With a hollow and deepening sadness I notice that the mountains are dissolving away. I look back to yesterday’s last horizon. It is as though the mountains have come shoulder to shoulder and almost muscle me away. I decide they do so in positive encouragement. After all, I have survived their numerous tests relatively intact. Was a mountain god playing games with me yesterday when that rock flew past my face!? Anyhow, I pay them respect and wish them goodbye.
The usual slow gearing up of my body takes about an hour. A cycle of quickening stride to stretching to hollering at the gods and so on.
The carbohydrate drinks and pain killers and so on are playing havoc with my innards and the funny side effect of this (well I think so!) is that I’m often almost boosted off on my run by a varied and highly impressive crescendo of highly energised flatulence, enough to startle cows from their dedicated and constant languid chomping. Which cheers me up no end! This mild hilarity, for the majority of the day, is as good as it gets. I relish being outside and take cheer in not being in a box! I drift of into formulating plans for my future.
As I’m building my pace and durations of running my right knee starts to create all hell. This I know is a potential game changer for me and this Challenge and for my future well-being. I’m furious and feeling very vulnerable.
WHAT CAN I DO!! WHAT?? WHAT!!!!!!
I recall a lifetime ago, whilst I was a young whipper-snapper in the Army, using the technique of reverse leg heel-to-arse kicking. I give this a go. It induces a throat convulsing agony that burns across my knee. The front of my injured ankle however seems to be okay with this new torment.
I catch my breath back whilst bent over trying to stop myself from throwing up!
A little and brightly coloured bird proudly flutters down inches away from my foot and is quizzically looking at me. His wise and twinkling eye firmly locked into mine. He doesn’t budge, I give him my warmest welcome. His cocked head and steadfast gaze sends cheer and wonderment and… well.. its like he’s come to assure me, and it does. I’ve got a pocket full of accumulated food debris and offer him what I hope is a varied and acceptable feast for his kind endeavours towards me. Without fear or hesitation he is tucking in. I slump down, examine my troubled knee and watch this chappy, feeling elated at having gained such a fantastic friend. He shows his happiness by displaying pirouettes and shimmers of his tail.
After a while, I wryly ask him and say ” Dont laugh now! ” as I gingerly totter up. I shake off my knee and it feels a fraction better!!!!
Okay okay okay!
AGAIN! AGAIN! AGAIN!
I heel-to-arse kick, and then run. The tightness is easier. This is an improvement!!!! As my pace grows I see my friend fluttering and keeping a constant 4 paces ahead of me. After a hundred or so meters my pace is great! I say a million thanks to him and with a final flourish he dives off and is gone. This is a time I won’t forget.
So I repeatedly use the ‘Heel to arse’ and it seems to be working, not much, but it is!! With happier thoughts and physical improvement I drift off into my own little bubble and try to push hard. I do well!!
I quickly pass through the unassuming village of Ecclefechan and the quaint arched building and birthplace of Thomas Carlyle and I also pass where my ancestor Robert the Bruce is reputed to have hidden out whilst being hunted by the English and holed up in ‘The cave with the spider!’
I get to the 21 mile-ish point and I’m doing well. The famous Gretna Green is a horizon away. Easy!!! I stop and have a food break for half an hour.
With bravado, flair and heartfelt confidence I set off. Only Several miles to go, I figure no more than eighty minutes.
I feel a sudden BANG as I’m hit by full shut down caused by every muscle and sinew refusing to adhere to my fresh demands. I won’t go on about these remaining miles, which take hours, however I arrive into Gretna Green barely walking. I’ve made it though. Another day done.
I can and I will.
