Wise words indeed. To impose limits upon ourselves, or worse, have others impose them upon us is a great shame. The world is full of people who believe that they know their limits – I can categorically state that they do not; something that I will always stand by. None of us know our limits; we may think that we do but if we resolve to explore them then we open up a whole new world to ourselves. An often scary new world which it takes courage to step off the precipice into – but once we enter it then we can achieve that which we have always seen as impossible.
So why running a long way? I have always run a lot for fun, for work and for fun and then for fun again. I run because I enjoy it – it makes me feel good and feel alive in a way that nothing else does. I became curious about running ultra marathons after seeing a 100km trail ultra advertised that would take place close to where I lived at the time and would cover some of the world’s (in my opinion) most stunning scenery. That race was The Causeway Crossing and took place in May 2014. I trained hard and did far better than I had expected to (7th overall, 3rd female) and – most importantly – I loved it!!!
From that moment onwards I was hooked on longer distance running; I immersed myself in learning and reading about ultra distance races and running and the characters that the discipline attracts. The psychology of the successful ultra distance runner absolutely fascinates me in particular; learning about what makes these seemingly super human individuals tick.
Now in June 2016 I am only five days post Grand Union Canal Race finish (much more to come about that later), riding high on a wave of euphoria having again loved every step of the iconic race – apart from the last 5km which were possibly the longest 5km of my life!! I remain more fascinated by and in love with the sport than ever. I write my own training programmes, train alone and race alone and that is the way that I like it. Total self reliance and total accountability for my actions.
In writing this blog I hope to share some of my training and racing experiences with you, alongside kit reviews and various musings with the aim of infecting others with the same enthusiasm and joy that I feel for the wonderful sport of running. I hope that you enjoy reading what I have to say and very, very much enjoy your running!!
Last weekend I ran the 42 ish miles of Run To The Castle (How Hard Can It Be Events) as a volunteer sweeper. The race is predominantly trail with some road thrown in and takes the runners from Aberdovey to Harlech along the well – marked Welsh Coastal Path. My job was simply to keep everyone as safe as possible, ensure that no one got left out on the course and to collect any marking tape that had been left.
I volunteered primarily in order to give something back to running – it’s nice to be one of the many people hopefully delivering an enjoyable race day experience to others – and also because I am running the event as a paying participant in December and thought that a little course recce couldn’t hurt!!
So…..scene set. And we cut to 0500 on the Saturday morning. A desperate figure wearing running clothes is struggling against 65mph winds and driving rain in the pitch darkness, way lit only by van headlights, to right about 300 yards’ worth of heavy road works barriers that have blown over in the night on a twisting single track road somewhere in Wales. The barriers are to stop a van tyre from getting caught in the perfectly – sized and horribly deep trench that is gouged into the road. In the end the enterprise is doomed as the wind wins out and a very complicated 68 point turn has to be executed to find another route.
Upon arrival at the start ( a slight…geographical embarrassment…as I had intended to arrive in Harlech and get the train to Aberdovey) all was calm with Denzil’s (the Race Director) mother firmly in control until the news that the main road into Barmouth was blocked due to a fatal accident presenting problems to all of the marshalls from CP3 onwards. Anyway…alternate routes organised for Jon and Sarah who were manning CP3 and Katie who was to do a great job at CP4.
All was again quiet until a buzz in the atmosphere and plenty of noise signalled the arrival of the train – containing the vast majority of runners – from Harlech. Registration complete, race briefing given in Denzil’s irrepressible style and runners were shepherded out into the howling gales and driving rain for the start.
From here on in, this isn’t intended to be a race report – as I didn’t race – but is more an account of what I learned from running at the back of the pack.
The weather cannot be controlled….and it was STINKING. From wind so strong that you gained a free sand facial, to a high tide and storm surge that bordered on dangerous, to being blown about on top of hills with what must have been a beautiful view obscured by low cloud it was very, very un – August – like in character!! I hadn’t worn a rain jacket since probably March but it was very firmly put on, and remained on for the entire 12 and spare change hours that I was out. With that in mind, all that can be done is chin up and get on with it.
