SDW100 9th & 10th June 2018 – Road to the Grand Slam (2/4)

Well the dream of the Centurion Grand Slam is still alive - I completed the South Downs Way 100 at the weekend.

I have been feeling quite #broken since Sunday – but today starting to move less duck like and with more clarity and thoughts now turning to the 4th of August and the NDW100 preparation & using lessons learned so far.

It is indeed all a big learning curve and each race is different and if I’m honest I’m still pinching myself that in my 50’s I am completing 100 milers, the distance should never be taken for granted – it’s a heck of a long way on foot that requires physical fitness and strong mental toughness – absolutely nothing is a given, there is no guarantee of finish, which I guess is the appeal for me & my fellow starters.

The SDW starts at 6am in Winchester and largely follows the path all the way to Eastbourne just over 100 miles assuming you don’t get lost and add additional bonus miles – with a 30 hours cut off. Within the first mile you are going uphill and that sets the scene for the entire course with a total of 12000ft + of elevation, mainly trail the first half is easier underfoot, but the back 50+ is pretty hard packed chalk with loose flint, really hard on the feet.

I can never really recall the whole race, it’s a long time on your feet and a lot happens but here is a snapshot:

No idea why or how but we really cut it fine in getting to the race start, luckily registered kit check & numbers the evening before we just needed to drop our drop bags & finish bag – hence I was listening to the race brief while in the loo queue & heard the sound of the gong signalling the start while washing my hands in the portaloo!

My head was absolutely rubbish for the first 9+miles, the left hamstring was whinging (still nursing a pull from the mud at the TT in Feb) and I really was not in the race – a bear hug from Paul Spooner at the first CP made me feel better – I remember his saying its fine it’s just early, I picked at some fruit, hugged Paul again goodbye and said “I’ll see you in Eastbourne” that was my first commitment to the finish.

The hamstring continued to be an issue for the first 20 ish miles, I’m not sure if it loosened or if it just had competition from other muscles objecting, its actually better when fatigue sets in to all your muscles as you stop focusing on individual problems.

(c)Stuart March Photography

This was a very friendly race and I met some lovely people, there were in fact a group of nearly a dozen runners chatting as we waited for a herd of cows to amble along a track to their dairy – I guess we lost 10/15 minutes, but cows are curious creatures and refuse to be rushed – cut offs are not in their vocabulary.

The half way actually 54 miles at Washington was the first opportunity for a sit down and some hot food and the most welcome sight of Christian who would be my pacer for the last, 16+ miles. Amazing that he had a calippo waiting for me!

I remember into the evening passing a pig farm on the downs, and thinking I was glad it was still daylight as the noise in pitch dark on my own would have seriously freaked me out!

I chatted to various runners through the night & also spent quite a bit of time on my own, it never worries me running on my own at night, I think I’m just too focused on the race to even consider anything else, and of course I was armed with some nifty spikey poles which I had picked up at Washington.

Looking back it’s a weird thing in the night, you find yourself sitting in the CP’s with your fellow runners sometimes struggling to string a sentence together trying to eat because you know you need to but feeling sick at the same time, you don’t want to leave the chair but know you must otherwise you are wasting valuable time, staggering off into the night while trying to express your gratitude to the volunteers.

I picked up Christian at mile 84, he was really great as a pacer – the same could not be said for my company for the first 6 miles, I was going through a very bad dip – forcing myself to eat helped a bit – but as we approached the 91 mile CP, I really felt like stopping – simply put I was not enjoying myself and everything especially my feet hurt like hell. I remember a marshal on the road as we headed into Alfriston he had his shoes off, he asked if I was ok & I said I needed a hug – he happily obliged - hugging a complete stranger, smelly runner to boot at stupid o clock, that’s what it takes to be a Centurion volunteer. Tea & biscuits later we headed out of Alfriston with renewed vigour – up another bloody hill mind.

There was another CP between Alfriston & Eastbourne, but I chose to just check in & keep going – I really needed it done at this point. I know I bored Christian asking times, but as fatigue sets in its hard to do the math, I’m sure we seen a massive bull on the downs getting early morning amorous with a cow J!

And finally the trig point which Russ & I had reccey the previous week – 3 miles to the finish.

I simply did not have the energy to run the entire track, but managed the last 3rd, coming to a stop not knowing to laugh, cry or puke – captured perfectly by Stuart.

(c)Stuart March Photography

So pleased to see Russ and learn that he had achieved a sub 24 – I’m incredibly proud of him, he is a great runner and trains so hard – a really well deserved result.

(c)Stuart March Photography

So, reflections:

The 5 week recovery from the Thames Path took a toll, but pleased with 28.07 finish

38 female finishers out of 223 overall, I was number 30, overall a 73% finish rate – it’s still on percentage a man’s game but there are some strong ladies out there, and age is clearly no barrier – nor indeed is gender – in distance running male & female stand equal on the start line.

Managing your race is all important, try not to dwell too long at the CP’s in the first half don’t sit if you can help it – keep that luxury for the midpoint & thereafter.

Don’t panic over pace, instead keep your eye on the time elapsed – on a course like the SDW you can go from a 21 minute mile to a 10 minute mile – just work with the terrain.

Keep eating and drinking even when you feel physically sick.

The mood dips will not last, keep talking to yourself – make a commitment early.

Choose your pacer well, they will see you at your best & worst and they need to remain calm and not take anything you say personally - so far David, Debbie, Russ & Christian have been amazing in my journey.

(c)Stuart March Photography

A hug even from a complete stranger is worth its weight in gold.

Ultra-running restores your faith in humanity, real life heroes are made – we, all of us go from ordinary to extraordinary just by having the tenacity to stand on the start line.

As always my eternal thanks to my good friends new & old, Centurion Running & its army of superb volunteers - Stuart March for his amazing photography - my awesome husband who ran a fantastic race so very proud of him and of course my amazing pacer Christian who’s enthusiasm kindness humor and just all round “fuck it you’ve got this” attitude got me the result!

Much love & respect xx

#neveraverage