This Friday just gone, 11-11-11 I and a bunch of others did the Poppy Day Enigma Marathon. Expertly put on by Foxy Davy. I'll be honest, this time last week I didn't think I would be able to do it. Piriformis syndrome in my previously good left leg stopped me in my tracks and sent me to the Swimming pool and for a sports massage (lying facedown with my bum out while a 6 foot 4 bloke pushes his elbow in my glutes with all his weight is really just my idea of heaven). I intended to test the leg on Thursday with a 2 mile jog but chickened out due to the fact that if it didn't work I would be VERY UPSET INDEED. I find a way to cope with problems is to pretend they are not there, a strategy that regularly bites me on the bum!
Anyway I arrived at Caldecotte Lake with one man and his dog and said hello to all the usual suspects. It's all very low key and I love that. Plenty of TiTs and 100 club members and people trying to get into the 100 club ;-D
We assembled by the check point and one of the guys said a few words and we had 2 minutes silence. I thought about my nan and grandad during this, not to say I wasn't thinking about all those who died but they are the way I connect to the (second) war. Grandad served and only came back because he had to have emergency surgery on his appendix whilst his unit was lost. Nan told me stories of underground shelters during the blitz and being evacuated with my Uncle. I think how lucky I am to have had them both.
Anyway, we then walked to the start and without much ado were off. Yep it was painful, but I had great company who knew I liked a bit of a whinge and a moan having endured 10 days of it in May. And then there was Gus who you just cant help smiling at. At the 1st stop at the checkpoint Dave, Marks mate joined us for a couple of laps. It was quite funny because I told Mark I had met him before (I thought I had) so no introductions were made. Luckily I think we both realised who the other was and it was cool to meet him as he is doing the Quadzilla in Feb. I was just going to say it will be nice to see someone there I know but that is ridiculous I will know the whole damn field!
Anyway after those 2 laps we had 5 left and the next 3 were completed slowly but surely. I had to stop every now and again to stretch out the piriformis but to be honest it gets to a certain hurt and doesnt get worse, or you learn to live with it, or something. The only thing that worried me were twinges in my back, if they kept up I wouldnt have been able to finish but they came and went so not too bad.
Now 2 laps left about 7 miles. Mark will say this is where I get my 'head' on and go for it but I swear it was him looking at his watch that made me want to go quicker. He told me what we needed to do to go sub 4.30 and by now I wanted this over so was happy enough to try. I reckon he could have easily gone under it as he was running much better than me, but he wont agree :D
End result, 4.30 and change. I am very happy with that, I had a decent run, great company and took part in a great event. What more can you want? (Pint of fosters, and I got it!)
So thanks to Foxy and his helpers, thanks to Dave for the company but mostly thanks to Mark and Gus for getting me round.
For recovery yesterday I ran 15 minutes and swam 30 which set me up to do 10 miles today. Brilliant!!!! I am a bit concerned about where I am going to find any speed from, but I have 2 more massages paid for and will have them soon. Meanwhile I will keep plodding on.
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