For some reason I thought signing up for an Ultramarathon would be a good idea. The Green Man Ultra is something I’d been tempted to enter for a few years but had never been brave enough to do. After completing the Outlaw though I was up for another challenge.

The Green Man Ultra is a 45 mile race circumnavigating Bristol based mostly on the Community Forest Path. This is mostly on of road trails and quieter country roads. Anyone completing a circumavigation within 24 hours as part of the Green Man challenge is entitled to call themselves a woodwose

I’d not managed anywhere near enough preparation runs and was concerned that my body and particularly my troublesome calf muscles wouldn’t stay the distance. Only 4 weeks before I had written the email to defer and was about to send it but didn’t for some unknown reason after yet another twinge.  As such I was putting no pressure on myself and my run strategy was just to listen to my body and not worry too much about time. Keep moving forward and not stopping.

As it had worked so well during last years Iron distance triathlon I was going to follow the same nutrition strategy of an energy gel every 45 minutes and other food whenever I could get it. I’d started the day with a bowl of porridge and a couple of bananas

Section 1 – Ashton Court to Norton Malreward

The first section of the race is probably the most physically demanding – it is mostly offroad and contains the ascent of Dundry Hill. The start is a very strange experience, a few people dash off into the distance but the majority just plod along at a slow jog unwilling to push their bodies early on. The course helps with the slow pace start with some bottle necks at stiles/gateways and single file paths which take a while for the 300 runners to filter through. There is one quick descent through some woods where the ground is quite slippery

As the course weaves through Long Ashton it starts to widen out before narrowing again on a narrow muddy path along the Monarchs Way. This swiftly rises to a very muddy slippery set of fields that go mostly uphill. The field of runners spreads over quite a wide area trying to find grip. At this stage runners are still dodging puddles and the muddier patches trying to keep their feet as dry as possible.

The route drops down a horrible set of stairs to go under the A370 and I nearly end up in a heap at the bottom where the number of runners in front of me have churned the corner up into a muddy mess a short jog and we cross the A38 and ready ourselves for the monster climb. This is uphill over a couple of fields and then up a stony path, my calves and quads are burning by the time I reach the top and despite walking the ascent I am breathing quite hard.

My friend from EGRC Pav, catches me on the ascent having started slightly further back than I did and its good to have someone to natter to as we go. This first part of the race has been difficult to get into any sort of rhythm, however from the top of Dundry the next part is much easier to get into a decent rhythm. We see Meryl Grimshaw at the top, she’s there primarily supporting for Anne and Steve from EGRC  but she has some stuff in her car for me if I need it later.

The fields here are much drier underfoot and there are some road sections so the pace improves – This feels like a long section and I am immensely relieved to have reached the first Checkpoint in decent shape. It is also much quicker than I had run on my recce of this section as I hadn’t needed to stop to do any navigation. I don’t hang around for long here and start out on the next phase

Section 2 – Norton Malreward to Keynsham

On my recce run I had found this section quite hard and the race was no exception, it starts with a slog across some exposed fields and a grass runway before a long and tricky descent down a very rocky and muddy path.

The major thing in this section is that the route at Woollard is diverted up and over a hill rather than the ‘normal’ route – having recce’d the normal route I am very happy at this as it is a very nasty section with a treachorous sheep path up a steep hill followed by a breakneck descent through some woods.

I nearly go the wrong way here but another kind gentleman of a runner calls me back and we go the right way. This is another monster climb that is walked up but when you reach the top its about a mile of descent on roads which is quite quick.

The route then turns North along the Chew river, this was flooded on my recce run only 3 weeks earlier and the fields are still hard going. The muddier patches are walked through and I catch up with Pav again. We are both finding it tough going at this point and are relieved to go into Keynsham, The route as it leaves the fields goes through the centre of an old mill that’s been converted to posh apartments. By the time we had got there the nice brick driveways were covered in a nice splattering of mud.

