Endure 24

I decided to enter a 24hr running event. Just to try something different. So that's why I'm getting off the train in Leeds on a hot Friday afternoon. I'm carrying a big holdall with my camping gear in, my rucksack is holding my running kit, change of clothes and some food.

I'm looking at the row of white taxis parked up, they are all that Uber thing. Should I get the app and try and book one ?

No chance, so now I'm walking across town to the bus station. It was dead lucky, I got there and asked someone how to get to Bramham Park. He pointed at a bus and said "That one there"

I asked the driver if he'd give me a shout when we got to my stop, then I settled in for the 45 min journey. 

Anyway, eventually we stopped and I got off. It was like being in a movie, the bus pulled off and I was left roadside looking up and down this deserted country lane.

I found a small driveway that led up to some blue metal gates that were locked. Luckily there was an intercom so I called it, the guy answered and told me to get back in my car and drive round to the main entrance of the Park. He couldn't believe it when I told him that I'm on foot. Good news,  he could unlock the gates remotely and let me in, I then had a 45 minutes walk over the Park to get to race headquarters. 

My heart sank when I got there, it was packed. Everyone was camping next to their cars, campervans aplenty and  big gazebos set up. They were all well equipped. I pitched my little tent on a patch of grass and went for a walk round.

I got a decent sleep, it was just really windy. Chatted to a few runners near my tent but they were all giving it the big I Am. I'm always unsure as to why you'd be giving it loads to a stranger before the event? Maybe that's just me.

As it crept up to 12 noon I already knew my problem,  food. I'd brought loads of flapjack in my bag but looking around the site the vegan food on offer was quite sparce. Getting fuel into me was going to be a challenge. It was red hot so as long I kept hydrated we'll see how we go.

And off we go, a five mile loop around the grounds and repeat as much as you can. It was an undulating course, hard and stoney underfoot, half in shade but the bit in full sun was hot.

Ticking along nicely now, run walk and remember to drink. Once I'd hit 40 miles I thought ok now we knuckle down. 9 hours into it.

I started walking most of it but once it got to midnight I was feeling a bit off. My legs were great but I was starting to veer off to the side a bit, I could feel myself slowing down mentally. Was it the lack of food or the heat earlier on?

I walked a lap with a great guy, Dan. Good vibe, I liked him straight away. Obviously he was a good runner but he didn't feel the need to tell you that.

He offered to drop me at my hotel in Leeds after the event. I was so grateful. 

Anyway. I dropped on with a Scottish lady for a lap, by her own admission she wasn't a runner, athlete or anything but she was doing this to walk 50 miles for charity. I was so impressed with her determined attitude to get to the end and raise the money. By luck, I bumped into her as the event was finishing, she hit 50 miles in just under 24 hours. I was dead proud of her.

After about 13 hours I'd got to 56 miles. I went and sat in the canteen tent. They had chips on offer, I ate some. I was a bit annoyed because my legs felt ok, I was still enjoying the craic with people but something wasn't right. I was starting to stumble on the track and my vision was going a bit in and out. As I sat there, I was shivering.

I sat there for an hour going back and forth, quit, push on, go for a sleep?

Someone said that at 8am it would be sunny again for the remaining 4 hours of the race. That did it for me, I pressed stop on my watch and walked back to my tent. Game over.

All I could think was, next time be better prepared. Come in a car, bring a stove and loads of food. I still enjoyed it but I was tinged with disappointment because I'd come with the aim of going further and for longer.

But, it was a good learning curve and in a way I was proud of myself, because I'd recognised that there may have been a problem coming with my health and by bailing out early possibly I'd averted a bigger health issue. 56 miles is still OK and I walked away healthy so that's good.

I wore my new Altra Lone Peaks. I'd only wore them four times before the event but they were fine. In hindsight I could of done with something a bit more cushioned as the ground was rock hard. The sole of my foot was a bit bruised but no big deal.

You live and learn.

It was a good event but as usual I come away thinking, what if? What distance could I of actually done?

But the main thing always remains the same. To be grateful to be able to enter these things and give it a go. Trying to remain healthy is my only goal and I'll just keep going.