For those of  you who have checked out the web site, you will probably have seen Linda and John Austin’s advert for their holiday apartments in Austria .

 

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Ironman Switzerland 2006

By Simon Clark

 Race day came around all to quickly. It seemed like yesterday I was riding on freezing cold mornings and running in the dark. But now it’s 7am on 2^nd July with temperatures likely to hit 30 degrees C, and I’m diving into the warm waters of Lake Zurich with around 1500 others.This was my second full IM event - the last being Florida in 2004. I chose Switzerland because I wanted to do a European race that was hilly but not have the killer reputation of Lanzerote IM. It also turned out a number of East Essex Tri members were heading out to IMCH too, so that was an added bonus.

  20-hour training weeks were behind me and I’d had a decent build up with a solid middle distance performance some weeks before so my expectations of a good time were high. But IM has a funny way of putting thoughts like that into perspective.

 If you haven’t guessed already, Ironman is a long distance triathlon with events occurring at many venues across the globe including the UK . The race involves a 2.4-mile swim, 112 miles on the bike and a 26.2-mile run.  

The swim was in Lake Zurich . A beautiful venue with clear warm waters. Most IM events have a ‘mass start’ where everyone goes off together and for me this was the best part of the race. Nice and easy and before I knew it I was in transition and out on the bike.

 The bike route consisted of 3 60k laps. It starts with a fast flat section out of the town then climbs steadily through the countryside and returns to the city again. The first hill is locally known as ‘the beast’. Over a distance of 4k it rises about 400m, winding its way through superb scenery. Crowd support throughout was fabulous. Shouts of “hop, hop, hop” could be heard everywhere – unsurprisingly it means “up, up, up”. This part of the ride was relentless and in the heat more so. Towards the end of the loop there is one more obstacle, called ‘Heartbreak Hill’ a short but very steep climb that had supporters crammed at either side cheering you on. Just fantastic.  

The secret to IM is pace and nutrition – of which I got both wrong on the first lap - too fast and not enough. It also helps if you don’t fall off your bike too – which I did after hitting an errant water bottle on the road. This made loops 2 and 3 very, very difficult for me and the feeling of relief as I racked my bike up to start the run was overwhelming – but I’d cracked the tough bit and I just had a marathon to complete (ha, ha).

 Midway through the bike I made a conscious decision not to tackle my PB (I really didn’t have a choice) but rather just try and enjoy the day and snag a finishers medal.  

The run route was 4 laps along the shores of the lake. The temperature didn’t let up – 30 degrees still but I really didn’t care – the atmosphere and the encouragement of the East Essex Tri Support Crew on each lap was a real inspiration. The thousands lining the route simply carried me along. And yes it did hurt but as the IM slogan goes.. ‘pain is temporary, glory forever’.  

The finish was spectacular – a huge fanfare for every finisher, making everyone who crossed the line feel they were the first. It wasn’t the time I’d expected but whatever, an awesome end to an equally awesome day.

 Simon  

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West Highland Way Race - 24/25 June 2006- Glasgow to Ft William - 95 miles

Mike Mason on the second of his FIVE big races for 2006 (read the rest below)

2006 report follows.......

 

Mike Mason – 2006 West Highland Way race report

 

Birth right regained………..

 

Pre-Race

To be successful in endurance events you need a number of things. Fitness, mobility, superb Vo2 max, a heart rate trained and honed to that of a Cheetah, high pain threshold, innate skills. If you have none of these, or only some in very limited quantities, then you need to focus on an overriding goal….and let nothing get in the way. For me, that was the 83 seconds that separated me on the all time finishers list for my 2004 race time of 29hrs 03 23 and that of the guy one place higher – Dario Melaragni the WHW Race Director and my nemesis.

 

After the 2004 race I swore I would never do it again. I had changed my mind even before the prize giving ceremony. But when the all time list was published it was the final straw.

