Recently I walked a 45km day backpacking on the Wessex Ridgeway (posts coming soon for that) and realised I wasn’t that far off doing an Ultra, at least as long as I walked it!
In two minds, partly due to diary congestion around the date, and partly because if I didn’t do it now then I’d probably have to train back up to be able to, I eventually decided to go for it.
The North Downs 50 runs from the outskirts of Guildford, east along the North Downs Way (mostly) to just outside Dorking, befire turning back to take a route through the villages below the Downs. With a projected 830m of ascent, it wasn’t going to be a picnic, but I took some comfort from the fact that a decent chunk of it was at least familiar.
A 5am start to drive to Guildford to be there for a little after 6am ready for a 7am start. As often with such things the fact a lot of people knew each other was both intimidating and encouraging.
A warm up and we were away on the dot of 7am. Starting strongly I was well above 5kph all the way to the first rest stop at Newlands Corner. I decided not to sit down here, not wanting to dampen the feeling of strong legs. I was off again in 10 minutes or so.
I made a good pace leaving Newlands Corner but couldn’t keep it up over stony ground and ground broken by tree roots. My pace dropped further as I spied Dorking below. I rolled into the lunch stop at 24km 2 hours ahead of the schedule I’d set myself.
I had a good rest here though, and a sit down – easy as the rain had started and I didn’t want to go back out in it. It was forecast to last the rest of the day, so once out in it that was it.
I got going though and so began the toughest section. 16km of lanes through villages and even some sand along the Fox Way over Blackheath.
I walked a bit with a lady who was struggling, which must have helped a lot as she then powered off into the distance.
I staggered into the final rest stop at 40km in Chilworth really needing a sit down. Revived by tea and pic ‘n’ mix I set off for the last 10km. As someone said “it’s just 2 parkruns”. By now my pace had died a lot and I was only hoping to finish before 7pm. If I managed that I’d be still about 1.5 hours off my original schedule which would still be good going.
If nothing else it was something to aim for. A trudge through back lanes and weed-lined paths and my right knee started to ache worryingly, to add to the general ache of feet. I swapped from using my pair of Pacerpoles “properly” to just using one more as a staff taking more weight which improved things considerably.
As I approached the final crossing over the A3, I passed the lady I’d walked with before and once over the bridge I could see the finish. I was a complete mess by this point, but as I approached the finish, aches were forgotten – I even started running and took another place just before the finish line.
Dazed I staggered over to collect my finishers t-shirt, and then the next marquee for some food.
Somehow I managed to drive home without either falling asleep at the wheel or seizing up completely. The next day I was still pretty wrecked. But a couple of nights of decent sleep sorted that out. I did skip my usual Monday morning run though!
The effect of completing the Ultra has been noticeable – I’ve not felt this fit in years.
