Chris runs ultras

The SVP100 is a 103 kilometer trail running race that follows the majority of the Stour Valley Path in Suffolk, in the east of England. It is an undulating course, with approximately 1000 meters of elevation gain and is comprised of about 90% trail.

Some saliant points:

• I completed this, my first ever 100k, race in about 15 hours and 20 minutes.
• I drank at least 2 letres of fluid between aid stations. There were six aid stations so about 12 letres.
• The temperature got up to 37 degrees.
• I didn’t lose any weight.
• I rolled my left ankle at 5km, and could barely walk on it for 1km, paracetamol helped.

The heat was surprisingly bareable. I knew quite early on it would not be the reason for a dnf.

All the aid stations had lots of ice and water buckets, there were also a few opportunities between aid stations for dunking my hat and buff in rivers. I kept very wet.

I had no issues with nutrition, I did not feel sick at all. But I could only manage a few solids. A small piece of Flapjack for example. I did eat lots of water melon though. Then it was all High5 gels and powders. I did have Tail Wind from check point one, but it didn’t sit well so changed to High5 powder which was much better, but a citrus flavour, which wasn’t nice.

My pace was strong at around 6:15/km for most of the race until around 80k where I bonked hard. After this I had to run walk for about 15k, then I walked a few kilometres, before finally shuffling in the final 103k. I don’t think there was much more I could have done to prevent the bonk, as my nutrition intake was good. Right now I’ll chalk it up to some nutrition deficit, the miles covered and the heat, but I’m really happy my body lasted that long in those conditions.

I had a change of clothes available at 68k. I didn’t change anything here as I felt so good, but in retrospect I think I should have changed my shorts. All the salt and water caused some chafing that no amount of Vasoline seemed to prevent.

I met alot of interesting people, many of them with some serious pedigree, one in particular had run Badwater twice. Alot of them really struggling.

Two days removed now, and the only remaining issues are my rolled left ankle is a bit purple and oddly both feet have swollen up.

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/7638334666

Event site: https://www.svp100.co.uk