Team Ellis

26 things learnt in the past 5 months.

2009-04-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

1. arcade fire & doves make the best running music

2. flaming lips make the worst

3. crossing 2 drains doesn't mean good luck. (see nr 24)

4. it IS possible to run slower than a walker up shooters hill

5. cafes in docklands dont let you use their toilets for free

6. shopkeepers in docklands dont let you use their toilets for free

7. pubs in docklands dont let you use their toilets for free

8. running with a full bladder is hard

9. pat hort is a master salesman (see nr 16)

10. duck if you dont want to hit your head in greenwich foot tunnel

11. sitting in the emirates is much more fun than running 12 laps of it

12. woolwich high street is no place for runners

13. if she doesn't make it in banking, bailey can make twice as much in baking

14. don't let your scaletrix cars go for cheap, they are worth big money

15. 2 doctors, a nurse & a physio can do no better for kneeknack than resting can

16. people at bootfairs will buy 6 year old sunderland away kits

17. give james an inch on an uphill & he'll take a mile

18. never do laps of avery hill park, passing the new eltham grill once is hard enough

19. schoolkids are all height-ist

20. don't trust jimbos sense of direction in tooting

21. jaegerbombs do nothing for your fitness

22. never go running when the last song you heard on the radio was flo-rider

23. the new eltham joggers are machines

24. you can't outrun the smell of dog poo on shoes

25. cold baths are equally as unforgiving as the hill in greewich park

26. mac in full length lycra is a glorious sight

The Comeback Kids

2009-04-06T14:35:00.000-07:00

After a long, painful, frustrating four weeks on the sofa, New Eltham saw the return of Marathon Jim to their pavements last night. As if this wasn't exciting enough for the residents of suburbia, they were also treated to the sight of a ghost in shorts for the first time in almost two months. Tiny Tom was presumed dead after contracting a particularly nasty case of the deadly knee-knack virus which has blighted the boys preparations for this years race.

Despite their long absence the residents of the magic triangle were quick to fall into the comfortable old support routine of heckling, shouting, attempting to trip and throwing debris at their London Marathon representatives. In one particularly touching case, a young and clearly overwhelmed lad raced alongside his hero but could only manage ten metres before returning to the safety of his bus stop.

This sort of thing doesn't happen in Richmond, the worst you lot have to deal with is a hill!

Despite the delights of half-term, Tom clocked up a steady base of ten miles and James put in a dream comeback eighteen. With tapering delayed by a week, the scallies and hoodlums of SE9 will get another chance to attack the Wrights before they begin to rest up for the big one in just three weeks time.

That DAMN hill!!!

2009-04-05T11:11:00.001-07:00

So it's sunday the sun is shining, everyone is smiling, the picnic baskets are out, oh what a glorious day...UNLESS you're about to run 22 miles!! oh yes folks it's the day of the 'big run', and the final big run.

Sarah and I both decide to attempt richmond park alone so we can run at our own paces - sarah's being fast and my pace is more one where i know i will still be alive at the end.

I think all the marathon runners in london were in richmond, everyone had their chairty tops on, red laces and scared faces - a truly great atmosphere

Sarah comfortably maaged her 3 laps bouncing along like tigger in her new trainers in an amazing time!! I am happy to still be alive but proud as punch that i managed 'that hill' three times!! it was as much fun as having my wisdom teeth pulled out!!

But WE DID IT!!! and sarah and i are now sat watching kids movies with sore feet and hot water bottles!! only 3 weeks until the marathon!!! bring it on!!

kilimanjaro? pah, you havent seen wimbledon hill on a wet wednesday...

2009-03-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

and in other news...seven thousand pounds, celebrities, and you lovely people do it again!

sorry sir, if your name isnt down...

psst, have you heard? we've got some pretty damn exciting news! We've done a spot of research and it turns out that people that give to teamellis are more generous, intelligent, witty and beautiful when compared to EVERYONE else. Furthermore, it gets better - initial findings reveal that, post donation, their jokes got funnier, their trains were less likely to be delayed, their toast always landed butter side up and they had much better sex. Gran must be having a blinding time.

