Right then, that’s that Christmas malarkey over and done with for another year, just another 363 days until we have to do it all over again. There’s still a million mince pies in the cupboard, I’ve hardly touched the Christmas beers (“The Emma” pointed out that there’s still a bottle left over from last year to get through yet, so I’m obviously slacking) and we’ve made the annual Boxing day pilgrimage down to see the family, and jolly nice it was too.
Having eaten my bodyweight in Christmas Ham, pickled onions and other assorted Christmassy goodness over the last few days, it’s time to start getting back to normal and burning off a few of those extra calories, and what better way to do so, than with a gentle 50 Km run across the South Downs in the form of the Winter Cross Ultra. I’ve done this run a couple of times now (2021, 2019) and I must say that it’s one of my favourites. It’s a great route with a good combination of hills and flatter bits, and despite some steep (and occasionally long) climbs it’s pretty much all runnable, leading to some fast times.
In previous year’s I’ve taken the van down the night before and had an easy start to the day, but having been out all day on Boxing day, that wasn’t going to work this year, necessitating an early start instead. Out of the house before any normal people were even awake. I was stood on the start line ready and raring to go well before 08:00, with plenty of other like minded insomniacs!
Well, I say plenty of others, the turnout wasn’t as good as previous years, a fact that was echoed by the organisers, who said that in general, participation across all running events is 50% down on pre Covid numbers. A statistic that seems to be borne out across Audax and the LDWA (walking events) as well. With numbers there still being well down. A situation which will hopefully rectify itself over the coming year. But probably goes to show that the Covid induced exercise / must spend more time outdoors boom, was a bit of a flash in the pan and just as traffic levels quickly returned to pre covid levels as soon as the lockdowns were released, it’s not taken everyone long to go back to their old ways. But before I totally digress, let's get back to the running. As soon as it was light enough to clearly see, we were released into the frosty wilds of the South Downs National Park. Out from the start, a quick left and right turn, a couple of hundred meters on the road and straight through the massive puddle that seems ever present at the end of the road to pick up the Meon Valley Trail for the first leg. The route we're following today is made up of 4 legs, with a return to the start between each leg, and this first leg is easy running and a good warm up for the legs in the early morning chill. Flat, fast and well drained, we follow the old railway line that is now a multi-use walking / cycling trail for a couple of miles before turning round to head back the way we came. With repeated out and backs being the feature of the day, it’s a good opportunity to suss out your position in the field and offer a bit of encouragement to those behind you as you spin round and see those still coming the other way. Surprisingly, I find myself towards the front, in about 9th place, possibly a bit fast for the mileage still to go, but after yesterday's rest day I’m feeling good so I push on. Back past the start and heading Eastwards, things soon start to get a bit more interesting as we begin the climb up to Old Winchester Hill, with its far reaching views back towards Meonstoke and across the surrounding countryside. The hilltop radio masts, just about visible on the other side of the valley, mark our next destination at the Sustainability Centre and give a good indication of the distance still to travel. Over the top of Old Winchester Hill with lungs burning and legs stinging from the effort, and a brief respite as we drop down the other side, before starting the climbing again to get to the turn around point. A long climb up a greasy, chalky, sunken track, takes us towards the high point, but not before the first place man comes bounding effortlessly down the hill that I’m still trying to reach the top of, a good 15 minutes in the lead and looking strong. Eventually though I reach the top and pick up the muddy trail towards our next turn point and the end of the East Bound leg. Reaching the turn I get confirmation that I’m holding my position and maintaining 6th place. That’s better than I was expecting and I spend the next 10 minutes as I make my way back down the hill offering encouragement to those still on the way up! Passing back through the start with 19 miles done I take the opportunity to refill my water and grab some nuts and a chocolate bar before starting the Westbound leg. I’ve been here before and I know what's still to come, so getting some calories and fluids on board is important if I’m to make it to the end. It’s better to spend 30 seconds now, eating and drinking, then lose 30 minutes later on when you've totally used up all your reserves or when dehydration induced cramp strikes! Down to the main road, cross carefully, taking care to avoid the fast moving traffic, pick up the track running alongside a couple fields and then the work really begins, as the road climbs inexorably upwards for the next mile or so, to pick the South Downs Way back up, at the top of Beacon Hill. Upwards ever upwards, getting steadily steeper towards the top, this is a brute of an ascent and I’m blowing hard and slowing. I pass and open up a gap on the man I’ve been chasing for the last few miles at the bottom of the hill, and then get caught and passed, by someone else with far stronger legs than mine, as I approach the top. Over the top and a brief downhill respite as we descend to the next turnaround at Lomer farm before turning and having to regain all the height we’ve just lost! Coming back the other way it’s clear that the field’s well spread out by now, with plenty of gaps between the runners still climbing slowly up Beacon Hill as we make our way steadily back down, the hardest part behind us, or so I think.
How wrong could I be though!
Previously the routes followed the South Downs Way further, meaning the descent back down Beacon Hill is the end. Not this year though. There’s still 10Km to go and having passed through the start again there’s one final leg, Southbound, back on the Meon Valley Trail. Those, flat, fast, easy miles of leg one are long gone, and whilst the trails still flat, it’s now a mental hell as the dead straight, pan flat, ex railway line stretches unceasingly in front of me. Step after step, for what seems like hour after hour and mile after mile I trudge on. The spring in my step long gone, head down, glancing up at regular intervals to be greeted by the same sight. An endless tunnel of overhanging trees, with the path disappearing straight off into the distance, the end never getting closer. Mile 26, mile 27, surely the turnaround must be coming soon, but no, it never comes. Until eventually, as I wonder how much longer I can keep this up and my mind tries relentlessly to make me stop, I reach the final checkpoint. The end’s in reach now, and I turn to start retracing my steps back along that interminable track. Heading this way isn't so bad, and I manage to shake the dark thoughts and keep pushing. There’s runners coming the other way to acknowledge and encourage and I try to keep my head up and keep pushing on. Finally though, 4 hours and 36 minutes, and just shy of 31 miles after setting off, I’m back at the start, where a warm welcome awaits. Another marathon ticked off, my 19th this year and without doubt a hard one. Those final 10Km along that ex railway line nearly did for me, and it took a massive mental effort to keep moving when every bone in my body and brain cell was saying stop. That’s what it’s all about though. Taking yourself out of your comfort zone and seeing what you're actually capable of when the chips are down and your mind says stop! If you can override that desire to stop then maybe the world's your oyster and anything’s possible. There’s only one way to find out though and that’s going to involve a lot more running and cycling miles!
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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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