Running through Keynsham park is odd having to avoid a number of pushchairs and bemused onlookers confused as to why a bunch of muddy people wearing race numbers are slowly thundering through the park. Then we have made it to CP2.

I refill my bottle and am horrified to find my electrolyte tabs aren’t where I left them, fortunately Pav lends me a couple to see me round. I grab a slice of cake and a handful of sweets and waste no time in starting the next section.

Section 3 – Keynsham to Hambrook

Leaving the Brassmill pub without partaking in a nice cold beverage was tough but that’s just one of the hardships us endurance types experience. This section starts off flat alongside the river Avon along some fields, again this was flooded fairly recently but the footing isn’t too bad and as it diverts temporarily along the dramway the footing is good. As you reach Wilsbridge Mill the path is mostly uphill until you meet the Bristol-Bath railway path, this is good for a breather.

The railway path is a hard section as its not so interesting and fairly straight and people are starting to walk parts of the sections as well as the hills. As I reach the end of the path I see my lovely wife and son with a big bowl of sweets and some hand made signs cheering on Daddy and the other runners. I have been starting to feel some blisters and my one sock is starting to bunch up under my sole so I take some time here to sort this out.

I had been dreading this point as mentally it would be so easy to quit and wander the short distance home but surprisingly no such thoughts surface and I start off again. I know this next section very well and know that if I can make it to the top of Shortwood Hill its mostly downhill from there for a while.

Warmley forest is the same bog as it has been all year round and then you have to deal with the enormous stiles that wouldn’t look out of place in a tough mudder event, I’m sure the last one was about 8 foot tall. Hamstrings are starting to cramp with the effort on these stiles. The sun comes out at this point but paired with a cold wind so I am sweating and shivering at the same time. I see Adrian Grimshaw going the other way to meet some of the other EGRC runners just as I start the descent towards the landfill site.

I’m now feeling surprisingly good and I run for large parts of this section making decent progress whilst the going is good. The next bit from the golf course until just after CP3 is the only part of the route I haven’t recced so I am slightly worried about getting lost. Just before the golf course I pass Ira’s walking tour – He’s the 10 hour time lord so I am very surprised to be this far up the field. Neil Newman is cheering on here and I grab an extra energy gel off him.

I carry on making decent progress until it gets to Park lane – this is only 100m or so but it is such a nasty climb I feel I need climbing equipment and supplementary oxygen. This path then follows a stream on a very muddy and slippery path, I keep going hoping to stay ahead of Ira’s group until at least the next checkpoint, I am very relieved to reach CP3 as my feet are hurting.

Unfortunately Meryl hasn’t reached CP3 yet so after a quick phonecall to ascertain that she isn’t far away I decide to wait for her to change my shoes and socks and fix some blisters. The amount off offroad running from CP3 onwards is far lower than the first sections so I want to change into road shoes to save my feet a little bit. Ira’s group leaves about 5-10 mins before I do and I don’t see them again.

There are a few EGRC folks around here and its nice to speak to Ed, Andy and Pete as well as guzzle some rocket fuel cola. This is now the furthest I have ever run and will be breaking new ground with every step.

Section 4 – Hambrook to Blaise

My first thoughts on this section are “Oh crap what have I done” as I nearly fall into a stream several times on a very narrow path, maybe changing my shoes wasn’t such a good idea. Soon though the course goes into Stoke Gifford and Bradley Stoke and I am thankful for the additional cushioning. I struggle through Bradley Stoke walking most of the way as I try to refuel and dog my way through a bad patch. The bad patch continues until the bridge over the M5 and a hilariously fast slippery descent gets my body working, I am now mostly seeing the same faces now, Tash and Rich who I’ve been helping with directions through Bradley Stoke and Wayne are the names I remember although there are a number of people I remember chatting too along the way but have forgot their names.

I have a disaster in Bradley Stoke as I look at my Garmin only to find its turned off. A bit of panic later and I turn it back on to find the battery has plenty of life left so it must have switched itself off. I’d been using the map function only and deliberately not looked at time, pace or distance so I now reckon I must have forgot to press start and it turned itself off after a set amount of time. I have no garmin record of the first 50km which is a little bit frustrating but at least I could set the map going again although I do know the route from here its nice to have confirmation.

