Written by Chris Mills - http://www.24fifty.com/
At the race briefing |
Carn Pica |
Ruins near Pant Mawr |
The ridge line @ Fan Brycheiniog |
The bruise on my leg from my fall |
The long and short course map |
The bling! |
Written by Chris Mills - http://www.24fifty.com/
Written by Chris Mills - http://www.24fifty.com/
What a race....really good fun, made even more special because of the people. The volunteers are amazing, they know how to look after people on and off the course and we couldn't do it without them. Then of course you have the Centurion crew themselves who are the epitome of race organisers, from Nici, Drew, Claire, Alex, Charlie and the rest of the team (apologies for not knowing everyones names) and especially to James Elson. Great job guys and see you at the next one!
Written by Chris Mills - http://www.24fifty.com/
Written by Callum Hattsell - http://50milesandquitting.wordpress.com/
So it began…
I arrived in Coniston on Friday afternoon, full of apprehension and excitement. I had a light lunch with my family before heading to registration. And it was there I encountered my first problem!
The waterproof pants I’d been using throughout training didn’t in fact have taped seams and so didn’t meet race requirements. So, feeling very sheepish I dashed to the nearest outdoor store. After a bit of polaver I headed back to HQ, new pants in hand, where of course I’m standardly met by a queue 20-men deep! Luckily I caught the eye of the lass who had checked the rest of my kit who ushered me through. Now, finally all checked in and having had a look around all I could think was that I had overpacked. I spent the majority of the evening pondering, unpacking and repacking rather than concentrating and studying the course!
Before I knew it, I was sat at the compulsory briefing at Coniston. The organisers gave a great talk and the words of the main organiser were later to ring very true ‘forget targets, just complete the journey’. Having previously had a MAXIMUM target of 12 hours, it wasn’t long until I had to revert to plan B.
Leg 1: Dalemain to Howtown –
11.2 Miles (17.8km) – 965ft (294m) Ascent – 1h:46m
It felt great to be underway. Months and months, of admittedly poor preparation, were finally being put into place as I set off on my journey to Coniston.
On route I got to chatting to two blokes on the ascent up to Roehead Farm, who were both proper sound and had some good advice for a first timer, but somewhere amongst the chit-chat, I forgot to properly hydrate, something that would soon haunt me. I arrived at Bobbin Mill in great spirits and in decent time, although I was unaware of my time at the time.
Leg 2: Howtown to Mardale Head -
9.4 Miles (15.2km) – 2510ft (765m) Ascent – 2h:50m
The Sun beamed down hard as I began the approach to the biggest ascent of the race. I tried to save my legs a touch by interspersing my jogs with ‘dad runs’, or power walks to those who are not fans of Peter Kay. Towards the top I began to feel a little dry in the mouth but didn’t think owt of it as I was concentrating on my running and enjoying the surroundings.
On the way down to Haweswater, I turned my ankle on a loose rock. I found out four days later that I had damaged ligaments in both my ankle and foot. The valley in Haweswater was brutally hot, the shrubbery was seemingly radiating heat and I couldn’t tell if I was dehydrated or if my muscles were in pain, or both. Either way I was in a bad place. It felt as if I was stopping every five minutes to stretch out my calves. At about the 17-18 mile mark I eventually found some shade where I stretched and took shelter, a passerby handed me a salt tablet (something I had stupidly not thought of). At this point I was seriously questioning my ability to finish the race and all I could think about was quitting. I eventually dragged myself to the CP at Mardale Head and took a break of approx. 15 minutes to rehydrate and try to eat somet. I tried to get to my supply of back up water only to find that my zip had somehow broken. I asked the marshals for some help but at that very moment all I could think was ‘please disqualify me’. It would have been much more honourable than quitting. Eventually, for some unknown reason, I asked the marshal for a knife, and cut my bag open, securing it with safety pins. This setback cost me the best part of an hour, but I remembered the words of the organiser who said ‘if you ever feel like quitting, walk a mile and see how you feel’ or words to those effect. I took a deep breath and began walking the ascent up Gatescarth Beck.
The picture was taken shortly after the first CP, while I was still fresh!
Leg 3: Mardale Head to Kentmere – 6.5 Miles (10.4km) – 1677ft (511m) Ascent – 2h:31m
I can honestly say I have very little recollection of this leg. I remember the initial ascent, I also remember the killer wall step stiles and the final approach to the CP. I know I was struggling for the majority though, reflected in my time. I had a rest of approx. 20 mins and managed a small bowl of pasta and a magnesium drink, I had a stretch, topped my water supplies up and plodded on.
Leg 4: Kentmere to Ambleside – 7.3 Miles (11.8km) – 1611ft (491m) – 2h:19m
Although it wasn’t easy, this was possibly the most enjoyable stretch of the race. The view of Windermere from Robin Lane was simply breathtaking. The lakes always stir up a sense of nostalgia within me. The rain started to come down as I descended into Ambleside and I began to get anxious as my backpack was seemingly getting heavier! Going through Ambleside was a great feeling as the numerous people in the beer gardens and in the streets egged the runners on and this lifted my spirits no end. I was met by my parents shortly before the CP, they asked how I was feeling and the only word I could muster was ‘F****d’! I had a butty and a brew at the CP, in my knackered state that was potentially the best brew I’d ever had! The lass at the CP helped me repair my backpack with gaffer tape in order to waterproof it. I popped me head torch on and set off jogging through Rothay Park.
The state of my backpack after the race:
Leg 5: Ambleside to Chapel Stile – 5.6 Miles (9km) – 768ft (234m) Ascent – 1h:48m
I set off buzzing after seeing my parents, from the support of the marshals at the CP and from simply being in Rothay Park – a place of many memories. As darkness fell, so did the rain! Eventually I tagged on to a group who seemed to hold a decent pace. Having not had the opportunity to do any Reece days, I was very thankful as this group seemed to be very familiar with the route.
I tagged on to the group until approx. 1 mile from the CP but then I had to slow down as I was starting to feel extremely dizzy and my legs were starting to seize up. As I ambled through the campsite at Great Langdale the only thought running through my head was that I was done.
As I sat down at the CP I immediately felt freezing cold and my teeth began to chatter. The marshals did their best to help me, changing the batteries in my head torch, making me a brew and telling me to put spare clothes on. There were 2 blokes at the CP getting medical attention and at this point I felt I needed it too. I was ready to jack in. 10 Miles from Coniston felt like a lifetime away and I just couldn’t do it. For an hour or so I went back and forth telling myself that enough was enough. But then the Oasis track ‘Roll with it’ came on the radio, “Yer gotta roll with it, yer gotta take yer time…” and as daft as it sounds it just picked me up. I got to my feet, stuck on my oasis playlist on my phone and cracked on!
