Saturday 23 July 2016

Race to the Stones - More is in you.

Race to the Stones Day 1
Lewknor, Oxfordshire.
16th July 2016
#More is in you.
Day1


It was finally here! The BIG DAY! No I wasn't getting married, but it was something I had been dreaming about for months. I was standing at the starting line for Race to the Stones, nervous and excited, I started to shuffle forward, 2 seconds later I was grinning from ear to ear and running the first 1km of the 100km challenge.
I had signed up in March after debating about it for a few months, but after several marathons I realised if I wasn’t ready now, I never would be. Somehow I managed to get my girlfriend Caz signed up for day 2, so as she waved me off on my 50km adventure she drove up to the midway base camp to get everything set up, eat breakfast and have a sleep in the car.
I, on the other hand would be following the iconic Ridgeway along the Chilterns, I was hoping to run and walk the 62 glorious miles all the way to The Avebury stone circle in 2 days. It promised to be a once in a lifetime experience.
The chilled out start line.

100km of beautiful countryside laid out in front of me and all I could think about was “I need a wee” I kept running trying to forget, ignoring the urge, but eventually just a mere 2km in I had to stop and climb through some bushes to find a spot to pee!
I had the forethought of bringing a Shewee with me, however I had not practised in the shower ( brand instructions not mine!) I figured how hard could it be? Well it started out ok, but soon a warm, wet feeling started to occur! Great! I had now got pissy pants and at least another 48km to cover, smelling less than fragrant! I waddled back to the trail and rejoined my fellow runners, hoping no one could tell I had had a Shewee incident! I carried on running and stopped for a while at a long queue to get through a kissing gate, the run felt like an big adventure.  An adventure I was sharing with over a thousand or so runners.


Following Shewee gate, the 1st pit stop came up after a long slog uphill, it was more than welcomed. I refuelled on Chia snack bars, filled up my hydration pack, went to the loo (threw Shewee in bin) and within 10 minutes was back on the trail. I had spent many months practising what fuel and hydration worked or didn’t work, so confident with my choices I ran on, only stopping to walk the inclines or take photo’s of the beautiful scenery.
There was no doubt about it, it was getting hotter and by pit stop 2, everyone was melting! I stopped for a bit longer, remembering to drink extra water and add the Skratch Labs electrolyte mix to my hydration pack. I ate a sandwich (honey and cashew butter works for me) and a few energy balls and some honey stingers. After 30 mins I headed back out into the scorching hot conditions, I had placed my buff in cold water and put this on my head to help with the heat, but the route took you along the river and it was extremely exposed. I wanted to jump into the river and I nearly did, as further along there was regatta being held,near Goring. It had an ice cream van and myself and another runner joked about turning this stage into a triathlon, although I'm not sure about where the bike part would fit in.
My favourite photo from @pic2go


The temperature still rose, but I just shuffled along, never once wanting to give up, feeling strong and determined I made it to pit stop 3. Thankfully this break was in the shade, I gathered up some more food, a cup of sweet tea and did a quick blister check. The medical team at each pit stop were invaluable, taping legs and feet up, supplying Vaseline, Rocktape and sun tan lotion. I’m sure many runners would agree that they wouldn’t of made it without their help. I had 1 more pit stop before base camp and walking was now the new running!
The hills seems bigger, the pathways more challenging and the sun was definitely hotter! I walked and chatted away to several runners, but every now and then I would excuse myself to see if my legs were still working and I’d run the flat and downhill sections. The panoramic views from the highest point of the Ridgeway were absolutely stunning, breathtaking in fact. I tried to absorb them and take some energy from the land and before I knew it, I was at pit stop 4, near West Ilsley. This was 44km, I had just completed a marathon over some of the toughest terrain I had ever faced!
I could barely contain my excitement, this time I only stopped for 5 mins, fuelled on by chocolate and flat coke, I marched back out onto the trail. Feeling  happy and strong, I text my girlfriend to say I was on my way to base camp.
The desire to finish outweighed the scenic views and soon I was running most of the last 6km. My body was aching and I was sun burnt, but it never felt like the mental challenge I had expected! Talking with runners and running from point to point had banished my long distance demons and I was delighted!
The last stretch to the finish was uphill and I could see Caz waiting for me.
I crossed the line, feeling ecstatic, hungry and a bit sore and then I realised I had done it! The first day of 50km had been completed in the blistering sun with the added bonus of no blisters!!!


