Goring Gap 50km 2023 – Race Report

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Published: May 31st, 2023

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Date: Sunday 14th May 2023

Official miles: 31.069 miles (50km)

Strava says: 32.71 miles

Elevation: 1,099 ft / 335 m

Weather: Warm and sunny

Start: Mapledurham, Reading

Route type: circular

Conditions: dry

Describe the route in three words: Lynne’s first ultra!

Goring Gap 50km – Race Report

Lynne is a fellow Blaze bootcamp and running club friend and a number of months ago she mentioned she was keen to run an ultra. Of course I was extremely supportive of this idea especially as Lynne is a great runner and I knew would do really well. I can’t remember if I offered to go with her or if she asked me if I’d like to run with her… Lynne selected Goring Gap 50km and entered us both into it. I thought this was a great choice as it ticked many boxes I feel are important for a first ultra:

Circular route – logistics made easy
Within an hour’s drive – staying in your own bed the night before is certainly preferable!
Relatively flat – this is good for the mind when you do not have to contend with massive hills
Frequent aid stations – this is reassuring when you are new to the nutrition side of ultra running
Generous cut offs – no need to stress about finish times
Scenic – always a good thing!

Lynne’s big day dawned and I picked her up as planned, I thought it made sense that I drove as I know that my legs are still capable to drive after an ultra! We arrived super early as I had worried about a queue to get into the car park as there seemed to be a lot of people entered into the ultra as well as the half marathon taking place. We were so early there was no queue at all and we sat in the car keeping warm as there was a bit of a chill to the air.

Keeping warm in the car before the race starts

Lynne joined the toilet queue at about 7.30am – the queue was far longer and slower moving then expected though! I got myself ready then held her place in the queue whilst she got ready. Once Lynne had used the facilities, it was time to go straight to the start line, we must have only had 2 minutes to go! We stood in the starting pen for what felt like seconds and then we were off! I think this was a good thing though as Lynne had no time to get too nervous.

I was very conscious of pace and kept my eye on my watch closely for the first 10 miles keeping us to around 9:30 /mi.

I must spare a moment to mention the massive obstacle facing Lynne’s ultra challenge and that is until a few months ago, she had a complete inability to drink any water or take on board any food without vomiting. Lynne certainly put the miles in throughout her training – including back to back days so I knew the running would not be an issue at all. Lynne had been working really hard on learning to drink, I had suggested to her that she start off by slowing to a walk, taking small sips, walk a bit more and then run. I then suggested when she got used to that to then move on to Tailwind, I believe that this is what Lynne did. She also spoke to a nutritionist friend who does triathlon and had suggested to Lynne she try a Precision Hydration gel which is neutral tasting. Lynne got on well with this on training runs and was able to have small amounts of gel at a time.

We passed through the first aid station at around 5 miles and crossed over a lovely butterfly bridge. There isn’t too much to report other than the route was very pleasant, dry and mostly flat. Passing through the next aid station at 10 miles it then crossed my mind that we would need to stop for me to eat and drink which was crazy as really I was the one supposedly supporting Lynne and not slowing her down! We came into the 15 mile aid station, I apologised and we dashed in. I refilled my bladders and grabbed some crisps. We set off again, not losing too much time. We walked a short while so I could eat my crisps.

Lynne’s pace did drop off in the final 12 miles or so, although she had done a great job drinking and using the gel, I think with continued practice with this she would keep a more consistent pace. Lynne did start to cramp which I wondered was to do with the warm weather and not having quite enough fluid intake. We did take more frequent but short walking breaks in the latter stages and Lynne certainly did give it her all, I think once over the line it was clear that all energy reserves were used up.

A few memorable parts of the route, although I couldn’t really say where they were:

Learning about Lynne’s connection to rowing (she was a cox) and seeing all the fabulous rowers out for their Sunday training on the Thames.
The fabulous butterfly bridge
The never ending field. Grassy fields are a real pain to run on as they are always harder then they look and mess with the mind. We were passing through a field and knowing that it was a beast and I certainly wasn’t enjoying it, I asked how Lynne was managing and she admitted it was tough. The field ended up being about 3 fields connected together so each time we got to a gate, we thought we were done with it but we were not – there was more to go!
The goose that slowed us down. We were going along an overgrown narrow path by a fence and I was aware of movement in front of me, it was a goose who was waddling along the path and there was no way for us to pass so we just had to follow it until he ducked under the fence.
The big sign that said THAMES PATH and I thought it said TOILETS!
The 40km marker, Lynne was so desperate to see this and when she mentioned she was looking forward to the 40km point we only had around 6km to go to it, that was the longest 6km ever! Lynne told the sign she would give it some love and we posed for a selfie.
Passing the start area knowing we had only done a few miles!
Having to wash my hands in a muddy puddle as that was better than the sticky feeling I had on them from one of my sweeties!
The final path down to the finishing field, it was downhill and really great fun, we passed three half marathon ladies who all had awesome shorts.
Taking Lynne’s hand to cross the finish line together and seeing her daughter there to cheer her over the line!

Goring Gap 50km — Giving the 40km sign some love

What’s in the snack pack?

Philidelphia cream cheese sandwich & Hula Hoops

Trek flapjack bar

2x 500ml bladders water – 1 plain, 1 with Hi 5

Gloves

Inov 8 Trailshell waterproof jacket

Long sleeved spare layer

Vasaline

Whistle

Foil blanket

What I wore: Saucony Peregrine 12, Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire, buff, Sweaty Betty power leggings, Stance socks, running club vest, suncap, Dirty Girl gaiters, Salomon Adv Skin 12 running vest.

Lead up: I had run Rownd Mynydd Du the week before and continued with exercise as normal in the days leading up to Goring Gap as I felt it was a good opportunity to run on tired legs. I’m entered into Dragon’s Back this year and there will be no rest days on that!

Morning preparations: Breakfast was porridge with a mashed up banana and fruit with a dollop of jam, a cup of tea plus I did some leg and hip stretches.

Summary

I was delighted for Lynne to do such a great job on her first ultra and for me it is a real genuine pleasure to have experienced it with her and helped her through by keeping by her side.

Lessons learned

My main takeaway from this is that I really do enjoy the process of assisting someone with their first ultra, I feel so proud of Lynne’s achievements.