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Again in January I had a large fuck it second. Now, I’m not somebody who goes in for all this new year resolution factor, however I do wish to set objectives and problem myself a little bit. So, when a working pal despatched a message out on our Whatsapp group concerning the Atlantic Coast Problem at exactly the second I used to be sat there pondering over the kind of challenges I may do, it felt like a message from the universe. And so I signed up, there after which, performing on impulse, figuring out full effectively that if I considered it an excessive amount of I’d speak myself out of it.
What Is The Atlantic Coast Problem?
The Atlantic Coast Problem is a multi day extremely occasion in Cornwall organised by Votwo Events. Set over 3 days, the problem begins from some extent simply exterior Padstow following the South West Coastal Path and ending up at Lands Finish. The way you get there may be as much as you. You possibly can run, jog, hike, stroll, hell you possibly can even crawl if it’s a must to, however mainly it’s a marathon a day throughout wild and rugged terrain with a complete tonne of ups and downs thrown in for good measure. Remind me why I signed as much as this precisely!?!?!
This isn’t one thing you possibly can simply rock as much as and hope for the most effective. It’s essential practice, it’s good to take it significantly and it’s good to commit. The furthest distance I had run earlier than was about 17 miles. This was going to be a complete of 80 miles over 3 days. Shit simply received tremendous severe. However hey it was January, the occasion wasn’t till October, I had loads of time. And so I forgot about it. Effectively, not totally, it was nonetheless lurking on the fringe of my mind, however I used to be usually working about 15-20 miles in complete throughout every week and I had some massive hikes deliberate for in between, so I wasn’t frightened.
The coaching began to ramp up round concerning the summer season. As I mentioned, I’d already busted out some fairly hefty mountain climbing miles – myself and a few buddies had hiked throughout the Isle of Wight over the area of three days, and I’d additionally hiked the size of the Serpent path with a pal over the course of the yr – so my endurance health was feeling fairly good. However I needed to get a bit extra future match and that meant rising the weekend run and sooner or later introducing again to again runs in order that I received used to working with drained legs.
Frustratingly, about midway via the coaching I developed sciatica. It was fairly actually a ache within the bottom. There was some extent the place I actually didn’t know whether or not I’d even make it to the beginning line. Nonetheless, being the organised management freak that I’m, I took cost of the matter and put a plan in place. I noticed a physio (shout out to the wonderful Body and Mind Physio in Petersfield whoop whoop!), began weekly Pilates, did stretches twice a day, had a working gait evaluation, did energy workouts, I rested, and I didn’t sit for lengthy durations of time. Slowly however absolutely the sciatica began to ease, however my confidence had dipped. I’d missed out on some lengthy runs and I used to be unsure whether or not I’d be able to doing that type of distance. However I wouldn’t know except I attempted. So, with just some weeks to go till the Atlantic Coast Problem, myself and two buddies who had been additionally signed as much as it, determined to run/stroll from Petersfield to Hayling Island, a complete of twenty-two miles. We alternated between working a mile after which strolling a mile, which labored out nice – an opportunity to get some miles and time on our ft while additionally being comparatively light on my again and restoring my self esteem.
I’d finished the coaching. I’d received all of the gear. I’d mentally ready myself for the most important problem I’d ever taken on. This was it. I used to be as prepared as I used to be ever going to be. Cornwall, let’s do that!
Day 1 Constantine Bay – Perranporth (26.2 miles)
We had been very lucky to be staying in a stunning home in Porthleven that buddies of a pal owned, which meant we had a fab base, cozy beds, and plenty of dwelling luxuries. Once you signal as much as the Atlantic Coast Problem you may have the choice of staying in a static caravan in St Ives Caravan Park which is the occasion head quarters and the place it’s a must to register every morning. However truthfully, give me a heat, cozy home each single time. It’s just like the distinction between tenting and glamping, and I positively know which one I desire.
I awoke on race day at 5am. It was nonetheless darkish exterior and I felt like how you are feeling while you get up early and go to the airport. You realize, a little bit bit sicky and stuffed with anticipation. However in fact, I wasn’t flying someplace sizzling and tropical as we speak, no I had 26 miles looming forward of me. It was time to get this shit finished!
Fortunately I’d managed to have a good evening’s sleep, which was a minor miracle as regardless of sleeping like a log in my very own mattress I do have earlier in the case of not sleeping effectively in unusual beds earlier than massive occasions, and never gonna lie, it was a priority. I did get up at 3.18am with bizarre nervousness goals about getting stains on my wedding ceremony costume, being late for the race, and my canine being eaten by piranhas, you understand the standard kinda stuff, however I used to be in a position to get again to sleep till my 5am get up.
