When Everything Goes Wrong - 100 Mile DNF; What happened? Ultra Scotland 100

[@WanderFreeWithBarb]

We learn and then we go again. Huge well done!!

[@GTE_Channel]

Anyone standing at the start of a 100miles is a superhero in my opinion. Remember there are no mistakes, only lessons learned.

[@Eddie-Spaghetti]

Oh wow well done Mia we just looked up to see how you got on on the 7 valleys and was very happy to see you’ve finished. Well done very happy for you 😀👍😀

[@miaoldroyd8331]

Thanks so much Eddie 😊

[@adrianharding4769]

Really engaging account; loved the simplicity. Planning, pacing and self-care (including proper eating) are every bit as important as fitness on these long duration events. I felt for you with those blisters; they can make life disproportionately miserable. And getting them so soon 🤕. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@rubenhuber1450]

Great honest review and so much learning. All the best for the next one! Keep it up.

[@miaoldroyd8331]

Thank you Ruben!

[@ColinVesty]

Good luck Mia. We learn and improve mainly from our mistakes. You've clearly analysed Scotland 100 and that is good, so long as remember those lessons - particularly the one about reacting to issues when they arise and not leaving them. I'm doing the 13V but hope we don't meet on the course. If I'm ahead of you by the time you start then I will be ahead of plan and probably crash and burn and I'll say hi when you pass me! Above all, keep your head, stick to the plan if you can but have those counter plans ready. Remember those lessons learnt and use them to your advantage. (A DNF is an opportunity to learn and improve - USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE).

[@miaoldroyd8331]

Thank you Colin. And big good look to you too; the 13V course looks immense!!! I hope you have an incredibly rewarding experience, however that unfolds. Yes.. I hope NOT to see you out there..

[@RaceEngineering]

good luck this weekend! 👊

[@miaoldroyd8331]

Thank you dude 😃❤️

[@mattjuchniewicz2243]

A good and thorough analysis of what went wrong on the day and you already know how to address all these issues... You will smash the next 100! Will it be Ultra Scotland again?

[@miaoldroyd8331]

Thank you Matt, we’ll see! Not next year, no. If I’m honest, I’m not overly excited by the route… but next year time wise isn’t good for me, so maybe the year after, but not sure it’s a route for my interest! - but also, I don’t like unfinished things.. 😂

[@miaoldroyd8331]

Too much forestry for my liking

[@mattjuchniewicz2243]

@miaoldroyd8331 it's a tough, tough course for many reasons. Theee is a long stretch of wooded areas between Moffat and Ettrick but it opens up again after that. Definitely an unfinished business! Hopefully, I'll see you on the start line! Good luck on the 100k! Looking forward to your race video.

[@Tom-mcateer]

Great film Mia..so related to your experience.. the first time I tried to do the race across Scotland I had a very similar experience and outcome.. the southern upland way isn’t that well marked or easy to follow.. my navigation said go straight on at 46 miles near Glentrool and whilst common sense told me not to..I was so overwhelmed and brain mashed I went straight on.. waist deep into a swamp pond .. took half an hour to get out and ended up dnf ing at the next checkpoint.. before I went I had it all sussed out in my head.. but during the difficult challenge it all goes out of the window and I was making terrible decisions the whole time.. think in hindsight lack of experience got the better of me and every time I made a mess of an ultra over the next few years the next one was a bit better.. this is the long learning curve in this sport and you’re already miles ahead and ready for your next one.. foot care and nutrition are a real priority and if you get these right it makes a big difference..good luck next week..🤝👍

[@miaoldroyd8331]

Thanks so much Tom. Wow! I think that must be the exact same point re the 46 mile point, that’s exactly where i had a similar thing I think! Absolutely. The best learning experience, because really it’s not about the end, ever! Thanks Tom. ❤

[@Satyameva123]

You are amazing! I am impressed by your grit. Despite everything you were going through, a smile was still visible in many of the race scenes.. Definitively a lot of lessons learned the hard way. All the best on your next adventure..

[@miaoldroyd8331]

Awh.. so kind. Thank you so much my friend :)

[@Mookiethedog]

Yo Mia...I loved this self reflection....very cathartic I'm sure for you to review your great "learning experience" earlier this year. The Stonehenge Faces I think are the Easter Island Statues?? I'm wondering if you lube up your feet with anything before a long race? I usually slather my feet with "Body Glide" and typically have no issue with blisters. (That said, in my 50km in May when it was high 20's and some creek crossings I got a decent sized blister) For the most part though I come through unscathed. I'll be checking out the 7 Valley race thingee from over here in Canada to hopefully watch your progress....I'm guessing you will have a tracker thingee? I'm running a 42km trail race the following Saturday so I'm hoping you give me some inspiration!! No pressure!! Haha...seriously I hope the weather is decent and you hit it out of the park managing yourself. Happy trails!!!

