It’s an experiment

How many times have you raced an ultra? What does that even mean?

In the purest form, of course it means racing for a podium position, that could be overall or an age group category in both the men’s and women’s race. It can also mean something else, something personal like a time or placing goal. Times are a weird one on ultras as even if on the same course the conditions can be vastly different. A placing can also vary depending on how many people are in the race. The important thing though is these are personal goals reasons that you might want to push yourself.

To me racing and running are a little different. Many of my ultra races are run for the joy of it. To experience the landscape where they are set. Yes, they are challenges that need the respect of training but I have a solid belief (maybe that’s naive or I need to be doing harder races) that I can finish most. I want to enjoy the aid stations, stop and take in the views, talk to other runners and not put too much mental pressure on myself. I still have goals but it’s a bit different. I think back to Race to the stones, my goal then was to finish without using my head torch. Then on the Cumbria Way (120km), where I had no real idea what would happen but at some point I decided 18 hours would be nice, I finished just after. I call these arbitrary goals.

Every so often though I get a little itch, where I feel like it’s time to test myself a bit more. That little competitive urgh hungers for something to make me uncomfortable. It first happened in 2018 at Hurtwood 50k, then again at North Downs Way 50 in 2019 and to some extent in Lavaredo 2023. Where time, placing and effort level all come together in a physical and mental form that leads to performance.

Why am I waffling on about this you might ask, well I think it’s important to set the scene of the thought process behind me taking part in the South Downs Way 50. The entry was free for my volunteering last year. It was a race I had wanted to do for a little while even though I had run the 100 mile version I just felt like I wanted to get on the downs again and enjoy the centurion vibes. Also, it was there as an experiment. Could I go from the long and slow of Spine challenger South to the fast and furious of the SDW50 just 3 months apart? In hindsight I now know that if I finished SCS then I wouldn’t be anywhere near ready to train hard for the downs! This is a very runnable course that you need to push on to make any progress if you want to race. Lots of runnable undulations, basically no dawdling🤣.

With the disappointment of January also came the fact that I only ran 78km ish. So my legs were is great condition but I would need to switch things up to get race fit.

What does racing the SDW50 look like to me though? In the back of my mind, I had a goal of sub 9 hours. I had no idea if this was achievable, I ran just over 9 on NDW50 in 2019. Now 5 years older but with less time to train specifically it would be an ask, but I was willing to put the training in. It’s still an arbitrary goal really but one with pre-race thought in it. To me racing also means being clinical at aid stations, running lots, nailing fuelling/hydration and having focus.

As I got stuck into training, even though I had focus on each session and in the work, my heart really wasn’t where is needed to be. It was up a mountain somewhere eating a cheese sandwich being in awe of my surroundings. I think I became a bit disillusioned with my choice. I stopped really talking about the race much on SM. I did all my training on the Downs to avoid the mud of the local trails, but it just felt like ticking off work outs/long runs. The potential race experience just didn’t really excite me. I like the centurion races and the community for what they do as local events. I adore pacing on the 100s and volunteering but for ME they don’t really present a challenge. I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I have been earned the ability to finish this kind of 50mile event with relative ease barring anything dumb happening. The challenge is to race them and push myself, but I wasn’t even sure about that. Oh, gawd I am waffling again.

To try and motivate myself I set some goals:

• Run as much as possible. 
• Keep aid station stops or under 5mins. 
• Consume 60-70g carbs per hour. 
• Run with purpose. 

I trained my gut to again take in 2-3 gels per hour with chews. I did sessions on the downs. I planned the race using ultrapacer, which is neat website where you can upload a gpx, put in aid stations, cut offs and a desired finish time then it will give you a pacing plan based on elevation gain/loss considering fatigue too. This was used as a guide for training, but I decided to do something new on race day. Turn off the KM split notifications, just have eat every 20mins and keep the watch screen on the route. I felt running to feel would work best here. It was an experiment as I have never tried this approach before.

That’s enough of the pre-race ramblings. What actually happened I hear you say? I’m going to summarise as I don’t feel this one really needs some epic recounting.

Pre-race, there were no real nerves. I knew the course inside out. I knew where every aid stations was and even some favourable sides of some paths to be on. On the journey to the start with Maria (with her kind partner getting up early to drop us off), I was just focused on staying calm. It wasn’t until I was walking to the start line that my brain kicked in, chatting away to Ally. We were both focussed, we both had our plans and were just trying to get ready to go.

It’s time to run to Botolph’s. It’s about 18km I think I allowed 2 hours for this but can’t remember. No I won’t look at the plan. The watch is on, route loaded. James (the RD) is counting down, now I am running.

Start to CP 1 Botolph’s (18km)

Predicted: 1hr 48mins

Actual: 1hr 52mins

It was a misty start but the ground was good. A touch of mud on the way up by the golf course but nothing bad. Had a lovely couple of chats with Mark who was running really well. Went on to smash it in 8hrs30ish. It was warmish, I was glad I had suntan lotion on from the start. I saw Sarah and Rachel run past on a cheer run! I just remember it flowing. Gels going in, water and scratch drink being drunk. In and out of the aid station in just a few mins, forgot to empty rubbish.

Boltophs to Saddlescombe farm (9km)

Predicted: 1hr 1min

Actual: 1hr 1min

I knew I’d be hiking up the first hill here. But I wanted to run the road to the YHA. I still have horrific memories from the 100, feeling sick with Dai forcing me to eat fruit or sweets or something. I ran up the road well.

