Physio with Abbey & Lucas helping
Finishing time
3 hours 54 minutes 39 seconds
Weather
Some really awful heavy rain for two thirds of the run, then very slowly it lightened and nearly stopped by the end. It was calm but felt cold with all the wet weather for the first half but as the rain lightened it seemed to warm up a bit.
The weather often affects how I feel and run, I don’t like lots of wind or rain. Today there was no wind but there was an abundance of rain. In fact it’s one of the wettest marathons I’ve ever run! So the combination of feeling fatigued and stiff with the horrible weather meant for a very slow start for me. Up to Hawkshead (4 mile point) I was only managing 10 minute miling! It was great to see Mum, Dad, Yuk-Lam and the kids in Hawkshead. It made me feel better.
The people out on the course today were a great boost for me. Great to see so many past TiTs encouraging me us all on, including Jim Meta, Paul Dewar, Steve Edwards, Keith Luxon, Noel Jones, Liz Tunna and Toks
A couple of times near the beginning of the race a silver 4×4 passed me with 2 screaming girls in the back, they were great encouragement. Later in Hawkshead I saw them out on the road again and got their names, Holly and Amber. I saw them again at the finish!! Thanks girls for your support and loud enthusiastic shouts.
I was struggling to get the pace I wanted. In my mind I wanted to finish within 4 hours which meant 9 minute miling. For the first 5 miles I was over 10! But half way I was back to just inside 9 minute miling. At half way I was 2 hours 2 minutes just outside my target but I knew I could pick it up during the second half. It was great to see Abbey, Lucas and Yuk-Lam again at Bowness! As the rain eased my pace increased to just over 8 minute miles and I finished inside my goal. My worst time this 10in10 but I was very pleased not to go over 4 hours.
Only 1 more lap to go!
High Light
Running through Hawkshead with Lucas and Dad, three generations of the Collins family. I wasn’t expecting that to ever happen!
Low point
Near the start running up the first hill, feeling cold in the very heavy rain with stiff legs that just didn’t want to ease.
Collins family with Davey Green after getting a copy of his new book “10 marathons in 10 days”
