What a weekend!

Race Report - Are you ok hun?

8.10am Saturday 8th July, Justin and I begin Race to the Stones (Day 1) 50km. Starting in rural Oxfordshire, we follow the Ridgeway, until we are in the middle of the downs, still 50km from the stones at Avebury. The weather was described as being changable, and it was not long before the rain came down. It was lovely and cooling, but made the surfaces greasy, and a little slippery. Having run the Ridgeway many times over the last ten years it is always nice to be back.

The first 19 miles took us to the Goring gap where we crossed the Thames, and despite a few challenging hills, I knew that as we ascended on to the downs, the undulation would be far more frequent, and the chalky trail more tricky to run on. From experience I was expecting the weather to change up on the ridge, and it did. You would be forgiven for thinking that there had been no rain whatsoever, apart from the humid air that hung along the trail and consumed all the fresh cool air.

Justin was doing great, and the sandals were doing well. I have experience of this race in Sandals, from dry dusty heat, and the damp first few stages, so could empathise with how well he was getting grip. But with no complaints and effective maintenance Justin ploughed on through. As we reached the last 400 meters, the oven was cranked up, and the sun blazed its way across the base camp area. Justin tried to say that I should go on, but race etiquette (in Ultras especially) is that you do not ditch your running buddy. You start as a team, and you will end as a team. Oh, and by the way, Justin then proceeded to sprint to the line!

A fantastic event as always, made more memorable by sprinting for the coach with seconds to spare. Well done Justin you did yourself proud.

then.....

10.00pm Saturday 8th July, what's this? I am now at Wendover Woods and at the start line for the Wendover Woods 50k night race by Centurion events. There was no way I was going to miss the earlier Race to the Stones event, but some FOMO set in when I realised Helen was running the night race, so naturally I decided, yeah I can do both! The event had 4 Olney Runners as Ian and Jo were also taking part, the same 4 as last year. This year Helen needed to nurse me round, and keep me going. The warmth of the day was still hanging in the woods like some sort of energy vampire, and each step I was losing energy, the will, and my marbles. The first lap (of 3) was about remembering the course, which steep inclines to use the poles, and where we could run normally. At the end of the first lap, I needed to get back out on the trail as soon as possible, and ignore the seats. The second lap was more energy sapping, head torch illuminating, fun - yes it was huge fun, even if my face was not showing it. Running around at 2am in the woods, with owls providing the soundtrack is hugely uplifting. Although the uphills were breaking the will, I knew that if I could just get round this lap, and start the final lap things would be ok. Helen and I left on the final lap with plenty of time on the clock, and knowing that the darkness would soon give way to the early morning dawn. The first few miles were done, and mentally I was ticking off that these sections wouldn't have to be run again today. Then the morning light began to seep in to the woods, and the energy vampires started to retire for another day. The determination now to get things done were foremost in the mind. One final time up 'Chiltern Scree-ming', then up the hill to Go Ape, then the final visit to the aid station in the woods. Now we had the final ascent of 'The Snake' which seemed to never end, before we were now just 2 miles from the finish. A couple of nasty hills left, still time to burn up those calf and thigh muscles! Then no more hills, a final quarter miles of flat, and the end in sight.

We crossed over the line, and its fair to say I was exhausted.

Now at home relaxing/recovering, would I suggest that anyone else attempts this. Sensibly, of course not, I mean are you ok? However that slightly bonkers (thanks Justin) ultra runner mentality would state, yeah, how hard can it be....umm very hard, I would far prefer to run through 100k in one go, rather have 7 hour gap in between.

Regrets, none

Medals, two

Write up by Dean Sartin