That was much easier mentally than yesterday. I was taking it easy today, did lots of walking, hoping to make it in 4:20. I was right that I'd enjoy the lack of pressure to go sub 4 again. Still, it was very nice to nip just under with 3:59:53. Lovely drizzly rain most of the way round too. Not feeling quite as tired as yesterday now either.
I forgot to mention that yesterday there was a lovely moment when I got to the top of the big hill after mile 7 - three deer pranced across the road in front of me.
I've finally been making more use of the brilliant physios from Body Rehab. I was in for over an hour last night and again this morning. In addition to the usual massage and passive stretching, I also had ice and cryo cuffs on my sore bits, laser treatment on both shins and needles stuck into my groin. Plus they put some rather decorative K-tape on my legs to act as go-faster stripes. It's fascinating stuff they do.
Did I mention that this event is really great? Hopefully I can enjoy the next two runs. There are more people coming up to visit who'll be out on the course tomorrow and Jim is coming up this evening. My parents should be around from tomorrow too. Really looking forward to seeing everyone.
I'm after 4:30 each day now to get a sub 40 hours time overall...
Friday, 14 May 2010
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Day 7 of 10 - first one over 4 hours
It was always going to be mentally tough on day 7. We all struggled to some extent today. Plus a few niggly bits are starting to be sore on my shins. About 8 miles in I felt something twang in my groin, which made it less fun running for the next 5 miles till I got some ice spray and gel from the physios. But I've got it better than several of the other who are suffering with all sorts of painful injuries, so I'll quit moaning now!
I decided at halfway not to go for another sub 4, which actually made it feel easier mentally, as the pressure was off a bit. I let myself walk up a few more hills too, as a treat. Still made it in 4:01 and more than happy with that.
Very sleepy now. I'll be having some quality time with the physios after dinner, then as early a night as I can get after that. Just a couple more of these runs around the pond, then we're doing The Windermere Marathon on Sunday. Looking forward to seeing lots of Fetchies and 100 club and other runners I know there.
I decided at halfway not to go for another sub 4, which actually made it feel easier mentally, as the pressure was off a bit. I let myself walk up a few more hills too, as a treat. Still made it in 4:01 and more than happy with that.
Very sleepy now. I'll be having some quality time with the physios after dinner, then as early a night as I can get after that. Just a couple more of these runs around the pond, then we're doing The Windermere Marathon on Sunday. Looking forward to seeing lots of Fetchies and 100 club and other runners I know there.
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Day 6 of 10 - getting there
Phew, that was a tough one. Very glad it's done now as I think it's great mentally being more than halfway through with (only!) 4 marathons to go: a good place to be. A few niggles and twinges started playing up today and I found the last 9 miles hard going, but very satisfied with another sub 4 at 3:51:27. It was pleasantly cool out on the course (though nice not to have the hail).
If you've seen the video clips, you'll realise that 'elegant, fluid and smooth' are not words you could use to describe my running. Steve reckons I could be quite quick if I got someone to sort out my running style (or lack of it!). I think he might be right.
I suppose this is technically a race (though I'm taking it very much a personal challenge) so I should update you with the fact that I'm currently sitting in 6th place. Adam has been amazing at the fast end, with three sub 3s and the other 3 not much over that. In the middle of the field there has been some shifting of positions, with Ray getting faster every day. Michelle and Aly have been running through considerable pain to complete each day impressively. Chris ran ten minutes quicker today than any of the previous days - it's like his training is just kicking in now. Unfortunately Phil had to drop out today. Despite the best efforts of the physio team his injuries were just too severe for him to carry on, a very tough decision. Now there are just 11 of us.
I'm quite tired again so hoping for another early night. I'll want some massaging first though to sort out my weary legs. Spirits in the group are generally high. Dinner soon...
If you've seen the video clips, you'll realise that 'elegant, fluid and smooth' are not words you could use to describe my running. Steve reckons I could be quite quick if I got someone to sort out my running style (or lack of it!). I think he might be right.
