Ultramarathon - part 1

In 3 weeks I take on my final sporting event of 2017, and it's an absolute whopper!!

The South Coast Challenge, from the Ultra Challenge Series. A 100km run/jog/walk/crawl along England's South Downs hills, starting in Eastbourne, passing through the city of Brighton, and finishing in the pretty town of Arundel. Oh yeah, and there's also 2150 meters of ascent on the way.

I find this kind of event fascinating, largely because it represents a step into the unknown.

Anyone who has run a marathon will be familiar with the slightly uneasy sense of anticipation you feel as everyone lines up at the start, and no one really knows what is about to unfold. Some folks even give this fear a name - "maranoia" - I absolutely thrive on it!!

Like any addiction however, the problem you face is that once you've enjoyed it a few times, the sense of the unknown is diminished to the point where it just doesn't hold the same appeal any longer. From here you have two ways you can go; you can quit, or you can raise the stakes. I chose to raise the stakes.

The South Coast Challenge will actually be substantially longer than my previous best distance which stands at 40 miles/65 km. So it's a bit like running the longest run I've ever done, then sticking another marathon on the end.

Here's a pic from my longest training run so far - a long slow 27 miler in pretty miserable wind & rain. I'm planning my max distance training run for tomorrow, and will then use the remaining three weeks to taper down my training runs and rest my body for the challenge. I may well post more to Steemit as the event draws nearer and my nerves really start to jangle. Wish me luck!!