Oh! No! He isn't

This week I have a visit to Breakthrough in London in the diary plus the Vodafone World of Difference program starts in earnest with a visit to the The Custard Factory in Birmingham. In the middle of all this I am off to a Panto (For my American friends: Men dress as women, the principle boy is a girl, food fights, and extreme silliness they even have a superhero called Dick Of Damascus. I can almost hear it ringing in my ears now "Ten miles to Damascus and still no sign of Dick!"..... actually, you'll have to come over and see one.) Traditionally they are at Christmas but this is an AMDRAM version in Worcester. It may seem a little like a blog storm but I'll up date you all next week about the two visits, in the meantime, the week that was went like this!
One day with a glimmer of sunshine and we are back in the damp miserable fog! Come on Spring, get it together for goodness' sake. I need a vitamin D boost and slightly drier underfoot would be a real treat please! I have had a couple of run-outs, still testing my leg's bendy bits, before I hit any serious road work and everything is promising. What has surprised me is that my recovery rate hasn't dropped off! I'd like to thank Dr Mike Baron VAT and EOF (Exponent of the chord “F”) for this. His program has been brilliant. He has allowed me to knock it back a bit because of my short time off but I am really pleased about my basic state of fitness. Resting heart rate  isn't too bad either. I have also taken steps to really look at my diet. I have lost weight (a stone and a half) but I still need to up certain foods. Overlord Sarah of the Bean Lentil and Walnut Society is helping a treat. She sorts out all the long words and places a bush tucker trial in front of me every night. I have also been drinking a litre and a half bottle of water a day on top of other bits and bobs. (Bit too much information but my feet have lost twenty years and my hands are all Soft Soft!) As I am out five sessions a week I have put myself on a strict no fizzy fall-over juice at all until after the marathon. I'm not a big drinker by any stretch of the imagination but I would hate to not get round the marathon in April or fail on a training run because of a curry frenzy and three pints the night before!

Facebook really does shrink the world. Last weekend I was having a swift drink (Soda and lime!!!) at the Dancing Dog and someone mentioned to me that motor cycle stuntman Eddie Kidd was doing the London Marathon. Then later this week I received a message out of the blue from his wife Sami wishing me well for my London Marathon run and I felt very humbled. World record motor cycle car leaper Eddie Kidd had to pack up the wingless flying over things due to a severe accident in 1996... leaving him critically injured, in a coma and wheelchair bound ever since. Determined as anyone can possibly be in these circumstances Eddie is driven to walk again and has entered this year's event using a specially built frame. The 26.2 miles will take him an awfully long time, but he will be taking his favourite quote “Rome wasn't built in a day” with him. Need any fighting inspiration? Click on this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8JSc2SGsBM

Thank you Sami. Love and best wishes to Eddie.

It's what this is all about, after all!

There is a great local website called Rochester People. Just like the radio I mentioned last week, I like to keep an eye on all things local so I joined the site. I put the word out about it to a few folk and then all hell let loose! I was nominated for a “Local Legend” competition. Entering into the spirit I told friends about it and votes seemed to pile in. At one time I had 30% of the overall vote! I would like to win this for breast cancer awareness. The more votes we get the more chance we have of scattering a little more awareness. I would appreciate your help and votes. If we win and the publicity we get encourages one person to “Touch Look and Check” then it would have all been worth while. Please click HERE or use the  link to the right. Also use their site too. There's lots going on around here in our fair city. Thanks peeps.

In a couple of weeks time I am flying up to Glasgow to compère the Breakthrough Big Night Out, arranged by Palma McKeown...The event at the Avonbridge Hotel in Hamilton has sold out!!!! Brilliant news and congratulations to Palma and her team. These days when money is so tight people's generosity amazes me. I am looking forward to meeting everybody and having a great night.

OK, the time has come. I have been waffling on week after week about training for the London Marathon. You know about the falls, knees, brushes with Satan, dog poo, cold weather, so on and so forth. I am doing the marathon for two reasons. A personal challenge and to raise as much money as I possibly can for Breakthrough. Remember, every little helps (Oooo I came over all Tesco then) £5.00 all in, a pound a mile (I'll chuck in the 20p for the last bit!) Sell your 2nd car, go dog walking for a week, have your kids clean cars! Or have your kids clean! I don't mind. Send me your stories and I look forward to your donations. I have a £2,000 target that I set my self and it's going well. With over 47,000 women diagnosed annually in the UK and 300 men too I really don't mind asking for donations. I'll avoid doing a “Bob Geldof” but you know where I'm coming from! We have a fight on our hands chaps. Breakthrough is making advances and I am so proud to be associated with them. So please dig deep.
It's simple to donate, use the Virgin Money Giving link on the right. Please Please remember to tick the gift aid box and the government will tag on 25%. Lovely!

In Memory
Seven years ago this week we lost Les Gray, singer, amazing front man for the 70s band MUD and from December 1998 until his untimely death in 2004 my boss. Les was a true pop legend. Funny, a lightning wit and great singer. It seems like it was only yesterday that we were back stage at the 18,000 seater Sports Palace in Antwerp watching Roy Wood, who incidentally, we had to follow and close the show. Roy was getting polite applause, and when he came off, came over to Les and said about the crowd “They're a bit tough tonight mate” Les turned to me, smiled and said “We'll see about that!” I followed the compère out and plonked my some what larger than these days frame behind the drums, on

Les Gray. Good singer, good performer, good laugh!

