What a great challenge, running 50 or so miles along the banks of the River Thames.
Introduction
Due to the distance away from home and the logistics of actually getting to the race start it was decided that George and I would stay at a local hotel about 3 miles from the start. We arrived at Oxford at about 8.00pm at the same time as receiving a text from our ultra runner friend David H. who was on the train behind us so decided to wait around so that we could meet up and have a meal. A great evening of running talk and plans with a massive pizza now firmly packed into my stomach we said our good byes.
Arriving at the hotel George and I had to go through the maps so decided to meet in the bar for a quick pint where we met another runner who recognised the maps so spent some time with him and his wife chatting.
I love this sport, everyone is so friendly and sociable.
The Race
The Start
We arrived at the race start at 7.45 am and went about our admin of booking in, putting our bags in the van and catch up with old trail running buddies, the pub and car park soon filled with laughter, nervous chatting, talk of pace and FOOD, a subject that is always discussed with a passion at these events.
At 8.20 am we were summonsed by the Race Director who went through the finer details, the last being the directions:
"Run to the River Thames, turn left, see you in Henley"
At 8.30 am the crowd moved towards the entrance of the car park, a horn sounded, a cheer erupted and the sound of a hundred Garmins being switched on and the thunder of running shoes on tarmac. Within minutes we reached the wooden bridge that bounced alarmingly as we ran across it much to the hilarity of the competitors. We were soon on the Thames Path and were taken aback by the terrain, flat, muddy (not deep) and mostly grassland. There was talk of high winds during the day and it was not wrong as we were soon buffeted by strong winds which was not easy to predict due to the meandering of the river's course.
The course
Due to the flatness of the course it soon became apparent that the pace was very easy to predict and maintain. For the first 30 miles we were constantly hitting out 10 kph (6.2 mph) and with the addition of walking breaks when hit by a strong winds and check points this averaged out at 5 mph which was very pleasing and proved that our training was paying off in recent weeks.
I have found that river running is never boring and there is a lot of stimulation, what with the rowers, the boats and walkers who seemed to take great interest in our endeavors and during walking breaks would often ask what we were doing and either look at you in total disbelief, amazement or a mixture of both.
The Plan
The general plan between George and I was that the run was a training run, one in which we could iron out food & water intake, experiment with things like foot taping, personal kit such as clothing changes and pace. We wanted to approach the run to get consistency of pace and strength of run, we were not to be disappointed, I was very keen about ensuring my feet were in top condition and was very pleased with my taping (more on this at a later date)
The Race continued
Due to the plan of consistent running we were happy just to take it step by step, let people pass us and we them, knowing that we would pass many in the latter stages. Many around us seemed to have the same approach and we used each others pace as our mutual guide but due to this it became apparent that the field did not dissipate for at least 8 miles so there was a lot of grouping allowing time to talk and eat the initial miles up
Checkpoints came and went every 8 to 10 miles which were efficiently managed with plenty of bottled water, cake and sweets. It was at check point I decided to apply zinc oxide tape to the ball of my right foot, a decision I was glad to make as it protected in latter miles. The taping on my inner heels was holding out also, things were looking good down their.
The middle section
Running at a consistent pace can pay toll on the energy levels and my legs were soon aching a sure sign that "The Wall" was threatening me so taking on a carb-gel I continued onwards it got me out of a hole until the next check point which was quite near and there I stocked up on fruit cake, sweets and took on an extra pint of water, this seemed to help as the pizza from the night before was proving hard to budge.
The wind really was picking up now and there was a fine drizzle in the air but we still battled on, mile after mile, lock after lock.
The last few miles
In the last 2 hours of the run I felt really strong, I was in the zone both mentally and physically, yes my legs hurt, my head fuzzy but this had defined itself as a driven need to eat up the miles and I was soon moving off but was totally unaware of George who was being much more sensible and keeping to pace. At Reading (pronounced RED-ING) George and I took a short walk break taking on a carb gel each and I misunderstood his comment to go on ahead, I initially thought I would run to the next check point which I mistakenly thought was about ½ mile away but transpired to be 2 ½ miles away, by the time I realised I had lost George but thought he would be with a lady we had met called Debbie of similar pace so would be OK....I was wrong on both cases (Sorry George)
Night run
I became a man on a mission, I saw runners ahead who were in my sights , one by one I picked them off and was soon aware that the night was coming fast. Again I was in my element, my many night runs and experience in this area soon paid off as I ran on paths, fields and road being carefully to look closely for the finger points for the path and in the night section overtook at least 4 runners losing ground to one.
