Run the Blades 50km

It's been a few weeks since I took part in this event. Originally I was teed up to run 'run the blades - the night one' last October but due to the weather it was postponed. When the new date was released, it landed on my eldest daughter's birthday completely ruling this one out for me. The event is ran by Breaking Strain who are exceptionally organised (or they seem so, behind the scenes may be chaos!) and they also provided an alternative of transferring the night place to the summer 10km event. A final alternative was to change the place to the half marathon or ultra distance. I didn't want to do the 10km again in summer having already completed this so the half or ultra were my only personal alternatives. When the decision was made, I'd made my mind up I was entering devil o the highlands, looked at the dates and this was 3 weeks before the devil. Perfect for a last training long run and another ultra under my belt before the devil. That was 2 ultra marathons booked for 2024 in January after completing 1 marathon that was an absolute disaster. I must be mad.

Because this was a 'training run' this took an enormous amount of pressure off myself. Yes it was still an event but great practice for my main one of the year. At the time of booking I hadn't realised this ultra would come with more firsts for me even after completing John Muir Way Ultra in March. It would be the first time I would be in an event that utilises drop bags. Volunteering at the highland fling in April gave me so much knowledge about drop bags. At Balmaha laying them all out in competitor race number order showed me the array of fuelling strategies people put in them. This varied to full bags of food & drink to some bags having just tailwind and a sachet of gel! I knew myself I don't eat loads on these events so didn't want to overpack. At RTB we were spoiled with having 4 drop bags at each checkpoint which were evenly distanced so it meant I was carrying far less in the pack. 

The other main first for me was I would get my first ultra marathon medal. At JMWU we got coasters (which are pretty cool) but I have friends that have put that event off on the grounds there's no medal at the end. The incentive for me having JMWU as my 1st were the immense support I received from my best running friends the whole way along the course and the fact it was mainly flat. It was good for me as my first and not having a medal at the end didn't bother me as I knew this was the case before entering!

The event itself I had broken down into different distances rather than I was running one big 50km. This helps me and is a strategy I will always use so I don't get overwhelmed. In my head I was doing 5 separate distances which were 10.2km, 12km, 13.3km, 9.5km and 5km. This was on the basis of how far it was to get to each checkpoint. Psychologically stages 2 and 3 were going to be tough and this was indeed the case during the event. Also to get to CP2 was a spicy climb but was the biggest on the course.

Obviously I had asked advice from my pals who had completed this last year. I had psyched myself up a bit more for this one as it was more elevation than JMWU. When asking my pal Davy about the elevation on the course he replied 'the elevation isn't as bad as it looks, it feels more like death by 1000 cuts' which having now done it I'd say is very accurate. It was enjoyable though and I wouldn't put anyone off it by saying it's majorly elevated. I felt it was manageable.

Another massive bonus to this event was there's no cut offs (within reason). I had messaged Lee the week leading up to the event as it was something I hadn't gave much thought to but should prepare for and was surprised this was the case. 'We want every person to have a great ultra experience and taking that time pressure away within reason enhances this'. I totally agree. Cut offs I understand are necessary for a lot of events but add so much pressure on I feel. Being at the back of the pack and not the fastest it's something that does worry me but it does give me something to push for so I'll see a positive in this in the future.

On the day I was one of the first to arrive. I hate being late for anything especially events so I'd rather get there, drop off my bags, register then chill out for a bit. I met the lovely volunteers and thanked them for giving up their time. One in particular was Rachel. She was very bright, loud and absolutely my kind of person! She loved my leggings (Mr Men ones again!) and we got chatting about running in general. She said she would be at the finish to give me my medal which I looked forward to. This settled my nerves as before leaving the house that morning I was very nervous. Even though I'd said it was a training run with no pressure, the thought of going into an environment with other runners makes me queasy. Like I shouldn't be there. This obviously isn't the case but that's how I do feel. After registration and chatting to Rachel I let her get on with pointing folk in the right direction and headed back to the car. Sitting in the car alone with my thoughts was making me queasy again. I sipped on an electrolyte drink to have something worthwhile in my stomach fuelling wise for the start of the event so I didn't take an early dip like at JMWU.

