The Great Orbital Ultra Run

Leg 6: Tower Arms Hotel, Iver to Brooklands Hotel, Weybridge (15.5 miles approx., or should have been).

Wrting this from my plush room at the Brooklands Hotel, which is next door to the Mercedes Benz Museum and a far cry from last night’s cosy down to earth accommodation at the pub in Iver. A bit too corporate and ostentatious for my liking really but very comfortable and good to indulge in what I wouldn’t normally. All done in a very chic ‘art deco’ style to reflect the founding of the Brooklands car racing track (the world’s first purpose-built car racing track) on which this hotel stands.

Started off quite early, around 10.30, knowing that the 15.5 miles I’d estimated was a bit ambitious as I had 5 junctions to get through, the first being a major one, the M25/M4 interchange at Junction 15. After a bit of a false start (a dead end in a riding school’s field, I managed to get some good directions from the owners and was on my way across a heath that is apparently popular with runners (didn’t see any but saw several walkers). This took me round the interchange no problem and also through to the next junction (no.14) at Heathrow, most of which was quite straight forward- again some public heathland with several footpaths and bridleways. Running was not too bad, but I went steadily to preserve my energy.

The junction I’d been fearing the most was number 13 after the Staines turn off, because of a stretch of water, which it seemed from my ‘Google earth’ research, would necessitate a big detour to get across. In the event, it was amazingly simple as the main bridge had a footpath along it. Unfortunately, this did not reflect in what followed and I found myself in the second half of my journey increasingly frustrated by dead-ends, false turns and inaccessible barriers that even I in my dogged resilience was unable to negotiate. This invitably took up alot of time and energy, especially since it was quite a warm day. The 15.5 miles I thought I was going to do soon turned into 18, 19, probably 20 miles in the end.

Not too many life-threatening adventures this time- apart from having to cross a small brook after having partially tresspassed on private land (so I could not go back). Luckily for me, this time it was not boggy- quick-sinking mud, but it was unpredictably deep in places, so I was rather nervous about venturing across. Too wide to jump, I eventually noticed a small island of solid mud/rock in the middle, which I would be able to reach and with the aid of a branch to guage the depth I managed to jump onto it. But I was only half way- I still had to jump to the other side. I reached for the branch I’d used and tentatively tested the depth with it and also with my own feet. Initially it seemed impossibly deep- my feet reached into a void- however, to my right I could see some solid rocks below the surface, which meant that at that point the water was more shallow. So I was able to step on that (as it was the depth was up to my knees), and get across to the other side- phew!

Following that I knew it wasn’t too far to my destination- just a treck through a heathway and some small housing estates before reaching the Byfleet road that would take me into Byfleet and to Brooklands. A very frustrating route though- which emphasised an over reliance and emphasis on cars as the route to the hotel, basically was a circular bypass surrounding the town. Maybe this is deliberate given the homage to the Mercedes Benz that Brooklands basically is. It felt quite strange as a runner approaching this environment and as I entered this newly-built corporate glass building in my muddy clothes and shoes, there was something quite satisfying about the fact that I did not really fit in.

Leg 5: Premier Inn, Kings Langley to The Tower Arms Hotel, Iver. (17.9 miles approx.)

Today’s leg was the second longest so really tested my endurance and boy did I feel it. I ended up coming in just as it was starting to get dark, tired, thirsty and hungry.

The day started well- I found a good route out of Kings Langley at Junction 20, avoiding an otherwise unpassable (without a great detour) stretch of water. The terrain was fairly stable and I was running slowly but steadily, first through some fields and a stretch of grass just inside from the motorway and then finding some good stretches of public footpaths and bridleways. Relatively straight forward I thought- the first half of the journey went pretty smoothly bar an electrified fence shock and some guy stopping on the hard shoulder to ask me what I was doing on the grassway on the other side. Either he was being nosey or he was a plain-clothes policeman, but I decided to get out of the way and managed to climb over a fence into some woodland to continue. The rest went pretty smoothly and I thought I was making good time- I passed through Junctions 19, 18 and 17 it seemed in no time and I rather naiively thought I might get here early.

Things started to slow down significantly on the approach to the big Junction 16 (not too far, I thought from my destination). I had anticipated this as it’s the M25/M40 interchange and a huge scary junction. I had figured out that I would have to work my way alongside the M40 going south briefly to find a road crossing that would take me to the other side, where I could get back to the M25 again.

