So, the first long distance event that I've been able to get to, due to the pandemic restrictions, for a long long time. I felt like a complete newby with this : the journey, the organisation, the overall distance, was all completely intimidating me. But it felt time to try and get back in to this, as a mental boost and kick up the bum to try and focus again, in past and present passions.
A flat race: the winner finished in approximately five hours fifteen. I have no idea how. I think many of us felt that it was perhaps harder than normal : no preparation with recent events due to cancellations, it felt very much like the first time of attempting this distance.
Yikes.
My legs got tired too quickly for my liking, with the classic schoolboy error of setting off too fast. Plodding commenced quite quickly, the ultra gear. A huge piece of luck for me : I hooked up with a chap running a similar pace quite early on about fifteen miles. After having a little moan between us, we went in to a run / walk strategy that he timed like a metronome. We were aiming for 13-14 minute miles to complete, so would walk (well, hobble) for 0.6 of a mile, then jog (well, shuffle) for 0.4-0.5 of a mile. Honestly, it worked a treat. The miles just ticked by. In between our attempts at 'running', we put the world to rights and this in itself was interesting. So, how lucky for me to have bumped in to this chap.... My race would not have been anywhere near as enjoyable or achievable without him.
The end came after 9 hours 32. I certainly didn't feel as if I'd had a 'good' race: legs way too sore, rubbish injuries rearing their heads. But, but but.. I didn't expect to, either. First event back, my aim was to complete, I was chuffed to get there.
Still buzzing. And still wearing the tee shirt, with pride.
