Ultra endurance events are typically dominated by men with women making up only 10% to 20% of the field at best.
The Costa Rica Coastal Challenge is a 6 day multi-stage running race covering 230km and 10,000m of vertical through the breathtaking jungles, mountains, rivers and beaches of Cost Rica. Unlike other events, the field was split equally between men and women. It just so happened that I spent my entire race chasing incredible, inspiring women.
Stage 1 – 33km, 900m ascent
I stepped off the air conditioned bus after the 4 hour transfer from San Jose and after a walk to the start line on the beach we were off and running. Whilst the temperature was only 35 degrees, the humidity levels rise to 85 to 90% making the temperature feel more like 50 degrees – dehydration and heat stroke are a constant threat.
I had been in denial about my participation in this race as I had not been focused on running and with snow on the ground and temperatures well below zero at home, I was poorly prepared. I had no expectations of performing and so set off at a very conservative pace but within the first km I began to get searing pains in my legs. It felt like someone was sticking a knife in each individual muscle, one after the other. First my right leg and then the left – I did not know what was happening – the pain was exquisite. I had not experienced anything like this before – I hoped to run through it but it just got worse.
At the first aid station at 10km the course doctor told me it was an electrolyte issue – I should have known better but I had not been taking enough electrolytes and drinking only water I had flushed my system of all those important minerals. There was not much I could do and whilst I now was putting the right stuff into the system it was too late for recovery. I pushed on at a slow and painful hobble.
The climbs were not too bad but descending was agony. Each step sent shooting pains up my legs and on a few occasions, the only way I could descend was by walking backwards. It was a bit soon to be in such a dark place but I hoped that if I could get through today I could rehab my legs overnight and on the next stage.
I began the final descent and waded across the river (some were to swept downstream losing go pros and kit en route) and made it to camp 1 in 5:01 burning 2,310 calories. I finished 19th out of the small field of 50 and was surprised I was not lower, there were nine women ahead of me including Kaytlyn the North Face leading female who finished 6th overall – everyone had found it tough.
Camp was a clearing in the jungle and stiflingly hot. I showered (pointless) and took my massage which was agony but helped the legs a little. I pitched my tent, ate my dinner of rice and beans and was on my sleeping mat not long after 7pm.
The sound of the jungle was deafening, the heat unbearable but to unzip your tent to allow some breeze was to invite an array of insects to feast on your body. I lay in a pool of sweat and counted the hours to the 4:00am wake up call the following day.
Stage 2 – 40km and 1,740m vertical
We started running at 7:00am, just as the sun was rising and the course consisted almost entirely of jungle with two big climbs. I was ok on the ups and found myself running amongst half a dozen really strong women – I was able to make some progress but the downhills were still agony but better than yesterday – I was passed easily.
I loaded up on salt and took it easy, trying to rehab my legs – difficult to do when running just shy of a marathon. The course ended with a 10km beach run with no potential for shade but I could run strongly and was able to catch and pass a number of others. I finished the stage in 6:04, burning 2,761 calories and improved slightly, placing 16th for the day with seven women ahead of me. We camped close to the beach and with a breeze from the ocean the night was a little better. After my massage the legs felt a little better too.
Stage 3 – 47.5km, 1,735 m vertical ascent
The first 10km involved running up a river bed – this was great fun and the water cooled and soothed my legs. I felt stronger and able to give chase to the men and women ahead of me.
The river bed was far from dry and at stages we had to swim. Viviana, a Costa Rican sponsored athlete was not comfortable in the water and was close to panicking – she grabbed hold of me and threatened to push me under but I was able to support her and then push her up and out onto the rocky bank. Thankfully I managed to catch my water bottle as it nearly floated away with the effort but I lost all my salt tabs and my peanut butter and jam sandwich was soggy with river water. Viviana ran off and I battled to make my own escape from the river.
I was now in trouble both in terms of salt and food. I had to choose between eating and maintaining energy versus the risk of stomach issues. I discarded the most water logged sandwich and ate the other. Salt was more of a concern.
At the most stunning waterfalls, the UK organiser, Steve, was taking photos and thank heavens he had some salt tabs and shared with me a good supply. I was back on track and could start chasing Viviana who had abandoned me earlier. Indeed, there were many women ahead of me to chase – all strong athletes. I made some progress on the middle mountain climb passing Manuela, Abi and Ash but they left me for dead on the downhill although by legs now finally allowed me to run on the downhills. I finally arrived at Dominical, a surfing camp in 7:51, burning 3,208 and placing 14th and there were six women ahead of me. I was finally starting to feel better.
Stage 4 – 36.2 km and 2,083m of vertical
The stage suited me – an initial climb and then ridge line running through the most incredible scenery before a descent. My legs felt better and I pushed harder and was holding my own amongst the stronger runners in the field. I would finish the stage 8th overall with only the two leading women ahead of me and the top 8 includes 4 male elites so I was really happy with the day.
These women are amazing – they are all in their 30’s, fast, strong, determined, unphased by adversity, driven, competitive yet hugely supportive of each other – they are beautiful, inspiring, amazing. There were two fathers running the race with their daughters and as soon as Amelie is 16, I am going to bring her to this race so she can learn that she too can do anything she wants and be inspired by these incredible role models, I get emotional just writing these words.
Stage 5 – 47.8km and 1,732m of vertical
It took me an hour for my legs to start working this morning – they felt heavy and I set off at a slow shuffle. The cumulative fatigue now beginning to tell. They eventually came good and I could run harder – I chased the women and caught all but three. Then came the big descent and I had neither the legs nor the technique and I was slow. I then began to suffer with the heat and so could not eat and began to bonk. Things were unravelling. I slowed and did all I could to recover, lying in the streams to cool down which then meant I could eat and slowly my energy came back. The final 20 km were broadly “flat” and so I was able to run hard. I finished 11th overall for the stage – not a bad result and only the top three females beat me.
Stage 6 – 23.2 km and 555m vertical
The final stage is a loop and there seemed to be a general consensus the evening before that this stage would be treated as a neutral stage and not contested. I began by walking but soon realised everyone else had gone off hard. Eventually I could not deal with being at the back and gave chase. Being relatively flat it suited me and I like chasing people down. I ran harder and harder and pulled myself back to 17th but the course was too short to close the gap any further.
I even had to contest an extended sprint finish on the sandy beach which was great fun – but only because I held off my pursuer. The race was done.
Overall I finished 13th in 35 hours and 10 minutes. I was 8th man overall and 4th non-elite male and 1st over 50, the oldest man ahead of me was 10 years my junior. Not bad for 50, limited training and a school boy electrolyte error on day one. I loved everything about this race but especially the people, there was an incredible sense of family amongst the athletes and the jungle and heat stripped us all of our egos. The support team were amazing and I loved the way a village was built from scratch each day. I look forward to running this race with Amelie one day.
Expeditions 