 

So increased training ensued for the build up to 2005 event. Thanks to overtraining I managed to crock my calves (compartment syndrome). But many hours, and hundreds of pounds of physio helped get me ready for the race. My ability to regain my birthright was on its way. Unfortunately, my lack of overall race fitness plus unprecedented weather conditions (high humidity) meant that I was at least 2 hours off my 2004 time. So it was fortunate for me that due to a 'little light drizzle' the race was abandoned. Well, ok – vicious lightning and torrential rain was the actual fact. 7 people being hospitalised, 2 suffering renal failure were actually airlifted by helicopter to hospital and spent a week in Intensive care. But I digress…The bottom line was that my support runner Simeon Bennett and I were pulled from the race at Lundavra, less than 10 miles from the finish. Loaded into the back of a van with some other runners, a wet dog and a burning midge candle – the ignominy……

 

Back to 2006 and getting ready for this years race. Decided at end of November 2005 to join a running club. And luckily for me chose the Benfleet Running club – local to home in Essex . After falling over a Benfleet runner – Ernie Jewson – in Hockley Woods (that's another story), I started attending the 2 sessions a week at the Club – quality and long distance. This paid dividends. They pushed me to do the things I hated – fartlek, intervals, hill repeats etc and I am eternally grateful to them.

 

Decided to run for Charity again (Cancer Research) and to do 5 Big races ilo 3 Big Races in 2005. The 2 biggest in 2006 would be the WHW Race followed by the Mont Blanc Ultra. Simeon Bennett my support runner foolishly agreed to come back again and roped in his mate Max Bloomfield. My wife, Gill, selflessly agreed to come back again after a break from last years race. I received my race number – 21 (my age) – well I can still remember it with Ginkgo Biloba…..just!  J

 

A lesson learned from previous years was to travel up from Essex on the Friday morning and rest for some hours in a hotel before the race. After 2 years of getting lost driving out of Glasgow to Milngavie for the race start I came up with the stunning plan to stay in the Premier Lodge in Milngavie, minutes from the start.

 

We arrived in Glasgow about 16.00hrs after leaving home at 06.00hrs and had the obligatory tour around the Tiso Outdoor centre in Glasgow . This was followed also by the now obligatory condemned mans meal of fish and chips before retiring to bed for 4 hours of troubled sleep.

 

Got up at 20.30 hrs and spent the next period of time faffing about mixing electrolyte for my camelback, finding gels, bottles, head torches batteries, gear etc. All previously nicely packed for ease of access only to as usual be gremlin like mixed up all over the place. (At this stage believed Dario had hired a Voodoo practitioner to mess up my mind). Gill managed to get my contact lenses fitted in record time – my flickering eye lids have a life of their own.

 

For the technical minded:

• Ron Hill long sleeve running top
• Ron Hill XC running trousers
• Activskin tights from the US (yes ones you don't want to carted off to hospital wearing)
• Montrail Hurricane XCR shoes (change to Montrail Hardrocks later)
• Thorlo socks
• Joe Dana trail gaiters
• Hine running gloves
• 2 litre Camelbak
• Myo XP Head torch (excellent purchase)
• MP3 player loaded with appropriate music to cheer en route (Joy Division/Funeral marches/AC-DC for the bad bits (they were on for most of the race in a continuous loop)!

 

Strategy:

§         Stay off solids (lasted until the marmite roll at Kingshouse)

§         Perpeteum electrolyte in camelback

§         GU gels (25gm carb) 1xhour

§         Succeed lactate buffer pills (1xhour)

§         Hand held runners water bottle

§         Scott Jurek approach to hydration – 2 sips/10 minutes (brilliant - I think this lasted all of 20 minutes)!

