Jurassic Coast Ultra First Half 58km

I felt like a winner just getting to the start line of this event. The idea of running an Ultra has been on my mind since just before the pandemic. I could offer up a number of excuses for why it hasn't happened, but it really did feel now or never. I trained as hard as I could, around the hectic life we have, but I worried if that was enough. All of that was on my mind when I woke up at 4AM and got myself ready to get moving. A cup of tea, dressed, forced down food, always a challenge at that time. Then it was time to get out the door and drive to Corfe Castle. I arrived in good time, but by the time I registered, dropped my bag off, I had just grabbed a brew, when I was called to the starting line.

After the briefing, I fired off a quick message to Em, while the always amusing "warm-up" took place and then It was over the line and off we went. The first 15 miles, were familiar territory; I did the first quarter the year before. I set off at a slow pace, something I'm not good at, it was helped by working through the group, slowed down at stiles and gates, and this was a valuable, if frustrating at the time, accident. It kept me at a sustainable pace for the duration. I'm always guilty at going out too fast on my runs. This event takes in some stunning scenery, but the trade off, is that the hills are horrific. You get about a mile to warm your legs up going passed the picturesque Corfe Castle, before the first (and one of the steepest hills) Looking back on this, I should have walked the hill, like most others, but I gently ran up it, and it wasn't long till the first rest stop, where I quickly ate a flapjack and took some layers off.... So a mile up the road it promptly started to rain! From here it's into Swanage and the first glimpse of the sea and then another climb up and bending back towards Corfe. I was feeling strong and not suffering which was good and before long it was the first quarter rest point. From here, the terrain was unfamiliar with me, as this is where I finished the year before, 15 miles in.

The rest stops here were perfect and a good variety of food. So a sarny, cookie, apple, brew and water top up. Most importantly was a change out of my damp socks! This was such a boost mentally to have dry feet and I'm please with how well I looked after my feet the whole run and no blisters at the end! The first hill after lunch was a toughy a very steep climb to make the way out towards Lulworth, but the views were stunning. My first walk/run hill that was to become the way of moving in the second half, and then the hills just kept on coming!

This section became the point I hit the wall. From about mile 20 my head was all over the place and I was struggling, the legs felt heavy, the climbs were taking it out of me and I was ready for a rest. So it became about focus, digging in and making sure I just thought about getting to the next rest stop at 27 Miles in and knowing if I got there, I was a marathon in. The views helped, the weather was holding, so it could have been a lot worse, but your brain will tell you, this is the worst thing in the world!

Some how my pace was ok, slower than a normal run for me, but the pace was consistent for the whole run, which pleased me. And before long this came into view:

And this really was a massive mental boost. A couple of freddos, soggy custard creams, a tepid tea and some oranges, plus a 10 minute sit down was just the boost to my brain and mindset I needed. I went from tredding water, to accepting this is where I was and what I had to do to finish. So then it was on to the final 10 Miles, which was some of the most beautiful and hardest, first up was Durdle Door and then a horrible climb up from it, a steep descent and straight into another horrible crime. This was a real slog and pretty much finished off my legs, to the point I could keep moving, but the legs didn't have the strength to go fast, but mentally I was more with it, so knew I'd keep going, this was just me at my limit from the training I had. It showed how well I had trained, but I did wish I had run further.

So slowly but surely, Weymouth came into view and the miles were agonisingly counting down. Soon I was on the Weymouth sea front and the finish was in site! Slowly but surely I nursed my way nearer until:

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/eaa432_46c5c9da26074dc1b39e3ee2d85f2a15/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

I'd done it, I didn't have much time to take it in, As a coach was leaving in 10 minutes to get the car and get home! So a quick pic, dive on the bus and head to car. From there it was back to base camp, food, beer, bed!

Overall I finished in a time of 8:15:15, and came 55 out of 468 overall. I felt sore as hell, but recovering well, chuffed with myself, areas to reflect on but I know I'm only 1 challenge down. Now it's recover and on to Ride London Sunday!