For quite a few years now Camino Coaches and Athletes have been taking part in the annual London Sri Chimoy track 24 hour event.
It has become something precious to us.
It is one of the few events that creates a totally unique connection between the runner, their crew and the event organisers. You need to delve into the inner sanctums of Sri Chimoy - the relationship between the runner and their mindset to running and then you have the Sri Chimoy lap counters - the humans who are assigned to acknowledge you every time you complete one lap. It is gratitude served on a plate.
So why did only one runner finish over 200KM this year?
This event often has record breakers - runners who qualify for world championships and our beloved Spartathlon by achievin distances from 230-270KM.
Has something changed in the sport - in UK 24hr track? With other 24 hour events set to disappear Sri Chimoy may well become the only 24 hour event in the UK (for a while) - so it is important for the sport to ask the athletes about their experiences and to understand things from a wider perspective.
Camino Coaching had a couple of athletes represently this year - Jason Skirrow and Max Dew and also our long-time London club friend Sarah Funderburk - as well as many of our other friends boh from London and also the ultra scene.
We are grateful to our athletes for sharing their thoughts and to the wider Camino community who went to support everyone in this years version.
CAMINO is dedicated to coacing and supporting runners in the 24 hour arena - if you have considered this or want to improve in this then please do contact us to set up a call - info@caminoultra.com
CAMINO: Sarah Funderburk has been a longtime friend and supporter of Camino having taken part in our races and EcoTrail series. Sarah had a spectacular Sri Chimoy 2024 event and we are honoured that she has shared her reflections with us. Big Camino Love Sarah and good luck with all future versions of 24hrs
SARAH:
I warned the team that my race reports verge on the side of verbosity. I even started a different “concise” draft that still ended up too long, waxing lyrical about the highs and lows. So I’ll try my best to stick to some simpler Q&As for you, and you can always check my Instagram for more blow by blow drama.
First, who am I? I don’t often get to run with the Camino family, but I’m a long-time admirer of the group. I ran the inaugural Lea Valley 50k in 2020 that turned into a virtual event and David and Daz have been supporters and generous with advice ever since.
Why the Self-Transcendence 24 hour?
Following a couple of successful 12-hour events, I got the crazy idea that I may have what it takes to make the US National 24-hour running team. If you can find something where you may be able to represent your country, why not go for it?
What was the goal going into the event?
I gave my friends and crew 3 goals: an A goal of 135-140 miles, which is what I calculated would put me among the top 6 women in the US; a B goal of 125 miles, which would be the minimum to qualify me for the team; and a C goal of >117 miles which would at least be further than I had ever run before. None of these goals included winning, or even making the female podium for that matter.
How important was having someone there for crew support?
I couldn't have completed the miles that I did without my partner, Sean, and an ever-rotating wonderful crew of Mornington Chasers. They shoved potatoes and bananas into my hands, forcing me to eat when I felt like I could no longer chew. They kept me as dry as possible through the night storms. They retrieved an inhaler for me in the middle of the night when my post-COVID lungs were getting to me. They were there in abundance to cheer me on for those final miles.
What are some of the "Don'ts" for running around a track for 24 hours?
Don't get COVID 4 weeks before. Don't move house 3 weeks before. Don't forget to ask the race director about providing period products if yours is going to arrive with a vengeance in the wee morning hours of the race. Don't go to the loo 4 laps in a row because everything seems like it is just going straight through but maybe you just want a rest. Don't shake your head no at all the food your crew is trying to get down you. Don't lose hope and forget why you wanted to do this in the first place.
What are the "Do's" for running around a track for 24 hours?
Do sort out blisters and change shoes when needed. Do savour a walk lap with a Calypo when it's hot. Do enjoy the music from the neighbouring rave. Do listen to a favourite podcast to get you past midnight. Do smile and chat as much as you can with all of the lovely runners and your amazing crew. Do sprint finish when the countdown begins. I still can't believe I ran a sub-2min lap after 130 miles.
So what's next?
