Portsmouth Waterside Coastal Marathon 2013

Waterside Coastal - surely a tautology?

This was to be my third running of the Portsmouth Waterside Coastal Marathon.  It is nearly always wet and windy, especially the last 2 miles running along the front towards the Pyramid Centre.

Arriving early I parked up by the boating lake (free parking) at that point it was still dark, it was also at this point the heavens opened.  Oh crap I thought, this is is going to be miserable.  Eventually it settled down a little and ventured out to Race HQ.

Very busy this year, up from 900 to 1165 entries, so a little cramped finding a piece of floor to get changed. Most people were sheltering inside out of the rain, which again came in just as the race as about to start, which meant a few people missed the 9:00 start.  Actually I think it started before that - there was very little fanfare.

Luckily the rain soon stopped and I was pleased to have chosen to run in long sleeved top and gillet - rather than full jacket as that makes me overheat a little.

The first few miles run along the Southsea front and despite the numbers of runners, moved well, the rest were a mix of muddy footpaths, beach, shingle, mud, occasional bit of tarmac and sea..

For some of the sections of mud I touch to running along the top of the sea wall, feeling like a 5 year, but without the parents hand to hold - just in case I fell.   I did see a few people slip over in the mud, I'm not sure if this was down to not paying attention or from not having the correct footwear - definitely something with a bit of grip required.

Aid stations were regular and well stocked: water, gels, chocolate, jelly beans and my personal favourite dark chocolate Jaffa cakes.  It being nearly Christmas the aid stations also had the occasional mince pie and alcoholic beverage too.

Several people also dressed up for the occasion: Santa, a pair of reindeer and a Christmas tree all made an appearance.

Being a slower runner, by the time I hit the 3 mile mark the sea had already started to come in, so I ended up wading through knee deep, freezing water.  Just as well the trainers were already soaking.

Last two miles were a total slog, head down into the wind grind it out kinda running.

So at the end was nigh, slower than last year (drier last year) but was pleased to get round and finish.

Soup and mince pie at the end were delightful - handy goodie bag - cereal, Clif bar, a few pretzels, high 5 electrolyte powder - all handy stuff.

No I don't need to feel guilty about the extra large helping of Christmas pudding I intend to have

What I learnt:

You cannot beat the wind - just tough it out.
Ground in winter is wet, wear the right shoes
Body glide those bits you missed!

Scenic Parkrun - Montacute House

Strayed again from my usual home Parkrun.

This time I had a Saturday morning run in the grounds of the a National Trust property in Somerset.  The newly started Montacute House Parkrun.  Basically it is a run around the Parkland in front of the House, running down the avenue with a view of the house was fantastic.  This was also the first time I had a few supporters on route with me.   Unfortunately they didn't cheer loud enough!

It's a hard course on grass with many lumps and bumps but it was worth it for the view - the sheep just thought we were a little bonkers...

Abingdon Marathon 2013 Race Report

A little late in the write up but here we go...

Finally got the right date .  For all my preparation in the end I couldn't have been less prepared.

For some reason I thought it started at 9:30 - nope it was 9:00, I was ready physically (so I thought) but not mentally.

So I was aiming for 3:30, an even 8 minute mile pace.  It started well, but started a little too fast, running with another bunch who were aiming for 3:30.

Despite the early morning rain, it was rather warm, which didn't help, so the enviable happened and I slowed down drastically.  At 10 miles I was in trouble and thinking that this was really hard work and that I had been a complete idioted.  I needed to slow down and try and reset my race.

I don't often do road races, I generally find them a bit dull, running around housing estates and industrial estates is not much fun.  And the terrain is a little monotonous, no hills to get your teeth into.

Then the race took a serious turn for the worst. I was physical accosted by some woman who took umbridge at runners using the footpath - I tried to squeeze passed her on a narrow path - wall on one side, steep grassy verge on the other, I tried to get round (there was enough room) but she deliberately stuck her elbow out in order to hit me - which she did with some force in the chest (I can still feel the bruised ribs over a week later).
  

I stopped and approached her at which point she then told me "I should be on the F****** road", I was so cross, but what can you say to that - it spoilt my race - until near the end when two women walking in front of me apologised for getting in the way - they weren't I'd already moved round them - no problem I said, faith in humanity restored

After that I hung on to the finish - 11 seconds slower than 4 years ago.  In the end please to get finished.

Goodie bag was a bit feeble - a T-shirt and a bottle of water.

Lessons:

Check the start date and time
Don't start too fast

Basingstoke Half Race Report. 2013

A hot weekend in October, it must be time for the Basingstoke Half Marathon, although based on how long we actual spend in Basingstoke I’m sure it should be renamed to the Cliddesden and Ellisfield Half Marathon.

The race was won by Kenyan Nicholas Kirui in 1:05:33, with the second placed Kenyan coming in over 8 minutes later.  Over 1300 runners then crossed the finish line, in various states of dress: Elvis, Spiderman, Nemo and one very grumpy chap running in full police riot gear, perhaps he was just being prepared for those over enthusiastic supporters trying to offer him jelly babies.
 
This is my local race race so it always seem rude not to enter (this is the third year of running), although I do like the look of Bournemouth for next year.

Organisation is excellent, I've never seen a race with so many port-a-loos, it looked like was enough for one each. So after a bit of faffing about with the microphone at the start the race started.

Last year I managed to break 1:45 in slightly overcast conditions so I was looking to try and beat it.  I had set a target of 7:30 minute miles.  A neighbour was also also running and he went off very fast indeed, I thought I better try and keep up.  The first 2 miles were close to 7:00, and it was getting warm  - I am so going to suffer later I thought.

Running through village of Cliddesden, lined with home team supporters really gave a boost and helped keep the pace up.  The course covered lots of my training ground so I know the hills really well.  The first accent up White Hill, after mile 3 was fierce - I even use this hill for hill training, but the speed we ascend that hill was still phenomenal.  The pressure eased a little as the road flattened out and then descended passed Ellisfield church.

