The epilogue

Now its time for the washing machine to put in a shift...

This article made me laugh when my latest Running magazine came through yesterday

Before - trying to ensure everything I needed was right there

After - carnage, but made pretty by orange balloons

The plan

Don't think ill top that weekly mileage for a while

Trying to summarise the last couple of days and the months leading up to it is tricky, but here goes.

Physically - I'm shocked. I knew I was in good shape and the gym work had me feeling strong, but I still expected to fall apart at some point. I did have toe pain, the blister sucked, the peeling skin on my fingers I could deal with, the achy back on the last few runs was annoying, but overall my body held out. Nearly a day after finishing I can walk without groaning too much, and the headache I've had since last night is easing off.

Mentally - this is where it was at.

Each run meant so much to me, the 11 individuals (Tilum twice) who came on this journey all made each one different. There were plenty of deep chats about our histories together (some dating back decades, some only fledgling), there were plenty of laughs and motivational cheers. Whenever I was down - you lifted me, whenever I was fast - you kept up with me, you all just showed up - you did your bit - and left with a sweaty hug.

Kudos to all those that supported me in their own ways, the messages on various channels, the thumbs up on Strava, the ridiculous range of emojis on WhatsApp (some of which I still don't understand), they made the whole journey worthwhile.

Plenty of people over the last many months have told me I'm mad, but no one ever told me I wouldn't make it.

I still think it hasn't really sunk in, what I did was phenomenal... but I'm more proud of the feelings that came up in me from you all. It also helps that I beat the target on JustGiving and contributed to lifting strangers who will be helped by you all fine people.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Stats:

Total distance: 85.63 km (or 53.2 miles) (or 2.03 marathons)

Total time running: 527.7 minutes (or 8 hours and 47 mins)

Total time sleeping: Estimated around 7 hours in 5 chunks

Bananas consumed: 5

Crumpet toppings: 4 x Nutella, 1 x Butter (and one last one today with Lime & Pickle chutney to celebrate)

Drinks: 2 coffees, 1 and a bit litres of fresh OJ, 4 electrolyte tablets dissolved in water

Clothes: 12 pants, 24 socks, 3 shorts, about a meter of dressing tape (for my nips)

https://justgiving.com/page/jits4-4-48