2015 – The 1st Ultra. Race The Wall

I look back at this race, my first ultra with a few mixed feelings.  It involved a lot of pain! I was absolutely shattered by the end of it.  Walking for almost a week was a nightmare.  Don’t get me started on stairs!  Did I mention it was very painful?  However, it showed I could tolerate a lot of pain!  I found I could really dig deep when I needed to.  And boy did I need to for the last 7 miles.  Although the recovery from this ultra took quite a while it was probably the race that gave me the confidence that I could, within reason, take on almost any running challenge. 

I did have a wobble after this race.  Although I had a few more races to do for another cause in Autumn the desire to train completely went.  I mean you will have noted lack of training has been a feature of the majority of my blogs, but after this ultra it really disappeared.  I’m not sure what kept me going for the 18 months after this ultra.  Maybe an expectation from others and myself to keep running for good causes or the desire to see if I could go even bigger!

So, lets head back to the Saturday morning when I started on this epic journey, nay adventure.  Running for Khalsa Aid.  I had been kept up most of the Friday night by lots of noise outside my hotel in Carlise, should have really not stayed so central, followed by the noises of threesome in the room next door to me.  Yes, really.  The race starts at 7am so I was up at 5am and fuelling myself and doing kit checks. 

I think things have changed a bit now but in the 2015 version there was no GPS tracking.  Thankfully a map was not required either as there was markers along the route, mainly where we had to change direction and we did have written instructions on key parts of the course.  There were 4 checkpoints from what I remember.  Looking up the race now there are 5 and there is GPS tracking.

Due to the time required to take down the finish area which is on the Gateshead side of the Millenium bridge we 26 hours to finish.  There were cut off points to reach and leave each checkpoint; none of which concerned me as I knew fast walkers who had done the route comfortably.  Like all ultras and especially a 24 hour one there was mandatory kit we had to carry, which meant running with a rucksack.  Now most sensible people and / or those with quite a bit of running experience would have trained with a backpack.  I consider myself quite sensible (maybe not where running is concerned!) and I was quite experienced by this time as a runner, but I didn’t train with a backpack once.  Stupid really.  Although it was not a massive issue.

Weather wise there had been some light rain overnight so there was a nice fresh feel to the morning, but the forecast was that the day would get considerably warmer.  So, the plan amongst most runners was to take advantage of the cool weather to make headway into the course.  As well as carrying a rucksack with the essentials, as well as food and fluid we could pack another bag that would be taken to the second checkpoint for us.  This was the location of an old Roman site called Vindalonda.  Did you start singing Vindaloo?  I do every time I think about that checkpoint!

Our third bag would be taken straight back to Gateshead International Stadium for us to collect at the end.  Really well organised and it meant that I could split my supplies between 2 bags and try to minimise how much weight I was carrying.

7am and off we go!  It was drizzling. Or maybe it was raining.  Either way the first section of 15 miles to checkpoint 1 was all road so nothing to worry me and it was flat compared with what I knew was to come later.  I kept it sensible paced. A few hellos, how you doings and why are we doing this were exchanged with other runners and by the time we got to Lanercost Priory, the first checkpoint, the rain had eased off.  Between the checkpoints were little pitstops where we had to check in and they had some basic supplies, mainly water and sweets. The first pitstop I’d just carried on past.

The checkpoints were amazing in terms of food and drink available.  I had my own supplies of course but I remember having a cheese sandwich, a cuppa soup some chocolate.  I wasn’t hungry, even though I’d covered the 15 miles in 3 hours but I knew that getting hungry on this run was not an option.  In a half I could tolerate it, the back end of a marathon it’s inevitable but when you know that you’re going to be on the move for the best part of a day, I followed the advice I’d been given.  Eat, eat and eat.  Don’t overdo it of course but keep yourself topped up.

There was an immediate noticeable change when we left Lanercost.  It was more uphill!  We were also for the first time close to parts of Hadrian’s Wall and the sun was breaking out.  Little groups had started to form.  There were some people running together but there were also a lot of solo runners.  I chatted briefly to a guy from Scotland called Craig and we pretty much did the whole of the stretch to Checkpoint 2 together.  There wasn’t a lot of talking but we’d match the others pace and there was a mutual understanding that it would be good to have company for later in the course.

There were times we went off road and up some fields and some craggy hillsides but there was nothing too taxing and as the sun came out and it warmed up the scenery really was quite something.  We forget how scenic this green and pleasant land we live in really is.  And this race had some glorious stretches.

There was another pitstop at a quarry which I used to top up my water and have some more chocolate and then it was onto checkpoint 2 at Vindalonda.  This was approximately 32 miles in, and I remember they had a guy on the back of a pickup playing music for us!  I had made a decision to change my shoes and socks here.  I switched to trail shoes.  Looking back, I’m not sure it was really needed but they were very useful in the dead of night when I couldn’t see my way properly!  The selection of food here was very welcome.  Lots of fruit, cakes, sandwiches, crisps and more.  Hot drinks and cold drinks.  Craig and I sat down and ate together and had a chat and decided to keep each other company as we knew the next section would be tougher.  More uphill, mainly off road and heading into the night.

