Whenever Christmas comes around I’m reminded of the time I doubled up after a full roast dinner on Christmas Day, inspired by Sebastian Coe. This post below always brings a smile to my face and true to my word I have never doubled up on Christmas Day since.
One of my favourite runners growing up in the UK in the early eighties was Sebastian Coe who , together with Steve Ovett and Steve Cram, dominated middle distance running between 1980 and 1984. Coe and Ovett between them won four gold medals at a time when the UK middle distance scene was in disarray with Brendan Foster the only real athlete of note. My favourite all time Seb Coe quote is below and I have mentioned this before on my blog.
In the winter of 1979, during the lead-up to the Olympic Games in Moscow, I remember training on Christmas Day.
It was a harsh winter (harsh enough to bring down a government) but I ran 12 miles on Christmas morning. It was a hard session and I got home, showered and felt pretty happy with what I had done.
Later that afternoon, sitting back after Christmas lunch, I began to feel uneasy but was not quite sure why. Suddenly it dawned on me. I thought: “I bet [Steve] Ovett’s out there doing his second training session of the day.” I put the kit back on, faced the snow and ice and did a second training session. I ran several miles, including some hill work.
Not long ago, over supper in Melbourne, I told him the story. He laughed. ‘Did you only go out twice that day?’ he asked.
Well Christmas Day was too good an opportunity not to try and repeat what Seb had ran on that cold day in 1979. Admittedly it was a tad warmer in Perth, mid thirties I think, but it was about getting out there after a ‘monster Christmas dinner with all the trimmings’ cooked so beautifully by my lovely Wife. I did give myself a break after wolfing down the meal by watching ‘the Trolls’ on TV with the family before announcing to my Wife I was off for a second run for the day. (I had sneaked in a 10k earlier after the kids had devoured their presents and it was quiet time as they scurried off to their rooms to do whatever young girls do in the privacy of their bedrooms?)
So I off went on another 10k thinking how much fun this was going to be as I had noted on Strava earlier in the day there was quite a bit of activity earlier in the morning but so far no double runners, to good an opportunity to miss. Initially my bravado was rewarded with a 4k pleasant enough run into Star Swamp and I must admit to feeling quite smug with myself. This feeling was not one that was to continue with me on the rest of the run unfortunately when, around 5k, the wheels fell off big time. Actually thinking about it now it wasn’t just the wheels that were ejected I suspect the head gasket, cylinder head and all accompanying items on the engine decided to seize at the same time. This was not good 5k into a 10k loop. I had nowhere to go but forward and to finish it was a 5k run in either direction.
The next 5k was a regressive run at it’s best (or worst?), each kilometre got progressively slower and more painful and luckily I managed to find some comfort in a toilet break at 8k. I say comfort in the broadest sense of the word by the way, more a place to sit down for 5 minutes and try and regain my faculties. I did eventually get home where I stumbled past the onlooking Wife mumbled something about being ‘ill’ , survived a shower and straight to bed. It wasn’t even 8 O’Clock on Christmas Day but my day was over, big time. ! Luckily I had arranged to meet the BK posse for a 90 minutes easy run at 5am the next morning. As you can imagine this gave me great comfort as I lay in bed replaying the whole sorry affair.
In my defence , as a family, we all suffered a small dose of food poising on Christmas Eve eating some fish and chips while watching the sunset. (Funnily enough we all remarked at the time how good the meal was.?) I’m not sure Lord Coe had this issue before his run, and if he did he never mentioned it? Anyhow the moral of this story is two fold. First never ever attempt to run a second run after a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings (luckily I was too full for sweet and had planned to eat it after my run ! Yeah right ! It’s still in the fridge). Secondly I now realise why Sebastian Coe has two gold medals and two silver medals at two Olympics and I haven’t and never will. It takes a Olympian , and a bloody good one at that, to run twice on Christmas day.
Next year I’m going stay with the family and go for the Trolls and Dr. Seuss’s ‘How the Gringe Stole Christmas ‘ double header…….
Only Seb Coe can run twice a day on Christmas Day. (apparently)
fisiocrem ( https://www.fisiocrem.com.au/ ) is just bloody brilliant and does exactly what it says it does , it just gets the major muscle groups moving again. I use this extensively towards the end of the race when my quads are hammered. It really makes a difference and allows me to move back through the gears towards the end of an event when most runners are stumbling home.
Fisiocrem is a must have in your ultra box of tricks…
Bix hydration is just ace, a product brought to life by Vlad Ixel a professional ultra runner who knows a thing or two about hydration. ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/ ) The best thing about Bix is it tastes good with many different flavours and you never get sick of drinking it, this is a big plus as Maurten and Tailwind (both great products) can be difficult to digest later in the event. From the website :-
As an Australian elite multiple trail running champion, with wins in over 40 ultra-marathon races across Asia, recovery from training and races has always been my top priority.
In searching for a solid recovery and hydration supplement, I recognized that critical vitamins and minerals – both in diversity and quantity – were missing from almost all supplements on the market. I had the feeling that in an effort to maximize their bottom-lines, companies in the hydration space, failed to deliver a product that could meaningfully assist athlete performance.
In order to address this, I began the development of a hydration product. After two and a half years of development alongside a leading German sports scientist, BIX Recovery, an advanced, high-quality recovery drink was born.
BIX boosts 12 active ingredients scientifically balanced to replace lost electrolytes and assist in immune function. It’s designed with quality vitamins and minerals, in quantities that work!
BIX is a recovery solution for everyone, that will get you to the top of your game!
Great hydration.
What can I say about HumanTecar, ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) it looks great, smells great and is awesome for recovery or even pre-run/workout. Read about the science behind it first and then try the products. The compression bandages are just magical after a long event. Put these on and the next day you are recovered, I have used them on a number of occasions and they never fail to astound me albeit the family poke fun at me as I look like a ‘mummy and smell funny’ !
Fractel ( https://fractel.com.au/ ) have your performance headgear covered. I love the colours and the functionality of these hats, I guarantee there is one model you’ll fall in love with.
Fractel headgear, just ace.
Shokz headphones, let you keep in touch with the world around while losing yourself in quality tunes or podcasts. ( https://shokz.com.au/ )
Best running headphones EVER !
T8 running apparel is the best you can get, second to none. Designed for the ultra humid Hong Kong conditions the owners live in. It is light and does away with any chaffing worries. T8 is the name given to the highest typhoon warning in Honk Kong, storms and typhoons with gusts exceeding 180kph, which explains the branding. ( https://t8.run/)
Altra supply the best trail shoes on the planet, in my opinion, and none better than the Olympus five. Do yourself a favour and buy a pair. ( https://www.altrarunning.com.au/ )
https://www.osprey.com/au/en/category/hydration/trail-running/ Osprey Australia have come onboard and are supplying me with two running backpacks and travelling luggage for the Run Britannia adventure. I particularly like their running backpacks and am excited to test them over the event. I’ll be using the Duro 6 and the Duro 1.5 backpacks.
Excited to have Coros onboard who have supplied me with the new Apex 2 Pro GPS watch. I already owned the Apex 2 and was stoked when Coros reached out and offered me an upgrade. Even more battery life, can you believe 75 hours using GPS, wow! The watch itself is awesome, so light and well made. The watch is paired with a incredible application to keep track of all your stats, and runners love stats ! . ( https://coros.net.au/ )
The 6 Inch trail ultra marathon is one of those races that you keep going back too for a number of reasons. Number one is Dave , the RD, gives you a red spike for 6 finishers ( a trophy for twelve), two is the unique atmosphere of an event so close to Christmas and three is the trail itself, just incredible. This year I was so close to missing out due to a hamstring tear but I was confident that I could finish after two good weeks of semi-reasonable training post a six week layoff. I was prepared to roll the dice because it’s the 6 inch and it’s tradition. As I have said many times runners love traditions, it’s in our dna.
This year we had Rob driving again with Adam, Bart’s , Scotty and I running. Rob was also giving massage’s at the finish line as part of his work with the Tribe and Trail shop ( https://www.tribeandtrail.com.au/ ) and The Long Run physiotherapy ( https://www.thelongrunphysio.com/ ) . If you’re a trail runner in Perth you need to look up both these businesses and get behind them.
The boys at the start of the weekend, all smiles at this stage of the proceedings.
Next on the tradition list of things to tick off was the stop at Baldivis BP garage and get a photo under the Truckers Lounge entrance. One day we might muster up enough courage to try and actually go into the Truckers Lounge but some things are better off unseen, for the moment we are happy enough with the photo outside. Maybe we’ll send in Bartsy next year , albeit I don’t think he’d ever come out ?
Traditional stop at the Baldivis BP garage for the Truckers Lounge photo.
Moving down the traditions list next we have drive to the top of Goldmine Hill and take a photo. For those who don’t know Goldmine Hill is the first hill at the start of the 6 Inch and it’s a big one with some serious vert sections. Just the thing you don’t need at the start of a 47km ultra. This hill has broken a number of runners over the years making the next 45 or so kilometres unpleasant. Back in the day I use to run this as Dave put on a KOM trophy for the first male to the top, those days are long gone and this year I walked the first kilometre for a very pleasant eleven minutes chatting to friends. With hindsight I could probably go a bit quicker next year but it was a nice change to amble into a race.
Next on the list of traditions is the Goldmine Hill cruise, chasing Barts to the top.
As you can see from the image below not all native animals survive on Goldmine Hill and this Kangaroo had seen better days. As Australians know a rotting Kangaroo is not pleasant on the nose and this bad boy was no different. I’m sure quite a few runners would have put on a spurt while passing ‘skippy’.
Road Kill and no, it wasn’t us !
Top of Goldmine Hill photo, tick, we were moving down the tradition list at a great rate of knots now. The conditions were warmer than we expected but luckily these disappeared over night and , for the event, we had perfect race conditions.
The top of Goldmine Hill photo.
After the traditional speech at the Forrest Centre by a panel of top runners it’s time to put on ‘Run Fat Boy Run’ and enjoy one of the funniest films we know with several scenes that just continue to raise a giggle. We even brought our own version down as the one at the accommodation had seen better days and we were forced to watch a different film last year. This did not go down well with the crew, remember, runners love tradition.
After the evening talk it’s time for ‘Run Fatboy Run’, a classic comedy that sets you up for the next day.
Post Run Fatboy Run we retreated to our room for the evening. Somehow Barts had snagged the double bed while Scotty, Adam, Rob and I shared two bunk beds next door. Needless to say four nervous runners sharing a room is never going to end well and I don’t think any of us got more than an hours sleep, albeit Barts had set his alarm for 2:30am so we were never going to get eight hours ! Rob also didn’t help the situation by trying to watch the English Premiership on his new iphone with the volume turned up. Luckily the internet is a new thing in Dwellingup and not very reliable so he gave up quickly.