“Q” I kicked off “The Cat” Les wandered out behind John and Syd clapping his hands high above his head. He beckoned the massive crowd to their feet and they did! To see 18,000 all clapping along was a sight I will never forget. He had them in the palm of his hands. We took the roof off! Tough? For some maybe. One night we were doing a gig overseas somewhere,  and it came to the part of the show when John and Syd do the duck walk together across the stage, this night Les had the devil in him and followed them with a long handled brush sweeping up! I nearly fell off of my stool. It was a pleasure and privilege to both know him and work with him.
Video I found on Youtube Me with Les Gray's Mud

This week is a short week for me training wise because of my trip to Worcester. I have six days to fit the training in. Sloat will be pleased to hear that I will be wearing leg hugging shorts for the marathon so I will be test driving them soon, The cold weather will not be my best of friends. I will also have my shirt from Breakthrough shortly and I will be so proud to be putting it on. It will be much more than a running shirt to me. I know what it represents. More than a charity's corporate colours or branding. It stands for every single one of the now 47,000 plus women and 300 men diagnosed with with breast cancer in the UK annually. Here's a figure for you. I will take about 45,000 steps to get round the marathon (165 per minute x 60 = 9,900 an hour x my rough eta 4.5hrs = 44,550) That's less than a step for each person diagnosed! We all know how far and how hard a marathon is to run. Now that puts it in to perspective the numbers we are talking about! These people , their daughters, grandchildren for generations to come will benefit from advances made today and in the near future by Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Please, every penny counts.

Thank you.
See you next week.

Your Mission Jim, Should You Choose to accept it......

This tape will self destruct
before my head (Hopefully!)

Well, the last couple of weeks have been as crammed as a famous UK sprinter's lunch box.... Nah let''s not go there!. A weekly blog? Only if I don't blooming sleep! After my last visit to the knee masher I gave the knobblies some well earned rest strapped them up with errr... straps and started to fine plan my timetable for Project 350. This is really exciting and thanks to my very valuable Vodafone World of Difference placement with Breakthrough it has raised the pressure a tad. So, my mission “Jim” and I have chosen to accept it, is to raise awareness about breast cancer in women and men, bring to the fore the partners of breast cancer patients, and raise as much money as I can for Breakthrough to carry on their aim of a world free from the fear of breast cancer.

DR400, G-RBIN at Headcorn. I past my test in this little beasty.
 If you are going to help cure a stutter, do it in style

First I have a timeline, planning press releases for printed media, then radio and hopefully some TV. Last October I ended up doing some live telly outside parliament representing Breakthrough and I got a taste for it. You know the feeling, Pure fear! Freezing cold, took my coat off as it was too tatty for telly, no loos and needing one badly. (A bathroom for my USA Friends!) Also I suffer from the fear of a past stutter coming back to haunt me, as it does when I get stressed! (Thanks to the King's Speech for highlighting this issue.) I was bullied at school and beyond for it, laughed at; even in my 40s and sometimes now, by half witted numskulls with no friends, but it still hurts. With the BBC’s brilliant Colin Campbell calming me down we were on. I got away with it. A few breathing problems that stutterers will all understand and I had the telly bug. Stuttering is another issue but no real room on here, but I am lucky; mine mostly went when I started flying light aeroplanes in 1980. (Robin DR400s for the plane loving folk out there, also checked out on Archer IIs, C150, 152, 172 & C182s) Having to use the radio sent the fear of God through me but I got there.  I'll dig out some photos for the next blog... they are on film EEK THAT OLD
Mind you if anyone has a couple of quid spare, I'll have a Mooney Acclaim with everything on it. Pink, grey and magenta of course!

My time with Breakthrough on the Vodafone scheme begins in March but I need not mention in too much detail that I am already involved with the ‘ones displaying the magenta logo’!
 I have started planning the web site and I will put the address on here as soon as Project 350 launches. To be honest, I am shaking with excitement, nerves and anticipation. I so don't want to mess this up.

Me and my knees have been back twice to Daven the Pain Meister, though I think he has seen the light since last week. It was that or the garlic hanging round my neck was having the desired effect.
My drummer's head was on form last week and as a result the London Marathon has shrunk. Yes, Shrunk! I had engraved on my soft-drive that the route was 26.4 miles and it's not!!! It is a poultry 26.2!! 385 yards less. No problem then, what's all the fuss about? I'm off down the pub!!!
The planning for my “Hayley's Mile” flag is going well, details are on my website. We are still in two minds about how to add additional names, if via hot press transfer I will be opening the invitation to my readers to suggest a name or two to add to the flag.

I must say I am so pleased to be out running again. However I have a bit of a gripe. No, the knees are fine despite Devan's best efforts to turn them into tea bags or just rip them off altogether. No, not the weather, no, not even the bloke in matching yellow running gear, with no waist, David Beckham's legs and Pierce Brosnan's hairline who I see regularly gliding smoothly on his way breathlessly around the streets, (obviously after a sub-three hour marathon time). It's our old friend dog poo! That's what. I like dogs, I'd love a Westie, Marc (MUD2 Bass player) has two of the most adorable Chocolate Labs. However, I'd like to send a message to inconsiderate dog owners: Just because you walk your mutts around the outside of a public grass area, it does not mean that you can leave a little pile of something that wouldn't look out of place in Tracy Emin's display cabinet. Pick it up, bin it or sell it on to the Tate Modern. They'll buy anything! Runners like to use the edge, and the trees are where kids like to play hide-and-seek. Think a bit...... Please.

Prof. Sarah Yes it's emotional.

