My Journey to 100 miles!

It’s a little before 8 in the morning and I’m plodding along rather happily, really pleased that I seem to be settling into the race and even more pleased that weather is looking perfect. I realise I’m yet to have a gel or some real food, normally I aim to start fueling an hour in so I take out the first gel I find – a GU Caramel Macchiato, my favourite, followed by a quick sip of water. I take a little look around and I am admiring the view when before I can even comprehend what is about to happen I’m at the side of the path trying to throw up as discreetly as possible. A look at my watch tells me I have just hit 9 miles, brilliant. Not even 10% in. With no idea what this means for the rest of the run I try and keep as calm as possible and look forward to getting to that first aid station which is just up ahead. Although I can’t help thinking ‘Not Again!!’.

The Start.

Some 10 or so hours before Sophia and I had made our way down to Winchester to stay the night as the race starts at 6am. Eventually we found the service station with the hotel we were staying at, we were even warned not to miss the turning! We got last minute supplies and set every alarm we could!

I had a great nights sleep and felt very ready to go so after grabbing a Costa off we went. The race starts at Matterley Bowl just outside Winchester and is pretty stunning. I went to grab my number and tracker and was prepared with my answer when asked what side I wanted it on! I then saw Kasia who was taking photos for the tracking and was great to see a friendly face, although my picture was a bit hectic as I was trying to eat/hide a croissant.

I then got myself totally ready before heading to the pop up shop where again I wanted to another hat and a new cup. I do like a cheeky panic buy. Sophia and I then had a good time people watching. The race is now part of the ‘World Trail Major Series’ so there was a hive of activity of cameras and interviews, rather interesting to watch and listen to. Before I knew it, it was time to gather for the race briefing so I waved goodbye to Sophia and joined the 500ish other runners near the start.

I heard most of the briefing and then everyone just started moving, I had missed the countdown and we were off! The first few miles head round the Matterly Estate and I think it started with a bit of uphill and then lead into narrow paths which as I started at the back were congested, fine by me, I was in no rush and it stopped me from going off too fast. As with most my runs the goal is to have fun and finish. If I feel I am working too hard I simply just slow down and after the first couple of usual phantom niggles I am 4 miles in and am on the South Downs Way heading to Eastbourne! I feel calm, my legs feel good and I am ready to have a good day! Most importantly the weather is perfect, there had been quite a few nightmares about heatwaves!

Sophia was once again taking on crewing duties as well as Elle who Mum was bringing up to meet us at the first crew point. I am very excited because I get to see them at various points throughout the whole 100 miles, not just the 2nd half as with Thames Path. There is a plan in place about which crew points they are meeting me at, which I wish I paid a bit more attention to and Tim is due to meet me at Washington aid station, unless we are in crisis mode, to pace me until the finish. It’s mile 54 but is the official ‘half way’ point.

Back to that first aid station, I get my bottles topped back up and then glance at the food. As much as I don’t fancy any it’s 13 miles until the next checkpoint so I fill my sandwich bag with food I would normally say yes to and grab some watermelon. My cup is filled with coke and I decide to drink and walk. The views are brilliant and I am about to start running downhill when once again with little warning I am behind a bush. Okay this is definitely less than ideal but I need to keep calm. I decide to take a picture of the view and think there are worse places to be sick. In fact this then turns into a game and with every bout of nausea I take a picture of the view, good to keep distracted! So coke at the moment is a no go and gels so I sip between water and tailwind just to keep trying to get something in me. I also take an S cap and hope for the best!

Running wise I am really pleased with how I’m moving and feel strong hiking up the hills. I find other runners to chat to and miles are passing quickly, I try not to look at my watch and it still feels an easy effort so I just continue on. I forget all eating problems and relax, running the mile I am in and try not to worry about the rest, smile and enjoy. I do come to the conclusion as I’m being a complete wimp down a hill that I need to be stronger on my descents and learn how to run downhill properly.

