GB Ultras Race Across Scotland (RAS)

How do I even get to the Start Line?

If I'm going to tempt someone to have a go at this amazing race, first need to tell you how I got to the startline on August 18th 6am -  facing the seemingly impossible task of running 214 miles across Scotland coast to coast from Portpatrick to Cockburnspath along the Southern Upland Way.

The number scared me even then, more than double the longest I'd ever run was hard just to comprehend. Being scared is a GOOD thing. Do something like this you have to respect the distance and hold back, stick to a plan. You want to sprint off at the beginning? I will see you later.

Quick recap. I'm a decent runner, PB marathon 3:14, 10k sub 40 two years ago but off those times at moment, maybe 3:30-45 for marathon but road bores me now. So not at fastest but I can keep going. Last year 3 X 50 milers, first 100 miler under 24 hours. Not able to squeeze much else in, stressed with family & work. Seeing last year's GB200 dots moving tempted me so entered then thought… jeez this is just TOO big.

GB Ultras gave three advance dates for free training weekends for RAS doing two 25+ mile sections each time, many other companies charge for similar. To stand any chance of finishing, I thought had to get to these and more on my own. If timed right could do a weekend and then have a few days with Mum & family nearby.

November recce was a huge shock. So wet, hilly & muddy. Demoralising. Everyone’s shoes soaked by end of first day. Everyone found the second day even tougher with huge hills & incline. A few people dropped out of the race, too wet to contemplate 214 miles of this. This was going to take some thought & planning. Right hamstring was a bit sore & tight during the weekend but okay? Stupidly realised it wasn't okay two weeks later during a cross country race with more pain each lap. Not bad but stride length down and movement odd when running, like I had a much smaller right foot. Rehab with Chiropractor and a personal trainer finally got things going Dec - Feb with low 20-30 miles per week running.

February legs better, ran 50 miles for charity with John Hammond from Manchester Football stadiums to Liverpool’s Goodison & Anfield, ending at Tranmere felt okay. Original GB200 plan to do 2-3 x 50 milers plus 1-2 100 milers though didn’t seem possible, just not enough time with busy work & family more important. Carried on with 30-40 miles per week and getting to any GB Ultras training runs I could. Made some good friends there and some new ones. Managed one snowy trip up to Scotland with Gareth Boyd in March, running the sections onto Wanlockhead & Beattock section, then St Marys Loch the next day. It was a lot of fun, not wet, very runnable. A bit more confidence – maybe this was doable?

During one GB Ultra night run, met Alice and chatted online. Still not feeling 100% but we had got on so well I offered to try & pace the L2M 100 miler as it was her first ever run of over 50 miles. We had a blast, all good. Chester 100 after was a key target to arrive in Scotland confident – good speed at the beginning but dropped out after 52 miles with terrible vomiting in the heat. Demoralised. 

How could I run 214 miles if I couldn’t run 100 (DNF)?

Last two recces came up and were make or break for me. If not feeling confident I would drop out. June’s Stranraer- Glentrool- St Johns was excellent, though very hot and tiring. 5+ litres of fluids drunk each day. Met Neil Rutherford on the way to Stranraer and got on well, two times reigning GB200 winner, a top bloke and very down to earth. Confidence up.  I’d suggested to the RAS group about doing an extra night run in to make 3 sections in the weekend, mostly so I could get to a train back to family (!) - but it worked lovely. Four of us including Neil, young speedy Nick and Deborah Allum ran the next section 9pm to Sanquhar till 4am. Massive confidence boost.

How many from June/ July recces would start and finish the race?

July recce was different. Maybe tired before started but the 35 miles Beattock -St Marys Loch & Traquair was a killer, so hot that I was wiped out by 6pm. Day 2 not much better, very tiring, big huge hills to Fairnilee, to Melrose & then Lauder. I was knackered. Plan later was to run to Longformacus to CoPath but cut it short and did 25 miles. Made it but needed a nap and out on my feet by Coburnspath 7am. Really not sure I could do this race, the heat was killing me. To add to the decision making fun, got food poisoning the next day and sick for a week. Messaged Wayne Director and said I was having serious doubts and maybe dropping out. He had faith - Relax. Also spoke to runner Louise (who named my inner chimp Norman!) helping get rid of those bad thoughts.

Last few weeks, got some peak weeks 50-70 miles, borrowed poles to practice at big hills of Moel Famau, North Wales. A bit more confident, but still so unsure. Finally there, meal night before in Stranraer, met 7-8 other nervous people for our Last Supper. 

Back to that start line.Race hall for kit check saw friends, lots of hugs and nerves. Race Director Wayne Drinkwater gave his briefing.

"Ground is very wet.. Looking after your feet will be key to finishing the race."

(link for video coming)

Friend Louise found me and hugged. We had agreed to run the first few miles together, let people go and take steady. Finally and late, at 6:10am we were off. 

The steep up and down paths were great fun, but gradually people started to push and accelerate. We held back – always stick to your plan. Amazing seeing the runners stream along the front like ants though.

5 miles became 10 and going well so Louise and I stuck together, who knows for how long? though I said I was having at least 90 minute sleep at St Johns mile 65 and similar for each 50 mile section after. Teaming up does mentally help to take your mind off the miles. We kept passing people so pacing seemed good. My Garmin had each section split up for navigation so broke it into easy chunks, knowing how far and how much incline was ideal. 13.5 miles and flat, easy. I had soft bottles and a bladder after needing more fluids during the recces. It was pretty cool though, ideal conditions. Filled up bladder with water & tailwind, the bottle was for emergencies with a Katadyn water filter to fill up at streams. Few snacks then move on. Regular food, tuna or cheese wraps or a square of baklava every hour or so to keep stomach filled, hopefully the vomiting problems would not happen.