A few mental calculations suggest I could walk the rest of the way and still make the cut-off which is both demoralising and cheering, as it encourages me to walk but I know that barring physical failure I am going to make it. The question is how long will it take?

Once over the M5 and down the hill there are a number of fields to contend with where the gateways are pure bogs and tough going, My trail shoes wouldn’t have helped much but my road shoes are sliding everywhere. The path goes through Easter Compton and past an impromptu aid station where I eagerly have some cola before the climb of Spanorium hill. This is both steep and slippery and its tough to appreciate the view when you’ve been out for so long.

I reach the top and decide to run as much as possible – each step forward is one step less. My feet are hurting and now every time I bend either leg more than necessary to move forwards my hamstrings are cramping. One last big field and then its tarmac until CP4. Approximately 10km left, about an hour at normal pace – probably 90 minutes or so at the pace I’ve been managing.

A quick stop is all I take at CP4, a bottle refill and a can of red bull before starting again not wanting to stand around and risk bits seizing up

Section 5 – Blaise to Ashton Court

I start the slog and soon get caught by Rich and Tash who want to stick with me for my knowledge of the route. A series of forest steps at Blaise are utter agony before the long slog along the plateau.

Descending Shirehampton golf course is okay as the descent across the nice golf grass takes the pressure off the feet a little bit but soon its time to climb from seas mills to the downs. At this stage of the race this is pure evil. The hill goes on climbing for ages and the surface is rocky and harsh on tired bodies.

Pushing as hard a walk as I can I finally make it to the top and see the downs, Rich clearly has more left than us and runs into the distance. As we make it to the far side of the downs Rich has caught up with another runner who is struggling badly but then has waited for us.

There is a final climb up to the observatory where there is a lovely view of the suspension bridge all lit up. It is starting to get dark but if we push on we can get to the end without needing head torches. On the bridge I pass another EGRC member Stewart and keep going.

Finally there is the gate to Ashton Court we turn left and go past the Green man  statue and there’s only about 500m left. I take this part fairly easily not wanting to slip and fall at this late stage and my two companions push on ahead. There are some people watching and applauding as I cross the line and I am utterly surprised to be given a blue medal for being one of the top 150 finishers.

I collect my woodwose certificate and finisher t-shirt before gleefully taking my shoes and socks off and devouring a nice spicy plate of Chilli-con-carne. Vicky and Patrick then turn up missing my moment of glory by about 5 minutes as seems to becoming a habit.

Its then time to go home and dump myself in a nice hot bath

The butchers bill from the run isn’t too bad, I have a few blisters and one particularly manky toe. I have also battered my immune system and have developed a nasty cold. Given I didn’t think I would make it round I’ll take it thanks.

As an event it is without any doubt the hardest thing I have ever done. Training for an Ironman may be harder but the event is easier as you use different bits of your body for the different sections.

Final position 109th Male in 10:26

I owe thanks to lots of people for helping complete the GMU, all the marshalls, supporters, impromptu aid stations, and of course all the other runners. Please  accept my thanks even if you aren’t mentioned above

https://blindcider.wordpress.com

The route was predominantly on trail and with the weather that we have experienced over the previous week was a boggy, muddy mess. There were puddles that were knee deep, fields of thick mud that made running impossible, fields with thick mud and then a covering of freezing rain water across the top creating something akin to a paddy field. From the start the route went up hill, knowing this I decided to start very cautiously, this is good advice in any ultra. It’s a long way, you will be out there a long time and a lot can happen.

After a slog up through muddy fields in the cold morning, the race started at 8am, there were then runnable sections across fields and through wooded sections. After starting cautiously this did feel a bit like having the leash let off. I was though very aware of my effort and trying to keep under control. Running slow when you are not used to it feels like you are not really moving. The field was quite bunched at the start, once it became runnable it strung out.

