Well, I had lots of sleep after Fellsman and eventually my hips stopped hurting. I swapped shoes and got to the start of Marlborough Downs Hike in hot weather again. I was really thinking I should have set off with the walkers about an hour and half ago but was still putting runfurther and sponsors flags up for the finish. All I had to do was get to check point 3 before 11.15am. It was only 9.2 miles but I thought my legs were going to let me down. I ran for these 9 miles with a mate from Bath (Pam) who was brilliant, she chatted and fed my pain killers to get me through and we got there with half an hour to spare - phew! She sped off on the 20 mile route and left me to my wansdyke path. My legs felt just about ok although I felt alot slower than last week! I eventally got to the canal and then mentally fell apart - I hate running along canals! My legs felt like lead and I just stumbled along for about 3 miles.

So my low point was low and it got lower when I was joined by someone who really was not my conversational type - if you get what I mean! Sorry if he reads this but I was not able to cope with his excessive talking about races that went round in short circuits many times over! all i wanted was a hot bath, some wine and couch! He followed me for a long way! Still as soon as a hill did turn up (there are not many hills in this racer - all a bit flat and run-able for me!), I spead up and got some more painkillers down my neck (I don't usually pill pop round races but I hurt!) and felt great, my good head came back and I started over taking people again.

I went the route I had marked on my map - this map marking up took forever from the route description it was so complicated - but some were naving only off the route description! How bizzare! They off course did not trust that a girl with a map was going the right way so they fell by the wayside whilst trying to sort their own routes out and I spead on - big boost to the ego that!!!

I was having a really good race now and felt strong and thought I was actually going to get round in under 8 hours - phew! This was of course completely wrong as I got faster and faster (until one more last lead legged feeling rubbish again section) to the end. I even sprinted the last half mile in true Karen fashion (I always seem to find these sprints at the end of races!) and crossed the line in 6 hours 34 mins. Oh my god i am a runner! Never thought I would say that!