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.

Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra 2015

Glasgow to Edinburgh ultra 55 miles

Tough day, much harder more than I expected. 

Relentless especially second half, no hills on the entire route, and all flat tarmac, gravel, hard track and surprising amount of muddy trail along canal paths and under bridges. Quads, knees all taking constant hit in same places.

First half easy miles 8-8:30mm, through marathon distance in 4hrs and 50% of race length in 4:12 even doing steady run walk with two guys I met Steve and David. Hot at times though and feeling more dehydrated as day went on, having to take on more fluids and electrolyte. Drank well at checkpoint 2 at Falkirk Wheel (canal joining point), increased walking breaks to 1m30+. David went ahead and lost sight. Running with Steve all fine, through two tunnel sections but mandatory torch really not needed.

As we carried on, couple of miles before cp 3 stomach problems for Steve, I felt okay. He stopped at cp3 to find a toilet whilst I pushed on. Two or three miles after Cp3. Not feeling good, tried to take in various foods in but very dry mouth and water not mixing enough. Carried on. Tried to eat a little gel and started to feel sick. Vomited, never had this before in a long event. Couldn't find anything that I could eat and keep down. 20+ miles to go and nothing liquid at checkpoint with any carbs, no flat coke or similar would've been great.. 20 miles on electrolyte was a big ask. Ouch.

Strangely felt a little better after being sick so carried on, 5-6 miles of hard work. Cp4 caught up with David, also struggling couldn't eat food either and he had done the race 4 times and many longer ultras. Walked through quay, thought about pushing on but then reconsidered, not an A race, sticking together was sensible. Waited for David. Far easier to pair up when you're in trouble - which we both were. Checkpoint people had even asked was I okay to continue. Nipped off into bushes, quick test, was very dehydrated (according to colour!) so kept drinking.  Miles 42-55 a blur now but were many hours painful mix of run walk, pace dropping and case of shuffling when possible between lamppost, tree or one of the many bridges and walking especially the cobbled bits curving underneath those arches. Main thing, keep moving forward. Also avoiding cyclists ringing their bells and making you turn and twist. Not ideal for balance or with the large amounts of dog muck from Ratho onwards trying to avoid them.

From times I was at 30, 40 & 50k, sub or low 9 hours finish time was very doable, but on 70k in exactly 7 hours no chance - and going even slower. Hard running on no energy just electrolyte, David couldn't even drink water, but we pushed on. White blur whizzed by, it was Steve absolutely flying, he was doing 9ish min miles us more like 11-13 run/ walk. He said hello but then a dot within 60 seconds. Where did that come from! Both of us now digging deep, well past using reserve energy and running on willpower.
Mental side came to forefront as you began to doubt yourself, stuck on a never ending canal, why the hell am I doing this, I can't do this, feeling pretty rubbish. Kept talking and checking each other okay. A canal boat went past called Madalena so my guardian angel was watching. Even with all this struggle, David still on for a PB though! And we did see a cormorant flying into the canal, coming up with its dinner. Amazing.

50 miles came finally. Hooray? More a fzzz whatever. Miles to go slowly clicked down. Bridge no 3 to go, 2, 1, a sign for 500m to go - 400m on cobbles. We did best speed and finally finish in sight. Joint finish arms raised - great teamwork, should be a fab photo.

Half way in 4h12, Finished in in 9h 34, second half a draining experience.

Excellent training run though if a painful one, tough event and a lot to learn from, whilst making friends too. (Also tested out new backpack and new shoes). Managed to get some food down soon after - soup, solid food and many full sugar cokes to revive me with family nearby. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but likely I had a bit of sunstroke, classic symptoms the day after, made some simple mistakes. (Sunstroke, it was snowing in Edinburgh 4 days before!)

Reading Alberto Salazar's 10 golden rules of running, no9 is:-

"TACKLE DOUBT HEAD-ON At some point you're going to push yourself harder, you're going to enter into a grey area that can be painful, and you're going to doubt yourself. Push through it. Never think you are mentally weak."

