Start Day 7
I always have a bit of dread for day 7, it is a very long way from the start and all the runners are very tired by this point but it is still too far from the finish to feel confident that you will complete the challenge. Certainly, this is the case in the morning before the run with 104.8 miles to go and even after with 78.6 miles left. Over the years I’ve seen many runners wobble on day 7, including myself and for that reason I’m very cautious about this day. In my eyes it is one day to just complete safely and not to be maverick about.
The forecast for today was awful, heavy rain and strong winds so I was surprised when I opened my curtains to cloudy, dry weather. I was hoping it would last but knew from the forecast there was no chance of that.
As we came out of the hall on to the lawn to walk down to the start a couple of pairs of RAF Euro Fighters passed over head, these planes are always practicing over Lake Windermere and are incredibly noisy and impressive. It was very kind of the RAF to give us 10in10er’s a fly by.
Off down to the start like we are now used to and I was first to dib and set off. I took the first few miles easier today and had placed an extra caffeine gel with one of my drinks to hopefully not run out of energy like yesterday during the latter miles.
The rain held off until about mile 10 which for me was a real blessing and much more than I was expecting. In fact, with my thermal and jacket I was getting rather warm, this wasn’t going to last. By the time I was at mile 14 near Fell Foot Park it was hammering down with rain and the road was awash with water, puddles and streams. The weather got worse very windy and colder, I could even see my breath when I breathed out, it started to feel like a winter’s day. The jacket got zipped all the way up and I put on my gloves and cap. I had brought my music with me today for a change and I listen to that and tried to block out the weather from my thoughts.
I dug in simply to get the day over, I glanced at my time at halfway, just because I always do, 2 hours 5 minutes and then didn’t look again until over the finish line. Time didn’t bother me today, I just wanted to finish.
During the last few miles, the rain started getting through my jacket and I could feel my shoulders getting cold. I already couldn’t feel my hands. I needed to get back to warm up.
As soon as I got over the finish line, it was time to get warm clothes on, a nice dry towel, food and off to the physio room. Melissa is looking after me, she is doing a great job, she is very mature, knows what she is doing and calmly gets on with what is required. I must thank her for professionalism, she has been a big help to me over this last 7 days. After my physio, she gave me instructions to keep warm and rest, so it was off for a very welcome hot shower and lots of warm clothes. For the first time during a 10in10 I actually had a snooze before tea. It was wonderful to be warm under a duvet after such a cold run.
I finished in 4 hours 9 minutes 55 seconds, which frankly I feel is irrelevant today.
