This weekend I went back to Richmond to do Centurion’s TP100. This year I decided to do the grand slam, 4x 100 mile races around the south east of England. I completed this race back in 2017 but a dodgy ankle from 85 miles meant a 15 mile death march then ensued. Training leading up to this race had been the best I’ve ever had. Focusing a lot on flat running but not forgetting SDW100 is only 5 weeks after so keeping some vert in the legs. I nudged up a few unofficial pb’s in training 10k, marathon and 50k so went into the race super positive.
Lots of familiar faces in Richmond Brian, Helen, Naomi, Gio to mention a few.
The race started and was going great, I was sticking to my run/walk strategy of 9min run 1min walk that I’d practiced over and over again. I ran with Brian for a bit up to cp1 but was in and out quickly and kept going. Saw Mike at one cp who gave me Jaffa cakes (yummy) and a brief chat with my mate Sonny at 44. Just after the 44 cp I bumped into Helen she was happy to run my 9/1 system (more 9/1 and a bit by now). We ran to Henley together and time passed quickly (especially the walk breaks).
Got to Reading, said hello to Lozz (saw her earlier on in a lay-by 👀) and grabbed my drop bag. Put my long sleeve base on, fresh T-shirt, new socks and grabbed more tailwind, waterproof jacket on and ready to rock. Julian grabbed me a coffee and Helen gave me a snickers and we left for Reading where she was meeting her friend Lauren to pace her to the finish.
Reading came along quickly. We’d now switch to 8/2 running. Here I had to sort my chaffing (always carry Sudocream with me now) fill bladder with tailwind thanks Andy Law. Met up with Lauren and we all left together with a new 7/3 strategy. Also put my watch on charge (love a fenix3) as we left. Eventually getting to Streatley (nearly dying slipping down a slope after Whitchurch )Helen wanted her drop bag to change into warmer clothing. I took this time to sit down, eat beans, drink coffee and sort chafing again (not sure which order). Again off we went with a revised 6/3 strategy, one that we took to the finish. We had discussed a 5/3 at one point but glad we didn’t.
The ETA on my watch was creeping closer to the golden time of 9:30 (sub24), we then got more strategic. Lauren would hold the gates open and run ahead to checkpoints to get our drinks ready. Clifton Hamden was longer than should have been as I needed a special toilet break.
Back on the path we picked a few off (a lot of people now power walking to finish) and saw Lou at Abingdon, then just 9 miles to go. Lower Radley came, just 5 miles to go. We caught up with Gio who wasn’t having a great day (for him anyway). About 2-3 miles out my left calf was screaming but eventually we saw the flags and finish arch (apparently my pace increased). I pulled my phone out and played AC/DC thunderstruck. I wanted to do this at the finish of Arc but it wasn’t meant to be. We ran over the line in 23:40, sub 24 was achieved.
Thanks to Helen and Lauren #teamsub24
Special thanks to my wife Claire for dropping/picking me up and nursing me (popping blisters) and endless cups of coffee. I couldn’t do these things without your love and support 😘
Calves are currently screaming at me so a good rest for a week or so then see how they feel. Then off to Winchester for a bimble.
Good read mate and great achievement 👍