Every so often I have looked at the Centurion Running website and marvelled at the logo while thinking a hundred miles must almost be impossible. When I checked there were no spaces for the SDW100 race, phew, although there was a 'join the waitlist' option. Well that didn't involve spending any money and wasn't stressful so my details were filled in. I told the rest of tent 109 what a silly thing I had done and Rob, Tom and Marcus joined the list too. The problem was a couple of days later I got an email stating that there was a place and I only had 72 hours to pay the entry !!! Ahhh man, with butterfly's in my stomach I took the plunge and signed up. Rob also signed up but Marcus and Tom thought better of it and agreed to help us as pacers instead.
Training - After the monstrous training of the MdS I didn't want to go getting stressed out following a tough schedule. Instead I cut my running back to 3-4 runs a week. Short but quick tues/thurs, medium if any on the Saturday and long on the Sunday. My Sunday runs essentially became recces for the event itself. Over a period of a month or so I ran from Cocking to Eastbourne following the route of the SDW bridleway. I had already run Harting Down to Cocking with Tom in MdS prep so the only unknown part of the route would be the first 30 miles. I figured I'd have lots of people to follow to start with so that was fine. 2 weeks before the event I ran 20 miles with Tom on the SDW then the following morning I ran a nice slow 32 miles, Clayton Windmills to the Finish. Long training done I just ticked over till race day.
The race - Logistically an event such as this presents challenges as its point to point, Winchester to Eastbourne. Centurion Running do provide return transport but its not until 12:00 and I didn't know when I would finish. As it was I crashed with Tom on the Friday and he drove me to the start line. Once I was ready to go I chatted with runners, there was plenty of first timers and plenty who had tried and failed before. I didn't know what to expect at all.
At 0600 we were off. A short jog around the field then out across open fields until we joined the South Downs Way. It had rained heavy the night before which meant that underfoot it was mixed, some dry chalk typical of the SDW, wet clay and really wet muddy patches. This race had it all including grass and only a very very small asphalt patch. Aid stations were well placed at approximately 11 & 22 miles for CP1 & 2,then after this they started to get a bit closer together. They were well stocked with crisps and chocolate, coke, wraps, sandwiches and all sorts. The surprise highlight for me was fresh fruit, I couldn't get enough.
The secret to running an ultra I think is to break it down into stages, specifically a first and second half but more importantly only think from one checkpoint to the next, that way the distance always seems achievable. I had opted for a new running pack for this race, the Salomon Advanced Skin Hydro 5. I was unsure if it would be large enough but it turned out perfect. A bladder was placed in the rear along with compulsory kit, a soft flask on the front along with my phone, sweets, gels etc. Filling the bladder at the CP's was pretty easy and the stewards always helped out. Just remember to turn the pack upside down and suck the air out before setting off again. Thanks to Jon Lavis for this picture, I'm deep in concentration.
Cocking was the 35 mile checkpoint. The sun was shining brightly and we were directed into a farmers field. The CP was at the top of the field and I had to run past 40 or so cars to get to it. Almost every car had someone clapping and wishing me well, I was almost brought to tears at this stage. Then the most amazing thing happened, we got Ice Cream at the check point. Yeah baby, I was so hot and it tasted amazing, "more please" I garbled before chasing it with some coke, probably not a great idea in hindsight but it was just what the doctor ordered.
Between 25 and 54 miles I ran pretty much alone. I was on familiar trail so I popped on my music and enjoyed the day. Following a very heavy but relatively short shower halfway came around before I knew it and 54 miles was the big stop at Washington. Here I was met by my wife and daughter and as usual I started to cry, I was also met by Mark and his son who had come to wish me well and Tom Parry my pacer. Loads of food was on offer including pasta but I was careful not to eat too much. I changed all my clothes and trainers which in retrospect was genius. The only problem ... I forgot to re-apply body glide and was to pay the price later. To my surprise I met Rob here, I thought he would have been well ahead but he only left around 10 minutes before me. (Rob finished top 30 MdS)
Most of the foods and snacks I had in my drop bag I didn't touch. I know you're not supposed to experiment in races but I did by using Peronin. A powder which you mix with water for a 450 kcal drink. I had 2 of these during the race and they were easy to drink. I ate at most of the CP's but was never hungry. The call of nature came twice (No2) but I took wet wipes so all was good ... apart from the chafing, damn forgetting the body glide.
It was great to have Tom in the second part of the race. We chatted lots and my music didn't come out again. Tom helped me through a couple of dark patches and came out with a few little gems:
1) the top runners will be missing the MAGIC hours by not running in the darkness !!!! no Tom they will be wrapped up in bed
2) when you think everything hurts ... your ears probably don't. He was right on that one :-)
Simon from X-bionic was at Clayton Windmills, he noticed I was running in the kit and he took this pic. It was here that we saw Rob running with Marcus. This spurred Tom on and he dragged me along with the intention of catching them. We did eventually at the A27 which was ideal. Marcus left Rob here and it meant we could all run in together. Fortunately I brought spare socks and Rob was a happy recipient as his feet were soaked.
Rob and I were both feeling it at this stage but I was determined to push on so I encouraged a short jog before we stated an epic climb. Then pretty much for the rest of the race it seemed that all we did was climb !!! Hill was followed by hill after hill, false summits and more climbs. At least that's how it seemed. I knew what to expect having recced the route a few weeks earlier and I was so happy at this stage that I had done so. Head torches came out from Kingston which really was "MAGICAL".
It was while running in the dark that Rob and I started to lose our sense of humour. Essentially we were just becoming tired but there was no escaping the fact that everything hurt, well not everything, Tom kept reminding me of my ears. It was great to have someone around who wasn't as tired as he kept dragging Rob and I out of dark places and making light of it. Never underestimate the importance of company when you are really tired.
The night time hours seemed to pass and we ticked off the miles. It was one checkpoint to the next, quick refill a little food and on we went. Alfriston came along at around 91 miles where Rob picked up another pacer, its a beautiful village and we were directed into a little hall. A coffee and a small bowl of beans, a few fresh blueberries and some vaseline where the sun don't shine and we were off again. Cruelly we had to take a little detour as the usual bridge was out, we had to cross around 5 stiles to get back on track and the vaseline wasn't working !!! A great big climb again and before we knew it we were descending to Jevington. This was when Tom really came into his own. We ran ... yes we ran and at some pace I might add, downhill over very technical ground, Tom was always a few feet ahead calling out obstructions and guiding my way. Apart from the obvious feet pain it felt great and I was having fun. We stopped very briefly at Jevington as there was only 4.5 miles to go. Another great climb and another cracking descent, our last of the race.
WE DID IT .... TOGETHER, it really was a team effort. Rob and I received our sub 24 hour buckle, '100 MILES ONE DAY' and I was so happy. To top it off we finished in joint 50th position. AMAZING.
Over the next week or so I kept speaking of how horrible it was, how everything hurt and how I never wanted to do such a silly thing again. Now, a week and a half later I've been looking at UTMB and the Western States 100, go figure !!!
The South Downs 100 was professionally organised and everything appeared seamless. The start, the aid stations, the volunteers. My only very minor criticism was that I nearly missed the red and white directional tape a couple of times (1 runner ahead of me did) and could have been more obvious. Having said that I really enjoyed myself and felt it was great value for money, I will definitely consider Centurion Running for future events, thank you :-)
