Sunday, May 11, 2008

 

Event Report; The 47th Ridgeway 40

This was the biggest event so far in my training calendar and the first time I was attempting this distance since the Coventry Way in 2003, which I finished in 13 hours 49 minutes...

It was always going to be a long day, and I got all my stuff prepared the night before, so all I had to do was get up at 3:15am, throw my clothes on and leave the house. Frustratingly enough, I didn't get much sleep- I think my brain knew the pressure I was under to sleep, so everytime I kept nearly dropping off, I woke myself up!

I must have dropped off eventually, as the shrill tones of the alarm cut through my sleep, and I stumbled out of bed, dressed, and left the house for the two hour drive to Streatley. I had bargained on the roads being pretty much dead, and I was right; also it was mostly motorway and dual carriageway. I stopped at a McDonalds for a pot of Oat So Simple (vaguely healthy fare) and a sip of coffee out of my flask, and reached Streatley at just before 6am.

I deliberately kept the pack fairly light, I figured I could keep topping up the water at checkpoints so had my small rucksack with two 1 litre water bottles, one filled with electrolyte, plus waterproof, headtorch, maps, camera and food. I parked up and made my way to Streatley Youth Hostel, where it was good to meet Rach! She was walking with her team for the Oxfam 100k Trailwalker event in July. We had a chat, and it was time to board the coach for the hour drive to the start at Overton Hill. I sat with a guy who had done the Ridgeway before and wanted to beat his time of 10 1/2 hours. I told him about the MdS and he seemed really interested- I don't know why, but I'm always a bit shy of telling folks I'm doing it... actually I think it's because I imagine them thinking "She's doing that? She's got no chance!!"

The coach disgorged us at Overton Hill, near the Sanctuary (there were three coaches in all). Unfortunately I wanted the loo already, and the Ridgeway isn't the best place to find sheltered spots, so I had to hold on for a few miles...


Overton Hill

The route was quite easy going; it follows the line of the Ridgeway track, an ancient series of roads and tracks in use since prehistoric times, evidenced by the amount of ancient burial mounds and hill forts along it. It is a long distance trail, 85 miles in length, and today we were walking the first 40 miles of it. It is basically a wide track, sometimes grassy or stoney, sometimes gravel, or metalled road. Some parts can be used by vehicles, so there were the deep grooves caused by motorbikes just not quite wide enough to walk in comfortably. It is certainly well signposted, and for most of it's length follows a line of high ridges so offers wide reaching views over open countryside with yellow rape fields.

Although the sun was obscured by hazy clouds for much of the day, it was very warm. I put suncream on but still ended up sunburnt!

The route wound past Hackpen Hill with it's white horse (which we couldn't see) before passing the hill fort of Barbury Castle. I was feeling quite strong, and overtook a few people. It was easy walking here, being a kind of gravelled track.



Barbury Castle Hill Fort

We left the Ridgeway trail for a while here; the trail proper goes over the castle, but we picked up another track which skirted round the side of the hill to the first checkpoint and drinks; Burderop Down at 7 miles. We followed a series of tracks to the second checkpoint; Whitefield Hill at 9.5 miles, where there were oranges on offer plus wet wipes! I had sweets in my front pack I kept dipping into during the day. A steepish pull past a mast brought us back to the Ridgeway and what I thought was the loveliest section; the track took us right over the down and skirted the hill in the picture below. Just out of the picture to the left was the hill fort of Liddington Hill commanding an imposing view over the valley. I tried to imagine myself as a prehistoric traveller striding over the down!



Liddington Hill And Downs


After this was a section of road walking to checkpoint 3; the Shepherds Rest at Foxhill, 14 1/2 miles. It was quite embarrassing as my mobile went off and there were a few folk around... it was mum... checking I was still alive! I dived into the pub to 'use their facilities' and picked up two bags of apricots at the checkpoint. They went down very well with a snickers! Then it was onwards and upwards, back onto the trail which became an off road and well signposted track once more.