Well since I achieved the B goal rather than the A goal, I'll be trying again at Crawley in April. I'm hoping to subtract from the "Don't" list and add to the "Do".
CAMINO: We have been coaching Jason through various big ultramarathon successes - his Spartathlon finish in 2021 was one of the very best. This is why the 24 hour scene is so fascinating - runners from all ultra-distance backgrounds seldom rock up to 24 hours and perform the same way they do on point to point events. Often its all in the head.
JASON:
So I have been struggling with injury since Spartathlon 2021 so the 24hr Transcendence Track race was time to create new memories and also confidence in my aging body. Did I still have 100 miles/ 24hrs in the tank at 52......
The event suggested by my legendary Camino coaches was right up my street with the whole transcendence vibe, motivational supporters and excellent organisation (plus so cheap). On race day the weather was humid and bright and the location had a real buzz to it at the 400 metre track in Battersea with the power station watching over us.
I started well, meeting some great runners, Sarah Funderburkthe overall winner strong and determined, Richard No 18 the track motivator and Daniel the smiley No.1 amongst a few. Then there was the track support of to-be Spartathlon finisher Bryan Wilkins whom I met at a Saturn run event only a few weeks earlier where his pace over distance was blistering. Then I had my day crew of wife and daughter to keep me moving forward as well as support from my good friend Anthony.
First top tip (now learnt) was to not read my GPS distance versus lap distance as I crossed through 50km a lot earlier on GPS than via the track which was a de-motivator, but after some wise words from my daughter and a bit of brain re-wiring to the pain of these distances I cracked back on, buoyed by my lap counter each time. I loved the repetitiveness of the track and the rhythm I got into - meditative. Time to dig in as midday on Sunday seemed a long time away from the early Saturday evening sunset!
As the night arrived the temperature dropped the night vibe under the track lights was magical as was the dinner of jacket potato and beans which gave me a great break from the artificial gels and drinks I had been living off - real food is underestimated I kept moving forward, nowhere near the plan but still steady and moving forward with a smile.
Then came the early morning hours, with crews asleep the rain came in, and at times it was biblical......I got my wet weather gear on an cracked on, trying to let the conditions not break me i.e. give my chimp brain an excuse to stop. Thankfully my legendary night crew Jeff Stewart was on hand to keep me honest, with timed lap times, accurate distance reporting with help from the ever-diligent lap counters and his booming motivational soundbites.
The cold rain was a motivator in the end as I had to keep on running to maintain some heat. I had to stop and do a complete kit change very early in the morning to just try to get dry for a while and warm through, bolstered with a much-needed massage from the organisers which was much appreciated. Then back to it. I had a strong 70-85 miles after this where I knew I would at least get my hundred miles in and was now mentally dialled into to see it out to the end, which at times had been a real battle with my inner chimp.
Then as the sun (grey cloud) appeared and the rain stopped, porridge followed by beans on toast was served. Again, this was much appreciated as it energised me to keep moving forward, running grateful throughout for what this old body could still do. Yes, I was getting obsessed by warm food It seemed to take an age to get to the hundred miles, having to break up laps into half walk, half run as the energy started to ebb away.
When I got to the 100 miles my brain stopped pushing me forward and I broke out to have coffee and a break with my crew and good friend Anthony whom had returned to cheer me on (and make sure I hadn't bailed). Then as the race concluded I stepped back on to the track for a few more laps to thank the organisers (especially the dedicated lap counters and Shankara) and reflect on the successful end to the race and share this time with this truly beautiful running community.
On reflection, I loved it and yes I would do another. My brain got re-wired for future endeavours, the body held up, but most importantly I got to be supported by great friends and family and met new like-minded legends whom memories were shared and Strava journeys now tracked. Particular thanks also to my coach Darren Strachan of Camino coaching who seems to know my body better than me to get me on the start line and a finish of 100 miles - now to push on into more journeys, including more track events and in particular any event organised by Sri Chinmoy
Thanks you to Shankara and I look forward to meeting you and the Sri Chinmoy family again in the future.
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