I think the title best sums up the Endurance Life ultra I did last weekend. We drove down to the Flete estate on the Friday evening after work, arriving to increasing gloom and rain which eventually became quite an impressive storm. We were very glad to have the van, rather than having to have put up a tent.
Registration opened the next morning at 0830, and with all of 50 metres to walk it was a leisurely start. The rain had stopped, and it was cloudy but dry. I was feeling excited right up until the point where I looked at the route details and saw the distance: 36.6 miles. Oh dear. I had anticipated 32 or 33 miles. The furthest I had run in one go in 2011 was 20 miles! And, like all Endurance Life events, it was likely to be a tough course (spoiler: it was).
Luckily I only had an hour to worry. At 0930 the small group doing the ultra set off. The course consisted of two loops and an estuary crossing (so the race starts were timed so that we crossed at low tide). The half marathon (15 miles) did the first of the loops, ending with the watery crossing. The full marathon (a mere 28 miles) did both loops and ended with the water crossing, whilst the Ultra did both loops, crossed the estuary and then off we went on the first loop again, shoes full of water.
The first loop was a pleasant, if rolling, run along the coastline, before turning round and heading back inland (after first ducking under an electric fence!). The group quickly split, and for a long while I ran with a couple of other intrepid racers. We hit a checkpoint at just under 12 miles quite quickly (1:36) and I was feeling very comfortable, though very aware that this was likely to change in short order. As we started the third member of our group dropped off, leaving me with Diane Roy who was looking very strong (and went on to be first woman and second over all). The second loop headed away from the start inland, before hitting the coast, and heading back in along the coastal path.
We arrived at the sea front at around the three hour mark, with Diane having pulled ahead by a couple of hundred metres. At this point there was a nice flat mile on the beach, before we picked up the costal trail and things got...hard. I was definitely feeling the distance at this point, and we progressed along the costal path in a wearing rhythm - a steep climb up to the cliff tops, a short rolling section, a steep descent down to a beach, followed by a steep climb up to the cliff tops etc etc. Diane was occasionally visible silhouetted against the sky as she crested the top of a hill I was just starting to slog up.
Eventually I arrived at the estuary and headed up stream to the crossing point. Ahead I could see figures making their way across the water - the half marathoners at the end of their race. At this point I was passed by Oliver Sinclair. We chatted briefly, before he quickly pulled away.
The river crossing wasn't too bad. Cold, but not deep. I was quickly across, and was briefly amongst all the half marathon runners. Then they turned up to the finish, and I, somewhat reluctantly, headed out on the first loop for the second time. I was pleased with my time to that point - approx 4:30 which wasn't bad for 28 miles.
At this point my legs were tired, but I felt pretty good, The pace was slow, and I walked on the steep bits but was fine. As I ducked under the electric fence for the second time and approached the final steep climb I could see Oliver at the top. I was, by my estimates, 4th at that point, and was vaguely hoping I could hold on. The run back was fairly easy, though given the distance we had covered by then, not quick. With some three miles to go, I looked back and for the first time in ages saw another runner. She caught and passed me quickly, and pulled away looking strong. Ok, fifth I thought. I can hold on to that. The descent down to the estuary had been fast the first time, but on tired legs was much trickier. I also quickly realised it would mean we would be finishing with a climb back to the start/finish.
A brief section of flat along the water front and it was indeed up hill. With probably just a few hundred metres to go, I heard something behind me, looked back and saw another runner approaching. No way I thought and speeded up as best I could. It was to no avail - I was passed by (according the the results) Helen Bennett, who was positively flying. I have absolutely no idea how she was able to sprint up hill like that after that distance. Suitably impressed I slogged on to the finish, and sixth overall in 6:29.
It was great course, and I was delighted with myself for completing it. Endurance Life did their usual brilliant job of organising, and all the EL staff were friendly and helpful.
The Domino's Vegetarian Supreme pizza was well received that night!
Showing posts with label ultra running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ultra running. Show all posts
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Ultra run shopping
Food shopping for a couple of nights camping and doing an ultra makes you look like some sort of sugar and noodle freak. Pain au chocolate, mini cheddars, jaffa cakes, super noodles, some red bull. Plus some baps and vegetarian sausage - can't beat a sausage sandwich after a long run. Chuck in some SIS Rego, or the For Goodness Shakes recovery stuff and we're set.
Weeks before races always seem to be really busy at work. A long day today, and in London tomorrow so an early start. At least I can sleep on the train.
Otherwise all set really. Chuck the stuff in the van, and off we go!
Weeks before races always seem to be really busy at work. A long day today, and in London tomorrow so an early start. At least I can sleep on the train.
Otherwise all set really. Chuck the stuff in the van, and off we go!
Monday, 4 October 2010
My first ultra
My first blog post, and it's about my first ultra run. On Saturday I took part in the Round Ripon Ultra, a 35 mile off road race in Ripon, Yorkshire.