Traditional start photo. of the runners. Adam, Scotty, Veronika, myself and Barts.
Next on the list is the traditional start photo of all the runners and then off we all go up Goldmine Hill and off to Dwellingup via the Munda Biddi trail ( https://mundabiddi.org.au/ ) Luckily we had our own cars at the finish line so drove to registration at the North Dandalup village hall before the short trip to the start line. Dave puts on buses to move the runners from the finish to the start as it’s a point to point event so it requires some logistical planning, we have always taken care of ourselves. There are some funny stories about this but not for the general public, lets just say if you’re going to run a point to point race do not leave your car keys , parked at the finish, in a bag in the car parked at the start. !
The tree at the top of the escalator.
The race itself was always going to be testing, it’s an ultra marathon after all. Add in the nearly thousand metres of vert over the distance and some hot temperatures and you’re in for a hard day at the office whatever happens. I was coming into the event off a hamstring tear so in the previous ten weeks had only ran three of them and really only the previous week of any note, distance wise. I had actually unregistered myself with the RD but with a few good weeks of run/walking was happy to roll the dice and risk my hammy for another finish and time with the boys. This was another reason for my eleven minute first kilometre, time spent socialising with friends rather than racing Goldmine Hill.
Eventually though I knew I had to kick on and left Barts and Scotty and worked my way through the field. I really had no idea how’d I go after my long lay off and injury. Initially I just wanted to finish, then it was finish under five hours and my top goal was break my time from last year, a personal worst time of four hours and forty eight minutes. Without the good training base I really had no idea what to expect. Undaunted I set off in pursuit of the next runner infront of me and used this as motivation to maintain a good pace but not too good leading to a blow out.
I always break down this race into three sections. The first section is the first 23k to aid station one. You then have another 14k to aid station two at the top of the Escalator hill and then the final 10k sprint (?) to the finish. I always enjoy the second half more than the first and post aid station one start to relax a bit knowing I have broken the back of the event. With the next aid station only 14k away it coms along a lot quicker then the first one and then it’s a ten kilometre section , albeit a nasty section, the the finish where you choose how much pain you want to endure. (Albeit sometimes this is worked out for you if the race has gone badly)
This year I was consistent the whole time, no walking bar the first kilometre and the Escalator Hill (which is unrunable) and just keep moving forward at a good pace but nothing that is going to lead to a blow out or hamstring damage. As I said earlier I just kept chasing the runner infront of me, I’d pass them and then onto the next one. This kept me honest and I really enjoyed moving through the field, chatting to a number of runners as I passed them.
Head down and it was time to think about the finish.
As the Escalator Hill is an out and back section you get to see whose just infront of you and can use this as either motivation if you’re chasing someone or a reality check, come warning, if someone is chasing you. As I Neared the top of the Escalaor I was surprised to see Sarah and Adam coming down less than three hundred metres ahead of me. I had written off any chance of catching these guys as they had set off with the lead runners and both were targeting far quicker times than me. Seeing them so close was all the motivation I needed to rush through the aid station and start my pursuit.
Funnily enough we had been talking about the race a few years ago when Scotty has passed Adam with two kilometres to go and gave him a pat on the backside as he did. Could I catch him and join this exclusive club ? This was all the motivation I needed, it was on like Donkey Kong. These sort of silly thoughts are sometimes all you need to switch through the gears and any thoughts of just finishing go out the window as the competitive juices start to flow. I caught Sarah on the next hill and ploughed on to eventually catch Adam with two kilometres to go, perfect pacing and timing, I couldn’t have been happier. Another tradition has now started, someone needs to catch Adam at two kilometers from the finish and give him a tap on the backside. If that someone is reading this please let me know the details, in 2024 Adam better watch his butt , remember now it’s tradition.
Bumping into TRC royalty.
After passing Adam on the final section of four kilometres or so, of slightly uphill , undulating , single track I bumped into Mr. TRC himself Sam Simsek, running his first three inch trails half marathon. Had to stop for a selfie with this legend as The Running Centre and Sam in particular have supported me for many years. ( https://therunningcentre.com.au/ ) Again runners in Perth get behind these guys, they are legends. It was then time to race to the finish and put number fourteen to bed, a raging success as I finish in just over four hours and thirty five minutes, thirteen minutes quicker than last year. I have Sam to thank for putting me into a pair of Hoka Mach X shoes which were brilliant for the terrain, although not a trail shoe the carbon plate protected my foot and the extra bounce helped keep my hammy in check. The trail itself is very runable and this explains the quicker finishing times of the top runners and also the domination of road runners over the years.
A consistent race.
I nailed the race with a no-expectation attitude and was never hurting too much, there were periods of self doubt as there are in any ultra but these are followed by periods of feeling great. Keeping on top of the hydration and nutrition also helped and it really was just about the perfect day. Even now as I type this race report the next day I’m looking forward to number fifteen in twelve months time, it’s tradition.
Finally we had the final two traditions to tick off the list, one is the finishers shot with all the runners at the finish line and finally the shot of all runners who completed the event in their new Six Inch Ultra tops. I must compliment Dave on this years tops, they are very good and I love the colour, very cool. Once we completed these it was off to the pub for a great lunch and the journey home, mission accomplished for 2023. I think this is now another tradition as the normal venue , the Blue Wren , upset us on Saturday by shutting early, we’re a fickle bunch runners.
Finishing line photo with all the Yelo runners.
Traditional photo of post 6 inch runners in this years t-shirt.
So that’s Ultra marathon number 46 which now matches my number of marathons I have completed , giving me a total of 92 events, eight more to go for the the one hundred marathons or longer total. If I have a good year in 2024 maybe I can reach the total at this event next year, that would be cool making the event even more special. Either way I’ll get to that elusive number sooner rather than later, why wouldn’t you ?
fisiocrem ( https://www.fisiocrem.com.au/ ) is just bloody brilliant and does exactly what it says it does , it just gets the major muscle groups moving again. I use this extensively towards the end of the race when my quads are hammered. It really makes a difference and allows me to move back through the gears towards the end of an event when most runners are stumbling home.
Fisiocrem is a must have in your ultra box of tricks…
Bix hydration is just ace, a product brought to life by Vlad Ixel a professional ultra runner who knows a thing or two about hydration. ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/ ) The best thing about Bix is it tastes good with many different flavours and you never get sick of drinking it, this is a big plus as Maurten and Tailwind (both great products) can be difficult to digest later in the event. From the website :-
As an Australian elite multiple trail running champion, with wins in over 40 ultra-marathon races across Asia, recovery from training and races has always been my top priority.
In searching for a solid recovery and hydration supplement, I recognized that critical vitamins and minerals – both in diversity and quantity – were missing from almost all supplements on the market. I had the feeling that in an effort to maximize their bottom-lines, companies in the hydration space, failed to deliver a product that could meaningfully assist athlete performance.
In order to address this, I began the development of a hydration product. After two and a half years of development alongside a leading German sports scientist, BIX Recovery, an advanced, high-quality recovery drink was born.
BIX boosts 12 active ingredients scientifically balanced to replace lost electrolytes and assist in immune function. It’s designed with quality vitamins and minerals, in quantities that work!
BIX is a recovery solution for everyone, that will get you to the top of your game!
Great hydration.
What can I say about HumanTecar, ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) it looks great, smells great and is awesome for recovery or even pre-run/workout. Read about the science behind it first and then try the products. The compression bandages are just magical after a long event. Put these on and the next day you are recovered, I have used them on a number of occasions and they never fail to astound me albeit the family poke fun at me as I look like a ‘mummy and smell funny’ !
Fractel ( https://fractel.com.au/ ) have your performance headgear covered. I love the colours and the functionality of these hats, I guarantee there is one model you’ll fall in love with.
Fractel headgear, just ace.
Shokz headphones, let you keep in touch with the world around while losing yourself in quality tunes or podcasts. ( https://shokz.com.au/ )
Best running headphones EVER !
T8 running apparel is the best you can get, second to none. Designed for the ultra humid Hong Kong conditions the owners live in. It is light and does away with any chaffing worries. T8 is the name given to the highest typhoon warning in Honk Kong, storms and typhoons with gusts exceeding 180kph, which explains the branding. ( https://t8.run/)
Altra supply the best trail shoes on the planet, in my opinion, and none better than the Olympus five. Do yourself a favour and buy a pair. ( https://www.altrarunning.com.au/ )
https://www.osprey.com/au/en/category/hydration/trail-running/ Osprey Australia have come onboard and are supplying me with two running backpacks and travelling luggage for the Run Britannia adventure. I particularly like their running backpacks and am excited to test them over the event. I’ll be using the Duro 6 and the Duro 1.5 backpacks.
Excited to have Coros onboard who have supplied me with the new Apex 2 Pro GPS watch. I already owned the Apex 2 and was stoked when Coros reached out and offered me an upgrade. Even more battery life, can you believe 75 hours using GPS, wow! The watch itself is awesome, so light and well made. The watch is paired with a incredible application to keep track of all your stats, and runners love stats ! . ( https://coros.net.au/ )
I took along the GoPro for Run Britannia intending to document each stage in detail I really didn’t do a good job, the only day I made multiple entries of note was day five. I’ve attached the five short videos I took which, for me, bring back so many good memories.
Starting with the start of the day below, notice I’m sniffing and coughing, this was a day before I tested positive to COVID. Great days running to Exmoor, another beautiful day in the Motherland. I had no idea what was coming my way that evening as COVID took hold and beat the living daylights out of me. Funnily enough day five was one of my best and I felt stronger as the day went on.
My mate Dangerous Dave, as the name suggest a real character. As my roomie for the week we had so many laughs, such a nice guy, looking forward to running a few miles with Dave next year.
Just before hitting Exmoor after the last aid station for the day. Was feeling the love and looking forward to Exmoor.
On Exmoor enjoying the views and terrain, life really doesn’t get any better.
Coming to the finish… my last for the event with hindsight.
As I said earlier watching these videos for me brings back so many good memories and I’m desperate to finish the race in 2024. There’s a few things that need to go my way first but it’s always in the back of my mind and early next year I’ll sit down with the powers that be, no1 Wife, and ask the question. Until then I have the Delirious West 200 miler in February, ( https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/ ) Herdy’s Frontyard ultra ( https://herdysfrontyard.com.au/ ) in March and then the Lighthorse Ultra 24 hours in April. ( https://lighthorseultra.com.au/ )
As you can see from my Strava extra (you do have Strava right ? http://www.strava.com ) I have started to ramp up, or even start?, training again after recovering from a hamstring tendon tear. I’ll be aiming for consistency for December before hitting the trails in January. This should give e the base I need for the ultra season which starts in February with my first 200 miler of the year. As always, I’m excited.