Two weekends ago I was lucky enough to have a tour of the Breakthrough Research Centre in West London. Being involved with breast cancer, at any level, plays on my heart strings and emotion, even when you least expect it. The challenger's wall is at the centre and I saw the one with Sarah's name on. This was thanks to her friends Dawn & Paul who arranged an event in Paul’s back garden and pulled in just over £3000. As a £1000 challenger Dawn and Paul got to nominate Sarah. That was a moment seeing her name. I took a photo of Sarah mid-blubber standing by the wall. It catches the whole emotion of the moment. A lovely idea and a big thank you to Dawn, Paul, their families and friends. Another delegate on the tour saw the names of two friends no longer with us. Also on the wall was music queen Kylie. Nope. No guys no one is safe from breast cancer, no matter how big your bank balance. We all have to touch look and check! Even the blokes..... yourselves I mean, I am not instigating an office fad, I might get in trouble.


I am hoping to go back to the research centre in a week or so. It will help so you can see where your well earned and really appreciated donations go. Right down to the last 10p!

Last weekend I went along to the Breakthrough London Marathon Runner's training day. Picked up some top tips. Jane from the Running Team was there handing out warm welcomes and cake!!! I always wondered why I go to these things! I had my feet analysed by the friendly man from Adidas and I need three new pairs of road shoes, two pairs of track shoes, trail shoes, a track suit, two pairs of shorts, four pairs of socks, five tops, three sizes of drinks bottles, a hat and a life size cardboard cut out of Addidas endorsee Andy Murray. Not cheep this marathon running!
 The training day was, incidentally next to the Dysart Arms, the pub where two guys first had the idea of arranging the London Marathon all those years ago. Thanks chaps..... more water with it next time. Nice piece of history though

Me being silly at a gig (there's a change) and
the ever helpful Sarah R "Project London Manager!!!"

After I had said good bye to Jane ( Ooo there's a song in there somewhere!) as she started the washing up.. (These Breakthrough peeps just never stop!) I headed south for my gig in Bognor. When I arrived I met up with Sarah R, a good friend and one of the Mid Kent Breakthrough Group. She is my London Marathon Project manager! Yes, exactly what I said! I have been silly busy and Sarah, (my Sarah) was worried that my head might explode with all the goings on with Project 350, training, gigs, and so on. Sarah R has been great. She's arranged a few fundraisers for me, plus on the night me and the lads signed a pair of my now famous pink drum sticks and she sold them for fifty quid! She has all sorts going on, coffee mornings and the like. I'm still offering the percussion thing (see the ad to the right) so it really is all go now. I also met up with “Needle Steve” This man is a true whiz with an embroidery machine. He has already embroidered pink ribbons on my cycling and running clothes. He is also making the Hayley's Mile flag for me. We had a chat about it and the plans are going away this week.

You'll laugh! Back stage I bumped into Slade’s Dave Hill. Now, I have had beards intermittently since I was eight, this week I am carrying one. “Hi Phil” said the 70s guitar hero “Like the beard by the way.”
“Thanks Dave”
“You don't look quite as much like Martin Clunes now!”
I was tempted to scatter frozen peas on the stage during their set, but the 24 hour shop was shut. Now there's irony!

Sitcom comedy stars aside, we had a great gig. I can tell that my fitness is improving as I didn't come off half dead, calling for St Johns and an oxygen tent! I had to avoid jumping up and down as much as usual, I was worried that my freshly mended knees would give in.

Luton Rec' The testing ground for my
ever complaining knees.

Tuesday I gave the afore mentioned leg hinges a harder workout and they were fine. Is it paranoia getting close to the BIG DAY? I can feel every slight knock, twinge, feeling throughout my body. I am convinced that I can even feel my fingernails growing.
I am now out five sessions a week. Yes, my friends FIVE SESSIONS A WEEK!!!! They are all mixed up (Not unlike me) short hard runs, light trots, speed and cardio hill work and a long run on a Sunday or as near as damn it. I have even started training at 9.30 in the morning, marathon start time, to get my poor beaten up body used to exhilaration before the lark has even put his porridge on and woken the eggs!

Being involved locally with all things breast cancer, I listen to local radio, largely BBC Radio Kent. Coleen Nolan was interviewed on the Pat Marsh show this Wednesday (16th) It was about her new book. That didn't stop me though!!! I sent an email into the producers. I would like to thank them for reading it out live on air and in it's entirety. Any opportunity I get to raise awareness i’ll grab. Here is the text:

“Please ask Coleen to pass on my very best wishes to Bernie and her other sisters.
The numbers of life cycle breast cancer cases in women and men is has increased to beyond 47,000 annually in the UK. We all talk about the high numbers but must remember that every number is a person, like Bernie. I must also thank Bernie for being public about her treatment and hair loss. I know that it put a number of people at ease. She did a great job and all the very best for the future.”

Pat and Laura had a little chat about my marathon and mentioned Breakthrough. I look forward to seeing them soon to talk about Project 350.

It's been a busy couple of weeks and I am off to see Avenue Q tonight. Can't wait.
Next week I go the the Vodafone World of Difference launch in Birmingham a meeting with Anna at Breakthrough about Project 350 and the research centre tour. I need some kip!!!

See you again soon.

Eeeeek!!  STOP THE BOAT!!
I have been nominated as a Local Legend on the Rochester People Website. (I've been called worse things!!!) Thank you so much. I would love to win this for local breast cancer awareness more than me so please cast your vote.
Thanks guys. Please vote here

TEN WEEKS TO GO!!!!!

OUCH! What a week that was! Thanks for all the nice comments from people who came to the Hellzaboppin gig. What a craic!

Ok Running. NONE!!! Only walking. It was my fault and I have learned a valuable lesson. I will be back up to speed by the weekend but until then the “light runs” will be replaced by brisk walks. I have a heart rate monitor so I'll keep the pressure up on the ol' ticker. 

