Weird suddenly realised I'd had no notifications for the last few days. I'd missed all this page.
Well as I'd said, the plan this year was nothing over a half. So how did a suggestion this week get me doing a hilly, predominantly off road marathon and a bit? With no training?
Last week had been by far the most intense I'd done in months:
Friday night 9 miles, 'back to back' with a 12 early Saturday morning.
Tuesday 30 mile round trip, bike commute.
Day off Wednesday, early swim.
Thursday, bike commute 30 mile.
Not exactly heavy on the running?
Anyway, glad I did it. About 5 miles I realised I was getting a blister, about 15 miles the blister had got beyond being a pain, I could tell it was burst and could ignore it easier than before. By 18 I was definitely ignoring it as my hips and lower gut were telling me "You're not used to this!" in no uncertain terms. As I was running with someone else I used time at the checkpoints to stretch out.
Nice checkpoints.
Water, 2 squashes, tea, coffee.
Sandwiches, buns, cakes, apple pie and cream.....
I managed to avoid most of it, topping up my water and using gels. But one thing I couldn't miss. The last checkpoint, small bowls of tinned fruit in juice. AFAIK an unusual choice? I found it surprising, but very welcome!
Weather couldn't really have been much better. We thought it was going to be a scorcher, but the cloud cover stayed in place longer than we'd thought. Occasional cool breeze was a bonus.
Last 4 miles were tough, hips were complaining. There were a couple of ascents we walked, but the rest was done ignoring the hips and with a definite jog
Good thing is an early start meant I could get to an afternoon family 'do'. I've been able to keep moving and stop my legs seizing up. Hopefully the only things to give me trouble will be the 2 MASSIVE blisters....
