My longest training long run, and my longest ever run completed today - 33km, or 20.5 miles, in 4 hours, 19 minutes. I'm very pleased with that. Could I add another 9km to this distance? Yes, I think so. Sheer determination will see me through on 10 October.
I started at 7:30am, and it was lovely and sunny. It remained sunny for the whole run, and it gradually warmed up throughout the morning.
For fuelling, I took four SIS gels with me, and took them at 6km intervals. I started the day with a protein bar, and had another after 10km. I don't find these easy to swallow though, so I will probably avoid in future. I also took five SaltSticks tablets to replace electrolytes during the run. I thought these would be very salty, but they aren't. They taste very nice.
I ran around Rostherne and through Mere and Bucklow Hill before coming to the Kilton Inn near High Legh. I spotted an outside tap. Unfortunately, it was not working, so I had another 4km to go before my first water break, at High Legh Garden Centre.
The route was fairly flat after this, and I got into a nice rhythm before stopping at my next water break at Poplar 2000 services. I had M&S version of Lipton's Peach Tea - so refreshing.
Finishing straight now, through some fields and along the Trans Pennine Trail to end back at Co-op in Heatley Mere for another drink and some chicken pieces, and a 1km walk home.
I'm suitably shattered, but confident of being able to complete my first Marathon. On checking my split times, my fastest lap was the 8th kilometer, at 6 minutes 50 seconds. My second fastest was the 33rd kilometer, which took 7 minutes and 3 seconds, which was a surprise.
We're off to Cornwall tomorrow for the week, so my running will be curtailed. I need some rest though.
Three weeks to go!