Oh what a feeling............

Tracey & I started our epic 20 miles at 6.35 this morning.....

I really feel that all the training has now fallen into place......all those early morning walks were worth it....all those tough times I went through....the 3 mile wall I hit last Sunday...the pain & tears.....because......

TODAY'S WALK WAS FANTASTIC.....

The weather was dry, sunny & really hot at times....but, just to remind us that we live by the sea, there was a head wind sometimes too! Actually, I'm glad there was as it would have been too hot otherwise...

Trace had suggested that we avoid Trimley High Road which I was very happy about after my "fun" time last Sunday...so we decided that we would walk the normal 10 & then just turn back for the home run....this also meant that I could pass my house twice & collect more juice along the way...

I was walking really well, no wooden legs at all!! I didn't think about the fact that we were doing 20, didn't want to get panicky about it so just took each mile as it came....before I knew it, we were walking past my house to complete 7 miles....and I had a four legged friend walk with me for a while...my cat!!

He was trotting along nicely, it was really funny but then I started to worry a bit as I didn't want him to keep following us.....so I told him to go home (did I really expect him to stop, turn round & go??!!!) He then obviously reached the edge of his territory as he started to meow in a crying sort of way as if to say "mum, stop!!!".....even as we turned the corner, we could still hear him but luckily, he didn't follow us..........

I was happy to reach the half way marker but even happier that I didn't have to face the Trimley walk....it was great to just turn back & get going again.

6 miles later we turned back down my road when Butch appeared again, I hope he hadn't been waiting for me......what a surprise, a male patiently waiting for over an hour....ha ha ha!! Anyway, he just trotted along with me, but I was more concerned this time as I would be going towards the busier road & really didn't want him to follow this time.....but, typical male...(stubborn)...just kept on & then started crying again just as we reached the corner....He followed us & went onto the road & sat in the middle of it, luckily the cars stoppped & I think he then realised that this wasn't "his" road, panicked & ran back down our road....it was horrible, so, I called home & he was rescued just around the corner from the house, absolutely petrified.....poor thing...

Knowing he was safe...I LOVE my cat!!...I could carry on quite happily....we whizzed along, stopping in the infamous loos at 14 miles...then walked along the prom for a bit, was lovely but so windy!! I was really happy, NO WALL at all, although I knew there was still time for it to appear, but was feeling very positive.....

At 18 miles, I had the big hill near Morrison's to conquer....I was so determined to stride up it, so gritted my teeth & got on with it, I felt great to get to the top.....before I knew it, the final mile was within my reach....I was feeling really tired, my hip ached & I could feel a blister on my left foot, but I just felt fantastic!

Trace was a little way ahead of me & gave me a huge hug when I reached her house...I was just so happy to have walked the 20...it took me 4hrs 23 mins, which I was so pleased with, but more importantly, I was relieved to have done it!!!!

What a feeling......!!! I'm tired but VERY happy.....!!

I am soooo excited about the 16th now.....it will be amazing!! We did get a few encouraging comments along the way today & I know we will get so many more on the night itself which will help us get through......

Time to chill now....I think I deserve a Guinness....
xx