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Written by Fiona Ashton-Smith - https://theparttimeultrarunner.wordpress.com

The Arc of Attrition (100 miles of technical Cornish coastal path, run in the depths of winter) has often been referred to as one of the toughest Ultras in the UK. Between the weather, terrain, number of hours running in darkness and amount of elevation (not forgetting the sheer length of the race) it really is a monster, with the number of finishers each year reflecting that!

After following the Arc (and some particularly brave friends running it) for the last couple of years, I knew that I wanted to attempt it one day, but equally knew (deep down in the back of my mind, of course) that I wasn't ready yet. Thankfully, MudCrew must have been listening in when I wished there was a mini version - for the first time in 2019, they ran the Arc50! 50 miles of the same weather and terrain but covering just the last 50 miles of the Arc course. Who could resist such a tempting offer?

The first hurdle was actually getting in to the race. The Arc has always been popular, and sells out incredibly quickly, resulting in a ballot being drawn to see who has gained a place. The same process was used for the Arc50, and on the day of the drawing I was nervously watching the live video with my fingers crossed! As you might have guessed, my name came out of the hat and I celebrated by whizzing around the house and informing Jeremy that we were going to Cornwall in February (where he would have the great honour of crewing for me).

Fast forward 6 months and I thought I should really start planning our trip. When I asked Jeremy whether he wanted to camp or find a B&B for the race, he asked 'where is this one again?' Now I definitely ran the whole idea of a Cornish mini-holiday + race trip past him BEFORE entering this time (something I may have forgotten to do with previous races) so when he looked downright appalled at my answer of 'Cornwall!!' I had to remind him that he had agreed to this, many months ago...We settled on camping (the cost making up for the cold) and I booked a pitch at the Eco Park, where both registration and the finish line would be,

The next hurdle came on the journey to the race, last Thursday. We'd decided to take an extra day so we could drive down, set up camp in the daylight and then explore a little on the Friday, before the race day of Saturday. The car was packed on Wednesday night (including several last minute additions after seeing the weather forecast) leaving just the dogs and ourselves to bundle in early Thursday. Off we went! A straightforward 5 hour trip...or so we thought.

In a bizarre turn of events, the further South we went, the colder it got. Eventually, as we neared Truro, the light flakes of snow that had been appearing turned into a full on blizzard. Big, dry (fantastic) flakes of snow started sticking to everything, until the roads were covered and traffic became a nightmare. Despite having Land Cruiser (Lady Cru) we found ourselves stuck between two roundabouts, both gridlocked. With all 4 of us needing a toilet stop, we ended up parking up and finding a field where the boys could have a good run, and we could find a bush each!

Our straightforward 5 hour trip took us 10 in total. Thanks to the wonders of social media, I had been altered to the fact that our campsite was flooded and unusable early on, allowing me to book an emergency Airbnb just 10 minutes away from the Eco Park. We still headed to the Park so I could register and get through kit check (meaning I would get a few extra hours sleep on Saturday morning) before finding our B&B and crashing into bed, thoroughly exhausted.

Friday saw us waking up (after a much needed lie in) and heading to the coast for a long (and incredibly windy) walk with the boys. It really was beautiful. The snow had gone and the sun was attempting to show its face! The 100 mile race was due to start at midday, and I'd been keeping an eye of the Facebook page for updates. Unfortunately, a lot of the runners had been caught in even worse traffic than us and had either been forced to withdraw from the race, or were starting after just 2 or 3 hours sleep (serious respect to them - with 30+ hours of running ahead!) I was incredibly thankful I had an extra night to catch up and make sure I had everything organised for the morning.

The day came. I was more nervous than I expected as we headed to the Eco Park (where we received our trackers and safety briefing before boarding buses to the start line). I had packed everything I might possibly need (including far more food than I usually take), given Jeremy his crew list (with all the postcodes of our planned checkpoints) plus my crew bag (mostly full of sandwiches and Lucozade) - all that remained was to actually go out there and run 50 miles! While one of my aims for the year is to run a sub 12 hour 50 mile race, I took as much pressure off the Arc50 as possible and knew I'd be happy as long as I finished within the 15.5 hour cut-off. I just wanted my first race of the year in the bag! I bumped into 100 mile runner Owen at the start and was sorry to hear he'd pulled out earlier on, but glad of a familiar face and his wishes of luck.

We all piled onto the buses and headed off to the start. I met a lovely fellow runner called Claire and we chatted for the first part of the journey, before both nodding off. When I woke, we were nearly there and the rain had just begun. I pulled on my waterproof, thinking it better to start warm and dry at least! Leaving the buses, we had a short walk up the hill before reaching the start venue - the Minnack Theatre. It was absolutely fantastic! The outdoor theatre has been carved into the cliffside, allowing spectators to enjoy their play with an amazing backdrop of waves. I think we may have to return one summer to see a production!

I met two more lovely ladies, Zosia and Una, and we chatted away the time until we were asked to descend into the theatre! It was one of the most dramatic race starts I've seen - the music playing was highlighted by a drummer, blue flares were lit (and a number of the 'ArcAngels' wielding them were dancing around the steps) and then at 8.30am, a blaring horn...we were off! Unfortunately we had to head out the way we'd come - and getting up the steps in single file took a little while - but soon enough we were onto the Coastal path - our trail to follow for the next 50 miles.

The sun had risen and, while the wind was still present, it was nowhere near as strong as the day before. Clear and bright, the views out over the cliff tops were just spectacular, Thankfully the wind, while still present, was nowhere near as strong as the day before and the sun had now risen. The paths were very narrow, making it difficult to pass people so the first couple of miles were spent quite bunched up. I took the time to settle in and get used to the terrain (and also get rid of my waterproof, which I didn't think I was going to need after all). The ground was good underfoot, some patches of mud but nothing too awful. The rockier parts of the trail (and especially the steeper downhills) were causing a lot of runners to take their time so I found the first gap I could and started to pick up my pace - I do love a good descent and found myself feeling incredibly confident picking through the rocks at speed!

The first 15 miles really flew by. I tried to keep taking in the views as a I ran, but the number of rocks and steep ascents/descents meant I had to spend a lot of time focussing on not falling flat on my face! On one of the trickier sections, I shared a few words with another lady, who had injured her knee badly in that very place the previous year. Before I knew it, I had reached Cape Cornwall, and had just 3 miles to go until my first meeting point with Jeremy at Pendeen Watch, I was feeling far stronger than expected, and running more of the ups than I usually would! I trotted up the hill to where Jeremy was parked having covered the first section in around 3 hours - right on track. While Jeremy refilled my water bottles for me, I stuffed a sandwich in my face as fast as possible (ignoring Jeremy's protests that I was going to make myself sick). A hug later and I was off onto section 2 - I'd see Jeremy again at St Ives, another 15 miles down the line.

I kept what felt like a good pace up and soon caught up with small group of runners ahead of me. I quite happily stayed at their pace - knowing if I overtook them at this stage, they would do the same to me several minutes after! I was eating well (a mix of GF brownies and chocolate covered Trek bars every hour) while hiking up the steeper hills and couldn't feel any niggles or impending foot problems so settled into a rhythm and just enjoyed watching the miles tick by.

At some stage I overtook the group (this section of the race is remarkably hazy in my memory!) and caught up to the woman a little further ahead (who I later found out was Jen) as we ran towards a mini checkpoint, staffed by some ArcAngels. Not wanting to risk eating something Gluten-y I thanked them but continued on, pulling slightly ahead. As I ran off, I head them tell Jen 'you two are in second and third!'

I was dumbstruck. Second?? I actually turned around to and asked Jen if I'd heard that correctly. When she confirmed the information, I declared that I should probably slow down, and she agreed that a podium finish hadn't been her intention - she just wanted to enjoy the technical section ahead (which was her favourite) and then make it through the infamous 'Dunes of Doom' in the daylight. I realised what a good idea this was, and dropping a little behind her, decided to try and stick to a similar pace. We ran along together for a way, before Jen waved me ahead, saying that I was quicker on the ups (something I definitely owe to all the dog walking!) and I pushed on.

The technical section Jen had referred to was definitely the best part of the course. Hearing that I was sat in second place had added new life to my legs and I found myself pulling far further ahead than expected. I wasn't intending to pick up speed, I was just maintain a good hiking pace up and letting gravity do the work on the way down! There were a few scrambling sections which broke up the hills nicely, and more sections of mud were starting to appear along the route.

This was my first experience of holding a top position during an Ultra and I wasn't quite sure how to react. Part of me wanted to keep pushing as hard as I could to open the gap between Jen and I further, another part of me knew that would result in me blowing up later on. Part of me was dying to find a bush, another part of me wanted to plough on and not risk losing any time! The pressure of potentially holding a podium position felt immense - like I was being hunted down every step of the way. Instead of eating while hiking like usual, I actually ate while running one of the shallower inclines!

Coming into the St Ives Checkpoint (at 30 miles) I was still feeling good and running well. As the ArcAngels came to meet me and lead me in, they told me I was still in 2nd and not too far off the leader so I was planning another quick pit stop, with the intention of leaving St Ives before Jen arrived. Unfortunately that didn't quite go to plan...asking the Angels where crew were supposed to park didn't draw up any answers, and I quickly realised I had no idea where Jeremy was. I had no phone signal, and ran out of the checkpoint in a panic (without refilling my water) to try and find some. Luckily, I managed to get hold of Jeremy and re-route him to the station car park, which was right next to the costal path. St Ives is a very tiny place, full of little cobbled streets and narrow entrances, not the best place for a Land Cruiser covered in kit and it took a little while for Jeremy to make it through - by which point I was back in 3rd (for which I take the full blame - with hindsight, I know I should've checked google maps for the best place for Jeremy to meet me, rather than giving him the main checkpoint postcode. Rookie error!) Jeremy grabbed my water bottles and refilled them while I choked down another sandwich and assured him that it was entirely my fault, and really didn't matter. I surprised myself when I realised that I believed it - it really didn't matter. I was still so much further ahead than I had expected, but without the pressure I had been feeling for the last 10 miles or so. I could relax back into my own race, take the time to eat and just get back to enjoying myself. Another hug, and a top up of Trek bars and I set off for section 3 - just 10 miles until the next meeting point this time!

Now the next part of the course came as a bit of a shock to me. Continuing along the costal path, I realised I could see what must be Godrevy (the next meeting place) ahead. Godrevy was on the next clifftop, and couldn't have been more than a couple of miles away, as the crow flies. However, to get to Godrevy, I had to run around a bay and through Haynes first. Oh how I hated Haynes. The route around the bay was almost entirely tarmac, and also flat. You might think that was a godsend after all the hills and rocks of the first 30 miles, but it was absolute torture. My knees had taken a good beating speeding down the descents, and tarmac was the last thing they needed, they wanted nice spongey grass! And if there's one thing I hate more than road running, it's flat road running. I grumbled and cursed my way round, slowly losing the will to live and walking far more than necessary through sheer lack of motivation. After what felt like an age, I reached the end and found myself in the first of 3 sets of sand dunes - what bliss!