§         Complan – with water at checkpoints (250mg carb)

§         Minimal checkpoint loitering

§         Be pleasant to my support crew

§         Beat Dario's time……

 

Race

Arrived at the race start at about midnight . Usual formalities – get the dreaded wrist band. Banter with Dario that this is the year I retain my birthright. He comments – 'For God sake's Mike...can't you get over it….?' Well, no I can't actually. Get weighed in for the hydration study I am taking part in. Meet up with Brian McLaughlin who we had been exchanging e-mails with. Meet Chris Upson..here to gloat. Next time we meet it should be in Mont Blanc in August. Meet up with Soeren Hahn. My plan is to run as much of the race as I can with Soeren, as being a lazy runner I need to be pulled around a bit. Unfortunately, it was not Soeren's plan. We met last year on the Slovenian Alpine Marathon – it's a mountain marathon in………….. Slovenia . God, it was hell and taught me a major lesson – train harder and whimper less audibly……

 

Milngavie – Balmaha – (20 miles) arrive – 04.30 hrs split 03.30 hrs

01.00hrs head torch on. Race starts – we leave the underpass……………..

Had been following the 10 day weather forecast and expected cool and showers. The night was actually fairly warm, although still wore gloves and woolly hat. Ran with Soeren at gentle pace about 12 minutes/mile. Had expected the ground to be very muddy as previous years, hence the Montrail XCR's. But it was actually firm even on the run into Conic Hill. Strong climb of Conic and very fast descent. With hindsight probably a bit too aggressive as my quads began to sing from then on. 10 minute checkpoint stop – changed to Helly Hansen Versa long sleeved top. Changed socks and switched to Montrail Hardrocks. Replenished fuel and off. No timing checkpoint here this year – Dario has deliberately prevented me from seeing a decent time in print….. another example of his mind games.

 

 

 

Balmaha to Rowardennan – arrive 06.26hrs split 1:56 and then Inversnaid – (34 miles) arrive – 07.30hrs split 1.04 hrs

I really hate this bit. The long run around the side of Loch Lomond . Rocks, tree roots – an inexorable grind. Still feeling good. Rosie Bell joins us for a brief canter. She says that she has been walking every hill from the start. Same strategy as us, but by now my definition of a hill is anything over about 0.005% gradient…. Now switching to run/walk. The cadence throws poor old Soeren out a bit and I release him from his vow of staying together (we had agreed to leave who ever started faltering at any stage) he runs off into the distance. Later I am joined briefly by Ian Rae. I hear a voice from behind me in the middle of nowhere 'Are you Mike Mason?' Yes I splutter. Ian advises that he recognised me from my Montrail Hardrocks and gaiters. We had been exchanging e-mails and on my advice he had also bought a pair, but the gaiters would come later when his wife had recovered from finding out about his recent purchase. He told me later that he had paid about £40 for a pair. I said that is less than half price! To which he retorted that when he had opened the box there was only one shoe in it! Oh how we laughed! On reaching Inversnaid, a lovely hotel which appears almost totally inaccessible from civilisation, my plans for a really good time had evaporated. Just drink a few cups of water and leave…..whimpering.

 

Inversnaid to Derrydarroch – (44 miles) arrive – 11.32 hrs split 4:02

I think I hate this bit even more than the last bit! This is a real pig. Loch Lomond never appears to get smaller. I pass Rob Roy's cave again and don't stop to view it. Finally arrive at Beinglass farm and the wigwams. Stop here for a refuel and pick up MP3. Not feeling too good. My quads and hamstrings ache like hell, and I begin to worry that my left calf is showing signs of Compartment syndrome again. Agree to meet again at Derrydarroch farm a few miles on. I am really struggling now. For the first time ever I am rationalising how to quit. At the Farm my support crew have my chair out and some mushroom soup. I sit in the chair and tell them my thoughts. Although they listen they don't hear me. 'Quit – I want to quit….' They suggest I rest, re-fuel, take pain-killers. As I fester I move in the chair and one of the arm rests shears in half almost sending me tumbling. I leap up and turn the air blue with a stream of obscenities…………..even the midges put their 6 legs over their ears and leave me alone. I look around and a group of about 5 people some wearing midge hats are looking at me with strange expressions (if any of you are reading this - my apologies). However, this is the wake up call I need. Obviously Dario has managed to weaken the chair handle in some way…. So 30 minutes after entering the checkpoint I am off again and managing to jog.