Training has started, albeit slowly.
fisiocrem ( https://www.fisiocrem.com.au/ ) is just bloody brilliant and does exactly what it says it does , it just gets the major muscle groups moving again. I use this extensively towards the end of the race when my quads are hammered. It really makes a difference and allows me to move back through the gears towards the end of an event when most runners are stumbling home.
Fisiocrem is a must have in your ultra box of tricks…
Bix hydration is just ace, a product brought to life by Vlad Ixel a professional ultra runner who knows a thing or two about hydration. ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/ ) The best thing about Bix is it tastes good with many different flavours and you never get sick of drinking it, this is a big plus as Maurten and Tailwind (both great products) can be difficult to digest later in the event. From the website :-
As an Australian elite multiple trail running champion, with wins in over 40 ultra-marathon races across Asia, recovery from training and races has always been my top priority.
In searching for a solid recovery and hydration supplement, I recognized that critical vitamins and minerals – both in diversity and quantity – were missing from almost all supplements on the market. I had the feeling that in an effort to maximize their bottom-lines, companies in the hydration space, failed to deliver a product that could meaningfully assist athlete performance.
In order to address this, I began the development of a hydration product. After two and a half years of development alongside a leading German sports scientist, BIX Recovery, an advanced, high-quality recovery drink was born.
BIX boosts 12 active ingredients scientifically balanced to replace lost electrolytes and assist in immune function. It’s designed with quality vitamins and minerals, in quantities that work!
BIX is a recovery solution for everyone, that will get you to the top of your game!
Great hydration.
What can I say about HumanTecar, ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) it looks great, smells great and is awesome for recovery or even pre-run/workout. Read about the science behind it first and then try the products. The compression bandages are just magical after a long event. Put these on and the next day you are recovered, I have used them on a number of occasions and they never fail to astound me albeit the family poke fun at me as I look like a ‘mummy and smell funny’ !
Fractel ( https://fractel.com.au/ ) have your performance headgear covered. I love the colours and the functionality of these hats, I guarantee there is one model you’ll fall in love with.
Fractel headgear, just ace.
Shokz headphones, let you keep in touch with the world around while losing yourself in quality tunes or podcasts. ( https://shokz.com.au/ )
Best running headphones EVER !
T8 running apparel is the best you can get, second to none. Designed for the ultra humid Hong Kong conditions the owners live in. It is light and does away with any chaffing worries. T8 is the name given to the highest typhoon warning in Honk Kong, storms and typhoons with gusts exceeding 180kph, which explains the branding. ( https://t8.run/)
Altra supply the best trail shoes on the planet, in my opinion, and none better than the Olympus five. Do yourself a favour and buy a pair. ( https://www.altrarunning.com.au/ )
https://www.osprey.com/au/en/category/hydration/trail-running/ Osprey Australia have come onboard and are supplying me with two running backpacks and travelling luggage for the Run Britannia adventure. I particularly like their running backpacks and am excited to test them over the event. I’ll be using the Duro 6 and the Duro 1.5 backpacks.
Excited to have Coros onboard who have supplied me with the new Apex 2 Pro GPS watch. I already owned the Apex 2 and was stoked when Coros reached out and offered me an upgrade. Even more battery life, can you believe 75 hours using GPS, wow! The watch itself is awesome, so light and well made. The watch is paired with a incredible application to keep track of all your stats, and runners love stats ! . ( https://coros.net.au/ )
Post Run Britannia I took my recovery from COVID seriously and basically did nothing bar put on about eight kilo’s in weight. As you can see from the Strava extract below ( you have Strava right ? http://www.strava.com ) I didn’t run again until early August, giving myself seven weeks off completely. Could I have ran ? Yep, did I want to run, nope. I wasn’t injured just devastated and mentally broken. Run Britannia was to be the pièce de ré·sist·ance of my running career, a new high from which I would contemplate my future running goals and even maybe start thinking abut retiring from these ultra races, I did say only think about it.
Anyhow now it had turned into a new low, an event that offered so much and , to me, was a runners dream , had turned into my worst nightmare. As well as not finishing , or even getting close, it had cost me so much financially and also I had sacrificed so much family time to make the run happen. There were no family holidays of note for the last few years, the entry fee for the race would have paid for two or three foreign holidays for the whole family, with all the trimmings. This played on my mind heavily. The final nail in my running coffin was losing both my dogs weeks after returning. This hit me hard, real hard. The reason I had two dogs was the last time I lost my dog I was so destroyed my logic was by having two I would always have one to grieve with. I never imagined they would both leave me within days of each other. Thus my plan back fired , big time. Even now I suffer with their passing but each day it gets batter, albeit only slightly. So it took me until early August before I could lace up and start training for the Feral Pig 100 miler in early November, one of my favourite races. ( https://feralpigultra.com.au/ )
So off I went again, slowly at first but week by week I started to see some improvements and my waist line started to recede. After a month I started to add in double days and some pace ; things were really looking up. My mojo was back and I was excited about running with the Feral Pig well and truly in my sights. I had also found a new favourite run, a one mile loop in Bold Park which had a nice combination of terrain plus a nasty little hill that always tested me. I would run it six timed for my 10k fix, normally twice a day. Towards the end of my training block I also add a 6k addition where I would add pace, a kick as I called it. Things were coming together nicely.
My third and final Strava image shows the last five weeks since my injury. The two small green spots are my latest two attempts at running. The first I managed about a kilometre on a Yelo run before it became to painful to continue (even taking into account some seriously good pain killers and anti-inflammatories that would fix an elephant) and the second was yesterday when I managed 500 metres on an oval, albeit I was careful and pulled the pin early, a technique I think I will have to embrace over the next few weeks. The orange spots are cycling activities , cocooned in lycra on my Giant bike as I was finding the Elliptigo aggravated my injury. The injury that keeps on giving…
The same stages apply to an injury.
My Daughter recounted this to me a few days ago in reference to my ongoing battle with injury. She reckoned I was moving into the depression stage and truth be told she’s probably right.
The 5 stages of grief can be virtually mirrored for injuries when you’re a runner. Well they work for me. The first stage is denial. I would go to the physio, grab a few exercises and still make Feral, hell, I had five weeks. Five weeks later I’m still not running and a MRI has shown nasty hamstring tendon damage, the kind that takes time to heal.
Next comes anger. Boy, I was angry missing Feral, this had been a goal race and my come back after Run Britannia. I was a fool for probably pushing myself too hard, too soon after such a long lay off. Funny enough I even felt a slight hamstring niggle on the morning of the injury but sat down to work from home and ignored it. I had decoded to run again lunch time so I could take my Mum to the Crown Casino for a show in the evening. Fatal mistake, I lasted three laps of my Bold Park route and pulled up lame, knowing instantly I had done some proper damage.
Next come bargaining. For me this was about convincing myself I’d be right in a few days after physiology. Again . no problem, I bargained my injury window down to a week or two max with the upside this would be good ‘rest’ time, something I never do normally, pre Feral.
Once bargaining fails it headlong into depression, which is where I am now. Depressed at what could have been and also depressed that I’m still injured and my 2 days blip has become a five week road block with little sign of abating. Worse still my last 500 metre run was as bad as the first run five weeks ago which started this sad tale. Oh yeah, I’m depressed. It gets even worse, I’ve had to resort to spending two hours a day on the bike to try and save my cardio fitness. This is depressing but also painful. How these cyclist breed is beyond me.? The family jewels have taken a right royal beating on the Perth bike paths and I either need to man up or get cycling shorts with more padding. (maybe a cushion! or even better a cushioned seat as the one I got seemed purpose built to inflict as much pain as possible. Maybe this is why cyclists spend so long in cafe’s drinking coffee and eating cake, to rest their ‘how’s your fathers’ ‘ )
Finally comes acceptance, with the 6 inch Ultra in December and the ADU 100k in January . I realise that the five weeks of no running (with more time to come.) is too much for me to give a good account of myself at either of these races. The bigger picture is what I am focues on now, Delirious West 200 miler in February, this is non-negotiable, I am running (or walking , or crawling!) this race !
Injury wise I’ve been lucky over the last 10 years. Planta Fasciitis a few times, four calf knots which accounted for maybe 4-6 weeks of no running, less than one week a year. I know that it about as good as you get but as I sit him typing away I’m not overly excited about my previous track record. If you’re a runner you get injured, this is as certain as the sun rising in the morning and setting in the evening. How long and when depends on so many variables but I could kick myself for missing the signs (for missing substitute ‘ignoring’!) and allow the two day injury to morph into this five week (and counting) career threatening hamstring tendon damage from hell. Off course I did sell my soul to the Devil for this good run but was hoping to get longer than 10 years. That’s the problem with dealing with Lucifer, just can’t trust him. Oh well, onwards and upwards, the bike is calling and how much more pain can the family jewels endure? Surely over time the jewels will ‘harden up’ or maybe they just fall off ?
I have also got my treadmill back, the one that I brought when we entered COVID lockdown early 2020 and then loaned out to Adam for a few years. I don’t think I’ve ever used it in anger truth be told but it should help as it’ll be easier on the legs, I can also add a good gradient if necessary ; without leaving my a garage. Not a fan of treadmills but I’ll get a TV set up in the garage and catch up on all my Netflix movies while exercising, winning.
My COVID treat..
Finally as prevention is better than cure I’ll be hitting my massage gun, every runner needs one of these , they are ace. I use an Australian made product, the Stryke recovery gun. ( https://www.strykerecovery.com.au/ ) I have had mine for over two years and it still does the job, I just need to use it more. This weapon has saved my life many times on the longer ultras when you have time to really get into the aching muscles. This together with humantecar spray ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) and fisiocrem ( https://www.fisiocrem.com.au/ ) are must haves for longer events and also injury prevention.
fisiocrem ( https://www.fisiocrem.com.au/ ) is just bloody brilliant and does exactly what it says it does , it just gets the major muscle groups moving again. I use this extensively towards the end of the race when my quads are hammered. It really makes a difference and allows me to move back through the gears towards the end of an event when most runners are stumbling home.
