So that was the week that was!

It’s now almost two weeks since I ran the 6 half marathons in a row.

It feels like a life time ago now, but I can say that I did it, I ran 6 half marathons (13.1 miles) in 6 consecutive days and then with just one day off I then ran the 2010K road race in Stoke.

Though a mix up with the marshalling of the event meant I crossed the finish line short of my overall distance I should point out that I did run the full 10k by completing the last kilometre on my own when I got home from the race.

Something of an anticlimax but I was determined to see it through to the bitter end.
I’d been saying for months that I was going to run a combined total of over 84 miles and nothing was going to stop me!

So there I was; on a patch of waste ground behind my house with my mp3 player blasting inspiring music in my ears while glances at the Garmin forerunner to make sure I didn’t go beyond the total mileage, come on I’d run a lot that week so I wanted to run the total but no more then that!

So in the last week of May 2010 I ran about 85 miles all from an insane idea that by creating the 6 towns run event I could inspire people to part with there hard earned cash for The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice.

I can say that the insane idea seems to be working as I’ve so far I’ve raised over £900 for the children’s hospice.
But it’s not too late to congratulate and support me by making a donation.
http://www.justgiving.com/6townsrun

On Sunday the 13th of June I shell don my 6 Towns Run racing shirt once more as I run the Potters Arf marathon.

So please support me and the work that the staff of the Donna Louise Children’s Hospice do by donating through the website http://www.6townsrun.co.uk/

So here’s a little about the final 6 towns run. Start finish at Stoke town.

Before I left for the start I had my usual breakfast of toast, egg, bran flakes and juice and water, but today I also had a few pain killers too.

The achilles tendonitis wasn’t getting any better. I had really done myself in by running the 5th half too quickly.

Luckily I was joined for this run by Kedren who’s new boss kindly let her take the morning off from her new job so she could support her somewhat mad boy friend on his last half marathon run!

Without Kedren’s company to keep me focused and happy on the run, my last half marathon could have been quite a painful and miserable time.

We stopped off at the hospice in Trentham for a chat with the staff and got a great cheer from everyone as we came into view, it really makes all the difference when you’re running, be it in the world biggest marathon or on a 6 towns run with just one other runner for company.
When people cheer and clap you, it raises the spirits and makes it all worth while.

Unbeknown to me another 6 towns runner was out running down the cannel looking for me to join the last run. However Drew and I never “ran” into each other on the run but thanks for the support on the day!

At the end Kedren and I met Mike Cutler who’d ran with me on two previous 6 towns runs and we had a few photo’s taken before Keds had to rush off to work.

I then followed my usual post run tradition by going home for an ice bath and then eating some food, usually some meat and rice in a source and then I headed off to DW Gym for a swim and to relax in the jacuzzi. I would use this as a poor mans hydro-therapy and loosen the leg muscles with the strong water jets.

That night I did allow myself a couple of glasses of red wine and a beer with a lovely steak and chips and then went to bed looking forward to a well earned lie in.

I’d now like to impersonate a Hollywood actor making a speech after winning an Oscar.
I promise I won’t cry!

I couldn’t have done this and raised so much money without support and so I have a few personal thanks I’d like to say.

Kedren, not only did you run two half marathons with me but your help with all the online marketing and networking was so helpful and your unwavering support throughout my training was a huge support to me.
Thanks to Kedren I received the full support of South Cheshire Harriers running club and many of there members are now friends.

Mike Cutler also of South Cheshire Harriers ran with me and kept me company on two runs and was very supportive and filled me with confidence.
Thanks Mike and I wish you all the luck in the world in the future.

Another harrier who volunteered to run the first day with my was Sarah Dyde and I’m so grateful that you’d take time out to come and run 13 miles with a bloke who was on a mad quest to run another 5 half marathons in the following days.

My running club at Trentham have also played there part in supporting me during the runs and also raising money for the trust.

Lisa and Tracy Holins ran with me on the first run and are always very entertaining when we run together at the club. Jacquie McPhail also of Trentham did sterling work running with me on day 2 and day 4 and was a big help in keeping me going on day 4.
Jacqie also ran the 2010K and did a club run, thats a fair few miles in one week mate.

I’d also like to thank Drew Wilson whom I didn’t know before the 6 towns and now you’re a mate. Shame we never did bump into each other on the day 6 run but at least we ran the 2010K. Thanks for the encouragement and for drumming up donations.

There have been lots of other people who’ve been a great help over the last 3 or 4 months and I’m sorry I can’t mention you all here but I must draw this blog to a close otherwise it will just go on and on, a bit like my running I guess. I just keep going.

Thanks for reading my newest blog and stay tuned for more riveting updates!
Thanks – Phil 6 Towns Ran…….