The decent was short lived as we started to climb up a short hill out of Ellisfield Green.  I was hanging on just behind my neighbour at this point and I was starting to feel the heat.  There is a long down hill stretch here - some of it in the shade.  When needed I am quite good at descending quickly - so it was here I finally over took my neighbour and ploughed on as quickly as I could. That mile clocked in at 6:36

After all that down hill, comes the inevitable climb back up hill - slow and steady rise of 2.4% over 1.6 miles.  Cheered on mu the lovely people of Elliesfield I ground out the climb.

Even at the top of this climb the course turns a corner and still manages to go up hill.

The big dipper was a quick decent, followed by a slow climb - although I did manage to loose a gel from my shorts at this point - those side pockets were not such a good idea after all.

Farleigh Wallop was quite until the very top of the hill, where there were lots of supporters and lots of noise.  The down hill decent was speedy - I was overtaken by a guy in vibrams who was running like a gazelle.

Back into Cliddesden for another burst of support, trouble is at the end of the village the support runs out and there is a slight incline to slow down on.  2 miles to go and it's time to grind it out.  Back into Basingstoke before turning into War Memorial park, and another climb.  Finish was excellent, a straight forward  grass track, with the race announcer calling out names as you approach the finish line.

Goodie bag:  Tech T-shirt (bright yellow), medal, banana, water, lucasade, clif bar.

Excellent race for old pros and beginners alike and the result 1:36:38 - get in there!
(it does mean of course I need to break 1:35 next year though)

Abingdon Marathon 2013 Race Report - ish

The last time I ran at Abingdon was 2010, where a set a PB, I've not run a road marathon since and hence the PB still stands.  My trial marathon times have been dropping recently and after last weekends half marathon PB I thought my changes would be good at setting a new PB

Races are won before you cross the start line, so I thought I'd better prepare with extra care.  I checked my times from the last race, worked out the slow miles where I'd need to put in extra effort and finalised my pacing strategy.

I got my kit ready - I even filled in my race number details and pinned it to my top.  I was super prepared.

Alarm went off and after a small breakfast I set up.  Drive to Abingdon was fine, SatNav directed me to the car park with easy.  As I pulled up into the college I did think it eerily quiet, with a distinct lack of signage.

At was at that point that I had a "bad feeling about this".  I pulled out the instruction sheet that arrived with the race number, and there it was first line "20th October", so I was exactly a week early.

How that happened I have no idea, it is written on the calendar (home and word) as the 13th,  it's on my phone as the 13th, I told everyone at work it was the 13th.

So what do I do?  I did think of starting anyway - that way I had a chance of winning.  I also though of sitting there for a few hours otherwise I'd have to admit what a idiot I'd been. Decisions, decisions - so I turned tail and headed home to face the music.

I was called a numpty for the rest of the day at home,  today at work I was called worse.

So am I looking forward to the Abingdon Marathon on the 20th?  Well I would be had I not also entered a cycle race on the same day - unless I got that date wrong too....

The Olym-Picnic Ultra Experiment - 2012

An old post this - originally on Fetcheveryone.com - but having forgotten all about it and wanting to collect things in one place I thought I'd republish here.  The Olympics seem such a long time ago now - don't they?

This race was run 23/6/12, I fact I did see an Olympicnic T-shirt at the Farnham Pilgrim on Sunday,  anyway here it is as published:


Less a race, more a psychological experiment...

Sensory deprivation

During the faster flatter sections the occasional slick mud was like running on ice, this section was also under tree cover, so running on ice in the dark, with the occasion low hanging branch, so running on ice in the dark whilst ducking, and then the occasion tree root, so running on ice in the dark whilst ducking and tripping. 

Memory - effects over time

I did the race last year, thinking I would have at least 2 years before I would have to put my body through it again. I signed up as soon as I saw the special edition of the race. Running round I thought, this is bonkers, why I going this, steps in a race is bonkers (the sudden image of being chase down by "H" for Steps was quickly banished). However, now that it's finished, those individual steps are receding fast from memory, by next year only the memory of the finish line will remain. The pain in my legs will also have gone, next year will be back to the normal 26.2 miles - perhaps I'll sign up for that one sounds easier. 

Psychological Torture.

Who would devise a course that is so evil in design. Running down hills, only to turn round and have to run back up them, running to the finish line, only to turn round and do it all again. It was made worse this year by running even further down one hill (compared to last year), only to turn round and run back up, not once or twice but 4 times. At least the stepping stones weren't flooded this year, so we were excused the water boarding.

Learning

A test of those who learn from their mistakes. The clever ones from last year did the 5K Park run in the morning and had the Saturday afternoon with their feet up. I didn't learn, I came back.

Social Behavior

My favourite bit, the interaction of marshal and runner. A mere plastic cup of water delivered with a smile into the hands of knackered individual can bring such joy. The fact that it is often delivered with a cheeky quip, "not far now", "see you on the way back", "looking good" - we both know it's a little white lie but I respect you even for saying it in such a cherry way.

There was also the interaction of runner and runner. The sideways dance as runners passed on the left. Multitasking: trying not to touch, checking the runners number to see if they were doing the half or the full, trying to see their name so you can shout out at them next time they pass, and of course avoiding the branches that you have forgotten about because you were distracted.

Dream Interpretation

The hours spend on this run gives plenty of time for the mind to wander. Luckily the organisers can't see into my head, just as well, it was bad enough having the image of "H" from Steps chasing me down, everything else is staying locking in my head.

Conclusion.

You don't have to me mental to do the race, but you will be by the finish line. Despite the struggle I still loved every minute of it (some of the seconds where a bit rubbish), and next time I hope to be chased by Lisa from Steps (although I might not run so fast).

Farnham Pilgrim 2013 Race Report

This is my fourth running of the Farnham Pilgrim Marathon, every one since it first began – so I feel a special connection with this race.  The organization and set-up has always been first rate, but I haven’t always loved the course.  In the early days I found the course a little willful, a little too masochistic.  There always seemed to a lot more climbing to be done which was never repaid by long stretches of decent.  And as for the climb up St Catherine’s Abbey –(straight up, round and back down) that was mean, ditto the sandy climb up to St Marth’s church.

But this time I was at one with the course, hills were there for the view, top of St. Martha’s is a great view.  There is a great variety on this course, tiny villages, rivers to cross. Farm trail, footpath, roads, steps, woodland, open farmland, heath – always changing

There is easy parking close to the start, although the walk up the hill from the car park to the finish line is a timely reminder that this course is hilly.