I'll start the race report with the cyclists classic - making excuses. Every road race starts with various grumbles about lack of training/over training/heavy legs/feeling under the weather etc, and I see no reason to deviate here. The week leading up to the race was busy. I was away with work Monday - Thursday, and busy all day Friday. Thursday night I threw my kit together in preparation for leaving straight for work on Friday. Luckily ultra running is quite like regular running. You don't need much stuff. I was still worried I had forgotten something and feeling frazzled by the work week.
Any golf fans will have noticed that Friday was wet in the UK. The Ryder cup was delayed by rain. Lots of rain. Ali picked me up in our new camper van (a Ford Freda. Verdict; awesome & comfy. I might write post all about it) and off we set in the rain. Six hours, 200-odd miles, many long queues on the motorway, and supper in a Little Chef later we arrived at our campsite.
The morning of the race dawned with a bowl of muesli, tea and a pain au chocolate consumed in the new van. The race HQ was a short drive from the camp site, and with 40 entrants a low key, laid back affair. The guys from Go Beyond were friendly and welcoming, as were fellow runners. For the most part the race followed a route called the Ripon Rowel. Each entrant was given a book with the route highlighted on sections from the 1:25000 OS map of the area. A pre race brief described a couple of areas where the route was not clearly marked, and where navigation might be a bit trickier.
At 0930, with little fanfare, we were off. The day that had started cold was soon warm and clear (remarkably, given the weather the previous day), and in just a few minutes of running I had decided to ditch my running tights at the first of four checkpoints, which was approx 7 miles in.
The run took us through Ripon, and then off road onto a flat route that followed a river. This meant the first seven miles passed in an hour, with the the entire field staying fairly close. I ditched my tights at the check point, where Ali was waiting to cheer me on (and with spare gels and other assorted sports related snacks).
The second leg continued along the river, though moving into slippery, rooty paths through woods. This was more interesting running terrain which I enjoyed. It was also the first section which really needed you to double check the map on occasion, as there were many paths through the trees.
Leaving the woods we were soon at the second checkpoint, close to our campsite, in the village of Masham. A quick refill of the camelbak and a mouthful or two of some home made cake and I was off on the third section. By now a small group of five or so runners had formed. I chatted to my fellow competitors as the terrain became more hilly as we headed towards the peaks proper.
Despite the hills the time between checkpoints 2 and 3 was quite quick. Checkpoint 3 was at the top of a long on-road climb. My legs were beginning to feel a bit tired at this stage but I trotted up the hill happily enough. It split the group a bit but we were soon back together at the top. The organisers had promised savouries at this point and much to my delight alongside the sausage roles and miniature pork pies they had Quorn scotch eggs. Wonderful! I wolfed down several, before setting off.
The terrain now was much rougher and hillier, and the temperature dropped. The views were bleakly fantastic and some sections began to feel quite remote. The leg between checkpoints 3 and 4 was the longest, and the organisers had warned us that the path was harder to find in some places. Our group began to break up as the distance and terrain took its tole, though often regrouping when the way wasn't clear. Despite my legs starting to feel sore, and generally being the one off the back, I was confident of the route, and hence was quickly back up with the bunch and consulted on the way forward when there was a choice of direction. The ground at this stage was often wet underfoot, and the path did indeed vanish entirely in some sections.
Eventually, I let myself drop off the bunch. Even though I felt pretty good, I didn't think it was worth pushing faster than I was comfortable with, especially given there was still a long way to go.
I trotted slowly but comfortably into checkpoint 4. Andy (one of the guys from the bunch that had been together) had only got a minute or two ahead of me and was still at the table stocking up on food. I looked at Ali and commented I was getting slower now having been dropped - she looked surprised and told me the rest of our impromptu group hadn't been through. The woman manning the checkpoint confirmed this. Only five people had gone through ahead of us - and one of those had re-appeared after having done a huge loop, and was now sat grumpily in our car waiting on a lift back to the end having called it a day! It seemed that the group we had been with had gone astray. That made Andy and I fifth on the road, with something like seven miles to go. Considerably cheered, we set off, with warnings of tricky navigation in our ears.
The last section was fun. My toes were sore, and legs tired, but in the route was not that difficult to follow, and I felt strong and comfortable. We trotted along happily, making our way across fields, and through farm yards, before reaching the Fountains Abbey which marked the last few miles. We shuffled our mud covered and wet way through surprised looking tourists, and down the long, straight and downhill drive which was surprisingly hard on the legs. As we were running Andy suggested we crossed the line together. This sounded like a good idea, mainly as I had no intention whatsoever of sprinting. After a mere 6 hours and 36 minutes we crossed the line together in joint fifth. Not a bad effort as we were both first timers.
It was a great event. A good experience of ultra running, and it has certainly made me inclined to do more. I would also recommend Go Beyond events as it was well organised and friendly and they do nice t-shirts.
Also it would appear that being able to read a map is a big plus in events like this. The navigation was not really hard (I never took my compass out of my rucksack), and it was clear that many runners would have benefited from some practise at navigation.
