Written by Scott Harris - http://runninganimo.com/

77k/48 miles with 1000 metres ascent around the island of Jersey

Cancelled!? What does that mean? It took my mind a few moments to realise that Flybe had cancelled my flight 10 minutes before boarding. There wasn’t time to hang around swearing and I was quickly on the move to see if I could get on another flight. Fortunately I was able to though it wasn’t scheduled to leave until 17:45 having already being delayed by an hour. It was a long stressful wait in the airport knowing that there would be a good chance the flight would be delayed even longer or maybe Flybe would decide to cancel this one as well. It was delayed for another 30 minutes, so now instead of arriving in Jersey at 15:00 I wasn’t going to arrive until after 19:00. Great!

Instead of a relaxing afternoon I was 4 hours behind. It was very frustrating and I felt like I was in a constant rush never being able to distance my mind from the race. Sorting out my kit, then my drop bag, going over my race plan, checking the weather forecast whilst eating, making sure I didn’t take on too much or I’d have trouble sleeping as soon as I had everything ready. It probably wasn’t until around 23:00 I cursed Flybe one last time and managed to fall asleep.

5 hours of solid sleep as I rose at 04:00. I had a couple bananas and an energy bar for breakfast, checked the weather and got ready. I still wasn’t sure about the weather so around 05:00 I decided to go for a jog around the hotel car park. It helped make my mind up and I was set. Soon it was time to head down to the start line, give in my drop bag which I’d see a few hours later and wait. I bumped into Paul Burrows who was running around the island 7 times in 7 days. We had a quick chat and I wished him good luck on his mammoth challenge.

Everyone lined up ready for the start at 06:00. I went over my race plan in my head proving to myself that I memorised it sufficiently. I had average paces in mind for the first 3 aid stations and was happy that I’d be able to achieve these. We set off and I ignored all those that went off faster than me, if I can stick to my plan or almost stick to it I’d have a great day. Head down, now and then looking at my GPS watch to ensure I wasn’t running too fast. Something was wrong. All the stress and nervous energy I had been feeling whilst at the airport was still there. My stomach felt unsettled which made it hard to focus. I wasn’t moving too badly but I wasn’t happy at all. Thankfully I knew where a public toilet was just before Gorey. I was grateful but lost a few minutes.

I wanted to make up the time I lost but I knew it would be stupid to do so immediately, so I had to be patient and make up the 5/6 minutes I lost over the rest of the race. It was difficult knowing I was behind but I stayed patient and kept my speed steady, but for some reason I still wasn’t able to focus as my stomach remained unhappy. I got to the first aid station at St Catherines  (17.44k/10.9 miles) in around 1 hour 22 minutes so I wasn’t quite as far behind as I thought I was. But things weren’t going well as I started on the trail. I didn’t know if my stomach was hungry or upset so I didn’t want to eat anything. I changed the settings on my watch so I was viewing the route rather than the speed and distance as it would just stress me out.

There was no way I was finishing the race without eating. I had a shot blok; it felt okay so I had another a few minutes later, but I was convinced that my stomach would be dictating the pace of the race today. Many negative thoughts filled my mind as I struggled on to La Fontaine where my drop bag was waiting. Why do I run? Why do I spend so much time and money doing this? It was looking bad but I kept going. I walked some of the steps to be surprised that I couldn’t run immediately afterwards. I walked a hill I would normally run up easily. It really was disturbing how much I was struggling so early on into the run. I even thought about sitting down at one point on the tempting benches that I passed along the cliff path now and then.  I wasn’t thinking it, but I knew somewhere in my mind was the knowledge that you don’t quit when you feel bad, you don’t stop moving, you will feel better again, it will pass; where do you want to be when that happens? Having already thrown in the towel, or on the trail running?

I had some flat coke and some watermelon once I reached La Fontaine (35km/22 miles). I was still negative and questioning myself for drinking coke thinking that would mess up my stomach more but it didn’t. Shortly after leaving my stomach began to settle, I was able to focus and my legs started to gain rhythm. Yes!. It didn’t take long until I was feeling great and started moving with ease. I saw a runner ahead and overtook them. Soon I saw two more, overtaking them both on a steep hill running as they walked. I questioned myself for doing so and slowed to a walk before reaching the top realising I still felt good, so started running again. I pushed on.

I arrived at Grosnez (47k/29.8miles) to be told I was in 3rd place to my complete surprise. I had a couple pieces of fresh pineapple, some more flat coke and moved on excited by being in 3rd. I knew 1st was a long way ahead but 2nd was only a few minutes in front. I decided against going after him, I’d just stick to my own pace and hope they would come back to me. I was very pleased to find the tide was in on the west of the island. I had already decided to run on the road rather than the beach due to a niggle I had a few weeks earlier. Running on sand isn’t fun at the best of times and I was sure it was going to pull on my calf and cause it to tighten. With the tide in the runners in front wouldn’t be able to take advantage of the slighter shorter distance the beach offers.

My mind was still focused and I was moving well. It was flat and easy to run but was quite tough to do so, I kept going knowing I’d soon be able to slow down once I got back on the trail. Someone beeped their horn as they drove by. I waved not really sure who it was. Moments later Bryce was stood there waiting for me. It had been lonely race up to this part so  it was great to have someone to chat to for a few minutes as Bryce asked how I felt and updated me on the guys in front. Thanks Bryce!

I got to the final aid station, Beauport (62.4k/39 miles) feeling pretty good. I knew there wasn’t much further to go. I just had to keep running and I might be able to see 2nd place soon.  I had more fresh fruit and flat coke with my stomach feeling absolutely fine. I left still feeling good though struggling to work out how long it would take me to get to the finish. Just keep moving I told myself.

I passed through St Aubin knowing it would soon be over. At this point I’d taken my singlet off concerned that I might get a cut nipple due to chaffing. Apologies to the people of Jersey for running half naked, but I took a guess that would be a more pleasant sight than blood streaming down my body clearly visible through my white t-shirt. I could roughly see where the finish line was and ran as fast from St Aubin to the finish line as I had all day.

I crossed the finish line in 3rd place in a time of 6:46:13 taking 50 minutes and 45 seconds off from last years time. That felt good, real good. To think how bad I felt for the first 3 hours and now I was stood at the finish line having run over 50 minutes faster than last year. It turns out I managed to run a negative split by about 2 minutes as well, obviously due to struggling early on in the race, but negative splitting an ultra feels awesome. Those negative questions I asked myself early on in the race were emphatically answered upon crossing the finish line.

It’s a great race and the 4th time I’ve taken part. At one point I actually said “wow” out loud as I was admiring the scenic coastline over my shoulder.  It’s a beautiful island, a well organised race and I’ll no doubt be back again next year. I keep getting faster each year so fingers crossed I can maintain that record.

Thanks to Digby and everyone else for organising the race and all the helpful volunteers at the aid stations.

Big thanks to my parents for supporting me and looking after me after finishing.

And well done to Paul for running Round the Rock 7 times in 7 days!

Race website here

Full results here

My run on Strava here

Thanks to the guidance from Sandi and Sage over the recent months.