SOUTH DOWNS 50

My third go at running the South downs 50 an the first of my 50 grand slam for this year. Four 50 Miler over the year an I have two 100's. The first 100 is in four weeks time at the Thames Path.

I haven't yet completed 100 Miles since the Spitfire Scramble in July 2016.

Today I decided to play safe an slow down so to be ready for the 100. Good friend an running buddy Shawn is here for his first South Downs 50. I asked if he wanted to pair up an some company to help him push in the later stages. It seemed the best plan for both of us....

I stayed overnight at Travelodge Worthing Seafront an took advantage of race check an number collection the night before. This way I knew which way to walk for the start this morning...

Not the best nights sleep in a strange single bed, but I never usually do rest well before any event. I always toss turn thinking have I remembered everything?!

I had a breakfast of black coffee, small avocado an black pudding I brought along (I have another for later). Odd as this seems I cannot stomach a heavy breakfast an do not rely on any sugars or grains (Ketogenic) before or during an Ultra race. 

I checkout an then brisk walk myslef back to the start to meet Shawn an other running friends.

Once at Worthing College again I spot, Lisa, Lesley, Mark, Jason an then Shawn. We all head other to the rec ground for the briefing and the start. The weather is misty, cool, grey an with a chilly north west wind. It looks to brighten up later.

0830

Once we set off up the track past the golf course an towards the SDW I get to settle into the group an catch up with Shawn. It is a long an steady climb for 6 miles until meeting the SDW official path.

Shawn is comfortable at keeping to 9:30-9:45min/mile to begin and is in good spirits. We stay with this plan for all the flat an runnable downhill sections today.

Jay, Shawn and myself catching up at Mile 6

10:30

Through CP One. Botolphs at 11 miles we just have some water an I try the Tailwind (electrolyte) as forgot to pack any salt capsules today. Although I have my handy table salt sachet I always carry for overnight stops.

Thanking the team we head over the road an the steep climb up Truleigh Hill to Devils Dyke. Shawn is in good spirits but has slowed doen some with the climbing.

Once at Devils Dyke an meeting lots of spectators, including good friends Lucy, Mark and John. We make our way to check point two at Saddlescombe Farm,  Mile 17.

I have some diluted coke, pick at some baby tomato an cheese, an grab a jelly baby for some quick sugar. We are both in and out very quickly.... I say hi to june who I recognise volunteering here. We thank the team an make the next climb over Newtimber and towards Pyecombe.

At Clayton Windmills we are greeted with plenty of support and spectators as we make our way on to Ditchling Beacon.

Between Fulking and Devils Dyke

12:30

We briefly hit some drizzle as the dark clouds are pushed by the north east headwinds. It makes it feel much colder than it actually is.  I have the frustration of putting my Inov8 buff on, gloves on, buff off, gloves off.... 

I have a few sips on my extra virgin greek olive oil, that I always carry on me. Good for top up calories and in this cold it actually moistures my lips!

We reach Housedean Mile 26 and Shawn has tired some. He has already said at the last climb I can run on ahead without him. I've already agreed to run with him until the finish an need to keep my pace slower to stay fresh an safe for my 100 in four weeks time. 

I just tell him i am running to the finish with you regardless so not going anywhere...

Heading to Devils Dyke

We both refill our water packs, I use half Tailwind and water. Nibble on some nuts, cheese, an take another jelly baby as we leave. Shawn goes for the sandwiches. We walk out over the road until finishing some diluted coke an our nibbles.

Running with Shawn feels much like a catch up session and finding out eachothers goals an then thinking of the Ultra races we have yet to try out, perhaps even as a team! The chat is good, as it keeps him motivated and me in the mind set of training time, keeping pace down, ready for TP100 next month!.... 

Botolphs. Heading up to Truleigh Hill

13:30

At Newmarket Hill I spot running friend Roy heading towards me. He gets a great picture of me as I approach him! Lucy, Mark an John are here again to support, further up by the gate to cheer us along... 

Mark asks if Shawn needs a hug as he senses he is feeling rather low an grumpy.

Lucy gets some good pics of us..

Waving goodbye, we make it up the hill with power walking an jogging, passing many of the cows, great South Downs scenery on the climb up.

Few more miles, then its down the yellow brick road and onto Southease at Mile 34. 

This is always a busy aid station and especially this time as I'm running with more mid pack runners than I normally would at this event. 

