10 marathons in 10 days, day #7/10

Day 7's run, for the Intrepid medal...

I think today was the hardest day. I wish I'd brought my Adversity shield with me to fight it! All the stuff about getting to the start line being the hardest bit certainly came true today, although not in the way I think it is meant!

Left my house extra early at 6.15, to leave time to get around the protests in London, and allow for the Bank Hol trains. Bus to Waterloo didn't turn up, so headed a different way round. Bus passed me a few mins after, as I was walking, and drove on it's merry little way. Got to Waterloo, all the trains said "delayed or cancelled". Waited around a little to find out more, and was told all the lines were shut due to an incident, and the closest I could get on a train was Woking. Got on train to Woking. The train literally had it's breaks on the whole way and it took AN HOUR to get there! By now it was almost 8.45 and the race started at 9.30. Ordered an Uber, and watched the little car on the screen drive in circles, away from me, and the ETA go up...at that point, I don't mind admitting I had a proper cry, sat in a wall outside Woking station, and kicked the floor a few times. How glamourous! I was so frustrated! I was giving everything to the 10 in 10, and the reason I was going to fail was because of not flipping getting there! Plus, as well as that, I was now stuck in Woking, of all places. Great.

A good cry often sorts me out though, I think it gets rid of all the emotion inside. So I stopped, breathed deeply, thought of my Adversity Shield, which I had already got, after all, got a different Uber, and headed on the way. Made it with 10 mins to spare. In the meantime, I'd broken my sunglasses, realised I hadn't brought suncream, and broken the zip on my bag so I couldn't open it. I freaked out again, but as I always say, this community is amazing, and Kerry's husband Keith leant me his sunglasses, Sharky gave me some suncream, and everyone reassured me that now I was here, everything would be okay. Thank you you amazing lot, you are the best 💕

I hadn't even had time to think about running yet today to be honest, but luckily this was the 7th marathon of the week, so my legs seemed to know the drill by now and surprisingly got on with it, which was decent of them, as my mind slowly calmed down over a few laps. I kept having thoughts that everything seemed to be against me and I wasn't meant to finish, but no! I would not believe it! 

It was very very hot today, and the west bound route doesn't have much shade. I never feel hungry running in the heat, but I seemed to get by OK on mostly kendle mint cake and water today. I love Kendal mint cake. And one of the runners even put money behind the counter in the ice cream van for us all, what an absolute legend! 

My body has held up ok so far, and I somehow ran faster today than any other day, even though my mind wasn't really managing as well, which I think was just because I'd been really stressed out and that always makes me go faster. Don't know why, it makes no sense that you should run quicker if you're actually thinking about something else entirely. Mentally I found it really tough today though, it was hard! Had a few more teary moments, but it's all good now, and thanks for the hugs, you lovely lot!

I am so excited to have run a marathon every day for a whole week! One of my favourite books is Survival of the Fittest by Mike Stroud, who did 7 marathons in 7 days. I never even had a thought I could do that. Admittedly, his were also in each of the 7 different continents, but aside from that small fact. I did it! I did!

Now there are three left, which is still a lot, but I'm going to get round them, somehow (as long as I make it to the start).

Today's quote I love so much...

...there are no truer words than these today! I will take you, you big rock of day 7 (and several from the towpath that have made it into my trainers) and you will build part of my 10 in 10! 

And now this is enough emotion and inspirational sayings for one day. Maybe tomorrow I will be more stable! Thank you a million everyone today for your support, you're all bloody brilliant!!! 😍😍😍

10 marathons in 10 days, day #6/10

Day #6/10, for the Adversity Shield.

Adversity is made to be overcome, right?! Today really felt that way! 

Managed to sleep full 6 hours last night, woop woop! Woke up at 4.30 so headed to start early and had some tea and toast at the Weir pub by the start. My stomach still felt a bit sore, but it's been OK today. Such a relief! 

Despite the sleep, am starting to feel tired, and the legs start hurting earlier round the laps each day. Keep getting niggles, and worrying they are something serious, like today the back of my right leg suddenly hurt in lap 6. And then my mind runs away with me (at least my mind can still run well) and before I know it, I'll be injured and won't be able to finish, and will never ever run again. So far, my body has proved my mind wrong though. And as per today's quote...my mind is lying, so it can do one!

