24 hour running

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 7^th May I found myself in Basel, Switzerland on the start line of a race which would not finish until 12pm on 8^th 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.

Story of the little lost dog

When we first met Kobi, I looked into his eyes and saw nothing. A blank expression was all that met with my gaze, he would not make eye contact, and would not even try to focus on his environment. Absolutely no interest in humans whatsoever. His little body carried him around, but his vacant expression showed no life at all. I had a horrid sick feeling in my stomach when I envisaged what might have happened to him in his short life. We will never know what he experienced, we just know all to well the coping mechanisms he had cleverly adopted in order to survive what ever was going on around him.

We knew it would be a challenge to bring a sparkle into his eyes, we had space in our pack for another dog, and we wanted to give a lost dog a new life. A life that would include being part of an amazing pack, eating fabulous food, huge amounts of exercise, even his very own bunk bed!

If I am honest, it was that vacant expression that sold little Copper (as he was then known) to me. Something told me that if this dog was to become what he wanted to be, then his best chance was to share our life. I felt that there was something very special inside his little shell, one of those gut feeling as evidence all around me was to the contrarary.

He was completely petrified of humans. To the point of freezing and completely shutting down if a human got too close. When he froze one could have done anything to him and I don't think he would have ever reacted. Dogs he understood and was fine with, humans he did not trust and did not want to have anything to do with. He was extremely underweight and had been flea and worm ridden when first handed into the dog rescue. Apparently he was found on the streets, but it was generally felt by the rescue center the people that "found him" were actually his owners. His original foster owners had performed a wonderful job of cleaning him, feeding and trying to connect with him. He quickly gained weight while living with them, but would not interact with them, preferring to spend most of each day in a cage, even though the door was wide open.

When we brought him home he quickly settled into his cage, it was his little safe haven, which we respected and would not infringe upon "his space". When he did come out of his cage if either Ian or myself went within 10 feet of him he bolted into another room. We had to wait until he was in a corner before we could clip a lead onto his collar, just to take him a walk. If we looked at him he would cower and drop to the floor.

We considered that he might be very ill or possibly be handicapped in some way. He had not pain responses and his reactions (or rather lack of) to certain stimuli lead us to consider this train of thought. He seemed fascinated with his own paws as they moved, almost as if they were a live animal that he could chase. It looked like he did not realise they were his own. Baby puppies I can understand show this type of bahaviour, as they learn about themselves and their bodies, but at possibly ten months he appeared to old for this immature behaviour.

I run, while others dream, and I dream....

3:30am this morning I awoke, jumped out of bed, threw on my running clothes and try to sneak through the front door while sleeping huskies dreamed. I failed. Kez was instantly alerted to my intentions and blocked my route from kitchen to front door, and Kobi tapped my legs with his little paws (must remember to not teach the next puppy to "touch" - huskies kinda like to "touch" with emphasis!).

The reason for my early start today? If I am serious about attempting a 24 hour event, my body needs to know what it feels like to run at every hour of the day. Listening to experienced 24 hour runners, 4am tends to be the worst time, which unsurprisingly does not phase me as I daily fall out of my bed around 4:30 to run across the Wiltshire countryside.

I love early morning running for a number of reasons. There are very few people around at this time, people are sleeping and I am in "my world" alone. Where there are no interuptions to disturb me from my thoughts and dreams in "my world".

The animals of the countryside keep me company if I need: Brock the badger on his slumbering slog back to Betty; Fred fox trying to sneak up on the first batch of this year's baby rabbits, unfortunately born too early, with a low survival rate; Snowy the barn owl, struggling to raise a family in his declining prefered home; Riva the Roe deer, less weary this morning as I chose to leave the huskies behind. There are others, all that I see regularly and each has a story to tell...

As I run, the miles slip by as I think, analyse and dream. I dream that Kai is running alongside me, like he used to all those years ago. I feel safe when I think that I feel his presence, him protecting me now as he did in life.

I think of all the hurtful and negative comments that people make to me, how hurtful I find them and how I can manage my mind to just let them "bounce off". I know I am super sensitive, and I also know that there are people out there that are not capable of sharing positive words about everyone. I do not know their circumstances and do not care to know, but hope that one day they learn that sharing positive words and comments is so much more rewarding. It is empowering when you see another person's face light up, inspired by a word, by a recognition.

Today I made a resolution to myself about how I will cope with those comments. They will keep on coming, of that I am sure! My strategy will be experimental, if this one does not work, I will try another strategy. I will not give up because if I do I will give up on doing what I love, and what I am.

My run today takes me round Salisbury's "Three Peaks". Not quite of mountainous standard, more like mole hills, but definitely hills in this relatively flat area of Wiltshire. There is Figsbury Hill, Old Sarum Hill and Laverstoke Down Hill, plus a little peak just above the Woodford Valley. The ground is very muddy and sticky underfoot, tough going but brilliant training. Energy levels good and no ill effects from yesterday's speed session with little Kobi and Kez. Thinking of both dogs, there are some fabulous stories that I can share about both of these guys. Kobi - the Usain Bolt of the dog world, Kez - the Haile Gabraisalle (note to check spelling later...)

It has been so long since I last wrote, so many adventures and experiences in the last year. I have some catching up to do...

The surprise of my early morning run was the chainsaw massacre of trees (I think) by Network Rail. 5am on a Sunday morning, in a residential area and these guys have chainsaws verberating throughout the neighbourhood. I could still hear the resounding growling as I ran over Laverstoke down towards the Hampshire side of home.

