Thames Path Challenge 2014
After 5 months training, over 1000 miles ran, including 3 marathons and one 40 mile ultra, we were on the start line. We were also half-heartedly joining in with the “Mr Motivator” going through a warm up routine. Some people enthusiastically joined in, apparently knowing each of the moves as they got called out, but for Sophie and I, it was more like shuffling to and fro, barely lifting our arms above shoulder height, whilst he was reaching for the sky. Anyway it took your mind off what lay ahead otherwise just waiting around in the start pen. Soon it was time for the off and having decided to leave the GPS watch, the pace was guesswork. After about a mile with Sophie, we went our separate ways, although as I ran through single track woodland later with nobody around I was questioning that decision. There were km markers counting up, which at least went up quickly, but I had decided to focus on the refuelling stops about every 12.5k as measures of progress. Soon the first one was there and I dutifully finished my water bottle, refilled and also took extra with the day beginning to warm up. The hydration strategy was possibly going too well though, as I also had to visit the portaloo. 9 minute/mile pace seemed ok although I knew it wouldn’t last. It was the first experience of the fuel stops and not something you would see in a normal race. As well as energy gels and bars, there were cakes, pastries, sweets, crisps, nuts, and more which was all too confusing so I took nothing!
Stage 2 up to the half marathon mark, was initially a good rhythm, but then our late meal the night before, began to play havoc. Sparing detailed explanation, I nearly joined the Paula and Gary club but held on until the next stop and another visit to the portaloo. I think any gait analysis for those few km would have been interesting! After that, I got more into the spirit of the stops and made a cup of tea, before realising that between the various activities it was doing nothing for my average pace.
Stage 3 setting off again already seemed slower, but I was with a few others, which made it easier. There was much more chopping and changing of position than usual, as people seemed to take breaks, then catch up and pass before taking another break. At this point I was beginning to feel a niggle in my groin which hadn’t particularly raised its head in training before, but which initially felt like typical marathon territory stuff. Next stop and crisps were the order of the day-lovely salt!
Stage 4 and I was slowly making progress, passing people from earlier starts. However, going through the marathon mark and thinking I didn’t feel particularly fresh, despite the modest pace was slightly disconcerting, but soon the half way point came up. It was a bigger stop with the choice of a cooked meal. I would like to say it was tempting but it wasn’t. Instead I took out my peanut butter and lemon marmalade sandwiches only to find that the tin foil had eroded and become part of the concoction. Managing to salvage two small sandwiches I bolted them down but in retrospect even that was probably too much. However, onwards, beyond half way.
Stage 5 the paths got smaller and more isolated and I began to think of Sophie doing them later but hopefully in daylight. The nausea kicked in, pain in the groin got worse, much worse and I got slower, much slower. I couldn’t believe how much slower for the forty miles I was, than a month earlier, but that could possibly be due to the problem doing arithmetic working out my time from the 7.40 start ( yes I forgot to start the stopwatch) and converting kilometres to miles all whilst experiencing the above feelings. I think the 5 k up to 68 k checkpoint took 37 minutes. My spirits weren’t raised by finding out that a visit to it was additional distance. Still a quick replenish of drink, some orange segments, 2 paracetamol and I was back off.
Stage 6 brought a new tactic, breaking things up into 5 k segments, running and then 2-3 minutes fast walking. This worked well and I could feel myself getting faster and tiring less. The pain began to ease and I was also getting support from some of the walkers doing the last 50 k. 75 km stop and feeling more positive. Again offered a cooked meal but by then I decided gels and Cliff blocks were the only way to go.
Stage 7 I was overtaken again by a nice chap who was running well but who was clearly spending longer at the stops. Two blisters was the reason, something I was fortunate not to have had when I heard how many were struggling with them. I can’t recall too much else as I was now trying to calculate what I needed to do to get under 12 hours, an additional target after the “just finishing”, which was beginning to seem more possible. The sums weren’t getting easier though and the pace required seemed reasonable under usual circumstances. However as I recalculated each kilometre it didn’t seem to come down meaning that I was just maintaining it. I decided to stick with my 5 k run walk plan which in the circumstances was remarkably sensible. The last stop was a quick one and I was off again -12.5 k to go and beginning to feel excited.
Stage 8 actually felt good, I was running alright, needing less time walking and the kilometres were ticking down nicely. Suddenly the sums became easy, 5 k to go and just under an hour to my 12 hour mark which felt entirely reasonable. Dusk was coming on and I could see Henley- what a boost. However that was needed, as the only hill on the course was between 97-98 km. Still, I was happy to walk part of it, then enjoy the downhill that followed, almost sprinting and on to the finish line.
100 k in 11h 30m 10s