Today's present is nuts, which I don't know whether to take personally or not.

I get to this point each day, and think I'll never be able to run again tomorrow, but so far the next day I feel a bit more normal again, so if I could actually still move enough to cross anything, I would cross everything that that will carry on at least a bit longer. But I can't, so I'll just hope. It's like running in general I suppose. When I first did marathons and felt bad, I'd think that was it for the whole race and I'd give up mentally and beat myself up. But now having done a few, I realise, everything passes. My foot might hurt for a but, but it will ease off, then my leg might hurt, but then someone will say something to distract you, you'll get back to the end of the lap and get another wrist band, and things will seem better again. Funny, hey!

Today was Sarah's birthday and it was like a big party - amazing cake, bunting, the works - big Happy Birthday Sarah!!!  

Although it hurt and was hard, today was fun. Lots of chats and laughs on the way round. Every day I think my fellow runners, and the Phoenix Team, are more and more amazing. So kind and encouraging. I could never do this without seeing them X 2 per lap. They are such a great support. I felt a but emotional sometimes today, for the first time. Although this is hard, it is so amazing to be doing it, and I am so happy to be able to try to. I will miss it, and everyone, when it's over.

But that's ok, because there's still four more days left! FOUR MORE DAYS. Which is FOUR MORE MARATHONS. Oh my word. Help.

10 marathons in 10 days, day #5/10

Today's run, for the Perseverance Shield,

I can see why it's called Perseverance. Much was required. I am identifying with my medals more and more as the days go on 🤣

Felt totally knackered when I woke up today, which was after about 2 hours as I still can't sleep, and had no idea how I was going to run another marathon. So thank you to everyone on the way there and before the start who encouraged me and distracted me with chats. Getting to the start is the hardest part, apparently. And then the rest of it as well, I'd say, but once you're there, you might as well do it, I suppose.

Actually felt quite good once I started, for the first half anyway. I wasn't letting myself think about what I had to do, as it was freaking me out, so I was just running, and I seemed to still be able to. The second half was a different story. I suddenly started to get really bad stomach pains. I've no idea what it was, none of the usual running afflictions. Felt like someone was sticking a knife in and stabbing it around. It stopped about half an hour after I finished, so I guess I'm okay! I couldn't eat much because of it, so I ran out of energy, and felt pretty rubbish. I somehow managed to run my fastest time of the days so far, which makes absolutely no sense, but then none of this really makes any sense, when I think about it.

Thank goodness it's a 5 in 5. Hahahahahahaha!!!!

Oh. My. Days. We have to do it all again.

But not until tomorrow, and we must take only one day at a time. Right? Right. Yes. Got it.

Also, I got my Silver Wings today, for running 25 races with Phoenix. Thanks Rik!

I wish I did have wings. Like a unicorn, or even a bird. Then I could fly round and not use my legs or my feet. No, not a bird, a unicorn. A unicorn would be better. Much better.

I think I'm delerious. I should sleep.

Oh, before that though, day 5 present and quote....

Looks like I'm keeping my sweaty towel for another day then. Nice. 

Well done all runners out there today. What brilliant achievements all round - every day I just get more and more bowled over by what everyone is doing! Thanks Rik, and Jenny on the aid station, and the rest of the Phoenix Team for taking good care of us.  

10 marathons in 10 days, day #4/10

Day 4 medal, the Resolute Sheild.

Which stands for "admirably purposeful, determined and unwavering".

And that was needed just for getting to the start, which was a total nightmare this morning. Waterloo Bridge was shut because of demonstrations, so ended up walking a mile and a half through crowds of commuters, that I was way to tired to navigate safely, missed my train, got a later train that turned out ok, then I really needed a wee but there were no toilets in the train or at the station. I was in such a bad mood by the time I got to the start.

But it passed quickly, being around all the TiTs, and after a lap I felt alright again.

