Monday 31 August 2009

Garden of England

Kent is known as the garden of England apparently. Believe it or not there is some good running to be had round there over the North Downs. I tried (and failed) to persuade Mark to come down here in June to run the North Downs 30k so when he agreed to come down and stay with us for August Bank Holiday I had to find somewhere for us to do a race (family permitting of course!). I found this report: http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?uan=4127 on the Pilgrim's way run and knowing how some of the runners down here tend to exaggerate the size of their hills I thought it would be worth a go; '3 miles of downhill', 'Those with experience of fell running came to the fore', 'Nearly half a mile of a narrow, uneven, near-vertical slope so brutal that almost everyone was forced to stop and walk up it'; I had to have a look!

In preparation we had a nice Indian and also downed a bottle of champers over the weekend. Me and Mark had been out for a jog Saturday morning, my knee has been worrying me the past few days so I used this run as a tester. I have been preparing for the Ben race since Borrowdale and have managed 40+ miles a week through August (a lot for me!) but I think the mileage is taking its toll. I felt it would be OK for the race anyway so we set off for deepest Kent early Sunday.

Leaving the M20 there were some surprisingly good views, I have done the North Downs 30K a few times now but never ventured this far South of London in the car before. OK it isn't the Highlands but it was still refreshing to see. We parked up and registered with plenty of time for some warm ups. I did a few laps of the Rugby field along with the kids, they set off for another lap as the runners were called to the start. I found it quite funny that the start would be marked by setting off a cannon which none of kids knew anything about; it made a huge racket and recoiled about 4m as we set off. The kids were on their way back from another lap of the field and nearly jumped out of their skin!


My plan was to start near the front and just run as fast as I could for an hour or so, not much of a plan but I thought my (relatively) faster downhills would make up for the usually poor uphills. We hadn't left the field and the 10 or so people in front of me had already gone wrong, trying to exit through the car park gate! Anyway we passed the clubhouse and out onto a country lane where it wasn't long before the '3 miles' of downhill started. This was great fun, quite a narrow gravelly track and we flew down here, there were a few treading carefully but everyone else went hammering past eyes wide open looking out for the ruts and tree roots.

After a while the ground leveled out and the track undulated along the hedgerows for a while. I was feeling OK and as expected one or two others passed me here but I managed to keep the pace up and on reaching the water station was still on the lookout for the 'killer climb'. I don't usually take on water in short races but decided to take a few sips with it being so warm. It was just after here that we started the ascent onto the North Downs. Taking the race report as a challenge I wasn't going to walk any of the route, a couple of those that had passed me earlier walked briefly at this point and a few more came powering past me. I was just getting into a rhythm when the ground levelled off and we were on the North Downs! This was familiar ground for the next few miles being common with the North Downs Run, we passed a marshall who was counting places; he told me I was in 18th. This spurred me on so I picked up the pace and caught the couple I could see in front, knowing that it was nice flat track through the woodland for a while and then another fast downhill.

After that it was tarmac for a while and the lead lady passed me, for some reason I had it in my head that there was another big hill before the finish. The route then became another stony track which was a gradual incline, I managed to stay with the guy in front and almost felt sorry for him; I am not keen on hearing someone right behind me in a race. At the end of the track we came out onto more tarmac, the runner I was with asked the policeman blocking the road how far and he said about another mile.

That did it for me, I was still feeling good so tried not to let anyone else pass. There was another brief hill in the road where the girl who had caught up passed me but as soon as I figured out where we were and realised the finish was just up the road I sped up and passed her again on the finish field. Lisa was shocked to see me so soon after the leaders had finished, my time was 1h03m(ish) about 8 mins behind first place. I was chuffed to come in 17th place, much higher up the field than the fell races I am more used to running, probably due to this race being on terrain similar to that where we now live as opposed to the fells where I would like to!

Mark had a good run and crossed the line 16 mins later in 87th place with another 95 runners still left to cross the line after him.

In the end it was a good race and one I would definitely do again, maybe try and beat the hour now I know the route.

Thursday 27 August 2009

I blame the Peanut M & M's

Why do they sell peanut M&M's in such large bags and what happened to normal one person size bags of M&M's?

