Arc of Attrition - Arc50 - DNF

[@Tybilth]

Hi Rob, there is a huge amount of pride in just training and being there at the start line. That alone puts you way ahead of most others. Onward and upward.

[@robsbeenrunning]

Thanks Ian. Onwards indeed, can't dwell, next race in 19 days. Thanks for watching 👍 Rob

[@veronikaholaskova862]

Hey Rob I know is never easy with DNF but look we are more then just runners .this is massive part or training and we learn so much for it.I was there I have done the race and we all have different experiences.I loved every minute of it but yes that’s right it was very hard and I was pretty slow. But I have timed out in valdaran 100 by UTMB .so I feel you but now i am even more determined to go for something else .amazing work well done

[@paulbailey7641]

Good info. Thanks for the honesty All the best for the future

[@robsbeenrunning]

Thanks Paul for taking the time to watch the video. Next years video will be a better watch 🙂 Rob

[@jtggardner]

Well done on the effort, mate, and for sharing your experience. It was indeed a toughie of a route. Regards not drinking and eating enough, what I’ve found to be a game-changer is setting an alert on my watch to “Fuel!!!” every 20 minutes. And I have become religious about following it. Sip of water (or a proper glug!) every 20, with a gel/bite of something every 40. It can feel horrible to get stuff down while out racing, but doing so on the regular is just so vital. And don’t be ashamed of having to spend a chunk of time at rest stops. Like you, I pretty much decided on a DNF on the approach to St. Ives. Spent over 30 minutes there, and managed to turn the mindset around. I always say that unless you’re missing cuts offs etc., take as long as you need. Best of luck for next year!

[@robsbeenrunning]

Thanks Jacob. I did have eat alarms set on my watch but I was seemingly ignoring them while concentrating on my footing. Well done for getting round the course. Onwards and upwards. Thanks for watching. Rob

[@markg99]

You'll get it next time, Rob. Sounds like a crazy tough race.

[@robsbeenrunning]

Thanks Mark

[@andrewwright3676]

We’ll done Rob for the very honest video. You have a better idea of the course now which makes next years race easier. You are now stronger for it. I run on the coastal path most days around St Ives /Pendeen it is very hard on the body and very difficult to run with any sort of rhythm. Take care and come back soon.

[@robsbeenrunning]

Thanks Andrew, it was certainly an eye opener that's for sure. I am looking forward to getting back next year. Thanks for watching 👍 Rob

[@joannaw3101]

Rob, well done for getting to St Ives! The course was tough, the section through Zennor was mental! I was there and I also didn't make it to the end. Like you, I've pinpointed what went wrong and I'm planning to set the record straight next year! The route is stunning though! Good luck with your training!

[@robsbeenrunning]

Hi Joanna, Sorry you didn't make it either, we both have our goals for 2024 now 🙂 It was a beautiful and tough course but defintely achieveable if you train right. I guess that shows how fine the line can be between success and failure in an ultra marathon. Good luck with your training too and see you on the start line next Janurary! Thanks for watching. Rob

[@SciFiScavenger]

Bad luck, so many variables to manage on these things. Recce definitely helpful on that course. Pendeen to St Ives (the worst part by far) and Hayle to the finish (for the dunes and the last few miles). All the best for next year.

[@johnchristopher4954]

Thanks for posting the video Rob. Sorry it didn’t work out but you’ll be stronger for the experience and back to conquer the route next year.

[@robsbeenrunning]

Cheers John, I certainly will be back on 2024. Hope you are well? Thanks for taking the time to watch the video. Rob

[@flintoff2006]

Hi Rob If it's any consolation I nearly done the same myself at St Ives. I also regret not taking on that extra hydration at Pendeen before all the madness of the rocks set in.I just about had enough thankfully. I carried on thereafter and reassuring for you it does get better thereafter.More angels appeared with more frequency and that was great. But Mr if you are down to Cornwall for the week... Naturally cover Cape Cornwall to St Ives...But just as important,cover Godrevy to Porthtowan as there are a few nasty hills riddled with steps around Portreath especially....And this is a section you will do in the dark come what race day. I'm going back for another dose next year and will definitely be taking in extra hydration at Pendeen. Good luck with it all and I may see you next year out and about.

[@flintoff2006]

By the way, there's a pretty lumpy hill right at the very end before the finish line

[@robsbeenrunning]

Thank you mate, and thanks for the advice, I will certainly do that and recce much more of the course. Lessons learned. Thanks for watching the video and maybe I'll see you there next year. 👍

[@StevenTorrington]

Hi Rob. Nice meeting and chatting to you on the bus on the way to start at the Minack theatre. Hard luck this year, but I'm sure you will smash it next year!!

