Before the 100, I interviewed a number of the entrants and so I’m catching up with some to find out how it all went. I love the phoenix from the ashes comment!
Q. What are your main memories of the Hunnypot 100?
A. I feel in some ways like the specifics are a bit of a blur, but the beautiful rolling countryside, and the chatter and buzz of the people is what pervades.
Q. Along with over half the entrants, you retired during the event, was it mostly heat related for you?
A. The heat was an indirect cause for me, in that I didn’t feel hot or ill at any point on the walk, but because I took too many electrolyte tablets, I felt uncomfortably thirsty for a couple of legs. I didn’t learn this until I spoke to the medic at checkpoint 4. Essentially I retired because knowing I had messed up, and sensory overload caused by a combination of several factors, prompted me to have a meltdown / panic attack. At that point I didn’t want to push through and risk needing assistance in the middle of nowhere in the dark, potentially jeopardising the finish for my walking buddy. Ultimately it comes down to lack of experience, and I have learned a lot from it that I will take forward to future events. Before the Hunnypot finished I had booked the Sussex Stride so that I can qualify for the Jurassic 100 next year.
Q. Which part of the walk did you enjoy the most?
A. I genuinely enjoyed all of it. The scenery was fab, the volunteers were amazing, the food was great, and the other participants were lovely. One thing I love which I think is a bit unusual is being overtaken by the speedy folk on the later starts as I love to see how smooth their form is and the glide past.
Q. Will you be doing it again? Or is it too early to say?
A. A phoenix always rises from the ashes and this Phoenyx is no exception.
Q. Do you have any suggestions for organisers of future LDWA 100s?
A. I’d like to see a more evenly staggered start. The entrants were split across the three start waves in 450/50/6 proportion which makes for a logistical nightmare. I arrived at HQ as soon as it opened so I didn’t get stuck in queues for registration, but as a mid pack walker I was right in with the masses at checkpoints. This meant queueing in hot stuffy halls, and I witnessed lots of people struggling to find space to sit. I think splitting the 450 across 9am, 9:30 and 10am starts would resolve this. I appreciate it means an hour earlier start for many volunteers, but I think it would make it less stressful for them too in terms of replenishing stocks at checkpoints.
I think with the unprecedented heat this year, now is a good time to look to the future and create a heatwave-proof contingency to set people up for success after the massive drop out rate this year. This might mean adjustments like a hot weather mandatory kit list where waterproofs can stay in the breakfast bag, checkpoints being closer together [I notice FOS100 had 16 vs HP100 having 13] or moving the south of England events to Easter and Mayday rather than Mayday and Spring Bank Holidays.
Either way, I have had such a positive experience I will be entering more LDWA events, and I even took the opportunity mid-walk, to volunteer myself to help at the Stansted Stagger as I have completed it twice now. I’ve also signed up for the BBN Pic n Mix this Sunday so I might see some of you there.