Again in January I had an enormous fuck it second. Now, I’m not somebody who goes in for all this new yr decision factor, however I do prefer to set targets and problem myself just a little. So, when a working pal despatched a message out on our Whatsapp group concerning the Atlantic Coast Problem at exactly the second I used to be sat there pondering over the kind of challenges I might do, it felt like a message from the universe. And so I signed up, there after which, performing on impulse, understanding full nicely that if I thought of it an excessive amount of I’d speak myself out of it.
What Is The Atlantic Coast Problem?
The Atlantic Coast Problem is a multi day extremely occasion in Cornwall organised by Votwo Occasions. Set over 3 days, the problem begins from a degree simply exterior Padstow following the South West Coastal Path and ending up at Lands Finish. The way you get there’s as much as you. You possibly can run, jog, hike, stroll, hell you may even crawl if it’s important to, however mainly it’s a marathon a day throughout wild and rugged terrain with an entire tonne of ups and downs thrown in for good measure. Remind me why I signed as much as this precisely!?!?!
This isn’t one thing you may simply rock as much as and hope for the most effective. You have to practice, you could take it significantly and you could commit. The furthest distance I had run earlier than was about 17 miles. This was going to be a complete of 80 miles over 3 days. Shit simply acquired tremendous severe. However hey it was January, the occasion wasn’t till October, I had loads of time. And so I forgot about it. Effectively, not solely, it was nonetheless lurking on the fringe of my mind, however I used to be frequently working about 15-20 miles in complete throughout every week and I had some huge hikes deliberate for in between, so I wasn’t fearful.
The coaching began to ramp up round concerning the summer time. As I mentioned, I’d already busted out some fairly hefty mountaineering miles – myself and a few associates had hiked throughout the Isle of Wight over the area of three days, and I’d additionally hiked the size of the Serpent path with a pal over the course of the yr – so my endurance health was feeling fairly good. However I wished to get a bit extra long term match and that meant rising the weekend run and in some unspecified time in the future introducing again to again runs in order that I acquired used to working with drained legs.
Frustratingly, about midway by way of the coaching I developed sciatica. It was fairly actually a ache within the bottom. There was a degree the place I actually didn’t know whether or not I’d even make it to the beginning line. Nevertheless, being the organised management freak that I’m, I took cost of the matter and put a plan in place. I noticed a physio (shout out to the superb Physique and Thoughts Physio in Petersfield whoop whoop!), began weekly Pilates, did stretches twice a day, had a working gait evaluation, did energy workouts, I rested, and I didn’t sit for lengthy durations of time. Slowly however certainly the sciatica began to ease, however my confidence had dipped. I’d missed out on some lengthy runs and I used to be unsure whether or not I’d be able to doing that form of distance. However I wouldn’t know until I attempted. So, with only a few weeks to go till the Atlantic Coast Problem, myself and two associates who had been additionally signed as much as it, determined to run/stroll from Petersfield to Hayling Island, a complete of twenty-two miles. We alternated between working a mile after which strolling a mile, which labored out nice – an opportunity to get some miles and time on our ft while additionally being comparatively mild on my again and restoring my self-worth.
I’d executed the coaching. I’d acquired all of the gear. I’d mentally ready myself for the largest problem I’d ever taken on. This was it. I used to be as prepared as I used to be ever going to be. Cornwall, let’s do that!
Day 1 Constantine Bay – Perranporth (26.2 miles)
We had been very lucky to be staying in a beautiful home in Porthleven that associates of a pal owned, which meant we had a fab base, cozy beds, and plenty of residence luxuries. Once you signal as much as the Atlantic Coast Problem you might have the choice of staying in a static caravan in St Ives Caravan Park which is the occasion head quarters and the place it’s important to register every morning. However actually, give me a heat, cozy home each single time. It’s just like the distinction between tenting and glamping, and I positively know which one I want.
I awakened on race day at 5am. It was nonetheless darkish exterior and I felt like how you’re feeling once you get up early and go to the airport. You recognize, just a little bit sicky and stuffed with anticipation. However in fact, I wasn’t flying someplace sizzling and tropical in the present day, no I had 26 miles looming forward of me. It was time to get this shit executed!
Fortunately I’d managed to have a good night time’s sleep, which was a minor miracle as regardless of sleeping like a log in my very own mattress I do have earlier on the subject of not sleeping nicely in unusual beds earlier than huge occasions, and never gonna lie, it was a priority. I did get up at 3.18am with bizarre nervousness desires about getting stains on my marriage ceremony gown, being late for the race, and my canine being eaten by piranhas, you realize the same old kinda stuff, however I used to be in a position to get again to sleep till my 5am get up.
