Friday
Good news everyone, I'm better. Well, I'm feeling better than I was last week so that's almost there, right? To be honest I'm still not feeling 100%, but after a few early nights and a bit of coughing and spluttering through a few short runs and rides to work, I'm probably about as good as can be expected, considering that last weekend I felt like death warmed up. And to be honest, that's lucky, as having already cancelled one thing last weekend, I've got an action packed weekend of stupidity lined up for this weekend and I can't afford to keep on cancelling stuff. So without further ado, I give you this weekends stupidity in the form of the Wayfarers Walk, 100Km of beautiful walking path through some of Hampshire's most picturesque countryside. Starting from the highest point at Combe Gibbet and ending up (in this case) overlooking the Solent, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. I can hear you all thinking now, "100km (62) miles of ideal walking territory, sounds like a lovely couple of days out with a bit of bivvying in between, brilliant". And your right it would be, but that would also be far to easy, so instead I'm joining some other like minded lunatics and those lovely people from Second Wind Running to run it instead. Yes, you did hear right, that's run 62 miles of the Wayfarers Walk, on what is probably going to be one of the hottest days of the year, when I'm still not feeling 100% and ran 75 miles just 14 short days ago. Oh and to top it off, it's an 04:30 start to get the transport from the finish line up to the starting point, which is why I'm sat in the van, in a very picturesque car park at the top of Portsdown Hill, watching the sun slowly setting over the Solent and thinking that I should really go to bed, as I've got to get up again in a minute. Like with all my recent big events, I'm a bit on edge about this one. I know that I can do the distance, but I suspect that the heats going to play a big part in the days proceedings and I'm not a lover of running in the hot. That coupled with my still not feeling 100% means I'm not really sure how things are going to turn out. I suppose there's only one way to find out though, and to that end, I'll be back tomorrow (or just after this pretty picture) to let you know how things went!
Sunday (Post Saturdays fun)
The alarm woke me from a fitful slumber at 03:00 Saturday Morning, having laid awake for what seemed like the majority of the night listening to boy racers using the road outside as a racetrack, and the nocturnal comings and goings of those that seem to use remote parking spots for uses other than sleeping! Although I suspect that in all honesty, I did probably have a good few hours sleep, but it was still a bit of a shock to the system getting up when it was still dark. A brew and a light Breakfast, and then just as dawn was breaking, I made my way to the pickup point ready for the journey up to the start. I’ve said it before and I’ll no doubt say it again but it’s not until you have to drive the distance that your about to run, that the enormity of the task ahead seems to set in and today was no exception. Comfortably ensconced in the minibus, with a brew in my flask to sup on the way, the journey seemed to take a lifetime. But then I suppose 100Km is a fair old slog however you’re traveling it. Think of somewhere 62 miles from where you live and then think about driving there, now think about cycling there, now think about running there. H’mmmm, long way isn’t it! Eventually though, after following gradually smaller roads for far too long, we arrived at the start point at Combe Gibbet, ready to link up with those far more sensible people who had somehow made their own way to the start (and probably had an extra hour in bed), just in time for the pre-race brief and grand departure.
Just after 06:00, with the sun still getting fully established in the sky, but the temperatures unseasonably warm for the time of day, we were off. Down hill for the first few meters, leading to a stupidly fast pace considering the miles still to cover, (setting the scene for the rest of the morning) before a slight climb on a flinty, well-trodden and wide track.
A short road section, then on to more foot friendly, grassy, single track, by which time the pace had settled slightly, the two front runners had long since disappeared in a cloud of dust and I had fallen into a fast but steady pace alongside the 4th place runner. A missed turn after another couple of miles saw the 3rd place man go straight on and by the time I’d shouted him back, and he’d turned around, we were up to 3rd/4th. Not how I’d planned my day to start and the pace I was running at was far from sustainable, but I felt Ok, and although already hot, it seemed sensible to try and get a few fast miles in whilst the terrain was generally downhill and the temperature manageable, to gain a bit of a buffer and allow myself the opportunity to slow down through the heat of the day. Shortly after the first checkpoint at Watership Down (mile 13) I’d left my companion behind on a steady uphill climb and continued to draw out a lead on him as the miles built. A lead which I lost whilst attending to a call of nature shortly after, but subsequently quickly regained before we reached the outskirts of Basingstoke, at which point I never saw him again, moving myself temporarily up to 3rd place. Trails familiar from a thousand other adventures as I made my way around the outskirts of Basingstoke towards the next checkpoint, allowed for some easy running, with no fear of navigation errors, and I must have slowly increased my lead over 4th place, as by the time I reached the mile 24 checkpoint at Dummer he was nowhere in sight. Refill my water bladder (that’s at least 3 litres I’d got through in the first 4 hours). Treat myself to a bit of banana bread, which had been lovingly home made by one of the ladies manning the checkpoint. A quick bit of banter, grab a handful of salty pretzels and off again, still unexpectedly in 3rd place. Another mile or so and my watch ticked through the marathon mark in a touch over 4 hours, far too fast for the distance still to cover and the temperature, but I was still feeling good and pushed on.
