The Lakeland 50

Well, that was warm.  And I possibly need to take more photos.  This is pretty photo-less.  On to Friday, July 25th!

We arrived in Coniston after a fairly round-about journey up - found out from Facebook that there was a fairly hefty queue into Ambleside, as the roads were getting repainted.  Cue a nice jaunt round the South, and up to Coniston from the opposite direction  Fun times.  Back to the Sun Inn, for the 5th time, and into the hugest and most amazing pub room ever, it was huge!

Unpacked, and then wandered down to catch up with people.  Saw the 100'ers off, then got ready for the Lakeland 1! I was allowed to run with Esmee this time, which was exciting.  Mel ran with Josie, all 4 of us had a great time, Josie is still obsessed with Mr Fox!  I registered a bit later on to avoid the crowd and met up with the others from the TORQ Performance Trail Team - Jon Hedger, Simon White and Tracy Dean. After a quick chat it was off home to bed.

Race morning - up and ready to go after a good nights sleep, so good that by the time I arrived at the event centre, the porridge and meusli was gone, so I had a bacon cob instead!  Tasty!  Chatted with a few other people, then one of the highlights of the weekend, the race brief double-act by Marc and Terry.  These are highly entertaining, and actually useful - the theme for this one was not to get hung up on meeting times and splits and embrace the challenge.  And how true it was...

Bus time, a quick bye to my wife and girls (ended up on the wrong side of the bus to wave!) then we were off to Dalemain.  The usual interminable wait, along with a quick chat to Nick Wishart, Simon Darmody and Marcos Scotney, then finally we were off.  For once, the leaders (Stuart Mills included) set a reasonably sensible pace - which, scarily, I couldn't quite keep with.  It was frustrating as my legs felt great, but on the slopes they just eased off.  After the fields, we were back on the road towards Dalemain and I needed a burp, and up came some of the bacon cob - oh dear. Swallow, keep moving.  Back past the start and off towards Pooley Bridge, just trying to relax and get some rhythm going. Through Pooley Bridge there was a lot more noise than previous years, which was a great boost, then on to the climb up to the Cockpit. This was the start of a recurring theme for the day - legs were dead on the climbs.  Lost some places, but then on the descent to Howtown, I gained them back.

Met James Adams (again) at the checkpoint, in and out as quickly as possible, then on to Fusedale and High Kop.  Going by the climb out of Pooley Bridge, I knew this was going to be grim, and it was!  In short order Simon Darmody trotted past me with another bloke, then another, then Jo Meek, then another...I think I dropped back to 14th or so by the time I go to the top.  I wasn't in a particularly happy place up there, but I thought back to Marcs' speech, and something else my wife told me - it's the British Champs, there's no expectation for me to be anywhere near the front.  So, doing what I usually do, I tried something new in a race, and this time it was music.

I think my run along Haweswater was the best I've had - and I've had a few.  Passed Simon Darmody and Damian Hall and cracked on towards Mardale Head checkpoint, arriving in 12th.  The Spartans were out in full force, and very efficient, I was in and out in no time - I arrived after Phillip Hayes (ran with him for quite a bit on the High Peak 40) and left before him.  He caught me up pretty quick though, as it was another climb - the massive effort up to Gatescarth Pass.  I'd resigned myself to being reasonably useless on the climbs, so I wasn't bothered when he caught me then passed me.  There was another catching as well, but I managed the top before him.  So, slow on the climbs, average on the flats, what left to do but smash the downs!  Nipped back past Phillip, had a great run to the bottom, then set in for the long drag down Sadgill.  A quick "hi" to Forest (Anthony) Bethell striking a magnificent pose on the bridge, then up and over to Kentmere Checkpoint.

Arrived in 11th, quick smoothie, then out in 9th.  I caught up to Matt Maynard and stayed reasonably close to him to the top (Garburn Pass).  Descent time!  Put a bit of a gap on him by the time I hit the bottom, then up the hill through Troutbeck and along the trail towards Ambleside.  I met Martin Cox along here, who was having achilles issues, which must have been gutting for him - he was in 2nd at Kentmere! A brief chat as I went past, then on toward Ambleside and my family!

I always enjoy the Ambleside stop, as I get to catch up with Mel and the girls, but this time I was also looking forward to getting a bit of salt in - my left calf was starting to feel a little "crampy" on the downs.  Hugs, hi's and a couple of cups of Coke (one with a sachet of salt in - tasty!), some encouragement by one of my heroes Ben Abdelnoor then off over the park, maintaining a good pace over the park where there were witnesses!  Arrived and left in 7th, with Matt Maynard 3 minutes behind.

Arriving at Ambleside, getting photobombed by my youngest Josie.  Photo from Anna Roberts.

Up Loughrigg Fell, still feeling slow on the up but everyone is getting slow by this stage, and the TORQ gels were still going down well - although burning a little where the vomit came up near the start.  Down the fell was great, and on the road toward Skelwith Bridge I caught and passed another L50 runner, but I didn'y know who as he had his number folded.  I made a concious effort to try and push the pace along towards Elterwater to try and get some time in between us.  Another quick Hi to Mel and the girls at Elterwater, with the news that Jo wasn't far ahead, then on towards Chapel Stile.  In 6th, with the other guy a couple of minutes back.

Out as soon as possible, then over the undulating section towards Blea Moss, the climb up to Blea Tarn was hard work!  Still trying to catch Jo, who I see in the distance every now and again, but the other guy isn't far behind, so I hammer down after the unmanned the checkpoint.  I push hard up the next climb, but the other guy is moving faster on the up, nearly catching me by the top of Cloce Hill Coppice, I have to hammer the descent again to gain some more space. Into Tilberthwaite Checkpoint, I can't see him behind me so I grab a couple of grapes, and head off up the steps asap, still in 6th!

