I’ve found a running niche. I am a 66-mile specialist. My training program is geared to running this exact distance, not a mile more, not a mile less. Apart from parkruns, cross countries, 10ks, half-marathons, marathons and ultra distances, I will only entertain 66-mile runs. The Bob Graham Round – all 66 miles of it – is so 2012; time for something a little calmer, but, naturally, 66 miles in length. Meet the Vanguard Way. Little known, I appreciate, but worthy nonetheless. Linking Newhaven to Croydon via the South Downs, Ashdown Forest and North Downs, the Vanguard Way is a secretive (and at the moment extremely muddy) route that rarely forages into civilisation.
I will attempt to the run the route in one go in mid-June. The thing is, I’m pretty confident I can run the whole thing, so the aim is to see how fast I can run the whole thing. There are a couple of ultras that have used the existing route. A two-day stage race covering the entire distance was held last year; the other is the Vanguard Way Ultra, covering 44 miles. Because of the anomalies of these two races and the fact that seemingly no-one has bothered, there isn’t a ‘best time’ for the route. I will set one (if I complete) and, all being well, it will be a respectable ‘best time’. Ten hours is the thought swirling around my head. Six to seven miles per hour for 10 hours. Sounds easy, doesn’t it?
10 hours should be fine if you don’t get lost. ;o)
Volunteers required for direction and gate opening duties!!!!