Race Report: Atlas Running, Last One Standing, Florence Court, Co Fermanagh 28 & 29/08/2021

Why share this on LinkedIn? Why not! Put the kettle on and scroll on down.

Firs time race report, motivated by a want to capture, remember & share the experience.

The concept is simple. Start at midday on the Saturday, run a 4.2 mile / 6.72km loop within an hour and do so again every hour until you can’t go anymore, until you miss the hourly time limit, or if you are the last one standing (no danger there ??). Added to this the next loop cannot start until the next turn of an hour. Simple, right?! But add into the mix;

·????????You’ve got to fuel & hydrate – self supported

·????????You want time off your feet

·????????You’ve got c 100m / 300 ft of elevation gain and loss per loop

·????????The weather variations – up to mid-20’s during the day

·????????You want to preserve your energy as much as possible

·????????The terrain / surface variations – tarmac, trail, gravel, etc.

·????????The night and the sheer darkness – we run by headtorch

·????????The self-doubt & the little voices within (WHY?!?)

Still simple, right???

This is not just a test of fitness, but it’s a test of the mind, attitude and determination. It’s my controlled version of an extreme challenge and its filled with joy, pain, frustration, exhaustion, self-doubt & agony or ecstasy depending on how your day goes.

I ran with my two brothers, Stephen & David, with this being mine and Stephen’s 4th crack at the race & Dave’s second. Despite the experience we are still trying different training method, different fuelling & pacing strategies and different mental tricks, i.e. we are all still novices! Preparation was decent, with solid distances accumulated & a decent mental game plan on place. Expectations had been set reasonably within & the objective was an improvement on my prior best outing of 13 hours, or 54.2 miles / 86.7km.

On the day itself we rocked up to Florence Court at 11am as planned. The sun was baking hot and the breeze had taken the day off. It was easily in the 20’s and rising as morning rolled into afternoon.

The growth in popularity of the event & concept was evident as we arrived at the venue with scores of tents, capers, vans, cars & even a caravan parked up where the runners set up their camps close to the start finish line. A moments panic landed as we worried about being set up in a bad position exposed to the sun & a distance from the start, but for some reason our usual shaded spot very close to the start was still free, so we gratefully took it, said nothing and got about finishing our pre-race prep. Victory no 1 of the day!

In truth the pre-race prep started many days and weeks prior, but in summary I had;

·????????8 tops

·????????2 jackets

·????????6 pairs of socks

·????????3 caps

·????????A beanie hat

·????????3 pairs of shorts

·????????1 pair of gloves

·????????2 pairs of runners

·????????1 pair of leggings

·????????2 base layers

·????????All manner of tapes and creams

·????????A head torch and batteries

·????????2 towels

·????????A deck chair

·????????My watch

·????????Salt tablets

·????????Heaps of food and drink

·????????And the list goes on….

This might sound OTT, but anything is possible and everything is necessary. Next was the essential race and safety briefing and before you knew it we were lined up in the starting corral with seconds to midday and go time.

“3, 2, 1, GO, GO, GO!” Midday and loop 1 landed. A high 5 & good luck to each of Stephen & Dave and away we went. The start finish area was like a festival sight with scores of tents & vans set up, along with support crews, well wishers & bewildered visitors to Florence Court cheering us on. Its tough not to smile your way through this scene.

The route itself is massively varied and is roughly broken into 4 sections (in my head anyway);

·????????Section 1; Tarmac onto trail, with a few twists and turns, but all relatively flat and mostly wide enough for a few people side by side. This is a run section.

