Danny Blowes

Race report

A few days on I still do not think the magnitude of completing the Race to the Stones 100k ultramarathon has quite sunk in yet. That feeling of crossing the finish line was relief but in the coming days I think I will come to realise what I have done. However, before that was the moment at 98km seeing, and then touching, the stones, I think I was too exhausted to fully feel the emotions after picturing that moment for a long, long time. I do not feel that my preparation could have gone much better. Other than a few aches and niggles along the way, my training was very consistent and a few weeks of tapering and feeling I felt very strong a prepared me both physically and mentally. The day started early with a chill in the air and a very light shower which was quite refreshing. The first 15-20km moved into The Ridgeway through woods and fields and was a very runnable section to get started and get some distance out the way. We also passed through pit stops one and two which were well stocked with everything you needed and could think of: fresh fruit, trail snacks, sweets, water, Coca Cola, electrolytes and more. I refilled my water, grabbed some orange slices and banana and headed out, feeling and moving well. The next 15km passed through more wooded areas, a golf course and into open countryside and the first of the long inclines. It felt like a long stretch to pit stop three and I could feel the first sign of fatigue on a big climb. Pulling into the pit stop I refilled my water. There was solid food in sandwiches and chips available, but I could not face eating. I forced down another banana and some more orange segments. I also had what would become one of my favourite things at the pit stops: coffee. I never thought I would want coffee when running, but it was a huge boost. The next 15km would take us to halfway and this section is where the views came into there own along undulating trails. I spoke to one person who was really struggling, they were due to complete the full 100km but were going to stop at 50km. As I spoke to them, I encouraged them just to think about getting to 50km, refuelling, taking stock of what they had done and having a moment to set their sights on the next goal. The mental challenge of an ultra is one of the biggest and I think everyone has that feeling of wanting to stop but you have to keep putting one foot in font of the other. There were distance markers every kilometre and you could see we were getting closer to halfway and then base camp appeared on the horizon. Basecamp was the finish for those only doing 50km and the overnight stay for those doing 100km over two days. As well as the before mentioned goodies there was also hot food in the form of pizza and jacket potatoes. Despite being a big pizza lover, again, I could not face eating too much so again it was fruit, restock, more coffee and step off again. Moving out of basecamp came with the boost of knowing we were over halfway. The second half of the race afforded the best views with open countryside on both sides of The Ridgeway trail. From this part I started to countdown in race distances. One we passed the 56km sign I knew it was less than a marathon to go. This part of the race feels like a blur of tiredness and sore muscles focusing on getting through to the pit stops four and five. At this stage I had dropped to a run-walk using the arrows marking out the course as my guide, run to one then walk to the next and so on… I spoke to another runner supporting the military charity SSAFA. Turns out they had been in the army for 24 years and speaking about the military passed a lot of time. Shortly after pit stop five, we passed over the M4 motorway and soon came across the 75km marker. Only 25km to go… only ¼ left! And then shortly after that it was 78km and only a half marathon to go. Passing through a field full of friendly cows at 85km there was a sign that said, “pit stop 1km away”, this brought a little light knowing that once through this pit stop it would be the final 14km and the home stretch. Another kilometre marker passed and there was no pit stop! This was hard to take but I knew there was one coming up and all it meant was less distance to finish after that stop. I continued my shuffle and finally found the pit stop at 88km. A final restock, more orange and another coffee. I needed a comfort break and, although this may be too much information, I aggravated chaffing which had gone unnoticed. A quick stop to the medics for some much needed vaseline and some pain killers and I was good to go. The pain killers did their trick and through the last 10km I was feeling good and moving well, I suspect much of that was knowing I was nearly finished. As the sun was starting to set and night was closing in, I had to use my head torch. I passed a few runners who pushing courageously towards the end in the dark. Some with torches some without. I met one runner who asked to share my light and luckily, I have a great head torch which lit up the trail, we ran up to the stones together before I broke off course to touch the stones. Turns out that the stones are not on the route, and it involved a 30m detour, but I had not come all that way not to touch them! I touched them with my hand, put my forehead to the stones and reset for the final 2km. I caught up the torch-less runner and ran the last section together. With the finish line in sight I joked about a sprint finish, we both chuckled as we knew that would be a stretch but in unspoken agreement, we picked up that pace matching each other stride for stride. Not quite a sprint finish but quicker than the earlier shuffle! We crossed the finish line; we shook hands and congratulated each other. The acknowledgement in each other of what we had achieved. I had pictured what it would have been like to finish. I had thought of finishing before and during the race, wondering how I would feel and what I would do. I knew I wanted that medal and as it was dropped over me, I gave it a kiss and gave high fives to the crowd. The relief in finishing is unreal. It has not quite sunk in yet what I have done. I could not have done this without all the support from friends, family, colleagues and other runners alike. Huge thank you to everyone who has offered words of support and donated to my cause. Special thanks to Charlotte, my support crew who met me between pit stops for more treats. It’s a long day crewing at an ultra with lots of waiting around. To the other runners' support crews, you did a great job, and you all deserve a round of applause for your dedication to your own runner and cheering everyone else.

