My first ultra-marathon

Kids. I started this blog off saying how running has taught me a lot and how I'm going to tell you how and why I became a runner. And I'll get there I promise, but first I need to tell you about one really special day I had, and what I learned along the way. It may help you, it may help someone else but the day was awesome and I have to share it with someone. It occurs to me that one or more of you may get into running and below is proof that I know what I'm talking about. So if you're considering running an ultra-marathon you need to read this...


So, a month after my first marathon, I haven't told you that story yet; I will, it's a good one; I entered the Northants 35 mile Ultra-marathon. As it was my first, I learned a lot, 
very quickly .....

Be prepared: Not just the boy scouts motto but a good lesson in life. If you know what you're going to be doing, then prepare as best you can. For me, I followed a 20 week training programme from Relentless Forward Progress by Bryon POWELL. I bought tried and tested kit and I tried and I tested it too. The weather was scorching so I opted for a hydration pack as well as the supplied fluids and I'm very glad I did. Standing at the start line knowing you're prepared is a boost for confidence. But 20 miles in, when you find yourself in the middle of nowhere and can see no-one around, knowing you still have back-up plans for nutrition and water is much more important.

Yes, map is upside down. It's in the correct orientation for the direction I'm running in.

Never be afraid to choose your own path. My ultra got off to a rocky start when I followed two guys out of checkpoint 1 down a steep hill. At this point I was feeling fresh and alert and downhills seemed like a good opportunity to pick up some gravity assisted speed. At the bottom of the hill the two guys stopped, got maps out and started pointing in all directions. It only then occurred to me that I had been stuck in a pack for 40 minutes and hadn't looked at my map at all. I vowed at this point to always have my map out and work out my own route. The navigation part of the run turned out to be some of my most enjoyable and I ran for about 10 miles with two guys relying solely on me for navigation.

Listen to what your body wants. I had a very planned out fuel strategy for the day, which wasn't too reliant on the Checkpoints/aid stations, but the heat, the relentless hills and the fact that I kept talking to people and losing track of time meant that I was way out. I never bonked once, but a few times I felt myself starting to go. At the first two aid stations it was GoBeyond cake, Jelly babies and drinks but after CP3 savoury food was added to the mix too. Until you have run an ultra, you have no idea how great a sun-warmed sausage roll and some luke warm water can taste. Only once did I lose control of my hydration. 3 miles from a CP I ran out of water. I didn't think this would be a problem, my 3 mile time isn't bad even on a hot day. But after 27 miles in 26 degree heat, it becomes a problem. They say that if you find yourself thirsty then you are already dehydrated. My advice would be carry more than enough water for any plan. Unless you're planning to win the event and need to travel light, it just isn't worth the risk.

Listen to others, but also listen to yourself. I've always said that ultra-running seems to be the loneliest sport with the friendliest community and my first real experience of it certainly proved that. I set off and ran the first 5 miles alone, following a group that was slightly too fast for my target pace. They were supportive and chatty but also well out of my league. So as encouraging as they were I had to listen to the two mantras that have served me well since I started running.

1. Run the mile you are in; &

2. Respect the miles.

This was to be my furthest ever run, by 9 miles, so going away from a plan I had worked hard on and thought out was stupid and reckless. The physical and mental resolve required to push the human body through this level of torture is immense and as that dawned on me I got the confidence to ease off, slow my pace and pick up with some others.

Throughout the day I floated back and forth through various groups and talked at length with some great people, picking up advice and stories. 
Honestly, find a pace and run it, enjoy  it and when you have to walk, walk. When you can run, run. 

Keep smiling. If you love running and being outdoors then ultra-marathons give you a chance to do both of these things for a very long time. Although the picture above is only loosely related to a smile, trust me I'm happy. I'm at the final checkpoint with about 6 miles to go. My legs felt good, I had no aches other than blisters and although I was shattered I knew I was going to finish, no matter how long it took. I already knew I wasn't going to make my target of under 6 hours. That pipe dream died when I saw the weather for the day and the hills on the day! I knew there were people ahead of me and people behind me, I realised I didn't care where I was in that pack, because I knew I was going to finish and when I did I would be an ultra-marathon runner.

The rewards. Trust me, unless you are sponsored to do these things, ultra-running isn't about the shiny stuff at the finish. The medal is the usual affair for a low-key running event, with a nice ribbon attached, but like every race medal it represents so much more and like every tough run, the rewards are perhaps more than you realise at first.
I spent the day in the sun among like minded people in the beautiful countryside of Northampton. I met people who helped me and who I believe I helped to achieve something awesome, run 35 miles. I saw more country houses and Manor houses than I care to recall and scenery (and hills) that took your breath away. I was fed and watered for 7 hours and given the directions to an amazing course that challenged me mentally and physically more than ever before.
I was advised by lots of people to enjoy it and I can safely say that even when my head was low and the smile was fading as the sun shone down and the road ahead seemed endless I enjoyed every minute more than the last and celebrated a hundred small victories along the way.