Base Camp
So what would you expect at the midway base camp. Hot showers? Chill out zone with yoga mats and foam rollers? Massage tent? Food tent and maybe a bar?
Well the Race to the Stones team (Threshold sports) had supplied all of the above, it was like a mini festival for runners. All the tents had been set up for you, there was access to hot showers with no queue and every runner was entitled to a 10 minute massage. The medical team were kept busy dealing with blister popping, heat stroke and exhausted Ultra marathoners.
I thankfully got off lightly with a few sores on my back from my back pack and a bit of sun burn. Myself and Caz ate at 6pm, there were plenty of carbs but not much protein on offer. A big table of cakes and free tea, coffee and hot chocolate were also available. (Not many gluten free options for dinner and no gf cake was on offer either)
After I refuelling, I braved the chill out zone to foam roller and trigger ball my limbs! It was the most painful 30 mins of the day, however I felt like I had brand new legs afterwards. We retired back to the tent at about 9pm and although initially I found it hard to get off to sleep (eye mask & ear plugs deployed) when I did eventually drop off to the land of slumber I slept right through til 5am.
The tents all set up and ready to go.


Day 2
#It's’ further than you think!
More is in you was the strap line from Threshold sports and it was definitely proved correct on the second day!
We were up at 5am for breakfast and pre race prep (leg taped, Vaseline on feet, sun cream applied and hydration packs filled) We set off at 6.30am and started with a nice walk as the sun rose behind us.
Sunrise on day 2 6.30am

Caz training had been going great until and ill timed sprint after a 10km race had twanged her knee. With a only  few weeks til RTTS she had rehabbed every day with glute strengthening exercises but not been able to train properly. We tried out a little run-walk on our way to the first pit stop of the day (pit stop 6) and it seemed OK, although I was advising her that more walking and less running would mean we should get to the finish line in one piece. We stopped briefly for the loo and then we marched off again, Caz wanted to keep up with a man who was smoking a pipe, as you do, on a 50km! So with him in sight we continued forward, up and over many a hilltop and onward to the next pit stop. The second day felt easier, I had someone to talk to and share the beautiful surroundings. We smiled, took selfies and laughed with others, the time and miles seemed to fly by.
Hot on the heels of pipeman!

Caz kept up with pipeman and soon enough we had passed 70km and we're heading to the next break and pit stop 7 near Bishopstone. It was heaving with bodies, some broken and some with just great big blisters on show, shoes and socks had been discarded. We ate our sandwiches inches away from these feet, luckily neither of us suffered with blisters, but we kept checking our feet and I put my compression socks on and filled up our hydration packs. By this time I was getting tired, but Caz kept me going at a decent pace and we took it in turns to lead from the front. Some of the biggest ascents occurred on the way to 80km and whilst it was becoming difficult we plodded on and tried to keep our heads up, so not to miss the spectacular terrain.
At the top of a particularly steep hill we reached pit stop 8, the heat was soaring and we were among many of the tired out runners that needed a rest. We ate and did a blister check, I overheard one lady who had decided to finish and was calling her husband to pick her up and another conversation claiming that it would take another 4 hours to complete if walking! We looked at each other and said “Fortify” we were not quitting and with that we got up and proceeded ever nearer to 80km.
We put some music on and had a singalong, this seemed to help and I almost forgot that we had another 20km to go! I was focussing on getting to the next pit stop, but by halfway to number 9 the wheels came off. Caz stopped talking and was finding it hard to keep going. Oh no, at 85km there was no singing, no talking and no laughing! I knew that she needed to stop, but with just a few km’s to go I encouraged her to keep going. I did threaten to leave her for the weasels to eat, this at least did raise a smile, but all her energy had been drained and every step was a challenge for her. The last 1km I had my arms around her waist supporting her up an epic hill. She could barely talk and all she kept saying was “I want to sit down, on a real chair”
Thankfully as we approached pit stop 9 the medical team saw us and helped me get her into their tent and onto a chair. I did most of the speaking on behalf of Caz. She had hit the wall and her body was screaming out for electrolytes and food. She was not the only one, runners were laying on the floor crying, projectile vomiting into bins and some were actually asleep. Even though she was tired, she didn’t want to give up, so we gave her a Dioralyte, flat coke, crisps and some chocolate. With 30 mins rest a minor miracle had occurred, she had been rebooted!!


