A very early start for me and a few weeks after my 10k in Kew and Centurion 100. This was going to be tough with a 3.45am alarm and a 5.30am start.
Truth be told this was out of my comfort zone, hilly, challenging and also having not reccied the course due to Covid worried I would get lost. That said knowing the Centurion theme of race organisation they go beyond and a above to make sure runners get through the course safely without too much drama.
I started with Michelle Maxwell in the same start although they were not waves you just headed off when you arrived. We ran for a bit before splitting out and I knew some of the sections that were runnable I needed to pick up pace before the famous steps.
It was a very solo run and a tale of two halves, the first 25/30 miles were bearable including the climbs and little need for the aid stations. Then I saw Drew part of the Centurion team and knew this was what I had been stressing on…… Here they come steps after steps and at the midway point I took a break and took off my jacket. My pace initially was close to the course record but the tiredness, humidity and a heavy training block, many races it all took its toll. So I decided to just focus on momentum, the steps in the woods and climbs were tough on my body, walking became a regular thing and running down hill sections. Especially for road parts having put new shoes on too.
Either way I wiggled myself and weaved around the course trying to remain in the lead and could see at 50 miles to Centurion banner, just a matter of a field and a village to weave through to the finish.
The clock stopped at 7.57 over the line it felt amazing to see that line and finish the race in first place once verified.
Great morning racing Richmond Runfest 10k at Kew Gardens. What a privilege to run around. A bit short for me considering this years focus but certainly helps to get you race fit. Lovely to see Eric who has always supported my running and as one of the main helpers made it that little easier being able to store our bag near the finish.
The course itself was 1 lap but with a lot of twists, bends and very tight sections and some off road/path sections. Its been a while visiting a Botanical garden, especially within Covid the last 18 months.
The morning was topped off with an unexpected win in 37.24 not my fastest, but a happy coach and respectable considering my post 100 miler in April. My friend Trev also got under 40 mins which he was pleased about and despite a dull day we managed to dodge the worst of the rain.
Today left me hungry for wanting to improve my times in 10k and 5k and incorporate some more speedwork.
Wow what a weekend, I experienced so many emotions from my racing on at the Centurion Track 100, now renamed my “Super Saturday”. A week on and still reflecting the concept of breaking what was a 31-year-old record set by a very experienced ultra-distance legend Eleanor Robinson for the 100 miles.
For 2021 it was touch and go so I was worried having not had any races since last year. I swapped out the Thames Path 100 for the track knowing it was a small race, in one location but a “mind over matter” battle. Centurion hoped for 25 starters with 15 actually toeing the line and better for us with less over taking. Also the opportunity to say hello to a few fellow runners and team GB mates also attending.
Its an early one, 6am start, with a 4am alarm at the hotel, and a pick up from my coach at 4.45am to get to the track and also do our Covid tests prior to entry. The plan was to run for the first 50k at 7.30 pace to tackle the 14:43 record that laid in waiting. Although I wasn’t sure how sustainable this was and knowing I get some bad patches in the middle (this did happen) it was also very hot and no where to hide. That said I may have had a dip in my times but others were suffering far worse with either retiring or poor Sarah Sawyer after grafting for over 16:30 hrs wasn’t going to meet for the cut off and had to DNF which was very sad.
All the splits reported for the runners are on the website: https://centurionrunning.com/results/track-100-2021/results.html I ran my first 50 miles 6:41 which was an average of 8 minute miling which was the plan or between 8-8.45 pace and knowing halfway was still a long way to go and confident of picking up the last section. At 6 hour my split was 72.995km a FV40 British 6 hour record, this was unexpected!
So, onto the nutrition for the day, this started with porridge trackside at 5.30am and more importantly needed to make sure I executed my fuel strategy. It wasn’t due to be very hot day, but it turned into one also.
Often nutrition isn’t prioritised its purely the training, massage, and a case of as long as I have carb loaded, I will be fine. I personally have made a few mistakes in the past of not eating enough and had a few “bonk moments” or “ hitting the wall” and running out of energy.
