Adam in Runderland

Date: Sunday 29th September Distance: 29 miles Motivational quote: "A run begins the moment you forget you are running." Sponsor: Martin Salmon Song: Heroes by David Bowie Running partner: John Lawrence Weather: Horrendous. Storm force winds, rain and hail. Fuel: Weetabix, coffee, banana, Mars, flapjacks, cheese and Marmite pastries, nuts. Route: Battle of Britain Marathon at Samphire Hoe Comments: The toughest run of my life. Even windier and rougher than the Rye Twilight Marathon last month. Fierce hassles meant the sea wall at Samphire Hoe was closed. We got there in pouring rain and watched the huge waves crashing and frothing on the sea front. We were told by the race organise Travis that we would be heroes if we even made it to a second lap. We needed to do four! The race began with a loop around Samphire Hoe, the nature reserve built from the still excavated to construct the Channel Tunnel...

Date: Saturday 28th September Distance: 28 miles Motivational quote: "The task ahead of you is never greater than the strength within you." Sponsor: Anon Song: Inni Mer Syngur Vitleys Ingur by Sigur Ros Running partner: John Lawrence and Folkestone parkrunners Weather: Mixed and windy Fuel: Weetabix, coffee, banana, scone. Route: Horn street, Hythe, parkrun, The Warren Comments: A strong run today. I managed to get a half marathon in before parkrun. I took parkrun easy and then John, Claire and I headed off for a long one. We headed downwind towards the Harbour and then Sunny Sands. From there we went off road and did some trail running down to the seafront in The Warren. It was uphill from the beach back to East Cliffe, and then we did a loop of the town to finish on 26.6 miles. That evening I jogged around the local park to bring it up to 28. My knee was sore, but just two days to go and I h...

Date: Friday 27th September Distance: 27 miles Motivational quote: "Strength doesn't come from physical capacity but from an indomitable will." Sponsor: Duncan Colyer Song: Sweet Child O'Mine by Guns 'n' Roses Running partner: John Lawrence Weather: Windy and drizzly Fuel: Coffee, Weetabix, banana, scrambled egg and avocado on toast, Mars bar, salted peanuts Route: 27 laps of the football pitches and around town Comments: This week had been the period I had dreaded most. Five long runs on five working days. The fact that I had reached Friday filled me with relief. I must praise my company – Mission Aviation Fellowship – for their unwavering support of my challenge both financially through sponsorship, and in terms of giving me the flexibility needed to achieve it. I have used my annual leave and flexitime a lot this week, more than I expected but it has allowed me more time for recovery. So finally, Friday and afte...

Date: Thursday 26th September Distance: 26 miles Motivational quote: "Stop whining" - John Lawrence Sponsor: Anon Song: Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes Running partner: John Lawrence, Kevin, Juliette, Helen, Beth, James, Dom, Manda, Allyson and Paul Weather: Wet, damp, moist, soaking wet and windy - again! Fuel: Cereal, banana, Actimel, coffee, toast and jam, veggie breakfast, nuts, Mars, biscuit bar,  Route: Football pitch loops, all over the town, Seabrook, up and down the Leas. Comments: Marathon day. 26 miles and of course an extra 0.2 because who wouldn't. Seriously. I overslept today and reached John's house half an hour late. I also ran out of Weetabix and had to have toast and jam instead. Yes, my planning is starting to fall away at the critical stage. Again John s...

Date: Wednesday 25th September Distance: 25 miles Motivational quote: "If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you." Sponsor: Viv Oliver Song: Windowlicker by Aphex Twin Running partner: John Lawrence, Stuart Munn, Blister Sisters Weather: Wet, damp, moist, soaking wet and windy Fuel: Cereal, banana, Actimel, coffee, Bakewell tart, toast, veggie roast, crisps, nuts, protein shake, mushroom omelette. Route: Football pitch loops, all over the town. Hythe run. Comments: Part 1 I awoke once more to torrential rain and a fierce wind. It was 5:20 am. I could have slept for another 24 hours. Instead I rose and dressed, had a coffee, four Weetabix and a banana. I sat at the table and wanted to cry. Every now and then the size of this challenge is too much. 25 miles stretched before me, and 26 tomorrow, and 27, ...

Date: Monday 23rd September Distance: 23 miles Motivational quote: "The real workout starts when you want to stop." Sponsor: Pandora Davies Song: Wake up by Arcade Fire Running partner: John Lawrence Weather: Clear, warm and dry Fuel: Weetabix, coffee, banana Route: Football pitch loops and streets Comments: This morning I was expecting to feel terrible. With 22 miles in my legs from the night before I thought six to eight miles would be an achievement. I was pleasantly surprised when I started and felt OK. In fact I felt strong. Unfortunately I forgot to start my watch and after half a mile realised. Not ideal but at least I realised! Once again it was a mile to John's house and then football pitch loops. I needed a soft surface after all the concrete I'd subjected my legs to yesterday. We ran steady and it was nice to have his company again after th...