Amen to that after G2E. Plan is to go back to South Africa & Comrades, but I was doubting myself for many miles here to the point of not going. The same distance on a flat course but harder? Found a way, pushed through. If it doesn't kill you...

Time for a little rest, VLM to come then Comrades. We go again.

STATS Fans:-
Ran as No26 and came 26th. (I like that!), 26th out of 107 finishers. 13 did not finish.

Splits per 6 mile sections

Mile	Split (min)	Av Pace (min:sec)	Time     (hh:mm)
6	48.2	8.03	00:48
12	51:00	8:30	01:39
18	55:00	9:10	02:34
24	61:00	10:10	03:35
30	65:00	10:50	04:41
36	65:00	10:50	05:47
42	68:00	11:20	06:55
48	69:30	11:35	08:05
54	78:30	13:05	09:23
55			09:34

Comrades Ultra Marathon 2014

After reading a friend's amazing Comrades 2012 report, I said one day I wanted to run this race.

For those who dont know Comrades - it is the world's oldest ultra marathon, a 89km / 56 mile run held in South Africa that describes itself as "the Ultimate Human Race". Each year it alternates starting from either Durban or Pietermaritzburg finishing at the other end meaning two completely different courses to test you. Different medals for certain times to push any runner but you must finish in under 12 hours or no medal. 2014 being a "down" year (PMB to Durban is sort of down) fitted into my plans so went for it. Down is easier right? 

Marathons had got a bit soulless so I'd been doing a few trail ultras upto fifty miles to keep challenging myself and enjoying running. Good training from October, though two 3-4 week blips with virus in January and tonsillitis in April took a bit out of my legs and missed key training, but still managed a number of marathons, back to back runs & events finishing with a hilly 12 hour 52 mile trail run in early May, which seemed ideal prep. At 56 miles how much harder could Comrades be? :)

A few days before the race... Long 18 hr flight, could spot loads of runners, excitement building all the way. Staying in Durban near the finish, huge expo to pick up number and also some merch. Think VLM expo but far more friendly. Really well organised, speedy entry for international runners to avoid 2-3 hour queues that locals had to wait in and free teas and coffees. Fantastic atmosphere, you could tell from peoples numbers they had done 10-30+ races... Amazing. Everyone so friendly, thanking you for coming, wanting to know why you were doing it. One marshal Harv chatted and was very enthusiastic, told me he would see me on finish line and I would understand why this race is so special. Also saw Bruce Fordyce 9 times winner in 1980s do a talk and got a photo with him. He can still run the course in 8hrs now, but in his prime, 5hrs 25, probably one of THE endurance athletes of the 20th century.

Couldn't help smiling next to a living legend!

Lots of nice kit to buy, very tempting, get embroidered if you wanted it and even free massages. Went back the next day, all the kit gone, shelves empty. VLM you can get kit for weeks, even months later some available. Not Comrades, even the kit was special, people wearing tshirts tops from previous years as prized possessions.

Started to feel how big Comrades was to South Africans, for UK readers think Wimbledon and FA Cup finals day squashed into one BIG national event. Getting very nervous with the scale to it. Day before, 6am, stretched in bed - cramp in right calf. Really sore, a little bruised. Felt miserable, to have trained for this for 9 months and travelled so far, and now unsure I could manage 20k, let alone 89k before the calf went? Any thought of running Comrades in sub 9 hours was gone, just aim to finish, 11 or 12 hours. Confidence way down, not zero but certainly not my usual positive self. Managed to get calf taped up at the expo but probably was not the greatest company all day. Ate last pasta early afternoon, somehow managed to sleep.

Durban Sunday morning 2:30am, big hugs then left wife to get bus to start. All roads near the finish now blocked off, had to climb over 5-6 barriers, really did not want to push the calf and now doing an obstacle course? On the coach, seemed to be going entirely down...so surely that meant the way back was up? Confused. Didn't have time to do route tour, knowing it was going to be tough was enough.

