Written by Paul Navesey - http://ultrapaulo.wordpress.com
I had been waiting for the Centurion South Downs Way 50 for a long time. I have been at all but one of the Centurion events, but was yet to run one of them. The SDW 50 was the ideal one, I love the South Downs and I quite enjoy running. Ideal match.
Usually before a race I get pretty nervous. Most of all stood on the start line. Not so much this time.
Enjoying some resting up the day before the race (along with some whatsapp pre race piss taking and the occasional Twitter check!). The usual things that would concern me, didn’t. You know… Have I trained enough? Why does this ache? Oh look so and so put in 3.31 miles this morning and feel great for it but I’m sat here watching a Top Gear episode from about 1997 and eating Nutella from the jar!
So, had I trained enough? Of course, there is no need to put in huge mileage to run a 50 mile race. More importantly though, had I put the right training in? Well, I had spent evenings and weekends running track intervals, hill sessions, threshold sessions and long runs into the wind and rain with THE Robbie Britton. It soon became apparent that we would always move at the fastest persons pace. It pays to be that person! We would come up with a variety of sessions, each time trying to improve something else. Taking seconds off of 400m reps, resting was no longer static we were always running between efforts, the reps got longer then faster again. If all else failed we asked a simple question… What would Steve Way do? Then we consulted his weekly summary for ideas. Thanks Steve!
Chasing Richard and Robbie down Skiddaw. Photo – Paul Bennett.
I ran the course with Eddie Sutton and Rick Ashton a number of times, both excellent runners. As much fun as it is running, chatting and joking with them, the pace is still swift and the runs are high quality. I hope they got something worthwhile from it to, looking at the results its quite likely!
Running the course with Eddie, Rick and Toby
Why did nothing ache? I think I missed a total of 3 days training through voluntary extra rest days when I thought I needed them. I also popped in to see Simon Lamb at Six Seconds High a few times for sports massage. Simon did inflict a decent amount of pain! However, I always set out running the following day with fresh legs. He is very knowledgeable, helpful and a nice guy too. I popped in to see him a couple of days before the race and I think it was a good move.
But what about Joe Bloggs’ tweet. 3.31 miles this morning and felt super awesome? It means nothing at all. I had been out and run the course, I had trained with some of the best runners I know, I was injury free and excited to go racing.
Finally, I had Gary Dalton meeting me on route to ensure I was topped up on water, gels and to stop me being an idiot. I’m not sure if Gary used his charm or just told them he was taking them home but Richard Felton and Jen Bradley kept appearing with him. All 3 being very helpful from start to finish.
So… the race itself.
Arriving at the start it was the usual Centurion race machine in action, everything looking like a well rehearsed operation. Breeze through kit check and number collection. Before long I was stood on the start line laughing and joking around with Richard, Eddie, Sam Robson, Sarah and Mark Perkins. A few minutes later, we’re heading out of the sports ground and starting on way to Chanctonbury Ring where the course joins the South Downs Way. Running the early miles with Rick who comes flying downhill like a loon asking if I want company. I’m glad he slowed back to my pace! Climbing up onto the Downs, Rick drops back slightly. Once up the climb there is some easy running so I make the most of that and head towards CP1 clicking off the first handful of 60+ gates on the course! Passing Richard Felton just before the CP (Fortunately holding a gate open… 2 seconds saved! Good start).
Quickly past Gary and Jen for the first time grabbing a fresh bottle, though the CP and starting the climb from Botolphs towards Devils Dyke. Just as I hit the climb I hear the cheers as Rick and Paul Sargent arrive at the CP. Either that or the ladies present were going wild at the sight of Rick out of compression gear and into some short shorts!
Not quite co-ordinated with Gary at CP1 – Photo by Jen Bradley.
Heading out of Botolphs CP1 – Photo by Mum
Some great running follows the in the next section, chalk paths and undulating downland. Having fun and heading towards CP2 I see Rich Felton and run a short up and down section before heading through the little village of Pyecombe. I have a laugh to myself as I remember leaving out bags at the bottom of the hill and have a race to the top in the middle of a long run. Along with suffering for about 3 miles after it! I was a bit more conservative this time around. Out of the village and up towards Ditchling Beacon. This section is mixed grass and chalk paths. I have a horrible stitch and have put off taking a gel for a bit. Passing Gary no empty gels and a basically full water bottle he gives me the simple instruction of “You have to eat and drink more”. After enjoying the easy section to Housedean I drop down to the farm that is CP3 and chat briefly with Rich Felton and James Elson.
Getting instructions from Gary – Photo by Brother
Dropping down into Housedean with Richard and James Elson – Photo by Mark Navesey
Getting rid of the stitch over the last section, heading out of Housedean happy getting ready for the first of 4 quite long climbs that make up the final 1/3 of the race. Starting the climb I begin to get cramp in my calves with each step. I shorten the stride slightly and take an S-Cap. Its not going to be an instant fix but hopefully it wont become a bigger issue. I make a note to take another before the next CP at Southease as another climb immediately follows the CP.
In and out of Southease CP, a little worried about the upcoming climb hoping the S-Caps and another gel are going to do the job. A few twinges but better. With views a long way from the top I look back for the first time to see if anyone is nearby. Fortunately I cannot see anyone so back to business. Over a stretch of open grassland and drop into Alfriston, hurting but having fun. I swap out another bottle as I see Gary, Richard and Jen. Pop into the CP and see James Elson, say hello and leave. Passing James Adams (did you know he has a book out?) as I cross the river and head for the longest climb on the course. Hoping to be back on track with drinking and a few S-caps down I hit the climb.
The cramps are much better but still not ideal. Its a long climb that gets tough on tired legs and sore hips, but I thoroughly enjoy it. iPod in, Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World starts. Ok, its not everest but a smile none the less. Drop into Jevington see Gary, Rich and Jen for the last time. No need for anything now, half hour running and its done. Last climb. Daft Punk – One More Time. Run up, calves still not completely happy with what I’m asking, I pass Drew Sheffield at the top, a quick chat and then start the run down into Eastbourne. I clock off the couple of miles and hit the track. I managed probably the slowest track lap I have run in the past 3 months to finish the race off in 6:11. Robbie wouldn’t even call it fast enough for a rest lap… but there was a horrible headwind on the back straight!
After a short sit down I see Rick in to land 2nd place in a great 6:23 with Mark Perkins close by with 6:24. Really pleased for him, we have a chat and in not time at all we are heading back out to the finish to see Eddie run in to win the ladies race with a huge course record! Having trained a lot with them both i knew they were both going to fly and it was great to see them have such a great day.
A huge thanks to everyone at Centurion for putting on yet another seamless race. Robbie, Rick, Eddie and everyone else who put up with me running over the South Downs talking gibberish.
Completing a lap of the track to finish – Photo by Brother