This week I ran the 10th official race of my #12in12months #ManProject the Endurancelife Coastal Trail Series in Exmoor, Devon. This race is advertised as ‘the toughest trail run in the U.K.’ and I have to say that it completely lives up to its billing! Easily the toughest run of the 10 official (and 13 unofficial) races so far!
PRE-RACE
Kristy and I travelled down immediately after work
on the Friday, from Richmond, Surrey, and checked into The Royal Hotel, Woolacombe at just after
10pm. Knowing time was going to be tight we had a McDonalds on the way. I could already feel the run was going to be a struggle tomorrow. Not ideal preparation alarm number one.
Although it was pitch black when we arrived in Woolacombe, we could immediately smell the sea air which all added to the anticipation for the cliff run the next day. We parked the car and walked down to the hotel reception where we were greeted by 50 or so Harley Davison’s parked outside. We were then welcomed inside the building by someone murdering The 80’s Classic ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ by Tiffany. Excellent, Karaoke night. We checked in and found our room, room 403, was right above the bar. Nice one! We listened to a few more murders (‘Spirit in the Sky’, ‘Heaven in a Place on Earth’ and ‘True Blue’) whilst we showered and sorted out stuff out and then thankfully the music stopped at around midnight and we were able to go to sleep. Not ideal preparation alarm number two.
The next morning we were up
at 8.15am, quick shower, quick cup of tea in the room and then we were packed and off. The night before I had finally read the official email about the run and realised that there was a load of ‘mandatory kit’ that I was supposed to have brought with me. A foil blanket, a bottle of water, a first aid kit, a whistle, a mobile phone, £20 in cash, a waterproof jacket and a hat. Because of this we stopped on the way at a local garage to stock up on Water and Plasters where Kristy (who wasn’t running) noticed they were also doing Bacon Rolls…so we ordered two of them and ate them on the way. Not I deal preparation alarm number three. After a thirty minute drive we arrived at the Hunters Inn near Exmoor Park where the event base camp was. We parked up, got out of the car to go and get my number, chip, etc and were immediately struck by how cold and windy it was. This was definitely going to be tough run! Soon enough we’d got all my stuff, I’d put my new free t-shirt on to keep me warm (once I’d realised I was a large and not a medium – very upsetting) and I was soon once again stood on the start line counting down. 5-4-3-2-1….and we’re off! Oh wait there, I forgot to buy all that mandatory kit. Not I deal preparation alarm number four. Oh well, too late now!
MILES 1, 2 AND 3
The first three miles of this run were absolutely, without doubt the most horrific three miles that I have ever run and I mean EVER. Worse than the Dirt Run, worse than the last KM in Barcelona, worse than when my knee went in Miami and even worse than the dunes in Gansbai! During the pre-race briefing the organiser, James, had made a little ‘joke ‘about how he hoped we’d all studied the course before signing up because the first three miles were all a climb, and when everyone laughed riotously, I genuinely thought he was joking! But he wasn’t. The first three miles saw us climb something like 1,600 feet in altitude. The first three miles had everything as it started along a little mud trail by a stream, developed into a zig-zag path up the side of a large hill and then finally turned into a full on Coastal path literally cut into the side of the cliff. The first three miles were carnage, for everyone. Most of the first three miles were single file trail, with only a few passing spots, so you were held hostage to the pace of the mob. Almost everyone had dressed for the cold and windy start, but once they’d done the first 100m of climb were absolutely roasting hot and trying to strip off layers whilst on the move and it felt like no-one was quite prepared for the state of some of the paths. They were about 30 cm wide, made up of loose rocks and with around a 2,000 foot drop into the see on the right hand side. These aren’t all my photos, or indeed all photos of me, but they show the ‘beauty’ of it perfectly.
