Jane Riley's Race Report

Sri Chinmoy 24 Hour Track Race 6th- 7th October 2007

12 noon on Saturday 6 October 2007, and I stood on the start line of Tooting Bec athletics track about to embark upon 24 hours of running round the track.

Was I mad? Some may think so!

Changing direction every 4 hours competitors run/ walk/ crawl round the track, the aim being to run as far as possible in the allocated time. Each lap is meticulously noted by a personal 'human' lap recorder. Breaks from the track are permitted, maybe to stretch, have blisters repaired or visit the toilet. However, 'time is distance' and the more time that can be spent moving round the track, the greater the finishing distance. Part of the challenge is working out your race strategy!

The line up comprised World Record holders, the ladies GB track racing champion, elite ultra-distance runners and many others with very frightening credentials! All the more reason to ignore everyone else and stick to my own plan.

Easy - just keep moving in a forward direction for 24 hours!

With just one previous experience of this event I’m still very much a novice. July 2007 and Hull's 24 hour track race had promised so much. Placed 1st lady after 12 hours I was running like a steam train. It was only then I discovered that the race doesn't start in earnest until the second twelve hours are upon you.

Magic rapidly turned to misery as the nighttime demons struck with a vengeance. Engulfed by nausea and disorientation, violent vomiting was to follow. Rest was my only option. Although I was sure I was the dying the doctor remained unphased Apparently this is 'normal' in distance events! I was assured I'd be back running in a couple of hours - yeah, right!!! Nobody told me about this when I signed up! However, Doc Emma was right! I made it back for the last couple of hours completing 72 miles in total. An achievement but not quite what I'd envisaged.

Rest and recovery followed and then gradually back in training for Tooting Bec. Local overnight runs instilled the confidence that I could survive the night. An altogether bigger problem was that Asda in West Bridgford was closed for refurbishment thus robbing us of a valuable watering hole and toilet stop!

The all night Co-op did us proud on the drinks front, even providing hot beverages. Toilets? Don't ask!

So, Tooting Bec was looking altogether more promising. No stress, no pressure, just get through the night. And it worked a treat! Niggles were treated before they took hold and anything of substance eaten seated to aid digestion and stave off nausea.

What would I have done without Lesley ministering to my every need? A constant source of encouragement, 'fuel', first aid, tact and gentle persuasion!

With the first 12 hours going to plan, now was the time to really get the brain in gear. Like everyone else I slowed during the night but managed to keep moving. Would dawn ever break?

7am arrived and with it a hint of daylight. A mouthful of cereal fuelled a few more laps, but the toast, egg and beans that followed provided me with a new lease of life. Filled with breakfast and renewed enthusiasm the future looked bright.

However, following essential blister maintenance there was no way those shoes were going back on - my feet were massive! A quick consultation with the referee and Plan B was initiated (although I think we'd used that long ago!). Nothing in the rules to say you had to wear running shoes, so I donned my trusty flip flops for the last 1 hour 40 minutes! Don't know where it came from, but I found a second wind and just 'legged it'. Round and round I went passing lots of very tired people - over and over and over again. As my lap counter started to shout out every completed mile so the realisation dawned that I could make 85 miles. Then 86 miles became a real possibility. 88 sounded better than 87, and 89 miles sounded wicked. It was then I knew I could round it up to a cool 90 miles. I slipped into cruise control and nailed it. I was delighted.

My goal of surviving the night had been achieved with a massive 90 mile PB to boot. The support and camaraderie was phenomenal and a huge contributor to my success.

Apart from stiff legs, swollen feet and a single blister I seem to have survived unscathed. Plenty of rest, some swimming, a massage and seven days later I'm almost back to normal. NORMAL?!!! That's until I try anything even remotely active. Guess a few more weeks recovery are called for!

So, what next?

Well.. Gotta get toughened up! Looking at short speed and hill sessions, long off road runs, lots of quality 'fuel', plenty of rest and who knows …..?

122 miles in 24 hours would qualify me for the GB 24 hour track racing team. Sounds good, eh?

I'm not knocking on the door just yet - lurking at the end of the street more like! But, you never know...