I have been slowly reducing my time on this course each time I have run it, but my main aim for the course was to keep it steady over the whole course, and not trail off like I usually do over a marathon distance.  I was also using it to gauge how quick (or not) I might be for Abingdon next month.

Attached a flimsy looking timing chip to my shoes – that’ll come off, too easily I thought, caught on root or a bramble – but it didn’t.  There are loads of water stations on the route so I made the decision not to run with a bum bag and therefore left my water bottle behind.  I took four ISOGELs (which are quite watery) stuffed into my shorts.  In the end I only used one, had plenty to drink and had a few bits of banana on the way round.

The organisers got people warming up and then without a huge fanfare everyone was off.  I took it easy to start with, I was aiming for a 9 minute mile pace – but was soon getting nearer 8:30.  The miles ticked by nicely, scenery changed around us, under foot it changed from road to footpath, to farm track, to mud, to steps, to grass, to sand – to pretty much everything except snow.

At the half way point, the sandy climb up to St Martha’s church went well, I cracked the usual joke about bringing a bucket and spade next time.  A nice decent after that into Guildford, here I was cheered on by several gangs of hiking girls – the last of which all did high-fives – definite boost there (I am sure they cheered everyone else but to me they were my personal cheerleaders).

Race markings were excellent, I never felt lost, even on the rare occasion that I was running alone.  There are marshals everywhere, I sure the entire population of Farnham must have been out wearing hi-viz.

The last six miles or so seemed to get more lumpy, certainly more uphill than down, although that might just have been my legs tiring.  Feeling a little tired I  let my mind wander and suddenly out from the trees appears a marshal (I assume) dressed as an old “hag”, Weird I thought, then there is was one dressed as a wizard – they didn’t say anything – just waved their staffs – I ran on.

I was checking the time more closely now as I neared the end, working out if I could still get in under 4 hours.  I had miss remembered the end of the course and thought that I had further to go once I hit the golf course at the end.  The climb up to the car park didn’t seem to last as long as I remembered either.  So with a quick “sprint” to the line it was over – make sub-4 hours so quite pleased with that.

Once over the line presented with medal and drink and a nice goody bag, mug and T-shirt (not sure I’d use either – have plenty of mugs and plenty of T-shirts – a little disappointed not to get another calendar like last year – but that is just me)

I was pleased to see plodding hippo from Fetch at the start line – she took some great photos at the Salisbury 54321 last month so said thanks.  I was also looking out for Paul Ali, but didn’t see him (surprising as looking at the results we finished about 5 places apart) was going to say how much I enjoy his Ultra-trails magazine and say good luck for Spartathon – so Good Luck anyway).

So I grabbed a few cakes at the finish and headed home – so nice to do a local race, I was home by 2:30, had been bathed and changed into my compression tights (still not convinced then work but it gives the family something to laugh at) and had my feet up infront of the TV by 3:00.

Big thanks to organisers – definitely be back next year.

Hit 50 at the weekend, twice

No I'm not quite that old - although I do feel like sometimes.

Saturday saw my 50th Parkrun which I was quite pleased with - will do almost anything for a free T-shirt.

I also did the Farnham Pilgrim Marathon on Sunday (review to follow) and whilst filling in my log noticed that it was my 50th race.

So next milestones, another 50 Parkruns till the next T-shirt (at current rate will be mine by the end of next year), and still have 69 marathons (or  above) to do before the 100 Club will let me in (which will be about 2023 at the current rate).

Better get running....

The shame... I confess I have cheated on a loved one.

I am a big fan of Parkruns and I am finally closing in on my first big milestone - the 50 T-shirt.  I have loads of running T-shirts in a drawer but somehow I feel like I am earning this one.  Rather than a one off event this T-shirt takes repeated effort.  Getting out early Saturday morning for that 9am start with a least two kids in tow is a feat I am quite proud of.

So it is with great shame that I have to admit I that I have strayed from the straight and narrow and indulged in a little infidelity,  I was seduced by another.

After 18 months or so of being faithful to the same Parkrun I went and ran on another course.  It felt very illicit and afterwards I felt a little grubby but that 50 T-shirt is one run closer to being mine.

The excuse was that I was on holiday and it was just down the road, my son was keen to go too.  I also thought it would be interesting to try out a new course and see if the times would be comparable.

Serwerby Parkrun starts out for the first mile nice and flat by the seaside - I moving quickly and thought I am on a PB here.  Then it went a bit weird,  the return section along the front was straight into a coastal headwind (that slowed me down a little) , the run then went into Park land, where several lumps and bumps appeared.  After that came a wooded area with loose chippings and roots followed by steps!

So that was the PB right out the window,  my son finished the race mumbling about steps shouldn't be allowed in a Parkrun (at least that is what I think he said).

I returned to the safe haven of my home Parkrun on Saturday - and begged forgiveness - I shall not stray again (unless I am getting closer to that 100 T-shirt in which case....).

Salisbury 54321 - Marathon Race Report

Ran the Marathon version of this race on Sunday - Why 54321?  5 Rivers, 4 Hills (still quite lumpy even on the non-hill part) 3 Country Estates, 2 Castles and 1 Cathedral.

Weather forecast for the race was cloudy followed by sunshine - so I was a little surprized to set off in the car to Salisbury in the pouring rain.  Thankfully, it stoped just as the 50K runners were departing.

I first did this race back in 2009, they then added a 50K in 2010 and I did that too.  Since then other races and holidays have distracted me and this was the first time I had been back.

This event is so well organised and yet quite low key - you basically park on the start line, get your number over the road, stand by the start/finish line at the appointed time and off you go.

Course markings were spot on, there was only one time I thought I might have gone wrong, but that was only because someone else was questioning a sign. Scenery is great all the way round, Old Sarum, Longford Castle and my favourite bit - the old Yew Forest.  Terrain is mixed, single track, fire roads, country roads, chalk, concrete - you name it, it was there. ground was bone dry, no mud or puddle to plod through.