Once at PMB, found toilets, into starting pen with 30 minutes to spare. Easy. Had worried about the cold start people had mentioned, was cool but pleasant.. Swigged energade, warm up, stretches, leg swings, all set.

The beginning did not disappoint. Everyone talks about the start of Comrades, all bunched up ready to go, South Africa national anthem sung, then "Shosholoza" an old miners song... With chorus of "Keep going. Move faster on those mountains" Very emotional .. Then chariots of fire music then 3 cockerel crows. Spine tingling. See here.

Gun Fires. We are off. 18000 runners surge forward. A little downhill at start, took it easy, let people go, not risking calf. Hills started, chatted to Adam, fellow uk runner. Realised now why we had our race numbers and names on both front AND back of our vests. Everyone knew your name, and if it was your first attempt or 20th, chatted to you, asked where you were from. Such a friendly atmosphere, 1000s of us but all together. Some of the South Africans laughed and asked why Adam had 12 gels on his belt, was he running a mobile shop? Funny. We kept to run / walk taking it easy on some of the ups, especially the one at Polly Shortts, still comfortably on for low 10 hours or under. We ran up past a very smelly chicken farm.. Kfc no thank you.

Drink stations every 2-3k, little plastic packets of water or sports drink, bite the top and swig. Coke and other drinks also. Still pretty cool, gloves on, kilometres were clicking by, although hard to work out, Comrades is the only race the signs tell the distance you have to left to go, not run. 

Around 22k started to feel a bit off, nauseous, something disagreeing with me. Kept running but stomach worse, toilet stop needed, around Camperdown. Sadly said my goodbyes to Adam. 5 people in queue ahead, clock ticking. Carried on another 2k, running cross legged not easy plus feeling could be sick. Stopped again, waited in queue 2-3 minutes., portaloo had been (cough) very "popular" so not pleasant. Needs must, thankfully had tissues with me.. Stood up, loo wasn't very stable, and rocked. Things were bad but I literally would have been in a shitload of trouble if it had fallen over:). Off running again, Felt a lot better, but had nearly vomited, probably would've finished me off very quickly with dehydration. 

Problem now, what to drink and eat? Energade sports drink clearly didn't agree with me, coke maybe? Trail ultras I'd eat all sorts, malt loaf, sandwiches, but with delicate stomach and jarring impact from the road, was struggling. Had kept a sports bottle with me from start and electrolyte tabs in pouch, so could keep hydrated and replacing salts. Did have some clif blok shots, chewed one cube but felt queasy. Coke, water and occasional electrolytes seemed only choice.

Within a few minutes, spotted another Uk vest, female, said hello. Camilla had been a 5h30 Liverpool R&R marathon pacer, had actually seen her whilst manning our club water station. So much easier to run together and in good company, the hills kept coming and very little down.. Just up and up. We ran what was possible, regular walking breaks, pacing the mile splits so on for sub 11 according to our pace bands with time to spare.. just to make your brain work that little harder Comrades is the only race that tells you the distance you have still to go, not how far you have run. Also had to take care to avoid the huge road cats eyes every 20-30 ft the whole way, so easy to trip on one.

Running past the Ethembeni handicapped & blind children's school was very emotional, they were so happy, loving the whole day with runners going past, hundreds of hands out for high fives. We walked this bit, but having so much fun, ended up nearly sprinting through it, really lifted you, a few tears even.. But idiot - slow down!

 We started getting near to Inchanga and some real hills, temperature going up too, regular water over the Comrades provided cap to keep cool. The sign stating "Valley of Thousand Hills" didn't give much hope for an easy section, you could see all the runners like little ants ahead of you in the distance. Mentally this was hard, seeing the course going up twisting and turning on sections to come, the very rare runnable section. Right calf was holding up, but now left calf was sore, left knee too. We took a minute or so to get a massage of our legs and quads especially at a station. 