I paid a visit to my friend and very good Osteopath on Friday. Talking the injury through, the wheres, whens and how the injury occurred, it was so bloody stupid. It started on Monday; I went out late (about 3.30pm) later than usual. I had 9 miles to cover and I was only half up for it. One of those runs when you force yourself out. (Other runners will know exactly what I mean.) Because it was late, guess what I didn't do? WARM UP properly. I stupidly thought better and started to jog almost immediately in a vein hope to get back quicker, (In aviation they call it “Get-home-itis**) it was a slow jog but soon I was into the run. Also I was trying out a different ear piece for my Walkman. A stupid thing to do on a long run. Finally, because I was late and in a rush, I grabbed the wrong gloves and picked up summer cycle gloves rather than toastie  winter ones.. All started ok though, well for about twenty minutes, and then I started to get tired earlier than normal. I usually go though an oddity early into long runs, I get tired after only thirty minutes or so, then it goes I am ok and I plod on. (I have recently found the cause of this and will be addressing it immediately) then at 4.15pm the temperature dropped like a stone. I was wearing lighter tights and my legs just froze. I started to lose interest. I was paying too much attention to my Walkman the weather, my cold legs and hands and not the run. As the interest had gone, I was stopping and starting, sorting out the music and new ear thingies. My hands were freezing and I just wanted to go home. I was a few miles out but I decided to, at least, get round. Having a drink I spilled some water on my hand and the water soaked into the glove and just stayed there. I took them off and my hands were cherry red. It was getting even more depressing. Since my injury last year, caused by running down hill, I had been taking extra care on descents . Yes, you know what's coming! A slight downward slope, cold hands, cold legs, somewhat cheesed off, not concentrating and BINGO!! Welcome one screwed up knee. I walked it home and the 9 miles took over 2 and a half hours. As I had broken into a sweat, I shivered like a new born puppy sitting on ice. I was Mr Frost from the Batman Movie! Only colder, and he didn't have a limp! 

Come in, you won't feel a thing

I gave it a couple of days, ice pack, anti-inflammatory tablets, bad language, sitting in circle of candles and so on. Wednesday I sat round a table with ladies in tall black hats, joined hands made contact and booked an appointment with Beelzebub. Better known as Devan, my “friendly” osteopath. His Holiness of Horror pinpointed the injury, explained it all then proceeded to “manipulate” the area. MANIPULATE? My arse!!! The pain was akin to my fall in December only ten fold with added nails and an oxyacetylene blow torch set to “melt stone!” I could only describe Devan's smile as “evil.” Anyway, I grabbed a crucifix from around my neck, shoved it in his face while shouting the name of our lord. After his eyes had glowed red and steam blew from his ears, he turned into green smoke and vanished! I still had to pay though! I wonder if the European Court of Human rights and International War Crimes Investigators are aware of osteopathy? They should be.

Saturday I went, or limped, to a seminar in London called “Meet the Experts.” This was a day long event with talks from current and former Olympians talking about all things running and put on by the powers at Virgin Marathon. My trip involved 175 steps at Bedford Square tube station because the lift was not working! I knew there was 175 steps as there was a poxy sign telling me! I bet, put there by an osteopath with an evil smile and long red pointy tail. I'm a frigging runner not mountain climber! Anyway I made the climb walking past just the two dead bodies and several cards stuck to the wall saying “Sore legs and back? You need an osteopath. High levels of pain guaranteed and your soul taken. Call Freephone 666! Telephone calls will be monitored so that we can have a laugh at staff training days and to help us make your life a further misery.”

It all Starts HERE!

Walking up to the entrance of The Institute of Education in Bedford Way, I had my first “well-up” or emotion of the day. A sign pointing out the way to the reception for the London Marathon event. This means it's happening mate, I'm in.

As the day was basically “schooling” they gave it a Hogwarts theme. Harry Jogger was the link pin and the School was Jogwarts. It was fun. More importantly it was nothing short of excellent. Our own former world record holder at 10,000 meters, David Bedford gave a couple of talks about everything to expect on the day, right down to the details of the sticky road next to the Lucozade Sports “filling” stations, to the great piece of advice: “Don't take old people with you on the day.... they won't be able to carry you back to the train!” All this helped along with more than his fair share of poetic licence. He is naturally funny, a sporting legend and nice bloke. I had the pleasure of meeting him briefly and I was star struck! During my music career I have met a large number of “famous” people and played drums for a few too. In the music industry you need talent, you need to put in hard work but also you need a lot of luck. Mr Bedford, however achieved his goals by pure hard work and dedication. He didn't get his place in an Olympic final because someone preferred him over the little bloke with blond hair, a cute sister and a puppy called Patch, he got there because he earned it. The feeling I had when I shook his hand will be in my arsenal when I need that little extra push on marathon day. Thank you David, you are a gent, a talent and England should be proud. I don't think he has ever been on Top Gear as a “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” but he should be on there. I am going to start a Facebook campaign to get him on. Please join me.

Q&A
David Bedford, Liz Yelling, Nick Bitel,
John Brewer, Sam Murphy.

GB Marathon Runner Liz Yelling gave a good talk and so did a host of other people “in the know,” including Runner's World's Editor Andy Dixon. Sam Murphy author of the book Marathon, for me, (David Bedford's brilliant goofing about aside) was the talk of the day. So much so I bought her book. Follow the link to Amazon, honestly it's fantastic. If you are doing a marathon or half marathon, in training, starting or so on it really is worth a read. No I am not getting a cut!

Marathon and Half Marathon by Sam Murphy

Kerry last year and back for more!

It was a pleasure meeting some of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Runners at lunchtime, good to have a chat with Kerry Burton too. She ran last year and is back for more! Emma Cornish was there from Breakthrough's running team, doing a very good meet 'n' greet. Nice little buffet too. Then I popped down to the Adidas shop for a look-see and grab a free Lucozade goodie bag. (Well.. you just have too don't you?”)