Weather started out fresh, no need for a jacket, and it soon warmed up. As time went on I started to slow, I have never been particularly good at running in the heat, I tried to keep in the shade but the sun was almost overhead - so very little cover available.  The occasional breeze was very welcome though.  I was wearing a cap, so took to soaking it with water at each aid station - which provided some welcome relief.

Aid stations were every 2 miles or so and I took water on at each of them, no a lot of food on offer, except at mile 15 - a nice bit of lardy cake - probably not the lightest thing to have whilst running but it was just before the Yew Forest, and running under those ancient trees following a piece of string whilst munching on lardy cake was magical.

The other surreal moment was running through Cathedral Close trying to dodge tourists as they backed up to take photos, nearly took out a few foreign students that way.

It is a great race for just running, without getting too competitive, mainly because when there are other runners around you have no idea which race they are in (as well as the Marathon, there is also a choice of 5K, 10K, 21K, 30K, 50K, plus walking versions).

Despite slowing down - I was quite pleased with the time.  I was also quite pleased that my ankles held up and feet haven't swollen up to the size of an elephant - so hopefully the damage done on the SDW100 has repaired itself.

Notes
Ground Conditions: Mainly road – solid conditions under foot - dry as a bone
Weather: Hot, with some wind.
Position 26/185 (finishers)
Time: 04:08:49
Food tried: 1 ISOGEL and 1 chunk of lardy cake. 

What I learnt:

Some runs are there for the cake and scenery
Slept in Compression tights - legs feel good Monday morning

Hardest, Toughest, more difficultest

Lots of marathons (and indeed races of other lengths) make bold claims that their Race is the most toughest/hardest/etc race in the UK but how do you compare races such as:

The Picnic, one of Britain's hardest marathons (www.trionium.com/picnic/‎)
Glencoe Marathon - Scotland's toughest marathon (www.glencoemarathon.com) Hell of a Hill - arguably the toughest 26.2 miles in the UK (http://www.hillrunner.org.uk/info2.cfm?info_id=218855)
Snowdonia Marathon, one of the UK’s most iconic and toughest marathons

Those are just a few UK entries - it gets even worse when you start including the rest of the world.  So as a comparision tool I was interested to see this tool, initially posted on the Centurion Running website: http://climbers.net/race/compare.php?id=7.8.37.59.65

There are not a huge amount of races in there but it does give the ability to compare a race you have done (SDW100) with lots of famous races that you haven't (Leadville, Hardrock, etc)

Whilst we are on the subject of hardest there are so may different conditions that can make an easy race hard and a hard race just bonkers - this years SDW50 springs to mind.

Influencing factors:
Weather - Rain, wind, snow, sun, etc.  Give me a cold day to run any day off the week - not enjoying this "hot" weather at all.
Terrain - muddy, standing water, chalk, download, moors, single track, road, Hills (the style of hill too, I find a long slow climb and lot easier than a straight up mountain. Although steps (see The Picnic) aren't killers both up and down).
Time of Day - most are early morning starts, but some over over lunch time - much prefer the early mornings.
Number of competitors - lots at the start can lead to bottle necks but a long line of runners strung out gives an incentive to try and reel in another competitor
Navigation - Good course markings versus self navigation.
And so on...I could go on

So it can be difficult to compare one race with another - the factors I have started to use is my time compared to the winner (as a percentage) and my position in the total number of finishers. That way I can gauge how well I have done and not worry too much about the time.

But I think the biggest impact on how hard a race is (and I am going to come across all american here) is mental attitude.

My toughest race was the Clarendon Way - not particular hilly or "tough" but I came at as a novice marathon runner thinking I knew what to do and I did not give the route the respect it deserved. I suffered for it big time, struggling from mile 15 onward.   It felt a very long run and when it started raining it felt even longer.

But if I was to design my own toughest race, it would start at 3pm, have Badwater heat, followed by hail stones, it would by run (mostly downhill) on chalk download, with slick mud on top of flint, confusing waymarkings and a field of 50,000 runners.

I think labels are labels, you prepare for and run what is in front of you, but it is nice to have the T-shirt.

Cross Training

After the fun of the SDW100 my feet are finally showing signs of reduced swelling and I can move them with making "monkey noises".

Rather than risk a long run, I decided to get the Bike out and have a pedal. Having not covered any real distance (other than travel to work) since last October it made a very pleasant change. I have a Sportive booked in October, so need to get some miles in.

I had forgotten how much fun it can be, the weather was nice and there was nobody else out on the roads. Ankles turned nicely and actually felt that it was helping - maybe I'll do it again this weekend - just to give the feet another rest.

The Childs Eye View

You always hope to inspire your kids so that they are interested in the things you do - basically because you'd quite like to turn out several mini-me versions of yourself.

My eldest boy has started running at the local Parkrun is making me proud with his efforts.

Middle child thinks he has more sense and is happy enough to watch the idiot runners run round whilst he plays on his bike or sits and watches.

Smallest child is still a little young to be running too far - but he still has the boundless energy of childhood - if he ran as much as he talked he'd be running JOGLE non-stop.

What makes it interesting is their view of you.  As the SDW100 coincided with Father's Day the boys made me a well done banner.  Each drew a picture of me "on route":


At the start:

Looking spritely.









At half way:




Obviously middle child though I'd be a little tired at this point.  Interestingly he has my kit choice bang on too - all that is missing is the backpack.








At the end:







Although sleeping before the finish line is a little cheeky,  I did crash out just after the finished line - so not all wrong

The down after the Downs

Well I have not run at all since last weeks SDW100 - barely walked in fact.  Spent the week RICE'ing the feet and they are on the mend but I think it'll be another week before I start back with a gentle jog.

The swelling around the ankles has gone down but there is still pain if the angle between foot and leg goes less than 80 degrees, otherwise it is fine.  I can go up stairs and on the flat - but I am still coming down stairs sideways.

So after the highs of last week and finishing my first 100 miler it has been a little low.  The updates from the race have dried up, the release of the official results, the photos (a few of me and lots of other people I don't remember seeing), a few notes on other peoples belongs (even an entry in The Independent - http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2013/06/23/the-road-to-the-north-face-ultra-trail-du-mont-blanc-petzl-sdw-100-mile-run/

But that is it, the elation has gone, you can only talk "non-runners" once before they get bored and you start sounding sounding like a crazy person.

