I tried combining some objectives but it was extremely foolish.
I wanted to (a) go for a normal long run which became (b) why not explore a new route too, then (c) why not do a big distance totally unsupported as a test of limits, then (d) why not lay down a new unsupported fkt and finally, the ultimate idiocy (e) why not do it as part of the cockbain challenge to do 40 miles in 40 celcius.
I carried 5l of water, planned to do 7-8 hours 40 miles. I went on emergency rationing of water at 25 miles, then quarter rations by 32 miles, empty for last 3 miles. I couldnt eat my solids that i brought. I had no saliva to make a paste i could swallow. Luckily i had gels and a melted mars bar. Trail mix was deadweight. It took much longer due to the heat. Brain fried, hyperventilating and GI upset. Also kept getting lost. You'd think for a trail that officially opened for 2022, it would be alright but no... signage was barren and trails were overgrown making it very easy to miss the start of the segment or a turnoff. The worst bits were the nettle and bramble. Just wading through swathes of them. There were lots of flies... swarms. Better than midges though. But by mile 20 all i could think about was the damn sun. Cloudless and little wind. Trail was bone dry when i did it due to the heat wave. However, I can imagine this to be quite boggy in parts when wet. Farmer's fields have no footpath so it felt like i was trespassing on private property if not for the occasional small stickers on the stiles indicating that it was a long distance public path.
The bus back home was like a solarium. Wanted to puke partly due to heat exhaustion and motion sickness. 2 hours ride back, drip feeding myself a smoothie. You know things are bad when you've drank 5l during the day and you haven't had the urge to pee.