Running the Thames path ultra

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Votes: 372

by
Andrew Caird

I awoke without the slightest hesitation, eyes wide open and my thoughts instantly turned to the Thames Path Ultra. This is it I thought, this is the day when all the training, all the time spent thinking about clothing, food, pacing etc, this is when it all gets put into practice. Lets' go get and get this thing started I thought. I almost had the Rocky music going in my head when I saw the clock ...00:53...Ohhhh man!

I couldn't believe I was awake and ready to go. This is so like me to get over excited about things. Luckily, I am used to me and prepared for this by ensuring I got a good night's sleep on both Wednesday and Thursday. I put my night in reading about hiking and scrambling in the Sierra Nevada's and eventually dozed off at about 3:30.

05:00 - the alarm went off and this time I did need to get up and get things going.

Heading down into the kitchen it didn't take too long to make my first mistake of the day. When I use to coach a junior mountain bike team I would always advise them to eat like they were going to a race, not like they were going to a famine. Somehow I managed to not heed my own words and ate so much porridge that I became ...shall we say, mildly uncomfortable due to how full my belly was.

06:10 – Fed, showered, stretched and dressed in running gear, I jumped into the car and drove the 45 minutes to Reading. There was no way I could drink the 2 litres of energy drink or eat the two Power Bars I planned to. Too much porridge! All I could do was to lightly sip away at the drink.

07:00 – I arrived at Kings Meadow and ...ahem...I waited. I was preregistered so why was I there so early? I waited for the next half hour in the car with the heaters and seat-warmers on and tried to relax. Watching the registration line grow by the minute I wondered if the event would start on time. Unlike the chaps in the line, at least I was warm and dry. From my vantage point I could watch the latest squall line hit the meadow, causing registered runners to dive for cover under a huge Red Bull tent.

07:30 – Time to start the prerace activities – Stretching out I managed to eat one PowerBar and up to now I've somehow managed to get at least one litre of carbo drink down my neck.

Before putting on the last of my clothing I opted to try some preventative medicine and went for Ibuprofen gel on the legs and to take a few LemSip Max. Although the latter does contain drugs that if taken too much probably would be considered performance enhancing, I justified it because I was still feeling the effects of a cold, the dosage was minimal and we are not exactly talking about the Olympics here are we.

Regarding clothing, I chose to run without a fully waterproof jacket and instead went with a much lighter nylon running jacket. I did this because the radar on both metoffice.gov.uk and BBC's new weather beta site were showing that the rain would stop in Reading very near 8:00 and it would be completely dry through to Shepperton until 20:00. This turned out to be a great call and saved me carrying the additional weight. However at this point it was still raining and I was second guessing my decision.

7:50 - I was in the Red Bull tent and waiting for the start...and it was absolutely chucking it down. This gave me a chance to speak with some other runners. Try as I may, I couldn't find anyone with less experience than me. In fact everybody it seemed had done at least two marathons, most having done an ultra and a handful of marathons. I ended up speaking to a chap named William who heard me mention climbing, saw the watch and was able to piece together that I was the one posting a blog on UK-Active...How strange was that!

08:05 – Race debrief: Emergency contacts, check point locations, procedures, two minor corrections made to the course map and that was that. I powered up the watch with one last prayer hoping that it would endure the whole day.

Now at this point before a mountain bike race my heart would be pounding out of my chest. I remember being so pumped with adrenaline that I would register a heart rate of 170 bpm before even turning a peddle. This type of race is completely different. I've always thought of this as a type of Top Gear race where the object is to arrive at a distant location on a single tank of petrol. Go too fast and you run out energy. Go too slow and you run out of time. Either way you only have a limited supply of petrol so you have to be very clever with how you use it. I think because of these and probably due to the fact that I'm 12 years older, before starting the TPU I was calm, cool and collected...at least that is how it felt.

08:10 – We are off. ...like a herd of turtles...God it felt good to finally be under way. I remember having a big stupid grin on my face for the first couple kilometres. This was probably because it was dry, I was among other likeminded individuals and I wasn't last, almost but not quite.

Being new to the running game and having done all my training solo, I thought it was great to see a string of 160 runners stretched out in front of me. Looking way up in the distance I could see the leaders and boy were they moving. Actually, it surprised me that in general everybody seemed to be running quite quickly. I was firmly stuck to a pace of 6:30 but I'd say most people left at 6:00 or better. What also surprised me was the number of people who started out dressed too warmly. 15 minutes into the race and no less than 40 people had pulled off to the side of the path to remove layers, which means they had to carry that extra weigh for the rest of the way too.