At some point I am running along and when I break into a walk to hike the hill I feel a niggle in my knee. Normally the right knee is the weak link but today it’s the left that aches. Odd as it’s never hurt before. Also weird that it doesn’t hurt at all when running only when walking, this makes any ascents quite painful and slower than what they should be. I’m about 5K away from crew point so will ask Sophia to spray some deep heat on and again hope for the best.

Back to enjoying the views and before I know it I’m running a lovely downhill into QECP. There is a half marathon taking place so there seems to be runners and signs in all directions. I have my sights on getting to the crew/checkpoint so do up the pace slightly and then I spot Sophia, 22 miles so 20% is done. Sophia is currently solo, apparently I am here early so Mum and Elle will make it for the next one. I have pre made bottles so that is a quick swap and Sophia is ready to spray the knee. Deep heat is a nightmare to spray as it literally goes everywhere, oops sorry to anyone standing near us. I have also prepared bags with nutrition in ready to go so there is no fuss at the aid stations. However I quickly ask Sophia to remove the food, she shoots me a look and I admit that I am already struggling keeping things down. We compromise and I agree to try sweets so with a bag of fizzy bubblegum bottles we say goodbye and will see her again at Cocking which is mile 35. As Sophia is there it meant I didn’t need to visit the aid station, so it was a very efficient stop.

As I’m making my way past the aid station I bump into Kier and have a brief chat. We seem to be sharing the same problem and he gives me a ginger sweet which I then eat on the climb out of the checkpoint. I wish him well and off I go. The climb is steep but I’m eating so I don’t mind. I catch up to a runner who I started with, poor guy was a witness to the nausea, and chatting to him makes the time go quickly. At some point the watch ticks over 25 miles and I’m a quarter of the through. Checkpoint 3 comes up quickly and there has been no drama so without thinking about it I grab my cup and ask for a coke and keep going not even glancing at the food. I notice the camera which is live streaming and point it out to the guy I’ve spent the last couple miles with (I didn’t get his name!) nearly spilling the coke which wouldn’t of been a bad thing as 2 sips down and yeah not good.

I had eaten 2 bubblegum bottles so far and managed to keep some tailwind and water down, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t starting to panic a bit! Focusing on the positives I decide I am still feeling okay and moving well, the weather is still fantastic and it’s 8 miles or so until the next point. This gets me moving! Uphills are proving a slight struggle as the knee is hurting again so I am wasting no time on the downs or flats. I enjoy the small woods we go through and get to know other runners who are around me, I am someone who prefers a chat when running. 2 women are telling me how they DNF’d last year due to the heat when a mouse or vole fly out in front of us. I am VERY brave and just do a gasp, no screaming here!

I start to recognise where I am from a run I did last year with Emma, Tim and Kier. I stare up a hill assuming that’s where I’m heading when I notice the arrow pointing to a path that slopes around it, as it’s more comfortable to jog at the moment that’s what I do to get up the hill. I take in the view from the top and decide now is the time for music, 2 sips of water and a message is sent to Sophia as I think I’m a mile away, I know Sophia will be tracking me pretty much every step so it seems pointless but she knows me well and that text is recognised as a small cry for help so she instantly replies asking what I need. Coke, water and tailwind have not stayed down for the last few miles so I ask for Lucozade to be put in a bottle, I love lucozade so I really hope that it will work.

I know a really nice downhill is coming so I just fly down it pretty much as fast as I can, I have no idea how I am doing timewise and have assumed with all the much inconvenient stops that I am not doing great. The ache in my shoulder is telling me I’m dehydrated and my knee is not good. I’m praying to all gods that Lucozade will work. I reach the bottom of the hill, which was great fun, and Ultra-runner Gary House is directing runners into the field. I go to say thanks and oh god, not good. Thankfully I hold it together, that would be mortifying.