Walking – it is absolutely worth learning to walk fast and purposefully if your race is going to involve a lot of it. Walking with resolve and determination rather than dropping to pottering / death march pace will save a lot of time. Unless of course you want to potter and enjoy the scenery and the day – which is fine too. BUT if you want to get better at walking – then it sounds obvious…but practice walking.
Getting lost. Getting lost is an absolute kick in the whatnots because the last thing you want to do is put in extra miles or miss miles out and have the stress of finding your way back onto the course. But again, once it has happened, there is no point in becoming upset by it. Don’t let it overshadow the rest of your race.
Bad patches and bad morale. This happens to everyone and it was interesting from a psychological perspective to see the ways in which going through a bad patch affected different personalities – grim and quiet determination, head down and wondering aloud why it had happened, swearing ……and I truly hope that I helped some people through them, be that by leaving them to it with just the occasional check on their wellbeing to chatting to pass some miles and encouraging running. Another small group of ladies running together worked brilliantly as a team, keeping each others’ morale high.
At the back there may not be any jaffa cakes left!! Thank goodness for Denzil’s mother who saved me some, beckoned me into the shadows and handed over the contraband, wrapped in the lovely orange cellophane. Yes, I am easily pleased!! I am also a big softy as I ended up sharing them…..
Don’t let struggling physically and / or mentally dent your enjoyment of what is around you as far as you are able to – some of the views were cracking (would be much better on a clear day, granted!!), we were looked at suspiciously by some Alpaca and I got to see and enjoy the phenomenon that is Yarn Bombing too. A village called LLwyngwril was covered in beautiful, bright knitted sculptures. It can also take your mind off the internal misery to appreciate all that is around – easier said than done, I know.
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Ultimately there were only two DNFs in the whole race which was awesome in those conditions and it was wonderful to see everyone in safely, having achieved what they set out to do. All the runners found some last remnants of energy when the beautifully – lit castle came into view and they knew that Denzil was waiting with some cheer and most importantly a very heavy and very lovely medal. Hugs were dispensed, congratulations given (along with some runners thanking me, which was much appreciated) and, just like that, happy and satisfied runners disappeared into the night clutching their medals and full of pride.
I am sure that everyone who completed the race would very much recommend it (but not the filthy weather!) – a great course, with the lovely, friendly race atmosphere that characterises Denzil’s events.
I am very much looking forward to running the race for myself in December. After all….How Hard Can It Be???
I used to believe in the commonly perceived notion of letting the skin on my feet just get thicker and more calloused – after all, that would protect them from blistering wouldn’t it? Well, for years it seemed to work and I didn’t get blisters in training or in racing.
Fast forward to my first run of over 100 miles. It was done on a looped course – flat, gradual uphill, steep downhill, steep uphill, gradual downhill, flat…..and a mixture of tarmac and grass. I didn’t really notice that I was getting blisters during the run as I was so absorbed in the act of running itself, but as soon as I stopped – wow did I know I had blisters!!!
The blisters were on the balls of my feet. To be exact on the very tough, calloused balls of my feet. To be more exact UNDER the tough, calloused skin. And therein lay a problem. I couldn’t get at these blisters to treat them and as a consequence I spent weeks walking, running and jumping around on these deep, deep blisters. Not a pleasant time. It took three whole months for the layers of skin to stop peeling off those feet too.
Keen to avoid a repeat performance I set about understanding more about my feet and about taking good care of them.
I was recommended the book “Fixing Your Feet” by John Vonhof. It not only talks in depth about blister prevention, but about almost every possible ailment and injury that could befall a runner’s feet. It is written in a very readable style and, being a bit of a geek, I read it cover to cover – although it is designed so that you can dip in and out of it.
