Marathon 82 yesterday. It’s Grim Up North 6 hour challenge at Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Centre. I traveled down on Friday after work. Driving conditions were tough in sleet and snow, but I arrived shortly after 7 pm. This meant I could relax and have a relatively late start on Saturday.
I stubbed my toe getting out of the shower, it ached all night.
When I got up on Saturday my toe had stopped throbbing and only hurt if I poked it, so I didn’t. I did however still have sore muscles from Thursday’s circuits, cheers Heather.
I went for a walk before breakfast, it was very cold and overcast. But not icy. It was strange looking over the lake not having to swim in it, but I was relieved. Holme Pierrepont is the site for The Outlaw. I have run round this lake many times.
I wandered back for breakfast, scrambled eggs, bacon, roast & jam and coffee. It was still early. So I went back to my room to get ready to run.
Before I checked out I had a cereal bar and some rice pudding.
After checking out I put my stuff in the van and registered, chatting to old friends and new.
At 10:20 we had race briefing and went out into the cold and congregated around the area that I know as The Outlaw finish line.
We gathered to start. Were were to run anti clockwise around the lake, collecting a band at the end of every lap. Each lap was around 3 miles long and there were turnback points for those planning to run 5 km, 10km half marathon or full marathon. There were 3 hour challengers and 6 hour challengers. I was just gonna run as long as I could, I hoped for 10 laps in 6 hours.
The race started and everyone set off, running their own pace for their own goals. My legs were sore but soon warmed up. After the first lap I was joined by Chris, we ran and chatted for 4 laps. Chris was a 3 hour challenger and after 5 laps we split up, he planned to run/walk his last lap.
Running with Chris had been a distraction, now I was on my own, runners reducing every lap, I was working hard I reached marathon at 4:20, this gave me hope of running more than 10 laps. I made 30 miles in under 5 hours, I was tiring but hoped now to make 12 laps.
On my 12 th lap I knew I was slowing but pushed in the hope of getting round in under 6 hours and being allowed to do a 13th lap. I finished my 12th lap as it was getting dark in 6:01:40. Too late for another. I was not disappointed, I felt had done well.
I handed my bands in and had some cake, collected my beer and chocolate and went inside to warm up.
After a short while I went to the van to get changed and set off on the long drive home in the dark. No snow this time phew!
I got home at 8 pm tired and happy. Only 18 marathons to go.
The results came out today, I was in the top 10 and the 2 nd lady. The First Lady also had 12 laps but she had done them in 5:10.
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