It was 10 minutes to the briefing and I was stuck behind a bus on a single track road. I couldn't find any Kendal mint cake for sale anywhere. I'd not had any proper breakfast. Could it get worse?
Yes, actually.
I was 6 km in and my bladder burst.
Back up a couple of hours from that, and as we'd left the hotel in Morecambe a little later than planned, the choice was made to get some grub en-route to the start.
A very swift supermarket stop and two small handfuls of dry granola from the box, and I decided no breakfast was better than some.
The briefing began as I made my way down from the car park. I got there just in time to hear all about wise old Cedric and his 19th century tractor, and how he was responsible for stopping us sinking in the first part of the run.
"Be safe" my wife whispered as we hugged, and I set off to on to the beach.
Running across Morecambe Bay was quite surreal.
It is a potentially dangerous crossing with strong tides and quicksand and that's why we needed Cedric. He was there for us to drive ahead and highlight the safest pathway for us to follow.
The first time you lurch to the side in quicksand it's quite unnerving, when you've planted your foot and the whole floor moves like a floating shelf, or when you have to forcefully pull upwards as your feet dragged downwards with a sucking sensation underneath each step! We also experienced the strong current as we waded through thigh high water flowing at such a rate that some of the lighter people around me were being pushed sideways.
In the middle of the sands I decided to take my first drink and discovered that my water bladder had burst in my bag. It wasn't estuary water I could feel running down the back of my legs, it was all my drinking water!
Which was great.
Only another 8 km to go until the first drinks point. Knowing that I had nothing left to drink, the thirst sensation was immediately overwhelming!
When I arrived at the pitstop I was so desperate for water. I felt miserable and knackered.
After knocking back 2 litres of fluid, and a pep talk from Charlotte, I'd filled up a water bottle to carry and I was ready to get back on my way.
It was after about 10 minutes of feeling sick as a dog that I realised the importance of race nutrition! The sloshing in my belly was really off-putting, and it didn't subside for the next 90 minutes or so - a definite learning point for next time!
Still, I managed a smile for the cameraman at the top of the famous Vertical Kilometre.
The scenery on the way round was both beautiful and brutal. There are hills, and then there are Lake District hills.
Slowly I seemed to find my pace and I ran through misty woods, close knit ferns and brambles, a few sparse fields and plenty of cheering locals who kept my spirits up.
It wasn't quite Man vs Coast sweltering summer hot, but I guess it was "Northern hot" and the clouds acted like a blanket, so it was some relief when I reached the first lake section with a short wade and swim.
It could have been pleasant and passed without incident, but I tripped over a shin high rock, cramped up in both calves and struggled to the far side. It was straight back into the ascent with another rocky route upwards.
I eventually managed to reach Lake Windermere and the famous floating obstacle course. A spectacular fall off the monkey bars and a few energy sapping cargo climbs out, and it was time for the fun part: the slide!
"Thumbs up!!" shouted the guy behind me, and I was only too keen to try and oblige.
The course ended with a kayak section and I teamed up with a stranger to navigate the waters, and finally, the running was down to the last thousand metres or so.
A burst of optimism and pace meant my quickest split time yet, but I realised I'd peaked too soon and as I slowed down the guy I was chasing pulled away.
I could hear the announcer and I was determined to run it all the way in.
I rounded the last corner and I was surprised to see a rope climb and ramp to negotiate in front of the watching crowds. There was a small queue so I slowed to a halt, spotted my waving wife and trotted over for a congratulatory ego boost.
"You look absolutely f*cked, just go and finish mate".
My jelly legs just about managed to hold me up on the last jump down, and there I was.
The "UK's most adventurous 50 km run". My first ultra distance event and 4000 feet of ascent.
Part two of the "Man vs..." trilogy: done and dusted!
Is it time for a rest yet? No chance...
Keep your eyes peeled for my preview of an epic upcoming bike ride, which might include a cameo from Old Greybeard himself!
