So I did it! Just…
I was awake early and got over to Paddy’s and then Ellie drove us to Newmarket for the sign in, briefing and to allow us to get ready. I felt pretty nervous if I’m honest but put the five visits to the toilet down to just that and didn’t make the connection to the sickness and diarrhea bug that my Mother and Father-in-law have been laid low with these last few days. I should have.
The race started at 7am and Paddy and I led it out and onto the turn at Devils Dyke, which is one of my favourite parts of the course. I felt very lucky to be at the front of the race going through there and settled into a decent rhythm. As we got to mile five I knew I was going to have problems and just before mile six I had to dive off the path and run into the woods, ripping off my hydration pack as I went. I shouted to Paddy not to wait and that I’d catch him up. At this point I genuinely thought I would. My bowels were going to explode and I didn’t want to be another photo on the internet of a running fail. So after doing my impression of Eddie the Eagle and losing about 12 minutes after getting out wipes and sorting myself out I was back on the trail. Between mile 10 and 25 this happened a further four times putting me about an hour down. At mile 30 I threw up everywhere and decided to go to mile 33 which was the third checkpoint where I had arranged to meet Ellie and if it was no better I was going to call it a day.
My stomach was cramping really badly and I must have looked awful when I ran into the station as Ellie looked a bit concerned at the state of me. I checked up on Paddy who was I was told flying and this gave me a real lift so I decided to push on. I also found some Ibuprofen 400’s in my pack and decided to start popping them, which after a while kicked in and made me feel a little better.
At mile 40 I hooked up with Simon (aka Magic) and we were to end up running the rest of the race together. We chatted and ran and walked the nasty hills and shuffled our way into checkpoint four and then checkpoint five.
I’d not been able to get a signal all day on my phone so borrowed Magic’s and phoned Mills to discover that she had also been suffering with the bug during the day.
We picked off a few runners over the last five miles and made our way into the finish where we crossed the line together and as we had been wherever we were on the course, were greeted warmly. I was met by Mills and Rosebud and Carl and Daisy (straight back from their holiday – thank you both, you are great friends) and decided to jump in the car and head home.
After something to eat and a shower my body started to shut down. I got really cold and had to put four layers on and my quads, calves, string and toes all started cramping. Day over, I went to bed.
Some stats…
I ran 64:34 miles in 13 hours 34 minutes, which was just under two hours inside the cut off for my start time. Given what happened to me I am happy just to finish.
I burnt just over 7000 calories.
I took 15 salt tablets and 10 Ibuprofen 400’s.
I lost count of the number of stiles I had to climb over.
Some thank you’s…
To everyone involved in organising and supporting SVP100. You are all brilliant and it was a great day.
To everyone who sponsored me or wished me well. Thank you, your money will make a difference.
To my wife, family and friends. Thank you for all your support. Going back to my wife she really has been an angel throughout all of this. She’s put up with me being out all day running and made lots of adjustments to our eating as a family that have all been primarily for the benefit of me. Thank you Millsy x
To Ellie, thank you for your support and kindness yesterday. I won’t forget it.
A congratulations…
To my good friend Paddy on your awesome run. Sub 12 hours is amazing and whilst I wish I could have run it all or most of it with you I’m not going to beat myself up given what happened. There’s always next time.
So I’m a member of the 100km club which feels pretty special this morning. Next is a 50k followed by a 47 miler. Both should be a walk in the park given what I went through yesterday.
See you all soon.
JRx