If I ever needed reminding just how gruelling a Bob Graham Round can be, both on mind and body, I got it this weekend. I ran with friend and winter supporting stalwart Clive King on his BGR attempt on Friday night/Saturday morning as far as Wasdale, when Clive decided enough was enough. He was probably about 1:20 down but moving ok and I thought it was salvagable. But I wasn't in Clive's head and so what I thought was irrelevant. He was big enough to know that the game was up for him, and to say so.
I'm not going to enter into a post-mortem into what happened, that's for Clive to do in the fullness of time, and if he wants my advice he'll ask for it. But I will say that every BGR you support teaches, and re-teaches you things. The need to be comfortable mentally as well as phyisically with what's you're doing and how you're doing it is something I will take a close look at. Up till now, the emphasis has been on getting the training in. Also, although it isn't winter yet, Clive's September attempt brought home the difficulties of a long night and the cold (it was below freezing on the tops, and with a strong wind).
What's good to report is that I felt good right from Threlkeld to Wasdale, which is about 32 miles and involves 11,500 feet of ascent and descent. I was comfortable thorughout and felt well at the end. If Clive had have asked me to do leg four with him, I'd have been able and willing to carry on. That's a good sign.
I made a decision last weekend to do no training during the week and to eat plenty on Friday so I could be ready for Clive. Rocking up and doing one leg is ok but supporting for two legs is much harder than simply just running two legs on your own. You're feeding and watering the contender and so you're eating and drinking less yourself. And the stakes are higher too - i was not going to let tiredness let Clive down like it did on another round I supported in May when I was supposed to navigate a second leg after doing a good job on the first but was sore from an ankle twist and also scared that I would slow the round down fatally because i was too tired. That was not a good moment and i didn't wish to repeat it, and so respected the request to do two legs much more this time.
I felt very strong and capable. Apart from a small 400 metre diversion on confusing ground in the dark between Calf Crag and Sergeant Man, i was with-it enough to navigate both legs well and also to keep Clive fed and watered. It was a good test and I passed.
This weekend saw a 30 mile plus trip out after one last weekend too. If i can string these sort of days together each week between now and the end of November, I'll be a very happy man and more than ready for a winter round.
Clive, I look forward to seeing you there ;-)
The monday after the morning after some things become very clear
ReplyDelete1. A round seeks out the weak bits inside your head and exploits them
2. When you head goes, your legs soon follow
3. When I do it again, I want the same 2 pacers again on leg 2. They were the best. Having to deal with a neurotic and irrational Clive in the cold, wind and dark was above and far beyond the call of duty. That I got out of the chair at Dummail is a testament to all those involved, but Mark in particular.
I am having a rest, going for a much improved time on the Cardington Cracker in December and most importantly being a Winter BGR slave before consider the what, when, etc of a possible future attempt.