. I received a nice medal and a very large empty bag.
After something to eat and a quiet moment I got myself ready for the next race - 5k.
By 3pm it was really hot, we took a slightly different route but very enjoyable but still no marshals.
The marathon winner was awarded £1,500 [in our money] which was the same for the women. I thought at that sort of prize money we would see some Kenyans but no they were not invited as they wanted their own country to win and they are not too keen on women over 50 running either. We noticed very few coloured people around - it's a very touchy subject out there. They love their ice cream and cigarettes as nearly all the young ones smoke and everywhere you go they are coughing all the time but now they are a member of the E U they have to restrain the smoking to certain areas or special built rooms. In spite of this, John and I really enjoyed every minute with the food and history plus the culture of the country of Lithuania. My time for 10k was 1h.23 and the 5k 37m both chip timing.
Shrewsbury Seven Bridges 10k - 21st September
I love this race because it has one or two challenges with the different types of bridges. A lovely sunshine morning with a nice early start at 10am. Over 400 had entered and after St Chad's bell stopped ringing we were off around the quarry with its sneaky hill before running along the river Severn towards our first bridge. One down and six to go, great marshalling and plenty of encouragement from anyone who knew me then when I came in for the last bit there was all the Wrekin runners cheering me on and to top it all an arch way for me to run through - how about that? I felt like royalty, a big thank you from the bottom of my heart. What would I do without you? Not too sure about my time but I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to next year.
Silly Vicars 5k - 21st September
From the title of this race I just knew I had got to do it. The point of this race was to raise money and tins for the local food bank. Having recovered from the Seven Bridges 10k with something to eat and drink we picked Janet up and made our way to Market Drayton. We picked our number up and once more ready, I was not too sure how I would feel because I think my trip to Lithuania plus the hot chocolate muffin and the odd brandy was catching up on me then I thought give it a go. The course was nice and flat so I did the usual thing and took my time. When I was back in the field, after a while Tim Beckett [the Mayor of Market Drayton] presented me with a lovely bouquet of flowers for what I have achieved. I was very touched indeed.
| Event | Event Name | Date | Distance |
| 1 | StraLugano 5K | 28/09/2013 | 3.1 |
| 2 | StraLugano 10K | 29/09/2013 | 6.2 |
| 3 | Bournemouth parkrun | 05/10/2013 | 3.1 |
| 4 | Supersonic 10k (Bournemouth) | 05/10/2013 | 6.2 |
