WORLD AND EUROPEAN 24 HOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
BRIVE-LA-GAILLARDE, FRANCE
13 and 14 MAY 2010
After my performance in Keswick at the Commonwealth Championships last September I was confident of being selected to represent UK even though I didn’t have the required ‘A’ standard of 236 km. I had the ‘team’ standard of 227 km though – twice.
I knew that John Pares, Chris Finill and Stephen Mason had this ‘A’ standard, which meant that I was watching with interest the live updates of the Tooting Bec 24-hour race in mid October to see whether anyone would manage 236 km.
Two thing to note here:
- At that time the qualifying standards had not been announced but I expected them to be 235 km and 225 km.
- I also fully expected UK Athletics to either send only those with the ‘A’ standard or to only include ‘team’ standard athletes if there was enough of them to fill a team.
I was relieved when Richard Quennell finished his first 24 hr race at Tooting Bec with 234 km [an amazing debut though]. This meant that the ‘team’ standard athletes were Richard Quennell, Jim Rogers and myself. But as there were already three ‘A’ standard athletes I was not confident of being selected unless one or more of them was unavailable and/or injured.
Still … after a few weeks of bad health in October and November I decided to train as though I had already been selected – I’m glad I did.
Training went exceptionally well through the harsh British winter; I don’t think I missed a single training session even though there was ice and snow on the ground for weeks on end. Then, in late February came confirmation that I had been selected along with all those with the ‘A’ and those with the ‘team’ standard. Three women had also been selected: Marie Doke, Pauline Walker and Commonwealth Champion Sharon Gayter (who would later withdrew because of injury).
photo by Jim Rogers
At about this time I made enquiries as to the likely weather in Brive in mid May. On average, over the past five years, the temperature has ranged from 23.5°C (74.3°F) to 11.0°C (51.8°F). So I knew it was going to be a warm one and that I should prepare accordingly now that I knew what to expect.
The final four or five weeks training included an increasing number of training sessions wearing an increasing amount of clothing. On my last run before the race I wore three T-shirts, two long sleeved tops, two sweatshirts and a lightweight rain jacket as well as a hat and three layers on my bottom half. And then there’s the hot baths, saunas, etc.
Also in the last few weeks we had emails flying backwards and forwards between runners and team management and others at UK Athletics regarding kit, travel details, meeting points and other important information. On the whole everything was exceptionally well organised.
The day before I was due to leave I looked at the weather forecast for Brive and realised that it was likely to be much colder than normal for the time of year. Only 13°C (55°F) during the day and about 5°C (41°F) at night. Hastily I cobbled together a revised hydration plan reducing my average hourly fluid intake down from 400ml to 290ml. Of course this meant increasing the amount of food I needed to eat to get the same amount of carbohydrate into my system.
On Tuesday 11th May I left home at 7.10am and caught a bus to Menston where I boarded a train to Leeds for the connecting mainline train to London and thence by tube to Heathrow Airport and the planned team meeting at 12.15pm. Except that my train was fifteen minutes late and I eventually arrived about 25 minutes late. It was good to see everyone though and the coffee (decaf of course) in Café Nero was most welcome [thanks Jim].
In Toulouse Airport we met John Pares before getting into our two hired cars for the two-hour journey north to Brive. After an overly long journey beset with delays we finally arrived at our hotel at about 9.30pm local time. By then we were all rather hungry so we set out in search of food. Finally got to bed at about midnight … quite a bit later than I would have liked but that couldn’t be helped.
The next day (the day before the race) dawned and the weather was … raining and quite cold. Went for breakfast and was amazed to see the room full of runners and crew members from Japan, Korea, Austria, Canada and France. After that we all gathered for a useful and brief team talk from Richard Brown and Adrian Stott where lots of useful information was imparted such as who would be crewing for me – Eleanor Robinson again (we seem to be building up quite a relationship here, not that I’m complaining, at her peak she was better than me).
Then we were off to see the course for ourselves (see plan at top of page). Or most of it, it was raining and cold at this time and we didn’t want to get unnecessarily wet. I was particularly impressed by the location of the feeding zone. Every one of the 32 nations had a sizeable undercover area and I imagined that during the race this area would resemble a small and cosmopolitan village of runners, doctors and other essential helpers.