It felt like quite a long slog to the next checkpoint, and we were certainly in the hottest part of the day. I passed a sign to Wayland's Smithy- a Neolithic burial mound, and decided to take a quick detour. It was still quite impressive, despite being so old. There is also a legend that a blacksmith called Wayland used to have his smithy here (hence the name) and that even now, if you leave a horse here all night and some money, when you return next day your horse will be shod and the money gone (I may just bring my car up here when it goes wrong- got to move with the times, right!)


Waylands Smithy

The next checkpoint, Uffington Castle at 19 1/2 miles, was very welcome; I sat for a few minutes and there was what should be the mainstay of all challenge walks on offer- jam sandwiches and cold rice pudding! One chap admitted to me that he never realised how much he would appreciate eating cold rice pudding but it was like nectar!


I passed the white horse at Uffington- the famous, stylised one seen as the emblem on the walk's web page- only we couldn't see it as we were on top of it! The route was quite undulating here, and I walked for a few minutes with a guy who had obviously done many challenge walks. He said he was walking with a lady runner, who was very fit but refused to carry a pack so had enlisted him as 'sherpa'. She had stopped for a toilet break; he told me to make sure I kept up the exercise and was quite impressed when I told him I'm a member of the LDWA as he personally knew many folk who write for Strider (LDWA magazine). We saw a load of people coming the other way, wearing matching t-shirts, it turned out they were doing a 7 1/2 mile charity event. The guy I was talking to stopped to wait for his friend and they passed me shortly after- she did look fit, she was certainly very skinny and looked for all the world like a 'proper' runner.


The next checkpoint was Eastmanton Down at 23 miles, and there was a rumour of hot drinks at the one after. My legs were aching a little at this point, and I started to have twinges in my right calf, which worried me as I hoped I wasn't doing it any damage. I stretched a bit before beginning the slog to the next checkpoint at 28 miles.


Ridgeway Scenery

Although I wasn't actually following anyone, there was always people in sight, ahead and behind me, and I occasionally overtook folk. I had brought my sporty earphones, so plugged into music which actually seemed to help me get into a rhythm. Finally, I crossed the road and saw the welcome sight of checkpoint 6; Yew Down at 28 miles. I had my tally card signed, and a lady offered to squirt water over me- first time I remember agreeing to have somebody squirt cold water in my face but it was lovely! And... coffee and cakes! I sat on a deck chair for a few minutes, savouring my coffee and homemade flapjack. Quite a few folk had stopped here, and one guy voted it his favourite checkpoint- we all seconded it and another guy piped up "I bet you say that to all the checkpoints!" I sat with a couple who had gradually shaved chunks off their time each year and were hoping to beat last year's time of 11 hours 30 minutes, but were behind schedule so didn't think they would manage it.


I didn't want to move, but still had just under a half marathon left to do, so it was onwards and alongwards (with another brief loo stop in some handy bushes). The Ridgeway was quite wide here and there were several other tracks leading off. I felt a sudden rubbing on the bottom of my right foot- in fact I thought it felt as though my sock had worn through and was rubbing a blister. The pains in my calf started to come back, but I had a flash of revelation as I realised they were more like little cramping pains, and wondered if it was because I hadn't really had anything salty- must start including some salty, savoury snacks in future... the pains certainly didn't get any worse and I never felt them again after the finish.


At the next checkpoint; Bury Down at 32 miles, I pulled my shoes off to inspect my feet- yep- the sock had worn completely through at the sole and was rubbing a blister! Luckily I had put a spare pair in... I had a couple of biscuits, loads of drink and my secret weapon- neurofen!


The next checkpoint was only a mere 2 1/2 miles away; I was listening to music again, and felt quite strong although it could have been the neurofen masking my aches!

Ridgeway After Checkpoint 7

I started to jog on the downhills, and caught up with the guy I had been talking to and his friend, the lady runner, who was also jogging downhill. We ended up getting caught in a kind of friendly 'duel'- she'd slow down to a walk, I'd walk past her, then she would jog and overtake me again. a metalled track brought us to the penultimate checkpoint, Compton Downs Cross Tracks at 34 1/2 miles, with twixes and kit kats. I also had a gel just after to give me a boost for the end.


After this the route turned a sharp left and climbed for a while- I passed the lady runner and a few others, and for the only time all day there was nobody else in sight. I was convinced I was going to get lost, but felt strong still, and managed a fast walking pace.