It is strange that something that was so important to you at the time was experienced with 190 strangers. Those strangers will never met again in that situation.  Even the few that will do similar events, most will not know that were at the same event, perhaps we should all run with a list of previous events on the back of our T-shirts.

So that is that the SDW100 2013 is over - what I need is another event to look forward to, the event is dead long live the event.

SDW 100 Race Report

Despite some mid weeks nerves, I made it to the start in confident mood and to be honest I just wanted to get on with it.

The car was already packed with kit the night before so when the alarm went at 4:00 I was up, had a quick bit of breakfast and set off down the road. Fortunately I only had a 25 minute drive to the start line, so a fairly easy start (only wish the motorways were this clear all the time - make getting around the country a lot easier).

The start line was already buzzing by 5am - new arrivals parking up, others, who had camped over night, emerging from tents. After the kit check, a very sensible idea - it can come across as officious but it is for our benefit, I finished getting changed and waited for the race to start. During the wait "photographer man" asked to take a picture (he was a star all the way round smiling and dishing high-fives - happiest photographer I've ever met) and I even got interviewed by a couple a friends of another runner who were making a video of the run - brilliant idea. I saw a few faces I recognised from other races and blogs - I was especially looking out for Richard Pomperoy (been a long time stalker but our paths had not crossed!) but failed to see him - he's a speed merchant anyway so would have been way in front by the time I had run 50 yards.

6am and the race started, a couple of laps of the sports ground and we were off onto the SDW, a few nervous laughs as we claimed to have conquered the first big hill of the day (a slight 1m raise at the side of the pitch). But weather was looking excellent and everyone soon settled down into a rhythm. First quarter seemed to pass really quickly, soon hit the first aid station - full of tasty treats (the maxim - "a eating competition with a bit of running" held very true all day.

Having run over Butser hill before, today it didn't seem so bad, nice decent on the other side, where it seemed that they were preparing for another race. At the aid station in Queen Elizabeth Country Park I stopped to loosen my shoe laces, after a previous race with black toes I though if I did them up tight my toes wouldn't bash into the front of the shoe so much - not sure if this contributed to my later problems but will not tie them so tight in future.

The next few sections is a bit of blur, chatted to a few runners as we ran along side, then they would move ahead or occasionally I would. Very soon I had reached the psychologically important, over half way, point of Washington (54) - further than I had ever run before. I had a some of the best pasta sauce every and the best cup of tea (with milk and sugar) ever there. I changed my shirt and looked and my socks but thought they look fine I don't need to change them ( I was wearing injini toe shoes and they were doing a great job of keeping the feet blister free)

It was also here that I attempted by first repair of my left trainer. Just after 50 miles the sole of my left trainer had decided to depart company from the top half - running was okay - if a little noise but occasionally the sole would get caught and bend underneath the shoe. Oh bum. I was running without drop bags so had no replacement shoes. I taped them up as best I could with some micropore tape I had brought with me in case my feet needed taping up. I though it looked quite effective and should hold so after a good feed I set off back out of the aid station and up a hill (aid stations are always at the bottom of a hill).

Leaving Washington I didn't see another runner for the next 13 miles - except at one point when looked over my shoulder and saw a runner behind, next think I know he's zipped pasted me and is bounding up the hill in front - took a little while to work out that he was not involved in the race - and probably didn't have 60+ miles in his legs.

I didn't want to leave the aid station at Botolphs (61.2) so many tasty treats - sushi, cakes, dips, etc. could have eaten the lot, but there were more hills to climb and more tasty treats on route.

Left trainer was playing up again on the way so at Housedene Farm (76.6), I asked if anyone had some tape. Once of the support was a sparky and had some electrical tape - what a star so they were patched up properly and good to go. Thanks a lot - you saved my race - I did think I might have to take up barefoot running a little earlier than planned.

As night came down, the wind picked up and it was time to put on the jacket and head torch - putting on a jacket in strong wind in the dark is not easy but I wrestled it to submission and felt warmer for it.
My right foot started to play up (obviously jealous of all the attention the left foot was getting) - which meant that walking was becoming increasingly painful although running wasn't - not that it was fast running but I still had the energy to jog on forward.

Night section was good going - was apprehensive about this but actually it was fine - I had saved my GPS battery for this section and I was pleased I did, trying to follow a grassy path, surrounded by grass was tricky in places. The other bonus was that some of the supporters in the car parks along the way had flashy lights so you could get a better sense of direction - thanks to the flashers.

By this time I was convinced I would finish - the time was irrelevant - sub24 hours was in the bag so not that I was pushing myself I relaxed a little and just plodded on. I had been following a split sheet and was regularly 30 to 45 minutes ahead of schedule which I was pleased with - it was only when I looked again that I noted I had printed out one for 23 hours - so I was 1 hour and 30 minutes ahead (get in)

Became so relaxed and chatty I got told to "sod off" at Southease - quite right too.

Almost done - going into Alfriston (91.6) the GPS battery ran out but I had got through the tricky bits of navigation so shouldn't have any problems. At Alfriston - more tea served by a red squirrel - no really - who was also keen to get rid of us. Out of Alfriston and up another hill.

Less than 10 miles to go and it was just a matter of hanging in there - painful down hill on both feet now, up hill and on the flat was fine though.

First navigation mistake of the evening - ran past the final checkpoint (doh) and wasn't until I was running out of Jevington (up a hill) that I realised I had gone wrong - couple of guys behind us confirmed it, back we went for a quick check in and a few bits of food before heading out again.

The rise out of Jevington goes on and on and on and on (I remember being really really knackered on the SDW50, but this time I just plodded on and on and on.

The turning at the trig point to bring us off the SDW (which I sailed past on the SDW50) was lit up with glow sticks and was unmissable. It must have been an interesting sight to any non participants out on the course. Getting down from the SDW was hard though - all downhill and it was getting increasingly more painful and slower. Everyone else seemed to be taking the decent slowly too.

Finally I hit Eastbourne and some easy running on level(ish) tarmac - just 1.7 miles left said a helpful supporter - this bit took ages too. Still the sight of the race track and the final jog round the running track was a welcome sight - excellent place to finish.