Fisiocrem is a must have in your ultra box of tricks…
Bix hydration is just ace, a product brought to life by Vlad Ixel a professional ultra runner who knows a thing or two about hydration. ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/ ) The best thing about Bix is it tastes good with many different flavours and you never get sick of drinking it, this is a big plus as Maurten and Tailwind (both great products) can be difficult to digest later in the event. From the website :-
As an Australian elite multiple trail running champion, with wins in over 40 ultra-marathon races across Asia, recovery from training and races has always been my top priority.
In searching for a solid recovery and hydration supplement, I recognized that critical vitamins and minerals – both in diversity and quantity – were missing from almost all supplements on the market. I had the feeling that in an effort to maximize their bottom-lines, companies in the hydration space, failed to deliver a product that could meaningfully assist athlete performance.
In order to address this, I began the development of a hydration product. After two and a half years of development alongside a leading German sports scientist, BIX Recovery, an advanced, high-quality recovery drink was born.
BIX boosts 12 active ingredients scientifically balanced to replace lost electrolytes and assist in immune function. It’s designed with quality vitamins and minerals, in quantities that work!
BIX is a recovery solution for everyone, that will get you to the top of your game!
Great hydration.
What can I say about HumanTecar, ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) it looks great, smells great and is awesome for recovery or even pre-run/workout. Read about the science behind it first and then try the products. The compression bandages are just magical after a long event. Put these on and the next day you are recovered, I have used them on a number of occasions and they never fail to astound me albeit the family poke fun at me as I look like a ‘mummy and smell funny’ !
Fractel ( https://fractel.com.au/ ) have your performance headgear covered. I love the colours and the functionality of these hats, I guarantee there is one model you’ll fall in love with.
Fractel headgear, just ace.
Shokz headphones, let you keep in touch with the world around while losing yourself in quality tunes or podcasts. ( https://shokz.com.au/ )
Best running headphones EVER !
T8 running apparel is the best you can get, second to none. Designed for the ultra humid Hong Kong conditions the owners live in. It is light and does away with any chaffing worries. T8 is the name given to the highest typhoon warning in Honk Kong, storms and typhoons with gusts exceeding 180kph, which explains the branding. ( https://t8.run/)
Altra supply the best trail shoes on the planet, in my opinion, and none better than the Olympus five. Do yourself a favour and buy a pair. ( https://www.altrarunning.com.au/ )
https://www.osprey.com/au/en/category/hydration/trail-running/ Osprey Australia have come onboard and are supplying me with two running backpacks and travelling luggage for the Run Britannia adventure. I particularly like their running backpacks and am excited to test them over the event. I’ll be using the Duro 6 and the Duro 1.5 backpacks.
Excited to have Coros onboard who have supplied me with the new Apex 2 Pro GPS watch. I already owned the Apex 2 and was stoked when Coros reached out and offered me an upgrade. Even more battery life, can you believe 75 hours using GPS, wow! The watch itself is awesome, so light and well made. The watch is paired with a incredible application to keep track of all your stats, and runners love stats ! . ( https://coros.net.au/ )
Day five was ace, running with good friends in perfect English summer conditions was glorious. I had such a great day but unfortunately all that unraveled very quickly that afternoon just before dinner. I had overdosed on the protein drinks at the finish of stage five, or so I thought, and came down with a bad case of diarrhea as soon as I got back to the accommodation. After dinner I did my normal routine of preparing for the next day, stocking up on gels, hydration (including bix tablets https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au) and a half an hour on the massage gun and human tecar massage spray. ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) As the night went on I started to feel a chill coming on and decided to call it early and scuttle off to bed. That night I think I probably spent more time in the toilet than in the bedroom which was difficult as I was sharing a three bedroom apartment with two toilets and five other runners.
Needless to say the next morning I was not at my best and after packing (we were moving accommodation that evening) I struggled back to bed feeling very ropey. Eventually I had to leave the comfort of my bed and staggered to the van that would take us to the day five finishing point to start our journey. As the image below shows I wasn’t looking great and knw I was in for a long day at the office.
Not my best look, taken by Dave on the way to the start.
Once we arrived at the start I knew I was in trouble. The conditions had changed from day five and we were faced with a very chilly, foggy morning and I was completely unprepared. As the group disembarked I was the last to leave the sanctuary of the van and was soon left behind as I had to make several unplanned toilet stops as my diarrhea had not gotten any better. With the fog engulfing me and the cold air going right through me I was not in a good place, add in the diarrhea and it was a perfect storm, I was in trouble.
Exmoor wasn’t so inviting on day six.
As we moved off Exmoor the early morning fog disappeared and at least I could see my surroundings. The terrain didn’t make running fun though, lots of stones testing every step.
The loneliness of the long distance runner.
Coming off the moor we ran through a really cool forest with some great running but by this stage I was leapfrogging from toilet stop to toilet stop and constantly looking for places to answer the call of nature without the possibility of being seen. Around this time Andy Gray did catch me as I was in the prone position and he was backtracking as he was lost, a tad embarrassing for both parties. I explained the situation and he had some anti-diarrhea tablets which I gobbled down. It was good to see other runners and I latched on to the group albeit keeping my distance as I scuttled to yet another toilet stop.
A really cool forest to run through.
There was some really good running off Exmoor and before the first aid station but all I could muster was a walk and a slow ‘death jog‘ at best. Saying that I was able to hold onto the last group and we came upon aid station one together. I was going to call it at this stage but a cup of tea with three sugars and the sun coming out persuaded me to continue. I felt like death but what other option was there really.
John and Andrea (Sunshine) climbing a very steep hill.
Eventually the sun came out and things warmed up and the trail just got better. Again I was dropped by the last group and walked more than I ran. I was going downhill fast but just had to keep moving forward. Unfortunately diarrhea was still a big issue and as I moved through towns and more densely populated areas it was becoming a real problem, for me and the general public.
Just after aid station one I came across a café and decided to get a Cappuccino that I had been promising myself for the last six days. It felt good to sit down in the sun and drink a coffee but this was a temporary reprieve, I was goosed and when I set off went backwards pretty fast. With aid station two coming up, around thirty kilometres into the stage, I ran though a small coastal town and on a whim decided to pick up a COVID test. In the back of my mind I always knew there was a chance I could catch COVID with the flight from Australia and I think I knew , deep down, I had it by this stage.
My one Cappuccino while running..
Not sure what beach this is but there’s a funny story attached to it. While running on the trail my diarrhea finally got the better of me and I was forced to scuttle off the trail and into the ocean to wash off my shorts. So here am I, shorts in hand, unbeknown to me two walkers right behind me. Needless to say both parties didn’t know where to look. Funny now, not so amusing at the time.
I certainly left my mark here, with two walkers anyway.
I made aid station two in last place and pulled out my COVID test which proved my diagnosis, positive. Devastated doesn’t get anywhere near what I felt. I rang my Wife in tears , my dream shattered, a broken man. Two things would stop me finishing, an injury of course and COVID. I was having such a good time and was living the runners dream, Run Britannia was everything I imaged it to be and more, and to have that taken from you was just gut wrenching, even now I find it hard to describe the feeling.
I had always said if I did catch COVID during the event I would pull out. I wasn’t prepared to risk possible long term physical damage trying to run an ultra a day while recovering from the virus. Recovering from any virus takes time and the strain on the heart , combined with my age, was a risk I was not prepared to take. It was the right decision to leave when I did and return home to recuperate, the right decision but it didn’t help.
Back in Oz I spent two weeks sleeping more than anything else. COVID drained me physically and I was mentally destroyed leaving Run Britannia early, not a happy chap truth be told. It took me over six weeks to even think about running and I cut myself off from family and friends , working from home but really just existing. What made it worse was I knew the event was ongoing and I cut all ties with social media , it was just too hard . Dark times indeed.
My last photo about a kilometre before my last aid station.
As the image below shows I was fairly inactive post Run Britannia, physically and mentally broken. Probably my longest time without running , bar injuries, in the last ten years. Dark times indeed. I also discovered how easy it is too put on weight, without really trying and am now learning how hard it is to shift it. !
Post Run Britannia..
The last seven or so weeks I’ve found my mojo and training has stated in earnest for the Feral Pig 100 miler in the first week of November. ( https://feralpigultra.com.au/ ) The best advice when you fall off a horse is get back on , this also rings true for ultra running albeit riding a horse in an ultra will probably get you disqualified ? Post Feral is my fourteenth 6 inch ultra start in December ( https://6inchtrailmarthon.com ) and then the Australia Day Ultra 100k late January ( https://australiadayultra.com/ ) before Delirious West 200 miler in February ( https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/ ) , Light horse Ultra April ( https://lighthorseultra.com.au/ ) and Herdy’s Front yard in May. ( https://herdysfrontyard.com.au/ ) Looks like I’m well and truly back on the horse from a racing point of view.
Back to normal…
So that’s it for Run Britannia, didn’t even finish the first week so very disappointed but had so much fun when I was there. Met some wonderful people who I regret not getting to know better in my short time but I always envisages five weeks of togetherness not less than one. The organisation was top class , thankyou James and his crew, and if you’re thinking about throwing your hat in the ring for this beast of an event I recommend you do. Will I go back ? I would love to but the cost and time away from the family is tough to justify two years in a row but never say never, if the dice rolls my way who knows?
Would I like to go back ? 100% yes, it was such an incredible adventure there is nothing I’d rather do but sometimes you’re dealt a hand and you just got to play it, this year I twisted when I should have stuck.
fisiocrem ( https://www.fisiocrem.com.au/ ) is just bloody brilliant and does exactly what it says it does , it just gets the major muscle groups moving again. I use this extensively towards the end of the race when my quads are hammered. It really makes a difference and allows me to move back through the gears towards the end of an event when most runners are stumbling home.
Fisiocrem is a must have in your ultra box of tricks…
Bix hydration is just ace, a product brought to life by Vlad Ixel a professional ultra runner who knows a thing or two about hydration. ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/ ) The best thing about Bix is it tastes good with many different flavours and you never get sick of drinking it, this is a big plus as Maurten and Tailwind (both great products) can be difficult to digest later in the event. From the website :-
As an Australian elite multiple trail running champion, with wins in over 40 ultra-marathon races across Asia, recovery from training and races has always been my top priority.
In searching for a solid recovery and hydration supplement, I recognized that critical vitamins and minerals – both in diversity and quantity – were missing from almost all supplements on the market. I had the feeling that in an effort to maximize their bottom-lines, companies in the hydration space, failed to deliver a product that could meaningfully assist athlete performance.
In order to address this, I began the development of a hydration product. After two and a half years of development alongside a leading German sports scientist, BIX Recovery, an advanced, high-quality recovery drink was born.
BIX boosts 12 active ingredients scientifically balanced to replace lost electrolytes and assist in immune function. It’s designed with quality vitamins and minerals, in quantities that work!