·????????Section 2; Narrow trail & forest underfoot and surrounds that bobs and weaves, with most of it uphill. This darkness here at night is epic and there are some difficult and monotonous sections. ‘Will it ever end?!’ Walk here & save the legs for a bit

·????????Section 3; Exits the trail and onto the estates internal roads. Largely old and worn tarmac & compressed gravel. After section 2 you’re like a cow getting back into the field after spending winter in the sheds and it’s a joy to be more open & run. A few ups and downs, but over a very scenic & enjoyable section which is majority run

·????????Section 4; The house hill to the finish line. Looser gravel on the hill that is irritable given the extra effort involved, leading you to walk up on the verge of the grass. Massively scenic with the impressive house, animals & surrounds in view. Run from the tope of the hill down the loose gravel, then back into a wide forest path & to the start finish area via the rear of the visitors centre. Majority run & a very enjoyable section save for the bloody gravel!

And so loop 1 passed uneventfully as hoped and planned. The target time per loop was anywhere between 50-54 minutes and crucially the fuelling and hydration was continuous and not just limited to your time between loops. Drink & eat on the go to allow time for rest and freshening up was the order of the day.

Back to loop one & with the game plan in place I started right at the rear of the pack (still in joint 1st place by the way) & dictating my own pace, especially on the single person narrow trails. It was a scene setter in terms of markers to run / walk & for time checks, while also chewing the ear off everyone around. ‘What’s your goal? How’s training gone? What do you expect?’ We were all quickly getting to know one another.

The heat was relentless and so fluid intake and energy preservation was very important. The organisers were so clued into this that between loop one & two while I was rubbing factor 30 on my heads & the two lads were sinking water, the race medic was sternly enforcing the need to do so. We may have been star pupils on that front, but he didn’t want us to get complacent (happy to report no sun burn).

Loops 1-4 followed a consistent pattern and by the end of 4 I felt the need to change my shirt for freshness. I sat topless in my chair in the start finish area for 8 or so minutes between loops and it felt like a beach holiday minus the cocktail. “On minute to go” belted out after a single whistle blast, at which point it was stuff the last bite into my mouth, put some electrolytes into my water & screw the bottle top on. Stand up with no aches or pains as yet despite having 27km+ covered. ‘Good work’ I thought to myself & put the fresh t-shirt on. The feeling was $1m compared to the grubbiness of 10 minutes prior. “3, 2, 1, GO!” Back on the track & away we go. Mentally sharp & happy. It’s incredible how much a simple outfit change can lift & encourage you.

The heat was definitely taking its toll with energy levels being depleted al around and mental battles being lost. The first victims were in loop 3 & our field of roughly 70 had suffered its first fallers. The battle had claimed its first victims, but this was only the beginning.

With the completion of the first few km’s on loop 7 we hit our first marathon distance. An important milestone & box ticked, but by no means a cause for celebration. Prior to this the field had spread out and slowed down considerably. My pace was constant and measured, but I had more company and friends in my time zone with every loop. Some began to fade and progress slower, with more inevitable drops and casualties occurring. Rather interestingly around this time I began running with one of the race contenders, a seasoned veteran who has won the race in the past and in all honestly doesn’t hang around in the company of a mid-pack fat fella. What was going on? Is this a strategy, or has the heat or an injury impacted him? His fellow contenders were finishing in roughly 45 minutes, so what’s the deal? Good chats were had and a few laughs were shared, until normal service resumed with our contenders pace picking up. As an FYI Bobbie went on to win the race in 37 hours covering 155.4 miles. 248.6lm. He was playing the conditions and managing himself & yes I am claiming an assist in his victory.

Loop 8 came and went and with it the passing of 50km. ‘Well done’ again I thought, but no time for back slapping. ‘Dig in more’. To this point, the strategy was working and my body & mind were well. Tailwind in my drink, along with copious water, oat flapjacks, bananas & home-made cookies. Loop 9 brought with it the sunset which as we neared the end of section 1 of the course and had a great big view up towards the house in the distance and did not disappoint. The giant red ball that was the sun slat slightly to the left of the house in full view. It gave us a beautiful send off, but we were now into the night.

