We’ve been away for a while, with individual projects pulling the Hoof Hearted team in different directions. Lifelyne completed UTMB successfully and has been running and riding the legs of the Mallorca ironman. He is also supporting Malc as he goes for another West Highland Way record. Rob has just finished the Transvulcania  on La Palma Island in 9 hours putting him in 61st position and The Hack has just run across the Namib desert. But it looks like the team are getting back together and the Eiger Ultratrail becons on the 16th and 17th  July. Watch this space.

It has been rumoured that there is still some training going on even in the depths of winter. Mr Green has been seen running the highways and byways of Hampshire. Lifelyne has been out competing on the world stage, smashing Guinness records. Despite needing his boat to achieve the quickest human being to circumnavigate Anglesey, he continues to display an impressive competitive streak. And then there’s Robin. As most of you know he has simply maintained an elite level of  super-fitness without really training. It is in the DNA it seems – hard wired. And then there is me…Longden. I have been able to increase my body mass in order to speed up the training. After all carrying around these extra Kilo’s is not easy.

So the stage is set for another year of trail running madness as Team Hoof Hearted takes to the mountains once again. Watch this space!

The Trans Alpine Run can have massive high’s and equally deep low’s. It is a long race and to run it alone is not fun, although there are many people to chat to every day, you need a partner. After a lot of thought last night Malc has decided he did not want to run alone. It was always going to be a team effort. So this morning the two of us watched the start of Stage 3 from the sidelines. A very sad day. We are now heading back via Zurich.

Hoof Hearted…to be continued.

The end of today’s stage was tough.  On the one hand there was a sense of achievement but on the other there is deep regret that this was the last stage that I can complete with Malcolm before I have to withdraw from the event, because of my work.

It has been a real privilege to have been able to complete just two stages with you Malc. I have enjoyed every minute of your company over the past three days and I know we would have continued to have had a great week, but it is not possible, for which I sincerely apologise.

I am sorry that I can not continue with you. I know that it will be tough completing the next stages solo but I have no doubt that you will finish. You have great mental and physical strength and a wicked sense of humor.  You are certainly not alone in this, as you know most of the teams personally.  Take tomorrow easy and enjoy it – Good Luck, bon courage, great job and whatever the Germans have been saying all week. . . .

I hope that I get the opportunity to run with you again my friend and I look forward to hearing the highlights from the next stages……

Rich.

We have passed quite a few cows over the past two days. Today, we have been told that if you are unfortunated enough to be attacked by one you have to hit it….hard….on the nose!