BYU Blog 13

 So my 12 month journey to my first Backyard Ultra, at age 62, is over. Saturday 13th September. 10 am set off on first lap of Rasselbock BYU Hardwick. Having assembled a crew of friends and practised avidly the event was now real. 

I had adopted and practised a mindset that does not set a limit but also takes account of where you are at so as to be aware of realistic personal aims. I did not make this known. All I said was minimum 8 laps (hours). 

My actual ultra distance achievement before was 40 miles in 2023. My approach of 3 mins walk, 3 min jog acted as my basic approach in the absence of chatting to other participants, singing to myself, saying hello to marshals and passers by. Having clarity about how to distract yourself from the monotony and repetitiveness I think is important.

Having achieved 7 laps in 6 hours at two training Rasselbock events I was assured of 7 laps hence minimum 8. As time ticked by and 47 minutes per lap became 51 and eventually 54 and not many dropping out. The single-minded goal orientated mantra needed to stay strong. 

The fact event organisers had a day and a night route appealed particularly given the night route was more tarmac than day route. Some would argue this is not really trail running. So 8pm or 10 laps would mean more tarmac.

End of laps and having a crew was such a relief, as I had crewed myself in training, but team knowledge and togetherness takes time. All in all they were great! However, with less time better decisions could be made in future events.

The tarmac flats I enjoyed, the tarmac hill I, and most walked, the knobbly field tracks were harder in the dark but ultimately it is just one stride after another until you time out or decide to stop.

Crew members came and went and the final crew member I was informed he was on his way so off I set on lap 13 hopefully arriving to be greeted by him knowing with his credentials he would expect at least one more. But I decided to DNF lap 14 and sit and gave the beer he promised. He tried to change my mind and I am certain I could have done another but maybe that is part of this journey continuing .... improve training, improve BYU/Ultra event response and look to the professionals/more successful athletes for tips, inspiration and guidance. But it's still your personal journey.

Thanks to all the people I have met along the way.

Special mention to Rasselbock Running Team - Eric, Jonathan, Ma, Pa, Maggie. Last but not least The Crew - Martin, Becky, Malcolm, Vicki (my wife) and Jamie. 

Forward relentlessly to the next one.

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