Brathay Abroad
- Duncan
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Paddington Abroad
Have to say I wish I was on holiday in France at the moment. The quads were 'crying out' for help this morning and the doubts about finishing today resurfaced. You sort of need a plan a, b, c and maybe even d for this event. In my opinion you can only look as far as the day you're on, there's a lot can happen over the course of a marathon.
Quite a long time ago, I was lucky enough to work with Steve Winch, he was hard working, funny and the team loved him, he balanced my weirdness with normal. There was a quirky side to him too. Today, the third marathon reminded me of our rare split shift lunch breaks. About 30 years ago as young men, we'd do our breakfast and lunch shift, finish any paperwork and head to the local for a game of pool and a relaxing beverage. Just occasionally, very occasionally, the liquid we imbibed might extend to a choice, a third quenching quaff, referred to as the 'devil's third'. We'd have to return to work to manage the dinner service and if we succumbed to the sip of the succubus, we were invariably amusing, excitable but perhaps not the most professional. You couldn't do that nowadays. Thankfully, we've both grown up since then, but clearly he more than I, he's now an amazing father, husband, godfather and company director.
With the quads (my natural suspension springs), evidently worse for wear, I knew I needed Worzel's sensible head on today. The plan was to set off, very steady, walk the ups, walk some of the downs too (that's where the damage happens) and just hold on until the half way point. The plan worked. At Newby Bridge (13 miles) I clocked 2 hours 32. The run in was natural, unforced and pleasurable, achieving my first ever negative split for any 'distance' run I've ever done. What's utterly amazing is that my pacing over the three days so far is within 5 minutes. I've never been this consistent in my life. Equally, I've not been late for breakfast, physio or a pre-run briefing, or the start for that matter, yet. I almost overslept this morning, except I didn't and that's what counts.
Tomorrow is a worry for sure, 8 years ago, the wheels fell off and I ended up with shin splits, I'm deeply concerned that with the training I've restricted myself too, that something similar could happen. As Dr Hall says, fear is the only emotion related to the future. Re-frame the situation and I'm incredibly grateful that I'll even be on the start line tomorrow with some truly amazing people.
The run into home today was enjoyable. the run (I know it's slow for some people) didn't feel that long, felt positive in some places. Even the first part was enjoyable especially as I had the Big Yin to listen to, he tells such wonderful (sometimes harrowing) but always with a kind humour and a reverence to make you think. He conjures up such vivid memories of childhood, of life, there's so much detail, he's fascinating. 'Do you have a good memory for faces? Aye. That's good as the bathroom has no mirror.' And other such anecdotes.
Ella has been amazing again today, but I think we were in the middle of a little frisson between young James and Izzy, especially when James started to demote my Ella to the third best physio, so that he could elevate Izzy to the best. Izzy was strangely quiet when asked who the most eligible person in the room was. Is their romance in the air?
Who puts milk back in the fridge with barely a drop left? Are you insane? I couldn't even get my tea milky. What madness is this?
My big hope for tomorrow is that I don't make an ass out of myself.
Loving the sing song over the finish line, today was 'Price Tag', got to love Jessie J. A finish time of 5:02:00 is just what the Dr ordered. Thank you for a wonderful holiday Brathay.
And today's Théo offering...
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