JOB DONE

TC and I had to leave at 05:30am on Sunday 27th September in order to make the 7am registration in Limone for the 2009 Lake Garda Marathon. I was completely and utterly nervous and anxious leaving the Euro Camp site made even worse by the Italian (obviously) security guard who wouldn't let me out of the site because the

gate didn't open until 7am.

Me: But I have travelled all the way from the UK to run this Marathon and I need to be there in an hour and a half.

SG: It is not possible.

Me: But I really really need to leave now.

SG: It is not possible

And on it went for 10 mins until he eventually let me out. I hate that guy!

The drive was dark and we talked nervously about the race and how we were feeling. I was actually quite glad of the fact that we had to spend a few hours in the car before hand as it gave us time to focus.

We arrived in Limone on time and we both amazed as to how beautiful it was first thing in the morning. By now I was excited and ready to rock. The place was littered full of Italian athletes from all walks of life and ages. I was wearing a Welsh flag vest for the occasion which seemed to go down well with alot of people. A guy called Cerith came up to me and introduced himself as well. He is from Pontypridd and this was his 20th Marathon. He had been reading this very blog. I didn't get a chance to see him after so, " hello Cerith. "

Time was dragging and by 08:30 I could really feel the heat. By the time we made our way to the starting line TC and I were jumping up and down with excitement. Just before the starting gun went The Who's Baba O'riley came blasting out of the speakers.

It's strange but I can remember pretty much the whole race from start to finish. It was the most incredible, life affirming feeling. Although there were thousands of runners it was very peaceful. The sky was blue and the lake green and it was everything I had imagined it to be and more. Just thinking about it now makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Everyone enters Marathon's for different reasons. For me it was to make a point. To prove to myself that I had turned a corner and that I was capable of completing something as epic as a marathon. I have basically been on the piss for the past 10 years and whilst that is all very well and good it doesn't really work for me anymore.

Our tactic was to stay behind the 4hours pace makers for the whole race and at 14 miles we actually over took them to the point that they were out of sight. A school boy error really cos by 18 miles I hit the wall.

I had never hit the wall before in my training and it left me pretty much unable to move. No matter how hard I tried to run my legs would not let me. I think at this point a little tear came down my face. I told TC to go ahead whilst I sorted myself out.

I managed to find the strength to carry on and ran the last 8 miles at various speeds. The truth is I was just not used to running in such heat. Someone told me that at one point in the race temperatures reached 28c.

What really picked me up was a stranger who said to me, " come on you Welsh warrior. lets finish the racer together! " I ran the last bit with him.

I eventually came down the home straight to find Deb and Noah and my Mum and Dad all cheering me on, which was beautiful.

My time was 4hrs and 20 and TC did it in just under 4hours, which was incredible really considering it was his first time. Well done!!

We had a pizza afterwoods and then had to drive for 2 hours back to where we were staying. We all went out for a beautiful meal in the evening and enjoyed my first beer in a month.

The weird thing is now I just want to do more. The whole experience has been so positive.

Thanks for all your sponsorship. Really cool that so many of you got behind me and I had a nice email from someone at Brake to say thanks.

What a fantastic voyage indeed.

Hwyl

Baz x