We were starting a little earlier this morning before the main race to ensure we were all back for the presentation at 3:30. This of course meant our treatment from Body Rehab had to be earlier too. I was up and ready for 6:15 so hopefully I would be ready by 9am. I hadn't slept very well and my leg was still very swollen and I was in more pain than I had been all week. I was worried that today I would be out on the course without Nicola's support. This was causing me to be really anxious and once again quite tearful. I was exhausted and so glad that today was to be the last day of having to run 26.2 miles for a while. I felt sick and had trouble eating my breakfast. It was as if there was something blocking the food from going past my throat. A horrible feeling.
Things around the site this morning were really buzzing as other runners and supporters arrived for the main race. By the time I left the Body Rehab room I felt a lot more confident (Nic had worked her magic). I was again strapped up and ready to rock.
We all grouped on the front lawn for the customary huddle at 9:15. Steve said some inspiring words and we set off for the 'walk of honour' down to the start line. There were loads of people there getting ready to cheer us off.
All the runners seemed to be in good spirits - a little emotional but so relieved that it was only one more lap to go.
The race was started as it had been every other day by Mac (my husband). He had been working for Brathay for the last 11 days in the role of "10in10 Event Director. He did a fantastic job of supporting each and everyone of the runners. His days had started around 7am and most nights he didn't finish until bedtime. He did really well to balance his time and support amongst all the runners. At times he must have found it difficult when I was struggling and he was needed elsewhere.
We set off amidst cheers of support and encouragement. The first few miles were OK but I was really tired and seemed to be running on empty (the lack of a proper breakfast was taking its toll oh and probably the 9 days of running had something to do with it too). Around 4 miles my left quad started to become a little stiff. I tried to stretch it out but it kept coming back. By 9 miles I was really struggling and tried all ways to get the muscle to relax as it seemed to keep going into spasm.
By the time I got to the drinks station at 10 miles I was in bits. The pain in my left leg was really severe - now it was the shin, the quad and referred pain in the hip. I was really emotional not just because of the pain but also because the thought that there were still 16 miles to go filled me with dread. How on earth was I going to do it?
It was at this point that I had to visit 'my mental strength toolbox'. There was very little left. I was exhausted. Still I had 16 miles to go and had to push on. By the time I got to Newby Bridge I was struggling to move at all. The pain was so intense. It was at this stage that loads of other runners were passing me. A few of previous 10in10 runners stopped to support and encourage me. My son Gareth also joined me, his intention was to run back to Brathay with me. He started speaking wise words of encouragement - telling me how much he and the rest of the family were proud of me and what I had achieved so far and how much they loved me. I ran through the crowds at Newby Bridge in tears. I think my distress caused many of the supporters to shed a tear too.
On the far side of the lake dozens of runners were passing me. Almost everyone was encouraging me and saying how inspirational I was and how they admired me. One guy stopped to shake my hand, another held my hand and kissed it. Women of all ages were showing their total respect. All this what can only be described as 'adoration' made me feel really humble and upset. Anyone who is physically able could do what I had just done with the right amount of training. After all I was just an ordinary woman who liked to run who fitted it around a full time job and a family. I wasn't a special athlete.
The hills on the far side of the lake were unforgiving and I found it impossible to run up them so was reduced to power walking. This continued until around 18 miles, when the route turned flatter. I managed a 'shuffle jog' for a few miles but had to keep stopping every couple of minutes to stretch out the muscle. This was exhausting.
With 4 miles to go I asked Gareth to run on and let me complete the last bit of my journey on my own. Now was the time to see what I was really made of. I jogged/shuffled/stretched towards Brathay. The sight of Brathay across the Lake at the Low Wood Hotel was most welcome. With every step now the pain was intense. I was struggling to keep my emotions under control. I was almost there!
With just half a mile to go Mac came out to meet me. It was lovely to see him and I wished I could have just stopped then and fallen into his arms....it wasn't to be as I still had to cross the line. If I hugged him or had him with me I was going to crumble. I had to carry on on my own. I asked him to meet me at the finish. I was so focussed at this point that I just had to push on.
I arrived at the bottom of the drive to massive cheers from the Brathay Staff which really spurred me on. I stopped on the way up the drive to pick up my Welsh Flag. At the top I turned the corner and the sight before me was wonderful. There was the crowds, my family, friends, The Body Rehab Team, fellow 10in10ers and the finish line. It was over I had done it! I had succeeded!
Earlier in the week I did not think I would see Day 10. My injury on Day 4 had really knocked me for 6. I came in with some goals of enjoying the event and hopefully running consistently around a 4:30 average time. I was on track for this until the shin splints hit. I then had to re-adjust and just concentrate on 'enjoying the event'. This was hard to do at times due to the pain I was constantly in.
Someone asked me whether it was more painful to carry on or to give up.
My response was that it would always be painful to give up. Never once through the week did I think that I would pull out. It would have been so easy to do and I don't think anyone would have thought I was a failure - only myself. I could not have lived with myself if I had given up. The only way I was going to do that was if my body was so broken it couldn't carry on.
Pain is temporary, quitting is forever - Lance Armstrong
I am proud of what I have achieved and hopefully I will recover quickly both physically and mentally enough to look back with pleasure on what was an amazing experience.
I have now completed the Brathay 10in10 on 2 consecutive years. 262 miles in 10 days x 2.
The greater the obstacle the more glory in overcoming it!
If you have been inspired by my journey and would like to help more disadvantaged young people have an inspirational experience by working with Brathay then please sponsor me at www.justgiving.com/Alyson-Knowles