I spy a recurring theme with Thames Path related races..... last minute offer of an entry and I cannot refuse!
After a successful 50 mile trot down the Thames in early February, the “offer” to run the extended edition was a temptation too much. Fully aware that I would go into the race not fully prepared, my sole intention was to understand and learn from the experience in preparation for a full on attack of a 100 mile race, later this year.....
In short, I did learn a lot and I also remembered. I remembered what I already know and sometimes to choose to ignore...
Ultra running should always be approached with full respect. Full respect for the distance, the organisers, the volunteers and the support teams. And full respect to all fellow runners, whether speed demons or gentle joggers – every one of us have to dig really deep, suffering greatly at times!
Ultra running requires rest and sleep in the days and weeks preceding the race – to fall asleep when running, especially when running beside a river can be very dangerous.
Ultra running is hard, the longer, the harder!
Never wear new shoes during an ultra.
If you have never “taped” your toes before, don't do it for the first time on the morning of a very long run.
Smile, always remember to smile. Especially when you don't want to. Smiling connects you to others and without asking they will offer help. Everyone needs help in an ultra!
As I sit here, toes in pieces, fighting “flu” like symptoms, I also glow with pride and a sense of achievement. This may surprise many, but it is very rare for me to actually take genuine pride in the “things” I achieve. I guess this is what drives me to do some of the things that I do, craving that elusive feeling of genuine pride and contentment.
It is no secret that my objective this year is The Ridgeway. A route I have fallen in love with and crave to return to, fully prepared and ready to share 15 hours of heaven and hell combined. Races like Thames Path 100 and Cotswold 35 are brilliant training aids to help me achieve this goal. Running on tarmac, or on flat populated terrain and running without dogs are all that I seek to avoid. If I can train my mind to manage those aspects of running, I can cope with almost anything a race can throw at me...
So where does one start when one tries to share an experience that lasted just under 20 hours? Too much detail and you will be bored, to little detail and I will not share this experience with you as I hope.
Centurion Running are the organisers of the TP100. James Elson, the main man at Centurion Running and a fabulous visionary. He has established his races as “must do's” on many an ultra enthusiast's race calendar, from the elite runner to the person that reaching each checkpoint just before the cut off time.
His team of volunteers are without exception the most supportive and happiest bunch of helpers I have ever known in any race I have run. From the personal service and cheery smiles at the aid stations to the extra help – one such person chasing after me to return my personal belongings when I had accidentally left them at their station! Big THANK YOU to you all!!
And so to the race..... it never ceases to amaze me the speed at which some people shoot off at the start of an ultra. Within the first few miles I was lingering towards the back as others surged forward. I used to panic when I saw people that I believed to be slower runners than me overtaking me in the first half of long runs. I know now from experience, that there is absolutely nothing to worry about, my strength normally comes through later....
Rain had been forecast for most of the day, but the reality was that we had only a short period of rainfall, not enough to affect the ground conditions.
The Thames Path is a mixture of grass, gravel, tarmac, and mud. Interesting variation and I surprised myself by looking forward to some of the tarmac sections! In the first 20 miles I had terrible times with my feet, courtesy of new shoes and my first ever attempt at “taping” my toes – I now have very badly damaged and infected toes, a strong reminder of my errors. I very nearly had to pull out of the race at 20 miles due to searing pain causing me to limp excessively. A change of shoes thankfully offered respite.
At this point I will mention Ian, whom without I would never have managed to complete this run. He took care of the dogs as I ran and met me as frequently as possible along the route. Always with a smile and offer of help. His support was relentless and I am eternally grateful for this. We make a good team, so we do!
In the early stages of the run I got to share time with people I have never spoken to in great depth. This is one of the aspects I love about ultra running, the opportunity to have a conversation with no pressure. Everyone going in the same direction, all with the same objective. Too often in everyday life there is no time for these conversations. Talking to Annie and Sarah, and so many other people was indeed a pleasure.
