Week two of Run Britannia has been a wild ride of stunning scenery, mental battles, and pushing my limits further than I thought possible. After a much-needed rest day in Bristol, with a swim, blog writing (aided by AI as it's too hard to do on your phone), and even a two-minute ice immersion – anything to prep for the miles ahead! I tried to keep my feet elevated during an afternoon nap before a good evening meal. Lesley had come down too which helped.
Week 2 Statistics:
- Distance: 223 miles
- Moving Time: 69 hours, 55 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 6,174m
Cumulative statistics
- Distance: 462 miles
- Moving Time: 139 hours, 30 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 14,490m {1.6 x Mt Everest)
Day 9: Bristol to Monmouth – A Bridge to Wales
We set off early, at 7:15 AM, from the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge with even more amazing views from the city side before continuing through parks and fields before catching a glimpse of both Severn Bridges – the Prince of Wales Bridge and the older, white, Severn Bridge. The 13-mile journey to the bridge took longer than expected, and crossing on the cycle path, I was a bit disappointed by the lack of "Welcome to Wales" signs. Despite the lack of fanfare, we had indeed entered Wales, continuing on to Chepstow.
I met Lesley again at Chepstow Castle, who had smartly bused down from Monmouth after leaving the car there. We then set off with Lesley, Laura, and Sarah, quickly joining the Wye Valley Way. The route climbed steeply to the Eagles Nest viewing point. I even managed to bang my head again on the (not so) Giant's Cave! We followed a high route before dropping down through fields to Tintern Abbey. A pit stop came unexpectedly early, making the final 10-mile stretch feel much longer psychologically. We wound through woods and villages, crossed a railway, and followed the River Wye, passing a lovely, ancient-looking pub called the Boathouse. A message about a blocked route into Monmouth meant a diversion, so we decided to stick to the road. What was meant to be 34.3 miles turned into 35.4, and the final approach to the hotel felt like an age. Luckily, the team had put out arrows to guide us, and it was great to finish right at the hotel for once. After Lesley left, I squeezed in a much-welcomed bath before tea.
Day 10: Monmouth to Hay on Wye – The Moors and Mental Grit
Day 10 saw us start from the Premier Inn in Monmouth, a first for us, not needing a transfer to the start line. A 6:30 AM breakfast and 7 AM departure kicked off the day. Thankfully, my Garmin, which I thought was only at 37%, was actually fully charged. We started with a fair bit of road before joining the Offa's Dyke path, heading up the Wye Valley. Leaving Monmouth, we passed beautiful purple fields. Our first checkpoint was inside the lovely White Castle. It looked otherworldly. Just us, the table of food, the physio table. In the middle of a castle. I had more tape applied to my shin, as the calf tape was shifting the strain to the opposing muscles in the shin.
The mid-section was mostly roads and fields, dropping into the village of Wern Gifford for a pit stop at the village hall. Then it was straight back uphill, hitting the Black Mountains, rising steadily. It was surprisingly pleasant, with horses on top, and fantastic views down both sides The heather and bilberry-like green plants created a beautiful wavy appearance. I reached the first summit and then dropped down a bit, but then it was just an awfully long and endless climb from then on in. This middle section was about 13 miles long. I finally reached the top cairn, and from there, it was a four-mile downhill stretch into the village. I was pretty tired by the end of that section before the last pit stop. The descent was quite steep, and after a quick drink at a pub where we finished I was bundled onto the bus to the Royal Welsh Agricultural Showground where we stayed. I managed to bag a single en-suite room, which was a bonus, as everyone was thoroughly exhausted. Early start again tomorrow!
Day 11: Hay on Wye to Bishop's Castle – Walking Through the Pain
Day 11 began early after staying at the RWS in Builth. It was a quirky hotel with good food. The morning was damp, taking us through woods and roads to Gladestry for our first pit stop. My shin splints on the left side were acting up, so it was a walking day for me. Even with taping, it felt okay until lunch. We went through Knighton and then had a sharp ascent on Offa's Dyke path.
I even thought I spotted Paul Merson along the river! Friendly horses galloped towards and past us in a field. We hit the roads again to drop into Clun, a village I know well having stayed there many times with good friends who have a holiday home there, then went up and over through a forest, dropping down to Brockton and finally into Bishop's Castle. Despite the slow pace, it was a good day, with nice sunny weather in the afternoon.
Day 12: Bishop's Castle to Ellesmere – The Heat and the Fight
Day 12 started with a bit of swelling in my left ankle from the previous day, but I hoped the walking was doing it good. The physio was confident I was not doing it any more harm. Of course, if I wasn't doing this, I would be resting it. But I'm not. I'm here for a challenge. The morning brought two big climbs, knowing the afternoon would be relatively flat. My strategy was to maintain a reasonable pace on the uphill walks and try some gentle running on the downhills, which seemed to work. The first hill, Stapeley Hill, offered great views over Shropshire and had a cairn at the top. After a checkpoint, we climbed another hill, mainly on the road this time, before dropping down to lunch where I could see the flat plains ahead. After lunch, my left shin became really sore, so I ended up walking the rest of the day by myself. I dropped to a main road and then onto what I thought would be a canal towpath all the way. It wasn't – it followed a river, with some road and annoying meandering and uneven sections, and lots of high stiles. There were also a few feisty cows. The heat was unbearable, and despite constant drinking and electrolytes, my energy levels plummeted, leading to a cycle of negative thoughts.