08:45 – Sonning – Yes, I am bang on with my pace notes. So far so good.

9:00 – After 7 km we are still strung out in a line but now we are in the mud for the first time. It is sunny and everybody is in a great mood. The atmosphere amongst runners was brilliant. I remember thinking thank god my knees are not giving me any grief. Little did I know what was in store for me.

9:15 – Lower Shiplake – Still on time but was having a hard time eating the food I brought with me. The gels go down easily but anything else I am struggling with. My stomach is still too full from breakfast.

9:20 – Leaving Lower Shiplake, a fellow runner and I admire the massive white home beside the trail and question whether the train tracks circling the estate would be for a child or parent. We both agree it is definitely for the parent and is an insane waste of money but super cool all the same.

9:40 - I ran into Henley with 6 others, four of whom were women. They are all in great spirits and running well. I would have to say that as three have caught me up and are enjoying the banter before leaving me for dust. One of them asks me if this is my first ultra and I responded that this is my first foot race of any kind...I don't think they were expecting that.

9:50 CP 1 – I remember thinking `That was great, I am feeling good, it is sunny and the people are cool... Let's go to Marlow'

I stopped only long enough to fill up with a litre of water and dump in some energy mix. I didn't eat some of my food so I chuck it in the bin before filling my pockets with food for the next stage. Whilst busying myself with food and the like, I overheard the race official tell someone on the phone (HQ I presumed) that there has already been over 120 people gone past. Hmmm 120 ish out of 160, I'm happy with that, I thought.

As I left I noticed that a number of people who arrived before me were still there and didn't look as if they were ready to go anytime soon. I reckon, because of this, I picked up about 15 places.

Start to CP 1 stats: distance 16.01 km, time 1:49:01, average pace 6:48, calories 1447.

10:10 – It was warm and I was sweating at this point. I put my hand on my stomach and it was quite wet but at least it was not raining. It was sunny enough that I could have actually done with some sunglasses.

This is the part of the river is where they do the Henley rowing race, however, for running it's very flat and very uneventful. All the same it seemed to have flown by.

10:20 – Aston Ferry Lane. Geez, that came up fast. I was now back on time with my notes but we started 10 minutes late so in theory I was 10 minutes ahead of my plan....good stuff, very motivating.

Going up the hill past the fishing hotel, I was able to help another runner with directions. Ha, imagine that, I had never been to Henley before my training! At this point I was joined by a local and spent the next kilometre or so running with him and his Lab. (I've had yellow labs for a combined 20 years and will always have a soft spot for them. Maybe that is why this little highlight stands out in my memory)

10:30 – Wait a minute...Oh that hurt. While taking a walking break, my right knee all of the sudden became all sore, specifically at the back of the knee. This was new but it only seemed to hurt while walking or as I was starting into a run again. This was very different to any pain I've had during training. Once back up to speed it seems tender but manageable. How did I pick that up then?

10:35 – Coming up on Hurly, maybe being a bit self-conscious of my knee, I asked another runner how he was feeling and he answered in a low gruffly voice, `fine...for now'. I didn't ask any more questions but I assess that he is more experienced than me and it served to remind me that we had a lot of ground yet to cover. Slow down and stick to the plan I reminded myself.

10:45 – Hurley – the bridges back and forth over the river help break up the monotony and provide a nice vantage point to view the river and other runners. Maybe I had a chance to look around as I chose to walk the incline rather than risk raising my heart rate. Once past Hurley we hit the mud again. This time it is very tricky and a lot of people walked. Not wanting to walk, because that is when my knee started acting up, I pushed on through the muck. In the process I probably passed another 15 people.

11:05 – A phone call from a friend who was just getting out of bed. The cheeky sod asked me if I bothered doing the race. Hearing that I was almost 20 miles into it he said `mate don't push yourself, do the marathon which is way further that you've ever gone before, and then go home' Hmm just the sort of pep talk I was hoping for.

11:20 - Marlow – Boy was I glad to be getting out of the mud and onto hard ground. At this point I kept half expecting to see Tristan (of UK Active notoriety) around the next corner and in fact he did call me to say that he was just arriving from Bristol and would shortly be at Marlow Bridge. Unfortunately I was just leaving the passage way at the other end of the village. We literally missed each other by no more than five minutes.

On finishing the call with Tris I ended up chatting to two other runners (possibly a couple) and somehow together we missed the right-hander that would have taken us into the park and then to CP2. Only a distant whistle from other runners let us know of our mistake. I turned around and they pressed on but regardless I didn't see them for the rest of the day. Upon getting back to the path another runner who must have seen my mistake simply said `well that will be 51 then please' His timely crack was spot on and help me forget about the time-wasting mistake I'd just made.

