Forrest's Run: Marathon # 2 - Jurassic Coast Challenge (part 2)!

Didn't sleep too well last night and another early morning. Still no appetite so finished off the rice pudding from last night. Not too achy although my ankles appear to have fused as they don't want to flex very well. Have a feeling today is going to be hillier than yesterday although there is a lot more road running down to Portland and then around Weymouth bay. Decided to ditch the off-road shoes as there was no mud lying around, and instead donned my normal road shoes in an attempt to soften the steps a little.
Arrived at headquarters very early as didn't want to end up parking the car miles away. Saw the first and second waves go off which was nice although easy to tell there were some sore legs amongst them judging by the strange gaits many were adopting.
The first 2 miles were into a bit of a headwind as we headed down towards Portland then a stiff climb up onto the top at Chiswell. There was then a nice chalky path cut into the side of the cliff before it opened out onto grassy fields down to Portland Bill and checkpoint 1. Took on a few Jaffa cakes and Cheddars (salt intake!) before dropping down into the chalk pits around the east side. Very tricky and rocky underfoot. At this point I was running with Bill and Michele and as we were chatting, we somehow took the wrong path. We'd been warned at the briefing that there was a fork and we needed to keep left - we missed it and went right which, whilst a nice sweeping downhill, took us way below the cliffs and where we should be...darn it! There were another couple of disorientated runners down here and it was only once we (luckily) found a steep footpath back up to the Coast Path, that we saw the signpost had been misplaced, guiding people down that path to a dead-end....scoundrels! Still, we were back on route and it hadn't added much distance to our journey.
After another small deviation we eventually made our way off of Portland and headed back towards Ferry Bridge and checkpoint 2. I'm getting to quite like these little staging posts and seem to want to linger there longer than is really necessary!
Bill and Michele didn't hang around at the outpost for long and zoomed off ahead. After picking up the Rodwell Trail which then led into Nothe Gardens, I ran round the harbour before reaching the long sweeping prom around Weymouth Bay and uphill to Bowleaze Cove. The footpath then headed back off road and the crowds brought out by the unseasonably sunny weather, disappeared, as did the smell of burgers, hot dogs and candyfloss, none of which I missed!
The hills now started to come thick and fast and were getting bigger. Checkpoint 3 was at Osmington Mills and I tried to ignore the 'normal' people out enjoying a day in the sun and drinking shandys at the pub as I ran straight through the grounds! HUGE uphill at Ringstead Bay which needed hands on knees and close observation of the ground for each step. After this there was a lovely long sweeping downhill but all the time you could see the huge grassy pyramids in front...further close inspection of the ground required on these : I was literally bent double trying to get up them!
Durdle Door was a lovely sight to see appearing round the corner but I so nearly fell down the hill before - somehow I stood on my foot and gravity being gravity, before I could stop I was literally flying. How I kept upright and eventually managed to stop I will never know but I did : if I hadn't I'm sure I would have injured myself very badly and not sure how they would have got me out of there! Helicopter evacuation?
Fantastic to see John perched up on top of the next hill with his camera - apparently he was able to pick me out from the other runners by my silhouette! My great mate Debs was also there at the bottom of the hill with her dog Rosie so that helped me get over my short sharp shock of nearly falling.
At Durdle Door the crowds were really heaving and it was a struggle to get up the steps through the throng. Suddenly came over feeling really sick and had to stand for a while hunched over at the side....right sight I must have been!
Composed, I then started off down the long stream of steps to the car park at Lulworth Cove. Quads definitely screaming but the finish and hot soup was in sight. I really hope I can move tomorrow.
Results were 29th overall and 8th female in a time of 5.23.
Total climb today 4,391 feet but yet again, an ultra-marathon with the distance my two sore feet have covered clocking in at 26.96 miles.