Where did you stay?

I've got a lot of travel planned this year so I opted for budget and stayed at the Marton Guest House - for £138 for 2 nights, it was perfect.  I had a family room to myself, they made me a breakfast box for race day as it was an early start, and generally couldn't have been more accommodating.  Downside - it's at the top of a bloody steep hill... coming down the hill the next morning was worse than going up it after the race!!

How did you get to the location/race?

Good old Condor (can you feel the sarcasm in that..)  A last minute schedule change to my boat (an 8am departure instead of 3pm) meant I didn't have the time I had hoped for on the Saturday morning to pack, sort my race foods etc..  I just had to get up and get down to the harbour ASAP.  Made the most of my extra 6 hours in Guernsey and hopped on the 92 bus for a £1.50 trip round the island - great as I got to scope out good chunks of the route, so I knew what to expect.  

Why did you decide to enter this race?

I'm REALLY easily led, especially when I am injured and bored! Rob posted in the RNRR group something about entries for GU36 opening at 6am one Sunday morning and I thought, well why not?!  So I set my alarm for 5:50am, woke up especially and entered.  At the time I had a calf muscle that was torn in 3 places, so I was totally hedging my bets, but there are only so many jigsaws you can do before insanity starts to kick in - I needed a goal (or 3 as it turns out)  Thanks Rob for this one (no sarcasm there - it was fab!)

How was your training? Did you have a coach?

Did you have a coach?  I've been coaching with Rik for a couple of years now and since I got the all clear from my phsyio to start C25K again last November time, Rik's been gradually getting me ready for GU36.  I am crap at keeping to the days on the plan, but 95% of the time, I get the sessions done one way or another.  I missed a couple of weeks due to stupidity/calf pain... moral of the story; DON'T do a hard session 1-2 days after a deep tissue massage, otherwise you won't walk for a week! If only I'd learnt the first time...  Alongside running, I do 2x strength sessions a week with Jake at Funktion, one brutal swim session with Hayley and a lovely good Sunday evening nurturing flow yoga session down at HotPod to stretch everything back out again.  Keeping it consistent is key and in your late 40s, you can't neglect the S&C - I have noticed a massive improvement in my times, recovery and general fitness this last 6 months from doing what the plan says and keeping strong. 

How was the race organisation beforehand?

Me or them?  My brain is fairly chaotic and I leave everything to the last minute... so it's a good job the event organisers were on the ball and had it all in hand!!  The race brief was really detailed, but it may as well have been written in hieroglyphics as I had no idea where all the detours were they were talking about - it'd be like me telling a non-Jersey person to take a right past the potato hut along the 5 mile then head down the German Road.... (Tip - always ask where the person in front of you is from, if they don't say Guernsey, move on to someone else, ask them and if it's a yes, blindly follow them!)

Did you have a specific race strategy, and if so, did you stick to it or have to adapt during the race?

GU36 is a race of 2 halves - 16 miles of cliff path followed by 20 miles of flat road.  My calf was a bit grumbly the couple of weeks before the race so we opted for the strategy of taking it really easy on cliff section as there are SO. MANY. STEPS.... then once onto the 20 miles of flat, we'd planned a 25 min run / 5 min walk pattern, refuelling every walk break. On the cliffs, I tucked in behind a lovely lady from Dorset who was a little slower than my usual pace, meaning I was forced to take it easier than I would normally - which was perfect (refer back to that comment about following someone from Guernsey... we took a few minor detours!) After about 12 miles, I felt confident my calf was going to hold out so I picked up the pace very slightly and went ahead for the rest of the cliff path.  Once down onto the road, the 25/5 strategy went perfectly, I ended the race still running, albeit with very little left in my legs, and even managed a little sprint finish.  The really nice bit was that Dorset lady had somehow managed to shortcut 1-2 miles somewhere and had ended up ahead of me.  I caught her up about 4 miles from the end, so we ran the last bit together - nice bit of camaraderie to end the day :)

Were there any unexpected challenges you faced during the race?

