After nearly a fortnight of no running at all (trying to let the hip injury recover) I could feel a creeping insanity building. After spending a couple of days wandering on the North Downs with some Duke of Edinburgh students, I decided I could safely walk a marathon, hopefully without causing more damage. I'd already entered an Ultra (30 miles) on Saturday afternoon, which was part of the Enigma festival of running, but I switched to the morning Enigma marathon, which meant getting up to Bletchley for an 8 am start.
It was a gorgeous sunny day and an opportunity to hang out with lots of running mates. I could tell the day would be good for my mental health if nothing else. The route included a couple of laps of the lake, plus a trot along the canal towards Leighton Buzzard. This was a section that I had traversed in darkness during the GUCR 5 weeks ago: it looked very different in the sunshine and with lots of cygnets swimming about and a fearless Heron perched regally on the bank.
I walked most of it and put in some jogging here and there, trying to listen out for the uneven footfalls that indicate limping. I expected to be right at the back of the field, but even at nearly 5 and a half hours, there were still half a dozen people behind me. I chatted with lots of people en route, and was happy that there were other folk taking it as easy as I was, providing entertaining company.
At the end, another runner described having had the exact same hip flexor pain (and related foot pain) symptoms I've been suffering from. After several months of enduring this, the cure had come quickly, in the form of a physio's elbow harshly prodded into and rolled around the offending area. Apparently it hurt while being done and was worse the next day, but then after that the hip was cured. Sounded too good to be true. But Trin was there doing massage and she offered her elbow. It certainly hurt while she was doing it. I mean really really owwy ouch! And today it feels as if a small explosion has taken place inside my hip. So I am tentatively hopeful that this is the wizard cure and tomorrow I shall be able to run again. That would be more than shiny.
So, another great day with the Fox, whose Enigma events keep us addicts sated. Looking at my stats, I notice that my 99th, 149th, 159th and 169th marathons have all been Enigmas. (That would be more interesting if there weren't also at least another 3 not ending in ...9th) Huge thanks to Dave and all his merry helpers, who make these such wonderful days to be a part of.
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Sunday, 19 June 2011
A half marathon?!
The Picnic Marathon is billed as the UK's toughest, mainly as it's set on the North Downs and involves a convoluted route going over Box Hill and the adjacent White Hill several times. Including going up the steps by the stepping stones a few times (you'll know the ones if you've climbed them).
When I entered, I hadn't already arranged to do the Enduroman 100 miler the previous weekend. And my lingering special needs right hip flexor and left foot meant that I probably shouldn't have even ventured down to Surrey. But they allow the option of stopping half way (which is enforced if the first half takes over 3 hours), where you can pick up a T-shirt, mug and medal for the Midsummer Munro ("the UK's toughest half marathon"!) so I figured I might as well go for an interesting training run.
Within a couple of miles I could tell that my injuries were slowing me a lot on the steps, but even on the more friendly, flatter sections I also had a very lethargic (and limpy) pace. So I figured I'd just do the half and enjoy the afternoon (we started at 2pm). It was intermittently hot-sunshiney and thunder-showery. The stepping stones 
were ankle-deep in fast-flowing water (unlike in the picture above, which was clearly taken at a more tranquil time). There was a fantastic atmosphere with lashings of encouragement from the marshals and the other runners. I had a great time, not at all disappointed at not finishing the Picnic, glad of the opportunity to be sensible and avoid further damage to my legs and feet. I still took in six ascents of Box Hill and went twice over the neighbouring and equally tough White Hill. Plus the Munro T-shirt is a decent wicky one that I'll actually use. And actually I really enjoyed the course, so am keen to go back in 2013 (they only do it every couple of years) to finish the Picnic properly when I'm fit. Another top event to go on the to-do list then.
When I entered, I hadn't already arranged to do the Enduroman 100 miler the previous weekend. And my lingering special needs right hip flexor and left foot meant that I probably shouldn't have even ventured down to Surrey. But they allow the option of stopping half way (which is enforced if the first half takes over 3 hours), where you can pick up a T-shirt, mug and medal for the Midsummer Munro ("the UK's toughest half marathon"!) so I figured I might as well go for an interesting training run.
