Okay... last minute checks have been done, everything is packed and ready to go. I've had a catchup wit Rory on the phone, and we are both ready for what lies ahead.
I always find it hard to explain the feelings I get just before attempting an extreme ultra marathon. You know you have trained hard, you have put in the mileage, and prepared as well as you can, but there is always the niggling doubt...could I have done more?... am I really ready?
All the training and mental preparation achieves is one thing, it gets you to the start line feeling strong, and mentally prepared to go the distance.
Whatever mother nature and the race has in store for you on the day, is what you have to contend with, and that is the leveler, when the going gets tough... can you keep going.. have you got it in you to push on long after the body is telling you... "no more, I've had enough".
For me, the Spartathlon will begin when I reach the base of the mountain at 100miles into the race, that is where I will be digging deep to sustain the pace. The climb and descent will take its toll, followed by more of the same to Tegea, before the run down trough the valley to Sparta.
The price of victory will be a maximum sustained effort, a determination not to give in, and a vision of reaching the town of Sparta by following in the footsteps of the first man ever to achieve this 2498 years ago, the hero of the race, Pheidippides.
I will try to update this from Athens prior to the start on Friday, but if not, the next post will be.... well you tell me! Will I have succeeded or fallen short of the goal?
more later...see you soon.
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