Thanks to all the kind people who have pledged their support. I won't name them for fear of embarassing them (). I have a pledge from Perth and good luck wishes from both sides of the Atlantic. So dig deep and sacrifice a little to help a lot. I will PM you my details.

BB, Rolo and Star, I can't get the reply to PM working. Postal Orders are no problem. I don't think it's safe to send cash in the mail. I'll try to send my address tomorrow.

Here's a link to the event which takes place in the Phoenix Park on 6 April. I think it starts around midday and it will take me about an hour.

http://entry.greatrun.org/EventInformation.aspx?StreamId=12 - http://entry.greatrun.org/EventInformation.aspx?StreamId=12

Thanks for all your support so far.

Just a suggestion:  As Brian is doing all the hard work ie running does anyone work in any large organisations that would like to support him ?????

If so PLEASE ASK over the next few days - great causes - every single cent counts and sure with Lent with us - there is no excuse - dig deep.

Remember you are supporting Brian who is making this great effort for Irish Guide Dogs for The Blind & Maryis Priest friend enduring daily hardship.  Heres hoping Mullers PM box is full within the next few days.

V

BB, you are incorigible. That's sure to get the TV people interested. I'll try to get a Gerry Garcia outfit to make sure. Thanks for all your support

Any Artistic people out there who could print up (on comput) a flyer for Brian & Maryis run. ????  If so please do.

Date:

Details:

Cause:

Ph: No: for support  =

Everyone could then print out a few a hound any friends.

V

Are there no arty fartys on these threads????????????????????

If not who is good with the computor ??????? or is there anyone listening a printup of THE RUN (details above) Brian running in a kilt with BB doing cheerleader and ALL for 2 great causes.

Prize for the best Print Up that could then be copied (via printer) prize = surprize.

I can't let V keep this thread alive on her own. I have received many pledges and some money so far. I won’t embarrass anyone by mentioned their names but a big thanks you to three special ladies - ????

keep it coming. My sister sponsored me per kilometre thinking that I would give up after a short while. When I told her I'm doing 10k's each Sunday her jaw dropped but she didn’t renege

My two chosen charities are:

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind - cheques made payable to same; and

The Aids hospice in Kenya - cheques made payable to Fr Murtagh

I can't reply to PM on this PC. Need more memory, I think.

Here's a link to the event which takes place in the Phoenix Park on 6 April. I think it starts around midday and it will take me about an hour.

http://entry.greatrun.org/EventInformation.aspx?StreamId=12 - http://entry.greatrun.org/EventInformation.aspx?StreamId=12

Thanks for all your support so far.

Despite Maryi's entreaties I'm not wearing a kilt, not matter what the cause. I'm not even baring my legs, no fake tan for these pale pins. Tracksuit bottoms and t-shirt.

Unfortunately not. I don't have one (hint)

Did my 10k run this morning in the howling wind. Not me, the weather! You would think that the wind would be with half the time and against you the other half when you do a circuit. It doesn't work like that. The wind seemed to be against me 75% of the time. It was toturous but I did it.

Have about €300 for Fr. Murtagh and €250 for the Guide Dogs

Thanks T, you are a creative genius. It must be the new passport??

Don't forget to include Fr. Murtagh (Kenya Aids Hospice)

I had a beautiful card from Perth today.

The IGDB cheque with the compliments slip arrived.

I can't PM from my home PC. I'll talk tomorrow

Teresa,

Not just a beautiful face - an artistic genius as well.  Great sign - it really hits you  -  another T talent hidden until now.  Well done chicken.

V  4  T

Brian

Sorry, not for this one but the next one defo.

I'd lend you mine but it has my Avatar on the back "The Ancient One "

Don't suppose that would look too good in a 10 K race. You'd have an ambulance with a de-fibulator on standby

Hi Grovers, I'm resurrecting this one for tonight. With Andy's kind permission I should like to beg contributions for the run by placing two boxes at the bar (if the management don't mind). One will be for the Guide Dogs and one for Fr. Murtagh (Aids hospice in Kenya).

btw I have been reading your comments about the frequency of the reunions. I have enjoyed all those I have attended and was disappointed to miss the Christmas through illness. Don't forget that, apart from getting together and listening to the best music in the country, we are also helping clear landmines in Cambodia.

