This was my second Saxons Vikings and Normans (SVN) event, and it did not disappoint, this particular event is called the lucky dip challenge due to the fact you do not know what medal you will end up with? it was also a timed challenge event of 8 hours so as long as you completed a minimum of one lap, it was considered as completed and you could pick a medal from the ones left over from other races, the only exception to this was you had to complete a marathon distance (26.2 miles) to be able to pick a medal that had Marathon on it.

This particular event was a local one for me at Shorne Country Woods, which was only a 15 minute drive. The day had started out hot and humid, although they did forecast rain towards the end of the day. The course consisted of a loop of 2.92 miles and was 100% trail.

As is the norm for me I had arrived at the race with plenty of time to spare, so I parked up and paid my car park fee of £2 for the all day parking, and then a short walk to the start. There was already a few others there getting there kit organised, and some I recognized from previous events, I exchanged hello’s etc. and started to get myself organised.

At around 10.15 Traviss returned from setting out the course, gave a quick safety briefing and then we were off. As with most races the start is always a jumble of people trying to get out of each others way, whilst the elite and experienced runners raced off ahead, I myself settled in to a steady pace towards the back of the pack and before long found myself with plenty of room.

Within the first 15 minutes we came to a slight longish hill, nothing to hard, one that I felt I could quite easily run up with not too many problems, however just as I started to run up it, I noticed some of what I called the more experienced runners walking up it, this for me was an omen on what the course was actually like, so I followed suit and walked up it as well.

I had read on the course information, that each loop consisted of a set of steps (178), however it failed to mention that there was also a second set of steps which in my opinion was equally as bad, it had also stated that it was a challenging course which it indeed did live up to.

I desperately wanted to get a marathon distance under my belt and was not too worried on what my finish time was going to be, so I settled in to a slower than normal pace, kept my head down and ran. The first lap was over before I had realized it, and was welcomed by Traviss, I got my lap card punched, and set off for my second lap.

I kept ticking the laps off one by one, with not too many problems, however by the second lap the weather had changed for the worst and it was now raining, this was followed by Thunder and lightning, thankfully after about an hour it had stopped and the sun came out again.

 

I did not have any real fueling strategy in mind (Still trying to find what works for me), I knew it was going to be a hot long race, so I had only planned to drink 500ml of water with SIS electrolyte tabs in every hour as a minimum, additionally to this I would take on SIS gels as and when I thought I needed to (They tend not to agree with me) plus anything sugary from the aid station. This seemed to work o.k. as I did not have any real problems.

At mile 15 however my calves started to hurt shortly followed by severe leg cramps, this I ran through and when I had completed the lap I was on, I sat down by the aid station and changed my socks and t-shirt (this always seems to make me feel better), took on more fluids (Lucozade sport), and took a short 5 minutes out, re-filled my water bottles and set off again.

It was at this point I considered to get to mile 20 and call it a day, but as I came in on completing my 6th lap, I realized that although I was in a fair bit of pain ( I seemed to be aching everywhere, and thought my toenail was rattling around in my sock), I was actually still enjoying myself – too much, so again I re-filled my bottles and just kept going, and before too much longer I was on my final lap, and then I had finished, 26.2 miles done – First Marathon distance completed.

As I came over the finish line, I rung the bell to signify that I had finished, I was congratulated by Traviss, and then got too choose my finishers medal (making sure I picked one with the words Marathon on it).

Lessons Learn’t

• When running a trail race, trail shoes are preferable.
• The running socks I am using are OK for short distances only.
• Compression socks required to alleviate the early on set of muscle fatigue.
• To be better organised at the aid station, as I struggled to find things in my rucksack when I got tired.
• Running nutrition not quite there.

As I reflect back on this Marathon distance race, I can honestly say that I did enjoy it, Yes the course was hard, and my finishing time was slow, but it was a great day, and as seems to be the norm at these events I met some awesome people. I am already planning my next Marathon distance race, I have the Rachaels Ranscombe Ramble on the 9th July next, and hopefully I can beat my time.