After about 500m ascent Nix decided to up the pace a tad and I simply could not follow. But this is what a 100 miler is all about – you, your own mental and physical challenges, and navigating a lonely trail for many hours. Even with all the support in the world, only you can get yourself to that finish line.

'In ultra running, as in life, we choose our own pain and it is then our responsibility to see it through to the end'

Unfortunately the day dreams and reality of ultra running do not often align...