91-99

91. Portsmouth Coastal Marathon (26.2 Miles) - 04:43:28

This was a out and back from Portsmouth to Hayling Island along the coastline. Nice weather but quite windy so Joggling was fun. Managed to get about 16 miles in without any drops, which is the best I've ever done, so was pleased with that.

Met my daughter Melissa afterwards, who is at university there, which made the day even better.

92. Rasselbock Winter Run (28.77 Miles) - 05:24:17

Back with the Rasselbock crew for a lovely jaunt around Sherwood Pines. This was a lapped event and so I got to try out some new juggling balls that were slightly bigger and heavier. I could feel the difference after a few hours, so switched back to my normal orange ones.

My aim is a one a month this year so it was good to get this first one out of the way.

93. Marabank (26.2 Miles) - 04:46:52

This event was just down the road from me so it was nice not to have to drive for hours to get to the start line.This was 7 out and back laps along the canal path by Burton Waters just outside Lincoln.

Decided to try out the clubs for the last lap. which were a real struggle for the first 10 minutes or so. Kept dropping them until I got into a good rhythm. It would be a nice to do a whole marathon with the clubs, but that might have to wait until after the 100.

94. March Hare Challenge (26.2 Miles) - 04:29:10

It was great to be back with the SeeYorkRunYork crew for another lapped event along the Trans Pennine Trail at Penistone. It was a wet one this time, so the tiger hat got a day off to guard the cakes at the finish.

95. Tissington Trail (26.2 Miles) - 04:28:03

It was good to be back at one of my favourite events. The Tissington Trail follows an old railway line from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay. The way out is a constant uphill winding it's way through the beautiful Derbyshire countryside. If you can conserve some energy you have a great 2nd half, all downhill, with the wind generally behind you pushing you along.

I treated this as two separate half marathons. The first half was just about getting to Parsley Hay without using too much energy up, so it was quite a gentle pace to get there in just under 2 and a half hours. After a quick turn around and some Pro Plus caffeine tablets, it was on with the aftershokz and see how quick I could go on the way back. Put my foot down over the last few miles and was pleased to sneak in under 2 hours for the 2nd half (a 30+ minute negative split) and under 4 and a half hours for the whole marathon.

96. Dandelions at Dawn Marathon (26.2 Miles) - 05:32:03

My 16th event with the ItsGrimUpNorth team, and my 2nd time at the manor park at Temple Newsam. Beautiful scenery but forgot how hilly the course is so it was a struggle towards the end.

Wasn't my quickest time, but I knew after halfway that I would struggle to get under 5 hours, so took my time at the end, enjoying the scenery and a bit of walking joggling (woggling?) up the hills.

97. Divorce Day Marathon (26.2 Miles) - 04:56:22

Back in my native Shropshire for this 3 lapped event around Ironbridge and the surrounding countryside. Lovely scenery and weather and I got to Joggle over the eponymous Iron Bridge each lap.

It was quite hilly along the route so was pleased to sneak in under the 5 hour mark.

98. Dusk Till Dawn (41.73 Miles) - 12:00:00

My 4th time at the Dusk Till Dawn and the weather was lovely and warm (it normally rains when I'm here). It was great to be joined by 2 fellow Jogglers, Chris and Scott, and we got a lot of support between us.

I ran a couple of laps with Scott, including one at night with Led balls. Chris was in a race of his own and joggled through the night with just a head torch and normal juggling balls to clock an amazing 64 miles and come joint 1st in the event. I finally knocked it on the head at first sun rise (about 4:00) after 13 laps (41.73) miles so was pleased with that.

99. Bedford GP Marathon (26.2 Miles) - 03:53:37

For number 99 I wanted to choose a fast course and try for a PB. I'd previously Joggled my 2nd and 3rd fastest times at this event so was determined to try and get as close to sub 4 as possible.

I decided to try running the marathon with my speedy carbon plated shoes, having only used them for 10K and 5K races. The strategy was to go quick at the start and try and hold on, whilst reducing the amount of time stopping to refuel at the end of the lap.

The first half was quick in about 1:53, so I knew I had some time in the bank, and even though the feet started huring after 20 miles, I had enough in reserve to smash my PB by over 14 minutes, and get well under the 4 hours for the first time ever.

It was great to see my good friend Sharon there, who is a great ambassador for the 100 marathon club, and is always bubbly and great support.