Hardmoors 60 (to be or not to be?)

So my first attempt at the Hardmoors 60!  It wasn't the ending I had hoped for but all is not lost.  In losses or failures we find truths and answers.  I knew going into this event I hadn't trained enough, I'm no leading race challenging whippet, but I can usually slog it out and get myself over the line in time.  On this occasion it wasn't to be, I had trained enough and my body wasn't prepared for the extreme levels I put it through.  Physically I think I was strong enough I would just have liked to have had more running in my legs and more training where your body has to go through the mill a bit.  The positives are all there though, in my journey to the 160 next May have now started with a 57 mile training with no side effects or injuries.  I have remembered what it is going to take to achieve this monumental feat.  Am I defeated by my 'DNF' no, deflated a little but not defeated, if anything I'm inspired, challenged and have the desire to improve.  I'm happy with not necessarily being the best at this sport, I like having something where I can just do what I can and that's enough.  I am always trying to get better at it, and after a long summer off post MdS I am relatively happy with how I did.  Obviously I hate not completing and I found it very difficult to accept at the time as my inner self just wanted to carry on to prove I could do it, but where's the benefit from that, sometimes you have to let go.  The difference between a 64 mile training run and a 57 mile training is nothing really as they are  both ridiculous distances and therefore its a win win situation!

So how do I move forward from here?  Easily!  I need to have some regular runs, some scheduled trail runs or/and ultra's and build my endurance up towards the date of the 160.  I'm determined to complete it so the preparation is important to my success.  I still don't want it to take over my life as I have other priorites now but if I can get the right training in and enough of it with some reccies then the game is on.  I need a bit of new kit but not much, might also look into a handheld gpx device which will minimise any navigational errors.  If anything my DNF on Saturday has done exactly what was intended, its given me a bit of a kick up the bum and reminded me to respect the distance and course.  Its brutal, and punishing, and will take every last bit out of you to get round it.  I can not afford to underestimate the size of this challenge, everything I have done up till now only counts in experience and knowledge, it does not allow you any freebies.  Its accepting the hardwork that lies ahead and then putting it in.