πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰ I DID IT!!! πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰: Long post... - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰ I DID IT!!! πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰

Nikasa777 profile image
Nikasa777Ultramarathon
β€’13 Replies

Long post alert πŸ˜‰

Saturday I did something that nearly 4 years ago I never dreamt I would ever do!

Background

I started C25K in Sept 2018, joined a running club in January 2019, and with so much support and training I ran my first Marathon in Sept 2021

The marathon itself was a tough run for me, as my Mums Cancer had become aggressive and she had taken a turn the day before. I wasn’t sure if I should run, but I did, and took my medal to her, I made her proud, before she died 4 days later.

I have volunteered at a few events and enjoyed the atmosphere, support and warm feeling, helping other runners achieve. Last year I was helping at the finish of the SDW50, a friend from club crossed the line and said β€œyou are next” I did think that I could give it a try.

If you volunteer for a set amount of hours you can earn a free place, so I thought why not!

Training

I started my training plan after Christmas, building up my long runs, scared that I was planning on running a few marathons as training runs.

In Feb/March I ran 3 marathons in 5 weeks

I spent many a training run up on the South Downs checking out the route and trying to enjoy the hills. The views made up for it, and on a glorious day you could see for miles.

When I wasn’t running I was mentally planning the route, working out distances between aid stations, focusing on parts where I needed to walk, or speed up downhill etc.

We had to carry a vest full of mandatory kit, including torches, coat, water, foil blanket, whistle etc. This wasn’t just on the day, but during training too, running with extra weight and accessing it as you moved.

Race day!

Saturday was an early start, we had to be in Worthing to pick up race number and tracker, race briefing was at 8.15 and start was 8.30 Almost 400 runners were ready to run

A cold sunny start was perfect, but it soon got warmer.

I didn’t want to use all my energy too early, so the plan was to walk all the ups, run the flats and downs. I’m not a fast runner, so just took my time, but kept moving, I couldn’t afford to stop.

Aid stations were great to stock up on fluids and food, they were always situated at the bottom of the hill, so you could eat your β€˜Picnic’ on the way up. πŸ˜‚

I got just over 1/2 way at 6 hours, and dealt with some brewing blisters, refuelled and got on my way, positive that I had a bit of spare time in the bag.

Lots more walking and running, enjoying the views, chatting to other runners, and heading east towards Eastbourne.

After Jevington you hit the final downhill πŸŽ‰ called the β€˜Gully of Doom’ it’s narrow, steep in places, and can be quite muddy and slippery. There was a fallen tree 1/2 way down which was not fun trying to crawl under.

I got to the bottom before it got dark (Gully in the dark can be scary) and headed down the last mile or so towards the finish. At the sports centre you have to do a lap of the track before you hit the finish line. I kept on running, cheered on by my friend and my husband, as I took the final turn saw that I got a sub 12 hour (11:59:09) something I didn’t think was possible.

The race itself has a 13 hour cut off, and I was happy to have a 12 to start, the 11 was a bonus 🀣

I have been buzzing ever since, my feet have been screaming at me, and my hips are a little sore, but I DID IT. It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it!

A few times along the way I got emotional, I think that was Mum giving me her support, watching over me.

Not only did I get the huge medal, but I got a tshirt (although you can choose the β€˜trees not tees’ option) and I was well fed throughout the day.

Written by
Nikasa777 profile image
Nikasa777
Ultramarathon
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13 Replies
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linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

That is just amazing. All that dedicated training clearly paid off in spades. I am in awe. Your mum would be so, so proud. Huge congratulations!!!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessAdministratorHalf Marathon

That’s some serious looking bling there! Well done and many congratulations on an epic achievement!

I can understand how it was emotional but what an amazing thing to do πŸ’ͺπŸ‘

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieMarathon

Wow! Nikasa777

So amazing! I’m not surprised you got emotional. Well done 😍

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Marathon

Wow! This is absolutely amazing! I would like to do an ultra one day too. I’m in awe. Well done 😍 Great bling too πŸ…

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon

Well deserved bling for an amazing achievement! Congratulations - and yes, I am sure your Mum would have been so proud. Special moments like these seem to make our loved ones feel closer too. Rest up well - job done!πŸ…πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ™‚

Cmoi profile image
CmoiMarathon

Fantastic achievement Nikasa777 , many congratulations! Definitely your Mum giving you that extra suppoort too.

You made me smile with the part about your kit. My trail marathon had similar rules and I remember panicking over what I had to carry, where to stash it, how to get at it, etc.

I might have a crack at an ultra some day, but I'm way too lazy at the moment. It'll most likely also be improvised as organised ultras round here tend to be quite technical and hilly (minimum 4% average elevation gain) and I doubt I'd make the cut-off times.

nowster profile image
nowsterMetric Marathon

50 miles! That's incredible! πŸ…

(My longest so far is 15 miles.)

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoUltramarathon

Fantastic, well done. We really can do so much more than we think! (I'm sure your mum was very proud of you even before you did your marathon but she will certainly be filled with admiration for all you're achieving for yourself) πŸ’–

SkiMonday profile image
SkiMondayUltramarathon

Fantastic result there Nikasa, your training seems to have paid off big time!

Frenc profile image
FrencHalf Marathon

What a great report! You really bring it alive. I bet you’re still beaming from ear to ear, that really is SUCH an amazing achievement. Your mum would be so proud 😊.

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRun10 Miles

Just awesome, a lovely run report and you started near my neck of the woods, I felt quite emotional reading about your mum, you can be sure she was with you every step of the way

Decker profile image
DeckerUltramarathon

Amazing report and achievement Nikasa! Huge congratulations to you. Your hard work really paid off and I’m sure your Mum was looking down cheering you on the whole way too!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

Bit late to the partyπŸŽ‰

What a fab post! I had tears in my eyes πŸ™‚

C25k has been a wonder for so many people hasn’t it. So many lives changed for the better

Your race sounds crackin! The medal is really lovelyπŸ₯°. You’ve done your mum proud. I wish my mum had been there to start C25k with me. She was always game for anything πŸ˜€

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