This race was a follow on from a virtual 10km race the organisers had put on a couple of weeks before. I was surprised how hard I pushed myself in that race and my coach agreed it would be good to maintain my training focus to enter the staged race - she wasn't wrong! But with just over a weeks notice to get "some speed in my legs", it was a tough weeks training.
Stage 1 - 10km / 47min 28sec pace 4:44- It was a hot day for Scotland and I went out in my running vest (unheard of!). Where I live is hilly so I selected my route carefully to try and avoid them - 54m of elevation. My usual training has me doing 10kms in 54mins as I'm not training for speed so this was a step up for me physically and mentally. I had a number of club mates running so in the evening I poured over the Strava stats to see how I was doing and it looked good. Then I checked on my friends I'd met on Grand 2 Grand a few years back. From Canada to South Africa and the UK they were all racing with me in very different conditions, so it was fascinating to see how they were doing and there was the usual "banter" on FB - a community was starting to form.
Made sure I took a picture at CP1 to post to my race pals - I did this every day. I skipped sleeping in a tent, no showers and boil in the bag food. I exchanged that for a hot bath, normal food with a glass of wine and my own bed!
Stage 2 - 12km / 59min 10 sec pace 4:56- The weather changed. It was bloody freezing with a strong wind blowing. I changed my route to get some shelter from the wind but this meant my elevation increased to 92m. I was still delighted with my pace and that there was only one youngster in the club ahead of me, but he's a flying machine so I discounted that. I had a couple of blisters from the previous week so made sure they were taped up - brought back memories of running with multiple blisters in the MdS.
Stage 3 - 11km / 54min 2 sec pace 4:54- bang on target as I was yesterday but my legs were starting to feel the pressure from running at this relentless pace on tarmac. Again it was a nice sunny day and I was pushing myself as I knew my pals were catching up. In most races you have a visual target with people all around you or in the distance. You can focus on them and "hunt them down" but in a virtual race you're out there running against the clock and continually asking for more from yourself while keeping the voice in your head under control. When the results came in I had lost some time but hoped I could make it up on "the long day".
The organiser asked if I'd make a 20 sec video about the race which I was delighted to do.
Stage 4 - 20km / 1hr 44 min pace 5:14- In every staged race I have done they always have a "long day" and it's what most of the competitors fear. My long days have been 80km after 3 marathons on the previous 3 days, so why was I nervous going into a 20km race? It's funny how your mind works especially as 8 weeks ago I was running 4 hours on the Saturday and 3 hours on the Sunday - but that was slow!
Everybody knew this was going to be a tough run as we were all on tired legs. But we had to push on. I chose a route near my office as I couldn't get 20km near my home that wouldn't have set me back due to the elevation. As it was the elevation was 116m. I started off fast hoping to get some time "in the bank" and was going well till 16km - I actually passed by my coach going in the opposite direction at 15km and that gave me a lift. I had taken a couple of jels to help with my energy levels but at 16km I had some steady climbing and my legs were done. I tried my best to push on after the climb but I was knackered. Still an ok time I said to myself considering it was day 4 but I slipped a place with my club mates. There were 3 youngsters that were still behind me so that kept me focused.
My pals around the world were posting pictures and I really felt we were all pulling together in this race which was as much about giving people a positive experience during lockdown than anything else.
The video was posted on the site and featured runners from Australia, South Africa, Canada, Japan, Brazil and of course Scotland. It showed like minded people completing a staged race virtually could be a really rewarding activity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8q68jz-Dac
Stage 5 - 9km / 42min 48sec pace 4:45- At the start the sun was shining but it was freezing which gives you the usual clothes dilemma - I went with a tee shirt, uncomfortable to start but I was drenched in sweat by the time I finished. I gave this everything. I was 2.5 mins behind my pal Michael and wanted to narrow the gap. I kept pushing and pushing and was absolutely delighted with my time. But he was "in the zone" and took more time off me with one of the youngsters creeping past me. My legs were sore, but a good sore not an injury sore. I made sure I carb loaded, had an epsom salt bath and an early night.
Stage 6 - 8km / 36min 33sec pace 4:34- It's amazing how a finish line can spur you on especially when you have pals withing touching distance that you want to beat. Anyone out walking were looking at me in horror as I'm a heavy breather at the best of times but I think they thought I was going to collapse! The only place I was collapsing on was my chair the other side of the finish line. This was my fastest section. The finish was on a down hill and my legs couldn't go any faster. I couldn't have been happier with that finishing time and while I lost one place, I was competing with guys 20 years younger than me and still had a couple behind me!
Out of 384 athletes I came 67th and nobody older than me finished ahead of me! I'm delighted with my time and considering that short distance isn't my thing, I'm especially pleased. However far more important was the fact that 384 athletes ran a virtual race raising money and awareness for "autism voice", an amazing charity. We ran as a "family" and there are 383 other stories out there as to what they experienced but I'm sure the messages will be positive.
Even if you didn't finish, the important thing is you tried. We can't always guarantee outcomes in life but setting a goal and having a reason "why" that's your goal is the best possible start.
My final word is to the organisers. Andrei you and your team have created something very special in a very short space of time in a time of lockdown which is new to us all. It has been uplifting and I'm sure the other runners would agree. I hope many of those who took part will join us for the 250km 6 day stage race in August. Thank you my friend.
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