Back in 1996 I discovered that an end to end footpath had recently been established along the river Medway, from Rochester to Tonbridge. Of course, in my mind that immediately became a route that needed to be run ! My diary notes from the time show that with characteristic lack of planning and preparation, just for fun I decided to run the route on the day after Boxing day, at Christmas time 1996. I’d had a few months of low mileage and no racing, so not really in any shape for a 27 mile run in the middle of winter, but anyway I set out at daybreak to run the route northwards – Tonbridge to Rochester. My notes after the run in 1996:
The Medway Valley Walk ended up being a bit tougher than I expected. Certainly I had not prepared for it – Sunday’s 12 miles being my longest run since mid July. However, a fall of snow during the run made the going tough from about 12 miles onwards. Just after Aylesford I missed a signpost which added about a mile on. By about 18 miles my knees started to cause me trouble, growing increasingly painful as the run progressed. The route itself is pleasant enough most of the way as far as Allington lock, but beyond that point I found it very drab, industrialised, ugly and uninspiring. The only respite being a mile or two along the Northdowns way near the finish. I would not be keen to run the northern section again, although the Tonbridge to Maidstone section was quite enjoyable. Set off at 07.30, arrived at Rochester bridge 12.10 (much slowed by knees) approx 27 miles.
There’s a reason for recalling this run. I’ve discovered that there’s an ultra race called the Three Castles being run on 31st May. Following the Medway valley footpath from Rochester castle and finishing on the track at Tonbridge AC, with a loop added near the finish to make the distance just over 50k or 31 miles in old money. Despite being 29 years older (but clearly none the wiser) and even less prepared than back in 1996, obviously I couldn’t resist it, and have entered the race. So at time of writing, there are just under 7 weeks to race day and my longest recent runs have been the two local half marathons at Tunbridge Wells and Paddock Wood. I’ll need to try and get a few longer efforts in over the next month or so !!!
I’ll need to keep my expectations very realistic, and just finishing has to be the main objective. Wish me luck.
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