Atlantic Coast Challenge - Ultra / Adventure racing

Niki B

07/12/2011 at 10:29

Has anyone done the Atlantic Coast Challenge? Are you thinking of doing it this year?

I'm interested to know how much harder each day is than a regular marathon, with the ups and downs of the coastal path? Also, if its three individual marathons in three days, does it count as an 'ultra'?!

Any handy hints / support you can give is greatly appreciated!! And let me know if you might be there in September. You'll know me - I'll be the one wailing and gnashing my teeth at the back

Bear B.Hind

08/12/2011 at 21:01

I've not done the Atlantic, but attempted Jurassic twice. Totally different to road marathons. I think you really need to train specifically for these kind of events on as similar terrain as you can find.

I know one forumite who had only done training in a London park (albeit with a bit of uphill) who found the continual change of terrain very difficult to manage as it was impossible to get into any kind of running rhythm.

Sorry I think you will find that multi days don't count as ultras - good luck anyway .

Muttley

08/12/2011 at 22:04

I did it in 2010. Might do it in 2012 (I assume by "this year" you mean then, because it's held in September/October)

It was my first multi-day event so I took it gently, with recovery very much in mind. I actually found it easier going than a road marathon because of the changing surface and gradients under foot. On the second and third days I was a little creaky to start with but soon loosened up. But that's just me, your experience may differ.

Key thing I found was nutrition and hydration - eating as much as possible en route, bearing in mind that you have to do it again the following day so calorie deficit was not an option. The feed stations were good.

The terrain is tough but manageable. Day 3 is very tough, mind - not only huge climbs and drops but long stretches of bog and swamp as well.

It's definitely a "challenge" but one that is well do-able with some prior preparation, determination and care.

Niki B

10/12/2011 at 21:15

Thanks, guys! My first forum post and I thought I was going to get an email to say if anyone posted, so I didn't think to look before now, as I didn't get any! I haven't had much off road experience yet - I'm doing the Forest of Dean half marathon, if that counts, and have done the Sodbury Slog, but not quite the same league! I'm sooo tempted - I think I'll train with it in mind and see how I feel closer to the date before committing myself.

Gutted it wouldn't count as an ultra!! Which do you think would be more manageable, a 40 miler, or 3 marathons in three days??? I guess its the terrain that makes this harder - maybe 3 road marathons in three days wouldn't seem so hard, though maybe more boring

Any good races you could recommend, that WOULD count as an ultra??

Bear B.Hind

11/12/2011 at 00:43

As I understand it an ultra is anything beyond marathon distance - but usual convention is that is should be 30 miles+. Normally I would say that multidays are easier than one long run of say 50 miles or more, but 40 miles in one hit is probably a bit easier than something for example 3 maras+ in 3 days.

Why not try for one of the 50K events - only 5 miles more than a marathon but the psychological boost of that '50' might give you the incentive to try for further.

I too did the Sodbury Slog a few years ago when the water in some of the ditches came up to my chest and the back marker had to drag me through several streams. Believe me ultras are easier in comparison.

Muttley

11/12/2011 at 09:34

Puzzled as to why you would be "gutted" that the ACC is not an ultra. It's all running, and all running is good, and there's no reason why a marathon is superior to a half or a multi-day event to a single-day one or an ultra to "just" a marathon and so on.

james r adams

11/12/2011 at 14:36

I did this in 2008 and wrote it up here. Great event. Cornish pasty at the end.

atlantic coast challenge

I wouldn't worry about what "counts" as an ultra and what doesn't. Just do stuff that looks like it will be fun/interresting/hard/hellish or whatever you are into.

GKD

11/12/2011 at 15:51

What James and Muttley said. Just go out and enjoy your running Niki, whatever distance you choose and whatever terrain it's the end result that matters, hopefully a big grin on your face. You should run because you enjoy it, not because you want to say at the end of it you're an ultra runner or a fell runner or a sub 4 marathoner or whatever.

I'm not sure what it is but there seems to be a sense amongst some that 'ultras' are the next box to tick off and that they aren't a real runner unless they've done one. Everytime I see the 'wannabe Ultra runner' thread I have this reaction where I want to post ffs just run one then. Ask yourself who you're running for, if it's because you want to be able to tell people you're an ultra runner then you're probably destined to have a pretty miserable day and completely miss the point of going long.

Sorry, rant over.Hope you enjoy whatever you choose to do.

Muttley

11/12/2011 at 17:21

Sssssh, don't tell anyone I said this, but we move on to ultras and multi-day events when we're getting too old and slow and generally decrepit to cut it any more in the standard events such as 10Ks, half and full marathons.

If that's Niki in her avatar she is obviously still good for the shorter distances for a long time to come!

Ultras and multi-days are just consolation events for old farts who can just about manage to turn up and trundle round without a zimmer frame

GKD

11/12/2011 at 17:25

Actually you're probably not too far wrong there Muttley, every race I run the average age is well into the thirties and sometimes even older. At forty there's times I even feel like something of a youngster. Well I do until everyone disappears off into the distance.....

Niki B

11/12/2011 at 18:32

I definitely run for the fun of it - I also did the Sodbury Slog when it was massively wet (maybe the same year - about three or four years ago) - got a massive gash up my shin in one of the waist high 'water features' but did the whole thing with a mud splattered grin on my face!