I initially found some footpaths and bridleways that seem to partially go in the right direction, then I found myself on a heathland and semi-enclosed in a filed next to the road I needed to get onto. After finally crossing over 2 barbed wire fences I was on my way. I can’t remember if it was just before that or just following that I lost track of a footpath and was going to continue alongside the grass verge of the motorway when I saw I traffic police car approach the verge and stop. I figured it was for me and I calmly let two policemen approach me. I explained that I had lost my path. They laughed and actually told me a good tip about a route to get onto.

Unfortunately this didn’t last long and I spend much of the rest of the journey negotiating private farm land and scrubland and climbing over alot of small barbed wire fences to keep alongside the motorway. I had thought that I would be crossing public park land and nature reserves- it was all rather disappointing and much further than I had thought. In the middle of all of this I nearly got attacked by a rotweiler that was loose inside an open gateway. As soon as I tried to pass it began barking aggressively and bounded over towards me. I froze thinking that was it- that I was going to be mauled, but luckily he went back, but I was completely stuck, he was not going to let me pass. My only way out was to climb over a wire fence behind me. I was petrified and almost in tears, but relieved I managed to get out of the situation. I was very angry too at such irresponsible owners.

After all that and some more trudging through overgrown heathland I managed to locate the road I needed to turn off- quite a long stretch down to the hotel, but a welcome respite of a warm cosy country pub greeted me when I finally arrived.

I will sleep well tonight- tomorrow a shorter run but another tricky junction: the M25/M4 interchange.

The good news in the midst of all of this is that all is well its seems at the gallery and everything tracking and images are working and getting through. So all of this must be worthwhile and I’m now over halfway- Hooray!

Leg 4: Days Inn, South Mimms Services, Potters Bar to Premier Inn, Kings Langley (12.9 miles approx.)

Today couldn’t have been more different than yesterday. Woke up to a dry and sunny day, which bode well for the rest of what was to come. Having worked out my exit point from South Mimms Services, I realised that I could get back on the footpath I’d come in on and continue along it round past the back of the complex, following it round to a road that would cross over the A1 approach to junction 23, leading me to a small B road that would take me back across to the otherside the M25 just beyond the junction. From this relatively straightforward start followed a relatively straight forward journey for at least half of the distance. Contrary to the difficulties experienced yesterday, I found an abundance of open pathways and accessible bridleways that seemed almost too good to be true- and one alternative ‘orbital’ path that partially went alongside the motorway- amazing! This is how it should be, I thought (although part of me can’t help wanting to have the satisafaction of having to negotiate those boundaries and challenges). Unfortunately there was still the presence of land ownership with the very marked presence of aggressive no entry signs and electric fences alongside the open footpaths just to make sure one does not accidentally stray off path. The relative ease of the journey was a great relief as i was still recovering from the hardship of the previous day. It was good to have a bit of an opportunity to recouperate and I made sure that despite the easier route that I didn’t go full pelt on running- more a mix of running and walking to preserve both my strength and my muscles for tomorrow, which is a longer run.

Having crossed Junction 22 with surprising ease, I approached Junction 21A and 21 with trepidation as I knew that this is where the M1 crosses the M25 and one of the biggest junctions. I had already figured out a way round by working out a route along a field following the M1 south to the North Circular where I could cross over to the other side. When it came to it it was quite confusing, and I began to think that I was heading North up the M1 rather than South. I should have trusted my better judgment as I eventually found that I was going the right way all along. Once i had crossed over and worked my way back up towards the M25 again, I found another public footpath to make my life easier for a bit. I knew that the rest of the journey would not be too long now.

Heading across the edge of a field between some small woods I thought I’d hit the path I would need to take to the other side to reach my destination, but I wasn’t sure. I took a risk and headed through a short tunnel that went under the motorway only to realise shortly afterwards that I had come off too early. However, it wasn’t too much of a disaster as I could see that a footpath was running parallel to the motorway onto a road that would take me back across to the other side. From then on I knew that it would only be a short distance through the next field to find the path I needed. Then it was just a case of following a small B road into Kings Langley and onto my destination at the top end of the town the Premier Inn.

Leg 3: The Bell Hotel, Great Western, Epping to Days Inn, South Mimms Services, Potters Bar (16.6 miles approx.)

Feeling pretty exhausted- today was the most arduous (and longest) yet. On the good side I think I encountered everything I’ll possibly encounter in terms of difficulty- I don’t think it will get much harder than this. It also brought to home the problematics of land boundaries and public access (or not), most of which is so unnecessary and actually quite barbaric with over use of barbed wire fences and deliberately cultivated overgrown bramble hedges. Also very few public footpaths or footpaths suddenly appearing out of nowhere or equally suddenly disappearing. On top of that I knew that I was going to have to make a bit of a detour near to Waltham Abbey due to the Lee Navigation Waterway/Canal which I was going to have to cross, which meant heading south a bit and following the canal to find a crossing and then moving back up again to continue to follow the motorway.