I pressured some porridge and a decaf espresso down, which I actually didn’t need, however knew it was necessary to get some gas in me. I had 1,000,000 wees and poos, packed my package, double checked my package, had one other wee after which left the home at 6am to go off and get registered. Registration was at St Ives vacation park, and it was there that we picked up our bib quantity, GPS tracker, listened to the briefing concerning the day, and obvs squeezed out one other wee. As soon as all that was finished, it was again into the automobile for about an hour’s drive to the place to begin, Trevose Head lighthouse.
Now, I’ve not finished one thing like this earlier than, however I’ve finished a few half marathons and the Nice South Run, so I’m not a whole and utter virgin in the case of working occasions. I used to be anticipating a marquee, a begin line on the very least, perhaps a whistle or a gun shot, one thing, something to suggest it had began. However there was nothing, it was actually flip up and go. And that’s kinda the factor with the Atlantic Coast Problem, it’s a problem, not a race. It’s not about what time you do it in, it’s nearly doing it.
So off we go. The solar’s out, there’s no wind, it’s a good day for working. However my head is taking part in tips with me. I’m a little bit of a one for this. I attempt to have phrases with myself, to be my very own cheerleader, to close that chimp again in its field, nevertheless it will get me each time. I’m an over thinker, a catastrophiser, a ‘what if’ lady and all I may deal with was the enormity of the entire race. Not simply that day, or attending to that first checkpoint, no I used to be dwelling on the complete 3 days price of race and the way far-off the end line was. And it was doing my head in. I couldn’t get my respiratory proper, I felt sick, my pacing was all out of whack and all I may assume was if I felt like this now, within the first 6 miles, how on earth was I going to handle a trillion million extra!?!
However I plodded on, as a result of even one step ahead is a step forwards. I believe what didn’t assist was that I partly knew the terrain. We’d stayed in Mawgan Porth just a few years again on a vacation household and so I knew what was developing, and even that felt like such a great distance off, not to mention Lands Finish. Nonetheless, as soon as I’d received via Mawgan Porth, my mindset began shifting and I started to really feel happier. Out of the blue I may calm down into the run a bit extra. By strolling the hills and working the flats I discovered a tempo that labored for me. The surroundings was gorgeous, a great deal of beachy coves, cute little bays and the folks had been all actually pleasant. There was no competitors between different runners, everybody would say one thing as they handed or run with you for a bit and have a chat, and the general public would cheers us on and assist level us in the fitting course if we appeared a bit misplaced.
Day 1 ended on presumably the longest seashore in the complete world. We received a little bit misplaced within the sand dunes for some time however managed to get again on monitor and trekked throughout the seashore, the end flag simply in sight within the distance. The reward on the finish was a scrumptious cup of home made lentil and tomato soup, which I wasn’t positive if I’d be capable of handle, however as quickly as that first sip hit my tummy it was like being given some type of life giving elixir mixed with an infinite cuddle, precisely what was wanted after my very first marathon.
Day 1 Rundown
- Begin – Constantine Bay
- Checkpoint 1 – Mawgan Porth
- Checkpoint 2 – Porth
- Checkpoint 3 – Crantock Seashore
- End – Perranporth
Day 2 Chapel Porth – St Ives Vacation Park (26.2 miles)
I awoke feeling way more constructive about issues on day 2. I knew what to anticipate now. There was barely much less of the unknown. And positive I used to be aching, and drained, and nonetheless a little bit bit apprehensive about whether or not I may do that, however I knew I’d give it my finest, and that my finest was completely ok.
One other early begin, though we did have the posh of an additional half an hour in mattress as as we speak’s place to begin wasn’t as far-off as yesterdays, so we may begin a little bit later. But once more I’d slept brilliantly, partly resulting from me taking some Kalms tablets earlier than mattress, but additionally as a result of I used to be so flippin’ knackered!
It was a stunning brilliant and sunny day, but additionally very windy, I misplaced rely of the variety of occasions I needed to seize maintain of my cap to cease it from blowing away. I believed I’d provide you with a genius thought of attaching it to my hair with hair clips, however after I wanted to shed a layer as a result of I used to be sizzling, it ended up being a proper outdated faff as my high wouldn’t go over my head with the hat on. Within the kerfuffle, I managed to in some way lose my buff. Now, if you happen to’re a runner you’ll know the way helpful a buff is. It retains your neck heat, you need to use it to wipe sweat away, it doubles up as a tissue (hey, don’t choose me, wiping your nostril on a buff is method nicer than clearing your nostril by doing that hideous snot rocket factor that I noticed lots of people doing that day!) Anyway, I realised when my nostril began working that I’d misplaced it, however there was no method I used to be going again to search for it, as a result of umm hi there I’m not including on miles to an already milesy run. Effectively, how stunned was I when fairly just a few extra miles in, my pal noticed my buff draped over some railings. Some beautiful particular person had clearly noticed it, picked it up, run with it, overtaken me, after which left it there. It was a small factor, nevertheless it made me smile.