However, unfortunately it looks like some slebs have caught wind of the new teamellis wonderdrug, and are desperate to get access to this special VIP group. You may have spotted lurking at the velvet rope of despair, (but definitely NOT on a school night 'arry) trying desperately to catch the eye of our burly doorman and fending off the interest of screechy nicki from big brother. Fortunately, for your safety, we've managed to catch the worst offenders and post their mugshots on our flikr site. If you do see them, do not approach them, slowly walk away and when in a safe place, contact the appropriate authorities. They are not thought to be dangerous (except if you are female and you encounter callum best) but they will not stop at anything to steal your membership. Sadly they don't understand that you've either got it or you havent... Regularly check our site to keep updated with new faces to look out for

Finally, a huge thank you to all the new members of team ellis club. We are in seventh heaven (see what I am doing there?) that we've hit seven thousand pounds in this, our seventh week. It truly is a staggering amount of money and will make a huge contribution to the ongoing work of CLIC Sargent. We are all genuinely humbled by the generosity of each and every one of you towards this fantastic cause and cant wait to do you all proud on the day. Have a great weekend!

listen here barlow, what did i say? you may have well walked up kilimanjaro but are you on the team ellis list? quit your bleating and get back to the end of the line...and take van outen with you. sheesh, they'll try anything....

no celebrities were harmed in the making of this blog

THATS HALFWAY!

2009-03-11T16:45:00.001-07:00

hark? what can I hear over yonder hillock? its not...no really...are you serious?! Folks, drum roll please because that big pat on the back you just felt and warm feeling inside you are experiencing means we've only gone and hit halfway!

3-0 to Milan in the attaturk stadium in 2005, godfather part 2, a glass half full (or half empty, depending on how you look at it), 6ft from the ground on Tom...all famous halfway points. and from this moment on we can proudly add 6th march 2009 as another heroic landmark because BOOOOOOM.... the lovely, generous, funny and may I say extraordinarily perceptive people (see their comment) at World Travel Awards helped us burst through our halfway target of £6125.

Wow. That really is a huge amount of money and we are all humbly grateful for and overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone thats has donated so far. CLIC truly is an amazing charity who help countless children and their families every year, and its a real privilege to be doing something that helps them carry on their fantastic work.

We are now doubly determined to hit our overall target of £12,250 by the time we get to the startline. We have set ourselves a target of £1,000 a week and if you havent donated yet, please please please log on to www.justgiving.com/teamellis and give whatever you can, its all massively appreciated.

Thank you so much, you are all absolute heroes and we really, really couldn't be doing this without you.

A Special Thank You

2009-03-03T06:34:00.000-08:00

Team Ellis

We wouldn't normally do this but we felt that a special thank you was due after a spectacularly generous donation hit our page on Sunday morning. A sweepstake was held during the speeches at Nic and Stu's wedding this weekend with the winners pocketing a cool £120 in loot.

The delighted recepients of this windfall, Helen and Steve received the money and barely had a chance to count it before pledging the whole lot (plus a little more!) to our marathon cause. A phenomenal donation from a couple we had been introduced to a matter of minutes earlier.

Go Team Helsandsteve, it is hugely appreciated, you absolute legends!

Week Eight: Friday Club

2009-03-02T11:07:00.000-08:00

With Nic and Stu's wedding this weekend, Bails, Jimbo and Mac agreed that Hangover-Sunday was a no-go for a 17 mile run. Instead they decided that as the rest of the team were suffering with various injuries and excuses (Chris was tumbling down snow covered green-runs, Tom is still recovering from Knee-knack, Gemma picked up a Gingerbarnet-knack and was off for an emergency operation back at the hairdressers and Pat had been called up to the Wales Squad at the last minute to face the French, good luck with that mate) that they should complete the arduous run on Friday night.

With the mornings hangover firmly consigned to the memory thanks to a busy day's fundraising, Matt and James set off from Philosophy Towers with the wind on their backs and the sun in their faces. This quickly turned into sweat covered backs and red faces but for two minutes it all seemed perfect.