| 5 | Speed of light 5k (Bournemouth) | 05/10/2013 | 3.1 |
| 6 | Telford parkrun | 12/10/2013 | 3.1 |
| 7 | The Bells of Pattingham, Seven Miles | 13/10/2013 | 7 |
| 8 | Shrewsbury parkrun | 19/10/2013 | 3.1 |
| 9 | Birmingham Half Marathon | 20/10/2013 | 13.1 |
| 10 | Bupa Great South Run (Portsmouth) | 27/10/2012 | 10 |
| 11 | Telford Town parkrun | 09/11/2013 | 3.1 |
| 12 | Shrewsbury parkrun | 02/11/2013 | 3.1 |
| 13 | Cannock Rotary 10K | 03/11/2013 | 6.2 |
| 14 | Mad Jack Five Mile Attingham) | 09/11/2013 | 5 |
| 15 | Kingsbury Water Park 10k | 10/11/2013 | 6.2 |
| 16 | Telford Town parkrun | 16/11/2013 | 3.1 |
| 17 | Coventry War Memorial Park 10K | 17/11/2013 | 6.2 |
| 18 | Telford Town parkrun | 23/11/2013 | 3.1 |
| 19 | City of Salford Womens 5.5 mile race | 24/11/2013 | 5.5 |
| 20 | Telford Town parkrun | 30/11/2013 | 3.1 |
| 21 | Cheddleton Pudding Race | 30/11/2013 | 6.2 |
| 22 | Turkey Trot (Aldersley) | 01/12/2013 | 5 |
| 23 | Telford Town parkrun | 07/12/2013 | 3.1 |
| 24 | Telford Santa Run | 08/12/2013 | 3.1 |
| 25 | Telford Town parkrun | 14/12/2013 | 3.1 |
| 26 | Telford 10K | 15/12/2013 | 6.2 |
| 27 | Telford Town parkrun | 21/12/2003 | 3.1 |
| 28 | Rudolph Red Nose 5 Mile, Blackpool | 22/12/2013 | 5 |
| 29 | Moreton Escapade | 24/12/2013 | 6.2 |
| 30 | Essar Chester Round the Walls Race | 26/12/2013 | 5 |
| 31 | Wheaton Aston 10K | 27/12/2013 | 6.2 |
| 32 | Telford Town parkrun | 28/12/2013 | 3.1 |
| 33 | Coventry Godiva 5 mile | 29/12/2013 | 5 |
| 34 | Vernon's Limp Wrist 5 mile | 01/01/2014 | 5 |
| 35 | Telford parkrun | 04/01/2014 | 3.1 |
| 36 | Shropshire Cross Country Championships | 04/01/2014 | 3.78 |
| 37 | MacMillan January Jog | 05/01/2014 | 3.1 |
| 38 | Llandudno Twin Piers 10K | 11/01/2014 | 6.2 |
| 39 | Telford parkrun | 18/01/2014 | 3.1 |
| 40 | Not the Roman IX | 19/01/2014 | 7.46 |
| 41 | Telford parkrun | 25/01/2014 | 3.1 |
| 42 | Shifnal Gallop | 26/01/2014 | 6.2 |
| 43 | Alsager 5 miler | 02/02/2014 | 5 |
| 44 | Telford parkrun | 08/02/2014 | 3.1 |
| 45 | Nick Beer 10K (Llandudno) | 09/02/2014 | 6.2 |
| 46 | Telford parkrun | 15/02/2014 | 3.1 |
| 47 | Tempo Winter 10K | 16/02/2014 | 6.2 |
| 48 | Telford parkrun | 22/02/2014 | 3.1 |
| 49 | Knype Pool 5 mile | 01/03/2014 | 5 |
| 50 | Telford parkrun | 01/03/2014 | 3.1 |
| 51 | The March Hair Raiser 10k | 02/03/2014 | 6.2 |
| 52 | Telford parkrun | 08/03/2014 | 3.1 |
| 53 | Fradley 10K | 09/03/2014 | 6.2 |
| 54 | Telford parkrun | 15/03/2014 | 3.1 |
| 55 | Heart Foundation 10K | 16/03/2014 | 6.2 |
| 56 | Telford parkrun | 22/03/2014 | 3.1 |
| 57 | Seven Pools 10K | 23/03/2014 | 6.2 |
| 58 | Lilleshall Monumental 10K | 30/03/2014 | 6.2 |
| 59 | Shrewsbury parkrun | 05/04/2014 | 3.1 |
| 60 | Derby 10K | 06/04/2014 | 6.2 |
| 61 | Lilleshall Five Mile | 09/04/2014 | 5 |
| 62 | Hanchurch 4.85 mile | 10/04/2014 | 4.85 |
| 63 | Telford parkrun | 12/04/2014 | 3.1 |