Within a couple of miles I could tell that my injuries were slowing me a lot on the steps, but even on the more friendly, flatter sections I also had a very lethargic (and limpy) pace. So I figured I'd just do the half and enjoy the afternoon (we started at 2pm). It was intermittently hot-sunshiney and thunder-showery. The stepping stones 
were ankle-deep in fast-flowing water (unlike in the picture above, which was clearly taken at a more tranquil time). There was a fantastic atmosphere with lashings of encouragement from the marshals and the other runners. I had a great time, not at all disappointed at not finishing the Picnic, glad of the opportunity to be sensible and avoid further damage to my legs and feet. I still took in six ascents of Box Hill and went twice over the neighbouring and equally tough White Hill. Plus the Munro T-shirt is a decent wicky one that I'll actually use. And actually I really enjoyed the course, so am keen to go back in 2013 (they only do it every couple of years) to finish the Picnic properly when I'm fit. Another top event to go on the to-do list then.
Monday, 13 June 2011
Just 100 miles
Last year while at an ultra in Norwich, I first heard about the Enduroman "Deca", which is the almost impossible sounding triathlon event of 10 full Ironmans (Ironmen?) in 10 days. This year's event was to take place in the New Forest, so I thought about combining a weekend's camping with a little spectating. But then I was told that the more obvious way for me to watch it would be to run The Enduroman 100 Ultra, which takes place on the triathletes' run course, but with a few extra laps.
And so it was that I took the train down to the New Forest on Saturday morning, arriving just as the Doubles were in their swim stage.
The Doubles? Well, it turns out that in addition to the Deca, which had started a week last Friday, there was also a Quintuple starting on the Wednesday (5 Ironmans in 5 days), a Triple starting on the following Friday (but this isn't 3 in 3 - it's the full 7.2 mile swim, followed by 336 miles out on the bike, then a 78.6 mile run to round it off), then the Double started on Saturday (same format as the triple, but two thirds of the distance), with a mere single Ironman starting on the Sunday morning. The idea being that all the events would finish with some running on Sunday. The 100 mile run seemed like the lightweight option, starting on Saturday afternoon. And it was odd that when asked "which race are you doing?" the reply had to be "oh, just the run". When did running 100 miles become "just" running 100 miles?!
I admit that when I enthusiastically entered, I hadn't really noticed that it was only a fortnight after the GUCR. And I'd figured that being in the New Forest, the run would be flat. Oops. At least I had acknowledged that it would be laps (of 1.04 miles it turned out, so we did 97 laps, making a course a little over the 100 miles stated). So, still barely able to run after aggravating a hip flexor injury at GUCR (and my attempt when I did run being a slow comedy limp) I actually thought about not doing it. But I really wanted to see the Deca and everything, so thought I might as well give it a try. And it was well worth it.
It was a glorious sunny Saturday morning and the Doubles had been in the water since 9am for their 4.8 mile swim. The lake was beautiful and there was a great atmosphere, with crews and supporters cheering as each athlete finished that section and made their way up the hill to their bikes for their first transition.
The bike course (which sounded very hilly, pot-holey and fraught with dangers such as traffic and wayward donkeys) was apparently very tough. There was an 11.1 mile loop they repeated, with a turnaround up by the stately home. The run route was neatly designed with a section that went round the edge of the bike turnaround, so we got to see some cyclists most times as we passed through that section, where there were also crews and an aid station and music playing the whole time (which was especially welcome through the middle of the night - there wasn't a huge variety, but I remember hearing a lot of Queen). It also went round a couple of lakes, one of which was the one the triathletes all swam in. We had a race briefing at noon, then set off at 2pm.
I had kind of skim-read the info about the run course.
Enough to know that it was trail and I'd need a good head torch for the bits through the trees at night. I'd seen that it said something about flat, but not taken in where it mentioned the fact that what could be (and wishful-thinkingly was by me) mistaken for a pleasantly flat loop around the lakes, along a field and round a stately home, was in fact set on a hill with the lakes at the bottom and the home at the top. 
And the pretty bit through the woods round the lake was on a narrow trail strewn with many trip hazardish roots and stones, lots of uppy-downyness and a particularly dodgy steep downhill with a barbed wire fence just off to one side. Some of the roots were spray-painted with orange fluorescent paint, which was really helpful, particularly at night when they glowed effectively under the headtorch light. 
The uphills were steep in parts, but that was ok as they suggested ideal walking sections on each lap, but the long downhill from the house towards the lake was just the wrong gradient for my battered feeling legs.
