Running

^^^hope it went well - I did the first day last year, had to drop out of the rest due to injury, would have been back this year, but injured again. They're good people who organise good races. This year should be easier due to the better weather - it was pretty harsh last year.

Went really really well thank you, and I couldn't agree more about the organisers. We chatted at the finish line and they seemed really good people.

The race was arranged into waves with walkers going off at 0700, most runners going off at 0800, and the top 40 competitors from the Friday going off at 0900. We set off with the majority at 0800 (well actually 0806 because we were late and I needed to take a pre race cr*p...) and I ran the whole thing with a pal. We always knew that the fastest runners were behind us but I was very satisfied that we ended up being the first across the finish line (closest I've ever got to winning something!!). :)

I'm really happy we set off with the the 0800 group because we ran most of the race on our own. This was supposed to be a rest week and we just entered for some spur of the moment fun, we chatted the whole way and it was very relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable. Starting with the 0900 group we would have risked getting drawn into being competitive... Afterwards we both felt that, at a push, we probably could have challenged the winning times from the last couple of years but as you say the conditions were probably better and the winning time this year was way out of our league (c.3:15). It was much better that we had a stress free, fun run!

Another plus is that I think my pal might pace me for the whole final 50 of the TP100. He's done a plenty of 100km+ races (though never 100miles) and it'll be really good to have someone who actually understands running alongside me. I've had a few other friends offer (which is super kind) but none of them have run further than a marathon and I think that when the world turns dark his experience will be invaluable.

Great race followed up with wonderful dinner and a concert on the Sat, and a countryside pub ride on Sunday, all with the GF... best weekend of the year :)