After progressing from 5K runs to half marathons, NHS nurse Naomi Bailey, 46, decided to skip the full marathon altogether, opting instead for a challenging 100K ultramarathon.
I entered nursing in my 30s after adult education and I love my job in a cardiac catheter suite: I’m trained to implant heart monitors and pacemakers, as well as scrub up with consultants for emergency life-saving procedures. As you can imagine, we form close bonds when working in an acute environment. One of my unofficial roles is to organise our team hike a few times a year!
‘My running life started with 5Ks, 10Ks, then half marathons. I skipped the marathon altogether and opted for an ultramarathon because I enjoy the slower trail runs. I chose Race To The Stones (thresholdtrailseries.com) for my first ultramarathon. Spaced over two days, the 100K route goes from Lewknor to Avebury via The Ridgeway, the oldest footpath in Britain. It screamed out to me, not only because of the scenery but because it’s well supported, has generous cut-off times and a route that’s not too hilly.
‘I didn’t follow a training plan at all. To prepare, I just completed some 10K, 15K and half-marathon runs, along with a few long hikes to increase the time my legs were exercising for.
‘I made an effort to fuel myself properly in the lead up to my race. I refrained from alcohol the week before and had a carb-heavy meal the night before. My pre-race sleep didn’t quite go to plan, however, as the pub I was staying in had a band playing until midnight. A late night combined with a 4am rise was not ideal!
Lilly Pinchin: ‘I left education to pursue horse-riding’
‘On race day, I kept myself entertained with upbeat music, podcasts and audiobooks. Fantastic volunteers, members of the public and my family also kept me motivated, not to mention the hundreds of other runners taking on the challenge. There were several aid stations on route, offering energy gels, electrolytes, sandwiches and more.
‘The Race to the Stones Facebook forum prepared me with some great tips. The best advice that I received was to change my socks every 25K, and to use road shoes for day one and trail shoes for day two. This ensured I completed the race without a single blister! I also had a Thai massage a few days prior to the race, and a sports massage after. I’m not sure if this is what saved me from injury, but I felt fine a few days later.
Naomi Bailey post-run
‘I loved the whole experience, from packing my race vest to the atmosphere at basecamp. There were moments when it was incredibly tough, but I reminded myself I’d set the challenge to see how much I could push myself. I’ll always remember the feeling of achievement after my post-race hot bath!
‘If other runners are keen to try something like this, I’d say go for it and enjoy every minute of the adventure. It’s a great way to challenge yourself and, of course, it’s addictive – I’ll be attempting the Triple Trails 50 (nationaltrail.co.uk) later this year, a 50-mile ultramarathon that promises an unforgettable journey through the stunning landscapes of Kent.’