On Tuesday I needed to visit the office in Coalville and had to stop en-route for fuel. After filling the car I strolled across the forecourt to pay for the fuel but as I had only had a bowl of cereal instead of my usual 1/2 loaf of toast for breakfast, I felt the urge to eat. I have a bit of a thing for Peanut M&M's at the minute so had a quick look for the Normal, standard, one person, generally available size pack of these Peanut delights. But NO! not here, only the large "Re-Sealable" bags where on the shelf along with Big Eat bags of Walkers Crisps and Ginsters Sausage Rolls and Pasties.

Beliving I could control my craving I bought the large bag and headed back to the car to continue my journey. "Control my craving?????" HA!! like hell. 20 mins later with only 1/4 of the bag left I threw what was left into the rear of the car so that I would have to stop to climb over the seats if I wanted them. It was of course a waste of time, the journey ended and I reached over picked up the bag and finished the packet.

Well it affected me. Harrock Hill on Wednesday. The 4th race in the series and for the last two races I had been so close to a PB that I needed to do it this time otherwise there had been NO improvement from last year. I lined up at the start with no plan in my head other than to keep a good steady pace like the last few races but with the rain that had fallen today I was convinced the going would be a little heavy in places, so as we set off, feeling great, I up'd the pace a little thinking I'll attack the hill and recover on the descent where I normally get stuck behind someone on the narrow path. Keeping up with Tony Varley (and passing him at one point) I ploughed on up this first hill but just as I reached the top the pace started to hit me. Fool!!! What had I done?

And so it was for the rest of the race. I tried to push on a steady pace but I just didn't feel it was good enough. It felt slow, I felt tired and my legs felt heavy all the way round. The only burst of speed coming on the final descent knowing that Jan Atkins (Who I had seen just as I entered the woods) was following close behind me. A quick look at my watch and I was two minutes under my PB but not at the finish line yet. I passed Albert who gave a quick spur on but as I rounded the final corner my watch passed the 49:22 mark and I cursed myself all the way to the line, crossing it in 50:00 exactly, Wrecked and out of breath knowing only that I couldn't have given it any more than I did but also wishing I hadn't gone too fast on that first climb.

On reflection though I blame the Cocoa from the M&M's for putting my mind in an unfit state and the Scrumptious Milk Chocolate for adding to my waist line, making it more difficult to carry this lump of a body up those hills. Perhaps I should write a letter of complaint to Mars and Tesco???



Don't forget to visit www.comparethecomparesites.com!!

Thursday 20 August 2009

Cheesy Hammy Eggys!

After last nights failed attempt at getting to a race in time, I decided to do the Hill session at Horwich tonight. Luckily Norman under estimated me (Being much slower than the rest) and told me to just run up to the mast and back down whilst some of the faster ones did a a loop or two extra.

I thought about hitting the chippy on the way home. Fried rice chips and curry or Fish and chips with Gravy but NO! I resisted the urge.

Instead I decided to have some Cheesy Hammy Eggys. It part of the staple diet in the Royal Navy. This food was probably served at least once per week. Forget Fillet Steak or roast dinners, Cheesy Hammy Eggys are the way forward.

Joanne makes lovely fried eggs, see --->


If you fancy them, then our method simply a piece of toast, covered with a layer of ham, cover it with cheese. Then stick it under the grill and melt the cheest just like you would for cheese on toast. Whilst the cheese is melting fry your egg and then place the egg on top. Voila!

Another method.. (For 4 peices)
  1. Start of by toasting one side of the bread
  2. Grate cheese into a bowl, add 1 dollop of Dijon mustard & 1 egg. Mix well
  3. On the un-toasted side of bread layer the ham to cover right up to the edges
  4. Spread the cheese mixture over the top of the ham, again right to the sides.
  5. Begin frying 4 eggs whilst starting stage 6
  6. Toast Bread/ham/cheese under the grill till the cheese is bubbling & lightly browned
  7. Serve fried egg on top of toasted cheese & ham


Don't forget to visit www.comparethecomparesites.com

Enough said!

http://emmilou-wreckedthighsandinov8s.blogspot.com/2009/08/oops.html

Pen-y-Gent & Hawes

Chris was up again this weekend and as we'd been to Langdale last week,, the ladies weren't gonna be up for us disappearing again. Chris suggested going up towards Whernside and leave the ladies and kids at Ribblehead where the kids could play on the grass, watch the trains cross the viaduct and play in the stream. There was only a "Chance of Rain" according to the weather forecast.