Through half way point at Drummond in 5h28, according to our pace band we were tight on 11 hours, maybe less than 5 minutes, but according to our Garmins av pace, comfortably on pace for 10:30 ish. Confused. We ran on. A Dutch runner chatted, explained he'd run a few marathons when arriving in South Africa - people just asked "Ah - you're training for Comrades then?"  Even having run other ultras, this made me feel a novice, a marathon meant nothing, just a little starter race? As the course got harder on the legs, yet vests around you showing runners who had completed this 10, 20 or more times. Very humbling.

We gave "Arthur's Seat" a good luck touch and said good morning sir..,  (plaque for five times winner, who used to stop there allegedly and smoke his pipe). Not long after, the wall of honour, previous winners and other peoples plaques.. The history in this race was all around you.

Somewhere around 50k amongst the never ending hills, the 11 hour pace group went past us. We knew were on target, what was going on? A few km later, someone told us there were multiple pacers, and some not sticking to target and were 10-20 minutes up. Some downhill started appearing, chance to pick time up. No need to panic, just stick to the task, making good time to Bothas village and beyond.

Camilla and I had been very steady paced, controlled, a good team, run ~35km together, and on track to finish. However, not together. Even drinking just coke, water, and the odd salt tab, was still too much for my stomach, toilet needed again. Really sad to say goodbye to Camilla and maybe even hope of a sub 11 hour finish. Toilet this time lovely & clean - Only problem after pouring so much water over my head, my shorts were almost impossible to pull up! Maybe stopped 1-2 minutes, not as bad as before. 

Moving again, but now what to eat or drink? Coke seemed out, different brand electrolyte tablets were maybe too strong and I didn't fancy the potatoes that were offered. Main thing I've learnt running ultras you need to drink or eat early to keep your energy levels up - or expect trouble. Ran for a few minutes, but starting to dip. To add to troubles, my left ear blocked up, couldn't hear properly... like being underwater. Held nose to try and equalise but sound faded in and out. Ran on water for a bit.

Downhills were coming fairly often now, and far from being pleasant, were nasty, steep in places and also cambered. Having had a left hip injury 4-5 years ago, this was hurting me, jarring that knee and calf. Quads I expected with the downhill, but rest of leg in a lot of pain.

Tried a little cream soda 50-100ml at next water station, also broke half a salt tablet into water bottle. Walking breaks getting longer, starting to dip.

About as down and as lonely as I've ever felt in a race, even with hundreds of spectators cheering on every step.

All Alone

Comrades race was started to remember those who fell in the First World War, so thought of my granddad who fought in it..could hear him saying "Pull yourself together". Also thought our cat Maddie who passed away and what a fighter she was.  Don't know how long this went on. Seemed hours, maybe minutes. Brushed away tears, gritted teeth.

On a short up/ down stretch,  25 km to go, maybe day dreaming a bit was swallowed up by a pace "bus" of 20-30 people as they came to a walk break. Chanting, one with a tambourine, looked & sounded amazing.. very hypnotic. Was so tempting to stay there, but the shock of being caught woke me up, had no idea what time they were doing either, 11 or even 12 hours? Pushed through 2-3 to the front and started running again, main aim get out of sight of this group.

Energy returning. Cream soda was starting to work and not causing any stomach problems. Felt tons better & legs fresher too - saw someone with a cold spray and blasted the knee and left quad. The comrades cap was almost useless, polyester didn't stay wet enough. Tied it to belt and put my preferred buff over head. Massive improvement, fabric stayed wet, so head & neck felt much cooler. 

After near melt down, spirits rising. Past two spectators and the woman asked "Foreign guy where are you from?" Shouted Liverpool and she gave me a huge hug, told her friend "See! Told you there would be a scouser at Comrades, we are tough". Was funny. The Green mile, a big sponsored music section came up,.. Hmm. Young cheerleaders dancing or spinning around in suspended hammocks. Not sure what the message was exactly. They all shouted carry on, but very tempting to stay.

