Starting Line
First of all, a little bit about me, and how my running journey began. I am a stay-at-home mum and have three young children. After having my third child, my weight ballooned and I felt that I really needed to do something about it as it was affecting my life; I would get exhausted just jumping around the pool with my children and I knew things needed to change.
I had run the Dubai Marathon two years previously to tick a marathon off my bucket list. I didn’t run it in a great time or anything, but I had really enjoyed training for it and enjoyed running it, so my husband suggested that I start running again.
The first time I went out running again, I managed about 600m before I had to stop to take a breath, but I persevered with a mix of running and walking and managed around 2.5km. I continued to go out around three times a week for a while, and then I entered the 2015 Dubai Marathon. I bought a book on marathon running and followed a schedule that was in there in preparation. Then I got a phone call from Ruanda – an old friend. She had heard I was running the Dubai Marathon and she encouraged me to join the Abu Dhabi Striders for a training run. I kept putting it off, thinking I wasn’t good enough or fast enough to join. I finally relented and joined one of theirod enough Yas Island runs as part of my preparation for the Abu Dhabi Striders Half Marathon and, ultimately, the Dubai Marathon. It was great fun, everyone was so friendly and even though I was trailing behind at the back, I was never left on my own.fI actually ended up running the Dubai marathon with a group of the Abu Dhabi Striders and ran an amazing and unexpectedly fast time of 3 hours and 48 minutes. It was then that I decided that it was time to take things to the next level, and I found the courage to sign up with a fantastic on-line running coach, Mile27.
Ready…
Fast forward one year, and running is now a massive part of my life. I have made so many amazing friends, and had so many fantastic experiences, and I have now delved into the dark world of ultra-marathon running; I would never have expected this! I completed my first ultra in the Lake District in the United Kingdom in December 2015, and it was an amazing adventure shared with a couple of my close Strider friends, Kevin and Chris. This brings me to the Wadi Bih Solo 72km last February, my first competitive ultra.
The Wadi Bih Solo 72 km is a wadi run which starts at the Golden Tulip Resort in Dibba, Oman and runs 36km through Wadi Khab Shamsi, climbing over 1,000m. The route then turns around and returns the same way all the way back completing 72km. I entered the Wadi Bih Solo 72 km with many of my Abu Dhabi Striders friends, and had decided that this was going to be the first ultra-marathon race that I would give my complete best to, after my first year of focused training.
A mixture of excitement and nerves had me awake at 2:00 a.m., lying in silence, not wanting to wake my two friends with whom I was sharing the room. One of my room-mates was also running the Solo 72km, and the other had come along to pace me the final 15km. My wakeup alarm went off at 3:45 a.m. and I was relieved to finally be able to get myself sorted and talk to my friends about my worries and excitement about what we were about to undertake. Whilst dressing, my mind was still racing. Should I wear this top? No stick to the original choice. Should I add more energy gels to my pack? Will I regret not wearing trail shoes? Okay, time to leave at last. As we stepped outside, the air was crisp and still and the lights from the pool gave a cool blue glow to the darkness. I could hear the chatter of the other runners in the distance, and I could feel their nervous anticipation.n
Set…
I made my way to the gathering of fellow runners, most with the same look of excitement and nerves on their faces. The Race Director called for our attention and he began to explain the route and where the check points were located. I was trying to concentrate on what he was saying but his words were just a blur as my mind was still racing and my tummy doing somersaults. The Race Director finished his briefing and it was time to make our way to the start line. We all excitedly walked across the sand and then on to the red carpeted starting area, wishing each other luck and making encouraging comments to each other; it was a lovely friendly atmosphere.
Go!
I cane my way to the gathering of fellow runners, most the sound of shuffling feet across the carpet confirmed that the race had started. I was nerves on their faces. The Race Director called for our attention and he began to explain the route and where the check points were located. I was trying to concentrate dim street lights lining the sleepy town of Dibba created a very atmospheric start with no more chatter, just the sound of race packs rubbing, water bottles sloshing and the rhythmic sound of feet hitting the tarmac. As we ran on, the street lighting and the road disappeared, and head torches were turned on, creating lots of little moving spotlights lining the road. As we reached around 5km, I could see the outline of the rocks rising above either side forming the wadi. As we ran on, at around 7:00 a.m., the sun came up behind the mountain and the wadihe sun came up behind the mountain and the g above wow
As I continued, I was constantly worrying if my pace was too fast. Was I just running at this pace to stay with the other runners around me? To ease my anxiety, I popped my earphones in to listen to music and decided to run by feel; to run at a pace that felt comfortable. So, I stuck with this thought and spent the next 25km. I stuck with this thought and spent the six runners, whilst chatting and just having a nice time.
