Well, here we are – big run day. Watched Eddie Izzard last night to get some motivation and was almost looking forward to the run this morning. Unfortunately, as usual had a beer too many last night (only had a few) and had a slight bad head today. But all in all the legs and feet were feeling as good as they have been for a few weeks now.
Set off at 7:30, but the blummin sat nav on my phone wouldn’t pick up the signal, so I wasted 10 minutes fiddling with it, in the end I just stuck it in my pocket to check later. Lovely day again today, slightly chilly, but blue skies – nice day for it guv. Started OK, still always feels tiring at the beginning, but after around a mile and half you get into it – I also found that the sat nav had magically started working, which was nice.
Slightly different route this week ( http://routebuilder.org/3s5 ) with around an extra mile in the big loop, and it was not too bad up to around 8 miles then I started getting the pain in my toe again, it feels like my big toe is stretching itself upwards and its really sore, but if I run with my toes curled under the pain goes way – weird.
Met the Mrs at around 11 miles in for some replacement drink, this is great it saves having to carry two bottles, and gives me a half way point too. Just after I noticed that the cars were really slowing down for me, then realised that there were a pair of runners just behind me, probably running at least 50% faster than I was they slowed as they overtook, they had already run 14.5 miles (I was on around 12 at that point) and after 30 seconds of chat away they went. Makes me realise that some\people do this for “fun” they probably run 17, 20 miles to see how fast they can do it, or just for a nice morning out – and I do it just purely to see if I can carry my aching body the distance. Checked distance at 2:00hrs to make sure I was on time and the sat nav said 1:52, 11.6 miles so looking good for the continued 10 minute/miles. Toes was really hurting now, so stopped to undo my shoe – and I think that helped a lot, either that or I had become acclimatised to the pain!!
So last 5 miles were ok, if quite painful, you know your nearing the end so I think that this makes me a little more “tired” as I know the end is near. Legs, knees and feet were quite painful today – more so than last week. I think I really have to fuel up next week – decent breakfast, and take some munchies for the trip – I did have a piece of toast and took a fruit string for half way round – but next time I promise to try harder…
When I got back the sat nav had 16.8 miles on it, 2:48, but it was at the very least an extra mile, so I think I might have made 18 miles, but I’ll leave it with 17 and be happy!!!!!… Afternoon on the sofa, watching Wales hopefully beat Ireland, I thought it was in Cardiff, but in Croke Park is going to make it very difficult for them.. Oh well, if they win celebrate with a Chinese, if they lose commiserate with a Vindaloo ;o)
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Days left: 46
Confidence: 68%
Ability: 70%