I settled into a pace that was matched by a lady from Northern Ireland, Susan. We ran together for quite a few miles chatting about running and the races we have done. That’s the other thing about an ultra you’re generally running at a pace where talking is easy, if you can’t talk then you’re going too fast. We hit the first checkpoint quite quickly, it was only 9 miles after the start, there was drinks and malt loaf. A quick grab and off again. The next checkpoint was a further 7 miles away.

Off again and there was a self imposed target to get to the next checkpoint ahead of the start of the 30 mile race. The GMU has two races the 45 miler and 30 miler. Both use the same course with the 30 miler starting 15 miles into the course. The checkpoint here was better stocked, coke, lots of cake and sandwiches. I grabbed a handful of food and it was, once more, off again. At this point I was feeling great and got a little carried away, I started running quicker, the ground was now compacted trail more akin to the tarmac that I normally run on. Checkpoint 3 was 12 miles along and i started to lose my zip.

I was in a group of runners and as we passed a pedestrian we were told that the next aid station was just around the corner. As it came into view there was relief, it turned out though that this was not an official aid station. I stopped and asked for some help retrieving my blood test kit out of my race vest. The lady that helped me asked if I needed anything, i replied that I might do and would know shortly. She hovered around me as I tested my blood. It was 4mmol which is at the bottom of the good range which is between 4-7. she asked me what I needed then got me food – a lot of sugary calorific food. With a handful of mini-eggs and flapjack I set off walking towards the next official checkpoint. Whilst this interaction may seem trivial it wa actually very significant.

When you have diabetes your brain plays tricks on you, you can have a low blood sugar and yet not deal with it or not want to deal with it. It’s the ultimate in denial. I have been in this position before and it does take an intervention sometimes. The action of asking me if I needed anything or if there was anything I needed to do made me do it. Without that I might have been tempted to just continue. that would have been a mistake.

At the next checkpoint, which was at 28 miles, I went to town with the food. A red bull (which I later found out was sugar free!), a handful of sandwiches, a stack of cake all carried and eaten. I also grabbed some gels and a couple of 9-bars which I stashed for later. I was feeling revitalised for having eaten and set about running again. The next section of the course felt weird in that it was the footpath but woven around the Bradley Stoke housing estates. We were sharing the footpaths with dog walkers, kids on scooters and bikes, everyone was encouraging but interacting with normal people was a little surreal. A reminder that it was a Saturday and people were going about their business.

At this point I settled in running wth a couple of Welsh chaps that were going at a pace I could maintain. We helped each other out, chatting, taking the mickey and passing the time. It made the running feel easy. We continued to walk the uphill sections and run where we could.

As we got closer to the 4th checkpoint at Blaise Castle they pushed on stronger than me and the elastic snapped. At the checkpoint I made a decision to be quick through. As I entered I saw Matt, he was volunteering and knocking off, we had a quick chat and he was going to run the final 10km with me. I set off, we were now being followed by the 9hr timelord and a further group of runners. Over that final 10k I must have a lost maybe 8-10 places but I didn’t care. My quads were trashed and it was just about finishing. I couldn’t have responded even if I had wanted to.

Across the Downs and towards the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It was now a glorious sunny afternoon so there were tourists, day trippers, dog walkers and kids on scooters. All gave me and the other runners a wide berth. Across the bridge and then down into Ashton Court. The finish was insight.

I crossed the line so pleased to finish and be in daylight. Once across the line there’s a lift in spirits that’s almost euphoric. Not 5 minutes earlier I had been struggling and heading towards a dark place, now it was all smiles and a return of energy. Relief, happiness and adrenaline all combining.

I was helped out of my muddy shoes, took off my socks and calf guards and went inside the race HQ to get my t-shirt and bag. A change of clothes, some vegetarian chilli and a cup of tea and I felt like me again. My legs and feet were sore but in no way was I broken.

Some numbers…

Total distance run – 47.6miles (race is advertised as 46 so I clearly went wrong somewhere!)

