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Not just another day
May2020126:42 p.m.
Well even with my usual nonchalant approach to some things and generally laid back attitude I couldn't see todays marathon as just another day. Sure it was 26.2 miles like all the rest but 26.2 at the end of a week that has pushed me to the limits (and once beyond) my emotional and physical limits. Running your tenth marathon in ten days is pretty mental at the best of times - which is good because this week has been some of the best of times.
The day itself was different for a start the alarm went off at 6 and the race started an hour early to accomodate the "oners" (the 800 odd people who were only dong the one marathon - I ask you no vision some people). Hobbling again when I got up as the shin ceases up over night and takes a good workout from Body Rehab and then 4-5 miles to get going. Before the start we paraded in front of the early arrivers and familes for a rousing cheer and a moving few words from Foxy. Then it was down to the start and heres where the day reverted back to more normal.
The run itself was largely unaffected by the marathon that followed an hour later. There were water stops but as I went past most of these were still beings set up and we had our usual boxes. The road closures didnt take effect till after we had run through and teh marshalls always seemsed a littled surprised when I ran past them :-)
Race itself went exactly to plan (well the kind of cobbled together plan I had.) Steady for first six miles to get leg moving and then see what was left in the tank. Actually surprisingly there was enough to get me round in first place and in a none too shabby 3:31 for my fastest time fo the ten days - will take that thanks very much. Even better was that I managed to stay ahead of the leader of the main race all the way around so I was first at the finish and got an amazing reception - you will have to watch the video to see me collapsing/falling over though (http://www.cumbrialive.tv/brathay10in10/) probably be up tomorrow. Great news is that one by one all 18 of us made it home - full results will be up later tonight (possibly) at http://results.sportident.co.uk/home/multistage.html?multistageid=df125791-07d8-45f0-a52b-343b6b0e863e but overall I am delighted with second place about 5 minutes behind Sally who ran brilliantly all week. The finish was amazing
Would I do it again? Nope. Am I really pleased, proud and delighted to have achieved it once - you bet!
One of the reasons I wouldnt do it again is that I achieved everything I could every have wanted to do and so much more. In running its good to have a list of goals - bare minimum rising to absolutely perfect and these were mine...
- Finish it - Tick!
- Raise more than my pledge of £4,219 (a penny a meter) for the wonderful work that Brathay do helping disadvantaged children and young people transform their lives - Tick we are up to just shy of £6,000 but if anyone has any pennies (www.justgiving.com/keith10 )
- Finish in sub 40 hours for the ten marathons - Tick - finished in around 36:45 or so
- Finish each marathon in less than 4 hours - Tick - 1. 3:45 (3rd) 2. 3:46 (3rd) 3. 3:39 (3rd) 4. 3:44 (3rd) 5. 3.45 (3rd) 6. 3.37 (3rd) 7. 3:35 (2nd) 8. 3:42 (2nd) 9. 3:37 (1st) 10. 3:31
- Not be beaten by more than 3 of the runners in the main marathon - tick
So all in all thats about as perfect as I could get - coming back as well as being mentally and physically a huge ask wouldnt be able to beat this experience.
But I am delighted to be member 44 of one of the smallest and most select marathon clubs in the world - Brathay 10 in 10 finishers.
And tonights final dedication can only go to the awesome double act that are Aly and Mac - they have held us all together, been support, motivation, coaches, mum & dad, a shoulder to cry on and 101 things more. Brathay have a diamond partnership in this pair running this event and it just wouldnt work without them - so thanks for everything guys it was awesome.
Previous Posts
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May1920128:01 p.m.
The Fat Lady Hasn't Sung Yet
So close today to getting there but we are not there yet and tomorrow we have a full 26.2 marathon to run - whilst hopefully there should be a huge addrenalin... -
May1820128:58 p.m.
Fifty not out - a tale of two races
Funny old day today in the Big Brathay House. Day Eight, not quite nearly there but a bit more than mid week. Some of the great and the good turning up which... -
May1720127:42 p.m.
Running By Numbers, Repairing by Love
Its got to that stage of the week that everything starts turning into numbers, days left, miles run,gels eaten (yuk), times, targets and the rest. For the... -
May1620126:17 p.m.