How wrong! It hammered down. It became apparent on the way up that the our plan wasn't going to work and when we got to Ribblehead we decided to head into Horton in Ribblesdale and go for a run up Pen-y-Gent instead. At least there was a café for them to sit in and wait for us.

Looking up from the car, the peak was covered in cloud and I worried as usual about getting too cold even though it was still about 18 degrees. Should I put my leggins on? I really am a big girl, maybe I should borrow Emmas pink top when I run? Albert Sunter commented to me after Kentmere Horseshoe that I looked like I was dressed for winter???

We followed the route out of the village as the Pen-Y-Gent race does, turning off the main road at the end of the village along more tarmac (Urgh!) until we started the ascent in the farmers field. With the wind behind you you don't really notice how windy it is and as we got higher the running was still going well but when you stop and look back you feel the wind, thankfully though we would be coming downhill when running into the wind. Eventually we reached the gate where the path turned left and up the 'lump'. The wind here must have been hitting the hill and swilling around it as suddenly, right next to the wall the wind seemed more intense/fierce.

The route gets a little rockier in places now as you head on up but eventually you stop climbing and there is a nice steady jog to the summit and a rest. We would have preferred to head over the wall here and follow the race route back down but Chris wasn't confident without a map and I have never done the race so after a KitKat break we decide to head back the way we came from.

The run down was a careful one as the steeper climbs were now careful descents. My Inov-8's (MudRocks) don't grip well on smooth wet rock, so I trod carefully. Eventually though we passed back through the gate and some easier running from now on. Chris as usual pulled away and stopped, pulled away and stopped but at one point as he headed off I was determined not to give him too much of a break and kept the pace up only affording him a few secs when he next stopped but I couldn't keep up the pace and he then ran off ahead as I tired. There seemed to be more walkers heading up the hill as we descended the lower section, some in t-shirts and others in just Jeans and trainers, can't imagine how far they got dressed like that but I suppose it did LOOK like the weather was going to ease. I suppose people like that look at us and think "Fools" just the same way as we look at them being potentially unprepared and think the same thing.

Back on the tarmac and on the run in, the childish streak in me came out and I started to splash Chris as we ran through the puddles, we were just reaching the end of the road and a group of walker were heading our way but I think Chris and I just focused on the large puddle coming up. I imagine it looked funny from the walkers point of view, two grown men splashing each other deliberatly as they ran through the puddle like a couple of kids.

Back at the café we met up with the ladies and the kids. Crumpets and Toast had been had at the café. MMmm, sounds good but not for us. Back to the car, quick change and off to Hawes for a late lunch.

The drive up to Hawes always reminds of being out on the bike and in particular one day when Chris was on a mission. We, Dave, Chris and me headed up this road and Chris was flying. At points he must have been topping 100mph and Dave and I were just trying to keep up. At these speeds, little raises in the road are exaggerated and I remember hitting a ramp and taking off. Whilst in mid air thinking "Oh F00k!" another bike was coming the other way and for some insane reason the friendly side of biking kicked in, the one that says you should acknowledge each other as you pass with either a wave or a nod. In mid air, I took my hand of the handle bars, waved and grabbed the grip again before the bike had hit the floor. The bike wobbled a little and the reality, that I could come off hit me, but it was OK. The Yamaha R6 handled it's rider very well and was a very forgiving bike, had it been a different bike I could have been off it. That was the point I slowed down a little but it's one of those moments you just remember forever.

Back to the storey, we reached Hawes and found café. Joanne and I decided to have a tuna sub but I sort of wish I hadn't. Don't get me wrong, it was nice (although I didn't really want it toasted) but there was too much of it and it sort of spoiled my appetite for my evening meal (A nice Indian). After the café we took the kids to the Old Sweet shop which had plenty of the old favorites in it. Cola Kubes, Pear drops, Fizz Whizz and Bubbly Chewing Gum. The best though were the gobstoppers. They have I think 5 sizes of gobstoppers from normal size (50p) to supersize (£1.99) and the supersize ones were as big as a cricket ball, they would take a week to eat. Josh bought a beginners Gobstopper but after he went out I bought him a supersize one, which we'll give him this weekend.

Finally though after a quick stop at a cake shop, we took the kids to the park at the other end of town whilst the ladies looked in some of the shops. I always worry about the kids when they are on parks, it's like there is an accident just waiting to happen and those roundabout just make me sick. I went on one a few weeks ago and my stomach was off for about 3 hours after. The kids enjoyed themselves so that's all that matters.