I push as hard as I can up the quarry, but not hard enough - The guy behind catches me up on the long steady incline to the top.  I was fairly confident I could catch him on the downhill so I wasn't too concerned about keeping up with him.  The top, then the plan was to hammer the descent to catch Jo and the bloke just in front.  I smash the descent, going nearly as fast as I would have with fresh legs.  A quick Hi to James Harris as I nipped past, down to the last road section ready for the fast last mile to take me into 5th.

My legs, however, had other plans.  After that little section of indignation, my quads said enough, and I was reduced to a hobble down the rest of the hill.  I managed to get a bit of a trot on before I get to the pubs, and a reasonable pace on by the time anyone can see me.  In and done, 7th place in 8:45, just behind Jo Meek and the other bloke, who turned out to be Lee Kemp (he ran 6 minutes faster than me over the last section!).

My quads were brutalised, completely rock hard.  Had a catch-up with Kevin Hoult who had a cracking run at the 100, but was feeling as grim as me - I had to chill out under a tree for a bit!  Managed a few mouthfuls of pasta afterwards, but was in a fairly bad way.

Anyways, I'm going back again next year trying to better my time and result from 2012, and because I don't think I could imagine a year without this event!  It is the single best event I have ever done.

A massive thanks to TORQ for fuelling my run, I went through 16 gels without any issues with them, and the kit from Altura was great!

Looking forward to next year...

Eastridge Trail Half Marathon

A couple of months ago, I received an email about 2 races that TORQ were assisting with - TORQ Non-Stop and the Eastridge Trail Half Marathon.  As I am going to be in Italy for the Non-Stop, I though I might do the Half.  Checked the diary, nothing on that weekend, and it was 2 weeks after the UTPD, so I should at least be able to walk!

I drove over on the morning of the race, and it was quite warm in Shropshire.  Parked up, registered, and met up with Matt Hart (founder of TORQ), Jon Hedger and Tracy Dean (TORQ Performance Trail Team members).  It also gave me a chance to have a look at the course map where I was pleased to see it was almost all off-road.  Hard to see where they got the figure of 2300 feet of climb, but I found that out later!

Got myself ready, packed 3 TORQ gels in my back pocket as although I knew I would be fine on the flat, my "hill legs" hadn't quite recovered.  A slow jog to the start where there was an entertaining race briefing, a bit of info about a steep hill, and a chance to eye up the disturbingly narrow path up ahead.  Best I elbow a few people out of the road then...

At a shout of "GO", we were off and in fairly short order found myself stuck behind a couple of slower gentlemen who had somehow found their way in front of me.  Eventually go round them to see 1st, 2nd and 3rd legging off.  Head down then.  It was undulating for the first 2.5 miles, but managed to hold on to 5th until we came to the steep bit.  Lucky there was a rope to help get me up!  Legs not so happy on this, and the 2 people behind caught up then passed me.  Drink station up the top, down goes a gel then crack on.

Nice little descent, then on to the climb up to the high point.  It's effectively a 3 mile, 800 ft climb, so it's all runnable, but when you are pushing it, and you've left your climbing legs at home, it's hard work!  Poked in another TORQ gel at a water station for a pick me up! Made it to the high point, which is also the turn around point and just over half way, in 8th place just behind Jon Hedger.

A cracking 900 ft descent is next, running back past the rest of the runners (some a bit close!) followed by a cheeky 1 mile/400ft climb on dead quads.  Jon was still in sight so that kept me in focus.  Had my last gel just before the water station up the top, then set my mind to catching him.

A 300ft descent, then undulating/flattish the rest of the way in.  Jon looked like he had switched off, as I was gaining on him quite nicely!  made it to within 30 metres before he noticed I was there,then he picked up to around the same pace as me, but I was slightly stronger on the up.  I made it to within a few seconds by the end - if only it was a few hundred metres longer!

All in all, a cracking day out and a fantastic little race - well organised, and tough!  Definitely be back, next time on fresher legs!

Some photos from the day here

TORQ gels were perfect, as ever and the new TORQ kit was fantastic as well - looking forward to using it on the Lakeland 50!

Thanks TORQ for fuelling my race!

The UTPD!

The UTPD had been on my calendar since early January, but only really as a race I was using for my monthly long run.  As it wasn't a priority race, I hadn't really thought about it much.  Well, at all really.  So with about 4 days to go, I replaced my dead Hokas (upper came apart during the Highland Fling) with some Nike Terra Kigers (tried on the Wildhorse, the model down, thought it was ok.  The Kiger is another animal.  It's Awesome!).  2 days before, treated myself to some replacement race shorts (broke my last pair on the Old County Tops.).  The night before, packed.

As this race wasn't an "A" race for me, I went into it with a slightly different tactic from normal - I was going to try and run "within" myself, not push too early and try and finish strong.  Run my own race, not get pulled along at the start.

Drove to Whirlow Farm, race start, early Saturday morning, got registered, saw James Adams knocking about but was too tired to go and harass him, and I needed to sort my kit and dropbags out.  While I was doing this, I bumped into Lee Knight.  He is an absolute animal, right up there with the ridiculously famous Charlie Sharpe in terms of toughness - he was doing this as an easy race after the previous few weeks of winning the Hardmoors 160 and coming 2nd in the 3 Rings of Shap.  In between then and the start I spent most of the time chatting to him.  He was going steady, aiming for 11.5 hours. Caught up with Matt and Ellie from Summit Fever Media, and Sally Fawcett, the eventual ladies winner.  I also caught up with Ian Loombe, the race director, as I was one of the lucky ones selected to wear a tracker. Looked around, saw no-one I recognised, and thought I might have a chance at taking this race out.  Didn't change my plan though.