Sarah's ingenius idea was for the boys to circle the London Bridge to Vauxhall lap anti-clockwise and for her to do the same route clockwise, this would ensure they passed each other for a motivational high-five at least once before each member of the team left the route for a run home. Amazingly this ploy worked and the boys were lucky enough to avoid bumping into Miss B as she flew towards them twice. They were of course caught in her jetstream as she blazed on but the stinging palm they were left with reminded us of the famous Team Ellis spirit.

James turned off for home after one lap and made his way down the Old Kent Road, through New Cross, Lewisham, Lee, Hither Green and all stations to New Eltham. Matt on the other hand completed a second lap before scaling the mighty Tulse Hill. A gradient so daunting that Sir Edmund Hillary once remarked 'Blimey that's steep'.

Overal a good 17 mile run was had by all, with three guests hobbling into the church the next morning desperate for a sit down.

Five Thousand Club

2009-03-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

Anyone within six hundred metres of James on Friday afternoon will be well aware of how much it meant for Team Ellis to break the five-thousand-pound barrier at five-thirty. It was a tough one, we'll readily admit that, and a week where we almost dropped our fantastic record of a thousand pounds for every seven days of fundraising.

With twelve hours to go the team were looking at a 500 pound mountain to climb, by five oclock the good people of Sponsorshipland had reduced that to a mere 77 but that's where it stopped for a good half an hour. All was looking lost but as frantic last-minute begging emails were composed, Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Annonymous (we know who you are) stepped in, with the 6pm deadline fast approaching, and valiantly came to our rescue.

Therefore, thanks to each and every member, that includes you Mrs Ki... Annonymous, and it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Five Thousand Club!

Your hard-earned sponsorship really does inspire and motivate us. Not to mention that each and every pound donated goes to children suffering with cancer and their families. The good folk at CLIC Sargent are well deserving of your support and you in turn are entitled to double-helpings of our gratitude.

Roll on next Friday...

Thursday night rehydration

2009-03-02T10:28:00.000-08:00

This week has been a busy one for Team Ellis with a steady 16 mile run on Saturday for the boys, a 13 mile race in Brighton on Sunday for the girls, a 10 minute warm down on Monday, a fast 9 miles on Wednesday and the prospect of a long 17 mile run home on Friday night to contend with.

Therefore on Thursday after Gemma, Matt and James had completed their steady thirty minute lap round Regents Park they decided that a well deserved pint in Camden's famous Hawley Arms was in order. Gemma and her new rusty-barnet polished off a quick drink and a bag of dry roasted before sensibly heading for home. The boys however agreed that another wouldnt delay them too much... and then another would hardly keep them too long...

Waking on Friday morning James and Matt were shocked by the severity of the hangover that greeted them. Not to mention the palm-sweating fear induced by the realisation that the aforementioned 17 mile run was still firmly scribbled in the diary for that evening.

Tune in later to see how the boys get on after their strict Kronenburg, peanuts and chips preparation diet...

Four Thousand Club

2009-03-02T10:21:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the week again... Thank you all.

I'm not quite sure how this keeps happening but amazingly for the fourth week in a row, you lot have stumped up the cash and kept our little total ticking over quite regularly. Friday was another hectic fundraiser and Team Ellis would like to say a huge thank you to all the members of the newly formed Four Thousand Club.

It's no exageration to say that each and every donation motivates and reminds us what a great cause we're doing it for. Your money will be very well spent. Thank you!

Four grand in four weeks... that's amazing.

Brighton Belles

2009-02-26T01:38:00.000-08:00

You would be forgiven for thinking Gemma and Bailey were planning an endurance ski event in Switzerland from the photos of the hotel room they stayed in on Saturday night. In fact Brigton's famous seafront saw the first competitive Team Ellis event of the season in the Sussex Beacon half marathon.

Along with six thousand other runners, the girls set off and passed the pier, smiling their way through the first of their thirteen miles. They raced into town, negotiating their way through the smaller streets before flying out onto the seafront again.