Leg 6: Chapel Stile to Tilberthwaite – 6.5 Miles (10.6km) – 1270ft (387m) Ascent – 3h02m
With the comforting and distracting sound of Oasis in my ears, I set off walking in the pouring rain and pitch black. The way was marshy but pretty much trodden already. I picked myself up to a jog and about 1.5-2 Miles in I bumped into a lass, Kate from Southport, and we got chatting. She was unbelievably upbeat given the conditions and her positivity helped me temporarily forget the pain my body was in. She seemed to know the way the way like the back of her hand as we trudged through the sodden fields. I was extremely grateful as navigating at this point may have destroyed any soul I had left! As we headed toward the unmanned CP at Castle Howe it seemed as if fellow runners were appearing from nowhere. Looking back over the boggy field from a higher viewpoint was an image that will always stay with me. Dozens of headtorches meandering through the fields in the valley trying tofind their way.
Having persuaded Kate to buddy with me from here on in, we began to pick up the pace towards tilberthwaite.
Finally we stumbled in to the last CP. It was a relief knowing that only 3.5 Miles remained, but then looking up at what can only be described as a series of steep stone steps that awaited us was a daunting sight. I was also suffering at this point from digestive issues, having consumed pretty much only sugar and water for the previous 13 hours, which added no end to my discomfort!
The Final Leg: Tilberthwaite to Coniston – 3.5 Miles (5.7km) – 928ft (283m) Ascent – 1h:48m
So, I’ve got about 6-8 blisters, the soles of my feet feel like they’re on fire despite being sodden to the bone, my calves feel like chunks of granite, my ankles are in severe pain and my knees are in a reet bad way to boot. On top of that I feel the hip bones on my right leg grinding within the socket, I wrote of my hip injury in ny first post but I have never felt pain in the actual bones until this point. To top it off the chaffage I’m suffering from feels like I’ve dragged certain parts through glass! BUT, it’s only 3.5 Miles. Crack on. I tell myself that once I’m up those stairs I’m basically there. How wrong I was. Those stairs felt like an eternity and my body was screaming no. I’ve still got to negotiate the the ravine pass down to Coniston, which from the description sounded extremely eerie! Somehow a burning desire within me and the comradeship of Kate helped me through to the finishing line at Coniston.
I arrived with a finishing time of 16h:14m, which given what I put my body through I can be content with. I am very honoured to call myself a Lakeland 50 finisher and despite what I said at the end about never doing such a thing again, having finally digested my journey, it may just have stirred a hunger for more. I’ll see how I recover from my operation in September, but I’m excited for the next challenge, whatever it may be.
Written by Chris Mills - http://www.24fifty.com/
Marco Consani Winner Lakeland100 2014 |
At the end of the Dalemain loop |
Running over Pooley Bridge |
Running in to Ambleside |
A rare moment of running |
Tilberthwaite steps |
Written by Marco Consani - http://marcoonrunning.blogspot.co.uk/
Its now two weeks since the Lakeland 100 race, an amazing experience that I will cherish forever. Here is my account of the race. A lot of it was hazy but it is still a long blog. I think when Marc Laithwaite said 7 I started to get nervous. I really hadn’t up until now. Training had gone okay, the taper perhaps too short though I had done my homework on who was racing. But at 7 seconds until the start of the Lakeland 100 I had a shiver. Was I really going to do this?
The Lakeland 100 is well known as one of the hardest Ultras in the UK with at least a 50% dropout rate and I had seen this first hand last year at the end when I went to see Debbie finish. I was used to the West Highland Way which although in the Highlands of Scotland is certainly far more runnable and far better suited to my style of running. But here I was at the start wondering if this was a good idea. I am sure everyone has these thoughts though and I know that Debbie would tell me to man up. The countdown reached 0 and we were off. The legs were stiff and I wasn't sure if running 4 munros the week before with Andrew Murray in support of his 10 peak challenge with Donnie Campbell was a good idea. Or perhaps it was the taper. No use worrying now as I was here now and running. By the outskirts of Coniston I was already in second place and a bit worried that perhaps it was too fast. Looking back at the race history a lot of people seem to run the start fast but Terry Conway the record holder had done the first section in 1 hour 9 minutes and 10th place at Seathwaite. I was sure I was on this pace but seemed to be in second place. Perhaps the heat had curbed everyones enthusiasm. It was at least 28C and there was even pictures in Facebook of someones car saying 33C although I did take this with a pinch of salt. Whatever the temperature it was warm and sweaty - not helped that we had lay around all day in the tent which made the heat now feel cold.
By Seathwaite I was part of the lead group of three which consisted of Charlie Sharpe, Lee Knight and myself. The running went without a hitch, each of us taking turns to open and close the gates. This group would be perfect for me as I was still unsure about the navigation during the night section and this would suit my plan of trying to take it steady until the morning and then hopefully if I felt good start to race after Pooley Bridge. In the end though this didn't happen.
I was confident though that even this early on in the race that the winner would be one of us 3. Lee seemed to be breathing harder but was in good spirits, Charlie seemed to be taking it all in his stride - looking relaxed and fit. We stayed together as a group all the way to Wasdale. For some reason I was having problems and kept tripping over things and falling. The 3rd time coming into Wasdale was a sore one and as I hobbled a bit into the checkpoint I wondered if it was a fuel problem. I stayed longer in the checkpoint trying to get more food in me and coke which I wouldn't normally take this early in a race. Charlie was in and out very efficiently and was away like a shot. Lee came in slightly behind and then pushed me to leave the checkpoint with him. As Lee and I set off together I could see Charlie making a break ahead. (At the time I thought he was making a break although later when reading his blog Charlie had continued out of the checkpoint still chatting to us but Lee and I were no where near him. Charlie's blog)
As Charlie pushed ahead I worried as I needed him to help navigate during the night as he had done the race before and I really didn't want to lose sight of him, so I pushed hard to try to catch him. Feeling a bit guilty as I slowly left Lee I wasn't making any progress in catching Charlie when suddenly my calfs started to go the tingly way when cramp is near. This was really not good. Cramp in the first 20 miles of a 100 mile race isn’t going to get you very far so I had to let him go and I slowed down to drink more and get some electrolyte in. When I reached the top of the pass I looked down and couldn't see Charlie anywhere all the way down to the Black Sail Hut. I knew from the miles we had done already that Charlie was quicker on the rockier sections and downhill. I had to slow even more on the downhill though as every small slip or misplaced foot had my calf tingling and nearly shooting into cramp. I was annoyed to be affected by this so soon in the race but also happy that it was early on. I had time on my side to fix it and I was still confident that I had in me a podium finish. As I headed up Scarth Gap pass I had to use my head torch. Thinking that Charlie would be doing the same I scanned the route again for any sign of his but there was nothing. He was miles away and I was starting to think that perhaps second place was a good result for a first Lakeland 100. I was worried about the next section as I had had a nightmare on my recce run and that was in daylight. What would it be like in the dark? Again coming down the pass was a tricky affair with the tingly calfs still there but when I reached the water of Buttermere I had a second wind and started to get back running again. Fantastic I thought but this only lasted a couple of minutes when I yet again tripped and fell on the road. Dirty, bleeding and pretty well bashed up I got up to hear a massive cheer from across the water. Charlie had reached the checkpoint at least 10 minutes away, I turned to look at the path behind to see 2 torches gaining on me with the section I feared the most in front of me.