All too soon, we were off.  4 people charged off into the distance, but I headed out steady but soon Lee and I caught and passed everyone but one guy in a bright yellow t-shirt.  We kept out pace steady all the way up onto Houndskirk Moor, pulling slowly away from the people behind, and slowly losing ground to the guy in front.  We were running nice and easy, and it remained like that for most of the race.  We got to the first proper checkpoint at Moscar, where the first drop-bag station was.  Lee was working hard (understandable really, a few miles in the legs recently) but was keeping up.  The guy in front looked like he was coming back to us, no-one was visible behind, life was good.  A nice steady climb up onto the edge, then the bloke in front took off, he absolutely smashed the run along the edge and down to Ladybower Reservoir.

It was getting pretty warm, and I was pretty thankful I had opted for the 2-bottle approach, especially considering the scarcity of potable water around the peak district!  We hit the checkpoint down by the reservoir, and they had chunks of melon, grabbed a couple, they were amazing, nice and cool.  from there, it was a steady climb back up to the top of the edge then back to the Moscar checkpoint.  The climb back up was hard work as it was sheltered from the wind, and we cooked.  Once we started retracing our route back, we passed loads of people coming up which gave us a bit of a boost - we had been going 27 miles or so in some pretty warm weather!  Bloke in yellow shirt was nowhere in sight - one of the guys on the way down said 6 minutes in front.  Looking at the splits, pretty sure he lied.

In and out of Moscar checkpoint with a water bottle top up, then the long climb up to Stanage Edge again.  We ran most of it, then it was some great running along the top. I had to restrain myself along here, as I know this part of the course really well - it's near the start of the Nine Edges Endurance race, and I'm usually hammering it here.  My brain wanted me to do the same, and I started feeling like I could.  I made a compromise with myself, and picked it up a little.  Felt great!  Next checkpoint reached, then off the edge and heading for the next main checkpoint, where drop bag 2 was waiting for me.  To get there though, was a lot of road, and a lot of downhill pounding.

Refilled my TORQ gel and Energy supplies, topped my drink up and then it was a good slog up Win Hill.  it was actually not too bad as it gave my quads a chance to recover from the bashing they just received.  As a bonus, it was shaded too!  A nice run down from there to Hope Cross, and oo look, its that yellow t-shirt...nearly up at the Kinder Plateau!  Our hopes of him fading, crashing and burning were fast fading.  We took it steady up, and were informed he was about 20 minutes ahead.  Not too bad with well over 20 miles to go.  A brilliant run along the edge of the Plateau (love it up there), then a quad-busting descent down The Nab, and into Edale.  There was an optional drink station here, although the route was a few hundred metres longer, we took it.  Refilled our drink bottles and were told we were still 20 behind 1st, but also 20 up on 4th.

In hindsight, that was where we lost focus, where we started slipping backwards.  With about 20 miles to go, stuck in no man's land,  we thought we maintained our effort, but in reality we slowed.  Not much, but enough to make a big difference.  There was a long hard slog up from Edale to Hollins Cross (to make matters worse, I usually run it!) and then one of the best descents anywhere down to Castleton.  Steep, technical, fun.  A trot through Castleton, then up Cave Dale.  Lee felt it a bitup here, and dropped back a  bit.  It was like a furnace in there.  I felt alright though, and trotted on up.  Left at the top, along a bit then another long, road descent (there was a pattern forming here) into Bradwell.  Looking over, there was a bright yellow t-shirt just reaching the top of Bradwell Edge.  So no closer then!

Bradwell checkpoint, the 3rd drop bag checkpoint had an absolute stack of food waiting for us.  More importantly, the rest of my gels.  They also had satsumas.  I ate one.  I ate a few more.  They were like Ambrosia.  Then came something I'm not so proud of.  Lee and I had been craving coke for a bit.  Well, about 20 miles or so.  On the way out, there was Eric's coke, sitting against the side of the building.  I know it was Eric's, it had his name on it.  We looked left.  We looked right.  We grabbed it, and ambled off at top speed (relative) whilst chugging Eric down.  It was fantastic.

The track up to Bradwell Edge was dry for once, and not actually a bad climb, powered by a stolen coke.  Checked in, then back down to the river.  Down another road.  Blergh.  I love running by rivers, and I love running through trees.  There were both.  The pace suddenly picked up to below 8 minute miles, not bad for near 50 miles of slog.  Then came the climb back up to Carls Wark (only got slightly sidetracked twice, lost about 2 minutes) then as we were heading to the checkpoint,another runner comes trotting up.

Runners were differentiated between the 30 and 60 mile races by the colour of the bands above and below the number.  He had his folded over and pinned.  So we asked, "you in the 30?" "nope, the 60 mate."  Oh.  That's not good.

It's amazing how the mind can trick the body into feeling certain things.  Say, hunger when you are bored.  Or fatigue when you've been running for a bit.  The other amazing thing, happened right there.  All the fatigue washed away from my legs.  I felt as fresh as I had started.  The descent from the checkpoint down to Burbage was fantastic, I floated down it.  We started up the climb to Burbage Moor, Me, Lee and Mr 4th Place (Ian, it turns out). I took stock of my Gels - 2 left.  One caffiene, one not.  Right, bang the caffeine down, then force the pace.  Lee provides some sage advise - he's got to be hurting worse, he's been pushing to catch us - so I slow a little on the climb.  On top of the moor, we run.  I'm feeling great, no fatigue, but i know if I push too hard it will all come crashing down.