Total elevation – 4,006ft / 1,221m

Avg. pace – 10:59 per mile

Slowest mile – mile #5 in 14:40 with 459ft of climb

Fastest mile – mile #20 in 08:01

Calories burned – 6,600

Position – 32nd/184 (there were 168 finishers)

Finish time – 08:42:59.

Diabetes Management…

I use levemir (taking 3 units at 0830 and 2030 daily) and novorapid insulin (with meals). For this race I had 1 units of novorapid with breakfast for which I would normally have used 5 units. This meant that just before the start of the race at 8am my blood sugar was at 19mmol, this is very high but I knew it would be reducing steadily all day, plus the insulin was still active in my system. Before the race start, at around 7:30, I took 1.5 units of levemir.

I tested my blood sugar once on course, a little over half way, where it was 4mmol. At the finish my blood sugar was 11.5mmol.

Where I struggled was in the hours and days after the race. I would expect to need vey little insulin for quite a period afterwards yet seemed to need more. I was running much higher than expected. This race seeming to have little effect. I got this back under control around 3-4 days post race.

Kit…

I always stress about kit but got it right for this race. If anything I was probably wearing a little too much. It is though, of course, easier to take stuff off than put on what you don’t have!

All my kit had been used before but I took a bit of a risk with, of all things, my shoes. A little while ago I bought some Salomon Sense 3 S-Lab shoes. I have worn Salomon before and never had any issues with them. I wore these shoes on two training trail runs that together were maybe 11 miles. The shoes fit like a slipper, weigh nothing and so I was confident they would be ok come race day. Conditions were perfect for this shoe, it was soft and muddy and these shoes coped admirably with the terrain. I had zero issues and for the first time ever not a single blister following an ultra. They were a little hard underfoot when running on Tarmac but we’re really an excellent shoe. I made a good choice if a little risky.

The rest of my kit was pretty much my standard running kit. Inov-8 Ultra socks, Compressport calf guards, The North Face trail shorts, an Adidas Techfit compression t-shirt, Nike running fleece, Salomon S-Lab Hybrid jacket, Buff reflective, Salomon beanie, topped off with a Salomon race cap. To carry my gear I wore my 5ltr Salomon race vest.

The success of the shoes aside the biggest plus was the Salomon hybrid jacket. This is the one that fits over the race vest so everything is kept under cover. The best thing though is the elastic waist band that when you don’t need it you can roll the jacket into. With changing conditions this is a really great feature. While it didn’t really rain on Saturday it was windy, particularly early on, I used the jacket as a wind cheater and then as it warmed up tucked it away into its waist band.

Nutrition…

I was carrying enough food to feed a small army mainly in the form of gels. I had Gu and SIS gels. The Gu gels were packed with caffeine, electrolyte and amino acids so a great gel for an ultra. I packed the SIS gels that are the ones you don’t need water with.  I was also carrying a couple of energy bars and some glucose tablets.

On course there were sandwiches, cake, squash, coke, red bull and some salty goodies too. I ate an increasing amount at each aid station and had no issues with the stomach at any point despite the amount of sugary junk I had thrown into it!

Marcus Bosano

Written by Sheila Rose – http://www.happyowlfitness.co.uk

The Green Man Ultra 7th March 2015

Saturday morning just before 7am, seen Russ & I arrive at the Long Ashton community centre for the Green Man Ultra – it’s a 44 mile (but you always knew it was longer) circular route around Bristol – mainly following the Community Forest Path. Parking was limited within the community centre so we were advised to park on one of the many side residential street, no problem there you might say, but they all happened to be uphill which was fine & dandy first thing in the morning walking down hill to the Race HQ, but in the back of your mind was how the hell were you going to get back up the hill after running 45+ miles, now the organisers email offering a lift back to your car after the race made perfect sense J

The organisation for registration was excellent – numbers secured, toilet visit taken care of & time for race briefing – for some strange reason I was quite calm at this point, I’m usually a bag of nerves before a race, but I think the atmosphere at Ultras is a bit different somehow, it is a bit more like we are all in this together with a very positive vibe of really wanting everyone to succeed in the prime objective of reaching the finish line. I don’t know maybe that’s just me, let’s face it I’m still very much a novice at this Ultra stuff – before Saturday I’d only done two other ultra-distance a 30 miler & a 50k, neither of which were difficult terrain or self-navigation – so baptism of fire time.  Briefing over, 10 minutes to the start – another trip to the loo, even though it was entirely unnecessary and we walked the short distance to the start line.

