Written by Gin Lawson - https://alwayskeepgoodhumour.wordpress.com

So, two years ago a guy from my running club took part in a local event called the SVP 100. A 100km race from Newmarket to Brantham, Suffolk. At the time I was totally in awe how someone could cover 62 plus miles on foot within a 15.5 hr time limit – but a little seed was sown.

Last year I volunteered at the said event and saw close up how fantastic it was. Everybody looked to be enjoying it and I began to believe that I could do it. As a result of volunteering, you get offered a free entry into the following years event which just gave me that little added push. I entered.

So 2015 was my year to have a go at the SVP100km. Those of you that read my blog will know that I have twice completed the Stour Valley Marathon which takes in a small part of the same route, so I was pretty certain I was going to enjoy it.

As this was going to be my first 100km event I wanted to be sure I was as prepared as I could be so that I was best placed to enjoy it. So, with some other Sudbury Joggers – of which 13 had entered – we started to recce some of the route.

After I ran my Barrow marathons in July I was sure that I had the stamina so making sure I didn’t get lost was the other main priority.

So, with a lot of excitement building in the SVP community on Facebook, the day finally arrived.

With the race starting at 7, it would be an early start. But Sarah, the captain of Sudbury Joggers, had organised a mini bus to get everyone there so all I had to do was eat pasta that Sarah prepared for me, sleep in Sarah’s spare bed and wait for my morning coffee! A nice easy start to what was going to be a long day.

The original plan had been for 4 of us girls to possibly run together, myself, Becs, Lizzie and Dee. Unfortunately, Dee went and broke her wrist the week before so was unable to take part – a real blow and I really felt for her. So, then there were only 3.

With a very slick briefing, we were on our way dead on 7. There is also a start at 9 for the quicker runners and those that feel they are in with a chance of a a prize. How long would it be before the faster runners pass us?

The first 3 odd miles is a straight road out of Newmarket and then along Devils Dyke which is pretty much single file. So, everyone tried to get into some sort of order so as not to be stuck behind slower runners. I think we judged it pretty well and didn’t really seem to get held up at all.

After a grassy section you start to go under trees where there are a lot of protruding roots. Becs was good at shouting when there was something particularly hazardous, – however due to me being a little too close behind her – just as she yelled lookout, down I went! Face first into the dirt…not what I wanted at less than 3 miles in. Thankfully, I didn’t seen to injure anything more than my pride and with a long stream of runners behind I quickly got up and carried on, albeit a little shaken up.

There were no more real incidents to report and we made it safely to the first checkpoint at Great Thurlow 12 miles in. As well as the excellent event volunteers we also had our band of Jogger supporters which makes everything a little more enjoyable. A cheese sarnie, coke and some crisps and we were ready to crack on.

Sudbury Joggers are the best!!

The next checkpoint was at Clare Country park at approx 23 miles. Becs was certainly the quicker of us and I had to keep asking, well ‘telling’ her to slow the pace a bit as there was still a long way to go. It was also on this section that Lizzie appear to be falling back a little and as we reached the checkpoint she was no longer with us. It was great to see more familiar faces and buckets with sponges as the day was really beginning to heat up. We spent a bit of time feeding our faces and waiting for Lizzie to arrive which she did about 10 minutes later. We had a quick word and she was ok with us cracking on so we headed off to the next checkpoint at Long Melford.

As we had recce’d the route pretty well, I was confident we wouldn’t make any navigational errors however we did still manage a small detour! I had a feeling it was wrong but ignored it, Becs’ watch said we were going the wrong way but she ignored it and only when the runners in front – who had also gone wrong – turned round did we get back on track.

As we were approaching Melford, we caught up with Kev, another Jogger, which really surprised me. However, it seemed he was having a few issues with his hips but had found a couple of other runners for company. The 3 of them then went on to finish together.

Coming into checkpoint 3 at Melford we were just over half way at about 33 miles. Again, there was a load of support there, clapping and cheering and familiar faces. The checkpoint, as were they all, was very well stocked and as the weather had heated up I made sure I filled my bladder and bottles. I felt good, positive and strong.

Onto the next checkpoint at Lamarsh but first we had to pass by the Mill Hotel in Sudbury. I knew there would be more support there – it did sell alcohol – but I must say that I was pretty overwhelmed. Becs had pulled slightly ahead and I heard a massive cheer go up, and then another when I arrived. I felt like we had won!! A glass of lovely cold cider was placed in my hand which I felt obliged to drink, of course!!

