Not to make you jealous

...but I recently received my race package from the organizers of the Marathon du Medoc. The package is thick with brochures detailing the "3 jours de fete". Yes, that means 3 days of celebration.

Just in case you don't know, that's three days of celebration in the Bordeaux wine region of France.

Theoretically, the highlight is, of course, the race which is on Saturday, September 6. Still, initial perusal of the package indicates far more "soirees" than "marathon"!

I'm busy translating the brochure as there are some curious descriptions of the route including "postes sauvages" and "postes officiels". I have determined “ postes” to be similar to what we would identify as aid stations. “Postes officiels” appear to offer oranges, bananas, dried fruit and cookies. As might be inferred, things get a little hairier at the “postes sauvages”. At 37 km oysters are served, at 38 km Bayonne ham, beef at 40km, cheese and ice cream at 41 kilometres should ensure a tough slog to the finish line!

As far as I can tell the sole purpose of this marathon is to showcase the wines and foods of the region. Male and female winners of the race win their weight in wine. Good thing I'm not too likely to win! I'd hate to explain things at customs (or, more importantly, explain to my family why I missed the flight home trying to quaff my winnings!).

Race day begins at 8am with 75 minutes scheduled for the presentation of runners (or walkers as the case may be) in costume. Judging by the race photographs a costume is "de rigeur".

So, my usual regime for training might have to go out the window. It’s looking like I’m going to be designing and sewing a costume, practicing my wine sipping, oyster slurping, and ice cream licking!

Suggestions welcome on training for this most unusual of races.