To CP2 was quite short, only 9 miles to 23 we pushed on. Checkpoint staff said as much as another 23 miles to Glentrool the next stop though? We had caught up with Chris, Louise’s ex there but pushed on, seeing him off/ on for next few miles. Louise and I were working great as a team, 30 miles had passed quick, easy company, some giggles but focussed. There was a bothie (shack for walkers to sleep) in the middle for water but next Checkpoint was 15 miles or more, @46-7+ miles and some trail to get there. Feet were getting very wet, socks soaked, texted ahead to my wife for towel and sealskin socks. Coming down hills to Glentrool a figure appeared behind us, Scottish Pete who should have been well ahead of us. He had got lost, funny for a local Scot, by nearly 5 miles. Saw Pete getting water from a stream, was it 2 miles to next stop? Checked and as much as 6 so wisely filled up.

At Glentrool there was a nice straight road for couple of miles past the pub to the checkpoint or the Southern Upland Way path we had to take – off road and looking snarly. This short 4-5 mile section after 4pm was just demoralising. Hungry, legs tired, wet feet and 90 minutes of roots, branches & hazards were annoying. After much grinding of teeth, photographer appeared – nearly 6pm we were at CP3– first time we would see our crews. Sonya, Louise’s crew captain appeared and passed some drinks and even one for me! We were okay but tired – dried & talc-ed/ feet, some hot food in, but the planned 30 minutes ended up nearly an hour. Wife kept passed me tea or Lucozade, refreshed backpack with food & baklava. Fresh socks and shoes on. 22-mile stretch to CP4 St Johns ahead, some hills and would be night soon.

Moving around the lochs with the huge fir trees was pretty but light going and drizzling. This section was tough work in the dark and I had done the route – couldn’t see more than 10 ft ahead with head torches on into misty rain and no idea what we were going past. Missed all sorts of landmarks and even the bothie. Louise was also very tired – had to let her sleep for a few 2 minute cat-naps but we pushed on, some sore bits of her pack rubbing her back also. The bog of doom appeared, deep wet stretch 20 foot long, just about made it but feet so wet now. We swore a lot at the race directors. Cold but okay, into CP4 65 miles done about 3am. Sonya grabbed Louise for sleep, whilst I said hello to friends Adam & Annie manning the village hall. Shoes off or no entry!

My wife meant to leave sleeping bag at CP but was in the car somewhere outside with extra food whilst she slept in B&B. I went out again into rain to find what needed. After 20-30 minutes finally out of wet kit, getting cold, into dry stuff, hot drink and food from Annie, also passed me a spare head torch lent by good pal Les. Found a seat, limited floor space, some runner with huge double beds and kit on chairs looking very comfy–leaving little space for others. Squeezed into a corner, tried to sleep but loud feet of Adam, Wayne & others. Off feet at least & shut eyes. Found cold bacon butties in backpack, Annie showed me the microwave… reheated to make the most awesome food ever to envious looks. Porridge came in and very nice. Few runners like previous GB200 finisher Lainey came in with hypothermia, many dropped out CP4, the conditions and deep bog finished off a good number that night. Louise finally awake, crew let her sleep longer, she was quite snappy though. Broken head torch. Plain not strawberry porridge. Needed to get her awake and running, stuffed my remaining bacon sandwich in.

5am was dark wet but daylight due 5.30am with rain forecast to stop. Nearly 3 hours stop and only 2 minutes sleep but we were out. The next 2 x 26 mile sections coming up, the same as in November, were the toughest sections, St Johns to Sanquhar then Wanlockhead, the highest village in the UK, onto Beattock. By the end of these sections we would be more than half way with 120+ miles done.

The section to Sanquhar was wet in places, but we knew it would be. Just had to keep grinding out the miles and working together. Some hilly sections to work up to the arch and through the forests, we were working great as a team... Even had nicknames for each other, a friend had called me Quadzilla for powerwalking, so Louise was Quadzookie.. (old godzilla cartoon, see here). Silly things help - you need a little bit of stupid to do this !

Working hard up the hills

I needed the 2-minute nap this time, crew I would meet later passed us and offered some drinks and oranges. Just after, a lovely welcoming farm had offered to cook everyone bacon sandwiches plus tea, coffee. The very welcome 20-minute stop was bliss, recharging the legs to carry on down the hills to Sanquhar, my wife waiting with fresh socks, passing Louise’s friend Jon looking in serious trouble.

Bacon butties at the farm .

Into Checkpoint 5 Sanquhar, dried feet again, but sore. Ouch. Asked for a medic to sort blisters (remember Robert), another runner offered me some German goo for feet. Wife kept feeding me, meat Pizza was seriously heaven plus milk. Backpack supplies & bladder loaded up. Louise had her sore back taped all over tried my spare pack but huge on her. Surprised to find fellow runner Nicola, miles ahead, struggling and asleep in her crew van. We started to hear of a long list of runners dropping out, sad to hear this included Neil Rutherford.

Off to Cp6 Wanlockhead, only 8 miles or so, the little rocks were starting to hurt feet. Said hello again to Nicola looking painful, crew ran with her for a mile but likely stop. At the CP, felt fine aimed to stop for 15-20 minutes, but ended up 30 minutes though. The checkpoint was toasty warm, too warm. Walked out, now freezing and going dark. Louise had no gloves either, shivering so gave her mine. Straight after Wanlockhead the path goes to a radar tower at the top always with strong biting wind. Louise flagging again, a 2 minute nap needed within a mile. Her crew were ahead 6 miles or so on the next road section but very up down and tough in the dark, we were tiring quick. We agreed to stop but then bumped into Nicola and carried on for 20 minutes. 

This 6 mile section took forever, maybe 2.5 hours or more. Rolled into van, sore, tired, agreed a sleep and very grateful. Checked feet and one 50p sized blister found. Sonya found some antiseptic gel. Used pin off race number, match and feet sorted. Sleep for 10 minutes. Louise getting worried about time, 2am we had 14+ miles and time slipping, cut off 11am or 12pm. Cracked on, I pushed hard, we had to keep going. Got a nice rhythm till we hit the reservoir – endless mile+ hill up that rolled for another 2 miles. Louise went very sleepy… desperate measures, she had mentioned singing on previous race. Some internet access so phone in backpocket, Greatest Entertainer on, watch her wake up AND sing .. legs like little generators for 2+ hours. We met another runner flagging. Pushed on, finally on the road to Beattock, downhill really moving well now, passed 3-4 runners including Nicola. We had made brilliant time – less than 4 hours when fearing 6-8+ on dead legs. Mad. We arrived at CP7 Beattock 6:10am, 120 miles so far in exactly 48 hours.

