If it ain't Pembroke, Don't fix it.

Ha ha me hearties, yet again I stand about to run into almost certain pain, on the start line of another Marathon. Oh yes, they're coming along thick and fast now, the latest being Stage 5 >> Pembrokeshire, a lovely twee place called Little Haven nestled in the cliffs of the National Park.

Here the coastline is undulating and gives way to some spectacular views of St Brides Bay, including Skokholm and Ramsey Island where I can sometimes be seen flying my little helicopter, as there are quite a few lighthouses around. The weather again was stunning, and set the scene for another showdown, of cripples versus coastline.

Looking at the previous years results, this one was the fastest course. As your best 4 places count towards a series prize, I was determined to make this one count. My knee was feeling pretty good, I had done the Carbo thing, rested beforehand, and got in a bit of training since the last Marathon. The Cornwall and Exmoor races will be pointless trying to race as they are so incredibly hilly, and no doubt this will attract some Terminator like cyborgs who enjoy that sort of thing. If I am going to get a good placing, then surely today is the day to do it. And if I'm going to do it, then I'm going to have to go for it with the big boys off the mark. Whatever happens later, is in the hands of the Gods.

I felt pretty good to start with, unlike some races (Portland where I felt dis-interested), and so I rode the wave, feeling quite excited as I could see the race leader and soon established myself among the front runners. We steamed along, and my local knowledge from having run this section before paid off, as I knew roughly what to expect. This knowledge however only lasted for about the first half of the course.

I was loving it, blasting along in the fantastic weather and taking in the amazing scenery, and checked through the first few checkpoints in some pretty good times. Arriving at the 18.5 Mile checkpoint, I took a breather to walk a fairly stiff hill, and couldn't see anybody behind me at all for at least a mile ! Then the route became quite tedious, with one section across a disused airfield which seemed massive and made it seem as if I was hardly moving. I could also feel some signs of tiredness creeping in and sucked onboard more water from my pack to keep hydrated. I had noticeably slowed, no wonder really, after the ridiculous pace of the first two and a half hours.

It was at 22.5 miles that the wind was taken from my sails. I was run-walking by now 10 paces of each in an attempt to keep going and things were taking a turn for the worse. Suddenly, a massive cramp engulfed my right hamstring mid-stride and I fell onto the floor.

This is it. The end. No more challenge. I am literally Hamstrung. Left for dead on the roadside. Maybe now is the time to Don my Space-Blanket and sit on the verge of life - watching my dreams vanish amongst the Cow Pats forever.

No. Not in Wales. I gathered my leg, sucked in more liquid, and ran like a Boy with Wet Trousers until - Miraculously, It subsided enough for me to carry on. I was hemorrhaging time, but there was a chance I could still do this. I knew that I was in the top ten finishers, and the time was still under Four Hours.

At last I caught sight of the Village, and knowing The End was near I almost broke into a sprint to get it over with.

I collapsed over the line, utterly exhausted and legs completely shot to bits. It was hard, and my own daft fault for trying to run beyond my capabilities. But what the Hell, this is for Charity isn't it? Please phone my helpine if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase.

I recorded 7th/102. 3hrs 56 mins over a 26.8 Mile course.

Results Here