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.