Where do I start? After the pain I endured during GMU, I had no idea I could even make the start line. Day after GMU I was walking with a strange John Wayne gait as each and every step hurt. By Monday, the pain had gone. A couple of training runs to test whether my feet had recovered seemed to be positive. I then fell into a weird No Mans land of training, not doing any significant long runs to not aggregate my feet or risk a new injury. But nowhere near enough miles to fully prepare.

Arrived at the start line, had my bag check for compulsory kit. Two head torches which they insisted on testing, base layer packed into a waterproof bag to keep it dry, bottles/bladder big enough to hold at least 1 L, hat/buff, gloves and survival blanket. I was surprised by the lack of first aid kit in the mandatory items. 

Promptly at 8:30, the race started. Before I knew what was happening, I had hit a trail and began the first climb. The first six miles of the route connects the start point of worthing College with the South Downs Way. 

Compared to GMU which requires a lot of self navigation, Centurion Running must have spent ages getting the route ready as there were signs all along the route showing you where to go. Most of the time, I just followed the person in front, even if they were a mile away!

Virtually the entire route is on flinty chalk paths. Every step of the way had rocks sticking up waiting to trip up the unwary runner. I took a few stumble trips before I succumbed at mile 10, about half a mile from the first check point. I got up brushed myself down and checked my left knee which appeared to take most of the impact.  No harm done so it was onto the first checkpoint. It was an absolute feast! Various fruits, sandwiches, sweets and sausages rolls were on offer. There were more on offer but I can’t remember them all, it was that many!!! 

I did my usually grab and go Ultra feeding regime. Allows me to get food inside me and still contribute to the relentless forward progress needed to get to the finish. Soon as I left the checkpoint, another climb. But this time it had the photographer waiting near the summit. This seemed a cruel location for the photographer but as he pointed out to me,  it did have a great background.

I suppose there are another couple of comparisons with GMU that I need to make. There are no Aztec West equivalent sections. It is scenery from start to finish. It also didn’t have the nice and FLAT sections either! I was going up and down like a thermometer in British summer. Also, the lack impromptu at points around the course compared to GMU. So much of the South Downs Way isn’t anywhere near any roads. The few places that are generally had a proper check point.

Having lived in Brighton, there were two parts of the course I was familiar with, Devils Dyke and Ditchling Beacon. The former has a nice pub for some great views in the summer months. The latter is a nasty climb on the London-Brighton bike ride route.

Ditchling Beacon was the 22 mile mark and my feet were beginning to hurt. Was it GMU pain or just normal after running 22 on chalk/flint paths? Time would tell but the voices of self doubt started. I managed to grind out 20 miles at GMU. Could I stomach going through that for 28 miles this time? With seemingly no flat sections? Time to drown them out the voices with some tunes! 

As preparation for the race, I made a little laminated list of miles and timings so I could keep check on my progress. I had reached each check point with plenty of time to spare. I was worried about whether I could keep going. By mile 34 and the enforced walking had begun, I had enough miles in the bank to know 16 minute miles was all I needed to do to get me to the finish. So unlike GMU, the drive to the finish wasn’t tinged with a sense of fear, especially when this event strictly enforces the cut offs.

Reached the second to last check point for another toilet break. Unlike other events I have run, the toilets were proper toilets rather than portaloos. Its only a small thing, but after 42 miles, a proper loo is a welcome sight! 

Reached the last check point with 90 minutes to spare and only 4 miles left. Treated myself to a cup of tea at the checkpoint rather than a splash and dash. I also managed to tell the marshals at the check point my Brown Beard story....

Last 4 miles were in the dark so time to break out the head torch. Needed to look out for any reflective signs as per the race brief. At one point I saw something reflective shining back at me. One moment it was there, the next I was gone. Was it the eyes of a fox catching the light from my head torch? No, it was tape blowing in the wind.

The final descent was in complete darkness on a very narrow, uneven path. Finally I had reached flat terrain and the home stretch. The last 2 miles were following a road to a local college. The last 400 meters was around their athletics track. Seeing the end so close, I tried to see if I could run. I actually managed to tolerate the pain to be able to run till the end. First 50 miler done with time to spare. Annoyingly, watch only measured 49.3 miles. I’ll have to wait to earn my 50 miles badge from Garmin.

During and after the event, I felt 100 miles was a step too far for me, that maybe I should let go of the dream. Having had time to reflect on the event and hobble around due to the bruising/blisters on my feet, I don’t think the dream is over, just postponed. There is no way I can wing a 100 miler. It is going to take a lot more commitment. So at the moment, it’s not a definite no, more of a maybe, someday.