I was in and out of the checkpoint at Buttermere pretty quickly but also felt rejuvenated after a coffee that I had there. I had to get the next stage right or I was going to drop further behind Charlie. By the end of the woods though I had already had to check the Road book 2 or 3 times. This was hopeless and I was never going to catch anyone this way. Then I remembered what Debbie had said about this section - “Cross 3 streams up the scree and then along to the cairn with the sheep fold and then up” So thats what I did - I read ahead in the Road book and summarised each part. I remembered parts from my recce too which helped. After crossing the second stream I could see Charlies torch in the distance and this also gave me a push but he was still a long way ahead. The two torches behind certainly looked closer but I didn't worry. Ill keep trying to navigate myself in front of the two torches but if that doesn't work I can drop back to the two torches behind and they can help navigate and together as a group we might catch Charlie. I guessed that the two torches must be either Lee, Ian Symington or Paul Tierney all of whom had done the race before and would know where to go.
Before long I was on top of Sail Pass, it was a beautiful night - inky black with millions of stars keeping me company. I switched off my torch to get a better look at them - Amazing. I looked back and seemed to have pulled away from the torches behind which really pushed me on. Unfortunately the torch ahead was no-where to be seen. I then managed to go wrong at Low Moss - taking the wrong path which then disappeared and having to retrace my steps again - wasting another few minutes and then more minutes lost when coming into Braithwaite and turning at the wrong sign post even although I knew I had to look for a bench. Even with these route issues though I arrived in Braithwaite to be told that I was 12 minutes behind the leader. With 70 odd miles to go in an ultra 12 minutes is not a sure lead. Its a long way and anything can happen.
Whilst creating my race plan I had spoken to Richie Cunningham who had raced the year before and asked his advise. He had said that his approach was to take it easy to Braithwaite and then hammer it to Howtown and then taking it easy after that. Richie is a better hill runner than me and I like flat running so I was taken aback by this plan. In fact after my recce I decided it might be better to keep something for the end instead. But now as I came out of Braithwaite I decided to change the plan and now push. The good thing was the next 8.5 miles I knew without the Road Book. So I started to pick it up and was happy to see the average pace on my watch drop. When I got to Keswick there was a bunch of spectators and one of them shouted out 9 mins behind the leader. I couldn't believe it - I had caught up 3 minutes in just 2 miles. This pushed me on more as I pushed round Lonscale Fell and caught a glimpse of Charlies Torch. This pushed me on quicker. Now I could see that the torch in front was now and then looking back at me and for the first time I knew that Charlie was worried.
I was nearly at Blencathra when I saw the first torches appear across on Lonscale Fell. I had made great time and now had a comfortable cushion between me and 3rd place. 4th place seemed to be a bit further back again. I wondered who it was and how they were doing. Up front Charlie had pushed because I didn't seem to catch up anymore distance. At the centre I was speaking to the fab Checkpoint staff just as normal when it suddenly dawned on me I was talking to a grown man dressed as a fairy. I wasn't even hallucinating yet but it gave me a laugh and as I left asking what direction do I go. The next bit I was back trying to navigate so I never gained anything but I did know the route from the Quarry to Dockrey off by heart so I decided to take my time until the Coach road and then hammer it (as Richie said) to Dockrey. I never saw Charlie's torch once on the way to the quarry but the moment I was past the farm I spied it ahead perhaps half way up the hill. This got me going again and I took off towards the fence using it to guide me to the coach road. I felt that I was gaining all the way up the hill but was a bit dismayed when I reached the road to see Charlies torch miles away.
I hit the road but just made sure that I kept a consistent pace. It wasn’t long though before I could see Charlie's legs illuminated from his head torch in front. His stride had shortened and he didn’t look as comfortable as earlier on the hills. This gave me another push that I needed and before long I had caught him up. Charlie heard the steps behind and said he was wondering where I had got to. Asking if he was okay he replied that he was just looking forward to the mountains again. Now I had a decision. Trust my dodgy navigation to Dalemain and run by myself or run with Charlie and then risk him getting away in the mountains again when there was no flat sections left for me to catch back up. I ran straight past Charlie. I felt guilty for a moment but then I remembered it was a race and I was here to try and win. When I passed him I felt relief that holding back had worked but I had still kept tabs on Charlie. I had learnt from the mistake of letting someone get too far away from me last year when I didn’t give Paul Giblin the respect he deserved in the WHW and thought that he had gone too hard to early only for him to beat me by an hour.
Into Dockrey and again a fantastic Checkpoint. The feeling of pride to arrive at a checkpoint first and feed from the supporters enthusiasm was overwhelming. They couldn’t do enough for me and I will have fond memories of all the checkpoints on the course. My main aim though was to be out of this checkpoint before Charlie arrived. When I left and crossed the road I heard the cheers as Charlie arrived. I had done it. I was leading and just had to keep myself grounded. I needed this section to go well. There is a lot of road from Dockrey to Dalemain and I remember cursing it during my recce run. Running long distance in a pair of Salomon Ultras that weigh 210g and are actually lighter than my racing flats that I would use for 10k running was always gonna hurt. I had started ultra running in cushioned shoes (although nothing like Hokas) and gradually found that the lower profile shoes actually gave me less injuries. When I ran the recce run I felt every mile of that road section coming up to Dalemain. I just hoped this time would be different.
First though I had to run Aira Force and then Ullswater. More navigation and the chance for Charlie to catch me. So I put the boot in down to the village of Dockrey - sprinting down the road to make sure he wouldn’t have a chance to feed off my head torch like I had his. Onto the off road part I looked round to see if I could see his head torch - nothing so far but I expected him any moment and for the next hour or so it became an OCD - turning round to scan for head torches. A horrible un-itchable itch. I was too busy trying to route find and look for Charlie and ran straight past the turn off and down the hill. Immediately I knew I had gone wrong though and ran back up… Concentrate Marco - Keep doing this and you will throw this away. I reached the climb round Green Hill, remembering Debbie telling me that the sunrise over Ullswater was beautiful. I took a break on the uphill to gaze around and wonder at the views. There was none though, it was still pitch black. I could see a big dark patch that must be the lake and is that a head torch through the trees? A head torch. Damn. I pushed up the hill, my quads screaming until I the path turns north. I scanned behind - nothing. I think I was starting to imagine things or seeing car headlights. I pushed on - remembering that I needed to turn right into the woods but running straight past the turn off. Everything was so different in the dark. Where is the bloody sun. Fighting back through long grass looking for the bridge and thanking God when I reached it.
Into the woods and startling something big when I reached them. Just a deer I shouted at myself - not an alien, flesh eating zombie, velociraptor or another runner catching me up. Out of the woods I start to see more light from the sun coming through and at last I am on open fields and I turn off my torch. It is still a bit dark but I don’t want to give anyone a bearing on where I am. When I reach the road I turn round - scanning for any light from the other runners. There is none. I take a look at the map and memorise the route to Dalemain. Left fork, right junction, left junction, castle, farm track, arch. And then I totally boot it again. I need a comfortable cushion before the hills. I am on road, the sun is up and I feel good. Dalemain is deserted. I half expected the Lakeland 50 runners to be there already but their race didn't start for another 6 hours or so. Running through the car park I hear a couple of cheers from people in their cars and then when I close in on the checkpoint I see a friendly face - my friend Thomas Loehndorf. He was on the course taking pictures.
