10 in 10 - Race 10 The Finale

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Woke up this morning feeling quite nervous, as did Lorna.
This is normally a Good Thing, but with the events of the last couple of days, I didn't dare hope for my self.
I had a really good feeling about what Lorna would do though :)

So the morning routine of food and physio commenced. Amy and I discussed what to do with my Left Ankle, and we felt that more of the same was sensible. So I was taped up.
We headed down to the start area to see if we could meet up with any Fetchies - and it didn't take long :)
Before we knew it our names were being called, and we 'huddled' before setting off from under the Finish Banner to the Start.

There were hundreds of people about and the start was a real party :)

Mind-blowing!

And so the final race started - Adam shot off (as he does ;)) and pottering up- the first hill my ankle seemed to be behaving itself.
The first downdulate was also comfortable, although I had to really concentrate on form so that I could run without anything hurting.

I thought to myself - "this is the last marathon - if you are feeling good, go for it!"
So by the 3rd mile I'd picked up the pace and was feeling good on it.

I was running alone, with Adam somewhere ahead, and Steve and Tim a little way behind.

"Run your own race!" I told myself - "Keep it relaxed, and just see how you go"

Before I knew it the Mile 7 Hill was upon me, and I took it easy on the ascent, relaxed on the flat, and bombed the down. I couldn't believe how good I was feeling, and how well I was running.
Psychologically, this next section is great. It's nett downhill for 5½ miles :)
Along here I was cheered on by Kelley and Sprog - Brilliant - unexpected surprise :)

And there were more supporters in Newby Bridge.

The next section to 17 miles is the toughest part of the course. Unremitting and undulating. I kept the effort level down on the Ups, and let it fly on the downs.
And then around mile 18 I saw Adam a little way ahead.

"No way!" I thought.

18-20 is delightful to run, and I saw that Adam was slowly coming back to me. I caught him just after Bowness where he said he was waiting for Steve and Tim so they could cross the line together.
I left him and headed up the Speed Bump, at the top of which were Stuart, Ruth and a few others - Awesome positioning guys :) That is the last of the hard running and the run-in over the next 4.75 miles is fabulous - I LOVE it!!!!!

I started to pick it up.
I wanted to finish with a good run, and I was running really smoothly.

The updulate at 23 miles went without a hitch - as did the move on to the road in Ambleside.
The last half mile started to feel a little more hard work.
As I turned into Brathay, I could hear the announcer telling the crowd that I was coming and a real shiver went down my spine!!!

I eased up over the crown of the hill, and then gunned it to the line.
There were LOADS of people there - it was amazing :):)
I think I put my hands above my head and started clapping back to the crowd.

I crossed the line and was completely spent, and who was there to give me a huge hug....??
"Where the HELL did THAT come from?" asked Amy.
I shrugged my shoulders because initially I couldn't speak - told Amy that I loved her (again) with her Hubby looking on :)
I know I've said this before, but she is amazing. She knows Sports Physio like no-one I've ever met - and if you live up this way and need looking at - she's the person to see!
Gareth was also there - which made the day complete. We'll SO be up to support him next year!!!!

The rest got a bit blurred.
Someone went to get my bag from Reception
I had something to drink and eat
10 minutes later Adam Steve and Tim came in :) the Sub-35 hour Posse :):):)

And I was waiting for my Soon To Be A World Record Holder Wife to arrive.

And she duly obliged with a STORMING run of 3:55, Closely followed by Adam T who has been truly inspirational in his squaring up to adversity having been held together with elastoplast since Day 2 :)

I missed a few coming in but caught up with them as soon as I saw them
Everyone was brilliant.
Incredible runs by incredible people - and it has been an absolute privilege to share the same space and road with every one of them over the last 11 days.

A bit of self indulgence here:

Finishing time 3:10:45

Splits:
* 7:54
* 7:42
* 8:05
* 7:35
* 7:37
* 7:42
* 7:16
* 8:07
* 7:05
* 6:49
* 7:15
* 7:13
* 7:06
* 7:27
* 7:23
* 7:21
* 7:07
* 7:07
* 7:08
* 7:13
* 7:13
* 7:14
* 6:57
* 6:40
* 6:41
* 6:45

1st HM: 1:38:02
2nd HM: 1:32:43

Quite pleased with that :)

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