Saw another runner, Belinda, who by her vest had run Comrades 17-18 times. With brain running at less than 100%, hey why not ask an expert, what time was she aiming for? Military precision - 20km to go, she had an 8 minute buffer on sub 11 hour finish, and only needed to keep to 8 minute km run / walk even with some tough hilly sections left. Really? My left knee was sore, but that seemed doable, pushed ahead.

Maybe 17-18k to go, heard a shout of "come on Harrogate" behind me, slowed down and recognised the club top of two friends.  Said hello to Rosalyn and asked did she know Wendy and Dr Mark? Amongst 18000 runners, what were the chances, Wendy was one of her best friends. Rosalyn was struggling too, Achilles tight, and on her watch couldn't work out the splits needed for sub 11 - or even if it was possible. I had my mojo back and brain working after the advice 20 minutes before. Convinced Rosalyn we had a decent buffer, were on target and just needed to keep this pace or better... both of us cheered up, we could do this!

The number of kilometres to go kept dropping. Some ups and slight hills, then the last big one of Cowies was done.  We made a great team the last 2 hours or so, getting water, looking after each other - my watch beeping the km time so we knew the buffer was getting even bigger. We now had a 14-15 minute buffer. Both of us though with sore legs, needing to pour water over sore quads and knees, we didn't need to push any harder and risk injury. We were safe? Asked Ros would you run the race next year? Hell No.

Finally we were in sight of the cricket ground. We took a walk, then slowly ran around the three sides. Belinda had said don't rush that lap of the ground, soak it up, enjoy that crowd and atmosphere. Honestly amazing.

In the final few steps before the end, spotted my wife.

Then Rosalyn and I were through the finish line, we hugged, perfect team meeting at just the right time for both of us - finished in 10hrs 46m.

 

Medal put around neck by Harv I'd met at the expo, shook my hand, he winked and said "Do you understand now why this race is special?" Definitely. Even a few hours before seemed an impossible task had been achieved. What a journey.

We watched the final hour, people getting near to the 12 hour cut off and you get nothing even if only by a second. The noise was incredible.

An amazing day - so much to take in mentally and physically, so many highs & lows. Comrades describes itself as the "Ultimate Human Race" and wow did it prove that for me. Every experience in life you learn from, but this was at a completely different level - the hardest race I've done by a very long way. The course literally chewed me up and spat me out, but at the same time, was so rewarding with fantastic support from everyone.

A simple 26 mile road marathon feels like baby steps now. Although approx double the distance Comrades felt like four times that by comparison... a huge emotional journey - it really is the greatest footrace in the World. Very humbling. The beautiful thing about the race and whole weekend though was the Comrades friendship and spirit that shone through all runners and spectators. It might be the tiniest little medal but it means far more than any other.

As for next year...

Malta marathon Feb 23rd 2014

More a learning exercise & training run than all out race - do an event aboard, a holiday, a bit of warm weather practice and if possible move forward a pen for Comrades ultra in June.

Not as warm as hoped for, but a few days R&R definitely needed. Lots of good sessions with coach Jonny Mellor at UTS Hoylake so knew leg speed was very good but not at peak marathon fitness yet, with only 2 very slow 20 milers done. A little 6-7 day mini taper before not a full 2-3 week one like on a target marathon so would be interesting to see what I was capable of early in training.

Race started at 8am in Mdina, and finished at Sliema right next to our hotel. $5 euro bus dropped us off 7am nice and early at Mdina, the old "silent" capital of Malta, very picturesque, buildings from 1500s and also quite high up. Course used this and appeared to be fast on paper, 600-700ft of downhill. Had risked wearing my favourite Saucony Kinvara shoes, light, fast, but untested at marathon distance or on Malta's roads. Light jog, some drills and strides to warm up 15 mins before. Marathon started at 8am, half at 9:20 with my missus running so we hoped to meet in the last mile. 500 people doing the full distance, 2500 running the half, and more walking it.

