Tired after 21
So yesterday was a milestone for me. I ran twenty-one miles; the furthest I have ever moved on my own two feet at any one time.
This was a local race aimed at the spring marathon crowd and the entrants took over the small sleepy village of Cranleigh early in the morning (even earlier considering the clocks has gone forward).
There is always a difference between a locally organised race and the large professional outings. This fell into the former; so between mile markers and water stops it was like going for a run in the country - with 600 other people!
The first loop was 10 miles and easily achievable; with a small amount of prudence by walking up any really steep hills. My knee starting nagging at 10 miles and by 15 was sore. It took serious effort of will to run past the optional finish at 15 and continue for a further 10K.
The one amazingly crazy thing that happens in most of the races I do is that you end up bonding with people you are running with; often for only a few minutes or miles, but the companionship shown is enough to lift you when the road seems endless and your legs just want to disintegrate under you. As a results I ended up running for 3 miles with two lovely people whose cheery encouragement help me dig deep and push on. I doubt I will ever see them again; but for half an hour they were my favourite friends.
And so 4 hours after I started; with my knee screaming and my calves seizing I crossed the finish line - and even got a medal for my efforts. The adrenaline had me laughing and crying at the same time and my legs felt as if they could barely support me weight.
Four hours of intense exercise on a Stomach filled with gels, jelly babies and water left me feeling sick and I hobbled the quarter of a mile back to the car.
But this it IT. This is the longest pre marathon training run I am doing. Now I start a subtle wind down; reducing the miles to a manageable 10 before the big day. And having 21 under my belt; I am sure I can succeed with 26; even if I have to crawl the last few miles.
I am running the London Marathon on behalf of The Benevolent- The Drinks Trade Charity. Please support me in this venture by sponsoring me by visiting www.virginmoneygiving.com/MarathonPip .