She lives…….
Even I was in awe of how she sprung back into life. One minute she was out for the count and then the next she was on her feet ready to tackle the last 12km. We left the pit stop in a better state than we entered and even more determined to make the last leg, literally on our last legs!
As we past the 90km mark, it was me that started to fade, it was mainly my feet, but also the heat had been relentless over the last 2 days. I hobbled a bit and slowed down and this time it was Caz turn to be the strong one and get me over the final hurdle. It seemed to last forever and even the sight of the last 5km sign didn’t fill me with glee.
The fake smile says it all!

We shuffled on together and at last we could see the Stones! We managed a little run towards them and had our photo taken. After that we hiked back up to the last field and walked through it, once turning left out of the field we could see the finish line. We agreed to run the last few hundred yards, staggering on with heavy legs we reached the finish line and much to my surprise the crowd cheered for us and applauded our effort! We hugged and laughed as we got our medals, it had been hard work and emotional but we had done it.
More is in you is no word of a lie, it's incredible what your mind and body can do when pushed to its limits. Taking time to rest before our shuttle bus journey back to base camp, we both sat with our feet up, eating and drinking. I was so emotional, mainly because I was so proud of Caz and that we had shared the whole experience together, as I tried to pull myself together Caz started laughing hysterically “ What is it, are you ok?” I asked slightly worried that she had slipped back into delirium.
“Yes I'm fine, but look it’s pipeman!!” She exclaimed and with that our day was complete.
The end to an epic 2 days! Raceto the Stones, the best event I have completed.


After thoughts……
One of the most well organised events I have ever attended, the race crew and medical team were amazing.
The base camp had everything you could need or want and more and I loved the fact that the tents were all set up for you as well.
The pit stops were brilliantly set up and well spaced and I loved the support from the locals along the way.
The route was well sign posted, I was never worried that I would get lost!
Although there was congestion at the beginning it didn't worry me as I'm used to taking part in trail events with stiles, kissing gates and single track.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat and I'd stick with the 2 day option.


My one negative was the lack of gluten free food at base camp, I had emailed ahead and received confirmation that there would be plenty of food, but after a hard day's run there was only one option, no gf bread, no pudding or cake either.
However the pit stops had loads of gf options which did keep me going, I've learnt from years of being a coeliac to take food wherever I go, but maybe for next year this could be looked into.


I'd rate Race to the Stones event 10 out of 10 as an event and hope to return next year.


#RTTS2016
#thresholdsports
#pic2go
#runtoryrun
#100km
#50km
#Ultramarathon

Sunday 10 July 2016

Stuck at 9, did not finish!

Jeskyns Challenge 26.2
Kent
25th June 2016

Lovely day.
I was looking forward to this race which had been postponed from January due to bad weather. It was located at a local park, so I didn’t need to get up so early and my normal pre race routine went really smoothly. I was wary of another 26.2 so close to my bad experience at Reculver Towers. In fact, this was my 3rd distance event in 5 weeks and having recently started up my Personal Training Services I was more than a little busy. In my mind I had trained sufficiently and I had had nearly 2 days full rest before the event.
I had slept a bit more and had hydrated and fuelled well and so, feeling happy and excited I left the house to drive the 20 mins to the race start.
As usual, I was greeted by the lovely race organisers, Traviss and Rachel and with my number pinned on and the weather looking good we all set off at 8.30am.
The route was another out and back loop with just 2.91 miles until you were back at HQ. It was a beautiful trail/track run around the park with lots to look at, with some shade, some hills and a lovely atmosphere of mixed runners. I chatted for a little while and then decided to enjoy my day and so I put some chilled out tunes on and had a little daydream, whilst my legs did all the work.

After a few laps the heat was getting to me.


Feeling, hot, hot, hot!
1 lap passed and I felt light on my feet, I had changed my pace from a 10 min mile to an 11 min mile, following some expert advice from a fellow runner after my previous race at Reculver where I nearly collapsed! I felt strong and relaxed, I had also adjusted my mindset and was not checking my watch for pace etc. By 9.30am the temperature was increasing, it was getting hotter by the hour! I had already started on my hydration drink and was eating every 30-40 mins, every time I got back to HQ I decided to walk for 5 mins whilst having a drink or eating an energy ball. This little routine worked just fine until at lap 4!! I thought I was half way but when I found out that I needed to complete 9 laps for marathon distance I just crumbled! All the way round lap 5 the annoying mental chatter returned, all I wanted to do was walk, or stop and realising I still had so far to go nearly finished me off!
I went back out to see how lap 6 would feel and truthfully it felt and hurt like hell! My legs were heavy and the 25 degree heat was beating down on me.
I kept drinking and eating and decided to walk for a bit, especially the uphills, but then i’d run the downhills and the flat parts of the route. By the time I saw my little group of supporters I was done.
“ I can’t carry on, not feeling like this. I don’t want to become ill like last time” I admitted to my girlfriend. She would normally encourage me to carry on or run with me but with 9 miles still to complete she just hugged me and said “Only you know when to stop, if you think it’s now, then stop”
So holding hands with little Abby, I walked back to HQ. Traviss could see I had given up and although he tried to encourage me, I knew he understood that I needed to ring the bell.
I had completed nearly 18 miles in very hot conditions and although I was initially disappointed I knew I had made the right decision.
The great thing about a distance challenge is that if you complete 1 lap or 20 you still get the same medal and goody bag, so with a medal the size of an ipad around my neck we decided to go sit down and eat ice cream.
Fabulous medals from SVN events.