Prompt start, into stride quickly, mile 1 whizzed by 7:40. Really wasn't pushing hard but well under the 8:20 mm I needed for a sub 3:40 time.. 7:20, 7:15, 7:21. Hmm this felt odd. Easy and at PB pace nearly. Began to get tempted, under 3:20 would be forward 2 pens for South Africa. 10k done in ~46 minutes, on track for 3:15-20 finish. Let a few miles slip by then told myself off. No need to go this fast, end up injured or needing 2-3 weeks recovery. Started to feel impact of the road on my quads and a little in left calf maybe from choice of shoes. Needed to stop for quick loo break so used that to slow myself down and get sensible head on. Weather was warm but not roasting, water every 3 miles and music on too.

Around mile 9 met someone from Portsmouth going for a sub 3:30 pB, a friend was pacing him but had left him behind, they gone off at mad 3:15 pace which was pushing it after doing 3:51 in October. Gave me something to focus on, settled around 8 minute miles and kept it there for 5-6 miles, chatting. Started to see some of the course for second time, the loops they had us doing to make up 15 miles before joining back with walkers and runners. 

From then onwards, this was not a fun race. Walkers spread across the road, at stations taking on water, not leaving space for runners. You needed to shout "stay left" to get through and loads wearing headphones. Girl posed for photo and stuck arm out just as I passed to smack me in the face. Not happy. We shouted ahead, and got dirty looks from some.

Entering a small town, roads narrowed, more walkers and slow half people was getting silly. The guy's friend pacing came back so I kicked on, I was getting annoyed with the traffic, even some cars and bikes whistling past with the other lane still open. Marathon field starting to thin out, very few to pace against. Was becoming a solo job, lots of swearing, still evading half runners.  More stations with water & sponges across the road even little empty hard powerade bottles, was actually pretty dangerous.

Miles all sub 8mm comfortably though, With no need to push myself for a fast sub 3:20 time, walked a couple of little ups and then put head down to just get this finished. 3 miles to go, bumped into the missus, looked to be struggling. Mile to go kicked for finish, finally some crowds and people cheering..  so as 2 hr+ half marathon people finished so were full 26 mile 3:15-30 people with different lane, good atmosphere but slightly strange. Happy to see that finish line.

Finished in 3h 24m which is 9-10 minutes slower than my best time, but still my second fastest marathon. 18 months ago this time would've taken 12-16 weeks of training, all my effort and wiped me out, but I wasn't even flat out, only 4 small cubes of clif blok so slightly more than 1 gel. More endurance from ultras, strength work at UTS gym and different speed training with Jonny Mellor meaning stronger legs?  Whatever the cause, great confidence boost for marathons this year, going sub 3:10 in the future and Comrades in June. 

Ps my wife finished with a 5 min half m PB so everyone had a good day.

Lyke Wake 42m ultra Osmotherley to Ravenscar

Fancied something longer since VLM but couldn't find the right event. This came up, well known walking route created in the 1950s, aim then was to do it in a day, lots of history in the area, parts going back to Roman times, all for £12.

Start times from 4am onwards based on ability, 7.30am for me, but all must be finished by 5.15pm. Met a few people waiting, Nick from local fell running club, Kevin who described himself as a plodder but had done welsh trail marathon in sub 5hrs so maybe a sub 3:45 flat but had never done a ultra. Factor 50 sun block on, warm weather expected and tough hills in first 20 miles I didn't want to go off fast so happy to team up. Nick knew shortcuts to avoid 2 big hills, interested but wanted to do the proper route. We let him go after 4 miles, he was running light with tiny waist pack and his vest off. Lovely trail though, through woods & valleys, partly on the Cleveland way, up and down hills, gorgeous landscape. Just what I wanted. 

