SVP50 (Stour Valley Path) – Strava
This was my first exposure to an ultra event, I selected this as my first as the elevation was low and it was relatively local giving me the best chances of survival/ success. In the build up, pinning my badge on and making final kit packing provisions the magnitude of what lay ahead in the next 5/6 hours finally kicked in, nothing detrimental just excitement around what lay ahead. A 1pm start time ensured maximum temperatures and the emphasis of the fluid strategy for this race being clear. As the 130 or so runners made their way to the start line I found myself at the back of the pack observing peoples pre-race rituals, chatting fiddling with watches and hats. Once the gun went of I started to make my way through the group on the wider sections of track at a pace I would later slightly regret. Once clear of the main group I settled into a pace around 5:40/km and began to really enjoy the atmosphere and a day exploring completely new surroundings. I hit the first feed zone at 17km in and it was a real splash and dash, filling the bladder back up and taking a few swigs of additional fluids along with a couple of gels. The quantity and range of supplies at the feed zone was far greater than anticipated leading me to opt for a slightly more ‘aggressive’ fuelling strategy leaning more towards the fast acting sugars and caffeine rather than the slower burning options. Bolting out of the feed zone I hit the first and only real elevation opting for a fast hiking pace rather than a jog in places, a decision which was mirrored by nearly everyone around me. The next 15km I joined someone that was sitting at a regular and safe pace and used the opportunity to take onboard some sustenance and better strategise on the remaining distance. Once I reach feed stop 2 I was still within my maximum trained distance (43km) and although feeling it some what still had plenty in the tank, stop 2 was faster than the first and on my departure I dropped the person I joined aiming for a sub-5hr effort, although slightly ambitious for a first attempt at this distance I thought it was achievable. Smashing through the next 10km was a challenge and I began to cash the relatively hefty checks I posted earlier in the race with a few more brief stops and my left ankle beginning to give me some bother although still feeling ok, I could sense that past the 40km mark I would potentially unravel. Reaching the final feed stop with my name announced over the speaker system, I took slightly longer to dowse my cap in ice water and to stretch my legs ready for the final 7km. The person crewing for me mentioned that I was in the upper portion of the race although difficult to tell as the 100km and 50km participants had become merged. Spurred on by the potential for a decent finish I hit the tarmac out of the feed stop with the headphones making their first appearance as I ventured into the unknown in regards to distance. Rolling through that last stretch was difficult, definitely not close to the levels of fatigue I’ve experienced cycling but the impact on my joints and overall freshness was significant and not something I had prepared for fully. As I rounded the final corner to see the finish banner across the field I ran across and the instant relief I felt in completing the race was a true indication of the existence of type 2 fun, I collected my medal, exited the finishers enclosure and crashed out on the floor. A big day out in regards to my running palmarès with P19 overall and plenty of room for improvement with the 100km option next in my sights.

Florence Marathon – Strava

An amazing trip, from the potential of the plane not even taking off on the Friday, to sat in the sun in the centre square in Florence on Sunday having given my all. Getting the train down to Gatwick we were fully prepared to get the train back that afternoon with airport strikes threating our flight slot. The relief when we touched down in Florence was immense and the excitement properly set in. We got setup in our apartment and headed out for food. Saturday rolled around and we jogged over to the expo to collect our race packs, I chose to take the long route home to the high point in Florence and it was spectacular to take the city in on a clear and crisp November morning. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and consuming the final parts of a well structured carbo-loading plan. Now I hadn’t done a traditional training plan for this event and a groin injury 3 weeks out really hampered my training leading up to this event, a trip to the physio and a new set of carbon plates had my spirits high and my eyes set on a sub 3:30. Race prep made and fuelling strategies discussed I had an early night. Waking up early on Sunday morning, I had my usual eggs on toast and a coffee. Aiming to have my first caffeine pill just before the start and then hit my fuelling strategy. Joining my starting pen with noise of plastic covers and nerves kicking in I soaked in the moment as best I could. Setting off I stuck with the 3:30 pacer for the first 13km ish to get settled and get some time in the bank. As I got closer the the 15km mark everything was feeling great so I decided to put the hammer down and try and catch the the 3:15 pacer. Although I didn’t achieve this I got pretty close. The cool Italian air with the sun beating down made for some of the best running conditions and helped me cross the line in 03:17:47, a time I am really happy with for my first time in a road marathon given the compromised training in the build up. Plenty of performance yet to extract but very happy with the foundations.