Over the years I have learnt some valuable lessons including starting the fuelling before it is too late and making sure I have something rather than nothing which could bank more energy
for the later stages. I also do not the last few years carb load for days I just change the foods for white or no reactive foods that cause bloating. For my nutrition I had already tested during many training months and a few past races, learning what didn’t
work. I knew that some foods had been a disaster and could cause a gut reaction.
The plan I created for the day was to take on 12 x Huma gels (chia with fruit puree) alternating with the caffeine ones every hour. Along with my trusted Revvies cola energy strips every 4 hours added water/tailwind (electrolyte) drink and sipped throughout the day. Minimal food during the day which consisted of a few fruit pastilles, handful of strawberries and a few watermelon pieces only so I didn’t feel heavy. I took on my nutrition bang on every hour for the first 6hrs having learned from past races and advice from a nutritionist.
For periods of the race I did get fed up with the gels, I didn’t know what I wanted and had a feeling of sickness. I took a few hours gap and just small amounts of tailwind and flat coke to keep my fluid intake which was necessary but also presented the problem of needing the toilet more regularly (burning away time). Due to Covid and strict rules on hygiene unfortunately it meant it was further away which added to distance and time, that said clean and easy to access.
Having A Chat With Mike Stocks
My nutrition may not work for everyone, it’s a personal choice. I like to observe what other runners take on and seen strange concoctions, beef jerky, chocolate, noodles, ice lollies Nutella
sandwiches and beer.
Over the last 2hrs and post chat with my coach sped up substantially as I worked out the numbers on what I needed to break the record.
Not at any point did I think it was over and got my head down and nodded at Norman to indicate I know what I need to do as I saw the clock at 14hrs. With 5km to go I had almost 30 minutes to play with and wasn’t running at this point 9/10 min miles so I knew I just need to get on with it….. That was what I did!
What a race as I crossed the line in 14:34:03 to set a new National record – one that has stood since 1991. Coach and Athlete very happy…
The Picture Tell’s A Thousand Words !
The Truth of the matter this wasn’t everyone’s day but it certainly was mine and the hard work paid off. D E L I G H T E D !
This marathon came up thick and fast post having been running in what I would class as “isolation”. No races so it was all about trying to maintain fitness and 121 sessions with the odd person for tempos and speed sessions. I made sure I ran with someone to do these mainly for confidence and motivation. Grateful to a few of my local running friends especially for the LSR (Long Slow Runs) and the 20-25 mile runs either around a 400m track or a local loop.
Roll on the
first race (many cancelled) that went ahead which was on the 3rd
April, Dorney Lake Marathon. This
wouldn’t have been my first choice of race or location; however happy something
was given the green light. Leading up to
the race I had done many great sessions but on the day the weather wasn’t
looking good.
Waking up
on Saturday 3rd before 6am the journey to the event wasn’t complex
neither was the parking, however the event despite being well organised by
Active Training lacked atmosphere as there wasn’t any spectators, the music
only at the boat house so a fleeting noise as you passed by twice on the 10k +
loops. Waved starts whilst they take the pressure you have no idea where you
are and the latter stages become busy and unsure who you can run with. I started off despondent which wasn’t ideal
due to gut issues, the stress I suspect of the first race back and ran a few
miles with a local competitor Charlotte who then dropped in the latter stages
and backed off pace. I was fighting the
wind which was draining me throughout the laps and struggling to maintain the
pace in the last few miles, so it really was a fight to the finish.
The finish
time was a shade quicker than Goodwood in December but absolutely gutted not to
get the time I felt deserving of from all the long, hard training
sessions. 2.52.36 off the back of a hard
50 mile/6hr track ultra-session for GB 2 weeks earlier in reality wasn’t a bad
Whilst this
wasn’t a GB race against many competitors on the same circuit it did allow me
to test my 6hr timing in preparation for the 100-mile track event at the end of
April when races resume.
Lane 9
It was a
pleasure to be shortlisted and selected, this was open to those having
represented GB over the last 30 years.
I decided to use the
track in Marlow and seek permission from Serco and then I could run without
crossing roads or worrying about the safety needs of my nutrition. It seemed the best place also with toilet
facilities and for my runner company.
