soulchaser

 

Race Intro

Basically, I'm afraid. Pretty terrified in fact. This is the third marathon in the challenge, so you'd think I'd be pretty used to it by know, but this is the first time I actually know what I'm letting myself in for, and I don't like it

I did no training for the first marathon, which left me mercifully naive and so unfit that half way round a knee injury created a whole different test of endurance. I limped away without having experienced the full horror of running hard for 26 miles.

That injury meant no training in the run up to marathon #2 round Portland, maintaining my naiviety of both the distance and, this time, the terrain. Portland, and the rest, are all trail marathons, and they're horrible! Constantly running either up or down steep hills, some of them huge, along paths that look like Himalayan mountain goat tracks. I hit the wall at around mile 11 of Portland, and spent the remaining 15 miles fighting the terrific urge to stop running, sit down and cry for my mum. 15 miles and 3 hours! That is not my idea of fun!

4 weeks is not long enough (for unfit me) to recover physically, or long enough to forget the pain. I should have gone straight into training for the next run, but my weak body craved comfort and that's exactly what my weak mind gave it! Stodgy food, beer, crisps, and lots of sleep! And here's the thing - the Portland marathon was the easy one! 

The Route

According to the website:

"The majority of the South Devon course follows what is widely held to be the most beautiful section of the spectacular South West Coastal Path. The multi terrain course is undulating and uneven. Runners need to be prepared for an adventure that includes; running on steep, narrow tracks & paths, winding county lanes, muddy bridal ways, fields and farm tracks. The weather conditions on the coast can be very changeable and allways add an extra dimension to this event. It is essential that all runners are prepared for the worst!"

Sounds great, doesn't it! The obvious understatedness of this description makes the prospect of running round this course even more frightening. I'm sure it's going to be beautiful, as long as the weather holds up - it's just a shame I'll be in too much agony to be able to see any of it, let alone enjoy it. 

Elevation Data 

OK, here we go, the nitty gritty. We all know that a marathon is 26.2 miles, and that 26.2 miles is a bloody lonng way to run, and we know that trail surfaces are a totally different ball game to road, but just look at this cross section of the route: 

 

Now I got scared when I looked at the Portland elevation data, and this is a hundred times worse. Having run Portland, I'm in the unfortunate position of knowing exactly what's in store for me. Where are the flats? Where am I going to catch my breath? 26 miles of unrelenting torture, and 0.2 miles of ecstasy: 100m each end of the race where I convince myself that I actually enjoy stuff like this.

Race Report

"An incredible feeling of ecstasy that is a mixture of accomplishment of something big, and massive relief that that something is over, washes through you as you cross the finish line. It's a feeling everyone should experience as often as possible." Read on...

Dan's 2006 Race Report

"The horn went and suddenly I was excited. It was like a scene from an epic battle movie. People charging through muddy gullies and over rocky outcrops. Survival of the strongest seemed to be the order of the day and people were pushed and shoved out of the (my) way. When one runner went down into the mud and rocks the others just jumped over. He was left until the stampede had passed." Read on...

Visit race organiser Endurance Life's offical website for more information, photography, official race results, and information on future events. They did a superb job with this one, so they have my endorsement free of charge!