Peddars Way Ultra – Strava

On a brisk January morning with a very early start, I jumped into the passenger seat and began the journey to Thetford for the final Peddars Way Ultra. After sign-on, the sky cracked nicely with an array of bright orange and purple, I briefly enjoyed this view before heading to the race brief and the start line. Once we set off I settled into a nice pace as part of a group of around 5 people and the first part of the course wormed it’s way through a site of lodges with hot tubs and people outside already enjoying their heat. I thought to myself how different our days were going to be and how warped my sense of fun has become. After the initial narrow trail section I found myself in another smaller group working at a pace slightly faster (5:35/km) than than my plan (5:55/km) but it was metronomic across all surfaces so I decided that I would carve some time out against my plan and could always fall back if required. The first 25km went smoothly and I hit the first stop with some teething problems with bottle hand-offs, potency of salt mix and lack of energy drink prepared although not catastrophic it was to be ironed out in the next 2 stops. With the malt loaf, carb mix and bananas replenished, I chugged a Tenzing recovered from the car and hit the trail for another 20km. This is were I set into the raised pace on my schedule and committed to holding it for as long as I could, the next two hours flew by and I steadily made my way past a couple of people. The next check point rolled into view and I called ahead to Big Al, who was crewing, for a Sit-Rep on what was available at the stop and the plan for what needed to be ready, I ran into Castle Acre up the hill and straight into the Village hall to get myself turned around asap. More malt loaf, carb mix loaded as well some more energy drink consumed I started to feel like I could really make something of this race especially with the efficiencies of the stops. I was offered some soup at this stop but I was now locked in to pushing this thing as far and as hard as I could. “The soup is delicious, but I can tell you are on a mission” rang in my ears as I left the stop and thanked the marshalls as I hit the road. This next phase of the race was attritional and I managed to keep reeling people in, running behind them to stabilise then either pressing on or letting them drop their pace, this proved effective as people were ramping their pace up as soon as my footsteps where in ear shot. I did manage to sneak a look at my phone during this phase and with the GPS tracker provided for this race, I took a small count back from the lead position and found myself somewhere in the top 10, now this is nothing ground breaking but in a race that represents a 30km distance PB I was pleased and then very concerned that I was going to crack. The final section of the course is absolutely dead straight with the only things altering being the supporters dotted between road crossings and the few undulations as I got closer to the coast. I reached the final stop with just over 20km to go and took on the usual with a packet of haribos for that final boost to get this thing done. As I bared down on the finish, the last 10km were probably the hardest thing I’ve done so far and with one of the front runners re-joining the race in road shoes I kept looking over my shoulder and could see that I was being caught at a significant rate of nots. Feeling ‘hunted’ after 70km of running is an interesting feeling but it was definitely the motivation I needed. I was caught after a 4km pursuit and then settled into a pace to bring this thing home. I caught up with the crewer and ran with for a couple of kilometres (Behind me as to not be paced) I crested the final section of trail as the sun was setting across the sea but I couldn’t slow down otherwise I risked being over taken by someone else. Rolling into the finish I was so unbelievably relieved. I handed my tracker over and was told my race time, a medal around my neck, I plonked myself down to soak in what I had just done for the best part of 8 hours. My final position was 8th, something I am very happy with given the class of the other racers and it has really inspired me to continue training hard. This stuff is a real pleasure to take part in and it is not possible without the support and sacrifice of others so next time you are out having your bottles filled for you and signing on at Parkrun please thank those that make these things possible. Over and out.

Exeter Marathon – Pending