[@robsbeenrunning]

Hi Steven, It was nice chatting to you too, I thought I might see you on the course but it went a bit pear shaped. 🙂 Maybe we will catch up at another race in the future. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video. Thanks Rob

[@checkthefacts.]

I have been in the situation when the fluids and electrolyte are low and the thickened blood in the legs just makes every stride a struggle, made that last mile a real slow fight, and that wasn't anything like the Arc distance or difficulty, you did well and will rebound

[@nickpope567]

Hey Rob, sorry you DNF'd. I was crewed by my wife at Sennen, Cape Cornwall, St Ives, Godrevy and Portreath. I swapped bottles at every crew point, plus I took on extra fluid at each stop and used a few ARC angel points too. I fell just after Zennor, which put me in a bit of a spin mentally. I also used 500ml water to wash my injured hand and as a result was dehydrated by St Ives. Fortunately, I managed to turn it around and finish, but still didn't drink or eat enough after the fall. I passed out about 15 mins after finishing -low BP and out of fuel according to the Omega medics. I think ARC means drinking and eating more than you think you need. Definitely a tough old course! I hope you come back and have greater success.

[@robsbeenrunning]

Hi Nick, It sounds like your ARC journey was quite horrific, so massive kudos to you on making it and glad to hear you recovered well following the dramatic finish. I will be back next year for sure, I have learned my lesson and will not be beaten. Thank you for taking the time to watch the video. 🙏 All the best. Rob

[@nicolacoates8798]

Hi Rob I did same as you didn’t drink or eat enough as concentrating on terrain (and breathing!) managed to finish with an hour to go along with my 2 mates Tracey & Steph we could encourage each other along. Coming from Tenby on Pembs Coast Path were able to train on it but as you say it was really tough going with boulders & valleys & really nothing like our neck of the woods! But do check out the Dunes of Doom as disorientating in the dark & longer than I thought also last 4 miles - 2 very deep gulleys are defo bitches!! All the best for next year - Carlton (Tenby Aces)

[@robsbeenrunning]

Thanks for taking the time to watch the video, it's much appreciated and thank you for the tips. I'll definitely have the beating of it next year. Congratulations on completing it, that is very impressive and you should be proud!! Rob 🙂

[@jonblemings5128]

Unlucky rob. I had a little chat with you around mile 8 about one of your videos. That section is just awful, especially if it's wet. Watch out for the last 3 miles next year, some big climbs👍

[@robsbeenrunning]

Thanks Jon. Nice to chat to you briefly, I think I was suffering then. Next year will be a lot diffent. Thanks for watching mate.

[@nigelb1851]

I also DNFed, in fact I wonder if we were on the bus back together from St Ives? Same issues as you, I based food & water on distance, rather than time. I still made it to St Ives before cut-off, but was thirsty, hungry, cold, and in a deep hole mentally. All good experience for next year. Medics took a look at my knee and advised I quit or likely suffer a long term injury. That was the excuse I needed. I'll be back next year, with poles, and a better nutrition plan. Hope to see you there!

[@robsbeenrunning]

Hi Nigel, Yes we sat next to each other on the bus, I remember you saying about your knee. Hope it has recovered well now? Thanks for watchng and see you next year. 👍

[@nigelb1851]

@@robsbeenrunning I thought it may have been you on the bus, but as you said in your vlog, it's all a blur now. Knee is ok, I guess stopping was the wise move. Physio have given me some exercises & I've started running again, gradually building back up for SDW50 in April. Great vlog, I could have said exactly the same things.

[@seanfuller2152]

Hi Rob, I just started viewing ur channel recently. Was your trip to eastbourne the only hill training you did, or did you do some closer to home. I ask as I'm based in eastbourne and run the downs often and am looking at doing the Arc 50 in the near future. Like you, it's a long drive for training runs. I was thinking of spending a week down there just to run the route. And doing hill training by running up and down the hills my way. But they are smooth surface compared to the trails along the coast path. Would more time on hill work help you, or was it just everything all at once water hills the uneven surface.

[@robsbeenrunning]

Hi Sean, I only got to Eastbourne once as I picked up illness and injury before Xmas, a couple more trips would have definitely helped. The elevation in Eastbourne is similar to that of Cornwall but the trails are not nearly so gnarly. Cornwall is very rocky, so the underfoot conditions are hard on the lower leg, particularly the ankles. There are some steep climbs in Cornwall as well that I never experienced in Eastbourne, so finding some training spots were you can mimic this would be useful, even if it is a large set of steps, taking the steps 2 at a time. This is basically what I learned. Lastly you do have to do some scrambling in Cornwall, there are a few areas with boulders that you need to climb over, that is very hard to mimic but you have to try and be creative. I hope that helps....Thank you for watching and I will see you on the start line of the ARC50 next year! Cheers Rob