I’ve been through worse mud, but it was just unrelenting. You are safe from foot pics as I didn’t take any.
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A Coventry Way doesn’t publish finishing times as it is a "challenge! aimed primarily at walkers, but the tracking site does!
Seems I was 26th out of 196 finishers (but most of them were walkers rather than runners).
Still don’t know why it is A Coventry Way rather than The Coventry Way or just plain Coventry Way, is there more than one ?
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@Matthew_Spooner how did your back yard ultra go? Looking for any tips for a friend 
Race Report
Conditions were almost perfect: 20 degrees and partly cloudy at the start, dropping to 12 degrees overnight. It was very likely that runners would do more laps than usual.
The coure was in a new location this year, and was considerably tougher than previous years, with 193m elevation per lap. The first couple of km were rolling hills followed by a 35%, 60m descent down a steep earth bank. A narrow single track climb through a forest with multiple tree roots was followed by a 60m descent down some extremely steep variable height stairs. Another climb, this time on tarmac and steep descent through a forest with loads of tree roots and a final climb to the finish line. The climbs weren’t too steep, however, the descents had an average grade of 25%.
It was evident pretty early on that I wasn’t in the correct form to finish 24 laps. As a result of recovering from the hamstring injury, I have not done work practicing descending. Normally I train a lot on mountain trails where descending becomes a regular feature and builds excellent Quad Strength. Trouble with steep descents is that there is almost no way to save the quads.
My first issue came on lap 7, I misjudged the level of grip as evening fell and dew made the steep bank slippery. I slipped and banged the outside of my quad, just above the knee on a rock. Initially it was slightly uncomfortable, but didn’t really impact my ability to run, except on the steep descent and the stairs. On Lap 9 I tripped and banged my quad in the same place, after the initial pain subsided, the feeling returned to where it was previously. I considered retiring at this point, however, I decided to see how things flet on the next lap. Lap 10 and 11 went really well, I was thinking that 15 laps (100km) would be a realistic target. In my previous BYU events, lap 12 has always been a low point, however, as I started it was apparent that this would be the last lap – even slight descents became extremely difficult to run – I experienced this during the last 20km of Lyon-Sainte Etienne – Lyon (160km) in 2022 and I knew that my quads wouldn’t come back.
When I retired, mentally I was still fine, helped I am sure by the excellent weather. My overall level of fatigue wasn’t an issue. The only issue I had was my quads.
Nutrition was mixed: I was concentrating on taking on enough fluids given the higher temperature. On lap 3 I was beginning to feel some GI issues, I had some salty food and some extra electrolytes and almost instantly felt fine. This is unusual for me as I rarely have any GI issues. In the early laps I took some nutrition on the course at the halfway point of each lap. However, after 5 laps I struggled to eat on the course. I was pretty disciplined taking nutrition at the end of each lap – from Lap 7 onwards hot food was served, so I had a bowl of risotto or pasta.
Hydration, I may have over hydrated at the start. I carried a 500ml soft flask on the early laps. From lap 5 - 7 I decided not to carry any fluid, which I think was a mistake, for the remaining laps I only filled the flask 50% which made it easier to carry, and provided enough hydration. Before every lap I had a full cup of coke / apple juice mix, after each lap I had 2 cups of water or Isotonic drink. My average fluid intake was around 750ml to 1l per hour
Pacing – I paced better than previous years and ran with the runners who would go on to fill the top places. However, given my inadequate preparation, I should have gone much easier on the steep descent, this may have saved my quads for another 2 or 3 laps, and may have prevented the fall on lap 7
Post race recovery has been great, a 5 km recovery run the day after was pain free, the following day a 10km hilly hike also went well. Legs feel tired, but there are no apparent injuries. Left ankle isn’t quite as stable as right ankle, so will watch this.
Overall a little disappointed to only run 12 laps (81km), however, I ran less than 150km in Jan and Feb. In March, I have been able to ramp running volume, but too late and lacking in specific downhill training. However, it’s a solid training run, and with no injury and not resulting in too much fatigue on balance a successful outcome
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Good effort
When the quads have gone it’s very hard to keep at it on steep terrain
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Great report, shame about the quads letting you down.
