Phillip Howells reports on his latest ultra adventure....
"Ran the Draycote 35 miles ultra road marathon today, a pretty tough event of 7 and a bit laps around the Draycote Water reservoir near Rugby. Quite exposed (very in parts) and although you would think it is flat, it has a number of rolling short hills that do begin to tell at the end. Weather was relatively mild, but wet (steady light rain) and fairly windy so pretty chilly nevertheless, but contrasting to last year with sub--zero temperatures and a biting strong wind. Have been running pretty strong recently so decided to be reasonably ambitous, so when you see the result and yet I tell you that I was a bit disappointed to fade in the last few miles and lose 3 places (one to Sharon - is it Gayter or Goater? - who is one of our top female international ultra-runners (9 times 24 hour champion I gather) who beat me by a few minutes, so certainly no disgrace), you will no doubt tell me, as you usually do, that I am being hard on myself?
"My overall goal was to beat 5 hours, but also felt I could do a sub 3-30 marathon and a sub 4-15 50K along the way, and if I had a good day, finish in 4-40 or better. Started steady at the necessary 8min mile pace with a small pack including Sharon, but felt really comfortable at 12 miles and as you do, the legs got going a bit so I upped the pace a few seconds a mile. Did go through the marathon in 3-27, only my 4th time under 3-30 so in itself my 4th best ever marathon time, and despite some sharp left knee pains causing me to stop a few times to massage it (fortunately that seemed to cure it and it then went away) between the marathon and 50k points, still went through there at 4-12, a six minute beating of my previous best 50k time when racing that distance. However, now started to fade, but still finished inside my 5 hour target in 4-53-05. I was pretty bushed at the end I can tell you, but a few seconds later was elated to be presented with a quite handsome cup and a bottle of wine for winning the O50 prize! Had been racing with a couple of just-over-60-year olds earlier (being much nearer 60 than 50 myself, unfortunately) so thought the race was between us. I was pleased to beat them pretty convincingly, but had no idea I was also the leading over 50, finishing in 18th spot out of 57 starters. Sorry do not know who won it at the moment - will probably be on the internet tomorrow.
Oh yes, I suppose I should say it is a PB for the event; did 6-07 (although nursing an injury) last year (when Sue and Angie, who did not run this year, won I think it was 2nd and 3rd lady; sure Sue can correct me if I am wrong? - so at least I am keeping up the Tewkesbury prize winning tradition) so a pretty convincing improvement I think you could say?