 

Derrydaroch – Tyndrum – (53 miles) arrive – 14.31 hrs split 2:58

The usual crouch under the Sheep creep tunnel and on …..Feeling a lot better now – it’s amazing what 400mg of Ibuprofen can do. I meet a guy en route and offer him a few drags of Perpeteum from my camelback and move on. The descent to St Fillian's priory really hurts my quads but still manage to do some down hill jogging. Arrive at the Green Welly stop at Tyndrum. Meet Soeren who has been resting for about an hour. He is again experiencing sickness and an inability to want to eat or drink.

 

I cheerfully point out 'well that's what you get for leaving me in the middle of nowhere……' A typical Mason remark but unfortunately the pained look on his face and that of his support crew – Kees and Anita – shows me that English (Mason) humour doesn't translate well at this stage of the race….or as my wife mentions …at any flaming time! Soeren leaves as Gill changes my socks and bodyglides my festering feet. A couple of blisters and hotspots sorted with some Compeed plasters. Dump my camelback and bumbag and just take hand held bottle and a few gels.

 

 

 

 

Tyndrum – Bridge of Orchy – (59 miles) arrive – 16.02 hrs split 1:31

My favourite bit of the race – it is relatively short and much downhill. Jogging the route, pass a couple of guys – cheers me up! Arrive at checkpoint. Soeren is in the support car struggling to take nourishment.  I suggest he joins me at the Inveroran hotel, just over a small hill. Gill has complan ready. Take a short break and leave actually jogging up the hill – feeling much better. Run the downhill section to the hotel but not at the break neck pace of last year’s race. At the hotel I wait for Soeren. Change socks and after Soerens rest we set off for Rannoch moor.

 

Bridge of Orchy – Kingshouse – (72 miles) – arrive – 20.15 hrs split 4:13

How much better this stage is for my support crew, without me moaning about the Caledonian Challengers (corporate charity walk in opposite direction to us). Walkers with poles who will not give way to tired runners.  They did the walk last weekend and unless there are any 'stragglers' it will be quiet…and it was. Rannoch moor never seemed so eerie…Max stays behind to assist Soeren. I go on with Simeon (he of homing pigeon skills). At Kingshouse, Gill has soup waiting.

 

Kingshouse – Kinlochleven – (80 miles) – arrive – 23.15 hrs split 3:00

In 2004 I bonked badly at the Devils staircase. This year I powered up the hill like a bounding gazelle…..oops well ok - I climbed it steadily and felt better then ever before. Even managed to run down the steep descent from the top for a short distance – quads hurting. Simeon and Max help me get into a yomping cadence of fast hike on the flat routes and we begin to claw back time. By now Max has developed some thigh chafing. He is walking with a pronounced cowboy gait. He thanks me for letting me use my bodyglide on his upper body, but he forgot to use on inside of his legs. I cheer him up by pointing out that the last use of my Bodyglide was between my bum cheeks! He feels depressed on hearing this and his chafing pains worsen. Simeon is beginning to get a sore foot. As people have noticed I begin to cheer and feel better by taking vicarious pleasure in others pain and misfortune. All my support crew have to tell me is that they are in pain or so and so looked bad and I am galvanised….Last year the one cheery point of the torrential rain was on the last section when Simeon's Sealskin socks sprang a leak – excellent! Don't see any hallucinations this year and pass a burst joint on one of the Kinlochleven hydro pipes which is showering water into the air. More soup and a lovely marmite bread roll awaits. Hear the bad news - Soeren has had to pull out before the Devils staircase – gastric emptying problems again….

 

Kinlochleven – Fort William (95 miles) – arrive 04:57:26 – position 49 (spooky - my age)!  overall time 27:57:26

The last long stage. In 2004 I bonked on the long climb out of Kinlochleven. But this time I manage it well. We are now yomping again. Want to jog but my body won't let me. Until we come out of the forest though. Then the downhill approach to the Leisure centre starts. I see 3 runners ahead walking. Damn – one of them is Ian Rae and he is wearing his Montrails. By now I am checking my watch. It looks like if I can get some pace on I will beat Dario's time. I leave Simeon and Max and tear past Ian and his group. He later tells me that all he heard me saying was a mumble of 'Dario…..seconds…and other assorted expletives...' I popped another Ibuprofen and ran on.

