I thought day 6 was going to be similar to day 5 but possibly a bit slower. It didn’t take me long to realise it was going to be very different. Within the first mile of the course I was struggling. My legs were fine and I couldn’t complain about the cloudy weather, the problem was I simply had no energy. I had a hot sweat and quickly started to feel dizzy and light headed. I started to question whether I could event make it to mile 4 and Hawkshead! I met Aly and several of the support crew at mile 2 where the first yellow drinks box is placed. I had 6 Jaffa cakes and a bottle of water. A minute or two’s rest and I felt like I could continue.
In Hawkshead the children were out along the hedge of the local school so I high fived as many as I could before getting to drinks box 2 where I met Michelle from the support crew for more Jaffa cakes and a big handful of sweets. It was like I was having a second breakfast while running. As the miles passed I started to feel better and after an energy gel and more sweats by mile 10 I was thankfully getting into my normal running pattern.
I got to half way in 1:59 incredibly slow for me but I was now running well and back to normal for the second half. I maintained a decent second half pace to clock a finishing time of 3:49:17. An amazing 9 minute negative spilt. Even if it was my worse time so far in the event, I was happy enough with it. I’m still relatively injury free and there is no reason I can’t run better tomorrow if I can get refuelled properly this afternoon.
We had our first rain while out on the course today but it was only light and patchy so nothing to complain about.
I ran round with the name tag of my Scottish friend Jim as sadly he was no longer able to do it himself. This one was for you Jim, heal soon.
I’ve had discussions with my physios, I’m to eat more, rest more and have less physio. This plan is to hopefully increase my energy levels for the remaining 4 days.
If you think all my effort is worthwhile please could you give a donation to the Brathay Trust to help them improve the lives of hundreds of disadvantaged young people from our inner cities and also to help the local school children from the Wigan borough who go to Low Bank Ground and Hinning house near Lake Coniston which is also run by the Brathay Trust on behalf of Wigan Metro.
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/malc10in10