And so I jogged across the line and was handed my buckle - I have never worked so hard for a lump of metal - I'm sure it'll go in the box under the bed with the rest of my medals never to see the light of day again - but I know it's there and I know I earned it.

So after 22:18 of relentless forward motion you stop, you sit down, have some food, more tea and then start to assess the damage. After a shuffle into the shower, top half a few rubs - I'd forgot to "body glide those bits" - idiot.

Feet looked really good - no blisters or hot spots, toe nails all present and correct. Both ankles however, where almost hidden by a large swelling. Except for the indentation of the sock line (where the socks too tight?), oh that is going to hurt later.

I changed and found some room on the floor to lie down - it would be another 7 hours or so before the bus was to arrive to take us back to the start - I didn't really settle, I thought I would be knackered but my feet keep me awake.

Around 9:00 the floor was cleared and the "bus people" gathered to have a chat in the corner of the foyer - swapping stories and watching the remaining finishers cross the line.

Getting on the bus was interesting - those steps were like Mount Everest, getting off was even worse - as for changing gear on the car on the short drive home - ouch. Very pleased to get home and get my feet up literal.

Big thanks to James and the crew for organising the event - it was superb - if someone said you can run 100 miles but you would suffer pain after it - would I still do it - of course I would.

Would I do it again though ? Not sure (I doubt the wife would let me!)

Footnote: Over the course I had a pedometer which counted out over 160000 steps, on Monday I think I managed 20, Tuesday I am rocking, I crawled up the stairs, had a bath and have over 50 steps in the bag - and it's not even lunch time.

Notes
Ground Conditions: Mainly trail – solid conditions under foot - dry as a bone
Weather: Cool dry, some wind - occasionally pushing me along.
Position 62/142 (finishers)
Time: 22:18:53
Food tried: Everything.

What I learnt:
Pain is not temporary, but the achieve will last forever.
Body glide everything
If your trainers are near the end of their life - don't add another 100 miles to them and not expect them to complain
Use drop bags for emergency just in case stuff - like new trainers, legs

Nervous? You bet

So less than a week to go to the SDW100, feeling a little nervous, mainly about running through the night. Running at night is fine - happy with that, but running through it after a full day running, not done that before. I am very much a morning person and like to be tucked up in bed and fast asleep before the clock strikes 11:00, so to run through that and out the otherside will be interesting. Still, to paraphrase Scott Jurek (who may have quoted someone else), "it isn't a challenge if there is no fear of failure." Still a little pre-race nerves must be a good thing - a healthy respect for the distance (and respect it I do). The furthest I've gone before is 53 miles (should have been 50 but I got lost a little and hand to double back), so there is a lot to respect. I let you know how it went.

Directions - Learning a Route

Last weeks training runs got me thinking again on how those ancient people managed to navigate from one end of the country to the other without a map.

I was on holiday - so in very unfamiliar surroundings, the place we were staying had a local walking guide with a nice circular route of 13 miles that I could do and be be back in time for breakfast. First time I did the route following the detailed directions I got lost a few times (well not lost, just in a place that was not the same as the book described. There was no OS map with the book, so I was relying on its directions and description to keep me right. It always amazes me home some details are so spot on and specific, "after 10 feet turn immediately left, through the metal gate, over the sleeper bridge and turn turn right along the hedge to the end of the field to the gate next to the large oak tree" and some are not "follow the path until it dips down and the continue on the path" - which would be fine but there were three paths to choose from ( I got the right one after three attempts).

The interesting bit came 2 days later when I ran the route again. The places I went wrong I remembered very well and didn't make the same mistake twice. Some places I remembered very well. The track I stuck my foot in a hidden puddle, the gate with latch was stuck and the field of sheep that refused to move. Other places I didn't remember at all. Several fields I didn't remember and there were a couple of places I had to stop and think did I go straight on here or head off to the right. But once I had entered the field that didn't remember as soon I a saw the fence line and recognised the gate or gap I knew where I was. I even started to plan in advance - this field leads to the bridge at the bottom and you up the road on the right.

By the third run (each run had a rest day in between) the route was second nature, I knew where I was on the route (wasn't always 100% where I was in relation to the start point) and what was coming up round the corner.

Now I go back in a few years would I still remember the route - come back in a few years and find out?

Also if I had only done it once, waited a few months and then done it would I have remembered it?

So how did the ancients travel? They must have had a huge long list of directions

Best landscape to run in

Jogging along the other week on my usual Sunday morning long run, I started thinking about what would be my favorite type of countryside to run through (sorry industrial cityscapes didn't even make the shortlist: Coastal, mountains, rolling hills, riverside, woodland?

I have always loved the coast but often I find myself concentrating so hard on the footpath (so as not to tumble down the cliff) that I forget to look to the right (or left depending on which way I am going) to take in the scenery. Often the path will lead away from the sea and hide it from view, meaning you could be running anywhere. So after the initial view (assuming the weather is kind) it quickly loses its appeal - so not coastal.

Now mountains I like, I don't mind the uphill slog (assuming that this leads to lots of easy down hill) and the views can be spectacular (assuming the weather is kind). But again the landscape , generally does not change a huge amount, so after the initial wow it quickly loses its appeal.

Rolling hills, say over the Downs, have the advantage that the view is always changing but the disadvantage that the running rhythm is broken up. The other disadvantage tends to be you can see all the other hills you have to climb in the distance. Once you have conquered a few seeing a few more in the distance can get a little disheartening.

Riverside, I like, generally flat, the path will generally twist and turn as you jog along level paths so you can never quite see what is round the corner, keeping the view interesting - the River Weir is a good example. The only disadvantage is during winter time (or in current climate conditions - all year round) when the river banks are broken and everywhere is turned into a swimming pool or at the very least knee deep in mud.

So what about a nice big area of woodland? I think this is were it is to run. The trees change from season to season. In a large woodland area (and I don't mean a Forestry Commission planted pine forest with lines of impenetrable pine trees) the types of trees change from area to area. Trails tend to branch off on a regular basis, giving variety to the running route.

