JOGLE

(John O'Groats to Lands End)

Days 11 and 12

I will be running 58 miles on August 1st from

Wigmore, mid-Wales to the Severn Bridge.

I will be running 55 miles on August 2nd from the

Severn Bridge to Taunton, Devon.

Wish me luck and more details will be posted soon......

Practice for JOGLE 2010

I arrived at Aust Travelodge on Friday 31^st July after negotiating 1 aeroplane and 3 buses. I found the local pub for some evening refreshment before heading to bed for an early night.

I managed 3 hours sleep before my alarm woke me at 2am on Saturday 1^st August. After dressing in my running gear I put compeed on my feet and was then phoned by Rory to say he was outside the Travelodge. By 3am there were 6 of us runners and Rory. I was the only female. We left in Rory’s car, which was full to the brim with food and water, to drive the 90 minutes to Wigmore in Wales. It was dark but the weather was dry. This was not to be the case later.

At 5am the six of us ran out of Wigmore heading 58 miles south back to the Travelodge. It was getting light and the country roads were deserted. However it was not long before it started raining. I was glad I had my waterproof fluorescent yellow jacket on as it kept me warm and dry. The villages passed by and soon we were in Hereford. There were checkpoints at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 miles approximately, but Rory got lost twice so the 30 miles turned out to be 33 miles and 40 miles was 45 miles so 50 miles did not exist! I was last until Justin dropped out at 30 miles with shin splints. At Monmouth I found the A40 but could not work out how to negotiate round it. A gentleman at the traffic lights said he had seen me earlier in the day in Hereford. I asked him for help with the directions and he explained which way I needed to go.

I was taking anti-nausea tablets and they prevented sickness. However by 50 miles I was very tired. My legs and feet were sore and running was hard. The long dual carriageways leading up to the Severn Bridge seemed to go on forever. I got on the bridge and it was an amazing way to finish the run. Rory took photos of me and I reached the Travelodge to finish in Ernie’s arms after 12 hours and 44 minutes of running 58 miles. Five of us finished and I was only 30 minutes behind the leading 3 runners. Colin had struggled towards the end and finished 30 minutes behind me. I was very wet after many hours of rain but very happy. However would I be able to run the 57 miles the next day, starting at 5am?

Sunday 2^nd August dawned brighter and drier than the day before. My alarm went off at 4am and I got out of bed with sore feet and feeling tired but my legs were fine. I was the only runner who started at 5am – the three others, as Mark did not start, left a few moments later. I navigated my way through some lovely quiet villages until I reached the A38. From here to Taunton I would follow this dual carriageway. A big problem was running along a very busy road, especially as time flew by. Sometimes the pavement disappeared and I was left running along the white line at the edge of the road as traffic sped by me only metres away from me.

I ran into Bristol. By now two men had overtaken me and Colin was getting closer. I was not bothered about being first or not. The whole idea of this run was to see if I could do it. In Bristol Colin and I ran together as we were both lost. Despite very good maps, Ernie's footnotes and a Sat Nav system, it was difficult to get through Bristol. A kind gentleman showed us the way and after taking a few detours to the actual mapped route we were on the other side of Bristol.

I began to struggle as I left Bristol with only 15 miles in my legs so far. Colin was struggling too and we chatted for a few miles. The weather was perfect; sunny, dry and a pleasant temperature. At the 20 mile checkpoint I stopped as my feet were sore. It was great to see Rory and Justin, as well as Jen who was also supporting us. Rory cut off the side of my left inner sole to reduce the friction. I had hot tea and a banana and set off refreshed. The next 30 miles flew by. I was in my element; running slowly and racewalking at times when running was too much. I was beginning to catch up with the two runners ahead.

At one point I mis-navigated and almost ended up on the M5! I ran through Bridgwater and sat down to remove part of the inner sole on my right foot that was rubbing. As I entered Taunton I was feeling great. I met Rory at 50 miles and I only had another seven to run. However this seven miles was awful. A busy dual carriageway and I felt so tired. I cried as I ran, vowing never to do this again. However kendla mint cake came to my rescue and boosted my flagging energy levels.

I did not know that Ernie had been keeping an eye on me for the past 10 miles. I ran through a junction thinking I should be turning left, but the signs did not indicate so. The next minute Ernie was on the phone telling me I had gone the wrong way and should have turned left. I was angry with myself that I had not looked closely enough at the road signs, and unfortunately Ernie received my anger. However the railway station in Taunton (the finish) was only 2 miles away. I ran past our hotel and soon saw the signs for the station. As I saw the station I burst into tears. I was so relieved to arrive there after 13 hours and 45 minutes and hugged a proud Ernie. Rory had been amazing in helping me and is convinced now that I can run JOGLE in May 2010 in 15 days with 15 other runners. I felt so proud despite the aches and pains and exhaustion. It had been a wonderful experience. A week in Cornwall and Scily Isles was next and a well-earned break. Now I need a rest in order to prepare for the Commonwealth Ultrarunning 24 hour championships on September 17^th / 18^th.