Does a blister count?  Or my watch getting stuck on the map screen so I had no idea of the distance done/to go?  Otherwise, it went like clockwork - first race ever that I have felt I had a plan, executed it and came out winning.  

How did you manage to overcome those challenges?

Firstly, who doesn't start an ultra with a good stash of blister plasters?!  Never leave it until it really hurts - get it sorted and move on.  The watch issue was a little trickier but fortunately I have some incredible friends who wanted to track mey run, so a little bit of Garmin wizardry later, and they spent their Sunday watch a tiny blue blob circumnavigate Guernsey. Absolute godsend as I messaged them to let them know my watch was stuck and they kept me updated with my distances so I knew how far I had left to go - meaning I could confidently decide whether to take the walking break, or up the anti and get to the end. 

What was the best bit?

Guernsey (sorry Jersey folk!) - it really does have some stunning coastline & great people. But the best part was the entire volunteer crew - especially the F1-style pitstop that is CP2.  As I came down the hill towards it, I spotted my bag next to a chair, with my road shoes already out of the bag and in front of the chair ready for me.  I had my own personal assistant ready to help with whatever I needed and as I sat down to redo my blister plaster, K-tape (amazing tan lines on my legs!) and change my sock and shoes, he handed me a cup of water and asked what food I wanted, then refilled my water bottles.  But most awesomely, he took my stinking wet t-shirt, manky socks and disgusting shoes and repacked them all in my drop bag for me - now if that isn't service, I don't know what is!!!  Rob had also mentioned Calippos at CP3, I really thought he was having me on, but it was true... as if by magic, one appeared in my hand as I got there.  Every race needs these guys running it - absolute legends from start to finish.  

What was the worst bit?

Genuinely there wasn't one.  I was expecting a few dark points of "what the f£$% am I doing?" or "When is this misery going to end?" but it didn't happen - I had a great race and I LOVED it.  

How were the crowds/supporters?

Volunteers, fellow runners, dog walkers, car drivers... everyone was amazing.  So much support and encouragement the whole way round. 

What would you do differently next time?

I'd order some slightly cooler weather with a bit of breeze... other than that, I had a fab day! 

What advice would you give other runners doing this race?

Set those alarms for 6am and get entered - it's not a walk in the park but it's totally doable as a first or second ultra.  It's limited to about 150 people and sells out in a couple of hours so get up and get registered! Otherwise, my best advice would be don't blow your legs out on the cliff paths - they are rougher than Jersey and it's a mistake to think once those 16 miles are up that it'll be plain sailing.  The transition from cliff path to road is tough and on tired legs, it's even tougher!

Would you recommend this race to other runners?

Absolutely - stay a day or two either side an make a long weekend of it, lots to do (wonder if Guernsey Tourism are hiring...?!) 

How did you celebrate completing your race?

It's been a busy year in my world and my main goal for this weekend, aside from a little bit of running, was to finally read the book I started ages ago!  So, after declining offers to join people in watching the footie, I had an ice cream, goose stepped my way up the hill to my B&B and read my book for a couple of hours before having some dinner and an early night - GO ME!!!  This morning I hobbled my way back down the hill and had a really nice swim in La Vallette bathing pools before getting the boat home - totally recommend a bit of cold saltwater therapy for a post-ultra detox, does wonders for the legs and the soul. 

What's next?

Like I say, I'm easily led and have a VERY low boredom threshold...  I'm trekking across the Tian Shan mountain in Kyrgyzstan in 3 weeks time (super excited as it looks incredible there), then off to do Ultra North in July with Mel & Rosie, then back to avenge the 5 Valleys Ultra in the Lake District in September after watching from the sidelines with a torn calf last year while Mel, Helen & Rosie had loads of fun doing the 2 Valleys.  I also have FOMO as they went to the pencil museum while we were there and I didn't... love a bit of stationery!!   But first up, a nice sleep, I mean yoga session, at HotPod later this evening, then a week off sport of any kinds before the RNRR trip to Sark next weekend!