Back in the hills, and on softer terrain, my spirits started to pick up a little. I bumped into another Angel who told me there was only 3 miles to Godrevy, and I dubbed him my favourite person of the day! Trundling on, I hit the Dunes of Doom, and quickly realised why Jen had wanted to reach them in daylight. Twice I took a wrong turn and had to double check my GPS, and the second time, turned around to see Jen heading past. Into 4th I dropped! No matter. I hurried on to catch Jen, and we ran together until emerging from the Dunes. It was during the Dunes that we passed the sweepers of the 100 mile race, and 2 of the amazing runners who had started 50 miles before us. I ended up passing several of them on the final section and was awestruck by each and every one of them - how they had endured so many hours of such tough terrain was hard to imagine.

Finally, the Godrevy Car Park appeared and there was Jeremy, waiting with open arms (and another sandwich!) He made sure my red tail light was on, got me my hat and headtorch and refilled my bottles for the final time. Jen had already zoomed on ahead and I allowed myself one moment of disappointment in losing the podium. It didn't last for long - Jeremy was so proud that I was in 4th and I realised I was too.

The final section - another 10 miles until the finish line at the Eco Park. It went dark remarkably quickly, and I swapped staring around at the views for stargazing. I was starting to feel my earlier efforts in my legs now. Downhills were jarring my knees, while the ups were taking my breath away and refusing to give it back. I forced myself to keep on eating but my Trek bars had started to taste wrong and I was glad one of my bottles was full of orange Lucozade instead of water. I had reached that point of the race where I no longer cared where or when I finished, I just wanted it to be over (the thought of dropping out with just 5 miles to go actually crossed my mind at one point!) I started talking to myself, repeating the mantra of 'jog the downs, hike the ups, jog the downs, hike the ups.'

It really was the longest 10 miles I've ever run. Angels appeared out of the dark to point me in the right direction and give helpful hints - I was so glad to see them each time, as it meant I was going in the right direction! A few more sections of road went by in a blur, before the final section of coastal path and the 'double dips' an Angel had told me to enjoy (cue derisive snort). They hurt. They were some of the steepest on course, steps descending deeper and deeper into the valley, before winding their way back up again...twice! But soon they were behind me, and I headed down the final section of road to Porthtowan, catching up with the two guys ahead of me on the descent. One more Angel on the corner led us to the last footpath - half a mile of what looked like sheer cliffside. Apparently if we went up it, the Eco Park was at the top...Grumbling and swearing, the three of us set off, our way lit by green glowsticks. We summited into a dark field and wandered our way towards the sounds of life ahead. One more corner, and there it was - the finish banner. 'We should really jog, shouldn't we?' I asked, and that was it.

I have never been so relived to see a finish line before. And I think that shows in the photo (right, where I believe I've just caught sight of Jeremy waiting for me) I pretty much fell over the line into his arms, before remembering that I was meant to get my medal and apologising to Jane, who was waiting to present one to me! I think I said a few words to her about what a beast of a course they had created, but again my memory is pretty fuzzy! I was ushered through to take some finish photos in front of the Arc banner, before heading inside to congratulate Jen for her fantastic finish.

Thanking the Angels at the finish, I removed my tracker and wandered back to the car, where I think I burbled something like ' I came 4th! 4th!' to Jeremy. Wrapped in a duvet, I stuffed several more brownies into my face on the way back to our B&B, where I was forced to shower, before collapsing into bed.

In the end, I finished the Arc50 in 12 hours and 32 minutes, as 4th lady and 24th overall. I am absolutely thrilled to bits - I wasn't expecting to do anywhere near as well or to be able to push myself as hard as I did on the day. I did discover that I was just 5 minutes away from what would have been my first podium finish (a little vexing) but instead of being disappointed, I'm more excited for what the rest of the year's racing will bring! I know exactly where I lost the time, and know it was more mental and motivational than physical (though I don't know whether that will be easier or harder to fix!)

A huge thank you must be said to MudCrew for organising such a fantastic event, and running it seamlessly (alongside another enormous event to boot!) It really is amazing, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a challenge. Thank you to all the ArcAngels and Volunteers who gave up their time to look after us on the route, the photographers for providing some excellent images and Omega Medics, for being there should we need them (thankfully I didn't!)

Thank you to Jeremy - my super crew. I wouldn't have been able to run the event without him supporting me (before, during, and after the event, through the training, and the doubting and the panicking). It was his first time crewing me through an entire race, but he knew exactly what I would need, before I needed it and exactly what to say. He didn't complain once during our 10 hour journey there (though has requested future races stay a little closer to home!) or even when I dragged him to 3 different bakeries in search of a Gluten Free Cornish Pasty on Sunday morning (yes, we did find one!)

And finally, thank you all for reading (if you made it this far!) Until next time... X

Written by Guy Oliver - http://outdoorguyuk.tumblr.com/

The Calderdale Way Ultra, believe it or not, was my first foray into ultra-running. The internet has made it abundantly clear that despite having run countless ultras with friends and alone, on training runs, fastpacking trips, or just running as a mode of transport; you’re apparently only an ultra-runner when you’ve run a race.

Back in November, I signed up for the Calderdale Way Ultra, a 50.5 (don’t forget the 0.5) mile race in the Yorkshire Dales (sort of) on the well-known hiking route, the Calderdale way – a loop around Halifax. This was due to Matt over at RideLiftRun talking me into it and Simon Freeman of Freestak laughing at me for never racing. It was somewhere I had never been, hilly, camping available at the start line, looked beautiful and challenging in equal measures. Perfect.

The big day soon approached and Sammy (my wife), Lenora (my daughter) and I set off from London just after rush hour; the drive was an extremely comfortable four and a half hours, with a quick stop for petrol. We had planned on meeting Matt, Tim (another team mate from our home town) and Laura (Matt’s girlfriend) at roughly the same time, but their journey turned out to be an ultra in itself, taking a hideous 8 hours from Portsmouth. Sammy, Lenora and I had smugly already been to the local for a couple of pints and a meal.

Pre race nutrition strategy is key

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by John Lloyd the race organiser and a lovely chap. We had a good chat and Lenora spent the rest of our time there pointing out “John George Lloyd” as some sort of weird mantra on repeat. The venue was fantastic and a hell of a lot more comfortable than we were expecting.

Camping pitches and caravan spots are right at the start line of the race, with a toilet and shower block attached to the Todmorden Cricket Club main building. The town of Todmorden has some fantastic pubs within a couple of minutes’ walk (it’s a really lovely town, but with convenient shops, supermarkets and amenities) and the cricket club bar was extremely welcoming (a dangerous proposition the day before a 50 mile race). All in all, we were pretty happy so far.

The compulsory race briefing from 7-7:30 pm was good, if a little brief. It was more of a five minute briefing, but that was ok as it covered everything we needed.

Following a comfortable night’s sleep, I got up at 4:50am for some breakfast and general morning routine stuff. I won’t paint you a picture.

Matt, Tim and I were on a strictly complete not compete schedule. Tim had the most experience having completed the MDS and a number of other ultras, Matt was the fittest having done an insane mileage since Christmas but had only recently got into running and I look like a fat cleric.

Using the bathroom, I heard John Lloyd’s voice shouting something out, which I assumed was a 5/10 minute warning so I quickly rushed out…to find everyone legging it off the start line! As I mentioned before, I’m used to running on other people’s schedules but this happened pretty quickly.

Sammy shouted at me to get my stuff and run; Lenora waggled her finger in a suitably disapproving and condescending manner. Snatching up my new Inov8 Race Ultra 10 backpack, which I had painstakingly packed and repacked the previous night and again in the morning, I legged it past the ladies for a quick kiss and off down the road to catch up with Matt and Tim.

Turning left out of the golf course, I headed down the road and could see the bulk of the runners already half way up the hill through gaps in the trees – the route followed a zig-zag path ascending the first climb. Not the best start to the day. Spotting Matt tying his shoelaces (obviously pretending to do something while waiting for an idiotic friend) gave me a bit of relief, until I realised Tim wasn’t with him. 500 metres into the race and we’d already lost each other – this didn’t bode well.

Matt told me that Tim had gone to the toilet and then the race started. He didn’t want to look like a complete plum, or like he had bottled it, so he decided to run around the corner and wait. Sure enough, Tim came running down the road and I was relieved that I wasn’t the last one. We put on a bit of speed to try and catch up with the pack and were confronted by a pretty steep climb up Stoney Royd Lane and through Well Wood.

We passed a lady in her mid-50s who from what I understand, withdrew at Checkpoint 1 later. I really don’t blame her, as the first section was pretty punishing in terms of elevation. Seeing everyone go out so quickly was also quite disheartening, especially when viewed aurally from the toilet. Up ahead we could see three ladies running together at roughly the same speed as us, one of which was the lovely Jill Lawson, who was staying just next to us in her camper van. One of the first people to the site after us, we’d had a good chat the day before – it turns out that Jill was a walking guide in the Lake District, so she was certainly used to the hills, although this was her first ultra-race too.

Overtaking the three ladies gave us a bit of a boost and feeling a bit more buoyed up by this we proceeded to run…in completely the wrong direction. “Boys! This way!” became one of the main consistencies up until checkpoint one, as we were repeatedly saved by Isobel Pollard and Jayne Booth who turned out to be from the local running club, the Todmorden Harriers (also responsible for the annual and much older Calderdale Way Relay).

Jill and Issy

Jane and Issy - our babysitters

Rather stupidly, we had been lulled into a false sense of security by the repeated assertions of the race staff that it was near impossible to get lost. Despite both Matt and I having loaded the entire race route for navigation into my Suunto Ambit3 Run and Matt’s Garmin Fenix 3, as well as having a clearly written set of directions on the map, we had taken it for granted that it would just be a case of following a clearly marked trail. After all, the race organisers had told us that they had spray painted sections that were less clear and it’d be a walk in the park.

We overtook the trio of ladies, only to run completely the wrong way, receive another “Boys! This Way!” and to run past them again later with our tails between our legs. Following a series of wrong turns, we finally hit a trail along a windswept hill top where we were able to open it up a bit, getting some real speed on flats and downhill which felt amazing. As warned by Jill the night before, there certainly were 45 mile and hour wind speeds, although they were coming from behind us and were fantastically cooling.

Reaching check point 1, we were greeted by Laura, Sammy and a wind-swept, pretty pissed off Lenora. The marshals were amazing, filling my bottles for me and reminding us repeatedly that we needed to get a move one; how we were right at the back. They all had a great sense of humour and really buoyed us up stuffing food in our faces and saving time on hydration. I’d forgotten a few things, including my race number when I had left, so Sammy had brought them for me which was great.

Refuelling at CP1

The girls pounded past us (again) at the checkpoint without even stopping. We didn’t even have a wrong turn as an excuse this time. To top things off, I’d pulled a muscle in my hip.

About a month before, I’d done a 32 mile training run which was fantastic. It felt easy and I really enjoyed it. 10 days before the race, I had scheduled in a 50k training run at a slow pace before tapering, which went wrong at about 20km. My hip felt tight and at about 35km was beginning to hurt, so I went home a little dejected. My biggest fear was that this little niggle that I’d never had before, would flare up on race day.