 

After what seemed like a couple of miles I came to a sign – unfortunately it didn't say Leisure centre. But what was this – 'Visitor Centre….?' I flew down a path into the woods. 10 minutes later I began the ascent back to where the sign was. I went then towards Ft William and came out on a road. Stupidly I turned right….damn the flaming Visitor centre again. My watch was ticking away the seconds, I was really beginning to panic. Obviously Dario had done something to the signs. But I couldn’t afford to stop running as I would never get going again. I ran back to where I had exited on to the road to see a runner streak out and turn left away from me. it was Ian Rae ….

 

No alternative now, I had to follow him and hope that he at least knew where he was going, And to ensure I didn't lose him, I had to run fast, very fast. Now picture this – early hours of morning, no cars on road and 2 runners chasing each other. I was gaining… but not enough. Ian passed his wife Angela, who took a photo of him and said as I passed - - 'are you racing each other?' I could only mumble and dribble saliva. The Leisure centre came in view. I followed Ian in and had my wrist band cut off. I then realised the time. I had thought I was 3 minutes better than the time I needed….it was actually one hour and 3 minutes better.

 

Ian and I sat on the bench outside the centre and reflected on the race…laughing loudly. If only I hadn't suggested he bought the Hardrocks to which he retorted 'yes but think of how much faster I would have been if I had bought your gaiters as well….' Our laughter woke Gill up in the parked car where she had been sleeping and she came over. 'Where are Simeon and Max?' I left them a few miles back….sorry. The end of yet another WHW race.

 

Post-race

I reflected on my lessons learned. In 2004 they had been:

 

Lessons learned - 2004

1. Train harder – including more hill work
2. Carry less gear – for most stages a fluid bottle will suffice as long as good support stops arranged
3. Travelling up from Essex on Thursday to rest Friday good idea – better if you don't walk around Glasgow too much on the Friday!
4. Spend less time at the checkpoints – my fault for not telling my support team to kick me out
5. Better to run with someone/others so you can tow behind or lead them at times. Perhaps I should mention this to Duncan Clark! (my 2004 running partner who had also left me in the middle of nowhere – perhaps they are trying to tell me something)
6. Ensure appropriate fuelling so that you don't bonk
7. Do other 50/100 milers during year
8. Nothing can replace a good support crew and mine were great
9. The pace chart developed by Richard Moorby based on runner averages from previous races was spot on – allowing support crew to be ready and for me to check pace
10. When it hurts it is really doing you some good (ok I made that one up so I could get to a number 10)

 

Lessons learned in 2006

1. As per 2004
2. more downhill training
3. focus on an objective – no matter how pathetic – it works

 

Talked to Dario at the prize giving just to point out that my birthright had been restored. His comment makes me smile …'Mike I told the timekeeper that if you made it in 29hrs 03 seconds again this year to record you as 23hrs 09….I can't put up with your moaning for another year….' Brilliant!

 

Swore I would take a rest in 2007 and be back in 2008. But then the all time list comes out and I am below Ian Rae… …' Ian – you now owe me …wait for it…..11 seconds.'

 

Special thanks to my support crew – Gill, Simeon and Max. To Soeren, Anita and Kees and to all the others for whom I made life hell in the build up, during and after the race. To Dario and all those involved with the race organisation ….And to Jezz Bragg for breaking the race record and putting into perspective the enormity of what he achieved.