I looked out for people from the car then got my stuff together to see if I could find my pals on the start line. Just as I was getting out, Davy passed and most nerves instantly disappeared having a friendly face to walk up to registration and the start line with! We chatted away walking up the hill then spotted Mel! We all had a group hug and said our hello's. I was delighted Stevie captured this moment being our photographer for the event. 

Finally we spotted Kev and I met Davy's pal Gillian for the first time who herself has ran a number of marathons and ultra marathons! I have the platform of Instagram to be grateful for meeting this bunch of lovely humans. It takes so much anxiety away from me on a start line seeing lots of familiar faces and getting a catch up on how folk are doing. Before we knew it the race briefing started then it was time to start.

I stood next to Gillian, we started together and ran the 1st 10km together to the 1st CP. I have been told by many experienced runners don't hang about at checkpoints, grab what you need and move on. I didn't hang about at this one as my water supply was fine and I more wanted to eat something. I said I would see Gillian along the way when she got going again.

I popped my earphone in (I always keep one out to hear surroundings) and looked forward to the 3 episodes of young hearts run free podcast I'd saved to listen on this event. I got a good rhythm going and felt good. The wrap with peanut butter and honey didn't work for me. It felt too claggy and hard to eat as I was moving. Not to worry, I had cheese and chive pretzels and an apple cake bar too for food. I also still had active root in my flasks.

This next stage felt longer until I saw people ahead of me. I had a steady pace of jog/fast walk on the go and eventually caught up with them. I asked what they had in their drop bags and made small talk before moving on. Then just when I needed it just before the half marathon mark Stevie appeared again (we saw him during the 1st 10km which was fab) and gave a boost. Just as well as we were coming up to this steeper incline, great for taking pictures!

When I passed Stevie he wished me well and said 'next time I see you will be the finish line'. Not long after this exchange was CP2 and my 1st water/active root refill. I ran in to the checkpoint feeling good but very aware the longest stage on my run was next. Just keep going. The next part of the course felt very solitary. I have to hand it to the organisers, the course was extremely well marked and I didn't feel unsafe at any point. We were told in the race pack and in the briefing if we were injured or something was wrong to contact the emergency number and tell them what number wind turbine we were at. The course was along dirt road mainly so getting a car or assistance to any point wouldn't have been a problem. I got over this feeling lonely by zoning into the podcast interview. It felt long but eventually I got to CP3. The hardest part of the event was done. Just 9.5km and a parkrun to finish off. No worries. 

After this, the drizzle started. It was welcome as the course was really warm and humid to this point. Not too many inclines in this section & I met another runner who had cramped up just after we were past the 26 mile mark. We jogged/walked & chatted about the various running events & community. That passed time until the last checkpoint. Only 5km to go now! The runner pushed on ahead as I continued my slower pace. One last hill the organisers name 'that hill' as I think it's on all 3 courses. It's definitely on the 10km anyway.

There was a marshal about 500-1000m away from the finish line asking how I felt & praising the distance covered. I was still smiling & delighted my 2nd ultra was almost complete!  

Then I heard the dulcet tones of the amazing Rachel at the finish. I looked at my watch & if I shifted my backside I could get under the 7 hour mark! Hurry up!! I completed with the official time of 6:58:33 & with a huge smile as I was getting a fantastic hug & epic medal!

Stevie & Kev were at the finish, hats off to Kev for hanging about & I will try to be quicker so there's less hanging about!

The event was great. It starts at a good time & geographically is close to where I live. It's very well ran & the organisers & marshals were very friendly & helpful. I would do it again & recommend it to 1st timers. The path is decent & in dry weather I'd argue you could wear road shoes for it. There was no bog at all on the course. It's a good price for entry & you get your value for money for the medal alone. It's one of my favourites!

I need to evaluate what I'm going to do next year but would love to have a go at doing all 3 in the one weekend. I think in between the 50km and half marathon would be tough to do mentally but not impossible. There were a couple doing it this year, Beatrix in particular stood out for me as she set out to challenge herself & smashed all 3 events. Mel & Stevie also completed this last year & to see all 3 medals together looks very cool. One for the list I think.