Monday 22 July 2024

Hope 36 - Finally Back to Racing

 It’s strange to think it’s been way over a year since I last raced. Due to being deployed or being quite ill for a long period of time prevented me from treading a start line. 

So the build up to Hope 36 for me was not my normal build up. I was ill up until basically June (including ending up in A&E) with tests still on going now as they try to work out what is going on. So although I was allowed to keep running (thanks Doc) and my miles have been consistent whilst running everyday (Over 5 years and still going) the actual training hasn’t been happening. The Doc said to carry on what I was doing but take it easy. Then leading up to the race two weeks to go, I caught the lurgy again and still had it just about at the start. 

Bib Number for Hope 36

So for those who don’t know, Hope Trail Festival started 10 years ago as a one off 24 hour race to raise some money by the legends Danny Slay, Pete Drummond and 4 other fire fighters for charity. It grew over the years and last year was taken over by GBUltras who have a portfolio of events around the UK. Wayne Drinkwater the owner of GB Ultras had race Hope 24 in the early years so was fully aware of the community and event that was built by Danny and Pete. 

This year was the 10th Anniversary of the event, only missing 2 due to deployments I was eager not to miss this one. The event has played a big part of my running career over the years. I decided to run the 36 hour event again, but I was more excited about seeing friends, who I’ve not seen in a long time. 

The race weekend came, and Thursday like always I went to help out set up the course etc. I had already pre booked the time off work before I knew the loading pattern at work, so the latest group of recruits I pass out on the Friday. This event is always been a community thing, so it’s always nice to see others come and help where they can. It also allows me to set up my tent early as well which is a bonus. 


Race morning, and I was awake at 0630 (still in work mode although this is a lie in for me). This would be the last time I sleep for quite a while. I get down to the event arena and help a little more with the set up. 2100 was the start time, so it does keep me busy and my mind off the race for a while. Keeping my RaceZilla attitude to a minimum. Full of nerves, and just a dick basically. 

Eventually it was time, there were a few more 36 hour racers this year, which is good to see. People stepping further out of their comfort zone and also realising it could give them a better chance of the 100 mile buckle compared to 24 hour race, if they race it sensibly. It had been chucking it down with rain all afternoon right up until the start time. So now I had to decide how I was going to cope with wet feet from the start. Then I realised I has some gortex walking trainers. So I decided to wear them until either the wet grassy areas dried up or a trodden path formed by the runners appeared.


So the whole idea if the 12,24 & 36 hour race is to smash out as many 5 mile multi terrain hilly laps as you want. This still of the timed event is ideal for all runners wanting to step into the world of ultras, see how far they can go or just want to put some miles in with out the worry of cut offs. You can do just 1 lap of you wanted, it wouldn’t be the cheapest of 1 laps but if that’s what you wanted you can. The event itself is still good value for money. Like everything prices do go up and I have no doubt will do again, but it’s worth the pennies in my honest opinion doing this events for as long as I have. 

Having not raced for a long time, and not been fully well for a long period, I was going out to have some fun and see what I can do. The last time I did 36 hour race I was awake for 51 hours. I don’t plan on that happening again but we shall see what the body says. 

The race started and off we went! 5 miles of beautiful trails, with the sunsetting, the head torches were worn as we lost light pretty soon especially going into the wooded sections. I wore my gortex walking trainers to run into start with. I was going to change into my newer Asics Trail shoes later on.

18 hours into the race pic by AG Images

Soon enough we were into the early morning hours, and I was tired “zzzz”! As I came into the wooded section of of the course after the long slog up Pylon hill, I started to fall asleep whilst running. This wasn’t fun, I tripped over roots a couple of times also. As I made my way back to my tent after finishing that lap, I sat down and thought I should try and kip. I tried but no bananas. I went out for another lap and by this time the sun was starting to rise. 

Boom! A second wind came and a went smashed out another 3 laps full of energy and the legs feeling ok. I changed shoes, feet were still dry and I was no longer feeling tired (first mistake). This was not good! Post those laps I started to be on a major come down. Like I had taken something to enhance my performance and it wore off. (I hadn’t taken anything just in case someone started wondering). My happy hormone levels had dropped, legs start to feel solid as I made my way round the next couple of laps.

Sunday morning Sunrise

I had taken a break after each lap, fuelling and hydrating. But now the breaks started to get a little longer each time (second mistake). I still couldn’t nap (3rd mistake) and I was struggling on course. I was starting to not enjoy myself out there. 

A couple of friends had a massage gun, which they kindly offered for me to use to see if it would help the legs out. Never used one before, as I have looked into them and found they don’t really do anything like they suggest but worth a shot! I gave my legs a good battering with the massage gun, but sadly I was correct. It doesn’t really do anything. 

The second night came and on with the head torch once more. Again being so tired and awake for over 40 hours at this point, I started to trip and fall sleep whilst on the trails. (Having spoke to others I wasn’t alone in this, others felt the same during the first and second night and one even actually went to sleep on the trail floor lol). I got back to the ten after the lap and decided to try and grab a couple hours of sleep. I fell straight to sleep and woke up after a couple of hours. It bloody worked to my legs felt great again, they recovered pretty quickly. I went out and put some more laps in. The buckle had already gone from my grasp so having those few hours sleep wasn’t going to make a difference. 

Finish Selfie

I went out on my final lap with 20 mins of the 36 hours to go. One more lap it was! The 12 hour racers had already finished at 2100 the day before, the 24 hour races soloist and team relayers were still flying around as they still had more time to go. They started at 1200 on the Saturday. The last lap did seem to drag, but I was the last 36 hour racer still out on course. 

