My back felt a lot better as soon as I woke up today. The alarm was set for 0530 and the first task of the day was to down a protein shake.
As I stepped out of the RV at 0600, I felt a sharp pain in my back. It felt like a real setback. I limped on, away from Richmond, Indiana feeling pretty despondent. The sign showing 61 miles to Indianapolis gave me a little boost. The incentive of getting back to the big miles and reaching the next major city by Wednesday evening was a reality. It was something to aim for short term in this massive campaign of targets and milestones.
The hard shoulder was wide enough but it contained ridges which reduced where I could run.
I made it to Centerville at 0715 where it was time for breakfast. John and I agreed that I’d do a near 10 mile stretch to the other side of Cambridge City while he went ahead and did some laundry.
There were a few things to look at on Highway 40 today but mainly long stretches of road as far as the eye could see.
I met John at 13.5 miles where he had some good and bad news. The good news was that he’d managed to do the laundry. He’s like a laundromat machine now. The bad news was that the RV was still losing auxiliary power. As a reminder, this means that we will lose the fridge and ability to have a shower. Oh and lights too.
I had 2 wraps and a 30 minute tactical snooze. These power naps consist of 10 minutes (I think) of sleep and 20 minutes wondering how long is left while dreading the sound of the alarm. It’s my worst nightmare.
The rain started just after noon but was very tolerable. I was caught between keeping dry and over heating in my rain jacket. I opted for overheating.
With soaking wet feet, I limped to the RV at Lewisville at 22 miles. I got in, dried my feet, pulled a few bits of skin off and put some new socks on.
The next session was very tough. The pain in my feet got considerably worse as the miles went on. I found the solitude on the long stretches of Highway 40 the hardest thing to cope with. Dealing with a physical and mental battle was just too much. I had to admit defeat. I was suffering. Big time.
While I waited for the RV, I recorded my thoughts on the Run Geordie Run Facebook page. You can see that here - https://fb.watch/zS1x4UJzvh/?
I swiftly got in the RV when it arrived. It was a dual carriageway so had to be quick about it. I later said to John that if the road had been better from a support point of view then I could have taken an hour or so out, taken some painkillers and finished the miles.
There is now a considerable mileage deficit. It’s 133 miles. The highlighted part in the image below shows where today’s miles should have been. The blue dot shows where I currently am.
There was a deficit of 47 miles at this stage of the run across the USA in 2011. It would later go on to peak at 177 miles. The Appalachians and the damage to my feet, pain in my legs and back are the difference this time. The mountains are behind me now until I get to the Rockies. Leg pain is under control. Back pain is improving day on day as I hoped. It’s my feet that are causing issues. Again. They have really regressed since Deb left the team last week.
John and I think I have a fuelling issue too. The current strategy of having a protein shake, then doing a few miles before having porridge for breakfast has worked consistently well for the last 3 days. I’m able to reach 10 miles by 10am. Although I cut it fine today.
Tomorrow, I’ll be eating more porridge at the first major meeting point. That’s usually between 12 and 14 miles. I’d like to forego the tactical snooze at that point but I feel that it does help.
John asked today when I’d consider quitting. He really doesn’t know how I’m managing to keep going given the state of my feet. My reply was that I wouldn’t consider quitting. The only thing I’m considering is to keep moving forward and to keep raising funds for St. Benedict’s Hospice.
The charity fund is incredibly close to the next barrier of £18,000. Continued thanks to those that have donated to St Benedict's Hospice.
If you would like to donate, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025
TUNE OF THE DAY: Alive - Chase and Status
Today’s miles, as tough as they were, are dedicated to the memory of Allan Foster who recently passed. In 60 years, he was never apart from his wife. My condolences go to her and his friends and family.
I’ll close today with a couple of messages I received. They didn’t take away the pain in my feet but they did help to boost my morale.
KAREN - “Just wanna drop you a line to let you know what an absolute tower of strength you are. I know there are days when you won’t feel that, and because you’re in a deficit with the miles on some crazy level in your head you might feel like you are slipping?
Every single step forward is closer to your goal. EVERY.SINGLE.ONE!! So even on the days you don’t hit your target you are still moving FORWARD..
I can’t even imagine the pain, tiredness, mental exhaustion & level of drive you have to have to spur you on??!! CRAZY levels of endurance.. you have already way surpassed what most folk can say they have ever achieved for themself or charity endeavours.
So today’s message is really just to say quieten down any doubts. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Every mile is another mile conquered & another mile behind you.
I hope today brings some positive encounters, good weather and a strong mindset to keep pushing you on.
You crazy mofo!!!
I woke up thinking about something I have wanted to do but have put off & off because it’s gonna be hard. Then I thought about you and realised it’s nowhere near hard so get on with it."
DAVID - “Hello Mark. I'm not sure if you will see this message but I just want to tell you what an inspirational bloke you are and what a great job you're doing. it looks like today has been a tough one although I'm sure most of them are. I hope you manage to get some good rest tonight and tomorrow is another day. Please don't ever feel like you're letting anyone down if you don't hit expected daily targets. what you're doing for the hospice is truly amazing and you're an amazing person.
Anyway, that's enough of that. Hurry up and get back. The toon need a new sporting director! 🤣. Take care mate."
There are also a heap of comments on the Run Geordie Run Facebook page which I’ve just caught up on. I see them all. It all adds up to some brilliant support.
So goodnight from Knightstown, Indiana. Tomorrow it’s Indianapolis or bust.
