TSQ: it is on!

By Julien on Monday, July 5 2010, 11:43 - ThamesSourceQuest - Permalink

The weather is good so far, the tides are low, the date has been set for the Thames Source Quest: I'll leave from the Thames Barrier on Friday morning. The hydration is sorted too, complete article to follow in a few days.

Thames Source Quest

I'm not extremely well prepared, so I will take it easy. If things don't go too well, I might even indulge myself with a little nap or a burger in a riverside pub (in which case it wouldn't be unsupported any more, but I'll make it clear). Therefore, just like many ultrarunners do, I've set myself 3 main goals in order not to be too disappointed:
  • Gold: The Source (290km, the full story)
  • Silver: Oxford (204km, 70%, the longest distance I've run)
  • Bronze: Purley-on-Thames (145km, half-way)
Although the tracking software I've been writing is more or less working, I still have a few reliability issues in case of 3G or WiFi connection loss, so I'm not sure whether the live tracking will be available at all or temporarily during the challenge. In any case, the route I'll follow is available on GoogleEarth and GoogleMaps and I will post live updates on twitter. I'll also try to take a few pictures and videos with my tiny Muvi Atom camcorder.

Following John K's example, I've decided to run a "guess my time" competition. Because the outcome is uncertain, you are to make two guesses:
  • the time I'll take to complete the TSQ if I can finish (hours, minutes, seconds)
  • how far I'll be able to run otherwise (kilometres)
Additionally, you can also bet on these two water-related questions, although I'm not sure yet whether I'll count that accurately:
  • How many times I take water from the Thames?
  • How many times I will pass water?
You might think it's a joke, but I might indeed monitor closely my fluid intake and loss due to the relatively warm weather. Guesses can be submitted as comments. Closing time: Thursday 08/07/2010 @ Midnight BST. Small gifts for the closest bets.

Ultra ready?

Comments

1. On Monday, July 5 2010, 14:20 by Bastien

I love the idea of Thames Source Quest!
I love the idea to follow you live on Google Earth thanks to your amazing tool Stalker!
I love the idea to get your feelings on Twitter!

GO GUCHT GO!!!!!!

I do believe in you!

That's why I bet that you'll go for gold in less than 35 hours.

2. On Monday, July 5 2010, 16:43 by Mathieu

Hi Gucht !
I hope and bet that you will complete your TSQ "easily". Maybe in exactly 46 hours, 24 minutes and 37 seconds.
But if you encounter some difficulties and could not complete, I bet that you will run 229km.
Finally, I don't know how many times you will take water from the Thames, but I bet that you will drink 2 beers (and some water) at the Source :)

See you on twitter from Friday on and merde !

3. On Monday, July 5 2010, 22:25 by John Kynaston

Hi Julien

Great idea! My guesses are as follows ....

1. Full distance in 44hrs 33mins 22secs

2. if not full distance then you'll make 200.5km

Water from the Thames - none

Times need to pass water - 30times

Have a great race - I'll be following you on Twitter!

4. On Monday, July 5 2010, 23:09 by Matthieu

Just stumbled upon your site. Great auest idea. I've run only parts of the path, the longest I've done was Windsor to Hammersmith (40m) in 7 hours if that helps. A friend did the whole length in stages, you won't get bored, this is ever changing all along.
Are you running solo or will you have pacers? (not feeders!)
All the very best
Matthieu

5. On Monday, July 5 2010, 23:55 by jon steele

Your the man Julien!!! Awesome, I reckon the full thing, Thames water wont be up to Evian lol
Time, I couldnt guess, but my thoughts will be with you my good freind

6. On Tuesday, July 6 2010, 10:02 by Yannick

I wish you good luck, Gucht. I'm sure that you will make it to the end, so the minimum you'll be able to run is 296 km. The time: 49hrs59mins59secs.
You'll take water from the Thames 6 times and pass water 17 times.
All the best. May the Gländ (not) be with you (for once)...

7. On Wednesday, July 7 2010, 15:33 by Andy DuBois

Great to hear you have finally got this quest up and running ( no pun intended) . I think you'll make the full distance and it will take you 53hours 27minutes and 13 seconds and you'll go to the loo at least 23 times.

All the best mate, good luck and I hope whatever happens you enjoy it. Regardless of how you do many congrats in just starting it. Takes a lot of courage to do just that.

8. On Wednesday, July 7 2010, 23:19 by Fred

Yeah, on for the challenge!

My bet is for a full running time of 47h 47m 47s.

And I believe you will take water from the Thames 10 times!

9. On Thursday, July 8 2010, 15:58 by Alex

- full running time of 46h 00m 00s
- at least reach Oxford, 204km
- take water 35 times
- pass water 18 times
- you will drink your own passed water once (out of curiosity, and fun :P)

10. On Thursday, July 8 2010, 21:05 by Lame duck of Rhinland

- full running time : 49 h 62 min 62 s
- at leat : 306 km if you miss the source in the dark
- take water : 45 times with a little Pernod
- pass water : once per rising tide

Good luck and "bises of the vieux"

11. On Friday, July 9 2010, 21:25 by Mike Mason

Best of luck Julien. Ironically whilst you are doing the Thames quest Gill and I will be mooching around Paris. Enjoy your break
rgds
Mike