And then she ran (woohoo!)

G2E Start Line 2016

It's done! Glasgow to Edinburgh 55 mile Ultra is done. It seems surreal even typing those words. This challenge - and all the ones to follow in the run up to Everest - came as an idea during those 'post-marathon-blues' last September as a plan to carry on raising funds for ex-servicemen and women with mental health issues. Since then, I've been more one-track minded than someone with a coke habit looking for a fix.

There's been frustration, determination, doubt, almost withdrawal from the race altogether, and a bit more frustration.... And I'm not exaggerating - just one week before the race I couldn't even run a mile due to yet another horse injury. It had been the pattern of events for a solid six months.
However, with a lot of work from my mum (my therapist, mentor and fabby media person) and a bit of determined thinking, the race went without a hitch.

Don't get me wrong, it was tough. Like, really tough. But the training I'd put in (which I'd thought was inadequate at the time!) meant my body was actually capable of it (who'd have known?!). And by a stroke of luck I came across another runner who stayed with me from the very point my mind started to tell me I was struggling, right to the very end. I don't quite know how that happened but, Christ, I'm glad it did.

I don't think I quite understood, when reading blogs and articles by ultra runners, what they meant by an ultra marathon being 'mind over body'. I can tell you right now, if you can manage your mind (in my case with another person by my side to talk and talk and talk to!), it's possible to do a 55 mile race on just 40 miles and a couple of days in the gym a week (sometimes not even that!). I've kept up a 9-5 job, self-employment on the side, the upkeep and training of horses and an almost-social-life (!) while doing this training... that means it really is possible to have a life and train enough to do something incredible, exciting and life-affirming!

Taped up and ready to go on race morning! Who else would leave me notes in my tape box and backpack to keep me going throughout the day!! 

How to sum up the way I feel now?

I'm still not sure how I feel - perhaps I'm in that post-marathon twilight zone again. But, I can now give the following advice:

DO NOT RUN AN ULTRA IF:

Your toenails are one of your favourite features. Just don't even...

You get bored easily. It's a long way and, in this case, looking at very similar surroundings! Please don't talk to me about canals. Ever.

You like to travel light. Have you remembered your space blanket? Waterproofs? Sun cream? Blister plasters? Paracetamol? The list goes on and on.

DO RUN AN ULTRA IF:

You want to get addicted to something amazing...and painful...but really amazing. Enough said.

Finished!

Trust me, I wasn't smiling the next morning!

My official time was 11 hours 36 minutes and 8 seconds which was under the time allowed, and I'm absolutely delighted. And, although swearing I'd never do another ultra, I was lying in the bath just two days later (soaking aching legs!) considering what next ultra I could do. Because, of course, your mind only remembers the good bits and glazes over the painful stuff!

Anyway, whether I do another ultra or not, it's onwards and upwards now. Literally. Bring on the mountains! It's time to brush up on the map skills and head to the heavens...

Aside from the personal challenge, this is all to raise funds and awareness for HorseBack UK, a charity dedicated to helping ex-servicemen and women suffering from the mental and physical wounds of war. The number of men and women struggling with this - specifically PTSD - after returning from service is almost incomprehensible. The work this charity does is a drop in that ocean, but it's a vital one to every single person who has passed through one of their programs. 

As I push myself to my limits to prove to you how much this charity is worth, I'm asking you to consider donating just £1 to the effort. It's ridiculously simple (and SAFE!) to do. 

Just text:

HBUK55 £1 to 70070

Thank you, thank you, thank you in advance!


#RUNWatsonRUN #EverestHereWeCome

https://www.justgiving.com/run-watson-run

https://www.facebook.com/HBUK55