TOOTING BEC 24HOUR TRACK ULTRA RACE
PERSONAL ACCOUNT FROM PAUL HART
My first experience of 24hr races was in 2008 when I was part of the support crew at the Hull 24hr race for my friend at Dumfries Running Club and RRC member Les Hill. At this time the extent of my ultra running was up to 100K and the thought of running in a 24hr race seemed a step too far.
However, in 2009 two things happened. Firstly, I had a great run in the West Highland race finishing the 95 miles in 17hr12mins. Secondly, I was having a relatively poor year at the 100K distance finding myself retiring with stomach pains in the Anglo Celtic plate in Galway. As a result of this my thoughts turned to a new challenge, and the prospect of a 24hr race was a recurring thought.
I foolishly entered the Hull 24hr race in July only to be found out, my legs still had the West Highland Way race in them, and after about 6hrs of running I had to stop realising my legs would not survive the full 24hrs.
It was then I entered the Tooting 24hr race determined to have a serious attempt at the distance. I’ve never been the best at tapering before ultras so having my honeymoon in the weeks leading up to Tooting ensured my legs were well rested!
It was an interesting twist of fate that the first person I met arriving at the Tooting track as eventual race winner Richard Quennell. As we parked our cars and set up by the side of the track next to each other little did we know that we would be battling it out at the front of the race.
I had seen a complete variety of tactics at the 24hr races in Hull and had decided on a race plan to suit my style of running. My plan from the start of the race was as follows:
- Run for 3hrs then walk for 15mins
- Run for 2hr45mins then walk for 15mins – do this twice
- Run for 1hr45mins then walk for 15mins – do this three times
- Run for 50mins then walk for 10mins for the rest of the race
How did I do against this plan?
Well, the first 3hrs were fine and exactly on the 7:45 per mile pace I had planned. During the second and third run periods I found myself having a few too many unscheduled toilet stops and was getting worried this would drain my energy. Fortunately this period passed and my stomach settled down. However, it did mean the planned second 2hr45mins run period was shortened to 1hr45mins to take on some more food.
My food was a copy of what had served me well in the West Highland Way, namely flapjack, custard, yoghurt, cereal bars with either an energy gel or sports beans taken every hour with an energy drink and salt tablet.
The rest of the first half of the race went as planned with 1hr45mins periods of running at the target pace I had hoped for. My plan was based on a gradual slowing of pace during the race. During each 15min walk break I would take on food and drink and also phone my wife Vicky. She has always been my support crew at all my ultra races but for this race we had decided I would run unsupported as she was taking part in the Round Rotherham 50mile race and relay on the same day with a group from Dumfries Running Club.
After 10hrs of running I remember hitting my first mental low point just thinking about the prospect of keeping this going for another 14hrs. In a strange way it almost helped having no support to offer sympathy, I just had to get on with it! My spirits were lifted over the next few hours as I continued to run well just focussing on completing each hour. Each time the leadership board was updated I could see that I was gradually catching early race leader Paul Fernandez until after 14hrs I was ahead. Paul was still hanging in there with Richard Quennell also running strongly less than one mile behind me.
Incredibly when I reached 100miles in 15hr34mins Richard was less than one minute behind. I was conscious that his running periods, although at a slower pace than me, were much longer than mine and as a result he gradually pulled ahead. There was a great mutual supportive atmosphere between us and we always encouraged each other throughout the race.
I tried to stick to my race plan as the race moved beyond my previous longest race time of 17hrs although I was slowing down quicker than planned. For a period of time I was then troubled by a sore groin which I managed to run through so that at 20hrs I had 120miles on the clock. I took on some welcome porridge from the breakfast crew and then made it my target to try and cover 5-6 miles every hour to the finish and try to get over 140miles. All I could do was focus on completing each hour and not thinking beyond that. When I saw 136miles against my name with 1 hour to go I knew I could do it, although I was struggling to move at the pace of many runners who seemed to by flying round in the last hour.
And so I finished with a final distance of 140.95miles or 226.3km for 2nd place. I was absolutely delighted to achieve this in my first serious attempt at the distance and without a support crew.
I just about made it from my car in time for the prize giving an hour after the race with help from Adrian Stott. At the prize giving it was a nice surprise and a privilege to be awarded the Ongkar Tony Smith Memorial Award for the first RRC member in the Self Transcendence 24 hour race.
I would like to thank everyone who did offer me encouragement throughout the race, in particular Adrian Stott, Alan Young, Ian Beattie and his support crew, Aileen Scott and her partner John Foley, as well as my lap counters and everyone involved with the organisation of this excellent race.
After a period of rest and reflecting on the race my thoughts turn to those areas that could have gone better, especially the last 8hrs of the race where I feel there is scope for improvement.
Unfortunately for my wife Vicky this may mean another 24hr race in the future with a support crew!
Paul Hart
9/11/09
