The Long Game

It’s 2015. Once again I’m on the start line for the Centurion Running NDW50, stood at the trail head having my photo taken before the start by my girlfriend & crew Laura. I’m feeling good. I’ve been training hard and this should be easy right?

After all, I have run 2 marathons and 2 ultras now so I’m pretty sure I’ve learnt everything about Ultra-running. Four years on from running this the first time in 2011, this was it, I was in for the win. This, however, did not turn out as it I had it in my head. I ran a lot better than my previous attempt, but at 44 miles cramp hit in both hamstrings and groin, slowing my progress somewhat to the finish. Still a 5th place finish on paper but not what I went in wanting. Craig Holgate won that year in 6:43, some 1:18 in front of me.

Fast forward a few months and I’m still training and forging a rivalry in my head with Craig; he didn’t know this but he was now my fuel to train. I couldn’t understand how he did so much better than me. This is when Laura spotted a tweet from ultra-runner Robbie Britton. Now I had been Fan Girling over Robbie for a while. 2011 when I did my first ultra, which was in fact the NDW50, Robbie ran and won the 100 mile version which used to be run on the same day. This, at the time to me, was insane. The tweet was for a free training session on Box Hill with Robbie, Nats (another ultra-runner) and Rosa (their GSP). I went along and met them both for the first time. Being a competitive little twat I tried to run everything as hard as possible turning the session into a hill training race.

After getting home I spent hours chewing the ear off Laura about Robbie this and Nats that (cue image of 5 year old girls trying to explain she has seen a unicorn fairy at the bottom of the garden also too excited to breathe between sentences).

So in late 2015, Laura encouraged me, after finding out that Rob was coaching athletes, to give him a call. We had a good chat on the phone to discuss my plans and goals. I clearly stated early on that I wanted to win the NDW50 and beat Craig’s course record (sorry Craig if all this pressure from someone you had never met was getting too much)

This seemed like a logical thing to me and very achievable. We started working together the following week. My training changed; I began running fewer miles but had more structure to my plan with targeted sessions in there and accountability. 6 months of working together and I, being the creature of habit that I am, signed up to the 2016 edition of the NDW50. Even in 2016, the Ultra scene was nowhere near as busy as it is today and signing up to races was pretty easy with a choice and no need to sign up a year in advance. Now at this point, I was thinking that I’ve run some more races, got a Coach, been training consistently, nailed my race plan with Rob…..what else do I need to do? Cue the start of the race.

Me and Craig on the start line is how I pictured this, ready for battle to commence. Although Craig wasn’t on the start list for this race.

The horn starts the race and we are off. Hang on, what’s this? Paul Russhard setting off at a pace I cannot comprehend. It’s so easy to be tempted to do the same but I tell myself I can’t follow him as I remember my conversations with Rob; stick to the race plan. The race goes smoother than before. I catch Paul with 5 miles to go. There is still Neil Kirby in front of me though who takes the win by 10 mins. Now I didn’t win and I didn’t beat Craig’s time, but I did take an hour off my 2015 time. Was I happy? Yes. The improvement on my time was massive but now I had a new rival to add to the ever growing list.

After adding some more races to my calendar to fill the rest of the year I decided the 50 miles Centurion Grand Slam would be a good test. This became my main goal for 2017. It was a good year. I finished 2nd overall, finishing 3rd in the NDW with my first sub 7 hour time which, on that course, I was really pleased with. I could see and feel I was still improving. Although, now, there was a new arch nemesis in town….Jon Ellis, who had just set a new NDW50 course record of 6:37 and raised the bar. A phenomenal run. Something I was no way in shape for.

I then chose to spend a few years away from the NDW and set about running other races in the mountains and testing out longer and shorter distances. Even taking my self away from my beloved trails and venturing on to the track for some 24 hour, 6 hour and 100 miles races.

While this doesn’t sound like it would necessarily be helping with my NDW goal, deep in the back of my brain it was still an itch that needed scratching. These track races were teaching me a new level of suffering and fitness. My nutrition was now front and centre with a plan in place to stick to with numbers and everything.

In 2019 that itch was strong and I knew I wanted to give the NDW another crack so I signed up for the 2020 event. Now we all know how that went. After 2 postponements it was finally set for 22/5/21. Now for me this wasn’t really an issue as it just meant more time training and I also managed to get a couple of other races in at the end of the 2020 year.

2021 race day arrived. The familiar smell and sound of a sports centre being descended on by runners. I go for a jog to warm my legs up. Collect my number and take the new route to walk to the start.

With a time trial start as part of COVID adjustments, I started the race not knowing who was in front or behind and how far they were away. For me, that day, I was racing myself and the clock. I knew my goal. I set off feeling good. 2 miles in however I felt like I’d forgotten how to run.

