Sunday 18 January 2009

My first Ultra Run

Yesterday I completed my first ultra run: the 'Country 2 Capital' 45 mile run from Wendover in Buckinghamshire to Paddington, London.

I got to Marylebone station an hour before my train, but was soon joined by fellow runners, with half a dozen of us taking the train up to Wendover. It was great to chat with these more experienced folk and hear many amusing (and sometimes frankly worrying/disturbing) tales from other ultra events. The rain lashed against the windows for most of the journey, but fortunately had passed over by the time we arrived at the start.

We had a quick briefing from the organiser, then set off shortly after 9am. The course was cross country to begin with, including hills, fields and a variety of types of mud (thick and sticky being the worst). There were rocky, rootsy trails and foot drenching puddles/streams. Oh, and many, many gates and stiles. It felt great! Up to the first two checkpoints I was feeling a little under pressure to stay with the group of 8 or so runners that I was in the midst of, mainly because some of the navigation was quite tough and it took several of us suggesting opposite directions before choosing the correct route. If I'd had to read the maps alone, I'd probably still be out on the course now! But I ran comfortably at the same pace as them so was able to enjoy the views. 

After the second checkpoint (at 18 miles), the group spread out a little and soon I paired off with Richie, an Australian guy, ahead of the others. We ran together for the remainder of the course. It was a relief to reach the Grand Union Canal as the rest of the race followed the towpath, meaning that navigation was no longer an issue. Also, the terrain was far easier, it being a flat track. There was a short diversion where the towpath was closed, so we had to run through the busy streets of Southall (not an area I plan to make a repeat visit to). Otherwise the miles just flowed by along the canal.

Jim cycled out to meet me at the checkpoint at 34 miles. I was feeling good - possibly better than him, since he'd just ridden along the bumpy towpath on his road bicycle. We had thought that as I was going to finish in the dark, it would be safer with him riding alongside me, but it turned out that there was a policy of pairing up runners near the end so that no one would run that section alone anyway. So after a quick chat, he made his way back home and Richie and I continued to jog along. We took a few short walking breaks, but I was surprised by how few and how short - we actually jogged the vast majority of the course. It was great to reach the final checkpoint knowing that we had just 10K to go - about an hour of jogging at the pace we were moseying at by this stage.

Before the event I had no real idea how long it would take. I figured I'd be disappointed if it was over 10 hours, but under 9 hours might be unrealistically fast. So I was really chuffed to finish before 6pm in 8 hours, 46 minutes and 33 seconds.

This morning I was admittedly a little stiff and achy at first, so I went out for a gentle 4 mile jog (9:11 min per mile pace) and feel much better for it. Plus I did that alternating hot/cold shower thing on my legs which felt like it might be doing some good. 

And if this first experience is anything to go by, I really like ultra running! Good thing too as I already had the 'Tring 2 Town' 40 mile ultra booked for 1st February...

Sunday 11 January 2009

Tommy and Bagpuss


We put my Bagpuss hot water bottle to good use on a couple of those freezing cold nights last week.

Entertainingly, in the morning when Tommy met Bagpuss, he kind of zoned out. Seems like they're friends.

Running (or should that be jogging?)



So, it was a surprise that my first blog wasn't about running. 

I managed to get a lot of miles in over the holidays (about 145 in 2 weeks), helped along by spending time in Keswick, where the views were stunning as I jogged along. Ok, so I didn't make much use of the hills, but running by the lake was lovely.

My first ever ultra run is on Saturday, so hopefully all the effort will be rewarded with a relatively comfortable 45 miles form Wendover to Little Venice on 17th Jan. It's called the 'Country to Capital' and the number has two pictures on it - one of a tractor, one of the Houses of Parliament. See what they did there? I start tapering this week, with only three short runs planned and lots of pasta to eat. 

Haku rides again


I took Haku (my beloved shiny motorbike) out for a ride today. Admittedly it was only to the local supermarket, but I hadn't been out on him since last October, so it was reassuring that he's still in good working order (and that I haven't forgotten how to ride!). Must remember to book his MOT...

Haku is named after the river dragon in 'Spirited Away' (the Miyazaki film). Well, it seemed appropriate as he is Japanese after all.