Now off home for an Indian and a beer with friends!

Tuesday 18 August 2009

Three Shires Route!

Keen to get out in the lakes Chris asked what I fancied doing at the weekend (8th Aug). It was pretty much a given that we would be in the lakes but I fancied doing the Three Shires Race Route as the last time I did it (last year) I only manage to get to the Three Shires Stone. And so we had a plan!

We intended a 6AM getaway but I was a little late, then I'd forgot my wallet and Chris didn't bring any cash but eventually by 6:30 we were on the motorway. The sky was clear it looked like it would be a nice day until we got passed Preston and we could see out towards the lakes. CLOUDS!! It was like a blanket hanging over the lake district. Why can't it just go away. The number of peaks I have been to with Chris that present NO view what so ever outweighs the number I have been to with a view. Anyway, there was no rain planned and despite my apprehension about running in cloud, I don't actually mind if I am with someone else.

We arrived in Langdale around 8AM and headed straight off. At the end of the first road is a ford crossing which during the race get some runners feet wet whilst others cross the wooden bridge. I noticed a sign on it this time stating no more than 2 people on the bridge at a time, so I suspect ALL runners will be told to run through the water on race day.

MarkChrisThe run headed off at a gentle pace as I was keen not to tire myself out too quick, determined to complete all of the route today. We ran along the first gentle gradient before starting the climb up to Wetherlam, this time though staying on the path to the remnants of the mining building at the foot of the climb. Last time we had started to head up sooner and probably should have done this time however Chris wanted to see if he could find the path that headed up from there. It was at this point he said I should be leading, so I did and started following the path/trod/faint mark on the land. We started to climb but Chris decided we had gone too far to the right so lead me back, that was the end of my navigating for the day.

This first slog up Wetherlam is a hard one, even when not racing it's still hard work so I can't imagine how I would feel during the race. We still weren't quite sure if we were heading for the same point the race headed but we weren't far off and cam out right near the peak rather than last years attempt that brought us up somewhere further down the path. Chris and Me on WetherlamThe view down into the Langdale valley was great but turn through 360 degrees and look towards Coniston and all I could see was cloud, some of them were looking quite black too. Anyway, a few photos and off we headed to Swirl How. I don't like the start of this run as it's very rocky and I don't run too well here (although sometimes I just click with it and have a good run, it's normally not that good).

After a quick run down to Swirl Hawse, the climb starts again up 'Prison band' to Swirl How and it's quite rocky but it's a nice one. I tried to pick out bits I remembered from Coniston but it's surprising how it sometimes looks different from what you have in your mind.

Here at the top of Swirl How we had a discussion over which way we had gone wrong last year; The week before the Coniston race last year Chris had took me (An in-experienced runner, let alone fell runner) to recce the route with him. The weather was bad and got worse as we went on. We'd gone the wrong way off Swirl How and had to double back, visibility was very low and as we headed off on the now correct path to the Old Man we saw two people coming up in the other direction asking if they were heading for the Old Man, pointing to Swirl How. My confidence in Chris dropped for a minute and we carried on. We were right and after reaching a point where I just wanted to curl up behind a small cairn, we reach the Old Man and had a good run back down to the car. It was an experience that has turned me into a fair weather runner ever since!

Anyway, the run down off Swirl How skirts around Great Carrs. Running towards Three Shires StoneThere doesn't see to be any trod to follow here that I have seen, you just make your own but eventually should be able to pick up the path coming down the other side towards the Three Shires Stone. We reached here in 2hr 25min but I figured that route choice up Wetherlam, photo stops, general gassing and not running at race pace would probably account for more than 25 mins so reaching here during the race within the 2hr cut-off shouldn't be a problem. Famous last words!!

Onwards and upwards now towards Blisco. Chris seemed quite confident of the route having described it to me from afar whilst stood on Swirl How, pointing out the path and stating which way we should go up around the craggs. However on the way up, he floundered a little, taking us off the path possibly a little too early and then not being sure if it was to the right of the lower craggs and then left of the upper ones. It didn't matter anyway as long as we got to the peak, which we did. We stopped on the top for a quick drink and a photo and tried to look now for the route on to Lingmoor.