I started to question how will I ever make it 50 miles? As always, this race day thought passed and 10 minutes in I relaxed into my stride and settled my breathing to something more manageable. This is where I knew my race had begun.

The plan was to have bottles of Beta Fuel, getting that energy in early. The miles started to cruise by. I passed the first aid station at 6 miles, no need to fill here. Then I started catching a few of the runners who had set off before me.

I caught up to Lyndon Cooper who I have raced before and knew was a strong contender. We chatted a while until I eventually eased on, saying we will see each other later. Pushing on to the second check point I filled my bottles and got to chat to the volunteers before heading off. All going to plan.

The section along from Newlands is pretty fast and flat running all the way to Box Hill and the miles flew by. Making good time I didn’t stop at the check point there and I pushed on to Reigate. It’s there I found out I was in the lead by 15 mins but the leader on the ground was still some 5 mins ahead. This didn’t change the plan (remember, stick to the race plan). I wouldn’t slow down at all as I was still aiming for that time I wanted in my head. I kept pushing, eventually catching up to Jimmy around 37 miles in. We exchanged a few words but neither of us were in the mood for full conversation. Grunts at this stage of a race are enough.

After a few mins of running with each other I pushed forward up one of the climbs, feeling strong and checking my watch, we were 40 miles in. I started doing the ever impossible maths of my distance and time to the finish and I worked out I was going to do it. I had spare time.

Then bam, out of nowhere, I opened my mouth and full Exorcist style, neon yellow vomiting while running happened. It felt like I was being sick from my toes and it was slowly draining my legs of their energy and replacing it with lead. This is where I knew the track racing had helped. I had this exact thing happen previously at the Track 100 and I let it get to me and my head dropped. So I decided to laugh through this one, take on more gels as these were still going down ok, and keep pushing. Every sip of the Beta Fuel made me sick.

On the climb to Botley Hill a nice lady wished me well and as I opened my mouth to thank her, I instead replied with a large heave of neon vomit. This seems to be becoming a regular occurrence as a similar thing happened at Trient on the CCC a nice French couple stood outside their front door with cheers of “Allez Allez” followed by me greeting them with a litre of coke which I had swiftly downed at the checkpoint.

At the Botley aid station I switched my bottle to water (sorry to the volunteers at Botley, I wasn’t very chatty). I had 7 miles to go and I knew I was cutting it fine so couldn’t slow at all. Last climb done, quick refill of a bottle from the trough tap as I was thirsty and getting through water. I dunked my head in the trough to cool off. That’s it. 5 miles to the finish. No stopping now.

Second to last kissing gate I swing through and slam, I slid to the ground in the mud and I felt my hamstring twinge. NNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Thankfully I jumped up and started running the last field. I could see the finish line from there. I looked down at my watch. I had 4 mins to run the last field and the road to the finish.

I hit the road and opened my legs up best I could. I was panting and groaning. A lady clapped from her front garden. I let out a wheeze of “thank you" and made the turn into the playing field knowing there is a stupid little incline which at any other time I wouldn’t even mention. I pushed all the way to the line this time and sweet release hit as I crossed the finish line.

I made it, finally. Checking my watch as I crossed the line James asked what it said. “36;50 ish” I let out before collapsing to the floor getting my pack and shoes off as quick as possible.

At which point the ever-caring Nici would like to do the mandatory kit check. Visibly repulsed by my pack and not wanting to touch it herself quite rightly. I unzipped all the pockets and emptied the contents to the floor. All kit present and checked my time comes through and its confirmed, I had beaten the record.

To celebrate I sat down to fight my way through one of Centurion’s famous hot dogs at the finish. This is when Graham Carter a regular Centurion volunteer that I have met many times over the years came over to offer some words of congratulations. How pleased he was for me that after all these years I was finally not the bridesmaid.

A 7 year goal in the making has all come down to 32 seconds over 50 miles with 3 different arch rivals. For which I thank Craig, Neil and Jon for stoking my fire over the years without knowing it. Countless hours of training and racing thousands of miles.

Over seven years staying consistent and building year on year getting stronger physically and mentally, being able to push myself harder. Training my stomach to withstand better fuelling. All these small gains year on year. Ultra running isn’t a short game. The races are long, that’s why we do them.

My learning is don’t take shortcuts to try and get to the finish quicker. Take the time to build yourself into the racer you want to be. Go away and train on your weaknesses. Set yourself long term goals.

And if you’re serious work with a Coach. After starting to work with Robbie for 6 months I was running fewer miles than I had been previously and took an hour off my previous time. it’s not just about doing as many miles as possible, but what’s right for you, at that stage of your running. Rest is as much a part of training as the running is, so enjoy that part of your training as well.