I compelled some porridge and a decaf espresso down, which I actually didn’t need, however knew it was essential to get some gasoline in me. I had 1,000,000 wees and poos, packed my equipment, double checked my equipment, had one other wee after which left the home at 6am to go off and get registered. Registration was at St Ives vacation park, and it was there that we picked up our bib quantity, GPS tracker, listened to the briefing concerning the day, and obvs squeezed out one other wee. As soon as all that was executed, it was again into the automotive for about an hour’s drive to the place to begin, Trevose Head lighthouse.
Now, I’ve not executed one thing like this earlier than, however I’ve executed a few half marathons and the Nice South Run, so I’m not a whole and utter virgin on the subject of working occasions. I used to be anticipating a marquee, a begin line on the very least, perhaps a whistle or a gun shot, one thing, something to indicate it had began. However there was nothing, it was actually flip up and go. And that’s kinda the factor with the Atlantic Coast Problem, it’s a problem, not a race. It’s not about what time you do it in, it’s nearly doing it.
So off we go. The solar’s out, there’s no wind, it’s a excellent day for working. However my head is enjoying tips with me. I’m a little bit of a one for this. I attempt to have phrases with myself, to be my very own cheerleader, to close that chimp again in its field, however it will get me each time. I’m an over thinker, a catastrophiser, a ‘what if’ woman and all I might concentrate on was the enormity of the entire race. Not simply that day, or attending to that first checkpoint, no I used to be dwelling on the complete 3 days price of race and the way far-off the end line was. And it was doing my head in. I couldn’t get my respiration proper, I felt sick, my pacing was all out of whack and all I might assume was if I felt like this now, within the first 6 miles, how on earth was I going to handle a trillion million extra!?!
However I plodded on, as a result of even one step ahead is a step forwards. I believe what didn’t assist was that I partly knew the terrain. We’d stayed in Mawgan Porth a couple of years again on a vacation household and so I knew what was arising, and even that felt like such a great distance off, not to mention Lands Finish. Nevertheless, as soon as I’d acquired by way of Mawgan Porth, my mindset began shifting and I started to really feel happier. Instantly I might loosen up into the run a bit extra. By strolling the hills and working the flats I discovered a tempo that labored for me. The surroundings was gorgeous, a great deal of beachy coves, cute little bays and the individuals had been all actually pleasant. There was no competitors between different runners, everybody would say one thing as they handed or run with you for a bit and have a chat, and the general public would cheers us on and assist level us in the precise route if we regarded a bit misplaced.
Day 1 ended on presumably the longest seashore in the complete world. We acquired just a little misplaced within the sand dunes for some time however managed to get again on observe and trekked throughout the seashore, the end flag simply in sight within the distance. The reward on the finish was a scrumptious cup of do-it-yourself lentil and tomato soup, which I wasn’t positive if I’d be capable of handle, however as quickly as that first sip hit my tummy it was like being given some form of life giving elixir mixed with an infinite cuddle, precisely what was wanted after my very first marathon.
Day 1 Rundown
- Begin – Constantine Bay
- Checkpoint 1 – Mawgan Porth
- Checkpoint 2 – Porth
- Checkpoint 3 – Crantock Seashore
- End – Perranporth
Day 2 Chapel Porth – St Ives Vacation Park (26.2 miles)
I awakened feeling rather more optimistic about issues on day 2. I knew what to anticipate now. There was barely much less of the unknown. And positive I used to be aching, and drained, and nonetheless just a little bit apprehensive about whether or not I might do that, however I knew I’d give it my finest, and that my finest was completely ok.
One other early begin, though we did have the posh of an additional half an hour in mattress as in the present day’s start line wasn’t as far-off as yesterdays, so we might begin just a little later. But once more I’d slept brilliantly, partly because of me taking some Kalms tablets earlier than mattress, but in addition as a result of I used to be so flippin’ knackered!
It was a beautiful brilliant and sunny day, but in addition very windy, I misplaced depend of the variety of instances I needed to seize maintain of my cap to cease it from blowing away. I believed I’d provide you with a genius concept of attaching it to my hair with hair clips, however after I wanted to shed a layer as a result of I used to be sizzling, it ended up being a proper previous faff as my prime wouldn’t go over my head with the hat on. Within the kerfuffle, I managed to one way or the other lose my buff. Now, in case you’re a runner you’ll understand how helpful a buff is. It retains your neck heat, you need to use it to wipe sweat away, it doubles up as a tissue (hey, don’t decide me, wiping your nostril on a buff is means nicer than clearing your nostril by doing that hideous snot rocket factor that I noticed lots of people doing that day!) Anyway, I realised when my nostril began working that I’d misplaced it, however there was no means I used to be going again to search for it, as a result of umm whats up I’m not including on miles to an already milesy run. Effectively, how stunned was I when fairly a couple of extra miles in, my pal noticed my buff draped over some railings. Some pretty particular person had clearly noticed it, picked it up, run with it, overtaken me, after which left it there. It was a small factor, however it made me smile.