I had the comedy limp at the start, which actually eased off after a while (at 80 miles someone told me I was looking far smoother than I had in the first lap). I took it easy (well, I couldn't muster much speed to set off too fast even if I'd wanted to) and really got into it after about 20 laps. The weather held up right through the moonlit night and we were joined on the course at various times by triathletes from their different events. It was awe-inspiring watching how well they could run after so many hours (or days) of tough activity already completed. I was a bit sore and achy, but kept well motivated by all these amazing athletes around me. It was great to watch the swim of day 10 of the Deca (and the single Ironman) starting at 6am. Shortly after that, the rain arrived, and from then on it was all very wet, cold, and at times exceedingly windy. (And the tricky path round the lake was not made any easier when it became a tricky and extremely muddy path.) Yet despite the weather, the crews, marshals and supporters were all still there, enthusiastic and helpful, making this unbelievable atmosphere. There was an aid station near the finish, where we could refill drinks bottles and grab food whenever we needed it. At night, a couple of the marshals were wearing cow costumes. I'm nearly sure I didn't just imagine that anyway.
I had people encouraging me at lots of points along the way, with the fact that I was the only female left in the ultra (after one other pulled out at 50 miles) possibly making it easier for them to know my name. I felt a bit guilty for being so slow, but given the circumstances, I was pleased with being able to finish this unexpectedly tough event. The last lap was run in reverse, which made it clear whenever someone was nearly finished, and meant we got to see all the other competitors still out on the course. There was high-fiving and wishing all the best to those still going. It was indeed very slow, taking me just under 26 and a half hours. I think I came in third place, and technically I suppose first lady.
The goody bags were full of, erm, goodies! Including a Superman-styled Enduroman T-shirt, a box of gels, a hat, a buff, a drinks bottle and more. Then there was also a good wicky T-shirt and a medal for finishing.
It was a great event, with huge thanks due to Steve the organiser and his team of helpers. They, together with the other competitors, their crews and the supporters, made it a fantastic weekend and it felt a privilege to be a part of it.
It made it feel extra odd to be back in the classroom teaching again today, when our lower sixth students returned from study leave. As far as they knew, I probably spent the weekend watching telly or shopping.
And so it was that I took the train down to the New Forest on Saturday morning, arriving just as the Doubles were in their swim stage.
The Doubles? Well, it turns out that in addition to the Deca, which had started a week last Friday, there was also a Quintuple starting on the Wednesday (5 Ironmans in 5 days), a Triple starting on the following Friday (but this isn't 3 in 3 - it's the full 7.2 mile swim, followed by 336 miles out on the bike, then a 78.6 mile run to round it off), then the Double started on Saturday (same format as the triple, but two thirds of the distance), with a mere single Ironman starting on the Sunday morning. The idea being that all the events would finish with some running on Sunday. The 100 mile run seemed like the lightweight option, starting on Saturday afternoon. And it was odd that when asked "which race are you doing?" the reply had to be "oh, just the run". When did running 100 miles become "just" running 100 miles?!I admit that when I enthusiastically entered, I hadn't really noticed that it was only a fortnight after the GUCR. And I'd figured that being in the New Forest, the run would be flat. Oops. At least I had acknowledged that it would be laps (of 1.04 miles it turned out, so we did 97 laps, making a course a little over the 100 miles stated). So, still barely able to run after aggravating a hip flexor injury at GUCR (and my attempt when I did run being a slow comedy limp) I actually thought about not doing it. But I really wanted to see the Deca and everything, so thought I might as well give it a try. And it was well worth it.
It was a glorious sunny Saturday morning and the Doubles had been in the water since 9am for their 4.8 mile swim. The lake was beautiful and there was a great atmosphere, with crews and supporters cheering as each athlete finished that section and made their way up the hill to their bikes for their first transition.
The bike course (which sounded very hilly, pot-holey and fraught with dangers such as traffic and wayward donkeys) was apparently very tough. There was an 11.1 mile loop they repeated, with a turnaround up by the stately home. The run route was neatly designed with a section that went round the edge of the bike turnaround, so we got to see some cyclists most times as we passed through that section, where there were also crews and an aid station and music playing the whole time (which was especially welcome through the middle of the night - there wasn't a huge variety, but I remember hearing a lot of Queen). It also went round a couple of lakes, one of which was the one the triathletes all swam in. We had a race briefing at noon, then set off at 2pm.I had kind of skim-read the info about the run course.
Enough to know that it was trail and I'd need a good head torch for the bits through the trees at night. I'd seen that it said something about flat, but not taken in where it mentioned the fact that what could be (and wishful-thinkingly was by me) mistaken for a pleasantly flat loop around the lakes, along a field and round a stately home, was in fact set on a hill with the lakes at the bottom and the home at the top. 
And the pretty bit through the woods round the lake was on a narrow trail strewn with many trip hazardish roots and stones, lots of uppy-downyness and a particularly dodgy steep downhill with a barbed wire fence just off to one side. Some of the roots were spray-painted with orange fluorescent paint, which was really helpful, particularly at night when they glowed effectively under the headtorch light. 
