My husband very kindly brought me a cup of tea in bed this morning, and then said "its going to be a really nice day tomorrow, why don't you do your long run now and we can go out tomorrow".  What just like that! Get up and run 20 miles just like that!  I am sure you know where I am coming from, you just can't climb out of bed and run 20 miles without preparing first, can you??

Still some family time is very much needed so I managed to mentally prepare in just over an hour.  Normally this preparation starts the night before with what I eat and drink, an early night, much mulling over my planned route and many changes of mind over what to wear.  Oh dear I didn't eat a very healthy dinner last night and drank half a bottle of wine, but then I was expecting to run only 8 miles this morning.  So I got out of bed, had breakfast, downed a bottle of Lucozade Sport (is anyone else addicted to this stuff - I find I really crave it at the moment!) and got ready.  Gels packed, jelly babies in, drink made.  Only a slight problem in that my phone is not charged, so I take some money in case I collapse in a heap.  I am ready.  Except the route, I havent spent the requisite number of hours planning my route - aarrrgh!  My husband then explains to me one of his cycle routes, which he assures me is 20 miles exactly.  I'll take it, there is no time to check.  By the time I get out of the door it is 10.30am which is a very late start for such a long run.  I couldn't be bothered to swap my elastic laces over so this was the first big test for the new trainers too.

Off I go.  I start off feeling quite good, trundling along at a good rhythm.  But at the back of my mind I just don't feel ready.  After about four miles I need my first pit stop.  This is the result of not planning my hydration strategy meticulously enough, and that cup of tea in bed!  I have a feeling this will not be the only interruption along the way.  I pass two horses, really beautiful thoroughbreds but I am not quite sure why their riders need to smoke while riding along - a bit odd to me, I thought riding out was all about fresh air!  After 1:15 I am ready for my first gel.  Lemon and lime this time.  Still disgusting, but marginally better than vanilla.  Quick wash down with drink and its done, and on I go.  After about 20 minutes I get the feeling I might need a 'proper' pitstop soon.  The length of this run just makes me think I won't get back without another stop.  And if the first gel has this affect, what will happen when I take the second?  Again I blame this on my lack of mental preparation!!  I start to wonder where I might stop, and I remember there is the town of Broadway ahead, popular with tourists and therefore there are also facilities.  It is about a mile away, but the trouble is that now my mind has processed this information my body has started to anticipate it so my sense of urgency increases slightly.  As I turn the final corner I meet a funeral procession.  The toilets are now within spitting distance, but what do I do?  Is it really bad form to overtake a funeral procession?  None of the following cars have performed such a disrespectful act. I decide the alternative would be worse form, there is no stopping the cascade of events that has been started.  I sprint past the cortege, asking for forgiveness and arrive at the toilets - phew.

Feeling ready to rejoin my route, I have no idea how much extra distance I might have added with this diversion.  I am starting to feel a bit tired but looking at my clock I judge I am just about halfway.  I want to get to 15miles before the next gel.  I am running low on fluids (also due to my lack of preparation and I suspect the wine last night) and  I need to keep some drink for the next gel.  In the end I am so thirsty I take the gel early so I can have a drink.  By 15 miles I am struggling, my legs are heavy and as Kendle would say, every step now hurts.  My new trainers have been very comfortable but my little toe of my right foot is feeling the pressure.  I stop to give it a rub and loosen the laces.  I think the seam of my sock was pressing on it.  This stop perks me up a bit so when I set off I start to feel happier.  This part of the route follows a busy road, but I can't help smiling.  Am I verging on hysteria?  This feeling doesn't last long, my legs are aching, my feet are aching, my glutes and thighs are aching, my neck and shoulders are aching and now I just want to get home.  I need a drink too.  I keep putting one foot in front of the other and come across a shop in a village 4 miles from home.   I pop in for a fix of Lucozade Sport, which I hope will see me home.  On I go and checking my time I think I must have done 20 by now and I am 2 miles from home.  I want to stop but walking is more painful.  My pace has slowed to what feels like a painful shuffle. At last I get back to the village.  I usually run on a bit further but I am cooked and conscious that I must be over 20 miles.  I don't want to injure myself.  I am so tired I keep looking at my feet and leaning forward, I can't keep in a straight line and I keep kicking my ankle bone through fatigue.  Definitely time to stop. I stop the clock at 3:42:27.  I waddle home and my husband sees me coming up the road, he was just about to send out the search party for me! 

Once the pain eases I check my route and it works out at 21.43 miles - I can't believe it!  An average pace of 10.22 m/m.  Unlike last week I have no post run euphoria I just feel completely whacked.  Now I write this I am feeling a small amount of euphoria thinking about the distance but it wasn't the most enjoyable run I have done.  I just hope the next 20 miler is slightly easier.  Still its not bad considering I am still fighting the tail end of a cold and I was totally unprepared for running this run today!  Tomorrow yes, but not today! 

Right I am now off to bed, happy running all and good luck to anyone racing tomorrow xx