Rasselbock was always about going big. Not only did I want a PB from my first ever BYU here a year ago, but I wanted to match and brake the current Female BYU Record which stood at 35 yards.
My dad and the youngest of our tribe, my brother Sebastian, crewed me for the event, with the intention of Gavin, my best friend and fellow BYU runner, joining when he timed out on the yard. The biggest obstacle on the table was fuel. I have recently developed an eating disorder and eating, especially when under time pressure brought many challenges. I had spent the last month practicing with foods I could mentally cope with, and had each yards intake premade in a food tub ready to be handed to me. Although this organized approach really helped me mentally, it wasn't long before I could not stomach food and we introduced our back up plan, liquid fuel. In anticipation of this, I had been drip feeding myself Activeroot from the first yard to ensure I was replenishing as much energy as possible to keep me moving forward throughout.
The event was busy, and this really helped me push to 24 hours without too much struggle. I chatted to different runners on the course, and caught up with people I had met last year that were back to get PBs. I love people watching, and passed a lot of my time running behind runners and observing their technique, the way their body responded to the under-footing, the pattern of their movements, or when they choose to walk and when they choose to run.. all these factors fascinated me.
As I ran round I was taken back by how many runners, some I knew and many I did not, handed me donations towards my fundraising and wished me well. Each time this happened it was as if a tiny bit of energy was put back into my reserve, helping to push me forward just that little bit more.
Althought my focus was clear throughout, I wanted that 36th yard, as the hours ticked by my body slowly fell apart. The last four months of training had been less then ideal due to personal circumstances, and now my body was really feeling it. I constantly repeated my buzz words, over and over in my head and sometimes out loud, using them to push me forward. Somewhere after yard 30 things started to get incredibly tough. The dark brought many challenges not just for myself, but for the handful of us still left on the course. Sleep deprivation hit me hard, and I cannot count the times I felt my eyes roll back into my head as I fell asleep whilst running. I ran a number of the darker yards with Julie, who made for excellent company. Her pacing was to perfection and her story telling skills helped pass the time.
Reception was rare along the route, as the forest trees masked phone signal. I had made the rookie mistake of not redownloading my albums after a phone reboot, and was stuck with three songs on my phone, a loop in my ears that almost sent me into insanity. Along an open stretch I rang my coach Stu. Just make it through this yard, he told me, and the next.
As sleep took over I started to wavered across the route unsure in the direction I should be heading. I was grateful to be in Julies company at the time which gave me assurance we were heading in the right direction, and decided to push for a fast lap to kick start some adrenaline and allow some sleep time once back with my crew. This helped, but I defiantly only had one 'fast' lap in me.
During the night yards I fell in and out of sleep, hitting the floor a number of times. I'd return to my crew tent and watch them wash off my muddy knees, unsure when or how I'd fallen. One fall in particular I recall, as my left knee hit the rock it jerked me awake sending pain thought my body, and I felt an overwhelming sense of self preservation take over.
Heading out onto Yard 36 I knew this was my last. I was overwhelmed with emotions as I ran every step of this yard for my mum. I shed a tear or two, and for the first time felt grateful I was in the dark, able to sit with my grief and not be seen. I ran most of this yard alongside Julie and we crossed over the line together, which felt quite special indeed.
Back in my crew tent my dad urged me to go back out, he knew full well I had not met my breaking point, something I had come to do. But my mind was made up, and I could not mentally move past the self preservation mindset that had kicked in. After the whistle blew for the next yard, silence hit the tent. And then pride, and smiles came. I was buzzing. Had I just smashed a 6yard PB and been one of 3 ladies to brake the female record! It had been a long time since I had felt pride in myself, but in this moment I felt it through every ince of my body, and when I looked across at my dads tired face, I could see it in his eyes to.
I ran Rasselbock with the mental approach that this event would be my best chance this year to hit high yard numbers. I left it with the understanding that I do infact feel, my strongest is yet to come. I was one of three female athletes that yarded over the line and broke the Female UK BYU record. Julie pushed to 38 whilst Sarah outstandingly took it to 41 yards as the assist. An absolutely amazing day for the ladies! Rasselbock really is the friendliest family of runners, crew and supporters you could every ask for at an event, where the Rasselbock team ensure every runner and their achievement is celebrated. Under foot you'll find a mix of natural woodland and gravel tracks. This year we had the addition of slushy mud filled sections due to some nice ore race watering.
130 runners yarded over the start line, 66% of these fine folk had never ran a Backyard Ultra before.
This year saw the most runners to reach 24 yards in any UK Backyard Ultra (25).
If your looking for a BYU with mixed terrain, a fun filled vibe and a whole lot of positivity, then this is the one for you. Be it your first Backyard Ultra, or the event you want to push to big numbers for, Rasselbock ticks all the boxes!
Race video HERE
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