Finally an UltraRUNNER?

I know! I’ve done ultras now for 5 years (almost to the day!). First stepping up to an Ultra start line in 2019 to tackle the Race To The Stones – which I hope to take on again in 2025!!!

But one thing I have seen with all long Ultras (certainly 100km up) is that invariably pace drops to a fast walk at the best of times as the body gets to the point of exhaustion. I’m not talking hills. Even flats and sometimes just everything. It’s a long way and to run it all isn’t realistic for many.

With 2024 I set myself a tough goal. Not only 4 100 mile plus races, but 2 of the toughest in the country (Spine Challenger South) and the Northern Traverse. That along with 2 of Centurion Runnings toughest 100 milers means I was expecting a tough year!

The Spine and NT indeed fell into the pattern of having to grind out the final sections. Hiking with a purpose I like to call it. But those first two behemoths of events really gave me a chance to hone that skill. I came away from those with massive experience, really knowing how I can grind out what is necessary. I also came away with a new realisation of what my body can do. How to read the feelings, aches and pains. How to know when to call for more and when to hold back.

In Matterley bowl this June when I lined up for the SDW100 I wasn’t sure my recovery was far enough along to put this to the test. But armed with this new understanding of how to use my body I was willing to give it a try.

In my mind I knew that when I needed to walk the climbs I could power up. I opted to go without poles to really put the emphasis on the legs doing the work and they came good. Many of the ups I was able to push up to or past others. Feeling strong and determined.

My other goal was to keep in mind that feeling at the end of the Northern Traverse, when I reached Robin Hood Bay after 76 hours. I still had enough to run that last mile to the slipway finish line and reach the end as I had imagined it. My body was in pieces by then but I had the effort deep within to make that happen. I recall that feeling in my legs, my core, my back and shoulders and I knew I had more remaining than my body was suggesting. That taught me that I can call on more when at first glance there may be nothing left!

So as I moved through the SDW100 I kept this in mind. When I would previously have stopped and walked the flats (or even downs at times) of other races (Arc 100 in 2023 springs to mind) I knew I could keep going, knowing that my initial instinct to slow down was one I could hold off on listening to – for know at least. I kept pushing (no 4 minute miles – don’t worry 😉). I kept a steady run when normally I would have succumbed to dropping the pace further.

The one thing that I know showed how my ultra running has become stronger this year was those last few miles into the track at Eastbourne. Once out of the undergrowth and onto something resembling runnable ground I was able to pick the feet up and run all the way to that Centurion arch. Previous races I known I would (and have) walked some of those sections. Thinking the legs are done and there’s nothing more. Now I know better how to read what’s going on in my body and how to translate the signs.

And the signs are pointing positively forwards ☺️

I’m not going to be worrying Jim Walmsley or Kilian Jornet anytime soon but maybe now I can feel more comfortable with the badge ‘UltraRUNNER’ than ever before.