The section between checkpoint 1 and 2 was beautiful. Tim had given me an ibuprofen (don’t judge me) and it made everything better. I don’t usually take pain killers, but a one off isn’t so bad. Also, navigation had become more natural since we had to decided to actually do some.

We flew down excitingly technical descents, ran parallel to some truly epic views and through beautiful wooded areas. We even stopped for a few photos to capture the moment.

Somewhere on the way to checkpoint 2, we started to notice a group of lads approaching us, along with a load of people descending the hill we had just come down. Assuming the marshals weren’t lying to us at check point one (which is entirely possible; they did have a cheeky sense of humour and were doing their best to motivate us) then it was likely that other people had found navigation difficult too. This was a huge motivator and reminder to always trust in the long game.

Later on, we met up with three runners; a couple, Sam Blanchard and Andrea Taylor, with another runner, Steven Jones. Sam and Andrea were roughly our age and both were annoyingly athletic and good looking, whilst Steven was in his early 50s and clearly extremely resilient. Fantastic people who made the day so much more enjoyable. We ended up running as a group for the rest of the race.

The crew - Tim, Matt, Andrea, Sam and Steve

At about 20 miles and just after check point 2 (18.97 miles), my hip started to hurt again. I ran on for a bit but it got much worse, so Tim gave me some more ibuprofen. This time, it only dulled the pain a bit and it started to become a bit of a concern. I cracked on with the running, as if you obsess then it’s never going to help.

Talking to our new friends really helped keep my mind off the slowly building pain and I was still really enjoying the day. With Sam on the map and Matt and I on the GPS navigation, things were much more slick and we were chewing up the miles effortlessly. We were flying through stunning scenery, laughing and joking with friends, old and new, my broken pelvis was remaining firmly at the back of my mind where it belonged, and everything was perfect.

Then disaster happened.

I had been using my Suunto Ambit3 Run for navigation, but hadn’t for one second looked at our mileage. I decided to check. I wished I hadn’t. Having left the start line from the toilet in a mad panic, I must have double pressed the start button and not a single metre had been recorded. I was about 25 miles in, with absolutely 0 miles to show for it! The race officially hadn’t even happened. I went into complete melt down.

Originally posted by thefilmstage

Matt and Tim looked at me with the kind of pity you see in people’s eyes when you’ve lost a loved one or just seen your dog run over. Taking deep breaths, I managed to avoid a full scale tantrum in front of our new friends (who were possibly already giving me a wide berth). Sometimes you just have to take one for the team and get on with it.

Fortunately, I’ve got the attention span of a three year old on amphetamines, so managed to forget about it with the help of my old friend agony in my hip and the stunning fields covered in yellow buttercups we were running through. For the sake of posterity, I’ll point out that my hip really was extremely painful.

I’d like to make it clear that the fault was entirely my own. I’ve never had this happen before and it only happened due to my idiocy of not being ready at the start of the race. I managed to focus on the positive side; I may not have recorded the run, but the navigation had been faultless. Without the Suunto Ambit3 Run I know for sure that I would have been lost a hell of a lot more. Following that little black line and arrow really does take an enormous stress out of navigation. On a fastpacking trip, I’m not so concerned about stopping to check maps and compasses, but on a race with cutoffs, it was an enormous crutch.

Just over a third of the way past checkpoint 2 we ran through the entrance to Shelf Hall Park where we were joined by a bewildered ultra runner in sunglasses who looked at a loss as to where he should go and rather put out. I’m pretty sure we didn’t get a single word out of him for the duration he joined us, but did poke and grunt at the map a bit.

We were confronted by a very steep ravine which we all finally decided to descend into, although we had totally lost an obvious trail. Once we were next to the stream at the bottom, it was pretty clear we had lost our way and the climb on the other side was considerably worse than the descent.

Considerably steeper than it looks

Following the stream for 50 metres, we were confronted by a fallen tree and so decided to climb up the side. It was extremely step and we had to dig our shoes into the mud and pull up using tree roots/branches, occasionally helping each other out with bunk ups. I love getting lost - it usually leads to the most entertaining situations but our silent companion didn’t look so happy.

When I got to the top, I began to run and something went ‘ping!’ in my hip. The pain train had arrived on the platform and I was well and truly feeling it. Something must have given on the steep climb and it didn’t feel good.

The rest of the race for me was constant agony. I was still really enjoying the scenery and company, but hung back from everyone as I’d lost a lot of speed and preferred to shout expletives at myself where no one else could hear.

Turning a corner through some woods, I was confronted by some nightmarish sheep, which actually turned out to be llamas. I wasn’t thinking straight.

Sam ran behind me at one point and said “you know that your left foot is turning in at the toes right?” which reminded me of the exact same comment my friend Elaine had said to me towards the end of a long hilly run a few months before, which I had automatically ignored. He told me to try to run as if I was kicking a football to turn my foot out - his advice was an immediate improvement. After a short distance, my knee started to hurt as I wasn’t used to running in this way, but it was clear where the problem was to be found now at least.

Hitting a wooded trail up a hill filled me with joy - I was suffering on the flat and downhill section, but the steep climbs were fine, comparably anyway. Heading up a hill in what I think was Cromwell Wood, my friend Simon Green from team Ashmei came bounding past on the short ultra (28.5 miles), spotted me and ran back for a hug and a quick chat before bouncing off again. I had been hoping to catch him at some point and it cheered me up.

Later, Andrea said she wasn’t enjoying the more frequent roads we were running on this section of the race and I tended to agree. The harder surfaces certainly weren’t helping me either.

Passing a shop just after checkpoint three, Sam treated us all to an ice cream and a can of Coke. Asking if anyone wanted anything else, Tim asked for a packet of B&H cigarettes. They all laughed (not realising he was serious). Andrea and I were running along eating our ice cream and I opened my Coke. Suddenly everyone took off - Andrea laughed at my despondent look. She ran off too. No mercy.

The next 10 or so miles were eaten up in a haze of pain, canal paths and whining noises coming out of my mouth. I was starting to feel guilty for holding our little team up who were kindly hanging back for me, which was actually worse than the pain in my hip. I had promised myself that I would drag myself to the finish line, but I hadn’t counted on holding other people up by doing so.

On the run up to checkpoint 4, there was a 600m stretch of flat/gently ascending road. Everyone else had bounded ahead due to hunger and I was hobbling along in tow. Sammy, Lenora and Laura were due to meet us there and as I approached the checkpoint, Lenora came running down the road to me shouting daddy. At that point, I knew it was time to throw in the towel.

Checkpoint 4 was at 36.65 miles and according to Matt’s GPS (which had actually been started at the beginning of the race) we had done just over 40 miles. I made it there in 9 hours 40.

I told the marshals that I was out, spoke to the team who all understood entirely and gave them a high five, telling them to smash it for me. Sam told me that if the painkiller he gave me didn’t work, then I’d be foolish to have continued. I was disappointed to be dropping out so close to the end of the race but then I knew it was the right decision. Ultras aren’t meant to be easy and if it wasn’t a challenge, I wouldn’t have been doing it.

I’m a big believer in the saying that you learn more from your failures than your successes. The fact that I had learnt a lot really softened the blow of the DNF. Here’s what I learnt.

1) My left foot turns inwards and when I’m pushing speed, distance and vertical gain (bearing in mind I don’t usually race), the problem is compounded. I need to do some work on my running form.

2) I need to get up earlier and make sure I’m not on the toilet at the start of a race.

3) As a result of 2, I need to take time to make sure that I’m actually recording on my watch. Although this isn’t essential to completing a race, it certainly is to avoiding a meltdown.

4) My mental game was strong and if I can run 20 miles in pretty tough terrain on an extremely painful hip injury, then I did ok.

5) I still had a load in the tank. My legs were strong and if I hadn’t hurt my hip, I still had a hell of a lot more to give.

6) My nutrition and hydration was spot on. No stomach issues, no cramping and no problems.

All in all, a success, despite the failure. After a lie down and quick nap in the tent, Sammy, Laura, Lenora and I went to the finish line to cheer in the team. Matt had texted Laura giving us a heads up and they came in exactly on time.

Tim, Matt, Sam, Andrea and Steve all came in together at 12 hours 48, to a proud and jealous in equal measure me.

A few minutes later (6 to be exact), Jill, Isobel and Jayne crossed the finish line. I cheered them, followed by a sudden realisation that the ladies who had both saved us and repeatedly overtaken us had in fact come in behind Matt and Tim. It wasn’t a competitive thing at all; but a joyous outburst that at least two of us had clawed back a bit of dignity from their having to babysit us for at least 10 miles. Sam looked embarrassed and I realised my outburst wasn’t good form. Andrea realised she wasn’t the last woman and gave a similar outburst much to Sam’s now double embarrassment. Still, our early saviours had made it in and I was pleased for them.

A highlight of the race for me was when Sam and Andrea saw Tim having a cigarette by the finish line with Laura. I wish I had photographic evidence of the look on their faces before they cracked up laughing after realising that the request for B&H a few hours earlier was genuine. I honestly have no idea how Tim does it. He’s a positivity machine.

The full race results are available on this link so I won’t reel off who won, but I’d like to mention Jennifer and Paul Hopkinson, our camping neighbours and number 1 mixed couple on the race (who also gave me severe Bimobil envy). Also to Martin Davies who came in joint second - a really nice fella who hopefully I’ll be seeing again.

All in all an amazing race, a lot learnt and a great weekend in beautiful scenery with my family. Thank you very much John Lloyd, but I’ve got unfinished business - I’ll be back.

Written by Karen Hathaway - http://hathawaykaren.blogspot.co.uk

Starting on the edge of the Vatnajorkull glacier we would be running through the spectacular landscape of Iceland, carrying everything we would need excluding tent, finishing with a run up and down a (not active since Christmas) volcano in Myvatn 6 days and 250kms later.

Thanks to the T184 last year I was able to be a part of this race, I had no idea how stunning it would be and certainly could not have imagined how much I would now miss the adventure.

In the days leading up to the race my main aim was to get my pack down to as light as possible, I checked off all the mandatory kit, then had just the ‘luxuries’ to play with. The luxuries in this case were warmth and fuel, I decided to go with the minimum of both. No doubt I will be returning to that decision later..

2 flights, and a coach journey and we were at the start, we were to camp the first night at the Glacier and set off the following morning. We had been allowed to pack an emergency bag (only to be used if there was an extreme temperature drop) which we could utilise on this ‘the night before’ night.

My tent buddies Laura and Hayley were absolutely brilliant and helped make this experience as special as it was, anyone would have been great to share with as they were all genuinely lovely people. One thing multi day races have in abundance is camaraderie and I cannot go without sending a massive thanks to everyone involved in making this such a fantastic experience

Day One – 65.9km (Longest Stage)

We found out Day One would now be the longest stage, this created some discussion, true the longest stage would be when our bags were at their heaviest, but it also got the longest stage done whilst we were at our freshest. For me personally I’d have quite liked it Day Four or Five, but that’s just because I rate my stubbornness over my leg speed!

From left to right - Mohammed, Franck, Me, Einar, Gisli, Marie, Danielle, Jorunn, Roberto, Adam, Bobby, Roger, James, Alex, Jane, Nadia, Nick, Noel

Hayley, Garrard, Liz, Yuhki, Takao, Jan, Laura

We set off down the track for a short distance before following the red flags right and running on what felt like foam. It was very odd, rocks set on top of soft black ash, kind of spongey, kind of sandy, kind of rocky. The red flags stood out a mile on this black terrain and so following them was easy.

