Day 3: Italy

Driving through the Alps was beautiful, we had to have a few stops to admire the view. I would recommend anyone who hasn’t seen this place, to go have a look. Amazing to say the least.

Arrived in a place called Stresa, North Italy. Those who haven’t been to this place, go straight to the internet and Google it. Probably the most beautiful place I have seen, and apart from the long hills, it was the perfect place to run.

The view alone will take the mind off the constant pounding on the legs and of course, the injury, which likes to say hello to me at least once every 20 seconds, with a friendly jabbing pain to remind me that it’s still there.

With all this in mind, I still needed some friendly encouragement and my wife Sarah volunteered to cycle next to me for the whole duration of the run. Thank God.

So with straps on legs, energy drinks around my waist and my wife alongside we set off. The run went well and I decided from the beginning to set off faster than normal which seemed to alleviate most of the pounding when running slower.

This theory worked well for me and apart from a few dizzy spells from the loss of the endless water pouring from my head, I was really pleased to finish in good time. My fastest run yet.

My wife was amazing, giving me encouragement all the way while trying to stabilize her bike on the hills with the cars flying by her at a speed which would get you 6 points in the UK.

The strapping on the legs worked well and although the injury was still painful, it became an acceptable pain on the day, as everything else fitted like a glove.