Oh, if you insist!!

As much as we would have loved to stay longer we didn’t want our legs to seize up so we headed off knowing there were only 4/5 miles before we could refuel again.

It was on this stretch that we came across another runner who had a problem with her knee. We did the best we could to help with some KT tape and painkillers, which seemed to give her a bit of a boost. Also, around this time my feet began to really hurt and I started to slow a bit, then I think a blister popped on my toe (ouch) so I made the decision to tape my feet and change my socks at Lamarsh.

The last bit into the checkpoint is down a steep hill and I found it really painful to run down, but Becs just bounded down it like Tigger. As we approached the checkpoint I was beginning to realise that I was nowhere near as strong as she was.

Still smiling…..

Lamarsh checkpoint, I must say, was (as Becs said actually) the Rolls Royce of checkpoints. The selection was superb and the jewel in the crown was the little bags to take sweets away with you.

Tigger with her ‘piglet’

I decided that I didn’t really want to look at my feet, probably not a lot could be done and they were bearable, so I left the spare socks in my pack.

Now, I knew that we had well and truly broke the back of it. We only had a little over 20 miles to go with about about 7 hours until the cut off of 10.30pm. Unless the wheels well and truly fell off the bus, it was looking like a finish.

From Lamarsh you pass through Bures and it was here that I told Becs to go ahead. She looked so fresh and strong and although I still felt good, I was nowhere near her pace. We had made a pact at the start that if one of us was much stronger than the other then we had to split. We had a hug and she bounded into the distance…

So now I was on my own. I really like running by myself so it wasn’t a problem and I was comfortable with the route. Even so, I think you are less likely to run when you’re feeling tired, if on your own, so there were a good few walking breaks. But, with beautiful scenery and a fair few hills, that wasn’t really a problem.

I reached the checkpoint at Nayland to be greeted by more joggers, there was not a point where there wasn’t some support. Also, I was surprised to see Tom, another jogger who had started at 9. I had expected him to pass well before this point. I will mention that the first 9 am runner passed by at 28 miles!!!

So, only one more checkpoint to go and then a little 5 miles to the finish. Coming out of Nayland I was a little apprehensive as I had encountered a field with Bull, cows and calves on my recce but I was relieved to see that the farmer had moved them. In fact, there were no problems with cows on the whole route. There were actually some good runnable bits on the final leg which I made the most of, and also encountered the famous ‘maize ‘ field.

Luckily these guys had been moved..

The final checkpoint at Stratford St Mary did not disappoint. There was hot coffee which was a godsend and this set me up for the final 5 miles.

I had been looking forward to this final bit all day. Not only because it was the final bit, but also it is so pretty. Along by the river to Dedham, then past Flatford Mill. It just started to get dusk by then so I put on my head torch for the final couple of miles. I could see Brantham in the distance and knew that I was almost there. I was amazed how good I felt, and excited at the prospect of getting to the finish, seeing all the supporters, and collecting that green t shirt.

Coming into Brantham, I did get a little lost and where I was supposed to turn into the playing field to the finish I continued up the path. Hearing shouts behind me, I was told I was going the wrong way so promptly turned around and ran back to where I should have gone. As i approached the finish I heard shouts ‘is that Gin?’….it’s Gin I replied….

And so to the end, reunited with tigger who bounced her way in in a little over 13 hrs…and all the others that had already finished. My time 14 hrs 14 mins 27 secs, 68th place out of 110 finishers. As I had ideally wanted to finish between 14 and 14.5 hrs I couldn’t have timed it better.

One very happy girl…

Only 2 more and we had 10 out of 11 finish. Lisa managed an impressive 50 miles before succumbing to a knee injury.

So, I can honestly stay that I feel I enjoyed every minute of it, there was not a single point where I felt unable to go on and no doubt, ever, that I would get to the finish. The course, I felt, was excellent to run on – yes, there were a couple of ‘claggy’ fields and a bit of lumpy bumpy grass but the beautiful countryside and pretty villages more than made up for it.

The organisation of the event was superb, the volunteers beyond fantastic and the course well marked.

In short, I loved it!!

So, that is the qualifier for my 100 miler. But that’s not until next year, so there will be lots more to pack in before then!!