Checkpoint 1, 6 miles in an hour, Kevin and I chatting, the miles coming easy, I nibbled a single clif blok shot every 6-8 miles, didn't eat much at early checkpoints. Cp2 11 miles in under 2 hours, though we almost missed it and had to double back 2 mins. Confused British gas men with stove we thought were checkpoint at first :)

Hills started to go up, pace dropping, walked some sections.. Steep down appeared maybe 250ft, really hard on the quads & calfs. Felt something jarr and tighten below left knee into outside calf. Each step down painful - Worried. Stretched it a little and took a painkiller but not good. Cp3 lion inn was in the middle of Yorkshire Moors, and hopefully major hills done by then. Like a mirage it appeared or did it? Looked only a mile away but with no straight route to it took forever. Finally there, 3h40 for 18 miles those 7 miles had been slow draining 1hr45. my Missus was waiting in case I needed to change shoes, but fine. Dumped waterproof and extra kit to save weight though. 5 minute stop for some peaches and rice pudding, lots of water. From here on with sun properly up, made sure to fill my two .5l bottles at each stop and drink a few cups. Worst of the hills over? Or so I thought... Female runner flew past us, dressed as if doing a 5k, very light, zero baggage with her, sports drink left at each stop and car waiting at each checkpoint. Easy for some :).

Getting to Cp4 was a drag, twisty road going up hill and traffic flying past then more hills. Horrible section of heather with rubble strewn all over, couldn't run without risking injury, both of us nearly tripping over and twisting ankles. 90 minutes to do 11k. This carried on to the next cp, similar paths then a boggy area, just didn't let you get into a continuous running rhythm. Another hour and 6k done. We met a runner attempting back to back over 24 hours, who had started at 4pm the previous day from Ravenscar and then the race from Osmotherly in the other direction - limping, his calf had blown - and he had done Hardmoors 110 weeks before, scary.  Down another 250 ft then lovely stepping stones across a stream with house nearby. Quick look for hobbits, then straight back up to 250ft. Views kept you going and no pain from leg thankfully. 

Another hour to do another 5-6k, pretty much walking and way more hills than I expected, though Kevin took time at checkpoint texting his wife. Around 31 miles he was starting to slow (not unexpected) and needing to walk more, so as agreed said our goodbyes and carried on. Clear paths, legs feeling strong, let them off the leash and picked up speed. Miles started going to sub 10 min miles. With under 4 miles to go, thought sub 9 hours was still on, and ~50 minutes to do it. Crested to top of small hill, only to see a massive drop down and then a similar hill up soon after.

Cue loud swearing John McEnroe style. A few twinges in calf so careful going down stone steps, a bit demoralised, up a horrible hill, breathing hard. Elite runner (and race winner) whizzed past holding what looked like part of coat hanger with a hook.. what the hell was that? Then a few strides later, sponge put on the end, dipped in puddles we ran past and squeezed over head. Neat! Never seen that before.

Thick fog rolling in now. Finally at last checkpoint, I'd guessed less than 2 miles to go to be told just over 4miles? Booo. Cracked on, a bit down but determined. Through the fog, huge legs of radar tower appeared, top hidden in pea soup, looking like Martian tripod from War of Worlds.. Spooky but funny, I was easy pickings if it was real or the best sweeper van ever in a race?! 

Came to end of road, marshal pointed way, just over a mile to go, upped speed to 8 min mile. Foggy trail to the end, finally seeing the sea (normally a lovely view as my wife's earlier photo shows) ..

and suddenly the finish in sight, lots supporting, my Missus waving, finished with a sprint 9hrs 12mins, 26th of 60. Free beer at end was nice touch, plus thanks to my wife a well earned cheese & pickle sandwich/ pork pie combo waiting for the drive home. Kevin came in 25 mins behind me. Also amongst the finishers was an 80 year old man in just under 12 hours. Amazing. Fabulous event, next year will be the 50th running of the Wake and maybe the last one.. Will be there for that.