Sadly on Sunday my knee was beyond a run so I sent a message to Mike. I will be out this week on walks, I have another visit to Hades and Dr Evil on Tuesday. I'm taking a wooden stake, gun loaded with a silver bullet and ten pounds of garlic wrapped round my neck!

I will catch up with you all next week.... maybe from the "other side!"

** Get home-itis

A rare condition experienced by some pilots whereas they have been delayed by weather, repairs and so on. They get the nod that they can leave and shoot off without carrying out vital checks; ooo let's say fuel, weather en-route, have they glued the engine back properly, have I got an up to date map? and so on. They find out the error at the most inconvenient moment and they make the news!!!!!! 
Planning Phil! Planning!!!!!!

Vodafone World of Difference!

I am so very pleased to announce that I have been chosen to represent Breakthrough Breast Cancer under the Vodafone World of Difference scheme. Over 11,000 hopefuls applied for the 500 countrywide places and I have gone and got one!! I was short listed to 750 a few weeks back and I received the news last week that I have been selected. However, due to Vodafone's press release program I had to try and keep quite! Today, though I can shout from the rafters!

The program starts officially in March and runs for two months, in the middle of which I have a marathon to run! However, me being me I started on my project a few months back. I presented an idea to Breakthrough about raising awareness of breast cancer in both men and women. This I also presented to Vodafone and in essence is the scheme that I will be championing. Being under the very watchful and experienced eye of Breakthrough during the program, a couple of changes have been made but by far these are for the better. Details will be posted on here as well as my website www.pipwilson.co.uk in the next couple of weeks. Plus there will be a stand alone website.  Meanwhile we have press to contact and lots of noise to make.

"Behind very great man is a great woman" is a slogan we are all aware of. You could also say "Behind every breast cancer patient is a supporting man." As in the original slogan, there will be exceptions to this rule, however supporting a friend, wife, mother, auntie, daughter can be a very stressful period, extending for many months even years. I know I have done it. Sometimes feeling alone, lost, even, at times, helpless. In a few cases the gender roll is reversed as is explained below.

In the UK 45,000 people, on average, are diagnosed with breast cancer. A huge majority, as we all know, are women, as gender is the biggest contributory factor, and shout about it we should. Breast cancer is the largest single cancer in the UK. It is a little known fact that about 300 men are also diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK and the fatalities match that from testicular cancer. In 2008 70 men lost their battles against testicular cancer and 69 against breast cancer. More men were diagnosed with testicular cancer (about 2000) showing a very promising early detection and full recovery rate and one we should very be proud of. More awareness about breast cancer in men has to be out there and it will be one of my tasks during my two months with Breakthrough to help raise this profile too. (And beyond!! You should know me by now!!)

My campaign will be called Project 350. In Kent there are sadly 350 fatalities to breast cancer. Behind them are 350 husbands, dads, partners, countless sons, daughters other family members and friends. These people need support, it gets very lonely sometimes.
In parallel  with the awareness campaign, I am launching a new localised fundraising effort.

People of Kent please stay with me, I will be looking for volunteers to help run and partake in the fundraising efforts. We will be rolling out the fundraising campaign first in Kent (my home county.)

If you live in Kent and fancy a challenge of raising a very achievable £350 in twelve months please email me and I will send you pre release details. These will include fundraising ideas incorporating ready prepared sports quizzes covering football, rugby, formula 1, MOTO GP, super bikes, cricket, golf and many others. Fundraising will never have been easier. PLUS I will be looking for the Arm Chair Sportsman of The Year! Just ask about this one, you'll love it and not even break a sweat. All money raised will be going to Breakthrough Breast Cancer to help them carry on their work in research, education and campaigning for a world free from the fear of breast cancer. Come on people of the Garden of England sign up!
Meanwhile if you have any questions about breast cancer visit Breakthrough's, very comprehensive  website.
Any questions, press or otherwise, connected directly with Project 350 please email me directly at Breakthrough Mid Kent.

Jan 2011

It's been a while since my last blog, two reasons: Not much running has been going on, due to my bum and back giving me grief since the well documented fall in December. Then there was Christmas, and I have a laptop on which I was going to write my last blog but this has died and I have lost about three hours work. Don't you just love technology? Well that's three reasons. Counting never was my strong point. (I am a drummer!)

Hayley & Sarah

Not one of Becky's better landings!

Christmas was busy, went up to Worcester to visit Sarah's dad for his birthday and got stuck up there in the snow! Managed an interesting jaunt across the country in the snow to visit the ever smiling Hayley Mitchell, had a gig cancelled due to the snow and my daughter got stuck in Wales (She lives there) and prevented a surprise visit to see me, so a very mixed and frustrating few weeks. I must congratulate her on her one hundredth jump from an aeroplane, she has been hooked on free fall parachuting since a charity jump a couple of years back. Well done Becky, see you soon. My son Alex has picked up some nice lighting jobs. He is off to a variety of countries as a lighting engineer and designer for The Engine Ears and engineering assistant with The Friendly Fires, plus other bits and bobs. He loves it and, though I say it myself, is very good at it!

A very snowy Cock Hotel

While we were up in the Midlands we carried on down to Stony Stratford. We were going to stay there after the gig in Milton Keynes but still went even though the gig had been cancelled. Chance for a beer with Marc (Bass player with MUD2) and relax. We stayed in the Cock Hotel. Those of you unfamiliar with English sayings, there is one “A Cock and Bull Story” basically an exaggerated report, generated by visiting too many pubs and getting off your face! The Cock and the Bull in Stony Stratford are the venues in this rather important piece of English history. They sit right on Watling Street, an old Roman Road heading south to London. These days called just the A5!! Nice night though, Marc was on form and I met up with a few old friends.