We changed from ash to track, to lava rocks (which required careful foot placement and balance) until we hit a track which took us through Alien-esque territory, it was beautiful yet eerie. I’m not surprised this area was the training ground for Astronauts to practise moon landings.

There were checkpoints along the way to pick up more water, they were very careful to make sure you were drinking enough, of course there was no food at these as you had to carry everything you needed, which meant no temptation to hang around the checkpoints too long.

I was carrying enough for 2000 calories a day, I had a breakfast expresso flapjack I’d made before I left, 3 gels and 2 bars for the running section, an expedition meal for a dinner, and a coconut macaroon treat for pudding. I ate a bit more on this first day leaving less for the much shorter last one.

I was actually finding this stage quite a challenge, I don’t think it was the rucksack; as in relation to most it was pretty small, maybe I went off a bit quick, maybe the magnitude of where we were overwhelmed me slightly, or maybe the terrain and long inclines had taken more out of my legs than I gave it credit for. Whatever the reason, I was very glad in getting to the last checkpoint and hearing there was only 12k to go.

I finished the stage in 5^th, 1^stfemale, as soon as I finished I did what would happen after every stage from here on in, pick a tent, unpack sleeping bag, get on warm clothes, and get in the hot water queue so I could have my dinner.

Today had not been easy, but that’s what we were all there for, and no matter how hard it had got the scenery had been so incredible and so unique, it had inspired you to keep pushing on, and I was definitely looking forward to putting my pack back on in the morning a one whole days worth of food lighter.

Day Two – 35.6km (Mountain Loop)

We were doing a loop on this stage so returning to the same campsite, we went downhill for the first 3km, awesome until you realised we had this to do in reverse to get back to our tents. This was a challenging stage, soft underfoot, leg sapping, and quite open, the wind picked up and made one section particularly difficult, but we were running alongside lava fields and seeing the steam rising up was pretty magical.

I finished in 5^th again, there was a slight change in order from day one, but knew I had to do something now if I wanted to go up in the rankings. The stages were all 35-40km until the final day, which meant I really needed to up my pace, my pack was light which I had to make the most out of, my legs felt good, and I was getting my usual pranic boost each night to help me recover for the following day.

I was however starting to feel a little hungry, I ate dinner straight after finishing to replace the energy, but with these shorter stages that meant quite a gap between dinner and breakfast the following morning, the nights were also pretty cold, and having not slept at all the first night, I was not confident I would sleep much again tonight. We had to carry an emergency foil bag (not the standard blanket) so I was in every piece of clothing I had, plus my sleeping bag, plus my foil bag, plus not much food inside me, ah well at least my pack was light! I didn't regret my choice, and I have never been called stubborn so many times at not accepting another runners jacket or item of food they did not need. Within the rules you could accept help from a fellow racer, however I decided I had made the decision to travel light,so should therefore live with it.

Day Three – 42.9km (described as the hardest day)

We started in thick fog.

Which absurdly soon became really hot

I was trying to run hard, the first 2 days now completed I had to push on as much as I could, and believe I could recover ready for the next day, and then the next and the next.

It was pretty good tracks for the first 10kms, and everyone seemed to be flying, a few of us hit the first checkpoint together, which then immediately sent us across rocks, which seemed to go in my favour and I started to move away from the others. I was in 2^nd at this point, not really sure by how much. I got in the rhythm of looking for the flag, head down and hop from rock to rock, look for the next flag, and do the same again, I was moving as quick as I could, and as soon as the flags directed us back onto a track, I made the most out of it, before the ground changed again.

The day heated up, there was one really long incline that never seemed to end, it was one of those where there were a dozen points you could think may be the top, but quickly become just a point on the way up.. It was on this climb I spotted the leader and with huge amounts of motivation overtook him and kept going. If I had taken a moment to question myself and ask did I go too early for home, Id have been answered in the following 5k by being overtaken myself by Adam– he was currently the overall leader, and had a brilliant knack of hitting the front just at the right time. This was one of those times, however I wasn’t going to give up easily, and kept as close as I could as we charged down the hill, and found ourselves back in amongst the rocks.

I thought we must be close to the finish now, found my opportunity to run for home and went, not being as careful as I should have, but finally seeing the banners signifying our campsite, and sprinted into the finish. I won the stage; what a relief!

Day Four – 40.8km (x 2 River Crossings)

We woke to this; who wouldn’t feel lucky to be out here.

River crossing day, there again was discussion in the camp this time as to how best approach this, to take or not to take the shoes off..

I was going to decided when I got there, my main aim was to get to the crossing first and keep pushing on. I had to close the time gap on those in front, and couldn’t afford to sit back.

I hit the crossing first; I kept my shoes on.

It was pretty much a marathon section on tracks this one, it was fast and tough, the shoulder straps were bruising my shoulders but spare socks helped (it was only when I was adamant to use everything I had carried that I wrapped compression bandage round them and found this worked much better!)

All I could think of was getting to the finish, there was constant pressure from Adam, Franc, Bobby, and Takao, it was hard work, in the end it was Takao who took the lead 5km from the finish, and I had to settle for 2^nd.

The campsite was freezing, the wind was outrageous, the tents were weighted down with rocks, I finished and had to accept this would be my 4^th night of very little sleep.

Day Five – 34.8km (Sand Dunes)

We woke to a cold, damp, and windy morning, the mountain we had to first get over was covered in mist, grateful for the flags we had no problem navigating our way up and over it. We finally saw greenery on this stage, the sand dunes were gorgeous to run up and down, grass at last! I loved this stage, it had everything, rocks, sand, tracks, even running through heathers, and best of all we knew at the end we would be taken to the natural hot spas where we could shower!!!

But first I had a section to run the hell out of, and boy did I try. There were five of us now clear of the field, it was an amazing feeling to be up there with them.

I tried my hardest but finished 4^th though I did manage to make up 20 mins from the last checkpoint to home; maybe I will suggest two long stages next time..

We were driven to the campsite for our final night, privileged to be right on the side of the spas, we were given our emergency drop bag which had our swim suits in and ran to the showers!

Day Six – 26.2km (Volcano)

Everyone was in high spirits, this was the last day, and they wanted us all to finish around the same time so we were having a staggered starts. The 5 of us went last, I took to the front having been told I was in 4^th, just 10 minutes behind 3^rd.

The strategy for me was get to the volcano first, get up in, round the top, get myself down one way of another and then sprint for home. Easy. I couldn’t think about anyone else, I ran out at the front where the wind was insane. I had no idea how far the others were behind me, not far enough! I missed the turn up to the volcano and was passed by Franck and Takao.

Running round the crater at the top the wind got worse, literally taking your feet away from you, I got close to the edge a few times, and for the first time wondered if a heavier pack would have helped!

By the time I was all the way round the top the two in front were already on the descent, and with 5km to the finish I just couldn’t catch them up, I tried, Mohammed gave me my flag as I ran into the finish even then I was still trying.

Danielle who had unfortunately had to pull out on the second day, surprised us all by being at the finish, it shows they type of person she is wanting to be there for everyone.

Out of us 5 we finished how we started the final stage, massive congratulations to Adam, and to everyone who ran, some huge personal achievements, and some amazing results, especially to Laura who earned herself the 'peoples' vote, so very well deserved.

What a race. What a country. What a group of amazing people.

I finished 4^th, 1^st lady, and have come away some very special memories, friendships, and an increased passion to take me onto whatever comes next.

Written by Karen Hathaway - http://hathawaykaren.blogspot.co.uk/

Firstly I want to apologise to all those people I either didn’t ask their name, or have forgotten, thank you for all your help, it was an incredible race and the support I’ve received has been overwhelmingly excellent. Thank you so much.

Thames Ring 250 then, does exactly what it says on the tin – 250 miles starting in Goring, taking the Thames Path to Brentford, then the Grand Union Canal up to Northampton, then the Oxford Canal down to Oxford, finally back on the Thames Path to the finish.

With checkpoints roughly every 25 miles, a drop bag would be transported round, so you only needed to carry enough for a marathon, plus a few mandatory pieces of kit.

Route we start in the SW corner, and go anticlockwise.

250 miles is pretty hard to get your head round at times, in the run up I kept reminding myself I’d already done 184, and tried to write a game plan for pace/timings. From all the racing I’ve now done, one thing I have learnt is break it into small steps, it then stopped being 250 miles, and became 9 checkpoints.

I made a plan based on 5 miles an hour to start with, reducing to 4 miles an hour, mainly to give my friends/family an idea on where I’d be when, make sure I wasn’t going too fast at the beginning, and most importantly ensure I could be finished in time to get my daughter to the coach for her dance show in London. Basically I had to finish in under 70hrs to make the coach, with the ladies record currently being 79hrs, I had to break it, but I’d promised Jordan I’d be there; so be it!

Dropped off at the start in Goring Wednesday morning, I had my kit checked, picked up number [23] had the tracker taped into my pack by the race director Lindley – actually I just remembered I made him untape it and do it again the other way round, bet he thought what a diva he had on his hands!

I also took up the option of a taking a key so I could unlock the water taps at the locks, I wasn’t going to bother, but the day was already warming up, and it was one of those moments where I knew I’d kick myself if I got to the stage I was out of water and the tap was locked, I’d remember turning down the offer of a key and get very annoyed at myself.

I had about half hour to go, the room was filling up, 38 were to start, I recognised a few from other races either where I’d run or supported, it was a busy in the hall but still space to think and get your head together. I filled my spare soft flask, deciding to run with the extra 500ml, 1 litre was mandatory but my pack was pretty light, so why not, it was going to be hot, and although you could stop at pubs, shops, locks to refill, I preferred to have it with me.

For this race I was going to be wearing sensors compliments of ViMove, they would be attached to my shins, and would record data such as foot fall, the force coming down onto each leg, ground impact time, running form, and lots more way above my understanding, and then what happens with fatigue, and this amount of miles. The company is Australian, and Shane Benzie from Running Reborn has been working with them here in the UK. I was excited to wear them for this race. Shane has helped make many adjustments to my running style over the past year, and changed how I think about body movement, of course I would do this for science.

The start was right on the Thames Path in Goring, a short walk from the hall we had registered in.

Checkpoint 1 – Hurley Farm Caravan Park - Distance to checkpoint 27 miles.

Okay so I shouldn’t need to look at my map for this leg, I’ve been on this path of the route MANY times now. Thanks to a night shift at work I was given the brilliant advice of route cards, and had put key points of the navigation onto a small piece of paper which I could keep close to hand and quickly refer to if needed. I’d also put on there distance information, water points, and my rough idea on timings.

A few minutes before we started, I did an invocation for tremendous energy to see me through the race, belief I could do this and to enjoy the journey. A thanks for all the help I will be getting, and basically that was it, relax, focus, eat well, and enjoy myself.

10:00 we were off, everything felt as it should, running form checked (a quick technique check list to ensure I was moving correctly) it was a beautiful morning, and I settled into the top 10.