Regrets…..
I spent the afternoon at home relaxing, but every now and then my mind would wander and I’d catch myself thinking “ Could I have pushed on? Maybe I should’ve tried one more lap” but, as soon as I thought it, the realisation kicked in that I just didn’t have it in me.
I refuelled and slept well over the next 24 hours, no lasting aches or pains but just a niggling thought kept playing on my mind! I had not completed my 10th marathon, a DNF, Did Not Finish. I had at least another 8 marathons to complete by 1st Jan 2017, let alone another 33 after that! OMG! What if’s filled my mind, what if I can’t get past 18 miles again? What if it’s not meant to be? What if I’m too tired or ill to train? Blah, blah, blah!
I am still at a point where I don’t know what's going to happen and I’m talking through fuelling strategies, training and mindset with my peers. I can honestly say the last 5 weeks have been a struggle and although many achievements have been made over the last year I am feeling worried about my future and unsure whether distance running will feature in it so frequently .
The challenge of 50 marathons before 50 seems like a distant dream at the moment, marathons do not seem to get any easier, infact they just seem to get harder!

Enlightenment
1 week later and I’ve had more time to reflect and re reading the last very negative paragraph above just shows how your mind can play tricks on you! I am nowhere near done with marathons or my 50 before 50 challenge, so do not worry dear reader the battle continues!
 I still consider the decision to stop to be right and now looking back there are some very obvious reasons why. I had a great chat with my coach and mentor and by the end of it I felt that by just looking into a few minor issues I could get back on track again.


  • Hydration on a normal day is important let alone on a hot day. My main issue was with getting the electrolyte to water ratio correct and having not read the dilution instructions correctly I didn’t have enough in my hydration pack! I am also trying out some other solutions/flavours to see if they work a little better.
  • Fuelling/Hydration/Rest before race, seems fairly obvious but just by adding in a few days of drinking Dioralyte and eating/sleeping a little extra I could’ve felt a lot better and been able to continue.
  • Find a run buddy, ideally someone whose pace is slightly slower than you and offer to pace them over 26.2 miles. This takes the pressure off your race and shifts the focus onto helping someone else achieve their goal.
  • Diet wise I am very healthy, but looking into a few vitamin and mineral deficiencies could also help, Iron, B12, zinc and Vit C are all heavily depleted through endurance running and training. A quick blood test could give me a good idea of what I need to give my body to help keep me running marathon distance every month. 
  • A quick check on whether I am over training some weeks came back positive! With training clients, Boot camps and my own training it’s rare that I get a day off and sometimes I work out 3 or 4 times a day! I’ve already scaled this back and I’m under instruction by my nutritionist to nap more! 
  • Training in between marathons is also something that I’m unsure about, but thankfully it’s nothing too scary. 3 runs per week, 1x recovery 5km, 1x 7-10km and still try to get the long run of 2 hours in at the weekend. This may mean less strength work but it will help me mentally and physically to feel race ready. I took a week off all training last week and went back to basics with food and hydration. I call this pushing my reset button and it certainly seems to have worked. I am raring to get back out there, after all those marathons are not going to run themselves!
Just a reminder to myself.



With all of this fresh in my mind I have less than 2 weeks now to get myself back on track before Race to the Stones! Just a mere 100km to cover in 2 days! I will have Saturday as my race day and Sunday as my recovery day as my girlfirend is running with me and I can pace her and enjoy the scenery along the way. Lets hope that my mindset is more
 “I can do this, even if I struggle I can finish” rather than “Sod this, it’s bloody hot and I want an Ice cream!”

Thank you for reading my blog, next race is Race to the Stones 100km in 2 days!

#runtoryrun
#50before50
#stuckat9
#DNF
#RTTS