“I want to stop”, “Must keep going”,

“I want to stop”, “Just another couple of minutes and you’ll be at the top”,

“I feel sick”, “Just count your steps 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4”,

“I want to lie down”, “Come on keep going”,

“I want to go to sleep”, “Keep pushing”,

“I must stop”.

I stop.

2014 Lakeland 50 was absolutely what I expected it to be and completely what I didn’t expect it to be, all rolled into one rollercoaster ride. And that just about sums this race up. If you think you can predict, or control 100% how it’s going to go, then you need to think again. That’s what makes it so difficult and so rewarding and I think, what brings runners back, year after year, regardless of previous results, finished or not.

2pm Tuesday afternoon and I see that it's 'The Beast' tonight. I'd said several months earlier that I'd enter it but then it was buried under a thousand other posts on the forum. Tied legs from the day befores hard 25 mile fell run didnt dampen my enthusiasm to give it a bash. I think I was still suffering the none competivness blues from Saturday!

So it was, four brave Spartans gathered the courage to face the Beast.