Trying2beVegan

I was met by my support crew just around the corner from the checkpoint where I used my tiger tail hand held foam roller to quickly give my quads a little massage as they were getting a little sore by that point in the day. I would definitely recommend someone in your support crew carrying a hand held roller to give you a boost and some blood flow along the way it definitely helped me loosen up.

The trail to Spike island which was the next check point felt like a loooooooong way. I finally made it being at 32 miles that was they time I felt like I had really broken the back of this challenge and I felt like success was within reaching distance. There was a great atmosphere around the aid station where I got some snacks and a sit down. It was nice to chat to some other runners and their support teams at the aid stations. There was another Vegan runner on the trail and her partner kindly gave me a vegan donut to boost my spirits. I thought it was so nice of them to offer me that and also it was super tasty so it was a double bonus.

I jumped back on the trail after the aid station had given me the energy to carry on. I was chatting to more runners as I chugged along. We passed Hale village where my Mum and Brother were waiting and directing stray runners with a sausage roll in hand to keep me going I had ordered this over text between here and the last checkpoint as I had got a craving for one when running. (Don’t ask me why).

This allowed me to only take a quick stop at the next aid station for a top up of water before we headed through Liverpool on the loop line.

My legs at this point were feeling tired but still they felt strong knowing there was only about 11 or 12 miles left to go. I had ran along the loop line section of this course multiple times as part of my training runs for the ultra so I could picture the last few miles in my minds eye.

At this point I knew it was just about keeping on chugging.

I got to the last aid station at 44miles and with only 6 miles left to go I knew I could do it. I saw my Brother and Mother for one last time before I crossed the finish line. They had been an awesome support crew and really helped me complete this first ultra.

My watch had died just before checkpoint 6 something that I had not thought about this being my first ultra. Chatting to other runners who had clearly done this before they had brought portable chargers to plug their watch into or they had invested more into ultra capable watches like the more expensive than mine Garmins.

The last few miles went faster than expected as I ran/ walked as much as possible.

It was such a relief to see the finish line at the social club in Liverpool. As I came around the field of the social club my Brother was cheering me on to a rousing “sprint” (More like shuffle) finish.

I crossed the line of my first 50mile ultra marathon in 11 hours and 10 minutes. I had done it. I had run 50miles under my own steam. It had been a long journey to get to the start line let alone the 50miles in the race and now I was done. The 50mile cloud that had hung over me for months was now gone as I had finally completed it. What a feeling, what a relief.

To quote Wilfred Thesiger

“Now I had crossed it [the Empty Quarter].  To others my journey would have little importance.  It would produce nothing except a rather inaccurate map which no one was ever likely to use.  It was a personal experience, and the reward had been a drink of clean, nearly tasteless water.  I was content with that.“

This quote I found when reading his book just days after completing the race when I was still re learning to walk after all those miles. It really resonated with me. I felt such a sense of achievement crossing that line after 50miles a sense of personal achievement that I shared gladly with my support team and close friends and family. I was content with that.