Onto Houndkirk Road, not far now, look behind, we are about 50m clear.  steep section so walk, last gel goes down.  All downhill from here.  Run faster.  Checkpoint 20, just over a mile, down the Limb Valley. Look behind, too many trees to tell.  He kept up on the descent to Burbage Brook, he could be anyway.  I'm feeling good, lets go!  Garmin says 7...6:45...6:30...6:15 a mile...feeling great, in the zone nearly there, 200m to go, last climb, start running up, look behind and I can see Lee not too far back, then behind him just empty track.  I ease off, jog.  Lee comes up, tells me to get a move on (actual words edited for younger viewers) so I head towards the finish.  I wait for him there to dib together, but he yells at me some more so I give and and hit the finish button, in 10:35.  Lee finishes just after.  Backstory time: about 10 miles in, Lee says to me :"I don't know the route, I'm using you for nav and for pacing, so if we get to the end together, you're dibbing first".  A man true to his word.  A few minutes later Ian comes in 4th, followed closely by Sally Fawcett, 1st lady and Ladies CR time.

The usual after match chat, discussion and things ensues, and I find out 1st place (9:45ish) was none other than a fit Ken Sutor.  No wonder he didn't come back!  Downed my TORQ recovery drink (strawberries and cream, Yum!) handed my tracker back in then made my way back home.

Things I learnt from the race:

Nike Terra Kigers are amazing.

My nutrition and hydration is spot on.

In order to race to the best of my ability, I need to start faster.  I'll attempt to explain...  Whatever pace I set out at, my body seems to use as a reference point for effort throughout the race.  If for example I set out at 8 minute miles, later in the race that effort level is the point where I start to feel like I'm maxing out.  However, if I set off at 7's, that is the effort level my body uses.  Obviously too much faster than that is somewhat self defeating as I end up burning out - see the Highland Fling, where most of the first 13 miles were spent well under 7 minute miles, and the big dip I had later on.  Do I think I would have challenged Ken if I had set out faster, to push myself?  Maybe, maybe not.  But to be honest I'm not too concerned about that as I had a fantastic time trotting around with Lee, and I'm back and focussed on the Lakeland 50 with everything ironed out and all of my plans sorted.

Plan is: Go out with the leaders (unless it's a Marcus Scotney-ish sub-20 minute first 4 mile loop!), stay with the leaders, and pop a gel every 30 minutes.  Simples!

Some stats from the race:

  TORQ Gels consumed: 22 (mixed flavours, approx 1 caffeine every 2 hours)
  TORQ Energy consumed:  6 bottles (mixed flavours)
  Water consumed:  6 bottles
  Stolen Coke consumed: 1/3 of a bottle (it works so much better when purloined!) - Cheers Eric!

I'd like to thank TORQ for fuelling me for the race.

Pictures by Summit Fever Media are here.

The Hoka Highland Fling

My first 'A' race of the year, and also my birthday present (thanks honey), was the Hoka Highland Fling.  This year was a bit of a recce-race, as traditionally the Fling had every 2 years been the Ultra Champs race (like last year), and I wanted to give it a good crack next year.

There has been a fair bit of lead-up to this race.  It came at the end of a solid 16-week training block (courtesy of Marc Laithwaite and The Endurance Coach) with no injuries, and only a minor amount of irregular training just after the Hardmoors 55, which took me about 3/4 weeks to fully recover from.  So I was feeling pretty good about it.

The weeks leading up to the race were spent looking at the route, and the splits deciding how many gels to take, how many dropbags to use and how to divide my nutrition between them.  I ended up settling for 18 TORQ gels (mixed flavours, enough for 9.5 hours, just in case) spread between the starting amount and 3 drop bags, with 3 top-ups of TORQ Energy (4 units in total, Lemon Lime to start, followed by Pink Grapefruit, Natural Orange and my fave Natural Blackcurrant).  Packed my bag up on the Thursday night,with everything just squeezing in as I was going carry-on only (seriously, £15 for 15 kg, each way.  No, just no.).  Finished up work Friday and headed to East Mids airport with Mel and the girls, quick drop-offs and goodbyes and very shortly on my way to Scotland for the first time.

The flight, landing, and bus ride in to Queens St Station in Glasgow was pretty uneventful.  At the station though, it got interesting.  So, I managed to buy a ticket to Milngavie, race start and where I was staying.  Could I find the train?  Could I heck.  So after half an hour of scouring timetables and looking around, I asked a bloke and he said it was leaving from platform 8.  In 2 minutes.  It's downstairs,  and it's the last one of the night.  Best I run then!  Jumped on just before it left, massively relieved.  Arrived at Milngavie, and walked in what I thought was the right direction for the Premier Inn, where I was staying,  Luckily, it was.  Registered, bags dumped then off to register at the other Premier Inn (with the Braeburn Pub attached).  Job done, ready to go.  Except breakfast didn't start until 7am, and the race started at 6.  Best I wander to Tesco then!  Picked up some natural yoghurt and oat thing, and some strawberry milk.  Job done, tea time!  Settled for for a Double Bacon Burger with Ultimate Fries!  A bit of soul searching over whether to go with a matching pint of Hobgoblin, but didn't.  This was, after all, my first "A" race of the year so played it safe with an OJ and lemonade.  Unlike the guys on the next table who were also racing, and quite hammered.

A bit of last minute organising everything in the right piles, all the right gels in all the right places, and sleep.  Until 4am, when my alarm went off so that I could eat the amazingly tasty breakfast.  Yeah, it was pretty grim.  Mostly edible though.  Everything sorted, wandered off the the start with all of the dropbags.  Massive credit to the Fling organisers, everything went amazingly well, like a well oiled machine, and so friendly and nice about everything,  Quick wee, brief Hi to Chris Baynham-Hughes, listened to the briefing (can't remember anything about that) then wandered off to the start and made my way to the front (cue funny looks and a pointed question about my projected finish time thanks to my extremely toned and athletic looks!  8 hours was the answer, a look of disbelief was what I got back.  Ha!).

