It didn’t rain! The weather was actually very good for running, cool, dry and calm with cloud cover to stop the sun making it too hot. I would have preferred it a couple of degrees warmer but I’m sure for most of the other runners it was near perfect.
My blister under the ball of my left foot wasn’t any worse. I think soaking it in a bucket of cold water each night is keeping it under control. The calves are getting more stiff and tender as the event progresses but are more than manageable. My right groin started to become an issue yesterday and Melissa gave me some treatment to it this morning to hopefully loosen it up.
We had the usual start at 9:30am, when it was my turn, I dibbed and set off. Today I was ready for the groin to hurt, which it did so no shock and I jogged very short steps slowly to ease myself into a forward motion. The first mile of the course is mainly uphill and not the best way to start a run when all your legs are stiff and your groin threatening sharp pains if I’m not very, very careful.
I managed the first few miles very carefully and it worked the legs and groin loosened up and by the time I got to Hawkshead I was running. There weren’t any kids at the school today as it was a Saturday but instead some of the Physios had set themselves up there with some previous 10in10ers to cheer us on, this was a lovely surprise.
In fact, there were more 10in10ers out on the course today to give all of us support, also my parents and Yuk-Lam and the kids, hardly kids now as they are both taller than Yuk-Lam. It was fantastic boost to see all these familiar faces out along the course. On top of this many more cars and vans and people gave me a cheer or beep of the horn as they passed.
At mile 12 in the woods just before I get to the Snow Hotel a deer ran across the road scarcely 20 feet in front of me. I love the few occasions when I see deer. I think it is wonderful to be able to witness them in their own habitat.
I got to halfway in 2 hours 9 minutes, quicker than yesterday but still my second slowest day. I hoped to pick up the pace second half but didn’t have the energy to do what I would have liked and completed the second half in 2 hours 8 minutes, still a negative split so can’t grumble at that.
The bay at Bowness was busy with tourists and it was difficult to see Yuk-Lam, Abbey and Lucas at first as I ran through. Lucas ran along side me and Yuk-Lam took a photo to compare with a photo she had taken doing the same thing 10 years ago. I was given a tasty piece of fudge and then I had to head off to finish the run.
The last few miles felt more tiring than the previous days and I was so relieved to eventually cross the finishing line at Brathay Hall. The reception there was wonderful, with friends and past 10in10 all there to welcome us all as we finished.
Thank you to Yuk-Lam, Jonathan, Phil and Tim for your kind donations today!