Let’s speak checkpoints. Votwo be sure that every checkpoint is very well stocked. It’s a like a veritable buffet. Snacks included: jelly beans, mini cheddars, flapjacks, chocolate bars, peanuts, bananas, crisps, sandwiches, and there was additionally water, squash, cola, plus I believe some even provided sizzling drinks. So, there was lots of alternative. Greater than sufficient alternative. My physique had different concepts although. I believed mini cheddars can be my go to snack. I’d educated with them and so they’d labored brilliantly. It’s good to have one thing savoury in amongst all of the candy stuff. However after I tried consuming them on this run, my mouth was having none of it. They felt just like the driest factor to ever enter my mouth, and as I attempted to chew after which swallow, it was as if my mouth had forgotten the way to work. Jelly beans… similar. Flapjacks… additionally the identical. And don’t get me began on the jam sandwich. I believed it might be good, to get one thing a bit bulkier in me, however think about a two day outdated sandwich that’s been left to fester in a child’s college lunchbox and that’ll provide you with some thought as to what that sandwich tasted like. It was grim. By means of means of elimination, I labored out that essentially the most palatable gadgets had been bananas and twixes, so I caught to these and that was just about my ‘lunch’ for 2 days. I needed to eat extra, however my abdomen was simply having none of it, and it was an effort to even power the bananas and twixes down. I did be sure that I drank lots although and had electrolytes in my bottles, which appeared to be sufficient for me (I’m happy to report that publish race my urge for food has come again with a vengeance and is unquestionably making up for any misplaced energy!).
The spotlight of the day was seeing seals at Godrevy. It was an actual decide me up second, one thing very a lot wanted after the three bitches (3 vertical ascents with steps as massive as your waist, one after the opposite, completely relentless). There was yet one more lengthy seashore as we speak. I take again what I mentioned about yesterday’s seashore, THIS was the longest seashore on the earth… or not less than it felt prefer it. And this one got here with the double whammy of not solely stretching for 4km, but additionally ran alongside the end line. OK what’s fallacious with that, I hear you considering. Effectively, I’ll inform you what’s fallacious with that. Sure, the end line was proper there over these sand dunes, however there was a sneaky further checkpoint thrown in to be sure you didn’t cheat. And that checkpoint went previous the end level, down the remaining stretch of seashore, out into an industrial property, spherical a housing property after which again into the caravan park from the principle entrance. Bodily robust. Mentally brutal. We staggered up what felt just like the longest driveway to get to the day 2 end level and was greeted with a cup of pea and mint soup. Two days finished. One to go.
Day 2 Rundown
- Begin – Perranporth
- Checkpoint 1 – Chapel Porth
- Checkpoint 2 – Portreath
- Checkpoint 3 – Godrevy
- Checkpoint 3a – Hayle
- End – St Ives Vacation park
Day 3 Lelant – Lands Finish (28.5 miles)
Day 3. The ultimate slog. This was the lengthy one. It was all constructing as much as this. Not solely did we now have two marathon’s price of tiredness in our legs we additionally needed to take care of our longest run thus far. And it was raining. To be sincere, we’d received off calmly thus far with the climate, however this was going to make it further robust as we speak. And boy was it robust. My legs had been drained, my ft ached, and my toenails had been shot to items. I’d taken off my socks the day before today and was satisfied my toenails had been going to peel of with them they felt that damaged. Fortunately they didn’t, however the jury’s nonetheless out as as to if they may all survive or not.
We began good and early and thank god we did, as a result of as we speak was brutal. The rain in a single day had made the course just about unrunnable. It additionally turned out that there have been reduce off occasions. One thing which I had been fully oblivious of, as a result of they had been such beneficiant reduce offs, that it was by no means going to be an issue. However as we speak it was. The in a single day rain had made the bottom dangerously slippery. Like actually mud snowboarding with strolling poles. There have been additionally large boulder fields we needed to clamber over, which at factors concerned sitting down on my arse and sliding down them they had been that massive. To high it off, the primary checkpoint was 16-17k away (all different checkpoints had been spaced out about 10k in between). This was soul destroying, fully and completely soul destroying.
