This week has been marvellous! Training has gone well, pace has increased on my speed sessions and my asthma has improved, so all in all I’m delighted.
On Thursday I packed only the essentials into my Inov-8 backpack and caught the train to London where I met up with Jo K for our trip up to Hull for a couple of days of running along the Viking Way in preparation for the 147.8 mile race over the Easter weekend.
We arrived at the Premier Inn to discover that is was in the middle of no where so were unable to get any provisions for the next day, no worries, a quick call to Sam Robson who was joining us later that night; he arrived at about 10.30pm loaded with provisions for breakfast and the run.
After a not very good night sleep due to the heat in the room, we got a taxi to the start of the Viking Way, not the most impressive starts in the world as you can see!
Watches turned on and we were off on our little run. Jo set off at the rate of knots, I worried slightly that with my 8kg pack that I wouldn’t be able to keep up, especially as Sam is a very fast runner. My chest was heaving all over the place so it was better for me not to talk (thats a first!!) thankfully however the pace slowed after about 10 miles and my chest began to feel happier.
Jo had recced this section before, but would make both Sam and I point out where we thought we should be going on some of the tricker sections. One road section you definitely need to have the map out as there is no way you know which way to go, however very obvious when you look at the map. We stopped at Caistor to buy some food and water at the co-op before continuing. The next section was fairly hilly, but nothing too bad. We ran through Nettleton past the chalk quarry and continued on towards Normanby le Wold, (great names). We stopped to grab a coffee for Jo and some coke for Sam at Tealby then continued our journey towards Horncastle. Jo who had been training really hard for the past few weeks, coming up to the Viking Way and checking out the route was knackered which meant that the trip was taking us longer than we had all anticipated. This was fine, except that only myself and Sam had head torches and I was worried about continuing once it was dark as I didn’t want anyone to trip or twist an ankle.
It was now coming up for about 6pm and we decided to stop at Fulletby and order a taxi from the pub. Anyone would think we were in the middle of nowhere – the pub gave us the telephone number of one taxi company that we rang and asked if we could order a cab “NO” was their response and put the phone down! not to be put off by the very rude lady on the other end of the phone we tried again but this time asked if she knew of another taxi company that could help us “NO” came the reply, a giggle and put the phone down – WELL HOW RUDE!
By this time I had cooled down a lot so swopped my tops over and put my waterproof on to help keep me warm. Jo and I had the torches and Sam ran beside me to get light which worked really well. We did however forget that he didn’t have a torch every so often and would leave him to shut a gate to shouts of “I can’t see…..” We eventually arrived at Horncastle feeling delighted that we had actually completed 55 miles. Job done for the day, now time for a shower and something to eat.
Sam unfortunately had to go home which was a shame as it had been great for Jo and I to have his company. Jo and I set off from Horncastle at 6.40 aiming to stop at the first town to get something to eat. During the race this section will be done in the dark so it was lovely that the section to woodhall Spa was very easy running. Breakfast was grabbed and a coffee for Jo who was still not feeling good and struggling. We continued on towards stixwould and once past Willow Farm I went off on my own. I really hate leaving people, but was worried that if I continued at the pace we were going I would miss my train and in fact I think Jo felt better being on her own as she didn’t have the pressure of having to keep up a pace for me, which as we all know when you have nothing left in the tank isn’t easy. So big hug and off I trundled towards Lincoln – hoping I wouldn’t get lost!
All was going well until I went past Snakeholme Farm, found the sign on the road telling me to go right which I did, continued up the road until the road went left and there was a right hand turn – which way! made the decision to stay on the road as it was signposted to Fiskerton which was where the VW would go through (I wasn’t feeling particularly Frisky at this stage let me tell you! but I did have a giggle).
Running up the road was fairly hairy as there were quite a few cars, but no humans to ask if they knew where the VW was. Eventually near Wood End Farm I spotted a man about to get into his car. I waved my arms about, woohooing him trying to get his attention (I’m sure he thought I was mad) thankfully I could run faster than him so there was no getting away from me1! He informed me that this was the road to Fiskerton.
Once on the outskirts of the village I spotted the lovely VW yellow signs and threw my arms up in the air saying “thank you” to I’m not really sure who, but I was happy to be back on track. The next section was along the canal, very flat and extremely windy which made running very difficult. I followed the signs off the canal and up a hill, across a field to Greetwell Hall, feeling very pleased with myself. Spotted the sign which said go through the gate and I followed the FP back down to the canal and into Lincoln. Had I been sensible and got my map out I would have realised that although I was in the correct place at Greetwell Hall I should have gone right towards the railway then into Lincoln that way – never mind I completed my 28/29 mile journey and found the railway station where I treated myself to a lovely hot coffee before heading home.
A fantastic couple of days, thanks to Jo and Sam for their marvellous company. I was chuffed to have done the distance and my legs on Sunday morning didn’t feel as though they had run over 80 miles. My training must be going in the right direction.
Next week I have the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon which I’m looking forward to, a fab event although I won’t be setting any records there apart from talking!
Happy training.
