Day 3

Sunday 11th May

Having completed two marathons in two days I always knew I was capable of three in a row. It's just now that I've completed that tally that I realise that 78 miles is a long way. But it's over now and all I can do is record the detail.

I woke this morning after a bad nights sleep. I am sleeping on a 5' 6" camper bed and I'm 6' 3". I slept great the first couple of nights but last night the thin pillow and my feet sticking over the edge got to me. This isn't boot camp but it's not 4 star either. The set up is working really well I have to say. Meals in the Canteen are very good and the overall atmosphere in the camp is brilliant. As I walked for breakfast I was feeling the running taking its tole and the first thought of what the week probably had in store for me started to sink in. If this is what two felt like... how would I be after 8 or 9? But onwards regardless.

As usual we lined up along the road for the 9am start and were quickly on our way. Our elite athlete in the group Steve, who is going for a World Record of the fastest person to run 10 marahtons in 10 days (he's 38 mins ahead of target after today) as usual lead us out from the gun. But our little group had plotted to try to add a bit of humour to his stern effort. We've decided that each day one of us would get ahead of him pasing the gate and the photographers so that there won't be too many shots of him in the lead. Malcom did the honours today and Mathew will be in front tomorrow. Then it's my turn. It was so funny.

And there were so many laughs through the first half today that I wont even go there. Just to say it was all craic all the way. The serious business starts at mile 14, we had just gone through half way in 2:15, a tad ahead of yesterdays time. The hills once again loomed large but I think I have sorted my head out and was looking forward to the challenge. I lead most fo the way through the ups and downs and stretched our group of 4 a bit. And we decided that yesterday's tea at mile 20 was so nice we'd pay a repeat pit stop visit. This time we had jam donoughts aswell. They were the nicest I've tasted. And to top it all I didn't feel like I'd been running at all.

By the time we got going again I was itching for road and told the lads at mile 22 that I was off to better my time from yesterday. I accelerated and found myself at the finish in 4:38 having run the last 4.2 miles in 31 minutes with absolutely no pain.

I'm a bit nervous now as I head into the real unknown and I know I'll be wondering all week if I finished this one too fast. It was 27 degrees today at it's hottest but I think that just added to my speed - I love the heat. Great day out in the Lakes and really looking forward (with the usual dread) to tomorrow.

Ray
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