Like every checkpoint the guys here are fantastic and my drop bag was with me before I had even stopped running. I had a small bag full of all the food I needed for the second half, more nuun tablets, coke and red bull. By this time I had drunk my full of coke but the Red Bull was so so good. I remembered Debbie saying she spent 20 minutes last year here so I was determined to make the stop as fast as possible. 2 cups of coffee and some soup (I think) and I was off, with cheers from the checkpoint and Thomas behind me. I checked my watch and was less than 8 minutes. That will do I thought.
All the way up the hill I kept listening out for a cheer which would tell me when Charlie arrived. As I made my way to Pooley Bridge I hear nothing. Could I start to relax? Although I am certainly not a hill runner I was looking forward to the next few sections. Mostly because I had done them twice in recce’s and so I could put the Route Book and map away for a while. Towards Howtown was beautiful. The sun was up and I was now on my way back to Coniston.
Feeling good I was even not looking back as much as before. I kicked again down the hill, still worried that I would be caught on the hills. I think I startled the guys at Howtown when I arrived but they had everything ready for me. I was starting to get really sick of coke now and so was trying coffee and soup too. I then started the climb up to High Kop. I was walking well up the hill, although I didn't recognise him - I passed Ian Corless (host of the Talk Ultra podcast) who was taking pictures and then onto the small flat section. I tried to get back running again but could only manage a few paces. Then a walk, then a few paces. This continued all the way to the hill. I was trying to think what would fix it - what did I have in my pack. In my haste to leave Dalemain I had put most of the food in my backpack and only a couple of gels were accessible. I couldn't be bothered going in my pack so took a gel and then marched on. Half way up the last climb to High Kop my legs rejected any sort of movement and I came to an abrupt stop. Yikes. Okay I have time. I stopped and took my pack off and rummaged through it. There was nothing in it that I wanted at all. The thing is I know I have to eat so I start to force down bars and gels together. Washing it down with water, gagging on it but knowing that this will help. I am now hit with the worst hunger ever. I was so hungry but nothing I ate filled me up. I had never felt like this in an ultra where I was so hungry as I am used to a support team looking after me and they normally force feed me way before this happens. I turn around to see a small figure making its way slowly past the ruins in the distance. Is that a runner? I look for a while. It doesn't seem to move. Is it Ian or is is Charlie? I stare for longer - is it a sheep? I can’t even tell if it is moving anymore. I swear it was when I first looked but now I am not so sure. Is it a sheep or a rock? I am not staying any longer to find out. I pack my bag back up and swallow another retched bar. From High Kop it is fairly runnable so I push again using the downhill and new found energy to get going again.
During the recce runs I always struggled coming off the hill towards the bridge. No matter what route I took I always ended up having to battle through ferns and today was no different. Tracy Dean had shown me the right way too but the ferns were much higher now and I struggled to find the paths and markers she had pointed out. I wasted at least 10 minutes tearing a new path through them continuously looking up at the hill expecting to see Charlie bounding down towards me. If I do the race again I have to figure out a better way to come down here. When I finally reach the reservoir, which reminds me of the West Highland Way section on Loch Lomond in which I had learnt that even although you are running slow it is actually hard work and so just be patient and take your time. Still it seems to go on forever and my legs are becoming tired. I trip and fall - battering my knee on a rock and then rolling down the side of the hill trying to grab onto something to slow me down. As usual I find something and of course its thorns. Climbing back up the hill and nursing bloodied hands and a sore knee I push on, struggling to get my running form back. It goes on and on but finally I can see the car park at Mardale Head and all of a sudden cheers and the sound of cow bells across the lake. The last few hundred meters feel slow into Mardale and I wonder if the guys at the checkpoint are wondering how I can be the first runner. I am asking how far 2nd place is from me and I think the answer was 20 minutes.
Again the Checkpoint volunteers are superb. Soup / coffee fill the bottles with coke. I think thats what I did but things are starting to get hazy. I have no idea how many miles I have done or how many there is left to do. I have the route in my head, the long squiggly line on its way to Coniston and I still have a third of it to go. My head maybe on a different planet but I am enjoying the run as I start the grind up Gatesgarth Pass. I think this is where being a fast walker comes in handy as I again push the up hill, each step pushing on my knees with my hands. I often wonder if poles would be a good idea for these climbs but I would break my neck tripping over them. Running 24 hours on a running track hasn’t prepared me for the off road nature of this course which I am struggling to not bash my toes on every rock never mind throwing in a couple of poles to trip over too. Finally at the top and I have the nice long downhill to look forward to, but my knee is really beginning to ache and what should be a pleasant rest bite ends up a teeth clenching battle. I give in and take painkillers hoping they will ease it and then I battle more with each uneven boulder wrenching the knee in a different direction. While it has been a couple of weeks now since the race I must admit a lot of the rest of it is pretty hazy. The lack of food and sore knee taking their toll I suppose. The rest of this report won’t go into as much detail - you will be glad to hear.
I finally arrived at Kentmere. Well actually I am awoken from my dazed state by Jenn Gaskell screaming “Its Marco - I didn't know you were running today!!” I have to admit Jenn’s enthusiasm is infectious. I had met her a year ago at the Lakeland 100 when my wife had introduced me and then again at the Tooting 24 hour where after she pulled out of the race she had the unenviable task of counting my laps during the night but still she smiled and laughed with me the whole time. Today was no different and her enthusiasm woke me up from my haze and I started to think what I needed to get going again. “Anything savoury - no sweet stuff” I blurt out. Immediately they are giving me water and nuts. I choke on the water spitting it out all over the checkpoint and then can’t chew the nuts as my teeth are too sensitive and so spit them out. The checkpoint volunteers think I am about to be sick and follow me about with buckets. They give me pasta which I wouldn't normally eat during an ultra but it goes down so well that I guzzle the whole lot up. “How far is second behind?” I blurt out thinking that he must be catching me up by now. The timing guy is at the checkpoint and tells me that Charlie is an hour behind. I can finally relax I think and then more good news, Debbie is leading the girls race.
Coming out of the checkpoint I am finding it harder to remember where the route goes and have to ask Jenn for the directions. I do remember though that it is a hill all the way to Garburn Pass and with the knee getting sorer and sorer when I start running I am glad of the hill. At the top I have to push to get going again into Troutbeck but once going the pain subsides and I manage some good running on my way to Ambleside. I am sure its only 16 miles from here but the Garmin has run out of batteries and I am in the dark. Reaching Ambleside, I am again feeling hazy. There are certainly food issues and as I write this I am struggling to remember anything. Most of it feels like a dream that I am trying to latch onto fading memories. What I do remember is the Checkpoint crews. Everyone of them were absolutely superb.
In Ambleside I immediately recognise Clare from the recce runs who seems a bit bemused when I say I want to go into the checkpoint. I ask again how far second is behind me and again it is an hour and so I decide to eat and drink as much as I can. By now I am wasting a lot of time at checkpoints and Clare mentions that they had expected me at 10:30. It is now 11:30 and the food and knee issues are slowing me down but as long as I keep going forward I should be ok. I must have spent over 10 minutes at Ambleside before I start my hobbled run across the park. I feel so slow that I am embarrassed but I hear a spectator say to her kids that she can’t believe I am running so fast still. It gives me a push.