After a good little rest and with plenty of time before the cut-off we headed off.  Initially we were on road and chatting away to each other.  We then started going up a hill and then down and reached a main road.  At this point we realised we had missed a turn!  We shouldn’t have been near this main road! We check the route instructions and head back up a hill and then looked to our left and saw a couple of people walking across a field.  We then found the sign we had missed to originally turn onto the field.  It was partially hidden by a vehicle, but we probably should have seen it!  We’d added over a mile to our route, but time was not an issue so off we went. 

At this point we hooked up with a husband and wife from Yorkshire called Natalie and Ian.  They hadn’t missed the sign!  We then walked most of the main hill that was part of the route that got us to 42 miles.  The sun was disappearing, and the focus was to keep our spirits up as we approached the next checkpoint.  Our band of 4 became 5 at some point as we were joined by another Scottish runner, Emma.  I think being part of this little group was one of the key reasons I was able to keep pushing on.  The chat was kept positive and as is the case when runners join together, we compared races we had done and what was interesting was that this was the first time any of us had attempted Race the Wall.

As it started to get darker, we ran through a park as we approached Hexham and received some strange looks but also lots of encouragement.  That third checkpoint was much needed.  Hexham.  About 46 miles in, although for Craig and me, more like 46.5!  It was only when I sat down that I realised how much my feet hurt and then had at least 2 blisters.  My fuel intake at this checkpoint was a tad bizarre.  Maybe it was tiredness, a little bit of hunger or just a desire to want to take on all food types.  I downed a can of red bull.  Had a cheese pasty.  Then some chocolates and cake washed down with milk.  Some crisps followed by another can of Red Bull!  And then a sandwich to finish it all off!  I may have had a cup of tea!  It’s a blur.  Did I try and store food in my beard?  Probably!

Again, there was no time pressure on us, so we all managed our aches and pains and then headed off.  We went past a pub where people were milling around outside and received some cheers, and a few bits of good-natured banter mainly around were we lost and that we had no chance of winning.  Although it was now dark the temperature had not noticeably dropped so it was quite warm and none of us felt the need to add any layers on.  I wouldn’t have anyway but there you have it.

I’m not going to lie.  It started to get harder.  My legs were aching and both feet were blistering.  Once we’d moved on from Hexham it became very rural and quiet, and I was glad for the company.  At about 50 miles; I know this because there was a marker; our little group started to break up slightly.  Emma and Craig had got ahead; not by much but me, Natalie and Ian were losing them.  We could hear them chatting away.  I then lost Natalie and Ian as I started to really ache.  My head dropped and being alone in the dark in the middle of nowhere was starting to get to me.

I knew that I did not want to get lost so I had a good read of where the turns would be coming, and I could still see the others head.  I was also aware I was being caught by people still behind me which was no bad thing.  At least I knew I was heading in the right direction.  There were some very bizarre parts of the route that I ended up doing on my own.  I remember going through a caravan park or holiday home place and then thinking I’d reached a dead end only to realise there was tiny path near the last home / caravan that went into a copse and into complete darkness.  This was where the headtorch was finally needed. 

The next bizarre thing which by my calculations at this point had me at 57 miles was walking past a pub, down a tight turn, close to a building site or some sort of factory maybe, which was all cordoned off.  Then I climbed about 80 steps.  In reality it was probably half this, but it seemed like a lot of steps.  Then I turned left as per my instructions and found myself on the other side of the bloody pub!!!  What should have been a 50-metre walk was longer.  I’m sure they did it for a laugh!  Let’s put some stairs in!

After this little annoyance it was a very hard slog to the 4^th and final checkpoint which was approximately 61.5 miles in.  Newburn.  When I got there, I just sat down with relief.  I’d arrived there with about 45 minutes to spare before the cut off and could afford to stay there for about an hour and 45 before the cut off to leave.  I decided an hour was required but no more than that as I knew the last 7 miles or so were going to be slow going and would require digging into whatever I had left in the tank. Arriving at Newburn that wasn’t an awful lot.  So, fuelling here was touch more sensible.  I realised that the 2 cans of Red Bull had not helped at Hexham.  They’d given me a bit of a kick but once the effect wore off, I dipped big time. So I went for soup, sandwiches, a cup of tea, cake, fruit, chocolate, a cup of tea and mini cheddars.  Not in that order maybe but I really did eat a bit.

One thing I noticed at this checkpoint was how many other runners were here.  I expected to see maybe 4 or 5 but there was over 20 and most had been there awhile trying to recharge to go again.  The Bennetts were there but sadly they had called it a day.  Both were struggling, one more than the other and they decided that almost 62 miles was still a bloody good effort.  Couldn’t disagree with that.  Others had been therefore almost 3 hours but despite their efforts to rest up to go again, they weren’t able to.

