Day 18 started with the big shop, some batch cooking and a catch up on some sleep. As a result, I didn't start this particular treadmill session until nearly 7pm. I had a spring in my step thanks to some donations to St. Benedict's Hospice. It was pleasing to end the week with £295.13 raised after a half marathon in 03:19:05.
Day 19's plan was to run from home to Bedlington Front Street then back west towards Stannington and down the path alongside the A1. As with previous days, the aim was to try and stick to a 4mph pace. I've established that this seems to be the optimum pace for recovery while not taking an age to get round. Running this distance over 3 hours is still far longer than I'd like but it's helped me to keep going and stay injury free so far. Mind you, my legs felt quite sore and I had very little uplift in my legs. I'm sure there is a technical term for that. But I'm sure you get what I mean.
The first 4 miles were a little over 5 mph. The daylight combined with a decent path/cycle path really helped. For a moment, I felt like a runner again.
I was pleased to reach the half way point just south of Stannington in some day light. By the time I turned to run back home and got back to Stannington it was pitch black.
I used the torch on my phone to get through the dark spots around Stannington. My pace took a hit as a result. After 10 miles, once I reached the end of Stannington Station Road and some street lights I decided to pick the pace up again. By now I was fighting against soreness in my hips and legs. Ironically, my feet were perfectly fine. That is, of course, in reference to the damage suffered during last year's run across the USA.
I passed my house in a little over 11 miles. The next mile was on a brand new, well lit cycle path in Bedlington. I made it once again to Front Street, past the chippy and put my foot down. Mile 13 was the second quickest of the day. I was very pleased to complete this half marathon in 03:16:27. "Tonight has done wonders for my confidence" is what I wrote on the Run Geordie Run Facebook page.
Day 20 was another treadmill run. It was yet another one where I started just before 7pm. I found it difficult to maintain t he 4mph pace and a final time of 03:25:26 reflected that.
Day 21's run was done prior to Newcastle's Champions League match against PSV. I chose a route from work (in Gosforth) to Ponteland and back. Once again, it was nice to set off in day light. It was bitterly cold. I was 1 mile into the run when I realised that I had forgotten my gloves.
By the time I reached Woolsington I was running in complete darkness again. I think it was at this point when I decided that I needed to buy a head torch! The rain was getting heavier as I made it past Newcastle Airport. When I reached the turning point in Ponteland, I was faced with full on bitterly cold wind and rain. The pain in my cold hands made a change from that in my legs, hips and back I suppose.
I had to add on a few side streets in Gosforth to make sure that I hit 13.1 miles. Given the treacherous conditions (and the fact that I'd ran half marathons for 3 weeks straight) I wasn't too disappointed with a time of 03:28:06. Donations to St. Benedict’s Hospice totalling £40 came in while I did this run. That made the cold and wet effort all the more worthwhile.
Donna was waiting for me with a change of clothes at the finish line. It was then I realised that I'd forgotten to pack some fresh socks. I got changed dried and changed back at work. One of my colleagues was still there and she offered me some dry socks. I thought about it and politely declined. It wasn't until the next day that I was made aware that it wasn't a spare pair that she was offering. It was the pair she had on her feet! I know that we are a close knit team and all that but it wouldn't have been right for her to walk home sockless!
I sat at the match wearing 5 layers and was quite toasty and warm. Well almost. My soaking wet feet were like blocks of ice. I didn't mind too much as Newcastle won the match 3-0.