Team Ellis were putting in a good early pace which they managed to sustain to the halfway point before begining to push for home. Driven on by the prospect of personal bests, Bailey finished in a fantastic 1.38 and thoroughly enjoyed her celebratory Hot Chocolate. Gemma managed to smash a whole twenty minutes off her previous time and clocked in at an amazing 1.50. Training in Richmond Park is obviously going very well.

As we discussed at the finish, the girls have laid down a serious challenge for the boys to match in Hastings next month. The pressure is on chaps.

The race was a great success and goes to show if you want to be a record breaker, dedication is what you need, either that or the prospect of chips at the finish! You can see all the photos on the flickr site, click any of the photos on the justgiving page (www.justgiving.com/teamellis)

Well done Sarah and Gemma, great efforts. Roll on April.

Week err... Eight, Seven?: Saturday Club

2009-02-23T06:26:00.000-08:00

With Chris and his Ski-knack, Matt in deepest Windsor, Tom still suffering knee-knack and the girls preparing for the Brighton Half on Sunday, James and Pat were the only two available for Saturday club this week and planned a run into Kent's beautiful countryside for fresh air and daisy-picking.

Just before they met up to start, Pat was told he was up for Best Supporting Actor at Sunday night's Oscars and was whisked off to Hollywood, best of luck with that mate! So James set off alone into The Garden of England along the A20.

The scenic route took in Crittals Corner roundabout, the famous Sidcup DFS, the hard shoulder of the M20 and Swanley's delapidated shopping centre before our intrepid explorder found greenery by the slip road at junction 3 of the M25.

With one hour down on his run, James found himself at the top of London Road hill with another five minutes to run. Pausing briefly to take in the great view of actual countryside and desperately trying to think of somewhere else to turn, he found there was no other option but to jog down to Farningham and turn round for the slog back up. James made it past the Red Lion, avoided stopping off for a pint, finally felt real countryside under his runners then turned 180 degrees and made his way back along the concrete highway home.

The route ended up at seventeen-and-a-half long miles and James spent the rest of the afternoon recovering on the sofa in a coma-like state, waking briefly to cough up a lung-full of exhaust fumes, wishing he had entered the 13mile race the following day.

James

As if the emirates wasn't bad enough already...

2009-02-22T14:41:00.000-08:00

So yeah. The Emirates. A hulking mass of steel, concrete and glass which routinely makes way more money than anfield each week, and Liverpool haven't won away there yet. It was already right up there with baghdad, a james blunt gig and Chris's underwear drawer as places that all things being equal, I'd rather avoid. However, James somehow managed to make it even less appealing...a sprint interval training around the stadium, mmm.

There was one upside. Bailey made a rare journey norf to join tommo, jim, chris and myself for the session, bringing high tech gadgets, training knowhow and an ability to look much better in lycra then the rest of us combined. Pat had also confirmed and we couldn't wait to see how he'd get on. Alas, in a shock last minute Cabinet reshuffle, he was called into the government and he had to rush off for cocoa and a cosy chat at No. 10. Best of luck mate!

After we had reassured sloane ranger Bailey that she hadnt emerged in lebanon and north London always looked like this, we set off on a steady jog up to the stadium. Unfortunately chris twanged his work-string and was marooned at the office surrounded by deadlines, but Tom, Jim, Bailey and me set off on 8 punishing speed laps, with 1 minute jog recoverys inbetween. Approx 4 miles of hard running later Jim had barely broken sweat but the rest of us were lying in a heap at gate K. However, a few drinks later, kindly provided by coach mcdermott, we were on our way back, tired but chuffed at getting the session done. And delighted to put the Emirates behind us...

valentines run

2009-02-20T13:03:00.000-08:00

So i woke up on valentines to flowers, breakfast in bed and a lazy day....ok rewind, i am dreaming again...reality was 15 miles in the cold around richmond park...how romantic!! well actually it was romantic when sarah presented me with a heart cookie and a picnic at the end of the 15 miler..i couldnt have been happier! it was a great finish to a long run - thanks sarah!

