100KM ULTRAMARATHON part one

A little late… But better late than never! A month ago I finally did it. Biggest running challenge ever… my 100km ultramarathon. The Thames Path Challenge 2015.

The excitement had been building for ages, every time I ran I visualised myself in the ultra and a smile would light up my face. Especially in the week leading up to Saturday. Training had gone well and I felt accomplished even having completed the plan. Taper week was difficult but easier than expected… I had dreaded less running. Start of the week ran 20-25km each day. End of the week just power walking... really wanted to break into a run! In terms of nutrition, I had been doing higher protein and fat for days 15-3 before the ultra, and from 3 days before this turned to higher carb. Also plenty of extra water all week. On Thursday and Friday final preparations… race & route details, gear, playlist, nutrition, hydration, etc.

Although I had planned to be packed and ready early Friday night, I only ended up finishing and getting to bed at midnight. So 5hrs of sleep… and less because I didn’t sleep too well… too much excitement… actually had been the same all week! Definitely had been worth getting 8hrs of good sleep during training weeks so that I wasn’t completely sleep deprived.

And then race morning came! Up at 5am, shower etc., yoga stretches etc., power smoothie, out for fresh breath of air and check conditions, pack final things, and go! I was in a little bit of a rush, left home at 5.50am… was meant to be there by 6am. Got to Bishops Park and walked to the middle with the race start, now 6.20am. Got my registration pack.

A special someone was already there smiling. Had been since 6am, also woke up at 5 and cycled over. As I dumped my bags on the ground and went to faff about with everything, he knelt down, “hi” smiled and kissed me. It felt so perfect and for a second I forgot everything. Then they started calling over the runners. I hadn’t even decided what I would take with me nor checked in my bag. And I had cherry-blueberry juice spilt all over myself. How was I this silly and disorganised?! I faffed about some more, decided on a water bottle waist bag thing. We went over to the bag checkin line. Then I changed my mind. I would take the running backpack. It was actually quite comfortable and then I’d be confident I had everything in case I needed it – thin extra layer, water bottle, juice bottle, plasters, route maps, emergency numbers, phone+ipod. Ok ready to go! Nope at 6.55 I had yet to fill the water bottles, use the bathroom, and warm up.

So I ended up missing my official 7am start time. But oh well there was a next group going at 7.15am. I would rather warm up properly, not be flustered, take photos, and say a proper bye (see you at the end) to Ian, even if I had to leave 15mins later. Over 100km that’s a very short amount of time :D So all that happened. And at 7.10am I was at the start line ready to go.

It was a little chilly because of the slight drizzle/ mist. But not cold. I was wearing just shorts and a top, but had my extra thin layer in the bag in case I needed it. I took a few more photos and watched as the clock ticked towards 7.15am…