However I am rendered to remain with my feet firmly in the world of reality.....it was brutal! A slog, a grind, a 'dig deep and keep going' day of epic proportions.
If you've read my previous posts, you'll know I'm not a novice when it comes to endurance events and trail over road when it comes to running. But I don't think I was as prepared as I could be - perhaps a little complacent in that the miles I had clocked up would do me sufficiently. In truth, they did. It was the sheer toughness of the terrain that did for me.
My feet remain in reality because the simple fact is the soles of them are trashed. A school boy error of judgement not to have spare socks en-route and to continue in wet socks for the whole distance meant that when I eventually peeled my (once white now dark brown) foot coverings off, the wrinkled, shrivelled mess revealed my punishment for being silly.
But, do you know what. If I am going to remain in the world of reality, then let's way up the pro's and con's of the whole event, from start to finish and beyond - to see whether the price was worth the prize.
Things in favour:
- Great pre event information, registration and simple to follow instructions.
- High emphasis on fun and camaraderie.
- Some of the most supportive, engaging, well wishing marshals you could ever wish to meet!
- 'Swap Shop' table at all check points - don't fancy what you packed? No problem, swap it!
- The weather was extremely kind to us!
- Vicky, Lauren and Georgia buzzing around all day, appearing at checkpoints and cheering on via text.
- Some enjoyable conversations with some great folks on the way round!
- Mark's (my running partner) descent of Conic Hill - forever known now as Comic Hill......despite a dehydrated state I still almost peed myself with laughter!
- The reception towards the finish line....incredible, uplifting and in 30seconds almost eroded the entire memories of the last 3hrs.
- Quite simply there is no other community that is so broad minded, supportive, engaging and understanding as some of the people I had the good fortune to meet that day!
- A goody bag that was exceptionally good, full of useful stuff including the obligatory T-Shirt.
Downsides:
- The last 12 miles were just a trudge and try as I might, I could not find enjoyment.
- My white socks will never, ever, ever be white again!
- I have a few blisters preventing me running for a few days.....but not cycling!
Coming into the event with a week's worth of rest, a solid nutrition plan and a minimum of 100miles a month under my belt as well as some 20 to 30 mile trail runs, including those on sections of the route, I was feeling reasonably confident.
Mark and I set our plan out as an average of 12min miles. Approaching Conic Hill we were well up on time with over 30mins in hand. Arriving in Balmaha (20miles), we had 35mins in hand on our plan.
And then the wheels came off.
Finally I needed to pee. A rust colour emerged could mean only one of 2 things. Either my internal metalwork was corroding or I was dehydrated......it was the later as for the next 3 miles I cramped on my calves and groin.
I was carrying 1.5litres of fluid each section. But this one ran past some free flowing burns so, with heritage linking back to Yorkshire and having lived in Scotland for 12years I sensed the opportunity of a freebie and necked one bottle and then refilled with some of the National Park's finest H20.
The undulations round to Rowardennan were a bit up and down - literally and metaphorically. Mark had a few moments and so did I.
Then, 27miles, Rowardennan in sight - spirits lifted, we arrived at halfway just on 6 hours. A 12hr finish still in sight...for now! Also there was Vicky, Lauren and Georgia. Spirits lifted even higher.
My first 'shock' of the day was to see an acquaintance from Edinburgh with whom I'd shared a cuppa and ultra chat. He was a seasoned endurance runner and had shared his hints and tips with me on ensuring DNF did not appear next to your name. He was pulling out! Couldn't believe it and the look on his face was of sheer demoralisation. In one sense I felt sad and for a moment contemplated whether I was being over confident in my abilities. Then I thought how far I had come in the last 2years since I started running in any seriousness and got a boost of self confidence.
That lasted all of the next hour - until technical sections that were in fact a boulder scramble right through to Inversnaid....and then again from Inversnaid to Bein Glas. In the space of the next 3 hours, Mark and I watched our dreams of a 12hr finish disintegrate as Mark's feet and knees went the same way.
