Desert Solstice 24 Hour Track Race

For the past 3 years, I have been trying to break 130 miles at 24 hour events in the hope that it will give me a better chance of being selected to the British national team – my best is just over 129 and whilst that was enough for me to make selection for the 2018 European 24-hour championships, I ended up withdrawing as it clashed with our move back to Canada and I didn’t feel as focused on the race as I should have been.

This year was no different. I had registered for Desert Solstice several months ago, it was to be my final event of the year, and once again, I was hoping to exceed my goal. I went into the race feeling fit and strong, confident that I could do it, but also cautious of being too cocky as anything really can happen in an ultra!

My training this year had been somewhat different than in previous years, and instead of 2 to 3 hour runs and lots of negative splits, tempo runs and progression runs, I had done more reps, more tempo runs, and definitely much longer runs on the track at a steady pace, which was what had given me the confidence that I could finally do it this time. Shortly after Iron Horse 100 miler back in October, I was already doing 2 hours runs on the indoor track, followed by a couple of 4 hours runs and then a 6-hour run where I managed almost 65km that day. My training sessions had gone well, I’d been practicing my nutrition to make sure all went well on race day, and I really didn’t have any reason to doubt that I could do what I’d set out to do.

A couple of weeks before heading to Phoenix, we had some visitors and we headed to Canmore for a couple of days to enjoy the mountain scenery and have a bit of a break. This was perfect for me as it gave me a break from the track and allowed me to do a couple of runs on the nearby trails. I took my little pup Wilson with me, and we had so much fun running in the snow together and being in the fresh air was certainly much nicer that a stuffy indoor leisure centre.

Trail runs in Canmore with my favourite boy :)

I flew into Phoenix the week prior to the race to give me chance to adjust to the temperatures – even though it was only 70 degrees in Phoenix, that was still much warmer than I was used to back home where it was shorts and t-shirt weather as soon as it goes above freezing in the winter months! I got a couple of easy trail runs in on the familiar trails at Deem Hills and I was still feeling fit and strong.

Night run at Deem Hills :)

However, I was starting to feel a little sniffly leading up to race day. Andy had been working away but we met up in Phoenix, and he had kindly brought back a horrid cold from his travels. He kept me awake at night with his coughing, so I ddn’t sleep too well, and then there was the risk of me picking up the same virus and not being 100% on race day. The good news is that despite having a bit of a sore throat on the Thursday and Friday, I didn’t feel like I had caught anything so was still feeling hopeful of a good race.

I had also spent that week at the office in Phoenix. I work from home nowadays, but my colleagues are based in Phoenix, so it was an opportunity to have some catchup meetings on projects I am currently working on. It was great to see everybody, but it was also exhausting having so many meetings one after the other – I was so happy to finish on the Friday lunch time so that I could finally focus on my race! Going into work made me realise why I usually take a couple of days of vacation either side of a race – I don’t like those distractions and like to just relax and do my own thing – working the day before was a pain!

Race day arrived and I was ready. I was feeling extremely nervous which I always take as a good sign, and for the first time in a while, I had to force down my breakfast to make sure I was already somewhat fuelled for the race.

It was strange not having the big names at the race this year and it seemed much calmer than in previous years – there wasn’t that excited anticipation, and there certainly wasn’t the hype and focus that we’d had when Camille Heron and Courtney Daulwater had graced the track the previous year. Having seen a preview of the ladies, we were all evenly matched on paper which I felt would be an advantage as we would probably end up helping each other to some degree. It was also nice having James Elson and Robbie Britton on the track who like me are both members of the British ultra-running squad and were also vying for a place on the GB 24-hour team. A quick hug and some British encouragement were most welcome, and then we were off.

My Crew Station, manned by Andy, Skye and Ian :)
(PC: Skye Croke)

My plan for the race was to run around 9.20 miles, or 2.20 laps and I found myself being pretty much on pace for the first few hours. With Andy as crew, supported by our good friends Skye and Ian, I had given them a breakdown of my target times for given distances, and had asked them to keep me on track but more than anything, prevent me from going any faster. I was feeding well and drinking well, but as the sun got higher and the temperature started to rise, the heat was already starting to affect me and I was already sweating by around 10.30am. I remember saying to my team to just keep me moving through the next few hours as I would likely start to struggle having being used to running in the cooler temps back home - several times I grabbed a cooling sponge and allowed the water to wash over me, whilst Andy and Skye both filled my hat with ice on at least 3 occasions. I was grabbing smoothies, I was grabbing watermelon - basically anything that would give me fluids as well as keeping me fuelled, and whilst I was still doing ok, I could already tell that my nutrition plan was falling apart.

Time for food and drink! :)

But I kept my focus and was still determined to hit that 130 miles. I went through the marathon i a little over 4 hours, I passed 50km in around 4 hours 50 mins, but shortly after passing through 50 miles which I did in around 8 hours, my stomach started to ache and I knew that the inevitable vomiting would soon follow. Sure enough, about half an hour later, I stood behind my crew tent throwing up all the contents of my stomach. It was disappointing. I was only 9 hours or so into the race with another 15 hours to go, and yet I really didn't feel like eating. There was no way I could carry on with an empty stomach, but I really couldn't get myself to eat.

I walked the next couple of laps, trying to get my stomach to settle and trying to talk myself in building an appetite - I finally made the decision to have some mashed potatoes, and having been prepared perfectly by Andy and the team, a half hour later after having a few spoon fulls, I was started to get some energy back and was feeling much better.

