Race to The Stones Part 1

I decided on Race to the Stones for my first ultramarathon for two reasons. Mainly because it was on my birthday and secondly it was along the Ridgeway, a path I have done before with recollections of long flat sections interrupted by the occasional gentle hill.

When I booked the run I had intended to follow a proper training plan, I even hired a coach (which unfortunately didn't work out). My plan was scuppered by some health issues in April which meant a month totally off running and, while I was soon back running at least 5 times a week I struggled to get my long runs in. My weekly mileage was adequate but spread out in runs of up to 10km. I knew I wasn't trained enough to run and decided to take it slow and use the experience as a baseline to learn how ultras work, test out my gear and have a nice walk in the countryside. If I was my own client I would have advised deferral but we never follow our own advice do we? I'd booked the 100km over two days, 50km a day.

My allocated start was in the 7:30 wave. We'd booked a flat as close to the midpoint as we could so it was about a 30 minute drive to the start, time used productively in eating crepes, croissants and cereal bars. I had a great meal the night before of my Father-in-law's famous meat and potato pie, perfect fuel. Arriving at 7:20 I walked straight to the start just in time to listen to the race briefing and set off. Some people had a much earlier start, the shuttle bus from the finish was at 5:30am. I am lucky having a husband who supports me on these adventures!

I had decided to run most of the first 10km and then switch to a walk, with the occasional run on any downhills. Chatting to a few more experienced people on this first section. I learnt some tips; keep hydrated- ALWAYS top up water at checkpoints, go slower than you think you should, and eat ALL the food! All excellent advice that I took (especially the eating).

The rain started just before I reached the first pitstop, I hid in a loo for a few minutes to avoid the worst and get my waterproof jacket on. Emerging back outside suitably attired I examined the offerings available. I would definitely recommend this Ultra for the food; tables full of crisps, other snacks I'd never seen before, fruit and at least 10 different types of energy bar. The middle stop each day also had sandwiches and hot drinks.

As I left the pitstop I took off my jacket as the rain was easing and it was too warm. Within ten minutes it had started to rain again so I decided to wear it like a cape and tie the sleeves around my shoulders to keep the worst of the rain from dripping down my back. Unfortunately wearing a cape meant that I also thought I could fly, as I ran confidently down a hill through a wood my foot caught on a hidden tree root. I remember thinking, 'I can correct this' before I saw the bushes coming up fast to greet me, right in the face. I sat up to the worried gazes of a few other runners and quickly announced- 'I'm fine, nothing broken but my pride!' I was lucky not to be hurt, just a few scratches, a cut on my knee and muddy legs. When I run downhill I always keep relaxed so I think this helped avoid any more serious injury.

At the second pitstop I went to the medical tent to get a wipe- I'd cleaned myself up the best I could with my basic first aid kit but I only had blister plasters and it didn't want to stick to my knee! (Learning point: better first aid kit). It had started raining again at the second pitstop so I took advantage of being in the medical tent to change my socks undercover, my strategy to avoid blisters was to change socks at around 20km and 35km and use talcum powder. I could feel a hot spot on my left big toe so I put a blister plaster over it.

I set off again in the rain to walk along the Thames path for a couple of kilometres, my nice clean dry socks were soaked again in the long grass within 5 minutes and the ground was muddy and slippy. I was ok in my Altra Lone Peaks, they have fabulous grip, but I passed a guy bemoaning his choice of road shoes! I walked with him a while to try and keep his (and my) spirits up and then left him behind once we were back on firmer ground.

I hadn't had any food at the second pitstop, being more concerned with sorting out my cuts and socks, so I had a few digestive biscuits to keep my energy levels up. When I had fallen I had jelly babies in my pocket - they had been squashed in the fall so I'd eaten them all in one go, probably about 5 or 6, my digestive system was NOT happy with this choice. I know gels make me bloated, which is why I use jelly babies, but I found that having too many of these at once also make me bloated, so I'll need to be a little bit careful with that in future.

On the bridge over the river in Goring I saw a familiar face, Damien and his Mum had come to see me, and brought a Costa coffee, amazing! They were in the van which was great as I needed the loo too. After a little comfort stop with coffee, a chocolate bar and cuddles from Loki dog I continued on up the long hill on the road out of Goring.

I got chatting to a lovely lady before the third pitstop, she had originally entered one of the other races in the series with a friend and then it was cancelled due to storms and then cancelled again so she ended up doing the Stones alone, she was doing the 100km straight through and was hoping to finish around 4am. People think I'm tough doing the ultra but I certainly didn't feel it surrounded by so many awesome athletes! It's all relative I suppose.

I stuck to the plan and collected food - an orange, crisps and a couple of nut bars - then sat and took off my shoes to air my feet while I ate. Once I'd eaten I replaced shoes, refilled water and was ready to go. I'm not sure why I didn't replace my socks as I had planned - perhaps my mind wasn't working, I can't remember my thought process there!

The next 7km was the hardest, I was tired, felt low in energy and morale. I kept moving slowly until I got to a carpark that I thought Damien might have possibly come to as it's one we've walked from before. With no sign of him I decided to stop and have some digestive biscuits and replace my socks. My watch battery also died at this point so I recorded the rest of the walk on my phone. This stop did the trick and I felt strong again, I started overtaking people and once I could hear the loudspeaker at the finish I managed to run the last km, I remember thinking 'this is it, I'm meant for ultras!'

Damien had told them it was my birthday so I finished the day to a rendition of Happy Birthday from all the spectators, which was lovely! We went back to the flat and after a cold shower and hot bath I had a beautiful meal of spaghetti bolognese cooked by my wonderful Mother-in-law and of course birthday cake!