I'd suggest maybe a cuppa for this one as I am about to take you on a journey, a journey that doesn't quite last 24hours but that Id suggest you are at least sitting comfortably.
You are? Good, then I'll begin.
The Background
This event was created to replace the annual Continental 24hr Thunder Run 2020 (a 10k lapped trail event) after the global pandemic caused all large events to be cancelled. I have completed the Thunder Run on 3 occasions, 2011 - as a late edition to a team of 8 supported by Womens Running magazine, in 2012 - a team of 5 from my running club (well four from the club and my dad stepped in as 5th team member) and 2013 - my first as a solo runner completed 100km in 24 hours. In 2013 I said I would be back, it has taken a while but I'm finally doing it. Seven years older, certainly not wiser and after having a child.
This year I had planned once again to go solo and had recruited my two friends - Kate & Paddy - to join me. With government guidelines changing all the time we did not know if we could even run together so we were pleased that we were able to set up a Race HQ for the three of us to take on the challenge together. Routes were mapped out with a section of 20km, 10km and 5km options so we could mix and match depending on how we felt. For a bit of an extra challenge - like this wasn't enough - we also plotted road signs into the route so we could create a race name road sign collage, I mean why wouldn't you! (Thanks Paddy for being in charge of this).
The night before we had a carb heavy meal of homemade lasagne with garlic bread followed by apple & blackcurrant crumble with ice cream. Then whilst our support crew (Mike) put the mini supporters (kids) to bed, the three runners set out to walk a 5km route for familiarisation and stretch the old leg muscles prepping them for the beasting that lay ahead this weekend.
We opted to start our 24hours at 6am on Saturday 18th July, so with our goals in mind (100km for me, and 50-60km each for the others), off to bed we went with our kit all laid out and our tummies full.
Runners Ready..... 3....2....1....Go!
ssed in my kit, sporting my Petts Wood Runners club vest for the first leg, was liberal in my application of Vaseline and zinc tape in any areas where rubbing may occur and settled down to eat two Weetabix and a banana. Before long I was joined by the others. The weather was warm despite the early start and cloudy (which afforded us much protection throughout the day). The first route was 20k with options to add on and ended up being around 15miles - we had decided to complete the long routes early into the run to bank the miles and felt it would be easier to talk ourselves into either 10ks or 5ks later on as we got tired. 
This first run took us along the canal path and on part of 'The Big Track', as we ran I was treated to some history of Nottingham including the 2nd Boots store ever opened (now a pub). There were lots of geese and swans along the paths, not delighted to have their morning routine disturbed by 3 chatty runners - but we were considerate and Kate's clapping technique warned them ahead of time and we only had one minor geese hissing incident!
Note: The clapping technique was also used later on tired runners!!!
Going it alone (but not for long)
Upon our return from the first lap we were all buzzing and happy with how we felt, as my target distance was a bit higher I opted to add in another 5km - banking a few k's here and there where I could to keep the distance creeping up - whilst the others had some poached eggs and a quick shower. Although not my local area I was confident in the route we had walked last night so was happy to go it alone for a while, running down by the river I saw I had a video message from my running buddy Sally, I watched this as a ran along which really made me happy that she was running a 10km virtually with me from home - so nice to know I have so many great friends supporting me on this journey. I returned from this sweaty, hot, smiling, but with my legs slightly crossed and ready for some more food including homemade flapjack and some sausage rolls (any excuse). It was 9:22am (3h22mins into the challenge) and I had the equivalent of just shy of 3 laps completed!
Whilst I was out the others were sorting out big batches of pasta for us at lunchtime refuel - blinking heroes! Not sure anyone ever actually stopped moving when we weren't running laps.
Refuel & Resume
Just before we reached the halfway point of this lap we stopped briefly to admire the views over the Radcliffe on Trent Valley (?), and then joined the supporters at a picnic bench at a playpark on a hill (giving us the opportunity for a little walk) where we enjoyed some cold water and flapjacks, good luck cuddles from our kids and off we went away... this time down a little hill back to the water sports centre. Just before the we returned back to the water I saw hat my distance had reached a marathon distance so a quick stop for a photo opp with a lama to celebrate and we were back on our way.
