English
After my first road marathon back in 1996, I could barely walk for 3 days afterwards and it took around a week or so before I felt strong enough to venture out for a 10k run. The thought of running a further 2 marathons on consecutive days would have seemed insane and impossible, yet that was the challenge that faced me and around 85 other runners who took part in VOTWO Pembrokeshire Coast Challenge last weekend. It was not only the distance that presented a challenge, but also the terrain and the weather.
The Pembrokeshire Coast in November has a reputation as being bitingly cold and incredibly unpredictable. Couple this with the gnarly and rugged coastline that has some formidable climbs and descents, and you have yourself a recipe for an exciting and challenging event. The guys at VOTWO have clearly spotted the potential for such events and have developed a series of coastal marathon challenges throughout the year; they also run similar events on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset (March) and the Atlantic Coast (August).
When I arrived in St David’s on Thursday evening, it was clear that the VOTWO had done this kind of thing before. There were clearly some administration issues that had to deal with, primarily as a result of the youth hostel we were supposed to be staying at being closed down at short notice. However, they handled this expertly and everyone was placed in alternative (and superior) accommodation in the surrounding area.
Day 1 Dale – Newgale
Having breakfasted, our kit checked and received a military style briefing from VOTWO Director Ben Mason, we were bussed the 20 minute journey from St David’s to Dale. Those walking the course had set out some two hours previous. There was plenty of conversation on our “runners” bus (one of four or so) going out, with everyone sharing war stories and gauging expectation levels. It was clear there was a real mixed bag, from seasoned ultra runners to first timers.
I wanted to travel light each day. Fortunately my Team Wiggle cycling vest has 3 large pockets at the back, ideal for storing the compulsory kit I wasn’t able to wear, notably the issued map, a whistle, compass, notepad and pencil, mobile phone (fully charged with emergency numbers stored) and chocolate bar (or equivalent). It was also compulsory to have warm clothing, a hat, gloves and at least 500ml of fluids. The only piece of “non essential” kit I had was my I-pod Nano, which for me is compulsory whenever I run.
We debussed and rounded up pensively waiting for the start. We set off with little formality and minimal fuss, everyone seemingly content to head out at a really steady pace.
Within a few hundred yards we hit the first of the days numerous climbs. I began to wonder what I had got myself into and whether my road running training would get me through the hilly off road course over the next three days. I had been pretty beaten up at the London to Brighton trail run in September; living and commuting in London is simply not conducive to trail running and I rarely get the opportunity to go off road.
Supposedly the flatter and easier of the 3 days, I couldn’t imagine how things could get any tougher. I realised then that event would be a test of self preservation more than anything else.
Once over the hill and the initial shock, I settled down to my normal pace and began to take in some of the breathtaking scenery on offer. The wind was whipping around and made me lose my footing for the first of several occasions as I picked my way through the furrow and troughs of the coastal path. There were no major incidents throughout the day and I managed to locate and fuel up at each of the three checkpoints with no hassles.
The finish was on the beach at Newgale and I crossed the line conservatively in 10th place overall in a time of 5 hours 9 minutes. Within half hour of finishing it began to get dark and I thought about the prospect of having to complete any of the following days in darkness. I further resolved to do all I could to keep within 6 hours each day; every km out on the course after dark was bound to take 2 or 3 minutes longer than in daylight.
Day 2 Newgale – Porthgain
We arrived back at the beach in Newgale and the place was living up to it’s name with the wind picking up to 25mph and gusting quite a bit more than that. This heightened the experience of running, at times, within a few feet of the cliff edge; fortunately the wind was blowing inland.
The morning briefing had forewarned that the terrain would be more difficult and it was a fair assessment. There were a few occasions where I was scrambling up rocks using hands as well as feet.
It was in the early part of the day that I had my lowest point of the event; I had been pushing hard and overtaken five or six people, including a group of 3 guys all dressed in black (whom I had mentally logged as the “MIBs”) before reaching the foot of a rocky and substantial hill.
