Sunny Day 6

I would love to say I woke with a spring in my step this morning but that would be a lie. I desperately wanted to stay in bed much longer! That is what this event does to you, as the days progress tiredness consumes you.

I couldn’t moan too much, I opened the curtains to lovely sunshine, a perfect day in the Lakes!

Every day now my body seems a bit stiffer when I try to climb out of bed and it is my job while getting ready and making breakfast to loosen things up so my physio, Melissa has some kind of chance of loosening me up enough to do this thing called running.

9:30am just comes round far too quick when you are here and it is time to dib my timing chip and start running once again. Every day, bar day 1, I run awkwardly for the first mile or two until my legs lubricate themselves and get going. Surprisingly, that happened earlier than normal today and I was very pleased to get up to “Malcy” speed sooner than normal.

I cruised around Hawkshead and to Devils Gallop (a large hill) at mile 7 with a breeze in my step, enjoying the sunshine and dreaming about doing a good time. By the time I got to the Swan Hotel at Newby Bridge the tank felt a little empty. Nothing was wrong with my muscles, my blister was still being annoying but my energy just wasn’t there today. I passed halfway in 1 hour 58 minutes and normally that would mean a sub 4 hour run for me but today I didn’t feel so sure.

The road going back up the Lake passed Fell Foot Park is very undulating, it is either going up or down for about 5 miles but never flat. This took its toll on me today and by the time I got to Bowness it was a matter of just hanging in and enjoying the sunshine.

After a very lonely run on my own, Claire caught me at mile 24.5 as I steadily ran out of steam. It was nice to see someone and give her a bit of support before she moved on. I followed her back to Brathay Hall and the finish to come in with a time of 4 hours 1 minute and 42 seconds. Not bad at all considering but it would have been nice to squeeze out another sub-4.

After finishing it was lovely to collapse on the lawn for a few minutes to rest and gather a bit of energy in the sun. While I was there a very familiar and unexpected face jogged onto the lawn, it was Phil Riley from my local running club. It was great to see him and I really appreciated him taking the time to pop across to say hello. I wished I could have stayed and talked longer with him but I needed to eat, go on the spin bike and get looked over by Melissa.

Thanks to Jackie Williams, David Kerfoot and my Mum for their kind donations today. I’ve broke through the £3000 barrier and now well on the way to my target of £3500.