I run into the field and spot Sophia, Elle and Mum. It is so good to see them! The atmosphere is fantastic and all the crews cheering give it a real party feel! Sophia has my bottle ready and deep heat is applied to both knees and pretty much my whole left leg. Whilst this is happening Sophia is asking how the eating situation is, I admit not good. Mum looks worried but in her defense doesn’t say anything. When working out exactly what has been digested it’s so little I start to doubt if a finish is going to be possible. I have an S cap whilst Sophia and Elle are looking at the bottles and also some paracetamol for the knee again a bit dramatic but it stays down eventually. I have no idea what to do, yes this happened at Thames Path but at least I could have gels and water. The more I panic the worse it will get so I ask Sophia if we can call Tim to see if it’s possible to meet me at mile 50 instead, I think I’m in ‘crisis mode’. It’s only four miles sooner which in the grand scheme of the race is nothing but in that moment 4 miles could of ended my race, I needed all the help I could get!

I left feeling better but still panicking a bit, said goodbye to Mum who said she’d see me in the morning at the finish. I really hope so!

I start the climb out which isn’t as bad as I remember and basically tell myself to get over it. I’m still moving, the views are still great and it’s time to get running again. It’s now a bit up, down, repeat. Which I actually rather enjoy, the downs are fast and fun which gives me hope! I find myself smiling again and have since learnt that Tim is able to meet me at 50 and I am actually ahead of any time schedule we had in place, he actually suggests slowing down! Happy days. I instantly feel calmer and am now dancing along quite merrily. Still being sick though and I have picked up a guy who once again I didn’t get his name but will call him a ‘Stand in Tim’. He stays with for a mile or so at a time and checks I’m doing okay, asks if I need anything ect. I go a while without seeing him then I fly down a hill and catch up so he stays with me again for a bit, ‘fly’ is a bit dramatic but I am moving quicker then him down the hills. This is experiencing the ultra-running community at it’s finest, runners looking out for runners and I couldn’t be more grateful.

I get a text from Elle and it’s a picture of a carpark. I can’t remember weather they were meant to stop at this crew point or not but they have more lucozade and it’s great to see them. I am feeling much better than the last stop and they comment on this too. I was a mess at Cocking. My knee is playing up badly so the knee support goes on as well. Just the mental boost is great and they both assure me I’m fine for time. Off I go music back on and on a bit of a mission. Surprisingly I feel okay and am back dancing up and down the paths. Run the mile I’m in, that’s all I can do. Up the hills, down the hills, I distract myself with the views and am reminded why this is so many people’s favourite race.

Before I know it I’m at Houghton Farm aid station and Elle and Sophia are here as well. They have made a detour to bring me anti-sickness tablets. Elle tells me I need to keep them down for 10 minutes for them to work. I mention do they have any more lucozade and see a panic in Sophia’s face. A lady who is crewing her partner who must be very similar in time to me, Sophia has been chatting to her the whole day, is already going to her car to get me some asking if orange is okay. What a treat! Sophia then says her and Elle are heading to Washington so I will see them there. I go to the aid station to fill my water and someone else’s crew has heard my dilemma and suggests an ice pop. Oooh I do love an ice pop especially strawberry flavour so of course I say yes and take one to go.

The next bit of the trail I know thanks to running Arundel marathon back in January. I know the climb isn’t going to be great fun but again I have word with myself, it’s a hill not a mountain so get over it. I even catch up with ‘Stand in Tim’ who waits for me to cross the road and a couple of others and having a nice chat when I cause carnage. To be frank the ice pop making an appearance as red liquid wasn’t great. Someone suggests they call the medic?! I have wrapper in my hand still and explain that it was an ice-pop so, thankfully, no-one calls the medic. Naturally when we hit the big climb our little group spreads out. My walking still isn’t comfortable so I am not playing catch up with anyone. I turn and look at the runners behind me and take in the view. Whilst on the way up there is someone laying in the bush. The person in front asks if he’s okay and he replies a thumbs up. Andy video calls and is at a BBQ, it’s all quite chaotic saying hi to other members of the running club, I can’t hear him and they can’t hear me, eventually I get my pep talk from Andy and Nina and he says he’ll phone a bit later on.