Me on the Pike O BliscoFrom the Pike of Blisco we double backed for a short way before heading east to Lingmoor. Chris confused me a little here as we were running at one point in a southerly direction but he assured me we were right and eventually headed east for Bleaberry Knott. I have heard people comment about heading for the right point here, often going down the hill too far and as we skirted around the knott, we somehow managed to hit the stile bang on. Crossing the wall we started the descent through the bracken which was very overgrown. Chris commented here that by the time we would come through here on the race, the bracken would be well trodden and a clearer path is normally seen. I was surprised though at how rough the ground was under the bracken though.

It was on this descent from Blisco though that I started to struggle. My shoes had started to rub and my concentration was going. With my feet hurting I was starting to make bad choices with my footing and turned my ankle a few times in the bracken. I'd already told Chris I wouldn't be able to do the run up Lingmoor now and now after reaching the woods next to Blea tarn I just took a gentle jog back down the road to Little Langdale.

Back at Little Langdale came the difficult part of the day, trying to convince the bartender of the Pub to make me a cup of tea in my own cup rather than taking it in a pot. "But you get more in a pot??", "Are you sure??", "You want me to put milk in it??".. I sat at the car with a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits Chris had brought along and can't wait to get up there again to try the same route, this time completing ALL of it, preferably before race day!

Friday 7 August 2009

Whittle Pike

Unsure about which race to do Whittle Pike, Chorley Harriers 4.4m trail or Steel Fell, I actually fancied Steel Fell but a drive alone up to Grasmere for a 3 mile race seemed a little much. During the day Emma had messaged me about sharing a lift over to Whittle Pike and so the decision was made. Both of us had sat nav on our phones but as they both failed to work properly Emmas directions she had written on paper proved the most useful.

Due to a good turnout the parking was running out by the time we got there and when we did find parking the residents watched us park before telling us we shouldn't really park there. Anyway, once registered there was a little chance to chat with familiar faces before the start, Emma receiving some encouragement from some noisy girls on the park as she had manage to get there attention for being the PINKEST lady in the race.

The race has 3 good climbs, the first climb was shared with junior runners that were still finishing off their races and the ones I saw looked like they were doing really well (all the future talent). After a good slog up this first hill I could here someone closing up behind me, then expecting one of the senior runners to pass me, one of the juniors came flying past. He turned back just then on reaching his race marker and I started the first descent. This was a nice decent where I made up a few spaces, only spoilt by the exhaust fumes from the scramblers at the bottom tearing up the land. Now though nature called again and I had to take a break and lose those spaces I made up on the way down.

Now the climb up to Whittle Pike, where a marshall now tried to spur me on by telling me this was a Championship race until a couple of years ago. With the big wind turbine luming over it I was hoping this was the last of the climbs (not knowing there was a third) however as I rounded the Cross that marks this peak I saw the line of runners ahead of me in the dip and realised there was yet still another climb to go, this one though not as long but steep enough require scrambling on all 4's. Eventually though the incline leveled out and the last of the climbs was behind me. Now the long run back down the first climb and the run in.

This race has a nice little 100m or so uphill finish across a field just to push you that last bit where Emma was waiting to give me words of encouragement "C'mon, you've got the car keys!", just the words I needed to push myself that bit harder.

I finished the race in just over 1hr 06mins in 135 place from 156 runners and had the usual in race hatred and post race appreciation of the route. Tea and cakes in the village hall after the race (No sugar for the tea though, terrible) and 1/2 dozen eggs from Chicken George. He still owes me 10p change though, I'll short change him by 10p next time he sells me eggs though.

A good tough race let down only by the noisy scramblers and the short change of 10p, I can cope without sugar in my tea!!!!

Thursday 6 August 2009

Borrowdale

Last Saturday saw this years Borrowdale Fell race take place. The morning was a little overcast but the forecast hadn't been too bad. It had been mentioned on the FRA website that parking may be an issue with the amount of rain that had fallen and the ground being very wet.

I met up with a couple of the runners before the off as I had made an offer to carry up any food or fluids to Styhead. There were only a few Horwich RMI runners, Tony, Ian, Albert and Rachel. I thought there might have been more up for this race but it seems the number of Horwich runners has started to dwindle unless it's a champs race. I had also told Emma that I would take stuff up for her and when I found her she had started to get so hyped up for the race that she had forgot about my offer. She seemed a little giddy.