Mission accomplished I return to bed with a litre of rego, happy that I had succeeded in another area of my training. 30 minutes later I had to get back out of bed, run a bath and have a very hot drink! My body temperature had plummeted and there was no way that I could sleep. I will learn this lesson well and do things slightly differently next time

The Hibernation Habits of an Ultra Runner

Yes, I do still run.

Yes, I do still write!

Just been a little preoccupied with "stuff" - funny how one cannot always manage time to allow all of life's "wants" to be done.

Whilst I play catch up, some interesting life developments in summary....

1. Finding "the one" at the local Marathon.

2. The wonderful world of PARKRUN

3. Postponing life whilst waiting for ankle surgery.

4. Kick starting life whilst waiting for ankle surgery!

5. From Ultra Runner to "speed freak" - dropping down to 5k races.

6. Passporting "kiddies" in preparation for an assault on the European Canix community.

7. Chasing course records

8. Eating for two....

9. Running London Marathon in reverse

10. Hitting "the wall" at mile one of a marathon

11. Chasing the dream - 100k UKA champs one last time?

12. Sponsorship opportunities that actually work!

Anniversaries and dream evolutions

One month has now gone. On the day that is the anniversary of Kai's birth 14 years ago, today also marks the passing of one month since Kai slipped away. Life goes on, but Kade still mourns the loss of a father, as do I mourn the loss of a special friend.

Today also marks the final end on a two year dream. A very special dream that burned stronger than any dream I have ever known. It lasted only for a short time, intense heat and sparks at creation, then it burned brightly, smouldering for a while and then today it ran out of oxgyen. The energy to fuel it gone. The glow has disappeared forever.

But, as life goes on, even after death, as do dreams. Dreams evolve and dreams are created in the flash of a nanosecond. A little spark within the pathways of the mind and soon inspiration floods through the grey matter, into the red river of the body's energy, straight to the heart. From there it moves through to the tummy and excitement begins. Feel it strongly and the eyes weep to cleanse the vision to bring clarity to eyes that want to turn the dream into a vision.

Losing a Best Friend

Today I said my final farewell to one of the best friends that I have ever been priviledged to know.
Muiryett's Power Game (Kai) first entered my life nealy fourteen years ago as a little bouncy bundle of husky fur. I did not choose him, but he chose me. From two litters of puppies all looking for new homes, Kai was the one that followed me every where from the moment that we first met. He waited for me outside the toilet, whilst all the other puppies were scrabbling over the bonio biscuits that they had found. I scooped him into my arms and cuddled him close to me. Our lives from that point forth would be intertwined until one of us had to move onto our next life. He was always there for me, through the good times and the bad. The dancing and smiling when I fell in love and when I succeeded in life's challenges. The sadness when I fell from success or lost the loves of my life. He was my forever in life's rollercoaster. He was a dog, yes, but a very special dog at that. Anyone that met him will agree to this fact. A companion, a father to Kade, a grandfather to Krofti, and great, great, great grandfather to Kez. He was all that plus more......
Now is not the time to share all our life experiences. There were many, a lifetime of memories. For now I am in mourning for a loss that is hard to accept. Yes, I have been preparing for this for a very long time, but that does not make it any easier.
Kai continued his battle for life until he returned to his place of birth. He was born in Lanarkshire and will rest forever in Lanarkshire. This pleases me as it feels very symbolic.
I now wear a charm bracelet upon my wrist, a Christmas present that for now has two significant charms, one of these charms represents my memories of Kai, forever engrained within my mind. I will touch it when I want to remember the good times, and good times there were many!

When a race achieves its objective

Gosport Semi Marathon a distant memory, time to try another similar race. This time with a different objective. A run for fun and a wee blast before next week's 3 race challenge....
Conditions could not have been worse (well they could have but for the purpose of this piece please try and imagine the worst conditions ever!), freezing cold, torrential rain and crowds of people all around me. Not good for a claustrophobic runner.
Wise words from coach firmly etched in my mind "you love to run, racing is running, therefore you enjoy racing" I leapt forward as the gun when off and braced myself for the onslaught.
Within the first 0.5 mile I had to check my stride and almost stop as someone cut right in front of me, two hundred yards later it happened again,and then again. I could feel my ankle react and my mind transported temporarily back to Gosport. Not today. I could not stop today. I dug deep, then deeper and then I found what I needed for that moment. I got angry felt it grow in my belly and into my mind. How rude these people were, do they not have any racing manners at all. It is almost paramount to bullying and very selfish too. Overtake and then cut directly in front of person, causing them to alter their stride just because you want that line. If you are running faster than me then please just continue for a few strides more and let me enjoy my run too.
I am almost ashamed to say this (as it is comparing myself to others which one should not do), but I thought "how many of these people have represented Great Britain, run in a World Championships, and become a Champion of a Nation"?
On that thought, I breathed deeply and continued on my path with a strong mind. I did not get anxious, did not try to escape, just ran.
After a few more miles the crowds had thinned and it was no longer a problem for the claustrophobic runner. I was in the zone, running very comfortably and enjoying the race, even enjoying the rain when it came down in buckets (and these buckets were like the size of 5 tonne skips - honest). I was only running at marathon/ultra pace, which was acceptable as my only objective today was to get to the finish line happy and comfortable, fully prepared for next weekend.
I did it. I got to the finish with a huge beaming smile.
Yesterday I ran a comfortable 5k PB in a very respectable time of 19.06, today I conquered one of my little mind demons.