Other things I noticed was the location of a bollard on the course at about the 1000m point, and also that there were only six portaloos – not even close to being enough for over 200 runners for 24 hours.
Lunch was provided at Brive Rugby Club and was really good indeed. A large choice of fantastic food and lots of it. Fruit, pasta, couscous, a few different types of fish, salad, lots of desserts and different drinks. We were all suitably impressed. Then it was back to the hotel via the supermarket where we all bought last minute supplies; grapes for me mainly. Potatoes for Chris Finill !!!
Just time then for a massage from physio David Briant before we had to head back for the official parade of nations and opening ceremony. As we all gathered in our allotted place the young girl carrying our country name ahead of us suddenly turned and handed me a flag. I didn’t want it, it was just thrust into my hand …
photo by Jim Rogers
The parade though the town was strange, and I expected us to be walking along empty streets to the hall where the opening ceremony was to take place. How wrong I was, there were interested and obviously knowledgeable people lining the route, which made for a very pleasant experience. Afterwards, as a team we decided to give the pasta party a miss and instead decamp to a local restaurant for a last minute team briefing with our meal. Richard and Adrian had been to the technical meeting earlier that afternoon and had some last minute information to pass on.
Then back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep before the most important race of my life. Attached my four race numbers to my vest and a long sleeved top and packed all my race food, drink and kit into bags before climbing into bed. Woke early as usual and went for breakfast which was basically lots of carbohydrate. I’m quite lucky in that I’m not too bothered about having a particular foodstuff for my pre race meal – I just need lots of it. And a couple of cups of decent coffee too if possible.
At about 8.30am we travelled back to the race area where all the runners tried to relax as much as possible and undertake those last minute rituals we all seem to have … superstitions perhaps. Lucky earrings, putting clothes on in the correct order, having a pretty girl put my hair in a ponytail.
three photos by Jim Rogers
Whilst there I managed to find Dan Rose in the American area and wish him the best. An internet friend and fellow cancer survivor.
Chris Finill (by Richard Brown)
Richard Quennell (by Richard Brown)
photo of me by Richard Brown
Everything was calm as the entire field of 229 runners was escorted to the start of the race outside Brive Town Hall. A few minutes later and the race was on … for the first mile or so we ran past hundreds of spectators and photographers as we wound our way back to Parc de la Guierle where numerous laps would be completed in the following 24 hours. I decided that, although it was reasonably warm and I was wearing a vest, my hands would probably be a bit cold for the first few hours so I started the race with gloves. I never took them off.
With a circuit length of just over 1250m I expected pacing to be not quite as easy as it would be on a 400m track but, at the same time, the scenery would be much better and over 200 runners would mean that I would never be more than a few metres from any one of them.
not long after the start - by Alan Young
The first hour was, as usual, spent settling into my rhythm and concentrating on getting the correct lap times with as little wasted energy as possible. I remember noticing early on in the race that the bollard had been removed and the hole filled with tarmac. The target was 12.0 – 12.5 km in the first hour and I achieved 12.3 km. Perfect. The next hour started in the same way that I planned to start every hour except the first – with a ten minute walk designed to make eating easier and to provide slight recovery to tired muscles.
two photos by Alan Young
Even at this early stage I began to hope that the public address system would either turn down the volume or, better still, turn off altogether. The speakers were so loud that often, as I ran past, I could actually feel the noise as well as hear it. There were long periods of French commentary interspersed with official announcements and the occasional musical interlude (which more often than not seemed to be AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’ sung in French …).
chasing John Pares (by Richard Brown)
photo by Alan Young
At the start of the third hour I decided to put on my sunglasses. Although it was generally quite cloudy it was very bright in the first 300m or so after emerging from the undercover village known as the feed zone. Third hour target 10.6 – 11.1 km (33.4 – 34.9 km in total). Achieved 11.1 km (34.4 km).
