Ultra_Tales_Issue_13

EVENT REPORTTHAMES PATH CHALLENGEThe first of many well stocked aid stations (aboutevery 12.5km) had fruit, nuts, energy bars, crisps,sweets and more. I topped up by bottle, grabbed afew orange segments and set off.From the start everyone seemed pretty eager tochat and around Hampton Court I first startedtalking to Ross. He was also aiming for a 12 hourfinish but also treating it as training for a trip toChile. I spent most of the day with Ross chattingthrough an assortment of topics, choosing whichriver side property to buy and attempting mentalarithmetic to work out our pace and predictedfinishing time.Each 5km became a goal to celebrate with some bigmile stones at the first marathon and half way. Themidpoint was a massive confidence boost and westarted the count down, only a marathon and a bitto go! I turned down the offer of a meal at the halfway check point (possibly a mistake) as I wanted toget going and got cracking on the second half atabout 12:30. The day was getting pretty hot by thenand I think a combination of not drinking enoughand not eating enough earlier on was beginning totake its toll.Around this point we were running with Alix whodecided our pace and banter suited him so webecame a small group of 3 for a long stretch. Fromhere my mood definitely came in waves. I washaving a never ending argument in my head. Onone side what was the point, there are plenty ofnice looking pubs to stop in? On the other thereasons I was taking part, simply to see if I couldand to raise funds for Streetlytes.We carried on with the slow count down from amarathon to 30km, 20km and the final check pointwith about 12km to go. Ross and I both needed tostop for drinks but Alix was feeling good and wentahead. Throughout the day we thought we mightstill be on for a sub 12 hour finish but this was thepoint we realized we might not make it. On a goodday without having run 88km already we bothcould have made it with a couple of minutes tospare but the pace had dropped, although I still feltlike I was still pushing as much as I could.The last few km’s ticked by and we made our wayslowly into Henley including a high five from theguy on the motorbike we had seen about 5 timesover the day dishing out support to everyone. Tomake the full distance the route went up throughthe town but then back down to the water front sowe managed to get our legs moving for the finalkilometre. We finally saw the flags at the finish andsurprisingly managed a sprint to the line (possiblynot as fast in real life as I thought). Handshakes, amedal and a glass of Champaign and I don’t think Ihave ever been more pleased to sit down.Alix had a fantastic final 12km and made it inaround 11:55. Ross and I managed 12:10 and wewere both happy. All in all a great event. A fantasticpath taking in the river, locks, pubs, churches (weran through a wedding), villages, harbours, somehouses I’m not sure lottery money could buy and awide variety of well-wishers either out to supportother runners/walkers or just a bit astonished bywhat we were doing. It was extremely wellorganised and a massive thank you must go out toall the marshals and aid station volunteers. Great tomeet and chat to many people over the day, I justwish I could remember everyone’s name.A few things for me to think about.My fitness level was very good but no substitute fortime on your feet for long distance running as thephysical battering really got to my legs.My eating plan was ok for the first half but fell topieces. I ended up fairly dehydrated with very littleenergy.Trail shoes might have been better than road as thesoles of my feet were pretty sore towards the end.My run was in aid of Streetlytes so please check outwhat they do. https://www.justgiving.com/Paul-Gilbertson-100km-thames-path-challengeTHAMES PATH CHALLENGERace Organiser: Action ChallengeWebsite Link: www.thamespathchallenge.comDate of Event: 13thSeptember 2014Event Type: Single StageDistance: 100km (15hrs cut off runners)Location: Putney Bridge to HenleyDescription: A 100k run (or walk) from Putney Bridge toHenley which is around 90% flat trail with aid stationsevery 12.5km.Race Results: http://www.thamespathchallenge.com/uploads/final-100km-tpc-times.pdf186 ULTRA TALES | OCTOBER 2014Sponsored by thehttp://