So the heart biscuits were a very nice touch but sarah has now taken our friendship to another level. Apparently this is the last room available in brighton for the half marathon, need i say more tiger?!! yes that really is a fury bed cover!!

http://www.maisonvillebrighton.com/thelodge.html

bring on the half!!!

Gemma x

Week Six: Saturday Club

2009-02-18T02:20:00.001-08:00

Important lessons were learned this weekend, the most vital being that disappearing off for four or five hours to chase lycra-clad blonde girls around Richmond Park is not to be suggested on Valentine’s day. Therefore last minute changes were made to James’ plans and instead of the Richmond Run he instead set out on the ‘Greenwich Grovel’, a testing two hour route designed to make one think about ones actions whilst suffering blisters and burning thighs.

Leaving Eltham Heights full of righteous indignation, James was carried by his martyrdom through Blackheath and into Greenwich, it was only when halfway up the Docklands Tunnel stairs when calf twinges began to chip away at his self-belief. By the time he had circled Canary Wharf, descended and ascended the 100-odd steps in the Pedestrian Tunnel of Doom for a second time and then climbed the hill back up to the Royal Observatory, he was a broken man. Water-boarding has nothing on this. From here on in it was all he could do to repeat his name and regiment at each corner until he had completed his sixteen and a half mile route.

Fortunately for James there was a truce upon reaching the finish where he, his blisters and bleeding toes were welcomed back without too much of a retreat required. The papers were signed from a hot bath and peace reigned upon marathon land once again.

Three Thousand Club

2009-02-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

This Friday has been a pretty quiet one for fundraising, I get the feeling the team felt it was time to give you lot a break from our incessant begging. This was no doubt aided by the fact that thanks to you all Team Ellis hit their weekly target late on Wednesday night and could slow the pace, drop their arms, relax and enjoy the crowds at the finish as they came through to the end of the week. Three thousand pounds in three hectic weeks is an amazing total, thank you to everyone yet again. All of you in One Thousand Club, Two Thousand Club and the new kids who helped to create Three Thousand Club, welcome to the gang.

We’ll need to get something of a second wind to push on to four thousand pounds next week but if we manage that then we’re a third of the way there, Old Jamaica Road if you like. This weekend promises much in the way of updates and photography. James will be heading over to Richmond to join Gemma and Bailey on the Valentines Day… V… V… (I’ll think of something), Matt is going solo on Sunday morning whilst Chris is competing and is currently the bookies favorite for the Tonbridge Half Marathon.

In other news Tom is still suffering with Knee-Knack and has been advised to rest up, Chris will be putting his own recovered Knee-Knack to the test and Pat will be ducking and diving as usual to avoid actually seeing anyone else in the team. Gemma has recovered from Calf-Knack and will be racing round Richmond whilst Bails has put her hangover behind her and is looking forward to a hot chocolate at the end of the 15 miles we’re planning.

Same view, different arses

2009-02-11T15:28:00.000-08:00

go steady, they said. we'll take it easy, they said. its about the time not the speed, they said. which is why we set off at 7min/mile, uphill, on a cold wednesday night, for 60 mins of wet north London estates. brilliant.

the get-mac-hammered campaign had come together beautifully again, as the attrition of the working day had reduced team ellis from a healthy looking seven to a bare bones three. bailey was the first to go, citing job-knack, closely followed by stevo with calf-knack and tom with goat-knack. pat was odds on right up till the last minute until he got a late call to replace kelly brook on britain's got talent. best of luck mate!

chris, jim and myself set off from philo hq, with jimmy gonzales and johnny new boy motoring mcd setting the almost suicidal pace and me tagging on behind, once again with an eyeful I'd rather not have. taking in all the beautiful sites of north London, including the art deco architecture of youlookin'atme estate, teenagepregnancy heights and knifecrime corner, we headed up to the cock tavern, around emirates, took an unnecessarily long time looping back round and headed home via what appeared to be a totally superfluous hill but actually turned out as the right way. Btw, sorry about the ancient mayan curse I invoked on you going up that jim, hope it wears off soon.

despite getting slightly lost, falling over in front of a group of girls, and starting the agonising process of losing the big toe nail on my left foot, had a blast and great to be running, all be it 300m behind them, with jim and chris - highly recommended team! hope y'all get better for the next one.

mac

Two Thousand Club

2009-02-09T11:15:00.001-08:00

We didnt think it was possible to match let alone better last weeks fundraising total but you guys proved us wrong. By the end of the day on Friday the second week total stood at a massive £2,450 which not only smashed our previous personal best from last week but also set us on our way to next week's target.