Already it was becoming obvious that having only six toilets would be a serious issue. For the remainder of the race there would be a maximum of five in operation at any one time as there would be always at least one of them that needed unblocking. Fourth hour target 10.6 – 11.0 km (43.9 – 45.9 km in total). Achieved 11.0 km (45.5 km).
During the fifth hour the soles of my feet began to become a bit painful. I am quite heavy footed and need to use the most cushioned shoes I can find. After a while the pain didn’t actually get any worse (or did my brain block it out ?) and eventually I forgot all about it. Fifth hour target 10.5 – 10.9 km (54.4 – 56.7 km in total). Achieved 10.9 km (56.4 km).
Sixth hour target 10.4 – 10.8 km (64.8 – 67.5 km in total). Achieved 10.9 km (67.3 km).
Seventh hour target 10.3 – 10.6 km (75.1 – 78.1 km in total). Achieved 10.7 km (77.9 km).
By now the hours were all merging into one and as nothing significant happened it is difficult to find things to write about. No doubt I was concentrating on pace and form - and speeding up slightly. Eighth hour target 10.2 – 10.5 km (85.4 – 88.7 km in total). Achieved 10.7 km (88.6 km).
Ninth hour target 10.2 – 10.4 km (95.5 – 99.1 km in total). Achieved 10.6 km (99.2 km).
At 9h 40 into the race I asked Eleanor if I had passed 100k yet. "Ages ago," she replied, "9 hours 11 minutes." I could hardly believe what she said, that would be a personal best by well over five minutes. Tenth hour target 10.1 – 10.3 km (105.6 – 109.4 km in total). Achieved 10.5 km (109.7 km).
Although the statistics show that I was possibly running a bit too quickly I felt good at this pace and it felt right to continue. Eleventh hour target 10.0 – 10.2 km (115.7 – 119.6 km in total). Achieved 10.3 km (120.0 km).
At the start of the twelfth hour I decided to celebrate reaching half way by having some coffee. I asked Eleanor to please have it ready for 10.00pm and I collected it on my way past shortly afterwards. She told me a pretty girl had been keeping it warm !!! I can only imagine how – it tasted good though, and it was indeed warm. Five minutes after resuming running I had to stop to remove a painful stone from my right shoe. I also took this opportunity to replace my vest with a long sleeved top. Twelfth hour target 10.0 – 10.1 km (125.6 – 129.7 km in total). Achieved 9.9 km (129.9 km).
After sunset now and parts of the route were quite dark. The narrow and twisting nature of the course almost caused one or two runners to stray off course in the fading light. From this point on the very small hill about half way around the course began to be noticeable - easily manageable still, but an obvious incline. I also noticed that the commentator had gone home now and switched off his PA system … about time too. Thirteenth hour target 9.9 – 10.0 km (135.5 – 139.8 km in total). Achieved 9.5 km (139.5 km).
Fourteenth hour target 9.8 – 9.9 km (145.3 – 149.7 km in total). Achieved 9.8 km (149.2 km).
photo by Alan Young
Fifteenth hour target 9.8 km (155.1 – 159.5 km in total). Achieved 8.6 km (157.9 km).
At the very end of the fifteenth hour, as I was coming around to the feed zone I suddenly and inexplicably developed cramp in both calves. Painfully I managed to get to my crew and for the next ten minutes or so physio David Briant got to work on my legs. Lots of tears of pain were shed at this point – I’m sure there must have been a puddle on the floor when I ambled around the course again.
Alan Young (an IAAF level two course measurer) had somehow managed to place a marker on the course at exactly 100 miles. When I passed that marker I was timed by Adrian Stott at 15h 22:29. Another personal best - by almost eighteen minutes.
At about 15h 25 mins I began to feel sick. Not sure why but I made my way carefully to the feed zone where I laid on the massage table for five minutes. Hence the low distance covered in this hour. I decided against any more food and drink for the remainder of this hour except for the crystallised ginger provided by Fiona Rennie who was crewing mainly for Pauline Walker. I had some of my own but it was quicker to use hers - thank you.
