Jeff's 10 marathons in 10 days, May 2012: Blog Two
Here I am sitting at work (I spend too much time sitting) wondering what I have let myself in for - 10 tough marathons (26.2 miles) on 10 consecutive days up in the Lake District where the weather can vary from the sublime to the horrible. 10 in 10 in May around beautiful Winderemere - a lake that most people are content to view from their holiday home in Bowness.
It's 48 hours since I returned from Brathay after a weekend running around the course and meeting my fellow 10 in 10ers as part of a 'get to know what the hell you have let yourself in for' weekend. And the penny has finally dropped - I've got to start motoring if I am going to achieve my goal and complete every single one of the 262 miles I have signed up to run.
Out with the Old Jeff (champagne swilling, Caramel Macciato swigging, Starbuck Sausage Sandwich gulping) and in with the New Jeff (energy drinks, porridge and a medley of fruits). It's hell, ladies and gentlemen, but I'm going to do it. If Dawn French can reinvent herself, Jeff Prestridge can!
So far so good. Since coming back from the Lakes, I've done three runs - a 4 miler on the Sunday up and down the hills of Bushey, a six miler in the Royal Parks of Kensington, Green Park and St James. And today, I've done a five miler around Hyde Park. O.K., I'm only 78 miles down on what I would have done if I was doing the 10 in 10 but it's getting out there that is key - running when your legs don't want to bend, your hamstrings feel as if they are going to do a Ryan Giggs and ping, and strange dull pains emit from both knees. I wish I could reverse my age (a young 52) and become 25 (get it?!) again!
In the next few days I'm going to contact my masseur (Kevin Brewer) and get booked in to see him on a regular basis (I must admit I cold shouldered him because of the recession and George Osborne's propensity to take ever bigger chunks from my wallet). I've also spotted a sign not a million miles away from my office for pilates lessons. The thought of me in a leotard finding my pelvic floor is too distressing to think about!
I've already started taking protein drinks (a new one on me) and recovery drinks (pura strawberry - a bit like Nesquik!) The next stage in my transition from Champagne Charlie Jeff to 10 in 10 Jeff is the taking of cold baths. My son, Matthew, swears blind by them (he plays football and says they quicken his recovery)so I will follow in his football boots. Given I'm happy to swim in the Serpentine in sub zero conditions, I can't see the problem with a cold bath!
Money raising (for Brathay Trust - www. justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge -has come to a shuddering halt but I'll rekindle my juices. Charity guru Veronica Martin - https://twitter.com/Geesfizz - has given me some good ideas so hopefully some of her energy will rub off on me.
Off home. Cold bath? Maybe not tonight! Tatty bye!
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Jeff and his quest to do 10 marathons in 10 days: Blog One
DAYS TO GO BEFORE START OF 10IN10:
MONEY TO RAISE: £69,000
LOCATION: WINDERMERE
WHAT a weekend! Glorious weather, a spectacular Lake District backdrop, mind blowing sunsets and sunrises and an uplifting 26.2 mile run around Windermere in the freezing cold (well, certainly cold for a southern softie like me).
This is the weekend when the Brathay ‘10 in 10’ – yes, ladies and gentlemen 10 marathons in 10 days (262 miles) in the month of May – finally came to life. It’s when I truly realised the extent of the challenge that I have taken on.
Will my body, ravaged by a hedonistic lifestyle, be able to withstand the pain of half a million steps in 10 days? Will my back, always prone to spasms and bouts of stabbing pain, withstand the pounding of 262 miles of road running? Will my mind, usually strong, be able to cope with mile after mile of gruelling Lakeland undulations, day after day? Only time will tell – but I am determined to give the 10 in 10 a ‘right good go’. Once more unto the breach, dear friends, and all that.
Has the weekend spent with my 18 fellow ‘10 in 10’ runners (an eclectic mix of accountants, publicans, mad men, financial advisers and strong-minded women) at Brathay Trust’s headquarters just outside Ambleside spurred me onto greater running heights? By heck it has! I’m raring to go! And of course, having learnt a little more about what Brathay Trust does to give young kids a chance in life, I’m determined to raise more money for this splendid charity, however difficult that might be.
What are my abiding memories from the weekend?
First, I have nothing but overwhelming admiration for my fellow runners, especially those who have done the 10 in 10 before. Every single one of my colleagues is mad (you have to be) and would not have survived a session in Antony Clare’s psychiatrist’s chair if the good man were still alive today.
Secondly, I have always loved the Lake District (my favourite run is up Loughrigg Terrace) and the weekend reinforced my view that it is one of the country’s most beautiful regions (those of you who doubt what I say should visit www.abeautifulbritain.co.uk and take a look at some of the stunning Lakeland scenery). I’ve been coming up to the Lakes for years but I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed sunsets and sunrises as I viewed this weekend. I was so overwhelmed that I slept with the curtains wide open so that I could see the three quarter moon in all its brilliance and then watch the sun rise and witness the sky turn a brilliant orange. Visit the Lakes. Forget Ibiza, the Maldives or the Dordogne.
Thirdly, not only is Brathay Trust a brilliant understated charity but it’s staffed by people who care passionately about what they do and what the charity stands for. Nothing is too much trouble for the Brathay staffers. They are caring individuals – as most are who work for charities.
Fourthly, and crucially as far as completing the 10 in 10 concerned, I now know that there is far more to this event than simply doing a few preparatory marathons and turning up the night before. Between now and May I’ve got loads to learn about how to get my sad body into shape for the 10 in 10 (glute strengthening seems to be key!) I’ve also got to revolutionise my diet and be far more disciplined about how to prepare for a marathon (liquid fuelling three hours before an event is a must from now on).
It’s going to be tough, ladies and gentlemen. But I’m determined to give it my best shot.
Bye for now (my legs have just begun to throb – a belated reaction to Saturday’s marathon).
www.justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge
http://www.brathay.org.uk/
www.brathaywindermeremarathon.org.uk
www.brathaywindermeremarathon.org.uk/blog.aspx
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