Day 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 and 118

Day 110 was the start of a brand new week. This had the effect of feeling like I'd had a rest and the coming 7 days were all a brand new event. That couldn't be further from the truth with 109 days of running behind me without a rest day. I tried to finish work early enough to make it to Pegswood in time for Donna picking up Órlaith from doggy day care. As per usual, that didn't happen and I split the run up. The first 9 miles were done between Bedlington and Pegswood. I then got a lift home and did the final 4.1 miles around Bedlington. That last 4 miles were really slow with legs feeling like lead! A final time of 03:41:44 was achieved.

I was determined to do better on day 111. I chose a route which is fast becoming one of my favourites. It heads north out of Bedlington through Guidepost and Stakeford before heading down and back along the river Wansbeck. 

Once again there was plenty of wildlife to spot. A real bonus was that there was hardly a soul about yet again. Where else do you get that kind of solitude in a densley populated part of Northumberland. Pure bliss.

In order to get the full 13.1 miles in, I had to do a little extension around Bedlington as I neared home. I was very pleased with a time of 03:07:03. Especially so, given the undulating course at the bottom end of Ashington.

The "speed" (and I use that word loosely) was once again evident on the treadmill on day 112. A comfortable 03:11:18 was the final time. That wasn't too bad considering the previous day's effort along with an 8pm start for this one.

Day 113 was a run home from work with a heavy back pack. The real kicker was the fact I left work 3 hours later than originally planned. By the time I hit mile 6, the tank was empty. It became one of those slogs where the only immediate focus was putting one foot in front of the other and just "getting to the next lamp post" then the next one and so on. Despite the increased difficulty I made it home in 03:20:37.

You might be wondering how I make it exactly home in 13.1 miles almost every time. Well, quite often, I have to run a little further past my house and turn back. Sometimes, I have an extra half a mile or so to do. I always resent that!!!

Day 114 was an 8pm start and done on the treadmill. Gone are the days where a Friday night would be a nice meal or watching the telly. Running is how I roll these days. I started this one off with heavy legs but soon loosened up. I finished day 114 in 03:08:11. Day 115 was another late treadmill run done in 03:07:18.

When I set off on day 116, I really didn't have a route in mind. It was one of those where I just set off and let each juction present me with a late decision to make.

I eventually made it to the river Wansbeck again. There were quite a few route choices to make along the riverside. I just kept heading due east towards the sea. At one point I was having flash backs. The river looked an awful lot like the section of the Missouri I ran on last year. The conditions underfoot were pretty similar too. Thankfully, my feet aren;t in the state they were last year so there was no pain encountered.

There were numerous swans swimming on the river. This really is a great part of Northumberland to run in. I probably should have taken a right hand turn on the foot bridge you can see in the image above. That came later and I headed towards the sea.

I eventually made it to the mouth of the Wansbeck and continued right to the north sea. In true Forrest Gump style I thought of those immortal lines "I ran clear to the ocean. And when I got there, I figured, since I'd gone this far, I might as well turn around, just keep on going.".

There was just enough time for a quick photo then I headed back towards that foot bridge. I crossed that then made my way though Cambois and on the road back to Bedlington. 

I could feel a sharp pain in the big toe of my right foot. I suspected it was some of that sharp grass that I'd ran through on the dunes. A quick wiggle of my foot as I ran saw the pain subside a bit.

I started calculating the projected mileage in my mind. It was hard to judge on a new route but I suspected I'd be a couple of miles over the required 13.1. I sent Donna the following message.

As it turned out I was less than a mile from home at the half marathon distance. I decided to use the time wisely and did a Facebook live video on the Run Geordie Run page. I was very pleased with a comfortable time of 03:13:50.

I think I'm getting close to a "favourite" route. I think I'll try this one again on bank holiday Monday (day 124). I think I'll hit the river at Guidepost and make my way to the footbridge with a return via Cambois and East Sleekburn. Watch this space for that one soon.

I musn't forget to mention the very sharp object that I found sticking in my big toe. I pulled it out and blood was drawn! That;s never happened before in over 15,000 miles of running.

Day 117 and 118 were both 8pm starts on the treadmill. Times of 03:09:41 and 03:07:12 definitely show that some progress is being made in terms of speed. 

The fund for St. Benedict's Hospice currently stand at almost £3400. Thank you to everyone who has made a much needed donation at https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun365.