Gloucester 20 Mile Race

This weekend I competed in the longest race I have done since the marathon last year - the Gloucester 20 mile race.

I was due to compete in the Devizes 10k and had already sent off my application. I was a bit disappointed as when I heard about the Gloucester 20 mile race I knew it would be a much better training run for London (as much as I wanted to do the Devizes race - I used to spend a lot of time there when young and it would have been great to see a bit of the town and countryside.

When I did the Tough Ten Mike Sas, a friend from work and the Swindon Harriers, said he might do the Devizes 10k and enter on the day - suddenly a solution had presented itself to me - let Mike take my race number, so I would be free to enter the Gloucester 20 mile race and not lose money.

I wrapped up my training on Wednesday, although to be honest, none of the sessions I did last week were that hard - I was surprisingly sore from Bourton and missed the track session on Tuesday.

This meant I had three days' rest before the race, partly due to the fact that I was in London on Thursday for the day. I went to see "Sound of Music" in the evening with the MAN ERF Sports and Social Club, but instead of just going up for the musical I took a day's leave and spent the day in the capital.

In the afternoon I went to see a play called "Treats" starring Billie Piper and Kris Marshall (My Family). I actually really enjoyed it; the acting was good and the dialogue cracking. Ms Piper goes from strength to strength in my estimation and I really admire the way she is managing her career and her image - any woman to get divorced from a multi-millionaire and NOT fleece him for all he is worth is all right in my book.

Needless to say I had a few beers during the course of the day, which is not ideal preparation for a race I know, but it got worse on Friday when I had to attend Suzie's leaving do - she has made the brave decision to move on to pastures new, feeling she has nothing worth staying in Swindon for. Bearing in mind her age, her lack of commitments and the qualifications she possesses, who can really blame her?

And yes, I had to go - when it's my turn to go I want my friends to turn up for my leaving do and enjoy themselves, so I have to do the same for them. It was a good evening, we had a private room at the Apartment in Swindon, and later on the hardened party animals - me, Suzie, Tamara, Ajaz, and a few people I don't know so well - moved on to the Walkabout.

It was a cracking evening but Saturday was spent nursing a hangover. In my case, this meant re-hydrating as much as possible. I managed a trip to the cinema to see "The Illusionist" which was good, but something a little more "leave your brain at the door" might have been better at that juncture.

I had a really terrible night's sleep Saturday. I don't know if it was the nerves, the alcohol the night before, or having strange people in the house (my lodger had a friend from Holland over) but I didn't get much kip at all, 4 or 5 hours at the most. I honestly thought about turning off the alarm and going back to sleep, and that might have been the safest thing to do (it was a good hour's drive) but I really, really wanted to do this race to find out what sort of shape I am in.

The journey was not too bad, as much as I dread driving when I'm tired. I found the place easily enough and arrived in good time. The weather was awful and wasn't going to get any better. It was raining and there were strong winds about.

Soon we were off and I already had a pre-meditated plan to go at a nice gentle pace, anything around 9 or 10 minute miles would be fine. It wasn't about getting a time, it was about running all the way round if I could and seeing how I felt at the end.

Whilst the distance made it hard work, it was quite pleasant to run at a steady pace and enjoy the lovely countryside. It was also one of the friendliest races I've done, and at several points found myself chatting or sharing a joke with some of the other runners.

The weather wasn't that much of a hindrance as it turned out, it wasn't as cold as it seemed once I got going and the rain was never that heavy. Wearing my running cap proved a brainwave, as it kept the rain out of my hair and face. The worst problem was the wind, and I was nearly taken off my feet at one point.

As it turned out, I didn't have to walk at any point during the race (except at water stations and to make a call of nature), not even on some of the hills, and whilst the last couple of miles were tougher than most, I didn't find myself slowing down. I crossed the line with 3 hours 9 minutes on my watch, which I'd have more than happily taken before the start.

At this point I realised this was an excellent training exercise for London; whilst I had worried my running had gone downhill after the last marathon it seems I am now stronger than I was then. The gruelling training sessions I am doing - longer speed sessions round the lake, body pump plus running - are paying off, as is the policy of picking tough races to use as training runs.

I still have 7 weeks to make myself lighter, stronger and faster and should be on the start line for London in pretty decent shape. As I write I have managed a decent track session without feeling too sore after the race, which I didn't think would be possible this week.

I have another tough race this weekend - the Hogweed Hilly Half - and then have the Bath and White Horse half marathons before London. Throw in a few more good long runs (without getting lost!) and I'll be on the start line for London feeling confident.

I certainly hope so - the experience is going to be amazing, and I want to enjoy it to the full.

Copyright © Jonathan Weedon, March 2007

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