Next thing I know I’m running down a hill, wheeeee!! It’s a good one. I have no idea where I am but I’m looking where to put my feet. A quick glance up and someone is waving! I look at my watch that’s about to hit 50 miles! Tim is here! I rush down as fast as my legs will take me and another glance at the watch and I realise that I have ran the first half only 11 minutes slower than the SDW50 back in April, oops. What with all the stops and extra crew points maybe I have gone too fast. I also think back to my panic at Cocking telling the crew that I must be last and didn’t listen to them at all when they were trying to reason with me, what a Drama Queen. Oh well nothing I can do about it now. I am just thrilled to have company and am so grateful that Jen and Tim could re-shuffle their day to be there earlier. As I get to him it doesn’t take long to see why I am perhaps not having the most ideal day. Not good.

I fill Tim in with how the day is going and am made very aware of a pain in my foot. One thing I’ve learnt about my body is that it only seems to recognise one pain at a time and since the knee is feeling slightly better due to the support put on a few miles ago it is now telling me my foot can’t seem to handle the chalk very well and that I have developed a blister. The 4 miles to Washington pass quickly, I am very excited that I don’t need to fight with any more gates! I am finding the smoothest, grassiest sections of the trail and looking forward to changing into road shoes. I tell Tim about the guy in the hedge and a runner who is only a couple of meters ahead turns around and says that was him, slightly funny , slightly awkward and I think I really must talk quieter. As we approach Washington we start to head down a road, we pass runners who are on their way out of the aid station and I recognise some who I’ve shared some miles with so we smile and wish each other a good 2nd half!

We turned into Washington, pass the camera, and quickly found Elle and Sophia. So good to see them. They had everything ready to go and I sat down and took my pack off whilst everyone seemed to spring into action. Tim tended to the blisters which really hurt and I was worried about taking the sock off. Elle is frantically trying to get me to eat a mars bar as a suggestion given by Emma, hmm I do like a mars bar so I take half. I think I ask for a couple of things that Sophia doesn’t have, the car is parked down the road, initially I say leave them but then something else is mentioned so she flys off to get them, sorry Sophia! Feet have been tended to, deep heat has been applied, again choking everyone, and I’ve changed my top. My pack is re-packed with the head torches, apparently I had not done a great job. We’d also discussed poles were now needed to relieve some of the blister pressure so they went on. Earphones are changed to ones that are fully charged. Eventually I am ready to go. A real quick visit inside to see James who passes me a huge handful of ginger biscuits and we are on our way. I’m looking forward to the 2nd half, I know it so there should be no surprises (I thought I knew it, I actually didn’t recognise half of it and was convinced there were trails I’d never been on before!) and I know there’s some lovely points that are really runnable also I love running at night so lots to be excited for!

My feet feel better and the up out of Washington seems to go quickly. Tim is telling me facts about the South Down which he’d read on the race preview. I think I move quite well to Botolphs aid station, we get there and I ask for a coffee, I’m quite fussy with my coffee so we make the instructions quite clear. At the same time the knee pain seems to back pretty badly so I spray deep heat all over it. I can’t remember if I eat anything but I think I ask for the cut off time, the volunteers look at me funny and inform me it’s 20 past midnight. It’s a little past 8 so I’m there in plenty of time. I say thanks to all the other volunteers and take my coffee to have up the hill.

As we are heading up the hill Sophia phones and asks if all is okay, I think she says they are meeting us next at Devils Dyke. I’m not sure if this is a planned spot or one they are adding in but we’re not far away! It’s a very much up and down and the problem with knowing the last 50 was I knew the points I do not like and because I’m moving slower they seem so much longer! This may be when Sue rings and asks how I’m getting on, apparently I tell her I’m really behind, classic. Emma messages and says she hopes the sunset is going to be good. I ask Tim to send her a picture because my phone is blurry also I am rubbish at taking pictures! We are very much treated to a fantastic sunset I am very happy. Meanwhile Tim is moaning because apparently he ‘hates’ taking photos but I do ask him to snap one of me.