Today felt a bit harder, my legs are starting to feel a bit tight despite all my efforts, dammit! And I can't sleep properly, for some reason, so that's annoying. But nothing major, and still feeling alright. I did a tiny bit faster today than the other days. I'm sure this is probably a mistake. But I've never run more than 3 marathons in 3 days before, so I'm basically just winging it now, and finding out what happens, I guess? Who knows!

It was really warm and quite humid today, but quite nice for running in. It feels good to be warmer, finally.

Today's quote and present (which I ate for breakfast - the present, not the quote, I hope I never eat those words!)...

Great to be back on the towpath. And great to see some awesome achievements and milestones reached today. Plus everyone is achieving great things out on the towpath - top work everyone! 

10 marathons in 10 days, day #3/10

Today's medal was the Dauntless Sheild,

I am pretty daunted by 10 in 10, but now I've got a Phoenix holding a sheild saying I'm dauntless, I genuinely feel a bit less daunted.

And today's present...veggie jerky. 

Who would have thought it! If you can make jerky veggie, then there is indeed nothing that can't be done, so I followed the instruction from today's quote to "clear my mind of can't", and headed out for day #3.

First day on holiday today, and running a marathon is definitely easier than going to work at the moment, so even though I have to get up earlier, it feels like a treat to be running a marathon on a weekday!

I feel like I'm getting into my marathon commute. Number 26 bus, Waterloo, coffee, train, walk. The walk is especially nice in good weather, and a thousand hurrahs the weather is picking up! 

Beautiful and sunny today, got a bit sunburnt. Getting runners tan lines in early this year 🤣

The run was much quieter than weekend runs at Phoenix, but still a great crowd out, and good to be with the TiT bunch. Thank you for all the encouragement and laughs and hugs and the way round. And thanks all you fabulous aid station legends for looking after us all day. 

Run felt good today, and it was the west route, over the blue bridge, which is my favourite. Have been feeling quite ok so far, I'm sure it's probably all about to go wrong, but I'm enjoying it whilst it lasts! I haven't even got a blister yet, which is just weird. I always get blisters.

My other nemesis is tight hamstrings, so I have been walking lots of extra miles to stretch things out, streching at weird places like at the train station and bus stops which gets some funny looks. I am worried this isn't enough though, so have been using lots of Deep Heat. Last night I went a bit overboard, and sprayed a bit too much of it in the bathroom, which doesn't have windows, and felt a bit light headed so had to lie down a while. But on the plus side, my legs are fine.

So to tomorrow. Same time, same place!

10 marathons in 10 days, day #2/10

Day #2 - today's Phoenix had a Gauntlet sheild. Gauntlet can mean either:

1) To go through an intimidating or dangerous crowd or experience to reach a goal.

Or,

2) Undergo the military punishment of receiving blows whilst running between two rows of men with sticks.

Wow. Fortunately, I'm pleased to say, I got my Gauntlet sheild without having to go through either, especially number 2, so I sort of feel like I cheated.

Today's present was...

And I'm also pleased that my brain is still all in agreement with itself, to keep going. Today was the other way along the towpath (east), and I felt fine for the 8 laps, other than a bit weak for a couple before half way, but some aid station pretzels and a couple of Freddos sorted it out.

Great run today. Thank you to everyone for the birthday songs, wishes, hugs and chats on the way round! And thanks Gemma for running with me the whole way...

And thanks Andrew for my cake, and to everyone for sharing it. Sorry there wasn't enough. I should know by now that runners love cake!

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes. I am very lucky! 💕

10 marathons in 10 days, # 1/10

10 marathons in 10 days, down by the river with Phoenix Running. My first 10 in 10. Day 1 done and feeling good, which is good, really, as there are 9 more to do 🤣

Got a great present in the post yesterday from my parents....

I wondered if it was some kind of drugs.

Better! Chocolate!

And I am seeking guidance on if 'at the end of the course' means at the end of EVERY course, as in, every day I can drink champagne??

Thanks Mum and Dad!

Great day down by the river with my running family.

The weather was something else. Freezing at the start, then sunny and warm, then the sky went black and it rained and was  freezing, then hot and sunny, then hail (HAIL?) then warm, then rain....

Today's Phoenix has a Fortitude sheild.

#2 tomorrow!