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.

Tarawera Ultra (New Zealand)

I just wanted to do a quick plug for a fantastic looking new trail ultra being organised by a friend of mine, Paul Charteris, in New Zealand. The Tarawera Ultra is a 50 mile trail race in the Bay of Plenty area taking place on 21 March 2009. Check it out here:

http://www.taraweraultra.co.nz/

IAU World 100km: A bad day at the office

I sat by the side of the road with my head in my hands. It what was a feeling of shock more than anything. I have never experienced real failure during my still relatively brief running career, yet that is what I suddenly faced. I couldn't believe it. It was a horrible and premature end to a race which I had high hopes for. It was also only the second time I have ever pulled out of a race.

The first 37km of the race followed a linear route from Tuscania to Tarquinia (100km NW Rome), along country lanes through pretty rolling countryside. It was very pleasant, if a little more undulating than the organiser's route description had suggested. But the early kilometres passed without too much trouble, albeit it was too warm to be feeling completely comfortable.

At about 30km the first signs of trouble started to show, I lost rhythm and with it the comfort I should have maintained much further into the 100km route before the usual 'dig deep' stage. By 35km I was starting to panic, something was not right and it wasn't like a typical lull that I know well from running ultras. As I hit the 14.5km loop on the outskirts of Tarquinia (to be run 4 times) I suddenly started to slow and my pace dropped by 30odd seconds per mile. I knew then that whatever was up with me was catastrophic. Soon after I had come to the decision to pull out which I did at the 45km aid station.

I know deep down some of the factors that may have contributed to my poor performance but I've now got plenty of time to mull it all over and remedy things before racing again next year. No more ultra races this year; definitely time for some r&r plus time with much neglected girlfriend, friends and family!

Looking at the big picture this is the first time I've really taken a step backwards for the 3 or 4 years I've been running competitively. I've had a good spell and inevitably a blip was going to come at some stage, it was just gut-wrenching that it came when I was wearing my GB vest. Being philosophical maybe it's someone's way of saying I need a rest, or maybe just an event to help re-kindle my motivation? Whatever happens I'm looking forward to a fresh start in 2009 and plenty of race-planning in the interim!

Thanks to all for showing interest and the messages of support.

IAU 100km World Cup - GB team line-up

See http://www.ukathletics.net/media/news/november-2008/04-11-08-iau/ for details of the GB line-up for this weekend's race.

Red, White and Blue

Well, I'm now the proud owner of a second red, white and blue vest; the colours of our great nation! My GB kit arrived a couple of weeks ago and is now laid on the bedroom floor like some sort of military display. On Saturday I will wear it with pride, running against some of the best ultra runners in the world representing 33 different nations. I will be a proud man.

When I think about it, running an international race over 100kms is probably one of the greatest challenges there is. I can't think of many other international championship events which compete? OK, there is of course the 24 hour event, but that really is nuts. But then again running long is the norm for me, it's what I do best and it's how I can show my true strength. I will go out there on Saturday and run with pride, but at a sensible pace early on to try to achieve my main goal which is a sub 7hour time. It has been a long time since a UK athlete has run sub-7hours for the 100km, and it is about time someone did. I will have a good go.

With a bit of luck I can post the results and some initial thoughts on the race soon after it finishes on Saturday, watch this space......

Here's me doing battle with one of the German runners in Winschoten, September 2007

Night Running

As sunrise gets later and sundown earlier I find myself a runner of the night all of a sudden! It's that time of year again when one becomes a 'townie' runner again, confined to the lit pavements of urban areas to get the miles in before and after work during the week. On occasions the headtorch will come out to hit the local trails in the dark although it's a bit of a waste of time with vision limited to a c.5metre radius. It's also mentally a tough time of year. My training routine hasn't changed at all, but the daylight hours have, and all of sudden it's dark when it used to be light, and my body is telling me it's not the right time to run.

I do however enjoy running in the autumn and winter months save for those days of extreme weather. On Monday morning of this week I opened the curtains to find the first decent frost of the year and a murky fog lurking out in the darkness. So the running tights were dusted off, so too the beanie and a long sleeve top. Suddenly my usual 6am 5 miler had a completely different feel to it, and I loved every minute of it. I was well wrapped up - nice and warm - which brought about a nice feeling of comfort and self-satisfaction, particularly knowing most folk were still tucked up in bed.

It got me thinking about the timing of races, and when the best time to peak for a race is. For example many people say they don't like running the London marathon in spring due the winter training required. Personally I prefer to train when it's cooler so for me a race in spring or late autumn is fine and probably preferred. Training is never easy whenever/ wherever it's done, I know all about that at the moment.

I'm now in my peak training weeks for the 100km World Cup in November with two sessions most days, the majority on the roads. The biggest challenge has been improving leg speed after Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, a race which seems to do the opposite. Having said that, there is no better motivator than the chance to run in a GB vest, so every session i'm putting everything in to get in the best possible shape. I appreciate just how fortunate I am to be able to do what I do, so I have to relish the opportunity.

A lot of people ask how my training is going. The answer if probably the one that most runners give pre-race, a bit up and down really. But thinking back, there are very few races I have run where the build-up has been perfect. It doesn't seem to work like that with ultra running. Training to become fitter and to run faster seems to be like walking a tight-rope, it's very easy to topple over by over doing it. So day-by-day it's a case of keeping well, avoid colds, bugs etc, and putting in quality training with clear purpose. It's easier said than done, particularly with family, friends, work and other 'normal' commitments. But if it was easy, then I probably wouldn't be doing it...........

Happy night running!

The North Face: Athletes' Blog

Here's a link to The North Face athlete's blog which includes some further thoughts on my UTMB experience this year:

http://thenorthfaceeu.typepad.com/ultratrail/2008/09/the-north-face.html