I suppose this is technically a race (though I'm taking it very much a personal challenge) so I should update you with the fact that I'm currently sitting in 6th place. Adam has been amazing at the fast end, with three sub 3s and the other 3 not much over that. In the middle of the field there has been some shifting of positions, with Ray getting faster every day. Michelle and Aly have been running through considerable pain to complete each day impressively. Chris ran ten minutes quicker today than any of the previous days - it's like his training is just kicking in now. Unfortunately Phil had to drop out today. Despite the best efforts of the physio team his injuries were just too severe for him to carry on, a very tough decision. Now there are just 11 of us.
I'm quite tired again so hoping for another early night. I'll want some massaging first though to sort out my weary legs. Spirits in the group are generally high. Dinner soon...
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Day 5 of 10 - halfway there
I got to bed at 9pm last night and felt much less sleepy this morning as a result. The meal out was great. We're eating here tonight, where the food is also top notch!
I felt good today. A lot like yesterday, but not so tired. Pretty consistent timing with a 3:48:41 today. I am extremely pleased with my times for the first half (and also still can't quite believe it). There was cold hail for a couple of miles today, but it was miles 14 - 16, which is a very tough part, so kind of nice to have something other than the hills to think about.
Adam did yet another sub 3 today after his course record yesterday. The boy is a machine! Some injuries are starting to flare up so the physio team will be working their asses off tonight. I'll just be popping in for a massage as my legs don't seem to be complaining much so far.
Nice to be halfway there, but it's still a case of taking each run, one day at a time. And it's still the best running event ever!
I felt good today. A lot like yesterday, but not so tired. Pretty consistent timing with a 3:48:41 today. I am extremely pleased with my times for the first half (and also still can't quite believe it). There was cold hail for a couple of miles today, but it was miles 14 - 16, which is a very tough part, so kind of nice to have something other than the hills to think about.
Adam did yet another sub 3 today after his course record yesterday. The boy is a machine! Some injuries are starting to flare up so the physio team will be working their asses off tonight. I'll just be popping in for a massage as my legs don't seem to be complaining much so far.
Nice to be halfway there, but it's still a case of taking each run, one day at a time. And it's still the best running event ever!
Monday, 10 May 2010
Day 4 of 10 - sleepy but strong
Phew, another one done then. I was VERY sleepy this morning, but once I got out on the course I felt pretty good. Legs were tired for the last 7 miles, but I guess a bit of achyness is to be expected on day 4. Almost got tripped over by a cute-fluffy-bunny-rabbit-running-out-in-front-of-me hazard at 10 miles in. Finished in 3:48:07, so more than pleased with today's effort.
We're going out to a local pub for dinner tonight, which will make a change from the usual routine. The days are zipping by. It seems like there's something to do the whole time from getting up to going to bed. The worst part of the day is probably the walk back up to the Lodge after the ice bath (only takes 5 minutes, but it seems to go on forever). The second worst is the 5 minutes passive drooling evey morning!
The best bits of each day are running the lovely scenic route and the banter with the other runners and the physio team.
That'll have to do for today. I'm knackered and need to go get my massage before we head out to dinner. Thanks for all the great messages of support.
The video clips from each day are at www.cumbrialive.tv/brathay10in10
We're going out to a local pub for dinner tonight, which will make a change from the usual routine. The days are zipping by. It seems like there's something to do the whole time from getting up to going to bed. The worst part of the day is probably the walk back up to the Lodge after the ice bath (only takes 5 minutes, but it seems to go on forever). The second worst is the 5 minutes passive drooling evey morning!
The best bits of each day are running the lovely scenic route and the banter with the other runners and the physio team.
That'll have to do for today. I'm knackered and need to go get my massage before we head out to dinner. Thanks for all the great messages of support.