Short stop planned, maybe 30-40 minutes? Routine now set - Check blisters, dry feet, more food. Wife wasn’t feeling well, asleep in B&B 100 yards away, car parked somewhere but couldn’t see it and no shoes on. Kind marshal Sarah found the car and grabbed shoes so I didn’t have to put wet shoes on again searching. 20-minute nap. Race Director Wayne very happy to see us looking good. Louise awake. WTF, Time was 8am? Time just drained away, now 8:15am.

St Marys Loch stretch was hilly, lots of power walk 20 miles 3500 ft. Ouch, first few yards though, right knee was seriously sore. Quad, ITB into knee wasn’t feeling good. We soldiered on, but I was in a bad mood, a lot of pain and couldn’t run. Messaged wife, need painkillers and meet us 10 miles in but lost in translation. Also going into a comms blackout. 10 painful miles. Okay, I bitched a lot, told Louise to leave me. Bumped into a runner retiring, one paracetamol. Somehow kept going. Race Director Wayne appeared, taking photos of us plus some Danish runners which makes me look happy.

Laughing but crying

I was grimacing, near to tears. Please just leave me. I couldn’t do downhill without red hot knee pain, like it would collapse. Wayne passed me a tube of deep heat– tiny hope. Layered it thick. About this time, my lovely new UD backpack fell apart. Arrgggh Both me and my kit were now officially falling apart. The Danes thought that the bothie would have more than just water – but no snacks sadly. We pushed on, finally meeting Louise’s lovely crew. The Danes were happy to see Sonya’s van with snacks and loaded up. 

I pulled Sonya aside - "please push Louise on. I can’t run." It was so hard for me but knew finishing meant everything to Louise after not finishing the previous year. Heart breaking though as we had been a great team. Lot of pain, I said goodbye.. Please do not wait for me.

Very very lonely. Quick photo, video which posted when back in signal. In hindsight, embarrassing but I was so tired, less than 2 hours sleep in 50 hours, very emotional and as mentally naked as I’ve ever been with the race slipping away from me. Shuffled on painfully for 5-6 hours.

Finally got a text to wife, get spare backpack ready with bladder in. At CP 8 St Mary’s Loch for maybe 5.30pm. Not happy to see her, foul mood after no support and in bad state. Changed shorts, routine again, some pasta & drink in, refresh supplies, dry & check feet. Robert the medic said hello – I had 2-3 small blisters plus a new humdinger now – big, spherical so we called it Gromit (after the dog in Wallace & Gromit) , half size of back of right heel. Shrugged, got out about 6.30pm, a few messages through from friends.

Met wife 3 miles after the Loch then had another 9 miles of hills to Traquair/ Innerleithen. This section took forever, dark, raining, misty, at times going in circles and little progress. Convinced I saw houses, ford transit vans, but was just trees & paths. Texted wife I was lost and feeling tired. Rolled into a ditch for 10 minute sleep. 

Finally found way out of the rain and mist. Wife rang, expected me an hour before was very worried, told me to drop out - her call. Rang race directors to drop out – got Jonathan and a 5 minute motivational call of the highest order. Something like this -  

“You’re not finished, just tired. Get sleep then decide.

You’re one of the best recce-d runners – do not drop out.” 

Hmm? The 1-2% of me left just about listened, a little ember was still burning. Spoke to a sleepy Wayne and confirmed close but not dropping out. Rang wife back - coming into Traquair for a sleep only. Warm fish & salty chips awaited wrapped in tin foil. Bliss. Sleep. Oblivion.

Awake. Into dry kit, lots of messing around but finally out and a mile in. Pulled phone out of pocket for music – found my wife’s. Argggh! No deep heat. Rang, walked back, delayed by 30 minutes finally moving with time now very tight – would be timed out if my legs didn’t start working. Not in a great mood. Maybe 4-5 hours on a very hilly section but gradually felt better.

Music playing from my pocket for 2+ miles. On a tough hilly section, another runner Katy appeared, the lady who had given me foot cream miles back– another 5-6 miles to do but I knew the route, incline and how far – so we paired up, chatting, swapping food, taking our mind off the pain. Brief break, tried some kids sweets my wife had stuck in (I said try to give me a surprise), these unicorn shoe laces were like smelling salts with massive sugar hit. Wow! We giggled a lot. We found one runner sleeping, checked he was okay, passed his grid reference to race directors. Caught up with Anne Marie and another pink haired runner leaning nearly sideways.

After some big hills and horrible-to-feet rocky downhill made CP9 Fairnilee by 7.15am, an hour before cutoff, bumping into Jonathan and Adam – both happy to see me smiling feeling good again, Lazarus-like I had come back. Katy and I agreed to stick together after short break. Dry socks, wife very happy to see me revived. Nicola there again but hobbling, looked awful – medic advised hospital visit for Xray. Or not. Someone told me Louise had dropped out night before. Shocked, sad, this race was tearing runners up.

We left 8am. Next 6-8 miles were no hassle, flat and easy. Katy’s crew went further ahead but my wife met us at Galashiels & Melrose bridge, Katy’s crew topped us up a few miles after the hills to Lauder. 

Hmm new pain? My left shin was hurting but unexpectedly, socks cutting in on swollen ankle, fluid building, with the shin puffy and sore to touch. 

Met Szilard (Seal) another runner, laid out like a star fish snoring. Very funny guy, great to chat to. We grouped up with Seal and Anne Marie to get to Lauder.

CP10 Lauder by 5.30pm – shocked look from Jonathan as we left within a minute as a joke –our crews and food were waiting at the campsite nearby. Plan was to get food, rest legs & some sleep. Food all good, shoes off and using fantastic twisty ice packs off Katy, iced my very sore shin & ankle. No sleep though - with a 90 minute stop this was a big mistake.

