Having had a real crisis of confidence over the last couple of weeks, and a nasty little shin issue I was unsure if I would even toe the line at the NDW50. My first Centurion Event at the business end having been a volunteer at last years W100 and this years South Downs Way 50.
However with plenty of rest and the magic hands of Matt Phillips from Studio57/StrideUK, not to mention a little tape, it was looking promising.
After picking up a shin issue at Three Forts Marathon I was unable to complete the final two weeks of my training plan for the NDW50. With little improvement after a weeks rest I was fearing the worst, but after a visit to see Matt I was relieved to hear that it was likely nothing more than a Tibialis anterior muscle strain. A massage and some tape on the Monday along with some strengthening exercises for the week and I was feeling a lot happier. A gentle couple of miles on Tuesday passed with no pain and I was confident then that at least a start was on. I went back to see Matt the day before the race to have a massage and get the tape replaced and it felt great. Confidence was building slowly, and the first fifty nerves I woke with on the Friday subsided as the day went on and everything was organised and in place.
The 4.15am alarm was soon ringing in my ears on the Saturday morning and I kept breakfast simple and light with just some coffee and fresh fruit. It's a fair way from home in Glynde to the start line in Farnham. Fortunately for me my great friends Steve & Tina Amiet had volunteered to pick me up, support me throughout the day and take me home again. I couldn't ask for better friends and their support was outstanding. Steve & Tina picked me up at 5.15 and we made it to Farnham for just after 6.30. Plenty of time to register and to catch up with fellow Boshers John Fitzgerald, Jess Gray and Kevin Smith.
The NDW50 Bosh collective
Registration was seamless and it was soon time to take the short walk to the trail head of the NDW and the race start. After a short briefing from race director James Elson it was time and after wishing those around me good luck we set off at our own pace and following a congested couple of miles the field soon stretched out. It got pretty warm fairly quickly so I stopped at about mile 5 to strip off my base layer and get my cap out of may race vest. Being folically challenged its important to keep the old noggin covered! The first few miles of the route twist and turn along short sections of trail with road sections and crossings throughout. Having recced the route through to Reigate with John Fitzgerald a few weeks back I was confident in knowing which way to turn and more importantly what I would find around each corner.
After crossing the river just south of Guildford at around 11 miles in Steve and Tina were shouting support at Shalford. I was feeling strong, comfortable and niggle free with everything going to plan. I was walking the inclines and running everything else at a gentle pace averaging 12 minute miles. My goal was to reach the half way point at Box Hill in around 5.00-5.15hrs. From Shalford the route climbs to St Martha's church with stunning views to the south. 12.5 miles in 2hrs 30mins I was happy with the way it was progressing.
After a short steep downhill the route then climbs again to the second aid station at Newlands Corner. Steve and Tina were waiting with words of encouragement and support. I grabbed a cheese sandwich and some coke, topped my water bottles and pushed on. The next section through to aid station three is 10 miles and I was keen to make the most of the shaded woodland route to come as it was starting to get very warm.
Welcome shade
I find that I tend to struggle between 17-20 miles, I think it is probably a nutrition issue as I don't tend to eat a great deal while I'm running. I stuck with it though and made reasonable time through. I saw Steve and Tina at Ranmore Common (21 miles) and stopped briefly to freshen up. I knew it would be another 10 miles before I saw them again and I knew that I had two of the hardest ascents in those miles too. I pushed on making good time on the downhill section through the stunning Denbies Estate to the next aid station at mile 24. After crossing the River Mole on the stepping stones it was time to tackle the infamous Box Hill steps!
Tread carefully!
I took the obligatory photograph of the steps but I have left it out. I have come to the conclusion that no photo can do the sheer hell of them justice, never mind dealing with them 25 miles in with 25miles to go! In any event they were soon over and I pushed on along the busy trail towards Reigate. Half way in 5hrs 20 things were on schedule and I was happy that I had ample time to complete the second half.
That said I'm not sure what happened in this section because looking back on it I can't actually recall what was going through my mind. It was clearly a low point as the 7 miles between the checkpoints at Boxhill and Reigate took me 2 hours. Maybe I got into a day dream whilst walking a section and got stuck there without realising. Regardless I was soon facing the climb up Reigate Hill which is brutal and I had been dreading it for miles. Somehow I found a fast walking pace and pushed on to the top far quicker than I expected to. Not far then to the next aid station and a catch up with Steve and Tina.