To cut a long story short as a result of the advice in that amazing book I now have a simple, yet effective, foot care regime that seems to very much help. I did get blisters on the recent 145 mile Grand Union Canal Race – but in between my big toes and second toes, which I am guessing was as a consequence of my feet swelling in the toe box of my trainers due to the mileage involved. I have no idea at what point in the race they first started because they were totally painless and a complete surprise when I removed my socks in my hotel room after finishing!
My regime consists simply of:
Filing my toenails daily – my big toenails are very, very short and other nails non – existent! I not only file across the ends but also in a downwards motion too, to leave the edge of the nail flush with the skin.
Filing the balls of my feet and heels every other day, initially with a cheap hand file, but having spotted a half price electronic one I couldn’t resist and have to say it was well worth the money (but possibly not worth the full price!).
Thoroughly moisturising my feet twice per day.
As with anything, finding the tricks to keeping your own feet happy will be personal to you and a process of trial and error – but it is very, very much worth it. Three days after the GUCR I went for a very, very gentle trot on my painless feet and was back to normal training again the week afterwards. A far cry from the weeks of wincing and limping that prompted me to address the issue in the first place.
In ultras, it’s miles completed and not times that count.
Well, yes and no. If your aim is to complete the distance any which way you can then all well and good and the very best of luck to you. But some folk also like to cover that all – important milestone distance in the best time possible. It doesn’t make you a bad person to want to race; to set time targets and race goals and in fact can give you that all – important purpose to training. We all arrive at that start line with our own agendas.
The people at the back that take longer to complete a race are showing that they have so much more stamina and fitness than the people at the front.
Just think about that statement for a while. How on earth can it logically be true? In that case I am so much fitter than Mo Farah over 10000m and Paula Radcliffe over 26.2 miles. The people at the back may be displaying a great deal of grit and determination which does deserve recognition – but the people at the front have also worked bloody hard to be there. Again both groups are deserving of praise, but I can never understand why the people at the front are often talked about as if they have put in far less effort than the people at the back. As someone who is neither a speed merchant or a rear marker I fall somewhere in no man’s land, as do most of us!
All ultra runners do it so that they can eat junk.
Some of us survive neither on junk or on a diet consisting solely of chia seeds and kale. In fact I would hazard a guess that most of us eat a “normal” balanced diet with the odd bit of junk thrown in rather than a constant stream of McDonalds, KFC, cake etc etc on a daily basis. I do actually eat a fair amount of chia seeds and am partial to some good cake….and in a race anything I fancy goes and food (for me) is morale. But my day – to – day diet is (in the main) a balanced and healthy one.
You are ruining your knees.
Don’t even go there. Usually said by an individual who committed to a life of non – activity many moons ago who needs to re – iterate to themselves just why exercise is a bad idea. Unless you count “ruining your knees” as covering them in scars from falling over – then I am guilty as charged.
Ultra distance running will turn an otherwise decent runner into a plodder / You only run ultras because you are incapable of running shorter distances well.
Your own choice. Keep up shorter sessions and speed work alongside your long training miles and you can have the best of both worlds. Speed and distance don’t have to be mutually exclusive. If you plod everywhere then it will become a self fulfilling prophecy and you will become a plodder.
Running ultra distances makes you superior to runners of other distances.
Total rubbish. It just means that you like to run further – for a myriad of different reasons. I like it because I enjoy the whole “journey” aspect of a race – the Grand Union Canal Race that I completed three weeks ago was hands down the best racing experience that I have ever had; the physical journey from one point to another (Gas Street Basin in Birmingham to Little Venice in London) experiencing life along the canal during the day and at night along the way – an elderly gent who insisted on filling my bottles, myriads of colourful boats with equally colourful owners, Paco the minuscule hell hound who decided to deliver a bite, a psychedelic party boat with someone dressed as the Mad Hatter in the wee small hours, beautiful scenery and industrially functional views; talking to other runners and listening to their stories; the mental journey of being in “the moment” at all times, drinking in whatever occurs along the way and, before all of that, the training journey required to make the start line. Completing it did not in any way make me better than any other runner, it just made me happy. And ultimately that is why I run. If 100m, 5km, half marathons or any other distance races made me happier then that is what I would do – but for me, longer distances are what suit me at this moment in time.