Countdown, 3, 2, 1..go!  Out through the town, on to the trail, and settle in to a nice rhythm.  Catch up to the indomitable Charlie Sharpe, and have a brief chat to him and a mate of his (who asked me which part of South Africa I was from!  The cheek!).  They dropped off, quick head count and I was in 5th (I think).  The trail for the first 12 miles of so was mostly flat, and managed to maintain a steady sub-7 along there (except for the hilly bits) and got to the 1st checkpoint (Drymen, just over 12 miles) in 4th place in 1:24.After that is a decent climb up Conic Hill, slowed a little up there (got through the first 1/2 marathon in 1:32 btw) and dropped a place on the way up.  Although it's a long drawn out climb, the descent to the Loch is quite steep.  In a fell race, I'd batter down it, on the edge of control, but at the start of an ultra I like to take these a bit conservatively.  Then a bloke nips past me quite fast, so I thought I had better speed up a little!  Ran past a bloke who said the guy in front was 2nd Scot (it was a Scottish Ultra Champs Race), then read my race number and was "Ah, Matty, the Dark Horse".  Cheers Grant MacDonald, no pressure there then!

Down to the first Drop bag location (Balmaha, 20 miles in), where I found out just how efficient the Fling crew are. 20 metres out, they shouted my number out, by the time I was at the checkpoint my back was ready and open.  Without fail, all checkpoints.  Brilliant.  Refilled my drink bottle with a pre-mixed TORQ energy, stuffed more gels in and then back hot on the heels of that Scot.  Re-passed him over a small technical section, then we reached the flat and he took off.  Mostly because he was a sub-2:30 marathoner.  It was about here that I realised that I was a bit warm, and a bit dehydrated.  Actually, a lot dehydrated.  I started having a mild panic as I opted to skip the next drop bag location, and I wasn't going to get any liquid for another 14 miles!  and then I thought - "dur, they've got water there. Refill with that".  Seriously.  So I chugged happily away then sped up a little.  Along here I was passed by another couple of runners and slipped back a couple of places, but picked up a couple (the sub 2:30 runner, and a Nepalese bloke who was running with no water or food).  I ended up running with the Nepalese guy for a few miles.

Into Rowardennan (Mile 27), quick top-up with water, then back out, in 5th.  There's a long climb up out of that checkpoint, right on the edge of runnable, which is my weak point.  Passed here by another bloke, but me and the Nepalese guy kept each other going, plugging away and finally got to the top and was rewarded by a nice, long descent to recharge the legs.  I can't remember much else about this section, apart from drinking loads of water, refilling, and then looking around to find out I was running solo again.  Where did he go?  And when?  (Turns out he retired at the next checkpoint after pulling up with hamstring cramp.  As soon as he starts eating and drinking properly on the run, he'll be dangerous!)

Inversnaid.  Dropbag.  Back on the TORQ Energy drink! (Note for next time - pre-mixed drink at EVERY drop bag!) and a few more gels, then on to the bit I was waiting for - the "technical" section.  This was talked about in hushed tones on the Facebook page, and I couldn't wait.  I love rough ground, as I'm generally faster than most across it.  3 people caught me just before it, I perked up then dropped them within minutes. Loved it.  Finished all too soon though, then Charlie Sharpe and A.N. Other caught up just before the last drop-bag location.

Bein Glas Farm (42 miles)  In there together, Charlie and the other bloke a little quicker through (I had pre-mixed Natural Blackcurrant to decant into my bottle!) and set out to chase them.  Checked my gel stock (6), how far to go (12 miles) then decided.  A gel every 2 miles.  Rewards more often, what's not to like!  About a mile out of the checkpoint, with the bloke I didn't know moving really well, I was passed by the first relay runner, which spurred me on a bit, and noticed that I was catching Charlie.  We ran together, having a nice chat, up the hills all the way to Boggle Hole.  It was a surreal experience, because everyone we passed knew who Charlie was.  15-20 people, all cheering Charlie on, by name, even without his number visible.  Literally the most famous ultra runner in the UK.

Charlie stopped briefly at Boggle Hole (I am told this is actually Bogle Glen) as he had a friend waiting for him there.  I had a brief conundrum - do I wait and run in with him, or do I wobble off.  I wobbled off, then set about putting as much space between Charlie and I as possible (sorry mate).  Some cracking undulating trail, then a great descent down to the road.  Across the road, over the bridge and hello, there goes the relay runner and the 6th place runner. And oh my goodness (not my actual thought) does this road go all the way up that hill?   No?  It turns left?  Whew!  And chasing again, pulling 8 min miles on the flat bits, and feeling not too bad!  The relay runner was getting closer, I was knocking back gels, it was going well.  Back under the road, path alongside the river, run past a bloke who says:  just over a mile to go.  Check watch, 7:48.  I can make sub 8!  Yes!  Run faster!  Time tick by...must be close..no...no it's not.  He lied, cruel person.  2.5 miles.  Not just over a mile.  So with about 800m to go, I crashed.  Hard.  But then I heard the pipers, choked up a little, heard the finish crowd and forced myself to pick it up to a respectable pace through the crowd.

Finished, 7th place, 8:04:01.

Extremely pleased with my result, wouldn't have been possible without being fuelled by TORQ, 17 gels and 2L of TORQ energy, amazing stuff.

In for a shower (bonus about being near the front, no queues!), massage, some amazing tomato soup then a fantastic baked potato and a beer (nearly grabbed the 11% one - that would have been very brief, and very messy) and a chat with Charlie Sharpe (8th), Simon Darmody (10th) and Chris Baynham-Hughes (ran it 4 weeks or so after an ankle operation!).  It's amazing what friendships you strike up with people you see only a few times a year at random races!

On the first bus back with the intention of getting the pint of Hobgoblin I missed out on Friday night...failed, didn't leave the room.

All in all, a fantastic and really well organised race.  Would recommend it to anyone.

