My Journey to 100 miles!

It still hasn’t really sunk in that my feet just carried me 100 miles! To be honest I don’t know if I’ve got the right words to paint a picture of my adventure.

A little after 8.30 and I make my way down to the riverbank to join the rest of the runners on the start line. This is it, I’m about to take on my first 100 miler!

The Thames Path 100 starts in Richmond and winds it’s way upstream to end in Oxford. This year there was quite a few diversions in place making it longer than usual so an hour was added to the cut off, this didn’t really throw me as no trail races are exactly the distance. I’d also spent the last 10 days checking the weather forecast, and it looked like it was going to be pretty ideal so I was very happy.

For maybe the first time since beginning running I was feeling very organised heading into an event and this was mainly down to my support team. I would never of contemplated doing this distance if I wasn’t surrounded by people who all played a very important role in getting me to that finish. From being inspired by other club members who have shared their passion and knowledge with me and lent pieces of kit, to my amazing friends who I knew would make the most brilliant crew, this really was a team effort. I’d gotten a little dream team put together that consisted of Elle and Lauren as my crew and Tim and Sophia as my pacers.

Unfortunately Elle had been unwell and crewing is a hard job especially through the night so we arranged Cam as a last minute back up and decided to play it by ear. As you were only allowed crew through the 2nd half of the race I wouldn’t be meeting them before 8 so Lauren said she’d keep me updated.

The morning of the was very chilled, I’d got a great nights sleep and everything was well in order thanks to Sophia and Lauren helping to sort out all my stuff the night before. I just had to get up and dressed and head to Richmond. We picked up Kasia on the way and she was also very relaxed – no panic here!

We got a coffee and headed to registration. This is where you collect your bibs and trackers. Did cause a bit of carnage here, forgetting my number and then being completely thrown when they asked what side I wanted the tracker on, the least decisions I need to make the better (It went on the right!). Then we came across the centurion pop up shop and I had already decided I wanted a hat so chose my colour, very easy. Kasia brought enough gels that would’ve seen her through 200 miles, they were very reasonably priced, and also a Vega hat – we came to the conclusion that they were an essential purchase and were now our ‘lucky’ hats.

Very easy conversation and lots of laughing meant I nearly forgot why we were there until I heard the megaphone announcement that the race briefing was about to start.

So here I am on the start line, I take a look around and a flicker of doubt enters my mind, can I really do this?! Well now is the time to find out. I need to trust my training and as many ultra runners have told me it’s just as much, if not more, of a mental game as it is physical so I need to trust my mind. I will only run my first 100 miler once so I really need to enjoy it, especially as I have another 3 planned for the year!

Kasia finds me and we listen to the tribute given to the runner who sadly passed away at the end of last year whilst up in the mountains.

The race briefing is then given and lots of hands go up when asked who is running their first 100 today. I take comfort knowing I’m not the only one. As we count down I wish Kasia a great race and she suggests starting together to see how our paces work I see this as a brilliant idea and with one final wave to Dad and Lauren the klaxon sounds and we are off.

The first few miles pass incredibly quickly we are chatting away and I decide that all time I can speak easily it means my pace is fine. The Thames Path is deemed as the ‘flat’ one and therefore is well known for runners starting too fast. My plan was to run 25 minutes and walk 5 minutes from the beginning. With no hills which are my normal snack breaks I thought I’d take those 5 minutes to eat and check in with myself, hmm the first time I looked at my watch we had been running for over an hour and no walk breaks had happened. Oh well, we were in our groove. I took my first of many GU gels and sipped my tailwind and water regularly. There was a lot of activity on the path of those early miles including dog walkers, park runners and cyclists. We passed Hampton Court Palace which was cool and admired the big houses.

The company means that before I know it we are at aid station 1. The sun is out and although it isn’t hot it does feel warmer then what it has been recently. I really don’t want to waste any time faffing at aid stations deciding what food I fancy. Spoiler alert – this is something I did not have to worry about! So I grab the first things I see which is a melted cheese sandwich and couple of grapes, the volunteers fill my bottles up, one is water and the other is tailwind and off we go, 11ish miles until the next checkpoint.

I really don’t want to be looking at my watch very often so I have it just on the time, when I catch a glimpse it says 11:11. I am superstitious so absolutely I made a wish. No prizes for guessing what the wish was!