Not sure when, but sometime during the night American Dan and I had a conversation to the effect that he was going to see his team doctor next time around because his urine was an unusual shade of deep red !!! A few hours later he could be found cheering everyone on and I was definitely in need of that bit of extra support in the last few hours. Thank you Dan and I’m sorry your race came apart medically. Sixteenth hour target 9.7 km (164.8 – 169.2 km in total). Achieved 7.9 km (165.8 km).
To help ease the memories of the painful cramp an hour earlier I began the seventeenth hour with another comforting coffee. Seventeenth hour target 9.6 km (174.4 – 178.9 km in total). Achieved 8.9 km (174.8 km).
Beginning to slip off the pace now. Perhaps my early pace had been too quick. Eighteenth hour target 9.5 - 9.6 km (184.0 – 188.4 km in total). Achieved 8.4 km (183.1 km).
Almost dawn now and a thick fog descended over parts of the parkland although, thankfully, not on the course itself. I noticed again that my feet were becoming ever more painful and that I needed to change my shoes. As my aching feet were not yet affecting my pace I chose to carry on and not waste time. I also decided that I only needed feeding and watering every half an hour instead of every twenty minutes: I wasn’t moving as quickly now and the temperature was cold enough to freeze fig rolls. Literally. Had to remove another stone from my shoe towards the end of this hour. Nineteenth hour target 9.5 km (193.5 – 197.9 km in total). Achieved 5.3 km (188.4 km).
All the stopping and starting was beginning to take it's toll. Twentieth hour target 9.4 km (202.9 – 207.2 km in total). Achieved 7.3 km (195.7 km).
photo by Alan Young
At the beginning of the 21st hour I decided that I really did need to change shoes. Eleanor and David helped my change into my spare pair (Saucony) but in the process realised three things: my feet had swollen quite a lot, my socks were very tight, I had a blister on my big toe – this looked quite bad but was given the all clear by the physio. I was also beginning to get very cold now and, with Eleanor’s help, managed to put on a sweatshirt under my long sleeved top. The PA system was back in operation again – still far too loud. Twenty first hour target 9.3 – 9.4 km (212.3 – 216.5 km in total). Achieved 7.3 km (203.0 km).
At about this time Alan made me some porridge. Lovely it was too and a welcome change from frozen fig rolls and other small snacks which I seemed to have thrust in my hand at the end of every lap. Twenty second hour target 9.2 – 9.3 km (221.6 – 225.7 km in total). Achieved 6.8 km (209.8 km).
Twenty third hour target 9.1 – 9.3 km (230.8 – 234.9 km in total). Achieved 7.4 km (217.3 km).
The crowd support during the final hour was absolutely amazing. Hundreds of people lined the route and cheered on the runners. There were spectators the whole time but during the morning the level of crowd support increased and is something I’ll never forget. With about twenty minutes remaining I needed the toilets and had to decide whether I could manage until the finish or not. About ten minutes later I happened to run past the portaloos and made a snap decision to have a pee. Bad decision. Whilst I was standing there I developed cramp in the ball of my left foot … that was painful but there was nothing I could do mid-flow as it were !!! Realising how near we were to the end of the race I painfully ran as best as I could the 150m or so to where I hoped David and/or Eleanor could sort me out for the final few minutes. I immediately slumped into a chair and said rather loudly (above the noise of the spectators): "I’ve got cramp in my right foot, sort me out and get me back out there as quickly as you can." There was no way I could contemplate not being on the course when the final gun sounded. Two minutes later I was back out and hobbling in sandals, as I left the feed zone and emerged into the morning air the sound from the people of Brive was deafening. With their support I managed to run a little and managed half a lap before the final gun sounded. Actually I didn’t hear that gun and only stopped when I ran into the woman in front. Final hour target 9.0 – 9.2 km (240.0 – 243.9 km in total). Achieved 5.5 km (222.8 km).