The uphills were steep in parts, but that was ok as they suggested ideal walking sections on each lap, but the long downhill from the house towards the lake was just the wrong gradient for my battered feeling legs.
I had the comedy limp at the start, which actually eased off after a while (at 80 miles someone told me I was looking far smoother than I had in the first lap). I took it easy (well, I couldn't muster much speed to set off too fast even if I'd wanted to) and really got into it after about 20 laps. The weather held up right through the moonlit night and we were joined on the course at various times by triathletes from their different events. It was awe-inspiring watching how well they could run after so many hours (or days) of tough activity already completed. I was a bit sore and achy, but kept well motivated by all these amazing athletes around me. It was great to watch the swim of day 10 of the Deca (and the single Ironman) starting at 6am. Shortly after that, the rain arrived, and from then on it was all very wet, cold, and at times exceedingly windy. (And the tricky path round the lake was not made any easier when it became a tricky and extremely muddy path.) Yet despite the weather, the crews, marshals and supporters were all still there, enthusiastic and helpful, making this unbelievable atmosphere. There was an aid station near the finish, where we could refill drinks bottles and grab food whenever we needed it. At night, a couple of the marshals were wearing cow costumes. I'm nearly sure I didn't just imagine that anyway.
I had people encouraging me at lots of points along the way, with the fact that I was the only female left in the ultra (after one other pulled out at 50 miles) possibly making it easier for them to know my name. I felt a bit guilty for being so slow, but given the circumstances, I was pleased with being able to finish this unexpectedly tough event. The last lap was run in reverse, which made it clear whenever someone was nearly finished, and meant we got to see all the other competitors still out on the course. There was high-fiving and wishing all the best to those still going. It was indeed very slow, taking me just under 26 and a half hours. I think I came in third place, and technically I suppose first lady.The goody bags were full of, erm, goodies! Including a Superman-styled Enduroman T-shirt, a box of gels, a hat, a buff, a drinks bottle and more. Then there was also a good wicky T-shirt and a medal for finishing.
It was a great event, with huge thanks due to Steve the organiser and his team of helpers. They, together with the other competitors, their crews and the supporters, made it a fantastic weekend and it felt a privilege to be a part of it.It made it feel extra odd to be back in the classroom teaching again today, when our lower sixth students returned from study leave. As far as they knew, I probably spent the weekend watching telly or shopping.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
GUCR - the Return
It was a year ago that I first completed the Grand Union Canal Race, but was very disappointed that injury forced me to walk most of it. (And caused blisters that left me unable to walk for two days.) This year, I had higher hopes. I figured that if I was fit and uninjured, then 36 hours would be a reasonable time to aim for. Well, I'm not as fit as this time last year - I've had 3 chest infections since September that have meant a lack of quality training, plus my right hip flexor spent the last fortnight being very hurty (and even making me a bit limpy), to the point that I considered deferring GUCR till next year. But I was in the mood for a long run (and 145 miles, or 232 km, is quite long) and figured thirty-something hours would do just fine. Also, at the last count, this year I've raised £23 576 for the charity Animal Aid, so there was added incentive to go the distance.
I took a slow train up to Birmingham on Friday night. It's an odd feeling buying a one-way ticket that far, knowing that one shall be making the return journey on foot.
I checked into a hostel, far enough out of the centre of town to be relatively quiet (cheap, but with the luxury of a double room to myself) for an early night. Then was up before half past four to walk to the Gas Street Basin in time to register and drop off my kit bags, before the 6am start. I collected my GUCR 2011 sweatshirt - Dick had had a black one made specially for me - brilliant!
There were a lot of folk I knew there, including some who've finished several times, others who'd tried but never made it to the end and some GUCR virgins. This race has a very special atmosphere and it felt great to be a part of it again. I felt very happy as we set off, though I was noticeably limping as my hip flexor gently moaned at me. Fortunately my breathing was ok - the course of antibiotics I was on last week seemed to have worked. I chatted with other runners a bit here and there, though spent most of the route on my own. There were some friends crewing for others at a similar pace to me, so I kept seeing them throughout the race and they were always encouraging. I had chosen to be "unsupported" again. This actually means that rather than bringing my own crew to cater for my every whim, I used the checkpoints which are manned by volunteers, who have food and drinks and kind words for the fifty unsupported runners. 
Also we have access to our kit bags at these points. As a vegan, I don't expect there to be much food that's suitable for me, so my kit bag is mainly just a food bag. I carry a rucksack all the way with some spare layers of clothes, a Camelbak bladder full of at least a couple of litres of water (I get thirsty!) and enough food to get me to the next checkoint (they vary from 11 to 20 miles apart). My food supply included a range of muesli bars, Torq energy gels, salted nuts, bombay mix, japanese rice crackers, vegan sausages and hot cross buns.