| 64 | Pelsall 10 K | 13/04/2014 | 6.2 |
| 65 | Milford Murder 5 mile | 17/04/2014 | 5 |
| 66 | Newtown Chocolate 5K | 18/04/2014 | 3.1 |
| 67 | Air Products 10K | 20/04/2014 | 6.2 |
| 68 | Barlaston Up and Down | 23/04/2014 | 5 |
| 69 | Fordhouses 5K | 24/04/2014 | 3.1 |
| 70 | Telford parkrun | 26/04/2014 | 3.1 |
| 71 | Shobdon 6 | 27/04/2014 | 6 |
| 72 | Beat the Bells of Hereford | 03/05/2014 | 5 |
| 73 | Sherrifhales Shuffle | 04/05/2014 | 7 |
| 74 | Sheinton Steeple Chase | 07/05/2014 | 3.29 |
| 75 | Strawberry Five Mile | 10/05/2014 | 6.2 |
| 76 | Market Drayton 10K | 11/05/2014 | 6.2 |
| 77 | Kigsbury Water Park 10 | 13/05/2014 | 6.2 |
| 78 | Telford Town parkrun | 17/05/2014 | 3.1 |
| 79 | Hill West 10K Suton Coldfield | 18/05/2014 | 6.2 |
| 80 | Phoexnix Flyer | 21/05/2014 | 3.1 |
| 81 | Shropshire Four | 04/06/2014 | 4 |
| 82 | Severn Valley 5K | 08/06/2014 | 3.1 |
| 83 | Malvern 10 | 11/06/2014 | 6.2 |
| 84 | de' la liberte 10K, Cean France | 16/06/2014 | 6.2 |
| 85 | Blakedown Bolt | 20/06/2014 | 6.2 |
| 86 | Telford parkrun | 21/06/2014 | 3.1 |
| 87 | Gnosall Carnival 10K | 21/06/2014 | 6.2 |
| 88 | Mid-Summer - 6 (WolverhamptnO | 29/06/2014 | 6.2 |
| 89 | Telford parkrun | 31/06/2014 | 3.1 |
| 90 | Ironbrisge 4 | 02/07/2014 | 4 |
| 91 | Bar-B-Que 5K Newtown | 04/07/2014 | 3.1 |
| 92 | Morecambe Cross Bay Challenge | 06/07/2014 | 13.1 |
| 93 | Andy Holden Memorial 5 mile | 09/07/2014 | 5 |
| 94 | Telford parkrun | 12/07/2014 | 3.1 |
| 95 | Wenlock Olympians 7 mile | 13/07/2014 | 7 |
| 96 | Vic Musgrove Facst 5K | 16/07/2014 | 3.1 |
| 97 | The Kara Kinder 10K | 18/07/2014 | 6.2 |
| 98 | Telford parkrun | 19/07/2014 | 3.1 |
| 99 | Trentham 10K | 20/07/2014 | 6.2 |
| 100 | West Bromwich 5K | 23/07/2014 | 3.1 |
| 101 | Great Warford 10 Miler | 27/07/2014 | 10 |
| 102 | Staffs Knot 5 | 30/07/2014 | 5 |
| 103 | North Wales Half Marathon | 03/08/2014 | 13.1 |
| 104 | Pie and Peas 5 Mile | 06/08/2014 | 5 |
| 105 | Telford Town parkrun | 09/08/2014 | 3.1 |
| 106 | Stourbridge Stumble 10K | 09/08/2014 | 6.2 |
| 107 | Cannock Chase 10K | 10/08/2014 | 6.2 |
| 108 | Nick Howells 4.5 mile | 15/08/2014 | 4.5 |
| 109 | Race The Train | 16/08/2014 | 6.2 |
| 110 | Coventry Godiva 5 mile | 20/08/2014 |
5
|
| 111 | Telford parkrun | 23/08/2014 |
3.1
|
| 112 | Ellesmere 10K | 24/08/2014 |
6.2
|
| 113 | Crewe Queens Park 5K | 29/08/2014 |
3.1
|
| 114 | Shrewsbury parkrun | 30/08/2014 |
3.1
|
| 115 | Little Aston 5K | 31/08/2014 |
3.1
|
| 116 | Harper Scarper | 03/09/2014 |
3.1
|
| 117 | Telford parkrun | 06/09/2014 |
3.1
|
| 118 | Lawley Fun Run | 06/09/2014 |
3.1
|
| 119 | Wolverhampton Bank's 10K | 07/09/2014 |
6.2
|
| 120 | Vilnius 10K | 12/09/2014 |
6.2
|
| 121 | Vilnius 5K | 12/09/2014 |
2.1
|
| 122 | Shresbury Severn Bridges | 21/09/2014 |
6.2
|
| 123 | Silly Vicars 5K Market Drayton | 21/09/2014 |
3.1
|
| Total Distance | 602.58 |