Said our goodbyes at 7pm, Deb my wife was staying at B&B in Longformacus so dropped off a few bags for each of us there then getting sleep –we would not see any crews until near the end. Pushed onto the hills from Lauder, we had a giggle in this section, music on, singing to sheep and cows, House of Pain “Jump Around” came on and randomly Queens “Another One Bits the Dust” which seemed apt with the numbers of runners dropping out. One mistake, left fresh leggings in drop bag so got a bit cold. I crashed later in the evening out eyes closing. 5 minute sleep by back of barn in the middle of nowhere. Katy was flagging a bit, we got closer to the CP had to keep feeding her fruit pastilles every mile. Finally in, Haydn and lovely Jo there at Longformacus at 11.30-12pm. Haydn told me Louise was okay and had finished, a big lift.

Quickly looked after Katy, food and drink, ice packs from bags then 25 min sleep. Usual routine for me, dry feet, food, blisters, ice, sleep 10 minutes. I had my famous yellow “Big Bird” leggings that had seen me through some tough races – swollen ankle would not take both socks and tight leggings. Sadly asked for scissors and cut the hems up. Worth it to get to the end?

The next section after some road was horrible, seemingly a loop of the same two paths forever. Soul destroying going in circles or brain thought it was. 5am we were mentally shot, so tired and depressed by darkness we needed to sleep. 30 minutes. Waking up to daylight was so much better - but then ouch, couldn’t run or even walk well, right foot & toe was red hot pain. We stopped at a gate and carefully took sock off right foot. It wasn’t pleasant. Blood, skin gone on second toe, heel painful too. Katy thankfully had two plasters and a big patch left in her first aid. Doubt I would’ve finished without these. Phoned wife and arranged to meet somewhere down the path. We had to keep pushing, time slipping away. It was going to be very tight unless we cracked on, constant pace to stay under the 100 hr target.

Time stretched 5-6 miles of pushing was maybe 2+ hours, my wife drove up, passing us coffee and much needed paracetamol. We picked up another runner Shane who was flagging about 4 miles out – we were in range. Missed a turn somewhere, but on target just. Was it really two miles to go?

Along the coast, rolling paths, we finally saw the sea. 

We really were at the coast, last time we had seen the sea was 4+ days before. 25 minutes to go we were going to make it. A complete stranger down on the path next to his house said “Hello Martin & Katy, you’re nearly there!” – he’d been tracking us online. Wow! That gave us such a lift. Friends we knew yes, but people really were watching right to the end to see everyone in safe. Katy’s partner with her beloved dogs appeared, big smiles, tears, everyone was waiting. We ran in.

Big crowd of people cheered us in, as we ran around the 15^th century stone cross at Coburnspath village and into the GB Ultras finish line.  We collapsed, 99 hours 49 was cutting it fine. Both of us were completely exhausted but very happy to see family and friends.  My wife held onto me, my feet were too sore for anything more. Louise grabbed me next. She’d done amazing. 

Few photos then grabbed by medics to sort out my feet. Medic Robert said hello again. Those feet needed some TLC.

I was just grateful to finish the race when seemed impossible before the start and two or three times during it. Never ever gave up but I was so close. The many messages off people each fired those embers up a little, texts saying keep going - and knowing I’d raised something for the Wirral Animal Sanctuary charity. Okay, I would do a lot for my cats and friends.

Race Across Scotland 2018 was an experience that will live with me forever. Its not impossible but I’d needed crew to get enough food in and having extra sleep in some places was critical for me. I’d needed a big support team to even get me there! Jane sports massage, James chiropractor, Marketa’s Pilates, Stu & Connor for PT sessions in the ten months before, and of course my wife Deb for letting me do all this madness and looking after me during training and the event.

Many people on social media say things like “you’re a machine” – which I hate. I’m not Superman, I can't leap tall buildings, but once in a while it is nice to know I can still do something that pushes me beyond my limits and amazes even me. Someone asked me what it was like during the Race– and I joked about being focussed “like a dog with a bone…in the zone”… I wouldn’t let the dream of finishing go… at other times though, it felt like the other way around, I was the one being mauled by a dog and had to tough out ever increasing pain. All about the mind. If you want it enough, ANYTHING is possible.

Epilogue - Those swollen feet and shins came down with rest & ice. For a day, I couldn’t walk much or get into a shower without help. Really was a shock what it must be like for some. You learn a lot during an ultra and this one even after. We had a great presentation night at the Scottish Parliament but standing for 2+ hours made the swelling even worse, feet were now size 14-15. 

With Jonathan those words kept me going

Antibiotics needed for the infections that had gotten through the cuts and blisters, also covering the soles of my feet with honey bandages. 

My problems were minor compared to some who had cellulitis or not able to fly due to the DVT risk. Feet & sore legs would heal.. 
Pain is temporary, Running the Race Across Scotland is forever.

225 miles by the end.

And breathe... Imaginary cape away for another year. 

Charity here https://wirralanimalsanctuary.charitycheckout.co.uk/cf/Martin-Races-Coast-to-Coast

Running L2M 100 miler

"When you find yourself in Hell, keep going" Winston Churchill.

"If you keep walking you can still finish inside 30 hours" Race director at mile 42, advising you might have 20-22 hours more hours in the aforementioned Hell. 😳

In a 10k race there isn't much time to think, or even chat. A marathon maybe a little. In an ultra, you can chat, eat, Drink, make lifelong friends and have enough time to be mentally in good shape, destroyed multiple times - and then seemingly reborn. No race proved this more than my first 100 miler and then some.

As an experienced marathon and ultra runner up to 50-60 miles plus 24 hour events, my first 100 miler was I thought well prepared and trained for. I was ready for the course having run the 50 mile version of the route a month before & two more fifties in the months before. I was flexible on kit with a good range of clothes and food with me plus more choices & shoes later on in drop bags at mile 50 & 72 waiting for me. New comfy shoes arrived Thursday were tested out for 4 miles. Also made decision to wear new compression shorts after one run. What could go wrong...

Good nights sleep with friday day off work and early morning Taxi to Liverpool all working to perfection. Realised no Vaseline on me.. You can tell the quality of your taxi driver by his knowledge of finding a garage with those little tubs. Not sure why he knows that. Arrived to find a few familiar faces waiting and many first timers worried.
 