I walked the inclines, ran for 55 mins and had a 5 mins walk, it kept me in check, and hopefully would help keep me running longer, I did the same in the T184 and that worked well. This leg passed quickly, I was wearing a garmin to keep an eye on pace, which I would charge at a checkpoint and swap it over, the fact the same drop bag was being moved for us meant we could charge things like garmins, phones, ipods, swap them over, and get them back the next checkpoint on. Logistically this must have been a bit of a nightmare for Lindley but it was brilliant for us.

Paul Ali popped up just before Reading taking photos, (of runners, not just randomly taking photos!..) I think I was faffing with my pack at the time, but it was good to see him. It wasn’t long before I bumped into 2 other people I knew out on a lunchtime run. A very quick oh my goodness hi and that was it. I was running by myself now having been briefly with Pete and Andy, and I figured I could be on my own for the rest of the race, with so few on the start line we were going to be well spread out.

I said I knew this part of the route, but I still pulled out the GPS at times and checked I was on track, I’d packed lots of batteries for it, there was no way I was adding miles to this route by going wrong.

I was nearing 27 miles, I was a little ahead of time, but wasn’t concerned, I was however worried I’d actually managed to run through the checkpoint, realising I was at the wrong caravan park, ran on to the correct one a little bit further on.

Checkpoint 1 - thanks Lindley and Maxine

Position 5^th Wednesday 14:36 – Total Distance 27 miles.

My bags were there; we were allowed 2 with a joint weight 23kg. That’s holiday weight. I had one of food, and the other for kit. The food was heaviest, a bag for each checkpoint I could quickly refill my pack with – a mix of flapjacks, bagel, cereal bars, gels. I also needed to refill bottles, electrolytes, and restock plasters/pain killers/batteries if I’d used them. I wrote on the bag key things I needed to do for example ‘take headtorch’ ‘swap watch’ and how to leave the checkpoint, for example stay LHS (left hand side) of river for 3 miles.

Trophys we all had hidden in our drop bags at checkpoint 1.

There were fresh strawberries on the checkpoint, awesome, I ate whilst I sorted my pack, grabbed a bag of crisps and walked out the checkpoint.

One down. Onto the next one.

Checkpoint 2 – Chertsey Bridge – Distance to the Checkpoint 28 miles

My sister was going to meet me at Checkpoint 2, I was an hour ahead of plan, as I said the pace plan was more of a guideline…. I was running comfortably, I could have walked more I suppose to bring the pace down, but I thought I’d just keep going as I was, I hadn’t allowed for any sleep on my pace plan, which I had realised last minute, so I was thinking this could buy me a rest stop.

I was asked about my plans for sleeping when I mentioned to people I was doing this, in the T184 last year (an unsupported 184 miles along the Thames Path) I did not stop, I didn’t feel the need at all to, in fact I never even had that dawn tiredness I can sometimes get. But this would be 3 days plus, my only answer was to see how I felt, we could sleep at checkpoints if required, I reckon if anything I would aim for short 20 min power naps if my body got to the point where it was shutting down and going into sleep mode.

I caught up with Martin on this leg, he had come off the back of the GUCR and was not having a good time, the day was heating up, and unfortunately he had already made plans in case he stopped at Checkpoint 2. Luke was still well ahead of me, but this early on in the race, anything could happen, he had also a very recent race in his legs, South Downs 100 just 10 days before, I was speechless, that’s remarkable, I’ve got no excuse then, I had been tapering for the last 2 weeks, I felt almost guilty!

I just needed to stay relaxed, and get to the next checkpoint.

Talking to Martin, I found out records were going to be set in this race, 3 runners had set of days before aiming for 2 loops of the 250, two had finished the first loop yesterday, and one had restarted with us this morning, 500 miles!!!!! I had no response to that, well I did and let’s pretend it was clean. Javed Bhatti is epic. To take on the challenge is inspiring enough, he was taking it on and smashing it. It inspired me throughout the rest of the race, massive thanks and congratulations.

I had new trainers on, not advisable in any way, my old ones had a good few races in them, so in a panic days before this race ordered some more, they were the same model but the support just didn’t feel the same, Id packed my old pair , and was looking forward to changing them over.

The day was cooling down thankfully, I’d drunk all 3 flasks, and refilled twice, I was eating pretty well, and was progressing along the course. I had recced from this point most parts I thought may be tricky, I was looking forward to actually racing on those parts now, confident I was going the correct way. The problem reccing on your own, (and not being organised enough to arrange public transport) is an out and back run halves the distance of the actual course you can cover. I had done a through the night run on the Grand Union Canal which happened to fall on the actual weekend of the GUCR. Dan Lawson won the race who I’d met for the first time in Turin, a genuinely lovely guy, many congratulations to him, and everyone part of the race that weekend, some superb results and achievements.

My sister Leanne had made it to checkpoint 2, it was wonderful to see her, my bags out and ready for me, she said I was in 2nd place, I didn’t believe her, I was sure I was 5th, but she was right, I was wrong (doesn’t bode well being disorientated this early) I was indeed in 2^nd, more strawberries, remembered to change trainers, packed my bag again, and ran out of the checkpoint this time with my bag of crisps… What?! My sister was there, I’m hardly going to walk.

Checkpoint 2 - photo courtesy of Lindley

It’s funny she had bought my 4yr old nephew and daughter Jordan to see me at Caesars Camp 100 when I was doing that one, bless him, Jordan knows mid-way in the race I’m going to be walking the hills but I hear a tiny innocent voice ask, “Auntie Karen, aren’t you supposed to be ‘running’?”

Position 2^nd – Wednesday 20:01 – Total Distance 55 miles

Checkpoint 3 – Yiewsley Horton Bridge 193 - Distance to Checkpoint 27 miles

I had recced this quite recently and had gone wrong, I knew where and so was looking out for the turn I missed. It was an easy mistake, there had been a funfair going on, and procession, which I’d found myself in the middle of, nothing of the sort going on this evening, found the turn, and it made perfect sense where I popped out.

Just by 2 is the turning I missed

Procession on my recce, urn 2 is just to the left

Kingston, Teddington, Isleworth all went to plan, we were gearing up to join the GUC in Brentford, I had recced this, Syon Park was just before, but the gates would be closed if you got there too late, it was past midnight so I assumed I would be taking the longer road route. Nope; Gates open, I ran through.

Hold up, what if they are in the process of closing and the exit gates are closed? Hmm …Run quicker.?!

Literally through the gates, cross the road and I would be on the GUC, a huge mile stone accomplished, just need to get through this park. A single pedestrian gate was open, thank goodness, next step was onto the canal and then cross over bridge 207 to RHS.

Taken during a recce, race time was about 0100

The bridges were counting down, from 207 I had to get to 193 for the checkpoint, the next few days I would be looking at bridge numbers and trying to materialise bridges infront of me. The kicker is, when you’ve been going for a good mile without a bridge and then you reach one and its preceded with the letter a, if you’re unlucky you get a b, and c too. Those bridges do not count, they are just there to taunt you.

At last bridge 193, and the welcome site of the checkpoint, the fantastic checkpoint crew and Lindley, I cannot thank them enough, they were so helpful and caring, and definitely lifted my spirits.

Luke was an hour ahead of me, he was having a fantastic run.

Position 2^nd – Thursday 02:26 - Total Distance 82 miles.

Checkpoint 4 – Berkhamstead – The Rising Sun – Distance to Checkpoint 24 miles

This was the first night almost completed and thankfully I wasn’t tired, I didn’t really expect to be, but I was looking forward to the sun coming up, taking off the head torch, and running into a new day.

I was going to be meeting Shane along the route somewhere around here about 0700 to change the sensors on my legs and a new battery pack. I’d be gutted if the data had not registered for any odd reason, I'd been working hard to keep my running form as we have worked on, so when I saw him and he swapped them over and docked the pair I’d been wearing into the laptop, hearing an “OH” was not the greatest moment. Turns out it was an unrelated Oh and all the data was there. Fantastic, now move on.

Navigating was quite straight forward on this leg, a few bridges to cross, in a way that made it harder, as it seemed to go on and on. I was definitely starting to feel a days’ worth of running in my legs.

The next checkpoint would take us through the 100 miles mark, which was a very good thing. I had Angela Rigby back home working to her pranic plan, we’ve been doing this during races for several years now. Pranic Healing is a form of energy healing, and as nervous as I was initially to talk about it, assuming people would think I was a bit weird, the results and how I am as a person reflect its positivity, its honestly changed my life, it helps repair my body very quickly now, and has cleared a lot of emotion I was carrying, allowing me to move on with clearer focus, dealing with even everyday things on a different level.

Les Flitcroft the UK and Ireland teacher and direct student of Master Choa was overseeing this race, he’s told me all along if I run free of emotion, do everything right, I can achieve more than I can imagine. Going over some of the meditations in my head got me refocused, I was almost 100 miles in, I was fixed on the next checkpoint, and ultimately the finish.

Morning was glorious, I hadn’t drunk very much during the night, which I would need to sort out. Dehydration has wrecked many a race, and with 150 miles to go, I could not afford to let that become an issue.

As I ran into Checkpoint 4 I had already planned on what I would eat –it was breakfast time, so cereal. I’d bought rice milk in small cartons, which were ideal, cereal and a coffee and that was one used. A mix of 3 cereals made the perfect breakfast, I was happy, eating, getting some help to refill my bottles by the lovely ladies there, and perfect, some tinned fruit, breakfasts don’t get better than this!

Position 2^nd – Thursday 08:46 – Total Distance 106 miles

Checkpoint 5 – Milton Keynes under Bridge 90c – Distance to Checkpoint 25 miles

Still on the GUC infact we would be for the next 2 legs, it was hard going, I hold my hat up to anyone having done the GUCR, it was grassy, rutted, incredibly leg sapping, and annoyingly in the day quite difficult to find somewhere for a quick pee break. The good news was even though the day was heating up again, I don’t think I was dehydrated, I was carrying the 3 soft flasks, I had had a good drink at the checkpoint, and already refilled a flask when I found a tap. Things were going pretty well, It felt like I was getting somewhere, just get through Milton Keynes, then one more checkpoint and I would be on the Oxford Canal, then it’s the Thames Path and then I’m done!

I had something a kind of way marker now on each leg, this leg was the Bluebells café, it just broke up the section, this would be open going by my timings, which if I had wanted to I could have bought myself a treat, I didn’t, deciding the actual treat was knowing I was now halfway through this leg, was on the right course, and was still moving at a good pace.

Through Leighton Buzzard, this was Ridgeway country, I have done that race a couple of times, stunning, was nice to feel the familiarity of the area, and definitely cheered me up. I had loads to be cheerful for, It was Thursday afternoon, my pack was not rubbing, I hadn’t needed any additional layers through the night, I wasn’t sleepy, I was eating and drinking well, I hadn’t got lost yet, I had so much support, and at this rate I would be there for Jordans coach, okay probably not skipping along, but I’d keep my promise!

Milton Keynes was under a motorway bridge hence the 90c, it was run by a bunch of brilliant guys, one of whom ran down 800m or so to meet me and ask if I wanted anything specific he could call ahead for. I needed a drink, they’d had orange squash on all the other checkpoints, so I said that, turns out orange juice was the order of the day here so they watered me down a cup, which went down a treat.

