Grand Union Canal Race, Birmingham - London

Sat May 26 2007
Listed by RatRace
Entrants (6) Club PB SB Pred Time WAVA
Bodge Had to pull out at 123 miles following foot problems. On a bright Saturday Morning in the centre of Birmingham, the gun sounded and at 6am 76 runners were off and running, destination Little Venice London. I set off at a very steady pace chatting to my fellow runners. In what seemed no time at all, I reached the first check point (Solihull 11 miles) as planned and on time (8am). Checking with my support crew (Kirsten my daughter) that all was okay we agreed on what I would need at the next check point and off I went. As I progressed through the Warwickshire countryside the sun started to break through and the temperature became a lot hotter than I expected, so I slowed my pace and changed my race plan as there was still along way to go and time was on my side. I arrived at check point 2 (22 miles) Hatton Locks just outside of Warwick at 10:24 am, only 24 minutes behind my original plan, but feeling good. I re-supplied my drinks and gels, changed to a running vest and headed off again through the Warwickshire countryside knowing the next check point would be in Northamptonshire at 35 Miles and lunch. The sun relented at some point on this next stage and I picked up the pace again. Lunch was also the plan for the next check point, pot mash, Jaffa cakes & jelly babies. I also managed to pass a couple of runners on route and was also passed, but I still felt very good with the 35 mile point reached. At this point in the race I had no idea where I was placed, but that was of little concern. From the Check point we turned south and I was now heading to check point 4 (53 Miles) where my brother Bruce would be joining Kirsten as part of the support crew and further food. This section of the race was to be the longest of the day and it is where we saw the rain start to fall and for me to get a personal best for 50 miles. My previous best was 12 hrs 20 mins, and on the day I managed to achieve 50 miles in 10 hrs 29 mins. I had also got my race back on schedule and had reached the fourth check point just before 5:30pm and rather wet. Again food and hot drinks were the order of the day along with dry footwear and tops. With feet dried and patched up, shoes and socks changed I was now heading off into the unknown, having never gone beyond 50 miles before and knowing I had to reach the fifth check point before 1am as this was the cut off time for all runners. As I made my way south I again started to pass runners and from what my support crew was telling me I had move through the field and was placed somewhere in the twenties. It was somewhere around 65 miles I felt a blister burst on the ball of my right foot, it caused me to slow a bit but it wasn't too much of an inconvenience to cause me to stop and it wasn't going to be the last blister to burst. Kirsten had now dropped out for the night and had made tracks to a hotel in Hemel Hempstead where we would join up with her the next day. With Kirsten going Dave Pearson (work colleague) now joined my support crew to help Bruce see me through the night and hopefully to the finish. With the grim weather came an early night, darkness fell about 9:30 pm and I was now wearing my head torch but still making good time, travelling at just over 4.5 miles an hour. I reached the fifth check point just before 10 pm (70.5 miles) and immediately tucked into my food. I managed to eat a tin of rice pudding, drink yet another sweet tea & banana's. At this point a member of my support crew could have joined me on the towpath, the feet were a little sore, but I wasn't letting on how sore, but not that bad, but then I wasn't going to worry people. Plus the team told me I was looking good which gave me a boost. So it was off into the night, with the next check point being south of Milton Keynes at 84.5 miles. An hour after leaving the last check point I came across some of the local kids fishing on the opposite side of the canal, only for them to start throwing stones at me, not wishing to waste any more energy, I just ignored them and carried on, well they couldn't hit a barn door if they had tried. At 80 miles it was time for a little company, I had Bruce join me on the towpath for the first time, I was in need of the company as I hadn't seen any other runners for sometime. We reached the sixth checkpoint intact, a further change of clothes was also required as I was getting cold and the water was starting to get in the seams, tea was also the order of the day along with large amounts of chocolate. It was also here that we started to break the race down into much small sections and just concentrate on each section in turn, it was also where Dave was going to join me on the towpath for the first time. I set off again with Dave to chat to, 10 minutes down the towpath his phone rang, he still had the support crew van keys in his pocket. I headed off in to the dark and Dave headed back. Night rolled in to day and at about 4am with the rain still with us, I had also slowed a bit, I was now down to just under 4 miles to the hour but still going well and heading to the 100 mile mark. My main aim now was to get there under 25 hours, so with the help of my crew I just pushed on. With the next check point in sight, the plan was to check in and straight out and to stop at Cowroast for breakfast (103 miles). I passed 100 miles at 6:42am (24hrs 42mins) and stopped for breakfast as planned. With porridge eaten and more sweet tea drunk, clothes changed again and the third pair of shoes on I set off towards Hemel Hempstead & Watford. Dave was at this point finished his left hip was done for, Bruce wasn't far behind him with blisters on his feet, but he joined me for another stint. Plus knowing the local Area helped the time pass and before we knew it we were passing under the M25. The crew then met up with me just 6 miles short of Springwell lock the next official check point (120 Miles) this is where I first saw Kirsten having rejoined Dave and the van. I again needed to change clothes and coats, but it was starting to become a bit of a losing battle with the weather. I headed off on my own at first moving with some ease, but slowing I started to notice a problem with my feet and ankles. Words of encouragement came from fellow runners as they passed me but it wasn't happening. As I hobbled into the Springwell Lock check point eight (120 Miles) I was in some pain, all of my support crew came to assist me. Fixed up as I thought, I putting a brave face on things I set off again, Bruce had also decided to join me again for a further stint. Three miles further down the course I was finished, I had reached 123 miles in 32 hrs there was 22 miles to go, but I just couldn't go another inch. I was also starting to feel cold and shivering, so I made the phone call that all racers dreaded to Race HQ and advised them of my condition and withdrew myself from the race. At that moment in time words could not express how I felt. Bruce called up the support crew and the Dave and Kirsten came and found us in the van. I proceeded to peel of my clothes putting on dry, I peeled off my shoes and socks, with my socks came layers of skin but I was so numb that the pain didn't register. We then bid each other farewell and made are way home. I am now home and having had time to reflected on my efforts. I must thank my support crew who without there help I could not have achieved what I did do. I must especially thank Kirsten for driving me home that Sunday afternoon considering the conditions on the road. I have now been able to get some shoes on and started to walk/hobble again and the feeling is just starting to come back to my feet. With regards to the race. 76 started, 34 finished, the men’s winner was Tim Holsgrove in a time of 29 hrs 39 mins. The Ladies winner was Vicky Skelton in a new course record of 31 hrs 25 mins. At present I am un-decided as to whether I will attempt this race again. The positives I got are a PB for 50 miles it is the first time I have done 100 miles and beyond, but defiantly something I will never forget. Stafford Harriers 44:59:59
Deadliest Unaffiliated 35:57:00 39:04:00 39:04:00 42.45
hairier half Wimbledon Windmilers 36:17:00 36:17:00 39:00:00 36:17:00 41.41
LucyG Compton Harriers RC 40:52:00 41:40:00 41:40:00 41.29
Paddy... Bournemouth AC, Zoom Tri Club 25:37:00 31:45:00 31:45:00 46.45
RatRace I finished. That's all that matters really! Unaffiliated 41:02:00 41:02:00 41:02:00 35.75

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