Some random thoughts

There's a little bit of everything in this, well everything except for a race report.

It's the Highland Fling in a couple of weeks, it will be my first time up in Scotland.  Should be fun.  I have my last long run on Sunday, going on a bit of a tour of Kinder with a mate, with a sneaky couple of descents/ascents along the way.  Quite looking forward to it!

Last weekend, in order to fit things in with family life, I swapped my Saturday and Sunday sessions around.  A nice 18 mile run with about 3000ft of climb on the Saturday, which was nice.  Steady pace, ran all the hills, got it done in about 2:50 which I was quite pleased about - especially as I had McDonalds earlier that day and suffered a bit energy-wise on the run (you think I would have learned after the first time.  Or the second.  Or the third...).  Sunday was an 800m time trial, followed by 3x 300m then 4x 100m.  I was a bit slow on the 800, and a little slow on the first 300, the rest were bang on.  Hard work though, not recommended that way round!

Tuesday I was back up in the Peak District, doing a couple of different things.  First up was a stop in at the Accelerate Performance Centre getting my running analysed.  Took about an hour, a couple of sessions filmed on a treadmill, feet getting manipulated, walking movement checked.  Turns out I'm not the most efficient runner in the world (which I knew), but now have a plan to correct things, like my overstriding,  my inflexible big toes (which my feet somehow weirdly roll around) and a few other bits and pieces.  It will take a while, but I'm confident it will help.

Tuesday afternoon, was another session with Summit Fever Media.  I always enjoy my sessions with Matt and Ellie, am looking forward to dragging Matt out on a run on the next one!  It was the second filmed interview out of 3 in the lead up to the Ultra Tour of the Peak District, and this one was on nutrition.  Which got me thinking about nutrition, mostly because I never really do.  I probably can't call myself a serious ultrarunner because I'm a) not allowed to grow a beard, b) don't obsess over a paleo/vegan/HFLC/Insert acronym here diet and c) have never had a Chia seed. (Actually c is a lie. I did try a bar that contained chia after a race.  I can, and frequently do eat anything and everything after a race. I couldn't even finish a mouthful.  I had to find somewhere discreet and remove it.  God it was grim.)  My philosophy is generally that I run a bit, so I can eat whatever.  I did make a bit of a change in that I swapped from cereal to greek yoghurt for breakfast, but that's about it.  Raceday, however, is set.  A gel every 30 minutes, and 500ml of carb drink ever 2 hours (more or less depending on heat).  TORQ, of course. I cycle the gel flavours to keep the taste buds interested, and I generally avoid any of the dreaded "flat spots" and things like that.  It works for me, and is the end result of quite a few years of trial, some massive errors and reading about what other people do.  Will I ever change my diet?  Maybe.  If I get to a point where it's the only thing to change to improve then I will.  Until then, no.  Will I change my raceday plan?  No.  No intention of going down the "real food" route.  My body uses carbs as fuel, and the best way to get that back in is gels.

So after that (and a very nice coffee,and some hilarious discussion on Linseed oil partway through), I went for a trot from Hope, Lose Hill, Mam Tor (got filmed running - possibly shambling, it was stupidly windy up top, could barely stand up!) then back again.  I also took some pics (below)

 

I do quite like the "dramatic" filter.

I also received the rest of my prize - a pair of Mammut running shorts and jacket.  In blue.  Bright blue.  Which coincidentally match the blue bits on my x-talons, and the blue of my Mizunos.  Both of which I wore - the x-talons for the run, the Mizunos for the drive home.  I must have looked a right plonker.  Thing is though, they are brilliant to run in, really comfy and functional.  Just have to be careful not to wear them at the same time!

Hardmoors 55

I entered this a while back, intending to use it as a long run - still a race, but doing something like this once a month as my "long run", so that I don't lose any endurance while focusing on building speed.

One thing I didn't realise, until a lot closer to the date, was that in order to get to Helmsley for the bus, I was going to have to get up at 3:30am, to catch the bus for 6.  I love mornings...  Add to that, I had been suffering from man-flu ever since the Grizedale Trail Marathon (where I had a fantastic race) so I probably wasn't a picture of health when I arrived at our starting point in Guisborough.

Kit check and registration went very smoothly, then I went and purchased a pair of (white, no less) x-bionic arm warmers from the Tony at the Ultra Runner Store stall.  Turns out this was the best decision I made all day!  After then standard highly entertaining briefing from Jon, I put my coat on (it was cold, and windy), queued at the start, and then we were off.  I made my way to the pointy end, jut behind a relay runner and the guy who eventually came second.  Felt nice and comfortable trotting along the disused railway, came to the marshal, headed up the hill.

Then the wheels came off.

Well, not entirely.  Breathing went, and my quads felt lacticky (is that even a word?) and tired.  Great.  Only another 53 miles of this to go. I kept on plugging away, then a bloke from Belgium caught up, we had a brief chat before he trotted off, never to be seen again (he came 1st).  Then another bloke came past.  Started to get concerned, as we were only about 5 miles in, but then I told myself not to panic, still plenty of race left.  Climbed to the top of Roseberry Topping, said a quick hello to Matt and Ellie of Summit Fever Media, then back to the grind.

And a grind it was.  None of the miles were easy, partly in thanks to the headwind (for about 98% of the course, crazy!) and partly due to it being a massive effort to maintain anything close to a decent pace.  Got to Kildale, 12 miles in, in 4th.  Quick in and out to restock gels and grab a sports drink sachet, and off I went, in an attempt to catch someone.  Big long drag from there up to Blowarth Crossing, but I was closing in on the guy in 3rd, so I felt slightly better about that.  Passed him just as we left the road and back onto the Cleveland Way proper, then lo and behold, the guy who I thought was in 1st caught up to me with a "whoops, went the wrong way a bit".  He took off at a furious pace that I couldn't even contemplate in my current state, and before long caught up to the Belgian bloke (one day I'm going to remember to get names!)  Eventually made it to Blowarth, it was a self check, with the standard old punch.  Which was tied to the post just that little bit too high for me to punch my number.

