Written by Hannah Turner - https://runnertrainermummyandwifenotalwaysinthatorder.wordpress.com
A good friend of mine wanted a running challenge to celebrate her big birthday. We looked at a couple of races and the XNRG Round the Island seemed to fit the bill. 70 miles over 2 days around The Isle of Wight, not too far to travel, well managed and beautiful scenery.
Four of us entered and planned to travel down together on the train and ferry. Me, Karen, Dawn and Katie.
I had another goal of running TR24 (a 24hr race, run over a 10k loop, as many times as you can). Last year I had managed 12 laps, with a 3 hr sleep and stopping early. This year I wanted to compete to win. I felt Round the Island would be a great training weekend 4 weeks before TR24.
We set off Friday afternoon on the train, changed at waterloo and arrived at Southampton station, there we caught the bus to the ferry terminal and walked straight onto the ferry to West Cowes. On the Ferry we called ahead to XNRG so that they could collect us in a minibus. What an easy journey, everything ran to time and we arrived at the school hall, which was our overnight accommodation about 5pm.
We set up camp in the sports hall, blow up bed, sleeping bag and pillow for me. I got my running bag and race food packed and attached my race number. We then went out for a meal, Italian to help with carb-loading, unfortunately the restaurant choice wasn’t great, but oh well we ate enough!
We went back to sports hall to sleep.
DAY 1
I’d taken my own cereal, oat crunch, and long life almond milk as I’m a bit fussy! So that was my breakfast along with a banana.
The plan was for 3 starts, 8am for walkers, 9am for slower runners and 10am for the rest. The other girls set off at 9am and I stayed for the 10am start, there was supposed to be about 30 of us but a lot went early so we were left with 12 starters of which 2 of us were ladies!
We got a lift to the West to East Cowes ferry as there were so few of us. The race started as soon as the ferry docked in West Cowes. Prior to coming I’d looked at previous years results and thought I had a chance of competing at the front and possibly challenging the course record. Having only one other lady on the later start I felt she would be my main competition.
A group of 5 men set off at a fast pace so I let them go and I just kept to my own pace, after about a mile there was another runner about 100m behind me so I stopped to see if he wanted company. He seemed happy to chat, and I am a very social runner so it was better for me. By CP1 we’d also started running with the other lady (Jennifer) and her friend (Ian). We kept together for a while before Ian started to pull ahead and I followed. We were now starting to overtake the earlier starters. We hit a hill (there were lots) and I walked so Ian went ahead to wait for Jennifer at CP2. By the time I arrived he’d already left. I stocked up on water, grabbed some pretzels, had a quick loo stop and set off, still looking over my shoulder in case Jennifer was gaining on me.
I passed Dawn and Katie at about 18 miles and they said that Karen had left them after about 2 miles, I knew she was going to be quick and thought she might now be my main competition!
I kept on, stocking up at check points, passing other runners, some who were enjoying it some who weren’t, trying to give encouragement where I could. The course was easy to follow and where there was any confusion I asked the public who all knew the way due to earlier runners!
When I hit the final check point, I knew from the briefing I’d be able to see the campsite but it would take a while to get to it!
I still thought I might come across Karen, but didn’t see her until the finish. We’d both had a fantastic first day. I’d managed 7th place overall, 1st lady in a time of 6.23.56. Karen was 11th overall, 3rd lady and a time of 6.48.27. 2nd place lady was only 2 minutes ahead of Karen so there was a race on for day 2!
I booked myself a massage and got my kit. We’d booked a 4 bed chalet to share, bunk beds and a double (sleeping arrangements would be decided when Dawn and Katie arrived). After we’d all had a 10 minute massage we decided Katie and I would have the bunks as we are both notoriously bad sleepers. A shower and some stretching and we were ready for dinner. Pasta, chips and bread, nice and filling. After dinner we had a talk from Jennifer (I was right to have thought she was my main competition, but she’d had a bad day 1 and come in 4th so I would have to see how strong she was on day 2) about her run across America and through France. It was very interesting and inspiring, it’s the sort of thing I’d like to do one day, when the kids have left home with my hubby in tow!!
The organisers put up the results for day 1 and told us the top 20 (ish) had to start at 9, the others started earlier, Karen wasn’t happy to start last but I told her it just showed how well she had run!! I made sure my bag was packed for the next day and now it was time for a good night’s sleep! The bed was quite comfy if a bit creaky (on the top bunk), but I slept quite well!
DAY 2
I had my own breakfast again and was pleased to be starting at 9 and not 10. There was still only 3 ladies in the later start, clearly some had snuck off early again. Karen, Jennifer and I set off. I wanted to get a good start in case Jennifer had a strong second day, and also to make sure Karen didn’t catch me!!
It was not as hot today and not quite as pretty, but we had been spoilt on day 1. I was running on my own until I started to near CP1. At that point I had a choice of many paths across the heath before arriving at the needles and CP1. I noticed a runner up ahead and decided to follow his path, as I got closer to him I asked if he knew which path was best, he’d run the year before so I decided to follow him. I ran with Stephen up to CP1 and chatted a bit, here we topped up water and snacks but I was a bit slower so Stephen went on ahead. I ran my own race again, well signed, less coastal and more trees. I was overtaking runners and eventually overtook Stephen. I went slightly wrong in a farm yard, which cost me about 15 minutes, it’s amazing how many people I had to re-overtake just for a 15 minute error! Oh well, it did mean that when I caught Stephen again we decided to run together, which was more fun. I’d realised now that the course record had slipped away so company was better. Stephen also had a massive support crew, so every few miles his wife and children would drive past or appear roadside, which was fun. Much like my husband and kids often do on my races.
Towards the end of the race I was convinced we were finishing at the ferry, where we’d started on day 1 but the miles didn’t seem to add up and I started to get frustrated. My right Achilles suddenly started to hurt which meant I couldn’t run any incline or steps. Luckily this was with only 1 mile to go and also when I realised it wasn’t the ferry but the school which was the finish point, which was so much closer than I’d imagined. Stephen arranged to cross the finish line with his son so I crossed on my own.
Neil came over to congratulate me and the first thing I did was check I’d held onto 1st place!
I had so I was elated. I then saw a medic for ice for my Achilles and waited for Karen, she was only 11 minutes behind me and had secured 2nd place in her first ultra!! A great weekends running, for both of us.
I hopped on a massage table for a double massage (20 minutes) but had to pause half way through for the presentation!
After a shower we headed off with Karen’s support crew and Dawn and Katie. We had a much nicer celebratory dinner and caught the ferry home. There was a lot of funny walking on the ferry and getting in and out of the car but it was worth it!
A very well organised event. I will definitely be doing other XNRG races.
Would I do this race again? Probably, but not yet as there are so many other races out there. Maybe I’ll wait to reach 40 so I’m in the next age category and then do it again!!
A couple of other photos of the event!
Karen receiving her prize.
So many steps!
Karen enjoying herself.
Did I mention it was also the yacht race!