…….. I would have an even larger trainer collection than I currently do!!
These are the shorts that I wore for the GUCR and I love them.
The shorts themselves are so light and so comfortable that you can completely forget about wearing them! They consist of a comfortable inner short and a very light, soft outer layer.
The inner short does not chafe, ride up or otherwise irritate whilst also not clinging to the skin in an uncomfortable manner. It provides great support, but not compression, and the fit is refreshingly female – specific, rather than Salomon having simply taken the male design and then marketed it to women as sometimes appears to be the case in other brands.
The outer is soft, light and flattering whilst having a very good sized rear zipped pocket – easily large enough for a phone and car key – and also two large gel pockets (one either side of the main pocket). The waist band is quite loose and relaxed with a drawcord to enable you to get the fit that you need.
I have worn the shorts for several long training runs and the whole 145 miles of the GUCR and there are no signs of wear and absolutely no problems with seams etc becoming rough and rubbing.
The only downside for me is the price – but I would pay it again these shorts are so good.
It was with trepidation that I returned to normal training today. For the week following the Grand Union Canal Race I had stuck to walking my dogs and resisted running bar a gentle trot.
So I was up at the crack of dawn today, full of excitement and wondering what my legs would feel like. Good is the answer, very good considering what they went through a week ago!
I………
Ran around 5 miles with my youngest dog as the sun rose (and then walked the eldest dog).
Ran a steady 3.5 miles ish with one of my clients around the racecourse. She cut a HUGE 3 minutes off her best time for the route we did which was brilliant!!! Especially in the heat.
Ran a quick 2 or so miles after I had waved my client goodbye back around the racecourse. I injected a little pace to see how my legs did – and was rewarded with a pleasing result! I know from teaching my Metafit classes that I am lacking the power as yet to perform big ballistic jumps and the like, but it will come I am sure.
I have also entered a LDWA 100km event that I could not resist as it takes in so much of the countryside and hills that I grew up walking with my father. It should be a lovely day (and some of the night!) out in the sun – I hope – and I hear that the cake on the LDWA events is legendary!!
I have to thank John of John Richards Sports Therapy in Hereford for working his brutal magic on my legs last week. I woke up with new legs the day after my treatment with him and can highly recommend him to anyone in the area. I will most definitely be returning for maintenance.
Tried and tested clothing only for race day – nothing complicated. Simple shorts / tights and a wicking vest or T Shirt. Clothing that you feel comfortable in and can forget about wearing, rather than having to constantly readjust.
Training is the time to test all the new kit out – and we all know how much having that new kit arrive spurs us out of the door…..it needs to be worn immediately!!!
The amount of runners I see in the most complicated of clothing arrangements is mind boggling – hardly an inch of skin un – compressed, un – taped, uncovered by some trapping or another. I was gobsmacked at one event last year to be in the minority when it came to not having taped legs – if you need tape to support a minor injury that has been assessed by professionals then I think that it can be a great help that keeps you on the road (I have had my shoulders taped extensively in the past post surgery to help me regain correct function). If you have tape on every inch of exposed skin then you need to perhaps revisit whether it is wise to be running at this time with such an array of niggles and injuries or whether it might be better to rest and recover in order to come back stronger in the long run.
If your complex clothing arrangements work for you then fine; but consider how much time you need to spend in putting on and taking off various layers as a race progresses.
FOOTWEAR
The array of trainers out there that promise the world when it comes to performance is huge – but the reality is that without adequate training, even the most expensive and specialist trainers money can buy will not see you through. Marketing is so slick and endorsements so compelling that I think we have all succumbed to a case of the Emperor’s New Clothes from time to time.