The trails are now getting busy and I am meeting people that know about the race or people that probably after seeing the state I am in - ask me how far I have ran and then probably don’t believe the answer. It doesn't matter anyway as the conversations and support get me going again. Although I am really enjoying these final sections it feels like I am going painfully slow. By now it is really warm which is also not helping. When I look back at my timings in these sections I am not slow but at the time it felt it. The distances between checkpoints are much shorter now but the time drags. Running towards Chapel Style I am awoken from my hazey slog by cheers from Paul and Vicky Hart. I can’t believe they are down here and the support helps push me on. Then another spectator cheers me on and I shout back that I am going painfully slow. They tell me that I am flying and no-one will catch me if I keep it up. This gives me another push and I manage to run non-stop all the way to the checkpoint. Chapel Style was the first place I sat down since the start. Just a couple of minutes. The settees where just too inviting. At every checkpoint since Ambleside I am asking for pasta but none had any so I was just drinking soup and again Chapel Style was the same. I haven't eaten anything from my rucksack since High Kop and now surviving on whatever I find at the checkpoints. (at the end of the race I was carrying not just the 400 calories emergency food you are required to carry but another 2000 calories of uneaten food and gels.)
The run towards Tiberthwaite was warm, very warm but by now it was starting to dawn on me that unless something disastrous happened I would win. I couldn't quite believe it and got a little emotional as I dragged myself towards the end. I was still emotional when I reached Tiberthwaite and it didn't make it any easier when they had specially made me pasta as they had heard I’d been asking for it for the last few checkpoints. Oh and it was so good - I honestly can say it was the best pasta I had ever tasted and then when I asked for energy drink they said that they had none but 2 minutes later one of the crew appeared with her own energy drink and filled my bottle. Thank you so much to everyone at Tiberthwaite - I don’t know any of your names but as I left the Checkpoint I felt so much better but still pretty emotional. Half way between Tiberthwaite and the end I met a man that had been following the race online. I stopped and chatted to him for ages. Much longer than I should have but it just felt right. Every now and then I would scan the route behind just to be 100% sure that none was coming. Then just one more downhill and my God it hurt my knee so much. I was in agony but when I reached the road it started to feel better as the adrenaline hit me with the finish so near. The run through Coniston was amazing. People were cheering and I ran along the middle of the road. Cars stopped for me (in my haze I probably gave them no choice but at the time I thought they had stopped for me). Debbie had told me this was amazing and she wasn't wrong. Then I saw my friend Karen with a Scottish flag which I grabbed for the end and as I ran the final few meters I couldn't believe that all these people were cheering me on and then that was it. All that planning and months of preparation and training finished too. Its a strange feeling to finish a race - you are so relieved but sad at the same time.
Thomas was at the finish too, Karen had come down too and they both helped me into the hall for a final kit check and my medal. Until now I had always thought of my race as being the West Highland Way race. Not because I was good at it or done well at it but because I felt like part of it. It was like family and I never thought that any race could be as important to me as it was. Even when I started the Lakeland 100 race and lined up at the start it was just another race. Sure I knew it was a big race - one of the biggest I had ever done and I had not been blasé about it and had done all the prep before hand but it was just a race. That changed during my journey in this race. The race is massive - from the moment you arrive the organisation is top notch with all the volunteers really happy and enthusiastic. From the guys standing in the car park to the people at the registration. Then you have the checkpoint crews, one word - legends. These guys are out there longer than I was looking after every runner. They saved my race. The runners that were out there - it doesn't matter if it was 21 hours or 40 hours. Actually I don’t know how the runners out there for two nights do it. All legends. Mark, Terry, Clare, the Montane guys - thank you for a marvellous race that is one of the best organised events I have ever done. I am sure I have missed loads of people - thank you everyone involved with the race. Thomas - without your help I don’t know where I would be. Your training advice and friendship got me here. Karen - thank you for all the help at the end. That ice cream was amazing Thank you to my sponsor UVU Racing for having faith in me. …. And of course Debbie who won the girls race - “We did it!!!!! “
So what went right and what went wrong?
As Stuart Mills often talks about in his blog a race is won or lost not in how your physical condition is but how mentally fit you are. I went into the race with bags of confidence. I had in the last year raced 4 ultras before now, 2nd in the WHW, first in Tooting, G2EDM and Crawley with 2 course records. Physically too though I was prepared having spent a month doing hills and with the endurance from the 12 hour still in my legs. I had felt tired after doing the 4 moonrise the week before but this can be because of the taper. So physically and mentally I felt in good shape. I had gone through the start list and picked out 8 runners that could win, most of them having done it before, I checked where they were strong and how they had raced before. How had Terry got the record, where he pushed and where he took it easy. This all helps me mentally prepare for a race. If someone pushes the start I know whether to follow or leave him. Don't get me wrong - this doesn't always work as people can surprise you like Paul Giblin surprised me with his awesome West Highland Way race last year (which he yet again destroyed this year) but mostly it works and it gives me bags of confidence. In fact I was surprised when chatting to some of the other runners that they didn't know who was running the race or what they could do. In some ways I was glad that I had entered late and got a charity entry as I was in a different start list than everyone else and so hidden from view. Paul Tierney asked me on the start line if I had got a late entry and even this gave me confidence. I spoke to Stuart Mills at the end and he had said that in his eyes I have started to run better not because I am physically fitter but because I am mentally fitter and with every good race I have more confidence and I believe this helps me more than anything in a race.
Food was a big issue in this race. It went well the first half - I was eating loads of Jelly Babies and the best tasting gels ever - Torq (whom Debbie is sponsored by and so I nicked a pile of them) I was drinking coke a lot earlier than I wanted to though and this is normally is what I would count on when I have food issues and so when I did I couldn't drink anymore. I also had a load of bars that when it is warm and you are dehydrated are a struggle to eat. It was a lot warmer than I thought it would be so struggled to eat them too. At Dalemain I only had the same food I had eaten the rest of the way and so was pretty bored of that by then. In the second half - all I wanted was savoury and so just ate what I could find at the checkpoints - soup, pasta and coffee. This saved my race but also probably slowed me down a bit too as I think you need sugar to keep up a good pace. I started to feel hazy, completely stopping and having to force feed my self on the way up High Kop and making small navigation errors. If a runner had caught me in the second half I wonder if I could have stayed with them as I was having to take longer stops at the checkpoints to get food in.
The weather. It was very warm during the race. I really don't mind the heat but I did suffer from the cramp calfs early on and in pictures I can see I was sweating a bit more than I should. It made a big difference too on the food and I think it affected what I was able to eat later on. I really think I could be faster on this course if it had been a cloudy cool day. Saying that though the course was as dry as a bone due to the weeks of dry weather before hand so this was helpful too.
Would I run the race again? Most definitely. I loved the race, the support, the organisation. Its a fantastic event and definitely should be on every UK Ultra runners to-do list. I think I could improve my time with better weather and hopefully knowing the course a bit better. Hopefully I will get the chance to in the future.