With 4 hours done it was just after 10 O’clock and although the morning had clouded over, the temperature and humidity continued to rise. I could feel the sweat running down my back under my running vest, soaking into my lightweight top and dripping back off to splash against my legs as I made my way up yet another steady gradient. The heat rapidly evaporated the sweat off my face to leave a salty residue, and cramp nipped at my calves despite constantly drinking, dehydration starting to play its part in the day’s proceedings.
An additional and unexpected water stop at Brown Candover, where the fast-flowing stream that normally looks so inviting is currently bone dry, provided the opportunity to get yet more fluids on board and showed some excellent planning from the organisers. Planning which was evident throughout the day, with numerous additional water stops laid on and every marshal having plenty of spare water to help stave of the oppressive heat. A short while later I pulled into the checkpoint at the halfway mark, to be joined shortly afterwards by the person I’d shouted back after their wrong turn much earlier. That surprised me for 2 reasons; Firstly, how fresh he still looked compared to how I was feeling at that moment in time, and secondly when I’d left my earlier companion he was in 4th, yet clearly wasn’t now?
Replenishing my running vest from the bag I’d packed this morning, knowing that it would be available at this stop, and getting as much water as I could on board, I departed just ahead of my new opponent, knowing full well that I wouldn’t be in 3rd place for much longer.
As predicted, I held my place for a couples of miles, but as we started to climb towards Alresford he breezed past me, making me look like I was stood still, and I happily waved goodbye to any thoughts of a podium finish. Not to worry though, at that point it felt like a good thing, taking all the pressure to keep pushing hard off. Pushing hard being a task that was becoming increasingly difficult now that the sun had burned off the light cloud cover from the morning and was starting to really beat down. A situation which I really didn’t need, knowing that the afternoon stretch was more exposed than the terrain that I had already crossed. Coming into Alresford, running along the beautifully clear and refreshingly cool looking River Itchen I could feel myself flagging. Spotting a Shop in Alresford I stopped and grabbed a bottle of pop. The few minutes of lost time wasn’t going to hurt, and besides I was likely to lose far more time if I didn’t do something about my lack of energy. Swigging the sweet sugary pop and pulling some fruit bread from my pack (my latest running superfood) I made my way through the town, avoiding the visitors enjoying their days out in the sun, and pushed on out the other side, back into fully exposed countryside. Pushing slowly on through the early afternoon heat, the next few miles were a bit of a slog, but once the sugar rush from that bottle of pop kicked in I was back to a steady jog and made reasonable time to the next checkpoint at Hinton Ampner, where more water and some lovely, salty, marmite sandwiches on cheap white bread proved to be just what the doctor ordered to revive my flagging legs.
With over 40 miles done, it was just going to be a case of plodding on to the end now, a task that was easier to say than do, as by this time it was getting really hot. Constantly sipping from my camelback and dowsing my hat in water helped but provided little respite from the heat, and as I mentioned earlier these last few legs were across mostly open farmland, all of which was slowly baking in the summer sun, the heat being reflected back from the parched grass and slowly ripening cereal crops.
A brief stop to chat with a family out walking provided a welcome distraction and with the no time pressure, my being well ahead of the cut off time, provided a nice interlude from the task in hand. These conversations often have a familiar feel now. “How far are you going”, “What, really” in disbelief, followed by other questions and normally wrapped up with a “good luck” and ”you must be mad”. I can always spare the time to stop and chat though, whether that’s to marshals or random strangers, there’s never enough reason not to stop, answer their questions, and be civil and polite, something were often missing in our busy lives. Much as I’d like to stand around chatting, that’s not going to get those last miles done and I pushed on again.
Trying to recall it now, I’m a bit confused about the actual timings and locations of the next few events, but I think it was between the checkpoints at Droxford and Denmead (miles 50-56) although I may be mistaken. It may not even have happened in this order, or at the points mentioned below, but in my defence, I was starting to suffer, the day was getting unbearably hot, and I’ll happily admit it was struggling! What I do know is that what’s below did happen, but I don’t know where!
