Our resident ultra runner Russell Gardham tackled this race today:
"50 Mile slog
If you've never ran more than 10 miles or 10 kilometres etc etc, then look away now... However, if you'd like to know just how crazy, bonkers, mental, silly I am then read on.
My most recent run, which I just completed was 50 miles (or 81KMs). For anyone familiar with parkruns, that is 16.2 of them in one go. I am aching all over, my feet, knees, both shins, especially the right one. My right forearm (this is because the utility belt was over that side and I was holding up my arm. My right quads, my head hurts, my toes on the left foot) and last but not least my eyes are hurting(???)
I learnt a huge lesson today (other than don't do it) - get your footwear corrcet, I can't stress that enough. I used some fell shoes and they clearly were not fit for purpose. I'm thinking my next ultra I'll not bother with any footwear as I'd be slightly better off!
For mile after mile I was pretty much running at the slowest pace I ever have. I started to get greedy and think in 5 miles chunks, (Note to self - only bite off small size chunks from now Russell). However, I'd have thought that my last kilometre was by far the quickest I'd ran. What I'd like to know is where that one came from.
I'd like to put your mind at rest and tell everyone that I'm dropping down to marathon training come Monday. This begins mid December, so I'm basically going down to week 1 of a 16 or a 20 week programme (this means down to starting at 3 and 4 mile runs). Also, if this has not put you off ultras, I will do a few towards the end of summer next year, unless that clashes with the club runs. "
Russell finished in 10:38:33 and 84th out of 226 starters.
Well done Russell. Most of us can't imagine ever running that far!
