Run Britain Day 41: And breathe…

I have been running around the coastline of Britain for 41 days.

In that time, I’ve run the equivalent of almost 40 marathons, I’ve climbed the equivalent of almost 3 Mount Everests (most of that in the last 10 days) and I’ve stayed in 25 different places.

I’m pretty tired.

Running the coastline of Britain is amazing. I’m seeing the best of this island’s people and its landscapes. I’m being shown kindness and care from those I know well and from complete strangers. And, because I am doing this in the winter, I have these incredible views and bits of coast path largely to myself.

This first fifth of the mission has been a wonderful, inspiring, humbling experience.

But it’s also hard.

I’m out and on my feet for upwards of 8 hours a day at the moment (because it’s so hilly). I’m often scrambling over rocks, or charging into headwinds, or chasing the dying daylight.

I’m also trying to squeeze in rest and eating and washing and social media and writing and transport. A lot of the time, I’m doing that solo.

I chose to undertake this challenge in the winter for personal reasons. I chose to do it partly self-supported for personal reasons. And both of those decisions have undoubtedly been the right ones. I truly am having the best time.

But when you finish a day of running in the dark. When you’re soaked through and freezing and spend 15 minutes sobbing to your off-the-road team mate, it’s time to take a pause.

On Monday I told Lottie I was thinking of taking a day off later in the week. She said ‘phew, I’m glad you suggested that, otherwise I would have’.

I’m not injured or ill or hating it. I’m just so unbelievably exhausted and I need to catch up. So that’s what day 41 is, a catch up.

Some time to sit with my feet up and eat. To stretch and write. To deal with some long overdue invoices. And also to appreciate what an amazing journey this has been so far. And how much more there is to come.