At the time of posting even this gargantuan total looks like it may amazingly be eclipsed in week three, but for now a big thank you to everyone who gave time and money to donate to us in the past seven days.

It means a great deal to us all so thank you and welcome to our Two Thousand Club.

Meet the experts at Marathon Expo

2009-02-09T10:59:00.000-08:00

Team Ellis were represented at the Meet the Experts event on Saturday and listenned intently as organisers including the great David Bedford explained their roles, as well as giving some top tips on what to expect on race day and the best way to prepare.

Matt took the opportunity to undergo scientific-type tests which measured every possible aspect of his stride and then recommended the most expensive model of shoe to compliment this. Most of the willing guinea pigs for this revolutionary testing and analysis seemed to be buying the most expensive of the offered shoes which was odd.

After listenning carefully to talks on everything from Fundraising to Injuries and kit to the logistics of hosting the event the afternoon ended with Matt trying hard to stiffle merciless laughter as the Lucozade representative told hilarious one liners such as 'You're more likely to drown than dehydrate on the marathon course', 'there are 750,000 bottles of water available around the course' and 'you'd have to be an absolute idiot to avoid drinking in the 2007 event'.

What a joker...

James

Week Five - Sunday Club goes east

2009-02-08T15:07:00.000-08:00

after much mid week deliberation, there were high hopes that the majority of team ellis could come together for a group run. Alas, Bailey wasn't ill enough, Chris was too ill with knee-knack and we are not entirely sure if Pat actually exists so once again, our wide-eyed innocent from tulse towers was tricked into a one on one session with the spring heeled devils from new eltham heights. It was with sinking heart that I arrived at HQ Philo, as I began to realise I was going to spend a lot of time looking at lyrac'd mens bottoms, as James & Tom disappeared off into the distance.

still at least I could rely on my perfect preparation to give me a fighting chance on hanging onto the brothers grimm coat-tails this time. So I assembled at the start line secure in the knowledge that the 6 bulmers, 2 pints and half glass of red wine necked the night before would provide a solid carb base for the 14 mile nightmare in front of me. Or I'd be at least halfway round before I sobered up....artistic impression of miles 1-3 supplied above

We were heading off on the infamous docklands dash - a route starting off at design central in Old Street, down to Tower Bridge, along the marathon route to the canary wharf, once round the block and then back to the City, stopping only briefly to throw rocks and insults at the bankers. The wharf is widely regarded as the worst part of the marathon and I can wholeheartedly agree with this following todays experience, although not having run any other part so far, I'm not sure this can be taken as a definitive fact.

Still, there were highlights along the way - wellclose street, grenade road

and james speeding up to imperiously overtake another sunday runner only to inadvertently tak

e a wrong turn mid maneuver and slink back to the pack tail between legs all raised a laugh, and it felt great to finish. another sunday down, only 10 more to go before the main event...

mac

Week Three: Sunday Club

2009-02-05T04:37:00.000-08:00

The New Eltham contingent drove out to the wildlands of Cray Valley to begin their run this Sunday and with the new territory to contend with they also found themselves having to think of witty responses to the delightful inhabitants of Orpington's own brand of encouragement. Tom and James managed to contain their laughter as various hoodies, yoofs and scallies came up with hilarious one-liners such as 'Jog on mate', 'Run Forrest' and the sheer genius and yet inspiring 'You running pri**s'.

Mind you the ingenuity of the supportive chants paled into insignificance as the first of the snow began to fall on the course of the 'Petts Wood Pacer'. Along the way the boys went off road and shared the track with a selection of Chislehurst's angriest dogs and unfortunately had to splash through mud, dirtying their brand new gleaming trainers.