 

 

Mike Mason  

 

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the last time Mike race in 2004--------

"The pain…the pain - indescribable! It’s 22.45hrs in the Glasgow Paisley Road Travel Lodge and my wife Gill is trying to get my contact lenses in…it’s only the second time I have worn them and now I know why. Right they are finally in on fourth attempt. Check my equipment:

Technical stuff - I am wearing Helly Hansen long sleeve top. Lowe Alpine Adrenaline light weight waterproof top, Activskin tights from US (not things to have an accident in and be carted off to hospital wearing) and over these a pair of Montane light weight trail trousers. Montrail Hurricane XCR’s (will change to Montrail hardrocks at Balhama), pair of trail gaiters c/o Joe Dana gaiters in the US (really excellent by the way and he is no relation)! a pair of Thorlos socks, Hine running gloves, Lowe Alpine hat. KIMM 25L sack - containing 3L camelback with Clip 2 electrolyte (ridiculously too large with hindsight). GU2 gels packed. Succeed ECAPS - lactate buffer tablets. Check the Nike C5 heart rate monitor - yep my heart is still beating. Ready to go.

Simeon, my support runner has the car packed and we are off to Milngavie rail station. We..."

read the rest of his 2004 blog here.....

http://www.ultrablog.us/index.php?p=12

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THE GRAND UNION CANAL 145 MILE RACE by Ernie Jewson

The Grand Union Canal Race had been on my mind for some 4 years before I finally took up the challenge. The appeal was obvious “hardest, longest non–stop trail race in the country” but if someone knows of a harder one please don’t let me know. After a sleepless Friday night in a hotel in Birmingham ’s Night Life District the Race began at 6:00am on the Canal ( Gas Street Basin ).

At a slow meandering pace we set off into a dry but overcast morning. After a couple of hours the trail became increasingly wet and muddy and by 10:00am it was raining. By about 2:00pm I started to get the chills (mild form of exposure) which came upon me 3 times that day and I had developed a painful right knee which was making me run quite awkwardly. At about the 50 mile point the strangest thing happened with the pain in my right knee disappearing completely but other problems with my left ankle and left calf muscle were starting to come into play. Between the checkpoints my crew consisting of my Wife, Son and Sister in Law regularly met me with welcome cups of Tea, food and changes of dry clothes greatly boosting my spirits. By the 60 mile stage I was in a bad way and found myself chilling badly, walking, unable to run but still determined as I “only had another 85 miles to go” but I was soon down at Stoke Bruerne where my crew fed me and with extra warm clothes I hit the track running once again running, feeling all things considered “quite good”. At 9.30 pm I had reached Navigation Inn at the 70.5 mile stage which traditionally is the place where most runners pull out as the thought of running /walking through the night in slightly worse for wear becomes very unappealing. Another hour walking/running along the path and I stopped to repair the first of many Blisters which also had their part to play in this saga and met up with my Wife’s younger Cousin Nick who would stay with me through the Night and what a night it was! This was really hard as although I was fully laden with thermal gear I was at times freezing cold and staggering from side to side following Nick’s heels in the light of my head torch .The only relief I got was about ½ an hour after taking Nurofen extra Pain killers which regulated my body temperature for a couple of hours but I was well aware of previous Runners in this race who ended up in hospital with kidney problems exceeding pain killer dosages and I wasn’t joining that club. Around Milton Keynes we went and had a funny experience frightening the living daylights out of a couple of Drunks who thought we were X-Men as we could have looked a bit out of place crawling around the canal with our “Blinding” Head torches

 

Through the night we went, too frightened to stop in case I would freeze up completely and with about 6 other runners passing me through the night all with considerably less clothing and certainly not as cold as myself doubts began to fester but not about finishing but about what sort of state I would be at the end of this. Morning broke and with it a positive feeling as there was sunshine which was a complete contrast to the day before.

