FKT: Laura Swanton-Rouvelin - Dorset Coast (UK) - 2020-08-03

I started on the Hampshire border and ran to the Devon border so the whole of the Dorset coast.  It was a really hot day and quite a big head wind which I wasn't expecting.  A big worry of mine was getting to the ferry in Studland as it was leaving so as not to waste any time.  I managed to get there just as it was about to leave after 14 miles and this was perfect.  The headwind all the way there took it out of me a bit in those early miles and it was along flat tarmac.  Then after the ferry there was a lot of sandy beach - actually a naturist beach which was interesting! This was hard work on the legs but it didn't go on too long.  Really beautiful route with so many incredible views of the sea.  I couldn't believe how many people were around - this is the year of the pandemic and so many people were excited to be allowed out and visiting places like Durdle Door - it made it quite tricky navigating around people.

My head wasn't in a great place for this run - my stomach was not good with the heat and I just questioned why I was doing it but I managed to find the mental strength to battle on through.  It's an odd concept running a 100 miles in non race conditions and I was not looking forward to the night stretch knowing no one else would be around - it felt very lonely in the dark.  However, my husband, was supporting me and he ran the island of Portland with me which gave me a real boost just before darkness fell.

It was a really good route - really tough hills in places but the views made it worth climbing them! And this was a really good challenge mentally.  To battle on to the 100 mile mark when the head has gone very early on, feels quite incredible at the end when you finally make it.  It tasted that bit sweeter to have had such lows and I was happy not to be too much over the 24 hours mark.

Who would have thought cuppa soup would be so great at settling the stomach!