More pain please, I love it, really I do...
First the blurb:
".....[cornwall] the course was considered by many to be the most challenging course in last year's series. This is a truly savage beast that only the toughest of trail runners will tame, but those that do will bask forever in the glory of the accomplishment."
First the blurb:
".....[cornwall] the course was considered by many to be the most challenging course in last year's series. This is a truly savage beast that only the toughest of trail runners will tame, but those that do will bask forever in the glory of the accomplishment."
Okay. Nice words. I like the 'truly savage beast' bit especially. I must admit, the description alone is enough to strike fear into the heart of any would-be runner of this course. And I for one (having seen this section from the air) was ready to fear the worst. After two marathons in the legs in the last 6 weeks also, I was starting to wonder what might happen to me in the miles ahead, whether I could withstand another physical challenge of what sounds like epic proportions. It must have also scared off a lot of folk, as there were only 69 subscribers to the fun packed miles ahead.
It's been three weeks since Pembrokeshire, where I got my best time and placing, but at the expense of a 22 mile near disaster. Only 21 days has elapsed since then, little time for my legs to heal and my spirit to relight. Although I had posted a good place, I would rather have finished stronger. I promised Katherine I would not get carried away with this race and I would jog around it with no aspirations of time or place. I promised.
It was a glorious day, and this was somewhere that felt familiar to me, having holidayed down here it gave me a sense of comfort. The race started in the familiar way with the cyborgs going off at a gallop and I let them go and get on with it. I hooked up with some lovely people and had a jolly nice chat for at least the first hour. Had two wees. And rearranged various items in my back pack. I drank in the scenery, the huge cliffs, the turquoise sea and it felt great to be alive. Everything in my life seemed perfect and in a kind of druggy runners haze I became high on a coastal ecstasy dose.
I had restrained myself, armed with my new Ipod Suffle (spelt wrong on eBay so I got it cheap) I had enjoyed the first 14 miles. I didn't feel too bad. I knew I was only just over half way but I had been running for nearly 3 hours ! This is a time which rings alarm bells, as it's the point at which the horrible feelings of the wall sometimes become apparent. Physically I felt okay, mentally I was finding it hard to comprehend the amount of running time still lying ahead. Somehow, I drifted into a zone where I could almost feel nothing. I was now catching people up and that gave me an added drive. I felt like I was on the home straight although I had a lot of miles yet to cover. My Ipod Suffle was giving me something to focus on too.......
In particular I became addicted to Joan Armatrading. Don't ask why. After the 20 Mile Checkpoint I decided to play her on an endless repeat cycle....
It's been three weeks since Pembrokeshire, where I got my best time and placing, but at the expense of a 22 mile near disaster. Only 21 days has elapsed since then, little time for my legs to heal and my spirit to relight. Although I had posted a good place, I would rather have finished stronger. I promised Katherine I would not get carried away with this race and I would jog around it with no aspirations of time or place. I promised.
It was a glorious day, and this was somewhere that felt familiar to me, having holidayed down here it gave me a sense of comfort. The race started in the familiar way with the cyborgs going off at a gallop and I let them go and get on with it. I hooked up with some lovely people and had a jolly nice chat for at least the first hour. Had two wees. And rearranged various items in my back pack. I drank in the scenery, the huge cliffs, the turquoise sea and it felt great to be alive. Everything in my life seemed perfect and in a kind of druggy runners haze I became high on a coastal ecstasy dose.
I had restrained myself, armed with my new Ipod Suffle (spelt wrong on eBay so I got it cheap) I had enjoyed the first 14 miles. I didn't feel too bad. I knew I was only just over half way but I had been running for nearly 3 hours ! This is a time which rings alarm bells, as it's the point at which the horrible feelings of the wall sometimes become apparent. Physically I felt okay, mentally I was finding it hard to comprehend the amount of running time still lying ahead. Somehow, I drifted into a zone where I could almost feel nothing. I was now catching people up and that gave me an added drive. I felt like I was on the home straight although I had a lot of miles yet to cover. My Ipod Suffle was giving me something to focus on too.......
In particular I became addicted to Joan Armatrading. Don't ask why. After the 20 Mile Checkpoint I decided to play her on an endless repeat cycle....
Drop the Pilot, Try my balloon...
The point beyond 20 miles is a strange place, full of unknowns. It's a place I've been five times so far, and each time has filled me with trepidation. I just ran and ran, faster and faster. It's like running in Cinderella's crystal slippers, eventually they will disappear in a puff of smoke and I'll be left in a heap on the trail again.
The point beyond 20 miles is a strange place, full of unknowns. It's a place I've been five times so far, and each time has filled me with trepidation. I just ran and ran, faster and faster. It's like running in Cinderella's crystal slippers, eventually they will disappear in a puff of smoke and I'll be left in a heap on the trail again.
...Drop the monkey, smell my perfume...
I began to recognise things in the distance which I knew where near the finish. Mentally, that was a huge boost.
I began to recognise things in the distance which I knew where near the finish. Mentally, that was a huge boost.
...Drop the mahout, I'm the easy rider...
I overtook more runners, I was on fire by now, blasting along the spongy singletrack trails
...Don't use your army, to fight a losing battle..
This is part of any marathon which is so difficult for people to describe. The anticipation of the finish. The wonderful feeling of accomplishment begins to well up inside and all the expericences getting to that moment come flooding back in a torrent. It's like the ultimate runners high comes on in a headrush as you run up the finishing chute ...
...then you realise....what is this crap song I've been listening to !! I played that song over 12 times over the last 6 miles. I think if if it were to come on the radio I would more than likely stop the car, get out, and start running.
Please help me.
I am now an addicted, endorphin fuelled, mad as a hat, trail marathon runner. It is hard to describe the feelings and sensations that these experiences have given me, but I know one thing....
I'm getting some new Ipod Tunes.
I finished 10th / 69 , in 4hr39, thanks to a fast second half of the race.
...Don't use your army, to fight a losing battle..
This is part of any marathon which is so difficult for people to describe. The anticipation of the finish. The wonderful feeling of accomplishment begins to well up inside and all the expericences getting to that moment come flooding back in a torrent. It's like the ultimate runners high comes on in a headrush as you run up the finishing chute ...
Animal, mineral, physical, spiritual
I'm the one you need
I'm the one you need
I'm the one you need
I'm the one you need
...then you realise....what is this crap song I've been listening to !! I played that song over 12 times over the last 6 miles. I think if if it were to come on the radio I would more than likely stop the car, get out, and start running.
Please help me.
I am now an addicted, endorphin fuelled, mad as a hat, trail marathon runner. It is hard to describe the feelings and sensations that these experiences have given me, but I know one thing....
I'm getting some new Ipod Tunes.
I finished 10th / 69 , in 4hr39, thanks to a fast second half of the race.