Only challenge was it was a rather small loop and meant a long time
going around it.
Surprisingly I feel good
today considering the wide track loops and no nice small safe loop or big
London parks. Norman and Anne came down
to time and watch the run whom I hadn’t seen since last year in September
before lockdown and the Thames Path 100 and the 50k in Bournemouth.
The weather had a chill and the wind picked up in the later stages, but pretty good running conditions I have to say! First up was Rohit Patel for the first 2hrs, he then handed over the next stint to Matt Brown. Then the final shift went to Andy Walling who got the last 2hrs of my pain and enjoyment of a last few laps at speed and running his longest run in sometime.
Norman didnt wish for me to
stop at 49.5 miles so he said lets go for 50 to see what the clock stopped at
for the 50 mile British record. Sadly as
it wasn’t an official event the distances covered will not be ratified but gave
me huge confidence that in training I had run further than the British record
for both the 6hr and quicker for the 50 miles.
I will get the opportunity to do this again later in the year in a
selection of pre-booked races.
The clock today stopped at 6.02.58 which is not
too shabby and going into my track 100 in April. I used every 1hr either a Huma gel or a
Revvies Energy Stripfor my much needed boost.
What I learned from the
long run for the 6hr was I like 7min miles + and I can do this for a long time. My fitness has improved massively as that
pace some 6mths back still felt challenging, it’s a sign hopefully for some
great racing ahead. Lucky to have the
support of local runners individually, it lacked the atmosphere but very
helpful to have company.
Having run the 20 mile in September I knew what to expect but still hopeful the conditions would have improved from the high winds back in September. Sadly this wasn’t the case and it was set to be a very cold and windy race.
Brrrh a cold run around a circuit !
For the marathon it was 11.5 laps this was going to be tough in cold wet conditions and my friend Trevor was doing the half marathon, when seeing the weather conditions did think Id rather done shorter distance. The races went off like clockwork and I got into a good rhythm and wore my music to block out the distraction of the wind. Sadly, like with the 20 miles one side was averaging 5.55 – 6.05 comfortably and then around the back 2 miles it was 7.05 it was a nightmare fighting the wind and also dodging the other runners on the course.
By the time I had got to the 10k mark the half marathon joined the circuit, then beyond this the later stages the 10k & 5k flew around the course. I had to accept that the time wouldn’t be what I wanted due to the cold conditions and watched the pace fluctuate depending on what side. Also ended up weaving so much I completed in 2nd place with a time of 2.53 which was slower that what training had dictated. I think for many running that distance it was difficult the more laps you did. My friend Trevor needed wrapping up due to finishing earlier than me and started to get hypothermic. What a day we had, the tea at the end was the blessing for the journey home. Itching now to get back to racing already.
Never did I expect for most of my 2020 races to consist of circuits or consist of laps.
Beyond this
race this was the start to many cancellations and then lockdown 3 from the 26th
December until present date.
Sadly due to Covid lock down number 2 and despite being fit (mainly through racing) managed to keep the miles ticking over and good blocks of training.
Having recovered from getting hyperthemic at the 24hr and hip flexor issues I was deperate to put in a good race performance. This was the start of the races now disappearing , first to go was Hatfield 5, then Dorney half marathon and many more continued.
Lockdown however was lifted on the 2nd December just in time for my marathon at Goodwood race circuit on the 6th December.
My learning experience from having run a few 100’s and also long distance events the last few years I need to keep improving on my nutrition. For the Thames Path I had tried Maurten but found this very sugary in taste so I went back to my trusted tailwind plan amongst different nutrition:
Normally I work right upto the end of the week as typically long ultra races tend to be on a Saturday, this race however was on a Friday which meant I needed to plan things differently. On a positive it was timed well with the school holidays so I went away to the New Forest with my son for a few days. For once without the work laptop and away from temptation of gym classes I had an easy week just running short runs with the dogs, relaxing dog walks and a bit of country air.
Running wise on a “key race” the week leading up tends to be just ticking over, for this 24hr race typically my last effort session was the previous Saturday before the race. It seemed to work well but like many runners find taper week very stressful.