The day was not without its challenges either starting with steady rain, which bar a couple of glimpses of sunshine later on was pretty steady. This meant getting quite wet quite early on and having to contend with running in fields of very soft, clingy mud- not an easy task and very heavy on the foot.

Other difficulties were mainly due to the boundary issue- very early on in order to be able to follow the motorway I entered some scrub/woodland only to find myself unable to go any further without clambering over a wire fence to get to a wooded area adjacent to the motorway. There was no option but to climb over it. In the event my shorts got caught on a prong at the top and in order to enable myself to get unstuck I had to just pull away, ripping my shorts in the process. So relieved was I to get over, I didn’t realise that the zip on my rucksack must have come undone and crossing into the next field I became suddenly aware that my things were falling out of my bag as I was running at an alarming rate!

Later after finally finding my way round the Lee Navigation Waterway and finding my way back to the edge of the motorway, I came to a dead end with some very high metal fencing and padlocked exit next to a warehouse building adjacent to a large Tesco store on the other side. Unable to go back as I had just intreppedly crossed over a bridge over a railway line on a walkway right next to the traffic, I found myself completely stuck. The fence was far too high and impossible to climb with no footholds to speak of. The only possibility seemed to be a concrete wall next to the gated exit, which gave onto the street on the other side but this also was fairly high and there was nothing there to use as a foothold to enable me to hauk myself up and over. After trying to knock on a couple of closed doors to no avail, I spotted a youngish Tesco employee who was making his way towards the gate. I called over to him and explained my dilemma. After some persuasion, he finally agreed to give me a hand or rather a foot up on his hand so that I could get onto the wall and he also helped me down the other side onto the street. Goodness knows what he must have thought but good on him for trusting me and ‘thank-you’ whoever you are!

All of this and also a longer distance inevitably slowed me down somewhat and I didn’t make it to the motel until close to 5pm. Also, my anticipated distance had been 16.6miles, but in reality it was closer to 18 or 19 miles. Was I glad to see the motorway sign for South Mimms when I finally saw it!

Tomorrow’s run is thankfully potentially shorter at a mere 12.7 miles. Hopefully the journey will be easier than today’s, but who knows?…

Leg 2: Brentwood Holiday Inn to The Bell Hotel, Great Western, Epping (12.9 miles, approx.)

I’ve survived day two and am writing this post from my executive suite room at the Bell Hotel near Epping. Got here shortly before 3pm, so managed the trek in about the same time as yesterday despite it being a couple of miles longer. This was mainly due to it being a much more straight forward journey (no boggy streams to cross this time) and the fact that the wind had dropped significantly.

Also much more straight forward territory overall- still a few brambles and thickets to negotiate but also alot of golf courses, which made things alot easier, despite a few mounds and hillocks to climb. Also had to negiotiate a few closed boundaries: fences, hedges and padlocked gates that were supposedly public access and that should have been accessible. I got over them anyway; there’s no stopping me now.

I’ve decided by now that this won’t be a full-on run and to preserve my energy and also myself my pace is pretty slow and also by necessity incorporates a bit of walking at times. After all, I am carrying a rucksack, which although small does carry some weight and will inevitably slow me down.

Started a bit later than I intended due my bank being stupid and blocking my debit card for no reason. Luckily I brought my credit card for safe measure, which is just as well as that would have stuffed me and the project, especially since I am not exactly near a bank round here. Of course when I ‘phoned them they were not exactly helpful. I shall be onto them when I get back- maybe I can entice them to make a charitable donation and to sponsor me as compensation.

As far as I know the live image and GPS worked again (at least I managed to be able to get a sense of it by going to the website when I got here). Apart from having to change batteries again near the end, the stream of images have also been saved to my ‘phone successfully, although I’m a bit annoyed by the fact that one of the gloves I took off managed to obscure part of the view finder for about 60 images. Will take more care next time. I also managed some video and sound footage of most of it too (before the batteries ran out), as I managed to salvage one of my recorders from its dip in the boggy stream; the other one is still out of action, at least for now until it dries out. The good thing was that wearing one recording device less on my body made it less of an encumbrance and easier to run.

I think that’s it for now. Will leave you with some images, including a screen-grab of the interface that’s showing in the gallery so you can get an idea of how it looks there (minus my drawing of the map underneath). I also have to eat before the restaurant closes at 9.30pm.