Sadly a DNF but completed 95 miles on foot.
Organised by Centurion Running, Autumn 100 (A100) is a 100 mile (approx 161 km) race with 16 aid stations and 16 cutoffs, the final cutoff being 28 hours. It takes place on the beautiful trails in West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire and involves 4 legs of approximately 25 miles of out and back (so with each leg being about 40 kms), all in different directions from and to the same point. The map resembles a cross and the race starts at the intersection of two little villages, Goring and Streatley. Legs 1 and 4 are on the Thames Path so are mostly flat while Legs 2 and 3 have uphills and downhills, the former being through beautiful trails through ancient woodland to Swyncombe and back to Goring, while the latter is mostly on chalky and stony paths all the way up to Chain Hill and back to Goring.
I was very happy with how I did on Legs 1 and 2. Leg 2 was familiar terrain to me from previous races in the area. I knew it would be hard but also beautiful. On the way back to Goring I ran with another runner for about 10 miles or so. We had a nice conversation along the way.
I completed Leg 2 knowing I’d actually set a pb for myself for the first 50 mile (81km) distance.
It was, of course, only halfway and there was more work to be done! Each time I came back to Goring I had access to my drop bag (the beauty of this race set up) and I had a change of clothes for each leg and some food of my choice in addition to what is offered at each aid station (which is actually a nice spread). We’d been told Leg 3 would be cold and windy as it is quite exposed so before I went out on this leg, I got changed to ensure I was well wrapped up. I was comfortable and warm. It started to rain at this point but as it wasn’t heavy rain my windproof top was sufficient in keeping me dry. I didn’t need my full waterproof jacket.
As this race involves out and backs, as a back of the pack runner I was continuously seeing runners coming towards me. This is a nice feeling even if you know you have yet to cover the distance they have already covered when they go past you. It also means you are not out on your own and they can cheer you on while you cheer them on, too.
My experience on Leg 3 with the out and back was quite remarkable as I continuously saw headtorces approaching towards me in pitch dark. There would be a few, then five or six, then another five or six, then nine or ten, then one or two and so it went like this with what seemed to be at least a hundred runners. It was a truly beautiful spectacle! I wish I had taken a photo of this experience! I didn’t take any photos at all during the race. On the way back to Goring I was mostly on my own and was able to run at reasonable speed. Arriving at Goring before the final leg I made sure to change my top and tried not to hang around too much before the final leg.
I set off for Leg 4 with another runner. Again it was good to keep one another company. At this point I was doing more walking then running but managed to get into a running rhythm all the way to the penultimate aid station at Reading. I had a low point after the Welcome to Reading sign. Although I’d read that the aid station was nowhere near and there was at least 4 miles (nearly 7 kms) yet before I would arrive at the checkpoint. The sun was out and the views were gorgeous but I was getting exhausted physically and so I was run/walking. I was aware I might not make it to the Reading aid station within the cutoff but I managed it and arrived there just over 15 mins before it would close. The cheers I got from all the volunteers here, some of whom were in the balcony, were very motivating. After a quick run up the stairs (don’t know how I managed that!) to wash my hands and get some squash, I made my way back down again and back onto the Thames Path. 87.5 miles was complete. I had 12.5 miles (just under a half marathon) to go. And I had 3 hours 45 mins to complete this distance. I could do this. I smiled and headed on. Soon after I felt some pain at the bottom of my spine. I worried as my bone density in that area is low. I was in discomfort. I realised somehow this pain was also not allowing me to run! I stopped to stretch my legs and back but couldn’t lift my legs to stretch my quads. My back pain was not easing off. I thought of going back to the Reading aid station to declare defeat but no I had enough time and I would sort my back out and carry on. Sadly whatever I did made no difference. On the contrary things worsened as I started to develop “runners’ lean” – a phenomenon well-known in ultras but one which I had never experienced ever before. It was distressing. I could not stay upright. I was leaning to the right, bent over almost to my waist(!) and trying to walk was agonising. By now I was halfway to the final aid station but all I could do was walk slowly, stop and stretch and then carry on. The course sweeper was now in sight so when he caught up with me we walked together for a while. We had a nice chat. The remaining distance to the final aid station where my race would end seemed too far away. By the time I could make it to the final aid station the sweeper bus was waiting to collect me. I had covered almost 95 miles on foot. The last 5 miles had to remain unconquered.
A 100 is a fabulous event and I hope to be back to conquer it!
Photo credits: Pierre Papet, the official race photographer