31 miles......Reigate and struggling
I was struggling at this point, low energy levels lacking motivation and tiring legs. I had a little sit down along with a couple of cheese wraps, sandwiches and coke. I refilled my water bottles and somehow, I don't actually know how, just got up and got on with it. Pushing through the next section at a reasonable pace. Possibly sugar related I was reaching the unknown having never gone further than 33.4 miles before. It was hard to be precise as my Garmin watch seemed to be adding bonus miles so I wasn't entirely sure where I was but I kept positive telling myself that regardless of outcomes every step further was a PB. The next aid station at Caterham and mile 38 seemed to take forever to arrive. More sandwiches, savoury eggs and coke on board. ""Only 5 to the next aid station then just 7 to the finish" they said as I pushed on. I ran on through the shady woodland trail with Steve and Tina waiting at around mile 40 for more moral support. This was starting to get really hard now. My legs were heavy, my left knee was complaining and my mood was low. It was such a lift to see them. My watch had confused me and although I thought it was a little over 1.5miles to the next checkpoint it was actually 3. "The cut off is 19.10 you'd best get a wriggle on.......see you at the finish" they said and as I left them, heading down the steepest most excruciating steps, I was beginning to question if I would get there.
More twisty turny narrow paths and I was finally at the bottom of Botley Hill staring at a hideous climb but almost comforted by the knowledge there was an aid station at the top. Some form of autopilot kicked in here and without even thinking about it I found myself flying up the hill in something resembling a power hike, one of the aid station crew coming down the hill even commented "that's a hell of a march you've got going on there mate, good work". As I near the top I can see fellow Bosher and aid station crew member Sharon Dickson bouncing up and down shouting out to me. "Nick I am so pleased to see you, you're gonna do this your first 50, I am so proud of you!"
Mile 43 over 2 hours to do the last 7 miles, yet virtually shattered. "If you leave here you've finished" said one of the crew. With those and Sharon's words ringing in my ears, a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat I left, running, allowing myself for the first time to think about the finish. I ran for what seemed like forever, my watch making no sense of the distance and the only thing to rely on was the overall time, every second closer to the 13hr cut off. The route was making its way through fields on rough uneven paths that I was finding it hard to walk on let alone run. Just keep moving forward I kept telling myself as my Garmin ticked past 50 then 51, then 52 miles. What was going on this was getting close, too close. 12 hrs 45, 12hrs 50 then oh my god I can hear cheering that must be the finish. Through a gate into a field and there to the my left I can see the finish. Get across this field turn left down the lane, left into the village and left again to the finish where Steve is waiting running ahead of me to see me cross the line. Steve, Tina, John and plenty of others beaming with smiles, cheers and applause I cross the line in 12.54.15. I'd done it.
Tired!
What a monumental effort it took to cross that line. I was expecting some sort of elation at the end but there was nothing other than relief that it was over.
John ran an amazing time of 10.17.33, the man is a machine! Kevin came in pretty much bang on his race plan in 12.24.06. Jess on the other hand showed us all how its done by coming in first lady, second overall in 7.49.47 and only 36 seconds outside the women's course record. How anyone can maintain such a pace over such a distance is beyond me, that is an utterly amazing performance!
This is the bit where I get all reflective, its possibly self indulgent but its cathartic so bear with me.
What did I learn over the course of nearly 13 hours on the NDW?
- Try not to run any event blind. Recce what you can there is real value in knowing what is coming.
- If you have a niggle before any event get it checked, don't leave it to chance. Had I not seen Matt before hand it was unlikely I'd have made the start and very unlikely the finish.
- Eat, even when you're not hungry......eat!
- Thank every volunteer at every aid station, they are there for the love of it and whilst some of us get stroppy and moody if its not going right they maintain a smile with encouragement and support throughout. Hats off guys, you were all amazing!
- Ask every runner that you pass how they're doing, its a passing comment, literally, but it means a lot when you're in a dark patch.
- Believe, not with arrogance or over confidence, just trust your training and believe that you can achieve what you have set out to.
- Never underestimate the power and beauty of true friendship. I would never have got through this without the selfless support of Steve and Tina
Through writing this the reality of my acheivment has finally sunk in. I'm a 50 mile ultra marathon finisher and I have tears in my eyes writing that. 3 years and best part of 3 stone ago I'd have laughed at you whilst raising a pint if you'd tried to tell me that.
I don't want this to turn into some rambling monologue resembling a protracted acceptance speech but there are people that deserve thanks and recognition. Nicci and James at Centurion, your events rock. All of the volunteers and Centurion crew, you made a tough day much easier. John Fitzgerald, your company on the recce and your words of wisdom, support and encouragement on the day were calming and much needed. Jess Gray and Kevin Smith, testament to the Bosh spirit of support and inclusion and for making the pre-start relaxed and friendly. Matt Phillips and his healing hands (and tape). The ubiquitous Steve and Tina Amiet and my long suffering lovely wife Carin, for putting up with my hours of running and mood swings. I am not always the easiest person to live with I know, or indeed work with so a further huge thanks to the best bosses in the world in Rich and Alison, who are always loving and supportive and never question my crazy plans.
When I first ran half marathon distance in 2013 I couldn't imagine doubling it. When I first ran 26.2 miles in April of 2014 I couldn't imagine doubling that to 50 miles. I've done it though. I have the Lakeland 50 to come in July this year and then I will decide if Ultra's are for me or if I'll stick to marathon distance. Will I stick at 50 miles? Will the Holy grail of 100 be too much of a lure. Is it even possible for little old me?
Peace and love xx
