Last weekend saw Caesars Camp race set out. My race report from last year describes the route etc
http://www.jokilkenny.com/index.php?start=24
My glutes have taken a long time to heal and was still limping a bit the day before the race and when I woke up that morning I was in two minds whether to even start the race.
As it is a relatively local race, only takes 40minutes for me to get there, I decided to go along and decide on route what I would do. I informed Henk at the start that the likelihood would be that I would not complete it but would see how the first lap went and possibly do 50, though that wasn't seeming too likely. To be honest I wasn't even sure if the glutes would hold up for a lap but figured I could at least walk 10miles if it came to it. Since Eagle Isle I haven't run more than about 13miles non stop so I knew 100 or even 50 could potentially be a very stupid thing to do.
With www.indoultra.co.uk coming up next week I had to be careful not to allow myself to get back into the state I was in after Eagle Isle. I basically have not had a day without some form of pain since then, it has eased a lot but it has taken a lot of patience and restraint on my part (no big runs, mainly swimming and cycling) and a number of painful physio sessions from Toby and Roberto.
During the first lap I knew the 100 was out of the question, Gaynor Prior passed me after a while (she smashed my record - fantastic result) and commented on the fact that I was limping. I hadn't actually realised I was, I must have gotten used to it I suppose.
Once I got to the end of the 1st lap I told Claire Shelley (another runner, she was helping out after a great performance at Hardmoors) I would not be doing the 100. I was still hopeful that I could do the 50 albeit in a slow time.
My glutes were aching a bit but no cause for concern, once running and warmed up they seemed ok. I had decided that as long as they stayed like that I would take it easy over the 50mile course. If, however, I got any sharp pains I had already decided I would pull out.
Halfway round the 2nd lap I got a sharp pain so the decision was made. I finished the lap as a run/walk and it was obvious to the crew that I would not be carrying on. Henk's comment about me being lazy by pulling out was actually followed by him saying he knew that was going to happen............guess the limping was a little more pronounced than I had thought. I stayed for a few hours after cheering people on - and drinking Henk's beer, he did offer after all!
Well done to everyone who started/finished. Especially to Gaynor and Richie Cunningham - the Fonz's mate also smashed the course record.
Though I was a bit disappointed about pulling out I was still glad to have done a 20mile run (nice and hilly) and not to have done any damage. Having won it last year I know I don't have anything to prove in this race but I have to at least go back and attempt to regain my record.....something to aim for.
Only a week til Indonesia and Roberto has told me I am allowed to run it. I am not allowed to run until then, only swimming and cycling, so I will be raring to go once I get to the start line.
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