BIX is a recovery solution for everyone, that will get you to the top of your game!
Great hydration.
What can I say about HumanTecar, ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) it looks great, smells great and is awesome for recovery or even pre-run/workout. Read about the science behind it first and then try the products. The compression bandages are just magical after a long event. Put these on and the next day you are recovered, I have used them on a number of occasions and they never fail to astound me albeit the family poke fun at me as I look like a ‘mummy and smell funny’ !
Fractel ( https://fractel.com.au/ ) have your performance headgear covered. I love the colours and the functionality of these hats, I guarantee there is one model you’ll fall in love with.
Fractel headgear, just ace.
Shokz headphones, let you keep in touch with the world around while losing yourself in quality tunes or podcasts. ( https://shokz.com.au/ )
Best running headphones EVER !
T8 running apparel is the best you can get, second to none. Designed for the ultra humid Hong Kong conditions the owners live in. It is light and does away with any chaffing worries. T8 is the name given to the highest typhoon warning in Honk Kong, storms and typhoons with gusts exceeding 180kph, which explains the branding. ( https://t8.run/)
Altra supply the best trail shoes on the planet, in my opinion, and none better than the Olympus five. Do yourself a favour and buy a pair. ( https://www.altrarunning.com.au/ )
https://www.osprey.com/au/en/category/hydration/trail-running/ Osprey Australia have come onboard and are supplying me with two running backpacks and travelling luggage for the Run Britannia adventure. I particularly like their running backpacks and am excited to test them over the event. I’ll be using the Duro 6 and the Duro 1.5 backpacks.
Excited to have Coros onboard who have supplied me with the new Apex 2 Pro GPS watch. I already owned the Apex 2 and was stoked when Coros reached out and offered me an upgrade. Even more battery life, can you believe 75 hours using GPS, wow! The watch itself is awesome, so light and well made. The watch is paired with a incredible application to keep track of all your stats, and runners love stats ! . ( https://coros.net.au/ )
We left our accommodation which we had been in for three nights and boarded the bus to take us back to the finish from day four, which was a carpark outside a pub in Bideford. Straight away I saw the answer to my prayers, a motorised scooter, just what I needed for another day mainly on concrete paths or b-roads. This was frowned upon by my fellow competitors , and probably the owner of the vehicle, so off on foot I scampered.
A tempting offer at the start of the day.
The first ten kilometres from the start was on concrete paths that run through stunning scenery. Not quite the coastal beauty we had experienced previously but flat and fast. It was good to get some kilometres under the belt early and we hit the first pit stop very quickly. I ordered my obligatory tea with three sugars and wolfed down a few Rat Race bars. I had ran with my good mate Dave ‘Dangerous’ Douglas and we shared some great stories and bad jokes, time disappeared quickly, funnily enough like Dave at the pit stop. Dangerous didn’t like to hang about and treated each stage as a mini race, I was more than happy to chew the fat , and drink the tea, at aid stations, after all it was Run Britannia not Race Britannia.
Straight away we were faced with great running, beautiful weather and awesome scenery, the norm for this event.
As well as myself there was one other Australian who had made the long trip from down under, here the two of us ham it up for the camera.
Team Australia.. there was two of us.
Running to the coast albeit we never got there on this stage.
Great running, this was just before the first aid station, again perfect conditions.
Highlight of day two was definitely spending time with Dangerous Dave. We were room buddies and two peas in a pod, time with Dave passed very quickly despite his very bad jokes. Meeting someone for the first time but instantly knowing you’d be good friends is rare and with Dangerous I had that connection. I have many regrets with leaving Run Britannia early but missing out on spending the extra four weeks running with Dave is my main one. He killed it of course and was one of the dozen or so runners who finished every stage, despite a dodgy ankle for a few stages where he had to hobble the whole stage and his Father passing away in the first week. Dave is a genuine nice guy, plain and simple. I look forward to spending some time in his company, someday.
Met Dangerous at aid station two and had more quality time together.
Dave was also useful to act as a human shield so I was always keen to let him lead as we ran along the b-road ‘killing fields’ , as I call them. As I said in a previous post cars aren’t expecting runners on these roads and you really need to approach every corner under the assumption there is a Volkswagen van being driven by a homicidal maniac just around the corner, whose sole purpose in life is to add you to his hood ornament.
Using Dangerous as a human shield for oncoming traffic.
Saw this outside a local church and couldn’t resist, you’d be mad not to surely.
Try praying… so good.
Dave and I made our way through the countryside stopping only for the odd photo opportunity too good to turn up. He has a flare for photographer Dave, as well as running. How good is the scenery ? Clean streams flowing under beautiful hand built bridges from a by-gone era, so quintessential English.
A Dangerous Dave original; photo.
The day was spent mainly on back lanes with the odd section of b-roads , running through picture postcard English countryside in perfect summer conditions. The organisers couldn’t have hoped for these conditions in their wildest dreams, we were truly blessed.
There was some countryside running as we neared Exmoor.
A Rat Race aid station , an oasis of calm in a storm of ultra running !
Leaving the last aid station for the day I started on the last climb and was met with the Union Jack flying in the wind. An in credible view on a day of incredible views, this day really couldn’t have got any better.
The last trail in the Dunkery and Horner wood, how bloody English is that ? The image below shows the last rise to the finish aid station on Exmoor. Conditions really were stunning and a sharp contrast to the start the next day. I was just behind Martin and we both finished within a few minutes of each other. There were three or four other runners waiting to greet us, as well as the Rat Race crew, at the finish, hugs all around and then onto the food.
Dunkery and Horner wood.Day Five, done and dusted.
We finished day five on Exmoor in glorious conditions. The Rat Race crew were there and I gorged on protein shakes, donuts and fruit. After running all day it was an oasis of food, just what us runners needed. My Altra Vanish Tempo’s had been through a rough couple of days and looked the worse for wear but had been a good shoe choice for the day. Probably back to the Altra Olympus trainers for day six as there would be some time on Exmoor, which was mainly single track trail. Unbeknown to me at the time today would be my last full day on Run Britannia and it was certainly a day I will never forget, similar to day six but for completely opposite reasons.
fisiocrem ( https://www.fisiocrem.com.au/ ) is just bloody brilliant and does exactly what it says it does , it just gets the major muscle groups moving again. I use this extensively towards the end of the race when my quads are hammered. It really makes a difference and allows me to move back through the gears towards the end of an event when most runners are stumbling home.
Fisiocrem is a must have in your ultra box of tricks…
Bix hydration is just ace, a product brought to life by Vlad Ixel a professional ultra runner who knows a thing or two about hydration. ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/ ) The best thing about Bix is it tastes good with many different flavours and you never get sick of drinking it, this is a big plus as Maurten and Tailwind (both great products) can be difficult to digest later in the event. From the website :-
As an Australian elite multiple trail running champion, with wins in over 40 ultra-marathon races across Asia, recovery from training and races has always been my top priority.
In searching for a solid recovery and hydration supplement, I recognized that critical vitamins and minerals – both in diversity and quantity – were missing from almost all supplements on the market. I had the feeling that in an effort to maximize their bottom-lines, companies in the hydration space, failed to deliver a product that could meaningfully assist athlete performance.
In order to address this, I began the development of a hydration product. After two and a half years of development alongside a leading German sports scientist, BIX Recovery, an advanced, high-quality recovery drink was born.
BIX boosts 12 active ingredients scientifically balanced to replace lost electrolytes and assist in immune function. It’s designed with quality vitamins and minerals, in quantities that work!
BIX is a recovery solution for everyone, that will get you to the top of your game!
Great hydration.
What can I say about HumanTecar, ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) it looks great, smells great and is awesome for recovery or even pre-run/workout. Read about the science behind it first and then try the products. The compression bandages are just magical after a long event. Put these on and the next day you are recovered, I have used them on a number of occasions and they never fail to astound me albeit the family poke fun at me as I look like a ‘mummy and smell funny’ !
Fractel ( https://fractel.com.au/ ) have your performance headgear covered. I love the colours and the functionality of these hats, I guarantee there is one model you’ll fall in love with.
Fractel headgear, just ace.
Shokz headphones, let you keep in touch with the world around while losing yourself in quality tunes or podcasts. ( https://shokz.com.au/ )
Best running headphones EVER !
T8 running apparel is the best you can get, second to none. Designed for the ultra humid Hong Kong conditions the owners live in. It is light and does away with any chaffing worries. T8 is the name given to the highest typhoon warning in Honk Kong, storms and typhoons with gusts exceeding 180kph, which explains the branding. ( https://t8.run/)
Altra supply the best trail shoes on the planet, in my opinion, and none better than the Olympus five. Do yourself a favour and buy a pair. ( https://www.altrarunning.com.au/ )
https://www.osprey.com/au/en/category/hydration/trail-running/ Osprey Australia have come onboard and are supplying me with two running backpacks and travelling luggage for the Run Britannia adventure. I particularly like their running backpacks and am excited to test them over the event. I’ll be using the Duro 6 and the Duro 1.5 backpacks.
Excited to have Coros onboard who have supplied me with the new Apex 2 Pro GPS watch. I already owned the Apex 2 and was stoked when Coros reached out and offered me an upgrade. Even more battery life, can you believe 75 hours using GPS, wow! The watch itself is awesome, so light and well made. The watch is paired with a incredible application to keep track of all your stats, and runners love stats ! . ( https://coros.net.au/ )
We viewed a forty one day stage, mainly on road, as a rest day after three brutal trail days running nearly sixty kilometres each day. I’d miss the ocean views but not the testing terrain, I was ready for a short (relatively speaking) , easy road day.
Pretty good start to the day, this was after about 5 minutes of running. ( Nature stop)
After about ten minutes running it was time to say good buy to the coast and we wouldn’t see the ocean again until we arrived in Bideford at the end of the stage.
First town after the start and instantly got lost, go figure. ?
Once we got on the back roads I even bumped into a deer which I wasn’t expecting so close to civilisation. A surreal moment where we both stopped and just eye balled each other before the deer vanished, pretty cool start to the day.
Wasn’t expecting to see a deer ?
A lot of day four was on back lanes and b-roads, the back lanes were ok but the b-roads were like the killing fields. Motorists didn’t expect to see runners and drove accordingly, you had to be very careful how you crossed any corners making sure you gave yourself and the vehicles space to avoid a collision. You needed to keep your wits about you that’s for sure and on a number of occasions I was forced to find safety deep in the hedgerow. To be fair it’s not the motorists fault , we were invading their territory. Still made the day interesting.
The killing fields ? The back lanes were ok but the b-roads were life changing.