As we rounded the water the wind was at our back but on the return leg it was against us and truly felt like we could be running on the spot. I took this slowing in pace to check the VR24 facbook page - just in time to see Alex McNicol (the race director) to give the welcome and countdown to the 12noon start (insert airhorn here!). It wasn't much further and we were starting to flag physically, Kate sent us on and myself and paddy pushed on tagging on a few more km's making sure he also reached the marathon distance. We expected Kate to arrive back at HQ shortly after but she didn't, but when she did she had also tagged on some km's plus helped a man to find a lost phone. And the community spirit award goes to.... Kate!!
We knew this was to be a longer break, a time to rest a little, refuel, shower and change kit.
Just the two of us
At around 2:30pm we were thinking of heading back out although Kate had opted foo a longer break so just myself and Paddy were going. We choose a 10km route so that we could loop back from Kate when her legs had rested some more (plus a quick bath and a lay down). I changed into a second pair of shoes (slightly larger in the toe box to allow my hot feet some more space) and completely fresh kit. As we started back up it was harder this time, the longer break although beneficial and had allowed my knees to stiffen up and start aching again and they were not happy. Our pace took a little while to settle to something resembling consistency but we plodded on, returning to the water sports centre and this time going the other way around in the hope of a tailwind for the first long stretch by the water - it kind of did but by no means magically lifted and transported us as I sort of hope it would Mary Poppins style...would that still count?
Checking in with Kate we knew she would be ready to head back out again at 4pm so we stuck to the 10km plan getting us back to HQ just before 4pm in time for a mini refuel of satsumas and marshmallows. Another change of shoes into the Mizuno's as the Reebok Floatride were not my friend that day.
Friends Reunited
Before long we were back out again as a trio, plotting a 5km that could turn into a 10km if we 'were feeling it'. Kate seemed to have had a complete turn around and was buzzing! Her form looking good, pace steady and strong. Myself and Paddy on the other hand were feeling a little weak at this point and somewhat wobbly. He seemed better than me, I was continually burping and tasting the high volume of sugary treats that had been fuelling me so far. We continued to gather our road signs for the collage, our minds struggling now to remember which letters we had and I was just happy to stop at every road sign for a little break (sssshhhh don't tell anyone). As me and Paddy trotted along behind, Kate led the way, and every time we slowed she did two claps - which seemed to have a magic power over out legs and spurred us into action. A bus slowed to allow us to cross a road - I had wanted the break, grrrr - but then somehow we started chatting to him and felt the need to announce we had done 40 miles so it was okay we were moving in slow motion. We were frauds I was only at 39miles at this point, hahahaha!
Woah, we're halfway there
My feet were hot and swollen but amazingly free from blisters - taping the pressure points is certainly the way forward. I sat in the garden with them submerged in a bucket 
of cold water, while the kids bounced on the trampoline and quite frankly it felt amazing! We ate a dinner of Cheesy Macaroni Broccoli bake with sauages, followed by more flapjacks. We took the opportunity for a quick photo opp - I was delighted to be well over halfway towards my target and then others had both reached theirs already but wanting more!! They'd been bitten by the ultra running bug! I showered and even washed my hair - I'll be honest, I didn't have much choice, I had sweated so much it was dripping and rank...yuck!
of cold water, while the kids bounced on the trampoline and quite frankly it felt amazing! We ate a dinner of Cheesy Macaroni Broccoli bake with sauages, followed by more flapjacks. We took the opportunity for a quick photo opp - I was delighted to be well over halfway towards my target and then others had both reached theirs already but wanting more!! They'd been bitten by the ultra running bug! I showered and even washed my hair - I'll be honest, I didn't have much choice, I had sweated so much it was dripping and rank...yuck!I went to drink my tea, it tasted foul, but I didn't want to be rude as Mike had been looking after the kids all day and running round after us. In my mind I was thinking, when did his tea making get so bad, its like nothing I've tasted before. Then he looked up, saw my face, and pointed to another cup... Oh... "is this coffee?" I asked. I don't drink coffee, I have actually never had a cup of coffee in my life, coffee cake, coffee ice cream yes but the drink, no, not once. Good news is it didn't kill me, but I certainly wont be rushing for more!
