Race 3 - VERY pleased

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The weather when we set out was perfect.
Still, cool but neither too cold or too warm, and high clouds. There was a forecast for showers during the day as well.

I had predicted a probable slower day, what with a swollen foot and some tendon crepitus, and was fairly sure I'd have to walk some of the downhills.

I set off really conservatively, with Steve again. Apart from anything else he makes a fabulous running buddy for me. We were pacing things slightly differently today. I was stronger on the climbs, andn he was quicker on the descents, which I was taking really easily. It was a case of working out what worked to prevent me from getting pain in my foot.

Just before we came into Hawkshead when I was about 10 yards behind, an elderly driver actually hit Steve.
He was SO close that the car brushed his leg, and the door mirror hit his arm.
The sound from where I was was sickening. And it could have been SO much worse than it was.
Steve was visibly shaken, and I was absolutely fuming...... even more so when the same driver then pulled alongside, wound the passenger window down and drifted SO far into the left that Steve was almost pushed into the hedge

YE 57(or 58) **D

We ran side-by-side for the next 4 miles, and then Steve seemed to get his 'head' back, and he picked up the pace a bit and went away.
With the first 'half' done out of Newby Bridge, I was running quite easily. The foot wasn't complaining - and the next couple of miles were a gentle updulate. Perfect for me. The foot was always happier when climbing :)

And I caught up with Steve again at around 14 miles.
Shortly after this was a Fantastic surprise.
CumbriAndy, resplendent in Fetch away colours came into view. What a boost :)
I managed to miss the low High 5 though - sorry Andy :(

There are a coupe of sections along here where the gradient drops away, and within a mile, my foot was grumbing at me.
So much so that I sat at the 16 mile Feed Station to adjust my shoe.
Tim went passed and asked if I was OK, to which I said "I'm in a bit of trouble" which I genuinely felt I was.
"I'll send someone back for you when I see them" he said.... and less than 400m later - Amy appeared :)

I pulled in to the next driveway - and asked for some scissors to cut my lace so that i could knot it in the second eyelet
Some magic cold spray on the new most painful bit, and a reattachment of said shoe, and I was off again.

As a result of the 8 minute stoppage, I realised that Adam (not Tango) must be fairly close behind, as his Dad cycled past me on the way to the 18 mile feed station (He was waiting for Adam at each one, then riding past to the next - AWESOME support - and he was also selecting my drinks bottle if he knew I was coming so that I didn't have to search for it :)

We had a pretty heavy shower around this time - and avoiding some of the deep puddles that formed was impossible. But trail shoes dry VERY quickly ;)

Coming to the 22 mile station - where I'd planned to take a decent drin and check out my foot, I saw Heebiejeebie NOT at the bottom of the hill.
Cracking place to wait, With a camera pointed at me, I wasn't going to grimace or anything ;)

A 30 second stop to check that all was well, and I headed off. With there being a little over 4 miles remaining, and it being the 'kindest' section of the course, I found myself revitalised and running better than I had all day. The foot had calmed down, and it was actually easier to run a little more quickly.
I like this bit of the course. You don't have to think too much about the terrain, because it's very easy running - and the first point that you can properly see Brathay is just before 24 miles. A real boost :)

I just got quicker!

My last 4 full mile splits were 7:51 7:36 7:10 7:06

I was LOVING this - and the sun had come out - It was perfect :)

I finished in 3:36:11 - and in the circumstances, I am absolutely delighted with that :):)
It's a lot quicker than I was expecting to be able to do, and I don't feel like I've taken too much out of myself.

Amy had a good work on my legs after Lunch, because I'm sure there was some sub-conscious compensation going on.

Very pleased with today :)

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