The overnight stop near Mount Pleasant was a one to forget. Immense foot pain, passing traffic and people talking outside in the wee small hours made for a difficult sleep.
It was another horrendously painful day. As per usual, the day started with my feet being strapped by Deb. This has worked really well this week. Together with the cleaning, ice, Epsom salts and antiseptic cream my feet are not infected. That’s obviously hugely important.
I set off running just after 0630 through Mount Pleasant. It seemed quite a nice little town but, as ever, I’ll never know as I was through it in an hour.
There were 6 climbs during the first few hours. I did notice quite a few animals which helped me take my mind off the pain.
I met the team at the 9 mile point and had some food and a much needed tactical snooze. While I was doing that, Deb and Carlton got talking to a local resident called Jessica. She showed them around her property and they met her donkeys (Willow and Willie).
I got kitted up for the next session. Carlton helped me with what would be his final act on the team. He’s done a tremendous job yet again on this his fourth tour.
Deb drove Carlton to a bus station near Washington and picked the incoming John up. Meanwhile, I made my way up some more hills.
It was the downhill into Smithton where my problems really started today. Fatigue was my secondary issue. The real problem was the chronic discomfort I felt in the base of both of my feet. I considered giving up for the day but seeing Deb and John in Smithton at the 14 mile point lifted my spirits.
I had another tactical snooze and within seconds I was out. A bowl of pasta followed that and I was on my way again up a decent climb. The next few miles were pretty decent. The lack of a hard shoulder made running tricky. I had to drift into the other side of the white line and onto some small stones from time to time. That’s the last thing my feet needed.
The pain in my feet was unbearable on the downhill into Belle Vernon. It was at this point that I decided that the next time I saw the team I would stop for the day.
After 19.5 miles of running I called it a day in Belle Vernon. I could bear no more discomfort.
I tried and aborted soaking my feet in ice. It was just too painful. After having a shower (it still works thanks to Carlton) Deb used the massage gun on the base of my feet. While, ticklish at first, it brought great relief. John repeated the treatment a further two times before lights out.
I’m hoping that this approach helps with the discomfort I’m having. A few flat roads with a nice wide hard shoulder would help too.
With every issue I’ve had so far, Deb has managed to fix it. That has ranged from that hip problem in the early days, to blisters, to fighting infection and inflammation. It’s a bonus that John has been able to use the massage gun too. He’ll be solo on the team for a time when Deb leaves. To have some continuity is a really good thing.
Tea tonight was peanut butter bagels with bananas. Absolutely delicious.
Tonight’s overnight stop is a virtually empty car park, quite far from the main road. Lights out for me will be around 2100. I just hope that I can get some good quality sleep.
Thank you to everyone who has made a donation today. There was quite a flurry. The total amount raised for St. Benedict’s Hospice now sits at £16,300.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025
TUNE OF THE DAY: Baba O’Riley - The Who
