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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