This was to be my first effort over marathon distance since completing my first marathon in April at Brighton. I am an extreme kind of individual that loves a challenge, and for quite some time I have been toying with the idea of stepping up to ultra distances. Having been inspired by the efforts of others on the NDW 100 and other outrageous events I didn't take much persuading to sign up for the Longman.
I wasn't too sure what to expect to be fair. many people has questioned the ability of the Longman crew to put on an event, after a less than successful previous effort which lacked signing and marshalling. So with an element of trepidation I paid my £39 entry fee and waited to see what would happen next. Sure enough nearer to race day an e-mail came through with clear instructions and it was all good to go.
Arriving at the race HQ on Devils Dyke I was a little surprised at how few people there were. Longman were offering a 10 mile event and the ultra and had disappointingly failed to attract major numbers.
Race HQ
Registration was painless with race numbers, timing chips etc laid out alphabetically. Safety pins were on offer also and bunched in fours which was helpful. I was also given the option of complementary Clif Shot Blocs or a Clif energy gel. I opted for the shot blocs! The only down side to this element was the course map provided in the pack. It wasn't fantastically clear what the route was, but then I guess it's hard enough to fit a 33.4m route onto an A4 piece of paper and include much in the way of detail. I was pleased to find a fellow Bosher, Janna Dickinson at the start and chatting to her certainly helped to settle my pre-race nerves!
Boshers of the world unite!
A short race briefing followed an at pretty much bang on 0900 the 10 mile and the ultra started together.
We started off following the South Downs Way to the West, for around 1.5 miles, turning at Truleigh Hill and heading back towards the start. It was a seriously misty morning and in places it was hard to spot where the route would take us but a well signed course and strategically placed marshals helped us through. We continued around the car park at the Devils Dyke Inn heading down the steep descent into Devils Dyke, through the bottom of the valley and then onto the horrendous long climb back out to the South Downs Way at the top. From here the route followed the South Downs Way down to Saddlescombe Farm, and the first water station. We were offered a bottle of water here and assisted in crossing the road by the marshals. Running through the farm we headed into the next climb up Newtimber Hill. I had been running with Janna until this point and her pace on the hills proved too much for me to keep up with. She faded into the distance as I started to struggle. I was in last place and whilst I never expected an amazing performance I was, it is fair to say, a little disconcerted. I told myself that the day was about finishing and nothing else, just keep moving forward. At the top of the hill was a cheery marshal manning the 10 mile turn point. He wished me well and I made the most of the ensuing downhill section through to Pyecombe. I stopped briefly at the church at Pyecombe to put my bandana and sunglasses on. I wasn't expecting it to be so warm. The sun was patchy and being folically challenged I find it best to keep the old noggin covered. I also put my headphones on in the hope the some music would distract me and provide a lift. Another marshal was in place to assist with the road crossing as I headed up through Pycombe Golf Club on yet another steady climb onto the South Downs. I have run this section of the course a few times before, and I find the hard packed chalk covered with loose stone quite painful to run on. My choice to run in my Saucony Kinvara 4's was possibly not the best as the lack of cushioning was making the soles of my feet quite sore.
None the less I pressed on with a mix of running and walking to the next aid station at Ditchling Beacon, more water on offer here along with another marshal to assist with the road crossing. It was a minefield of cyclists piled up everywhere but many of them wished me well as I passed through. As I went through I had a call from Shawn Timmons, after a few words of much needed encouragement he said he would try and get out to see me on the route. That certainly lifted my spirits, the thought of a friendly face. I made reasonable time and progress along the ridge to Black Cap and continued to make some good time on the long down hill section to Balmer Down. I had reached this point, around 15 miles in about 3 hours. It wasn't going well! The front runners had made great progress and passed me on the return leg around this point. The lead runner was a good 5 minutes ahead of second and around another 10 runners went by all within 5-10 minutes of each other. I moved over on the narrow path to let them through one by one. We exchanged encouragement and that nod and smile that runners give each other.