 A lovely minutes silence for an ultra runner who had passed away recently, with his family there then applause.. Sad, but lovely to see and very humbling. We are off.

L2M is Liverpool to Manchester 50 route and then coming back. Very flat, mostly Tarmac, canal and some very light paths. Road shoes fine. I'd broken the race down into 25 mile chunks to pace myself and knew the course having done the fifty mile version in 8 hrs 40 m. Steady pace, aiming to do 100 miles in sub 21 hours seemed possible.. Taking Miles 0-25 around 20 minutes slower than on the 50 mile version made sense - hold back as much as possible. I'm a big fan of run/ walk, 50 mile version had been 20 minutes run/ 2 minute walk which I've used successfully before. 100 mile version would half that run so  10 min run, 2 minute walk. Fresher legs and also to slow myself down to not burn out.
First 25 miles went by very quickly, after 12-13 miles of going past one runner Rob and I decided to pair up. He was in theory a sub 3 marathon runner but with a sore hamstring and not sure of the route. We made good progress. Had some food with me (tuna sandwiches, pork pies, malt loaf) plus the options at checkpoints..  but in all honesty first rule of ultras - eat more than you think you need - easy to under eat unless very careful, previous races no problems. Had munched through some sweet things and a few tuna sandwiches but less savoury sandwiches at the checkpoints than expected from the 50 miler.

First 25 miles in 4 hrs 15, very conservative, safe, plenty of energy and feeling good. Only funny in first 25 miles, one checkpoint had recorded my race number wrong so I'd been reported as missing, my wife had been called and everyone trying to ring me. Oops. By 10am temperature rapidly rising. Forecast had been for very warm weather, one rain shower. Combined with the food situation, also needed to keep drinking - and keeping cool... but when you feel good - so hard to spot warning signs. From now on, very dry mouth, like you hadn't cleaned your teeth. Not pleasant. Little rainfall briefly meant jackets on, and feet soaked for 20 minutes.

Mile 35 checkpoint and needed to eat. Limited none sweet choices at the checkpoint. Tried some fluid and although some emergency items on me, had some pineapple which is usually fine before sport. A few seconds later, started to feel ill and bent over vomiting. Painful, sore ribs after hurling. Panic thing but mentally just had to get out of there and walked out of the checkpoint. Allegedly I was very white faced. Pace dropping already, just tried to get through this, drink some cordial and try to eat a tiny bit of tuna Butty. Rob appeared and not in great shape either. Both very drained and affected by the heat too.

Not mentioned, I was running for the lovely hedgehogs and other animals at the Wirral Animal Sanctuary. The mental torture of feeling ill but knowing people were sponsoring me... you're feeling like you're in a sauna, about to collapse.. Kept going during this particular hell. Pace had dropped to 14-15 minute miles, 10/2 run walk was long gone.. occasional running now mostly walking. And all with a sore stomach and able to eat or drink very little.

Mile 42 was great race experience. Went into the checkpoint and grabbed by marshals, allegedly I was white as a sheet and not looking good. Honestly expected them to pull me over and finish my race. Lovely marshal Tony (who I later found out was very experienced at desert races) sat me down, gave me coke but only allowed me to sip not guzzle it every minute or so, getting rid of bubbles by running finger through it. Nothing in the lining of my stomach so little food / drink would stay down. I've drunk plenty of flat sugary coke before in ultras but never as Tony called it medicinal coke. Race director Wayne said hello and looked very worried at my state, even though I'd been there for 10 minutes already. Smiled but really was rough. Almost walked out the wrong direction, managed to smile, took his photo so brain vaguely working.

Pace wise still not much going, 14-15 minute miles but that last one, 28 minutes plus. The lure of hot food at mile 50 was calling. Cups of tea with sugar sounded like heaven. Solidered on. Another 8 miles to refuel and hopefully kickstart second wind and if not bail. Kept thinking of the hedgehogs. Never been stopped on a race before but very close to giving in. Very little strength, body running on nearly empty.  I just couldn't give in though, especially with the hogs relying on me 😢. Hung in. Walk/ crawl.

If first 25 miles took 4:10-15, second 25 was 6 hours plus and 15 of those miles nearly 4 hours. Hell. We eventually arrived at the rugby club, silly laps around the field to make the distance up to 50 miles. Finally there, drop bag waiting with fresh top and other food, then had to walk upstairs.
Heaven it was not sadly. No hot food waiting. No pan of stew, scouse, soup.. All those foods I'd dreamed of. Nope.. Microwave with a big stack of meals you had to cook yourself. Tea & coffee but no sugar. Bar open but selling coke, luckily a fiver on me.

Waited for microwave to be free, stuck two meals in for me and Rob, all whilst feeling sick and queasy. Went to toilet, and still feeling sick, stuck head between my legs. Others had now caught us up, including friends John, Adam & Lainey. They had various foods with them, cuppa soups, cold pasta with pine nuts. FrustratingI still couldn't even drink the coke. They all left. Microwave finally pinged but meals were partially defrosted so now over cooked. Beef stew and dumplings was between cardboard and inedible. Finally looked at phone, messages from my wife. I had two friends planning to meet us at miles 65 and 72 to run with me up to mile 82, my wife driving them back to their cars but time wise we were 2 hours+  behind and might not even make it.

A few calls off my wife crying down the phone telling me to stop and not end up in hospital.. Told my wife, I'd try getting to the next checkpoint then decide on containing or not. I managed a few messages to the two friends coming and said how low I was. Like one of those old war movies, leave me behind, I can't make it. All whilst trying to eat something, anything. Both said, no, they would wait for me. Felt better from that, but still very much in a hole mentally and physically. Steve the first runner to meet us asked if any food needed. In drop bag, found some powdered hi 5 high carb drink, loaded up my bottles with that and gave some to Rob. We had to get moving after almost an hour in the checkpoint.