The other reason I like woodland is that it is very easy to quickly lose bearings so that defined navigation points disappear, human activity disappears and you can quickly feel that you have escaped the world. As you go further into the woodland the level of man made noise drops to zero and is replaced with a natural cacophony. The rustle of deer on the right, the flap of birds wings. Sundays run had the added spectacle of a carpet bluebells to draw the eyes, and for the nose the heady smell of wild garlic (at least I would be safe from vampires).

I was even treated to the very bizarre sight of a newly planted Christmas tree plantation:

I also decided that no matter what the weather the woods help: shade in the sun, cover in the rain, protection from the wind. Yes the trails can get muddy but that only adds to the fun, trying to leap from side to side to avoid the deep stuff.

So if I was to chose the ideal landscape to run through it would be woodland (but I might need a river in the middle, an a few rolling hills inside, and maybe a mountain to run up first and view the wood before running through it and emerging by the coast).

Marlborough Downs Challegne - 33 miles

I’ll be up front from the start , I love this race - if I could design a perfect race it would be very similar to this (except of course I’d win my perfect race)

The Marlborough Downs Challenge has all the right ingredients:

• A sensible distance: long enough to be a challenge (33 miles) but not so long that it takes all day.

• A mix of great scenery:  The course runs through bluebell woods (with spring being a little late this year – they looked fantastic), rolling hills with stunning views from the top.

• Educational: The route runs passed the white horses of Marlborough (Preshute) and Cherhill .  Through the ancient stones of Avesbury and runs along the top of Wansdyke earthworks.

• Aid stations: Plenty of aid stations – 8 in all, which over 33 miles is one every 4 miles, each one full of special race fuel – you can keep you gels and energy bars – fig rolls and jaffa cakes is where it is at (dark chocolate jaffa cakes at that).

• A novel memento:  I have a draw full of T-shirts but a nice pottery mug made by a local pottery www.whitehorsepottery.co.uk makes a nice change and useful for showing off at work.

• Run in a loop:  so much easier that point to point, no bus rides or support required to pick you up

• Hot food at the end:  Nothing better than getting to the finish, getting changed (showers available here too) and being able to tuck in to hot food and a cup of tea – all very civilized.

As I said this is almost a perfect race - so how did race day pan out::

There is something magical working through a small town early in the morning, just as it is waking up – parking is easy, people are just waking up, setting out for a paper and runners with kit bags are marching though on the way to registration.

Registration was hassle free with plenty of room to get changed and have a sit down before we started.  After the course briefing we walked over the road to Marlborough College to the start line (actually the start line moved with us).  With little announcement or fanfare, which caught most people at the back (me included) out, we were off.  This was my fourth running of the race, so I know the route quite well, although this was the first time I actually noticed the white horse above Marlborough (remember stop and stare – or at least stare).

The overnight rain had made the grass at the start of the course a little slippy.   I watched the guy in front slip – assuming he had hit a rut, thinking I would not make the same mistake, I ran wide and still did the same.  The ground soon dried out and there was very little mud on the course.  Weather warmed up too and there was a five minute period when I started to regret wearing a long sleeved top.  At that point the wind picked up and was pleased with my decision after all.

Running along the Wansdyke is a fantastic experience – the manual effort to create this defensive work must have been incredible – still I was please they had created it. Running at a elevated level made for good views, the occasional gap in the dyke did mean so technical running with a very quick down followed by a very quick up. It also allowed a chain gang to form – I was at the back of 10 runners – all running at the same pace. It felt timeless, we could have been a defense party running to hold off the invading hordes (although swords and amour may have slowed us down somewhat).

The rest of the race was a joy to run, the only slip up was taking the wrong track.  I could see the Cherwell monument in the distance and headed towards it.  I should have listened to the GPS or at the very least had a proper look at the course directions.  All the information was there – I just thought I knew better – I didn’t.  All those people I had run passed in the last hour were now ahead and I had to start picking them off again.

With about 4 miles to go the rain started to get heavier but that didn’t dampen down the spirits – after last months SDW50 this rain was nothing mere drizzle.

So how did I do?  Well I didn’t win, but ran better than previous years which is always good.

Notes

Ground Conditions: Mainly trail – solid conditions under foot

Weather: Cool – not too windy, rain at the end.

Position 34/152

Time: 5:20:59

Food tried: Jaffa cakes, fig rolls, a Clif Bar.

What I learnt:  

Read the directions – listen to the GPS!

The Ultra world is a small one!  I was walking back to the car and saw a fellow runner ahead.  Started talking and he said, “yes was pure chance I did this race, I was in a minibus going from Eastbourse to Worthing a few guy were singing the praises of this race”.   “I was in that mini bus – and I was one of those guys” said I.

Small word or do special idiots flock together?

Eat and Run by Scott Juerk

I first came across Scott Jurek when I read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.  After seeing a recommendation on a running site (can't remember which one - may have been www.fetcheveryone.com) I bought "Eat and Run".  Normally I would buy the physical book (still old fashioned in that department) - but this was available on kindle at the outrageous price of 1.79 - silly not too.

Being a veggie already I was interested in seeing what extra advice Scott had to offer. I have been a veggie for approaching 30 years so know must things about nutrition but never felt the need, either through health benefits or ethical consideration to turn vegan.  Besides I don't eat that much diary.

I knew already that being a veggie or a vegan didn't have a huge impact on performance - I've been passed by plenty of runners from "Vegan Runners" during races but I was interested in what an elite runner had to say on the subject.

Scott cuts his life story into chapters, with each chapter ending with a recipe.  Some of the chapters also  have running a few paragraphs of running advice.

So chopping the review into the 3 sections:

Recipes

The recipes are US centric (using cups as measurement) and some of the ingredients will be hard to source: tempeh, spirulina (got some from H&B), nutritional yeast (Ocado)

But nothing is too complicated, some recipes may take some planning but lots can be made beforehand and kept in the fridge. Even making your own rice milk sounded interesting.  I have already started using nutritional yeast as a extra add in - but can't say I have suddenly found myself having bags of energy.

Life story

The development of Scott from small town boy to ultramarthon race winner is an engaging story.  He doesn't scrimp on the detail of his home life and lays bare his feeling about his mothers illness and death.  It's a fascinating tale.  Scott also details how his relationship changes with people through his racing career - particularly his wife Leah and key pacer Dusty.  It shows that to pursue a path and be that single minded, there can be casualties along the way.

