I wasn’t sure whether to advertise this event or not because part of my handle for this “12 12 challenge” is that I haven’t completed any of the 12 events before.

However, this one was for me. It was a warm up, a test and a training session. I got to test my metal, my kit and my body’s endurance. I didn’t worry about the results (which was good because I got lost 3 times!), fundraising, or sponsorship. It didn’t count but I got to learn so much in a really short space of time….

It was definitely a tough race; my heart rate averaged 160bpm and sat at 180bpm for quite a long time. We climbed a total of 2400 meters over 8 hours; on the biggest climb I became very aware of a sense of dizziness that felt dangerous, we climbed vertically up recent landslides, and scrabbled through shin high mud. Then, when the declines did come, they hurt in a different way; rather than exertion, the pain came from the impact and the frustration of not being able to run on slippery tracks. I felt like I couldn’t complain though as many of the other competitors were completing the 125km event and were still pushing on (despite the pain that they were clearly in!).

Having other runners on the route was by far the biggest encouragement; you wouldn’t pass, or be passed by anyone, without slowing to jog/walk and talk. The sheer like-mindedness was very comforting and there was definitely a sense of being in this together.

There was a point when I wondered if I had paid lip service to the agreement I had made with myself, that if I felt any worrying niggles I would withdraw, but I’m not sure if I would have listened. I constantly scanned my body for potential injuries and, although fatigued and sore, it didn’t feel like anything would be long lasting, but I started to wonder if I would always be able to tell. This made me question my self-control and discipline. Now that it is over I also realise that, if I had been doing a multi stage event, I probably pushed myself too hard, I can barely walk today…and the bum chafing is real!

Just as importantly, I learned what kit worked and what didn’t. You can read as many blogs as you like but you’ll never know what works for you until you try it (I can confirm that spare socks are key and bananas are your only true food friend).  I also need to find a way to drink more as I didn’t pee for 10 hours… I learnt that trying to Instagram on the move is a bad idea because you might get lost… but that receiving live encouragement is priceless.

Finally, I learnt that my body is robust but not invincible. I know I have great stamina but my balance and confidence dropped the more tired I got and this was disheartening. However, overall, I did feel pretty badass, and for the last 5km I managed to power to the finish which felt amazing.

When I finally crossed the line, just as the sun was setting (my aim was not to need my head torch), one of the organisers gave me a hug and I was surprised to find this made me well-up a little. I think I had already failed to appreciate my own achievement and that little hug reminded me that I had just done something epic.