Russ & I had walked the first half mile or so the evening before, trying to decide if Luna sandals were the best option, so we knew we would start winding through some residential streets before starting off road proper, along a narrow lane over a stile and into farm fields, there was a queue in the narrow lane as runners ahead negotiated the stile –  some with dogs, but the atmosphere was great no one in a particular rush and of course we had the usual chat about the lunas with runners around us.

So over the stile (the first of many) up a hilly field, through a gate, down a field – under a subway & into muddy forest bit – so muddy in fact that Russ & I took a detour in a stream to wash our feet, up another monster of a hilly field, more forest etc etc.

I’d love to say I can recall all of it, but frankly I think you would be bored to tears reading and I simply cannot remember, it’s a weird thing (no not old age) but the fact that in distance running you go into autopilot, you clearly see everything around you, but five minutes later would struggle to recall the details, I think it is a necessary shut down process to cope with the distance.

I know we were on a section of road for a while, we seemed to be on a constant climb & I remember some of the views were super, we got lost in a field – well we were in a field looking for a gap in a hedge which was nowhere to be seen, we were joined by another runner – but he couldn’t find the gap either, sounds really stupid now – we had taken a wrong turning and were in the wrong field – eventually we found the right path, the route was very difficult to follow. We caught up with the 12 hour Time Lord – the organisers had Time Lords who knew the route to help if people wanted to stay in groups, while we were running around like headless chickens in the field – we had been overtaken by the 12 hour cut off group and this was all before CP1. So we tagged along with this group and finally reached CP1 about 8 miles in, cheap coke x 2 cups and stodgy malt loaf and I was ready to go, the 11 hour Time Lord was still at the CP – so we joined his group and headed for the hills once more as it was – so more uphill, fields, mud, I think there were horses somewhere in the mix and finally CP2 just about 15 miles in, this one was in a pub garden, cheese rolls, coke & chocolate cake and loo break – although not sure sitting on the loo was such a great idea as of course it involved getting up again  – So off we go again, only this time the Time Lord had disappeared and the GPS on the watch decided to have a wobble, luckily a lady in a car asked if we were running (at first I did think she was taking the p*** as at the time we were standing around like lost souls wondering what direction to take) but bless her she pointed to a path just under a bridge by the river – and off we go again to catch up with the 11 hour guy.

CP3 was over 11 miles away, and I think that was the toughest one for me, I remember falling over in mud and bashing my left side on a rock, I actually took my sandals off and ran barefoot as I just had no grip – at the end of that muddy section, Russ & I stopped by an animal trough to wash our feet & sandals – of course we lost the group at this point again – which was fine as the GPS on the watch was working. We went through a mill type place which had a café, and couldn’t quite figure out which way we were to go, I asked some kids playing nearby if they had seen any runners, bless the little fellow he showed us exactly which was to go, into some wooded bit again with more mud, we briefly picked up another runner at this point, I remember the kid asking his mum if he could come with us for a while to show us the way and the other runner saying hell yes stay with us “it’s only just over 20 miles “– this was the first point I had a doubt in my head that we would not finish within the 12 hour cut off, I had a cut on the sole of my foot, which I should have taken the time to bandage up properly earlier, my butt / hip hurt from the fall and there was just a moment of panic, just  a moment it passed  – onwards and upwards just tick each mile off, and keep moving forward. (Unfortunately the runner we met at the mill didn’t finish).

