Race information:
What? Flitch Way 100k
When? January 27 2019
How far? 100km
Where? Rayne, Essex
Website: Fitch Way 100k
Strava activity: Flitch Way
Finish time: 3:31 / 40km/ DNF!
Pre-race:
The most stressful I've ever felt before the start of a race. All was good when I woke up, I slept well, didn't miss my alarm, food and drink went down fine and I was ready to leave on time. It wasn't until I stepped out that it started to go bad. It was just under a two mile walk to the start (I have no car and decided against a taxi to give my legs a leisurely walk to the start) and I had to traverse an A-road before going onto a back road then eventually coming round to the start at Rayne. It was raining pretty bad so after 10 seconds I rushed back inside to get a taxi since I didn't want to be wet before the start. After trying five taxi firms with no luck, I resorted back to the outside and to not run late I now had to run there. Well, the journey resulted in ripping my down jacket and losing my wireless headphones. I tired to brush it off (the feathers were easy enough...), but having only five minutes once I arrived to get my gear in order, I must admit it my stress levels were beyond an ideal amount before the beginning of my first ever 100km and with the worry of my arch pain poking me quietly. Oh well, I had already agreed with myself the day before that I'd only do max half if it felt okay.
Race:
Only after a few km of running I could already feel my arch being slightly sore. The pre-race stress probably didn't do it any justice. I already knew I was going to struggle to get to 50km, which was fine. If I want to be injury free for the start of running Britain, it would be stupid to push myself.
The course takes you along a disused railway line, the Flitch Way, and is 5km out then back on yourself, on off road terrain and quite a quick course bar one gradual climb along a bridge. It's main purpose is for a late Spartathlon qualifier and this was my original goal for 2019, until I had better ideas... The start wasn't the nicest of conditions, quite windy, cold, dark and raining, certainly not what I'm used to when racing in Europe over the Spring/Summer months, but I saw this as a good test for when I begin my journey in Scotland come April. on my 3rd lap I thought I'd call it quits, but my arch soreness was coming and going as it pleased, and so I decided to go for the 4th lap. I felt some of the stress release as I realised the race was coming to an end for me, even if it is my first DNF which I thought would take more of a mental toll on me, but actually it felt completely fine to accept defeat today, after all, there will be plenty more opportunities to seek revenge on the 100k. I think a lot of runners, including myself have this issue of being myopic - only thinking about the short term i.e. I'm slightly injured but I'm still going to race and complete it regardless, rather than take a step back and realise there will still be plenty of opportunities to come back fitter and stronger.
Post Race:
Had an Americano to go over the events of the last few hours, planned my journey back home and ate plenty of peanuts. Due to being quite calorie dense, peanuts will be one of my 'go-to' foods coming running Britain, and the mix of fats, proteins, carbs and salt make it great post-race food, while also not weighing down your bag too much. Touch wood, my arch feels surprisingly good, and even managed a run today with no real issues. Now it is time to nail down my training and planning for running Britain. Oh, and get a new jacket and headphones... Thanks for reading!