A few tentative attempts to run. I'd set my Garmin to beep those run walk alerts once 10 run 2 walk to the opposite 2/ 10 just to see how we felt. Big advantage with this, the feedback a mile later on knowing the pace per mile that ratio gave you. For very little running and power walk we were doing low 14 minute miles. Gradually we increased the run ratio to 3 and then 4 minutes. 13 minute miles easily - we still had 48 miles or so to go so no need to go mad.&nbsp Texted Steve and said we were feeling a bit better and more positive. He appeared from a path early as if by magic at mile 58 carrying an "ultra runners" picnic bag. Never have I been so happy to see someone. Was like an Enid Blyton story. Hot chocolate. Coffee. Pork Pies, porridge, protein shake, savoury snacks, iced water and more. It was amazing. Spirits lifted. Someone took a photo of me eating and sent it to my wife. Much Happier!

We moved off to re-meet him for a proper run at mile 65. Got lost by 0.5m but we finally met Steve for more picnic magic & then run, still light but night time coming. Portable battery pack now on the Garmin to give me enough power to do 24-30 hours. Using the run/ walk alerts, we were moving well now constant 4 /3 minute run walk ratio meant 12-13 minute miles and another friend running towards us soon. Brief stop to help Rob with blisters, Steve had tape with him. Fresh socks. Surprisingly I had zero problems in the new shoes so nothing changed for me.

Head torches on, into the long dark night. Paul's friendly face appeared and lifted our mood even more.

After my messages, I think both thought I was in a very bad state but now seemingly out of that hole. We cracked on and just kept this constant ratio going. Passing a few runners. John and his friend Adam appeared. We were making good pace to catch them up, maybe 30-40 minutes behind.

More food at checkpoint 72 miles with my now much happier wife waiting. I sat and ate simple porridge, fruit and loaded up some more of the hi5 carb powder. Still enough time to be sick drinking coke though. My wife drove the legendary Steve back to his car, we carried on with Paul.

 Chatting, pushing when possible, the 10 miles and time chipping away. You find a true friend when it's 2am in the morning and they won't be in bed till 3am. Mile 82 checkpoint, we saw Lainey again, more easy food, changed layers, gloves on, long sleeved top and my famous yellow leggings.. Shivering, It was getting cold. Said goodbye to absolute gent Paul, my wife driving him to his car, then coming to find us later on, supporting me. More love from everyone.

Cold and windy now, but we carried on, 18 miles to go.  Took some time to get Rob warmed up after stopping, needing to walk 2 miles nearly., hard to keep positive when you're feeling rough but he pushed on. My emergency bag of peanut m&ms was genius. Nuts and chocolate every mile. Rob has having to stop regularly, toilet wise was worrying about his kidneys he needed to wee so often, every 30 minutes..Time chipped away, and the almost impossible sub 24 hours seemed on. I'd been aiming for sub 20-21 hours, long since gone.. Just needed to keep going. About mile 88 we caught up with Lainey and a friend pacing. Was interesting how fast 3-4 minutes run/ 3 minutes walk was allowing us to move. Mile times 12-13 minutes and comfortable. Lainey was really having to push hard to run, and seemed dead stop walking, whilst we were able to power walk. That garmin pace & run walk feedback was so useful, just keep adjusting even 20-30secs extra running you could measure the difference easily. My wife tried to meet us with coffee but couldn't find the checkpoint, and maybe a little unsafe at 4am.

Sunrise came around 4:30am - that sub 24 hour time was doable but tight. Maybe 7 or 8 miles to go, but the maths wasn't accurate. Rob slowed with sore hip, Needing more and more rest. 3.5 miles to go he couldn't run anymore when needed, but time was so tight...maybe 1-2 minutes either way, we agreed to part. Tough call, we had worked well as a team but I was still fresh and could run. Sad to leave.  Sub 11 minute miles now possible. No idea how, I was on a mission, beat that 6am clock and finish the event in sub 24 hours for the hedgehogs - with everyone's help. Texted ahead to my wife waiting that I was coming fast.

Ran the last section to finish at 5:55am - 23 hours 55. One very happy weepy and emotionally destroyed runner. So happy but impossible without wife and friends.

Lots of things learnt.

Always keep going - except when feeling ill. Take a breather, get food in.

Friends meeting and even better running with you - life saver.

Emergency food you forget about. Peanut M & Ms & wine gums with 20 miles to go - Awesome!

Run walk - vary that pace on the fly, but ideally set yourself from the start.. Better to be a consistent pace you can maintain. You will fly past others later in the race.

Oh and the new shoes, zero blisters.. (thank you Skechers).
Underwear, absolutely perfect Sub Sports.

Started well, terrible middle of the race but hung in there to come back strong. A lot of thinking. For first hundred, it was a great day by the end.

Most importantly, if you put your mind to it, anything is possible.

2015 Marathon running and chocolate souffles?

2015 has gone and a pretty good year, arrived in best 10k and half shape and finished with my marathon PB and Good for Age time for London so I shouldn't grumble... but not sure how. Is the marathon not the fitness test I thought? I'd always thought you had to be in perfect shape, months of training, bring everything to the boil in one single race... like cooking the best chocolate souffle.

A perfect balance of every ingredient, right temperature, and cooking time or in running terms, maybe the total distance of the last 5 long runs, a block of tough midweek and speed sessions. This race though, not really. It was unexpected. Training had been really patchy.

From October 2014 to May good , consistent training, good number of races and marathons, running the day after often to toughen up legs, even a half decent London attempt at that marathon PB before my main target Comrades ultra. Coming back from that in June, I gave myself 2-3 weeks off, very light exercise but mentally felt a bit worn out. July onwards to August hayfever really affected my breathing, my speed and even sleep. Still doing a hill and a speed session every week, managed a couple of 5ks just over 20 minutes, and a regular weekend long run of 9-12 miles. Not high mileage. September started to run better, but soon on antibiotics after tonsillitis and drained energy wise again. That takes you to mid Sept, one month before the marathon.

Jump to race day, mid October, felt good, relaxed. Nice cool conditions, but planning to run this marathon as training for another one in 4 weeks time. Plans A, B and C time wise... Hold on for around 3:12-17 (unlikely), a middle 3:18-22 or a 3:22-25 fading second half of race if not 100% fit. That would be an easy time for me taking it steady.

