Feb 1995

'The Big One' 12 FEB

So this was it, a month into my trainning and i wanted to see just exactly how far i could push myself. [''i think i found my pain barrier - yep, quite sure'']

19.02.1995

So this was to be the ultimate jog around the park:

the route:
my gaff -> edgware rd -> marble arch -> lap of hyde park -> lap of green park -> lap of st james park -> lap of hyde park -> lap of green park -> lap of st james park -> lap of hyde park -> lap of green park -> lap of st james park -> and then home.

Distance: just under 20 miles
Time: took me 3hr 40 mins

So what was it like? well, to be honest. It was like nothing ive ever experienced - i've never run that distance before - and so i was entering territory which i was unfamiliar with. Adrenaline got me through most of it, i was excited and apprehensive at the same time. with such distances , i think its imperative to stay hydrated, so i had a rucksack full of lucozade - but on the last laps i really felt exhausted.

I have never experienced such aching in my legs, my calfs seemed to be on fire [at one point i just had to check!] , but more interesting was that i literally was rapidly losing energy by the end, i could feel myself shutting down. my pace became slower, i was making decisions clumsily and was quite sluggish in pace. I think my blood sugar was low and sheer exhaustion was kicking in.

The bizarrest thing, is that the burning sensation which was quite painful in my legs ....continued ! long after i stopped and rested at home, that upset/confused me a little, it was as if i had pushed myself just a little too hard.