Another aspect of ultra running I find fascinating is the eating and drinking. Very little of what gets consumed is enjoyed as food should be, but is shovelled down with only one purpose – provide fuel! Crisps, coke, peanut butter sandwiches, chocolate, flapjack... all consumed together! I learned that low fat crisps are rubbish as there is not enough grease in them to aid swallowing, peanut butter gets boring after a while and cheese definitely no longer works for me when I am running. Tesco finest white rolls with butter and nuttella are awesome – they do work, as does cold mushy pasta baked beans and alpro soya drinks. I learned that Campbells tomato soup is perfect, Batchelors tomato soup bad. Bananas and coke remain constant in their energy support, never enjoyed, but always work!
In large chunks of the run I got really frustrated. The route was so flat and there were so many people, loose dogs, kids kicking balls and gates to open and close. Stop, start, stop, start and so on. I must confess that I actually started walking because I couldn't be bothered to run.... Nothing physically wrong with me, I just was not inspired by my surroundings. And then I remembered. I remembered The Ridgeway....
My love for another gave me what I needed. Little bumps in the ground became hills, crows flying above became Red Kites, the meandering Thames became torrential rapids, the houses and buildings became views across open countryside, a dream world opened before me and gave me the kick that I needed. And I was rewarded... just as darkness started to fall, three true Kites flew over my head. A sight of pure beauty, my spirits soaring with them into the skies, and then minutes later, Ian and the dogs were waving from the other side of the river. No bridge meant no crossing, but a wave and a shout was help indeed.
As darkness started falling, as did my eyelids. Overcome with extreme sleepiness, I craved nothing more than sleep. Legs were fine, body was strong, just an overwhelming desire for sleep, resulting from serious sleep deprivation in the weeks and months preceding this event. I reached halfway in just over 8 hours. In a different time and place and with different preparation I would have maintained that pace to the finish, but I knew today was not that day and it mattered not.
Martin joined me in Reading at 58 miles, from this point forth I would have company and Ian would no longer have to worry about me falling asleep in the Thames.
For someone (me) that normally struggles to run with other people, Martin's (and later Mark's) company was a grateful respite from the solo attempt to remain awake. The mouthfuls of “forced” banana certainly topped up my waning energy.
Even under the cover of darkness and running in reverse, I recognised much of the Thames Path from previous encounters. I recognised the section where I carried Kobi during the Thames Trot, the points where Kroi tried to chase the geese and sparse little portion of hills that Kez and I enjoyed so much. I also remembered the caricature of us in the recent edition of Athletics Weekly. It made me smile and laugh to myself....
By the time Mark joined me, I knew it would be OK and that I would make it to the finish, my only concern now (apart from making sure I did not fall asleep) was that there was a lot of talk of a sub 20 hour finish time. Was it possible? I guess it was worth a try....
And try we did. Mark keeping me focussed as I found the energy to keep moving forwards and try to eat all the food that Ian passed my way each time we saw him. I am not a fan of baked beans in tomato sauce, but hey they certainly gave me something in those last few miles.
As rain started to fall, we entered the outskirts of Oxford, edging closer to bed, as bed was all I could think about. I kept looking at my watch, the 20 hour mark looming closer and closer. I wasn't going to make it. My pace got quicker as the finish seemed to move further away. It was not where I though it would be......
Panic started to set in, and then I saw Ian. He said the finish was only one minute away. I know from experience that when he gives a time or distance from a finish line, the reality is that I have further to travel than his optimistic mind assures me.....
To “floor” it after 100 miles of running/ walking is actually quite hard, but I did. I found that extra gear and just bolted to the finish. Mission accomplished. 19:54 and a near fainting episode reward for my effort.
After the finish I had the honour of finally meeting Mimi Anderson in person. I had heard so much about this lady is was brilliant to actually speak with her. Mimi was first lady home, in under 19 hours.
Amazing experience, all indications are that I am going in the right direction regarding my training and my objectives. I achieved a significant milestone and now know what to expect come November, the day I “race” my first 100 miler.
But first I have my dream date with The Ridgeway in August....
