SDW50 - Now here is the weather...

The route of the SDW 50 is a mainly trail based running from Worthing to Eastbourne, following, for the most part, the South Downs Way.  Organised by Centurion Running, this was my second Centurion event having ran the NDW50 last year.

I was using this event as a recce of the course and to see if I still had enough in the legs after last weeks Compton Downs Challenge.  All good training for the full distance SDW100 in a few months.

Waiting at the start line it still never ceases to amaze me the variety of people who do these events, the age range, the size range, the kit range - some opting for very minimal gear - others ready for an expedition to the north pole.

The SDW50 is a mainly trail based run from Worthing to Eastbourne - following, for the most part the South Downs Way.  Organised by Centurion running, this was my second Centurion event having ran the NDW50 last year.

I was using this event as a recce of the course and to see if I still had enough in the legs after last weeks Compton Downs Challenge.  All trying for the full distance SDW100 in a few months.

It still never ceases to amaze me the variety of people who do these events, the age range, the size range, the kit range - some opting for very minimal gear - others ready for an expedition.

From the safety briefing at the start we were warned of the weather conditions, you can't run in this country without running in "weather", however, the difference here is if you are running around home, you can always shorten your run and easily find your way back.  Up on the Downs - you are remarkably remote.

So at 09:00 we set off.  Weather as in all these long distance runs plays a big part.  We started in warm sunshine - which caused may people to strip off their jackets, hats and gloves after a few minutes.

Conditions under foot were pretty good, not too slippy and not too many puddles.  That soon changed, volume wise the rain probably wasn't that heavy, but up on the Downs, exposed - the wind drove it hard - mainly stinging the face.  I have never need to use the hood on my jacket before, but it was certainly used today.

The next few hours were a case of head down looking out for course markings and trying to keep going.  Regular aid stations held keep me going.  I was often in a small group of runner, nobody said much - it would be lost in the wind, we run one together, sometimes in a line, sometimes side by side. occasionally one would point to a course marker and we would nod and carry on.  Strange sense of feeling that you are all in it together - perhaps we are social animals after all.

With all the rain the last few hills of the race had turned into streams.  At least the visibility had improved and it was easier to see - this section must have been really tough in the dark.

Last section in Eastbourne was good flat pavement running, seemed to go round the houses a lot and often thought that the end would be just round the corner - eventually the athletics track came into view. Did think as I ran the last 400m that running on a nicely laid track feels really good - perhaps 50 miles on this stuff would be easier (certainly a lot flatter).

So that was that, got changed and got the shuttle bus back to the start.


Notes
Ground Conditions: road and trail - trail was wet and slippy
Weather: Warm to start, wet and cold in the middle and end - very windy.
Position 24/157
Time: 8:56:10
Food tried: Mars bars, gels, peanuts, coke, some Gu squares (my hands were so weak I had to ask a marshal to open the packet for me), cake.

What I learnt:  
If "clearing your nose" do check behind you as someone may be sneaking up behind you

Gels and other packet items can be quite hard to open in the cold - pre-cut with scissors to help.

(The photo isn't me - but shows just how bad the weather was)