Paddy's last hurrah...
By this point my bladder was not my friend, I would start to run then have to stop as the pressure was too much but we were in a residential area and nowhere for wild wee's. I ran/walk/ran/walk feeling bad for holding the others up but I couldn't keep going like that. In what felt like an age but probably not even 500m we found a suitable spot and a weight was lifted (or more accurately expelled at high velocity) and I could run again! Whoop whoop!
Who's your mate?... that's Kate, Kate from Netball, she's awesome
Don't get me wrong I was always going back out and would have got the distance I wanted but with Kate by my side, in rain, leading the way, driving me forwards and with an
enthusiasm that only she could have at that point it was contagious. Before long the distance clocking up again, it felt possible, I knew we had hours left but wasn't sure how long I could keep going. The rain started and it seems we found Kate's nemesis, she was not happy with our new soggy selves but we kept smiling and driving each other on. soon we came to Abbey Road, which also had a pedestrian crossing, what else could we do... recreate an Album cover of course!
 |
| It's Abbey Road, I promise! |
She did more that she needed... two reasons,... to creep her total just past her hubby and to stay with me as long as she could. Kate - you are my hero.
Time to bring it home vs. are we nearly there yet?
I had 95km done, I need 5km more to hit my target and 1km more to beat it. I was tired and wet, I felt sick. I couldn't find my waterproof so settled for a lightweight gillet. Kate was not thrilled at me going out by myself in the witching hour but she made me eat some toast, drink some water and said she would stay awake until I returned. So at 12:20 I set back out in p!ssing rain to complete the final few kms as a solo runner, but actually solo for only the second time since 6am. I stayed close to HQ on well lit roads, I saw more other people than expected, with umbrellas and big jackets - weak! (eye roll). Who possibly questioned what I was doing running around at that time with flashing lights and inappropriate clothing for the w
I got back to HQ the door was open, Kate was stood inside with a sign congratulating me, I had done it, I had covered 63 miles / 101.3km in 19hours 40mins. My furthest distance covered and in a much shorter time!
In summary
- Distance Covered
- Paddy - 71k
- Kate - 74k
- Me - 101k
- TEAM TOTAL - 248km
- Wild Wee's - 1 for me, too many to count for the others!
- Types of pasta eaten - 3
- Bags of Jelly Babies devoured - 2 (I feel sick just thinking about it)
- Fits of hysteria by seemingly innocent things - 2 (had to be there moments)
- Album covers recreated - 1 (very poorly)
- Road sign, race name collages - 1 (thanks Paddy)
Post-Event
I was shaking, shivering, cold and nauseous. My legs were sizing up, I couldn't face anything more than water - which even that was a struggle. I had sent Kate away back to bed, my husband appeared and asked what I needed. I needed a bath but it was 2am. He ran the bath, I struggled to keep my eyes awake as the hot water warmed me back up. I was still feeling very unwell and struggling to get water down. I did and was in best by 3am. I woke at 5.15am.... hmm, 45 minutes until this thing is officially over, I wonder if I could get back out for a few more km's? Yes at this point I know I was being ridiculous! I rolled over and had a few more hours sleep.
We celebrated over breakfast with Mimosas and bacon, then we all went back to the water sports centre for our medal giving ceremony and ice creams from a van with my name on it! What bloody fantastic weekend and amazing group of human beings!
There are still places available for next years race, teams or solo's. But be warned, If you don't go Solo you're gonna get FOMO! Its all in the mind.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to all who supported me in this endeavour, to everyone who joined me on a training run, who posted their well wishes on social media, the other VR24 runners being so supportive in the run up to and during the event, my family, my friends, my fellow Petts Wood Runners, my awesome daughter and goddaughter for behaving so well this weekend whilst we kept disappearing out the door, my husband and of course Kate and Paddy. You two were fricking awesome and I cannot wait to do it all over again with you at the Thunder Run in 2021.
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