Let’s speak checkpoints. Votwo be certain every checkpoint is very well stocked. It’s a like a veritable buffet. Snacks included: jelly beans, mini cheddars, flapjacks, chocolate bars, peanuts, bananas, crisps, sandwiches, and there was additionally water, squash, cola, plus I believe some even provided sizzling drinks. So, there was lots of selection. Greater than sufficient selection. My physique had different concepts although. I believed mini cheddars can be my go to snack. I’d educated with them and so they’d labored brilliantly. It’s good to have one thing savoury in amongst all of the candy stuff. However after I tried consuming them on this run, my mouth was having none of it. They felt just like the driest factor to ever enter my mouth, and as I attempted to chew after which swallow, it was as if my mouth had forgotten tips on how to work. Jelly beans… identical. Flapjacks… additionally the identical. And don’t get me began on the jam sandwich. I believed it might be good, to get one thing a bit bulkier in me, however think about a two day previous sandwich that’s been left to fester in a child’s college lunchbox and that’ll provide you with some concept as to what that sandwich tasted like. It was grim. Via strategy of elimination, I labored out that essentially the most palatable objects had been bananas and twixes, so I caught to these and that was just about my ‘lunch’ for 2 days. I wished to eat extra, however my abdomen was simply having none of it, and it was an effort to even drive the bananas and twixes down. I did be certain I drank a lot although and had electrolytes in my bottles, which gave the impression to be sufficient for me (I’m happy to report that put up race my urge for food has come again with a vengeance and is unquestionably making up for any misplaced energy!).
The spotlight of the day was seeing seals at Godrevy. It was an actual decide me up second, one thing very a lot wanted after the three bitches (3 vertical ascents with steps as huge as your waist, one after the opposite, completely relentless). There was yet one more lengthy seashore in the present day. I take again what I mentioned about yesterday’s seashore, THIS was the longest seashore on the planet… or at the very least it felt prefer it. And this one got here with the double whammy of not solely stretching for 4km, but in addition ran alongside the end line. OK what’s unsuitable with that, I hear you pondering. Effectively, I’ll let you know what’s unsuitable with that. Sure, the end line was proper there over these sand dunes, however there was a sneaky additional checkpoint thrown in to be sure you didn’t cheat. And that checkpoint went previous the end level, down the remaining stretch of seashore, out into an industrial property, spherical a housing property after which again into the caravan park from the primary entrance. Bodily powerful. Mentally brutal. We staggered up what felt just like the longest driveway to get to the day 2 end level and was greeted with a cup of pea and mint soup. Two days executed. One to go.
Day 2 Rundown
- Begin – Perranporth
- Checkpoint 1 – Chapel Porth
- Checkpoint 2 – Portreath
- Checkpoint 3 – Godrevy
- Checkpoint 3a – Hayle
- End – St Ives Vacation park
Day 3 Lelant – Lands Finish (28.5 miles)
Day 3. The ultimate slog. This was the lengthy one. It was all constructing as much as this. Not solely did we now have two marathon’s price of tiredness in our legs we additionally needed to take care of our longest run to date. And it was raining. To be trustworthy, we’d acquired off flippantly to date with the climate, however this was going to make it additional powerful in the present day. And boy was it powerful. My legs had been drained, my ft ached, and my toenails had been shot to items. I’d taken off my socks the day before today and was satisfied my toenails had been going to peel of with them they felt that damaged. Fortunately they didn’t, however the jury’s nonetheless out as as to if they are going to all survive or not.
We began good and early and thank god we did, as a result of in the present day was brutal. The rain in a single day had made the course just about unrunnable. It additionally turned out that there have been lower off instances. One thing which I had been fully oblivious of, as a result of they had been such beneficiant lower offs, that it was by no means going to be an issue. However in the present day it was. The in a single day rain had made the bottom dangerously slippery. Like actually mud snowboarding with strolling poles. There have been additionally huge boulder fields we needed to clamber over, which at factors concerned sitting down on my arse and sliding down them they had been that huge. To prime it off, the primary checkpoint was 16-17k away (all different checkpoints had been spaced out about 10k in between). This was soul destroying, fully and completely soul destroying.
