I am by no means a seasoned ultra-runner, or runner, but love running. I have been running inconsistently for enjoyment, fitness and training for the odd event (can’t call them races if I’m not racing) for around 15 years. In that time I have dabbled with half marathons, full marathons and found that running further and slower was more my style.
In the last couple of years I have completed a few ultra marathons, but nothing further than 60km. In March 2023 I took part in Rasselbock Running’s first Backyard Ultra at Sherwood Pines. I entered with no expectations but a decent base mileage over the previous 12 months and feeling as fit as ever. I had spent the last year listening to various running podcasts and audiobooks whilst travelling and became intrigued by the Backyard Ultra (BYU) format. Podcasts and audio books turned into the inevitable YouTube videos. Many of these were watched at silly o’clock in the morning before leaving for work or when the kids were up early.
I found it confusing, not the concept – that’s simple, complete each loop of 4.167 miles in the hour and start again, over and over again until you can not go any further. The confusing part of the YouTube videos is the advice. Some say get back quick to rest and refuel, and others say take your time to preserve energy and fuel on the go. I went into 2023’s event in two minds, and ended up pretty much in the middle of both streams of thought and in reality was very inefficient. Long story short, I didn’t start loop 14. This was a disappointment as I was determined to fail on the course rather than not going out.
Despite the disappointment, I thoroughly enjoyed the event and experience and over the coming months became more obsessed with all things BYU, following races in Australia, Europe and the States, watching dots, trackers and live streams in the mornings, afternoons, evenings, and again and again, mesmerised by the endurance, strength and will to continue through days and night of constant pounding and sleep deprivation.
Not long after the BYU in 2023, I entered one of Rasselbock Running’s 6 hours looped events in the late summer, mainly to give me motivation to run through the summer. Whilst browsing their races, I had a brainwave to enter the 2024 BYU – with an idea of how to improve. With another solid year of running behind me, another ultra distance run and a grand idea of completing a 100 mile run later in 2024.
The summer of 2023 came and went with a reasonable effort at the end with over 30 miles ran in just over 5 hours at Rasselbocks 6 hour lapped event at Hardwick Hall. I could have squeezed another lap in time, but the run in with my kids to the finish of that lap and the thought of an afternoon wandering around on a lovely late summers day was too tempting.
On to training for the 2024 BYU then. Plenty of slow miles, with a mix of long and short runs, eventually focussing on 4.1 miles in just less than a hour. Many of these were completed with my kids in tow on their bikes and more with my black lab, Jet. Whilst clocking consistent (but lower than ideal) miles, there was a noticeable lack of any strength work at all.
With race day approaching fast, and both of my younger brothers committed to supporting me, excitement was building. Following Rasselbock’s Facebook updates in the two days prior in creating the start/finish area gave a sense of excitement and nerves.
The evening before, I had a look through the race book and checked the runners list. Some notable names listed, probably due to the success of the last BYU, the rapid growing popularity and the fact that this event was a silver ticket race, meaning the winner would go to the UK champs with a chance to race the big one in the States.
One of the draws of this event for me is its location. Being from Mansfield, and very familiar with Sherwood Pines, it feels a bit like a home football match. The drive on race day took all of 12 minutes. I was warned on arrival that it was so boggy the vehicles may get stuck. That was the least of my worries, but the mud would play a huge part in this event.
My brothers arrived, one of which supported me last year and we set up a gazebo, small tent and table with food and drink in the same spot as last time. Following a wrestle with the gazebo and a bit of gaffer tape persuasion, we were set up and ready to chill before the start. My youngest brother insisted I wear his hat for the first loop, see below.
Nervous energy was everywhere, and one thing that was noticeable was the range of different people milling around. There were some very strong looking ultra runner types – the types of people you see in the YouTube documentaries. There were people who if you met them in any other setting you wouldn’t peg for an ultrarunner – I know from past events that you shouldn’t judge runners on looks!
Even more remarkable was the number of runners self supporting. There was a large tent for these runners to use and keep their food and equipment. I cant imagine taking part in an event like this without support – someone to make a hummus and avocado wrap on demand or a bowl of noodles and the mental support they can offer.
