This is a short one just as my race was!
I had gained an entry to the 2nd running of the King Offa's Dyke Ultra through volunteering during last years event.
I had done little since my dnf during the Spine race in January, a 65 miler along the Dalesway, a couple of 30 milers and a few 4 local mile jog/runs.
I contacted a finisher in last years KOD race who told me that I may get away with fast walking, anyway just in case of not meeting a cut off or whatever, I built in a contingency that barring injury would allow me to carry on and reach Prestatyn at my own non race pace.
Usual things registration etc and eventually on the start line. I had earlier met up with some racers that I knew from previous events, chatting briefly to Peter Aucamp and Kevin Otto. One thing stood out was that in the smaller field the quality of racers was mostly quite high and I feared being quickly tailed off.
8pm Friday evening and we were off. I made a point of being absolute last through the start line, but quickly worked my way forward.
I was running, what the hell, I had planned on a quick walk, however apart from a few at the back the rest of field took off and much to my surprise me along with them!
Perhaps my new running shoes that I had opted for instead walking shoes had something to do with it, but I actually felt quite comfortable. I was enjoying the feeling of flowing along, a feeling I had almost forgot during the last 10 years of constant injury. A period during which I had resigned myself to the fact that running, proper running, for me was a thing of the past.
The miles in the dark of night went by and at around 10 miles and looking around to the others that I was around, including the eventual winner, I wondered what the hell I was doing in their company, and still running at that.
I was however beginning to feel it in my legs, but carried on and noticed a gap forming behind me, which had me reaching a road and bridge alone. I turned right and proceeded around half a Kilometer before realising it didn't look right. my GPS was affected by the mist and cloud and of no use, so I backtracked to find where i should have turned right up a lane.
Cursing, I carried on, wondering how many places I had lost. Thanks to Richard later posting a speeded up version of the trackers, I was able to see exactly. Upon reaching that point There were 13 in front and 20 behind, after my detour there were 27 in front and 6 behind. I had lost 14 places!
By 11.5 miles it was a case of more walking than running and I reached CP1 Monmouth just before 1am in a little under 5 hours for the 19 miles.
I spent too much time here a good 40 minutes or so and set off with the other remaining 6 still to reach the CP. Just over the bridge somehow I became trapped in an estate, did a full lap and without realising it in the dark set off and reached halfway on another lap, before turning back and finally finding the left turn that I had missed. During that time all the others had gone through and I was now absolute last. All that earlier effort for nothing, talk about somewhat disheartened.
Running again to make amends I caught up with two who were walking, then another and further on two more, meaning I had recovered my place on leaving Monmouth.
As I stopped running to chat one of them recognised my voice, these were Jess Palmer and Andy Cole who I knew from the Spine. We continued on together often breaking into a trot and collected Sharon Sullivan en route who had slowed due to sleep monsters.
The four of us entered CP2 Pandy together. Not wanting to linger I left there shortly after alone. Climbing initially I reached the narrow lane. It descended which I thought strange, thinking I'd better check my GPS, found that I'd somehow missed the obvious left turn. Frustrated with my lack of attention I climbed back up the steep lane and back on route. Stopping at the top of the hill to change my top, Sharon caught me up.
We saw a couple of people ahead in the distance but discounted them as runners. Some time later we reached CP3 Hay on Wye 52 miles, or in my case around 55.
Not staying too long and risking not bothering with sleep as we wanted more of a time cushion, Sharon and I left there together. Much chatter and banter along the next section, we walked and ran whenever Sharon suggested we get a 'wiggle on', with me usually asking "oh, do we have to?"
Quad muscles now at screaming point with every descent and struggling to run, an old injury, my right hip flexor reared its head with a vengeance.
Realising my running was done I told Sharron and told her to go ahead if and when she felt she wanted. This she did a mile or so before CP4 Kington.
I entered and sat down, thought about things for a short time and knew I wasn't going to be able to finish, to do so would have risked more serious injury to my strained quads and hip flexor. These 71 year old, out of condition legs just can't push through the pain and strain like they could even 10 years ago.
I told Sharon who tried to change my mind, but I knew it was futile, I was out and so officially retired there.
I along with Horace who had also stopped were transported to Knighton and then Montgomery.
My contingency plan to carry on at my pace sprung into action and I booked B&B at the Dragon Hotel.
I got some sleep and remained at the CP the following day until the last runner Les Lepper, had gone through.
The following morning I set off from Montgomery at 5.30am taking a packed lunch in lui of breakfast, leaving some items in my dropbag withem for collection later in the week.
I walked with my heavier sack along the OD route to Llanymynech and beyond, past Chirk Castle to my next B&B right on the path just after crossing the A5, a further 3 mile on, at 9pm after a 38 mile day.
Leaving there at 6.30 am the following day, heading for Bodfari, I soon came to the Pontysylte aqueduct.
I stopped and switched on my phone to take a photo when I noticed a message off my wife, Pat. I called her, her brother who has been ill for some time had taken a turn for the worse. My walk was over, I managed to organise a taxi to Prestatyn where I had left my car. Once there I was in time to see the final finisher Les Lepper. I also chatted to a couple of guys including Andy Cole who I reminded at the age of 69, he had not only finished but set the over 60's FKT (fastest known 'verified' time) for the Offer's Dyke Route.