Thank you to Thomas for all the pictures
Written by Stuart Mills - http://ultrastu.blogspot.co.uk/
Hi
I know many readers 'struggle' with the length of my blog posts, however, the writing of these blog posts form a critical part of my preparation for following races. Therefore they may be short if not much analysis and learning is taking place, but more often than not, they are quite lengthy as I continue to strive to improve. In relation to their training impact, I don't think it is a coincidence that my running performances have dramatically improved since I started my UltraStu blog back in March 2010. How long will tonight's post be? Possibly shorter than usual. But I have many thoughts / themes jumbling around in my head, so it could be quite lengthy. However to help ease the reading I might try to sub-divide the post into different sections. Well here goes!
Previous 2014 UltraStu Blog Posts
While at the recent Montane Lakeland 100/50 I was chatting to a reader of my blog about my Fellsman race post back in April. He commented about how negative the post seemed to be. Quite different to my usual positive posts, and he was interested in not only why was it so negative, but more importantly how I was able to transform from being in such a negative state of mind, to regain the positivity, which had resulted in a high quality performance in the Montane Lakeland 50. Re-reading by Fellsman post the following two paragraphs stand out:
"The disappointment wasn't so much to do with my relatively poor performance, but more to do with a realisation that maybe I had got my life balance wrong. Was all of the effort, the time, the 'sacrifices' to do with ultra trail racing really worth it? I'm not really sure why I got so down, so philosophical following the race, but I did!"
"Maybe, my self expectations of what I am able to achieve in ultra trail racing is just unrealistic? Maybe, it is quite obvious why I had to slow down so much during the race. Because I started out running far too fast, trying to keep up with runners that are far better than me, and I simply 'paid' for my foolishness, I simply 'blew up'! It is nothing to do with my state of mind, nothing to do with a negative downward spiral. Accept it, I am just not physically fit enough. Spend more time doing some actual hard physical training, like everyone else does, and forget all of this race focus, positivity bulls**t and train hard, pace myself sensibly, and then maybe I won't slow down so much!" (Fellsman blogpost)
Yes, there was quite a bit of negativity within the post, which really 'jumped out' at me when I re-read my post probably about a week after publishing it. Which 'woke me up' and got me into carrying out extensive non-physical training, in order to turn around my to date disappointing 2014 trail racing season, consisting of a DNF (Steyning Stinger Marathon), a DNS (South Downs Way 50), and probably my worst ever performance in a trail race (Fellsman). Yes although others runners may respond differently when they don't perform to their expectations within an ultra-trail race, possibly by carrying out more physical training. I responded by carrying out more non-physical training, as I am convinced that when it comes to ultra-trail racing it is the non-physical training that has the largest impact on performance. One is unable to perform to the level they wish to achieve without completing the necessary physical training, but come race day, the variation in performance from an excellent race result, to a below-par race result, or during different portions of the race, from a really strong leg, to a leg where one struggles, I feel that this variation is a consequence mainly of one's state of mind. And hence why the non-physical training is so important.
In terms of my non-physical training I always start with the three questions I ask myself: "What do I want?", "Why do I want it?", "How much do I want it?". In my preparation for the South Downs Way 100 miler, my 'bounce back' race to 'redeem' myself following the Fellsman race, I got the "What do I want" wrong! I thought that the answer/the reward for all of the sacrifices that are involved with ultra trail racing was to do with simply achieving a high finishing place that I would be happy with.. And for me for the South Downs Way 100, that high finish place had to be a win! After all, the race was on my 'home patch' finishing in East Sussex!
Those of you that have read my SDW100 race report will know that as a consequence of getting my non-physical preparation wrong, I had another disappointing day! But each and every race CAN be a learning experience if one spends the time to carry out the necessary reflection and analysis. So by the time I had finished writing my SDW100 post I was adamant that I knew what was required to achieve a satisfying performance at the Montane Lakeland 50, which was also the 2014 British Ultra-Trail Championships.
"So yes, the SDW100 was frustrating for many reasons, but the best way to deal with these frustrations is to put in action the necessary changes I need to make to my TOTAL preparation. Specifically my non-physical preparation in order to 'bounce back' from two consecutive 'below par' performances, as physically I feel in pretty good shape. Look out for the next lengthy instalment of my continuing learning experiences at the end of July, as I look to 'get it right', to do what I know I need to do, over the fantastic trails of the Lake District at the Montane Lakeland 50." (SDW100 blogpost)
Although fellow ultra-trail runner Robert Osfield wasn't so convinced that my planned TOTAL preparation approach was the best way forward as explained within his SDW100 blog post comment:
"Personally, I don't think trying to do better at TOTAL preparation is going to fix this long term problem. You keep talking about the important of non physical prep and TOTAL preparation yet time all too you set out what seems with good TOTAL preparation only to start faltering quarter the way through a race. Then you say your TOTAL preparation wasn't good enough... if the formula isn't working you need to change the formula not keep trying to apply the same formula over and over." (Robert Osfield SDW100 blogpost comment)
Total Preparation and the Importance of Emotions
I however knew better. Or more importantly I totally believed that what training I was carrying out was what I needed to do in order to perform. One thing that I have discovered during my last six years of ultra-trail racing is that the effectiveness of one's training isn't so much influenced by what actual training is carried out, but more by the state of readiness it creates. The confidence that it generates in terms of feeling prepared for the race, which then results in an heightened self belief, which is the number one ingredient for a successful performance.
Robert is often very critical of my "Run as fast as you can, while you can" pacing strategy. Mainly based on his over emphasis of the physiology in terms of influencing running performance. For road races where there are mile markers to provide feedback in terms of the pace one is running at, the ability to process the surrounding feedback and to integrate it with one's emotions has reduced importance. Also for shorter races, there isn't the extended time where one has to 'deal with' the 'devil on the shoulder' consistently persisting in arguing for you to slow down. So for these events the physiology does play a more major role. But when it comes to ultra-trail running, it is one's emotion that dominates performance. Get one's emotion right, and the successful performance will follow. With success being defined as the performance with which you are satisfied with. I guess the importance of emotions, is perhaps why Professor Tim Noakes wrote an interesting article titled "Fatigue is a brain-derived emotion that regulates the exercise behavior to ensure the protection of whole body homeostasis."
In terms of pacing strategy, what is important to realise is that it is the consequence of one's non-physical training that largely determines the pace one starts a race at. And it is the consequence of the pace one starts at that largely determines one's emotion. And it is one's emotion that largely determines race performance. Get non-physical training 'wrong', then it is much more difficult to achieve a successful performance. And this is what happened to me at the SDW100. There was an over emphasis on a destination goal, i.e. on my finish place.
As highlighted within my SDW100 post, there is one thing knowing what one should do, but it is a different matter actually carrying it out. I think most people will agree that process goals are more beneficial than outcome goals, i.e. journey goals being more effective than destination goals. But still it is so easy to focus on the outcome, such as; I want to finish in a certain time, I want to finish in a certain place, ahead of a certain person etc. But it is what you are doing DURING the race that determines your finish time and place. Hence why it is more important to focus on the process (journey) goals. What do you want to be thinking at various stages during the race? What do you want to be experiencing at various stages during the race? But most important of all, what do you want to be FEELING at various stages during the race? Yes, what do you want your emotions to be at various stages during the race? And what do you need to do prior to the race, and during the actual race to ensure you are experiencing these emotions. What strategy do you have in place if you are not getting what you want during the race, i.e. not experiencing the emotions that will lead you to achieve your successful performance.