Safely back at home wrapped up in jumpers, Team Ellis enjoyed the last laugh as Orpington's very own Jasper Carrots, Bernard Mannings and Jim Davidsons sat huddled around a a hamburger for warmth outside McDonalds.

All in all, it was a testing 12 miles and the boys are looking forward to a quieter, flatter and less-filled-with-rabid-canines run next weekend.

Mr McD Cross Trains!

2009-02-04T02:15:00.000-08:00

Morning guy's hope you are all safe and well after the fantastic snow we saw over the weekend? I was regretting the decision not to clear our garden path this morning as I went arse over elbow this morning on the way to work!

Running has been off the agenda for the last week following the aggravated knee injury sustained last weekend while taking a scenic 12 mile run through the inner city beauty spots of Loughborugh Junction, Stockwell, Steatham and Sydenham.

I have however taken to the water and the bike to keep the momentum going.

To keep your enthusiasm going I attach a lovely photo mid 26 mile bike ride on Sunday unfortunately the poor photography does not catch the extremely snow blizzard I encountered climbing the huge mountain up to the BakerBerkshires house.

Keep steady on your toes!

A destroyed woman!

2009-02-04T00:56:00.000-08:00

So we all love the snow but to be honest it is not great for the old training schedule, and as I don't have access to a treadmill, some bright spark suggested I did one of my workout dvds. Seemed like a good idea. So I cleared my lounge got my water, weights and mat ready and switched on a bit of Nell McAndrew.

And today....I am destroyed! The woman is a machine! I cannot move any part of my body without pain striking through me! The thought of getting up to get something off the printer at work is making me sweat with fear!

As someone in my office pointed out to me, the name of the workout is called the 'ultimate challenge' and to be fair that should have been warning enough. Move over Tough Guy, Nell is hardcore!! No wonder the woman runs marathons with the ellite!

And do I now look like Nell on the dvd cover....hell no! I am half the woman I use to be. Back to the icy roads for me.

Gemma (formely Shera)

The One Thousand Club

2009-01-31T04:46:00.000-08:00

Friday 30th January saw the official launch of the Team Ellis 2009 fundraising push. Amazingly by the end of day one the total stood at £1,035 already pledged to the cause. A phenomenal effort from our supporters so massive thanks to everyone who found the time to donate. We did notice every donation, mainly as it filled James' inbox with notifications, and throughly appreciate every pound spent.

Consider yourselves part of our One Thousand Club.

Thank you all.

Just give us your donations

2009-01-29T06:23:00.000-08:00

The long awaited Justgiving page for Team Ellis has launched and has set off at a nice steady pace. Sarah has been working hard on gathering donations and all team members are preparing their payday emails for Friday.

Get ready for a deluge of generously given cash tomorrow. Fingers crossed we can build on our good start.

www.justgiving.com/teamellis

Week Two: Tuesday Club

2009-01-29T06:01:00.000-08:00

In order to make up for their slack weekend James and Tom set out with a 12 mile target on Tuesday night as punishment. In order to ensure they didn't miss a weekend run again Tom had planned a route he called 'The Bickley Beast' which mainly involved running up and down steep half-mile long hills around Bromley and Bickley.

John the pacemaker turned off onto his own route at mile four and left the Team Ellis representatives to go it alone into the dark unknown of Chislehurst's Mansions, practically running on roads paved with gold. Imagine if you will, the kind of place Bailey lives.

Fortunately our intrepid explorers survived the vertigo-inducing run right up until a strong sprint finish from Tom saw James reduced to a crumpled miserable wreck by the side of the road. Mission accomplished and lesson learned not to miss weekend runs again. Great running from Tommo who is looking like this year's dark horse after this effort.

Week Two: Sunday Club

2009-01-26T09:18:00.000-08:00

Sadly some shamed members of the male half of Team Ellis let their teammates down this weekend by failing to complete the planned 90 minute run. To make matters worse Matt, Tom and James couldn't even drag themselves out into the rain for a jog around the local park after Stu's Stag Do in Bournemouth left them broken and unable to brave the pavements.