I do a little check in, my legs are feeling good, mentally I’m feeling good and I am really enjoying running with Kasia. Things have gotten off to a good start. My phone buzzes and it’s a message from Joey, a run club pal, asking if I’ve had a tantrum yet along with a picture of some other club members who are doing a 50K race at the same time. I reply with an update and wish them all good luck as I know for many it was their first ultra.

I have to say throughout the race I received over 100 messages from various people along with phone calls and voice notes wishing good luck and to see how it was going. I tried to save them for a ‘crisis’ moment but each time curiosity got the best of me so I looked straight away! Such a boost knowing there are lots of people supporting you.

We pass through Staines and again admiring the houses and gosh already we are at check point 2. This was an inside aid station and the minute I enter I start sweating. It is very busy. A lovely volunteer comes straight up to me and grabs my bottles asking what I want and asks if it’s my first 100, I must of looked overwhelmed. Another takes my cup and asks if I want coke. I’d forgotten coke at the first aid station so this was a treat! Kasia says she is waiting outside for me whilst I grab a cup of coke to go and also get some food. Again I just go for the first thing I see which is 2 slices of watermelon and a packet of crisps. I like to alternate between real food and gels so every 30-40 mins I was taking a gel and then planned to eat out of every check point.

We walked along for a bit both munching and chatting and then fell back into our steady rhythm of jogging. Normally I can get a packet of crisps down me in less than 2 mins but for some reason I didn’t fancy them. I opted to put them away and go for another gel. We are now about 23/24 miles in and check in with each other. ‘Are going too fast?’ was the question of the hour but we decided that it felt good so stick with it.

Almost in perfect motion anytime I needed to walk or Kasia needed to walk we would and came to the silent agreement that the other would keep going as it seemed we always caught up. Upon leaving the 2nd checkpoint I think Kasia was sorting out her shoes so I carried on and suddenly felt quite ill. A quick look around and having no-one around me I decide to just let it happen and am sick on the side of the trail. Not good. I can’t let this panic me so I have some water and with a few deep breaths I push on. Kasia catches up and we start jogging again, I decide best not to tell her, spirits need to be kept high and I’m not risking anything causing any doubt so when she asks how I am I reply with a ‘Yes, all good!’ and off we go.

A little later I go for another gel, I need to try and work out if it’s anything in particular that prompted the nausea and the gel seems fine. I also sip tailwind and again that seems fine. I take out a cheese string from my pack, normally a firm favorite when I’m on a long run and one bite down I know that the problem seems to be real food. Okay not ideal but at this stage I decide it’s nothing to worry about. I will keep to the coke/tailwind/gel combo and that should be enough to see me to halfway where my crew will be with all my favorite treats and hopefully by then the problem would have settled.

Miles seem to be flying by and my pace is looking good, we pass the marathon mark in around just over 5 hours and legs are still feeling fine. Energy levels are high and we are still chatting, the weather is still good. I can’t remember the exact order but at somewhere Kasia points out the sight of the signing of the Magna Carter and then we have Windsor Castle behind us as well as a little gathering of spectators who cheer us on, always much appreciated.

Dorney is the next aid station at roughly 30 miles in and I avoid all food completely instead grabbing a gel. Again bottles are refilled and then a quick hi to the photographer, pose for a picture and we are in and out pretty quickly. 30% done.

I decide it’s time for a little music so I put some on very low volume so I can still talk. In choosing my song I see another message from Joey and it’s a picture of his medal, makes me smile and I reply with a huge well done. Kasia then informs me we have also done 50K and I realise that it is my 50K PB by over 25 mins. Oops I don’t know whether this is a good thing or going to be problematic. Oh well, it’s happened now so I just power on. Life is still pretty sweet and everything still feels okay.

I quickly message Lauren at some point asking if there is a crew update, she replies saying it’s going to be Cam. I can’t help a little twinge of sadness as every time I’d imagined race day Elle had been there but I was extremely grateful to have Cam step in last minute to do the driving and I hoped Elle would be feeling better soon!

Cookham is the next aid station and I stick to the plan of no food. At this point there was another runner who was asking if anyone had any S-caps, I offered one of mine but had dropped the bag earlier on so it was slightly muddy on the outside. Obviously the guy wasn’t that desperate as he declined upon seeing the bag. Oh well at least I offered. Whilst I had them out I took one as well as a revviee caffeine strip. 3 cups of coke were drank here and I tried a watermelon slice. Instant regret but to be fair it did stay down. A shout of thank you to the volunteers and I grab another watermelon slice to take with me.

