For Tam's last big event, took her to my Aunt and cuzzies to touch up her lippy and was made a little more girly with love hearts tattooed all round. She was loving all the attention and the gal did good. Completing the entire event in 7:51 despite 2-3kms added on due to someone changing the signs! Raised £30.48
Organisation:
Got everything on time like clockwork
Signage:
Was good except at one point where some horrid person had deliberately changed it.
Checkpoints/Drink Stations:
As I started 2hrs earlier didn't expect any. Saw my first one at about 25km. Seemed to be frequent enough from there on. Could have done with perhaps some sweets or food.

Having just over 2hrs ahead of everyone else, I aimed to be at least 1/2 way before the lead runners would catch up with me.  I had to move and in just under 1:30 had completed 10kms. Everything was going well until we hit Fishers Green. Guided by arrows and signs we found ourselves doing a loop back to Fishers Green. 2-3kms added on. Was not happy.

It was a pretty diversion (see pictures above) and perhaps this might be considered in the future so that a U-turn does not have to be made at the end.

At 10:07 called back to HQ to indicate there was a problem in the area. I couldn't exactly pinpoint my location so they assumed I was lost and tried to sort me out. However having recced the area in June, I indicated I would go left instead of the right indicated by a sign on a bench. About 200m it became apparent that the sign indeed had been turned the wrong way. Texted the organisers the information and was indicated the drinks station would sort it out. Unfortunately it seems they got lost and were not there before the first runners arrived!

I lost 1/2 an hour on the diversion and the confusion. I had to work hard. The hounds had already been let loose at 10am and would quickly catch up with me. We had a quick look at the OlympicWhite Water Rafting area. Looks exciting and perhaps might try it in the future as it will be open to the public. Had to stop sniffing around and get moving.

Just after 20km the first 2 runners appeared. By half way many more appeared and of course I would have to see GymFreak and Naomi :) Am sure they're following me :).
At 25-30k a hug from Foxy. Plodding Hippo snuck up taking photos of Tam. Between 30-35K blind man Paul overtakes me.

38k the twins overtake me and I am struggling. In fact I am close to hitting the wall, recognising the light headedness, I knew I had to sort it out. My prime objective was to get in before 8hrs. It would be bad to be hitting the wall when I was so close. Got another gel out 2k before the end and managed to psych myself up for a 100m run to the finish line.

At the end there was a hug from Hilary, Tracy, Eddie, and more! Tam attracted Charles and thought I might have found her a new home. Unfortunately after a very brief, "trying her out".....he decided she was too heavy to take back to Dublin!

On behalf of Earthwatch, thank you to everyone who donated