The Centurion SDW50 was my first real ultra back in april 2013. (prior to that I'd done the CTS 32 in feb, running easy with a friend, and the VO2 JCC in march). I climbed the rankings all the way through the 2013 race, as the severe weather conditions picked off the field one by one. By 40 miles I had made it to first female, and I remember singing as I clambered up the hill 4 miles from the end...only to get lost on the top of the hill in the fog, add a 5 mile detour, and end up finishing an hour later than I'd expected, and in 3rd place. Disappointment was an understatement (especially when I saw the amazing centurion trophy that I had missed out on!!)

2014 brought me a win in the SDW100, and I managed to stay on course the whole route, but I was still not satisfied, I had to make up for that stupid mistake of 2013!

Earlier in 2015 I had been selected to the GB team for the world trail championships. I have been extremely nervous about this, as I'm the first to admit that my strength lies very much in endurance and not speed. Over 2014 I predominantly ran 100 mile races, and my overall pace has slowed considerably as a result. The other runners in the team seem to be people who excel over shorter distance. Holly Rush, Jo Meek, Sally Fawcett all have sub-3hr marathons to their name, whilst Lizzie Wraith and Bonnie Van Wilgenburg both have outstanding wins at shorter distance trail ultras. So since selection I have spent the time trying to improve my shorter distance speed. SDW50 seemed like a good chance to try a bit of a faster pace over the 50 mile distance.

I drove up to the start the night before the race, and stayed in a youth hostel (Before I started running I'd never stayed in a youth hostel before. Since starting running ultras I've become a member of YHA, as I find them the perfect, low cost option for accommodation before races.)

I'm not going to bore people with all the details of the day, but here are a few highlights that stick out in my mind. As previously, I've divided them into good and bad.

Pre-race.
Bad
The sickening feeling I always get before a race that I know people are expecting me to do well in, combined with the fear of failure and absolute belief that I am in no way capable of even completing what lies ahead.
Panic at realising I'd left part of my race kit at home
Fear of any one of my accumulated running injuries flaring up and causing me to DNF.

Good
Picking up my number to find Nicci had written 'Fly, Sarah, fly' on the back of it.
Going through my kit check with Gary, and having everything I needed (although I did later confess that I'd had to buy a couple of items at the pre-race shop!)
Meeting up with some Mud Crew folks (Bridget and Becky) and having a good pre-race giggle.

Mid-race.
Bad:
Higher-than-normal levels of irritability during the whole race. I never quite got into my comfortable ultra-rhythm.
'Jingly coin man' (At this point I feel I should explain and apologise. Just after the 11mile checkpoint I started to yoyo with a guy who must have had coins in his pocket. As previously mentioned, I was feeling more irritable than usual and I really had to bite my tongue to stop myself yelling at him to sort his damned pockets out. Jingly coin man, I apologise if I was less than friendly when you tried to chat to me.)
That goddamned headwind.

Good:
Comfortably running up the hills that I remember struggling up in 2013
Bursting into the 27 mile checkpoint yelling 'Gangnam style!!'
Taking the correct route after the final checkpoint!!!!!

End:
Bad:
Not getting close enough to the course record for my liking.
Feeling very heavy in the legs despite the short distance
Sore feet (This was the first time I've tried an ultra wearing my road shoes. It didn't feel good).

Good:
Centurion post-race food!!!
Coming in first lady, getting that coveted trophy that I missed out on in 2013, and then getting to donate my trophy to the last woman in, Maxine Lock.

As always, Centurion guys, I love you!