I think I share the next 5K with Kasia before I take my walk break and decide not to catch up with her. Our time goals are very different and with my eating problems I think it’s time I slowed up a bit. Having company for the first 44 miles of the race was just amazing and Kasia was brilliant to run with. I know that those miles would not of been as much fun without her so again I find myself feeling very grateful and really hope she goes on to have a great run.

The tunes are now on loud, my legs are running strong and I desire some crisps! I get the crushed bag out of my pocket and try a couple, that didn’t work. On the South Downs just 3 weeks prior I was inhaling everything in sight with no problem and now even a crisp crumb was making me sick. I toyed with the idea of warning the crew but I was still 8 or so miles away so didn’t. No need to cause any unnecessary worry. I had another GU gel instead followed by a caffeine chewing gum. I pick up running and admire the sights. Wow, I am really having a lot of fun and hope this feeling lasts.

All the caffeine hits at once, safe to say I am absolutely buzzing. A pic gets sent to Elle and Sophia on the group chat just as I am heading into Hurley aid station. I don’t hang around, I grab some coke and I am gone, a volunteer here actually mentioned how ‘springy’ I was. Again I thank all the volunteers, head out with my coke and know that the next stop is Henley, where I get to see my crew!

I pass lamb, geese, goslings and my spirits are high! So high that as I’m snapping a pic of the babies I wave to a kayaker and wish him a good evening. I run through a field where I pass 2 other runners who tell me that Henley isn’t far now! I message Sophia and ask her for the fruit platter, Sophia replies instantly and asks what shoes I want. I started the race in my trail shoes with the view of I didn’t want to change them, the start is mainly on concrete so road shoes would’ve been fine but for some reason I didn’t like the idea. I brought maybe 4 different pairs so I’d have a selection if needed but of course I settled on Sophia’s Altra’s – not the best grip in the mud but definitely the comfiest and my knee had started to hurt a little so all the cushion could be needed.

I catch up to another lady runner who rather selfishly I was just going to go past but she starts talking to me and we have a very nice conversation. I encourage her to get a jog on as it appears she’s hit a bit of a low. A few more mins of chat and my phone is ringing? My phone is ringing …. It’s Andy! I answer and he asks how I’m getting on. I reply I am at mile 46 and his response is only 5 miles to go. What?! Now is not the time to joke, thank goodness I’m in a great mood! I hear Nina in the background and she asks how I am ect and I think Sarah was there too? Andy says he will ring in the morning and I think that is already something to look forward to.

I can actually see Henley in the distance so I take off with a big spring in my step. The riverside is busy and again I am people dodging and even brave enough to say runner coming through when groups are taking up the whole path. I quickly pass the grandstands being set up for the Regatta and pass more people who are all dressed very nicely, probably about to head to the lovely looking pubs for dinner. Slight envy but then the thought of food and the nausea that came with it made me get back to concentrating on running to my crew!!

I can see the centurion flags!!! Ahhh I can see my crew!!! I am waving but they haven’t spotted me?!! As I’m flying towards them I get interrupted by a volunteer telling me where the toilets are. It then occurs to me I haven’t been since about 8 am that morning some 11 hours before. The excitement of seeing everyone means maybe against my better judgement I decide not to go.

Finally they spot me!! I am so happy. I quickly get told to sit down on the bench and stop bouncing around all over the place. The fruit platter is out, Sophia’s shoes are ready along with new socks and there is a change of clothes for me. I update how I’m getting on and inform them about my knee. Before I’ve even finished talking Sophia is on route to the car to hunt down the deep heat.

I get told to change tops but really don’t want to. Apparently this wasn’t a suggestion, so I quickly change. I take a glance at the fruit and decide on a few strawberries whilst Tim checks out my feet in case he needs to deal with any blisters. There are 2, one on each foot that I hadn’t felt. I just sat there forcing the strawberries down and a few pieces of melon whilst there is a hype of activity around me. Not going to lie, I don’t mind being the center of attention.

Lauren fills me in on Kasia and says they saw her pass through strong. Brilliant to hear. I check my phone and reply to any messages. Cam looks at my pack and it’s noticed that I haven’t eaten much that I started with. A biscoff doughnut is mentioned!! Of course I will always say yes to a doughnut and an iced coffee. Sophia is sent back to the car to retrieve the goods whilst I am forced a bag of French fries. I think I eat in the doughnut within a few seconds, I have a really quick grumble that you can taste the flavors from the others in the box but I am thrilled to have eaten something.

