The Loneliness of a Long-Distance Runner

[kinboshi]

A very respectable 9th place - well done!

 

http://www.tr24.co.uk/results.html

Hannah a little disappointed that Big Mike only made 27th in the solos

Could be higher than 9th - the system has missed out a lap for many of the teams - and we did 26 rather than 25).  One of Dan's is missing from the results.  The thing is, we don't know if the other teams above us also have a lap missing or not.  We could have finished as high as 6th (out of the 40 5-man teams).

[Claw75]

A very respectable 9th place - well done!

 

http://www.tr24.co.uk/results.html

Hannah a little disappointed that Big Mike only made 27th in the solos

Could be higher than 9th - the system has missed out a lap for many of the teams - and we did 26 rather than 25).  One of Dan's is missing from the results.  The thing is, we don't know if the other teams above us also have a lap missing or not.  We could have finished as high as 6th (out of the 40 5-man teams).

let's just assume you came 6th then.  well done!

[kinboshi]

A very respectable 9th place - well done!

 

http://www.tr24.co.uk/results.html

Hannah a little disappointed that Big Mike only made 27th in the solos

Could be higher than 9th - the system has missed out a lap for many of the teams - and we did 26 rather than 25).  One of Dan's is missing from the results.  The thing is, we don't know if the other teams above us also have a lap missing or not.  We could have finished as high as 6th (out of the 40 5-man teams).

let's just assume you came 6th then.  well done!

Like your style

[craigbetts]

Seeing as Boshi has left the entire readers (all 4) of this thread waiting on tenderhooks, I thought I would give my thoughts on the thunder run.

I arrived on sat morning minus a tent, I had stopped looking at the weather forecast when I knew it was not going to be 30plus all day and was happy to take anything else. Well, we are never happy are we with what we get given? Met the team, then turned my only food down from number 1 support/chef/photographer/programme adjuster Lyndsey. After a quick team snap with some face paint it was time to get to the start. Basecamp was approx 1km from the start line and this served as a warm down post lap but an minor inconvenience pre lap.

Running the first leg I had the glory of the other teams cheering you on your way, I was always going to take the first lap easy but after 1km and a steep incline there was no option as the course narrows to two bodies wide and with maybe 3/400 trying to get up but to walk a little. This would be the only time I walked for the duration and was quite happy with that record. The rest of the lap was wandering when the bigger inclines were coming and the comparison I was making to where I had previously run the course and collapsed at the end. Each km went by and it was nice being at a pace that was taking the event in and not on the limit like previously. So with the last incline out the way, it was the last 2km which brought you back into the campsite and the cheers were back, the first tent you see was black and yellow! Team curro ergo something or other, or Boshi towers, then a fast downhill buoyed by the team cheering you on and as I rounded the final few hundred metres a guy in front was swaying side to side in a lot of discomfort. Unfortunately his team was camped down this straight and must have made for bad viewing, he was having a bettsy from months before! Lap finished in 45.40 or the likes and Adam was clearly visible chomping at the bit to take the baton.

Now the captain had planned for all of us to take a break and I was due up first, this was a little meh as you are fresh and want to make the most of the good conditions. I just sampled the atmosphere down at the start line, cheered runners on as they went by our tent and briefly shut my eyes with limited success on sleep. So my new game was fuelling Hannah with some phrases to shout out, she duly accepted and probably made a fair few runners days with some nice words of encouragement.

The second lap was around 7pm and we were already behind our captains detailed programme. Feeling fresh I eased into the lap and I am pretty certain I ran a negative split, having just checked the watch mile 6 was 6:34 so I came home strong. Not long after this the thunder run, lived up to its name, the weather turned and thunder and lightning was accompanied by heavy rainfall. This turned the course into a bog, quagmire, ice rink, swimming pool, and made the evening a bit of a challenge.

After arriving at the start wet, in the dark and having to wait a while for the baton, the mood was a little down as I trudged off on my first wet/dark lap. My headtorch needed new batteries, these I would change after the lap but my visible footprint was not as wide as I would have liked. The first 2-3km were tough, I was not running, just staying up right whilst ploughing forward. Then at 5km I was buoyed by being halfway round, now wet to the bone I thought what the hell, let's stay wet and now embraced a clearer policy of running through puddles where the footing was firmer than the mud banks around the puddles. Miles were now closer to 9min pace as it was a constant battle to stay upright. I arrived at the finish and I think it was Adam who was happily waiting for me in his go faster mud claws!

More to follow......

[kinboshi]

Like!

[craigbetts]

After finishing this leg it was after midnight and runners all over camp were beginning to sleep up. I had never really bargained on that much sleep, but now knew it was needed. Luckily enough room was available in Boshi towers for me to get my head down, this would be snapped up after a quick bite to eat, drink and change into warm clothing. Despite not getting loads of sleep, you did not want to leave the relative warmth of the tent and sleeping bag to swim another 10k. However with a little revision of the programme it was soon time to put on my wet shorts. I had only packed two pairs, again not bargaining for the conditions.