At 30km we hit the steep part of the course. I knew before I hit this leg-burner that there was no way I was going to even attempt to run it. As I approached the bottom, the two lead guys were running down making their way on the return journey, one of whom, Chad, is a friend of mine, so seeing him doing so well spurred me on.yI power-hiked up the hill, arms swinging for momentum, for about 2km. I was making good progress, I felt strong and I was really enjoying the climb. This was when I broke away from the pack that I had run with so far.
As I ran a little further the first female ran towards me and we shouted words of encouragement at each other. She told me that I was the third female; which was ans and we shouted words of encouragement at each other. As I kept running I saw other runners and friends and then the second female was approaching, we smiled at each other and high-fived as we passed. There was a fun little descent to the turnaround checkpoint and I was greeted by the friendly marshals who kindly took my water bottles and refilled them while I took a stone out of my shoe and grabbed some more energy gels.
After the turn around there was a bit of a gradual climb before I reached the summit again. It was pretty much downhill from there, but I tried to keep a level head and not let the amazing beauty of the mountains and the fact that I now had gravity on my side allow me become over-excited because I knew I would start running down too fast, and there was still a long way to go. I just kept repeating my hill from there, but I tried to keep a level head and not let the amazing beauty of the mountains and the fact that I now had gravity on my side allow me become over-excited because I knew I would d and clapped, and seeing familiar faces and my good friends Ruanda and Kevin looking so strong was fantastic, and really kept my feet moving. I really could not believe how strong I felt, even on the uphill undulations my legs felt so powerful and I kept my pace. This part of the race just flew past, I felt I had only been running for a short while, when in fact almost three hours had passed.
As the wadi opened out 14 km from the finish, the shade tried to keep a level head and not let the amazing bea feel a little tired, and I had passed the checkpoint that my friend Helen was meant to be pacing me from. Shea level head and not let the amazing bea feel a little tired, and I had passed Further down the track there was a group of supporters who had a plate full of watermelon. This was just what I needed, it was sweet and juicy and cold…mmm…yum.her down the track there was a group of supporters who had a plate full! By the time I finished eating it (while still running) my pacer Helen was stood by the road side with a look of astonishment and stated “No offence, but I was not expecting you yet!” I had not yet really looked at my watch, as I really wanted to run by feel. I had the time and distance displayed on my watch, but my maths is so terrible, especially while running; I really didn’t know what sort of time I would be predicted to finish in. So, finding out I would be back close to seven hours was another boost which got me through the next 8km. The last 4km was hard and I had to dig deep, using counting techniques and, my saviour, my iPod loaded with Eminem and Iggy Azalea (I am not usually a rap music kind of girl, but there is something about it that keeps the feet moving and the mind distracted). The fear of the fourth female (also a friend, Julia) being on my tail and taking third place from me certainly kept me going. I guess those are the times going. my tail and taking ere is something about it that keeps the feet kilometres was my friend and pacer Helen. She was cooling me with water and encouraging me with supportive words and kind comments. I probably wasn’t the greatest company by this point, but knowing she was there kept me feeling happy and supported.
The last kilometre felt pretty great knowing that I was definitely going to complete this race, and in a very respectable time too, far better than I had expected. When my feet finally touched that red carpet, I was so excited that I even managed a little sprint across the finish line. I was so filled with happiness and excitement to have felt so strong throughout, and that all my hard work, discipline and training had paid off. It took me a total of 7hours 10mins 23seconds, and was placed Third Female, and Seventh overall. I was so overjoyed with the result and I really couldn’t wait to tell my children and husband who are always so supportive and so proud of me.
What an adventure and what a great day out. I cannot wait for my next ultra-marathon race…
Words by: Toni Metcalfe
Photos By: Toni Metcalfe and Wouter Kingma