Now, though, things are getting back to normal. Snow's gone, bum's better and I have been out running and working through my program set for me by my coach and friend Mike Baron. I managed ten miles last Sunday, a record for me. (Click here for a map of my "record trot") The problem around here is the blooming hills! They are not that steep in most places, but they add to the effort and my times are slow. Not that I am after a “time” for the marathon but it just kills my knees going down them. There are a couple of steep ones and I walk down those for safety. Thanks to the Running Bug website I have now been plotting my runs as the site shows elevations. I now get taken to a start point in the car by Sarah and work a route around flatter ground. This avoids the steep slopes near where I live. There is a slight downhill towards the end, I just take a little more care trotting down there and there is a last minute uphill slog at the very end to my finish line, which is a bus stop!

I am now out running or training four times a week with a variety of runs. This week, for instance, I have a 35 minute run, a 30 minute run, a 4km time trial and a 9 mile long run. Next week I have some speed work too. I am pleased with how things are going and I am really starting to feel like a little bit of a runner. Hey, I even look good!!! (Sloat!!) I Picked up some black and yellow tights and a yellow top as my short runs are finishing in the dark so I like to be seen. Not for vanity but the simple fact that if I make an error I want to be visible and not splattered all over a lorry..... (or “Truck” seeing that I am writing country songs now). Sarah has entered this years' Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK and she bought herself some running shoes too. These bits we got from Sweatshop. Best service in the sports world I have ever had. Thank you to Lucy at the Milton Keynes Branch. Quite brilliant.

Saturday I am meeting other Breakthrough London Marathon runners at the ‘Meet The Experts’ day in London. Olympic stars David Bedford and Liz Yelling will be giving seminars and sharing advice. I really am looking forward to that.

On Sunday morning I have my first running “Event.” The delayed Christmas Caper at Mike's running club. I think it’s 6 miles but the rush of “Event” flowing through my veins may drag me along a little quicker. All runners get a Christmas pudding! Bang goes the diet!! I know, I don't have to eat it but IT'S CHRISTMAS PUDDING!!!! Then on Sunday, after the Christmas Caper, I am going to the Dancing Dog Saloon in Bobbing for a jam. I will be taking the guitar for a sing song. Busy weekend me thinks.

Tracy, TV and "The House"
(Photo: Me!)

I have a website!! It's taken time and it needs loads of work but if you fancy an early peek it’s www.pipwilson.co.uk I have a stack of photos to go up. You will see a band page called Busted Truck. Yup I'm going all country! Well, not “going” country, I have liked the music for some time, in fact my first steps into the world of professional drumming was with a country act. I have been working on singing and getting Bernard (My guitar..... err long story) up to a level that I am happy with. Ok, I only know six chords or so but there are some brilliant songs with only TWO chords, so why not? I have sorted a set of great bouncy songs and it will be a right laugh. I have a very good lead guitarist (Tim) and a very steady bass player (Terry) I am now just looking for a solid steady drummer. I will keep you posted. I have also had a go at writing songs!! I have three in the bag and a few other ideas all with a country vibe, after all I do live in the South and my dog has actually died!

I should hear soon about the Vodafone World of Difference scheme. As soon as I know I will let you all know.

STOP PRESS Following the charity bag scam, we have a result. Thanks to the work of Tracey Crouch MP, punishments are going to be increased for the scumbags involved and the law is being tightened up. More to follow. Story

My kit armed for Jump Jive 'n' stuff

I must say hi to the Hellzaboppin guys. I had a gig with them in Stony on Saturday What fun!! Two sets of jump jive, great brass section and Marc M leaps about like a front man in need of the loo. (Bathroom for my American readers!) I get to over play and goof about. The pub was smaller than most of the stages the MUD2 lads play on but we did have fun. I hope to get some photos for the next blog or at least my website. On Saturday March 12th I will be in Hamilton near Glasgow working as  compère and representative for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Breakthrough supporter, fundraiser and survivor Palma McKeown is staging Breakthrough's Big Night Out an evening of cabaret with dinner at the lovely   Avonbridge Hotel.  Arrivals 7.00pm and the evening will go on until a respectable 12.30am. Look guys, I'm flying up on a low cost airline so if you live in or near Glasgow and Hamilton please feel sorry for my over-worked legs being tied in knots and squashed into an aluminium tube like a potato piping bag, the least you could do is go along! (I will be taking my headset, map and pilots licence in case I have to fly the thing as well) There will be great live entertainment, raffle and other exciting "stuff!" Then there will be me trying to hold it all together on the night! All in aid of the work of Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Please note:
B&B rates are going up soon at the Avonbridge Hotel, but they've kindly agreed to hold the current price for guests attending this event who want to stay there that night - that's £57.50 for a double room and £47.50 for a single. Their telephone number is 01698 420525, just say you're attending the Breakthrough charity night.

Pre order tickets for the event via Palma's Facebook or drop me a line at info@breakthroughmidkent.org.uk For rooms please go direct to the hotel.

Anyway, sorry this blog is a tad short but I am about to get ready for a run out. The sun's shining so it should be nice. I only have 35 minutes to do today so an easy one.

See you again soon.

How's Your Christmas Planning?