The start of loop 10 brought with it the need for head torches throughout. The route is in no way lit, so this twist was the next in the series of race considerations. Unfortunately this loop was The Dave’s last, however in clocking up 42 miles / 67.2km he’d beaten his previous best by 2 loops and was a happy camper. The loop also brought with it some mistakes on my part. I had decided to change tops again for freshness, but errantly grabbed a long sleeve 1 despite the fact it was still very warm & long sleeves just added to the temperature & effort involved. I also realised a fuelling mistake at this point and would’ve killed for some watermelon to get simple and tasty fluids in, but this was a prep error. Consuming food had become much more difficult given the strain on my body & there was no more room or want for oats from my engine room. It was fluids from here in.

Despite all of the above, loops 10 through 12 passed relatively smoothly. The night was a different, yet manageable consideration. Shining your head torch into the forest and trees as you power hiked or ran had a serious novelty to it & the new noises around you were all a welcome distraction. I maintained my pace in the 50-54-minute space, with the field noticeably thinning at every start line. The stream of headlamps in the distance was a welcome and encouraging site. The body was of course very worn at this point, however the 50 miles / 80km mark on the completion of loop 12 brought with it great satisfactions;

1.??????The distance achieved under time

2.??????I was at worst going to match my previous best

Stephen did likewise and in doing so set a new best. 10 others waved the white flag at this point. The army or runners had become a depleted force.

On to loop 13 and for Stephen his last. He tried to push but realised in the course of his efforts that he had no more to give & the time won. Still though 54.2 miles / 86.7km and over a double marathon completed is a great achievement.

Eating was impossible for a few hours gone for me, so the mental game needed to do more work in order to keep going. Strategic walks / runs & numerous time markers were implemented. As the walking increased so to did the pace of same to a power hike. My heart rate was as high on these sections as it was during the runs, but mentally it felt better. In the course of 13 the doubt kicked in. ‘Yup, this is it’, etc., but fortunately the support and encouragement from a fellow runner (Johnny Breen) helped me to emphasise the possible in my head. As I power hiked through the forest the acoustics of the animals and my surroundings struck me, so I thought why not and belted out Caledonia at the top of my voice. No reason other than I like signing it and it served to distract me further. Onward we push!

On loop 13’s power hike I caught & passed 3 others on the trail. They had set out running, but my consistency in act on the loop had reeled them in. This was more encouragement and served to emphasise the possibility of completing the loop under time. Given the inability to eat I wasn’t concerned about time off my feet between loops. ‘One more loop, one more loop’ was all I was thinking. I knew it took roughly 3 minutes to push from the weir up the hill to the house and another 4 minutes jog to home. Get to the weir in 51 mins and I was content I wouldn’t need to run the hill. ‘Push on boy’ I thought! I hit the weir and time checked, 49 minutes. JACKPOT! A controlled finish had me in just over 56 minutes, which was enough time to chat with Dave, compose myself & take on fluids. I quickly sunk a litre as the whistle rang out. Up off my chair I got and onto my aching legs I went. I later learned another 10 dropped on this loop.

Loop 14 started and with it similar but more exhausted challenges to overcome. I quickly told myself there was to be no time checking on this loop until the weir. ‘Control your movements and get onto the 100km victory lap boy’ I told myself. I knew my power hiking had lost some energy, but still maintained a strong pace. Focused on constant progression, while being careful with my footing I strode on. Sections 1 & 2 done and it was let the animal out. I pushed. Reeling in the headtorch ahead I bit down on my lip and strode in anger and with massive determination. The internal fuel warning light was broken & the needle was bent around the empty icon but running on fumes was good enough for me. I pressed on hard and determined. The sweat ran down my nose from my forehead constantly. ‘Power on Al’ I told myself. Despite the time pressure and knowing my walking pace was slower than previous loops I remained calm, knowing I only needed to be seconds below 60 minutes to keep going. During this run despite knowing I was absent of energy and badly needing water I felt strong and confident. I didn’t however control the clock, but my brain controlled my legs. One last push…..