One question; you say you got the pacing right so what sort of time were you doing each lap in? Also did you vary this at all? My thinking is that somewhere around 52mins is a sweet spot
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I was running between 48mins to 52mins per lap. Did one fast lap early on when I wanted to be first in the line for the toilet - one proper toilet and 2 portaloos. 10 mins is enough for a break without stiffening up. If you need a toilet stop good idea to be near the front
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Have canned the Thames Path 100 to focus more on the SDW100 which is a much nicer run IMHO and already have my WS100 qualifier under my belt.
Doing the TP100 and then SDW100 a month later is hard but doable but I think I will be able to better prepare this way.
25:15 is my fastest so far.
Would love to go sub 24
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Sounds very sensible mate. Hadn’t realised you were down for TP100. I’m making a call on SDW100 in the next week or so.
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Yes next few weeks will be really busy at work and I am far from being in tip top shape
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Something that rhymes with ’ shunts’
The legendary Arc of Attrition in Cornwall, England joins the UTMB World Series in 2025 
We are excited to announce that for the new 2025 season, Arc of Attrition joins the UTMB World Series calendar on January 24-26, 2025, to become Arc of Attrition by UTMB
Remaining close to its Cornish roots and spirit and the event will once again be set in the stunning landscapes of Cornwall, South West England.
The community of trail runners in Cornwall and the South West is strong and hugely passionate and important and with the partnership with the UTMB World Series, the event will continue to embody the spirit, community and brand that has become the Mudcrew Arc of Attrition.
“We are thrilled to be working with the team at UTMB World Series. The local running community is really important to us and the Arc Angels are key to the success of the event. We will endeavour to maintain the Cornish culture and deep community spirit that the Arc of Attrition is known for with our continued involvement during these exciting times.”
- Mudcrew’s legendary trio, Jane, Andy and Fergy
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE 2025 RACES
Set amidst the cold and dark winter months, it holds a special place in the hearts of runners for its emotional resonance, challenging conditions, and the pride that comes with finishing.
The event’s collaboration with the UTMB World Series won’t change its original essence and qualities, runners will still be able to come to face its hallmark difficulties, including harsh weather conditions and demanding cutoffs, enhancing its prestige.
Hayden Arrowsmith, Event Director at UTMB UK and Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB will be leading the development with the MudCrew team.
Excited?! So are we! THREE distances will be on offer for 2025 - Arc 100, Arc 50 and the NEW Arc 25 in each of the categories 100M, 100K and 50K respectively!
Stay tuned for when REGISTRATIONS GO LIVE - 30 April 10:00 (UK Time) for UTMB Index Holders Priority Registration and 2 May 10:00 (UK Time) for General Release.
GET NOTIFIED ABOUT UPDATES!
On behalf of the Arc of Attrition by UTMB team,
Jane Stephens, Andy Trudgian, Andrew ‘Fergy’ Ferguson and Hayden Arrowsmith
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Just having the exact same convo with my trail crew and came here to post!
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Wow!
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Errr so you’ve sold out to a faceless Corp backed by an even worse faceless Corp?!
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I’ve let ‘Ferg and the team’ know my feelings but they won’t lose sleep over that. I was talking with my mate who finished the 50 and we were wondering why they hadn’t opened entries yet.
Weird thing is, Arc as it is was already upsetting a lot of the local villages and there were a lot more restrictions on crew access this year. Can’t imagine they’ll be happy about the Polletti juggernaut rolling in.
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Wow wonder what they get offered to become part of the franchise?
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I wonder what James Ellson is thinking, he and Ferg are pretty tight and the SDW100 is part of the Ultra Trail Major Series.
I thought they had joined the Ultra Trail Major Series to avoid the UTMB mob.
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I think they did. It’s just that James and Ferg are good friends but seem to be at odds here but maybe it’s not an issue.
Stephen Cousins is on it.
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Bloody hell, did not see this coming!
I have been binging on old Arc race films on YouTube recently & was thinking of entering next year.
Now everything becomes more expensive and difficult!
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