10 in 10 Day 9 The Race........

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This morning was all about getting trussed up and minimising any potential problems from my ankle.
Walking was fine. I had no idea what running would be like.

We were a little late setting off and we did so just as the rain eased. There was a fantastic crowd of Fetchies to see us off. That set the day up for being a good one :)

Off we went and I hit The Wall after ½ a mile!!!
The sneaky blighter had done it's best to second guess me. And my ankle was REALLY painful.
I fiddle-faddled with different ways of running until I found a decent compromise that kept propelling me forward faster than walking.

V'rap, Adam T, Mark B all went past me, and I was struggling to get any kind of pace. I settled into 9:30's, caught back up to Adam and mentioned that I thought it was going to be a Long Hard Day.

At about 5 miles I was running a little more freely and caught back up with my lovely wife. Haddi and family Haddi were at the 6 mile Feed Station - Brilliant :)
He said they'd next be at Newby Bridge!!!
Once again people from the Fetch community prove to be the best supporters in the world.

The Mile 7 hill saw Adam's Dad catch up with me on his bike. I ran up it faster than he rode :) Funny as it seems, that was a real confidence booster!

I could see Mark ahead of me at the 8 mile Feed Station, and caught him at 10. The ankle was loosening up and giving me far less grief, and I started experimenting with running as fast as I could without hurting myself.
It was a really fine balance, and EVERY footfall had to be exactly right. Kept me very focused and I had to concentrate really hard.
Passing the 12 mile Station I knew that Newby Bridge was just around the corner.

And as promised, there was haddi - with the promised Jelly Babies. He said something about "....around the corner"

Oh.My.God.!!!!!!!!!

An enormous group of familiar Fetch faces making a huge amount of noise. What a lift :)
Thanks Guys - You are awesome :)

I started the long open section to the 14 mile Station, and was reeling in Foxy Davy. I caught him at the feed Station, where Amy had promised to be if I needed anything.
I didn't this time :):)

Things were going reasonably well - but this part of the route is the most undulating, and the quick changes were proving slightly troublesome with the ankle.
Amy drove past me just before 15, and checked on me. I told her that my ankle was a bit sore, but in 2½ miles the course becomes flat, and that I'd be fine from there.

She said she'd wait at the top of the Speed Bump :)

haddi was at the 18 mile Station and found my bottle for me and ran with me until I was done with it (Cheers mate - really appreciated that )
And as I'd predicted running was much easier. A quick check of the Garmin showed that I was averaging less than 9 minute miles overall now, and I was running well.

This section is easy to run, and makes it one of the best last thirds of a marathon I know.
I found myself waving at loads of cars with people who beeped their horns, or who cheered. It was great :)

Was feeling reasonable through Bowness and up to the Speed Bump. Amy was there as promised.

"You OK..?"

♫ "I'm still runnin'.." ♫ I warbled :)

And I headed straight on.

Average pace read 8:37min/mile!!!!

I started pushing the pace as far as I dared. There are some lovely downdulating sections along this section.
22 passed
23 passed
and the short section to the last water station loomed.
I felt like I was running well - and I was - I was seeing 7:3* pace
Blimey!!!

I was thirsty - so stopped for a decent drink and to wet my Buff. And set back off again.
2½ miles to go.
I picked the pace up a bit - ankle said - OK :)

Loved the run into Ambleside - managed not to fall over.

And as I headed out - ANOTHER Fetchpoint had created itself. AMAZING :):):):)

My average pace had dropped below 8:30's - now THAT I never expected at the start!!!

As I entered the grounds of Brathay I changed the display on the Garmin to show me the running time 3:37:57
Oooooh - If I get a move on, I'll get under 3:40.......... (sad, eh!!!)

As I crowned the hill, I picked it up...... and there was ANOTHER Fetchpoint at the finish line - Unbelieveable :):):):):)

3:39:45

GRRRRRRAAAARGH! (no Idea *why* I roared, but it seemed appropriate at the time!!)

Said a quick hello the the good folk who'd turned out to see us in, and went for FOOD!!
Cheered the next couple of runners in, and headed out to hug the wife who'd had ANOTHER brilliant run :)

When we went back up to the Lodge for physio and the like, discovered that Tim had won today:)
That REALLY made my day. Tim has been running really well, and is such a nice bloke. I was absolutely delighted for him, and I think that it showed. :)

Fantastic day :)
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