The forecast for today was for warm weather with sunshine all day. Perfect if you were up here on holiday or fancied a boat trip on Lake Windermere but not idea for a 6th marathon in as many days. After the last couple of days also being warm it meant that the morning temperature was also climbing. Over the last few days the early mornings for the start of the race each day had been fairly cool. Today it was already pretty warm as we started.
I’m starting to feel the effects of the event, I’m tired, I’d loved to have stayed in bed much longer this morning and my muscles and joints are starting to hurt. Two toe nails are sore with the nails lifting which I’m trying to control with regular trips down to the lake to cool them off.
The run started very slowly for me, my legs were very stiff and I struggled to get a rhythm going for about 4 miles. There was also the add interruption of coaches and lorries getting stuck on the narrow roads, completely blocking the road and I had to wait twice while they sorted themselves out before I could get by.
I quickly warmed up and was sweating much more than usual in the heat. Usually I drink just over one litre during a marathon, today it took me over two litres to keep me hydrated. All of this was with electrolyte provided by Team Nutrition, their products work so well for me and definitely proved it today.
I got to half way in the slowest time so far, exactly 2 hours. I was desperate to dip under 4 hours so knew I had to work hard in the second half of the course do this. At least my legs had loosened up and there was some good areas of shade. Like some of the previous days I ended up pushing the last 4 miles and them being my fastest miles. Finishing time was 03:54:39, outside the 3:50 I was hoping for each day but ok with all things considered.
Afterwards I performed my usual ritual of protein drink, active recovery on a spin bike for 12 minutes, food and a physio massage by Abbie, the student assigned to look after me. I must thank her as she is doing a wonderful job looking after my tiring body. After I showered I made my way down to the lake for a paddle to cool off my lifting toe nails while being entertained by 2 chinook helicopters flying low overhead and Abbie having a swim with another physio.
