WEATHER - AND BT - DELAY BLOG !!

Have not posted a blog for 3 weeks as have not had a phone at home. A thunderstorm took out my phone line. Despite numerous promises BT has failed to reconnect - 5 scheduled visits have not materialised.

The weather also made me alter my running plans. I was planning to run the 40 mile Coventry Way on 7th September. The weather was so bad with flood warnings in the Midlands that I decided to stay at home. My plan had been to run in the Great Langdale Marathon the following Sunday but to just do the half marathon distance. So as I hadn't done the 40 mile run I decided to give the marathon a go. Nearly didn't even make the start due to the traffic in Windermere!

The marathon is described as the "world's toughest road marathon" and after about 1 mile I realised why. A 1 in 3 incline for about a mile made me decide very rapidly to walk the uphills and run the level stretches and downhill. My intention was to take it nice and steady and see how I felt after the first half and to decide if to continue (the marathon is 2 laps). Despite the hills I felt really good at the half way point, and felt it had not taken anythinfg out of me. I did the second half at a quicker pace (2hrs 20 compared with 2 hours 27), overtook 18 people and was not overtaken by anyone. I felt really good at the end and felt I could have run further.

I had not intended to take part but was aware of the High Peak 40 (www.highpeak40.com) the following Sunday (21st September). As its name implies the run / walk is a 40 miler in the Peak District taking in Mam Tor. As I felt so good after the Great Langdale marathon and recovered very quickly I decided to give it a go. Set off from Buxton at 8a.m, having bumped into Wendy who was running and who I last saw in Antarctica. What a beautiful run - and a good job, because it was incredibly tough. I would think the toughest run I have ever done. My GPS watch showed approximately 7500 feet of ascent - that's like climbing Snowdon twice!.

Managed to get lost after about 23 miles due to a missing road sign. This added about 1.5 miles to the total distance and almost made me give up. Was about to phone Cherith who was supporting me, when bumped into another runner's wife, who kindly gave me a lift back to where I had gone wrong. Got to Tideswell which was the marathon distance and told Cherith I was going to carry on a bit further, but didn't think I would finish. However, got my second wind and by the next checkpoint at 29 miles I was determined to finish. Another lesson learned - keep going through the bad patches and you will get your second wind - hopefully!

As I say probably the toughest thing I have done! Some of the hills were incredibly steep and long and it was impossible (for me) to run the whole way. At about 36 miles there was a horrible ravine which it was difficult to pick my way down - and then back up the other side. This was followed by a series of stiles. Felt at times I could only just about pick my legs up high enough to get over. Wasn't helped by a large blister on my heel - initially started at Great Langdale and became much larger and painful on this run.

Managed to get to the end - and actually was running quite strongly at the finish in a total time of 10 hours and 50 minutes. A great experience as time on my feet is so important and a big psychological boost to manage a very tough marathon and then 6 days later a hilly 40 miler (which turned out to be nearer 42), the furthest distance I have ever done. Encouraged by the way my training is going and still have 6 months to go.

First sponsorship

My first sponsorship has just been made (through the link on the left to justgiving.com.) - and can't believe how generous - £500 which with gift aid etc. comes out at £641-03. Many, many thanks for such a generous donation. It makes a huge difference, not just to the charity but to me personally. It made tonight's training run so much more worthwhile, and easier(!), and gives me extra motivation to pound out the miles in preparation.

Hopefully it will set a standard for others to follow. It wont need many more sponsors at this level to reach my target. I appreciate, however, that most people can't offer an amount like this and want to emphasise that every donation, no matter how much is really appreciated by me, and helps to encourage me, as well as by the children of Watamu, for whom any sponsorship, even £1, will make such a difference. Please dig deep.