Just finishing was an achievement, regardless of pace. So much of the course was unrunnable! I remember telling Sheila as we hit the worst of the storm that we just needed to survive and keep moving. A few hours later you forget the discomfort and even begin to have fond memories of a crazy day but, yes, it was tough out there and hypothermia was certainly a possibility.

@@chrisarnell1 i changed into warm clothes, ate some chips in a warm car, drove an hour home, had a shower and I was still cold. 🥶 I lost my sense of humour on the stretch just before the river, where the trail was cambered! And I do remember not exactly laughing to get under that one fallen tree on my hands and knees. Big Mud next 😅

@@ianl4518 I remember crawling under the tree and also being barely able to walk, let alone run, along that muddy bank. I've run longer distances but never suffered as much as I did on this one! Good luck at Big Mud - I'm going to sunny Malta for their road marathon instead!

@@jimmyelenis8387 we missed you! Come back soon and come back strong!

Awesome! Yes I remember her from the run. She did so well. Thanks for commenting. Love your channel, by the way!

@@KJRuns Thank you! Yes I have a soft spot for RTTS. It’s a lovely event.

@@adambeach444 I think it’s one of the loveliest sections of the SDW. If you’re planning to finish at the running track it’s definitely worth knowing about the last couple of miles. When I did the race in June it definitely helped not having to think about navigation and knowing what was around the corner! Good luck!

@@stevewooldridge2403 I’m going as well! See you there!

i posted that before ela came in later. brrrrrrr !

You too, Tom!

@@outinthesun not this year. It’s actually taking place today. Lots of friends are doing it. Clarendon Marathon tomorrow instead.

@@chrisarnell1 It literally popped up on my alerts it was on. Another perfect day for the event weather wise I've not heard of the Clarendon marathon.

Thank you, yes it was really enjoyable. Makes the dreaded “long ride” so much more interesting!

@@fanicahriscu1769 Thank you! I am just learning the basics. 😁

No problem, you are welcome!!

@@eddymercer6025 hi Eddy! Longest run was probably about 21 miles. I basically used a marathon training plan. I actually may have done the full course as a recce run once before the event but typically 20 miles would be my longest run in training. Quite a few back to back long runs do help though.

@@chrisarnell1hero! Thank you for taking the time to write that Chris, hope you’re good? U doing it this year?

@@eddymercer6025 Haven't decided whether to do it again this year! Signed up for a 110 mile bike ride on Dartmoor the week before so I'm cycling more than running at the moment. I do have a soft spot for this race and it's so close to home so, yes, I might well enter nearer the time. Good luck Eddy and maybe I'll see you there?

@@chrisarnell1nice! Hopefully bump into you fella

@@conradburdekin722 thank you so much! 430 of us started and there are 430 unique stories to be told. I’m so pleased you enjoyed mine. My furthest was 100k and I had all the same doubts but I enjoyed the training and the race so much that it was definitely worth the effort. I’m not sure I’ll try another but the SDW100 was spectacular and one of the best days of my life. If I can do this, almost anyone can!

@@chrisarnell1 thank you for your quick reply 👍

@@chrisarnell1I did sign up. Then ran Thames path 100k and decided that 100 miles was a step too far for 2025. So I’ll see about doing it in maybe another couple of years.

@@conradburdekin722 You’re the best judge of your mind and body and you’ll know when you’re ready to tackle 100 miles. One thing I’ve learned is that it doesn’t keep getting worse and I felt better at 100 miles than I felt at 100k. I’m going even longer in 2025 but that’s another story and hopefully another vlog! Thanks for your support and for sharing your story with us!

@@chrisarnell1 I look forward to watching that!!!

@@jamstaa69 we encounter the words “never” and “never again “ quite often! You might regret not trying 100 miles. I’m so pleased I tried it. I was 60 2 weeks before the event and the 12th oldest finisher so it’s probably good that I didn’t wait too much longer!

Good luck Paul. You won't regret it! Stay fit and well and enjoy every moment.

Thank you very much!

Thanks so much Ray. Everyone who made it to the start has their own story to tell. I'm so pleased you enjoyed mine.