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.
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| Checkpoint 1 - thanks Lindley and Maxine |
Position 5th 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.
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| 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 2nd, 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.
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| 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 2nd – 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.
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| Just by 2 is the turning I missed |
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| 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.
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| 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 2nd – 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 2nd – 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 2nd – 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 1st – 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 1st – Friday 08:21 – Total Distance 185 miles
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Checkpoint 8 - photo courtesy of Lindley |
Position 1st – 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.
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.
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| 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.
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| Checkpoint 9 when I got there - trade sunglasses for head torch - thanks to Graeme Hackland for the photo |
Position 1st – 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.
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| 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.
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.
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| Javed and Lindley at the finish - photo courtesy of Jill Elomar |
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.