Dartmoor Discovery 32.2

  • Rated 85%
  • 32mi
  • Road
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Entrants (5) Club PB SB Pred Time WAVA
paskha my 7th discovery and my worst time ever - due to heat & lack of previous hot weather for heat adjustment - 4000ft of climbs and descents according to race blurb - walked most of the 20K to the marathon point (6.22) as TOO HOT to run from Midday until nearly 4pm - last 10K was able to run a bit, but ached all over from walking! Lovely event, beautiful scenery, superb organisation, favourite race! Mounts Bay Harriers 7:47:55 7:47:55 6:40:00 7:47:55 43.56
paul a 1st ultra and 5th marathon 100 Marathon Club 4:21:59 4:55:28 4:55:28 53.85
plodding hippo Dartmoor Discovery 2006 I was warned this was hilly I had read last years reports I had seen Paskhas 2003 pictures The IOW hills were described as “pimples” compared to the DD ones Sponge Bob said we were all DOOMED Yet I still turned up for this I always get anxious before races, but the drive into Princetown on a hot sunny evening via Ashburton fuelled the fear. A couple of calming pints and a fish supper did little to help Of course I didn’t sleep-there was an all night party in the downstairs bar and I was squashed into a single bed with hubby. Race day dawned-and my guts let me know in no uncertain terms from 5 am onwards that I was fretting about this race. Somehow I forced down breakfast-it would be a long slog ahead. The first ordeal came in the shape of the research project I had agreed to particiapate in. I was asked my projected time, and about my preparation for the event.This set the head gremlins off –they werent just cackling—it was a full scale evil opera in my head.!!!!!!! Being weighed pre event was a nasty shock too-I wasn’t expecting that.At least my urine sample showed no dehydration! I lined up at the start, right at the back, with Shades.The gremlins were screaming frenziedly now-what the hell was a fat slow plodder like me even contemplating doing an event like this------------------ It was a low key start-there was a hooter and we were off-dead on 9.30 Shades and I weere very quickly last-but she was holding down the pace, for which I was grateful.We walked up the inclines and jogged down the hills.The air was still moderately cool, and after 3-4 miles, I began to relax, and take in the scenery.The gremlin chorus dwindled to a low hum The first big hill was just after Pixielands-where we had had a great big cheer from the locals. Now I am not saying the first 6 miles was flat-because it wasn’t-but this was a HILL. Knowing that the 10k timers would be on the hill, followed by the first drinks station gave me the energy to walk briskly up the hill.Although that mile took me 17 minutes-I felt strong and confident-particularly as I overtook 2 people up the hilll.My walking would get me through-wouldn’t it.10k---73 minutes or so What goes up, must come down-and so we had some breakneck downhills in to the shade of Poundsgate-a couple so steep and winding that I had to walk. Shades stopped briefly to sort out her blister-expressed a worry about needing to drop out, and then grimly plodded on into the distance at about 8 miles. So, alone as is usual at races.But not feeling too bad.It was still shady, and the winding roads were quiet, and relatively traffic free. The heat started to increase, and I felt a little light headed.Ok-delayed 8 mile bad poatch-plod walk and just keep going.The marshals were fantastic-stopping the traffic so I could cross new bridge, and opening the cattle grids for us.they were unifoprmly encouraging, even though I was almost last and already very slow(pace had dropped to 12 min miling). Just after 10 miles I spotted a familiar figure.It was Pashka!She was in good spritis, and very chatty-but I couldn’t keep up with her pace, and I had started to retreat into the dark places in my brain which allows me to overcome my physical issues and complete these events.Sorry not to be more sociable Paskha! The shady woods were really quite beautiful, and I could smell and see bluebells.Not for the first time-I wished this could be a walk rather than a race.In some ways it is a waste of scenery. And suddenly I was out of the shade and into Ashburton. Regular readers of my “epic struggle “ reports will know that miles 12-18 of any long distance event is always the worst for me.It may be a fuel switch, but I need to hang on for mile 18-and the “second wind”.Unfortunately for me-this coincided with the worst part of the course. Ashburton itself was difficult to run through-there was a steady incline, and narrow pavements populated by people dawdling along, enjoying the sunshine.They certainly didn’t get out of my way-and in the end, I gave up and decided it was safer to walk.The incline continued and then became difficult.At what I THOUGHT was the top of the hill, at mile 14-was a very vocal drinks marshal encouraging me up the hill so I could collect my personalised drink.I put a spurt on to walk up that hill, thinking it was all over---------- Not so That hill went on, and on The heat intensified My feet felt glued to the floor Even walking was difficult.I was reduced to walking 10 paces, stopping for a few seconds, and walking again.Every so often, I glanced behind me to see how bad the hill was, for the psychological boost.But it really didn’t look THAT bad.In the distance I saw another runner-also walking, and seemingly struggling too. Through Ashburton-pace had dropped to 13-14 min miling-but that hill meant mile 15 took 21 minutes. I felt awful I wasn’t even half way-and I couldn’t walk.Whilst I now seemd to be at the top of the big hill-nothing was working.I was overtaken by that distant runner, who set off running as though she was perfectly ok.I certainly didn’t have the energy to run I plodded on a bit further-and spotted Suffolk Punch sitting on a wall eating a sandwich. How I wanted to join him.I think I sat down for a minute-I cant remember He told me the worst was nearly over, and asked if I was ok.At that point I said I wanted to drop out.If the sweep vehicle had turned up then-I would have done.But it didn’t. So I dragged on, praying for the second wind at mile 18.I even forced myself to jog a few paces. There was a little hill into Buckland, and to the next drinks station.I could barely lift my legs up it.Gulping my Redbull, and sponging myself