Northants 35 Shires&Spires is run by www.gobeyondultra.co.uk

A last few points:

1) I needed a lot of support to get through this event. My Twitter feed went crazy on the day using #ultradan. Everyone who wished me well and congratulated me after helped me to accomplish and feel proud of what I did.I was blessed to have my Dad volunteer to come along on the day. He drove to every single checkpoint and even walked/ran with me for some parts of the course near the checkpoints. He offered me water and support and was a friendly face to look forward to seeing every time. I have no hesitation in saying I couldn't have done it without him. An amazingly generous man who gave up his day off to stand by checkpoints and keep me motivated and hydrated. He did a great job and is a model father. Dad, if you read this, I love you and thanks for everything, we did this together.

2) Do not put effervescent tablets in a sealed bottle. Seems obvious right, not so much. It turns out that your judgement fogs up badly when running long distance. You put 1 tablet  in a bottle of water wait two minutes and feel the fizzy refreshment. Or like I did you forget its there and put the bottle in your waste pack, hear a loud bang and get covered in sticky, fruity water. I watched the lid of my new OMM drinking bottle fly into the distance at a surprisingly fast rate. If anyone finds it, I would like it back.

3) I've always thought of running as being lonely and for a lot of training runs it is. But in events like this, human contact is everything. It gives a sense of solidarity and companionship as well as the knowledge that others are struggling just as much as you. So although I don't know their names, Northants running club guy, lady with nose piercing and guy that completed an Ironman last year, thanks for the company and the advice.

4) I got lost, twice actually and added nearly a mile onto my course distance. I have never been so uncomfortable or hot, sweaty and tired. I have spent the last 24 hours in a daze wondering if what I did was amazing or stupid and  think it was a bit of both. no one in their right mind would choose to spend 7 hours running in that heat over 2000ft of incline for 35 miles. But for those that do, you are rewarded richly for your effort.

NORTHANTS Shires & Spires Ultramarathon

Strongman Run 2012 - Race report

The purpose of all my blogs is to record and pass on life lessons to my kids, to let them know how I became a runner and hopefully inspire them to be healthy and enjoy the outdoors too. 
As a parent I think that's my job. 
If anyone else cares to read it and it gives them a smile then thats just great.


So kids, here's a lesson for you; you have to do your homework. After a race we runners love to write race reports. It's usually boring and goes on about splits, pace, nutrition and distance but sometimes you get to run an extraordinary race, and writing that up can be fun.


So in other posts I talked about the lessons I learned from this event, but here is my race report. And some great pictures.

Back: Me, Chris M, Luke, Andy, Logan and Rob
Front: Lee, Chris B, Steve and Stuart

The Strongman Run is the worlds largest obstacle course, covering 14 miles and based on the world famous Nurburgring Race circuit in Nurburg, Germany. Two laps of the gruelling course see participants go through 30 obstacles, where they are pitted against mud, water, fire and quicksand. It is quickly becoming seen as THE assault course event to take part in. On arrival at the race I think I was most impressed by the sheer size of this event. The chief sponsor was Fisherman's Friend, a huge brand who clearly support and promote their product proudly. Everything was badged up in their colours and logo's and it made the whole event feel very professional and supported. Brooks also  supplied some  great kit for participants and finishers.

Pre race stood at obstacle 15

Before the race Team GB (pictured above) moved onto the start line together. I have no idea how far back we were from the front but after a half hour delay due to extreme weather, it took a further ten minutes to move forward after the clock started. I quickly realised that his wouldn't be a race where I would be looking at times or pace. This was to be an experience and an adventure. The Strongman Run is most definitely both of these things.


Once moving, the run went along the main track of the 'ring and allowed faster people to move forward in the group. The lap is best looked on at the website or on youtube, but climbing 9 foot fences, running through live electricity, swimming, crawling through quicksand and climbing up, over and across cargo nets soon became the norm. I ran with Logan and Chris B, for most of this lap. Chris B was fitted with a GoCam and I shudder to think how I look on this. It was not a pretty sight. Of particular note was Niagara Falls, a 40 ft waterslide which was actually closed down on lap 2. I nearly took someone out on this obstacle, she jumped out of the way a split second before I took her ankles out. When she heard me screaming at her and turned I realised she was old enough to be my mother! Another great obstacle was the Final destination. A Cargo net strung between 2 metal shipping containers with 100ft of dumped tyres preceding and following the main obstacle.

Despite some delays at a obstacles we moved forward together and completed a first lap.