 See yiz later

See Teresa has designed "an outfit" for your run  ???  You will have to ask Rolo first but sure he will share.

V

Hi All, I don't have a Grove t-shirt despite entreaties for a loan. The race organisers gave me a grey (or gray for Teresa) shirt with "Up the Dubs" on the front. That'll have to do. Here is the link to the course and info:

https://entry.greatrun.org/EventInformation.aspx?StreamId=12 - https://entry.greatrun.org/EventInformation.aspx?StreamId=12

There is a shuttle bus service from the Peoples Garden to the Start/Finish area. Seemingly there is no parking available in the park on the day. I think I will drive into town and park in the Ilac centre and take Bus Eireann to Infirmary Road or Conyngham Road entrance.

The race starts at 13.00 with a warm-up at 12.55. I hope to arrive at about 12.00 just to get into the mood. If any of you guys are coming we could meet at the Phoenix Monument which is where I'll hang around.

Did my final training this morning so I'm in good shape apart from small blister on my left instep. Started a bit later than normal because I forgot about the clock going forward. I went to 9.30 mass in St Ita's and was surprised to arrive on "time" only to find the church empty. Doh!

Just did a quick tot of the sponsorship - €845 in receipts and pledges. I still have to embarrass my colleagues next week - you just have to wave the card under their noses. I reckon I should raise over €1,000. Thanks for your generosity. I know it's not easy getting the money to me so I doubly thank you for the effort of getting stamps and envelopes and, in some cases, a bank draft.

Maybe Austin or Cecil wouldn't mind acting as a go-between for those who are around town.

Fair play Briano,and pats on the back to all of you who have sent a few quid.

Won't make it to the Park on Sundaymeself but best of luck to you.

Brian

Good idea. I'll see Cecil during the week and give him a few bob for you.

Brian,

Know the weather was great to-day 17 deg. and super for tomorrow - however a break is due and with you wearing the kilt dont want you getting chilly willy.  Have the long johns "at the ready" just in case the weather breaks.

All joking aside, EVERYONE is so very proud of you, you are a super person - enjoy the run - when I see people like you doing what you are doing I feel very humbled.

The very best of luck, talk soon.  Verona you on Sun pm

Thanks V, compared with what you do week in and week out, this is nothing. The only difficult part is scrounging money from people. That hasn't been a problem this time thanks to all the generous Grovers. I even had money sent from Perth, if you don't mind. You have all been great. The latest good news is that Ulster Bank will give me a grand to match the grand  I raised. Wow!

I hope to see some of you tomorrow at the Phoenix monument from about midday. No kilts. Watch the TV if you can't make it, you never know whom you might see.

I'm ready to go. Black tie thing in the Shelbourne last night but I didn't drink - "not a drop yer 'onour". It was gas - free champers and wine but €4 for a bottle of water. Great night, great venue, sh*t music - '70's band dressed like transvestites playing disco.

Hope to see some of you later - sponsorhip now over €1000 thanks to a couple of late contributions. Any slackers out there - don't be shy, it's not too late. I know who you are.

Just back from the park didnt see you Brian unfortunately but not really suprised sooooooooo many people down there was great atmosphere was really good.

And the weather wasnt too bad cold but quite pleasant when the sun came out as long as you kept moving. Didnt hang around for too long after as was murder getting back out of park.

Just looking outside the window and we are having hailstones !!!!!!!!! obviously we left just in time .

Antway hope run went well for you

Well, I made it. I am back home alive and well, TG. I think my time was under 1 hour. I will know when they put the times on the website. The bloody thing was 30 minutes late starting and we were freezing our a***s off standing around at the start line. Bertie was the starter. The coach who was getting us to warm up was great but her efforts were wasted because we had to wait around 20 minutes after she finished. There were some funny moments when we had to swing our arms and people got pucks in the back of the head in the confined space. Apart from that it was well organised with music at a couple of points around. There was a reggae band or two giving us encouragement but no ganja.

