It’s 2am in Albi. I am 16 hours into the race and it is in danger of unravelling. After a serene opening 12 hours where I am bang on plan the old nausea kicks in. My head is swimming and I have heaved my guts asunder onto various parts of the course in the last few hours.

I have been here so often it is no longer deja vu, it’s Groundhog Day.

Yet, I am confident of getting through it.

I know I will.

I always do.

But at this unique event I have extra motivation. Something that we don’t get often in this most solitary of sports; I am in a team.

I had people relying on me on the course. I was in a good position to really run a decent distance and help Team GB compete. That was a big motivator.

Representing your country is an unbelievable honour. It’s the pinnacle of the sport for me. Whilst I am fit enough and good enough I will do this as much as possible. The chance to rub shoulders with the best in the world is an incredible experience. I have made some amazing friends in my 3 GB outings. As I said in a whatsapp to the team after we all got home, they are teammates for a day (literally) but friends for a lifetime.

It’s also a completely different gig. In ultras we are usually running hard to reach our own personal goals. Not here. I ran the first 6 hours in the company of a hero in the shape of Dan Lawson. Special times. 

When I was at my lowest ebb in Albi I thought about the team grinding out the miles and how my funk would be impacting the team chances. Far from being a millstone it was a motivator. Once I started to feel better I was able to open up the gears and push, the chance to pass and see some of my fellow athletes was a great fillip.

Mike and Grant, my teammate from Pyllon Racing, had both suffered early on. Did they give up? Nope. Even when they know they wouldn’t be counters they stayed out, mile after mile, to help push the team on. Don’t underestimate how inspiring this is. 

Sarah Morwood was being sick from the off. The image of her on her tiptoes being sick into the big industrial bins on the track will stick with me. Yet, every time I passed her she was staying positive and determined. Always a kind word.

In fact, all 11 GB athletes stayed out for the full 24 hours. This is nigh-on unprecedented and I’d be willing to bet we were the only team of this size to have a 100% return rate. It speaks volumes for how strong the bond was between the athletes.

And the athletes are only one part of the team. There’s the in tent crew, the out of tent crew and the dozens of spectators and family who all gave oodles of encouragement.

Running a 24 as part of a team is unique and teaches you new levels of respect and camaraderie. Doing it for your country adds another level of edge. These combined make it something special that once experienced cannot be topped. If you get the chance to do it savour every moment.

To Dan, Paul, Mike, Grant and Steve and Ali, Jess, Sarah, Wendy and Cat, thanks for helping me get that wee bit more out of my legs. And my heart too, in effort and in joy.

[In the end James finished 17th with 250.7 kilometres. Second counter behind the smile machine that is Paul Maskell. GB narrowly missed out on a medal, coming 4th in the team event. James is disappointedly inspired. He knows he left some miles out there and he knows he will find them next time.]