 About  6.00am Jim a work Colleague met us with a welcome cup of hot Coffee (Leighton Buzzard 91 miles) and at this stage we were running (if not slowly) again. From then on walking became incredibly slow as my left leg and ankle were stiffening so much that a slow run/jog was the only way I would be able to finish this race. By 7.00am we met up with my 2nd Supporting team consisting of Trevor, Al & Dave who helped patching up my feet and with a dry pair of socks a hot cup of tea, a salmon roll  ½ bowl of cornflakes which I nearly threw up we were on our way again. I met many runners this morning all with tales of woe so I wasn’t alone in my misery and although by this stage I was starting to lose track of time and location etc I was still confident that I would finish this race come what may. Nick stayed with me for another hour or so and then I was at the 100 mile checkpoint; Great! only 45 miles to go. From here on I was totally on another planet and details become very sketchy. Running through Tring Cutting immense tiredness started to overcome me and I found myself struggling to stay awake running. This is something new as I didn’t think it was possible this to happen so I phoned ahead for some Red Bull which promptly turned up with what I believe was a caffeine Tab and this seemed to lift me out of my stupor but only just. The Day dragged on with my Second Supporting Team Retiring and my main Supporting Team (who spent the night re-charging in Fenny Stratford) taking over. I was during the day leap frogging a spread out group of runners who were all in a similar dilemma as myself not knowing exactly how well we were going and whether or not we were going fast enough to finish under the qualifying Time of 45 hours. I had known by this stage that many if not most runners had given up and for me to come so far to give up was unthinkable. I had my Son Terry running with me for about 10miles this day which surprised me to no end as I didn’t think he would be up for this. So much pain! My left leg was becoming a bigger problem by the mile and it was difficult to take my left trainer off to repair blisters as my foot had swollen considerably still I stumbled on and crossing under the M25 was a boost even though I had 32 miles to go. At the checkpoint at the 120mile stage I was told that I was 3 ½ hours up on the time I needed to finish at this stage. I didn’t really believe them as I was running at walking pace so I didn’t stop long and kept going. A mile down the road and I met up with my Team with Francoise (my wife) giving me the best fish –cake burger I’ve ever had. Onward I continued with my Sister in Law Fille keeping me company for awhile and then at a Pub where my wife had stopped some of the drinkers came out to cheer me on. Into Yiewsly I had Terry running and navigating with me and a feeling of desperation was eating into me . I was in disarray and worried that I wouldn’t finish in time. 10 pm and I was at the last checkpoint and an official was telling me I looked great (I nearly hit him) and that there were runners in front of me in a really bad way but that I’d have to move it as I was running out of time and there were diversions to negotiate as well. 

 

So I had to run it and to my surprise Terry came with me. I was running faster now and it hurt but the end was in sight and nothing could stop me now .Within an hour we came upon a Canal Closure which we and every other runner had believed was the diversion we had been given notes for ;this cost us ½ hour at least before we were back on track. On this last stretch of some 12-13 miles I managed to pass 2 runners and was doing some of my best running that day. I was high as a kite coming into Paddington and even thought for awhile that I was finishing the London to Brighton .I did it !but I was in such a state that I wasn’t quite sure what it was that I did. Francoise put a coat on me and they sat me down with a blanket and a hot coffee to watch the last runners come in. I finished 24^th out of 27 finishers with between 63 and 76? actually starting. Francoise, Terry and myself were absolutely wrecked and got home about 5.00am where I crashed out for about a hour before getting into a hot bath and soaking of all the plasters and medicating my feet the best I could (apparently many runners went to hospital with infected blisters from this race) before getting into bed where I stayed for over 2 days as my left foot and leg had swollen too much to walk and suffering with what I call a “Swamp Cough” which I picked up from the Canal. A week later and alls well. It was certainly an experience and without the assistance and “Professionalism” of my support crews in particular my wife Francoise I could not have done this. A motto connected to this race “Pain is temporary, Quitting lasts forever.”

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from Mike Mason......

3 Forts Marathon - 26 mile trail race - Worthing - 3450ft total ascent (yes a bit hilly). Decided to add this 'little race' for extra training

Wearing Ernie Jewson's Benfleet vest gave me a physchological advantage, 

It would have been better if he had leant me his flaming legs..................I need to buy my own.

 

Please visit my Charity website and pledge for Cancer Research http://www.justgiving.com/5BigRaces.