Yes, actually.
I was 6 km in and my bladder burst.
Back up a couple of hours from that, and as we'd left the hotel in Morecambe a little later than planned, the choice was made to get some grub en-route to the start.
A very swift supermarket stop and two small handfuls of dry granola from the box, and I decided no breakfast was better than some.
The briefing began as I made my way down from the car park. I got there just in time to hear all about wise old Cedric and his 19th century tractor, and how he was responsible for stopping us sinking in the first part of the run.
"Be safe" my wife whispered as we hugged, and I set off to on to the beach.
Running across Morecambe Bay was quite surreal.
It is a potentially dangerous crossing with strong tides and quicksand and that's why we needed Cedric. He was there for us to drive ahead and highlight the safest pathway for us to follow.
The first time you lurch to the side in quicksand it's quite unnerving, when you've planted your foot and the whole floor moves like a floating shelf, or when you have to forcefully pull upwards as your feet dragged downwards with a sucking sensation underneath each step! We also experienced the strong current as we waded through thigh high water flowing at such a rate that some of the lighter people around me were being pushed sideways.
In the middle of the sands I decided to take my first drink and discovered that my water bladder had burst in my bag. It wasn't estuary water I could feel running down the back of my legs, it was all my drinking water!
Which was great.
Only another 8 km to go until the first drinks point. Knowing that I had nothing left to drink, the thirst sensation was immediately overwhelming!
When I arrived at the pitstop I was so desperate for water. I felt miserable and knackered.
After knocking back 2 litres of fluid, and a pep talk from Charlotte, I'd filled up a water bottle to carry and I was ready to get back on my way.
It was after about 10 minutes of feeling sick as a dog that I realised the importance of race nutrition! The sloshing in my belly was really off-putting, and it didn't subside for the next 90 minutes or so - a definite learning point for next time!
Still, I managed a smile for the cameraman at the top of the famous Vertical Kilometre.
The scenery on the way round was both beautiful and brutal. There are hills, and then there are Lake District hills.
Slowly I seemed to find my pace and I ran through misty woods, close knit ferns and brambles, a few sparse fields and plenty of cheering locals who kept my spirits up.
It wasn't quite Man vs Coast sweltering summer hot, but I guess it was "Northern hot" and the clouds acted like a blanket, so it was some relief when I reached the first lake section with a short wade and swim.
It could have been pleasant and passed without incident, but I tripped over a shin high rock, cramped up in both calves and struggled to the far side. It was straight back into the ascent with another rocky route upwards.
I eventually managed to reach Lake Windermere and the famous floating obstacle course. A spectacular fall off the monkey bars and a few energy sapping cargo climbs out, and it was time for the fun part: the slide!
"Thumbs up!!" shouted the guy behind me, and I was only too keen to try and oblige.
The course ended with a kayak section and I teamed up with a stranger to navigate the waters, and finally, the running was down to the last thousand metres or so.
A burst of optimism and pace meant my quickest split time yet, but I realised I'd peaked too soon and as I slowed down the guy I was chasing pulled away.
I could hear the announcer and I was determined to run it all the way in.
I rounded the last corner and I was surprised to see a rope climb and ramp to negotiate in front of the watching crowds. There was a small queue so I slowed to a halt, spotted my waving wife and trotted over for a congratulatory ego boost.
"You look absolutely f*cked, just go and finish mate".
My jelly legs just about managed to hold me up on the last jump down, and there I was.
The "UK's most adventurous 50 km run". My first ultra distance event and 4000 feet of ascent.
Part two of the "Man vs..." trilogy: done and dusted!
Is it time for a rest yet? No chance...
Keep your eyes peeled for my preview of an epic upcoming bike ride, which might include a cameo from Old Greybeard himself!
Instagram: philvsnature
Twitter: @PhilJ0606
JustGiving: fundraising/philvsnature
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