Luke was several hours ahead, he’d had a very good section.

Position 2^nd – Thursday 15:16 – Total Distance 131 miles

I was asked about the sensors on my legs, had a quick chat about that whilst they helped me pack by bag, ate more strawberries, and got going again.

Checkpoint 6 – Nether Heyford Village Hall – Distance to checkpoint 26 miles

This next checkpoint I needed to have my wits about me, you came off the canal at bridge 32 run up a lane and into the village hall. During my recce I missed this completely. I did redo it correctly and made myself aware opposite the bridge you turn off at is a pub with a massive union jack flag. Surely between the route card, map, GPS, and visual clues, I would not miss it this time.

This was another hard section, the bends in the canal didn’t help, when you turned each one to see there was no bridge, I was currently at bridge 90c and the next way marker for me was bridge 53, which was Blisworth Tunnel. Here you leave the canal join a road and turn left into a carpark and down a very steep path to the canal again. I’d started a recce here earlier, and it didn’t occur to me at all that the very steep downhill to the canal, must mean there was a very steep uphill first! There was. It was inappropriately steep.

I must have been feeling good as I ran up half of it, yomped the rest (or tabbed as I’ve been told I’m meant to say) I even ran a fair bit of the uphill road section, I reckon being on road I was overwhelmed with gratitude, and got carried away running. I loved it. I knew where I was going, knew what to look out for and how to find that important left turning. If I hadn’t of recced I may otherwise have missed it.

I’d put some gaiters on at checkpoint 2, which in the recce I hadn’t bothered to wear, and regretted it, stopping every 5 mins to clear dried spikey grass from my trainers, legs and feet are not appreciative of that this far into a race, recces do hold many benefits.

Bridge 32 still felt a long way off, but I knew it would for everyone, if I could try and see it positively that would be my saving grace. The longer this section was the greater my chances of catching Luke, he was have a blinder, to be running this strong after the SDW100 is impressive, we’d definitely broken the back of this race now, and after Nether Heyford, on the map it was across the top, and then its all downhill to the finish. This is where I should find my strength too, and would really start to zone in on the finish. Just thinking about finishing and the elation made me speed up, I love that feeling, I got goose bumps, there was no question I would finish this, and I would finish strong.

I checked the GPS, the bridge was now on the same screen, I was almost there, more road, bring it on, the daylight was going, I stupidly hadn’t picked up a head torch, I wouldn’t make that mistake again, I just needed to get back into the open and the light would be enough to get me to the checkpoint.

I saw a head torch, one of the Milton Keynes crew was there at the bridge and ran with me into the village hall (good job too as I thought it was on the opposite side of the green than it was) he told me Luke had stopped at the checkpoint for a sleep and when he awoke he had had some issues, and so decided the best decision was to not continue. That must have been an awful decision to make, my heart went out to him, I was now in first but Luke had not deserved an end to his race like that. I really do wish him all the best for whatever is next for him.

My mind was set, I would not be stopping unless I was actually asleep on my feet.

Position 1^st – Thursday 22:20 – Total Distance 157 miles. (93 miles to go!!!)

Lindley was at the checkpoint, with a surprise bag of goodies, he’d bought me a range of gluten free treats, things he hadn’t seen in my kit bag. See what I mean, fantastic. The chocolate rice cakes were an instant success, and from there on I left every checkpoint with one.

Checkpoint 7 – Fenny Compton Wharf Inn Bridge 136 – Distance to checkpoint 28 miles

I feel really bad I don’t know his name but the same Milton Keynes chap ran (actually no, we walked, my knees needed breaking back in after standing at the checkpoint, plus it was a hill so totally acceptable to walk) back out of the checkpoint with me, and got me to bridge 29 and back on the canal path, and off I went again.

94 miles to go, and on this leg I would leave the GUC and join the Oxford Canal, I was hearing how Javed was doing on his 500 mile run, and was totally blown away at how amazing he was doing, 82 hours for the first leg, and still happy and going strong.

I’d told Lindley I was aiming for under 70, he looked a little surprised that I wanted to take 9hrs off the current ladies record, I was on course for 66hrs possibly, which would be unbelievable, if I kept this together I should get well under 70hrs, and with the distance between me and second place, I was determined to win this outright.

I kept getting a little nervous they were catching me, especially on this next section as I really slowed. I had what I would probably describe as a total nightmare, and complete malfunction.

I didn’t sleep, but I was getting sleepy, I had slowed right down, the ground was challenging, lots of tall grass, tufts of grass easy to twist ankles on, a pretty severe camber towards the canal, and my glasses which I was relieved I’d packed, suddenly became blurry out of one eye. In my sleepy state, it took me a while to touch the lens to see if it was smudged, and actually poked myself in the eye instead.

Ah I see what’s happened here. I thought it must have popped out when I messed around with my head torch and headband, so I back stupidly backtracked like an idiot!!

I got a bit frustrated I couldn’t see clearly.

My pack then all of a sudden started to rub. So I took it all off (my rucksack!, just my rucksack, I wasn’t that delirious quite yet) got out some tape and blister plaster and with arms that no longer worked in a way that could reach the centre of my back, tried to put on compeed. Everything back on, it still hurt but what else could I do.

I was now cold, off came the rucksack again to get out my waterproof jacket – back on.

I was back running, so now hot – rucksack off again – jacket off, each time I was paranoid Id left something behind so had to between faffs faff again to make sure my tracker or phone was still in my bag.

2 hours to cover 4 miles. I needed the morning to come soon.

That was probably my slowest section, my eyes were drooping, but I couldn’t really sleep until the next checkpoint, so I just had to get through it. Leaves and branches now became people ahead of me, canal barges all had someone onboard until I got close and saw that there wasn’t, lights were head torches, some of them even danced infront of me.

I love running with a tracker, it makes you feel like you have your friends, family, people supporting you all the way round, certainly keeps you honest too, and limits your walk breaks to only where necessary! I was starting to feel like I was letting myself down, thoughts I did not need and would only make things harder, just keep going, on the map the Braunston Tunnel was coming up, that was my next marker, just keep it together.

Okay time for more caffeine, and an energy boost to wake me up. Expresso flapjacks. A genius idea given to me, 12 shots of expresso in the tray of flapjacks I’d baked, and they were the best thing ever, delicious and smelt almost chocolatey they had so much coffee in. I was getting to checkpoints now and picking up extra ones of these and ditching other food, these expresso flapjacks were definitely a thing!

I was an idiot, and I don’t think I can blame lack of sleep. I left the canal one bridge too early for the tunnel, I had painfully climbed up stairs, up a road and realised this was not how I remembered it to look. Back down onto the canal, to the next bridge which clearly stated Braunston Tunnel. Maybe these ‘people’ ahead of me could be helpful and give me directions, instead of just dancing round with head torches!!

This was a small section away from the canal, it was tricky but the first part of the path was pretty overgrown with nettles, if I didn’t know this was the correct way, I may have questioned it, and gone back to the road to double check there wasn’t another path I’d missed.

Up a hill, a welcome walk break, and then back onto the canal.

There were 2 bridges now where you could join the Oxford Canal, the first one you DO NOT take, I use caps as the map uses caps, hopefully everyone got this bit right as that would be gutting, and not easy at this stage in the race to laugh off.

The second time you leave the GUC and start on the Oxford Canal, finally. Marvellous, more tedious grass to contend with, this time recently cut so scuffing grass cuttings with every step, but at least we were heading towards the finish now.

But morning was here and that helped!

Shane was meeting me to change the sensors again, my legs were feeling trashed, I wasn’t doing a 55 min run 5 min walk anymore, I was just walking any incline, and with all these locks there were a lot. I almost had a strop. I say almost, it wasn’t really a strop, I was just very tired, I was in pain, the bridges were not appearing as quickly as I’d like them to, and the checkpoint was still 30 or so bridges away.

Shane called to say which bridge he was going to meet me at to change over the sensors on my shins, I started directing my frustration of being in pain at them, slightly unfair, they were not causing me pain, but I was aware of them, and the more I focused on the pain in my legs the more I thought if I took them off the pain would lessen. I was running to knock as much off the ladies record as I could, the mens was beyond me now, but I was still concerned I could get caught, and here I was carrying additional weight on my legs. (It honestly wasn't much extra weight, but my mind was determined to get upset at something!) . I told Shane I was thinking about taking them off, I hung up.

I had an hour now before I met up with him, and enough time to get a grip! I’d committed to collect 250 miles worth of data, and I am not going back on that now. I met Shane, he changed them over pretty much in silence, he could see the pain in my face, I know this data is special, no one else has run this far with them on, and what could be extracted would excite a lot of people, okay maybe just 1 or 2, but even so I had agreed to do it, I would continue with them on, no more doubt about it. I am so glad I got through that, they didn't bother me again.

The next checkpoint was just around the corner, 185 miles, officially the furthest I had ever run.

Position 1^st – Friday 08:21 – Total Distance 185 miles

Checkpoint 7 thanks Lindley!!

More cereal, more flapjacks packed. Lindley was there to take some more dodgy photos, plus I saw the chap who had been at most of the other checkpoints, I’m really sorry I also do not know his name, but he’d checked my kit at registration, and helped me change batteries and all sorts at a lot of the other checkpoints. At this one he popped into my rucksack some of his gels, which he said would be easier to take than my own, a caffeine one (great shout) and an orange normal one, he was right, I’d heard hi five gels were pretty nice, and honestly I quite liked them. Thank you Mr Gel man, they were most appreciated.

Checkpoint 8 – Lower Heyford under bridge 206 – Distance to checkpoint 24 miles

2 checkpoints to go, into the third day of running, powered by will, prana, caffeine, the fear of stopping I would seize, and the overwhelming urge to finish strong. Plus I had a date to make, Jordan you shall go to the dance!

I had a good spell, for some reason I was running with what felt like starting out pace, I was flying, I felt great, I made the most out of this adrenalin, and got into the groove, of run, walk incline, run, walk incline and eat, run. The pain in my legs was not getting any worse, and for almost 200 miles run, I felt better than I ever thought I would.

I heard the 2 guys behind me Pete and Andy were about 2 hours behind, it was hard to confirm, but I had a bit of a gap, didn’t seem enough, so I kept pushing on, I cannot remember exactly where on the course but great chap called Dave who had been watching the tracker came out to cheer me on, we had a few words, he knew of the T184 and was going to be doing it himself, I wished him well, that race is one of my favourites, I wish I could be out there again, maybe next year. Chuffed to bits, elated, shocked I spose that someone would come out just to cheer me on, meant an awful lot, I was enjoying this good spell.

Through Banbury and then it was Heyford, I ran up to the checkpoint to see someone in a green race hoodie on the bridge taking photos, I tried a smile the good spell had worn off a little, but knowing only Abingdon to go and then the finish was enough to get me smiling.

Photo courtesy of Kathy Tytler - who is actually in the next one

More gels, thanks Mr Gel man, kit sorted, all smiles, I was feeling great.

