22nd June 2023 - The Wall

 So where to start.

This last weekend I ran Rat Race The Wall.  70miles - Carlisle to Newcastle along the Hadrians wall route.  An epic day was had under cloud cover, but hot, humid conditions.  Although very little wall was seen outside the mid 20miles.

Started at Carlisle castle 7am.  First section was along roads to Lanercost priory at 15miles.  This was fairly pleasant, jogging along chatting to Matt an Australian guy from Canberra.  Got to the checkpoint in around 2:45 I think and ate my body weight in pastries and fruit.

Next section was to Walltown quarry at 24miles.  Again a lot of roads with a bit of off road alongside the wall.  Again easy going and met Kim who I'd spend the rest of the day with.

The next bit to the Sill was off road to 30miles.  Great up and down alongside the wall.  Spent the time chatting.  Started to feet hot spots on the balls of my feet.

Stage four was 14miles to Hexham.  This was when it started to get unpleasant.  Run/walk applied.  Heat was having an effect and feet were blistering.  Pace was okay but taking its toll.

Stage five after Hexham was 19miles and feet were really painful.  Went through 50miles sub 12hrs and was pleased to get to Newburn at 62miles.  15:30 on the clock and I was in bits.  Had loads of water melon and attempted to run.  Feet were just too painful at this point.

So the last 7 miles were a death march to the finish.  I was so relieved to see the bridges over the tyne and crossed the millennium bridge to the finish line at 01:03am for a 18:03 finish.

Reasonably happy with this but could have gone a lot quicker if my feet had held up.

Massive blisters across soles of both due to all that running on tarmac in road shoes.

Great event.  Great organisation.  Great feed stations.  Unbelievable support from marshals and the public.

Bucket race ticked off.