There is nothing like torrential rain to crush your spirit. I had 21 miles of it today. It was 21 miles of doubts, pain, reflection but ultimately digging in.
I ended up wearing 5 layers at one point. I was still cold. Oh and soaking too. These were times as bad as they get for me while running. There were more big climbs to get up. As long as I kept moving forward that meant progress.
As well as support from Carlton and Deb at the roadside, I had calls with David and Donna. That helped massively.
I made it to Jones Mills and had some pasta and a tactical snooze. I was absolutely out for the count within seconds.
While I slept, the team met a nice lady called Karen. She allowed us to fill the RV water tank from her property. I said a quick thank you and I was soon on my way again.
I couldn’t believe my luck on mile 23. The rain stopped! I ditched my layers and looked up at the big juicy climb ahead of me. It was time to attack. And attack I did. I hadn’t felt this good for a long time.
Just as I thought I was slowing a resident waved from his porch. They do that a lot here and it was fuel for my feet. I love it.
I reached the summit of the climb on exactly 26.2 miles. It was a job well done.
Sadly the momentum was lost on a very steep downhill. My feet just won’t take that.
Speaking of feet, thanks goes to a nurse back in the UK called Karen who has had the unenviable task of receiving photos of my feet from Deb and giving an assessment. These people don’t deserve to put up with what I’m asking of them. But they are and I’m very grateful.
I made it to the finish line at the 30 mile point at 1950 in daylight. I just didn’t think that would be possible during the rain today.
Today has reminded me of an important non negotiable of this run. It’s possibly one to take into everyday life too. It’s this - times may be tough and the end to difficulties and problems may not be in sight. You’ve just got to keep moving forward with the hope that one day things will be better. And that’s what I've spent 13 days doing. In fact, I’ve been doing it since my Dad died in 1988 and my Mam in 1995. And do you know what. Things are better. Thanks to Run Geordie Run and the support and kindness of so many people I’m in a good place. Although that didn’t seem to be the case in the torrential rain today.
Moments of clarity are few and far between during these long campaigns. I’m going to enjoy this current one tonight. Even though it appears we don’t have hot water in the RV and a shower won’t be possible.
News just in - Carlton has fixed the hot water and I’ve just had a shower. Bliss! Today was his last full day. He’s done an incredible job. Again. Apart from the other night when I saw him drive off in the RV on the left hand side. Oh how I laughed. I laughed even harder when he later said he shook his fist at an overtaking car (that was on the correct side of the road).
Deb was then able to treat my feet. They’ve taken a right battering today in the rain. She said that she’d seen healthier corpses in her time. I can’t disagree.
If you do think my effort is worthy of a donation (^DA - or could people please PLEASE sponsor him to stop making me look at these flippin' feet pictures as my first task of the morning!!) - please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025
TUNE OF THE DAY: Heroes - David Bowie - dedicated to the team.
