Thames Trot (28) 50

Last Saturday I started the Thames Trot 50 (miles) from just outside Oxford heading towards Henley on Thames at about 8.30am on a damp cold morning.

I had entered as just another longer training run on the road to the Grand Slam, and no idea what I was thinking but kind of expected "path" - I have only run on the Thames Path closer to London and well its proper pavement :-) with run able hard packed trail!

So mistake number one - the Thames Path on this section anyhow is basically along the river flood plain ie low-lying ground adjacent to a river, to say it was a mud bath from start to finish of my race anyhow is no exaggeration.

I love running in my Lunas but frankly they are pretty useless in ankle deep sticky mud - so, mistake number two - this race really needed some aggressive trail shoes.

Long story short - I struggled to stay upright & moving from the off - I was losing time, and not just because of the mud - the inability to run meant I was losing body heat, dressed in layers but for running not hiking - and of course the temperatures dropped as the day wore on and the rain continues to get heavier.

I passed a few runners / hikers between CP1 & CP2 most of whom had had enough - coming up to CP2 just over 19 miles, I considered my options - if there was anything vaguely run able I knew I could run it & make up time lost, so decided to crack on to the next CP3 (28 miles) - unfortunately it was just more of the same, some short sections of path allowed me to run and at least warm up a bit, but overall in 28 miles I think perhaps about 5 were run able.

So I made my mind up to call it a day at CP3 which was Goring, I also knew there was a nice pub on the corner of the High Street which had good wine & an open fire! I made it to CP3 28 miles 20 minutes over the cut off - I possibility could have pushed and scrapped through in time, but my decision was made - and ensuring a safe injury free finish was now the end goal.

The purpose of this blog, the analysis of this race - well its not really about the race more about mindset.

I have never in all the races I have completed which is a lot, been timed out - and perhaps this time last year I would have been sitting here questioning my ability as a runner, I doubt very much I would have been blogging about what I would have seen as a failure.

So, whats changed - what gives the confidence to get a race totally wrong for whatever reason and walk away with no f@@ks given ?

Two things;

FACT & FOCUS

Fact - my race record speaks for its self, I have nothing to prove either to myself or anyone else. I cannot deny the fact that I step up time & time again and get the result.

Focus - I have a clear path this year which will lead me to my end goal, the training & runs in-between are simply that - training runs, the opportunity to see what works & what doesn't.

Lessons learnt on this one - research the route in more detail & know the terrain.

Positives, well I knew the latter half of the TP100 will be flat & very well marked - so good reccy result!

Staying upright, avoiding hypothermia, no nausea, injury free, and I must have made up at least 20 new swear words much too rude to repeat !

Happy Running xx