Day 7 Report

The really dreaded day

This first real set back for the team emerged with the news that Susan was forced to pull out yesterday due to injury. An incredible journey has ended on day 6 for this very determined woman and her husband Paul, who was running the 10 with her was so devested. And so was the entire team. But on the bright side we have an extra helper dishing out much needed support along the route. Sue will be back running marathons in no time.

Back to the business end for me and as I had said all along day 6 and 7 were going to be very tough mentally. Physically, I am holding up very well. Suprisingly well. A bit of swelling in my left ankle but nothing to worry about today. As I dreaded this day so much I decided to change a few things. iPod in place, run my own race, don't hold back and focus. I found the aches and pains eased when I upped the pace over the previous days so this was a test really.

I started out slowly towards the back of our merry little group. The banter at the start was probably at it's height this morning. Loud laughter seemed a bit out of place after 150 miles but this bunch are tops. After about a mile and a half I noticed I was very close to 'The Special One' Steve and a small bunch of dedicated supporters... Jim, George, Phil and Mat was still keeping up with the lead despite pretty big injuries. I felt really good and they seemed a bit slow so I took the lead and headed out along the west side of Lake Windermere. All of a sudden I realised that I was leading a marathon for the first time!!!! :-D

I thought it would be nice if I could lead the group through the first water stop at mile 2 which came and wend in a very slow blur (phrase for dramatic effect, turn up blur according to excitement level required). Quickly passed the second water stop and then the third. Steve's better half Teresa (or as we call her Saint Teresa) has been a rock all week. She has organised all the water stops, made 158 rounds of tea for everyone, plates and serves heaps of deserts, cleans, cooks, massages egos and loves Steve.... and looks after me as much as she can in her spare time. And here she was on day 7 handing me my bottles as I passed shouting encouragement as if I wasn't ahead of her beloved Steve. Today she was in my camp - I was leading! I thought if I could just keep it going until mile 8, then 10 then 12 and next thing I found myself turning for home and passing the half way still ahead.

It was in around this point that I started to get a creek in my neck from looking around. Surely steve would blast past me very soon, but I kept going and going and going all without a watch. 'Saint' Teresa was there every two miles keeping me in check and shouting times which made absolutely no sence to me whatsoever with my mush of a brain. Eventually I stopped at mile 20. 'Right, explain very slowly what time it is now and how long I've been out here'. 2 hours 33 came the reply. 'Ok, now start again because I don't believe you'. Teresa laughed and thought I was just slagging her. I wasn't.

Off I go again, sometimes running backwards in case he was hiding behind a hedge everytime my head turned. 'Where the bloody hell is Steve anyway?' Started to slow, speed up, slow again, speed up again I was all over the place but still strong. Was a PB possible... dare I even ask?

Turn for Brathay Hall with 400 yards to go. And crumbled to a walk along the very steep drive. Up over the top and one final burst for the finish line. Quick check of the clock and saw that I crossed the line in 3:27:47. Crap (not the exact phrase used) I missed my PB by under a minute. Then who else but the Saint herself came to my rescue for the 54th time that day to explain that because we went off a minute earlier my actual finish time was 3:26:47 a PB by 10 seconds after 183 miles running on one of the toughest courses in the UK!!!! I could have kissed her but I knew muscle man Steve was about to turn the corner so I just shook her hand and said 'thank you very much' :-D Just as well as Steve finished 4 minutes later.

Nice to be an apprentice 'Special One' for a day.

Ray
7 down and tired.