of running and stuff

I knew my dad would appreciate this section, the heritage of the canal with the railway tucked alongside & crossing overhead, the bridge over the North Circular (another mental milestone for me). Finally we turned the corner to climb the steepest tallest bridge on the entire route, going up was a pain, but a doodle compared to trying to control my descent.

Here are my crew and were a couple of miles from the finish. Feeling pretty emotional by now they asked if I wanted someone to walk with me and I elected to walk with Lisa, my wife, setting off down the towpath hand in hand.

Recognising landmarks which meant the finish was getting closer, I was determined and focussed but still had to fight back tears.

The finish finally came into view, Lisa threatened me with extreme violence if I dared to run off and leave her!

Approaching the finish I just didn't know what to do with myself, I had no idea of the time but I knew it was a lot better than last year. Grinning like a sleep deprived moron and with tears streaming down my face I finally crossed the line after 37hours and 14minutes.

It was still light !

I perched on the picnic bench and was surrounded by race crew, my crew, my parents and others asking me questions and thrusting things at me. I totally couldn't cope with this and took on the coffee. Did I need something warmer? Did I want someone to walk with me? I almost lost it at this point and said “I don't know, just tell me”. I was duly issued with another fleece and send off down the canal with my dad for company knowing less than a half marathon to go.

We strode off, chatting and I was quite pleased for the company but I felt like we were going slow. It was frustrating as I really didn't feel I could pick up the pace now but just wanted to get it over. At the checkpoint before I left I saw Jess who was crewing for Pete, I hadn't seen her for the best part of 100miles which meant Pete was closing down on me. I suggested she might like to waylay him as much as possible but mentally wiped off another place.

My crew were now keeping a close eye on me and we met every 2 or 3 miles, even that seemed an interminably long interval and each time I stopped I was mentally exhausted, still just wanting the end.

The running continued to go well for the next 5 miles or so until somewhere in West Watford. I met my crew sheltering under a bridge with some more soup & bread which I ate whilst I was there, watching the rain getting heavier out on the towpath. Just before I set off they offered me a giant chocolate cookie they'd acquired at a petrol station, unusually for me I fancied it and it went down really well! Off into the pouring rain my run/walk strategy changed to running between trees and walking under them to appreciate the shelter they provided.

I crossed the canal at a familiar bridge and the towpath for the next couple of miles was not only unrunnable but also under a continuous 2 or 3 inches of water. I had no choice but to squelch through it, soaking my feet for the umpteenth time and making me thoroughly miserable.

Once the towpath improved I was mentally in a pretty poor way, the soles of my feet were a continuous searing pain, despite being infinitely better than they had been last year. I knew however from the checkpoint sheets that I was doing ok in reality, just at this point I couldn't quite grasp it.

I walked on as best I could resigned to walk to the finish, watching my 36hr target drift away and just hoping I could get under 40.

My parents had arrived to see me and when I saw them waiting for me I tried to look a bit less miserable. Since I was walking now I swapped to a warmer waterproof from the crew and after a brief pause set off again.

Over the next section I couldn't stop myself yawning every 10seconds and knew my walking was getting slower and slower. Looking over my shoulder at one point I saw a runner and was soon passed. For some reason I was absolutely distraught at losing this and despite giving myself a good talking to was ready to sit down and cry. I didn't, and kept telling myself I was doing fine.

Another crew stop, not much more to say than keep going by this stage. It was still light which meant things were still going well compared to last year. The next meeting point was the final checkpoint at 12miles to go, I walked on.

The checkpoint never seemed to arrive despite my greatest efforts, I lost another place with a long sigh. Finally the turn onto the Paddington arm arrived and I was within a mile of the checkpoint, bizarrely I had to fight my way through a film crew, actors. make-up and assorted security at this stage. After an eternity on this long straight stretch I was at the checkpoint.

After an hour or so out on my own I was met by Richard who was running out from the 120mile mark to meet me. After an initial chat I described my current run/walk regime to him and he told me Lisa wanted me back to 5mph, something I couldn't conceive of.

Richard got on with the task in hand of dragging me along as well as possible and having had some ultra experience he clearly knew that by this stage I just needed to be told what to do. So he would tell me we're going to run to a certain point, and then give a 2minute walking break and repeat, I knew better than to argue and it felt great to be moving along so well.

His encouragement and congratulations after each running stint, whether genuine or not did sink in, despite initially bouncing off me, and I was feeling more and more positive all the time. By now I had no idea how I was doing compared to my schedule and assumed Lisa not telling me was a bad sign, Richard did give me a few time checks which my mental arithmetic told me things were still going ok.

The 10 or 12 miles through to the Springwell Lock checkpoint at 120miles took in a couple of problem patches for me. A blister on my left foot became cripplingly painful for a few minutes, and a little later a stitch was causing some trouble, both fairly minor in the normal run of things but would have been enough to probably defeat me completely in my mentally distressed state. Richard however would have none of it and whilst allowing me an extra break or two got me moving again as soon as possible. The stitch did pass and the pain from the blister eventually eased.

In to the Springwell lock checkpoint I was still very positive, with feedback from Richard telling me the last mile had passed in just 11minutes. I remember being pleased to get out of the rain, getting some food and drink in me and checking how the people ahead of me were getting on.

Richard was kind enough to take me through the diversion which followed, it was quite short and straightforward but still better than trying to follow it myself. With some final encouragement he sent me on my merry way with less than a marathon to go. Spirits were still high despite the continuing rain.

I struggle along this next section to get going, I'm focussed on getting to Berkhamstead where I know my crew will be waiting but of course it takes forever to come. I get a call from Lisa telling me they are there and set up, finally we find them.

Rachel is there as well to pick Steve up, I manage to completely ignore this and slip as scheduled into the support car, take my shoes off and pull my hat over my eyes for 10minutes much needed kip. I'm not sure if I really sleep, I'm aware of the light and sounds around me but it still provides a refreshing break for tired eyes. I'm awoken by a coffee and a bacon sandwich (something Steve will tell you I'd been fantasising about for the last 10miles!).

My complacency doesn't last long however as Lisa tells me I need to get moving within another 5minutes. I dry my feet & change my shoes and set off with my sandwich, leaving half my coffee. A quick photo stop and I stagger over the bridge and on my way.

I see Alicja a little ahead of me, walking, she beckons to me but I have no intention of running to catch her! Eventually I do and we have a chat, walking together for a little while. She had stomach trouble and couldn't keep anything down, I'm sure the chat was doing her good, but I felt pretty strong and wanted to make progress whilst I could, fortunately she took a toilet break so I excused myself and tried a little running.

The running went surprisingly well and I felt confident that my pace must have been 4mph or better when running. I was setting myself goals I could see to run to, be it the next lock, a bridge or a boat before taking a walking break. Where possible I was counting my paces in 50s and allowing myself only to stop running at the end of a 50 or to force myself to start running after only 50 walking paces. This way if I didn't feel recovered enough to run, or if I felt good to push on I had an immediate goal.