I'll start the race report with the cyclists classic - making excuses. Every road race starts with various grumbles about lack of training/over training/heavy legs/feeling under the weather etc, and I see no reason to deviate here. The week leading up to the race was busy. I was away with work Monday - Thursday, and busy all day Friday. Thursday night I threw my kit together in preparation for leaving straight for work on Friday. Luckily ultra running is quite like regular running. You don't need much stuff. I was still worried I had forgotten something and feeling frazzled by the work week.
Any golf fans will have noticed that Friday was wet in the UK. The Ryder cup was delayed by rain. Lots of rain. Ali picked me up in our new camper van (a Ford Freda. Verdict; awesome & comfy. I might write post all about it) and off we set in the rain. Six hours, 200-odd miles, many long queues on the motorway, and supper in a Little Chef later we arrived at our campsite.
The morning of the race dawned with a bowl of muesli, tea and a pain au chocolate consumed in the new van. The race HQ was a short drive from the camp site, and with 40 entrants a low key, laid back affair. The guys from Go Beyond were friendly and welcoming, as were fellow runners. For the most part the race followed a route called the Ripon Rowel. Each entrant was given a book with the route highlighted on sections from the 1:25000 OS map of the area. A pre race brief described a couple of areas where the route was not clearly marked, and where navigation might be a bit trickier.
At 0930, with little fanfare, we were off. The day that had started cold was soon warm and clear (remarkably, given the weather the previous day), and in just a few minutes of running I had decided to ditch my running tights at the first of four checkpoints, which was approx 7 miles in.
The run took us through Ripon, and then off road onto a flat route that followed a river. This meant the first seven miles passed in an hour, with the the entire field staying fairly close. I ditched my tights at the check point, where Ali was waiting to cheer me on (and with spare gels and other assorted sports related snacks).
The second leg continued along the river, though moving into slippery, rooty paths through woods. This was more interesting running terrain which I enjoyed. It was also the first section which really needed you to double check the map on occasion, as there were many paths through the trees.
Leaving the woods we were soon at the second checkpoint, close to our campsite, in the village of Masham. A quick refill of the camelbak and a mouthful or two of some home made cake and I was off on the third section. By now a small group of five or so runners had formed. I chatted to my fellow competitors as the terrain became more hilly as we headed towards the peaks proper.
Despite the hills the time between checkpoints 2 and 3 was quite quick. Checkpoint 3 was at the top of a long on-road climb. My legs were beginning to feel a bit tired at this stage but I trotted up the hill happily enough. It split the group a bit but we were soon back together at the top. The organisers had promised savouries at this point and much to my delight alongside the sausage roles and miniature pork pies they had Quorn scotch eggs. Wonderful! I wolfed down several, before setting off.
The terrain now was much rougher and hillier, and the temperature dropped. The views were bleakly fantastic and some sections began to feel quite remote. The leg between checkpoints 3 and 4 was the longest, and the organisers had warned us that the path was harder to find in some places. Our group began to break up as the distance and terrain took its tole, though often regrouping when the way wasn't clear. Despite my legs starting to feel sore, and generally being the one off the back, I was confident of the route, and hence was quickly back up with the bunch and consulted on the way forward when there was a choice of direction. The ground at this stage was often wet underfoot, and the path did indeed vanish entirely in some sections.
Eventually, I let myself drop off the bunch. Even though I felt pretty good, I didn't think it was worth pushing faster than I was comfortable with, especially given there was still a long way to go.
I trotted slowly but comfortably into checkpoint 4. Andy (one of the guys from the bunch that had been together) had only got a minute or two ahead of me and was still at the table stocking up on food. I looked at Ali and commented I was getting slower now having been dropped - she looked surprised and told me the rest of our impromptu group hadn't been through. The woman manning the checkpoint confirmed this. Only five people had gone through ahead of us - and one of those had re-appeared after having done a huge loop, and was now sat grumpily in our car waiting on a lift back to the end having called it a day! It seemed that the group we had been with had gone astray. That made Andy and I fifth on the road, with something like seven miles to go. Considerably cheered, we set off, with warnings of tricky navigation in our ears.
The last section was fun. My toes were sore, and legs tired, but in the route was not that difficult to follow, and I felt strong and comfortable. We trotted along happily, making our way across fields, and through farm yards, before reaching the Fountains Abbey which marked the last few miles. We shuffled our mud covered and wet way through surprised looking tourists, and down the long, straight and downhill drive which was surprisingly hard on the legs. As we were running Andy suggested we crossed the line together. This sounded like a good idea, mainly as I had no intention whatsoever of sprinting. After a mere 6 hours and 36 minutes we crossed the line together in joint fifth. Not a bad effort as we were both first timers.
It was a great event. A good experience of ultra running, and it has certainly made me inclined to do more. I would also recommend Go Beyond events as it was well organised and friendly and they do nice t-shirts.
Also it would appear that being able to read a map is a big plus in events like this. The navigation was not really hard (I never took my compass out of my rucksack), and it was clear that many runners would have benefited from some practise at navigation.
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