Russell writes:
Marathons
Day 1 – 27.35 Miles – 4h20m38s
Day 2 – 24.27 Miles – 3h38m55s
Day 3 – 29.22 Miles – 4h29m43s
Day 4 – 24.39 Miles – 3h43m05s
Day 5 – 27.86 Miles – 4h05m26s
Marathons Completed in a row: 5
Number to start the run: 130 (on day one to about 90 on day 4 and back to 110 on Day5)
My positions: 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd and 3rd
Total Mileage: 133.1 miles
Total Time: 20hrs 17 mins
Average per marathon: 3hr 59 mins, 30 seconds
Last marathon: 3hrs 51.
During the last week I set off on what I thought would be a step too far, but found the mileage far easier than anticipated. The one thing I could have done without was my own determination to finish as high up the leaderboard as possible. On day 1, I was taking it easy and enjoying the days activities when about a mile from the end, a lady popped up from nowhere and said:
”Well done, you're in 4th place”.
This was not what I wanted to hear, as from that point on I had to prove that it wasn’t a fluke and therefore put as much as I could muster into everyday thereafter. I fully expected the wheels to come loose and fall off at any point soon. Thankfully, at no point did that happen. Yes, there were a lot of highs and lows (I nearly put ups and downs – but that would have been clichéd, as the place was very hilly indeed). On day 3 to prove my point came the slowest mile, 13min02 secs, followed by the two quickest, 7min27s and 7 min 24s.
The race was made up of Teams, both civilian and Military. They were also made up of many individuals. The camaraderie during the event was immense, at no stage did anyone get left out. Anyone who was struggling were seen to immediately, people who could not carry on on various days were looked after. Everyone had the utmost respect for everyone else. Unlike a big event where you shake the hands of a person immediately finishing in front and behind you, everyone said well done and patted each other on the back. I believe these events do bring folk closer. Anyway back to the running.
I found to get through the rally long runs that I needed plenty of goals and objectives. The Garmin which I loaned from Helen was both very helpful in that it tracked my progress and showed the pace I’d run and also it was a burden, in that it tracked my pace and showed my progress. I found myself looking at it every .2 of a mile when times were low and my mind wondering. Whereas, when things were going good, the only time I looked at it was the beep on the mile.
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will do it again, but only if it fits in with my plans at the time. I’ve found that my body seems okay at the moment and I’ll be going out for a five mile jog tomorrow to see how the legs are. For anyone even contemplating this sort of task should be at a very fit stage in their training and also know it is definitely worth doing. Jog on!
Absolutely amazing stuff Russell! Huge well done from us all.