Another steep climb up Long Hill and then a steep descent to Housedean Farm and another water station. I pressed on through with the plan to stop on the return for some food and drink. I had been taking High 5 Isotonic caffeine gels around every hour and had nibbled on a clif bar in places but I wasn't really feeling hungry. More runners passed me as I made my way through under the railway line and through the steep wooded section to the base of what I know as Newmarket Hill. As I came through the woodland I stubbed my little toe on my right foot really hard on a surface root. I ripped the side of my trainer and stopped dead holding my breath and trying really hard not to swear very loudly! I composed myself and pushed on, it didn't feel that bad, just numb from the impact. I struggled my way up the long hill, following the South Downs Way to the top of Kingston Ridge and the turn point at Castle Hill at around 18.5 miles in. I passed Janna on her return leg about half a mile from the turn point. We had a quick chat and complained about the hills, she looked strong. At the turn flag I checked my number with the marshal and made the turn for home. Psychologically for me this was a bit of a turning point. Knowing that it was a straight line (ish) back to the finish with no loops was a great help, although I was really struggling. I called my wife on my way back along the ridge which gave me a bit of a lift, it was clearly obvious to her that I was struggling big time and unbeknown to me she posted a call for encouragement on facebook. My phone went mental with texts and facebook notifications for about the next half hour. I didn't stop to read them by I had a pretty good idea what was going on. I received another call from Shawn who said he would meet up with me around Housedean Farm and run with me for a bit, that gave me a real lift. I pushed on back down toward Housdean Farm. There was a rather large herd of cows and calves gathered around the gate half way down the hill. I had been warned by a cyclist that there were "lots of cows!" Some walkers had gone to the effort of climbing through a barbed wire fence to avoid them. Now call me strange but I love cows, I think they are gorgeous docile animals, and needless to say I ploughed straight through the middle of them and not one of them batted a big cow eyelid.......bless!
As I shuffled along the footpath besides the rail line to Housedean I could see Janna making good time on the steep climb up Long Hill. I was at least 20-25 minutes behind.
When I got to Housedean I stopped at the aid station. Laid out in the back of the car was a veritable feast. Cake, doughnuts, dates, haribo's, jelly babies, bananas, coke, water. I grabbed a cup of coke, a handful of jelly babies and a bottle of water pushing on knowing that I'd got a few uphill miles waiting and that Shawn would soon be catching me up to offer support. The jelly babies were a mistake, they instantly made me feel sick and I ended up spitting more of them out than I ate. I struggled my way up the hill and shuffled down the steep woodland path the other side forcing down an energy gel as I went. As I climbed the hill from Balmer Down up to Black Cap I kept looking over my shoulder for Shawn but no sign of him as yet. I pushed my walking pace fixed on the top of the hill. There was a cut off time of 1600 at Ditchling Beacon, and whilst I was well inside this I didn't want to leave anything to chance. As I neared the top of the hill Shawn phoned me to ask if it was me next to the pylon. Thankfully it was and he told me to keep pressing on as he'd catch me up. He caught me as I went through the footpath at the wooded section to Black Cap. His calming nature, reassuring words and encouragement immediately made a difference. As we reached the top of the ridge he encouraged me to run, spurring me on to "that next bush". Beware the mobile bushes, I swear they move as you get closer!
We made reasonable progress to Ditchling Beacon with Shawn doing a great job distracting me in one breath and reassuring and encouraging with the next. The beacon was awash with bloody cyclists again, I grabbed a couple of bottles of water from the marshal and pressed on through the brightly coloured lycra clad bodies. Shawn held back slightly as I wasn't sure if it would be frowned on running with some support. Just after this point at about 28 miles my Garmin battery gave up the ghost. I wasn't sure if this helped or not as I had no firm estimate of how far was left to go, I am a bit of a stat junkie so not being able to see my progress felt very odd.
We pressed on back toward Clayton making reasonable time on the down hills, even making time to pose for a photo opportunity!