The run was gritty & constant and remarkably calm. As I neared the weir I had the same thought as the loop earlier, ’51 minutes or less and I can run / walk home’. Hit the weir and check my watch…… 51 minutes. EXTACY! ‘Control your finish’ I told myself, with my crossing the start finish line with 1 minute and 30 seconds to spare. As I approached I shouted at Dave “Towel, water & salt tablet please”. There was no time for sitting, but I didn’t care. I crossed the line seconds later and let out a roar of victory. Not the race, but my own. The rest of the pack were beginning to assemble for the next loop as I hollered & 1 said calmly and in good humour to me “just in time”. My response was simple and concise, “economical” I said with a smile, but still bent double. Such a visible contradiction. One single blow of a whistle followed instantly & with it the assurance the next loop would be my last.

“GO, GO, GO”. And so started loop 15. The longest yard. I wasn’t flippant towards its completion, however the sheer toll of the 14 prior loops and the 27km+ without anything other than fluids had left me like a zombie like character. My enemy was no longer the clock, but instead had changed to being the course and the distance to complete. As I walked out of camp slower than the loops prior I blagged a bottle of water off a jovial group of fellow runners who spoke encouragingly. The had each already completed their last loops & knew the difficulty ahead of me. I left them & walked into the forest…….. WHALLOP! It hit me hard. I was beyond exhausted. Unable to catch a breath to compose myself, while also having zero energy to progress. ‘Stride’ I thought, while at the same time knowing this was no longer a victory lap and the 100km was not guaranteed.

Match on I did, sometime staggering from side to side, but also always on the lookout for a bench to rest my weary self for a few minutes. None were to be found too quickly and which point my search moved onto anything that would substitute a bench. The ground was not an option as I didn’t know if I had the energy left to rise my weary limbs. This could only be a brief rest. 15 minutes in and at last I found an unusual tree stump that jutted out like a bench. My backside was parked on it and I smiled. Despite stopping to rest this move brought me back towards my victory. Mentally anyway. A few minutes passed and the presence of some ants now deciding to call my legs home meant it was go time. ‘Rise boy’?I thought, and I did.

The power hike of old had now become a purposeful death march as I navigated the forest trail and the most difficult section of the course. Surely someone has extended this or added a few more bends since I was here last I thought to myself. I shone my head torch around in the search for seating as I moved and the shapes of the forest looked like all sorts of random objects. There was however no mistaking the bats that flew overhead. I wanted out of the forest at this stage and pressed on. Bend upon bend rounded and there she was, a thing of beauty and the bench looking like a comfy throne. I parked and smiled. I sat up right and looked into the forest ahead. All shapes and sounds moved and played like a tune. I calmly turned off my headtorch, still sitting upright in the dark and listed to it play around me.

Five minutes passed and I knew I needed to get back up and move. The last push was about to begin. Up and onto the road I went as I walked calmly at a reasonable pace. My composure had returned and my mouth was no longer wide open with my tongue hanging out. Up and down the roaming hills one last time and completing the sections of the course I’d given nicknames to in my head, ‘snake bend corner’, ‘woo nelly sign’, ‘the alps’. I then rounded the corner on the long straight stretch towards the weir. I was already beyond the time limit by about 15 minutes and still had a similar time to home, when to my surprise I was greeted by a headtorch coming my way. I quickly thought ‘they’re doing a sweep to check in on the likes of myself’ and as I got closer I called out hello and was met by a response from Dave, my own personal sweeper. He hadn’t quire come to carry me home triumphantly, but it was the confirmation that I was now indeed on my own victory lap. I told him about my bench adventures and over the course of our 15 minute walk to home we passed 10+ of them… ‘cruelty to runners’ I thought. Maintaining a chat and summarising the days events we neared home and as the lights came into view the realisation of the task complete gave me great satisfaction. The blisters on my heels were no longer irritating, my thirst vanished, my knees & foot pains disappeared and I strode to my finish and across the line.

15 hours. 63 miles. 101 km. 125k+ steps. Top 25 & out. Job done.

https://www.atlasrunning.co.uk/ for more event information.