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!
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