I finished running this evening in dark and icy conditions 4 miles short of Otterburn. Northumbria Police had reports of a car crash as well as some chap dressed in Santa on the A696. Putting 2 and 2 together, one kind police officer decided to search for that chap who was "probably on his way to a Christmas party dressed as Santa".
The officer found me and recommended that I should run no further due to the worsening conditions. So it was a police escort finish for this particular Santa.
We had a giggle in the car about it and I brought him up to speed with all things Run Geordie Run. So it was an unplanned 28 mile day for me today. The final few hours in the dark were some of the coldest temperatures I've ever ran in.
I've had a good look at the forecast for the next 2 days and in the interests of my safety I'm cutting tomorrow's mileage down to 26. That will mean finishing in Jedburgh instead of Melrose.
Getting to Edinburgh in 3 days is now no longer a possibility or even a necessity for that matter. This is something I discussed with my mentor, Dave Fairlamb, the other day and I'm prepared for this "failure".
I'll make a decision on Saturday's mileage when I finish running tomorrow.
It's been quite a day, ending up with an appearance on the local news. I would have missed it, if it wasn't for the lift from one of Northumbria's finest.
The smiles and waves directed at me, throughout the day, will live long in the memory. As will the journey made by Mr and Mrs Allen to drop a fiver sponsor money off.
The roadside radio interview I gave to Jonathan Miles will be on his show tomorrow morning on BBC Newcastle.
It's been a great PR day for Run Geordie Run today. There's certainly been some good material created for a book. Watch this space in January for more news on that.
In the meantime, I'll sign off from this cosy little B&B in Otterburn. I'm hoping for a fairly incident free day tomorrow. Bring on the mighty Carter Bar!
