December Ramblings

Well December has brought a bit more fun to my running. No regimented twice daily sessions where time splits rule and enjoyment doesn’t. I’ve still been going out quite a bit, trying to build some solid base fitness for next year, but the focus has been on enjoying my running, and not getting too bogged down in speed, times, distance etc.

I ran my first five miler a couple of weeks ago, just for a bit of fun, and found it to be great high intensity training. It was one of a local winter series of five races and I’m hoping to be able to do a couple more and try and chip away at my time. I think one of the most appealing things about running shorter races is that it doesn’t take up a whole day, you can do the travel there, race and travel back in a couple of hours, a bit more manageable compared the usual ultra epics.

Last weekend I hit the Peak District with a couple of friends, Matt Giles & Steve Pope, for one of our regular days out together on the hills. Tradition has established we go for a couple of pints the night before - this time it was four in the space of an hour - so sharpness was lacking somewhat during the early stages of our run from the outskirts of Sheffield to Edale and back. After a long spell of clear chilly weather, we managed to choose a soggy, cold and windy day which made it challenging with the paths turned to streams in most place. We were all soaked through to the bone and freezing cold by the time we reached the Edale café lunch stop after a 20 mile morning, and despite good food and a couple of pots of tea we all struggled to warm up get going again afterwards. My cold decided to make a return towards the end of the day so I wasn’t on the greatest form, bit all-in-all it was a cracking day and very satisfying to reflect on after a long hot bath.

This week I hit the Warwickshire trails for a bit of a mud-ridden running across the fields. Now the ground has thawed out the fields are pretty heavy underfoot so it was slow going, but nice to be out about in the depths of winter.

At the moment I’m busy race planning for next year. The www.runfurther.com races have been announced so hopefully I’ll be able to get a full set of races complete in 2009, along with Western States (take 2) and the Commonwealth 100km Champs in September. It’s going to be a busy year, but exciting with the opportunity explore new places and run different races.