Fantastic event, superb support from all the team, inc medics and volunteers, thank you all.
Oh, yeah, I still haven't exchanged my coin, h'm!
I had gained an entry to the 2nd running of the King Offa's Dyke Ultra through volunteering during last years event.
I had done little since my dnf during the Spine race in January, a 65 miler along the Dalesway, a couple of 30 milers and a few 4 local mile jog/runs.
I contacted a finisher in last years KOD race who told me that I may get away with fast walking, anyway just in case of not meeting a cut off or whatever, I built in a contingency that barring injury would allow me to carry on and reach Prestatyn at my own non race pace.
8pm Friday evening and we were off. I made a point of being absolute last through the start line, but quickly worked my way forward.
I was running, what the hell, I had planned on a quick walk, however apart from a few at the back the rest of field took off and much to my surprise me along with them!
Perhaps my new running shoes that I had opted for instead walking shoes had something to do with it, but I actually felt quite comfortable. I was enjoying the feeling of flowing along, a feeling I had almost forgot during the last 10 years of constant injury. A period during which I had resigned myself to the fact that running, proper running, for me was a thing of the past.
The miles in the dark of night went by and at around 10 miles and looking around to the others that I was around, including the eventual winner, I wondered what the hell I was doing in their company, and still running at that.
I was however beginning to feel it in my legs, but carried on and noticed a gap forming behind me, which had me reaching a road and bridge alone. I turned right and proceeded around half a Kilometer before realising it didn't look right. my GPS was affected by the mist and cloud and of no use, so I backtracked to find where i should have turned right up a lane.
Cursing, I carried on, wondering how many places I had lost. Thanks to Richard later posting a speeded up version of the trackers, I was able to see exactly. Upon reaching that point There were 13 in front and 20 behind, after my detour there were 27 in front and 6 behind. I had lost 14 places!
By 11.5 miles it was a case of more walking than running and I reached CP1 Monmouth just before 1am in a little under 5 hours for the 19 miles.
I spent too much time here a good 40 minutes or so and set off with the other remaining 6 still to reach the CP. Just over the bridge somehow I became trapped in an estate, did a full lap and without realising it in the dark set off and reached halfway on another lap, before turning back and finally finding the left turn that I had missed. During that time all the others had gone through and I was now absolute last. All that earlier effort for nothing, talk about somewhat disheartened.
Running again to make amends I caught up with two who were walking, then another and further on two more, meaning I had recovered my place on leaving Monmouth.
As I stopped running to chat one of them recognised my voice, these were Jess Palmer and Andy Cole who I knew from the Spine. We continued on together often breaking into a trot and collected Sharon Sullivan en route who had slowed due to sleep monsters.
The four of us entered CP2 Pandy together. Not wanting to linger I left there shortly after alone. Climbing initially I reached the narrow lane. It descended which I thought strange, thinking I'd better check my GPS, found that I'd somehow missed the obvious left turn. Frustrated with my lack of attention I climbed back up the steep lane and back on route. Stopping at the top of the hill to change my top, Sharon caught me up.
We saw a couple of people ahead in the distance but discounted them as runners. Some time later we reached CP3 Hay on Wye 52 miles, or in my case around 55.
Not staying too long and risking not bothering with sleep as we wanted more of a time cushion, Sharon and I left there together. Much chatter and banter along the next section, we walked and ran whenever Sharon suggested we get a 'wiggle on', with me usually asking "oh, do we have to?"
Quad muscles now at screaming point with every descent and struggling to run, an old injury, my right hip flexor reared its head with a vengeance.
Realising my running was done I told Sharron and told her to go ahead if and when she felt she wanted. This she did a mile or so before CP4 Kington.
I entered and sat down, thought about things for a short time and knew I wasn't going to be able to finish, to do so would have risked more serious injury to my strained quads and hip flexor. These 71 year old, out of condition legs just can't push through the pain and strain like they could even 10 years ago.
I told Sharon who tried to change my mind, but I knew it was futile, I was out and so officially retired there.
I along with Horace who had also stopped were transported to Knighton and then Montgomery.
My contingency plan to carry on at my pace sprung into action and I booked B&B at the Dragon Hotel.
I got some sleep and remained at the CP the following day until the last runner Les Lepper, had gone through.
The following morning I set off from Montgomery at 5.30am taking a packed lunch in lui of breakfast, leaving some items in my dropbag withem for collection later in the week.
I walked with my heavier sack along the OD route to Llanymynech and beyond, past Chirk Castle to my next B&B right on the path just after crossing the A5, a further 3 mile on, at 9pm after a 38 mile day.
Leaving there at 6.30 am the following day, heading for Bodfari, I soon came to the Pontysylte aqueduct.
I stopped and switched on my phone to take a photo when I noticed a message off my wife, Pat. I called her, her brother who has been ill for some time had taken a turn for the worse. My walk was over, I managed to organise a taxi to Prestatyn where I had left my car. Once there I was in time to see the final finisher Les Lepper. I also chatted to a couple of guys including Andy Cole who I reminded at the age of 69, he had not only finished but set the over 60's FKT (fastest known 'verified' time) for the Offer's Dyke Route.
Fantastic event, superb support from all the team, inc medics and volunteers, thank you all.
Oh, yeah, I still haven't exchanged my coin, h'm!