What I love about 24hr racing though is the pace can be much slower, more enjoyable and in a comfortable place ( changes in the latter parts). I was looking for during the race a 100 mile pb and British record and then a further distance of 220km overall.
The Race:
This time I wanted to go back to Tailwind so I had this in all my bottles and love cola so I picked up ” Colorado Cola” and then also made a decision to try the Huma gels, I dislike them normally but as recommended very similar to baby pouch food and tasted lovely and also vegan. Along with some mash potato with salt pre- cooked, a banana, 1 bottle of flat coke and gels that was it. I planned to have a warm pasta meal in a cup post 100 mile target. As an Ambassador for Revvies I used a caffeine strip every 4hrs, which worked extremely well for the race. Also indebted to have my friend Trevor crew me as I was only allowed one person and Anne joined as her athlete was unable to make it and became part of my bubble.
The start of the pack !
Food during the race was for the first few hours 1 x Huma gel and a few sips of Tailwind, then 4 hours in a banana, and then 50 miles into the race (post the 6 hr turning point) some potato and walked the lap with it dropped back to my table and carried on, the thought of warm potato sadly though tasted nicer than it actually was so next time veggie gravy. Then another few sips over the next few hours, plan was always to stop at table every 1 hr and the lap before see what I needed, sometimes just a little fluid.
My strategy was to have toilet breaks when drinking fluid every 5 miles minimum otherwise it becomes a psychological battle with the ” Bogs”, and the longer you run the tighter you get.
Race Conditions:
They were very tough as it was on and off rain all the time and got heavier as the night and early morning kicked in. We battled with strong winds around one side of the track just to add to the challenge !
Early race stage and enjoying the laps !
Along with only changing direction every 6hrs was tough on the quads and feet, also the over taking on lane 2 made the distance add up to over 104 miles when I took my hot food break. We had no real atmosphere as spirts were dampened by the weather, Covid and also no music, timing/leader board. What was nice and I find this with all long distance races very friendly competition and for the 24hr on a track you see your crew and other runners more regularly than a point to point race.
Sadly for me I made a decision to not continue with the 24hr. With the cold unpredictable weather of October when I stopped for food I felt very cold and started to experience the same signs from my Anglo Celtic Plate 100k in 2018 with hyperthermia. I therefore put my dry robe on and went into my tent but couldn’t get warm despite a duvet over me and jacket, then my ankle started to burn, hip flexor tightened to a point I couldn’t push myself back out to run.
Having just run a 100 mile PB in 14hrs 54 knew that this was a good place to leave a great effort behind, the British 100 mile record was my target and was sailing close to this with a minute outside and then the track floodlights went off and put all the runners into darkness sadly which left us all fighting to see the light from our aid tables. This sadly killed the opportunity so my target despite every effort is to target this again next week. Also never under estimate how much things change and unfold in a race, however its key to reflect, learn and move on with something positive to aim for. I am still learning to respect this distance, with the ultimate target for me is to hit closer to 250km next time!
Coming off a stressful week at work, post 50k I was less than enthusiastic about a race weekend let alone my 2-1 in 1 day. Although once commited I know needed to use these as a race/training opportunity. Always better when booked and planned with a friend.
A day of races! 10k @10.30am in Newbury Race course. through the finish for first place with 37.37 as a finish time. Really pleased as an improvement since August and a very technical and congested course with tight turns and different surfaces to negotiate. Loved seeing training mates from Oxford and also past Windsor training partners. Race 1 completed and satisfied despite the lack of energy pre race. https://www.runthrough.co.uk/results/
Newbury 10k – 1st Place lady
Then off to Wimbledon for the 5k club relay @1.30pm with my friend Trevor. Traffic started to stress us through Newbury and Thatcham along with the motorway restrictions. We were delighted to pull into the carpark, find a space ( rare in London) and quickly navigate the location for the track/team meet. nice sneaky long hill climb so very pleased with 18.35 and 8th overall. Lovely to see Belles team mates again and put my club vest on and see a ladies finish overall in 2nd place and our men’s team a respectful 4th team.