To provide some perspective about how robust day 3 was, there have been a bunch of older guys, certainly one of whom had finished this race 15 occasions (15!!!), who mentioned in all these 15 he had by no means seen the situations as unhealthy because it was this time. It took us 6 hrs to get to checkpoint 2. 6 bloody hours. That’s not far off how lengthy it had taken us to do the entire of the opposite days. Plus one thing else we realized the next day after we checked again on the outcomes, was that out of the 311 individuals who signed as much as day 3, 164 didn’t end. That’s how robust it was!
We made checkpoint 2 with simply 20 minutes to spare till reduce off. That actually put the stress on. It was by far the most effective checkpoint – actually simply on a rock in the course of nowhere. Bananas and twixes have by no means tasted so good. Snacks consumed, drinks drunk, it was time to attempt to ramp up the tempo. There was no method I used to be going to let a time reduce off be the rationale I didn’t get to complete this. It was head down, battle on via the rain. This wasn’t a day for taking pictures, this was a day for getting via it. Tin mines, rocky outcrops, waterfalls, the panorama was completely gorgeous, however in my thoughts I used to be feeling the stress to get to checkpoint 3. They usually had been going to be strict about this, as that closing stretch was too harmful to do within the falling gentle.
We made checkpoint 3 by the pores and skin of our enamel. However we’d made it, we had been allowed to proceed. So, on we plodded.
Recognizing Lands Ends is each a blessing and a curse. You’re relieved as a result of it’s lastly there, nevertheless it’s nonetheless so far-off and you may see what number of hills and coves it’s a must to get round first earlier than you’re even near the elusive end line. Not gonna lie, it was a whole and utter headfuck.
I managed to run the previous couple of hundred metres to the end line, a sudden burst of vitality and such intense aid that this was over. I used to be completely finished in. Every part harm and I appeared and felt like I had aged about 30 years. My trainers had been hanging on by a thread and so they smelt as if one thing had crawled in and died in them. I used to be handed my medal and a Cornish pasty. I’d finished it. Me, Bex Stafferton, just a few common mum from Hampshire, who’d had a little bit of a fuck it second in January and signed as much as this epic problem. Me who bloody hates the hoo har of occasions, not that fussed by medals, loves the couch. Yep me. I’d solely gone and bloody finished it!
Day 3 Rundown
- Begin – Lelant
- Checkpoint 1 – Zennor
- Checkpoint 2 – Brandys (rock outcrop)
- Checkpoint 3 – Cape Cornwall
- End – Lands Finish
Put up Race Ponderings
After I crossed that end line, I swore to myself that I’d by no means ever do one thing like this once more. This was arms down the hardest factor I’ve ever needed to do. It had damaged me. I’d select to offer beginning ten occasions over moderately than undergo that once more. And but as I sit right here typing this publish, every week on, nonetheless a bit achy and my blackened toenails hanging on by mere threads, I’m questioning what my subsequent problem may very well be. As a result of it’s addictive this working lark. It’s a bloody miracle I’m even working in any respect to be sincere. I hated working and going for walks as a toddler in order an grownup I had myself marked as somebody who simply couldn’t run. Becoming a member of the runnyhoneys, my native working group, modified that. I ran my first 5k with them and the remaining, effectively the remaining is historical past. I’m now a marathon runner, an extremely runner, and I’ve simply certified as a run chief. I believe it’s protected to say that I’m certainly a runner.
And what concerning the sciatica? Effectively, seems I needn’t have frightened an excessive amount of about that. My again didn’t hassle me one iota whereas I used to be down in Cornwall. So, if you happen to’re on the lookout for a treatment for sciatica, I’d advocate working 80 miles! I believe what truly occurred, is that my physique harm a lot in every single place else, that it made me overlook all about my again and the sciatic ache. It was the least of my worries.
So, what now? Effectively, after I’ve finished plenty of sitting and plenty of consuming, maybe I may very well be satisfied to enroll to one thing else. I imply, now I’ve finished this epic problem, I kinda really feel like I may actually tackle the world. If I can do one thing this robust and get via it, even when all the things inside me is screaming to surrender, I don’t assume there’s something I couldn’t do. However perhaps I’ll simply do a bit extra of that sitting and consuming first!
Creator Bio
Becky Stafferton is a full-time content material creator, net writer, and blogging coach. She frequently strives to advertise a sensible, sustainable and constructive picture of the way to lead a wholesome life. When she’s not writing she may be discovered working via muddy puddles, making lists of lists, having a great outdated moan, speaking in humorous voices to her canine, renovating her home within the nation, and instructing others the way to make cash from their blogs.
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