Tomorrow, for the first time, I’ll be running 40 miles. The Vale of Glamorgan Ultra Marathon is a beautiful course, much of which I know already, but stitching it together is another matter entirely. I think I’m ready, I’ve hit all my training goals, but I won’t know for sure until I see that finish line tomorrow afternoon.
This final day is all about food, and lists. I have five lists going at the moment: what to wear; what to carry; food; drop bag, and extras for Chris to carry. Proper lists, on a scrap of paper, that stays close today as I add to it and cross things out. I’m not sure where nervous excitement fits on those lists, is it something I wear or something I carry? Probably both.
What to wear is the easiest one. The weather forecast is good, so I’ll be in a top and skort (and calf guards). Footwear is a little more of a question. I’ll be starting, and doing most of it, in my La Sportiva Bushido IIs, the best running shoes I’ve ever owned and ones which feel incredibly stable on rough ground, which is exactly what this race needs. The question is whether to change them for road shoes later on, and if so, when. There’s a road section of a few miles starting at about mile 30, and my tired feet might appreciate some more bounce by then. But it’s only a few miles.
I suspect that this is a decision to be made on the day, so road shoes can go in the drop bag, along with spare socks for my trail shoes, a fresh running top and headband, and some extra electrolytes and energy balls. And suncream. This drop bag might turn into an overnight bag if I’m not careful.
This race is my first experience of a mandatory kit list, and as I pack it all in my bag (and take it out, and pack it again . . .) I’m really starting to appreciate the importance of lightweight running kit. My waterproofs (OMM Kamleika jacket and Marmot trousers) take up remarkably little space, my warm Outdoor Research base layer squashes up nicely, and even my Buff sun cap can be squeezed into a tiny space as the peak isn’t solid. Which gives me plenty of space for lots of food.
I’m taking a mix of sports nutrition (my favourite strawberry Shot Bloks and white chocolate and macadamia Clif Bars) and real food. My trusty new potatoes and pizza muffins have both been a hit in training, and the raw energy balls are a must – I’ll be leaving extras of these in the drop bag and with Chris. Plenty of water of course, and an extra bottle with a Zero electrolyte tablet dissolved in it. The biggest challenge is having enough of each. Forty miles is still such an unknown.
Knowing that there are check points with lots of goodies means I don’t need to carry the little extras of M&Ms or jelly babies, they can go in Chris’ bag along with the energy balls. He’ll be there with the boys, a little before half way, then my sister should be somewhere after mile 25. Knowing they’ll be there is almost as much of a boost as seeing them will be. All supporters make a huge difference, but nothing beats seeing your family cheering you on. Shoulders straighten, head comes back up, a waning smile becomes firmly fixed once again. That feeling can carry me for miles.
There’s nothing else I can do now. Training is done, lists are written, kit is out and ready. By the time I go to bed this evening my bag will be packed for the last time, the alarm set, clothes out ready to be pulled on. The only aims that really matters are to finish, and most of all, to enjoy it. I can’t wait!
I Run Free 