At some point the deep heat is sprayed on me and that’s an instant relief. My tailwind is changed to Maurten and my water is now squash. I think I’m ready to go! Very happy I got to this point in daylight and an hour ahead of the time planned. I think I say a quick goodbye and thank you to Lauren, Sophia and Cam. Tim and I head to the aid station to see if I want hot food. I take one look and know that it’s a hard pass, I can’t remember but I don’t think I get anything here. All I know is that I am feeling fresh, ready to go and extremely happy!

I think we head straight onto one of the diversions which is up hill through a woods dotted with bluebells. Tim is chatting away and I’m just thinking how pretty this is when…oh no. The little feast I’d allowed myself to have was now disagreeing badly.

I inform Tim I’m about to be sick, and he isn’t phased in the slightest. Without being too graphic turns out I’d pretty much inhaled the Krispy Kreme with no to very little chewing. Thinking I was done we continued for maybe about 2 steps. My ‘Oh no’ was enough for Tim to wait for me but looking behind I see a guy coming so I try really hard to wait until he’s gone past. Well unfortunately that didn’t happen but the fact I tried made me laugh.

The maurten drink may not of tasted great but in that moment I could handle small sips. I must of eventually had a gel and pretty sure we were soon jogging again. It got dark quickly so head torches went on. I had declined my long sleeved back at Henley because I was hot, and even as the sun went down I was still warm. At some point we made our way back onto the Thames Path and the miles passed quickly. My headtorch suddenly went flash, oh no the battery had run out. I had my mandatory spare but it was the one I didn’t like, thankfully Tim had also brought a spare, much nicer than mine so I swapped over and could see again. Note to self – charge the battery!!!

Reading came up very fast. In the miles leading up to it I joked about being jealous about people being in the pub and going out for the night. Tim asked if I wanted a drink, at first I thought he was joking but then he’d messaged the crew asking for a cider. Oooh how exciting. When I got to Reading I decided that it was time to go for a wee. Straight up the stairs I went, not even realising there was a ramp. I made my up pretty effortlessly and another runner asked was the first 60 miles a warm up. God no. But it did tell me that my legs were still strong, it was my stomach that was letting me down!

James was crewing at Reading so after taking a while washing my hands (for the first time in over 13 hours, it felt good!) I went to find him. I told him about the food problem to which he said I needed to alternate between coke and tailwind. One of my bottles was emptied and filled with tailwind and I was handed my cup filled with coke. My collapsible mug came out for the first time for a very strong coffee which was great and I thought right, time to find the crew. James starts asking about a bottle opener, I have no idea what he is talking about and must look like a fool as I don’t even realise he is talking to me. Then I remember!! The Cider! I’m handed some ginger biscuits and he starts to follow me out where we bump into Tim who has come looking for me. He is adamant he can open a bottle without it so a goodbye to James and I meet the crew properly. I get one biscuit down and am handed the Cider, not the flavour I asked for but it didn’t matter, it hit the spot!! A bottle is filled with Lucozade and handed to me and the volunteer asks if I’m leaving because they don’t like to send single people through this section without company. Another goodbye and thank you to the crew and I know I won’t see them for a long time – around 20 miles.

I drink my cider very happily as we stroll the mile out of the aid station. We pass a swan sanctuary which I enjoy and I’m feeling good. Tim and I are chatting as we move, I don’t remember much of the conversations however I do remember asking what the plan was if I was to start crying. FYI there is no plan.

Remarkably the cider stays down! I am now getting slightly paranoid about cut-offs and ask Tim if we are doing alright for time. He actually tells me to ‘fuck off’ bit shocked with the tone but reassuring that for now we were doing okay.

One of my biggest worries about this race, as if 100 miles wasn’t a worry, was seeing a rat. I always worry about rats near rivers and had spotted two recently in East Grinstead which I was taking as a sign. Tim had strict instructions that he was not to react in any way if he saw a rodent before me. We’d had a couple of false alarms but they just turned out to be bats or maybe even a rodent shaped leaf – I am really scared of the dark! Anyway at some point I’m looking ahead and there one is. When it spots us it runs across the path. I scream until it’s gone. The man behind says he was about to start running the other way. Ooops maybe I am a bit dramatic but it was a big one and really scary!!

We arrive at Pangbourne and head up the stairs. Tim has a browse whilst I do what I’ve been doing every aid station, coke, tailwind and coffee. Out the corner of my eye I see a club bar, delicious, I ask Tim to grab me one. Chances are I won’t eat it but at least if I’ve got it there’s the option. I manage down the stairs with 2 drinks and then decide I am cold. Typically I’d just had loads of space to get changed/put my stuff but had decided to my long sleeve on once we are outside. A volunteer hold one drink whilst Tim holds another and I’m warm again. Next stop is Goring and I’d heard if you make it there you can make it to the finish.