As the day went on, my legs didn't get any worse. I was moving a lot more slowly than usual, but seemed to be moving pretty smoothly considering. I stuck to the 25:5, run:walk thing for the first 5 hours, then my Garmin inexplicably ran out of juice. I had a spare in my kit bag, but actually just decided to wear a normal watch, as I realised I could get the distance from the route map. Reading this to see what bridge number would mean I'd covered another mile provided a good distraction from the aches and pains that were developing - nothing too bad though, and no blisters for most of the way.
There was plenty of wildlife. I watched a small common coot charging beak-down at a swan, which seemed a bit scared and actually swam backwards in retreat! An odd sight - I didn't know they had a reverse gear. Presumably nobody told the coot that thing about swans being able to break your leg. There were several majestic herons, lots of bats, especially at dusk, several geese that hissed at me as they watched over their goslings, a huge pretty butterfly, some irritating midgies, a nonchalant rabbit and three black barge cats.
After last year's enforced walking, I was very pleased to be able to keep putting in sections of jogging throughout, but found that actually at night my running pace was slower than my walking! I kept alternating between the two in an attempt to ward off blisters, which seemed to work. I didn't get too sleepy during the night and enjoyed the sunrise a few miles out from the 100 mile point, which I reached in under 23 hours. I felt rather fatigued later in the morning, but continued to stay in good spirits and enjoy the journey. I was still running (well, doing the ultra-shuffle at least) between walking, and managed to keep the blisters away until the final turn onto the Paddington arm, about 13 miles from the finish. The surface of the canal path is very stony a lot of the way, which makes for sore feet, so the grassy sections were always welcome (except when they were on a camber).
Timewise it didn't look like being much faster than last year after all, with me being just over a couple of hours up at the 100 mile point. When I got to 3 miles to go though, I realised that I might just squeeze in with the sub-36 I'd really wanted. So I switched up a gear despite the blisters which had just started to scream at me within the last few miles. A finish in daylight would be lovely.
And I made it in 35 hours and 43 minutes. Nice. Not nearly as fast as I'd aimed for last year, but I'm well chuffed with it this time. Dick was at the finish along with others, runners and helpers, who cheered me in. A fantastic feeling. And a big shiny medal.
I placed 19th out of 53 finishers (there were 92 starters) and 3rd female.
I hung around for a bit and saw a few more folk finish before wandering slowly home (two tubes, then a bus to the end of my street). The damage? Only 3 proper blisters, probably 3 toenails to come off eventually too. But the soles of my feet, while a little sore, were still stand-on-able. And my hip flexor was sore, but not much worse than it had been. I couldn't lift my leg properly, but could still walk pretty well. Today is Tuesday and we've been out shopping and to a museum, including going up and down lots of steps with no problems. I'll take at least a couple more days off running to let my legs heal properly, but I'm looking forward to getting back out again. I might want another go at this one sometime, but I don't feel the need to run GUCR next year. I'm hoping to go along and help out at the checkpoints though.
A brilliant event - the logistics of organising it are mind-boggling, but Dick Kearn does it every year in good humour. He's a true ultra hero. And his team, along with the other runners and their crews, make this a top weekend to be part of.
I took a slow train up to Birmingham on Friday night. It's an odd feeling buying a one-way ticket that far, knowing that one shall be making the return journey on foot.
I checked into a hostel, far enough out of the centre of town to be relatively quiet (cheap, but with the luxury of a double room to myself) for an early night. Then was up before half past four to walk to the Gas Street Basin in time to register and drop off my kit bags, before the 6am start. I collected my GUCR 2011 sweatshirt - Dick had had a black one made specially for me - brilliant!
There were a lot of folk I knew there, including some who've finished several times, others who'd tried but never made it to the end and some GUCR virgins. This race has a very special atmosphere and it felt great to be a part of it again. I felt very happy as we set off, though I was noticeably limping as my hip flexor gently moaned at me. Fortunately my breathing was ok - the course of antibiotics I was on last week seemed to have worked. I chatted with other runners a bit here and there, though spent most of the route on my own. There were some friends crewing for others at a similar pace to me, so I kept seeing them throughout the race and they were always encouraging. I had chosen to be "unsupported" again. This actually means that rather than bringing my own crew to cater for my every whim, I used the checkpoints which are manned by volunteers, who have food and drinks and kind words for the fifty unsupported runners. 
