Running Your 1st 100miler; a Joggers View
In addition to Nicola's report I should add that she was 3rd overall, 1st lady and less than an hour behind the winner - an absolutely stunning performance.
Running your first 100 miler: South Downs way race 2011
Saturday 9 July I turned up to the start of the South Downs Way Race (103 miles) after what can only be described as 15 months of "accelerated off road distance running learning"! In April last year the furthest I had run off road was probably no more than 13 or 14 miles. Since then I have run 12 off rd races 20 miles and above - 7 of which were ultra distance - i.e. over marathon in length. I have pretty much loved every minute of them (ok, maybe I can think of a few times when my complaining caused my running mates to want to throw me in a ditch). Anyway, I signed up to SDWR last September, knowing I had to qualify with a 50 mile race under my belt. Having completed Round Rotherham last October, I concentrated on enjoying my running and preparing for Brighton marathon and didn't much think of the challenge ahead of me. The main preparation I did (except running the ultra races) was to get Martin Bacon (SDWR vet) and Dave Richards (volunteer ultra pacer extraordinaire) to commit to being my pacers and me completing a few recces so I could picture the route for myself .
On the day itself I felt pretty calm and relaxed, after all I had no real plans or hopes of doing a specific time (like you might do in a 10 mile race or marathon), because I hadn't done such a distance before. I knew what I thought I might be able to do based on my marathon time, but that was only a theory and couldn't account for issues such as extreme distance, injury, dehydration, not taking on enough food etc etc. Ignorance is bliss. So when the race started I trotted off at a fairly pedestrian pace with the others, saying hello to the various other eccentrics who had turned up who wore more survival kit than your average army battalion.
The first few sections went well and although we were running into a very strong westerly for most of the day, it felt comfortable and fun. I didn't concern myself with the distance ahead and just enjoyed being in the moment with such beautiful surroundings. I ran into Pyecombe (2nd checkpoint at 34 miles) with fellow jogger Phil Hoy who found out that I was leading the race - an incredulous moment for all of us. Quickly filling my water bottles, I dashed off hoping to lead the race for a few more miles. I left Martin just after Washington at 50 miles as his recent GUCR and North Devon marathon were taking their toll. I now continued to lead the race into Amberley.
I met Dave at Amberley after 9 hrs 40 mins (4th check point 56 miles). Here I was greeted with more smiling, cheering marshalls and supporters, a big lift. (NB - the marshals were amazing, doing everything they could for us all to succeed in our run - thank you). More electrolyte, cake, chocolate and pepperami (not a good idea!) and...buttery Smash, my requested dish which Dave had kindly provided. We then mooched off over the river Arun.
Lots of people have commented on the challenge of running such a distance, especially running through the night. Yes it is tough but also there is something very indulgent and selfish about being able to have the countryside all to yourself during the night and being able to natter the time away with a good friend. I held on to the lead until 62 miles when the eventual winner came past and then the second place man some time after on the way to QE. We passed the Cocking and QE checkpoints ( thanks to Portsmouth Joggers for manning this stop ) and walked up Butser which was the toughest part for me on the way to the last checkpoint.
We ran into Exton just after 3 in the morning and met Martin who brought much needed chocolate, sandwiches and caffeine gels. We left Dave to meet us in Winchester and Martin and I picked up the pace. The last 10 miles was my best section compared with several of the previous hours, mainly due I think to the sun rising and my total desire to GET IT FINISHED. Until that point I hadn't had any real notion of what time I was doing, but of course when Martin said there was a possibility I might beat his time, I nearly trampled over him and other woodland creatures to make it happen.
We arrived at the finish line in Winchester just after 5.30 with a time of 20 hours and 33 minutes, 5 MINUTES QUICKER THAN MARTIN'S TIME FROM LAST YEAR. (WHAT JOY I WILL HAVE WITH THAT FACT EVEN THOUGH HE HAS ALREADY THOUGHT UP A HANDFUL OF EXCUSES OR REASONS AS HE CALLS THEM). The feeling of knowing I had just completed such an event was overwhelming - I had run 100 odd miles - unbelievable especially when 15 months ago I had needed to pull out of the Brighton Marathon due to ill health. A lot can happen in a year of ultra racing. I have since entered the Thames path 100 miler on 3rd March 2012 (see http://www.centurionrunning.com/thames-path-100-2012/tp100-2012)
A big massive thanks to Martin and Dave (you guys were brilliant as always!) and to everyone who has sent me congratulations since.
Nicola Golunska