My longest training ride was very easy – forty three miles along the race course on Sunday a week before the race. I could not feel even one moment of the hard work in my legs any more. Believe me, your body will be grateful to you! The weather was sunny and warm, the park is beautiful, the water station came just in time at around half way, and the course is fairly flat with just a couple of minor slopes. Of course everyone took off across the start line at a cracking pace.
The whole crossing felt protected; later that day, when we were half way across the Channel, Boris commented that it felt like being in a dream. He jumped off the boat into the water (“Oooh, it’s cold!”) and swam to the shore from which his swim must begin. Angikar, freshly greased up to help protect against the cold water, was clearly in the mood for a successful channel swim. But today was about swimming, and soon we arrived in Dover and met a very joyful Angikar, clearly ready for his journey across to France. He was, and it wasn’t long before I found out that he had rowed for Oxford in the Boat Race (3 times—that’s quite special) and won once! Boris had swum the Channel four times already and he was training to be an official observer for the Channel Swimming Association, which means he will have the authority to ratify a successful Channel swim.

• As the party was on Friday afternoon I did not feel like going anywhere.
• Tejvan Pettinger of Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team finished 7th, in a time of 1.06.
• At the post race prize giving, after race winner Fionna Ross, Geoff probably receives the loudest cheers and applause of anybody, and asks to say a few words.
• Probably the current was the reason for my even slower swim in the open water.
• In perspective, only 4 of GB’s outstanding ultra runners of recent years, Emily Gelder, Hilary Walker, Eleanor Robinson and Lizzy Hawker have run further in 24 hours.
• It was an amazing and emotional feeling to be on the track as the final siren sounded and 26 competitors stopped dead on their feet.

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However, I came to realise that although these were difficult experiences, they were not the hardest thing to overcome. Self-transcendence in the ultra-running world took the form of multi-day races which over time would increase in length from 6-day to 10-day, 700 miles to 1000 miles and then 1300 miles. I felt a real sense of achievement because I wasn’t sure whether I would be able to complete it. Of course it did get more and more difficult, but we all pulled together and everyone finished. I had no idea if I would be able to do it or what I would experience.

Training tips

It was an amazing and emotional feeling to be on the track as the final siren sounded and 26 competitors stopped dead on their feet. Not only were we looking at a possible 3rd place finish, but 215 km was a near definite and 220km a distinct possibility. Up to this point it was not about the other runners at all, we monitored and measured their pace and observed their routines purely out of passing interest. Well not completely, but he certainly helped.

Previous races

On the next aid station I wasked for water, they said “it’s water”. I was fascinated with Chris Lieto’s speed – Bryan Rhodes and Jason were far behind him on the bike. Probably the current was the reason for my even slower swim in the open water.

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Ross, and the other runners were no doubt having similar feelings, but relentlessly she, Wykes and Heffron were circling the track, edging closer to that 100mile mark. Here are Geoff’s respective times and distances for 2013 and 2014. The hooter duly sounds and shattered runners come to a standstill, all relieved they can now finally stop. Whereas, most running events are the classic set distance like 800m or a marathon, and completed in a certain variable time, in this case the time is set, and the distance is the variable result.

• Over the cold English winter, Vilas completed several weeks of high mileage.
• It gave me so much joy to see my very slow times gradually improve over the weeks and I will never forget the feeling of absolute euphoria and gratitude when I completed my first 4 mile race.
• The shots above show the run through the streets and some of the faster runners as well as the race start.
• I would need to pedal for five or six more hours in 40 degrees heat without water.
• In this event it involved circling the 400metre track, with each lap of every runner being meticulously recorded.
• The last surprise of the day was the announcement of John’s fourth position and official distance.

Of the 35 athletes who completed the race, 25 of them ran over 100 miles. The icing on the cake was the fourth place finish, I believe that John secretly hoped for a top 10 finish, but was still more interested in getting the distance. Despite the difficulties over the last hour, John still managed to deliver 7.6 km, the last 3laps of which Steve and I walked with him. Or were the experienced runners going to eat him up in the last eight hours when John faded towards the end?

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Hopefully more runners from Sri Chinmoy A.C. Running into the sunlight, and feeling the rays on your face with the light breeze and the smell of the sea reminded me so much of running back in Cornwall. Then I had to remind myself that this was a race and not one of my leisurely runs, and from first gear I stepped up to third gear and quickened my cadence across the somewhat soft sand. I made the short distance to the start on the beach under the pier where those in fancy dress were being judged. As you would expect there were plenty of runners wearing Father Christmas hats.

It certainly wasn’t hard to feel Sankra Casino inspired as this course has to be the most perfect marathon course in the world. What with two infections, an upset back and stress at work, I arrived in New York with a maximum of 7 miles achieved on any single run. Even then I had to be very careful, sticking to short runs a couple of times a week.