So more of the same fields mud track & again we caught up with the 11 hour group, one of the group was feeling ill following an earlier fall – we waited with him while his wife came to pick him up, after a hospital check he was given the all clear.

This was a really long trek between checkpoints, a water tap at a golf club little outdoor café was a blessing to come across, this bit just seemed never ending, although I did a little cheer every time my watch blipped for another mile past 31 miles as that had been my longest distance up to that point.

Eventually we arrived in the 11 hour group at CP3 – jam & peanut butter sandwiches, cheap coke, 9 bars, cake and again depart! Over 36 miles in!

Last CP4 again bits of the journey here are a blur – I know Russ fell over on a narrow path by a river and I think I did too, by a gate – I kind of slid to a very particular halt hanging on to the gate, I was trying to protect my knee as was in danger of twisting it, there were giggles behind me at this point – I shall not name names! Again I know the terrain get very rough & boggy, I was losing patience with mud at this point, and I know at some point we emerged on a road which had a blessed downhill section – CP4 had been moved a bit further than its previous location, and was set in a park next to a play area, it was getting dark at this point and the view of the sun setting was very pretty. They has tea at this checkpoint and it was just about the best ever tasting cuppa – I was starving and eat the world, well more jam / peanut butter sandwiches and loads of cake. Again we were separated from the 11 group – so again we set off for the final in theory 8 miles on our own, although we knew it was more likely 10 miles.

Again uphill through woody bits & fields – it was at this point I felt sick & faint – again a big learning curve I think I’d eaten too much and was not digesting quick enough to start moving again so soon. It luckily passed within 30 minutes or so and I felt ok again, now at some point here after we had passed Long Ashton Golf Club, Russ’s watch decided to die even though it had 12% battery remaining, goodbye GPS – we were on head torches at this point as it was fairly dark, we hooked up with some people behind up who were running with dogs as they seemed to know the way, and I think we were both too tired to get the paper instructions out. This bit was really mean with two sodding great uphill’s – eventually we found the Clifton Suspension Bridge, it was all lit & pretty and on any other occasion I think I would have enjoyed running across it. Finally back to paved streets briefly and then another pitch dark field / forest  – luckily this one has some spray paint arrows on the grass and the forest path, again we lost the dog people at some point in the forest, its more tiring running at someone else’s pace I think – my watch had beeped 45 miles at this stage, so dark forest, Russ was suffering at this point with energy levels and my head torch was rapidly fading as I think it had been switched on in my vest accidentally  – I did have spare batteries, but I just wanted to get home at this point – I was trying to follow the lights of a guy we had come across in front of us, bless him he said it was only half a mile to go – we slowed briefly while Russ had a bar from his pack, and again headed downhill in mud and darkness & a sea of swear words – I have absolutely no idea where we came out of those woods, but I remember a lady standing clapping and seeing the LA Community Centre to our left, finally we crossed the finish mat – with about 8 minutes to spare. Watch stopped at 46.37 miles

Being handed the medal & tee shirt was surreal – walking into the community centre and having the runners and supports still there clap your efforts brought the first smile in a very long few hours.

The other bits I remember are someone in the 11 hour group asking if anyone knew the theme music for ET, why I remember that I don’t know, I remember sitting on grass wiping mud off my feet with a buff, while Russ washed my sandals in a river. I remember the cup of tea at CP4 and how bloody wonderful it was, I remember having a wobble at the mill. I will not forget the fact that Russ giggled at my gate fall.

So lessons learned – eat the food in your pack in between CP stations, remain positive and just tick one mile off at a time, smile and try not to dwell on time pressure, don’t worry that you don’t remember everything – zoning out is natural, if you fall in mud try to do so with grace and good humour!

Cuppa & veg chilli later – the walk to the car, ouchie – but we made it, pit stop in Sainsbury Swindon for wine, beer, ice cream…………….all well-deserved, but which both of us felt too sick to enjoy once we got home.

Would I do it again – WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT?

Massive thanks to Green Man Ultra organisers UltraRunningLtd, fellow runners and of course my husband & bestest buddy Russ