I can't remember who I took over from this time, but the conditions were so bad I ran with my coat on and the batteries had been changed in the head torch. This made a huge difference, now I was able to pick my way through the boggy and wet conditions whilst remaining warmish. The wind was whipping up now and I had made a good choice to keep the coat on. I was overtaking a lot of runners on course and only a handful were flying past me. Those who were picking there way through the paths seemed to be seconds from a fall, yet if you floored it, you generally seemed to be able to keep upright, even though you had to keep your balance a lot. I did come crashing down this lap, just as you pass 8km and turn the corner, the camber of the hill, the hacked up mud meant it was very treacherous and whilst in Boshi towers we saw many many runners fall here. As for my fall I slid about 5metres down the bank but fell short of the fence. Mud everywhere, just ace! I was lucky though as Boshi had gone into the fence and cut his arm on the barb wire on a previous lap. So that was lap 4 in the bag and I enjoyed that one, I think my time was around 59mins.

Back to camp for a clean up, food and a little rest. Now mike was up and tearing up the laps giving us slow coaches less time in the comfort of Boshi towers. Daylight had broke in between my next run and the rain had stopped. I was heading out at 6ish and it was possibly my last lap, dependent on others in the team. This lap was tough, daylight brought with it the visible damage the course had suffered as it had cut up with endless laps and buckets of rain. One puddle which was present at the start of the day, had now grown so that it was knee high and it was no option but to go through this 2metre wide trough. So a tough lap where I got my head down and thought of how the solo runners must be fairing, cheering them on louder with each one I passed. I remember passing big mike this lap or the lap before and gave him some huge applause. Big mike was Hannah's favourite runner due to his sequins tutu that was not befitting a muscle man. Fair play, these boys and girls were churning the laps out and I was worried about a little 10k. I finished this lap near 7am and I remember thinking if the whole team runs again I may not have to go again.

However Dan had not had the best of nights and he was out of the game, however mike and Adam were upping the pace and Adam was insistent that I should go again, I delayed it and delayed it so the boys ended up doing back to back to laps but there was still a little window that I could of squeezed in. Being dry and comfy, I bottled it, truth be known, the course was still getting worse and it would have been touch and go had I got round in under 70mins! So it was a quick queue for medals, yet more food in the form of a BBQ in a pan from Lyndsey and it was time to leave. Tired and now with queues to contend with as the dog agility show had kicked out. Big respect to the team who dug in and found extra. But special thanks to Lyndsey, Claw, Hannah, Fran, Sam and Abigail. Who gave great support throughout and it was nice knowing that there would be a face in camp to greet you once you returned.

Next year, I am obviously in. But I fancy a solo effort! Thanks to Boshi for this diary and the opportunity to experience the tr24!

[Claw75]

top reporting Craig - make sure you wear the proper gear if you go solo next year

[kinboshi]

Still think it's tougher to do it as a pair rather than solo.

Would be good to have a few teams next year, and have a few solo runners as well. Would also be interesting to see how many laps Mike and Adam could do as a pair, but thankfully they have no desire to do it as a smaller team.

[craigbetts]

Guess there are some strange folk out there!!

http://britishultrafest.com/race-info/

[kinboshi]

Guess there are some strange folk out there!!

http://britishultrafest.com/race-info/

Mental!

[Honeybadger]

Latest update on my couch to 10k quest...

Today I ran for TWENTY minutes without stopping!

This is obviously nothing for you guys. But it is a massive deal for me. Pretty amazing to think that six weeks ago I was doing repetitions of 60 seconds running, 90 seconds walking. And finding it difficult. And now I can run for 20 minutes

Still got a long way to go, but I am very glad I started this thing.

[Rexas]

Latest update on my couch to 10k quest...

Today I ran for TWENTY minutes without stopping!

This is obviously nothing for you guys. But it is a massive deal for me. Pretty amazing to think that six weeks ago I was doing repetitions of 60 seconds running, 90 seconds walking. And finding it difficult. And now I can run for 20 minutes

Still got a long way to go, but I am very glad I started this thing.

Well played, sir

[kinboshi]

Nice one Stu. I remember doing the same myself, going from run/walking at two minute intervals and eventually being able to run for 20 minutes solid.

A nice milestone to reach. Half hour next.. 

[Honeybadger]

Advice needed. During my run today I felt a constant aching in my left achilles. This was the part that got injured four years ago the last time I got into running (it was my right achilles last time I think). It was not a really bad pain, just a small ache, and I could run on it just fine. But I stopped my run early because I was concerned. I really do not want to get injured and have to give this couchto10k project up.

Should I just carry on despite this pain in future runs? I could keep an eye on it and if it started to get worse I could reevaluate? Or should I just instantly have a week's rest in order to let whatever problem there is clear up before continuing. The most important thing is that I do not get injured - but on the other hand I really do not want to have a rest if I do not need to.

Are aches and pains like this just things that everyone goes through when they get into running? Or are they something to be taken seriously, as a sign that something is wrong?

[Claw75]

if it's just an ache rather than a pain i'd say that's totally normal - I get quite sore in the lower legs if I've not run for a while but it should right itself before too long.  Are you warming up and stretching before running?  

oh and good work on the 20 minutes!  Wait til you get the first 30 under your belt - you'll feel jubilant!  I tracked most of my early 'runs' on the 'fit blondes in berlin' thread - it's quite encouraging reading them back now and seeing just how hard it was at first, but knowing i got from there to completing a marathon.  If I can do it anyone can

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=55453.0