Onwards, then, towards Clay Bank car park and the next checkpoint!  Some good flat running along here, which was great as I didn't have to walk any hills!  Some great views back towards Roseberry Topping, and no-one particularly close, so I was happy as I could be.  Into checkpoint, down some coke, refill a bottle, and out.  And ooo look, 2 people half a mile behind! Nooo!  Back to the grind, three large climbs and 2 large descents (another Hi to Matt and Ellie at Wainstones) before I reached the self-clip just before the descent to Osmotherly.  And then it hailed. Into my face.  It lasted for a good 10 minutes, and looked like it had snowed after.  Lovely descent into Osmotherly, restocked gels, topped up drink, and back off, missing the turn off and going back to find it (very well hidden!)  Much less climbing from here on, but still not a happy camper - especially not with 2 chasers half a mile behind.

There was a long climb up on to the next moor, and a long run along to High Paradise Farm - felt a bit better along here, and couldn't see anyone behind me.  Into the next checkpoint and out, then off to the White Horse.  Went a bit wrong along here, and cost myself about 10 minutes, by missing a turn - joined up with where I was supposed to be, but unfortunately just behind the person who was in 4th!  Oops! Back past him, pushing hard trying to make time on him - got a couple of minutes on him by the time we got to the checkpoint, then a bit more by the top of the steps.  Mostly downhill from here, through Cold Kirkby, then a nice run by the side of a river on the valley floor.  Not long to go now.

Eventually came to a mile long road section, pushed through that, then to the base of the last climb.  Quick check behind, and hello, someone else a few hundred metres behind!  Adrenaline kicked in, downed another gel (made sure this one had caffeine in) and off I went, think it was about the best I ran all race!  One more gel on a step section, then push hard all the way down to the finish.

3rd place, 8:52.

Downed a recovery shake just after I got in - unfortunately this lowered my core temp a little bit much, and I started shivering and shaking - best I change my clothes!  Did that, got some hot food and drink down me. and felt much better!

Then finally the 2 hour drive home, arriving at 9:15pm.  A bit tired today.

A massive thanks to TORQ for fuelling my run, wouldn't have got round as fast without them.

Some stats from the run:

Gels eaten: 18 (all different flavours)
Sports drink consumed: 2L (500ml pink grapefruit, 500ml lemon lime, 500ml blackcurrant, 500ml orange)
Chocolate Mint recovery drink at the end
Stomach issues: 0
Blisters: 2
Chafe points: 1
Toilet stops (of any sort): 0

Photo:

Life since early January

It's been a hell of a few busy weeks since last post, mainly due to parents evenings, an insane amount of children's parties and life in general getting in the way.

So, since the 4th of Jan, I have managed to fit in 2 cross-country races and the Long Mynd Valleys fell race.  The first xc was the North Mids league race at Wollaton Park.  These things are a thoroughly demoralising affair, as they are competitive, and I can't make it into the top 50.  Same with this one, struggled around it (managed to give Simon Reed a bit of encouragement along the way) and came in 72nd in 41:01.  A bit slow, even for me.

The next xc race (the following weekend) was even more demoralising for me.  Usually, in the East Mids league is nowhere near as competitive as the North Mids, and I can sneak into the top 10, especially on a hilly course like Bramcote Park.  Not to be though, even getting passed by Brett and Tom (people I can usually comfortably beat) for a brief period of time.  Managed 11th in 38:38, but I was a full minute slower than last year, even though conditions were excellent and I am theoretically fitter and faster.  It made me think, what on earth has happened to make me perform this poorly?  Then I though about all the racing I had done recently.  Since the 1st of December, I have done on average, just over 1 race a week.  There was one weekend I missed out, but only because I did a relay race the Thursday before, and a 30 miler the Wednesday after.  Well and truly raced out!

Fast forward to the 2nd of Feb, with an entire weekend off racing (still training though) and the Long Mynd Valleys fell race.  This race is brutal, in my opinion the hardest 11 miles in the fell race calendar, with over 4000ft of climb, and a large portion of that in the last 3 miles.  I managed to successfully overdress myself, so that I baked most of the way round, and also managed to slip into my long distance groove - that pace where it kinda feels like your pushing it, but you aren't really.  That, combined with a new route and poor route choice meant I finished waaaaaaaaaaaaaay down the field, although I did manage 2 mins faster than last year (I'm picking, because it was an easier course!)

Other than that, training is on schedule for the Highland Fling, my first big focus race of the year (got the Hardmoors 55 but that's more long distance training than one of my "A" races - not to say I won't race it though, as I haven't managed to figure out a way of going into a race and switching off my competitiveness).

I have also entered the Ultra Tour of the Peak District, a nice looking 60 miler around, strangely enough, the Peak District.  There's actually a bit of a story behind this...  So, I saw a competition on Facebook, through http://www.eightpointtwo.co.uk/ and DigDeep Ultra.  I entered it, as I do, then randomly won it (along with 2 other people), getting some Mammut kit (Jacket, shorts, tee), 2 pairs of Injinji socks, an Ultimate Direction Access hydration belt thingy, and get to participate in 3 promotional short videos about the 3 of us winners in the lead up to the race - how our training is going, how we fit it in, etc.  Famous at last!

I did the interview part of the filming the weekend before last, and it's with Summit Fever Media (http://www.summitfever.co.uk/), the same people who were at the Hardmoors 30 taking photos.  It was all very friendly, but still damn nerve wracking staring down a camera with a light-reflecting thing shining at you!  The weather at that point in time was, well..thunderstormy so the action shots are being done next Thursday up in the Peak District.  I'm told it's really unexciting and involves loads of standing around.  Can't wait.

