#7 Saxon Shore

30th November 2014
4:10:28

Soooooo foggy- after setting off to drive I'd assumed I'd end up late due to lack of visibility on the roads- wasn't the case.

Arrived to the sea front venue. It was spooky, visible was the pebble top of the beach and then a blanket of nothingness. This didn't lift much the entire race, though on the second 'lap' I noticed lots of buildings and stuff I hadn't on the first, and on occasion caught glimpses of sea and a few seconds sound bite of shore break lapping the shingle. Other stuff to see included Walmer Castle, Deal Castle and the historic shops/theatre/museum in Deal.

As far as the running goes, I was feeling surprisingly fresh. My body seems to have coped quite well with recovering from the 3 previous marathons (all 2 weeks apart)- I know this is 'normal' for some marathoners, and actually quite low numbers for those who do doubles every week/fortnight, but I'm just starting out on this multiple-madness so I'm pleased with my 'beginner progress'. Definitely running the day before/after marathons has helped teach me to run on tired legs.
Actually I'd run 9 miles yesterday and kept forgetting this during the race too. I'd meant it to be 12 miles but I'd ran out of time before work (grrr Saturday school).

Each "lap" (out-and-back) was 5.25 miles very simply along the Tarmac/concrete footpath beside the sea. 5 laps was ok. I was concerned for boredom, but only used my headphones for the final lap. The aid station was awesome. I'd left a Powerade at the 'own drinks' end, but the supplied spread of Haribo (nom nom), jelly babies, M&Ms, Mars bar, peanuts, cake, crisps as well as water, squash and some electrolyte drinks. I was particularly taken by the Haribo sweets- the ones which are gummy on one side and foam on the other. Loved those.

After half way, on my third lap, around 10:30 on a Sunday morning all the dog walkers had flocked to the green areas along the route. Loose dogs were playing and chasing balls. I was quite aware of the dogs, and in the middle of some complex maths over pace, distance, time and projected finishing time. Two dogs ran sideways across the path and I couldn't react in time. I had momentum, clocked one dog really hard across the side of its body, fell to my knees and rolled until I was on my back. I muttered 'FFS' under my breath, laid a while in a tucked position, the owner and a couple of other runners asking if I was ok. I did a head to toe check. I thought I was ok. Staggering up, I started mouthing off to the owner- had he not noticed how many runners there were here today, did he not think it was about time he got his dogs under control and  put them on on a lead, before someone else gets tripped up.
Bruised knees, I thought I'd slightly landed on my left hip but that seemed ok. I stood for a while, and then set off again. Could. Have. Been. Worse.

Finished the race uneventfully. Averaging 5'50"/km when running plus walk breaks at the aid station.

Friendly. That's the word to describe the team, Traviss and Rachel.
There was encouragement every lap, and bibs had our names on so it felt more personal to get the "still smiling, Natalie" and other motivating comments.

Oo the goody bag.
Check it out!

#6 A20 Path 'n' Downs

16th November 2014
4:16:44

Well, not a lot to say really- I went on my own so no photos. I ran, I got a medal and I came home.

Observations:
-Ducks
-A windmill
-A gazillion 100 Club runners
-Noisy, smelly traffic on the A20
-Litter
-The Eurostar
-Fog
-Flat Coke -yummy and my belly agrees
-Milky Ways -yummy but my belly disagrees
-If there are other runners around I naturally want to catch them up and overtake. When lone running I pace nicely.
-Pee twice before going to the start line or spend the first 4 miles trying to spot a suitable bush (as did a Vegan Club runner also)
-Race fuel is of low importance when not racing
- I'm good at hills so run-walk steep ones is a good strategy

#5 Thames Meander Winter

1st November 2014
4:05:00

Things I have learned:
-I need to wear trail shoes on ground which may be uneven else I get blisters
-Take spare caffeine tabs in the event of losing one set
-Phil is an awesome crew, not just supporter. Pack more supplies into his bag

Right, what to say about this one then.... I ran the half here in summer and hated the course but had already signed up to the full. Being so chuffed with what I achieved at Chester meant I could test myself (on this challenging course) using my gained fitness and have nothing to lose if things went a bit pear shaped. I say challenging because although flat and quite pretty in parts, the Thames Path is uneven underfoot and slippy with mud in places. The field thins by half way becoming lonely, water is in cups and is at unequal distances, and there is heavy pedestrian traffic intermittently.

Met up with some BCRC girlies pre-race and chattered rubbish for a while before having a few photos and this happened:

Race start, short loop out to the South, back through the start and then long loop North and East all meandering as the names suggests alongside the Thames.

Nothing much to say about the first half, took a few k to find a runner with a suitable pace to tail-gait.
It was at this time I confirmed I cannot run behind runners with a) poor form, b) kit issues like flappy iPod sleeve zip ends, or c) bouncing bottles/bags. It just annoys me too much.
He slowed to eat a Snickers (!) so I went on ahead and found another suitable pacer.
From Richmond onwards we were met with increasing traffic on the path. The most noticeable were rowing boats being launched/retrieved in at least 3 different areas- nightmare to dodge, often had to stop and let them pass. At halfway my pacer stopped at the aid station so I had to lead myself. Now about 11am on a Saturday in half term the pedestrian traffic was more noticeable. Families walking 4 abreast, small children on bikes swerving across the path, dogs chasing toys. I also had to dodge a reversing ambulance, an ice-cream van and pedestrians joining the path without looking. If my strategy had been to enjoy the scenic run and have a nice day out I don't think I'd have minded so much, but after deciding to push it I was regretting the decision somewhat.

Anyhoo, I sound like I hate this race, but, what I mean to say is the organisers do a grand job of setting up a nice route with a good start, good marshals (tho far too few of them along the route) and awesome medals. Things which are out of their control like other events and other users on the path are a big hindrance if you're going for a time.

25-32k I ran on my own. Lonely. Overtaking the occasional runner but often no other runners in sight. It was here I rummaged around in my shorts finding I'd lost my caffeine tabs. I'd taken one earlier in the race and was needing to top up or crash, uh-oh.

Feeling pretty awful

These 7k were the longest. Phil had been at 15k which would also be 32k. My average pace was spot on for achieving my whacky target at this point. This was the first time I walked. (Annoyed at myself now). My left hip/bum was screaming and my feet ached like I hadn't sat down in a week.  He handed me a Powerade and (on his fancy mountain bike) crewed me towards the finish. He sacrificed some of his own drink so I could dissolve an electrolyte with caffeine as an attempt to reduce the crashing which I was definitely suffering with by now. I run-walked for a bit.

[ I sound like I'm trying to blame my pacing failure on caffeine crashing. What I mean to say is I think could have run a bit further at this pace, or not slowed so significantly if I hadn't been suffering. And I accept that risky pacing is always gonna bite me in the ass and was a decision I chose to make so take full responsibility for poor pacing.]

I nearly ruined K's day when she caught up with me and dropped to a walk for the first time in her race. I refused to let her, breaking into a trot to encourage her to keep going. She passed me at the aid station and a km or so later I sneaked in front of her, perking up a bit from the caffeine. We finished 30 seconds apart.

Saw the gang on the finish line, tried to get a shower discovering they have only one set of showers and they're in the same room as the urinals so had been assumed male only.....
Waited a while for the others to finish,
Went to the pub,
Ordered burger and fries,
Felt nauseous,
Food arrived,
And it took an age for me to eat it. Even though it was yum.
....hmm need to work on this before doubles.