It took a lot of determination to keep pushing hard up it and my fingertips were cold and sore at pulling up on the rocks. I thought that the extra effort here would reap dividends as it would slow most people down and looking back on those behind me, I could see I had made great progress. I reached the summit, breathing heavily but satisfied with all the effort I had put in, only to find that I was at the edge of a cliff face. I quickly headed east only to find the same thing. Looking back I realised that the only route possible meant a 180 degree turn back down the hill. I headed down dejectedly and it pained me to see others benefiting from my misfortune, noting my change in route and already making their way onto the correct path. As I neared the bottom I overtook a walker I had passed some 10 minutes previously. I tried to focus my frustration at getting lost and pushed harder downhill until the inevitable happened; I came a cropper on some rocks and took a heavy tumble, landing flat on my back and smashing my left elbow in the process.
The fall also sent my calf muscles into an agonizing spasm and I groaned in pain at this more than anything else. The MIBs behind saw what had happened and were good enough to check I was OK before carrying on. I caught these guys up a clicks down the road and they shouted me encouragement; that it was good to see I had recovered from the fall.
It was shortly after this that I took my second tumble of the day. On a seemingly innocuous stretch I managed to boot a rock mid stride and was promptly sent headfirst into a large pool of mud that divided the path. I picked myself up and actually managed to laugh about it, pressing on with muddy water dripping from my chin but still managing to grin through it.
Just before the final checkpoint a huge rock straddled the path and whilst clambering over it I splayed both legs either side into some heavy gorse. The sharp pain of the needles actually felt rather good and was a welcome relief from the pain in my calves.
I eventually crossed the line battered and bruised in 13th position and was dubiously announced as the winner of the “muddiest race number” title, probably my finest running achievement to date.
Day 3: Porthgain – Pwllgwaelod
There are times when I run and I am sure everyone is the same, when for some reason everything feels good. The legs, heart and mind feel strong and running is almost effortless. This is how I felt on the final day. I was able to pull on reserves of strength I did not know I had and this day was definitely the best of the three for me.
I started out conservatively in 10th place and throughout the day, was able to pick off a number of runners that were out in front. The day had its challenges though, the first being an altercation with a gorse bush which I landed in up to my waist. I got to checkpoint 2 oblivious to much of what had occurred as result and was a little puzzled when one of the VOTWO guys asked me if I had slaughtered a pig. I looked down to see my legs covered in blood from the tiny thorns that had embedded themselves into my skin. I was told that these can take up to a month to work themselves out of your body, so something to look forward to there then.
The second challenge and one that could have easily ended my day happened when descending a steep hill just before the final checkpoint. A large pool of mud split the path and as approached I visualised myself aiming at the centre off it and skipping lightly over the surface. What actually occurred was somewhat different; I plunged thigh high into the sticky mud with my right leg before twisting awkwardly and doing the same with my left. I was taken aback by the speed at which I had gone from running freely to being trapped and I wriggled furiously in an attempt to extricate myself. I was worn out with the effort and my legs were protesting at being in such an unnatural position. I knew that things were not desperate as another runner would come along soon enough, but I had built up a good three minute lead on the next placed person and didn’t want to give that up easily. Eventually and with some pain, I twisted my feet in order to break the suction and pulled myself free.
Having reached the final checkpoint I knew that with just under 10k to go, I could afford to push a bit harder. I caught 2 more runners on this section, briefly stopping to hand over some dextrose tabs to one who was struggling.
I flew down the steep steps towards the finish and finished my strongest day in a flurry in 5th place. I later learned that this gave me 6th position overall in the final standings. And so as I type this, it is with great fondness that I look back on the Pembrokeshire Coast event. I met some great people out running during the day and shared good company over good food of an evening. I learned much about running and more about myself over the 3 days.
The organisation of the VOTWO team worked with military precision, from registration and issuing of numbers, right through to meal times and transportation to and from the start and finish areas. And all this was done in an inclusive and friendly environment, were everyone of all abilities was encouraged and supported in achieving their individual objectives. I really enjoyed my first foray into multi stage ultra events and I will definitely be back for more next year.
As this year draws to a close I am firming up on my plans in place for next. I have already entered the London Ultra 50k on 13th February, running for 12 hours on a treadmill for Sport Relief in March and very likely entering the Jurassic Coast challenge at the end of March. All I need to do now is to find something to do in December…
Brinsley Gunning!! You are one mad but amazing and awe inspiring person!!! Well done and I look forward to reading about your next challenge xx
Like I said – running the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail is not recommended, fortunately your injuries appear to have been minor…