On the 13th July, I will be taking on The Race to the Stones ultra marathon to raise awareness of veterans mental health I will be running 100km in one day to raise funds for Combat Stress: The UK's Leading Charity for Veterans' Mental Health.

In 2007, while serving in the British Army with the 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment we deployed on a six-month tour to Afghanistan. During this time, The regiment was on the frontline and engaged in combat almost on a daily basis.

Upon leaving the army I struggled to adjust to civilian life and I was soon diagnosed with depression and although I received good support from my GP and private counselling it barely scratched the surface...

My mood was always really low, and I had a really low outlook on life, I struggled to concentrate on simple takes, struggled to find enjoyment and be motivated by things I used to enjoy. However, there was another symptom that was not picked up by the GP, I was always on edge, I could not let my guard down. I could not cope in crowded environments or even standing in a queue in a supermarket, I had to stand side-on because I needed to know what was behind me, or in a restaurant I had to sit with my back to a wall. When I was getting anxious, I would start to get jittery, short tempered and not keep still. It was mentally exhausting but it was difficult to rest or sleep. I now know this is a common symptom of PTSD called hypervigilance that I would later be diagnosed with”. 

During a particularly difficult time, i reached out to Combat Stress. I was seen separately by both a phycologist and a physiatrist and was asked countless questions about my service, the things which had happened and how I had been feeling, behaving and reacting. After returning to the waiting room, I was called back into a meeting with both of them and they diagnosed me with post-traumatic stress disorder. Not only did they give a diagnosis, they took the time to explain why…

Most people think that with PTSD in veterans it is because what they had to do or what they witnessed. However, for me, it was because I had come very close to being wounded or killed on so many times and never actually processed it. I didn’t even think about it and even now I look at it as part of the job. The moment they said those words ‘we are going to diagnose you with PTSD' it was like a weight being lifted off my shoulders being able to understand why I had been feeling the way I had. They also gave prescriptions for medication with proven success in helping those with PTSD and a treatment plan. I left that building and almost felt like a different person. It is safe to say that without Combat Stress, the future could have been very different.”   

 

It has been many years since I needed any support for his own mental health, but he is still extremely grateful for the help he received. If you would like to support my journey you can do by donating 

here.  

Race to The Stones 100km

In July 2024 I will be taking on probably my hardest running challenge to date. 

Support my challenge

This year I will be taking on Race to the Stones to raise vital funds for life-changing mental health treatment for veterans.

Combat Stress is the UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health. For over a century, they've helped former servicemen and women deal with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, they provide support to veterans from every service and every conflict.

I’m taking on vital steps towards ensuring veterans can get the support they need.

Thank you so much for your support.