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24. Where's Wally?

Just less than five weeks to go now!! I'm not feeling totally confident (it's still very daunting) but I am feeling quite contented. I've been putting in the miles. I've been testing things out. I've learnt so much. I'm nearly ready. Next weekend is the big one before I start tapering: three back to backs. 40:50:40 km each day over the bank holiday weekend. Living out of the bags in some dodgy B+Bs. Completing the Cleveland Way. I do have a very understanding and supportive wife don't I? Back to this weekend though. Where have I been?  Maybe Scotland?  Maybe Japan?  Maybe New Zealand? Or maybe even to Cusco in Peru? No.  Just Blighty.  All in a day's work on the Nidderdale Way on a 26 miler across to Pateley Bridge.  Just a reminder that you can donate to the charities I'm supporting, if you haven't already (and thanks to those who already have!) by clicking or copying the link below.  https://www.justgiving.com/team/brucelepetitjog Also, on the ...
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2. Why not?

The doubts subside and I'm sleeping better and getting excited.  Telling more people makes it real.   "Why are you doing this?" asks just about anyone* I've already bored with my plan, with a look of pained perplexion on their faces. (*Ultrarunners I know excepted - they just want to know more) So I've been reminding myself that running is actually quite enjoyable.  Yes it's hard, and yes there are times that I'd rather be sat relaxing in front of the wood-burning stove/drinking aperol spritz in the summer sun (delete as applicable depending on what time of the year you're reading this).  But never after I've done a run - I'm always thankful I did it.  And this type of ultra running is slow and it's ok to walk up hills. If you're out of breath you're running too fast. That sounds good, no?  The challenge on a really long run is how much you can eat to keep fuelled up. I love food.  It's just how my body reacts to it during the r...
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1. Thanks Matt

So, let's start.    Rewind 7 months to the daily dot-watching. My friend Matt is doing Lands End to John O'Groats (LEJOG). Running. 1000+ miles on trails. Averaging 33 miles a day. Every day. One day off a week. For 5 weeks. The dot from his satellite tracker on the app moves slowly but surely. He's a pro.  Childhood memories of pictures in the Guinness Book of Records. A sense of completing the impossible. Glorious summer weather. Pictures of the group completing it together. I’m hooked.  A congratulatory discussion on his triumphant return.  Me: ‘I've got to do this’  Matt: ‘You can do this - but one step at a time. Do an ultra first’  Me: ‘Ah…fair point. I'd better try one then’.  2 months later, the 30 mile Minster to Minster ultra completed. And a further 6 weeks later, 35 mile Ripon Ultra completed. I can do this! But every day for 5 weeks solid? There's places on the same LEJOG run for June 2025. I couldn't, could I? I'm a newbie, a noo...
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