My cheerleader :)

My pace strategy needed to change. I passed 100km 20 minutes or so behind what I wanted but I still didn't panic. I was still confident that I could hit my goal, I just needed to keep moving and keep eating. I decided to run for 30 minutes and then walk two laps whilst I took on food and water - this appeared to be working, and I managed to keep it going for the next 2 or 3 hours without any issues. Add to that that Andy had been to Dutch Brothers and bought me a large Kicker, I was actually feeling amazing! The legs didn't feel too bad, I was still doing around 10 minute miles, and I was pushing onwards with a good 13 hours or so to go. My mind was doing the calculations and even if I slowed to 12 minute miles, I could still do 65 miles in the time remaining, break 200km, and then push that last hour to get a PR.

But this is ultra running, and I've said a number of times that anything can happen. Once you've passed 100km in a 24 hour race, the next milestone is 100 miles - that's alot of miles in between, alot of time to stay focused, alot of time to just keep moving forward, and alot of time for things to go belly up again.

Sure enough, as I was approaching the 100 mile mark, I was once again sick. It was so frustrating again. I'd once again changed my strategy and spend a good hour walking the bends and running the straights, and yet I was still managing sub 3 minute laps. Several people commented on how strong and impressive my walk was - I was even overtaking some of the runners with walk - but alas, further vomiting put a stop to it. I knelt down on the grass in the centre of the track, and whilst my body was heaving, there was barely anything coming up simply because there was barely anything in there. I'm thankful to Robbie Britton who handed me one of his drinks to try and help me to recover and get back on track (he had unfortunately been forced to stop due to injury), and with the support and encouragement from other crew members and the athletes themselves, I managed to get moving again, albeit much more slowly.

I was very happy to finally pass the 100 mile mark in around 18 hours 40 minutes - much slower than my 18 hour target, but still not terrible, and I still honestly believed that if I could just pull through this second bout of sickness, I could at least run 200km like I did last year,

The sickness did eventually subside, but I was truly running on empty despite my attempts to put some fuel inside of me, I tried mashed potatoes again, I had another smoothie, I had coke and coffee and tried to down some banana, and then the gawd awful energy gels made an appearance and I managed to force one down my throat, but it still wasn't enough. In addition to lack of food, I was starting to feel extremely chilled by the cool, night air. I grabbed some layers and some gloves, but I wasn't moving fast enough to keep warm which was hindering my progress. I was shivering. I pulled on some running tights and another top, and then went to sit by the patio heater in the aid tent to try to warm up. I spent far too much time there and I almost gave up, not wanting to walk for the next few hours when I so desperately wanted to still be running, but Andy encouraged me to get going again, and the miles started to go by again.

2 or 3 or 3am maybe? Just keep on moving!

With 2 hours to go, I was guaranteed a top 3 position in both the 100 miler and the 24 hour event, and it was so tempting to stop again. But then Andy said something that triggered that competitive streak in me again = aim for a top 5 overall finish, and see if I could get to 115 miles. The power walk was back, the determination was back, and whilst by now I would definitely fall well short of my initial goal, I now had another target to aim for and I was back in the zone.

I don't know how I did it, but with 1 minute remaining on the clock, I had now exceeded 116 miles (take that Andy!). The markers had now chosen their runners, and a young chap was following me around the track to mark my finishing point when the bell sounded. I was walking and told him not to worry, I wouldn't be sprinting, but as we came into the last 10 seconds, I saw a cone on the corner of the track and decided that would be my finish line - I was like a sprinter out of the blocks, and I ran as fast as I could to reach that cone, leaving my poor marker frantically trying to catch me to ensure he placed the wooden stake in the correct spot.

Into the final hour!

All in all, I did enjoy the race despite falling well short of my own expectations. I was confident that I could achieve my goal at 8am on the Saturday morning - even 12 hours later, I was still confident I could do it - but once again, my nutrition went out of kilter. I find this annoying as I had practiced it in training, I had been eating and drinking even on 20 mile runs to make sure my body could tolerate food on the move, and yet it let me down on the day. A part of me thinks it is partly because I didn't stick to my plan in the earlier stages. I had specifically asked for food every 45 minutes give or take, and to alternate between solid food and then gels with banana or some other small, solid item. This would ensure I was getting my 300 calories per hour in the form of food, plus calories from whatever drinks I was taking. I found I ate too many gels, the things I was hoping to eat I forgot about, and Andy did his best to get me to eat what he could find, but everything he mentioned had me heaving.

In terms of the event itself, Aravaipa Running never fail to put on excellent events that caters for all the runners' needs - everything was perfect! And whilst things were a little low key this year compared to last, the performance of the winning lady certainly deserves a mention with 148 miles for the overall win. Marisa was so strong out there, so focused, and speaking to her after the race, she was clearly overwhelmed by her own performance - these are the kind of athletes that inspire me never to give up, and to keep working hard in order to reach your full potential.

Of course, I'm a stubborn bugger and I have already signed up for another 24 hour race in Edmonton next year. I am determined to break 130 miles and will not give up trying until my body tells me I cannot run anymore. I know I can do the distance, I know that even 135 miles is within my reach, but I really need to master the refuelling if I am ever to achieve that goal. 

For now though, I am enjoying some easy running with no races in my immediate plans. I now have next year sorted in terms of what I want to do, and I intend to mix things up a little bit to make my race year interesting and varied, and to challenge myself in different ways.