Day 6

The day started really badly with the news that one of the guys has had to pull out due to serious injury. His head said to carry on but his injury didn't agree and unfortunately two time IronMan Phil Love is out! Sad news for the entire camp.

I really didn't know what to expect today other than to slow down considerably. I am constantly haunted by an injury I picked up on day 9 last time out. Physio Maria has been such a reassuring presence giving constant care not only to sore muscles but also to what's going on in the head too which is really important in this event. If you lose your head you'll lose your race no doubt.

I've been good at keeping my head during the early stages and was determined to start out steadily again. Niggles here and there but nothing to stop my usual pace. steady all the time but the odd mile crept under 8 minutes and I found myself again asking to slow down.

Hills bumps, more hills and then onto the beautiful beautiful 18 mile mark that I love so much. My maths brain is getting better and better by the day so with 8 miles to go I calculate what my finish will be at 8.30's to home as a worst case scenario. I cannot believe that  8.30's at the end of a marathon is now worst case!!! But I am starting to feel fitter by the day.

Over the last drive and onto the finish of Day 6 I realise too late that I am really really close to yesterday's time.... toooooo close. 3:36:22 - one bloody second too slow to claim another best time. Yesterday's official time was 3:36:21.

Happy - Understatement of the week!!!

Day 7







Really scared today. Confidence is high as once again I leave Maria's magic hands and head to the start line with a growing nervous tension. It was on Day 7 two years ago that I set a pb of 3:26. There will be nothing like that today though. I am looking at the longer goal of finishing this thing in decent shape and trying to ignore bravado, places, times, overall time etc. I just do not want to get competitive.

The gun goes off loudly and we spring onto the course for another trip around the lake. 178 miles in a week after today. My thoughts are with Paula Radcliffe and her training regime.

I find myself in company with Steve Edwards just after the beautiful little village of Hawkshead, but I quickly realise that either I am going too fast for him or he is in trouble somehow... I decide it has to be the latter. Steve has been around this course 36 times and has run over 500 marathons. I have no right to be in his company but find myself drifting in front and pulling away by mile 9. A quick look at the Garmin tells me the reason - I was running 7.45 pace.

It was very windy and maybe this made me dig in a bit more today. I was still finding my pace at sub 8.20's comfortably enough but did have to work a bit to knock them out.

The turn at Newby Bridge just before half way has become a new highlight on the course. It's the gateway to the second half and a chance to break the monotony of the earlier miles. Pushing and pushing uphill I was forcing myself not to look back to see Steve homing in on me, I was trying to run my own race and not get distracted by stupid notions of beating him again. And I knew there was something wrong with him. He is such a gentleman I hated to see him suffer in anyway.

Mile 18. Cracking on, doing the maths and reckon I'll be close to yesterday's time again. Finding it harder to breakdown Ice Cream Mountain at 22 miles but get over it running all the same. I notice that this might be the first day I've run sub 9's for the distance and again push on. I'm happy because the wind is relentless at this stage and really bothering me.

Nearing the finish I know it will be close but prepared this time I cross in a new best time for the week 3:36:10.

I cannot believe I am managing this. Maria arrives for a welcome hug and a bit of stretching. She's heading away for a few days and I will miss her.

While it was a good run, the mood around camp is not good at all. Everyone suffered and the silence around the place is telling. This is getting TOUGH!



 

Day 8

Creaking in a few places this morning as I drag myself out of bed. Motivation is lacking and I don't really want to run today.

I follow Steve and Foxy through Halkshead and feel very strong. Strong enough to push past and surge up one of the many hills. Steve chased me down quickly enough and stayed for a while before heading off into the distance. He's back I thought! Good stuff.

I struggled to get any momentum going and my left quad was very lazy. It constantly felt tired and this feeling slowly enveloped my entire body. I was tired! Stumbling my way to 18 hoping for a bit of respite, I realise that the quad is not getting any better so for the first time all week I really slow up. I need to keep something in the tank and am seriously worried that something will snap.

It kills me to see 8:40 on the Garmin, and another, and another. I need to get home. I can't bear this.

Finished in 3:38:20 so happy enough but T.I.R.E.D.



Steve finished in 3:33.

Day 9

Great distraction to the day as Angela has made the trip to see me struggle through the last few moments of the 262 mile journey.

Maria is not back yet but the Physio team are absolutely brilliant. Paul has taken over and does some great work. Walking to the Physio Rooms I know my left quad is worse. It's still tired. How to explain? When my foot lands, my leg doesn't want to come back up so I have to force it.

As registration for the Windermere Marathon on Sunday is open today there is a big crowd at the start and a cheer goes up after the gun. Great atmosphere all round.

My goal is simply to finish today and be able to run again tomorrow. If my sub 4 hour streak stays intact, then great. If not - so bloody what! My motivation is at an all time low.

Trudging through the early miles I try to fool myself to thinking that there is nothing wrong, but every step reminds me there is. Left quad, right calf, left hamstring... I won't go on, but I'm pretty miserable.

8:40's - I hate that split now. 8:40. 8:40 8:40

On and on. No highlight at all, just  8:40's. Special mention to Selina (Shades), Sue and Paul Adams, and others that I can't remember right now for coming out to support. It was really good to have them and the countless strangers that stuck heads out of car window's, thumbs up and shouts of 'well done' - all really appreciated.

The vision of Phil Love (had to pull out earlier in the week) at mile 20 with his boot open and an array of goodies ready to be scoffed, will stay with me forever. He gave me two pain killers and a lovely half cup of tea to wash them down - Brilliant!

I was able to push on a bit after that and maintain the 8:40's - which at this stage were a welcome sign that I was going steady if nothing else.

Very happy with a finish time of 3:49 considering everything, and I can only apologise for sending such a miserable report. This event takes it's toll!

DAY TEN TOMORROW!!!!!!



10 sub 4's in sight. Now there is an unexpected positive to focus on.