I certainly don't want to do an ultra to tell other people, but when I hear that other people do things, I just feel the need to see if I can too! Do you know what I mean? So I would like to be able to go to bed one day, grinning to myself, thinking 'hey, I just did an ultra run!' Just for me.

I'm 40 next year, which is what brought all this on. CLASSIC mid life crisis

GKD

11/12/2011 at 19:10

Fair enough Niki but your initial posts didn't come across that way. Find the challenge in the run not the distance and you'll have a far more enjoyable experience. I've done a 22 mile fell run that took me longer than a 40 mile road race, both runs were done not according to what they were but what I wanted from them, personal challenge and enjoyment

Bear B.Hind

11/12/2011 at 20:59

A few years ago I would have agreed with what Muttley and Lirish said about ultras and multi days - being a slow old fart myself. However, the average age of those participating in such events that I am familiar with has dropped dramatically - the majority of participants being in the 20-30 year range. Apart from that I think the challenge should be whatever you want it to be, quantity quality, distance whatever. If what you want to do is an ultra then go for it....

Niki B

13/12/2011 at 20:53

Right, I think I'm set on doing this - 'ultra' or not - cos for some reason thinking about it makes my stomach do a weird flip from ... what? ... nerves? ...anticipation? ...fear? ...excitement? something along those lines. Something I quite like the feel of.

So if anyone happens to read this between now and September '12 (sorry, Muttley, I did mean next Sept; getting ahead of myself calling it 'this year') and is deciding to run the ACC themselves, please send me a message!

T Rex

16/12/2011 at 02:42

Niki B wrote (see)

Any good races you could recommend, that WOULD count as an ultra??

You could try the EnduranceLife UltraTrail SW in June which is the entire ACC route plus another 25 miles or so - to be done in one day. I'm going to be giving it a go.

Muttley - I resemble those remarks.

Jonathan White 12

27/12/2011 at 09:06

Niki, I did this event in 2011 and it was my first multi day marathon .I enjoyed it so much that I will be entering again in 2012.

Go for it you won't be disappointed the event is really well organised and the scenery is stunning. Train hard get the miles in and you'll finish

From the races you've done I guess you're in the south west. I've done Langport Runners Somerst Levels and Moors Marathon for the last two years which is 20 miles off road, 6 miles on road and really enjoyable. It's usually at the beginning of September so quite close to ACC, but didn't cause me any issues on the ACC.

Niki B

27/12/2011 at 13:40

Thanks, Jonathan - that's really useful. I'll look out for that marathon - if its early enough in September, it might be the perfect race to have as a last long one before tapering (I'm normally brilliant at (a) tapering and (b) carb loading, and start both months in advance of any race - might have to rethink my strategy for this one!!).

Which group did you start in? Were there people who walked much of it, or was everyone really hard core? I'm not too proud to walk on uphill bits (and steps!) if it means ultimately I can finish... But it would be good to know if other people do that too!

Jonathan White 12

28/12/2011 at 07:42

I really enjoy the Langport marathon, it's a small race only 60 to 100 people
and has a really mixed field from multi terrain marathon beginners to seasoned ultra runners.
On the first day of the ACC there were two groups, runners and walkers so I went with the later starting running group. On the second and third days I ran with the middle group.
I did run all the way on the first and second day, but walking up hills on all the days is a necessity, you have too conserve as much energy as possible. On the last day, to be honest, I probably walked half of the distance. My hip had been playing
up for a week or so beforehand, getting progressively more uncomfortable on day one and two. I got chatting to a really nice group of people and thought why not enjoy the last day; the weather was gorgeous, the scenery was beautiful and the terrain on day 3 is much tougher going.
There were some really good runners, but there were more of us ordinary mortals! Everyone was so nice and very friendly. At the end of the day we're all sharing the same pain!
What races have you got planned for 2012 apart from the ACC ?

Niki B

28/12/2011 at 12:57

Well, I'm having to ease myself back into it - I did the Edinburgh marathon in May last year, then didn't run a step for about 4 months (partly my knee was playing up, mostly I was being lazy).... but I've booked in for a few to get my mojo back - Blackmore Vale Half Marathon (5th Feb) in Dorset, Weston Tough Ten (19th Feb), Forest of Dean Half Marathon (1st April), and then the Bristol 10K in May (which costs double the others for a measly six miles! But I've never really run a 10K, so am interested to know what my time would be... Oh, and I'm from Bristol and I think my sister and nephews are going to run it too, so it'll be a family affair).

What about you? Any good races to suggest?

Your description of the race is how I would imagine it and does make it sound like it would be manageable. I think the scenery and the other people will go a long way to make the unbearable bearable! Well, that's what I'm hoping...

Jonathan White 12

28/12/2011 at 15:26

How did you do in the Edinburgh marathon?It's one I've always wanted to do, but never quite got around to it !
I think you should get your mojo back with that race schedule! Tewkesbury half marathon in May is a nice one.
There should a Bristol marathon this year so that will be one to watch out for, I'll definitely be putting my name down.
I think it would be good to get one marathon in before you do ACC in September. ACC really is worth doing as long as you accept it's going to hurt you're half way there !
I'm lucky that I work in Warmley only 100 yards from the Bath/Bristol cycle track so I get some good lunchtime speed sessions in and live just outside of Bristol so long runs at the weekend are done in the country.