The crowd support during the final hour was absolutely amazing. Hundreds of people lined the route and cheered on the runners. There were spectators the whole time but during the morning the level of crowd support increased and is something I’ll never forget. With about twenty minutes remaining I needed the toilets and had to decide whether I could manage until the finish or not. About ten minutes later I happened to run past the portaloos and made a snap decision to have a pee. Bad decision. Whilst I was standing there I developed cramp in the ball of my left foot … that was painful but there was nothing I could do mid-flow as it were !!! Realising how near we were to the end of the race I painfully ran as best as I could the 150m or so to where I hoped David and/or Eleanor could sort me out for the final few minutes. I immediately slumped into a chair and said rather loudly (above the noise of the spectators): "I’ve got cramp in my right foot, sort me out and get me back out there as quickly as you can." There was no way I could contemplate not being on the course when the final gun sounded. Two minutes later I was back out and hobbling in sandals, as I left the feed zone and emerged into the morning air the sound from the people of Brive was deafening. With their support I managed to run a little and managed half a lap before the final gun sounded. Actually I didn’t hear that gun and only stopped when I ran into the woman in front. Final hour target 9.0 – 9.2 km (240.0 – 243.9 km in total). Achieved 5.5 km (222.8 km).
After my finishing place on the course had been officially marked I walked back to the feed/crewing station with Jo Blake from Australia who also hadn’t done as well as he’d have liked. He was aiming for 250 km after his 249 km in Keswick last September. When I arrived there I immediately lay down on David’s massage table and something was placed under my feet to raise them about 50-60cm above my head. I just stayed like that while all around me people were sorting things out and packing things away. This worked well and I never felt in danger of fainting like I had after so many of my previous 24-hr races.
Then, after American Dan came over to say ‘goodbye’ we were off back to the hotel for a much-needed shower and to get changed. Again I was a bit worried about this as I have passed out in the shower a couple of times and as was in a single room I just hoped someone would hear me if the worst happened. After my careful shower I phoned Fay to tell her everything was OK – she always worries for my welfare in the first few hours after a race – and then it was time to head back for the medal ceremony followed by something to eat.
At this time I still didn’t know who had won the race. Neither did I know any of the distances achieved by the British runners, including my own. I was aware though that we were the third European men’s team. The large room at Brive Rugby Club was a bit warm and it was here that I felt as bit faint for five to ten minutes but luckily it passed without incident and the team and I collected our bronze medals while still fully conscious. Pauline Walker, Fiona Rennie, Marie Doke, Graham Doke and David Brian had decided to stay at the hotel, too tired to travel back. Of the 84 medals presented I think about 75 of them were presented to people who just couldn't get up onto the stage and podium without the help of volunteers to man handle them into place - this was especially true when leaving the stage. Legs were stiffening up and beginning to hurt now.
individual world medallists - men (by Richard Brown)
individual world medallists - women (by Richard Brown)
European Team Medalists - men (by Richard Brown)
All in all I wasn’t too happy with only 222.760 km. The team did remarkably well though with three runners over 150 miles and one, John Pares, over 250 km. Brilliant. For my part it seemed that after 100 miles it was one bad thing after another and I couldn’t sustain a rhythm for any length of time.
Perhaps in future I should take a pro-active approach when a bad spell begins rather than just trying to struggle through. I could perhaps listen to my MP3 player, take some caffeine on board, have a rest for five minutes to re focus.
After the ceremony and photos it was everyone next door for some food. Again the choice was brilliant and it all tasted fabulous, it’s just a shame that my digestive system was in no fit state to eat a large meal.
photo by Richard Brown
By this time everyone was feeling a bit sleepy so we headed back to our beds. I got under the covers at 4.30pm and slept solidly until 2.30am. I do know that some of the team only slept four or five hours and then went out for an hour or two before coming back to bed to sleep until morning.
Up early for breakfast and this morning the room was full of quiet talk among runners from many nations all eager to share their experiences of the race. Some French runners already had the morning newspapers in which were reports and photos from the race. They later gave them to the Japanese contingent who were very pleased with what they read. Not surprising considering Shingo Inoue won the race with a new Asian and Japanese record. I’m not sure the British press would have written so much, even if the race had taken place in London or Perth.
Shingo Inoue (Japan) with French newspaper
Eight o’clock – time to head for home, but before then I managed to lock myself out of my room. Not very good but as usual, I could see the funny side of things as I went to reception for a temporary replacement key. I told her my room number (003) then went to my room (004) to find it didn’t work !!! I immediately knew what had happened, my brain had been affected by 24 hours of running – not for the first time either. A bad memory and nonsense conversations are the norm for a few days, and DIY ... no chance, just ask Fay. Or don't, please.