Ridiculously easy setup at the start. There an hour plus early, choice of lockers and able to warm up on the track for 20 minutes. Even enough time to take off an old t-shirt that I was going to chuck and put it back in locker, so very relaxed and stress free. 600-700 people running, narrow start but up to pace very quickly. Plan was to see where I was at around 8-10 miles then adjust, just run on feel. I felt great, all miles 5-10 seconds under target, really just had to keep moving and not worry about pace. Easy miles, a few glances at some sections knowing course was two loops of 10 miles and would be passing through again. Half way 13 miles, 2+ minutes under 3:15 target time, still felt fine. No pain, breathing relaxed, but expecting this not to continue. 

Hold onto this pace till 16 miles, all good. 18 grind a bit, went as far as 22 before I had to grit my teeth more, but still all miles on target. Mile 24-26 onwards breathing hard, had to walk a few times, one guy tapped me on shoulder to carry on and push... Legs not jammed up or in any pain, Just needed to get heart rate down.. Effect of Caffeine gel maybe? Beat myself up for not running.. (Quitter... Come on!) but had to run / walk the next two miles. Felt rubbish, this must be costing me 5 minutes and sooo close.

Sign for 800m to go, then track in sight and looked at watch, 3h13m and approaching 400m to go. Confused - 3-5 minutes better than I expected, so sped up coming towards the track - this was going to hurt, but give it everything might just make it. Less than 1min 40s to do 400m.. After 26+ miles? Go faster, and then some, keep accelerating, eyes mostly closed in pain. Through the line and nearly collapse.,.somehow clock shows 3:14:56. Needed 5-6 cups of orange before felt okay. Honestly stunned with that time. How did that happen?

Okay, so training for mid September to mid October.

Slow 20 mile run at 8:30mm pace

13 miles hill set slow

Snowdonia 4 lakes 30k hilly road race (2h27)

5 mile borders league race (32:30)

Race day

Is the marathon not the test I thought it was? Or is my running ability the sum of a whole year's worth of training or even longer built up endurance. Some mix of feeling positive attitude, cool weather and other factors. Even when you crack the marathon it still hides what the perfect recipe is.

Comrades 2015 - Find your mantra

Has taken awhile to collect my head around May 31st Comrades 2015 race day in South Africa. So it's more about getting there, and feelings after, even now.

I ran it last year but even as a fairly experienced marathon and ultra runner but it was TOUGH. Calf cramped the day before so wasn't 100%, lethal camper on the roads wrecked my knee and major stomach problems almost finished me off. Felt like the course mentally & physically ripped me apart, crushed and then spat me out. Managed to finish but hardest thing I had ever done.

So going back to most people would seem complete madness. But if there was a mountain in front of a group of people, one person would want to climb it. That's how much the race teased you - think you can beat me? Go ahead. Comrades alternates it's route between a "down" and an "up" run. I'd done the down version, Pietermaritzburg to Durban, so if I came back I'd get to try arguably the opposite harder hiller route, and also a second medal for doing both courses back to back years - if I finished.

Many in the UK are now doing your plain ordinary 26.2 mile road marathons, sometimes many per year. South Africans would look blankly at you, confused... You do a marathon (or two?) only to qualify for Comrades. Probably the running equivalent of staying in junior rather go to senior school. They just do not understand. Comrades is 54+ miles on road and really hilly on the up route, 6500ft approx. I wanted a Bill Rowan medal for sub 9 hr finish if possible but 9-9:30 very happy.

Quick flick through the year, to get back to South Africa. After last year, main thoughts, more road than trail miles, more hills, and after doing ultra 4 weeks before get to Durban more rested. Did that and more. Steady 30-40+miles a week, from January, 5-6 marathons, one ultra and always ran day after any race to run on tired legs. April 26th London marathon 5 weeks before was last race. Other changes, 16 hours flight via Paris rather than 22 plus hrs Dubai one of previous year meant I got to South Africa Wednesday lunchtime rather than Thursday night - so a day earlier and an extra nights sleep. Still that nagging feeling, I'd got something wrong or missed something out in training. Can't change anything now, trapped, and mentally hard. Got things a little wrong at VLM chasing a time and that was magnifying how I felt.. You don't do enough training, you get what you deserve. Try to ignore. Lots of insecurities coming up. Tapering/ resting messes with your mind.

Thursday quick nip through the huge Expo, no wasting energy walking around for hours. Various Brits met in the international area including David Ross.,his fabulous tshirts had already made it really easy to find fellow runners on planes there, and would make it easy to spot and cheer us during the race. Every cheer or jeer helps. Finally meet up with my roommate Dave, late change but we got on really well, both looked out for each other. Night time - ambassadors meetup, if not already excited enough...now you really started to soak up the atmosphere. With 7-8 previous male and female champions from 1950s to 1990s there, some real legends. All were signing autographs, telling stories about what the race meant to them now and then. You could almost feel the history, and the love for this event from everyone. Pallable. Exciting, though still nervous.

Nick Bester, Bruce Fordyce, Helen Lucre, Cheryl Wynn,  Jackie Mexler, Bernard Gomersall, Allan Robb

 Friday - coach tour of route, that really helped mentally, knowing the hills were quite runnable in themselves just not in combination over 54 miles.. gauge where to put effort in, where to be careful. Visit to the Ethembini orphaned childrens school was wonderful, uplifting. Finally a visit to Comrades House museum, soaking up even more history. 

Saturday morning with British contingent breakfast meet up after jog walking Park run. Was good to see a few faces from 2014 and others I'd been chatting to online plus lots of new ones. Everyone getting excited... I was still feeling nervous though. Rested legs from then. Posted something on Facebook about needing positive words from people just in case... After previous years stomach (or other end!) problems, had my last solid food by 4.30pm, quick meetup with the lovely Marius Brown.. He would be running the race with a full Rhino head on.. Like I had problems. Quick read on Facebook hopefully for some inspiration, a few stuck in my head. Not much left to do but watch FA Cup final then sleep 9-3 ish.

