Lunch Weight Training

It's cold up top

Return leg

South East Classics

Work run

That'll do pig. That'll do.

What an experience. Ferocious heat forced me to be patient but persistent all day. My A-goal of sub-21 hours went out the window quickly, and the focus became on keeping sub-24 on the cards. 

Coming into Washington I was on the ragged edge but knew the worst of the heat was now behind me, and in the climb up to Devil's Dyke I experienced a euphoric release as the evening cooled and the sun began to descend.

Mark did an amazing job on the next 20 miles, pacing me into the sunset and giving me something other than my own drowsiness to focus on. I started to have some foot issues here but decided it wasn't worth meddling with. Had to switch to Ultramax mode on the watch in this section too, hence the final 40km coming up a bit short and wobbly in places.

At Firle Beacon Chris took the pacing reigns and was suitably nonchalant about the whole thing, chewing my ear off as I dealt with my own internal hell. The section into Alfriston, as ever, took forever, but once there I knew it was in the bag with only two sharp climbs to go.

In the end I crossed the line in 22:12 and change, 30th out of 190 finishers and 340 starters. Massive 44% DNF rate due to the atrocious heat. 

A difficult experience to put into words but I will try my best on my blog just as soon as I can walk without wincing...!



Top Sports

Ed Scott

South Downs Way 100

5 Photos

19 Comments

Splits

Sign up to view more activities from Ed Scott

Lunch Weight Training

It's cold up top

Return leg

South East Classics

Work run

Want to see more?

The #1 app for runners and cyclists

Sign Up for Free. Track your progress and reach goals. Join 100 million active people on Strava.

See More from Ed