It was another big day as we left our first county moving from Cornwall into Devon. I don’t think you will ever get those conditions for the Cornwall stage again, they were absolutely perfect. Constant sunshine but never too hot that you couldn’t enjoy your surroundings and what surroundings. I truly believe, when conditions are that good, there is nowhere in the world I’d rather be. If they could just warm up the water , maybe climate change will turn Cornwall tropical , or should I say more tropical?
There really are no words for Cornwall, it had put on a show and delivered the most magical conditions showcasing all she had to offer, perfect , just perfect.
Incredible, just incredible.
So it was over to Devon and see what she had to offer us, I was leaving my comfort zone as I grew up in Cornwall and we always had a rivalry with our nearest neighbour, albeit I was looking forward to some Devon Scones with Jam and Cream.
County number two promised more of the same.
Truth be told it was very hard to distinguish between a Cornish lane and a Devon one. You were also just as likely to meet Lewis Hamilton wanna-be’s in their Volkswagen Vans so you still needed to keep your wits about you or you’d end up a hood ornament.
Funnily enough Devon lanes look very similar to Cornwall lanes.
The one oasis of hydration and nutrition , apart from the local village shops or town supermarkets, was the Rat Race pit stops. These were a gourmet smorgasbord and manned by the best helpers since Father Christmas discovered Elves. We were treated like royalty and the hardest part was leaving albeit the next one was never far away. The crew were so good and the tukka was delicious , again I must mention the Rat Race bars.
Funnily enough I did manage to miss a few pit stops and this was entirely my fault as they were well marked and before each day we were drilled on their locations. The old adage ‘you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink’… it’s like you can put out a pitstop but you cannot guarantee the runner will stop and find it !
The final part of this stage was the South West Coastal Path which was stunning. We left the ‘take your life in your hands’ b-road , ran over a picturesque bridge (see below) and then followed this path to Bideford. Some great images and I even persuaded a cyclist to take a photo.
Another beautiful water crossing.
The images never do the actual scenery justice, I even went to the expense of buying an iphone 14 pro but still the final photos never show how good it really was. A photo doesn’t show the whole picture so to speak, the summer sunshine warming you as you move along trails that make you glad to be alive, breathing in the beauty of all around you. I really haven’t got the vocabulary to fully describe the feeling, if there are even words that are available. You just need to get out there and experience it yourself. Crossing this bridge, leaving the road, and heading onto the South West coastal trail was invigorating as I also knew the end was in sight and I was feeling great. No fatigue just enjoying the moment and cruising to another finish.
The run into Bideford was scenic to the max.
Although there were sections of concrete the surroundings more than made up for the terrain underfoot. So much greenery, England in full bloom is a glorious place to be.
Some great trails at the end of the day.
There was trails as well as the concrete footpath so you were never too far from some great trail running and the odd stile to keep you honest.
On the outskirts of Bideford, another day complete.
When I persuaded a cyslist to take this photo I was close to the finish and feeling so good. The stage was relatively short compared to the previous three days so I had lots left in the tank, it was virtually a rest day as we had also left the testing undulations of the coastal path. It had been a great day.
Feeling good at the accommodation after a ‘rest day’, only 41km.
All that was left to do was get a great selfie with some of my housemates and then all scuttle off to the pub for a good feed, tell a few tall stories of the days adventures and prepare to repeat the whole process the next day, we really were living the dream.
fisiocrem ( https://www.fisiocrem.com.au/ ) is just bloody brilliant and does exactly what it says it does , it just gets the major muscle groups moving again. I use this extensively towards the end of the race when my quads are hammered. It really makes a difference and allows me to move back through the gears towards the end of an event when most runners are stumbling home.
Fisiocrem is a must have in your ultra box of tricks…
Bix hydration is just ace, a product brought to life by Vlad Ixel a professional ultra runner who knows a thing or two about hydration. ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/ ) The best thing about Bix is it tastes good with many different flavours and you never get sick of drinking it, this is a big plus as Maurten and Tailwind (both great products) can be difficult to digest later in the event. From the website :-
As an Australian elite multiple trail running champion, with wins in over 40 ultra-marathon races across Asia, recovery from training and races has always been my top priority.
In searching for a solid recovery and hydration supplement, I recognized that critical vitamins and minerals – both in diversity and quantity – were missing from almost all supplements on the market. I had the feeling that in an effort to maximize their bottom-lines, companies in the hydration space, failed to deliver a product that could meaningfully assist athlete performance.
In order to address this, I began the development of a hydration product. After two and a half years of development alongside a leading German sports scientist, BIX Recovery, an advanced, high-quality recovery drink was born.
BIX boosts 12 active ingredients scientifically balanced to replace lost electrolytes and assist in immune function. It’s designed with quality vitamins and minerals, in quantities that work!
BIX is a recovery solution for everyone, that will get you to the top of your game!
Great hydration.
What can I say about HumanTecar, ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) it looks great, smells great and is awesome for recovery or even pre-run/workout. Read about the science behind it first and then try the products. The compression bandages are just magical after a long event. Put these on and the next day you are recovered, I have used them on a number of occasions and they never fail to astound me albeit the family poke fun at me as I look like a ‘mummy and smell funny’ !
Fractel ( https://fractel.com.au/ ) have your performance headgear covered. I love the colours and the functionality of these hats, I guarantee there is one model you’ll fall in love with.
Fractel headgear, just ace.
Shokz headphones, let you keep in touch with the world around while losing yourself in quality tunes or podcasts. ( https://shokz.com.au/ )
Best running headphones EVER !
T8 running apparel is the best you can get, second to none. Designed for the ultra humid Hong Kong conditions the owners live in. It is light and does away with any chaffing worries. T8 is the name given to the highest typhoon warning in Honk Kong, storms and typhoons with gusts exceeding 180kph, which explains the branding. ( https://t8.run/)
Altra supply the best trail shoes on the planet, in my opinion, and none better than the Olympus five. Do yourself a favour and buy a pair. ( https://www.altrarunning.com.au/ )
https://www.osprey.com/au/en/category/hydration/trail-running/ Osprey Australia have come onboard and are supplying me with two running backpacks and travelling luggage for the Run Britannia adventure. I particularly like their running backpacks and am excited to test them over the event. I’ll be using the Duro 6 and the Duro 1.5 backpacks.
Excited to have Coros onboard who have supplied me with the new Apex 2 Pro GPS watch. I already owned the Apex 2 and was stoked when Coros reached out and offered me an upgrade. Even more battery life, can you believe 75 hours using GPS, wow! The watch itself is awesome, so light and well made. The watch is paired with a incredible application to keep track of all your stats, and runners love stats ! . ( https://coros.net.au/ )
Day three and it was another glorious day in sunny Cornwall. Padstow to Bude would turn out to be very , very special. It 59km kilometres of incredible running over scenery that defied logic at times, it was just too perfect. I felt like I was seeing a picture postcard around every corner, each one outdoing the previous.
Padstow , before the ferry crossing.
Managed to get some video of the ferry crossing and Dave ‘Dangerous’ Dougla getting reprimanded for standing on the seats. I wish I’d taken more video, next time !
The highlight of day three was running through Port Isaac, an iconic village made famous by the TV series Doc Marten. It did not disappoint. I’ve added three images below but could have added hundreds more, the place is a picture postcard on steroids’ and the conditions were absolutely perfect. When the weather is this good there is no where else you’d rather be, nowhere.
Port Isaac, just incredible.
The only downside is the water looks so inviting but if you venture in there there is a good chance you’ll lose the family jewels for many hours , post dip, it ain’t warm.
Port Isaac, image two. The outer harbour.
How incredible is that view, it was hard to move on , leaving such a paradise and a true Cornish iconic village. Thankyou Port Isaac, you delivered in spades.
Me trying to get all arty’ with a Cray pot.
We were warned on day one that North Cornwall was one of the hardest sections and although we were blessed with perfect conditions it didn’t disguise the terrain which was testing. If you weren’t going down steep slopes you were ascending similar gradients. Luckily there were no time pressures and it was up to each runner how quick they’d run the stage. Stopping for a photo was also an excuse for a well earned rest or a break for some hydration and nutrition.
North Cornwall was as brutal as it was beautiful. Undulating is putting it lightly.As the image shows I’m heading down to the beach and then up to the ridge. North Cornwall was tough.
The beauty of the Cornish coast is the splattering of small village stores hidden in the coves supplying the best refreshments, like unplanned aid stations filled to the gunnels with delicious offering. I was parched and this ice cream , together with some lucozade energy drink, recharged my batteries big time. I skipped off up the next hill with renewed vigor before bumping into some tourists who offered to take a photo, the day just kept on giving.
A runners dream, ice cream on a stinking hot day.
Experiencing the runners high after a great Cornish ice cream and also happy for a rest after the hill I had just clambered up. Notice my foot wear in this photo. I had gone for the Altra Vanish Tempo’s , which were brand new at the start of this stage, this was a mistake as I was taking my life in my hands on some of the steep climbs, especially going down. My logic was the path was very runnable and there was road sections ahead, with hindsight I should have packed my Altra Olympus runners and swapped at one of the aid stations. My lovely white tempo’s were christened early in the stage when I jumped into a cowpat (a flat round deposit of cow dung) while coming off a sty.
Certainly happier after the ice cream in the cove behind me.
I have added an image of an example of said cowpat, sort of landmines for ultra runners . Needless to say my lovely white Altra Tempos would never be that colour again.
A cowpat, hard on the outside, soft on the inside.
It was a blessing to leave the coast to the back roads where we offered some protection from the sun. You were always on the look out for water and this watering hole was extra special as it had goldfish, I assume they had been deposited there and just survived ?
The famous Cornish caged Goldfish.
Maybe they’re dangerous and thus need the cage to protect the general public from being mauled to death, a Cornish version of a Great White shark perhaps ?
They looked pretty harmless truth be told but I didn’t risk putting my hand through the grate ?
As well as backroads there was a few trails to keep you on your toes and these were heavily shaded which was a respite from the unforgiving sun.
Trails were the finishing touch to a perfect day of running.Another highlight, I told you it was a perfect day, Tintagel Castle, home of King Arthur.
Eventually the days running had to end and I was disappointed when I reached the finish for day three, albeit I was looking forward to a sit down and some tukka. Imagine how excited I was to receive an authentic Cornish party , bloody stoked. I devoured the beast quickly and then stripped off and had a relaxing (and invigorating ) swim in the ocean. Laying in the ocean I reflecting on the best day yet and wondered how much longer the event could keep producing the goods.
A Cornish party, a thing of natural beauty.
