My First, But Not Last, Ultra

On Sunday the 19th of February I embarked on my first ever Ultra Marathon. The Tribesports London Ultra, organised by Rory Coleman and Jen Salter at Ultrarace.

Not even having ever run a 'proper' marathon before, only in training on my own, I approached this run with a sense of trepidation.

Me in the middle

On arriving at the start at Mottingham, what struck me straight away was I was joining a new family. A group of people all brought together by the soul purpose of going that extra mile (or more). A family that welcomes new members with a friendly smile, within minutes of arriving I am already talking to several other competitors about what I am doing and my new found love of pushing my body to the extreme.

I had arranged to run with a colleague from the Fire Service I had only met through Facebook, but our paths had crossed through our role at other incidents. I bumped into Pete Drummond and his colleague Andy Millar shortly after the brief registration process and we gathered for the customary 'before' race photograph.

Come about 09:15 and after a short race brief, we assembled, and readied for the off. Around 200 runners of differing ages and abilities. A cheer and we were off, the start of what was going to be the longest 31 and a bit miles I had ever run.

The course followed a winding course through the streets and parks of London following the little maps, the other runners and our instincts, not to mention the handily placed stickers and spray painted arrows.

As the pack started to expand out we gathered into a nice pace, if not a little fast for a person of my ability. We covered the first 18 miles in a time of 3 hours (10 minute miles) a pace we would later get punished for!

Me and Pete at end

All along the route we chatted to other competitors and all the time felt good to be part of something special. Each checkpoint, spaced at around 6 mile intervals gave us the opportunity to refuel, stretch and focus on the next six mile journey.

The pain and tiredness started to kick in around 22 miles, just 2.5 miles short of the 4th and final checkpoint. However, digging deep and knowing the final stint would be upon us the pain became discomfort and more an irritation. The final checkpoint achieved alongside the river, more refuelling and electrolytes on board, it was time for the final stretch following the tow path north under the M4 and up to Perivale.

The pace had now become a bit more sedentary as the end got closer. The same few runners seemed to be with us for the last 2 or 3 miles and the final road crossed and we are into Perivale Park and the running track is now a sight of relief.

The final 80 metres up the track was one of the proudest moments of my life, not only have I achieved something special, I have joined a new 'family', I have become an Ultra!!! 31 miles and a time of 6 hours 21 minutes 57 seconds.

My thanks go to my running buddy Pete Drummond. Rory and Jen for a well organised and lovely course. And more importantly to all the other Ultra's for welcoming me into their family, I am truly honoured to be a part of it.

Now, my next challenge as you all know is the London2Brighton 100Km Challenge in May. Twice the distance, but I am confident I can do it, there is only one wall and this event proved I can break it.