We approach Devils Dyke and it’s quite busy, I didn’t know it at the time but they are filming Gladiator 2 there so Sophia and Elle are in the back car park. My knee has gone very painful again so a 2nd knee support is added over the top for extra compression. This was a HUGE help and it didn’t really bother me again for the rest of the run. Sunglasses are off and headtorches are put on, we all appreciate the sunset and Sophia asks if I need anything and I say a fancy a redbull and French fries, they didn’t have the car as had to walk down to meet us so Sophia says she will be there at the next crew point to get them to me. I think it might be here that we are rooting through my gels trying to find a non-caffeine one and so I’m handed a birthday cake gel, half down and it comes straight back up. Elle is rather sensitive to sick so this makes her run to the bush behind. Thankfully we all can laugh at the situation! With a huge thank you to Sophia and Elle off we go! I’m excited because I love running at night, still terrified of the dark but I much prefer the trails being quieter also less people to witness that nausea!!

I think, to be honest my memory is rubbish, that from Devils Dyke it’s a nice downhill. I manage a Stroop waffle and it must hit the spot because I am off! I am running downhill and loving life. My music couldn’t be any louder in my ears so I am also having a little dance. Whooo so much fun. I keep this up until I get to the next incline, very happy with that stretch of running!

We reach the aid station and I can’t remember if bottles are filled, I probably don’t eat anything and I think I ask Tim to ask for the cut off time. I think I stay back a bit as the sight of food makes me feel funny. I’ll just keep sipping my Lucozade. I think it’s here (?) where I decide for the first time since the start that I need a wee. Conclusion was that I very dehydrated – more liquids are required! Doubt once again enters my mind but as with earlier on, all I can do is complete the mile I’m in (And moan about it to Tim!).

We get to Clayton Windmills and Sophia passes me my Redbull and crisps. I don’t remember this at all, there is a picture and I’m told it was very brief and I was okay. Happy days.

Onwards we go and I am definitely starting to feel the effects of not eating. I’m feeling more tired than I’d like to be, so this redbull has come at a good time! I don’t think I eat the crisps. In my tiredness Tim has to deal with me asking if we’re okay for time, a LOT of times. Gosh, I must be so annoying. I’m talking nonsense, totally oversharing and thinking I’m in a therapy session. Not sure what Tim expected when he offered to pace but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t that, thank goodness he doesn’t seem phased by anything.

The blister is now really hurting again and anything that isn’t a complete smooth surface is very difficult to move on. At the next aid station we aim to patch it up. Entering Housedean a volunteer immediately asks if I want hot food, a firm no and upon explaining the reason he suggests it’ll pass soon, I wish! I once again stay back whilst Tim gets food and I’m very envious as it looks good, we leave and then remember the foot so turnback. A bit of confusion if the medic is there or not and then a first aid kit appears (I decide this a lesson learnt to carry my own) then I take a seat. I don’t remember but I know my mood isn’t great and I’m a bit snappy. A lady comments we could be the aid station entertainment. A volunteer seems to think a ‘delicious’ hot chocolate might cheer me up and I agree that does sound good. So I take a few sips whilst the foot is finished up and off we go and I do feel much better. Until we get to turn out and another volunteer is telling us which way to go, then it becomes clear that the 2 sips of hot chocolate were not a good idea at all! Apologies to the volunteer who had to witness that!

Back to moving and again I’m asking about the time, I’m still ahead of cut off but still worry, that was a longer stop than I would’ve liked. The climb out of the aid station I’m a bit stiff from sitting down so it takes a while to feel like I can move properly again. The poles are so helpful. I turn and see a few headtorches of those behind me which is quite cool. I don’t remember the 8 or so miles to the next aid station. Probably a bit of moaning from me, I think Tim gets some nice pictures of the river and maybe sunrise is starting to happen?

