Starting from Sandy Balls holiday camp on a chilly but clear morning, we were first walked down a steep hill towards the River Avon so that we could start by running up it - to thin the field out before we hit the road. Certainly warmer by then.
After a mile or so on the road, it was a right turn into the forest - down into a valley and up the other side. Thinking that would then be the ridge that we were doing our 3 laps on, I was delighted to see another valley to go down into and back up again (leaping across the stream at the bottom).
We reached the ridge, complete with aid station just after the 3 mile mark. From there it was 3 laps - 1.5 miles east, back to the middle followed by 1.5 miles west and back. The eastern half was in forest and shaded, allowing me to cool off after the sunny run up to the ridge. It did contain one steep hill on the way back to the middle which would cause a lot of pain later. The western arm was along the top of the ridge, dropping down a steep hill at the end to pick up the wrist band lap marker before the long climb back up.
I enjoyed the out and back nature of the course as you could keep tabs with others around you, and never felt deserted, particularly once the half marathoners joined for their one lap, having started an hour later.
Pacing was a challenge, but good practise, judging the impact of climbs and descents. However I tried to keep it steady, as it was a tune up/training race. I was pleased to overhaul a number of people who had been well ahead of me in the first lap.
The final lap was a challenge, and I got into counting steps up hill to keep me going. The first time I tried I went to 100 on my left - got me up the hill but I was well and truly blowing after that! 50 seemed a more suitable number after that.
By the time my 3 laps were done and I was coming off the ridge, I was pretty much blown. I had taken 5 gels but probably should have carried another. The aid station had water and energy drinks, so I was mixing my drinks, but starting to feel bloated. On a sunny day like that, I could have done with fluids more frequently than every 3 miles.
Coming back across to the road and the finish (at last) was a struggle - on the up hills the gaps between sets of 50 steps got longer! I thought the road would be a relief but was just knackered by then. Glad to turn the corner to the finish, and it felt like I picked up the pace for the 'sprint' finish, but not convinced. I was delighted to see (and hear) Lisa and the boys at the finish - also to sit down!
In terms of lessons learnt, 26.2 remains a long way, so 34.8 will be a very long way! However, I was satisfied with a job well done. 3:54:35 on a tough course, and 25th out of 92. I fully recognise the weather was perfect - in wet conditions, you could probably add 30-45 minutes to that I would guess!
- I should have followed the temptation to go short sleeved or even vest, as long sleeves was too hot - particularly on a course like this, I could always shed a layer if needs be
- 3 miles is too long between drink stations - particularly later in the race (and on a sunny day). Just checked 2 Oceans website, and there are drinks every km from halfway - should be enough
- Stopping to take on fluids works. If I look at my 3 best long runs before this (Enigma, Dorney, Amsterdam and now this) stopping and/or walking to take on fluids really does help
- The counting steps on the steep hills was effective - have played with this once or twice in training, but it really helped yesterday. Need my mantra for the flat sections next
