This has to be the first 'multi-part' run I've logged! I came back to this years MK24 as I really enjoyed it last year (despite the crazy hot conditions) and wanted to give it a good shot this year. Lorna and the girls were up for the camping too as this event has a really nice summer festival feel to it with plenty going on.
I hadn't done a huge amount of training since the Ridgeway 40 (It's been a very busy few weeks), so I'd be relying on the fitness I'd built up since January. I was also a little curious about whether the temperature would be bearable this time, and if I'd be able to manage to run a 100km, which was the target I set last year.
Leading up to the event the weather was warming up with a heatwave on the way, but fortunately the Saturday was a much more pleasant 23°C. We had a busy weekend lined up - the kids had a school fete most of Saturday so Lorna dropped me at the race HQ (just a 10 minute drive away) to set up the tents, grab my event t-shirt (which I wore) and get ready for the run at 12pm.
As always, this event takes place on a nice 6.55 mile loop around some of the greener parts of Milton Keynes, the Open University campus and Caldecott Lake, with the HQ at the youth action campus. This year we were running the route in reverse. The first couple of laps were warm, sunny and very humid but fortunately the rest of the day became more overcast and slightly cooler. Compared to last year it was much more comfortable.
12:00 - 6pm, First 50km
The first few laps came very easily, if a bit warm and sweaty. I was filling both my water flasks every lap and being careful to take a zero tablet every couple of laps. The HQ was fully equipped with fruit, cake, water and cordials and flapjacks which I really appreciated!
Lorna and the girls were finished with the school fete and arrived at the HQ around 6PM, and by then I'd logged 5 laps, which is about 50km. This is the full distance I managed last year, and I was still feeling quite good! Lorna had the tent set up with the beds and chairs and was queueing for a pizza while the girls were enjoying rolling down a giant hill at the campsite.
I stopped to get a little rest and paused my Garmin watch, intending to resume after half an hour or so. We had some pizza from the van (it was really good) and enjoyed the atmosphere of the event. I then noticed my watch had decided to end my activity (I was grateful that it was saved!), so I'd be starting a new session for the next leg of the journey.
7pm - 11pm, Half marathon
When I set out for the next few laps I noticed there were quite a few runners out at this time, possibly waiting for the temperature to get more manageable.
I was starting to question whether I'd be fit enough to complete the full 100km. I worked out I'd need to run 10 laps in total, so I was only half way. My legs were getting very stiff and heavy by this point too. There was still plenty of time for me to just keep going but I didn't want to make this an ordeal. Either I wasn't quite fit enough or the weather was too warm, but I didn't think I'd enjoy pushing through.
I decided to instead aim for 8 laps, which is the "Double Marathon", and would get me the full 4 distance pins for my medal (you get pins for Half marathon, Full marathon, Ultra and Double marathon). I gave myself the option of trying to do the last three laps on Saturday evening, or use Sunday morning to make up the rest.
I felt my laps getting slower by now, mainly walk-running, but still kind of enjoying myself despite going for almost 10 hours by now!
The evening crept in and with it a pretty incredible sunset during lap 6. I picked up my headlamp for the 7th lap, which I decided would be the last one for the night.
Sunday morning, last lap
After a shower and a (pretty bad) sleep I would like to say I woke up refreshed but was feeling a bit groggy and stiff for the last lap.
Not much to report on here, I had done the route so many times by now I could almost do it blindfolded. It was a very easy plod around with a lot of familiar faces I hadn't seen since the previous day’s first lap.
I was quite sure I was done by the time I came back to HQ, and pretty pleased that I’d managed 52 miles over the weekend, almost non stop. This was the longest run I’ve done since 2018 and it’s great to know I can still finish runs like this.
I didn’t quite manage my 100km target, but it’s near enough and with some training I know I could do it. Just need to keep the training up!