My mood is up and down and I’m annoyed that I can’t run on bumpy ground which given the South Downs is mainly chalk it’s all quite rough. Also I’m annoyed that I don’t remember this bit as well as I thought I would, I predict what’s coming and then it looks completely different, I need to pay more attention. Over the station bridge and into the aid station. I don’t even look at the food. Elle and Sophia will be 2 miles away so I am excited to see them and the sunrise is about to happen as we will be reaching to top of the hill! It’s a bit of a slog but I keep looking back to take in the view. We are treated to an amazing sunrise! Eventually we reach the top! Sophia and Elle are also enjoying the sunrise and have once again got everything ready. Feet are fixed again and I have the audacity to complain that Tim isn’t being gentle and it hurts, honestly given that most runners tend to their own feet I sound like a complete brat, not a good look! I have odd socks on which bothers me greatly but I stay quiet. More redbull is passed over as well as bottles being swapped and sunglasses are handed back! I’m faffing deciding what flavour I want, Sophia has got both my favourites, when Tim jumps in and announces he’s having the watermelon, we all share a look and giggle, oh someone’s getting tired! I get up and am hobbling as have stiffened up again, they are not kidding when they say ‘beware of the chair!’. A pic is snapped in front of the sunset, Sophia and Elle say they will see us at the finish and off we go! Crewing is probably more stressful than running so I can’t thank them enough. As we leave them I’m still asking about cut off times, obvs.

I should be running into Alfriston but I really need a wee so will have to walk, to be honest I never thought I’d make it here so am very happy. Into the aid station and I see millionaire shortbreads, my favourite! I grab some. Some friendly words from the volunteers and we are gone. The climb out isn’t exactly what I need but one foot in front of the other, I’m still moving. My mood is decreasing. I don’t want the shortbread which annoys me, normally I love a shortbread!! I think I’m distracted by the fact there’s cows on the trail, we have seen a LOT of cows!

Jevington is up next and we pass the aid station, I totally cringe myself out as I wave to the volunteer seeing people in. The climb out is not how I remember it at all! It feels so much longer. Also I am starting to confuse the rocks for rodents! Not quite hallucinating but I guess through very little eating and being awake for around 28 hours it’s starting to mess with me a bit. Quite amusing, I can’t imagine what I looked like as I’m shying away from a stone just in case it’s a mouse.

Very much like last few miles of the Thames Path I now feel a meltdown incoming. I should be thrilled to be nearing the top and seeing the trig point but I am not. Upon reaching the top we go for a picture. I am very stroppy!! Down the gulley of doom and it hurts. How can a blister hurt this much. I am moaning I’m a wimp and need to ‘man up’, Tim tells me that I can’t say that – not politically correct, apologies to those who may be offended! Fine so I need to ‘toughen up’ and seriously increase my pain management!! I don’t deal well with being in a bad mood so as we’re descending into Eastbourne I try really hard to get some sort of reaction from Tim but he just laughs at me, I don’t find that particularly helpful, and tells me to keep moving. Finally we reach the bottom and head down an alleyway which again feels much longer than I remember and is also bumpy before we eventually get to the road.

I decide quite pretentiously that I want to run in the road and not the pavement, declaring that the cars will have to sort themselves out around me, honestly again not sure who I think I am. I keep running until we hit the turning onto the main road and then grind to a stop. It’s busy and everything is annoying me. It’s a slow run walk process. My music is the loudest it can possibly be in an attempt to block everything else out.

Thank goodness I can see the flags that are the sign the track is near! We turn in and I can hear my family and friends before I can see them. Tim darts to the side and I’m left with one lap of the track to the finish! A little jog and I’m turning to see Pierre the photographer with a huge smile on my face, I’m not in a bad mood now! Across the finish line and I’m handed my buckle! The best feeling in the world. Then straight to see my fans!

• 27 hours 8 minutes 48 seconds.
  

Overall lots of highs that were very high and dealing with the lows! All quite a lot to process! Definitely given me lots to work on for the next one and hopefully get some idea what causes the sickness and how to prevent it! Very much a team effort and there is no way I could have got through that without the crew and Tim.
Again there were lots of messages of support as well as phone calls and voice notes. These are such a boost and I always feel very lucky by the amount of support I get!

100 miles is a long way and once again I’m very proud of myself!

Next up is the North Downs! Very excited as this is where I fell in love with ultra running last year. So a bit of recovery, a bit of practicing and hopefully I’ll be all good to go!!

Happy running!

Jade x