The Best of Brathay
- Duncan
- 9 minutes ago
- 4 min read
The Best of Paddington Bear
Day 9, pretty cool eh? With the training I've not done, I'm over the moon to still be here. What's even cooler is, today I've completed my quickest marathon for the week (or nine days to be factually accurate). What's even more amazing is that I've not done any stupid stuff, no pranks on Dr Katie, no stupid asides, no lateness, pretty much been on time for everything, maybe the last few years, I've grown up? Now that would be something.
You know that slogan that goes.
If you want to run, run a mile
If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon
If you want to talk to God, run an ultra
I've added a line...
If you want to know peace and understanding, run Brathay
Every single person I've ever met during any of the Brathay events has amazed, inspired, impressed me. Some I've been mesmerised by, some envious of, some in awe of, without question and without exception it has been a privilege to be associated with so many cool people, such an amazing event and wonderful charity.
I feel like I learn from the physios too. You gain different perspectives. They're learning their trade, yet if they tell you, it is possible to run a marathon regardless of the injury you may be carrying, well, no questions asked, you go out and do it. How many times do you trust the word of a 20 year old, however qualified. These young people are dedicated, extraordinary and the care and attention they provide us, is first class, thank you.
Despite this being a (repeated) marathon and very much an individual sport, you genuinely feel part of something. From individuals, you become part of a 'team', you become wowed by others in the 'Class of'. Sometimes, it's an individual's tenacity, what they've been through, what they've done, what they're going through, the injuries and subsequent determination to keep going. Sometimes, it's their metronomic running, sometimes how fast they are. Sometimes, their sheer stubbornness, their intelligence or just their sense of humour.
Today was a bit of a milestone, just after Hawkshead, 1000 miles around Windermere. Pretty cool? Or pretty daft? There's worse places to record a 1000 miles of activity.
Last 3 days finish times. Called my Mum tonight, she asked if I'd do it again? After all she went on to say, you're getting on a bit now and not as young as you once were. Thanks for reminding me! I wonder if?
We were at the briefing before tomorrow; there's another marathon setting off just after us, a sort of Brathay celebration marathon, a few previous 10in10ers will be there, friends and family for most. Rob was quite amusing tonight, latching on to Chris's comment that when he did the 10in10 years ago they never had shirts (think he meant to say branded, sponsored shirts), so as an aside to me, he conjured up the image of previous 10in10ers running the event shirtless. Can you imagine runners with 'Ho'way the Lads' or 'Up the Blades' tattooed on their bellies running around Windermere. Guess you had to be there?
The Lap was on today too. One lady stopped to ask if I was lost, then realised, oh it's okay you're just doing the marathon. Ahem! Just about Newby Bridge their was a Lap support crew perhaps waiting for lost runners, one was nice enough to say, 'well done'. I replied 'Thanks, how are you doing?' His reply 'lapping it up'. If that was supposed to be advertising or a slogan reply, it was hardly imaginative.
The only reason I seemed to get a shuffle on today was because I suddenly became competitive. I noticed Dr David in front of me, I thought, I'll shuffle along with him as he's as consistent as swiss timepiece, but then I noticed 'Snakey' away in the distance and suddenly thought, by heck she's going well, maybe I can catch her. In the meantime I was lucky enough to run with Izzy But, just a little in front was Susie. Izzy trucks along at a metronomic pace. Susie was just in front then suddenly was not, maybe I'm hallucinating, it has been known to happen, Izzy then reeled me in around mile 16 but today I just thought, what the heck, let's see what's in the tank, so I was able to squeeze past her and hold on for dear life until the end. At the top of Clappersgate, was Gary, someone I've admired since Lockdown (when he ran 10 marathons in 10 days on a treadmill) and I was lucky enough to share the finish line with him. The ditty today was 'Never Enough', Loren Allred.
Hopefully a few ibuprofen, a good night's sleep, not too achy tomorrow, Ella sorts all my worries and then perhaps we can try and have fun again, especially now the pressure's off. And, even if we don't have fun, we can still enjoy hopefully running with, alongside but mainly behind some amazing people; The Best of Brathay...
DJ Théo's tune of today...
This tune really put a smile on my face, it was something my grandparents used to sing when I was really little and Théo and I used to do the same when we went on road trips. Thanks for the smile son!
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