Also we have access to our kit bags at these points. As a vegan, I don't expect there to be much food that's suitable for me, so my kit bag is mainly just a food bag. I carry a rucksack all the way with some spare layers of clothes, a Camelbak bladder full of at least a couple of litres of water (I get thirsty!) and enough food to get me to the next checkoint (they vary from 11 to 20 miles apart). My food supply included a range of muesli bars, Torq energy gels, salted nuts, bombay mix, japanese rice crackers, vegan sausages and hot cross buns.As the day went on, my legs didn't get any worse. I was moving a lot more slowly than usual, but seemed to be moving pretty smoothly considering. I stuck to the 25:5, run:walk thing for the first 5 hours, then my Garmin inexplicably ran out of juice. I had a spare in my kit bag, but actually just decided to wear a normal watch, as I realised I could get the distance from the route map. Reading this to see what bridge number would mean I'd covered another mile provided a good distraction from the aches and pains that were developing - nothing too bad though, and no blisters for most of the way.
There was plenty of wildlife. I watched a small common coot charging beak-down at a swan, which seemed a bit scared and actually swam backwards in retreat! An odd sight - I didn't know they had a reverse gear. Presumably nobody told the coot that thing about swans being able to break your leg. There were several majestic herons, lots of bats, especially at dusk, several geese that hissed at me as they watched over their goslings, a huge pretty butterfly, some irritating midgies, a nonchalant rabbit and three black barge cats.
After last year's enforced walking, I was very pleased to be able to keep putting in sections of jogging throughout, but found that actually at night my running pace was slower than my walking! I kept alternating between the two in an attempt to ward off blisters, which seemed to work. I didn't get too sleepy during the night and enjoyed the sunrise a few miles out from the 100 mile point, which I reached in under 23 hours. I felt rather fatigued later in the morning, but continued to stay in good spirits and enjoy the journey. I was still running (well, doing the ultra-shuffle at least) between walking, and managed to keep the blisters away until the final turn onto the Paddington arm, about 13 miles from the finish. The surface of the canal path is very stony a lot of the way, which makes for sore feet, so the grassy sections were always welcome (except when they were on a camber).Timewise it didn't look like being much faster than last year after all, with me being just over a couple of hours up at the 100 mile point. When I got to 3 miles to go though, I realised that I might just squeeze in with the sub-36 I'd really wanted. So I switched up a gear despite the blisters which had just started to scream at me within the last few miles. A finish in daylight would be lovely.
And I made it in 35 hours and 43 minutes. Nice. Not nearly as fast as I'd aimed for last year, but I'm well chuffed with it this time. Dick was at the finish along with others, runners and helpers, who cheered me in. A fantastic feeling. And a big shiny medal.
I placed 19th out of 53 finishers (there were 92 starters) and 3rd female.I hung around for a bit and saw a few more folk finish before wandering slowly home (two tubes, then a bus to the end of my street). The damage? Only 3 proper blisters, probably 3 toenails to come off eventually too. But the soles of my feet, while a little sore, were still stand-on-able. And my hip flexor was sore, but not much worse than it had been. I couldn't lift my leg properly, but could still walk pretty well. Today is Tuesday and we've been out shopping and to a museum, including going up and down lots of steps with no problems. I'll take at least a couple more days off running to let my legs heal properly, but I'm looking forward to getting back out again. I might want another go at this one sometime, but I don't feel the need to run GUCR next year. I'm hoping to go along and help out at the checkpoints though.
A brilliant event - the logistics of organising it are mind-boggling, but Dick Kearn does it every year in good humour. He's a true ultra hero. And his team, along with the other runners and their crews, make this a top weekend to be part of.
Sandstone Trail Saturday
On Saturday 21st May I went for my last long run pre-GUCR. Well, I didn't really have any intention of running much of it - I just wanted to get out and stretch my legs in a leisurely fashion, with some good views. The Sandstone Trail was perfect. It's a 33 mile route 
over the Cheshire countryside, fairly well signposted most of the way
(though the race rules included carrying a map). There were more stiles than I'd wanted, especially as my right hip flexor had been pretty painful all week, but lots of fields, woods, hills, red stone,
great panoramic views 
and wildlife to distract my attention. I ran with Rob who was also in the mood for a realaxed pace, so we took it very steady and enjoyed a grand day out. Definitely one to go back to next year.
over the Cheshire countryside, fairly well signposted most of the way
(though the race rules included carrying a map). There were more stiles than I'd wanted, especially as my right hip flexor had been pretty painful all week, but lots of fields, woods, hills, red stone,
great panoramic views 
and wildlife to distract my attention. I ran with Rob who was also in the mood for a realaxed pace, so we took it very steady and enjoyed a grand day out. Definitely one to go back to next year.
