The Adventures of Brathay
- Duncan
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The Adventures of Paddington
Indifferent. That was my description of today. Some bits I felt I could almost run, others I had to walk, some were a struggle to even raise a jog. It started off so well. no aches, no pains and felt comfy to run. Stu and I were 'bimbling' away, chatting inanely and the yards and miles rolled by all the way to Hawkshead. It was nice to chat to someone, other than myself, who I cannot seem to get a coherent conversation from, and not notice the distance travelled, I'm sure a chinwag (that's not homosexual slang for something else Johnny) takes your mind off thinking about your legs. A great surprise to see an old running buddy, Rob, out on the course, he's a terrific runner (better than he thinks), an aspiring musician and all round talented bloke.
Unfortunately, just after Hawkshead, I lumbered on alone, half expecting to be able to chat with Tazz or even at a push Johnny, if I was able to catch them up. Thankfully, I've been listening to more Billy Connolly, so I may not need a translator for Johnny any more? It was not to be, and it was a bit of a 'chew' to get any sort of momentum today. Everyone was so far in front of me today, it was a genuinely difficult to find a moving marker to keep pushing onwards.
The course is unforgiving, the event even less so. One weakness, one miscalculation, one wrong step and things can and do unravel. Several runners have come into the event carrying minor injuries, and unfortunately have not been able to get to Day 7. Nicola, Olly, now Tazz and Katie T have all had to drop out after completing multiple days. It's a wonderful privilege to still be here. Remember the lesson of crossing the road? Stop, Look, Listen. It applies to this event too. Only I think it's more
Stop - think of a plan and variations on it
Luck - you'll need it, after all anything can happen during 10 days and the 2 to 3 months leading into the event
Listen - to your body, but not so much your head. Your brain plays tricks on you, it wants to keep you safe and doesn't want to see you hurt. Your heart wants to finish and your body's needs have to be tweaked depending on how it feels. Run if you can, walk if you must and crawl if you have to, but just keep moving.
I feel lucky. The plans are sort of working, I'll be on the start line for day 7 tomorrow, which is a wonderful little gift.
Love was certainly in the air this morning as massage plinth crossed lovers gazed intently into each others eyes, hushed murmurings of the heart drifted across the divide. This time it's not the physios, who I'm still trying to unsuccessfully matchmake.
The support from the students before, during and after the run is fantastic, there's not been a day they've not driven around the course, beeping and cheering us all on. There's so much good feeling, amongst everyone, the banter is great, merciless but great. Thanks again Cumbria Uni Sport Rehabilitation students, you are genuinely wonderful and without your support, this event would become unimaginably more difficult. You prep for us, clean up after us and attend to stuff we are very grateful of.
I think I might become a Womble, or a Plogger, specifically qualified in tidying up sticky discarded wrappers from elite marathon runners. Look what I found on the course today from some irresponsible individual. It's the Lake District, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Barbaric!
Apparently there are no planned roadworks during the period 1st-10th May. But to slow the more responsible runners down, who stop at red lights, the local council obliged with these, just on the approach to 'ice-cream mountain'. I can barely walk up the hill, let alone balance on my quads half way up. They've very kindly reminded me to be 'Slow' too, how thoughtful can you be?
More thoughtful than some of the drivers who whizz past on bends, on approach to hills or maybe because they can't be bothered that there's a human being in their way. Rule 163 of the Highway Code, ladies, gentlemen and other denominations. Two meter gap please or just go slower so that you don't get us to almost fill our running shorts with more than just sweat.
Pretty pleased to have finished today, let's give it another go tomorrow.
Scrabbling around through my playlist for a good finish line tune today and plumped for, 'she's got a body like an hourglass, but I can give it to you all the time' Bang, Bang - Jessie J. My body feels quite Chitty, Chitty...
DJ Théo's tune of today...
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