Northumberland Coastal Ultra

I have worked for this, I have earned a good run, I expect a lot from myself and all I need to do now is deliver.     

I don’t think I have ever been so nervous for a race. Since the Jedburgh Ultra I have spent the winter building up millage all building up to the next ultra. Jedburgh was an impulsive entry 5 days before the event, I hadn’t trained for it and expected nothing of myself but to finish, there was no pressure. I loved the experience I decided that I was going to become an “ultra-runner” and I wanted to compete with the best and push myself to new distances. This has been the most focused training of my short running career; I have put in the miles, fixed my diet and cut out alcohol. My life for the past 3-4 months has been solely focused on getting ultra-fit. Despite a small setback with anaemia things have gone well. I feel stronger, more resilient and have even got quicker with improving results in the local cross-country league. I entered this event as a “tune-up” for Hardmoors 55 but now it feels very much like a main event.

The day before the race I am buzzing, all I want to do is get out there and run. I look over the course and plan splits for the checkpoints, organise my kit and plan out nutrition; 1 bar, 5 gels, water and coconut water will see me round just fine, I hope. Bagels baked for breakfast and special pre-run super vegie pasta devoured I set my alarm for 4:30 and read David Attenbourgh till I fall asleep.

A friend, Richard, is running the “marathon” for his first event over the 26.2 miles. While I’m a s****** nervous wreck he is full of confidence, convincing himself he is a running god!

 It’s a warm and windy as we register at Bamburgh Castle. The wind is the biggest worry with this route, 35 miles into a coastal headwind is a completely different animal, the forecast says it will be behind us but the flags seem to show the opposite. I try to ignore this as I pin my number to my bag and quickly check my kit for the last time before boarding the bus. I chat to an older gentleman on the bus (sorry I forgot your name) about the joy of running in beautiful places and experiencing new places, I take note to remember and embrace the run and the result will follow, I feel calm. The busses empty and it seems every runner rushes to lighten the load and gaze at Alnwick castle. Following a short race briefing and a little more weight shedding we gather at the start line.    

As we ease away from the start line 2 immediately surge of into a lead and, not for the last time, I remind myself to run my own race at my own pace. I settle into a group of 3 or 4 and we glide effortlessly along the trails towards the coast. I start chatting to Ed, a moment that defined both of our runs. The hopping stones over the river were a highlight last year and I smile and relax as we pass over them. Suddenly were in Alnmouth, level with the leading pair and no sign of our former group, how did this happen? We pass CP1 a few minutes faster than last year and I feel strong, the pre chopped banana supplied is genius! 

The soft sand reminds me of challenges to come as I flail around for grip. Ed and I chat away about cycling adventures, running and mountaineering, all of his stories trumping mine. We cruise along at 7:30 min/miles and we’re at CP2 before we know it, I switch my water bottle, down some coconut water and grab some more banana. By this time we are in a leading group of 3; Erik, from Norway, pulls us along at a good pace before kicking on and disappearing into the distance. My body urges me to follow but I hold back, I need to run my own race. My legs continue to loosen of and at some point before CP3 I say farewell to Ed and steadily increase my effort to pull away. The sand sections suck away at the legs and the monotony of the flat leaves me crying out for some hills. I surge up every incline enjoying the burst of speed to wake the legs. Looking up to take in the breath-taking scenery I stumble over a rock, back to staring at my feet. I smile and bid good morning to passing walkers, only a few reply but I get used to the rejection. I try to steal a Labrador for company but he gives up and returns to his owners.

At 27.5 miles we pass the finish line and start the extra 8 mile loop for the ultra. The pain has set in and I’m delighted, “this is where the run begins, this is what you were waiting for”. Mercifully the course gets a little hillier and I quietly hum Fleetwood Mac as the course meanders around the dunes and into some fields away from the sea. At the last checkpoint I look around and see no sign of anyone closing in. The long climb that follows is a blessing and I feel refreshed by the top. The next 3 miles of flat road destroy my hamstrings and I am forced into a fast shuffle by the cramp, I start singing louder to push through the pain.  

Back on the beach and being surrounded by runners finishing the 10K, half and marathon offers me a new lease of life and I kick on to overtake as many as possible before the last climb in the dunes. As with last year I am screaming at people walking up the narrow trail with headphones in, come on people, sort it out!

2^nd Place, 35.5 miles in 4:37:01, unreal, I am exhausted and elated. Even better, Richard finished the marathon in 6^th and crossed the line just a few meters ahead, what a day! Ed comes in 15 minutes later to take 3^rd, could not have done this without him. A great event and well organised! Fantastic to have and event for all kinds and ability of runner.

I have learnt a lot from this and certainly need to manage my body better to cope with the longer races. Bring on Hardmoors 55!

  

Why?

Why are we doing this? The first question most people ask when we tell them about what we plan. Why run? The question every runner is asked by a none runner.


All great/stupid ideas come as a result of beer or when out a run. After my morning run I jumped on Facebook and sent one simple message:

"Tell me if its daft... The (Gore-Tex) Scottish National Trail has recently been established, its 864km from Cape Wrath to Kirk Yetholm. As far as I can see no one has run it yet, always wanted to be the first to do something..."

Hendrik replies 

"If you are thinking May, I might be intrigued..."

The seed had been planted, there was no backing out! We discussed the plan on a long run and began putting the cogs in motion. 

Why run 864KM for fun?

1) I love to run! This is the main reason. Running fast, running slow, running short, running long, running hills... you get the idea. Most of all I love running long, in new places, seeing new things and covering new ground. For me it is the perfect way to explore our natural world. Stripped back to the essentials of life, away from modern stresses, you can truly appreciate the beauty of the world and the sport. 

2) Ambition. Like most people I set goals, each goal is not an end but a rung on an infinite ladder. When I "achieve" I am not content, always feeling I can do better and should have done better I will create new goals further up the ladder. This challenge is hopefully just another rung on the ladder. I am inspired by the great ultra-runners and adventures of others. I know I will never be as good as the likes of Killian and Scott Jurek but I want to set my own goals and write my own story. 

3) Challenge. I love a challenge, I like to set the rung just beyond what I think I can do. People telling me its not possible just pushes me further. Nothing is achieved without sacrifice, without pain and without perseverance. By taking the easy road we are content, by taking the hard road we are pushing to better ourselves and will be stronger for it. Whether its running, studying or work; it doesn't begin until the pain sets in! only by pushing through this can we grow and reach our potential. 

4) Why Not? We are young and probably have more free time now than we will have in the foreseeable future, no time like the present. When running and struggling I ask myself one question "what would you rather be doing right now?", there is never an answer, I may as well just keep on running! 

This challenge gives us the opportunity to explore some of Scotland's most stunning landscapes by the sport we love. It will push us further than ever before and help us discover our physical and mental limits. We hope this can be the first of many epic running adventures. 

If any readers want to offer any help, advice and support please contact us via the contact form at the bottom of the page. It would be great to have some runners join us on the way. 

This Blog will have all the info on the challenge as our plans develop, we will post regular updates, training notes, kit reviews and race reports on our journey towards running the longest trail in Scotland. 

Cheers, 

Mark