Wickham Park Marathon

3 weeks later...

Wickham Park Marathon

personal results:

DNF @ 15 miles

 

WPM is no ordinary marathon.  And although I have never taken on an ultra-run, the 50, 100, and 200 Mile Fun Runs don't look too ordinary either.

At Wickham, there is no support.  There are no race packets, age groups, T-shirts, or medals. The timing is you - writing your time for each loop down on a clipboard.  

Just the same, you really do get your money's worth for this one.  Because there's no fee either. 

But absolutely best of all?  There is absolutely no pavement. 

OK.  So we have a 200 mile, off-road foot race of fifty miles a day, over four consecutive, 12.5 hour days.  All on a 3.75 mile, flat, sandy loop.  In bright, sunny Florida at the beginning of our bright, sunny summer.  With some stretches of shade and roots, for a little variety.  Probably no one would be surprised to find a fallen body or two, to step over later in the day, either. 

An ultra run, like weight maintenance, takes a certain lifestyle.  You have to walk the walk (or run the run) to get it done. 

It would be nice to be in the kind of shape it would take to qualify for days 2-4, wouldn't it?  

My longest run this year had been about 8 miles.    

But it's all in your head, right?

Two loops - 7.5 miles - totally confident.  

Three loops - 11.25 miles - probably doable.  The 7:30 start is much earlier - and cooler - than I would ever do on my own. 

Four is the number, then!  You can always do more than you think you can.  Although, to still be running at the end of 15 miles, I would have to be having a really, really good day.  

Since the goal setting comes too late for any actual distance training, there was only time for one last thing. 

And that is, show up.    

I love the start time.  Pretty much whenever you want.  But to be in with the in-crowd, and to get a good parking spot under my favorite shady oak, we arrive at 7:21.  No hurry, no worry.  By 7:24, the camp is set, and we walk over and sign our names on a clipboard, with plenty of time for the 7:30 start.

Camp Pop-High, Wickham rendition.

Lawn chairs and cooler.

Shoes.

We are ready!

 

 

7:29am

To the starting line.

 

7:30.  Go!

Popeye's point of view,

looking over my shoulder at the start.

A moment later, I am looking at the back of his head,

getting smaller in the distance.

 

The Fake Rock for first place in the 200.

You even get to carry it back on the last lap.

No expense is spared for the prizes. 

Or the signage.

3 runners made the entire 4 days and 200 mile.  One girl and two guys - Wow!  

Not me, that's for sure!  But I did give it my honest best.  

Somewhere along the fourth loop, as predicted, my run ran out. 

Heading for the clipboard to sign in my time, I look over at the lake and decide that's really where I'd rather be.

15 miles and a sit in the lake.  Wickham is truly my favorite marathon, ever.  Even for a DNF.