It's just over a week to go before the "spirit" of Christmas hits the world with some gusto. Some love it, some hate it, complain about it, dread it. Some have been saving up for the last twelve months (and I mean energy!) some are going to just wing it! And that just Santa's elves, Rudolf and his pals. Human mood will, I am sure, copy these emotions. For some it will be very special, many are going to be having their first Christmas since being diagnosed with breast cancer, many counting the number of Christmases since being given the "All clear." All will be different. I for one will see Sarah have her first since getting the all clear in March. This is thanks to supporters of breast cancer charities such as Breakthrough, enabling the scientists do their stuff. Supporters who have run marathons, climbed mountains, worn pink at school and work, put their hands in their pockets in these tough times and those who have given time and effort. Thank you.
There may be time to catch the post and get a couple of goodies from the Breakthrough Shop. They also have free  E-Cards.


Besides running on the snow trying not to break every bone in my body, I am looking forward to playing MUD2's only UK Christmas show this year. Click the poster to the right for details and tickets. Don't forget to wear a silly red hat! I have had contact from around the country and I know of some people who are travelling quite a way to join in the fun.

Joydens Wood. Swanley

Sunday I went for a run from Swanley Park. I was meant to take part in their "Christmas Capers" 5km fun run. You know the score, Santa costume and all the trimmings. Thanks to the snow and ice the event was very wisely called off. However, Mike, my very patient coach, invited me to still go and train with his club. After dragging my sorry self out of my pit extra early in the morning, I made the 20 minute drive to Swanley. There is a shopping centre in Kent called Bluewater. People were queuing to get in already! Come on chaps! You get a year's notice about Christmas. Swanley Park is really nice. It looked like a Christmas card. Frozen lake and everything! After meeting some very friendly members of the Swanley and District Athletics Club,  I "sort of" confidently set off with Chris Barnet, Paul and Kate.  I know Chris from the open mic' nights. Nice bloke, good guitar player and a voice just perfect for amazing renditions of all things James Taylor.  We set off on a 5 mile off road course set to take us through the lovely Joydens Woods and along side Burchwood Golf Club. (Listening out for yells of "FORE" and looking out for bright orange golf balls flying towards us at a hundred miles an hour out of the early morning mist.) We had only been out for about ten minutes and Chris felt something go "twang" in his heel. A twist that he thinks will keep him out for a couple of weeks. He bid a "positive farewell" (Mystery shopping in-joke!) and limped off for an early cup of tea. We carried on past the golf club and headed for  the woods. It was stunning! Misty, snow still on the floor, very still apart from squirrels running about digging up stored nuts. It was amazing and a fantastic place to bloody well fall over! And fall over I did. It was a real Keystone Cops special. Legs shot out in front of me and went higher than my head. I went down, in black and white with a piano playing Dixie faster than the speed of sound and a thump shaking all the snow off of the surrounding trees while cracking the ice that I had slipped on. Here I noticed Newtons theory of motion coming into play. "To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction." Drummer falls flat on his arse, eyes try to depart their sockets! What small amount of air was left in my seemingly collapsed lungs was acting as a carrier wave for a stream of expletives departing my grimacing face. I was mortified at the language in front of everyone, let alone Kate. I just couldn't take a breath to carry on the onslaught of none BBC words, (Frankie Boyle excluded) never mind wanting to stay alive. It was like my chest was being sat on by a Sumo Wrestler holding his twin!
I think we had made it just over half way round. It took about five minutes for me to "sort my self out. I had to stop a couple of times due to dizzyness but I was ok. Paul and Kate were very gracious and I made it back for cake and a "nice cup of tea."
I have a really impressive bruise (Sorry Sloat.. no photos) and I have been advised to ease up on the running for a couple of days. (That will stop Carter, our erstwhile agent driving down to Kent and wrapping me in cotton wool to prevent me doing something nasty pror to the Milton Keynes gig at the weekend.


Next week's blog will be a tad later than this one. I am going to Worcester on Thursday then on to visit the super star who is Hayley Mitchall. She had a double mastectomy a couple of weeks back and is in true Christmas spirit. One of the tumours was the size of a healthy plum! She has gone from countless numbers of the things to ZERO! The current news is that she has issues with her blood picking up cells. She has a 60% chance of it all returing but to Hayley that means 40% chance of it NOT! Her glass is always half full. We should all take a leaf out of her book. There is a photo of Hayley and I in a previous blog below. Having a photo taken with Hayley is a real privilege. 
After that the Mud2 boys have a gig in Milton Keynes and I'll be in the brilliant Stony Stratford. More pubs than houses!

Photo and Copyright LeighAnn Monaghan USA
LeighAnn 's web site

On Sunday I telephoned friend and fellow breast cancer campaigner Dusty Showers in the States. (Yes for all the Brits reading this, I know  someone called Dusty Showers), By far the best name in the fight against breast cancer. He was off chasing raccoons when I spoke to him!! (It's his job, not a strange lifestyle choice!) Now it's not every day you have a phone call like that either! I was after a couple of photos. I also think that Dusty is the only man on God's earth who could carry the look, to the right, off. I, on the other hand, would look like a pantomime dame. Dusty just looks "good!" As well as my hoping for a place on the Vodafone World of Difference program, Dusty is taking breast cancer full on. (As usual) He  is going for the Timberland gig. He's entered his pecs 'n'chaps into a photo competition. Be a star and vote for him. If he gets the result he will take the fight and awareness to yet a another level. Remember, breast cancer knows no borders.
Click here to vote for the big man!
Thanks guys.
See you all again next week.

Snow Snow and More Snow!

No sooner had I uploaded my last blog offering than more news came in and the snow kept falling.