Sunday Race Day. Alarm 3.15 am. Swig sports drink, read first chapter of Charlie Spedding autobiog about 1984 Olympic marathon, perfect for lifting your spirits, about getting your best race out. Mentally relaxed, feeling good. Walk to start line with 1000s of others, quick goodbye to Dave room mate, into pen. Nearly 5am. 30 minutes to go. Stuck in a sea of people it really hits you, 18-20,000. The final countdown is legendary... , South African national anthem, then "Shosholoza" miners song, then Chariots of fire music..then cockerel crow 3 times and a gun fires... That start gun remember, is the start of the race and decides your time, not the chip time of you going across the line. 

Finally off. A little slow with narrow streets the first km but nicely away. Something clicked in head, all was good, moving nicely. First few ups really didn't register, just kept running. Bumped into a few Brits, Anthony, and then Patricia. We would chop and change for the first 10-15k. No mad surges in speed, keep pacers nearby. Lots of cheers for the GB tops.. The whole way with race numbers on front and back, everyone could tell how many runs you had done, your nationality, helped the spirit of the race. Knuckled down, concentrating, plan was to take a few 60 seconds walking stretches every 25-30 minutes. First big named hill Cowies hadn't registered, but Fields Hill was a long stretch so took it carefully. Pacers went 1-2 minutes ahead but just stayed in sight. Not too hot but still felt humid .. Taking on less water than previous year, carrying a little bottle, and poured another water sachet over head to keep cool. I was feeling great, not stressed, honestly enjoying it and just running, amazing people and landscape all around me. My sister Angela, had posted some good luck words from a Kate Bush song that fitted perfectly...

"Running up that road, Running up that hill.. with no problems..."

That became my mantra, playing over and over in my head, lyrics added, words changed or repeated, I forget - something about not feeling any pain, and the rest made up. All negative things were cleared from my head. It was Weird. Hard hills kept coming, I knew the first 50 km of 88 was pretty much all up but prepared for it, those hill reps were paying off. 

Putting water over head and my buff headgear was working, don't think the provided Comrades cap works as well. No stomach or other problems this time either, a few cups of coke, isotonic gels every 10-12 miles and salt tablets. I'd been dreading the camber on my knees but that didn't seem to exist on the up. Phew. All good. Through half way in 4:32, just off target, and after the equivalent of one road marathon calves were feeling a little tight, not quite cramping but close, a few warning twinges. If I'd been rigid on sub 9hrs or nothing, I'd be down and lose my head, but I was so mentally positive, I felt wonderful (ok, apart from the legs) but I was having so much fun with the course, crowd and atmosphere. I could batter myself to get a low 9:00-9:10 time or just relax and enjoy for the same medal. So thats what I did. Drummond gave you a little rest with some downhill but that just meant Inchanga (aka Valley of Thousand hills was coming). Nice.

Inchanga early on had Arthur's seat, where a previous winner allegedly used to stop and smoke his pipe. Everyone paid their respects, doffed cap, good luck for rest of the race. We ran past the Ethembeni orphaned childrens school, literally hundreds out crying their eyes out with joy, everyone lifted and laughed with them. Okay, did curse a few of these hills, they just kept rolling up. Joked with other runners, why didn't they just dynamite these flatter.  Roughly, 55-60k in, with water stations every 2-3k and then regularly big organised spectator areas, DJs, bands, dancing girls, 20ft puppets, even this year marvel superheroes...plus thousands of people, having BBQs, drinking beers, and supporting -  shouting your name, nationality. You couldn't fail to soak that up... Wave at crowd, or get them to cheer you, literally for whole race - Amazing. Brit. Pommie. Do it for the Queen and various others shouted at me. Sub 9 was gone, but I was having too much fun.

Harrison Flats did earn its reputation as flat and soulless. Open plain, sun beating down on you and not much to it. I was indestructible though so carried on.. Only downside, had been looking forward to the green cream soda which saved me last year but not much till after half way and then only if you asked the stations Around here, realised I'd probably got my salt levels wrong, visibly legs perked up when taking an extra tablet, 40-60k dipped a little but 70k all good. Patricia appeared, chatted a bit and stayed close till the end. Chatted to runner Jonathan from Israel, stayed together for a 4-5k as we got near little Pollys, a small hill but with 75k done, legs could feel it.. most people think its the last big hill coming but not. Finally onto the infamous Polly Shortts, a big steep hill 1.7km long, Walked big chunks, Jonathan taking a few phone calls (!) so pushed on, that was mostly definitely not part of my race. Jeez it was a tough hill though, really quad busting but still smiling - 9km left.

Finally single km figures to go, still a few unnamed hills and Patricia nearby going past as I walked the odd 30-60 seconds and then behind as I ran. Finally in sight of the stadium, kept pushing. After 30k of people saying it, that really was the final hill done. Long straight lined with palm trees - found some fresh energy, sprinted the whole way.. then ran out of energy with calf cramp. Someone shouted come on England. Digged deep, found something. Went past Patricia and kicked for home.. to the finish line.

Wow. That feeling of achievement - like no other race, 9 hours of absolute pleasure, a comfortable 9:31 finish time. Two medals for back to back years. So happy.

Patricia went grey, nearly collapsed after finishing, Luckily grabbed her and got some tea and sugar I'd run walked, she'd run the whole last 5k. Ouch. lots of people though struggling along the way and afterwards. Dave finished safely after a tough year. We all waited to see the legendary 12 hr finish - after that no medals, you get nothing. Its what makes the race great.

After and on Monday we swapped stories, some people being pulled after 20km, a big block of sub 12hr pacers stopped at half way, even one Brit failing 12 hr and 13 seconds. Even the odd runner nipping into McDonalds for a burger and milkshake to refuel whilst running.. You know who you are. Lots of friends made, breakfast the next day with fellow Brits, even sat with 1965 Brit winner Bernard Gommersall.

Mind blowing day. The history, the different medals/ cutoffs, the atmosphere all work perfectly together to make the best mass participation running event in the world. Amazing.

If you've done a marathon under 4:30-4:45 you should think about doing this one time in your life. It will change you - may even get you out of junior running school for South Africans too :)

Once in a lifetime race - twice. Very lucky. Now to that next mountain.