As we were admiring our gazebo construction skills and having a coffee, a couple arrived and proceeded to have a similar looking wrestle with a gazebo. My brother went to assist and the runner came over for a chat. Turns out he was up from Reading, and taking part to get some ideas for a BYU he is putting on later in the year. We chatted about the event last year, and how we think we will do this year. I caught up with him on a couple of loops, but didn’t get his name so not sure how he got on. When I returned from one of my loops, his gazebo was gone.
At 11:30, all runners gathered in the main tent for the briefing. The briefing was short – mainly due to the simplicity and small number of rules – shown below;
The event was being live streamed and live tracking was available online.
The view from the starting corral was strangely familiar – probably due to lining up there 13 times last year, but also due to the number of YouTube videos watched which all include the digital timer clock.
At 11;55 there were 130 runners gathered in the corral. At 11;57, race director Eric blew the whistle three times. At 11;58 he blew the whistle twice. At 11;59 he blew the whistle once and at 12;00, following a 10 second countdown, rang the bell and we were off.
The route was similar to last year, however the beginning and last section were reversed. A long downhill section to start, turning right to a long flat/downhill section before turning left up a hill which got longer and steeper by the lap. A right turn followed with another right turn shortly after into a tight technical section in the woods. On the first loop I noted to myself that this section would be interesting in the dark. It was very muddy.
Out of the woods, and a left turn up a hill to a right turn which eventually led to another technical section in more woods. Again, this section was very muddy, with some inconveniently placed tree stumps, a few prickly brambles to dodge and some slippery stones. Out of this section with a left turn to a lovely steep downhill before forking right onto a lovely section of flat fire road. The hill and flat were the area I had identified I could make up time on loops where I needed to get back quicker for rest or if I was up against it.
A left turn for a lovely climb on a wide path through the woods. Some muddy puddles developed through the day on this section, but they were easy to avoid. Up toward the visitor centre where the park, Go Ape and café are. Quick wave to the Gruffalo with his orange eyes, black tongue and purple prickles on his back and a right turn back towards the race village.
I told my brothers before starting that I would let them know what I wanted when I return before I leave each loop and to make sure I am in the start corral on time regardless of how I am. I told them I want to fail on the course, rather than not go out for a loop if I am back in time. I told them I am aiming to get back consistently in 50 minutes, unless I need to get back sooner for some sleep or more rest.
My dad visited early on and this gave me a massive boost, which I didn’t need or think would be possible. There was also a visit from Jamie, my youngest brothers best friend since way back when and more or less a third brother. Any time spent sober with Jamie is a joy.
On the way back from an early loop, I bumped into my sister in law, Rachel and my niece and nephew, Norah and Fred. They were unable to stay, but just the effort to be there to see me meant a lot.
My wife and kids visited in the middle of the afternoon. I saw them at basecamp and they cheered me off on loop 3 or 4? They have been there for all the events I have taken part in. My eldest son, Grayson enjoys running and takes part in the weekly junior parkrun, clocking up nearly 70 races so far. My youngest, Edison was desperate to run with me, so they joined me for the last km of that loop. It was a great feeling to be running with both of them.
On the loops between 3 o’clock and 5 o’clock, I used my head phones and listened intermittently (poor signal) to Mansfield beating Newport to go top of League 2.
The first 6 laps felt like a gimmee, with no dramas, very consistent pacing, good fuelling and some lovely chats. I seemed to catch up with Justin Bramall at the same point on each loop, and for a few of these we would walk/run together back into camp. I was mesmerised by some of his stories of races he has taken part in and some of the challenges he has completed. He told me about the website he has created which I have since spent hours browsing. His write up of this very event inspired me to write this!
Darkness fell quickly and it was time to change into a brighter top and don a head torch. Now, this head torch has seen me through numerous night runs and dog walks. The battery seems to last forever and has different brightness settings as well as a LED strip, which lights up the world. This head torch was charged over night and also plugged into one of our portable power banks – just to make sure.
On the first dark loop, it was clear the headtorch was not up to the job. Returning to base, we checked it over, charged it some more in the hope we could squeeze some more light out of it and I set off again. No good.
I tagged along with groups just for their shining light and borrowed my brothers headtorch for the next loop. This didn’t fit well and every now and then would drop on its hinges and light my face up, temporarily blinding me. The next loop I ended up wearing my headtorch, taking my bothers headtorch in one pocket and a flashlight in the other pocket for the darkest sections.