After the Cornish pasty it was back on one of the buses and we were whisked away to our overnight accommodation. We’d be here for three nights and I was grouped with five other runners in a three bedroom chalet, with sea view of course and close to a great pub which would feed and water us. As you can see from the image below it was burger , onion rings and chips, real ultra food.
A table of very tired but very happy ultra runners. Who gave Dangerous a knife ?
Finally a perfect sunset before retiring for the evening and preparing for day four, Bude to Bideford, a 41km day, virtually a rest day. I could hardly sleep I was so excited.
Even blessed with a prefect sunset before retiring for the night.
fisiocrem ( https://www.fisiocrem.com.au/ ) is just bloody brilliant and does exactly what it says it does , it just gets the major muscle groups moving again. I use this extensively towards the end of the race when my quads are hammered. It really makes a difference and allows me to move back through the gears towards the end of an event when most runners are stumbling home.
Fisiocrem is a must have in your ultra box of tricks…
Bix hydration is just ace, a product brought to life by Vlad Ixel a professional ultra runner who knows a thing or two about hydration. ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/ ) The best thing about Bix is it tastes good with many different flavours and you never get sick of drinking it, this is a big plus as Maurten and Tailwind (both great products) can be difficult to digest later in the event. From the website :-
As an Australian elite multiple trail running champion, with wins in over 40 ultra-marathon races across Asia, recovery from training and races has always been my top priority.
In searching for a solid recovery and hydration supplement, I recognized that critical vitamins and minerals – both in diversity and quantity – were missing from almost all supplements on the market. I had the feeling that in an effort to maximize their bottom-lines, companies in the hydration space, failed to deliver a product that could meaningfully assist athlete performance.
In order to address this, I began the development of a hydration product. After two and a half years of development alongside a leading German sports scientist, BIX Recovery, an advanced, high-quality recovery drink was born.
BIX boosts 12 active ingredients scientifically balanced to replace lost electrolytes and assist in immune function. It’s designed with quality vitamins and minerals, in quantities that work!
BIX is a recovery solution for everyone, that will get you to the top of your game!
Great hydration.
What can I say about HumanTecar, ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) it looks great, smells great and is awesome for recovery or even pre-run/workout. Read about the science behind it first and then try the products. The compression bandages are just magical after a long event. Put these on and the next day you are recovered, I have used them on a number of occasions and they never fail to astound me albeit the family poke fun at me as I look like a ‘mummy and smell funny’ !
Fractel ( https://fractel.com.au/ ) have your performance headgear covered. I love the colours and the functionality of these hats, I guarantee there is one model you’ll fall in love with.
Fractel headgear, just ace.
Shokz headphones, let you keep in touch with the world around while losing yourself in quality tunes or podcasts. ( https://shokz.com.au/ )
Best running headphones EVER !
T8 running apparel is the best you can get, second to none. Designed for the ultra humid Hong Kong conditions the owners live in. It is light and does away with any chaffing worries. T8 is the name given to the highest typhoon warning in Honk Kong, storms and typhoons with gusts exceeding 180kph, which explains the branding. ( https://t8.run/)
Altra supply the best trail shoes on the planet, in my opinion, and none better than the Olympus five. Do yourself a favour and buy a pair. ( https://www.altrarunning.com.au/ )
https://www.osprey.com/au/en/category/hydration/trail-running/ Osprey Australia have come onboard and are supplying me with two running backpacks and travelling luggage for the Run Britannia adventure. I particularly like their running backpacks and am excited to test them over the event. I’ll be using the Duro 6 and the Duro 1.5 backpacks.
Excited to have Coros onboard who have supplied me with the new Apex 2 Pro GPS watch. I already owned the Apex 2 and was stoked when Coros reached out and offered me an upgrade. Even more battery life, can you believe 75 hours using GPS, wow! The watch itself is awesome, so light and well made. The watch is paired with a incredible application to keep track of all your stats, and runners love stats ! . ( https://coros.net.au/ )
We spent the first evening back at the Lands End YHA which meant a thirty mile return journey. There was little conversation on the minivan on the way back, we were all toasted from a hard days trail running and contemplating a similar fate the next day. Apparently the North Cornwall sections of the event are among the hardest trails and also you have to run seven days straight before your first rest day. All these factors were playing on everybodies minds as we sat in silence on the journey back to the start.
Start of Day 2 with my old friend Zelah along for the ride.
Once back at the YHA it was time for a well earned hot shower and some great dinner before I went straight to bed and sweated out the head cold that had been bothering me all day. I was out like a light and awoke the next day invigorated, unfortunately for my three running room buddies I had also snored all night , allegedly. So back on the bus we went to drive the thirty or so miles back to Portreath and restart the adventure at yesterdays finish line. It was surreal to be back at Portreath and without any fanfare we were off again. A good friend of mine, from my youth, Zelah Lewis joined me for the first ten or so kilometres and her company made the time disappear as we caught up with probably forty years of news. We were so focused on reminiscing I missed the first aid station which meant as we parted company I was out of food and drink, rookie error.
The images don’t get any better, thanks for the photo Zelah.Another Zelah Lewis image.. it was great having my own photographer along for the ride.
Luckily as Zelah turned for the return trail to Portreath I was caught by four runners who restocked me with Rat Race bars (my go to food on the run) We stayed together for most of the day and the highlight was ice creams from a pub later in the morning as the temperatures heated up.
The boys and ice creams, Matty, Martin, Phil and Steve.
Managed to find aid station 2 albeit I was travelling in a group of five so I just followed everyday else. Enjoyed sitting down and grabbing some great tukka, from memory a wrap of some sort, not important at this stage in the day , you just want food and as much as possible. On a side note the Rate Race bars are awesome and I would mainly use these throughout the day. The Cornishman pub was just next to aid station two and had to get the image below, just perfect. I use that term a lot in these posts.
Love this image, always consider myself a Cornishman.
Conditions for day one were perfect but day two was even more perfect, if that is even a thing ? Cornwall really was tugging at the heart strings by showing herself at her very best, it really does not get any better ? These were new trails to me as when I left Cornwall nearly thirty years ago I was a hard drinking surf chasing machine and running was only a thing you did if you were late for last orders at the local pub. ! The views on day two were incredible, just incredible. When the weather is this good Cornwall is probably the best place to be on the planet, in my opinion. I was blessed.
Another Zelah Lewis classic.
Along the coast trail you are constantly coming across beach crossings that last a lifetime and every one is picture perfect, breaking up the undulation of the coastal trails. These beach crossing are a welcome relief and give you time to relax and smell the roses, so to speak. You breath in the views .
Incredible beaches.
Linking the beaches, coastal trails and small Cornish villages are the incredible back lanes over grown with lush greenery, and stinging nettles ! You needed to be on your guard as you moved through these lanes though because Cornish drivers can all take on Lewis Hamilton in their Volkswagen campers and consider a runner a potential kill rather than an obstacle to be avoided. A few times I made a life saving dive into the hedge and on a number of occasions was met with a wall of stinging nettles, which as the name suggests, it an unpleasant experience.
Mustn’t forget the great back lanes , linking the trails , beaches and the villages together.
Its hard to describe the day without continuing the perfect, awesome, incredible theme I have been using so far on this journey thus far. Cornwall was just putting on such a show and the images will live long in my memory. On so many occasions I wanted to strip down to my shorts and dive into the Cornish ocean which was so inviting, albeit I knew it looked a lot warmer than it actually is , so resisted. I was also worried about the possible chaffing issues I would be facing running for hours covered in salt water. My T8 running wear is good but salt water and clothing, mixed with exercise, are not good bed fellows. ! On that note a big shout out to T8 clothing who supplied me with all my running apparel. https://t8.run/ I cannot recommend this brand enough, clothing so good you feel you’re running naked. I remember the first few times I tried their shorts I kept checking to see I was still wearing them, they are that good. Chaffing is a thing of the past, no need to cover the family jewels in Vaseline. (albeit I use to enjoy that ?)
A day at the beach.
I felt strong as the day progressed and came into Padstow full of beans knowing day two was finished, a chalk and cheese experience compared to the day one slog. There were so many highlights it was just another perfect day, there’s that word again. I feel like I’m missing out describing so many experiences from day two but with time my memory becomes jumbled , a benefit of my advancing years. I should have kept a journal like Steve , maybe next year ?
My little group of runners had split up by the time I reached Padstow and I was relieved to finally sit down after a long day at the office. Funnily enough I was a matter of metres from the finish but couldn’t see it and standing looking at my phone, confused, was saved by James, the Race Director, tapping me on the shoulder and pointing me the one or two metres to the finish line. At the end of an ultra you really are a zombie ! It was great to sit down and admire the harbour views before being whisked away to our accommodation for the evening.
End of day two.. Padstow, another picture perfect Cornish harbour town.
So day two done and dusted, a massive improvement on day one with the head cold banished. Finished well up the field, albeit it’s not a race, but good to finish strong and enjoy the day compared to the slog on day one. Now it was back in the minivan to the whisked away to the new accommodation for some R&R, a good feed before repeating the whole process on day three, I really was living the dream.
fisiocrem ( https://www.fisiocrem.com.au/ ) is just bloody brilliant and does exactly what it says it does , it just gets the major muscle groups moving again. I use this extensively towards the end of the race when my quads are hammered. It really makes a difference and allows me to move back through the gears towards the end of an event when most runners are stumbling home.
Fisiocrem is a must have in your ultra box of tricks…
Bix hydration is just ace, a product brought to life by Vlad Ixel a professional ultra runner who knows a thing or two about hydration. ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/ ) The best thing about Bix is it tastes good with many different flavours and you never get sick of drinking it, this is a big plus as Maurten and Tailwind (both great products) can be difficult to digest later in the event. From the website :-
As an Australian elite multiple trail running champion, with wins in over 40 ultra-marathon races across Asia, recovery from training and races has always been my top priority.
In searching for a solid recovery and hydration supplement, I recognized that critical vitamins and minerals – both in diversity and quantity – were missing from almost all supplements on the market. I had the feeling that in an effort to maximize their bottom-lines, companies in the hydration space, failed to deliver a product that could meaningfully assist athlete performance.
In order to address this, I began the development of a hydration product. After two and a half years of development alongside a leading German sports scientist, BIX Recovery, an advanced, high-quality recovery drink was born.
BIX boosts 12 active ingredients scientifically balanced to replace lost electrolytes and assist in immune function. It’s designed with quality vitamins and minerals, in quantities that work!
BIX is a recovery solution for everyone, that will get you to the top of your game!
Great hydration.
