After my post-race massage yesterday, I was still walking awkwardly but felt hopeful that all would be better in the morning. I managed to get more sleep than in the previous two nights, in spite of a small chirruping cat curling up around my feet and nuzzling my toes. When the alarm went off and I manoeuvred myself out of bed my ankles were still feeling pretty sore but it seemed to gradually ease off the more I moved around. I was looking forward to marathon number three as I much prefer the 32 lap route on Lightmoor to the out and back laps at Coalbrookdale.
A few of us were starting early at 9.00am. It was a cold, damp morning but I soon warmed up once we had started running. I was following the same strategy as before - walk up the hills, run down them and I decided aim to avoid looking at my watch or even keeping track of how many times my card had been punched. After the first couple of laps, my ankles felt more comfortable and my legs felt surprisingly good. Once the later starters were running, we exchanged greetings as they passed me and I was enjoying myself. Gradually, I noticed my feet becoming more and more painful and at about 8 miles I reluctantly decided I needed to take a painkiller - on the last two days, I'd got to about mile 18 before needing to do so and that was to help with the pain in my back. A couple of laps later and it didn't seem to have had any effect and I started arguing with myself about whether it would be sensible to stop at the HM distance or if that was just giving up. I told myself I would finish the marathon today and then allow myself to do two HMs followed by a marathon to finish the 6 days.
Friend Janet appeared at the race HQ and walked part of a lap with me which gave me a bit of a boost and next time I got to HQ, I took another painkiller and Denzil gave me a Pro Plus tablet to help it kick in more quickly. I felt a bit better but the feet were still painful and I argued with myself the whole way round again and decided I would stop at HM distance, run/walk HMs tomorrow and Thursday and then finish the week with a full marathon. After suffering with Plantar Fasciitis in both feet last year and the early part of this year I didn't want to push my luck too much. After lap 16 I said I was stopping. Denzil asked if I was sure and suggested I have a cup of tea and think about it. I enjoyed my cup of tea and confirmed that I was happy just to run the HM today. Once I'd promised I would be back tomorrow morning, I was presented with my lovely medal.
I'm a bit disappointed but not unhappy. I'm learning a lot this week and I'm pleased that I feel I have the energy to keep going. I just need to look after my feet - I think a few more weeks of bootcamp and more running would have meant they were in better shape for this challenge but after missing a couple of weeks with a nasty cough/chest infection I had noticed they didn't feel as good as they had done when I completed the Run to the Castle. They also hurt throughout the Birmingham HM a couple of weeks ago and although they've improved since then I'm not entirely surprised that they are protesting after a brutal couple of days.
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