The 3 Forts Challenge as its billed over 27 downland miles.
I'll think i'll claim that as my 2nd ultra then, seeing as it's > 26.2 - but its not in the bag yet.
Can't wait - I have a chauffeur as well, even better - Remy from the Sunday crew is taking us plucky four over to the Worthing start line.
Hope the weather will be sunny but cool, a complete contrast to the dogshit weather on the Stinger. I think overall I prefer it that way.
Off to my recovery Spin cross-training session tonight, and a good ol' stretch on the Gym mats - something I find hard to do @ home.
Will also start the carbo-loading process tonight, getting loads of pasta down my neck.
Have a 10k planned tomorrow night, and my constitutional Thurs, maybe a leg loosener Saturday.
Invigilated by my sister's boyfriend Dave - timekeeper and staggered start arranger. The idea being we all finish at about the same time.
Peace statue start - 2nd last, about 8 mins after the get go.
Started slow out to King Alfred swimming pool, return route along the prom, past both the piers and out to the Marina - Volks railway halt. Back to the statue.
A hot evening - ran out of water and felt dehydrated, left calf also had a niggle so I jogged in, about 47 mins.
Hopefully I heal for Sunday's shenanigans. Will probably rest and stretch my carcass until then, conservation of resources seems to be the best way for me at the moment.
The intrepid 4some set off at 9am with Remy at the wheel. A dubious 10am start at Hill Barn lane, Worthing. Another low key affair, much like the Stinger.
Experienced runners, milling about - awaiting the gun. I'd already had my obligatory 2 clearouts - one pre and one post porridge, trying to be quiet and not wake the girlfriend. Banana also demolished - I felt good and detached waiting for the get go.
At last we were off, I was more than happy to let the ladies - Gill and Jane to head up the long wind to Cissbury Ring alongside Worthing golf course, up to the first fort. Remy had already shown fleet of foot and was away.
The conditions were fine, breezy - the rain was at bay, although the dark clouds threatened throughout. Perfect running weather.
I managed then to push on ahead, not conciously leaving the girls behind, but settling into my own comfortable tick over pace. Covered the first five miles over to the River Adur without much mishap, dropping down to the vast cutaway into the hillside that is the old cement works near Shoreham.
Time for a small piece of fruit cake, washed down with my new Hammer product - under trial 'Perpetuem' orange/vanilla flavour. Also had 750ml of flat coke, which I had recommended to me, seems to help when the going gets tough and fatigue sets in.
Long, long climb up to Truleigh Hill, dug in and chugged it out - 2nd bit of road on route, which is a bit unsettling after miles of chalky, dusty trail.
A couple of climbs follow up to Devil's Dyke and the 2nd fort, the leader Stuart Mills a B&H runner came back about 3 miles ahead of me - flying. Tends to be a specialist over the downland routes, winning the things in a little over 3 hours.
Got to the Dyke, my heart sank a little - 11 miles, seemed a lot further. Had also passed Remy heading back about a mile ahead of me at that point. A brief pit stop, another gel - off again.
Passed the girls on the way back to Truleigh, about 2 miles behind - they seemed to be enjoying themselves, nice to have company - at this point I wished I had my IPlod to boost my morale and be a friend.
Back down the long descent to the Adur, took the off road route by the side of the road this time, much more conducive to the legs. Then the only dangerous bit of the course, having to cross a busy B road - no marshals stopping traffic. A bit of a chancey affair, anyway safely across, back across the bridge over the river and onwards around Botolphs, a bit of a steep road climb then getting back onto a nice level trail path.
At this point my left calf started to grumble probably from my recent exertions on the bike and crap left in the legs from the TOM. Had to stop and stretch, shrugged it off and got back chugging - I don't like to walk much, see it as the beginning of the end, not a nice mentality to fall into.
Struggled on to 19 miles, caught Phil on the water station - a gym regular and sometime runner a good guy, wished me luck. Another gel devoured, started to perk up and ambled on round much of the route duplicating the Stinger, wistfully passed the steep ascent through the woods back to Steyning my conquest with Sweder of 2 months back.
Ambled up to Chanctonbury Ring - 3rd fort, 21 miles covered, still bloody 6 to go. The mileage seemed to eek by at a slow rate. Then came another steep descent, forming the 2 mile climb replicated from the Stinger about 8 - 10 miles.
Chugged around another 1/2 mile and got to one bastard climb N/E of Findon
, one to log in the memory bank, just as you forlornly hope that the end is nigh - A big kick in the teeth. Had to walk this one - another lovely descent back into Cissbury, time for my last gel - with 2 miles to go. I wave of relief coming over me, walked the stiff ascent out of there.
The last 2 miles then flew by, back down again alongside the golf course. A well weathered cheeky sign displaying Lamb with Mint sauce 5p extra.
A perfect worn mud trail back down to the playing field, the announcer within earshot. I picked up the pace and sped down taking off my cap, acknowledging the gentle applause. I crossed the line grinning like a loon having accomplished the biggest running challenge of my life, a beautiful medal adorned - time unimportant, between 4:35 - 4:40. 27 miles covered.
Track du jour - if I had the sounds would have been Lou Reed - Perfect day.
Nice one Moyley, sounds like a good day for a long-ish stroll.
Back in the saddle meself so hope to be joining you on one or two summer jaunts.
What is next for you? Seaford?
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
Yes, well done Moyleman. Very impressive (and slightly annoying ) that you can run a hilly marathon less than a month after a very tough 35 mile race. Great effort.