Only Chris and Pat kept the good name of the men hanging on by a shoestring as they sensibly avoided this weekend's 'Bournemouth Nightclub Chase' and succesfully completed their runs. Fortunately the guilty chaps have been let off the hook by the girls who agree that 48 hours of paintball, alcohol and terrible dancing along with little or no sleep are mitigating factors, although they may change their minds when they discover Tom wasn't even in the Stag Party!

The three failures have promised to complete the run this week with tomorrow night looking likely for a long moonlit stumble around south London to a chorus of booing as they go.

Bailey and Stevo carb it up!

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After a Friday night hitting soho and ending up in a banging club the girls really know how to have fun….we wish!!! Friday night was spent eating pasta bake and pic ‘n’ mix and then we managed to roll ourselves and our food babies down to the cinema, the film went on and on and on, so the early night we really needed didn’t quite happen!

Saturday morning…we woke up bright and breezy and hit the road at 8.30am. The pain of waking up so early and the freezing weather was clearly evident on both our faces as we both gave each the look of ‘what the hell are we doing?!’ Despite the moans by Gemma about her unusual muscle pain, the run went smoothly and we were both back at home by 10.30am fake tanning and preparing for our girl’s weekendsJ

Victory all round again!!! Bring on the marathon!

Week One: Sunday Club

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After a night of rain and gale force winds the members of the first Sunday club were glad to see the weather had cleared by the morning and despite the cold, the sun was shining and the sky was blue.

The storm had crippled the train network and therefore a last minute change of route was called for. Tom 'Stelios' Wright was delighted to have avoided James' proposed run up and down some vicious hills to Bromley but was unsure about what lay in store on Matt's 'Three Commons Chase' which began in Tulse Hill. In addition to racing the clock, Rachel had laid down the gauntlet by attempting to spend one thousand English pounds on clothes before the boys returned.

The three attendees of Sunday Club set off at a blistering pace and soon joined the procession of runners on a lap of Clapham Common. So far, so flat.

From here they raced on to Wandsworth Common and passed the halfway point on the clock.

Having not yet encountered any climbs of note Tom was pleased but Matt had cheekily hidden a couple of gems in the final third. After Tooting Common James helped make things difficult by taking a wrong turn and inadvertently added an extra twenty minutes to the route as well as an extra hill or two.

Despite the extra mileage they finished a long lap in 95 minutes and even had time to pose for a quick photograph before news came in that Rachel had been distracted whilst passing a bar and was yet to spend a single penny on clothes. Victory for the Sunday Club!

Week One: Meeting

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The first week of training began with the inaugural meeting for Team Ellis 2009 at a pub in Westminster.

First to the bar was Chris 'Spartacus' McDermott followed closely by Gemma 'Steveo' Stevenson who barely noticed the time fly by as Chris explained he was soon jetting off to Switzerland to buy light fittings.

Fortunately for everyone within earshot, James 'Jimbob' Wright soon arrived but was visibly annoyed to find his entrance somewhat overshadowed by the surprise appearance of Team Ellis' last-minute member, Sarah 'Sarahbailey' Bailey.

Once the shrieks of joy died down Matthew 'Mac' McMillan burst through the door to take the remaining seat at the table and as the final member to arrive was forced into buying a round of orange-juice and lemonade.

Pat Hort and Freak-boy-lanky-fat-head were unable to attend and will have to wait to find out what their nicknames might be.

For those of you who have stumbled across this blog whilst searching for ebay or who may have been handed a scrap of paper with the address scribbled onto it by one of the girls in a bar, Team Ellis is a group of elite athletes carefully selected and then bullied by James into completing this year's London Marathon.

In doing so they hope to raise well over twelve thousand pounds for CLIC Sargent who do excellent work in caring for children suffering with cancer and their families. To find out more about the help and support CLIC offer, visit their website.

All seven runners will be completing the 26.3 miles in memory of a very brave young girl who tragically passed away last year after a long and inspirational battle with cancer. Ellis Clark was just 16 and had battled with various forms of the disease for four years. More about Ellis as we go but suffice to say for now, this one's for you Kiddo.