{"id":169,"date":"2025-10-22T15:09:55","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T15:09:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ridesstridesandvibes.co.uk\/?page_id=169"},"modified":"2025-11-09T15:18:42","modified_gmt":"2025-11-09T15:18:42","slug":"%f0%9f%8f%83%e2%99%82%ef%b8%8f-marathon-mayhem-bingo-nights-training-tunes-tonic","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ridesstridesandvibes.co.uk\/?page_id=169","title":{"rendered":"\ud83c\udfc3\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Marathon Mayhem & Bingo Nights: Training, Tunes & Tonic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s October 8th, and technically, London Marathon training hasn\u2019t really taken off yet<\/strong>. Week 20 is when the real plan kicks in, so we\u2019ve got time. Time to panic later. Time to pretend we\u2019re organised now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re still running, don\u2019t get me wrong. Every Tuesday evening, Paula and I can be seen trotting around Bude with the other Rats\u2014head torches blazing, reflective tops glowing like budget superheroes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udfcb\ufe0f\u200d\u2642\ufe0f The \u201cPre-Training\u201d Training<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • Gym twice a week: classes, leg torture on the cycles, rowing machine arguments<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Parkrun every Saturday (except when I\u2019m working\u2014someone\u2019s got to fund Wilko\u2019s upgrades)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Sunday runs: usually 4 miles, or \u201cas far as I fancy before brunch\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    We\u2019ve got a couple of races booked in November:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • A 10-mile race<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • A 19K mixed trail\/road run (unless I downgrade to the 10K version because\u2026 sanity)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      By then, marathon training will begin properly. Apparently. We\u2019ve also got:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • A half marathon in February<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • London Landmarks two weeks before the big one<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Another half in March (I think\u2014I didn\u2019t realise we\u2019d booked so many. Eek.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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        \ud83c\udf34 Egypt Training & Fundraising Goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        We\u2019re away in Egypt for Christmas and New Year, but training will continue. Sand, sun, and sweaty runs. Hopefully by then, fundraising will be close to target. Fingers crossed. Toes crossed. Everything crossed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I\u2019ll be working with our Marathon coach and training advisor from Sense<\/strong>, who tailors everything to our schedule. A day-by-day plan is coming. If you\u2019re running next year and want to train with us\u2014follow our plan. I\u2019ll do write-ups. Maybe videos. Possibly dramatic slow-motion montages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        In the end, we\u2019re all in it together. It\u2019s not about speed. It\u2019s about getting to the finish line. Whether it\u2019s 3 hours or 6\u2014it\u2019s still 26.2 miles. And still hurts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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        \ud83c\udf89 Fundraising: Bingo, Bands & Buckets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        This Frayday<\/strong> (yes, Fish Fryday), we\u2019ve got our second Bingo Night<\/strong> at the local golf course. They\u2019ve been a delight to work with\u2014fish and chips, happy hour from 5\u20137, and bingo chaos from 7 onwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        We\u2019ve booked one night every month through to February to keep the regulars coming back. Prizes include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        • Baskets of smellies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Chocs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Pamper night themes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Raffle goodies from generous local stores<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Our first bingo night (on a Thursday) went well\u2014lots of friends, lots of laughs. This Friday\u2019s looking even bigger. If everyone turns up, we\u2019ll double the crowd. Fingers crossed. Again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \ud83c\udf83 Halloween Hype<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          On October 31st<\/strong>, we\u2019ve got a music evening at our local pub<\/strong>. Three bands booked. All giving up their time for charity. Legends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          There\u2019ll be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          • Live music<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Raffle<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Collection buckets<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Possibly spooky snacks and questionable costumes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            We\u2019re running, we\u2019re fundraising, we\u2019re bingo-ing, and we\u2019re doing it all with head torches, leftover Chinese, and a van that now glows like a spaceship. Stay tuned for training updates, fundraising chaos, and more Wilko upgrades. It\u2019s all happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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