down, I was informed that the hills had only just started--------- I could have cried—but there was nothing to do other than go on I then became aware of a vehicle”breathing down my neck” I stepped aside to let it pass-but it didn’t It was the sweep vehicle I was officially last now-by a long, LONG way.The last person behind me had dropped out. But somehow I kept plodding on-though it was by now 18 minute miling A marshall had collected stream water in a plastic container, and I gratefully splashed myself with water just before heading onto open moor. And then it got a little better First of all-there was a slight breeze Then there was THAT cadet who has been mentioned in all the reports.She made SUCH a difference.To be told you are “amazing” helped me to rally what little energy I had left.My walking speeded up, and I even started running again, aided by a downhillThe 20 mile marker helped too-less than half a marathon to go-maybe I would be able to finish.Just after mile 20,I was pretty well given a sponge bath by one of the drinks station helpers.I was too weak to object, and I really didn’t want to be soaked, but in retrospect-he did me a favour And so it was that my pace increased to average 16 minute miling. There were still bad parts-of course---Widecombe was again hot and airless, and there was more walkingthan running.but the walking was faster-and no-one tried to pull me off the course.The sweep vehicle stuck close by-and at one point, I got cuaght in a hold up between 2 sweep vehicles-and had to run backwards to let them pass each other. The lads in the sweep vehicle were wonderful At no point did they make me feel inadequate, or guilty for keeping them out so long.They even realised I was nervous about cars driving behind me, and so kept an eye on me by driving a few 100 yards in front, and waiting for me to catch up.They also let me know the temperature-28 in the shade-the hottest Discovery ever.That made me feel better too. And then –something amazing.The sweep guys said I was catching 2 other competitors!!!!!! Just after that-hubby turned up to support.At least I was walk/running at that point.I had a quick drink of water-and he said he would see me later. At mile 24-I had my only really negative comment of the race.A purple car stopped and offered me a lift.I declined-saying it was only 8 miles to go.The gentleman shook his head grimly, muttered”I would take the lift if I were you” and drove off. Back across open moor.The drinks stations were surprisingly still manned. And at last-marathon point-though by now my Garmin was out by half a mile Marathon point was staffed too-I couldn’t believe it.I managed to ascertain that Shades was still running, and vaguely registered a time of 6.36? The next mile was spent apprehensively waiting to be retired from the course.Each time I saw the sweep vehicle, I smiled and waved cheerfully-and tried not to hobble, but to walk purposefully and strongly.It must have worked.No-one said I had to stop I was now waiting for Postbridge-and the countdown mile markers There must have been hills-my hands were numb from clinging to the strap of my bum bag to mentally haul myself up them.But then there were running bits too. And then I saw them Two lads-walking No running-just walking I almost caught them But the Garmin reading long was the final psychological straw I was at 28 miles by Garmin-and yet the countdown marker didn’t appear till half a mile alter My brain couldn’t take it I was overcome with a wave of emotion,and there were a few teardrops-though mostly dry sobs through dehydration A mile later-I abandoned all thought of coming in under 8 hours, of running again, or catching up with those lads.I tried telling myself I was being sensible, and “saving something” for next weeks marathon In truth-I had no more left to give Which was a pity when that double hill appeared at mile 31 I nearly sat down in the road and refused to walk when I saw the second hill at 31.5 miles Don’t ask me how I did the last half mile-I don’t remember But I do remember the relief of seeing a finish line without a huge grassy run up to it, and a chair, and a cup of tea. This is the hardest race I have ever done My confidence is in tatters After the race-I said I would not come back and do this until I was a LOT fitter-but Ive got an issue now-and----------- 100 Marathon Club 8:18:00 8:18:00 8:18:00 35.09
Turbo doesnt count My first attempt at an ultra, average 3.45 for marathons but have added 2 hours to that as a prediction due to the hills and a little bit of panic! Utterly disappointing to not make it to the finish, got as far as 27.5 miles but the heat and terrain were just too much for me. Thought Snowdon was difficult before this, now I realise that a sub 4 there counts for very little here!!! May be back but I'll need a lot lot more training and hopefully a few degrees cooler, time will tell... Aldridge RC 5:45:00
Yog-Sothoth My first time at ultra distance, but I know the route well, and know how hard it will be - looking forward to it just the same. Uncannily accurate race time prediction. I was hoping to go a wee bit faster (4:45 maybe), but the weather was ferociously hot on Dartmoor yesterday. Large numbers of the record 200+ entry dropped out with heat exhaustion, but thanks to the frequent water and sponge stations (and some tree cover on the way) I held on to complete my first DD. Made the mistake of heading straight to the massage tent post-race, and both calves went into spasm as I tried to climb onto the table - my screams must have been heard up the road in Dartmoor prison! Happily, No1 daughter was on hand to help me get dressed after I showered off the grime in time for the awards ceremony, hosted by none other than David Bedford. Last years winners Brian Cole and Heather Foundling-Hawker, defended their titles successfully with Heather F-H reducing the ladies record to a mind-boggling 4 hrs 5 mins. A few beers and a good feed restored me just enough to collapse in the passenger seat of No 1 daughters Fiesta for the long drag home to sunny Penzance. An excellent event, and one to savour over the days that follow, as the damaged muscles knit themseves back into shape. Just one request for next year - can it be 10 deg C cooler and overcast? Ta! Unaffiliated 4:37:00 4:54:19 4:55:00 4:54:19 55.29

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