11:25 CP 2 – Well now, is it just me or did that stage seem short? I overheard others ask about the stage length too. Again I couldn't eat all that I had planned (Amazingly my stomach still felt topped up !!!) Not wanting to waste anymore food I gave a granola bar to the race official. He looked at me like I had three heads. However, he did confirm that I came in around 97 th place. Again, I tried not to waste any time but took a few extra minutes to rub an ibuprofen gel into my legs, focussing on the right knee which was really giving my problems by now. I remember looking at it for swelling but did not see anything so I reasoned that I wasn't doing any serious damage and pushed on.

CP1-CP2 stats: distance 13.23km, time 1:32:58, average pace 7:01, calories 1168

11:32 – Leaving the CP we were straight back in the mud and it hit me that my knee was probably sore from a slight pull or strain caused by losing my balance in the muddy section before Lower Shiplake. This made sense to me at the time particularly as I've not had a pain like this or in this area during training.

12:00 – Borne End – This was a new distance record for me and I seem to be doing fine. I had my iPod on by now, was grov'n to the tunes and finding it easy to stay under my target pace or 7:30.

12:05 – I was running in a group with three other chaps at this point and we took turns opening the gates for each other as we pass through the fields. We all agree that the course is superb but this section is a bit boring. I call it the doldrums to which everyone's response was to go back to listening to their ipods.

12:20 – Hey hey, I finally met up with Tristan and Vickie. It was a welcome relief to see friends and receive some encouragement. I stop briefly and ask about things. Another group (the same friendly group that I ran into Henley with) stop and said hi too, kisses and all! Tris and Vickie walked with me through Cookham and then jump in the car to get some video footage down Mill Lane. Check out Tris' video of the TPU at www.uk-active.co.uk

12:50 – I finished a long stint in the woods and met `the camera crew' (Ha Tris will love that handle) just north of Maidenhead. This time Tris shouted at me not to stop and to keep going. I whimper back at him that I kind of like stopping before reluctantly pushing on.

13:20 - CP#3 Bray Lock – I was chuffed, the race official told me I was in 82 nd place and doing very well. Same old same old routine now now, I pitch some more food, fill up with water, ibuprofen gel on the legs and off we go, all in less than 10 minutes. That being said I saw at least 10 people get past me here.

If you are trying to do the race within a certain time frame, there is a lot to be said for being organised and getting through the CPs quickly.

CP2 to CP3 stats: distance 13.66km, Time 1:40:50, average pace 7:20, calories 1220

Leaving the CP I made a call home to let the wife know how I was doing (that I was alive) and to give a first indication as to when I might be running past the house. Upon hanging up I hooked up with William (starting line William) He looked great and totally in control. We chatted for a bit and I asked him if it was reasonable to expect to finish given that we are here in just over 5 hours. He commented that this is a dangerous time and felling good might lead to running too hard. He reminded me to keep to a pace that I know will ensure I finish the race. (Good advice and very well timed) Unfortunately we had different strategies (me stopping every 20 min) so it wasn't long before we parted company again.

14:00 – I loved this section of the trail. It was narrow, dry, twisty, secluded and right on top of the river. I had my tunes going and kept a constant eye on my pace. I was as comfortable as could be and very pleased with how I was going. My knee even stopped hurting. For the first time, I had the feeling that I would actually finish and I admit it, I was a bit emotional. Thank god I was alone...ultra marathoners don't cry!

14:30 – What a view of Windsor castle. The inspiring and motivating vista opened up before us from the field just before entering Eton. Race organisers should park themselves here and get a few promotional snaps of the runners as they go through this incredible scene.

14:35 – Up through Eton high street turn right, over the bridge, turn left and run along the river before hitting the marina. I know it is supposed to be a highpoint of the race but it all seemed to go by very quickly. Windsor was just a bit of a blurred memory. All too soon we seemed to be through the marina and out onto the playing fields signifying the end of Windsor.

15:05 – Datchet – I don't want to sound too negative but what a boring place, the only thing notable here is that I didn't get hit by a car.(which seems to almost happen every time I run through the place)

15:30 – Ham Lane Bridge, Old Windsor and the run into CP4, these have all been important spots for me in training. I've used them as turnaround spots, places to park the car and for timing points but on the race day they all seemed to fly by in a blur. Maybe is was down to the fact that after seven and a half hours, I had become immune to what was going on and I just accepted that I was running without thinking much about it. Maybe I was simply focussed on the next CP knowing that I could rest, eat and fish out that chocolate bar I had been waiting for ALL day.

