My wife Melissa and I recently celebrated our silver wedding anniversary. In June 25 years ago, I also ran the first of my three marathons, Le Marathon de la Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel. So, it would be fair to say, Melissa has not only has not only been a loving wife and best friend, but she has also supported me through the many hours of training and endured the highs and lows of my running journey over the last 25 years.
Looking back at that first marathon
Around 5,000 competitors made the start line that morning in Concale, Brittany, and, milling around at the start, I was so nervous. 2001 was pretty much pre-internet, I had self-coached and my training plan was rudimentary: run as far as I could along the River Villaine towpath from Rennes towards Redon each Sunday morning, then turn around. And try and go that bit further each week. During the week I travelled a lot and midweek runs were unstructured and rather ad hoc.
The weather had been good all week – dry yet not too hot – and the morning of the race there was a nice sprinkling of cloud. So, I decided not to put on sunscreen, as I hate it running into my eyes during an event – which obviously was a foolish mistake. As we ran along the coast from Cancale towards the finish on Le Mont St Michel, it became baking hot, reaching 35oC. Having hit the wall around mile 18, I persevered and finished in 4:21: my fastest marathon to date.
The rest is history
And there began my distance running journey. The following year I took part again, aiming for a sub-4, but my training lacked the rigour of the previous year and I struggled over the line at 5:34. It was in France that I became aware of the Marathon de Sables. Every year, Canal+ had an early evening live report of each day’s events. We moved back to the UK at the end of 2002 but the MdS had grabbed my imagination.
With a young family and working away most weeks, my training was inconsistent, with low or no mileage some weeks, then sporadic 30-plus-mile weeks. I would have described myself as a casual runner until 2008 when I took the leap and signed up for the MdS. Back then, there was a three-year waiting list, but it was worth the wait. April 2011’s MdS was amazing. And it was there that I completed my third and last marathon: the day five stage.
Building my ultra skills
I started entering some ultra distance events, mostly organised by Rory Coleman or XNRG. Back then, ultrarunning was very much a niche sport with few events to choose from. The sport has grown alongside the internet, and now training plans and excellent logistical and nutritional advice are easily accessible.
Rory provided me with some terrific guidance, with a training plan which included strength training and help with the kit required to complete an ultra. During XNRG events, elite ultrarunners were invited to share their own experiences. I learned so much from talking to other runners, who provided endless new knowledge and inspiration. And my training benefitted from new structure and purpose. Since then, I’ve tackled quite a few 50-milers, XNRG multiday events, a couple of 100-milers, and the Ring of Fire in 2015.
But life isn’t all mountain ranges and ultra highs
Fast forward to June 2020 when I had a seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy. Then in July 2020, I contracted Lyme’s disease. Through it all, running provided a terrific focus and helped me keep moving forward through these tricky episodes. Our running journeys are akin to marriage and long-term relationships. Plans go array, occasionally the wheels come off, but commitment, resilience and focus help us to stay on track.
Since then, I’ve completed another 50-miler and a failed attempt at the infamous Dragon’s Back, although I did manage a Hatchling finish (that’s half the distance and elevation).
Looking ahead
A few weeks ago, I started a new full-time job, and the challenge now is maintaining my fitness without the time, luxury and freedom of being self-employed. I decided to initially reduce my runs from four to three each week and weight sessions from two to one. It felt not ideal, but interestingly my form has improved. Going forward I will be mindful of the need for quality recovery as I start to increase my weekly training load.
This November, I will participate in my first event in two years – the stunning coastal Gower ultra, with 34 miles and 3,800ft of ascent. I am really looking forward to the event, the buzz of being around like-minded folk and, hopefully, this will build to bigger things.
Wherever you are in your running journey, take care and enjoy!
– Andy
Life is a Sine Curve 