After clearing out the breakfast buffet, I went back up to my room to get the last of my kit ready. I was already dressed in my usual kit and packed my well used Salomon pack with an extra long sleeved layer, windbreaker, compass (we were advised to carry one but ended up not using it) extra buff, gloves, spare mobile phone and all the food I'd need to get me through the impending 50 miles. I'd discovered (after much experimentation) that hummus wraps were the perfect long distance running fuel for my rather fussy stomach. They were light weight and easy to digest giving me some slow burning carbs and a little protein to help revitalise failing muscles. I'd packed four which, along with the aid station fruit cake, I'd figured would be enough. I threw in a couple of emergency gels and several electrolyte tablets and I was ready.
I made my way to race HQ at the Prince of Wales pub early so as to avoid the queues. I'd also hoped I'd meet up with a few DDMT (a fantastic online trail running community for which I have the honour of being a part of) members before hand for a photo opportunity. We'd recognise each other through the rather distinctive club buffs and it wasn't long before I'd come out of race HQ with my race pack that I spotted someone looking over at me and pointing to her bright yellow and purple buff. It was Sarah and after some quick introductions, she made her way into the pub to register. A little while after, I bumped into Guy. Guy is the only other member of DDMT who I'd met before when we both ran the Salisbury 54321 50k the previous year. We then found Jackie who was running her first ultra. It was also Jackie's birthday, and I personally can't think of a better way to spend it! When Sammi also found us (sporting her Welsh buff with pride) we got our group photo and headed to the start.
Due to the flooding over the past few weeks, we were told that major rerouting of the course had taken place so as to avoid the worst hit areas. As we waited at the start, the RD gave his final briefing and informed us of further changes to the start and finish area but that we needn't worry, it will be well sign posted (we'll come to that later...)
Due to the last minute change at the start, the gun went about 15 mins late, but the sun was shining and we were going to be out all day so I really didn't mind.mI'd decided to run as conservatively as I could at the start. As it was my first experience at any distance over 50km, I had no idea how I'd feel later on in the day. So when the gun went I settled into an easy trot with the aim to just ease in to a nice sustainable pace. The sun was still shining and I started to feel pleasantly warm as we headed out of Iffley towards Abingdon. Most of this stretch was on the roads so as to avoid the flooded thames path but I found it comfortable enough even though the tarmac was a little uncomfortable. Every now and again, we'd get glimpses of the Thames which showed exactly how flooded parts of the Thames Path really were. There really was no choice for the race directors but to introduce these detours and I felt really grateful that the race was still on. It would have been easy and very justifiable to cancel but in my opinion, the right decision was made.
As the early miles ticked by, I was feeling comfortable and running easy and it felt like no time at all before we entered CP1 at around the 8 mile mark. The checkpoint was well organised and was stocked with water, GU's, jelly babies and the 'famous' Go Beyond fruit cake. I was still worried abo
It how my stomach would cope with much food at the point so after having my number logged, I quickly refilled my water bottles and continued. The big breakfast was still doing its job. The fruit cake could wait until later.
Again, the TP was completely flooded as we came out of the CP so we crossed swelled Thames at Sutton bridge and headed back on the roads towards Didcot. After a while, we turned off onto a single track. At this point, the field was still all quite close together so navigation wasn't a problem. This section towards Shillingford however, presented the first challenge of the day: mud. Lots of mud. After hitting the deck a couple of times and wading through a shin high waterlogged field, I noticed that the runner ahead of me looked familiar. It was Guy battling his way through the mud and looking strong. I made my way up towards him and we started to chat. I really enjoyed this stretch and I still felt very fresh and comfortable at the pace we were moving. It was great talking to Guy, sharing stories and future adventures. The miles flew by, even through the thick mud and before long, we were back on tarmac and approaching CP2 at around 16 miles.
The checkpoint presented the natural split for me and Guy as I stopped to refill water bottles and Guy pushed on. At around 16 miles, mostly on road and heavy mud, I was starting to feel some stiffness in my legs so thought this would be a good point to get some food down. The hummous wrap went down easily as I walked out of the CP and within around 10 minutes I felt the extra calories strengthen my legs so I began to run again.
My pace was still easy and consistent and I was surprised at how mentally fresh I was still feeling. I was running strong and enyoying every mile even though the route continued on road towards Wallingford. The field was starting to stretch now and I found myself running mostly alone so I started to pay more attention to the map book to make sure I stayed on course. Just before Wallingford, the course turned off the road and on to a way marked path and I joined this path just behind another runner (who much later, I was to discover was called Dan). There was no other runner in sight at this point and several times, navigation proved a little tricky but keeping sight of the runners footprints along the trail kept us on track. After passing through North Stoke, Dan stopped for a walk break and I pushed on as I still felt good. The path was getting more and more waterlogged by now as we picked up a small stretch of the Ridgeway until hitting the deepest section of flooded path so far. Without really thinking about it, I started wading through the knee-high freezing water. A runner ahead of me was showing just how deep it was getting as more and more of his legs were disappearing beneath the water as he waded through. By the time we were through the worst, we were almost side by side and as what seems to be the norm during an ultra, we started to chat. His name was Nick Clark (no, not THE Nick Clark), although, like Dan, I'd only find this out much later in the day. It was nice to have a walk break here as we chatted, we were approaching CP3 and the weather was starting to hit a rough patch with some strong headwinds and driving rain. As we approached Goring where CP3 was situated, we both had periods of walking and running but ultimately staying quite close to each other and we rolled into CP3 together.
