Today is Saturday and the day of the chimney challenge!
The chimney is a very steep climb uphill. When there were still military on the island, the run was a populair workout. Now the leaders of the workparties like to organise the challenge. The times are officialy recorded by the people from Qinetiq.
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The chimney |
David arranged some men from Qinetiq to give the start and record the timing.
It's not just Mike and me who are running; Liz, Martin, Helen and Rachel will also participate.
The start is a bit sudden as you can see in this picture; Mike is still setting his watch, and I haven't put on my jacket yet. I like the sheer fun Martin shows, Helen, who made the effort to make herself a personal running"shirt"and Rachel who was persuaded to run just a couple of minutes before the start.
The start is a bit sudden as you can see in this picture; Mike is still setting his watch, and I haven't put on my jacket yet. I like the sheer fun Martin shows, Helen, who made the effort to make herself a personal running"shirt"and Rachel who was persuaded to run just a couple of minutes before the start.
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a disorderly start |
The first 200 metres or so are flat, but than we have to climb uphill.
Mike is ahead of me. Halfway there is a large stone. Once you passed that stone, the steepest part of the climb starts.
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A though climb |
I manage to pass Mike, because I'm much lighter in weight. Cath shows me the way to the cleit, where Steve encourages me to make a final sprint. As soon as I touch the cleit Steve announces this in his walkie talkie, and my time is recorded. I managed to do the run within a quarter of an hour, which is not a top time, but at least it is the goal I reached for.