24 hour running. Mention that concept to most people and they respond with “why”??!!
My reasons for attempting a 24 hour race would make a story of their own and originated several years ago. However, the long term plan was to run one after I had conquered 100k and matured as a runner. I have not yet done that, but the lure of a Scottish vest and the chance to run in another Commonwealth Championship was too much, and at 12pm on 7th May I found myself in Basel, Switzerland on the start line of a race which would not finish until 12pm on 8th May and would hopefully see me run further than I had ever run before. 4.9 marathons was my dream target.
What now follows is not a precise, blow by blow account of the race, (that can be found in “the book” when published!), this is merely a summary based upon what I felt and saw and also Ian's account of the race for the times when I was neither aware nor conscious. Times of feelings are approximate, based upon memory, factual events prior to 9pm are precise, courtesy of Ian's fabulous recording system of what I said and what I ate or drank on each lap!
The location for the race was St Jakob Park, in Basel, Switzerland, the course 1.15km around a sports field. Organised by Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, the support, set up and food provided was excellent pre, during and post race. There were even bunk houses for any participants that might need a little sleep during the race.
There are different approaches to 24 hour running, some people never stop and keep on running or run/ walking, others blast a few hours and then sleep, before returning to churn out a few miles. My plan was to keep on moving forwards for the full 24 hours with Ian support me all the way....
The first few hours were relatively comfortable as I tootled around the course, taking in the sights and sounds of the park, familiarising myself with every turn, land mark and more importantly, where the toilets were!
The temperature climbed into the high 20°s and then above 30°, peaking at 32° for many hours. Even running very slowly and taking on liquids and electrolytes on most laps, I could feel the heat taking affect upon my body. Several people had dropped out of the race and were being treated by the medics in the shaded areas. I tried to not let it phase me, just plod on and get to the early hours of the morning when the temperature would drop and I would be in “Sandra time”. For those of you that do not know me, my daily ritual (and one that I love) involves me getting up at silly o'clock and going running with our husky dogs for hours.
Around 5.5 hours disaster number 1 struck. My ankle started causing severe pain. I had been managing the discomfort of a dull ache since the first hour, but nothing more that I normally have to manage each day. Fear struck me as the pain worsened as I remembered Keswick. I stopped to change shoes and put on my ankle support, but the next two laps had me limping as the pain was so severe. Tears followed and once again I was facing retirement from Ultra running for life.....
Before retiring, I decided to try tubi-grip and if that failed I would try one dose of co-codamol, codeine being the absolute last gasp attempt at staying on the course. Last time I tried that one my body remained in the race, but I think my mind went somewhere else!
Full length tubi-grip upon my ankle and off I went. Lap 51 pain subsided, lap 52 pain subsided furthermore, lap 53, pain gone. And so it remained. Ankle was not a problem for any of the remainder of the race. Who needs expensive supports/ braces when a free NHS option provides the cure!
Next problem was the oppressive heat finally wearing down my Scottish body. Not used to these excessive conditions it could not cope. I started showing all the signs of heatstroke, but refused to admit it. Ian knew better and managed to convince me to lay down for a while to try and bring down my temperature. I continued to fight, struggled to my feet and got back on the course for another few laps.
Each lap got slower and harder as I felt my mind drifting in and out of reality. I felt my target slipping away and realised that if I did not do something, I was in danger of not being on the course when the final whistle was blown.
I staggered into Ian's arms and plopped to the floor where I was rapidly treated as I fought the mind demons in my head. “Quit now and you quit for life” etc. I told myself “just one little sleep and I would be back up...”
Fast forward one hour and I tried to get back on my feet. My body was having none of it and decided that completely shutting down and removing all my stomach contents at the same time would have the desired affect of stopping me. It worked, I stopped, but it also nearly resulted in an emergency call for an ambulance, which thankfully Ian was able to convince the medics that he would follow their advice and if I worsened then we could rethink the need for an ambulance...
Another hour later I tried again to rise to my feet and Ian accompanied me around the course for two laps. I was still in serious danger of collapsing again. I was defeated. Time to quit the race and go sleep in the bunk house, I would run no more that day. But, I did keep my race number around my waist for some reason....
A few hours later, I decided to get out of bed and return to walking the course. Body still said no and thankfully Ian stopped me from falling once again and placed me back upon the bed. More sleep until 8:34 and then BINGO. I awoke and felt very much aware of my surroundings. This time I did get up and remained up. Back on course to finish the lap that we had started about 5 hours ago, to much relief from the officials. Managed a decent sized breakfast and I was back on the course gently jogging and determined to stay upon my feet until 12pm.
The temperature was already 24° and it wasn't long until I started feeling hot again. Determined not to be beaten and with Ian's help, we managed to control the nausea and ensure correct fluids and food were taken, dampening me down with cold water after each lap..
As the time moved closer to 12pm I felt my strength returning, and as each lap passed by I became more confident about speeding up. I felt good again and soon was lapping people as most had resorting to walking. I ran past the male who was leading the race as well as all the female runners.
I was given a flag to carry for one lap when I reached the 100k mark, and boy was I glowing with pride as I raced around that lap. I might be way off target, but I once again had proven that I was not a quitter. I had rested, but I had not given up, and I had some more miles to clock up. My next target was to run further I had ever before, which at 108k, was a realistic target. People recognised me as a “casualty” from earlier and offered tremendous support as I ran. It was amazing and their energy fed into mine and encouraged my legs to move faster.
Then mini disaster number 4 (don't worry about the ones that I did not share...). Major explosion on one of my toes, could only mean one thing!
Change of socks, and several Compeeds and zinc oxide tape later and I was back running again. Turns out the damage was a little worse than just one little toe, several toe nails will not be joining me on my next running adventure, but I am sure the new ones will be even better.......
As we neared the end, Ian explained that I would be given a flag to carry on my last lap. This confused me a little as most people appeared to have been carrying a flag for some time. It took me a little while to work out that it was taking them significantly longer than me to complete each lap. I was now running each lap around seven minutes, which was faster than any other point of the race for me. I was handed my flag at 23 hours and 53 minutes, if I kept up the pace I would just be able to complete one more full lap.
As soon as I had the flag in my hand I felt an immense sense of pride and my legs kicked as I ran forward. Ian ran round with me (just off the course) explaining what I had to do with my flag as soon as the hooter went.
I had to slalom around people as I negotiated the course for one last time. I had to complete this last lap, a magical power helped me along and it felt like I was flying. I made the lap and the hooter did not go off. I actually managed about another third of a lap, and pending confirmation from lap splits, ran the last lap in well under 6 minutes, probably closer to 5. Not bad for the end of a 24 hour race, and confirmation that I can be good at this, just wait until the next one, which will be colder. Antarctica here we come......
My thanks and gratitude to Ian for his never ending support. Special thanks to Izzy, Steve, Stephen, John, Les and Margaret for their support during the race and beyond. And thanks to the organisers and fellow runners who all connected with me at some point during the race, especially the cameraman who appeared to like my vest!! I apologise to those that chose to rest near to where I fell unwell and to the those that got to see my feet. I hope the trauma does not last too long.
