I had an absolutely brilliant weekend in the Lake District. Was it weird being back and not running on
all the other days and just doing the ‘one lap’ of the lake? Yep, most
definitely. It was really fun supporting and cheering on this year’s class of
10in10’ers, however. Supporting others at races when I’m not actually running
myself isn’t something that I get to do an awful lot of. And I guess I kind of
like that, because I really enjoy the running and so I’m not normally around a
race unless I’m running. It was really fun to drive around (if not a bit
nauseating…gosh, that marathon course is hilly) and support the runners and
cheer them on past Check Points and probably annoy them hehe.
It was strange to
see them give it their all and so focused and know that a year ago exactly I
had been right where they now were. Yet I swear sometimes it feels like I never
really did it, that someone must have waved a magic wand and abracadabra’d me
around that lake ten days in a row. I would love to give this challenge another
go someday, when I’m richer and faster. It really does get into your soul and a
part of you truly does remain there. So, Saturday for me was a lovely day to be back and a proud day
to see so many brilliant runners that I
know complete the final tough bit on route to completing
this incredible challenge. Day ten, well, that’s just a lap of honour ;-)
Sunday started as an absolutely beautiful and sunny day and
remained so. It is truly magical to see such gleaming sunshine in the heart of
the Lakes. Last year’s Day 10 and marathon day was plagued by torrential
downpours and freezing cold wind. This year was picturesque and there seemed to
be many more marathon runners out in force in the glorious weather. This was a
great sight to behold, because every long distance runner should get a chance
to experience this race. It is so well organised and the scenic backdrop is
breathtaking and even more inspiring in the sunlight.
As we pulled up to the marathon and parked the car we were greeted
by the race director of the Farnham Pilgrim Marathon which takes place along
the North Downs Way. This was actually really spooky as he told us that he
wasn’t about the practicalities of really handing out flyers for a marathons
300 miles way from where is actually was. So I told him I had done it last year
and that awful lots of runners will travel great distances to do a good race
and that indeed, his was up there. Then, I had a look at a flyer and weirdly
there was a picture of me in it! It was such a weird conscience. So, I had my
photo taken with him :)
After seeing the 10 in 10 runners off at 9.30am and getting
a bit emotional as I again thought back to last year, we had an hour to chill
out before the main marathon. I love the fact that this race is started by a
band of drummers leading you down to the start. It always makes me giggle as it
sounds like some sort of ceremonial death march. Or like war in beckoning. It has an air of impending doom and
excitement about it simultaneously. Well, I guess those hills aren’t always
easy, so that’s the doom bit right there. However it wouldn’t be the lake
without a few hills thrown in there.
I was really intrigued as to how this marathon would feel
and what emotions it might bring out in me. I had been emotional on the
Saturday and my mind had been occupied almost the entire previous 9 days that
this year’s TIT’s were out there. It’s strange what multiple marathon running
can do to you. You find yourself saying to people ‘I’m only doing the one this
time’. When did doing the one marathon in a weekend become ‘ONLY’ the one? But
you quickly forget the pain of the previous big challenge and in comparison,
doing the one marathon sounds minuscule in comparison. However as soon as I was
approached ‘Devils Gallop’ at approx mile 7/8 I remembered why this course can
be tricky and I wondered how on earth I had managed to drag myself around it
ten times in as many days.
Surprisingly I was running pretty well for me. I reached ‘Penis Tree’ road and had a giggle
whilst I told other runners about how this road always makes me laugh. I must
have looked like a nutter. I must have looked even more of a nutter at around
mile 16/17 when approaching ‘Nappy Mountain’, where I walked for a bit and felt
quite tearful talking to a fellow runner who had recognised me from last year’s
10in10. It all brought back so many memories and I felt quite reflective.
Actually, the bit I really don’t like which Is Newby Bridge – for some odd
reason – came and went quite quickly. Okay, the busy road bit after Newby
Bridge took a little longer to go and that bit is always a little tricky, but
it wasn’t as bad as I have felt it to be there in the past.
Weather-wise it was beautifully sunny day and really quite
warm. I was a little too toasty in places and was a little too much like a
ready salted crisp. Then, at some points as we neared the lake again the air
began to cool with a slight breeze. There wasn’t a hugely noticeable breeze but
it was enough to cool the sweat on my skin and give me goose bumps that left me
feeling a bit disorientated.
I fuelled myself with gels and Sports (jelly) Beans during
the run and I felt this worked well and was convenient. Normally, I don’t love
to take gels as they can be sickly, but they worked just fine on Sunday and
they were SIS ones – the least sickly ones, so they’re always pretty much okay
for me to get down.
After a largely great run interspersed with some moments of
sheer mental torture from memories of this route, I crossed the finish line in
high spirits and comfortably under 5hours. I was really happy with this when I
think of the emotions involved, the heat, the hills, the walking bits, the
toothache…. I crossed the line and had a big cry. It was happy ‘glad to be
back’, ‘proud of all the new TIT’s’ and emotional cry. I knew I’d have those
moments, but overall it was a good run. It was so lovely to see all these
amazing people join the 10in10 club and share in their day. I had a beer and
cheered as they had their presentation.
Instead of the beer following the race I maybe (definitely)
should have eaten something immediately afterwards. I was hungry, but there was
just so much going on that I just wanted to stay and chat to everyone. I wish
I’d have eaten. Upon leaving this car park the road sign directed us left out of
the driveway and back onto the marathons route up to Newby Bridge…the first
12ish miles of the course. This is blummin’ hilly to drive in the car and I
should know that after having run the route that very day. Anyway, I suddenly
felt very sick and to cut a long story short I had to stop the car where I got
out and was really quite sick by the side of the road. Fortunately I didn’t
have much to bring up, but then again if I had eaten then I maybe wouldn’t have
been sick? I think the heat most definitely contributed to this puking episode.
I have felt sick before after a marathon, but I have never actually been
physically sick. I did feel better afterwards and proceeded to stuff my face
with some much needed food on route back home.
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