I had hoped for everything with this race – either a silver ticket or a big enough PB to make the UK team for the team champs in October. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be and I stopped at 24 yards because I couldn’t find my why. This year is so frustrating, training has gone well all year and I am loving my running but every time I race I get to 100 miles or thereabouts and then the mind goes “nope”. I had hoped this race would be different as I love Bill’s races, the marshals and volunteers are all so amazing and I had unfinished business from last year and I really wanted a place on the UK team. I worked on mind set and positivity and self belief but it still all fell apart once the tiredness kicked in.
I am not sure if I have to accept that my best is behind me or if I just need a break to come back stronger. Certainly perimenopause and iron deficiency add to the challenge! It does sadden me that the UK second and third place backyard females (Lizzie Gatherer on 51 and me on 48) aren’t good enough to get a place on the team for the world champs, and we are certainly not the only country whose teams are almost entirely male 😡
Anyway, back to the race. All in all it was another great event by Rocket Events and massive thanks to Bill and his team for all their hard work. It was a hot weekend but temperatures cooled overnight so I actually didn’t find the temperature too bad. The course itself was flat and looked on paper like it would easily go into the 60s. I was proved wrong when Alex won on 44 laps, I bet he couldn’t believe his luck! The main challenge was the ground was really hard packed and incredibly dusty. It looked like it was foggy when using a head torch. Being a big rectangle the course was possibly slightly boring – certainly the gentle uphill side by the railway became a bit of a drag! However this event started and finished in the most lovely field ever (I bored many runners telling them this – sorry guys) and it was beautiful at sunset and sunrise.
The first 12 laps flew by and I had so many great chats with different people, one of the best things about backyards. But I didn’t get my usual enjoyment at night running and spent several hours trying to pretend to myself all was OK. As the night progressed and turned into early morning it was great to hear so many people getting PBs and carrying on, really testing their limits.
I know I always have a low when the sun rises and this race was no exception but I kept turning up hoping the feeling would lift. By lap 22 it hadn’t and I was ready to stop, even pushing for final female didn’t motivate me. What was the point of continuing when I wasn’t enjoying myself and still had so far to go? I had lost my why again. I was fully intending to stop at 22 but realised I may be able to help a few others reach 100 (or hopefully make it a little easier). So I had an amazing couple of laps seeing people push to their limits, it was inspiring stuff. 35 runners completed the 24th yard to reach 100 miles – well done everyone.
A massive thanks to Hayley for crewing me and making the turn around easy for each lap. She was fun, organised and good company and made the whole event much more enjoyable. I can’t wait for the opportunity to crew her at her first backyard ultra. Also need to thank Iain for his constant support and juggling crewing and watching the kids – team work at its best.
I came away frustrated with myself but having had a great time meeting so many amazing runners and feeling privileged to be even a small part of some of their journeys. Apart from my usual sore knees (I still haven’t sorted this problem) and a little sleep deprivation I am physically feeling good – no blisters at all which is amazing for me! Now I just need to try and sort my head out! Next couple of races in the calendar are point to point races – hopefully I will fare better not running in circles!