The lights of Henley-on-Thames were ahead of me, the muddy path soon gave away to the famous board walk and the the tow path as I saw lights, people and the finish line which I gladly ran to finishing in 9:35 hours. A t-shirt and medal were placed in my hand but mostly all I wanted was a cup of tea, 3 sugars, 2 tea bags, the perfect end to a tough run.
George turned up a bit later looking strong if not miffed with my misdeeds of leaving him behind but it was obvious from our efforts that our training, specifically the back-to-backs at weekends were really paying off.
I have just looked at my training plan and a cold sweat has appeared on my brow as it proves to be an absolute monster month. To start I will have to run 65 miles this week comprising!
I am not making a point of losing weight nor am I too worried about it these days primarily due to the amount of exercise I do. However I do have a habit of weighing myself every week just to see if I am going up or down which is an indicator if I am eating correctly.
So the training continues and during a reasonable ~20 mile trail run today, George and I were discussing our progress and how we have changed over the last 2.5 years since we started this ultrarunning thing.
A night run with a difference, this time we are in search of ghosts!
Great song lyrics were churning around my head tonight as I plodded around the neighbourhood and then I saw the letters Pb, not for Personal Best but as in Lead and how by legs felt as though
I have just said this to Mrs S "I just seem to run, eat and sleep these days" well at least I normally would.
As this blog is titled I do like to report on my Trials and Tribulations especially if connected with running and tonight was no different.
This is a story of mud, rain and trashed feet, this is a course which changes every year from sun baked, parched earth to wet, muddy the next.
The course is 6.55 miles in length and comprises, concrete, tarmac, cinder and grass track roads or paths. We are required to run as many laps as we wish to a maximum recorded 5, some of the runners are happy with 4 laps to make the marathon whilst there is the usual bunch who want to do the full distance.
A little tired to give a report of the event but this was a great night for all involved, I went with two friends from my club and all three of us got a Personal Best for the evening either in distances or in time.
It is quite extraordinary that the Moonlight Challenge seems to attract such a group of people; there are people training for Marathon Des Sable, charity runners, runners going for their first ultra distance run, me up for a training run to raise my weekend runs as I approach GUCR and no doubt a few wanting to race.
The plan tonight was:
The countdown is on for the Moonlight Challenge on Saturday and I am secretly really looking forward to it.
Really good run today, I looked out of the window to note that in fact it was raining and by the looks of the driveway it had been for a little while. I decided to wear my trusty OMM Kamleika smock, my shorts and some gloves.
...and then out of the blue the chance of a run with company appears an option I will gladly take. Off out in about 40 minutes for a quick blat around the woods, no plans as of yet but will play it by ear when we join up, I have a feeling it will involve a few trails though ;-)
Jeez, I have a feeling I am not very popular (again) !
I went out for a nice solo run this afternoon, I had had a day of marking scripts and shuffling the family around to various places and so wanted some "me" time.
I never thought that string of words would make sense!
I was out on a cheeky little ~10 mile hill run tonight when the excesses of the last few days caught up on me and I was seen clutching my guts nipping into the woods on the side of the road.
I am not that bothered with getting a medal [read as cheap metal badge on a cheap ribbon] at the end of an event but I have been scratching my head as to the whereabouts of my Thames Trot one since Saturday!
Never did I believe that 3 days after a 50 mile run was I to be standing at the club in running kit ready to do a ~7 mile run with the promise of a 8:30 min/mile pace!
36 hours after the completion of Thames Trot and I awake to the sound of the alarm clock announcing the dawn of another Monday morning. Mondays are busy for me these days what with a full days work and then an evening teaching at University not made any better by recovery from my weekend work out.
What a great challenge, running 50 or so miles along the banks of the River Thames.
"I daresay you haven't much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
I am absolutely astounded...whilst sitting in the living room this evening there was a ring on the doorbell and on opening it I saw two of my daughter's friends standing on the step bedecked in running kit. My 14 year old daughter pranced down the stairs and brushed past me similarly dressed, sweatshirt, leggings and training shoes saying
It was with some excitement I left the house to attend the ExCel Centre in East London to have my interview to become a GamesMaker at the Olympics 2012. Strangely I was a little nervous about the whole thing as I honestly didn't know what they expected from me although I had tried to prepare for possible questions.
Here is a my Thames Trot 50 miler all layed out ready for inspection and packing (click image to get a bigger view). I have too much as usual but experience has told me that is best to have too much than too little.
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