Training Log Archive: Brooner

After sorting kit for myself, and getting Grassie's kit setup, went and bedded down for a nap, woke halfway through to check on progress, and decided to get up after the second nap - should probably have had another 45.

Grassie came in after half 2, knackered but in decent spirits, and I'd been up almost an hour, so set about getting him refueled and out the door quickly, and we were out well before 3am.

First section had a few sharp climbs, annoyingly sized steps and very overgrown thorn fests to cause problems. People staggering all over the place, one guy falling asleep into a hole of brambles that I had to haul him out of.

Few good sections of running but mainly marching onwards, improving slightly as the sun rose over the fields but turning into a death march as we hit the latter stages. Just trying to keep momentum and ensure food, drink and caffeine was still going in. Comedy (for me) moment of trying to empty his shoes of stones and massage his cramping calf as quickly as possible, less than 1km from the finish.

Incredible effort from the lad to finish in under 28 hours for the 103 miles, not quite what he'd hoped for but almost twice as far as he'd previously run and first time through the night, and battling on a long way further than I've ever run (or ever want to!). Pacing is an interesting experience, especially at the latter stages, as you're pretty helpless and can only do so much in keeping them moving. I do think doing more long days out with someone in advance would help as you'd know more intuitively what was needed and when, ideally staving off low points and issues.

My legs held up ok, but feet pretty smashed from the time spent on them, should have worn the comfier Salomons.

Hike with a bit of jogging with Grassie as he went into his furthest ever distance running on the NDW. Had originally planned to just cheer him on at Otford, see whether he needed anything, then get myself to Detling with plenty time for dinner & a sleep.

Bit of a stress with getting a later train down and him being ahead of schedule meant I thought I might just miss him, but arrived around 5 mins ahead thanks to him spending some time at the previous aid station.

As it was, I decided to walk up the first hill with him as he was struggling at that stage (55 miles in), which turned into joining him for the next 5 miles and trying to get him through a low patch before the next aid station. Considered ditching the plan and trying to join him for the full final 40 miles, but didn't fully trust I'd have that in my legs after the rogaine, and figured I'd be more use on the last section if anything.

In the end got him out of the aid station a bit perkier then I headed off to the nearest pub for dinner, down the hill to the train station, then up from Bearsted station to the Detling aid station, getting there just before 11.

Into Ghent with Tol.

Cruise round a sprint course in the old town of Ghent, bit hard on wet cobbles and with a poor b&w print but fun all the same.

Run along the canals with Tol to meet Samuel for lunch and kayaking.

Kayaking round Ghent in a double with Tol, hard going into a headwind at times, fun little ramp past some locks, and an annoying portage, but a great way to see the old town.

Easy running out to the park, legs feeling a bit clunky and feet a bit sore.

Quick blast round a permanent park course in Bordeaux. Few closed areas and missing possibly controls but good fun all the same.