Checkpoint 8 - photo courtesy of Lindley

Position 1^st – Friday 15:00 – Total Distance 209miles

Checkpoint 9 – Abingdon – Distance to checkpoint 24 miles

Uh oh, as I left the checkpoint I felt a familiar sharp pain in my right knee. This would not do at all! Each step on that leg was touching on agony. My dreams of finishing strong suddenly came crashing around me. I got out of site of the checkpoint and stopped. Held my knee and moved my foot back and forth. It was the picking the foot up behind you action which was the killer. Fine I just wouldn’t do that. I tried running with it straight legged, then to the side, then I grinned and just had to bear it.

I stopped again, did some basic Pranic Healing on it, walked for a good 10 mins.

I texted Les. I needed some help urgently.

The signal was pretty poor here, I hoped he had got the message, I massaged my knee and surrounded muscles, and tried to not let the emotion and disappointment take over.

I walked on, it hurt.

I walked some more, it wasn’t getting better. I texted again, Les was teaching in Spain and so chances were he was in class and hadn’t seen my message. I knew he would help as soon as he could.
He had got the message.

Within 30 minutes, I was running back to normal, the shooting pain had stopped, and I was back on track. Whether you choose to believe or not in Pranic Healing, I was running again, and the finish was within my reach.

I took note of where I was on the course, so I could explain to Shane why my running form had gone weird, I didn’t tell him which leg, but from his review of the data since the race, he could see it was the right one.

Within about 5 mins the heavens opened and I was soaked through. It wasn’t just rain, this was torrential proper wet rain.

I put on my waterproof jacket, put everything else into a dry bag, and kept moving.

One thing I did realise quickly, was testing new shorts is great, but they should be tested out in the rain too. These ones chaffed like nobody’s business, the inside of my thigh was getting raw, if this rain continued I would have to come up with a plan.

Luckily the downpour subsided, and I dried out pretty fast.

One more leg and then it’s the LAST CHECKPOINT!! Abingdon, and back on the Thames Path.

Oxford was where you picked up the Thames Path, I had recced this bit, and sailed through the directions. Although it dragged on longer than I had wanted. Once under an exceedingly low railway bridge you find the acorn way marker of the Thames path, I couldn’t help but smile, and send thanks for getting me this far.

I stupidly had not recce this part of the course, short for time in the lead up, I had assumed I knew the way and recce the other sections instead. I had done the entire path only last year so I should be okay?!. The problem was the T184 is run in the other direction, and I was not recognising as much as I’d of liked.

I met another T184 runner (again I would like to have remembered his name) who lived closed and had come out to show support, the camaraderie between runners is amazing, I thanked him for his time, wished him well as he was about to take on the T184 challenge.

I was pretty pleased with the pace I was going when I had a run on, my walks were basically there as a way to flush out the build-up of pain, a few seconds and then I got running again, however put an incline in front of me and I had to walk it.

Still eating and drinking, I was moving well.

A while back I mentioned leaving a checkpoint without a head torch, I vowed not to make that mistake again, I’m an idiot. I shouldn’t have needed one, but as the clock got to 21:30 then 22:00 I was running out of light and still had a few miles to go to the checkpoint.

Checkpoint 9 when the crew set up, notice the daylight!

Slight panic, I wasn’t recognising this part of the course, I’d already made a complete blunder and back tracked questioning whether the map and GPS was correct – don’t ask, I was getting delirious and I recognised the other side of the river, what I was recognising from a previous race, and I was indeed on the correct side for this one!

I rang home, I was now in a covered wooded area and couldn’t see a thing, I checked my tracker was still on the right course, which it was. My GPS had a torch built in, but not knowing the area, not having changed the batteries in quite a while, and setting it to the minimum setting, I was struggling to see where I was going. This is one of my worst nightmares, there seemed to be all sorts of tracks, I kept thinking I knew where I was, and then I didn’t, obviously the ‘ dancing people’ infront of me knew exactly where they were going, I’ll follow them.

I was getting closer, under a railway put of the woods, over a weir, I could see more now, and then the best thing, 2 actual people with actual head torches met me to run me into checkpoint 9.

Checkpoint 9 when I got there - trade sunglasses for head torch - thanks to Graeme Hackland for the photo

Position 1^st – Friday 23:29 – Total Distance 232 miles - Distance to FINISH 18 miles!!!!!!

18 miles, I could blast that, I was feeling confident, I didn’t bother with layers, my clothes were dry, 18 miles is a sprint compared to what we’ve just done, my dreams of finishing strong were coming true.

And then the Thames path bit me in the arse. It turned into a tiny slither of a track through tall wet freezing cold grass. I couldn’t run, I’d have tripped over. I tried my hardest to keep moving quickly, but was getting frustrated at how I should be running. I swore, several times, Im so glad it was silly-o-clock in the morning, I wasn’t thinking about sleep, how could I be this close to the finish, but if I shut my eyes though there was a definite risk I’d have fallen asleep, so I kept swearing at the grass, and hoping the track opened up and became runnable very soon.

I went through a set of 2 distinctive white gates.

I battled through another couple of fields of tall grass.

I went through a set of 2 distinctive white gates.

Oh no.

Please don’t tell me I’ve just gone round in a circle!!. I was convinced I had and in my panic was going to back track, why I didn’t think there could be more than 2 of the same gates in the world I don’t know. I carried on, and things looked better, the track was now open grassland alongside the river, I was relieved to be running, and was warming up a bit.

Then there were the cows.

Not just docile friendly harmless cows. These cows all looked up at the same time and ran at me. I am still arguing the point that this was not just tiredness setting in, that these cows actually all started charging at me with intent. I ran back the way I had come, through the gate, which was pointless as there was no fence either side.

I rang home it was 0300 or something like that:

Help! There are cows!

So?

So, they are charging at me!

No they are not, don’t be so silly!

I am NOT being silly, cows do that, they’re going to trample me.

Go round them then.

I can’t the field is massive, and I’ll get lost.

Then go through them!

(This is not the bloody bear hunt) I can’t!

Do you want to win this race?

Yes

Then bloody roar at them, you are a champion. DO IT.

<2 mins later, I’d walked through the field where not one cow had moved>

Okay, I’m through, honestly they did at charge at me the first time.

I was getting closer heading towards Goring, I was on top of the world, this part of the course though looks like it is further along than it actually is, for example I was convinced the finish was 3 miles earlier than it was, I was so convinced I upped the pace for the last 30 mins, I was sure once on a road that’s where you hit the Swan pub, I was caning it down the road, the pain seemed to disappear from my legs something took over I was totally in the zone, nothing was going to stop me...except there was no Swan pub, I turned the corner, this must be where you head off for the Swan pub, again no Swan pub, I tried my hardest to keep it going and not panic, another corner, this must be it, finally I knew exactly where I was, I was sprinting, rather, in my head I was sprinting. Found the Swan pub, just down by the church to go and I’m there!

When I said I knew exactly where I was, that was not completely true, I ran up to the finish from the wrong direction. I shouted hey I’m here, Lindley and the guys at the finish all had their backs to me!

Bless her Gill asked I do it again so she could video it, “sure”, so the video of the finish on facebook was actually take 2. Fortunately the bottom corner which I was now running round was where the trackers registers you as finishing, so if I hadn’t done it again, I would still be showing as being in Goring not ever having actually finished the race!

What a feeling!!!!! I can’t even begin to describe how I felt, and how grateful I was to everyone who had helped me, or shown their support. The messages I’ve read since more than made anything I had gone through worthwhile, I didn’t know what to do with myself, except enjoy how I felt in that moment.

The finish!! Thanks Lindley and Maxine for this one!

Unlike T184 I had a lift home from this one, which I am unbelievably grateful for, and with a finish time of 68:21 I would be home in time for Jordan.

I had to leave immediately, I would have loved to stay around, especially to see Javed in, what a legend, and inspiration to how much of a part your attitude plays in these things. He never once stopped smiling or helping those around him.

Javed and Lindley at the finish - photo courtesy of Jill Elomar

I did return Sunday, after some eventual sleep, caught up with Lindley, Maxine and some of the other runners, we then all cheered Spenser in, and heard the funniest story of how he was trapped in a tiny maze and needed Lindley the maze master to help him out.

A massive congratulations to everyone who completed the challenge, and best wishes to those where things did not go to plan. What a race, I’m still buzzing. May have something to do with the expresso flapjacks I’m still getting through.

I cannot thank everyone enough for making this race as special as it was.

Lindley and everyone involved in the event. http://www.thamesring250.moonfruit.com/

Les Flitcroft and Angela thank you so very much. http://www.ukpranichealing.co.uk/

Shane Benzie and those at ViMove https://runningreborncoaching.wordpress.com/vimove/

Mike Chisholm and physio studio http://www.physiostudio.com/

SOS hydration, thanks very much, I may need topping up after this one. http://sosrehydrate.com/

Andy Ayre http://shepherdswalks.co.uk/ for his help getting the route onto my GPS.

Jordan, Leanne, and my brilliant friends and colleagues you’ve put up with a lot over the last few weeks, thanks so much for being there.

And to all those showing support, this race received an unbelievable response, I am so grateful to have been a part of such an exciting experience.

Written by Karen Hathaway - http://hathawaykaren.blogspot.co.uk

48 hours

160 miles

1 HILL

If that doesn’t excite you enough; if you’re not on pace to complete you’re off, if you stop for more than 30 minutes you’re off.

Race full at 40 runners. First year = 1 finisher, second year = 3 finishers, third year = we’ll see.

I was good to go; well as good as I was going to be. I had missed a fair bit of training due to other things going on, but the mind was focused and I was really looking forward to the challenge.

Thanks to the very empty toll road after a not so empty M25 I got to the start on time. The Cat and Fiddle Inn was to be our fantastic base camp; warm, welcoming, and full of runners and kit boxes.

I registered, caught up with a few familiar faces, said “hi” to a whole load of new ones, and starting trying to work out what to wear. It wasn’t cold, and not raining, just WINDY.

The wind was already feeling gale force, walking back and forth to the car lugging kit was a mission in itself, Javed was there to help me, lucky too as I couldn’t even open the front door in the wind!

Kit was going to have to be stored inside just to prevent it from blowing away; which would make changing easier anyway, and hopefully quicker, food/drink was fine outside, there was a place to leave it just behind the dibbing station.

So then dibbers. Round the wrist or neck and told you MUST dib at the top of the hill, and back in the car park or the entire lap would not count. I certainly wasn’t to run a lap for free, as fun as it may be, I would need every one of the 55 laps to count.

The start 20:00 Friday night, sirens, cheers, and 37 of us running down the road with the wind behind us, and feeling invincible.

No headphones allowed, no problem, couldn’t have heard a thing anyway. The wind was insane. Not one part of the course was sheltered from it. As you ran towards the hill it was behind you, there was one particular stretch it literally picked you up and catapulted you along the path; which would have been great except I couldn’t really see where my feet were landing and I tripped many many times on the rocks.

My legs were feeling good so made the most out of the ‘help’ relaxing and running quicker down this stretch, pretty much just hoping for the best in where it took me. There were several smaller hills along this part and I liked to think the wind would at least be on our side for these.

Through 2 gates, cross a few big puddles (you soon learnt the right way round these sections, having gone to the wrong side a few times and losing my trainers in the mud – not sure who stopped to catch me but thank you!)

