I took part in the Offas Dyke Ultra race starting last Friday at 8pm. Nowhere near fit for racing but having secured a free entry due to volunteering last year I decided to start and see what happens.
It was a much smaller entry compared to it's inaugural event last year, which is unusual, perhaps word had got round regarding it's toughness.
8pm and go! I made sure of being last through the start line. Half a dozen at the back were quickly left behind and i joined and worked my through until I settled.
Running! I had not run for more than 3 miles for some time and those short runs of only about three in the previous 2 months.
I could see and recognise some of these around me and thought what the hell am I doing in their company. I must have been panicking not wanting to be left too far behind, but the truth was that this smaller field by numbers was a more elitist than last year, there were no 'fun' runners.
It turned out that one of the guys that was around me for a good many miles ended up winning the race, I had set off and maintained the first 12 miles far too fast, I had not run that distance in one stretch in over 10 years and this time with a 6kg pack on my back.
I was happy with my position until i missed a turn and several went through in front of me before i returned to the route.
This happened again after the first CP at Monmouth, which meant I did an extra 2 miles in a circle and when back again on route was now absolutely last!
Running I saw headtorches in front and regained 6 places.
Pandy CP in and out, another error and passed again by two guys who I never caught.
Hay on Wye CP at 52 miles which I reached in 17 hours, before carrying on.
The extreme undulations of this route, mostly steep in ascent and descent and my fast early pace were now playing havoc with my quad muscles, especially on descent. I knew that if i pushed on beyond Kington CP I would slow dramatically with no chance of finishing within the 90 hour limit for the 185 miles.
I retired at Kington 67 miles, which I reached 21 hours.
I had been the first over 70 years to enter this race but failed to be its same finisher.
I was eventually transported to Montgomery and repatriated with my drop bag.
Having thought that i was unlikely to finish I built in a contingency that would allow me to carry on at my own non race pace.
After a full days rest there I set off at 5.30am and reached a few miles beyond Chirk Mill after 38 miles, where I found a B&B.
Continuing on the following day at 6.30am, as I approached Frontisylte Aqueduct I switched my phone on to take a photo when i noticed a text from my wife. her brother who had been ill for some time had taken a turn for the worse and things looked bleak. That was the end of my race/walk.
I managed to arrange a taxi which took me to Prestatyn where I had left my car.
I saw the last two racers finish then I was off for the drive home.
We are going back to Montgomery tomorrow to collect my drop bag which I had left at the Dragon Hotel.