The journey back to Toulouse Airport was spent quietly talking amongst ourselves and, in between that, I found myself already making plans for my next race and analysing what went wrong in this one. Nothing like making an early start.
At the airport I realised just how unfair life was … everything seemed to be as far away as possible. We had a long walk to the check-in desk, then a long walk to customs, then another long walk to our departure gate. All this walking wasn’t doing my tired body any favours at all, especially as I had two large and heavy bags.
Eventually we arrived at Heathrow Airport to be greeted by Julia Finill (Chris’ wife). As Jim and I had a while before our tube to King’s Cross we were treated to coffee and donuts. Spent a good half an hour talking about our recent shared experiences and Chris’ plans to run across America next year with his friend Stephen Pope. After a short while Jim had to leave and a bit later, after another donut [thanks Julia], I finally left for a nightmare journey on the underground to King’s Cross.
As I boarded the train an announcement came over the tannoy: "This is the train to Northfields. If any passenger wishes to continue their journey eastwards on the Piccadilly Line please could they alight at Osterley where a replacement bus service will take them to Hammersmith. At Hammersmith they will be able to continue their journey as normal to Piccadilly Circus, King’s Cross and beyond." I was not impressed at all, this would add at least twenty minutes to my journey resulting in possibly missing my train to Leeds.
Eventually arrived at King’s Cross underground station with less than ten minutes to spare before the next stage of my journey home. Amazingly I managed to break into a run – pulling a heavy bag behind me – and managed to get to platform one so that I was the last person to board the train before it departed a few seconds later northwards to Yorkshire.
Once in Leeds (on time – thankfully) Fay met me and helped with the bags for the remaining train journey to Menston and a bus journey to Otley. All I could do for what remained of the day was relax in the bath and later with a bottle of wine and a DVD.
A few last thoughts:
My hero for the race was Amy Palmiero-Winters who ran the race with a prosthetic leg and managed 199.540 km. I’m sure she wouldn’t agree but I feel she put my health issues well and truly into perspective.
My hydration and electrolyte replacement went very well indeed. Hourly fluid intake for the first twenty hours were: 250ml … 350ml … 350ml … 350ml … 350ml … 350ml … 375ml … 375ml … 350ml … 325ml …. 325ml … 300ml … 275ml … 275ml … 250ml … 250ml … 250ml … 225ml … 200ml … 200ml
After that the plan went a bit awry along with other aspects of my race. But overall I definitely felt that I was urinating at a more sensible frequency, about ten times during the race compared with 26 during the Tooting Bec 24 hr race in October 2008.
Not sure whether the caffeine tablets worked – perhaps they would have been better used at the start of a bad patch, without the coffee, although that was comforting.
John Pares broke Welsh record and is now in UK all-time top 10.
At least eleven national records were broken during this race – for details see the full results on the left.
I would like to thank the following people, companies and organisations for keeping the faith, being my friend and living with me even when it seemed more reasonable to move out.
My family: Fay and Keir
Adam Smith of fitnessfootwear.com
Steve Raven of ASSIST Creative Resources Ltd [Shotz electrolyte tablets and gels]
Alan Young of Dionnetworks
Thomas Coxon of Hilly Clothing Ltd
Everyone at Otley AC
The amazing crew: Eleanor, David, Adrian, Richard, Graham, Fiona, Beccy and Dawn
And fellow runners: Marie ‘pretty girl’ Doke, Chris ‘two hats’ Finill, Stephen Mason, John ‘on home soil next year’ Pares, Richard Quennell, Jim ‘beetroot’ Rogers and Pauline ‘blanket’ Walker.
The staff at UK Athletics particularly Rob Logan and Steve Jones for sorting out kit and travel.
And not forgetting the people of Brive for organising and supporting a truly memorable race.
photo below by Alan Young
1 comment:
Hi Chris - enjoyed reading your report - see you in Perth! Blanket Lady xxx
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