I had swapped the type of music I was listening to and had saved music for running moments only. We chatted whilst walking and tended to stay quiet whilst in a ‘jog zone’ The night miles were again passing quickly. There was a bit of mud to deal with but last years weather had been really bad so I just told myself to get over it as could be worse.

A nice twisty path that feels like ‘proper’ trail makes an appearance at river level. I’m following Tim jogging and he shouts out a quick ‘Careful’, Woah I nearly fell in the river. Again perhaps being a bit melodramatic, it was a little part of the bank that had eroded into the path, the worst thing would’ve been one leg in at knee level but thankfully I avoided it.

We made it to Goring! Greeted by fabulous volunteers who are all very jolly! There is a speaker by the door playing music so I just enjoy listening to that for a bit whilst Tim is grabbing me coffee and gels and whatever he needs. I then notice he takes a picture with the ‘Beware of the Chair’ skeleton and I want in! Also I’m still cut-off paranoid so I ask the volunteer this time and she absolutely ensures me that I’m doing fine, not that I didn’t believe Tim, I just needed to hear it from someone else. So off we go, still smiling, still happy but still no food. I imagine a gel must of been forced down and more sips of maurten or squash.

The next section was muddy. I’m used to the mud, I have run lots in the mud so it doesn’t bother me however my shoe choice was not ideal. There was no grip. Tim kept saying straight through the middle which was fine when it was thick but there was no saving me when it was like an ice rink. Down I went and of course there were runners behind me. Up I jumped, maybe helped up? and I was fine, just muddy. Not even 5 minutes later in a ‘jog’ zone I trip right over a bridge, brilliant. I think I shouted a little ‘ahhh’ as I hit the concrete but again was thankfully fine. It was a bit messy, my hat had gone flying along with the headtorch as well as Cam’s headphones. All good though, time to jog again.

Sophia phones saying they are on there way to McDonalds, do I want anything? I NEVER say no to a maccies so ask for 6 chicken nuggets and pray to the food gods I will want them. I haven’t tried food for a while so maybe I’ll be okay. I also ask for a chocolate milkshake. I look forward to this! The mist is now surrounding us and subconsciously must be a bit spooked because I could not be walking any closer to Tim if I tried!

Wallingford comes up very quickly, I make way to the loos and Tim grabs himself some food. When I come out I see a chair and decide I need a 2 minute sit down. Again the volunteers could not of done enough and are telling me that I’m hours from cut off. One is given me a ginger caffeine bullet whilst the other is grabbing me a cheese sandwich. Soup is offered but is a hard pass. Other runners give encouragement as I’m told my 2 mins is up and it turns out I am currently 13th female. Okay so maybe I can do this after all. Out of the aid station and a cheer and a reminder I am 2 miles from my McDonalds.

Those 2 miles were rather eventful. Hilarious coming out the aid station another runner thought Tim was my Dad, to be fair he did use his ‘Dad’ voice to get me out the chair! I was cracking up. The sun was starting to come up and that didn’t quite have the great effect I thought it would due to the fact that the ginger hadn’t worked so once again my legs still had life left them in but I was gagging. A pic of the sunrise is taken, it was lovely, and we are on our way to the crew point.

Tim suggests a change of plan, Sophia is planned to run the last 10 miles with me but he thinks swapping is a good idea. I agree. A voice note is sent to inform the crew. We arrive and what a shocker, once again nausea hits me. There is quite a few crews here so I am a bit tentative to go through the gate. Do I take 5 on the bench, no I’m looking forward to running with Sophia. I think I sit down whilst the nuggets are offered to me, absolutely not! Even smelling Tim’s cheeseburger is too much. Milkshake machine is broken so a coke is poured into a water bottle and given to me and we head off. It’s Sophia’s turn for pacing duties and this is very exciting.

Sophia feels me in about how crewing has been, has funny stories to tell and does a brilliant job at keeping me distracted. I am so happy to be sharing these miles with her whilst I’m still in a positive mood. We try and run where we can and I dart off quickly for a wild wee, mile 84 so no fucks given. In our next run attempt my shin suddenly starts hurting, really bad. Sophia thinks the deep heat is in my bag but turns out it’s with the crew, no worries we will walk as fast as we can. At one point we come across a flooded section and I say to Sophia is she ready to do some wading. I look over and she has gone right round the outskirts to avoid the mud and have the gate open for me the other side. We share chats, Sophia takes a picture of me and the sunrise and also has her fair share of dealing with my ‘Oh no’ moments. Andy phones at around 7 in the morning and gets his update.

