290 MILES – ARE WE MAD!

When I told my husband that I was going to be doing the GUCR this year he asked “why, you have already done it twice”? I told him that I was going to be doing the Double, he just sighed and said “no surprise there then”

For those of you who don’t know what the GUCR is I shall fill you in – hope you are sitting comfortably.

The Grand Union Canal Race is a 145 mile non-stop race starting at Gas Street in Birmingham and finishing in Little Venice in London.  Runners complete the course in under 45 hours and are unable to stop for more than 40 minutes at a time or they are deemed to have left the race.

Mentally this race is tough because it’s along a canal so flat.  I personally don’t mind this and can switch off.  The double as far as I’m aware has never been done before.

My first two experiences of this race have been totally different, but thankfully I managed to finish them both, one well then other not so well!

In 2004 my reasons for taking part were quite simple, I wanted to qualify for Badwater Ultra Marathon the following year and back then 100 milers in the UK were few and far between so this seemed like the best solution.

My crew consisted of Maxine Ward and Andy Rivette (Andy holds the male World Record for LEJOG) and the longest distance I had run non-stop at that stage was the 100km Trail Walker.  My training had gone well and I felt prepared so we drove to Birmingham on the Friday ready for the start of the race at 6am on Saturday.

We met up with some other runners, got chatting, drinking, chatting and drinking – I know what you are thinking stupid woman what was she thinking – well obviously not a lot!  I finally got to bed at approx 1am not exactly good preparation for a 145 mile non-stop race.

I was up at 4.30 feeling somewhat rough, downed a few black coffees and feeling rubbish headed out to the start line to meet up with my parents who had come to wave me off.  This was the first time they had ever seen me at a race so I was feeling a bit embarrassed and ashamed of myself.  On the plus side I was looking marvellous as my hair was still in place from the night before – there always has to be a plus!

I’m not going to go into the details of the race, but I do remember starting off not feeling my best and every so often would take a gel that said on the back “this will give you 45 minutes of peak performance” fantastic, just what I needed and it worked a treat.

My only plan was to run under 40 hours as someone told me it was very difficult to get under 40 on your first go, I of course had to prove them wrong.  Thankfully I managed 39hrs 39 mins and Rob Cousins and myself ran the fastest second half of the race so considering my appalling start I finished feeling more than happy as I had qualified for Badwater and ran under 40 hours – RESULT!

Things couldn’t have been more different in 2010.  This time I was far more experienced, had a fantastic crew of three, an A, B and C pacing plan and my aim was to break the female course record.  I was in bed early the night before and this time didn’t need the gels (since 2004 I have found them very difficult to stomach – I wonder why!) Everything went to plan and I felt great.

My finishing time was 28hrs 12 minutes so I achieved my goal taking over 3 hours off the previous female course record and was 11hrs 27 minutes faster than I had been in 2004 – RESULT!

So what am I going to do this time – well not set any records that’s for sure.  In little over a weeks time James Adams and myself will start at 9am from Little Venice in London and run the 145 miles to Birmingham along the Grand Union Canal.  We have 4 crew helping us Gemma, Becky, Paul and Tim all of them are experienced in crewing and running (with the exception of Tim who doesn’t run).

We even have a pacing plan.  Essential as far as I’m concerned even if you don’t keep to it exactly it is a good guide for our crew so they have an idea of when to expect us at certain points along the route plus it will keep us moving quicker instead of ambling along.  I think both of us want to do the best we can, leaving enough in the tank for the return journey.

Once in Birmingham we will eat and sleep before joining the other 98 competitors at Gas Street Birmingham for the return journey back to Little Venice – 290 miles.  This will be a very different experience for me as I usually do my long distance stuff on my own and only have to think about myself, so I hope I don’t get too grumpy being part of a team.

I’m looking forward to running with James and if he can put up with me for 290 miles he deserves a huge medal!  I have promised not to talk too much and moaning is definitely not allowed (unless it rains the whole time then I might).

I will have my SPOT GPS messenger with me so anyone who is interested to see where we are can follow our progress.  Further information will be put on my website nearer the time.

See you in Gas Street Birmingham on Saturday 25th May at 6am.

Happy Training.