Anglo Celtic Plate - UK and Scottish 100k Champs

Sorry the paragraphs of this blogs keep vanishing or changing, no idea why...

The short version: I finished 9th in the UK Champs and since that was a top 10 finish got a medal for that. I also finished 2nd Scottish Vet (I got another medal for that).

But check this out:

What a beauty!

Scotland won the Anglo Celtic Plate for the first time in history. It was the fastest three Scottosh runners who counted so I owe this medal to Craig Stewart (7:01), Grant Jeans (7:11) and Dave Gardiner (7:30).
I came 4th for Scotland with Paul Hart 5th but since we both were in the team we got the medal too.

Chuffed!

My race went well, but not quite as well as I had hoped (in my wild dreams I tend to have before big races). Only three weeks ago I was confident that I could run a 7:30. But the training in the last 2 - 3 weeks did not go too well and I too many injury enforced rest days. So I had lost some of that confidence. Those rest days where more or less precaution. I could have done more and run through the pain but I did not want to take a big risk since getting to the start line as healthy as possible was paramount.

The laminated race plan which I created a week or two before the race. The green zone marking the way to a 7:30 finish. Incidently I wrote that 7:42 on that sheet before the race.

So I got pretty close!

As in all my races it is always within the first seconds after the start when I know in what shape I am. And as soon as we went off on Sunday morning the 27th of March at 7am into the mist on that morning my legs felt sluggish. And they never woke up. I was over rested and over tapered and (I am sure Debs will find this amusing) probably de-trained ;-) I will however leave a more detailed analysis for later.

Since I had (sort of) committed to a 7:30 finishing time I still wanted to have a go at a 7:15 minute/mile pace or 4:30 minute/kilometre. I hoped that the high mileage I had done 3-4 weeks ago would still give me the endurance to push that to the finish. In deed I lapped the first 50k in 3:41 (even a bit too fast) but from kilometre 60 on the wheels started to come off. I did not notice this directly since my position did not change much in the field although it appeared that in particular the woman got faster and faster (since they are often the better pacers). But I just could not keep that high pace up. It was just impossible.

The second half was 20 minutes slower than the first and you can imagine that this was not quite what I had envisaged and you can guess that the second half of the race was a struggle. I went through all of the bells and whistles which come with so many Ultra Races: Why am I doing this??? I will never, ever do this again!!! EVER! 100k is just a MAD, MAD distance! SLOW DOWN, SLOW DOWN! STOP! Torture. To be honest I have to say the last section of the West Highland Way last year was a delight. - But this race was just brutal! It was all tarmac and it was pounding harder and harder and harder. It was not helping that my stomach, bowels and bladder complained and I had to take two extended toilet breaks. But enough of all the excuses. I was not the only runner in trouble or suffering. A 100k race is not like any other race (ok, 100 miles are even worse). Small issues can cost you.

It was an absolute privilege to witness the battle between Allen Smalls and Craig Stewart for the win. Both runners kept lapping me and stayed close together. And they I suppose they went through the same mind game of self discovery as I did. Only... "faster". Who would have thought that the race favourite Allen Smalls would break his 7:05 PB and still "only" finish second? We all had high expectations in Craig though but when he finished his first 100k in 7:01 winning this race it was just mind blowing.

The finishing results show how strong the field was

My pacing:
1st 50k 3:41
2nd 50k 4:01
The pacing for the first half was abviously inappropriate. Too fast. And I payed for it. But I had mentally committed to give that 7:30 a try and just could not let go (and also I had that laminated lap sheet, remember? ;-)). It is all back to the classic problem that you need to know your finishing time in advance in order to run even splits. And how do you know your finishing time in advance? And since this was my first 100k I just gave it my best shot.

I discussed this with many other runners and briefly before the race with young English runner Harry Johnston (I am almost twice his age). He came with a very impressive 3:13 50k as part of his race preparation (I cannot run near that fast) and I found his 7:20 target absolutely legitimate. However similar to me he hit the wall somewhere later in the race and lost a lot of time. But he recovered later to finish 10th. Not his A target on Sunday but I am sure he has the potential to achieve 7:20 and to be honest even faster.

I was lucky to get away with a 7:42 which is a great result for a 100k (for me anyway). And to be honest at around 80k I would have settled for any time under 8 hours. I could not have done it without Silke's support (and thanks Marco for the backup!). And there was nothing she could have done better. 10 out of 10. The venue was great. Pleasant. The 2.38k lap was fast. Almost pancake flat and I found the slight undulations rather helpful. Although I got confused with counting the laps and keeping up with pacing (based on lap splits) I don't think that caused too much trouble. Silke kept me up to date with average speed and everything I needed. And the officials were also spot on and called out runner by name and later the laps too. The organisation was perfect. Not to forget the team build up by Val!

I was spoiled by support. In particular the "West Highland Way Race Familiy" was there in great numbers cheering us on. Even from other runners on the course came support and encouragement. To name a few 50k runners (in no particular order): Jack Brown (winning the 50k title), Ian Beattie, Kate Jenkins (winning the ladies title), Neal McRitchie (all West Highland Way Race finishers), Sandra McDougall (will finish the WHW this year, no question), Gavin. Other spectators/supporters Murdo tM, Tim, Neal, Caroline, Keith, George, of course John Kynaston (check his superb race video) with Katrina, Davie Hall. Loads of more familiar faces but forgive me for not mentioning all of them.

Sadly Sharon Law dropped out. She was in sparkling shape but got stomach trouble. I hope she can get over the disappointment and will be back soon.

I got another tasteful present from the Consanis:

Thanks again to Adrian Stott and the Scottish team for having me!