Blimey, what's going on, it's a touch on the nippy side, or at least I think it is. It's been one of those days today (Saturday) when I get cold and then just can't warm up again. I was out early getting in a few bike miles before Sundays real fun, you know how it is, you've got to keep the legs moving, you can't have them thinking that they're in for any easy time can you. And whilst it started off quite pleasant, in fact I even thought about stopping at one point to loose a layer, as the morning went on, it just seemed to get colder and colder, and once your fingers and toes go, then there's no way back.
I suspect that the temperature dropped as the wind picked up, but even so, according to the van temperature thingy it's still 7 degrees, so it's hardly cold! Either way, I'm sat here now, having travelled down ready for Sunday mornings running fun this afternoon, with the van heater blowing warm air onto my toes, some soup warming gently on the hob and some nice crusty bread to go with it, and then I'm going to get an early night. Tomorrows an early start for the Steyning stinger Trail marathon. One of many that fell victim to the Coronovirus Kerfuffle last year. So I'm looking forward to renewing old acquaintances, in the shape of some of those steep climbs up the side of the South Downs, and you never know, this might be the first year that I've run it that you can actually see the bottom from the top!
Well, what do you know. Having warmed up and had a great nights sleep (I always seem to sleep well in the van, probably due to having been out and about in the fresh air all day) Sunday morning broke cold, dry and overcast. The perfect weather for a bit of trail running fun (like there's any sort of unsuitable weather for running fun!).
As usual the organisation was first class, and it wasn't long before I'd collected my race number and was stood at the start, ready for the off at 07:30. This years start took a slightly different form to previous years, with it being a case of pitch up and go as soon as your ready, instead of the normal setting you off in groups at 1 minute intervals, which made for a bit of a mass start as those keen to get away early, which seems to be most runners, went for the earliest start time possible.
Hanging back (OK, I'd gone for a last minute wee), saw me depart at the back of the main group, which I often find is a good place to start. Not only does it give you someone to chase and exchange small talk with as you catch them, but overtaking people is always good for morale and today proved no exception as I slowly made my way through the main group as it started to spread out in front of me.
By the time I'd got to the A24 crossing and onto the first real climb of the day I'd settled into a steady, but pretty fast (for me) pace and was starting to enjoy myself. Cresting the top of the South Downs for the first time, provided some dramatic views over the surrounding countryside, although the strong breeze blowing across the tops of the hills had a cold bite to it and I was almost glad to complete the loop around the marshal, who had the dubious honour of being stood exposed to the elements, at the top of the hill and start the descent back to re-cross the A24 again. With 2 runners just visible in the distance I made good use of the downhill, catching them just as we arrived at the first water stop. A stop which was helpfully positioned at the bottom of what for me is the hardest climb of the day. Just past the the limit of runnable, but not steep enough to be walkable, it's a good mile of hard running to regain all the lost height and arrive back at Chanctonbury Ring, ready to turn off the half marathon route and head, downhill again, towards Cissbury Ring.
Holding my pace well I caught another small group around mile 15 and fell in behind them as we again resumed the climbing, making our way back up towards the South Downs Way and the road crossing to take in the loop around Steep Down.
Having gained another couple of places during the Steep Down loop and held a good, steady pace for the first 3 hours, at mile 22 my race took a turn for the worst, when I felt the first twinges of cramp in my calves. Previous experience has shown that this is solely down to dehydration and there's only one cure, getting water on board. It caught me by surprise today though. I'd started with about 1.5 litres in my camel back and had slowly sipped my way through most of that during the proceeding miles and hadn't felt thirsty, or that I'd been sweating overtly enough to lose those fluids, so I'm not sure why I got caught out today. Dropping the pace to stop my legs totally giving up, I surrendered the hard earned places I'd gained over the proceeding couple of miles as I slowly made my way towards the next checkpoint and the chance to refill my water supply and rehydrate. Bottles refilled and an additional half litre gulped down, I took the opportunity to walk the final steep uphill section, allowing those precious fluids time to reach my dehydrated muscles and start to work their magic.
By the time I regained the South Downs Way for the final time things were feeling better, and as we re-joined the half marathon runners for the final couple of downhill miles back to the start I was able to resume my earlier pace for a fast finish.
That lack of hydration, a school boy error if ever there was one, had cost me dearly though, and I would guess that I lost at least 5 minutes, through a combination of having to slow down, walk the final uphill (which should be runnable) and stop at the checkpoints to refill bottles. Not to worry though, that's all part of the fun and what makes these things a challenge. And stupid mistakes aside, my final time of 3:41:19 was still good enough for 17th place from the 255 finishers, which I'm more than happy with! More importantly though, I'd had another great day out, I'd felt the cold on my fingers, the wind on my face and had the opportunity to run alongside some great fellow runners, now what's not to like about that?
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Paul PerrattOld enough to know better, young enough to still feel invincible, stupid enough to keep on trying the same thing again and again. Cyclist, Gardener, Runner, Hiker, Cook, Woodworker, Engineer, Jack of all trades and master of none, Anti social old git and all round miserable bugger. Archives
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