[@miaoldroyd8331]

Haha, yes! Easter island statues.. that's it 🤣 oops! I have used some Vaseline on my feet in training runs, but never really experimented in else. I do have "butt shield" (not just for your butt) which is probably similar to body guide, so I might give it a go. I think the key for me is keeping my feet dry.. so I'm doing a sort of stupid thing, and wearing brand new never been worn before or tested before Seal Skinz waterproof socks on Saturday.. lol. let's see! The Lake District , here in the Uk, is WET. So wet. I also think toe socks are the cause of the worse pinky toe blisters.. but, only one way to find out! Yes, tracker thingee - if I remember, I'll post when I get the link, I think they create it Friday evening... If I don't see you in the comments somewhere before, enjoy your trail marathon!!! I hope the experience is magical, however it looks!! thank you again good sir!

[@Mookiethedog]

@@miaoldroyd8331 if it makes you feel less stupid I was told by a fairly elite runner before my first ever ultra to go with “new socks and old shoes”. You might be on to something there! Also by old shoes I think she meant not brand new as opposed to “old”. New socks are pretty magic at most time so hoping these water proof ones do the job...and definitely if you’re running through soggy terrain/conditions! Excited for you Ms Mia! 🔥🧘‍♂️

[@simonlloyd7231]

Great to hear you are learning Good luck with the 13 valleys in the lake district ultra is a thing you do not learn overnight i am still learning myself weather condition how you body does in the cold wet heat and looking after your feet as well i am doing the race arcoss scotland next year you can do 100 miles ,

[@lindastrawn3389]

Thanks for sharing such painful lessons with us in the hopes that we can learn from your learning and suffering experiences. i hope you heal completely both physically and emotionally from this run. I know one day you will accomplish the goal you set and we're all cheering for you! I've only been running less than a year and i haven't broken the 2 hour barrier yet but i'm hoping to get enough nerve to try a 3 hour timed 2.2 mile asphalt flat loop run around a lake in late October. It starts at 6pm to 9 pm. i've never run that long in the dark and with a headlamp. You said so many things that my brain is already doing negatively to my psyche and i haven't even signed up for it yet. This just proves how running is so much more mental than we imagine. Thank you again for being my guide through scary thoughts.

[@miaoldroyd8331]

Awh thank you so much Linda. I do feel entirely recovered, and very light about it, which is good. There's been no self-beating with it, just initial feelings of being gutted. I hope for you that you have the courage to sign up for it, that sounds like it'll be beautiful.. night running with a headlamp (in the safety confines of an event, for me personally), for me is the most peaceful experience. I did a 'dark night' marathon in March, really wasn't too keen on it but my friend was doing it so I joined.. and I loved it. The peace radiates in the air and you, or at least I, entered such a beautiful flow. There's something about not being able to see much that you just rest entirely inward. You're amazing - and I have full trust that you have the capability to do it! Let me know how it goes, if you do!

[@FilmMyRun]

It was certainly a big learning day for you. Lots of things you identified which you will improve upon next time. Having a crew a pacer who are totally on it is really important. Keeping you moving. Preventing you faffing at aid stations. Predicting what you need and knowing cut off times and distances between checkpoints. But you also need to know all that stuff too. So it's also about self discipline and motivation to get to the end. Your feet definitely should not have been trashed with only a marathon done. Try either Drymax or Injinji socks. Try some shoes with a wider toe box and deeper cushioning. Hokas would be my recommendation. Speedgoats perhaps. Lots of other things you know you need to do for next time. I'm sure you are strong enough and motivated enough. You just need to learn to minimise potential issues and be able to deal with other issues when they arise and be confident you can get through and out the other side. If you feel like you'd benefit from picking my brains I'd be happy to chat anytime.

[@miaoldroyd8331]

Thank you. Absolutely. I have been using Injinji toe socks for a long time. I think it was primarily the heat - causing swelling + extra sweat. As well as my shoes not being fit for the terrain. The ones I have are super cushioned, I’m not a fan of hoka’s. The toe box is pretty good for the shape of my feet, although wider would be better, but yet to find a wide toe box with a 8mm heel to toe drop. Thank you so much. Appreciate all your words. We’ll see how it goes!

[@georgeormerod2531]

Amazing grit. I would have pulled the plug at mile 15 😮

[@miaoldroyd8331]

hahah.. amazing or stupid, I’m not sure 😬

[@rockytop000]

Wait did you say 29C is hot? Or did it get hotter?

[@miaoldroyd8331]

Haha. It is hot for someone who lives with an average of 10 degrees in England 🤣

[@chloeemmawells]

Oh Mia, you poured your heart out there. It appears you’ve taken away valuable lessons which I hope will see you have a much better outing next time. Best wishes.

[@miaoldroyd8331]

Thank you Emma… I hope so! But we’ll see… 😂