The video clips from each day are at www.cumbrialive.tv/brathay10in10
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Day 3 of 10 - quicker
It occured to me today that if I had run the Windermere route before, I probably wouldn't have entered the 10 in 10, as it's far too hilly for me to have liked it. But I think the many miles of training, combined with a bit of weight loss and some solid core work (press ups, crunches & Pilates-type stuff) have prepared me well for this course. Plus the physio team are superb. I'm doing my ten minutes in the ice bath horse box every day after lunch and have had some really good deep massages. My legs feel a bit like they've run a fastish marathon, but I'm not hobbling around the place just yet.
So I broke my own course record today with 3:46:02. Very happy with that. It was sunny again, but got pleasantly cooler for the second half (which is definitely the bit I find hardest: miles 13 - 17 have a lot of the toughest hills).
There were several Fetchies out today cheering us on at various points around the course - great to see you guys, thanks!
The plan for tomorrow is to try to take it slower but hopefully manage another sub 4 (3:59:59 would be ideal). There's still a long way to go and I never like to count my marathons before they've hatched, but I'm absolutely loving it so far.
There's a great camaraderie between the runners (all very different and interesting individuals) and we're fully supported by a strong team of people pampering us. It's a joy to be part of this event.
So I broke my own course record today with 3:46:02. Very happy with that. It was sunny again, but got pleasantly cooler for the second half (which is definitely the bit I find hardest: miles 13 - 17 have a lot of the toughest hills).
There were several Fetchies out today cheering us on at various points around the course - great to see you guys, thanks!
The plan for tomorrow is to try to take it slower but hopefully manage another sub 4 (3:59:59 would be ideal). There's still a long way to go and I never like to count my marathons before they've hatched, but I'm absolutely loving it so far.
There's a great camaraderie between the runners (all very different and interesting individuals) and we're fully supported by a strong team of people pampering us. It's a joy to be part of this event.
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Day 2 of 10 - a quickie
3:49:27. A 10 in 10 women's course record! Shiny.
I wasn't sure what to expect today. I figured 3:59 would be sweet, anything under 4:07 would be great as that would make a sub 4 average. But I felt pretty good and ran comfortably. I think the combination of ice baths and massage must be working. There was some strong wind in the second half, which didn't make those long uphill drags any eaiser. But it was very warm again, so at least there was a cooling effect. I walked the 3 worst hills that I'd selected yesterday as the ones to walk. I may add to that list later in the week, but I'll try to stick with just those 3 again tomorrow. I'd remember all the uphills, but forgotten that they were inevitably followed by downs, so had lots of pleasant easier sections that I wasn't expecting. I followed it with plenty of food and another ice bath.
So I managed just two sub-4s in my first 100 marathons (back in 2006) and have just done another 4 within the last month, including two on consecutive days. I think 'athlete' is still a misnomer, but I'm starting to feel like a real runner now.
I popped into Ambleside this afternoon to pick up a few things from the shops. It's a nice town to visit and thankfully small enough not to involve too much effort to wander round it. Dinner soon then massage later. Looking forward to another go tomorrow.
I wasn't sure what to expect today. I figured 3:59 would be sweet, anything under 4:07 would be great as that would make a sub 4 average. But I felt pretty good and ran comfortably. I think the combination of ice baths and massage must be working. There was some strong wind in the second half, which didn't make those long uphill drags any eaiser. But it was very warm again, so at least there was a cooling effect. I walked the 3 worst hills that I'd selected yesterday as the ones to walk. I may add to that list later in the week, but I'll try to stick with just those 3 again tomorrow. I'd remember all the uphills, but forgotten that they were inevitably followed by downs, so had lots of pleasant easier sections that I wasn't expecting. I followed it with plenty of food and another ice bath.
So I managed just two sub-4s in my first 100 marathons (back in 2006) and have just done another 4 within the last month, including two on consecutive days. I think 'athlete' is still a misnomer, but I'm starting to feel like a real runner now.
I popped into Ambleside this afternoon to pick up a few things from the shops. It's a nice town to visit and thankfully small enough not to involve too much effort to wander round it. Dinner soon then massage later. Looking forward to another go tomorrow.
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