Today started by resembling life at Brathay Hall in Windermere last year when I did the 10in10. I lay in bed feeling fine but when I tried to get out I nearly ended up in a heap on the floor, my legs were that stiff. It brought back some good memories from last year but then doubt started to creep in. How the hell was I going to run another marathon today? And under 4 hours just seemed impossible.
Anyhow I went through my usual ritual of getting ready and had breakfast. Out side was lovely, sunny and calm but bitterly cold. One of the runners said his car was registering -8! It was a day for my fleecy lined leggins and woolly hat.
The race started and I felt as stiff as a board but I cast my mind back to the 10in10 and feeling the same then. I jogged the first lap while my muscles warmed and loosened up. I then got into my usual running pace and got on with the race. I could feel the aches in the legs but they weren’t affecting my ability to run. I held a fairly consistent pace throughout the race and finished in 3 hour 54 minutes 5 seconds. Job done for today.
Can I manage it one more time tomorrow? Got a new pain today, on the front of my right chin about 2 inches above my ankle. It’s swollen and is like a bruise, moving my big toe seems to make it hurt. I wonder if that will affect things tomorrow?
The thing I like about this challenge, I know it is only 4in4 and I’ve already done 10in10 but this is without any help, physios, ice bath etc. So it still makes it a significant challenge. As far as I know this event is second behind the Brathay 10in10 for the most consecutive marathons in the UK again making it a very worthy challenge. Roll on tomorrow and let’s hope I can finish it.
The Igloo by the lake. Makes me smile everytime I go by.