I then saw Jorge at the top by the radio mast. That was super lovely and gave me a nice boost early on. 3 ups and downs to Devils Dyke and then it’s all nice to the farm. I had used this section to just drink water as it’s a shorter one and wanted to save electrolyte for the next longer section. Maybe an error but I drank the whole bottle of water and carried on with some chews and gels every 20mins as planned. I did notice that my stomach was saying I needed the toilet though. Not in a bad way, just needed to go. I knew this aid station had a toilet so I thought ok, well if this is the one for the race fair enough. That added an extra 5mins to my stop, maybe a bit more. Annoyed but ok. Off up the hill I went.

Saddlescombe to Housedean (16km)

Predicted: 1hr 42mins

Actual: 1hr 50mins

So I lost some time on this section. Not sure how as I felt it went pretty well. Maybe I could have run a couple more of the rolling hills or should have hit the big descent harder? Maybe I played it a little safe! Fuel still going well, applied some more suntan lotion. Sun was out and I knew this was key.

Seeing Leah and her daughter at the windmills was fab! A nice little lift early on this section. It was also after lunch time, and I usually get a grumbly tummy and need some sandwiches around this time. I had mentally prepared to take that on at Housedean if required but it just wasn’t there. But the urge to use the loo was back again, grrrr! So, at the aid station I went again. That’s another amount of time lost. I didn’t panic. I knew I was well over halfway now. Let’s get to Southese and then see what’s going on!

Housedean to Southease (12km)

Predicted: 1hr15mins

Actual: 1hr33mins

Yup the accumulated toilet breaks had actually put be behind by around 15mins. I don’t remember much about this section really. The long climb to start was long, and the wind had picked up a bit but it was kind of a cross wind. There was a bike race going on as well and the bikes were all coming towards us, there was much mutual cheering though. I still didn’t really know where I was in this section in terms of race timing, but when I entered Southese I flicked the watch over to predicted finish time and saw that it said 17.46, 16mins later than I hoped. Tbh I was a bit gutted, but I got on with my CP routine: empty rubbish, refill bottles and now grab some fruit and potatoes. I made an error here though. I grabbed the wrong jug from the table and put tailwind into my Skratch labs bottle, idiot! Instead of trying to find another packet I just rinsed it out and put in some squash. Think that was a small error as I would miss the salts and calories on the next section. The best thing about this checkpoint though (sorry volunteers), was that Sophie caught me up. We used to run together in London before she moved up to Edinburgh and I haven’t seen her since 2019! We took a quick photo before she ran on with her friend Paddy, while I just sorted myself out after the drink mix debacle.

Southese to Alfriston (11.5km)

Predicted: 1hr 16mins

Actual: 1hr 23mins

Halfway up the hill out of the aid station I ran into Jules and her doggo Larry. Which was super lovely. I told her I was behind by about 15mins, she had faith in me. I didn’t at this time. I was trying to work out if I could pull back any of that time, it was hard to figure out. As I power hiked on, I managed to catch back up with Sophie and Paddy. The wind picked up and it got really foggy! Like I have never really seen that on the downs there. Really eerie, not cold or damp though. We had the best time running together having a bit of a catch up. Before they ran on, I think fatigue was getting to me a bit now and tbh I was quite enjoying running to my own rhythm. I also noticed I hadn’t pee’d in a while so made it my purpose to empty both bottles before the next CP. Running down to Alfriston felt ok but also a small feeling that the left leg issue I have had before was coming on and again I needed to go to the toilet again! 3x in one race, what the hell. There goes another 5mins 🤬.

Alfriston to finish (12km ish)

I skipped Jevington CP

Predicted: 1hr 26mins

Actual: 1hr 44mins

It’s basically 2x up, 2x down and a bit of road. The first up is longer but has some more runnable bits if you are feeling it. I wasn’t so much. I think I was kinda checked out. The 2nd climb is an up and over the trig after saying hi to Jevington.

At this point I was totally resigned to my fate time wise and just wanted to enjoy the ride. I cut my fuel intake back to every 30mins and trucked on along happy in my thoughts. The left leg downhill issue was annoying me, but I was still running when I could, just not as freely. The body was just spent, and I was super happy to see that trig point. Then it was down the gully where I passed a family, they said “Well done” and asked “If I was finishing at the hospital” with which I replied “I hope not”. This amused me and gave me a little spurt of joy. I ran well all the way to the track enjoying the moment and the cheers of everyone, until some guy decided he wanted to race me right to the finish line. I just turned on the legs and left him for dust but it kind of annoyed me. Just chill dude. 

So there ended the SDW50 experiment of 2024, at 5.55.57pm. 26mins over target but content in what happened mostly. 98^th out of 401 finishers isn’t too bad right? I wasn’t fit enough for sub 9 hours even without the 3x toilet breaks, I think it would have been tight. Maybe with another months training I would have been ready, but who knows. Looking back at the timing split its interesting to see how fine the margins are when you have a goal like that and are on the edge of the fitness to achieve it.

I learned some really interesting things that day:

• I can run more hills that I have done for a while.
• I can eat 60g+ carbs an hour for this type of race.
• Efficiency in CPs really is key.
• I should pack my fuel better so that I can restock my front pocket quicker. There was too much faffing with this on course and at CPs! Sandwich bags for each section would really have helped.
• The new shoes that I only wore for the 2nd time were really good. So comfy but also great for running in and the grip is of course classic La Sportiva. Big thumbs up for the Prodigo

And finally, it’s fun to push yourself in races sometimes. I am proud for having tried; did I try enough? Maybe, maybe not, but I didn’t throw up or get injured, I’ll take that as a win and use the learnings for next time.

Now where are those mountains, I have a cheese sandwich that needs a view.❤️