I woke on the 12th April 25 earlier than planned around 4.30am, why is it that race days always make you wake earlier than your alarm no matter how long you’ve been doing them. Today I was starting my first day of being 44 doing something I loved, I didn’t know if I would finish it being undertrained and it being the first race since my unofficial peripheral neuropathy diagnosis although they are now still questioning Rheumatoid Arthritis but I am tired of waiting so I was going to start I knew that much.
We made our way to breakfast and I managed a slice of toast and a peppermint tea before heading over to the starting line. I had been given a start time of 9.00am despite asking for an early start but managed to get into the start pen with the 8.30am start which was a bonus, it also meant I was.t hanging around something I hate at the start of races, I just like to be off. So there was the briefing and then the 5 minute obligatory warm up dance and the countdown before we were off. The route was a figure of 8 with the first half leading off down the canal past some gorgeous houses, it was fairly congested for the 4-5 miles so everyone just plodded along at the pace they could due to the narrow walkways. The views were lovely the sun was starting to come out and you could feel the excitement from everyone. The first check point at Runny mead seemed to arrive fairly quick, greeted with delightful pastry’s and the usual goodies. My water bladder was still 3/4 full so I just grabbed a cup of coke, putting a few goodies in my bag to have on hand, an orange and collected a pastry before a quick loo stop and I was on my way eating my pastry as I walked. One thing I always have in my rucksack sack to hand is food bags they are ace for putting food items in until you want to it as often at checkpoints you are only provided with a napkin. It wasn’t long after we were greeted with a hill I think called snow hill, I knew this was the one and only on this route so just took it one step at a time, nice and steady, hills are something I really lack training in at the minute and I know I have to face a fair few on London to Brighton but I’m not going to stress about them and just go stage by stage. After the hill we came out in Windsor Park which was absolutely stunning with some amazing views, then came the 2.5 long walk to reach the house, at this point it was starting to get warm and I was happy I had decided to start in my vest top with no base layer as it really wasn’t needed. Half way came and could feel a blister on my big toe starting so I grabbed my lunch consisting if a sandwich, crisps, flapjack and coke putting everything my bag apart from the sandwich, re filled by water bladder before taking a seat and removing my socks whilst I ate my sandwich giving them some air, something I’ve never really done before. I then applied clean socks quick loo stop and was back off I was averaging 16-17 min miles that mile at lunch was 36 mins so pleased with the time spent at the check point. The next section went out down the themes path, it was a long 17km of same white path not the most interesting I’ve seen, it was made a bit nicer by spending some time speaking with a lady for about 8km of it before I got a surge and went ahead, must have been the salt and vinegar crisps I was munching on . I was pleased to see the final check point, by now the liquid in my water bladder was warm and yucky so it was nice to a coolish squash, picked up my pick and mix knowing that would be eaten tomorrow on the car journey home before grabbing some pineapple, quick loo stop and I was on my way with 8km to go feeling motivated. For the last 5km I realised my right big toe had no feeling in it not something I’ve experienced before and not sure if it was race or neuropathy related, my toe is still attached so all good.
I was surprised how well my feet did there was a little discomfort to start with, with cracking across the joints and occasionally a pain down the big toes but it went as quick as it came nothing that would stop me walking. My hands had ballooned the size but I’m used to that and have to remove my wedding rings prior to starting and long walk now as a precaution.
Walking along the canal bank you could see at 46km the back of the race course on the other side and you could hear them congratulating people on the mike coming in, which spurred me on even more knowing nothing was going to stop me now. I walked into the venue on the grass area and down the finish funnel, I could hear the gent on the mike promising a bar 😂 😂 I scanned in and I was through! I had finished it, 9 months ago I knew my running days were over and questioned if I’d do long distance walks again, something inside me knew different and signed up for the Easter 50 despite me questioning everything in my life at that point full of pain pre neuropathy and medication diagnosis. Today I proved to myself I can still do it and whilst I can do I will do,
I was greeted by Stu as always supportive of my craziness, collected my evening meal voucher which I had little intention of using but collected a drink and a big slab ok cake which Stu ate whilst we sat I could feel the adrenaline disappear and the exhaustion take over, standing for the car was fun as my muscles had stopped and started to go cold and I could feel my teeth chattering, we made our way back to the hotel and I managed to get to the hotel room. I was so tired, sore and unable to move my legs I ended having a nap it was 8.30 when stu woke me with the restaurant closing at 9.15pm I knew I needed to move as I needed to eat so I hobbled into the bathroom lifting my legs over the bath 🤣 to have a shower, the hot water was what was needed to bring my muscles to life and really helped with the stiffness in my neck. We made dinner although I ate little and didn’t even finish my glass of wine off, first Birthday to not have had a drink since I was pregnant. After dinner I crashed and when I woke next day I was surprised how little stiffness I felt, it’s amazing what the body is capable of at times.
Would I do it again, definitely. I completed in 9 hours 44 which I am over the moon with as when I checked my 2023 Peak district 50km results that was just under 11 hours, I also realised I’ve not blogged that one as well, but a little late now, I must do better with my blogging. The Peak district was brutal terrain but I may do it again next year 😁. I made the decision to defer London to Brighton till next year but I have my eyes set on Thames Path 100 for this year.