Next on my list of races to do is, East Mids league race 4 at Colwick Park.  I have had another weekend off racing (did a lovely run around Ambergate/Cromford - see below for pictographs) so hopefully my racing legs have perked up!  It's the hilliest of the xc races, came 8th last time I did it so hoping for big things!  The weekend after that, it up to Grizedale for the Grizedale Trail Marathon, looking to improve on my 3rd at Rivington.

Also, have got new fell shoes from my beautiful wife for Valentines Day.  They currently look like this:

It won't last.

Hardmoors 30 and a Cross-Country

Thankfully, having 2 young children means that going out and getting hammered on New Years Eve isn't an option any more, which is pretty lucky, as the Hardmoors 30 is on New Years Day.  Not a race I would like to do through the haze of a hangover.

It was a long drive up, leaving at 5:40am, watching the skies turn slowly from clear to cloudy,and watching the thermometer drop from 4 down to 2 degrees, hoping that the wind wouldn't be too bad, and that the kit I had brought to race in wouldn't be too minimal.  Made it to Ravenscar at 8:10ish, got out and discovered it was a bit cold.  And windy.  And cold,did I mention that?  I grabbed all of my kit, headed off to registration.  Number grabbed, pinned to the pack then into the toilet queue for a bit.

At 8:45 there was a hilarious, and slightly confusing race briefing giving details of the course and a few other bits and pieces, before we were ushered out onto the road for the start.  Garmin on to search for satellites, then to figure out exactly what my race plan was, as I had a bit of a head cold.  Only a snotty nose, so I figured I would go for it and see what happened.  Also, decided to wear my Hoka Rapa-Nui shoes because a) there was a load of cinder track to run on, and b) with my mudclaws dying at the Tour de Helvellyn I had nothing else to wear.

9am, we're off.  As usual, I get a crap start and have to fight my way through a bit, and sneak up into about 6th or 7th place by the time we hit the Cleveland Way.  about 100m up the Cleveland Way, some fairly slow runners join us from what can only be described as a short-cut, the cheating so-and-so's.  The Cleveland Way follows the coast, and is nice and grassy, and muddy.  One thing the Hokas are not good for is mud.  I either had to run right next to the fence, or on the grassy strip between the muddy path and the cliffs.  Fun times.  Along here I move up into 3rd, in a bunch with the leading 2.  We stayed like this for a few miles, until the descent into Hayburn Wyke, which was too muddy for me to risk keeping up with them (they were in x-talons).

Made it past the photographer at the bottom without embarrassing myself, and headed up the other side, then finally onto the cinder track. This follows a disused railway line all the way to Whitby, with a couple of breaks in between.  I could see the lead 2 a bit ahead, and set out to catch them but with some curves, I couldn't keep them in view, and dropped off the pace slightly, as it was a slight incline for the next few miles.  Just before Ravenscar we leave the cinder track, back to the Village Hall for checkpoint 2.  The support is amazing, but 4th and 5th are very close behind, one of which was the first lady.

I use my usual checkpoint tactics, in, register, out, then head off down the road, being chased.  The next little part would be great in shoes with grip - a nice, steep, grassy, muddy descent down and back onto the cinder track.  I half slid, half skiied and almost fell the whole way down, then settled into a rhythm.  After a bit, the pair behind me caught up, and slowly passed me.  This gave me a bit of a kick up the pants and got me running a bit faster, to keep them within sight.

I managed this all the way to Whitby, where I downed a cup of coke and carried on, through the packed streets, trying my best not to just put the shoulder down and knock some over.  Up the 199 steps to the Abbey (walking) then back onto the Cleveland Way which we follow to the finish.  Back into the headwind!  I was just behind 2nd and 3rd place, catching them slowly up and down the hills, finally dropping the bloke (who by all accounts was only keeping up because he didn't know the way!) and then passing the lady.  Not for long though, as the mud started, and my Hokas, whilst perfect for the cinder track, were terrible on the mud.  we stayed like that until the final checkpoint just before the amusingly named Boggle Hole.

Still not far behind her, but then some serious mud started, and I had to drop my pace even more just to stay upright.  A couple of 15 mile runners passed me,so I tried to keep with them, throwing a bit of caution to the wind - so I fell over, on my backside.  Unfortunately, I put both hands down to break my fall, and got cramp in both triceps simultaneously.  Ever tried to run through slippery mud, in shoes with no grip without using your arms for balance?  hilarious to look at, but hard to do.  Managed finally uncramp my arms but I was a bit ginger after that, until onto some harder ground.    Back up the hill (the worst hill finish I have found so far) and along a bit of road to the finish. 3rd place, 2nd male, in 4:12 - 8 minutes faster than the previous record.  Winner was Jayson Cavill (in much grippier shoes) in 3:52, and 1st lady, 2nd over all was Jo Zakrzewski, fastest runner in Team GB's Ultra-Trail team!   No wonder she was bloody quick!

Strava link: http://www.strava.com/activities/103261076

Thanks TORQ for fuelling my race!


Saturday 4th Jan - Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire XC at Shipley Park.  It was muddy, worse than the Cleveland Way muddy, 9.9km of mud. Also, forgot my Garmin, so I didn't know how far or fast I was, and didn't check how many laps, so I didn't know how far.  So I just ran.  Then my legs ran out of juice after the first lap, the second lap was longer, so I hung on (while people I should normally beat easily passed me) only to find out there was a 3rd lap.  Boo.  Finished in around 40 minutes somewhere.  Just happy to get around.  Roll on next week's XC.

Also, starting my Highland Fling training plan Tuesday night,  Should be fun.