At the end of this stretch you turned left, through a gate, and in the daylight (fog allowing) would see the hill in front, it was a bit of a basin, with a downhill section first on stones and rocks, which required a bit of carefulness not to trip, then start climbing up.

I ran the first few, then got into the routine of run/walk the hill. I kept to the same pattern for the rest of the race. The second night did throw me when my green glow stick which was the start of my walk disappeared, when you look at the exact same features, and terrain for 48hrs you notice every little thing.

My walk/run breaks did change slightly on the way back to the start as the race progressed, this was purely down to the wind; it got stronger as it went on and running into it for me became impossible in parts. It always came from the right, luckily there was a grass bank to the left of us which I was constantly being pinned against. The force of the wind would take you off your feet, spin you round and send you backwards. I went through a not so happy time of tripping, kicking myself, and falling over, having realised this was still only the first night.

I found the first night hard, I was doubting my fitness a bit too much, I was battered, bruised, was convinced I’d missed a lap, and was getting annoyed I was feeling tired when I never get sleepy during race. I had to sort this out quickly or it was going to be a very long run home. The runners around you helped a lot, and I remembered why I was here; I wanted this challenge, plus above everything I had family and friends at home tracking how things were going, and as always a pranic team supporting every step of the way.

Day broke, which makes everything better, I could now see where I was running, and could at last see the faces of people you had been saying “hey” to all night.

I got into a much better frame of mind. I was eating well, drinking not as well, but was pretty content knocking out the laps, and working hard into the wind.

I took one lap at a time, the noise in your ears was deafening, trying to think was difficult but that probably helped in the long run.

It was simply a case of run/walk/DIB/run/walk/DIB/drink/eat and repeat over and over again.

The other runners out on the course were amazing, the leaders were flying and looking great. I noticed there was a screen by the dibber in the carpark and I became a bit obsessed with seeing each lap register. I was gaining in position, I think I started looking when I was 9^th, then 8^th, 7^th, I was at 6^th for quite a while.

Everyone out on the course was supportive, I had no idea of who was ahead of me or who was winning, but it was nice to exchange a nod, cheer, hey, or whatever when you met someone. You could tell the numbers had reduced, I knew John Duncan and Andrew Ferguson, and ran with them here and there, couldn’t hold a conversation for love nor money though, even back in the pub getting kit you couldn’t hear what anyone was saying to you.

I did not think about mileage at all. It was all laps, they were taking me about 45 minutes, my quickest was clocked at 29, my slowest I have no idea, based on 45 minutes I could tell how long I had left to go, that didn’t help, so I didn’t think of it like that again! I did however leg it back up the hill on one occasion not quite convinced I had dibbed at all, Noanie was at the top at the time and was she sure I had, nevermind the risk of throwing away 45 mins was not worth it.

After a day of running the second night felt better, I’d got used to the footings, and where best to run, there were less people around so less people to get flung into by the wind, and the number of laps left were reducing.

I remembering marching up the hill during the second night to be asked by another runner if I could let him know if the people at the top were real! They were. Well we exchanged pleasantries and they tried to give me a flask of coffee. Looking back now I’ve no idea if they actually were real or not.

I was catching up to 5^th, it was really close, I just kept going, and tried to stay awake, I was definitely switching off at times, it didn’t help that you had to close your eyes into the wind (which when you have been awake so long is always an ill-advised thing to do) plus we now had the start of the promised rain.

The rain not hard yet but it felt like needles going into your eyes and face, it was yet another thing to try and beat you down. My legs were feeling it, my body was feeling it, my feet were feeling it, injury had caught up with a quite a few people, which was an enormous shame for them, the wind was just causing damage by the constant strain it put on you.

Those sections that I had been catapulted down and made to run faster, yeah; not so fun anymore, when the legs and feet start to hurt I was having to put the brakes on against the wind. The soles of my feet hurt to land on the rocks, and my legs did not want to run so quickly any more, I tried to relax and rise above it; it was kind of working, the pain definitely felt worse if I thought too much.

I went back to focusing on just a lap at a time, then a section at a time, food was still working well, I just had to keep the mind away from the body and the doubts, and keep telling myself I could do it.

At last head torches off for the final time, but there was the darkest lowest cloud I have ever ran under, the rain became heavier, and more clothes had to go on. I do not like running in so many layers, especially waterproof trousers, but without them I was freezing.

I was now in 5^th, and feeling better and better about things, thoughts turned to racing not just completing. I should have done this hours ago, days ago… too late now. With five laps to go I stripped back down to race kit, I could race these five laps no matter what. It felt like I was sprinting them, I ran with the wind.

Those first two laps made me; showed me again how powerful thoughts are, pain gone, I ran hard, I took 4^th, and felt fantastic.

Then the rain hit me hard. I froze. I was told the 3^rd place was 30 mins ahead, but he had only two laps to go, I couldn’t make up 30 mins in 6 miles. I felt like I’d left it too late, had missed my chance …. instantly I went backwards. I struggled to complete the lap, when I finally did I put on every bit of clothing I had.

Those three laps also showed me how powerful thoughts were; and how they can affect you in the opposite way.

My knees and ankles were screaming at me, my feet were burning, I just had to keep it going for 9 more miles, see this as the final challenge, and not lose the 4^th I’d worked so hard for.

Last lap, it felt like I had nothing left to give, gritted my teeth, ignored my ankles, knees, feet, and just imagined myself on the final climb up the road into the finish. That’s all I could do now, I wasn’t going to get a podium finish, but I was going to become the first ever female to complete this course, and that was so very special.

What a brilliant challenge, the weather was brutal, outrageous at times, but I’m so happy to have finished. A MASSIVE congratulations to everyone who completed the challenge, and best wishes to all those who were not able to on the day. All my thanks and gratitude to pranichealing which without doubt pulled me round on this one, and to Noanie, Roz, Stu, Javed and Sharon who always cheered and looked after me at the end.

Thanks to Stu and Javed for the photos.

Written by Chris Mills - http://www.24fifty.com/

Running in an almost completely new location and a different distance to my other races in 2013, made the Frostbite 30 sound like fun. Besides the fact Nikki and I got to return to Jelley Legs again, where we are welcomed like old friends and enjoy David and Damaris' home cooked meals and wonderful company. That was why I entered the race and also because December looked particularly empty with my last event being back in September, I had to find a filler.

Heading up to Ripon on Friday, I was less concerned about the race itself and more concerned with the sore throat I'd had for a few days, since running a few night time miles during the Winter 100 the week before. I was also carrying some fatigue going into the race and I'd pretty much decided to take it easy and enjoy the jaunt around the Yorkshire Dales.

Upon our arrival, I headed out for a short run around the park to shake out the long journey and then I set about preparing my kit for the next morning. The weather had been up and down and it had threatened snow at one point and so I'd packed every piece of kit imaginable. In fact my bag for the weekend was bigger than my bag for the two week business trip I was heading out for the following Monday. Anyway, I sorted out what kit I wanted to wear, what I was going to carry and what I'd leave behind, which was most of it luckily.

Friday night was one of those nights when you wake up every 15 minutes thinking you have overslept and you grab your watch and almost jump out of bed, only to find you have hours until your alarm. This was only made worse by having the two dogs in the room with us. They normally sleep downstairs so spent the entire night nudging my arm or sniffing at my face, like I needed waking up even more!

0630 came around eventually, my throat was sore and I was tired. Coffee was to be my saviour and after a couple of cups of strong coffee I was feeling more human as we all piled in the car and headed for the Scout hut in Pateley Bridge, where race HQ was.

Registration was painless, with the very reasonable £15 entry fee exchanged for a Berghaus technical t-shirt, 9 bar, my number (40) and a map of the route, I made my final kit preparations. With another cup of coffee inside me and the water bottles topped up, we were soon counting down to the start, with the hooter sounding at 0900 exactly.

Knowing I always start too fast I tried hard to force a slower pace from the off, aiming for 10 minute miles but actually ending up slower than that due to the gates and styles we had to open/cross in the first 2 miles. The route follows the Nidderdale Way mostly with a quick detour off to the East to tack on a few miles and a bit of additional climbing. With 5 aid stations dotted around the course, we were never alone for very long and by the time the first aid station came about everybody had found their race pace.

It was around this first aid station where I met two gents who I ran most of the race with. It always amazes me how everybody chats and makes friends in these types of races, it certainly isn't something I've experienced in shorter distances very much, if at all. As we chatted away we enjoyed the beautiful countryside that surrounded us and we even saw the sun, albeit briefly and it certainly didn't offer us any warmth.

Arriving at the next aid station, Nikki was there to cheer me on, along with Martin (a friend of David Jelley who we'd also met the year before) who had decided to call it a day. He says his head wasn't in it but others tell me he had a new road bike and secretly wanted to go home for a ride!

The wind picked up and I soon had to put on a wind proof jacket to keep the chill off. The irony here is that it was in almost the same location a year previously where Nikki had complained of the bitter cold and I'd told her to "run faster". It brought a smile to my face as I plodded along the ridge line heading for Scar House reservoir and the almost midway point. We clocked in well ahead of the cut off and disappeared quickly on to what was the hardest part of the course.

Up until now the pathways had all been very runnable and whilst a bit rocky and water logged in places, it was easy underfoot. This changed as we made our way around the waters edge, cutting in and out a few times and crossing the odd bridge, the pathways were marshy with tufts of grass surrounded by deep mud and water. Luckily my shoes wick water quickly but that doesn't make it any less energy sapping on the legs or taxing on positive brain power.

After reaching the gravel and tarmac pathway, my spirit was lifted although I think the toll had been taken on my hamstrings and glutes. Following the other side of the reservoir my stomach started playing silly beggars and I started to deviate from my food plan (250 cals per hour) in the hope of it settling. This obviously then had an impact on my energy levels later in the race and ultimately slowed my pace further but I had no choice.

Turning upwards from the reservoir with one last long climb, we soon reached the downward pathway to the last two aid stations before crossing back over the valley and rejoining the first 4 miles of track we'd covered earlier that day. The pathway down to Middlesmoor was quite enjoyable and easily runnable but due to fatigue I had to walk run this section more than I'd have liked. After leaving Middlesmoor the route became somewhat boring with less views and what felt like endless fields with the odd animal in it. This appeared to go on forever and I remember looking at my watch only to find it was only 0.1 of a mile since I'd last looked,

On the home straight the final 4 miles were quite enjoyable and we ran most of them, we even overtook a few people in this section, which is always a nice feeling. Nearing the final few hundred metres I felt very tired and I was quite pleased it was the end of only a 30 mile race. I'm not sure I would have finished it if there had been another 20-25 miles to go, it brought home to me how strong mentally the people are who race the Piece of String race.

For such a short race in comparison to the 50 mile distance, this blog post has gone on quite long enough already. So I'll finish up with another big thank you to Nikki, who once again was at every aid station cheering me on and supporting me in my quest to stay [somewhat] healthy.

Oh and if you ever fancy a weekend away running, biking, walking or just relaxing in beautiful countryside, I highly recommend you checkout the Jelley Legs website. You won't regret it, I promise!

Page 18 of 33

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