Tring 2 Town is run over 2 days, 40 miles per day. Competitors have the choice of either running 40 miles or the full 80 miles. The race starts in Kew, London and goes along the Grand Union Canal finishing in Tring, Hertfordshire.
I arrived at the Premier Inn Hotel about an hour later than I should have done – guess what, I got lost!!! – not a very good start. Having registered I spent a very enjoyable evening with Jo K. Off to bed early, but as usual couldn’t sleep, spent the whole night worrying that I wouldn’t wake up in the morning.
Up at 6am ready for the start at 9am. It was cold outside but not raining so I was a very happy bunny. Not all the runners today were doing the full 80 miles, most of them were doing the 40 miler and new competitors would join us tomorrow for the return leg.
The start was a little hectic as it was discovered that the tow path where we were all supposed to run wasn’t suitable – plan B, we turned left out of the hotel instead of right and then right onto the Canal. The front runners were off like rockets – I managed to keep fairly close for a couple of miles then gave up as there was NO way I could keep up with the likes of Ian Sharman an incredible runner. I settled into my own pace and was then joined by a marvellous group of guys who I stayed with for about half an hour or so then let them go – I do find it much easier running on my own, I can get my breathing right and concentrate on my own pace – however I did try and keep them in my sights.
I was running well and feeling strong until I got to CP2 where I had a bit of a low patch – my energy levels were low and I struggled to get them back up again – infact I realised because it was so cold I hadn’t been drinking enough of my water – problem solved and off I went again. I arrived at CP3 in good time, filled up my water and set off again – it was at this point that I overtook two of the guys I had been running with previously, my legs were feeling great, my breathing was fantastic and everything felt really easy.
About 1/2 an hour before the end there was a group of supporters who were waving and shouting encouraging words at me – how marvellous, I then saw them on a bridge further down the canal and I remember them saying I was nearly there – I replied that I was looking forward to a hot bath and my fluffy white towels – guess what I JUST KEPT ON RUNNING! the sign on the bridge had folded over so I didn’t see it (a few other runners did the same) and as I was feeling so marvellous my legs just kept on going. I eventually looked at my watch which said I had been running for 5hrs 50 mins – I just couldn’t understand this as I knew I had been running at a good pace and my results were going to be better than last year.
Eventually (this is probably where I was very blonde!) I realised that I had gone too far – I had even checked with people that this was the way to Tring and they all said yes! I eventually got to the finish in 6hrs 45 minutes – really angry with myself as I was on track to come in in 9th place overall and first lady – instead I added over an hour to my time and came in 27th adding 7 extra miles to my day – I did give myself a talking to – However, the marvellous lady Jen who came in first in a time of 5hrs 47 mins did a great job and should be really proud of herself as this was her first ultra – well done and congratulations Jen.
I needed to do under 6 hours in order to get my C Seeding for Comrades in May, I was going to have to work harder than I had planned on day two.
While having breakfast I had a marvellous surprise when Neil & Clare turned up, this was Clare’s first ultra so Neil was running with her – she is a very fast marathon runner, runs like a whippet!
The weather today was extremely cold – it was the beginning of the really cold weather and we were due to have snow at about 4’sh – I wasn’t too worried about this as I would hopefully be finished but there were several people who were walking so they were allowed to set off early as it would take them up to 10 hours. With the windchill factor today it felt like -4 and we were running into the wind so very unpleasant.
We set off at 8.55am, my nose was very cold! I just couldn’t get into a good pace today – legs felt fine but I do struggle a bit when it’s really cold as I get asthma – eventually I warmed up and got myself into sorted. Neil & Clare were running just behind me which always makes me feel stressed – so I told them to go ahead – they shot off – how depressing was that! Was thrilled to see CP1, even more pleased to see CP2 as I didn’t feel very enthusiastic between CP1 and 2 – but like all races its much easier to give up than keep going, I also knew that once I got to CP3 I would feel marvellous again. So, together with good music, strong legs and will power I continued. We had snow fluffies at this point – far too early!
After CP3 I over took Clare & Neil who were having a brief walking spell – I now needed to stay ahead of Clare if I was to be first lady for the day. About a mile from the end I looked at my watch and saw it read 5hrs 53 minutes – I had 6 minutes to get to the finish to get my C Seeding and it was all up hill………. I picked up my pace – huffed and puffed up the road dodging all the shoppers, the traffic lights turned red at just the right time and I eventually arrived at the finish in a time of 5hrs 57 minutes – I had done it, got my C seeding and was 1st Lady for the 80 miler, 6th overall, 35 starters – a very good start to my racing calender.
Thank you to everyone who I ran with, it was marvellous to have your company and share stories. Many congratulations to Ian Sharman who was the overall winner of the 80 miler – he’s a man that can run comrades in just over 6 1/2 hrs!