During this point, watching Mark's determination to keep going despite the growing discomfort brought mixed feelings. 1, we were slowing and there was a risk of not making the cut off time. 2, what a guy! Committing to the goal in hand and not giving in!
By now, the pace was grinding me down mentally. I wasn't prepared for not making the cut off.....my goal was simply to secure the 2 UTMB qualification points for the run. But I wanted to do this comfortably, not at the last gasp of available time.
As I managed to pass some other runners and some walkers, I was able to pick my pace up a touch. Mentally, I resolved to push on to the next check point and give myself 15minutes. If Mark showed, I'd wait and discuss. If not, I'd push on.
He showed and off we set on the last 12miles together....slowly. It was horrible. Both our feet were bruised and sore. Mark had a nightmare with his trainers having traveled from London the day before and leaving them behind. Me - I'd just been silly and allowed my feet to get wet through sweat and not put dry socks on.
Every slight incline now made our quads and glutes scream. Every slight downward step made the knees squeal with resistance to the torture they were being put through.
Under the A82 and up onto the final stretches. More runners grouping together now and at this point, a 100m opens between Mark and I. A quick check, a wave, a thumbs up and the agreement is made that I can push on to overcome the ever nagging fear I have for not finishing in time. The truth is I am hurting now. But I'm pushing so as to end the pain, to get off the route and to sit down. To claim my own personal victory.
I reach the 6miles to go point - calculate I have 90mins more running to do. At this point, I seriously consider chucking it. I am miserable, I'm hating the experience I have been looking forward to for months. I'm regretting ever starting this ultra running malarkey.
My wife's pre run pep talk comes to the front of my mind. '
' Only 2 broken legs or death stop you finishing!'
Neither has happened - so I have to continue.
One foot after the other - acknowledge those on the path, thank the marshals at the road crossing and the Wigwams in Tyndrum for their kind words. See a couple of runners ahead of me. Focus - reel them in, give myself a goal I can see. Work harder - 10minutes left to go, keep going, pain will end soon. Please end the pain soon.......
And then, there it is.....500m to the finish (despite being told 1000m ago it was just around the corner!!)
Lauren and Georgia are there to greet me. In my increasingly paranoid state, I tell them not to touch me as they might be considered support runners and I'll be disqualified........really??? Amazing what goes through your mind after 14hrs of running, climbing, scrambling, walking, crawling.......
There it is, the red carpet and yellow finish line. Somehow, from somewhere, I find enough energy to pick up the pace and open my legs. I get onto the red carpet. I stop, take a foto of the finishing line and then try a 'selfie'.....to much applause from the spectators and previous runners who had already finished.
Sprint (felt like a sprint but all relative considering the shuffle for the last 12miles) to the line and I'm done!
My first, non stop, 50mile + trail run that was an UTMB qualifier. The furthest I have run in one go in my life by over 15miles.
Best of all, within 30mins Mark too had crossed the line!
I vowed not to do it again. It was a tick in the box. Been there, seen it, done it. Never again, no need.
But there is a need. A need to prove I can do better than I did. To prepare better. So will I do it again in 2015......probably!
Sat here, Sunday evening approximately 24hrs since I crossed the line last night I'm already itching. I have blisters but apart from that Im okay. And blisters can be prevented so why not do it again???
My biggest lessons here were that age, shape, size, kit etc all don't make the slightest difference when compared to the power of the mind. If you don't think you can, you cant. And if any any stage you doubt you can, be prepared for the next period to be one of the darkest, most miserable and unenjoyable moments.
Its the littlest things that can lift you, but the most heartwarming is the sincere, genuine, and encouraging words from strangers who have gone before you, or are on the same journey - just in a different place mentally.
A bit like life in general really........ups, downs....a battle of endurance and stamina, your own will and dreams pulling you on, the support of those around you keeping you on your feet and moving forward.
2 years since I started and I've legitimately completed 2 ultramarathons now, 2 ultra distance adventure races and 1 iron distance duathlon.
For a former fat lad, its a long way to come. Talk of the loneliness of the long distance runner....but I am never alone for I am blessed with such supportive friends and family that all I need to do is reach into my memory and they are always with me!