Mud + incline + ropes= FUN

While I had felt some frustration at the delays on the first lap, these evaporated when the track started to open up and the crowds thin out as we entered lap 2. Still with Logan, who really helped me through this lap, we completed an identical circuit in less than half the time of the first. The obstacles this time were tackled as intended. At speed and with great effort. The whole crowd seemed to be digging in to their reserves, pushing hard and best of all encouraging each other.
This is no ordinary race with elitist race snakes at the front and fun runners at the back. No training will prepare you for this run. It works you hard and doesn't quit until you finish. Of all my medals, this is my most proud.


In recent events I've found that I've enjoyed the social element of the runs as much as the physical. Having trained and always run alone, this really surprised me. But this event isn't something that most people could do alone.


I saw men and women, young and old from all over the world taking part. Some in running kit, some in suits, dressed as knights, Romans, He-man and in mankinis. There was no limit or boundaries to the participants. You couldn't find a more diverse group of people, even within TeamGB. But one thing bound them and that was the passion to complete the course. Working together over 9'000 people finished the event.


This event lives up to its name totally. No matter how you arrive at the course, who you went with or how you were dressed. No matter what your level of fitness or strength, some people arrive at  this curse as a Strongman but every finisher leaves as a Strongman. And I am proud to put myself in that group.

My first and probably only decent finish photo

I have to thank Nikki and Nicole for their organisation and participation on the day and Steph for the great photographs. It was brilliant and a logistical nightmare and you both rocked it.


I wore Inov8 Roclites for this event and they kept me upright and moving in thick boggy mud, water and quicksand, while others in different shoes were slipping and sliding. They were brilliant and I would recommend decent trail shoes to anyone running this event.


Fishermans Friend is a huge brand and seeing and competing in this event made me realise just how huge. Their products were everywhere to be seen and tried and I must have eaten a ton of them. The menthol ones clear your breathing before a run and the mint ones clear your mouth after a few beers.


But mostly I would like to thank the rest of TeamGB for their help and support. I was inspired by their level of commitment and passion for sport. 


I wouldn't have gone if it weren't for one of them, 
wouldn't have made it round if it weren't for another and 
I wouldn't have come away inspired to train harder if it weren't for a third.


I won't name names but if/when we meet again I'll get the beers in for you.


Only one word can sum up The Fisherman's Friend Strongman run...

EPIC

Get outside your comfort zone

Now I know that I'm supposed to be telling you how I became a runner and trust me I'm getting to it, but along the way I had to keep pushing myself harder and harder to improve.

Getting outside your comfort zone is all about seizing an opportunity to do something exceptional, when it sits well outside your normal skill or confidence level. I know that sounds scary and to be honest it is, but seriously if you want to achieve something exceptional you have to become exceptional.

"To the victor the spoils, but I won more than I realised."

In an earlier post I told you how important it is to say yes when an opportunity comes along. Well this is how that story ends. Kind of.

Its not really the end.

Just read on it will all make sense.

I hope.

So having said yes to taking part in the Strongman Run in Germany, I met up with the rest of TeamGB. The whole event was sponsored by Fishermans Friend and hosted at the Nurburgring. It consisted of 2 laps of a 7 mile course with 15 obstacles on each lap. These obstacles were insane, check out the website to see what I'm talking about.

I'll go into detail on the race later but what I want you to understand at this point is that I have never done anything like this before. Saying yes to opportunities and taking part in giant assault courses is not my norm. The rest of TeamGB seemed to be accomplished athletes compared to me and a few looked like they could have been body doubled in 300! I was seriously starting to feel out of my depth.

But I took the opportunity to do something exceptional. To do something new and diffficult and give it everything. I did something which I, like most people, rarely do and I believed that I could do the seemingly impossible.....

....and I finished! And like all experiences you have there is an opportunity to learn something.
With all the races I had done and the training I had done for running long distance, I had never thought I could stretch myself to a new challenge. I had become happy with the pace of my progress and got stuck inside my comfort zone.

But completing this event with TeamGB made me realise that I can do more than just run. We are all capable of achieving great things. You just need a little passion and a goal. So don't set small targets. Aim for the stars when you dare to dream and work hard to get there. 

If you believe that nothing is impossible, then pretty soon impossible will be nothing.

A few things made this experience exceptional to me. Firstly it was my first race of this sort, which always makes it special. Secondly it was the sheer size of the thing. Standing on a racetrack singing before the start with 13000 other people will stick with me forever. Also the sponsor sure know how to put on an event. Great organisation, good challenge and superb goody bag.

But thirdly and most importantly was the effect of working with inspirational people. People who inspire you are perhaps the most powerful catalyst to improving yourself. I've met lots of inspirational people, but that's a story for another time.