Chris had decided today to try and get near the front at the start of the race as normally within a minute or two the race gets held up to pass through a gate and causes a big bottle neck. The race was set off not tot he sound of an air horn or screams of "GGOO!!!" but an almost silent "go!" that people near the back would have only realised had been said when everyone started to run. Never the less they were off and I needed to head up to Styhead Tarn.


I drove down to Seathwaite and headed for the path through the farm and the track that runs up the valley. Looking around the hills looked alive with water streaming down coming together at different points that looked like the veins of the hills. I approached the first stream which was flowing quite fast and wonder which would be the best route across to avoid getting my feet wet. It didn't matter really as I got my feet wet anyway and on reflection, the thought that I could avoid getting my feet wet with the water running so fast down the hills was ridiculous anyway. There was plenty of opportunity on the way up to keep them wet. I plodded on getting to the bridge over the stream and started my ascent off the path to Scafell and up to Styhead. During this climb up I did however feel less tired that I had on previous walks up. Maybe all the running I have been doing really is working.

There were a few people heading up this way, but their was a couple I couldn't forget passing as I had crossed the wooden bridge just before you get to the tarn and been jogging along the path when I came up behind a man and a lady. This lady was just negotiating a few steps on rocks as I passed right next to her and at the same time she slipped. She flung her arms out to balance herself and Whacked me in the face. The timing was almost perfect, one step closer and I think I would have had a busted nose.After an embarrassed apology from her I smiled and carried on.

At the stretcher box, the mountain rescue were all setup and a few spectators had already setup. With the wind blowing slightly I headed to the start of the climb up to Great Gable and sat down just near two older gents one of which was Joss Naylor. As it was a little breezy up there I put on an extra jacket I had brought up and my waterproof pants so I could sit on the grass. So by now, because I hate to get cold and worry about not having enough layers I had 3 sets of leggins/pants and 4 upper layers on. I could still feel the cold but it was bearable.

The runners started to stream through and I watched for faces I knew. I'd taken up my Horwich vest so that the could spot me to collect their drinks. Chris came through and I swapped out his water and a little food and he headed of, looking quite well really other than a cut on his hand. Anthony Alexander followed shortly after, the last time I had seen him he'd had a BAD run at The Great Lakes race and now he looked much better but was still only about 1/2 way. I expected to see Albert come through as the first RMI runner but it was Ian Charters. A short while later I spotted Albert and noticed he was talking to the Mountain rescue, he was retiring. He spotted me and came and sat alongside me to watch the other runners through. He'd had a migraine before the off and it hadn't cleared. He must be mad, if I have a migraine I go to bed, NOT to an AL category race in the Lakes!!


Just Rachel, Tony and Emma to see through now. Rachel arrived first and seemed in good spirits. Emma followed next and she looked like she was suffering slightly, I even joked that I might have a pair of GHD's in my bag if she needed them. Concerned that Tony might catch her up she headed off and very soon after Tony arrived, stopping for a drink and a brief chat with Joss.

Now all the runners I waited for had passed Albert and I headed for a nice gentle jog back down. By now the cloud had lifted slightly and it was a little warmer particularly as I still had all of my layers on. Back at the car Albert laughed as I stripped each layer off hinting I had far too many on. As I drove back I asked Albert if he wanted to head to Honister to see Emma and Tony through but he didn't fancy that so I drove back to the start and Albert headed back to the car to get some sleep.

Joanne and Lisa joined me not long after arriving having met Chris at Honister slate mine and we now hung around waiting for him to finish.Although the field was wet, some people hung around clapping the runners in. Just under 4 1/2 hours Chris came in and was happy with a PB for this course. After claiming his free Tea and sandwich we all headed back to the car and a well earned Indian take away.

I don't think next year will be the year I take on Borrowdale but I suspect, assuming no injuries, that I'll be aiming for the following year despite saying there was NO WAY I would ever do it.

Well done to all that did it

Monday 3 August 2009

Compare the Compare Sites

I know this is supposed to be a blog for all our fell running antics but I need, on this one occasion to shamelessly plug a website in the hope that I can help to increase the ranking on search engines. Search engines not only rate your site on it's content but also on links to your site from other sites.

Car insurance is not the easiest market to break into and with no budget it is even harder so I would like to ask you to help me out by adding a link to your blogs and ask your friends to add a link to their blogs to help me out.

Show your support PLEASE!

If you are searching for Car, Home or even Life insurance, please use the links to comparison sites here:
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