so close.......

my first ultra...country to capital 2010

I remember the day clearly.....I was out with a group of serpies running an unofficial route of the winter tanners 30 miler.  It had been snowing really heavily so the organisers had called it off but I really needed this run as a week later I'd be running my first proper ultra, 45 miles from Wendover to Little Venice in a fab race called Country to Capital...bearing in mind that 23 is off road and 22 along a canal (note the canal is said quietly).  Anyway I'd struggled with just 30 miles, but it was in deep snow and it had taken about 7:15 to finish.....my friend turned round at the end and said "how on earth are you going to manage another 15 on top - you struggled with just 30"....a week later I passed the finish line in around 8:15ish and felt very proud.  I agreed with Alex at the time and doubts went through my mind but it actually felt o.k. but the one thing i didn't like about the race was the canal.....it was boring and dull - all I kept thinking was "how on earth can James Adams love them so much."

Anyway, I have no idea how this has happened but several ultras later including a few more canals and in less then 2 weeks time I'll be standing on the start line of this race:  GUCR

which way do I go?

145 miles from Birmingham to Little Venice along a canal.....  The worrying thing is that the more races and training runs I've actually ran over the past few months along the Grand Union the more I've learned to love it.  There are parts that are just beautiful, and especially when the sun is shining, and there are parts that are not so great.  I haven't had a chance to run in the night along the canal just yet but it's something that I am looking forward to.

I'm amazed also at the amount of support and encouragement that friends are giving to myself and Jany, my other friend who has also been successful in the ballot for, in what is known as the hardest and longest UK race. They have been jumping at the chance of helping us both get to the finish which is pretty special. 

I have no idea as to what time I'll finish and to be honest I really don't care but what I am looking forward to is having a great experience along the way and keeping in touch with Jany, the both of us with the same thinking, just to get to that finish line in one piece and wear our t.shirt and medal with pride whilst drinking a pint of guinness with friends and family.