CHESTER 50 ULTRA 2018

Chester 50 ultra

Actually 51.34 miles.

Prep & plan

Normal routine this morning, porridge & coffee at 4:30 am. Got the kit on, blister plasters on feet were i normally get blisters and Vaseline on the feet & undercarriage.

Sharon than took me to the start and went back to the hotel. I just hung around and spoke to a few people and some pics. It was so warm, amazing what people had on though, you'd think they were on a polar expedition. Still dark so put head torch on and the took it off thinking I'll just follow everyone as i was right at the back.

Plan was to keep paces no worse than 11's for the 1st 25 then 12's for the 2nd half. Because that would give me at 50 mile time which should hopefully mean i can sub 24 hours on the Thames path run.

The route.

Starting at 6 am in Waverton, just outside Chester. One big loop briefly through Chester but pretty much all through countryside, lanes, fields, woods, forests etc. Had 2,300 ft elevation, mostly between, checkpoint 3 & 5. ( 22 miles to 35 miles ). It was actually a very nice route for me, as in not to technical underfoot. Was all good path with none of the tricky horrible rocky terrain i hate so much. Unfortunately though, after a load of rain the previous day & night it was all very muddy, very very muddy. Most of those miles were very muddy. It wasnt long before i knew my pacing plan was out the window. Which didn't really matter as the next step was to finish as best i can. It was a tad disappointing seeing the aims go but there was nothing i could do about it. My shoes were always caked in mud, as were my legs. Some fields and paths were impossible to run, as were paths in the woods & forests and on the canal path. But, it was what it was so just get on with it. And i can announce, that by some miracle, not once did i go over, even when surfing the downhill muddy sections. Though at some point to stop me going over i did grab a fence, an electric on, bit of a jolt.

Physically & mentally

This is what im most pleased about. I really enjoyed it out there, loved the route, could of done with a bit less mud but i still enjoyed it, pretty much from start to finish. My feet were fine, despite being soaked & muddy and holes in socks. Legs coped very well in the energy sapping mud also. I did get a few knee twinges at one point, not calf, but i took a few ibuprofen and all was good. Mentally wise, there were none of my normal mental demons, i just cracked on with the job and rather enjoyed it. I ran when i could run, right up to the end. Probably done more continuous running in the last 7 miles than at any point. So i have no complaints in this department, it was definitely my most successful ultra. I feel i finished in a good place.

Weather

Very warm from the off, a few times it rained but never enough to put on the jacket, unlike others who felt on drop, stopped and put theirs on, that if they werent already overdressed. It was a very good day really.

Checkpoints & fuelling

Checkpoints were at miles, 7.5, 12.5, 22.3, 28.6, 35.3 & 43. All were stocked up with a good variety of things. I took my own also, pork pies, baby bel cheese, sweets. I had most of them and had some, cake, sandwiches & biscuits at the checkpoints. All were very well ran and all the volunteers were great.

Other people

Met a few people out there, most of whom knew pukie more than me. But all the other runners were fine, the ultra crowd are a good mob. Marshals were great out on the course also. You never get big support at ultras but everyone we passed were friendly and wished us well. A few people were standing in very random places dishing out sweets.

The support crew

Sharon & Molly were superb as always, starting at CP 2 and every other one after, both on photo duty and seeing if i needed anything at any time. I know the supporting role is a very tiresome role and it is very much appreciated.

All in all, a fine day at the office, one i would repeat without hesitation. Thank you all for the good wishes on the forum post.

236 started, i came in 67th, so as a top 100 finisher i get a gold trophy.

We also got a free burger & drink afterwards, never touched the sides. Mrs s had beer waiting for me and the pie & chips once home.

What have i learnt from this episode, that though all went well on this 50 mile run, I've still got to add another 50 on top of it. I think 1, i have to look after myself in the 1st 50 and the 2nd 50 is going to be a huge mental battle.