8 months ago I was sat in front of my computer planning out my 2014 race
season - that would lead up to my first ever 100 miler. After reviewing
my 2013 season I decided to do fewer long training runs and to do my
two longest runs as races - so I entered two
50 milers, one 10 weeks out, one 6 weeks out.
The first was the South Downs Way 50 and I had a surprisingly good race.
But by the end I had a niggle in my right knee. And I had the usual
fatigue you'd expect after a race that length.
So 4 weeks later I wasn't convinced that doing another 50 miler was the
best idea. I hadn't managed to do consistent training since the previous
one (cos of fatigue and my knee), was worried about doing further
damage to my knee and realised that further fatigue
could mean no decent training block before the 100.
This was all useful learning and meant I went into the Malvern Hills ultra (my second scheduled 50 miler) feeling pretty certain that I'd
stop at around halfway. My main concern was that I'd get caught up in
the excitement of the race and that that (plus a
bit of ego) would see me carrying on to the end and then regretting it
the next day.
The race start was one of my all time favourites. Based at Holt Castle,
we were greeted by suits of armour before heading through to register in
an oak panelled room with tapestries hanging on the walls and an old
stone floor which looked like it could tell
a few stories. The best bit was that the women were invited to use the
upstairs bathrooms rather than queue with the men - the view across the
gardens from the loo was at the polar opposite end of the spectrum to
the usual pre-race portaloo experience!
It was a beautiful day to be running and the course lived up to my
expectations in terms of scenery. It felt like we were there on the
perfect weekend of the year - when we weren't running through carpets of
bluebells (at the point where they were almost luminous)
we were running through pear orchards in full blossom.
The route is self-navigated but we hooked up with some locals for the
first bit until we hit the Worcestershire way. Then it was just about
"following the pear" which is symbol for the area cos it's the only
place the black pear grows and so was the long distance
footpath symbol.
One thing that really stood out about this race was the friendliness of
the other runners. It's something I always enjoy about ultras but this
felt different. Most people had run the race before and were running
with friends, enjoying it as a social day out.
My knee was surprisingly ok. I had a bit of tenderness in the first 8
miles but that went away which was pleasing. The acupuncture and massage
seemed to have paid off. In addition, my fatigue levels were
considerably better than the previous weekend when I'd
struggled to cover 10k at a run/walk. I focused on staying at a
comfortable pace and enjoying myself. It was good to see my parents and
Brett up on the Worcestershire Beacon - because I wasn't pressurising
myself to race I stopped and had a nice chat, which
I wouldn't normally do.
The race was an out-and-back - when I got to the feed station at halfway
I pulled out. I was still feeling ok but knew that this was the
sensible option - completing the full 50 would involve me taking myself
into a very dark hole and this wasn't the race where
I wanted to do this - I've got bigger fish to fry.
I was pleased I'd made the call to DNF before the race rather than
during it. I made the decision objectively - it was the sensible
decision based on how I was feeling and my current training. That meant
it felt different to making the decision mid-race when
the decision would have been clouded by how I was feeling at that
particular time.
This was definitely the right call. Brett wasn't racing and we enjoyed
time exploring Malvern / going for tea. I then recovered quickly - I was
running again on the Monday and covered 70 miles the following week.
I've managed a really solid 3 week training
block since the event and that's definitely what I need to be doing for
the 100. Now for the taper!