Poser!
As we got a little further down I said goodbye to Shawn. He had a few stomach issues, mostly due to an immense fry up for breakfast (the choice of champions). I said my thanks and he headed back towards Brighton via the Chattri. I picked up the pace and ran the down hill section to the Golf Club at Pyecombe complaining to myself as I ran over them sodding sharp stones in the footpath. I rang my wife and told her would be around an hour to the finish. She was my transport and would drive up to the finish to meet me. Pushing on through the village I knew I still had Newtimber Hill to conquer. I took on another gel and took some comfort from the fact that I was within 3 miles of my goal.
I guess that within races of any distance there are low points, more so in ultra distances. I had experienced one at around 19 miles and coming up Newtimber Hill at around 30 miles I hit another. My progress seemed so slow, it felt like was on a treadmill and going nowhere. I just wanted to stop and sit down but I knew I'd still be there now if I had. Somehow I found the energy to make it to the top and run down the other side into Saddlescombe Farm.
As I crossed the road I was greeted by a couple of marshals who looked pleased to see me. I'm sure they wanted to go home! I grabbed a bottle of water on the way through. I was also offered an energy gel, although what good that was going to do me at this point I have no idea! I just laughed and said, no thanks. I struggled again on the steep climb along side the Dyke back to the finish line.
As I got to the gate I could see my wife and Janna waving at me and telling to hurry up! As I crossed the road and into the field Janna suggested a "sprint finish" and we ran together to the finish to a great round of applause and cheers from the marshals and crew at the finish line. I had done it...... my first ultra complete, 33.4 miles. I had just about run the whole thing in last place and although I haven't had my time confirmed I think it was around 8hrs 20mins.
I grabbed my medal and goodie bag, said goodbye and thanks for the support to Janna with a big sweaty hug. There was all sorts on offer from the race crew, food and drink etc. I managed a cup of coke, thanked them all for their patience and told them I'd be back!
It was a great event with a cracking medal, of which I am very proud, and a lovely goodie bag.
Cracking goodie bag and a t-shirt!
My hard earned bling!
So what lessons learnt?
33.4 miles whilst not sounding much, is a lot further than a marathon. Especially with 1200m+ of climbs thrown in!
My naïve preparation consisting of a few extra long runs over the last few weeks was nowhere near enough.
My choice of footwear was wrong, very wrong. I need some trail shoes with a little more cushioning. Maybe it's time to get a gait analysis and get fitted up properly.
My race day fuelling was horrendous, I really need to work on this. I'm unconvinced that gels help when you are running for such a long period of time. That said I couldn't have stomached real food.
There is no shame in coming last, once I had processed that in my head I did feel better. 33.4 miles is still 33.4 miles, if it takes you 4 hours, 6 hours or 8 hours it remains 33.4 miles.
What next?
I have signed up for Beachy Head Marathon, more bloody hills! That's October 25th. I think after that I may focus on some sustained training and make sure I include strength and conditioning, cross training and speed work. I've got the Brighton Half and Brighton Marathon early next year and I have entered the Ox Ultra at the end of May and the Lakeland 50 in July! So in short I have a lot of work to get through! My ultimate goal is to complete the South Downs Way 100. I'll get there!
Final thoughts
Running can be and is very often a solitary sport. Do not under estimate the power of running with others, be that in races or training. I am not convinced that I would have got through Longman without the support and encouragement from my friends, loved ones and of course Shawn Timmons.
I remain enthused, motivated and encouraged to run further. What has changed is the admiration and respect I have for those that run ultras especially the 100 mile events, and further! You guys and gals are amazing.
I came last, I guess it was going to happen sooner or later. I have finished plenty of events, I have had a couple of DNS's, what I avoided was a DNF and that was the goal of the day. So regardless of my sore legs and battered feet I have a huge smile on my face and a massive sense of achievement. It wasn't pretty but on the 7th September 2014 I realised a dream and became an ultra runner
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