Brathay 10in10 2023, Day 7 – Thank You

This 10in10 is like none of my others, all I want to do is soak up all the atmosphere of the event as much as I can each day and I feel no pressure to be going for a time. One of the very special things about this year’s 10in10 are all the previous 10in10ers who are coming up to support around the course each day. Today it was the turn of Mark and Sam from the class of 2022. Yesterday it was 5 times 10in10er Sonja and Penny from the class of 2011. The day before that, it was Andy and Dave Edwards from 2022 and David Green from 2018. I am sure they are not all just coming to see me and I know they all love the event but it does feel like things are all coming together from lots of 10in10 years for this, my final time. I am getting rather emotional underneath and I am trying to keep everything under control so I can concentrate on the daily job of completing a marathon. I want to thank all who have come back to support, not just me but all the class of 2023 and Brathay. I also want to thank all who are planning to support out on the course but I haven’t seen yet, I look forward to your future surprise appearances.

While I have started thanking people, I think I will do a few more thank yous before the weekend is upon me and things get very hectic. First, I want to take Yuk-Lam, Abbey, Lucas, my parents and brother Paul for their support. All the Brathay staff who look after our rooms, feed us and support us whenever they see us, like in the mornings when they come down to the start to cheer us off. The 10in10 Support team who manage everything we need out on the course as well as before and after each run. I also want to thank the Physio department of Cumbria University, who under the leadership of Doctor Katie Small bring second year students to look after all our hurty bits and keep us fit and ready to run 26.2 miles each day. These young students go about there work so professionally and are a credit to Katie and the University.

Today’s run again started slowly as a tendon in my groin keeps tightening up over night and takes a while to loosen up. Luckily this relaxes after a few miles and the pain subsides so to my relief I can get running and complete the day in a half decent time. I feel a like more mentally tired today and for that reason didn’t push as hard and ended up with a slightly slower time of 4 hours 45 minutes 48 seconds.

Shortly after Ice Cream mountain, at roughly mile 22 I had to negotiate a runner and two cyclists on the pavement. I moved to the far left side but this put me on some unexpectedly uneven tarmac and I tripped. I grazed the palms of my hands, my left knee and elbow. I have also hurt my left ribs, I hope this doesn’t affect my running too much tomorrow.

Time now for some sleep and then prepare for day 8 and our last work day.