At the last checkpoint (the rather morbidly named Starveall Turn at 36 1/2 miles) I was informed that there were around 90 or so behind me. One chap told me quite a few had had to retire due to the heat. The last 3 1/2 miles wound up hill, then descended to a metalled track. I still felt like I could run, but unfortunately something had had an unfortunate effect on my guts, which was quite uncomfortable! (wonder if it was the gel?)


View Off The Track Near Streatley

I passed a chap at the bottom of the track who announced "I'm broken!" then there was quite a bit of road walking back to Streatley, in fact it seemed to go on for miles! I looked at my watch and realised an 11 hour 30 minute time may be within my grasp, so jogged and fast walked back into Streatley and the Youth Hostel (mercifully all downhill!) By my watch, I just made it!


There was a buffet at the finish, with some salty snacks which I attacked, and more delicious cakes! The couple I had been chatting to at 28 miles had in fact come in at 11 hours 20 minutes and beat their PB so were chuffed. One chap told me that one year, a chap had finished the walk in such a bad way he had literally handed in his tally card and collapsed in front of the check in desk!


I was pleased at how strong I felt at the end, and how the heat hadn't really affected me. I later heard from Rach that they had finished in just over 12 hours 30 minutes, which was an amazing time for her first 40 miler and a great milestone for the Trailwalker. Her pack was also a lot heavier than mine!


Then it was 'just' the lovely 2 hour drive home... mercifully the roads were very quiet, but I felt very tired... I stopped at Watford Gap services on the M1 with the intention of getting a coffee at Costa (lotta!) Coffee, but nearly didn't bother when I saw the price- £2.40 for a small cappucino! But then reason kicked in, and I thought it would actually be an investment if it stopped me from falling asleep at the wheel and ploughing into the central reservation...


I certainly slept well when I finally fell into bed! And didn't ache too much the next day! I am still aching slightly today and my legs feel tired, but not too bad! Think this week will be an easier 'recovery' week and I may build up to 40 miles per week after next week.


Have to say though- I would definately recommend the Ridgeway 40, it was a lovely route, and very well organised with friendly volunteers and even St Johns Ambulance back up. I would like to do this one again at some point, although next year may be too soon after the MdS.







Labels:


# posted by Steph Cooke @ 9:01 PM
Comments:
Great report Steph, sounds like you coped well! Very nice part of the world to go through.

A few people have spoken too complain about gels disagreeing with the guts. I haven't tried them (or electrolyte powders ,recovery drinks etc) so wouldn't know, I guess I'll have to start though.

Once again well done!
# posted by Blogger Mike Blamires : 9:39 PM
 
Cheers Mike! It certainly is a nice area.
I think I am going to have to experiment with the gels etc that was the first time I had used one and don't really know too much about them!
# posted by Blogger Steph Cooke : 9:53 PM
 
Hi Steph. Brilliant report, and I loved the photos, too. Wow, you did well. Very proud of you. It's the kind of walk I'd like to do, too. Will have to see what we have here in Switzerland, otherwise I'll just do a self-sufficiency one solo.

Hope you get over the aches and pains, soon. I bet it was all worth it.

Cheers, and happy training.
Craig
# posted by Blogger Craig B. : 10:20 AM
 
Well done Steph, huge improvement on the Coventry Way time too! You must be pleased.

One thing though; I rather suspect that if you left your car and some money up at Wayland Smithy, in 'moving with the times' both the money and your car would be gone in the morning!

Have a read of that forum link on 10 biggest marathon mistakes about using gels alongside other carb sources.
# posted by Blogger Rich : 10:42 AM
 
Thanks Craig and Rich- I am pleased I've recovered so well, I don't ache at all now!
Craig- I don't know if you have any national trails in Switzerland but you could always hike/ run these solo if there aren't any organised ones?
Rich- suspect you may well be right about the car... or at least I'd find it on blocks!!
# posted by Blogger Steph Cooke : 7:41 PM
 
whats up everyone


Just saying hello while I read through the posts


hopefully this is just what im looking for looks like i have a lot to read.
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 10:14 PM
 
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