Firstly, I fell, tripping over a tree root as I made my way along a rough bit of track alongside what I think was the River Meon (which I think puts me as past Droxford). I’d almost tripped a couple of times before, sure signs of getting tired and not lifting my feet properly, but when I went, I knew it was coming and got my hands down to break my fall. No harm done, but the second I hit the ground both calves and my stomach muscles went into cramp! Not a good position to be in when your face down and can’t see a way to get back up without causing cramp induced agony! After a few seconds of rolling around on the dry, dusty trail, I eventually got myself back onto my feet and after a bit of a walk, a quick rinse off in the river and a good dunk of my hat to help cool me down, I managed to get going again. A few minutes later, and what’s this I spy up ahead? looks like another runner, moving even more slowly than I am? Expecting it to be someone out for an afternoon stroll, I’m mightily surprised to find the current 3rd place man (last seen disappearing into the distance at the start in second place) walking, and after checking that he’s OK I trot past, still moving surprisingly better than he is. (I’m suspicious this happened before Droxford but I really can’t place it, and I’ve got a feeling it was after my fall and the river?). A couple of miles later and working through a small town (Hambeldon?) I notice that my GPS has crashed and is no longer showing the route, that’s not good and is normally a sign that I’m off track. Bugger! Pulling up Google maps while I wait for the GPS to reload, I realise I’ve missed a turning. Not a major problem and I’m only a couple of hundred meters off track, but it’s another sign of tiredness. No sooner back on track than I’m faced with a route choice that I struggle to work out. It’s either up an impossibly steep slope or along the valley side, neither of which look right. Eventually I decide it’s got to be straight up, but I’m not feeling good, and the climb seems to finish me off. I reach the top and slump on a style at the field junction, feeling dizzy, retching and in a bad way. I’ve been here before though and I recognise the classic signs of Bonking and I’m in deep! There’s only one solution if I’m going to make it to the end, and that’s getting some calories in, the last thing I want to do is eat though, I’m feeling awful! Struggling back to my feet, I remember I’ve got a couple of energy gels in my bag for exactly this situation and pulling my pack off I grab one, squeezing the sugary syrup into my mouth and forcing it down. Almost instantly I start to feel better and manage to force a small chocolate bar down too, followed by a few mouthfuls of water. Forcing myself to go on, a few minutes later I go to check the route and realise I’ve dropped the GPS. Fu**! It’s been tied on to the clip of my vest all day, so I can only have lost it when I took my vest off to get that gel out. Times stood still since then though, how far back was that? For a minute I consider leaving it and using my phone for the rest of the way. I know that’s a stupid move though and reluctantly start retracing my steps until I come to the point where I think I took my pack of, but I don’t see it. Double F**k! I’m still thinking clearly enough to know it’s got to be here somewhere though, and as I start to retrace my steps again; I spot it laying in the grass. Relief flows over me, and I resume walking in the right direction again. As I walk, I try to force some salty biscuits into me, but it’s like trying to eat sawdust and I give up, finally pulling a chocolate spread sandwich from my bag and nibbling on that, which seems to go down a bit better. I pick up a road and following the signs push on for a bit, before realising that I’ve missed a turn again! Not to worry though, the map shows that if I go left at the next junction it will bring me out in the same place. However, when I get there it just confuses me having come from the wrong direction, and I struggle to work out which way to go. A bemused looking farmer watches me intently as I go one way then the other, then stop to look at the map a few times, then eventually decide which way to go.
The food I’ve managed to get on board has worked wonders and that coupled with a bit of shade providing some light relief from the direct sun sees me feeling considerably better. Disaster averted, but that’s the second time in two races that I’ve Bonked and Bonked hard, you’d think I’d have learned by now to keep eating no matter what!
A couple of miles of mixed walk / jog sees me at the final checkpoint at Denmead with 58 miles showing on my GPS (slightly over distance due to my small diversions). More surprisingly the marshal tells me I’m still in third place, which considering the endeavours and errors of the last few miles is somewhat miraculous and undoubtedly undeserved! I stop for just long enough to try and force some more food down whilst the lovely marshal refills my water and generally fusses over me, before pushing slowly on. Taking a handful of Haribo and a packet of dry roasted nuts with me, both of which seem to hit the mark as I make my way out of town, heading for the finish. A bit of fast walking allows my body to start absorbing some of the food I’ve managed to eat and the extra fluids that I’ve just taken on, and after a while I feel able to resume a slow jog. Jog the downhill and flat bit’s, but as soon as the gradient steepens it’s a fast walk, which seems to do the trick and the miles continue to slowly come down. I’m conscious that if I’m going to maintain 3rd place, I need to keep the pace as fast as I can and I keep pushing on, checking behind on the straight sections to see if I can see my chaser! As I jog onto the final ascent taking me back up to Portsdown Hill and the finish he’s still not in sight, but I can’t relax just yet, it’s not over until the finish line is under my feet. Push to the top of the hill on the road, then turn right back onto the track and right again to follow the main road and there it is, the finish, and confirmation that despite the trails and tribulations of a long day out, I’ve managed to cling on to 3rd place!
12:22:54 after setting off, and 100Km (63 miles exactly according to my GPS) I’m finished, and what a day that was. A time I’m more than happy with, a 3rd place which was totally unexpected, a beautiful route across some outstanding countryside. A good mix of hills, flat, woodland, open farmland, and all wrapped up with a great view of the sea and the isle of Wight off in the distance at the end. What’s not to like about that?
Ok it was a bit on the warm side, but we can’t have everything and at least it wasn’t raining. Although thinking about it, maybe that would have been better!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
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
March 2024
Categories
All
|