Day One: Jim's pants, rain sun and wind and 26.2 miles of pain

‘Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away.
Now it looks as though they're here to stay.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Suddenly,
I'm not half the man I used to be,
There's a shadow hanging over me,
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.’

YESTERDAY, I was happy as Larry: the prospect of 10 days in the Lakes doing what I am quite good at - running.

Today I am half the man I thought I was because I’ve realised that I’ve got one hell of a shadow hanging over me: nine marathons in nine days around the shores of Windermere – and if my first one is anything to go by I’ve embarked upon a challenge that might be beyond me. My body is no longer the temple I thought it was.

I’ve just completed the first of my 10 (a grand total of 262 miles) and to put it mildly I didn’t shoot the lights out. I waddled my way around the undulating course like Mother Goose in her prime. Four hours and 41 minutes of mental tenacity and potential physical breakdown lurking round every corner. I survived only because I am bloody minded and a cussed old ginga!

The highlights of my first day?

1.        Watching the marvellous Jim Meta (a fellow 10in10er) emerge from the ice bath in the tightest pair of underpants I have seen in many a blue moon (movie). He reminded me of an aged rock star (Adam Ant) trying to prove to the world that he’s still got ‘it’. Jim’s pants were so tight that I proceeded to jump into the ice bath, last five minutes and then faint as soon as I got out. Although the wonderful assistants from BodyRehab said it was a result of my blood flowing from my brain to my feet I am convinced that Jim’s pants did for me.

2.       Enjoying the support of Alyson Knowles and ‘Mac’ from Brathay around the course. On many an occasion they saved me from total destruction with a cuddle (Mac does a wonderful ‘cuddle’), a banana or a cup of steaming coffee. A big big thank you to these two giants of Brathay Trust.

3.       Finishing the marathon in front of Brathay Hall to tumultuous support. I must admit I shed a tear or two - in fact I am going to shed a lot of tears over the next few days. I’m already an unstable emotional zone.

4.       Being stretched to an inch of my life by BodyRehab after my run. I never thought my legs could be bent back over my head like the guys from BodyRehab managed to do. It was more painful than being given a kick in the shins by Vinnie Jones but I feel better for it (I think!).

5.       Getting back and seeing so many emails and tweets of support for what I am doing.

Ladies and gentlemen, from the bottom of my running shorts, I cannot thank you enough for your tremendous support of Brathay Trust, especially in such difficult times. It is truly appreciated.

For those who would like to learn a little about the fantastic work that Brathay Trust does, please visit www.brathay.org.uk.

For those who would like to know more about why I am doing this 10 marathons in 10 days challenge for Brathay, please take time out to watch the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R60UylkVK8M

For those of you who would like to follow my progress follow me on twitter at twitter.com/jeff-prestridge.

And finally, if you want to sponsor me, I would love you for life. Visit justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge.

Love you all.