Scott writes about something I think we have lost, a pure sport that participants competed in simply for the joy of it.  Scott and his competitors weren't paid with big sponsorship deals - they lived hand to mouth, just so they could challenge themselves (and each other).

Running Nuggets of wisdom

There are plenty of quotable lines in the book and enough running tips to be useful but not so many as to turn the book into a how to guide.  Scott covers, among other things: stretching , nutrition (obviously) and up hill running.

None of this advice will give you a magic bullet - but as he says - the only way you are going to get better is to get out and run.

Conclusion

I really enjoyed the book, the death of his mother was handled so much better in this book than in Why we Run by Robin Harvie which I had read just before this.

The book also gave me an excuse to head to the kitchen and eat some food.  Running and food, is there a better combination

Stand and stare? Ain't nobody got time for that!

When running it is often the case of having a fixed time, fixed number of miles or a predefined route in mind.  I go out and do what I think I should be doing before returning home, uploading the results from the Garmin and planning the next session.

But Sunday was different - cold to start with but soon the sun was out melting the overnight frost.  I made a conscious decision after a few miles to change my route and go off piste to just enjoy the journey rather than tick of the miles.

So when a buzzard flew lazily overhead I stopped and watched.  I watched a herd of 5 deer (does 5 count as a herd or is a group) bounce out of the woods to my right and run across my path.  I even did something I rarely do - stop and look behind me. I'd never seen that view before and it was fantasitic - it reminds me that the next time I am out this way I really must run the route in reverse (preferably with my head up - I think I know what my feet look like by now).

So every now and again I need to remember the words:

"What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare."

"Ain't nobody got time for that" - perhaps we should make time.

SDW50 - Now here is the weather...

The route of the SDW 50 is a mainly trail based running from Worthing to Eastbourne, following, for the most part, the South Downs Way.  Organised by Centurion Running, this was my second Centurion event having ran the NDW50 last year.

I was using this event as a recce of the course and to see if I still had enough in the legs after last weeks Compton Downs Challenge.  All good training for the full distance SDW100 in a few months.

Waiting at the start line it still never ceases to amaze me the variety of people who do these events, the age range, the size range, the kit range - some opting for very minimal gear - others ready for an expedition to the north pole.

The SDW50 is a mainly trail based run from Worthing to Eastbourne - following, for the most part the South Downs Way.  Organised by Centurion running, this was my second Centurion event having ran the NDW50 last year.

I was using this event as a recce of the course and to see if I still had enough in the legs after last weeks Compton Downs Challenge.  All trying for the full distance SDW100 in a few months.

It still never ceases to amaze me the variety of people who do these events, the age range, the size range, the kit range - some opting for very minimal gear - others ready for an expedition.

From the safety briefing at the start we were warned of the weather conditions, you can't run in this country without running in "weather", however, the difference here is if you are running around home, you can always shorten your run and easily find your way back.  Up on the Downs - you are remarkably remote.

So at 09:00 we set off.  Weather as in all these long distance runs plays a big part.  We started in warm sunshine - which caused may people to strip off their jackets, hats and gloves after a few minutes.

Conditions under foot were pretty good, not too slippy and not too many puddles.  That soon changed, volume wise the rain probably wasn't that heavy, but up on the Downs, exposed - the wind drove it hard - mainly stinging the face.  I have never need to use the hood on my jacket before, but it was certainly used today.

The next few hours were a case of head down looking out for course markings and trying to keep going.  Regular aid stations held keep me going.  I was often in a small group of runner, nobody said much - it would be lost in the wind, we run one together, sometimes in a line, sometimes side by side. occasionally one would point to a course marker and we would nod and carry on.  Strange sense of feeling that you are all in it together - perhaps we are social animals after all.

With all the rain the last few hills of the race had turned into streams.  At least the visibility had improved and it was easier to see - this section must have been really tough in the dark.

Last section in Eastbourne was good flat pavement running, seemed to go round the houses a lot and often thought that the end would be just round the corner - eventually the athletics track came into view. Did think as I ran the last 400m that running on a nicely laid track feels really good - perhaps 50 miles on this stuff would be easier (certainly a lot flatter).

So that was that, got changed and got the shuttle bus back to the start.


Notes
Ground Conditions: road and trail - trail was wet and slippy
Weather: Warm to start, wet and cold in the middle and end - very windy.
Position 24/157
Time: 8:56:10
Food tried: Mars bars, gels, peanuts, coke, some Gu squares (my hands were so weak I had to ask a marshal to open the packet for me), cake.

What I learnt:  
If "clearing your nose" do check behind you as someone may be sneaking up behind you

Gels and other packet items can be quite hard to open in the cold - pre-cut with scissors to help.

(The photo isn't me - but shows just how bad the weather was)

Compton Download Challenge 20/40

First time at this event, chosen as it's fairly local and it was the right distance (I am trying to build up the miles before the SDW100 in June).

Arrived early at Race HQ, just as things were getting set up. Weather was clear but cold, given the conditions I decided to layer up.  Was also testing out a new backpack (Raidlight Olmo 5L) - so if I I needed to strip off later I had somewhere to stuff the removed layers.

The course is usually run as a figure of  eight - two loops of twenty miles each - however flooding on the course meant that the 40 mile race would be run over the same loop.

Conditions were excellent, route was easy to follow and marshals were everywhere.

Completing the first lap it is always a tough one getting going again. The smiling faces of the the 20 milers turning right seemed to say: come this way, you don't need to do it all again, food is just around the corner....

I turned left and did it all again.   The knowledge of the course now helped - I knew where the hills were.  The sun had come out, and so had the families and dog walkers.  It was a great afternoon to run, views over the downs were terrific, normally the only contact I have to this area is zipping by on the A34.  Will have to come back and explore at a more leisurely pack


Notes
Ground Conditions: road and trail - trail was dry (no mud)
Weather: Very Cold to start , warm by the end.
Position 24/101
Time: 6:45:08

What I learnt:  The longer the race, the more varied the weather can be.

Introduction

Why a blog? Mainly to keep all my thoughts in one place - race reports and the like.  I keep doing races and forgetting what I have learned from them.  Must be age related.  So here we go.....