Run Coaching Client Race Report

Mid race selfie from Ed O'Shaughnessy

8hr Random Ranscombe (Winter)

Race report

Breakfasted at 4am whilst listening to the heavy rain outside, and drank some beetroot juice. I’d read recently that it can improve performance by increasing blood flow, and therefore oxygen, around the body; and wanted to give it a shot. I went back to bed for a couple more hours before getting dressed and getting to the race.

I aimed to complete my primary goal of 8 laps (30 miles) and gain an ultra-distance, but knew from last year’s results that a 9th lap could see me alongside the leaders and a 10th lap out in front. I felt with the training I’d done, a 9th lap was probable and a 10th possible. But I certainly didn’t want to get my hopes up.

It was still dark when I arrived and registered. I was handed my race number with my name written on in felt tip. The registration gazebo was in a small corral adjacent the car park. By now it had stopped raining and as the sun rose, the weather was looking significantly better than the forecast. I chatted to the chap parked next to me. He had started running since giving up alcohol last year, dropping 4 stone. His plan was to run 20 marathons in 2020, this being his third, with one as part of a 50-miler. He reckoned that the 50 miler would be easier than a marathon due to the slower pace and likely walking. I didn’t want to disabuse him of this notion.

The RD introduced the race with good and bad news, noting that as it had rained the night before, the course was muddy but nowhere near as bad as 2018. He pointed to a few runners with new trainers and told everyone to get a good look as they wouldn’t be looking like that at the end!

I put myself close to the front and we were off. Fresh from the taper, I felt good but determined to keep the pace slow allowing those running faster to pass. The loop started along a short downhill road and along a firm chalk trail before climbing a steep muddy path. Having planned for it raining and being a bit colder, I had slightly over-dressed, quickly needing to take off a hat (leaving my cap), gloves and unzipping my rain jacket.

8hr Random Ranscombe winners medal

In front of me a runner in inappropriate footwear was slipping over, as I passed to run the muddy downhill stretch to the stile. Immediately after the stile was already churned up but manageable at this stage. I sped down this section to a long flat straight before the woods, catching up with a pair of runners, one of whom was leading a one-sided conversation at the same pace as his running. I briefly joined in the conversation before their pace once again put them in front.

At the end of the straight, there was approx. a 1 mile uphill through a field then woods, appropriate for fast hiking. The top led to a fast chalk straight leading downhill towards the corner where there was logging activity. The ground was churned up from the heavy machinery and this by far was the most treacherous section, with water-filled ruts and brambles snagging ones' feet. Once passed though, it was a relatively easy remainder with the route curling alongside the road, through a short wood, then flat back to the corral.

The first lap disappeared in 35 minutes. I had my lap card punched, quickly dropped off spare clothes, moving on to lap 2. I was eating an energy bar or gel every 20 minutes and so far this was going well. I caught up with the same pair of runners at a similar place on the lap, with the same one-sided conversation taking place. I shared a short exchange before once again their pace on the straight placed them in front. Lap 2 also disappeared, card punched, with a quick replenishment of nutrition I was on my way again. Slightly sooner this time – but still déjà vu – I caught the same pair of runners. I was fairly sure that if the same energy on talking was spent on running, they would be much further ahead! Lap 3 completed, so far with even splits.

I replenished my water bottle, considering that while not thirsty I hadn’t been drinking enough, so resolved to drink more. By now that the day had warmed up and 60+ runners had been stirring up the mud, the ground was much stickier on the long straight followed by the uphill. I could hear my trainers ‘unsticking’ at every step and this slowed me down a little bit during laps 4 and 5, reaching this point at 3 hours. By now with an overall quicker pace, I’d pulled permanently ahead of the pair of runners with the one-sided conversation. 

I picked up a new water bottle and tried to have a comfort break with minimal success, clearly I wasn’t drinking enough. I didn’t expect to keep up the same early lap pace, and during lap 6 is when the sticky chalk ground really being to drag. The sticky straight forced a slower pace, while the fast hike of the uphill’s slowed to a walk. Mud and something prickly had got into my right shoe annoying the side of my foot. I wasn’t feeling particularly hot or sweaty, so spent most of the lap deliberating whether I was in fact in dehydrated or overhydrated.

I finished lap 6 with a notably slower pace of 45 minutes. The car park was now only half full as other runners had called it a day. ‘Only one more lap for a marathon, Ed, unless you are carrying on?’ said the RD, who by now was using names since the runners had been whittled down to a more manageable number. ‘Carrying on’, I said.

Lap 7 necessitated a significant amount more walking. Stomach pain hit half way around meaning I was forced to walk even the downhill. I couldn’t eat and even drinking water felt uncomfortable. I tried another comfort break, and then had to google for reassurance that beetroot juice does indeed change the colour of pee to red. I was sure now that I was very dehydrated and resolved to drink a greater amount and more often. I daydreamed of this being the last lap, while knowing there was no way I would allow myself to stop.

Completed lap 7 at 5:30 hours into the race, swapped water bottles (this time with no Tailwind), ate some grapes, changed socks and hat and moved onto lap 8. With the new socks I genuinely felt like a new runner! I knew there was sufficient time to make 9 laps before the 7 hour cut-off, and go for 10. Pacing this lap slow with a focus on rehydration, it didn’t feel too long before I was back at the corral.

As I filled my water bottle ready to start lap 9, another runner asked incredulously ‘Are you going around again?!’ ‘Of course’ I replied, and was on my way again. The course by now was mostly devoid of other runners, with large sections of seeing nobody. I had no idea where I was in the running order, only that I must be within the top 5.

The sun was already casting a shadow on the course. The chalk muddy sections had dried somewhat making it a little easier to run again. I was secretly hoping that laps 9 and 10 weren’t too quick such that I’d finish before the 7 hour cut-off, not wanting to feel duty bound to go for an 11th! I felt invigorated knowing this would be my penultimate lap.

I finished lap 9 at 6:25 hours in which provided that confirmation this would be my last. ‘Well done, Ed! You’ve got time for another lap if you want’ says the RD. ‘You will be the winner if you do’. It took a moment for this information to register. ‘There is a lady who is half a lap behind you who will keep going till she runs out of time’.

Right! Water replenished, more grapes and off I go, determined to speed up a little and finish as close to the 7 hour mark as possible. A mile up to the straight and then along at a slow plod, faster hike up the hill to the top all the while catching glances behind to check whether the other runner was closing in. Down the long track to the logging area, slipping, swearing my way through to the other side. I could feel the end in sight with barely a mile to go, speeding up as I went. Last little flat path to the corral and done.

The RD gave their congratulations and I chose a medal from the selection, and with the ultra and winner badges safety pinned on the ribbon, I put it on. The 2nd place finished only 12 minutes behind, so very close! Before today I thought winning might be possible, but still didn’t expect that result. It felt slightly unreal finishing first, but good!