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Make Mine a Triple
The bank holiday weekend with the extra day off while a prince got married was a great treat. As it turned out, Jim was away for three days, so I found three runs to keep me out of trouble. I'd never done a triple before (apart from within the 10in10) and it was a rather hot weekend to choose for such shenanigans.
On the Friday I headed to Berkshire for the Royal Berkshire track marathon, excellently organised by Ian Berry. There were loads of the usual faces there, including some TiTs I hadn't seen since last year, as well as some of this year's contenders. So, 105 and a half laps, which passed by pretty smoothly. Either I or my lap counter miscounted, so that when I thought I was easily on for a sub-4 (which would be my first this year), I was surprised to hear I still had 5 laps to do (I thought it was only 4) in under 10 minutes to make that time. 8-minute-miling might not sound fast, but I was feeling a bit poorly on the day and it took a big effort to pick up the pace. It felt good to do it, but I was really knackered afterwards. Oh, and I placed third female so I won a bottle of beer!
On the Saturday was the Oxon 40, based around Henley. This is a lovely LDWA event so I felt perfectly justified in taking it at a very relaxed pace. Mucho walking and some beautiful views, including many woods carpeted with bluebells.
I stayed overnight in Amesbury then wandered over to Stonehenge in the morning to catch the bus to the start of the Neolithic Marathon. This feels like an old favourite (I've now done it 5 times) and it was yet again a great day out.
Since then there was the delightful Halstead marathon on the 8th (around the country lanes in Essex, always a much better event than I expect it to be) and then Richmond Park marathon on the weekend just gone, which took in 3 and a half laps of the park, with the fantastic scenery and wildlife show that entails. I've been struggling to run with a cold and dodgy breathing for weeks now, so it was kind of a relief to find out I actually have a chest infection (again - the third time this year!) and I'm hoping the antibiotics will sort me out soon.
Morning runs have been very pleasant recently, as the sun gets up around the same time as I head out. Summer is good like that.
On the Friday I headed to Berkshire for the Royal Berkshire track marathon, excellently organised by Ian Berry. There were loads of the usual faces there, including some TiTs I hadn't seen since last year, as well as some of this year's contenders. So, 105 and a half laps, which passed by pretty smoothly. Either I or my lap counter miscounted, so that when I thought I was easily on for a sub-4 (which would be my first this year), I was surprised to hear I still had 5 laps to do (I thought it was only 4) in under 10 minutes to make that time. 8-minute-miling might not sound fast, but I was feeling a bit poorly on the day and it took a big effort to pick up the pace. It felt good to do it, but I was really knackered afterwards. Oh, and I placed third female so I won a bottle of beer!
On the Saturday was the Oxon 40, based around Henley. This is a lovely LDWA event so I felt perfectly justified in taking it at a very relaxed pace. Mucho walking and some beautiful views, including many woods carpeted with bluebells.
I stayed overnight in Amesbury then wandered over to Stonehenge in the morning to catch the bus to the start of the Neolithic Marathon. This feels like an old favourite (I've now done it 5 times) and it was yet again a great day out.
Since then there was the delightful Halstead marathon on the 8th (around the country lanes in Essex, always a much better event than I expect it to be) and then Richmond Park marathon on the weekend just gone, which took in 3 and a half laps of the park, with the fantastic scenery and wildlife show that entails. I've been struggling to run with a cold and dodgy breathing for weeks now, so it was kind of a relief to find out I actually have a chest infection (again - the third time this year!) and I'm hoping the antibiotics will sort me out soon.
Morning runs have been very pleasant recently, as the sun gets up around the same time as I head out. Summer is good like that.
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
A tale of two cities
That would be Paris and London. But as April has been full running-wise, there's another three events to mention too (with yet another two to go before the month is out).
So, I watched the highlights of the London Marathon on telly and they kept claiming it's the world's greatest marathon. Now, I'm not really a fan of city marathons, but I would rate Paris way above London. (I think I've also done three other capital cities and London might get pushed down to fourth or fifth place on my list.) The atmosphere at London is great, but it's very crowded and the route isn't particularly inspiring. It makes for a good day out and I do enjoy it, but it's not a favourite for me. Plus I still had a heavy cold on the day and found that there is no way to discretely expel copious quantities of snot when watched by those crowds. Sorry - over-sharing I know. I really liked going out for dinner with my sister (& bro-in-law & Jim) afterwards though, so it was a lovely afternoon!
