It's EnduranceLife Jim, but not as we know it....

It's been 48 hours since the race, and only now have I been able to put the experience into words - ExtraFantasicallyPainfulExhilaratingSteepMuddySlippyWindyTangFastic !!!

Ok I admit, I couldn't speak at the end. I admit I had to crawl up some sections which were so steep people were literally sliding back down. I admit that I was probably totally unprepared. I admit also it was a crazily optimistic to hope to try and do this as my FIRST EVER marathon. But I did it one way or another even though at times I started to whimper and cry with the agony of the last 6 miles, and I finished 29th out of a field of 119 in 4hours 32 mins. The winner (a cyborg from the future) came in 3hours 34mins.

Here is what I can remember from the day:

As we set off from the start line, I started a kind of sporting conversation with a runner. "Alright Mate? How's it going?, doing any of the others?"
"Well I'm planning to do all seven..."
"Nice one, me too, think it's going to be a bit of a challenge..?!"
"Well I'm doing them for training 'cos I'm running from London to Paris in May"
"Wow that sounds awesome that's got to be 300 Miles? At least you get a rest on the ferry he he"
"Nah mate, I'm running on a treadmill during the ferry crossing because Eurotunnel wouldn't let me through"

What?!?! Who are these crazy people ? he also told me he'd done two Marathons THAT WEEK and planned to do a DOUBLE IRONMAN 3 Months after his jaunt to Paris.

At this point I realised i was not at your local fun run.


After a couple of miles we hit the coastal path. From here on I remember gazing skyward at hundreds of steps many times. Running /sliding down narrow singletrack and people 'wiping out' around me. Running across a farmers field which clagged up my shoes so much they felt like they were encased in depleted Uranium (very heavy).

I remember eating TangFastics at every refreshment stop (kiddies sweets !). I vaguely recall the sun breaking through the clouds and stripping off my waterproofs at the 15 mile point and seeing the lighthouse on the horizon which was the 20 mile point which seemed to never, ever get any closer.

I remember taking my Zippy cuddly toy out of my backpack on waving to the people at the finish saying "I've got the Z factor!!" with a crazed grin to innocent spectators. The effect of this race on the human body can not possibly be understood by medical science. The course was a full 26.2 miles and information from a runner who had to abandon at the 20 mile checkpoint had already clocked 1600 Metres ascent up to that point on his GPS.

I remember saying "no more - never" - but.....

... now I've recovered ....

bring on the Gower - I'm still coming !!!!!!!!

Coastal Trail Series Stage >> 1 8/11/08 Dorset Marathon. RESULTS 2009