What an absolutely fabulous weekend in every way! It was great to be back up at Brathay Hall with the family to see Ally and Mac, the Brathay Staff, the 10in10ers and many other running friends. Even the unpredictable Lakeland weather was being very kind with warm sunshine.
We drove up on the Saturday in time for a picnic on the lawn at Brathay hall in the glorious sunshine. It was great to meet up with friends in such beautiful and relaxing surroundings. We watched and cheered the 10in10ers complete day 9. Only a lap of honour left for them to do tomorrow. We also witnessed Davey Green celebrating the completion of his 100th marathon. Sadly the day ended too soon and we had to leave for our hotel in Ambleside.
Sunday morning came a bit too quick as we slightly over slept and only just got back to Brathay Hall in time to see the 10in10ers set off on their final lap. After which it was time for me to get ready for my run in the Windermere marathon with almost 1000 other runners an hour later.
The Brathay Windermere Marathon is a great day with the 10in10ers finishing their last run, the family fun day at the Hall and the mass marathon all in the fantastic Lakeland grounds of Brathay Hall.
The main marathon started with the runners being lead in procession from the lawn down to the start by a band of drummers. The race was then started by a game keeper, in his traditional tweet suit, firing his shotgun.
All the excitement of the occasion had got my adrenaline going and even with the hilly first few miles I went off quick. I even overtook Steve Edwards within the first couple of miles which I never do and further concerned me that I was running too fast. We received lovely support from the people in Hawkshead which further encouraged me to run faster than planned. Even the hill at 7 miles didn’t deter me as I made the conscious decision not to walk any of it. There were a couple of Scottish pipers playing near the top which was rather unexpected! The next section of the course rolls mainly downhill to the Swan hotel at 12 miles and on to half way which I got to in 1 hour 38 minutes and 30 seconds. I remember thinking that’s too fast and am I going to pay for it later? The third quarter of the course is probably the hardest with undulating hills, one after the other. I was pleased that I was able to push on without slowing down. At about mile 18 Steve caught me up again but to my surprise instead of simply over taking me stayed with for a while. Through Bowness the crowds cheered and spurred me on. I had to dig in at mile 21 at ice cream mountain (as affectionately known by the 10in10ers as there is always an ice cream van at the top) which is the last major climb. By this time I was feeling it and finally watch Steve overtake me and move on ahead but still I managed to keep the pace going. I had to really dig hard to run up the drive of Brathay Hall but was so pleased to hurtle onto the lawn and storm through the finish. The finish is just magical on the lawn in front of the Hall. My finishing time was 3 hours 16 minutes 33 seconds, an ever so slight negative split and a course PB.
So pleased to have run so well on my favourite course and get a course personal best after only having surgery on my right knee 6 months ago.