We had gone to Paris for the first four days of the school holidays, the marathon
being on the Sunday. Despite my annoying cold (my eyes were streaming as I stood hacking like a 60-a-day smoker on the Champs Elysees at the start) I had a very pleasant run around the city and parks, enjoying the sights and the huge feel-good factor of the event. 
A good T shirt at the end too (a proper wicky one, red with Parisian pictures on the front, that I will actually use). 
We spent the afternoon in the Marais, and the rest of the time in Paris doing all the things we like to do in our favourite city.
The weekend before Paris I'd popped down to Battle, near Hastings, for the first Sussex Marathon. This was a hilly run, mainly through country lanes. I ran guiding Paul, a blind running friend. I managed to keep him out of the potholes and avoided thwacking him into any lamposts/trees, so was pleased that we both finished without incident. The actual guiding bit is not physically hard (using a dog-chew-toy, swapping sides every 3 miles or so) but a lot of extra concentration is required. It does make the run feel a bit different and we could both claim it was the other who wanted to walk so many of the steeper hills.
Towards the end of the holiday came the Easter weekend. For me this included an Enigma marathon (round the lake in the park near Bletchley, top event that Foxy Davy organises) where I managed to get rather sunburnt on the Friday. Then I went up to Goring for the Compton Downland 40 miler on the Sunday. I liked this one before when it had been muddy, but this time it was stunningly beautiful in parts. The scenery was extra pretty in the sunshine and the timing meant that the woods were full of bluebells and we passed through a huge field of shoulder-high bright yellow rape. And later there were four hares frolicking in a field. Brilliant organisation by Dick Kearn and his merry team.
There was more entertaining wildlife
as we picnicked in Richmond Park, 
as well as lots of other day trips to keep us grinning all the was through the holidays. 
And this 3-day-week followed by a 4-day-week to ease us back into work is most welcome. Now, I really should try to shake this stupid lingering cold so I can fully enjoy all this gorgeous springtime running...
So, I watched the highlights of the London Marathon on telly and they kept claiming it's the world's greatest marathon. Now, I'm not really a fan of city marathons, but I would rate Paris way above London. (I think I've also done three other capital cities and London might get pushed down to fourth or fifth place on my list.) The atmosphere at London is great, but it's very crowded and the route isn't particularly inspiring. It makes for a good day out and I do enjoy it, but it's not a favourite for me. Plus I still had a heavy cold on the day and found that there is no way to discretely expel copious quantities of snot when watched by those crowds. Sorry - over-sharing I know. I really liked going out for dinner with my sister (& bro-in-law & Jim) afterwards though, so it was a lovely afternoon!
We had gone to Paris for the first four days of the school holidays, the marathon
being on the Sunday. Despite my annoying cold (my eyes were streaming as I stood hacking like a 60-a-day smoker on the Champs Elysees at the start) I had a very pleasant run around the city and parks, enjoying the sights and the huge feel-good factor of the event. 
A good T shirt at the end too (a proper wicky one, red with Parisian pictures on the front, that I will actually use). 
We spent the afternoon in the Marais, and the rest of the time in Paris doing all the things we like to do in our favourite city.
The weekend before Paris I'd popped down to Battle, near Hastings, for the first Sussex Marathon. This was a hilly run, mainly through country lanes. I ran guiding Paul, a blind running friend. I managed to keep him out of the potholes and avoided thwacking him into any lamposts/trees, so was pleased that we both finished without incident. The actual guiding bit is not physically hard (using a dog-chew-toy, swapping sides every 3 miles or so) but a lot of extra concentration is required. It does make the run feel a bit different and we could both claim it was the other who wanted to walk so many of the steeper hills.
Towards the end of the holiday came the Easter weekend. For me this included an Enigma marathon (round the lake in the park near Bletchley, top event that Foxy Davy organises) where I managed to get rather sunburnt on the Friday. Then I went up to Goring for the Compton Downland 40 miler on the Sunday. I liked this one before when it had been muddy, but this time it was stunningly beautiful in parts. The scenery was extra pretty in the sunshine and the timing meant that the woods were full of bluebells and we passed through a huge field of shoulder-high bright yellow rape. And later there were four hares frolicking in a field. Brilliant organisation by Dick Kearn and his merry team.
There was more entertaining wildlife
as we picnicked in Richmond Park, 
as well as lots of other day trips to keep us grinning all the was through the holidays. 
And this 3-day-week followed by a 4-day-week to ease us back into work is most welcome. Now, I really should try to shake this stupid lingering cold so I can fully enjoy all this gorgeous springtime running...
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