Club comedian Dave Smith got his sensible head on this weekend when he embarked on his first big event for a while.
Set in the Bathurst Estate, outside Cirencester, in the heart of the Cotswolds. This lapped event is a test of mental endurance as much as any physical demands on the body. The determination to embark on another lap must override the temptation to stop as the runners retrace their steps again and again. The mental battle upping the anti as the 24 hours tick by.
The course itself is a 9k multi terrain off road route, following forest trails, grassy tracks and footpaths. Starting at Cirencester Park, the course meanders through the Polo Ground, into Twelve Acre Copse, through the Deer Park before turning for the return along the Shepherds Ride and back to the start.
“Considering this is something a bit different from the usual run I wasn’t that worried about it! I was actually looking forward to it” said Smithers
Poor Dave’s preparation hadn’t exactly gone to plan. A back problem excluded him from training for the first 6 weeks of his plan, so he was playing catch up from there on in. He’d managed to get his long run upto half marathon distance.
“I had to make a revised plan, but with 12 weeks of training I was as ready as could be”
Seems our Dave already had the determination he needed before he even stepped up to the startline. Off he went on his first few laps, taking it steady, not going out too quick, being Mr.Sensible, making some friends along the way.
“The race started well and with regular breaks and refuelling I was going strong. I managed to avoid the heavy rain and only had a little drizzle, which was actually really refreshing as it was muggy”
However as the race drew along, Dave started to struggle with some niggly joint pains. His hips, knees and ankles were hurting, something he’d not experienced before. He decided that after 7 laps, (that’s nearly 40 miles), he would have a couple of hours sleep to try to revive his legs.
(Cirencester on the course at 5am during the race)
Upon awakening he felt refreshed and raring to go again. Determination renewed and spirit revived he woke with a new spring in his step so he set off on lap number 8. But it wasn’t long before the pain returned in his joints.
“My eighth lap started well but halfway round my legs started to seize up and I made the decision to make this the last lap”
Our Dave had smashed his previous distance record and run a fantastic 44 miles.
“It would have been nice to make the 50 miles but not at the the risk of longer term problems and there’s always next year! The atmosphere over the weekend was fantastic, with great support and it was a well organised event”
Great running Dave, you’ll be back next year to beat that distance PB.