I wanted to remove my shoes to check my feet but decided not to.  I knew I had to grin and bear it.  So, I had blisters on both feet, my knees, especially my left one, were painful and my legs were crying in agony with every step.  My back wasn’t too happy either.  I probably could have carried a lot less in it given the waterproofs weren’t required and water was in plentiful supply along the route as well as lots of food but best to be prepared, I guess.

Eventually I was ready as I could be to take on the last 7.4 miles or so.  That’s what one of the volunteers told me!  I knew I wasn’t going to come in under the 24 hours, but I was past caring at this point.  I was determined to finish this off.  There was maybe a little bit of temptation to call it quits there.  I would still get the medal for doing 62 miles but I’m a stubborn git, so I was going to carry on.  Most of the last stretch was along the River Tyne so pretty flat.  I think the course profile meant elevation of 1300 metres was done!  Thankfully apart from one little uphill none of that was in the last 7 miles or so.  I look back and I shuffled to the finish.  I saw a few people along the way.  There were part of the team cycling along the last bit checking in on me and encouraging me.

One chap approached me and said his wife had been the last person to leave the last checkpoint.  Everyone else had called it quits.  On I went.  The 5 miles to go sign, cross the A1, then the 4 miles to go sign, then 3.  Is it me or are they getting further apart?  Nope, just me feeling shattered.  Then in the distance I see the Tyne Bridge.  It looks so close!  Nope it disappears out of view and there are still 2 miles to go.  Then I’m walking along the quayside and people are out running, like proper running like I must have been 24 hours earlier!  I got a lot of strange looks!  I’m not surprised.

Under the Redheugh Bridge I went, then the ones the trains go across, the High Level?  Then I’m past the Swing Bridge and under the Tyne Bridge and in front of me is the Millenium Bridge and on the other side I can see the finish sign is still up!  For a split second as I stepped on the Bridge, I considered a sprint finish!  That ended as soon as I tried to walk quicker!  The photo below shows the relief of crossing the line.  Mixed in is a fair bit of pain and agony, pride; it was emotional.  But I had done it.   I was an ultra-marathon runner.  Thanks to missing a turn I’d done over 70 miles of the 69 mile route!

One final thing worth mentioning is the how long that last 7 and a bit miles took me.  I had done the Derby half earlier in the month in 2 hrs 35.  This last part of the ultra which was almost half the distance took me about 2 hrs 40!  It was the most painful and tiring journey on foot I have ever done bar none.  Not even parts of my JOGLE attempt in 2019 were as bad as those 7 miles.  The irony was that even though I knew I could take on anything as I could deal with the pain for the next 18 months I lost my mojo and in 2017 I finally surpassed this ultra. A story for another time.

I remember being given a Curly Wurly!  Then I posed for the finishing picture.  I was asked if I was OK waiting for the last finisher before heading to Gateshead Stadium to collect my bags and to get my cousin to come and pick me up.  I had time to kill.  Gave my cousin a quick call, agreed a time and then cheered in the remaining runner that completed the course.

I’d been OK for 40 miles I’d say and after that it became tough to take.  I would over 2 years later surpass the 70 miles in 24 hours, and I think this experience set me up to be able to do that.  So, I wearily made it back to the stadium and hydrated, ate some food I had and once my cousin arrived, I shuffled quite painfully into his car.

The last final challenge was to come! My cousin who lives in Consett had a town house.  Kitchen on the ground floor and the spare rooms on the 2^nd floor!  I had the house to myself as they were all going to a wedding and I remember eating more chocolate, showering and then falling asleep.  I thought I’d had a long, restful sleep but I only got about 4 hours sleep.  I was woken by a very hungry stomach.

Before I headed down, I applied all the blister plasters I had to my feet which were very tender.  Where there weren’t blisters, my feet were sensitive to the touch.  Knees still ached and my lower back wasn’t happy either!

After a decent night’s sleep, a good breakfast on the Monday and lunch in Durham it was back on the train to the Midlands.  I remember getting off the train early afternoon and making a very slow and painful walk to the bus stop.  Really should have just jumped on the train from New St to Walsall.

Tuesday was spent literally with my feet up as putting my feet in water to try and ease the pain and tenderness.  Not surprisingly I didn’t run Parkrun that weekend!  I did gather some more money in sponsorship as the run director that day, may have been Peter D or Anne, announced I was marshalling and had completed a 70 mile ultra.  In the end I raised almost £2k for Khalsa Aid, and that softened the pain.

Surprisingly I ran 9 days after completing the ultra so I can only assume my blisters quickly healed.  So, there we have it.  My first ultra!  At this point it’s worth mentioning my first ultra came after I’d done 27 half marathons and 13 fulls since 2006.  I still hadn’t done a 10K.  At that time, it never appealed to me.  For a short time, it did and now it doesn’t anymore again!

Next time I’ll cover the next fundraising I did which wasn’t originally planned but covered 3 halfs and 1 full in a 6-week period.  I was lucky enough to run a mile or so with a celeb.  2015 was the last time I ‘retired’ from marathon running.