The Sun SHines and a better day
Good day today after yesterdays attitude problems. Zipped up, had a good talking to myself and decided that the only thing for it was to enjoy the... -
May1520127:33 p.m.
Tears, tantrums and Touretts
Funny old day. Day five and all that - half way point. But....just was in a really odd mood - one of the challenges of this emmm challenge is that it affects...
Comments (22)
Firefly123 'Brilliant, Keith. What an acheivement and thank you for keeping us all updated in your blog. ' added 20th May 2012
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moose10 'complete and utter respect Keith that's an unbelievable achievement you must be so very proud of what you've accomplished over the last 10 days. Enjoy the night and enjoy that well deserved rest.' added 20th May 2012
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SeanG 'Respect and kudos are two words that spring to mind and I don't use those words lightly or frequently! Bask in the achievement but no, I still won't buy you a pint! :-) ' added 20th May 2012
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Alaistair 'You saved the very best for last, well done Keith, you have achieved something very special and have no doubt inspired many to stretch the bounds of possibility...thank you for shared this time at Brathay.' added 20th May 2012
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HellenH 'Wow Keith - what an amazing result (and thats all of you!) I'm so amazed by what you have done and I guess you must be so so chuffed with your result. You are a star - well, all of you are stars! Congratulations! :)' added 20th May 2012
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niccishrimpton 'AMAZING well done to all of you, enjoy the celebrations!x' added 20th May 2012
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jenjo 'Wow! Not only ten marathons in ten days but what an amazing run today.... Congratulations, well done, great achievement. Been great to follow your ten days, enjoy the rest, recovery and all the praise. You deserve it all! x' added 20th May 2012
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Rob_Barber 'Fantastic Keith - absolutely fantastic :-)' added 20th May 2012
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claireconnolly 'A-maze-ing!! A huge well done to all of you, doing one was a challenge for me! Brilliant, be proud :-) Cx.' added 20th May 2012
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claireconnolly 'A-maze-ing!! A huge well done to all of you, doing one was a challenge for me! Brilliant, be proud :-) Cx.' added 20th May 2012
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Petecw29 'Total respect Keith an awesome achievement but in the last few days I've missed the sheep!! Great running today a brilliant way to finish of a truly amazing 10 days! Proud of you mate!' added 20th May 2012
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Nick 'I can only stand back in amazement, Keith! How on earth are you going to follow this? I suggest you let yourself have a bit of a rest first!' added 20th May 2012
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Johnf 'Keith you are a star. Quite incredible running throughout and to dig out the fastest run for the last day, amazing. I remember when you first started blogging here and it was obvious you had some running in you, you've proved that and more. ' added 21st May 2012
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kraftykat 'Absolutely fantastic achievement Keith. And I can totally understand why you would only wish to do this sort of thing once. It was lovely to meet you. Here's to the next challenge!' added 21st May 2012
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garyb 'Amazing Keith - I would love to do one marathon at that sort of time now -let alone do 10!!' added 21st May 2012
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Dungey 'Fantastic achievement Keith, such an inspiration reading your journey this week' added 21st May 2012
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shazzer 'Fantastic achievement especially to pull out the fastest time for the last day - amazingly consistent running all week. Hope recovery is not too long. ' added 21st May 2012
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AppleSteve 'Wow, have been reading these updates in awe, this is an amazing achievement. Well done Keith, and to all the other 10 in 10ers!' added 21st May 2012
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BiGPoPPa 'Well done Keith enjoyed following you over the past 10 days... Great result! What's next? ... is it time for a fast one now? :o)' added 21st May 2012
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lisarodgers 'I have looked forward to reading your daily updates over the last 10 days and will miss them. I do hope you have enjoyed more than just one glass of the red stuff in celebration of what is an amazing achievement!' added 21st May 2012
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BiGPoPPa 'Day ten vid is up... great watch & very moving! You guys did awesome.' added 22nd May 2012
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Keith_L 'Thanks everyone for teh good wishes and support over my journey' added 22nd May 2012
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