Other than this, the first few evening laps were going well, despite me being grumpy and complaining to my brothers every time I returned. The field was thinning and I was sticking to my pacing plan. The mud on the technical sections was getting boggier and tougher to navigate in the dark with poor light. I can not pinpoint why I was so down, uttering ‘this is shit’ to my brothers when I returned on some of these loops.
During this period I was getting used to being the last person through the first couple of miles. Despite these being the easiest miles, I was mainly walking them to preserve energy and at times clocking up 12min/mile pace just walking. There were times I would pass runners jogging at the pace I was walking, noting to myself how their heavy breathing differed to my easy breathing. It should be noted that the majority of these runners, however, completed more loops than me regardless.
Usual niggles started creeping in. These didn’t concern me. I have ran through these before and in some strange sadistic way, enjoy feeling the niggles and pain. The top of my left foot started hurting, this has happened occasionally when I have gone over 6 hours. The pain tends to get worse and feels like my foot is broken. It generally hurts for 24-36 hours post event and eases to nothing. I haven’t got to the bottom of this yet, with a personal trainer and physio I know stumped with a few ideas but nothing concrete on the cause. I was enjoying the lonely dark loops, however when I returned to base, I was really miserable towards my bothers – not sure why because it wasn’t as bad as I was making out.
I was getting tired and managed 5 minutes awkward looking sleep around loop 11.
My brothers had been asking every loop if I wanted chips. I kept telling them to save them until they think I’m struggling as a bit of a treat. When I return from one loop, a tray of salty chips was waiting for me. I couldn’t face them. This is the only time in my life I have not been able to eat chips. I did however take some food with me on that loop.
On the 12th loop I was again at the back and as the field was thinner still, took me a longer time to catch up with anyone. On the second muddy technical section, I was trotting with my failing headtorch, brothers failing headtorch in my left hand and failing flashlight in my right hand. Dodging squelchy mud ruts, roots, puddles, stumps and boulders I sensed something on the adjacent path over my right shoulder. At this point I had my headphones in and was oblivious to external sounds.
I turned my head to see if I was being chased down by a deer, bear or Gruffalo so see what I thought was a space ship landing. Flashing multi coloured lights, bright front and rear lights and flashing wheels. I did a double take and the alien explained he was on tail bike, tracking the furthest back runners on each dark loop. This was the first time I had seen him. I explained I thought he was a UFO, and he said he wasn’t surprised at this time of night.
Within two minutes of being under the spotlight, I was on my face. In this second muddy section, on every loop so far there was a particular tree stump, which when I passed each time thought ‘that’s going to have me at some point’. This was that point. I toe poked the stump, well aware it was there and went down on my right knee, using my hands to save my face. Caked in mud, a little embarrassed and assurances to the cycling alien that I was okay to continue, I stumbled on. I clocked up some pace out of frustration on the downhill when out of the mud and treated myself to some sweets and a quick wee stop. The cycling alien watching me wee wasn’t as off putting as you would think.
Loop completed and more moaning at my brothers who must have by now been wondering what they had let themselves in for. They had been up as long as me, were cold, wet, probably not hungry (they had been complaining about how much they were eating) and giving up time with their wives and kids for Keiron to be there with an ungrateful grumpy git.
Into the corral with a banana in my pocket and a bottle of trustworthy Lucozade Sport and we were off. Halfway down the first hill, I noticed I got to the corner in 8 minutes, which usually took 5 minutes. I made the right turn and wandered on, debating whether or not to continue. I looked behind me and saw the alien bike, and two head torches behind him. Obviously the headtorches weren’t runners or the bike would be with them, rather than approaching me. Who would be walking through the middle of Sherwood Pines at stupid o’clock in the morning? Apart from me and around 60 other runners?!
No idea why, but I was negative, down, cold, wet and tired so just explained to the alien I was done and intended to turn back there. He checked I was happy I could get back alone and that I wasn’t injured and left me to catch up with the next furthest back runner. The walk back was still part of the course, the leg up towards the Gruffalo. My youngest is a massive fan of the Gruffalo and we have visited Sherwood Pines a few times to do the Gruffalo trail. I have read the book so many times I know it front to back word for word. Thinking of him warm, cosy, safe and asleep in bed whilst I was quitting cold, definitely not cosy, safe – ish?! and definitely not in bed made me feel a bit bad for giving up.