Socks – they can make or break a run. Worth spending some money on decent socks and ensuring they are a type that suit you. Trail socks and road socks are not the same – road socks often have vented sections whereas trail do not; they are great for runs without debris on the road but the same vents will let in dust and debris on the trail and mean that your feet can get abraded in short order.
HYDRATION PACKS / RACE VESTS / WAIST PACKS
Do you really need to carry water / fuel etc when on a short run or during a race with frequent water stops? Can you pop a few gels or bits of food in a pocket or small waist pack and take them with the water the race organisers provide? Can you use a handheld bottle? Or is it worth carrying the few extra kg a race vest or full hydration pack adds on? Completely personal choice of course as with everything else!
NUTRITION
For me again simplicity rules. A healthy balanced diet, tweaked to suit the training load you have at the time surely has to be the best? Trade in supplements is booming – but perhaps stop and think whether you really need them? Whether they can really give you an edge and help you to recover more rapidly or whether cheaper, much healthier alternatives can be made, simply, by yourself.
I will say that I take Iron supplements, having suffered the horrible effects of dilution anaemia when undertaking a high training load last year, but that is it. I ensure that I have a diet rich in iron; but at that time it didn’t prove to be adequate.
Of course, if you have a diagnosed deficiency or medical condition and a doctor or registered dietician recommends supplementation then I would never suggest that you do not take heed!
I am often asked what protein / carb / fat etc intake I have per kg of bodyweight for various scenarios. I don’t know. I adjust my diet to how I am feeling – am I full of energy and bounce or flagging? Putting on or losing weight? All I know is that about three days before I race I increase the size of my carbohydrate portions slightly. No huge pasta meals the night before – in fact I eat my largest meal for lunch the day before a race and have a light dinner. There is much debate as to whether runners who are going to eat during a race even need to carb load – food for thought! For anything under 90 minutes there is certainly no need.
During a race eating early and often seems to be the key. I didn’t eat early enough during a 24 hour race last year and, whilst I did quite well, I couldn’t really eat beyond a small pot of rice pudding every 30 miles or so after 12 hours. I don’t think that I could have run on much beyond what I managed as I was feeling pretty under fuelled!
TRAINING
I keep my training really, unbelievably simple and enjoyable. The key word being enjoyable.
I always keep some speed work in there, am a big advocate of strength training alongside running and believe that specificity is key – if you are going to enter a hilly trail race, get out there training on hilly trails; a race with a night section – get out there with a head torch on and run overnight; a long ultra then get out there on your long runs and simulate your race day strategy – be it a run / walk plan, which foods you find it comfortable to run on or simply time on your feet.
When working with clients I always work hard to keep them enjoying training above all; as soon as you stop enjoying it, for me it is time to reassess. I am not talking about every second of every session – but on balance, the enjoyment factor must be there.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The simpler I can keep everything, the less anxiety I have. The less anxiety I have the more I can focus upon the task in hand and the more enjoyable my race day or training. Now and again I think that you should keep things really simple and run naked (no……not that kind of naked). No technology, no planned route, no preconceived run pace, time or distance. Just go out for a quiet, tranquil run somewhere that you find beauty (urban or rural!) and enjoy being in the moment. If you have lost your mojo….then it’s out there to be rediscovered on these types of runs. Simple!!
This year saw the twenty – second running of the Grand Union Canal Race; an iconic race in the British ultra running calendar which sees participants starting from Gas Street Basin in Birmingham and running along the Grand Union Canal towpath to Little Venice in London. Entry to the race is by ballot and I was fortunate enough to get in first time.
I arrived in Birmingham the day before the race – attended registration (where we picked up our race sweatshirt and T – shirt; this meant that I HAD to finish or I wouldn’t be able to wear them of course!!), grabbed something healthy to eat and chilled out in my room.
