The D33 Ultra is a run from Aberdeen to Banchory...and back! A very well organised event from start to finish.
I headed up to stay overnight in Aberdeen on Friday night, woke about 4ish! Different bed, excited and couldn't stop thinking about the race. Don't know how I overcome that one?
Was at Duthie Park around 7:00 just as the organisers were getting set up. Interesting to see what's involved at that stage, a lot of this stuff goes unnoticed, so it's good get an appreciation of how hard people have to work to allow us to put one foot in front of another.
The race was due to start at 9am and about 08:45 that old 'rumbly in the tumbly' feeling started so I found myself in the queue (8 folks in front of me) for the portaloo while the race briefing started!
Finally got in and out of the loo in time for the start and purposely hung around the back of the pack, wanting to take in the experience and enjoy it.
The first 6-7 miles flew by, having some fantastic chat with other runners, many first timers running and their excitement was evident!
Miles 7-16.5 I was feeling great and therefore 'hammered' it, the trail felt like it was level, I now appreciate there was a slight decline...which obviously became an incline later!
Got to halfway still feeling good with plenty in the tank and took some time out to refuel. And guess who popped up, my brother Peter who lives in Banchory.
Had a quick chat with Peter before setting off on the return journey. This was going well until around mile 20, I dipped big time here and struggled to get myself going again. I'd eaten and had the right amount to drink, it was simply I'd used to much between miles 7 and 16.5
So...had a chat with myself and gradually got back in the groove, rewarding myself with short walks every two miles.
Got to the finish line in 5 hours 54 minutes, happy to be under 6 hours and have also learned valuable lessons that I'll take with me into future events. The main ones being using energy effectively and not to 'hammer it' just because you feel good at that time!
Guess who was waiting at the finish...Pedro!
Ran so far 277.92
To run 722.08
