Stage 4 >> South Devon - To Infinity and Beyond !

Another Day in Paradise

Before the Start

When will Daddy be back?

Out on the Trail (Start Point Lighthouse in the Background)

Four Down - Three to Go !!

After only four measly weeks, I find myself at another start line to a Marathon - this time in South Devon, a spectacular headland called Start Point. After the pain of running on empty in Stage 3 (Portland), this time I was well rested and "Carbed-Up" to the Max ! I had eaten more calories in the past few days than a horse, after calculating that a flat marathon would burn about 3200 calories, that must mean that a crazy coastal trail marathon must be at least double that. So an unlimited licence to eat policy meant that I had eaten my In-Laws house out of Pasta and Bananas.

This however has a side-effect. For anybody who might want to try this at home, I discovered that driving 2 hours in the seated position before suddenly standing up on arrival at one's destination creates a kind of biological trigger, which coupled with some pre-race nerves creates a sudden need to evacaute everything that one has binged on for the previous two days.

I highly recommend parking close to an outdoor lavatory which has been pre-booked in advance to ensure it is vacant on arrival. The Resultant Dumpage required after consuming nigh on 10,000 calories is not likely to sit in the chamber very long and having to wait for ten minutes while some other competitor (no doubt having a similar sudden Carbo-de-loading experience) is an unpleasant start to the day. Nuff said.

As this was my fourth race, I was getting used to the proceedings. Bit of nervous chit chat and banter with the fellow nutters (No Enduroman this time), and a quick look at the route map to check out the course: Hang on, total distance 27.8 Miles, quai? This one has the added bonus of being 1.6 miles longer than a 'normal' marathon, never mind the rocks, mud and quad crunching hills. Thanks Endurancelife, you know how to make an event truly special. Ya buggers.

After a bit more pre-race faffage, adjusting various clips, strap-ons, and arrangement of 'mandatory' equipment (space blanket one of them - so you can dress up as a Sci-Fi extra presumably if you lose your mind completely on the trail) it was time to go.

Nice and steady, I set off well back and had a good bit of chit chat for at least the first hour, meeting a crazy Norweigan who is entering the World's Hardest Ironman (The NorseMan!) and offered me some of his sandwiches ! Strange choice of mid-race snack, but hey, that's Norway for you. Then there was a guy who told me all about his 24 marathons he had run since this time last year. Including various ultra races (35 Miles+) he had mixed in. He had plans to run an Ultra the next day. It seems these races attract some extraordinary people.

The scenery was spectacular along the coastline to Salcombe, and the weather was fantasic (again), from 10-20 Miles the route went inland through various muddy tracks and woodland trails which was quite hilly at times, and slippery. I ran the first 20 Miles at a decent pace, but by shortly after the 20 Miles aid station I hit a Low Point.

It strange how it comes about. A kind of insidious feeling of slowing down, and a lack of energy came on quite quickly. I walked quite steep hill section, trying to get myself together, and promised to run on at the top - which I did. From thereon it was mind over matter for the next couple of miles and as I approched Slapton Sands I knew I wasn't far from the end (although it was still about 3 miles). Here I had a sudden burst of finish line enthusiasm which I carried from there to the finish.

All in all, another great experience, but now the cumulative fatigue of running a "Marathon a Month" is starting to show. The training in between is getting harder, and the chances of Injury are now increasing rapidly. From here on, Diet, Rest and Injury Prevention will be more important than the training Miles I acheive in between. In fact, Cycling and Swimming will be more beneficial, rather than pounding myself senseless for another 3 weeks. Having said that, Trampolining, Crazy Golf and Tiddlywinks, are probably no worse !

So here's to the next 3 weeks. Glory be.

Race Result:
4 hours 40 Minutes.
19th / 120 ish.