My pace dropped significantly, even though I know I can walk four miles an hour, I was doing no faster than 18-minute miles. At the last checkpoint, I initially thought it was eight miles to go, which felt too far. However, the strategy is to get to the pit stop, eat, drink, and reconsider. I looked at my watch which showed seven miles to go. That little win felt enough so I decided to push on, determined to finish, not wanting to give up. The downside of pushing through is a late arrival back to the hotel, straight to dinner, no shower until after, and then sorting bags for the next day, making sleep deprivation even more of a real killer. And less time with my legs up. The physio was surprisingly upbeat despite my really swollen ankle. I iced it, elevated it, and took anti-inflammatories. We couldn't figure out if some skin changes were a reaction to the tape or early cellulitis, though it didn't feel hot. The plan was to sleep and reassess in the morning.
Day 13: Ellesmere to Frodsham – A Turning Point
Today was a long one, starting back at the canal head. My shin splints were taped, and the left side was still painful with some swelling and redness, which we suspected was from the tape rather than infection, but it needed monitoring. The physio said I could continue as long as I could tolerate the pain, with reassessment needed if it worsened. The support from the physio (Emmie) at pit stops has been incredible. My poles' tungsten ends have even worn away, which I didn't think was possible! I spent most of the day alone due to my slow pace, which was tough. A field of feisty cows on uneven ground with an unclear path was particularly unnerving, as I couldn't run if needed. The loneliness and pain really started to get to me, spiraling into negative thoughts about how I should just be resting.
At lunch, a message from my coach, Paul, who lives nearby, arrived saying he'd join me later. When I called him, I admitted I was having a terrible day and was considering stopping at the next pit stop. He joined me, and as we walked, he reminded me of all the hard work I'd put in, my reasons for doing this, and how far I’d come since my knee operation. We also discussed what the physio had said. The pain eased, and my pace picked up a little. I was conscious of being close to the cut-off time, though the organisers are always very supportive.
At the next pit stop, with eight miles still to go, I was asked how I felt, and the urge to stop as the pain returned was immense. But after walking for another 10 minutes to reassess, I decided to carry on. I came here to run/walk to John O'Groats – it's not a holiday. If I can't physically do it, that's one thing, but the physio was happy for me to continue. This is all about learning about myself, pushing my limits, and achieving the impossible. The pain is like a clamp around my lower leg tightening with every step. With about five miles left, a member of the event team offered a lift in the minibus. After some deliberation, we continued – I can do this! My mindset completely changed, and I enjoyed the final few miles. I said goodbye to Paul with three miles to go and continued, almost with a spring in my step. I turned a corner as I arrived at the hotel to see event arrows welcoming me in. Usually, we finish somewhere and need a minibus to the hotel, but today we finished right at the hotel. I pulled down the arrow signs from the lamp posts as I knew I was the last in and I thought it would be helpful. I looked up and hadn't realised all the other participants and team members (already fed) were waiting on the steps. I entered the car park to clapping and cheering. It had been the of the hardest days, but I finished on a high. Thank you Paul! There's always tomorrow for rest if the physio is worried, plus an official rest day in two days.
Day 14: Frodsham to Whittle le Woods – Teamwork and Tough Stretches
After icing my ankles, taking anti-inflammatories, and sleeping with my legs on a pillow, I struggled down to breakfast. Emmie, the physio, was encouraging, telling me she had every confidence I could make it to the finish line today. My strategy today was to just get to the next stop and reassess. It's amazing how that helps you keep going. I'm chunking it up, reminding myself of yesterday's experience. I teamed up with David, who also couldn't run, and we decided to help each other out. The first part of the day was made easier by meeting Helena four miles before the next pit stop. We bored her with stories from the last few days, and she offered a game to play when we were bored. She entertained, supported, and distracted us.
Today already felt like a better day already. Thank you Helena! The Runcorn Bridge and canal paths were lovely, but a stretch through Wigan wasn't so great. A burnt-out car next to a reservoir in a beauty spot pretty much summed up the day. It was a long day, but we got through it, and now it’s time to rest. The hotel has a swimming pool and Lesley and Ella are coming later and running (? walking) for a bit tomorrow.
My reflections on this week are that it's been one of the hardest weeks of my life. I knew it was going to be hard. But I also knew that the battle is not with the body. It's with the mind. And this week, the mind won. I learned how by taking one step more, the end gets nearer. Don't get me wrong though, it has been enjoyable. It's been incredible with fantastic scenery. Making friends. Seeing friends. And a real sense of achievement getting so far up north on two weeks. The body may say different next week but let's see....
Next week the mileage is less. Onwards and upwards.
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