I was looking for all the Grove t-shirts but if I wasn't running I would have stayed in bed. Lerato had the right idea. Fair play to you, Joan. My brother and his family caught me around the 2km mark and cheered me on. It took me 3km to warm up and get into my stride. The most difficult part was the 9th km because it was uphill all the way and the water I had picked up was finished. I usually stop a few times on my weekly run but I did the whole 10km without stopping in case I couldn't get going again.

I was great to see so many competitors in the freezing cold. There was over 6000 in various guises. There was lady with what looked like thalidomide; another lady carried her baby in papoose backpack. One old guy wore a dinner jacket with tails and runners. The best was young girl who ran in a micro mini with a good portion of her cheeks on view. I can't comment further without proof which wasn't forthcoming.

A great day out overall. They organizers lied about there being no parking in the Park. There were card parked all over the place. I parked outside Darrach's place between huge tractor units and walked all the way up to the Phoenix monument. I also walked all the way back because the traffic was so bad. Great spirit all around with everyone smiling. Apart from the guy and girl who had words and squirts at the water point there was no animosity.

  http://thegrovesocialclub.com/forum/uploads/muller/image002.jpg - image002.jpg

The most Grover completitor

Warmest Congrats to you Brian on a great achivement for a wonderful cause.

You'd never know, with all the walking Peter might join you next time.

CONGRATS BRIAN, WE ARE ALL REALLY PROUD OF YOU

Brian,

Hearty Congratulations - you are just great - all sooooooooooooooooo proud of you. Just imagine if there were more selfless people like you in the world what a beautiful place it could be.

Well done again, tell Leroto you deserve brekkie in bed for the next month.

Verona

  http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk788MXIE">  

Brian,

Congratulations - Fantastic time and on such a bad day.   Was thinking of you down here in Kerry.    So sorry I couldn't be there (was there in spirit).  

Don't forget to stretch for the next few days to get rid of the lactic acid.

Talk soon

Muller,

Have to offer congratulations on your great work - met some D.3 friends of yours - their words of praise would give you big head. well done.

Ben

Compliments of V! Well done Brian

Brian,

This should be on the front page of the Daily's, well done the Mullers are set for great things this year - trust me.

V

Thanks guys, it was really nothing. I came 2500 and something out of 8000 so it's not too bad. The picture is very slimmimg. I'm not that skinny

B

Fantastic stuff Brian..............do I detect a small patch of Blue and Navy on your Tee Shirt ?

P, there is no answer to that one! I think you need to get out of the dungeon at lunch time. Cecil was asking after you today - "I never see Peter these days"

R - the early birds got a shirt with their county colours - up the Dubs.

I think that also answers Peter's query

Brian meant to ask who won the county challenge ?????

Hope it was THE DUBS

Hey Joan,

Not sure who won the county challenge but a colleague changed his loyalty when he discovered that he could be first past the post for Mayo. I think he had dual nationality but the accent is a dead giveaway - true Blue (not such a good result yesterday).

Donations are still being accepted until Friday

https://entry.greatrun.org/EventInformation.aspx?StreamId=12 - https://entry.greatrun.org/EventInformation.aspx?StreamId=12

click on results and enter my race number

Okay. The final reckoning is done.

You will be all delighted to know that we collected €825 for Fr. Murtagh's Aids Hospice in Kenya, €839 for the Guide Dogs and €100 for the Marie Keating Cancer Foundation. Many, many thanks to my generous family and colleagues, Ulster Bank community awards and you, the Grovers with such giving personalities.

In the immortal words of young Mr Grace (Are you being served?) "You've all done very well"

I hope Brian is as successful with his walk. Dig deep, guys and gals.

Well done Brian - all the hard training and work surely paid off

V

No so much proud of myself, BB. I'm so proud of you guys, my family and colleagues who put their hands in their pockets to support such deserving causes. The run itself was great craic, believe it or not. I have kept up the training and have never felt so fit.

I hope you will all support Brian for his walk in Spain. That is a monumental feat - 600 km walk. The mind boggles.

Muller,

You are absolutely brilliant  - The charities will really benefit from all your hard work.    Cheers