In and out of the aid station and I take nothing. I have had 1/2 a gel since being with Sophia and as much as she is trying so hard I am tricky when challenged so am not complying with her request to eat at all. Sorry Sophia!

Mile 92 and the penultimate crew point. Sophia has done a fine job at keeping me moving and I am so glad we made the switch, I would’ve felt bad if she had crewed me all night and then had to deal with me grumpy. I wasn’t at that stage yet but did feel it was coming. Deep heat is applied to the shin and I am given 2 gels. I shake my head, there is no way. Tim is taping up my shin so Cam and Lauren are trying, to keep them quiet I just grab them and put them in my pack. A red bull is given to me, much better. I don’t remember much of the next crew point apart from Tim putting in a little dance when we saw the guys, they had stuff laid out but I declined and with a huge cheer I said I’d see them at the finish.

More muddy trails and I am cautious at making my way through, a poor runner behind me slips twice and Tim helps him up. Anytime I’m ready to run it’s too muddy until.. I decide it’s time to go. Not sure where I thought I was going but up a bridge, down the other side and jumped over a log. Woah. Really bad idea. I hadn’t eaten anything for ages so nothing was coming up but that didn’t make me feel any better. Just walk and retch, brilliant.

Last aid station and we are informed that we have 4 miles to go. Roughly 2 on trail and 2 on road. Sarah from the running club calls and gives me one final boost to the finish. My mood is good and I have a plan we walk the trail and run the road. Should be okay. I inform Tim there is good news and bad news. The pain in my shin has gone but the blister on my foot is causing agony. Suggestions appeared from within the group we were in from needles (!?) to plasters. I shoot a look to Tim, it’s too late to take my shoes off. Thank god he turns down all suggestions. I need to embrace it which to be fair I do as I start walking normally again quite quickly.

We hit the pavement. I am done. Forget running, forget even walking. People are everywhere.

It doesn’t start too bad but maybe a mixture of my no food intake, legs already covering over 100 miles and my mind giving up means it isn’t long before I stop. I actually refuse to move for like 10 seconds. I threaten to take my shoes off. Someone passes me and says it’s not far….’not far’, ‘your nearly there’, ‘less than a 1km to go’. My worst nightmare. I am about to shout at the next person but it was a very sweet elderly couple so I just smiled and said thank you.

I tell Tim that I have never ‘felt so ill in my life’, of course I’m lying, I don’t know what reaction I’m wanting but he isn’t biting. I even pretend limp in the hope for some sympathy. In fact he threatens to run off and get Sophia. Eventually I see a bridge I reckon I can run to, 2 steps in and a bloody unicycle goes past with the biggest wheel I have ever seen. Sensory overload. I borrow his sunglasses, omg the difference a pair of sunglasses can make!! Why didn’t I wear these 2 miles ago. I take a ‘grumpy’ shot, to be fair I think it was my only low moment in the whole race, I deserved it.

Whooo I can see the finish!! Someone has the audacity to joke you need to run round the field. WHAT…! Thankfully I see the gap in the hedge is a nice straight line and more importantly I see my family and friends so I take off running. No problem now, oops Sorry Tim. I am surprised by my friends Amy and Emma who have come all the way to Oxford to watch me finish! Mum and Dad are there and so are Sue and Phil. What a treat, can’t thank you guys enough.

Across the line and I am presented with my buckle. I am in a little state of shock but goodness so bloody proud of myself. I had done it. Not only had I completed it but had the best time and made some seriously special memories.

Done in a time of 26:57:20 and 13th female!

A huge shout out to the crew, seriously not an easy job especially as they are peeps that love their sleep but made sure that every demand was met which meant the world to me. Sophia putting in a pacer shift after crewing and driving all night was just incredible. And of course Tim who covered over 41 miles with me making sure the only thing I needed to worry about was keep moving, somehow knowing what I needed long before I did.

I loved this race and learnt that my mind may just be my strength after all. The one problem I did not see coming was eating. I have practiced eating in all my other runs, and all the time, and this has never been a problem so fingers crossed it’s just a one time thing!!

Safe to say I can now not wait for the South Downs in 5 weeks time!!

Jade x