MILES 4, 5 AND 6
As we headed West along the coastal path the climb started to level out and then even included the odd downhill. Admittedly this was almost immediately followed by another climb on every occasion, but it was still possible to enjoy the level running and downhill running as you could finally lift your head up and take in the beauty around you. I have to say of all the race these were my favourite miles. Having endured the awful stop, start, single file, vertical climb/walk of the majority of the first three miles it was at least possible here to do some actual running and try to at least start a rhythm. Eventually we reached the turning point on the Coast Path and did a sharp left up another hill, past a mound stones, past the first checkpoint, over the road and then downhill along a trail and through some woods. This part was also lovely. As I glanced at my Garmin though I could see it already said 1 hour 12 minutes and i had only just managed 10k. This was becoming a very slow slog.
MILES 7, 8 AND 9
The beginning of mile 7 saw us head down past the Hunters Inn again, where Kristy was there to take a photo of me running, cheer me on, take my jacket (which I had tied around my waist by this point) and then also take this selfie! A colleague commented that I look exactly like Tom Hanks in Castaway in this photo – brilliant!
At this point I remembered during the pre-race briefing that the organiser had made another ‘joke’ here about a climb for miles 7 and 8 but this time I totally believed him and mentally prepared to dig in! I managed to say goodbye to Kristy and keep running, and looking strong, around the corner and out of sight, only to be faced by an even bigger hill than miles 1-3. FML! Along with more than a few of the other competitors a combination of Power Walking, purposeful uphill jogging and some gentle sobbing saw me climb nearly 1,700 feet in altitude between miles 7 and 8. This made the first three miles seem like an amble down Ocean Drive, Miami. The relentlessness of this section meant that around every corner of this winding path was yet another hill, yet more heartache and ultimately many more reasons to give up. But for the gallows humour of some other competitors, my own bloody mindedness and the fact this was race 10 I think I probably would have! But we talked, we walked, we jogged, we laughed, we cried, we jogged some more and eventually it flattened out again, so we could all start running properly once more. I thought nothing could be harder than these 3 miles…..
MILES 10, 11, 12 AND 13
…then along came the last 4 miles. They started with a lovely, easy, long downhill section of about a mile where I simply let gravity win and fairly sprinted down. But as i had learnt in the previous 10 miles, there are surprises around every corner and the last three miles were to be no different. The path consisted of either mud tracks through woods or the 30cm wide uneven stones along the cliff edge again. Whilst there were some lovely downhill sections which were most enjoyable these were interspersed with annoying little uphill climbs, both of which took every ounce of effort as my calves burned from slogging uphill and my knees rattled inside from careering downhill. My Garmin was getting closer to that magical 21km number though when I knew it would all be over, so I kept pressing on. At 19km there was one last, long climb back up to the cliff path where you were suddenly exposed to the most amazing view of the North Devon coast line which nearly almost made it all seem worthwhile. Then as I passed the ‘ONE MILE TO GO’ sign I stopped for a few seconds to stretch off a bit of cramp in both calves, drink the last of my water, enjoy the view and then set about putting in one last burst for home. The last mile was mostly downhill where lots of people suddenly found lots of energy and enthusiasm resulting in shouting, hollering and whooping and after a small incline we were back by the Hunters Inn and heading for the finish line. Kristy was in prime position to get some great photos of me as I rounded the last corner, so I sucked it all up (and in) and put in what sprint I could with cramp in both calves and drove for home. I crossed the finish line with a final time of 2 hours 26 minutes and 55 seconds, which for someone with a PB of 1 hour 43 minutes might sound a bit disappointing but I can assure you I am over the moon with it! The climbs, the paths, the less than ideal preparation, the cramp, the (eventual) hot weather and the wind made this the toughest run yet – but I kept going and I finished it!
10 down and only 2 to go now. So exciting, and yet a little bit sad. Richmond Half Marathon is next
on Sunday 3rd May with June’s full marathon (EEEEK!) yet to be decided.
THE CHARITY BIT
Thanks!
antonysmanproject 