The above paragraph formed the basis of my non-physical training. Ensuring I had a clear 'picture' of what would indicate a successful race performance, and also a clear 'picture' of what I needed to experience/feel DURING the race. Deciding upon this 'picture' and recognising what it will actually look like, and having the belief that one is actually able to 'paint this picture' whilst racing is actually really, really difficult. Hence why I am unable to consistently perform at a satisfying level every race!
The Montane Lakeland 50 Competition
The Endure 24 consisted of repeatedly running an undulating 5 miles over muddy trails. The event doesn't really require to the same extent the need for ‘harmony between the body and mind’ as ultra-trail racing demands. It is pretty well blast the five miles as quickly as you can, and hope that you can repeat the process seven more times. Both Danny and I completed a total of eight legs during the 24 hours, and the difference between our lap times was quite unbelievable! Danny averaged 30:33, whereas I averaged 36:47. So a massive 6 minutes and 14 seconds slower per leg. Which equates to me running a massive 20% slower. Translating that into the Danny’s planned Montane Lakeland 50 finish time of 7:40ish (“Lakeland 50 splits. Numbers tell the story of my race. Projected winning time was 7:45, actual was 7:48. My 1st 3 and last 3 sections were on schedule for 7:40ish but lost over 30 mins in the middle section from Kentmere to Langdale due tovarious issues ironically brought on by heat.” Danny’s facebook page) all things being equal would have me finishing 92 minutes behind Danny! Fortunately when it comes to ultra trail racing all things aren’t equal! But the likelihood of me turning around this massive physiological deficit, as a result of my extensive non-physical training was minimal. There is only so much that experience and wisdom can achieve!
This realisation that there was only a slight chance of beating Danny in order to win the race I therefore turned into a positive. It meant that I could completely avoid thinking about destination race goals. As thinking about a win was pretty unrealistic. Yes, Danny could have an off day, but then there were other equally as quick runners competing. Probably top of the list was fellow Montane athlete Marcus Scotney, where from what I had noticed during the year, he had been pretty well been winning every event he had raced. There was also Martin Cox, who I had also never raced, but I had heard of his reputation as a pretty awesome mountain runner, with years of experience racing over the mountains in Europe. And just to add further status to his credentials, I believe he also achieved a 64 minute half marathon PB in his younger days. Not that he is old now, being only 44, which is pretty well still a youngster in comparison to me! Then there were likely to be one or two others turning up who I wouldn't know, or who I wasn't aware of them being on the entry list, such as Kim Collison, this year’s Fellsman winner.
Even though my race performances had been disappointing during 2014, in that I had found it difficult to maintain the race focus in both the Fellsman and the SDW100. I was confident that on the day I was able to race the entire 50 miles. I was confident that I could remain positive. Focus on myself, and not be negatively affected by the performance of the other runners. Yes, there is also the enjoyment one gets from running along awesome trails and the tremendous scenery one passes through, But I can experience this simply on a training run. What makes racing so appealing to me is that I can still take in the surroundings, but whilst at the same time, really challenging myself to run along the route as quickly as possible.
Last year during the 100 mile race, I was pretty shattered as I arrived at the same checkpoint. As described within the Spartans blogpost from last year I had arrived "looking a little beaten up"! This year, it was quite a contrast, I recognised a few familiar faces, some who had assisted me last year. So I got another massive boost of positivity and I was quickly back on my journey, running up the first bit of the climb up to Gatesgarth Pass before it steepened and therefore being more beneficial to power hike to the top.
I carried out this strategy for the first four hours, supplemented with some coke at the Mardale checkpoint and a piece of ginger cake, as it looked appealing. By the time I had reached the Kentmere checkpoint after 4 hours and 8 minutes, I felt that my running intensity had dropped significantly that it probably wasn't necessary to continue with the gels, as even with them being the most tasty on the market, they still when coming to consuming the fifth gel take a bit of effort to get down. So from Kentmere onwards I simply fuelled on coke and a small mixture of cake and biscuit. Although at the Langdale checkpoint, with a gel not being appealing, I added a sachet of TORQ energy powder to one of my drink bottles and consumed this, rather than any real food. Did my nutrition work? Well I never got that 'woosey' feeling in my head, and I never felt like I was getting weak due to a lack of biochemical energy. So I would conclude my nutritional strategy was successful.
Right, back to the race. Where was I? Yes, I left the Kentmere checkpoint really buzzing. Immediately there is quite a climb to get to the top of Garburn Pass. I increase the level of race focus, trying to maintain running when the gradient allows, but power hike the majority of the climb. Shortly after the top on the fast gradual descent down to Troutbeck I get another surprise. I very quickly catch Martin Cox, who didn't look very happy, but the difference in running pace is so great I don't even get a chance to chat to enquire about is problem, which I am led to believe from Marcus Scotney's race report was either a knee or an Achilles issue. Now in fourth place, which I think is great, but again don't ponder over it.
Usually at this point along the route my legs are pretty trashed and so I am moving pretty slowly. But today. having only covered 30 miles, rather than the usual 80 miles, I am able to run down to Troutbeck at a pretty good pace. The positive feedback this gives me enables me to pretty well run the entire next climb past the Post Office at Troutbeck. And then a few minutes later I get the greatest surprise of the day, Danny Kendall is only a little way ahead of me, and he is walking up a gentle uphill! I can't believe it. Yes I had felt that I had been running quite well, but not overly quick. And yes it had been a pretty hot during the day, which had made the day more challenging. But Danny, the Marathon des Sables runner, surely used to running in deserts isn't going to find the Lakeland heat any issue.
It doesn't take long to catch him, and as with when I passed Martin Cox, the difference in pace between the two of us was quite extreme. However, we do have a chance for a brief chat where Danny explains that he has been suffering from severe cramps. I wish him the best, and with the excitement of overtaking Danny, my running pace quickens, and now this time 'I leave him for dead'! Payback time for him taking my Steyning Stinger course record I quietly think to myself.
Although, I am now in third place in the British Ultra Trail Championships, which excites me. I find that I don't dwell on it and simply get back into being within the moment, as I enjoy running quickly through a really scenic portion of the route as it passes through Skelghyll Woods before entering Ambleside.
I am welcomed by Frances, Rob and Chris at the Ambleside checkpoint. It is great to be greeted by my family. The boys are taking photos, with the majority of the photos within this post being theirs. This post does also have two photos, start of the Fusedale climb, that I purchased from the Sportsunday (the official race photographers), the family shot at the finish courtesy of Ian Corless, plus one or two I 'borrowed' from various facebook friends whom I can't quite remember, although I do recall the excellent photo descending towards Kentmere was taken by //www.flickr.com/photos/16279920@N02/sets/72157646015300314/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(103, 78, 167);">Jen Regan. Thanks for the photos.
