In just over two weeks, on Wednesday 28th March, I will take part in my first big challenge of the year. The Dinton 6 Hour Challenge.
The aim is simple:
It is a 6 hour timed challenge where you can run as many or as few 3.3 mile laps as you choose. 8 laps for a marathon, 4 for a half, 9+ for an ultra.
The event is being held at Dinton Pastures Country Park near Reading. The course is mostly flat, and on good quality lakeside tracks, taking you through the woods and around the lakes. (The course can get quite muddy so I am hoping for some nice weather)
The race will start at 9:30am with a cut off at 3:30pm (you cannot start a lap after this time but you can complete a lap which you have started even if your finish time is a little over 6 hours).
3.3 mile lap
A big training run
This will be my first opportunity to see whether I am on track to attempt my world record at the end of September. If I can cover at least 30 miles in the 6 hours, I will be happy that I am on track and making good progress. It also gives me the chance to test how I deal with eating and refueling on the go as this is still something I am getting used to.
Bear in mind, this is the first event I have ever taken part in. I haven’t run in any official 5ks, 10ks, half marathons or marathons (apart from in training runs). I am throwing myself straight into the world of ultra running on my way to LEJOG.
I hope everything goes to plan and the Dinton 6 Hour Challenge is my first big step towards a world record in 2018. I am certainly looking forward to crossing the finish line and picking up my medal!
If you would like to donate to my fundraising cause for BallBoys as I run silly distances to raise awareness of Testicular Cancer you can do so through my Just Giving Page:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lejogworldrecord