I have done it!!

I have completed my first ever Ultra Marathon, a 52 mile run in the very hilly Malvern Hills.

It took me around 12h40min to complete it. I had quite a few lows and only some highs, but the feeling that I got when I was going through the finish line, knowing what I was about to achieve, compensated all the lows I felt previously! It was worth it really :) I fulfilled my two objectives which were to FINISH and if I did finish, not to be the last one in…

I knew the route was going to be very hilly but I have to say I didn’t expect some of those steep hills! I think I won’t do such a hilly ultra in the near future because I did really struggle with the high number of hills on this one, and even if you walk those hills it takes so much energy out of you that over such a distance, it makes a big difference.  According to mapmyrun there were eight cat 5 and one cat 3 hills and the length of those hills put together was around 11miles!!

Having Diana on the checkpoints 2 and 4 helped me a lot as she gave me lots of positive energy and  support and, knowing that I would see her on those checkpoints gave me an extra boost to keep on going!

Of course I got lost as most of you would expect from me... I even hired a Garmin with the route on it, just before the race started, as I got really worried when talking to some runners who scared me about the navigation. The course was an out and back so I couldn’t go wrong could I? Well, on the way out I was fine as I was always running alongside other people who knew where to go.  I was with company on the way back as well, but at around 34miles I had a low moment and had to eat and have a rest while my fellow 2 runners I was with continued…when I recovered I was by myself as I had no one that I could see either in front or behind me. On the 10 miles that followed until I reached the last checkpoint, I got lost at least 10 times, mostly by myself and then with another fellow runner. We managed to reach the checkpoint after several hours and frustration, but very happy that we only had 8 miles to go. From then on to the finish we were joined by another runner and got lost twice again… but we had a laugh for those last miles and also a realization of what we were about to complete (it was mine’s and Tess’s first Ultra). We finished together and I managed to take a picture with Tess with her daughter and Matt.  (check the pictures I took on here)

I met some amazing and interesting people over those 12+ hours and confirmed that ultra runners are, as I expected, down to earth people who just love to run and love a good/crazy challenge. They help each other throughout the race as the competitiveness gives way to comradeship instead.

I want to thank you all for the donations you very kindly and selfishly gave to the Jeremiah’s Journey very noble and important charity. All of you have supported me in all sorts of ways for the past 6 months, either by encouraging me, running with me, giving me lots of advice on everything, even scaring me with what I would have to expect on race day and also the patience for listening to all the boring and endless details of my training runs, weight loss, pace etc..all of this really helped me to train for it and then complete the ultra. I am really really humbled by all the donations, text messages, facebook shares and amazing support. It really means a lot to me and if you are still reading this, you know I mean it :) 

Here is your last chance to donate if you haven’t yet, anything you can spare is welcomed by this worthy charity that is based in Plymouth and supports children who have had someone special to them die.

 

Love you all,

Tiago, Ultra runner :)