Training Log Archive: Thraws

SDWR leg 3, BoPeep to Southease over Firle Beacon. My easy leg. Took baton from Ed and set off up hill steadily with two Chichester runners a few minutes ahead and therefore in sight. If I caught them, well and good, but I was more concerned just to stay relaxed and comfortable. With the benefit of hindsight I was probably a bit over-exuberant at this early stage of the day. Powered down last hill to hand over to Ian 30 secs under recce time.

Adur Crossing to Washington, a leg that is basically 95 per cent uphill to Chanctonbury Ring, then downhill on a track too steep for running. I knew making my recce time was going to be difficult, but went for it anyway and finished too knackered for my third (and hardest) leg. Took some motivation from the four earlier starting runners I passed along the way and finished just two mins off recce time, but was basically all used up by the time I handed over. Recovery made impossible by the frantic need to transport runners to the next two short changeovers. Drank and ate what I could.

Cocking to Harting Down. Wasn't sure how I was going to get through this. Just hurt all over and was seriously worried about cramping somewhere or pulling something and not being able to finish. Knew I wasn't going to enjoy a single step (besides the last one) but took what heart I could from the fact that this was the end. Saw Sam finishing with a sinking heart and set off up the long stony slog to the top of the Downs. Got passed by a later starting runner, and then the Chichester team, but could do nothing about that. Passed a mountain biker though! Had to dodge muddy puddles in the bit through the trees where I thought I could relax, then got passed by another late starter on the downhill bit after Devils Jumps. He went off course twice after that but I told him - he wasn't very grateful. Was hugely relieved to walk up the three mountain climbs, Pen Hill, Beacon Hill and Harting Down, but struggled on the descents because my legs were jelly. Got passed by a later starting ladies team, but managed to run the last climb and it was easy into the changeover. Thank God that was done; rest of the team still had to run their last legs and I can't have inspired them much. Almost five minutes over recce time.

We finished in 12 hours, 49 minutes and 6 second, 24th out of 60 teams. A respectable if unremarkable result. We were mostly vets, but our time wouldn't have troubled the better vets teams, and many of the open clubs had vets among their A team runners as well. We were a strong team and everyone gave everything they'd got, and we were ten minutes inside our forecast, but I really thought we'd be nearer 12 hours. I guess I had severely underestimated just how tough this race actually is. Needless to say, we have to do it again next year now.