El Gordo
Great things are done when men and mountains meet.
Great effort Chris. When you said you were runnung F,Forts thought you,d stuttered.
Very pleased you're considering Marlborough cause after a Stinger Shot what I need is a Marlborough Mug. None of the Harriers have risen to the challenge. But Bewl is a probable so that be fun.
A breezy Saturday 8am start greeted me in Woodingdean, as I met up with fellow TOM Rog-air.
A lovely route - one we'ed done with Ash the week before TOM. Ash cried off today with a malady, no doubt recovering from rehydration tactics in Istanbul and his duvet weighing heavy upon his brow. Still I have rehydration plans tonight myself with an old pal - I can sleep in tomorrow, with the knowledge that the good work's been done.
The run was smooth, although Rog had to blow out the lungs from Nicotine abuse - I chided him that it was the Devil's poison. He claims he will give up again - soon! We had some good philosophical and god-bothering debate on route, which ate up the miles.
Up the road from Rottingdean we dug in against the blast off the downs, and sauntered along to the snake - the approach wasn't too bad - my legs felt sore from last weeks ministrations. More debate up the hill & the snake flew by. 8 miles in just over the hour.
A quick change @ the pub - Rog had popped back home for a change of clothes and dragged 2 of his brethren along for the obligatory inhalation of a fry-up.
A lovely start to the day - am looking forward to that beer tonight.
Congratulations Moyleman! I can't believe you ran another marathon (actually even further) after just doing the ultra. Now I know Ash's friends are like him - just a little crazy! But well done...I'm very impressed.
I might not be quite as bonkers as you think. One guy at the 3 forts - had run 3 marathons in 3 weeks, including London.
It can be quite addictive - this punishment, this passion.
I'll raise my bottle of beer to the RC forum, and fellow loons, hic!
That's nowt. Some people run 3 marathons in 3 days each year: Beachy Head (Saturday), Snowdon (Sunday) and Dublin (Monday).
The travelling itself would be knackering, never mind two of the toughest maras in the business. Mind you, I bet the Guinness tastes as good as it gets at the end of that lot.
El Gordo
Great things are done when men and mountains meet.
I was contemplating this feat. I ran a stretch with some of these guys last year @ Beachy Head, much admired and raising shed loads of charity schekels.
But Beachy Head clashes with Snowdonia Marathon this Year. But I might still do Dublin, if I get a good head of steam up over the Summer.
And Ana, thanks for your concern but you needn't worry about the Bacon sarnies - they happen to be my favourite source of sustenance. I'm not particularly svelte, hovering just under 14 stone in old money - 88-90Kg, but I am a stayer I can go for hours - ooh, I say!
Had a lazy week, this week. Missed Spin tonight in favour of a takeaway pizza and a DVD - admired Helen Mirren's performance as the Queen.
Will get the running boots on tomorrow for a constit. blowout. Circuits Friday and Long run Sunday.
I was contemplating this feat. I ran a stretch with some of these guys last year @ Beachy Head, much admired and raising shed loads of charity schekels.
But Beachy Head clashes with Snowdonia Marathon this Year. But I might still do Dublin, if I get a good head of steam up over the Summer.
I can well believe that you were contemplating it.
I'm already in for Dublin, as you may have seen though I'm, er, washing my hair the Saturday before so regrettably, Beachy Head is out for me
El Gordo
Great things are done when men and mountains meet.
Out with the JSJers for a incident packed 11 miler.
Managed to coax good friend Le soft Alan out - doing Berlin in September, so needs to pull the finger out of his proverbial. Still sporting a healthy 'keg' out front. He valiantly held his own as we sometimes ambled, sometimes blasted along the downland course.
My right calf gave me some right jip, and is now as I type this. I'm despondent at my carcass's breakdown, otherwise fitness is good. Need to get in reasonable shape for Seaford and hope this doesn't put a spanner in the works.
Over the Tye and good 'ol Sweder administered some much needed manipulation to errant muscle. Lucky we were out and about otherwise it might have been misconstrued as something perverse. The guys today were great and we stopped and blathered, the run being about togetherness and not the faster runners going out of sight.
Sprightly up Saltdean Fell, espying a couple of mating horses - we must have put the male off his stroke as he tried getting the female to oblige. Baby's arm sprang to mind.
Rounding the corner we sped up back into Saltdean and down the trail into Rottingdean. Walked up windmill hill and cantered the last 2 miles trailing in Stevio, Mike, Sweder and Katie's (3:30 FLM) wake. Alan trailing in last but no means least, a good effort all round.
Caught fellow marathoner Barry in Mac's cafe. He reminisced over Rome, we over TOM.
Sweder's up to Glasgee this week, so i'll try a Saturday Dyke run next week - calf willing. Le soft's birthday on Saturday, they're planning a barbie, so need my drinking boots on then - and a Bank holiday to boot.
Off to get my feet up and Ice the damned muscle. Kader and his house of pain might be looming this week to get the damn thing sorted.
Weren't you going to do the Marlborough 20 Moyley? Although perhaps best not to have done so if your calf is giving you curry. Don't forget the stout - works a treat for muscle injuries. I suspect there is some genuine reason for this: a muscle relaxant and carbohydrate loading together in one package. Just don't forget to take potassium and magnesium supplements - alcohol washes these out the system and leaves you subject to cramps if you don't allow for it.
Er, Dr MLC Man thinks he'd better sign off at this point.
May - 3rd Marathon in 3 months
A rest?
) that you can run a hilly marathon less than a month after a very tough 35 mile race. Great effort.
