Last updated: 20-Aug-18
By Helen Seymour
Helen Seymour, who completed 40 miles of this very “hellish” event in August 2014, shares her most private thoughts during the Hell on the Humber. Love it or hate it… it’s what she experienced. It’s a great tragicomedy on how we push ourselves to hell and back and then want more….
Roughly how I felt during the 12-hour race:
19:00 – Woohoo, we’re off! It’s a beautiful evening and this is going to be fun.
19:05 – What was I worrying about? Feeling good.
19:20 – Oh god. I’ve been running forever but I still have 11 hours and 40 minutes to go, this is a completely and totally ridiculous idea.
19:30 – Time has actually stopped moving.
22:00 – OK, it’s three hours in, I’m feeling good, my limbs are still attached, maybe this won’t be so bad after all.
00:00 – The endorphins are kicking in and I’m feeling GOO-OOD! Got to love that runner’s high. YES, love this bridge.
00:05 – I hate this bridge.
01:00 – I hate myself. I hate my legs. I hate this bridge. I hate the people in those tiny houses looking all cosy and dry.
02:00 – I can’t remember how to think. Who am I?
02:15 – Have burger. Burger is my saviour.
03:00 – Right, so, it’s 3am, I’m on a bridge, I’m running. How or why exactly is this happening?
03:30 – Sudden surge of energy. Maybe I can keep running ‘til 7am.
03:35 – I can’t run. Ever again.
04:00 – Oh my actual god is that FECKING RAIN?
04:30 – Can no longer move in a straight line. Deciding between putting hands in pockets (slimy gel wrapper in there) or leaving them out of pockets (supporting weight of hands, not good). Feel envious of dead pigeon.
05:00 – Not sure I have any toenails.
05:30 – Mini surge of energy, run for approximately three minutes, feel like I have broken every single bone in my body.
06:00 – Decide to do another lap even though I’m not totally sure if I’m still alive.
06:30 – Stop for a cry.
07:00 – Walk through finish. Realise I can’t walk to the t-shirt pick up place. Go to car. Eat and drink. Feel sick. Feel sudden sense of elation at having completed. Cry.
08:00 – Say ‘I will NEVER do that again.’
10:00 – Say ‘well actually, maybe I will do that again…’
2014 Hell on the Humber results:
24 Hour Race (new for 2014)
Ladies
1st: Nikki Carr – 100 Miles
2nd: Elizabeth Nairn – 92 Miles
3rd: Jo Barrett / Dee Bouderba – 84 Miles
Gentlemen
1st: John Nicholson – 104 Miles
2nd: Rob Duddington – 104 Miles
3rd: Rich Buckle – 88 Miles
12 Hour Race
Ladies
1st: Cat D’Ascendis – 56 Miles
2nd: Laura Bentham – 52 Miles
3rd: Kerry Drewery – 48 Miles
Gentlemen
1st: Joseph Peate – 72 Miles
2nd: Stewart Blaseby – 64 Miles
3rd: Darren Shaw – 60 Miles