All in all, great race, just felt good to be alive in the hills.

start Carlton clay lion hamer stape Eller jugger finish time

7:30 8:30 9:25 11:15 12:44 13:48 14:45 16:05 16:42 9:12

VLM 2013

VLM 2013

Days before London, really low on confidence. Felt sluggish and honestly rubbish. Tapering I hoped. Achilles still a bit sore and had been off and on since Feb but had managed to arrive fit after a long 7-8 months training for VLM with aim of going sub 3:20, maybe even sub 3:15 GFA.

On start, met the 3:15 pacer hoped to follow him, bumped into club pal Nick who had run Blackpool 2 weeks before and was going for sub 3:10. From our RW group, managed to find Barry and chatted. Thirty seconds silence was perfect. Race started, I got going straight away, bar a bit of weaving only 20 secs off pace. RW pacer surged off, never to be seen again, no idea what pace. Also felt fine, that eureka moment of "Oh this! I remember how to do this." Felt very stupid.
 

At miles 2&3 went past club pals, Jess and then Sallie who I train with, both good sub 3:30 runners, yet I felt really strong, nicely below sub 3:15 pace and masses to spare. Amazing crowds. Around 3-4 miles caught sight of Oompa's top and sidled up to say hello & chat. Both doing well, same target, we knuckled down stuck to sub 7:25 pace and just kept it there for next 13 miles, Cutty Sark inside time even after only 6 miles. Miles going well, manual split and pace bands being checked. Clockwork. The lucozade pace band Oompa had was rubbish, black on black highlight for the big miles. Neither of us could read them, I had a homemade 3:14 one. Was fairly warm, pouring water over head regularly to keep cool.

Tower Bridge was as expected a fairly amazing sight. Half way mark, Oompa and I perfectly set, touch under 1:37. Both in good shape and not forcing the pace to get there either and a buffer below 3:15 time. Mile 14 we caught up to Nick club pal seen on start line going for 3:10, surely well off pace? No, he was holding back and about to accelerate. Chatted and let him go. We both had dips around 16 miles, Oompa's knee starting to hurt so I offered him a painkiller but he didn't want one yet. Could see my pal Nick ahead.. No kick. 17 miles he stopped and pulled over with cramp. Gutted for him and also a bit shocked. We had already seen KFC, and spotted Minni & AA ahead and said hello. 19-20 miles, head down, sunglasses on.. Focussed, in the zone. Seconds later, saw my Missus and another friend. Went from poker face to nutter in 2 seconds flat, big cheesy grin. All concentration lost :)

20 miles all on track 2:28 dead, 47 minutes to do 10k. 3:15 very much on. Next 6 miles. Had been taking 2 clif blok cubes every 4 miles from mile 4. No sports drink, fair bit of water to keep cool. Definite dip from mile 21-22 legs starting to hurt & tire, was getting harder, needed to grind miles out. Splits okay but going a few seconds slowing, still a 30 second buffer I thought. Had lost track of Oompa, but Freemers appeared and chatted for a few minutes. Could see Minni up ahead, really accelerating the last 2-3 miles. Can remember thinking, tired, just close eyes, but no if I do, I'm going to fall over. Kept it going somehow. Manual splits on watch waiting for mile no26. 800m to go, 600 - where is the mile marker? 385 yards to go, turn corner watch reading 3:14:30ish - SPRINT, going to be close.

Finished on the line just ahead of Minni :) and stopped watch, 3:15:07 (later :04). Gutted? Thought I would be but no. Getting anywhere near to 3:15 was beyond my wildest dreams. Tough race, conditions not easy and came within 15-20ft? Job most definitely done. Few things learnt, minor little race practice to get 100% right. 99.999% cant be too far wrong though.

Splits from VLM