My little family who crewed me, came out to the last section to join me before heading to the finish lien to see me finish. As tradition, I always sprint finish the final arena section to the finish line. Off I went! But as I approached the finish line, there were awards being given to those already finished and podiumed of other races. I never got my finish line action pic, I usually got. As the last 36 hour finisher I did feel a little forgotten about due to the awards ceremony being done on the finishline. I grabbed my medal, went on got a post race portrait. And that was that! 80 miles completed with in the 36 hour period. Not my best by far and I am capable of more but with how my year has been, I am proud of myself. My run streak continued, so that was pleasing too. 

Post Race Portrait by Dan Bentley

I was able to go up the and down the stairs the following morning with out issue, pretty much no DOMS, so I went for my usual recovery runs for the week. I'm really pleased how well my legs recovered. Now I can look at getting back training seriously whilst continuing my run streak.

It was great that I got to see old friends and make new ones along the way. I enjoyed myself out there for the majority of the race, can’t say I enjoyed falling asleep whilst running lol. The race event itself still holds that special place in my heart. I’m glad it’s continuing on under GBUltras. Yes they are still learning and trying to find ways they can improve, but they have done a great job this year! 

So I can still highly recommend this event, especially if you want something to challenge you, an event with a great atmosphere and an event worth the pennies. We have lots of event companies folding down here in the South West, and this event is worth making the weekend of! 

Well done GBUltras

Until next time


Thursday 1 February 2024

A Year Without Racing

 A Year Without Racing! 


So 2023 didn’t go exactly how I thought it would when it came to races. However, the running still went on it was just not competitive in any form. I still trained hard just in case a race came up that I could enter, but it never happened for various reasons , I deployed at the end of February to the Baltic states, visiting lots of beautiful countries. First of all going up to the Arctic Circle, where I wasn’t sure if I could keep the streak going. The weather wasn’t always favourable for running, but I managed to cope just about on the treadmill even when the ship was rolling about heavily. That is always an interesting experience! We then came alongside in Norway in the city called Bergen , which I have never visited before. 


Up the Mountains of Bergen

I spent many time in Norway various other towns and cities, but this is the first I’ve been there. It was a beautiful place and good fun to run, but there were no races on during that time after brief couple of weeks at home during Easter where I prioritised family over races.


Running around the upper deck within the Arctic Circle

We then headed back into the Baltic a bit deeper. We first visited Sweden, a place I’ve never visited before. Lots of great running was had here. I even managed to do a Parkrun with a friend based out here in Stockholm. We then followed this by visiting Helsinki in Finland. Where we came alongside in another beautiful country. Wasting no time I was out running again on dry land. There were no races on during the time I was alongside, my daily running continued, allowing me to explore this lovely city. The next stop was Tallinn in Estonia. 


Running through the old city of Tallinn, Estonia


This is the last Baltic country I’ve never visited before not alone running so I managed to tick off all the Baltic states now. Again, there was no races alongside in Tallinn, I just kept up my running every day and exploring new places along the way. My runs continued every day over the next few months, visiting more countries, such as the Netherlands Germany, Scotland and Belfast before ending up back home after being away for about five months.


 It was time to spend some family time during my summer leave. So I prioritise that over racing because I hadn’t seen my family for half a year almost I owe them some quality time then I’ve got sent away on a course for five weeks in Portsmouth only coming home at weekends again. 


One of my daily runs whilst at sea

I wasn’t up for a racing at the weekends as it was precious time with the family for another month or so by the time I finish that course. When I was back home again properly it was well into October, I just haven’t found another race I want to race or I was interested in and before I knew it it was December. I just felt there was no point now in entering a race in the remainder of what was 2023. This will be the first year since I started running in 2009 that I hadn’t run at least one race. It’s kind of strange but also a bit liberating. I’m not sure whether that’s the word or not that I’m after but I don’t feel sad but I don’t feel happy. But it was also nice not having to deal with race nerves or getting kit together, buying food for an ultra that I need for the crew and myself,  planning where the crew are going to meet me on a race. None of those pressures that I’ve had for years gone. I have however, missed out on seeing friends that I usually see at these races because some of them live all over the country. Only get to see them at some of these races but not seeing them this year, didn’t upset me but I did feel a little melancholy about it all. Obviously I’ve saved a lot of money by not entering races this year as well which I guess could be a positive. Once my job is settled out and I know what I’m doing. I can start planning a lot more for 2024. I’ve got two big races already booked in. I am looking forward to training and racing them! It’s gonna be a good year I think. But as for 2023, it’s done and dusted. For 2024 the run streak continues and races are booked. It is going to be epic! 


Kiel, Germany

 On of the races already booked is the Hope Trail festival in July and I’m a little bit excited about that. I’m doing the 36 hour event and it’s going to be amazing! It’s one of my favourite races, mostly for the community. I know loads who will be participating so it’s going to be great seeing them all! 

Belfast, N.Ireland


 So yes I have in some ways missed races in 2023 but I think having a year off has actually done me some good. It’s allowing me to reflect on what I have raced and what I have achieved over the years. Allowed me to take the pressure off for a year, allowed me to think about where I want to head with my running and I’m still keen to do ultras.


If you got through all that, then thanks for reading! 


Until next time

Owain

Hope 36 - Finally Back to Racing

  It’s strange to think it’s been way over a year since I last raced. Due to being deployed or being quite ill for a long period of time pre...