Being short listed for the Vodafone World of Difference scheme was just sinking in and the phone rang! It was one of their team asking for an interview! I know, I was expecting it, but so soon? I was all a dither!! Generally with interviews you would know the day and time, sometimes, weeks in advance giving time to prepare, look into things pre-empt questions. Not this time. BANG!! You're on mate!! The trouble with me is, I am so passionate about what I do and probably spoke at ten to the dozen. The poor lady couldn't get a word in. Face to face I'd pick up on body language but I was off on a march!  I have a number of things I am working on and wanted to try and put across my intentions and how being on the scheme would help Breakthrough. I had read up on the Vodafone World of Difference before applying so I hope that I came across as informed as well as jumpy up and down keen! Oh well. Out of my hands now. They are contacting my referees and Breakthrough on the low-down about me, so I just have to sit and wait now until early January. 

I will be making further minor adjustments with Breakthrough about Project 300 (Working title) and as soon as we are all clear and I have everything in place you will be the first to know. The project will start in June, the Vodafone World of difference months will be March and April. This is unbelievably perfect being in the run up. Press, final web preparations and so on. Fingers crossed.

Dustbin snow-o-meter!

We really are weather bores in this country but the snow in north Kent has been nuts. Almost 2 feet deep without drifting is mad. Yes everything comes to a standstill, but can you really blame it? See the Dustbin Snowo-meter from our back garden. This was on the 2^nd night. We do have a giggle at the news reports. “As you can see it's been snowing!” says the reporter up to his neck in the stuff. The best one was a report from Tunbridge Wells. (the Home of our friends at BBC Newsroom Southeast.) Anchor on the 6.30pm news “Over to our reporter in Tunbridge wells.”

Shot of reporter shivering his nuts off in the snow at the front door of the TV studio! The anchor could have put his head out of the window and shouted to him! Poor chap, not even a cup of soup. Producers must have just shoved him unceremoniously outside to cop the freezing atmosphere.

They do do a good job there though, with co-anchor Polly Evans and her new hair do she'll be on main stream BBC1 as soon as another row erupts on the One Show.

Amazon UK Available 11th December

I used to be in a Rock band don't y'know. Walk the Wire was an Essex based five piece with me tunnelling my way under the Thames from Kent for rehearsals. We recorded an album in London during the Rocky climes of 1994, thoughtfully titled “Walk The Wire.” I'll tell you what, it was brilliant. Though I say it myself!! (Click here for a Youtube audio of a track. Well, peeps, I had an out of the blue email from bass player and fisherman Mike “Pike” Barker to say that it has been re-released and available now by a German company on Yesterrock Records. or from 11th of December at Amazon Get your copy for Christmas.

The Eagle Tavern Rochester

I had another interview on Friday this week, this time with a local news paper (Medway News) regarding my Percussion Project. Could be quite a good piece. I then went outside and spent a while starting to dig the car out of four days of continuous snow. Arming myself with a plastic dustbin lid, coat, scarf and silly hat I dug in. I made a good start to continue on Saturday morning. I had to free the car as I was starting my Percussion campaign the next day. Local guitar hero, great performer and all round good egg Andy White had allowed me to barge in on his weekend. The first gig was great with thanks to landlady Sandra and the customers at the Eagle Tavern in Rochester.  It worked really well. Andy's repertoire spans for ever! Buddy Holly to REM and then some. Andy was a brave chap taking on the first gig of my campaign and I thank him for it. It was a bit like Elton John and Ray Cooper, but without a piano, glasses, spangley jacket and £250 a ticket! Mind you, if Mr John fancies doing one of his duo gigs for Breakthrough, I'll do it! Give Mr Cooper the day off!!

It was Dickens Christmas Week and people from all over the country visit our little city to enjoy the sites, history, costumes, unusual market stalls, real ale and generally have a good time. Advocates of the apostrophe society need to be on a break during a visit to Rochester as there is a classic on the wall of a pub. 

I have added a little gem for you below. A photo of Eastgate House. Once the home of Charles Dickens. The Building appeared as Westgate Seminary for Young Ladies in Pickwick Papers and Miss Twinkerton's School for young Ladies in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. And it's on my doorstep!

Eastgate House, Rochester High St.

Only in England would you get an artificial snow making machine pumping out imitation snow onto four days worth of the real stuff! I can see the council meetings “Well, we have paid for it, lets use it! All those in favour?” Priceless.

My efforts at the Eagle on Saturday saw me pick up a couple more gigs too, so everything is looking good for the fundraising. Work is starting on some bigger shows now. Sunday at the Eagle was also great but the news of the day was my mentor for the marathon, Mike, has a place in the marathon himself now and he will be running for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. I did comment on Facebook that I would be joining him at the start but then he will be off like a smacked horse! Mike is keen regular club runner and coach. All I will see of him, once the gun goes off, will be his heels!

Traveling Light!
Silly Shoes, crazy socks. a few
 pink sticks and an energy drink

I was asked in the week “Do I take my drums when I work over seas” err Nope! We travel light. Kits are put in by one of several back-line hire firms. I take fluffy shoes, pink drum sticks and a party frock! 

Thanks Andy!
(The Eagle Tavern
 Saturday December 4th 2010)

This week sees me getting ready for a fun run on Sunday, should be nice and chilly! Plus finally launching the Mid Kent Breakthrough Website and my own running site. I'll also be getting letters out  to acts about my percussion program. What do you mean, sleep?

It's that time of year when the world seems to venture back to the 70s to find great Christmas songs. Look no further! "When Holly Rocks" was recorded by us lot a couple of years ago. With the kind permission of Les Gray's wife Carol, the voice "Everybody Ready?" at the start is Les. It was taken from the demo. I'll tell you one thing EVERYTHING was thrown at this ditty;  jingles, chimes, church bells the lot. We would have put a kids choir, kitchen sink and reindeer calls  on it too but time ran out. Remix perhaps? Anyway, Please  click the link on the right and buy it for someone for Christmas. It's happy bouncy 70s larking about at it's best!

See you soon