To offer some perspective about how powerful day 3 was, there have been a bunch of older guys, one among whom had executed this race 15 instances (15!!!), who mentioned in all these 15 he had by no means seen the situations as unhealthy because it was this time. It took us 6 hrs to get to checkpoint 2. 6 bloody hours. That’s not far off how lengthy it had taken us to do the entire of the opposite days. Plus one thing else we realized the next day after we checked again on the outcomes, was that out of the 311 individuals who signed as much as day 3, 164 didn’t end. That’s how powerful it was!
We made checkpoint 2 with simply 20 minutes to spare till lower off. That actually put the strain on. It was by far the most effective checkpoint – actually simply on a rock in the midst of nowhere. Bananas and twixes have by no means tasted so good. Snacks consumed, drinks drunk, it was time to attempt to ramp up the tempo. There was no means I used to be going to let a time lower off be the explanation I didn’t get to complete this. It was head down, battle on by way of the rain. This wasn’t a day for taking images, this was a day for getting by way of it. Tin mines, rocky outcrops, waterfalls, the panorama was completely gorgeous, however in my thoughts I used to be feeling the strain to get to checkpoint 3. And so they had been going to be strict about this, as that remaining stretch was too harmful to do within the falling gentle.
We made checkpoint 3 by the pores and skin of our enamel. However we’d made it, we had been allowed to proceed. So, on we plodded.
Recognizing Lands Ends is each a blessing and a curse. You’re relieved as a result of it’s lastly there, however it’s nonetheless so far-off and you may see what number of hills and coves it’s important to get round first earlier than you’re even near the elusive end line. Not gonna lie, it was a whole and utter headfuck.
I managed to run the previous couple of hundred metres to the end line, a sudden burst of power and such intense reduction that this was over. I used to be completely executed in. Every little thing damage and I regarded and felt like I had aged about 30 years. My trainers had been hanging on by a thread and so they smelt as if one thing had crawled in and died in them. I used to be handed my medal and a Cornish pasty. I’d executed it. Me, Bex Stafferton, just a few common mum from Hampshire, who’d had a little bit of a fuck it second in January and signed as much as this epic problem. Me who bloody hates the hoo har of occasions, not that fussed by medals, loves the couch. Yep me. I’d solely gone and bloody executed it!
Day 3 Rundown
- Begin – Lelant
- Checkpoint 1 – Zennor
- Checkpoint 2 – Brandys (rock outcrop)
- Checkpoint 3 – Cape Cornwall
- End – Lands Finish
Put up Race Ponderings
Once I crossed that end line, I swore to myself that I’d by no means ever do one thing like this once more. This was arms down the hardest factor I’ve ever needed to do. It had damaged me. I’d select to provide delivery ten instances over reasonably than undergo that once more. And but as I sit right here typing this put up, every week on, nonetheless a bit achy and my blackened toenails hanging on by mere threads, I’m questioning what my subsequent problem could possibly be. As a result of it’s addictive this working lark. It’s a bloody miracle I’m even working in any respect to be trustworthy. I hated working and going for walks as a toddler in order an grownup I had myself marked as somebody who simply couldn’t run. Becoming a member of the runnyhoneys, my native working group, modified that. I ran my first 5k with them and the remainder, nicely the remainder is historical past. I’m now a marathon runner, an extremely runner, and I’ve simply certified as a run chief. I believe it’s protected to say that I’m certainly a runner.
And what concerning the sciatica? Effectively, seems I needn’t have fearful an excessive amount of about that. My again didn’t hassle me one iota whereas I used to be down in Cornwall. So, in case you’re in search of a treatment for sciatica, I’d advocate working 80 miles! I believe what really occurred, is that my physique damage a lot all over the place else, that it made me overlook all about my again and the sciatic ache. It was the least of my worries.
So, what now? Effectively, after I’ve executed a number of sitting and plenty of consuming, maybe I could possibly be satisfied to enroll to one thing else. I imply, now I’ve executed this epic problem, I kinda really feel like I might actually tackle the world. If I can do one thing this powerful and get by way of it, even when every thing inside me is screaming to surrender, I don’t assume there’s something I couldn’t do. However perhaps I’ll simply do a bit extra of that sitting and consuming first!
Writer Bio
Becky Stafferton is a full-time content material creator, internet writer, and running a blog coach. She regularly strives to advertise a practical, sustainable and optimistic picture of tips on how to lead a wholesome life. When she’s not writing she might be discovered working by way of muddy puddles, making lists of lists, having a great previous moan, speaking in humorous voices to her canine, renovating her home within the nation, and educating others tips on how to generate profits from their blogs.