On the morning of the race I got up at 0400, having barely slept at all, feeling great. Ate my usual pre race rice pudding, had a nice brew and made my way to race start in the drizzle where I stood around talking to various people and generally psyching myself out as I always do – everyone looked faster, fitter, stronger etc than me. You name it and they were better!! It is something that I really must work on.
After a quick word from outgoing race director Dick Kearn (by all accounts a legend in running circles) who named and shamed the author of the “most stupid question” on the Facebook Page, new director Keith Godden took over and we were off.
I had spent much of the week before the race calculating paces and times and had come upon targets for myself of:
Finishing in 34 hours or less – which I didn’t think very realistic
Finishing in 38 – 40 hours – which I thought most probable
Finishing within the 45 hour cut off – which I of course desperately wanted to do
Having not run a race of this length before my calculations were stabs in the dark somewhat, based upon how my training had been going and on previous races.
Anyway….off we went along the canal. I started cautiously as I had said that I would, although found myself running a touch faster than my fastest planned pace as my legs felt great, head felt great and I often run by feel. I ran all the way to CP1 as part of a small bunch of runners chatting and absorbing the atmosphere. The drizzle had stopped, sun was coming out and it was shaping up to be a beautifully hot day.
The whole of the first day was a wonderful experience – the race very much spread out after CP2 especially and I spent my time absorbing wonderful scenery, enjoying the beautiful weather, having lovely chats with various fellow participants – a few of whom I was involved in a game of leapfrog with!! – and folk on their barges and just generally having a grand day out. I was still running at above my fastest planned pace but was sticking to a 25 run / 5 minute walk strategy as I had done on many long training runs in order to save my legs. I never once had to worry about cut offs and was just absorbed in the whole experience.
Running out of CP2 (Hatton Locks) at 22.5 miles.
As night fell I swapped my sunglasses for head torch and simply kept on running – it wasn’t cold enough to need a change to warmer clothes, although checkpoint volunteers kept asking whether I was warm enough and whether I thought I should put extra layers on which goes to show how much they were interested in runner welfare. I have run through the night both in events and plenty in training so was confident in running by the light of my head torch however had heard dark tales of hallucinations, falling asleep standing up and swerving into the canal when it came to GUCR and I was acutely aware that I did not have a buddy runner as so many others did. Still nothing ventured, nothing gained and so I banished all bad thoughts and ploughed on.
The night was a great experience, just as the day had been, although a little more eventful in places:
Runners asleep for a few minutes on benches as I passed still saying “good running that person”
Runners asleep in chairs at checkpoints
Witnessing some race retirements
A VERY unfriendly dog who was eventually retrieved by it’s owner who was at a party on a psychedelically – decorated barge moored alone in the middle of nowhere (the music from which I had been listening to for quite some time as I approached). There were fire sticks, suspicious – smelling cigarettes, lights a plenty and a man dressed as the Mad Hatter. Really.
Being yelled at by some drunk and belligerent fishermen. Being yelled at by some drunk and friendly fishermen. There were a lot of fishermen!!
Bridges without numbers between CP6 and CP7 causing a bit of a headache as I cast around in the dark trying to determine whether or not to cross. I did on each occasion. Luckily it turned out to be the correct decision each time too.
There was a lot of atmospheric and thick fog swirling up from the canal as I passed through some (I am certain) stunning countryside and still I was running on, feeling great in mind and in body. I didn’t see another runner for hours at points and the feeling of perfect solitude was immense, although I did have periods of doubting my navigation because of this and coming upon the next checkpoint or glaringly obvious point on the map brought relief every time.
