The best inspiration is not to outdo others, but to outdo ourselves

According to my schedule I had another long run to do. Really it should have been next week so that my body had the full three week recovery time, however, that wasn't to be - I'm away on holiday next week and there simply won't be the option for running that sort of distance. I have every intention of running while I'm away, but under an hour, not great long swathes of time. Well, I will be on holiday! Anyway, I was supposed to do 26 miles. After my last experience when I dragged myself through 23 and was then sick soon after I wasn't at all sure about this. Also, as I said last week, I'd clearly overdone something, so I'd been resting. I ran last Wednesday, as you already know, but then not again until attempting my long run on Tuesday of this week.

As you can see from the fact that I am waffling on here, I did survive the experience. I even managed to finish the distance feeling okay. Tired, obviously, but generally okay. And I did 27 miles because I made a mistake with the route at one point - oops! So 27 miles in 5:19:01. Not brilliant, I know, but I got round and I felt okay, for now that'll do me. And now here comes the tale, after all, a lot can happen in over 5 hours!

My first dilemma was the weather. The forecast was for heavy rain for most of the time that I was expecting to be out there, not a very appealing thought. However, it wasn't supposed to be going to be all that cold. So, I changed the trousers I'd been planning to wear to the pair that dries most quickly when they get wet and then spent some time ummming and ahhing about which top to wear. I eventually decided on a light jacket underneath my waterproof. I opted for the proper waterproof, the one I use for walking, my running ones are all only shower proof and would be no use at all against 5 hours of heavy rain - or one for that matter. So, after all that faffing about it was rather later when I left the house than I had intended it to be. I'd also stuffed spare gloves and a hat in my pocket in case I got wet and cold and felt in need of something dry to put on.

As soon as I set off I knew I'd done the right thing by taking the rest days, I actually felt able to run. It felt so much better than I did last Wednesday. So, I began with the 9 minute 1 minute pattern, eating banana loaf and drinking water in my walk sections. To begin with the weather was simply grey and I was fine, but as I ran I began to warm up and the gloves ended up in my pocket and the waterproof was largely unzipped. By about the ten miles point the sun was out and I was far too hot. At that point I was very glad indeed that I'd bought a sports bra that can also be worn as a crop top. I had both my waterproof and my jacket unzipped, eventually tying the waterproof around my waist. Where had the rain gone? Mind you, I wasn't complaining, who wants to spend hours getting soaked?

I had filled my camelbak before I went out, but still ended up stopping at two shops along the route to buy water, so now I know that I will still need to make use of the water stations when it comes to doing the marathon - so hopefully they won't be running out like they did last year! Mind you, I can't imagine they'd allow people to be able to get at it again after all the fuss of last year. I didn't drink a lot of the second bottle that I bought, but that's because the weather changed towards the end of the run and the need wasn't so great. I did better with my hydration this time though, so maybe that's why I felt better over all. No doubt a contributing factor anyway.

I did still end up walking more than I would have liked to. I don't know whether this was due to starting faster than I should have (hard to measure in real life without mile markers and such like) or due to lack of oomph due to it only being 2 weeks since the last biggie. However, I refuse to worry about that. I walked quickly when I walking, used it to get up hills and made sure I ran on the flat and downhill and simply kept myself moving forward. The rain arrived when I still had about 6 miles to go. Initially it wasn't too bad, but the sky was getting darker and darker, a real show of intent! By the time I was a couple of miles from home it was very dark indeed and throwing it down, then hail bouncing off my head - lovely. The last mile down our hill was just a deluge, water was rushing down the pavements and gutters and there were puddles and mini rivers everywhere. When I finally stepped in the back door I had to strip off where I stood. My trousers and trainers were drenched, lots of newspaper went in those shoes. So, wet and cold I'd done it - and I felt great in the knowledge that I'd done it. Well, at least now I know I can last the distance. It must be easier on the day with the atmosphere and the crowds. Well, I can hope can't I?

Distance: 430.5 miles

Time: 78:50:54

Calories: 41,177