At the start of day 22 I calculated that I'd ran 275.1 miles since starting the 365 challenge on January 1st. That's the equivalent of Gosforth to Wembley. It was also at the start of day 22 when my feet decided to join the "pain party". I seemed to have been lucky so far in that respect. However, the 38,000 steps the previous day (mostly in soaking wet socks) was responsible I believe.
I chose the luxury of running in my garage gym on the treadmill again on days 22 and 23. I remain convinced that having an indoor option has saved this campaign so far. A couple of nights on the treadmill and I've felt ready to tackle the elements again when the time comes. Times of 03:30:08 and 03:18:07 respectively were done.
I really wanted to start day 24's half marathon quite early. Sheer fatigue meant that I didn't set off until just after 3pm. The aim was to wind my way to Morpeth via Hepscott Park then back again via Stannington Station Road. I set off with numerous layers, gloves and a buff. I was managing that desired 4mph pace which meant the gloves and buff weren't needed. Warmth was the reward for some decent hard work.
I padded the mileage out by running round County Hall in Morpeth before heading back towards home. Darkness fell, once again, by the time I got to Stannington Station Road. That slowed me down a bit. The real blocker was having to wait for 3 trains to pass at the crossing.
I made up the lost time over the last 4 miles and finished day 24 in 03:15:52. That was the quickest outdoor half marathon of the 365 campaign. It was a decent route with only a small section of road. I think this will become a regular route from now on.
Day 25 was another treadmill effort. I didn't start running until just before 8pm. That was definitely cutting it fine! Needing some decent recovery time, doing the big shop and going to the match gave me no other choice. This was my slowest time for 10 days at 03:33:54.
It was quite cold yet again but I couldn't face another indoor treadmill session. I decided, instead, to run into the heart of Morpeth and back. I was equipped with my new head torch.
My legs felt very heavy and I found it very slow going into Morpeth. I ran past a few bars and restaurant. Not for the first time during my running exploits have I looked on with envy at those people tucking into a nice meal.
I was glad a a minute of warmth as I ran through Sanderson Arcade. That was the turning point as I headed back toward home and up the hill out of Morpeth. When the street lights ended, I switched on my head torch. It was like running in day light! The photo below was taken at the path running southbound next to the A1.
As per usual, there was a slight delay at the railway crossing in Stannington. I tried my best to keep warm by moving on the spot. I'd gotten quite cold by the time the barriers lifted. The usual dark spots were well lit up with my head torch and I tried to claw back the time I'd lost. Sadly, I couldn't find any speed at all and I eventually made it to the finish line in 03:37:26.
Day 27 was a bit of a hybrid effort. I was due to fly to Paris in the afternoon so 10 miles on the treadmill followed by 3.1 miles near the Sacre Coeur completed the day. A combined time of 03:28:19 was achieved.
At the end of day 27 a very pleasing £385.13 has been raised for St. Benedict's Hospice. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. If you'd like to do so then please visit
justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun365.