25 miles in, almost a marathon, and I was still feeling mentally very fresh. I used the time at the checkpoint to, as usual, refil water bottles. There were the usual GU's and fruit cake along with a selection of savouries such as scotch eggs and pork pies. I skipped it all. It was all far too heavy for my stomach. I stuck with my tried and tested hummous wraps and took the chance to eat. I was into a good checkpoint routine by now where I'd make sure I arrived with empty bottles and left with full ones. CP3 to CP4 was one of the shorter stretches but thankfully took in a nice section of the original Thames Path route.
Nick and I would continue our routine for most one this section where we'd run together for a while until one of us needed a walk break, where we'd split for a while but always came back together before long. For me, it was one of the more scenic parts of the course and it was nice to finally be running a section on the Thames Path. Before long though, the Thames Path was flooded once more so the course took us into Pangebourne and then a long dull pavement climb into Purley. This paved section seemed to go on forever and was the first time where I felt myself getting mentally deflated. This didn't last long though as we made our way into CP4 at 31 miles. Nick and I arrived at the CP together and I noticed just behind us, Dan approaching. It was the first time I'd seen Dan for a while and I was pleased he was still going strong.
The volunteers at the CP were great as always. They informed us that the next section to CP5 would be the original Thames Path route and that any last minute diversions would be clearly marked. Nick and I left the CP together with Dan just behind and we made our way back onto the Thames Path towards Reading. It was nice to run along the river but this section of the path was grim. Lots of concrete, graffiti and litter and unfortunately before long, we came to the first orange diversion marker. The river ahead had risen again and we were diverted through a grotty industrial estate. There were few signs out out for us here so I was unsure of the route. Nick however, being a local to Reading knew the route well so we stuck together. Dan also joined us for this section as he was also finding the navigation a challenge so we struck with Nick and tried not to get deflated by the concrete jungle.
We finally made it back on the TP after we'd cleared the flooded area and I felt strong so left Nick and Dan behind for a while. I knew before long however that we'd meet up again. I was running easily, enjoying the river as we came out of Reading. I was alone on the path again but navigation wasn't
A problem on this section. I'd plugged into my iPod and was enjoying the serenity of the afternoon but after 15 mins or so, I saw another runner up ahead. He was walking and clearly in some discomfort. I ran up alongside him ans asked if he was ok. He said he was having stomach problems but was soldiering on. After a brief stop to sort out my now wrecked running shoes, Nick cought us up and we started to run together as a group. This section was long and after almost 8 hours of moving, it was nice to be running in a group again. We stayed together pretty much until CP5 which we reached after some scary diversions around Sonning Bridge into Play Hatch. This was the first time I tried some of the famous Go Beyong fruit cake. I discovered I was ravenous and grateful for a change from the hummous wraps. My stomach felt good so I finished a couple of pieces for the final stretch to the finish.
We asked the volunteers how far we had until the finish (all of our GPS's were out of battery by this point). The response was a vague "around 6-8 miles". We knew there were further diversions during this last section which weren't in our instructions or marked on the maps and as the light was beginning to fade, we strapped on our head lights and Nick, Paul, Dan and I left the CP together.
The light faded rapidity and before long we were moving along in darkness. We made our way through quiet unlit roads until eagle-eyed Paul spotted the first orange diversion marker. This took us into the woods and it was at this point we decided to stick together until the end. It was pitch black, in the middle of nowhere and none of us knew the new diverted route. With the lack of light and poor course markings, it wasn't long before the inevitable happened and we took a wrong turn. After a while, we came to the main road into Henley, the road we were specifically told NOT to use by the race organisers. By now though, we were tired and lost and just needed to get to the finish. Our wrong turn had already added at least a couple of miles to the overall distance so we decided to risk it and take the road into Henley. This was not much fun in the dark walking into traffic but after a mile or so, we came to a paved section and the end was near. We chatted excitedly as we came into Henley and approached the finish. We all agreed that we were indispensable to each other in that final section and even though we were all strangers we agreed we'd cross the finish line together. We rounded the last bend where a couple of Marshall's directed us into the finishers chute. We all grasped hands and crossed the finish in a line, hands held high In a time of 10hrs 12mins. We arrived at the race as strangers and left as firm friends with a strong bond of shared experience.
I crossed the line feeling almost disappointed it was over. Almost. The feeling of crossing the line was one of elation and we received our finishers medals with pride. The experience of the race was remarkable and unlike any other race I've ever run. When you run shorter distances, often the race is an ordeal to go through to reach the finish. To me, the ultra is more of an adventure and an experience you share with all your fellow runners in which you savour the journey rather than fixate on the end result. Ultrarunning brings out the best in humanity, while we're running, we're a family encouraging and looking out for each other.
For me, the experience was immensely satisfying, I felt far better than I could have imagined throughout. A remarkable adventure, which I'm sure will only be the start of my ultrarunning journey.