15:50 – CP#4 – You could tell it was late in the day. The CP looked bare compared to the others and it was cold so I put on the jacket and gloves. With the last of the food out of my pack it all seemed very light. Unfortunately I only had one single solitary bite of the chocolate bar and packed it away by mistake. (Down the road, when I went to reach for it I was shocked and utterly disappointed that it was not in my pocket. I incorrectly deduced that I had mistakenly thrown it away at the CP. I was obviously not thinking with 100% clarity by this point)

CP3 to CP4 stats: distance 16.18 km, time 2:07:15, average pace 7:51, calories1373

16:30 – Staines Bridge – Yeah...my wife and her mates were out with signs and were cheering me on. I stopped for at least 5 minutes and had a good old girly chinwag. I was offered food and even though I was salivating at the thought, I declined because it was not in the rules...Is that too nerdy for a less than mid-pack finisher? I left the bridge feeling motivated to finish up strong. The though even crossed my mind that I could go under 10 hours but I forgot about the 10 minute delay at the start and reasoned that there was no way it was possible so I just settled into a nice and easy pace that would get me comfortably to the finish. To me, 10 hours and 1 minute or 10 hours and 29 minutes all seemed the same so why knock myself out.

16:45 – dark now. The head torch comes out

17:10 – Laleham Park – Tris is back and has been waiting for me for over a half/hour. He and Vickie walk with me for the next couple minutes. Tris' question as to whether or not I am cold, prompting me to put on my hat and gloves. As I run again they pull up beside me in the car to get some final shots with the video camera. (I have to say, when it is cold and dark, nothing is as motivational as having friends there to cheer you and push you on)

17:20 – Now I was feeling really really hungry. Why did I lose my chocolate bar? (not knowing it was in my backpack of course) I kept thinking about what I was going to eat when I got home.

17:50 - I was in Shepperton now and finishing well. Not much longer...or so I thought

18:10 – Darnit! I should have just stayed up on the road and not come down along the part of the path. (the fiddly bit leading to Walton Bridge). I was sure others wouldn't have done this so why was I adding extra distance to the run.

18:20 – Where the trail go? I was so close that I could almost throw a stone to the hotel but after four wrong turns I had to stop and ask a family for direction to the Holiday inn. They look at me a bit funny at first (Mind you I was underdressed for the temperature, had a head torch on, a silly headband, backpack with hydration straw sticking out of it, race number on my chest, reflective clothing and was obviously looking every bit like someone who had just run 49 miles) then they point me back down the road I've just come from and told me to go over the bridge and then something about a sea cadet building. Backtracking, I was a bit annoyed but I was so close now and have had such a brilliant day that nothing was going to take away from a strong finish.

18:28 –. I arrived at the finish line where I was greeting by my wife, kids (who were both sleeping in the car meters away) Tris, Vickie and the Ambition Events crew. Phew... What a feeling, exhaustion, relief, joy and achievement all at the same time. I proudly took my finishers medal and put it around my neck noting my time of 10hr 18 minutes.

After the compulsory photos I headed straight inside guided only by the thought of warm soup, a shower and a change of clothes.

CP4-finish stats: distance 18.55km, time 2:31:25, average pace 8:09, calories 1470

Start to finish stats: distance 77.64km, time 9:41:31 (10:18 with stops), average pace 7:29, calories 6678

19:10 – back home sitting in the living room having a cup of tea with the gang, it all started feeling a bit surreal. As a non runner, I couldn't believe I just did what I did.

Physically , My legs ached from top to bottom (even my toes hurt!) but my heart and lungs felt absolutely fine. I know I'll be sore over the next few days but overall I was feeling pretty good.

Mentally I was feeling like I had just done something significant. I kept replaying bits of the day over and over in my head like it was on a DVD. Looking at the days events in my mind's eye, I realise that at no point in the day did I not enjoy myself. Yes, my knee was outrageously painful at times but I was able to manage it and not let it affect me or get me down. My knee, the weather, fellow runners, the organisers and the river were all part of my experience, my first ultra experience and my first running experience full stop.

On the whole I would say that the Thames path Ultra is a fantastic event to be involved with. I am over the moon that I chose to take a big leap of faith and sign up for it even though I had no idea of what to expect. The whole thing has been extraordinary to say the least. The organisation was brilliant, the route was great, the weather cooperated, and the training was sufficient. Most of all, the people I met along the way were what made the difference. Hopefully I will see some of them at the London marathon, Brighton half or maybe another ultra including next year's TPU.

Oh that's right, I'll be back again. I've got the running bug... big time!