After all the weeks of miles, energy bars, muddy shoes, tired legs, blisters, loads of washing, hungry moments, naps and struggles getting up and down the stairs, the time is finally here.

I’ve gone round in circles; I’ve run on the beach. I’ve run along almost every inch of the canals within a 10 mile radius of home. I’ve fitted my training around holidays, work trips and running errands. I’ve run to Leek and and run back from Stafford. I’ve been fuelled by oatcakes and recovered with tea and mini cheddars. I’ve run with my training partner Julie, and lots of other friends, and I’ve run on my own. I’ve listened to music or embraced the silence. Sometimes, I’ve turned a run into a walk. There has been all the weather, sometimes all in the same run.

And now, race day is almost here, and I’ve spent the week getting ‘ready’.

• I’ve restocked my snack box (extra ready salted crisps added)
• I’ve packed my race day kit – you need a lot of both for covering 100k (although I may have over-packed).
• I’ve charged my portable chargers and set my phone and watch to battery saving modes.
• I’ve downloaded the route to my watch and added all the important landmarks to Google maps on my phone – hopefully we won’t get lost.
• Our support crew have planned their route and meeting points too (thanks team).
• I’ve shared the tracker link with family and friends – follow my adventures here (it will update as we go through each checkpoint).
• I’ve tried to get lots of sleep, stay hydrated and eat all the right foods and been reasonably successful.

It’s not been entirely stress free – culminating in the cancellation of our post-race accommodation in Brighton at 4pm on Wednesday afternoon. Fortunately, an alternative has been found, and thankfully not the option with the spiral staircase to the attic bedroom! (Thanks Bryn for sorting that for us).

But I’ve made it through – thanks to everyone who has helped me to get to this point and also for all the good wishes received this week. Your support is really appreciated.

And in just a couple of hours, we’ll be setting off for our start line in Richmond, picking up our numbers and race packs this evening, before carb loading at a nearby Italian.

And tomorrow morning, at 8am, we’ll set off from Old Deer Park in Richmond and we’ll make our way to Brighton – we’ll run as much as we can and get there when we get there.

I’m ready(ish) to go!

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50 for 50 #42: 50 posts for my 50th birthday to be posted before I’m 51.

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PS – If you’re inspired by our efforts, donate to your favourite charity or you can sponsor Julie here – she is fundraising for Stamma (an organisation working to create a better world for people who stammer).