The early morning of day 10 is probably my favourite time during the whole 10 days. I find a lot of peace. There is a peace in the air and a wonderful feeling of anticipation at Brathay Hall just as the place starts to wake up, before its busiest day of the year. I also have a peace inside, I’ve done all the training, I’ve done most of the fundraising and I’ve run 9 of the 10 days. The only thing left to do is the 10th lap, the lap of honour as we call it. At this point, the event isn’t over but I know whatever happens I WILL finish the last lap and complete the challenge, sore hamstring or not. As the sun rose over the hills to the east, I enjoyed walking on the Lawn at the finish soaking up the atmosphere, Brathay staff were setting up the barriers and the gazebos, the medics were arriving in their ambulances and the timing chip system was being set up at the finish line, just to name a few of the many jobs having to be done to set up for the main race. After such a busy 9 days I feel like I’m at rest while everyone around me is frantically busy, all I have to do is prepare for my final run.
As I was injured I knew I wouldn’t be able to run hard around the lake like I would normally do on day 10 but I still wanted to give a good go. My sore hamstring was taking a lot of stretching and warming up to allow me to run so I planned on warming it up as much as possible before the start of the race so I could get running as soon as possible once I’d dipped my chip on the start line. I spent 10 minutes on a spin bike followed by a physio massage courtesy of Abby, who has done a wonderful job looking after me over the last 10 days. Then I kept stretching and wondering around the site so I didn’t stiffen up.
I was instructed by Aly, who is head of the support team to be in the main hall for 9am. I had been watching the lake all morning it was beautifully still like a sheet of glass and I wanted to go and take a closer look. I just had enough time so decided it would be a good way to keep warm and stretched. Lucas followed me down and kept me company. By the time I got to the water’s edge it wasn’t as still as it had been an hour or so earlier but it was still a lovely tranquil scene. There was a resplendent white swan at the water’s edge looking at us. I admired the view, took a few photos and sadly had to leave to be back at the Hall in time. On the way back I bumped into David Green, one of last year’s 10in10ers, lovely to see him back at Brathay after having a year of illness.
It was 9am and we were all assembled in the Wordsworth room of Brathay Hall and then led out one by one in number order onto the front lawn to the reception of about a thousand people. We walked over to the finish line and assembled into our customary circle for a group hug where this year Tony said a few words about the challenge and the journey we had all experienced together. I always find this part of the event very emotional, it almost brings a tear to my eye and wish I could just sneak off down the drive away from all the eyes and disappear out onto the course for the last time. Once that was out of the way, I do actually enjoy the march down the drive to the start with lots of people, including friends and family cheering and clapping as we dip our chip and set off one by one. This year I went last, I don’t really know why but I wanted to, I think it was to soak up the atmosphere and as the most experienced it just felt right.
As I started my legs felt all awkward and I struggled to get a reasonable running motion going. The first mile or two has a lot of uphill and this didn’t help me. By the time I got to Hawkshead I felt like the legs were warmed up and I was happy to be running in the same strange style I had used the previous day. It wasn’t without pain, every time I landed my left leg the left hamstring stung me. At least it wasn’t any worse and I could put up with it. It was a cool cloudy morning and I couldn’t have asked for better running conditions. I pressed on to mile 7 and the sharp hill called Devils Gallop, I had to walk up it which affected my running style and made it difficult once I reached the top to start running again. I was wondering if I could push myself hard enough to dip back under 4 hours, like in the first 6 days and I had started with that sort of pace in mind. Sadly by half way I was 3 minutes outside this and doubted I could keep the pace going.
As the second half progressed the pain in my left leg kept gnawing away at me and inevitably I slowed slightly.
The first runner from the main marathon passed me at mile 15, when the 2nd runner passed me it was a nice surprise that he knew me through my good from John. At Bowness I had Mike Sprot, fellow 10in10er cheering me on as he zoomed past me in about 5th place. After Bowness, near Ice Cream Mountain the first lady went past, so small yet so strong, I was really impressed, later I found out it was her first marathon, wow!
Finally I finished in 4 hour 13 minutes and 28 seconds. In the end the time didn’t matter, the important thing was I had complete my 6th Brathay 10in10, a feat only complete by one other and it was my 69th official lap of the lake, the most anyone has ever completed.
At 3pm was the medal ceremony it was great to be receiving my 6th piece of stone from the legendry fell runner Joss Naylor. Over the years we have got to know each other quite well and he keeps suggesting I should aim to complete 10 number 10in10s, we’ll see. I do love the 10 in10 trophies they are made from heavy, black Cumbrian stone, all unique, hard earned and so very special.
With most running events the organisers set up the event but after that it is then up to individual runner to sort out their own training and look after themselves during the race. With the Brathay 10in10 we get lots of support from Brathay and their support team both before and during the event. I wish to thank Brathay for all this support and the opportunity to do the event again for a 6th time and all the support team, Aly, Mac, Chris, Trudi, Paul, Michelle, Linda, Jim even cook Steve and his team for all the wonderful food. In fact I would like to thank all the staff at Brathay, they are all so lovely and supportive of us 10in10ers. I also want to thank Kate and Charlie and their 20 strong team of student physios that came from Cumbria University to look after us, in particular, Abby who looked after me over the 10 days. I would also like to thank Robin from www.voomnutrition.co.uk whose hydration drinks and energy bars helped power me around the lake each day. I would like to thank friends and family for their support over the last 10 months while I’ve prepared for this challenge once again and in particular Yuk-Lam who has to put up with my crazy running habits. Lastly thanks to all who have sponsored and donated to me, I’m so pleased to announce I have raised over £4,650.00 for the Brathay Trust which will help them support many more disadvantaged young people who are struggling to live in our society.
Now time to heal for a while before I look for another challenge, who knows I maybe come back to Brathay for another go some day.
