I went down into the kitchen to sort my last few bits out and polished off 4 wheat-a-bixs, a banana and a brew. Whilst my wife got the kids up and dressed to military precision!
With everyone fed and watered, bags packed and the car loaded we set off for the start.
The journey was painless and we arrived at the start with about 40 minutes before we starters pistol. This gave me time to have my first pit stop prior to registering.
I registered and picked up my race number and map of the route which I was hoping not to use as I had planned to follow the other runners!
I started to do my final preparations when the coach load of other runners arrived. It was great to see a familiar, friendly face of Steve Drake my new ultra friend who dragged my ass to the finish line a month earlier at the country to capital event.
Steve went off to register and I went for my second pit stop!
With about 10 minutes before the start we were given our final instructions by the event organiser and ultra marathon legend Rory Coleman. There was some interesting instructions which included running through a blue door at a building site like a dodgy Japanese game show!
With the final instructions and a wave to the wife and kids we were off on the 50k journey.
What was clear from the amount of layers, woolly hats and gloves that people were wearing no one had anticipated the clear blue sky and sunshine!
Throughout the first ten miles there was a lot of runners shedding layers as it was starting to heat up which given the weather over the last month it was actually a welcome sight!
The first 2 check points came and went very quickly which was quite a nice feeling although I then started doubting my GPS watch. It was shortly after the second check point that I caught up with Steve who was one on those runners losing some layers.
We were now heading towards the famous postcode area of SW19 and unlike the Wimbledon fortnight we continued to have sunshine. We entered into Wimbledon park with me knowing that my supporters would be there to cheer me on.
Thanks to the power of Tom Tom Vez had found the halfway check point. Fortunately she had listened to the sat nav and not to a four year old who believed he was more knowledgable than Tom Tom!
It was great to see them and a real motivation boost although Vez taking a picture of me waving as walking over to them made it look like I was out on a leisurely Sunday afternoon stroll!
The check points were well stocked with haribo star mix, chunks of snickers, sausage rolls and water. At the halfway point there was the added treat of cans of coke cola. Despite the burping from the fizzy coke it was quite refreshing and the caffeine boost I needed.
I said my goodbyes and from here we headed towards and into Richmond Park.
Now my theory of following the runners in front was not that well thought out as due to the weather there was a hell of a lot of other runners out on Sunday morning so when we entered Richmond Park there was runners going in all directions, fortunately for us an eagle eyed runner we were with spotted the smallest capital ring sign on a post. I'm not sure how they saw it as I was sure it was also hidden behind a tree! Anyway luckily for us they spotted it and we set off in the right direction again.
It was here that Steve started to suffer with a muscle injury and he needed to walk but he told me to keep going.
This was probably the first time I was on my own in the race and one where I couldn't actually see another runner in front either, I was starting to think I might need my map after all.
I reached the last check point (24 miles) feeling in pretty good shape and with a few more swigs of coke cola which were followed by more burps I set off for the final 7ish miles.
The great thing about the check points is that you tend to group back with other runners. This was the case so I was able to continue with my race strategy of following the person in front.
I finally caught up with 2 blokes that were running in front of me and tagged along with them. We started chatting and it turned out that they lived in Southend and we trained along the same routes! It's a small runners world!
It was at this point that I was starting to look more and more at my watch. What started out to be an absurd idea of actually finishing under 5 hours was starting to become a reality, but as with most men I didn't want to peak too soon!
With my watch showing just under 30 miles I told the 2 guys that we could get under 5 hours so we started to kick on.
One of the guys eased back but told us to go on, the next thing I know the other guy was pulling away from me and I had no more to give.
The mileage was now showing 31 miles and we weren't at the finish line! Knowing now that I couldn't finish under 5 hours I kept pushing as the athletic stadium came into view in the distance feeling a bit gutted and I was now being caught by some of the other runners who had saved some energy for the final kick.
I finally entered the stadium and on to the 100 metre straight.
As I got on to the track I saw James out the corner of my eye and I gave him a wave, he gave me a beaming smile which was the final boost I needed.
I looked at the finish line and I could see a runner who had passed me as we approached the stadium still going.
So I started to push myself one last time and I started to close the gap between us but as I got nearer he kicked on too. I just kept going and pumping my legs and I passed him just before the line.
At the time it was a great feeling to beat him on the line but on reflection I do feel a bit bad.
The great news was that I finished 94th out of 244 runners and in a time of 5 hours 2 mins and 45 seconds.
The link below shows the sprint finish!
http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/ultraracephotos/8485152711/
And so my attention now shifts on to challenge 3 - the New Forest Ultra which is on 10 March.
I also get to meet up with Steve again who contacted me to let me know he had entered it after the event on Sunday as part of his preparation for the Marathon des Sables, a six day marathon across the Sahara desert!
Don't worry I don't plan to do it! Not this year anyway!
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