Up at 4am and on the road shortly after (ish), this was the last long run before Lanza. The target pace has always been the Arch to Arc pace.  The Lanzarote Ultra is a stepping stone for Claire's assault on the A2A, so the emphasis on all the sessions has been towards next year and not the Lanza race itself.  We were very lucky with the weather. 

Although the wind proof stayed on for almost the entire run, we stayed dry throughout what was just short of 40 miles in total.  There is something very satisfying in running in the night and watching dawn break.  Watching the different clientele pass by was very entertaining.   Piss heads to start off with, followed by ravers, then the elderly dog walkers, the potential 2009 London marathon shufflers sporting their front bottoms and finally after midday, the tourists who were hoping that this was going to be the only Saturday in November throughout history when the temperature would sore above freezing.  They were disappointed!
We adopted the usual A2A format.  Run at 11min / mile pace for 1hr 50mins covering 10 miles (walking for 2mins every 30 just for something different), then stop to 10mins to eat sweets, biscuits, drink coffee and coke.

Claire taught me the new leg stretch for ultra runners.  Personally, I think she should have found a hedge!!

The old war stories about Claire's injuries kept me entertained for the whole journey - the blisters, sore knees, hip flexers, cold hands, warm hands, cold head, hot head, hungry, not hungry... bla bla

One long swim left to do this week, then rest up before the flight to Lanza next Thursday.