Germany Calling
SHE is a member of Stubbington, and he is the most inappropriately named dog in NATO, but together Jane Heywood and Schindler are causing a stir in Germany.
Jane is a Major in the Army for whom she is serving as a physio, and is currently based in Germany, along with her faithful friend, Schindler. Never mind the day job, Jane has been using the posting to explore the country through her running, and by all accounts she is having a wonderful time.
Last weekend, she and Schindler headed for Bremen. "The weather was very warm for September, so the good news was that Schindler slept in the car on both Friday and Saturday night while I was in the youth hostel," writes Jane.
"Bremen is a wonderful city and the youth hostel has outstanding views and location - also excellent value £21 for a single en suite room. I trotted round the 10km in 55min 15sec. The finish was in an indoor arena, which was rather strange but it made for a fantastic atmosphere.
"I would recommend this race to anyone; fantastic organisation and atmosphere."
Next week, the dynamic Army duo are off to Lubeck. Unfortunately the Germans don't post out race numbers which means either a crack of dawn start or they go for the weekend.
"We have booked a B&B," added Jane. "It's rather smart, booked at £30 for the night -German hotels are pretty 'hund freundlish' - in other words dogs are allowed."
Then over the weekend of October 15th, while some Stubbies will be trotting round the New Forest for the Hardley Half Marathon, it's Amsterdam here we come. Although the Dutch city will be staging a marathon and half marathon that weekend, Jane will be taking part in the 10km race.
"Once more it's on the internet to find a dog friendly hotel near Amsterdam. We're off to Zaandvort which has a big beach for Schindler on Saturday and then back to the big city on Sunday. Somehow just getting on the Gosport ferry to do the Great South Run was so much simpler!
"Just in case you think this is all too much at the tax-payer's expense, I probably put in a minimum 50 hour week, but until I get sent back to either Iraq or Afghanistan, the weekends are mine.
"I probably have the most well travelled (and politically inappropriately named dog in NATO!) so we're off and running most weekends!
"Good luck to everyone running the Great South Run - maybe next year!"