Canalslam

This is a blog about my LLCR and Canalslam journey, it’s been a long road (in more than one
way!).
The Canalslam consists of three races in a calendar year: the Grand Union Canal Race (145
miles), the Kennett and Avon Canal Race (145 miles), and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Race
(130 miles).

The same, but completely different finishes

1) Liverpool to Leeds, 2019 – time 37:40

This was my first introduction to the canal races. I had only been running for about a year but after completing some shorter ultras, I was looking for the next challenge. After some Googling I somehow stumbled across this race. “Why? How? Surely this isn’t possible” was my first reaction. But my curiosity was sparked, “could I?” I entered on a whim. After losing my mum, my outlook is that life is short and if you want to do something don’t wait just go for it, because who knows for how long we will still have the opportunity. Covid has only reinforced this belief.

This didn’t mean I was confident though. As the date got closer, I had wondered what I had done! Although I lived in Leeds, I didn’t tell a soul beforehand. I didn’t want to have to tell a load of people that I had DNF’d.

People were talking about 100 mile races like they were parkruns – I hadn’t even done one! What was I doing on the start line? At the start I remember thinking “had I trained enough, or too much, or done the right sort of training?” I had no idea. But off we went. People started so quickly, and I thought “I can’t get left behind already” and tried to follow and went off way too fast. 

I made that and just about every rookie error possible, I also didn’t keep myself fuelled or hydrated at all. Which as it was about 30 degrees didn’t go too well. On the second day I realised I hadn’t been for a wee yet, I may be a non-medical doctor but even I realised that wasn’t a good sign. But I somehow managed to keep going and drag myself across the finish line. As someone once told me, if you want it bad enough, you’ll find a way get to the finish. That race I discovered just how stubborn I can be.

The support from the other runners and the volunteers were instrumental in helping me keep going. Other runners ran with me for longer than they should have, rather than focusing on their own race. I even learned some runners were doing something called the slam – how silly!

Those mile markers didn’t help though and were a reminder of just how far was left to go and how slowly I was making progress.

The race information says to expect a low-key finish, but you realise how none of the other stuff matters. That hug and medal from the legend Dick Kearn means the world. Despite taking 8 hours off my time, this remains my proudest running achievement as I had to dig so deep to earn that medal. You are always stronger than you think you are. That race was so valuable though, and I learnt so many lessons, it might have broke me but it made me at the same time.

To top it off my new housemate moved in that weekend. They met me literally crawling across the floor after the race – I must have looked an absolute sight!

1st entry for the slam – 2020

I swore blind I would never do it again. I couldn’t understand how anyone could know how awful it was and want to do it again….A couple of weeks later I decided I wanted to enter again. I just couldn’t help thinking that I hadn’t done myself or the race justice. I also thought if I can do this, then why not the full slam?

I also got the help of my coach Wendy as I realised had no idea of what I was doing and how to train. I really think this has a made the world of difference.

Alas the races got cancelled one by one. Like most people I found this difficult a time, but all I could do was decide to try and get a place the following year.

2nd time entering the slam – 2021

2) Grand Union Canal Race (Birmingham to London, 245 miles, 29th May)

This is the most famous race of the three. Despite all the training I was still apprehensive at the start. It’s “only” 15 miles longer, but the miles get exponentially longer at the end of an ultra, so it feels like an awful lot more. However, I knew I had prepared the best I could and that gave me a lot of confidence. I still probably went out a bit too fast, but a definite improvement in pacing. I was relieved to make it to Little Venice. 

Kennet and Avon Canal Race (London to Bristol, 145 miles, 23rd July)

Bridesmaids duties sadly meant I had miss the race, scuppering my plans for the slam.

3) Liverpool to Leeds (130 miles, 28th August) – time 32:08

On the upside, missing KACR meant I had got plenty of recovery going into this race. This time I had the confidence to just run my own race and let everyone go at the start. It paid off. I was hopeful I was going to better my first attempt, but I didn’t expect to take nearly 6 hours off my time. I think everything happens for a reason and if I had done the slam I might not have done so well. I was more shocked than anything to found I had got 1st Lady.

2022 – 3rd time lucky?

Once I’ve set myself a challenge, I refuse to give up. So there was no option but to give it another crack.

4) Grand Union Canal Race (Birmingham to London, 245 miles, 3rd June)

This was a good start to the slam, improving my time on this course from last year by 2 hours. It was lovely to meet and get chatting to two other runners Katie and Dominique, who then insisted on buddying me for the next race. I can’t get over how supportive everyone is of each other on these races. People call it the ‘canal family’ and it really is. It was great to see lots of women running, and how cool that a women won this race overall.

5) Kennet and Avon Canal Race (London to Bristol, 145 miles, 22nd July)

A few weeks out I thought we might have to been running this in 40 degrees, but luckily we missed this by a few days. Although we got some downpours overnight, I wasn’t going to complain. It could have been so much worse.

There were many sights on this race including seeing James Corden in Henley. Another runner got a selfie. I didn’t care who he was, I wasn’t adding an extra 5 metres unnecessarily to my race. We were also treated to the Caen Locks. Any other day I can imagine these would be good fun to run down, but after so long of running on the flat these were agony.

I really struggled with eating on this one especially overnight. It was also really overgrown which made it slow going. However, on the second day I managed to get going again and had a strong finish. My buddies here really made all the difference. They also introduced me to baby food as a fuelling option. Sounds odd but it actually works (Ella’s kitchen banana and coconut pouches has 20g of carbs in it, which is about the same as a gel if anyone is interested). I finished strong was running much better at the end of the race than in the middle. I treated myself to an Uber to the hotel 0.2 miles away from the finish. The best money I ever spent.

6) Liverpool to Leeds (130 miles, 28th August) – time 29:45

It’s my favourite of the three (and not just because it’s the shortest!). With only 5 weeks between KACR and LLCR, I didn’t feel fully recovered going into this race. But standing on the start line I knew I was going to finish no matter what; I love these races, but there is no way I was going to come back for another consecutive year. What a difference from three years ago.

I was lucky to have my Harriers (an ex- harrier) team of buddy runners of Steve, Chris and Paul. They were invaluable and made the night section and the second day go by so much quicker. I didn’t have a time goal in mind but once I got to CP8 and realised sub-30 hours was on the cards. Although the heat of the second day was really starting to increase, I didn’t let up the effort. I was scared I would get 30:01 or something. It’s amazing how an arbitrary target can make you find something extra that you didn’t think you had. And this time I actually found the mile markers helped as I could see my progress. I even managed the all important sprint finish at the end. I couldn’t believe I finished 6th overall. Especially as a lot of the runners would absolutely smoke me in a 5k. I think it’s also the fastest ladies time for the slam.

Three years ago I never got have believed where I am now. It’s also given me the confidence to go after other goals. With a lot of hard work and a little bit of self-belief you can achieve so much more than you think you can.

What I enjoy about these longer races is that there are always things to improve on. Everything has to come together. I’ve got some other silly races lined up for next year, but I know it won’t be too long before I return. They are strangely addictive.