One evening back in October 2013, not too long after completing my first marathon at Chester, I was casually surfing the internet looking for my next challenge when I came across ‘The Wall’ – a 69 mile run along Hadrian’s Wall from Carlisle to Newcastle. I had heard of this event before and to this day I still don't know what made me do it – boredom, lunacy, just been paid syndrome – who knows, but I found myself entering my card details and 5 minutes later i had entered my first Ultra!! I then spent the whole night at work wondering what the hell I had let myself in for – I had not even been running 12 months and the furthest I had run was 26 miles and that was only a week or so before!!
To cut a long story short I started my training in earnest in the Christmas holidays averaging 100 miles or so a month. These miles generally consisted of long slow runs mixed in with a lot of hill work and back to back runs, with a few faster 10K runs thrown in the mix. After speaking to many other Waller’s on Facebook I realised that my mileage seemed wholly inadequate – most were doing in excess of 200 miles a month!! At times I certainly had my doubts whether I’d be able to do this but onwards and upwards.
Before I knew it WALL WEEKEND was upon me and I was up in Carlisle registering and collecting my number and chip on the Friday evening. It was going to be an early start Saturday so off to Nando’s for a last minute feast and then back to hotel for some much needed sleep – NOT!! Slept for all of 5 minutes, absolutely buzzing and full of adrenaline – get me to that start line.
Go to the start at Carlisle Castle in plenty of time and just soaked upthe atmosphere. There were in excess of 400 runners in the Expert 1 day category and you could slice tension/nervous energy with a butter knife.
To cut a long story short I started my training in earnest in the Christmas holidays averaging 100 miles or so a month. These miles generally consisted of long slow runs mixed in with a lot of hill work and back to back runs, with a few faster 10K runs thrown in the mix. After speaking to many other Waller’s on Facebook I realised that my mileage seemed wholly inadequate – most were doing in excess of 200 miles a month!! At times I certainly had my doubts whether I’d be able to do this but onwards and upwards.
Before I knew it WALL WEEKEND was upon me and I was up in Carlisle registering and collecting my number and chip on the Friday evening. It was going to be an early start Saturday so off to Nando’s for a last minute feast and then back to hotel for some much needed sleep – NOT!! Slept for all of 5 minutes, absolutely buzzing and full of adrenaline – get me to that start line.
Go to the start at Carlisle Castle in plenty of time and just soaked upthe atmosphere. There were in excess of 400 runners in the Expert 1 day category and you could slice tension/nervous energy with a butter knife.
Before long they called us in to the starting pen and there I was right at the front – I was going to lead this race if only for a few seconds. At 7 on the dot we were off, through the arch way – out in frontand straight over on to my backside – bloody cobbled speedbumps! Picked myself up and off in to the park. It was already sunny and warm so plenty of fluid intake from the start. I made the most of the early conditions and soon came to the 1st pitstop circa 8 miles. A quick drink and off again towards the 1st main checkpoint at Lanercost, where there would be food and energy drinks. I was sticking to my own nutrition plan well – an energy bar every hour and then fruit/cake at the checkpoints. Time seemed to fly by – through Lanercost in just over 2 hours, I was flying. I was beginning to think where are these so called hills – I soon found out to my cost. The 17 mile section from Lanercost to Vindolanda was HORRENDOUSLY hilly, but every cloud has a silver lining and all that. The views at the top of the hills were utterly spectacular.
I slowed a fair bit on this section what with the hills and the extreme heat – by mile 27 I had gone through in excess of 4 litres and had to run the last 5 miles into Vindolanda with no water. But I still arived at Vindolanda with a huge smile on my face in a time of 5 ½ hours – so well happy. Took my time here (45 mins) to refuel and get my injuries from the fall sorted. Also ensured I was carrying an extra couple of bottles of water – just in case. Fed and watered off I went again and straight onto what I can only describe as that B#####D hill!! Vertical climbing, on my hands and toes pulling myself up bit by bit.
I slowed a fair bit on this section what with the hills and the extreme heat – by mile 27 I had gone through in excess of 4 litres and had to run the last 5 miles into Vindolanda with no water. But I still arived at Vindolanda with a huge smile on my face in a time of 5 ½ hours – so well happy. Took my time here (45 mins) to refuel and get my injuries from the fall sorted. Also ensured I was carrying an extra couple of bottles of water – just in case. Fed and watered off I went again and straight onto what I can only describe as that B#####D hill!! Vertical climbing, on my hands and toes pulling myself up bit by bit.
Eventually got to the top and took in the views, then off again across undulating countryside. Time again just seemed to fly by and before I knew it I was arriving at the 45 mile checkpoint by the river at Hexham – bang on target at 9 hours. My right knee was playing up a bit though at this point, but after refilling my bottles and a bite to eat I was off again knowing I had less than a marathon left to go. Crossed the river and onto a busy stretch of road I tried to run as much as I could but my knee was now hurting quite bad. Eventually decided on a strategy of walking 400mtrs and running 600. I was struggling to take any proper food in now so turned to my gels which seemed to give me a boost and I reached the last main checkpoint at Ovingham still moving pretty well. Had a cuppa and a banana and strtetched my legs before I was off on the last 7 miles into Newcastle. As soon as I set off I knew it was going to be a struggle, I’d stayed too long at Ovingham and my knee had decided enough was enough. The last 7 miles were a bit of a death march, no running just walking – although still at a fair pace as it turned out. Eventually came down along the river Tyne just as the light was starting to fade, my spirits rose and I stumbled into a bit of a jog. I was passed by a few runners along here but always had a smile and a well done for them – which was always reciprocated. The bridges came into view and a chill came over me. Had it not been for all the cheers from people in the bars and walkers along the way I would surely have stopped and shed a tear or two, the enormity of what I was about to achieve finally hitting home. I could now hear the PA at the finish and as I reached the Millennium Bridge I upped my pace and sprinted – it felt like a sprint to me – over the bridge and down across the finish line. 15:17:32 and 159th place – not quite the sub 14 hours I was hoping for but given the fall at the start and the conditions on the day I was extremely happy.
Looking back and reflecting I still find it hard to believe I actually managed to complete 69 miles in one go. I couldn’t run to the shop just 18 months before! Would I recommend it – hell yes I would. A truly amazing event that takes you places you never thought you had in you.
A big thank you to all the BRC members who kept me going with their messages of support on the day. They truly were invaluable.
A big thank you to all the BRC members who kept me going with their messages of support on the day. They truly were invaluable.
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