Both boys would inevitably ask why I stopped, and if I tried my best. I didn’t think I could answer either of those questions. On with the walk back. On approaching the race village, I noticed the headtorches were still behind me. Where these the first runners coming back, or the same ones I noticed before I quit? As I was explaining to the marshals on duty at the village I was finished and made sure they knew I wasn’t completing a lap, the headtorches caught up with me. It was my brothers taking a stroll. They didn’t know it was me they were following. They showed no disappointment, but must have been. They sent me to Eric who presented me with my tree as a DNF memento. He congratulated me and I felt like a bit of a fraud.
Over the past year Joel, the brother who supported me last year, has talked about how grim the night was at that event. We couldn’t leave until the next morning and were very unprepared to camp. He ended up sleeping outside so I could have the tent. This year was worse. Keiron, my younger brother had cycled there earlier in the day. He had the tent and me and Joel kipped in our vehicles. Neither of us slept, and Keiron ended up watching a couple of loops start through the early hours.
On reflection, my foot hurt for a couple of days post event. This seems to be normal and not long lasting. This isn’t the excuse for me going no further. My muscles were tired but I feel I had more in them. This isn’t the excuse for me going no further. My shoulders and back ached. This is due to no strength training – something I have always neglected and acknowledged. It is an easy fix in theory, but when so much enjoyment is gained from running, and having a busy business and family life, something will have to give to accommodate.
My knee was sore from the fall, but not sore enough to prevent running. Within a day and a half of the event I feel good with no ill effects. This is the best indicator to me that I didn’t do enough and could have gone on. It got me thinking why I stopped. Comparing my performance in both events, I managed 21 minutes more this year than last. A few books I have read/listened to mention Tim Noakes central governor theory. I read a lot about it (well lazily used Wikipedia once) and it intrigued me.
The central governor is a proposed process in the brain that regulates exercise in regard to a neurally calculated safe exertion by the body. In particular, physical activity is controlled so that its intensity cannot threaten the body’s homeostasis by causing anoxic damage to the heart muscle. The central governor limits exercise by reducing the neural recruitment of muscle fibres. This reduced recruitment causes the sensation of fatigue. The existence of a central governor was suggested to explain fatigue after prolonged strenuous exercise in long-distance running and other endurance sports, but its ideas could also apply to other causes of exertion-induced fatigue.
The existence of a central governor was proposed by Tim Noakes in 1997, but a similar idea was suggested in 1924 by Archibald Hill.
In contrast to this idea is the one that fatigue is due to peripheral “limitation” or “catastrophe.” In this view, regulation by fatigue occurs as a consequence of a failure of homeostasis directly in muscles.
Link here to the wiki page, if you’d like to know more.
The reason I didn’t set a target for this event was because I feared I would stop there (if I made it) even if I could go on – similar to this theory, but looking back now I feel my brain allowed me to exceed last years effort, and stopped me to preserve my body. To test this, I am going to enter next years event determined to genuinely put the effort in and not give up until I am not able to get back in time. No goal, but no wimping out. Lets see if I can overcome the central governor.
More thought needs to go into the pacing for me. Ten minutes per loop still feels like too much rest.
I am going to give the Grim Reaper 100 miler my best effort in May and see how the pacing looks there and how and when I rest in an attempt to fine tune the pacing for the next BYU.
I am running the Grim Reaper 100 miler to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Just over a year ago my mum was diagnosed with cancer and has been going through chemotherapy. With a poor prognosis recently I thought I would try and do some good for a charity, which supports those going through the same. The link to my just giving page is below if anyone is feeling generous.
Murray Evans – Just Giving Page Link here.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this. As mentioned at the beginning, I am not claiming to be a seasoned runner. I know my place, but love running as I know many do. There will be better stories of longer events, but wanted to put my experience down in case anyone can get any insight from it.
Shout Outs
Massive thanks to my wife Hannah and the kids – mainly for putting up with me when I don’t/cant run and become gRUNpy.
My brothers, Joel and Keiron. We have always been close, and their support with this event means the world. Sorry about the chips.
Those that attended to support me – my Dad, Rachel, Norah, Fred and Jamie. There was no need for you to attend, but you took time out for me and it is appreciated.
This is our very first article that an ultra runner of the community has submitted to One Stop Ultra and it couldn’t have been a better runner, please ensure to give Murray some feedback on his personal account of the Rasselbock Backyard Ultra 2024.
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