"So it's just running, is it? Yeah right! .... My emotional turbo-charge has been to meet the other members of Family Mouncey." Andy Mouncey, from his book titled: Magic, Madness and Ultramarathon Running
Written by Scott Harris - http://runninganimo.com/
77k/48 miles with 1000 metres ascent around the island of Jersey
Cancelled!? What does that mean? It took my mind a few moments to realise that Flybe had cancelled my flight 10 minutes before boarding. There wasn’t time to hang around swearing and I was quickly on the move to see if I could get on another flight. Fortunately I was able to though it wasn’t scheduled to leave until 17:45 having already being delayed by an hour. It was a long stressful wait in the airport knowing that there would be a good chance the flight would be delayed even longer or maybe Flybe would decide to cancel this one as well. It was delayed for another 30 minutes, so now instead of arriving in Jersey at 15:00 I wasn’t going to arrive until after 19:00. Great!
Instead of a relaxing afternoon I was 4 hours behind. It was very frustrating and I felt like I was in a constant rush never being able to distance my mind from the race. Sorting out my kit, then my drop bag, going over my race plan, checking the weather forecast whilst eating, making sure I didn’t take on too much or I’d have trouble sleeping as soon as I had everything ready. It probably wasn’t until around 23:00 I cursed Flybe one last time and managed to fall asleep.
5 hours of solid sleep as I rose at 04:00. I had a couple bananas and an energy bar for breakfast, checked the weather and got ready. I still wasn’t sure about the weather so around 05:00 I decided to go for a jog around the hotel car park. It helped make my mind up and I was set. Soon it was time to head down to the start line, give in my drop bag which I’d see a few hours later and wait. I bumped into Paul Burrows who was running around the island 7 times in 7 days. We had a quick chat and I wished him good luck on his mammoth challenge.
Everyone lined up ready for the start at 06:00. I went over my race plan in my head proving to myself that I memorised it sufficiently. I had average paces in mind for the first 3 aid stations and was happy that I’d be able to achieve these. We set off and I ignored all those that went off faster than me, if I can stick to my plan or almost stick to it I’d have a great day. Head down, now and then looking at my GPS watch to ensure I wasn’t running too fast. Something was wrong. All the stress and nervous energy I had been feeling whilst at the airport was still there. My stomach felt unsettled which made it hard to focus. I wasn’t moving too badly but I wasn’t happy at all. Thankfully I knew where a public toilet was just before Gorey. I was grateful but lost a few minutes.
I wanted to make up the time I lost but I knew it would be stupid to do so immediately, so I had to be patient and make up the 5/6 minutes I lost over the rest of the race. It was difficult knowing I was behind but I stayed patient and kept my speed steady, but for some reason I still wasn’t able to focus as my stomach remained unhappy. I got to the first aid station at St Catherines (17.44k/10.9 miles) in around 1 hour 22 minutes so I wasn’t quite as far behind as I thought I was. But things weren’t going well as I started on the trail. I didn’t know if my stomach was hungry or upset so I didn’t want to eat anything. I changed the settings on my watch so I was viewing the route rather than the speed and distance as it would just stress me out.
There was no way I was finishing the race without eating. I had a shot blok; it felt okay so I had another a few minutes later, but I was convinced that my stomach would be dictating the pace of the race today. Many negative thoughts filled my mind as I struggled on to La Fontaine where my drop bag was waiting. Why do I run? Why do I spend so much time and money doing this? It was looking bad but I kept going. I walked some of the steps to be surprised that I couldn’t run immediately afterwards. I walked a hill I would normally run up easily. It really was disturbing how much I was struggling so early on into the run. I even thought about sitting down at one point on the tempting benches that I passed along the cliff path now and then. I wasn’t thinking it, but I knew somewhere in my mind was the knowledge that you don’t quit when you feel bad, you don’t stop moving, you will feel better again, it will pass; where do you want to be when that happens? Having already thrown in the towel, or on the trail running?
I had some flat coke and some watermelon once I reached La Fontaine (35km/22 miles). I was still negative and questioning myself for drinking coke thinking that would mess up my stomach more but it didn’t. Shortly after leaving my stomach began to settle, I was able to focus and my legs started to gain rhythm. Yes!. It didn’t take long until I was feeling great and started moving with ease. I saw a runner ahead and overtook them. Soon I saw two more, overtaking them both on a steep hill running as they walked. I questioned myself for doing so and slowed to a walk before reaching the top realising I still felt good, so started running again. I pushed on.
I arrived at Grosnez (47k/29.8miles) to be told I was in 3rd place to my complete surprise. I had a couple pieces of fresh pineapple, some more flat coke and moved on excited by being in 3rd. I knew 1st was a long way ahead but 2nd was only a few minutes in front. I decided against going after him, I’d just stick to my own pace and hope they would come back to me. I was very pleased to find the tide was in on the west of the island. I had already decided to run on the road rather than the beach due to a niggle I had a few weeks earlier. Running on sand isn’t fun at the best of times and I was sure it was going to pull on my calf and cause it to tighten. With the tide in the runners in front wouldn’t be able to take advantage of the slighter shorter distance the beach offers.
My mind was still focused and I was moving well. It was flat and easy to run but was quite tough to do so, I kept going knowing I’d soon be able to slow down once I got back on the trail. Someone beeped their horn as they drove by. I waved not really sure who it was. Moments later Bryce was stood there waiting for me. It had been lonely race up to this part so it was great to have someone to chat to for a few minutes as Bryce asked how I felt and updated me on the guys in front. Thanks Bryce!
I got to the final aid station, Beauport (62.4k/39 miles) feeling pretty good. I knew there wasn’t much further to go. I just had to keep running and I might be able to see 2nd place soon. I had more fresh fruit and flat coke with my stomach feeling absolutely fine. I left still feeling good though struggling to work out how long it would take me to get to the finish. Just keep moving I told myself.
I passed through St Aubin knowing it would soon be over. At this point I’d taken my singlet off concerned that I might get a cut nipple due to chaffing. Apologies to the people of Jersey for running half naked, but I took a guess that would be a more pleasant sight than blood streaming down my body clearly visible through my white t-shirt. I could roughly see where the finish line was and ran as fast from St Aubin to the finish line as I had all day.
I crossed the finish line in 3rd place in a time of 6:46:13 taking 50 minutes and 45 seconds off from last years time. That felt good, real good. To think how bad I felt for the first 3 hours and now I was stood at the finish line having run over 50 minutes faster than last year. It turns out I managed to run a negative split by about 2 minutes as well, obviously due to struggling early on in the race, but negative splitting an ultra feels awesome. Those negative questions I asked myself early on in the race were emphatically answered upon crossing the finish line.
It’s a great race and the 4th time I’ve taken part. At one point I actually said “wow” out loud as I was admiring the scenic coastline over my shoulder. It’s a beautiful island, a well organised race and I’ll no doubt be back again next year. I keep getting faster each year so fingers crossed I can maintain that record.
Thanks to Digby and everyone else for organising the race and all the helpful volunteers at the aid stations.
Big thanks to my parents for supporting me and looking after me after finishing.
And well done to Paul for running Round the Rock 7 times in 7 days!
Race website here
Full results here
My run on Strava here
Thanks to the guidance from Sandi and Sage over the recent months.