What can I say about HumanTecar, ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) it looks great, smells great and is awesome for recovery or even pre-run/workout. Read about the science behind it first and then try the products. The compression bandages are just magical after a long event. Put these on and the next day you are recovered, I have used them on a number of occasions and they never fail to astound me albeit the family poke fun at me as I look like a ‘mummy and smell funny’ !
Fractel ( https://fractel.com.au/ ) have your performance headgear covered. I love the colours and the functionality of these hats, I guarantee there is one model you’ll fall in love with.
Fractel headgear, just ace.
Shokz headphones, let you keep in touch with the world around while losing yourself in quality tunes or podcasts. ( https://shokz.com.au/ )
Best running headphones EVER !
T8 running apparel is the best you can get, second to none. Designed for the ultra humid Hong Kong conditions the owners live in. It is light and does away with any chaffing worries. T8 is the name given to the highest typhoon warning in Honk Kong, storms and typhoons with gusts exceeding 180kph, which explains the branding. ( https://t8.run/)
Altra supply the best trail shoes on the planet, in my opinion, and none better than the Olympus five. Do yourself a favour and buy a pair. ( https://www.altrarunning.com.au/ )
https://www.osprey.com/au/en/category/hydration/trail-running/ Osprey Australia have come onboard and are supplying me with two running backpacks and travelling luggage for the Run Britannia adventure. I particularly like their running backpacks and am excited to test them over the event. I’ll be using the Duro 6 and the Duro 1.5 backpacks.
Excited to have Coros onboard who have supplied me with the new Apex 2 Pro GPS watch. I already owned the Apex 2 and was stoked when Coros reached out and offered me an upgrade. Even more battery life, can you believe 75 hours using GPS, wow! The watch itself is awesome, so light and well made. The watch is paired with a incredible application to keep track of all your stats, and runners love stats ! . ( https://coros.net.au/ )
Run Britannia is the brain child of Rat Race events and was trailed last year by eight test pilots. 2023 was the inaugural running of the event with a cap of forty runners for the 35 day, 1,000 mile, running smorgasbord. On the day there were 27 starters , myself included. This was going to be the adventure of a lifetime, and then some. https://www.ratrace.com/run-britannia
Simple concept, start at Lands End in Cornwall and run the length of the United Kingdom ending up at John O’Groats 35 days later, over 1,000 miles, (1,634km) averaging between 50-60 km a day with four break days. Sounds reasonable. Rat Race events put on all the accommodation, transport, food and drink for the whole event; all you do is wake up each day and run an ultra, simple.
Presented with my RB Number and shirt at Lands End YHA.
We all gathered at the Lands End Youth Hostel for our first night together and the first of many race briefings from the RD James. It was incredible to finally be in England and at the start of what promised to be life changing. All the runners introduced themselves and what an eclectic bunch we turned out to be. From Plasters and Decorators to Company Directors, athletes to runners who had not even run an ultra, the whole spectrum of the running society was on show. The thing was no one cared , everybody was as equally nervous and excited together and to a runner it was all about finishing but finishing together. Hence the name I suppose, Run Britannia, rather than Race Britannia; it really was a run with like minded people.
James gives the first of many pre-run briefings.
Funnily enough I spent my youth in Cornwall, England, so knew Lands End very well, growing up surfing the first two beaches we would run over on our journey. The memories came flooding back as I clambered over boulders on the coastal path between Sennen Cove and Gwenver. It must be over twenty five years since I run amok on these beaches but it felt like yesterday.
The 27 runners at the start of Run Britannia, you could feel the nervous energy .
I’ve been here so many times over the years, but never starting a 1,000 mile run? I’d been dreaming about this shot for months.
So here’s the start, excuse the commentary from my old friend Paul Magnet’ Hutson…
Once we got going I knew my head cold I had picked up the day before was not going to go away without a fight. I started with the front runners but was soon jettisoned out the back and found myself towards the back of the pack by the time we reached Gwenver beach, a few kilometres from Lands End. This was going to be a long day, albeit spent in glorious conditions doing what I loved in my beloved Cornwall. Some of my best friends and my brother and his family has popped along to the start and they would pop up over the day to encourage me along, at times I needed it.
Sennen Harbour.
Running through Sennen and Gwenver was surreal, I had spent the best part of ten years surfing these beaches in a misspent youth and as we were out early the cove was deserted bar a few on lookers bemused seeing so many runners. It was an incredible experience and I soaked it all in. The images can never do it justice, so special.
My all time favourite beach on the planet.. Gwenver looking resplendent.
I found myself alone running across Gwenver until a good friend from a different lifetime came down to cheer me on. Seeing Chris, who had been camping with his sons, gave me such a boost. Old friends from decades ago reconnecting instantly. It’s hard to describe the feeling running across Gwenver , probably close to thirty years since the last time I really run amok there. It has a special place in my heart and I deliberately keep it locked away , probably explains why I never return, too dangerous, it claws at you and you can feel the urge to return building in your stomach. On this day I got my head down and moved on knowing I had a long day ahead of me and best not dwell on what could have been, more time for that later in the journey.
Off the coast path heading towards Zennor.
The coastal path is challenging but the views make up for the hard running surface and boulder clambering. Cornwall really is God’s County and is was putting on a show for day one. The early morning cloud cover was soon banished and it was pure sunshine to the finish. I was probably the only runner who kept his jacket on and this was a godsend later in the day, running across Gwithian Beach, when the wind got up. I was freezing and without my jacket it would have been hard to carry on while my fellow runners all basked in the Cornish weather, they’re a funny bunch Poms.
Zennor, picture perfect albeit at this stage I was seriously going downhill..
For some reason it looks like this is the only video footage I took on day one. I was suffering with a head cold but I’m sure I took more ? Obviously not which is such a pity as it was a biblical day. I always set off with good intentions but on day one I failed. This was taken at aid station two, just coming out of St. Ives.
St. Ives harbour.
After St. Ives we had to hot foot it to Hayle estuary and catch the tide, miss it and we were faced with an extra six or so kilometres. Most elected to run to the end of the estuary where it was the shallow; my group decided to go as the crow flies and just wade through up to our arm pits , holding our packs above our heads, SAS style. Because of this I didn’t get any photos or video, I was more worried about not dropping my iphone into the drink.
You can’t beat a good river crossing.
After we dried ourselves we checked the GPS tracking page and saw the front runners were finishing while we had more than twenty kilometres to go. Incredible pace which was unsustainable of course long term but first day, perfect conditions, you could forgive their enthusiasm. I was more interested in just finishing and recovering, time on feet run and trying to soak up the views. Cornwall really was delivering in spades on day one.
Survived the river crossing.
Post river crossing the wind got up and although it looks warm in the photo I was freezing, of course this was down to my head cold but I was so lucky I had my running jacket, without it I would have been in real strife. Once we got off the beach we were protected from the wind and things warmed up a tad. After Gwithian beach it was a case of head down to Perranporth where the bus was waiting to take us back to the start for a good nights rest, and man did I need it !
Coming into Portreath at the end of a long day.
By the time I got to Portreath I was well and truly done, I had nothing more to give and just needed to eat and sleep. We headed back to the Lands End YHA and after a good meal I was straight to bed and out instantly. That night I sweated out my cold and unfortunately snored all night, according to my room mates. This was down to the head cold, I’m assuming, as there was no more complaints for the remainder of the event. Either way the next day I was feeling so much better and ready for day two.
fisiocrem ( https://www.fisiocrem.com.au/ ) is just bloody brilliant and does exactly what it says it does , it just gets the major muscle groups moving again. I use this extensively towards the end of the race when my quads are hammered. It really makes a difference and allows me to move back through the gears towards the end of an event when most runners are stumbling home.
Fisiocrem is a must have in your ultra box of tricks…
Bix hydration is just ace, a product brought to life by Vlad Ixel a professional ultra runner who knows a thing or two about hydration. ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/ ) The best thing about Bix is it tastes good with many different flavours and you never get sick of drinking it, this is a big plus as Maurten and Tailwind (both great products) can be difficult to digest later in the event. From the website :-
As an Australian elite multiple trail running champion, with wins in over 40 ultra-marathon races across Asia, recovery from training and races has always been my top priority.
In searching for a solid recovery and hydration supplement, I recognized that critical vitamins and minerals – both in diversity and quantity – were missing from almost all supplements on the market. I had the feeling that in an effort to maximize their bottom-lines, companies in the hydration space, failed to deliver a product that could meaningfully assist athlete performance.
In order to address this, I began the development of a hydration product. After two and a half years of development alongside a leading German sports scientist, BIX Recovery, an advanced, high-quality recovery drink was born.
BIX boosts 12 active ingredients scientifically balanced to replace lost electrolytes and assist in immune function. It’s designed with quality vitamins and minerals, in quantities that work!
BIX is a recovery solution for everyone, that will get you to the top of your game!
Great hydration.
What can I say about HumanTecar, ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) it looks great, smells great and is awesome for recovery or even pre-run/workout. Read about the science behind it first and then try the products. The compression bandages are just magical after a long event. Put these on and the next day you are recovered, I have used them on a number of occasions and they never fail to astound me albeit the family poke fun at me as I look like a ‘mummy and smell funny’ !
Fractel ( https://fractel.com.au/ ) have your performance headgear covered. I love the colours and the functionality of these hats, I guarantee there is one model you’ll fall in love with.
Fractel headgear, just ace.
Shokz headphones, let you keep in touch with the world around while losing yourself in quality tunes or podcasts. ( https://shokz.com.au/ )
Best running headphones EVER !
T8 running apparel is the best you can get, second to none. Designed for the ultra humid Hong Kong conditions the owners live in. It is light and does away with any chaffing worries. T8 is the name given to the highest typhoon warning in Honk Kong, storms and typhoons with gusts exceeding 180kph, which explains the branding. ( https://t8.run/)
Altra supply the best trail shoes on the planet, in my opinion, and none better than the Olympus five. Do yourself a favour and buy a pair. ( https://www.altrarunning.com.au/ )
https://www.osprey.com/au/en/category/hydration/trail-running/ Osprey Australia have come onboard and are supplying me with two running backpacks and travelling luggage for the Run Britannia adventure. I particularly like their running backpacks and am excited to test them over the event. I’ll be using the Duro 6 and the Duro 1.5 backpacks.
Excited to have Coros onboard who have supplied me with the new Apex 2 Pro GPS watch. I already owned the Apex 2 and was stoked when Coros reached out and offered me an upgrade. Even more battery life, can you believe 75 hours using GPS, wow! The watch itself is awesome, so light and well made. The watch is paired with a incredible application to keep track of all your stats, and runners love stats ! . ( https://coros.net.au/ )
