9 July 2013

Osmotherly Phoenix

Saturday 6th July we were in Osmotherley for our second running of the 33 mile leg of the Osmotherley Phoenix. The weather forecast was correct, with a hot day ahead, some estimated in the high 20’s. Actually when we returned to the car, the thermostat was showing 34 :-0.

I love this area of the UK, brings back fond memories of holidays a youngster and not so young. Walking the Coast to Coast and the laid back feeling of the area.

After a warm start we started very slowly, knowing that the heat will play a big part in the outcome of the day ( I just hadn’t realised how much). We arrived at the first control point and dropped the little tag in the bucket then it was off to the 2nd and first manned control point. The views along Lyke Wake walk and Coast to Coast path was amazing. The paths were dry and the weather was HOT 25 at 9:30 am. I started very early to loose energy and it didn’t feel right. I felt better last year with less training and managed to finish the 33 mile, but today it felt different! My hydration was taken care off as I’d decided to run with a 2 liter Platypus hydration pack and take water at the control points.

After what seamed like a few minutes we arrived at the Heathwaite Green food stop, then onto to Calton bank were the 17 mile route slits away to join the 26 and 33 mile route later on. I was struggling and I started to loose concentration and the ‘voice’ started to take over – damn. I was starting to give in so early on in the race. I gathered my thoughts and the momentum of other runners behind kept me gong for a few more miles.

We hit clay bank, fueled, watered and took 3 minutes then on to the climb to Round hill, with gentle jogging we reached the summit. There was a breeze which helped to cool us down a little, but I was struggling now. The route followed fire tracks down towards Chop Gate – I gathered some speed, but it wasn’t enough and I was quite visible struggling. Started to feel a little sick, light headed and started to stumble a little. mmmm Not good. On arriving at Chop Gate control point i had some cold water and forced a flap jack down, which made me feel even more sick. Clare as always was a great support, I tried to grow a pair but with tears and a lump in my throat I threw in the towel. The weather and the course had won after only 16 miles in 3 hours 47 Mins.

I didn’t want to damage myself any further as I knew the symptoms I had a dose of Heat exhaustion and wanted to recover sufficiency for our trip to Mont Blanc the following Friday, which I knew would be an even hotter trip.

I handed the maps to Clare and she tried to encourage me to run to the next control point, but I had nothing left. Clare completed the 26 mile leg.

A great quote from Kevin Spacey after Andy Murray’s Wimbledon win –

‘Defeat , failure , falling on your face , falling on your ass , is the only way to learn how to win. – Kevin Spacey

Here’s to life’s lessons – Darren