Race Report: The Woods

The countdown at the start line complete, we all set off together. Our first lap was about experiencing the course. In short: it was beautiful. Sunlight poking through the leaves, morning birdsong and glimpses of distant fields. Somehow the course seemed to be mainly downhill with about 3 sharp climbs that were quickly over. I think after lots of coastal running anything else seems benign!The course marking was excellent (with environmentally friendly piles of sawdust at key points like junctions in addition to arrows). There were marshals at 2 key points and they were friendly and full of beans over their 6 hour shifts!
Ross was joining me for today's event. Our first few laps went really well with plenty of running and lots of conversation! However Ross began having some hamstring troubles and spent some time on the massage table getting himself sorted. Fair play that he kept going all afternoon despite these problems. After a quick lunch with my family (who had kindly come to visit) we decided Ross and I would separate (although a lapped course meant we would never be too far apart).
In recent long events I've made mistakes with nutrition and hydration leading to some messy results. With the sun really warming the run it could have been another day of cramping or hitting a wall. However there are days when everything just clicks and today was one of those. I was drinking little and often (including my absolute essential: cups of tea), eating several things each lap and really focusing on my form. As a result I was averaging 11 min/miles and managed to cover a marathon distance in under 6hrs.
Running form is really important - as I tire I know mine slips and then we put strain on parts of our bodies and injuries soon follow. Today I kept telling myself to keep on my toes and 'light and bouncy' was the focus. It worked. As the laps ticked by my legs were feeling great. If I started to have a tight hip or sore knee a form correction and it soon disappeared. A lesson to carry forwards.
As the day went on the course thinned out as the 3, 6 and 9 hour eventers finished in turn. Meanwhile I took full advantage of the cups of tea to keep myself hydrated.
It was on my 12th lap (48 miles down) that I finally began to slip into tiredness. Mentally I was checking out - my body was worn but could have kept going. But when your mind is done things unravel quickly. I decided a 13th and final lap would give a respectable distance - 50 miles had been my personal goal for today. It was great to bump into Ross on the course and walk in our last lap together as the sun began to set and the moon rose.
We crossed the line together, finishing the day as we started. We were tired but it had been a good day of adventures. Martin the RD gave me a pasta bolognaise and 20mins after finishing I had perked up (after some post-run nausea).
I would really recommend this event. If you have never tried a loop event then you should. There was no pressure to do a set number of laps - if you wanted to stay in the event village for an hour then you could. It's a great step into longer distances and let's you see the same friendly faces each lap. Martin and Sarah who run Bys Vyken are just wonderful and looked after us all brilliantly. Be brave and give it a go!
Other stuff:
My daughter Sophie kicked off and lost her shoe in the woods when they came to visit. What are the odds that Ross spotted it and recognised it as hers? Thanks mate - you saved us a lot of money!
- Laps completed: 13 (approx 52 miles)
- Elevation: 4,731ft
- Tea consumed: approx 6-8 cups
- Pasties consumed: 1 (Ross)
- Squirrels seen: 10+
- Food list: Claire's homemade rock buns, mini cheddars, apples, Rowntrees Randoms, babybelle, melon, mango
Blisters and rubs: 0! (Vaseline applied to feet before and then at 6hrs)
Sock changes: 1 pair