It is very interesting to witness, yet so full on with what the volunteers have to achieve, quickly. I thinbk to myslef they have a much tougher job than we do today! It is fast, one in, one out or everyone needing something at the same time! 

It reminds me of organised chaos like at work with passengers in security!...

It's nice to see a different style of runners at this stage, an feel more relaxed with those who have different goals an pace they can run at..

Newmarket Hill. Photo by Roy Copper

I craze on some nuts, cheese an have a half boiled egg while Shawn is using the Yha toilet... We are covering good time so far. I'm hoping he can keep the pace for his 9hr finish.

Once he is ready I thank everyone as we make our way out of Southease.

Newmarket Hill. Photo by Lucy Dean

Up over the bridge and the steep climb towards Bo Peep, enjoying the views an the support from passing weekend walkers on the way. 

At Firle Beacon Mile 39, we have my Mum an Dad to greet us with coffee an cream an some olives. We both help ourselves. Mum also has coconut water which is always so good at this stage! 

We will meet them again at the finish after this...

Shawn has slowed more so now an is fighting his low mood an negative thoughts.

I have noticed this is a pattern with him after long distance running and something just flips in his head after so many miles. I remember that look he has when I paced him before... 

I give him space and march up ahead so he can follow, giving him some space...

Although I wonder if thinking space is ther last thing he needs, rather a distraction and talking!

Heading to Southease 'Follow the Yellow Brick Road'

I find eventually by keeping slightly ahead of him, keeps him moving with less walking breaks. I check up on him from time to time an keep the conversation going.


16:30

Once into Alfriston Village Mile 41 for check point five, we are greeted with another fully stocked aid station. The volunteers help me to refill my water pack an I have some more Tailwind from my carry cup (part of the requirements as kit) while Shawn uses the toilet here.

Heading to Firle Beacon. Follow the markers, nice an easy...

I craze again on some nuts an baby tomatoes here as I've already had a PipnNut sachet after Southease. These work great for me when I cannot deal with crunching or chewing much, or not needing the fuel so much. So easy an no simple sugars or grains. 

I'm very fat adapted and have followed a NSNG way of life for five years now. I find it really helps with my lifestyle of shift work an endurance running.

I rarely go hungry, can go much longer periods before I feel the need to eat. I rarely snack this way. if an when I do splurge, as it is only life to, right!? I suffer the next day with inflammation in my muscles an what I call a 'Sugar Hangover'. 


Sometimes it is worth it.... but just sometimes... I just don't bother as it can ruin my day!...

Long climb out from Alfriston to Jevington

Still climbing.... Shawn slowing more so....

I try to follow a strict Ketogenic diet leading up to and at my running events to keep my energy persistent, an without any sugar lows. I just use small amounts of sugar as an when, a trickle of which seems to work best for me.

End of the South Downs Way at the trig point, long steep track down to Eastbourne

We head on out following the route down the river an take the bridle track that leads uphill 1.5 miles towards Jevington. This is a long climb of chalk and stones which is rather tough to run on as so lumpy..

I keep playing cat an mouse so Shawn can keep on moving without too much walking and it seems to be working for him...

Mission accomplished. Medals

The last aid station is Jevington at mile 45. We have our numbers recorded as we come doen the track leading to the Church. throiugh the graveyard and down the steps to the road. 

This aid station is up more steps to the village hall. 

I already reminded Shawn we are not stopping here and to carry on. 

It is one last mile of climbing up to the trig point where the SDW route ends and we take a public footpath down to Eastbourne, and then to the finish at the recreation ground track...

So I power walk/march up this hill and keep in check Shawn isn't too far back. Once the track flattens an is just a steady incline i see he starts to jog/hike up so I do the same so he doesn't start walking again. We pass other runners and some familiar faces I say hello to...

Soon enough we reach the top an the trig point, marshal an follow the markers down the steep, rutted track to the road....

Shawn picks up pace and gets his second wind, passing me an storming ahead. Once in eastbourne suburbia we follow road until reaching the college to the finish at the Sports track. We run hard together for the lap an finish with a great cheer and my folks, Donna, Milo to greet us both!

Mission accomplished. Not quite the sub 9hours Shawn wanted (who said running 50 miles was any easy) but a safe an comfortable acheivement, injury free ready for other events!....

I am looking forward to the next Centurion event and some more training running with Shawn, perhaps to team up again soon!

Ultra Luke