Dawn broke and Sunday emerged from the gloom overcast and cool – perfect running weather. I decided to celebrate by taking a fall just before Springwell Locks (CP8) and cutting my knee. No harm done. One of those falls that is so rapid that you don’t even have time to get your hands down – a full forward roll – and you are on your back looking up at the sky before you even know what is happening. Anyway as I came into Springwell Locks I could see a few runners just leaving and another runner came in just a minute behind me too. I was told at this point that I was 13th overall which blew me away – I had no idea that I was doing as well as this. Unfortunately I was also (quite rightly) made to sit down – I had not so far sat down at all at a checkpoint – and I had my knee cleaned up and the worst of the mud and grit removed. I also took the opportunity to change from the trail shoes that I had worn all race to a pair of road shoes as the towpath was changing in character to large stones and tarmac as we entered a more urban landscape which was starting to batter my feet.
Still I was off and going soon after and still feeling pretty great – so I decided to abandon my run / walk seeing as I was almost there and ran straight through to CP9 with just a three minute walk break at some point for some water. I remember it was three minutes….but not exactly where I took it! And then….CP9 was in view – a quick drink, a quick chat to the volunteers, some cookies and off and running again. Starting what I had been warned by many would be the longest 12 miles of my life…..and they were not wrong!! The first 4 miles of it passed pretty quickly and then for the first time my legs felt sore and heavy and the staggers that I always get became more pronounced; my mind was playing tricks. Just as I was struggling not to enter a plod / shuffle I heard my name called by two men on the other side of the canal, telling me that Ginte and Clare (ladies who I had not, at that point, met!) from a forum I am on called Running The Distance were chasing me!
Shortly after I heard giggling and turned around to see them just behind me, beaming and cheerful and my morale went through the roof! For the last 10km Ginte and Clare took turns in running with me as my buddy runner and listening to me telling them about how long this last bit seemed to be….poor Clare got the final 5km where I suspect I might have broken the World Record for the number of times “just WHERE is Little Venice?” could be uttered in one day. And then…there it was….Little Venice and the finish line banner!!! A final run in and I was having the heaviest medal I have seen in my life hung around my neck and shaking Keith’s hand.
And, just like that, one of the most amazing experiences of my life was over. I finished in 32:05 and in 11th place overall, 3rd lady, which I am over the moon with.
Final few metres!
The moment that I had dreamed of throughout all those long training miles.
I have been left absolutely with the GUCR under my skin – I will put my name into the hat for next year’s race and know that I will be disappointed if I do not succeed in getting a place already. The low – key and friendly nature of the event, coupled with the huge challenge are right up my street and I have come away feeling quietly accomplished and with new friends too.
Finally out of the 98 starters, 52 finished and I am sorry that for 46 people it was not to be their day. It goes to show that, over this distance, all sorts can go wrong for even the very best of runners and I have the greatest respect for them all.
THANKS: I cannot thank and praise enough Keith and his amazing army of volunteers – the organisation was slick, competent and above all friendly. Nothing was too much trouble for folk at the checkpoints even though they must have been beyond tired themselves and drop bags were moved seamlessly between CPs and fetched as soon as an unsupported runner ran in. The delicious home baked goodies also deserve a special mention – the dark chocolate and coffee cookie I had at one of the earliest checkpoints will always hold a special place in my heart!!!
I must also thank the members of the FB group Running The Distance – not only did they provide an unending source of support whilst I was training, but they tracked me during the race and truly cared about how I was faring – I couldn’t believe when I logged back onto social media on BH Monday what had been happening and quite how many people congratulated me too!!!. Unbelievably I also had a visit at a CP from a member, a sign and a cheerful wave and smile on a bridge and my companions for my final miles were members who had never met me either. I felt honoured and quite frankly overwhelmed – in a good way.
I also had a finish line visit from another friend of mine who had made her way across London to see me (visiting for her own successful London 10 000 the day after) and who had also been there when I passed the 100 mile mark for the first time in a race last year – which again meant the world.
And finally, thank you to my ever – tolerant and supportive husband who was at home tracking me and looking after my training buddies (the dogs!) to enable me to race.
The Finisher’s Board that was updated as runners came in.
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