Well.... my flu is kind of on the wane.... I'm still coughing a bit, and I am so tired it's ridiculous, but I am SOOO looking forward to the Hangover Challenge tomorrow.
We've laminated the talk around, and worked out that it'll take about an hour to drive there. The run starts at 8, so we need to be there about 7.30. That means setting off at 6.30.... so with dog walk, dog feed, breakfast and getting dressed..... that means a get-up time of about 5.15! Still, the weather looks good for running, the snow has gone, and the course (21 miles) looks nice and rough - lots of moorland etc.
So - today I am trying to eat well, getting my run-bag and kit sorted, and chilling out! I'll report back on the run tomorrow!
Friday 31 December 2010
Tuesday 28 December 2010
Piggin' Flu!
Well... we've had the snow, the bereavement (complete with funeral on Christmas Eve) and now I have swine flu!
It started with sickness and the runs, became a pounding head and a HUGE temperature, followed by more headaches, sore throat and then a full blown cold. It's forced me to my bed for days at a time and seems never-ending.
So - December really WAS the month of rest!! I've still got a chest infection, so doubt I'll be running now until the Hangover Challenge on 1st Jan. Then the events start coming thick and fast. But there's no point me struggling to get out now and making myself worse - the extra few days of recovery will mean that hopefully I WILL make it out on the 1st, and get myself in some sort of fitness for the 90 miler at the end of Jan!! I'll do it... it just may be very very slow!!
It started with sickness and the runs, became a pounding head and a HUGE temperature, followed by more headaches, sore throat and then a full blown cold. It's forced me to my bed for days at a time and seems never-ending.
So - December really WAS the month of rest!! I've still got a chest infection, so doubt I'll be running now until the Hangover Challenge on 1st Jan. Then the events start coming thick and fast. But there's no point me struggling to get out now and making myself worse - the extra few days of recovery will mean that hopefully I WILL make it out on the 1st, and get myself in some sort of fitness for the 90 miler at the end of Jan!! I'll do it... it just may be very very slow!!
Monday 20 December 2010
No running.... no blogging!
Unfortunately we've had a death in the family, so I'm away helping to sort all those arrangements out. So no blogging.... and not an awful lot of running to blog about either! Still aiming for the Hangover Challenge though, so watch this space!
Tuesday 14 December 2010
Rubbish Runner....
Done NOTHING this week - feeling very depressed by the lack of exercise. Love the adrenaline buzz it gives me!! Late home from work and governor meetings tonight, so no boxing. Got an assessment centre in Manchester tomorrow that'll go on late so I'll miss swimming.... then Xmas meal with work on Thursday.....
Taking partner's kids to the panto on Saturday then got an 18 mile Christmas Cracker Social Walk with East Lancs (complete with pub stop) to look forward to.... that could well be my only exercise this week.... School finishes Friday, so I've got two blissful weeks of MTBing and running to look forward to , plus the Hangover Challenge on 1st Jan.
However, as I do currently have a tooth abcess that I'm on antibiotics for, it's probably not the worst idea in the world to rest! The other half is ill in bed, and we've both had sore throats.... ok - so I won't beat myself up about it then.... besides, Dec is meant to be a resting month.... Just hope I've got enough to get me round January's 90 miler!!
Taking partner's kids to the panto on Saturday then got an 18 mile Christmas Cracker Social Walk with East Lancs (complete with pub stop) to look forward to.... that could well be my only exercise this week.... School finishes Friday, so I've got two blissful weeks of MTBing and running to look forward to , plus the Hangover Challenge on 1st Jan.
However, as I do currently have a tooth abcess that I'm on antibiotics for, it's probably not the worst idea in the world to rest! The other half is ill in bed, and we've both had sore throats.... ok - so I won't beat myself up about it then.... besides, Dec is meant to be a resting month.... Just hope I've got enough to get me round January's 90 miler!!
Monday 13 December 2010
Wedding Belles....
Sunday was my best friend's wedding in Rowton Castle, Shrewsbury. Absolutely fantastic, and best of all, I burnt off over 600 cals in Ceilidh Dancing and dancing to the DJ too! A great work out! I wasn't too stiff from the walk on Saturday, but a bit stiff in my hips and my shins were sore (this is from walking down the hills.... when I run, I rarely get shin pain!). Got a busy week ahead, but hoping to get out for a run at some point in the week.... weather permitting.... supposed to be getting snow again come Thursday!
My best friend Jo and I and her wedding - 12th December 2010 - Rowton Castle
Saturday 11 December 2010
Regular Irregular Challenge - 19 miles
Mum's up to dog-sit whilst we're at the wedding in Shrewsbury tomorrow, so we took her along with us to the Regular Irregular Challenge. It's a challenge event run by the Irregulars branch of the LDWA (Long Distance Walking Association). This event consisted of three loops - and you could do one, two or three of them - or a combination to make up your own mileage. As we had mum with us, we went for the 11.6 mile loop then the 7.2 mile loop.
Anyway.... it was a glorious day. Sun was shining, the temperature was a tropical 7 degrees and most of the snow had gone. There were some boggy bits, but generally we were good to go. The Regular Irregular is great if you like stiles and hills. We did 1700ft of ascent in loop one and 1500ft in loop 2. We navigated round with the route description, and only managed to get lost once (we lost about half an hour) but we pulled the map and got ourselves straight.
The Challenge starts from Brockholes near Huddersfield and the three loops set off in different directions to keep things interesting. As I said, it's pretty easy to follow with the route description and well stocked for refreshments etc! You return to the Village Hall after each loop, so plenty of opps for the loo!
We walked it this time cos we had mum with us, but there were some great sections that would have been fun to run - lots of slipping, sliding and careful placement of feet! About 100 starters and about 20 of them were runners.
We're out again with the Irregulars on a Challenge Event on 1st January (The Hangover Challenge)... Can't wait! Wedding in Shrewsbury tomorrow..... may well be hitting the bottle again - someone had better warn the band....
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| The Irregulars always do fab off-the-wall badges! |
If you haven't tried these events, you're missing a treat! You can find them on the LDWA website and the cost to enter is anything from £5-£9 and includes tea and toast on arrival, food at all the checkpoints and a meal at the end. You also get a certificate and a badge (sometimes you pay £1 for the badge... hardly breaks the bank!). You can run or walk them and I usually run them and use them as my weekend training run. I do about 3-4 a month. It's great training because they involve navigating your way, a real mix of terrain, and the chance to try different foods when you're running! They vary from about 18 to 36 miles, although there are longer ones like the Bullock Smithy (56 miles) and the Rotherham Round (50 miles).
Anyway.... it was a glorious day. Sun was shining, the temperature was a tropical 7 degrees and most of the snow had gone. There were some boggy bits, but generally we were good to go. The Regular Irregular is great if you like stiles and hills. We did 1700ft of ascent in loop one and 1500ft in loop 2. We navigated round with the route description, and only managed to get lost once (we lost about half an hour) but we pulled the map and got ourselves straight.
The Challenge starts from Brockholes near Huddersfield and the three loops set off in different directions to keep things interesting. As I said, it's pretty easy to follow with the route description and well stocked for refreshments etc! You return to the Village Hall after each loop, so plenty of opps for the loo!
We walked it this time cos we had mum with us, but there were some great sections that would have been fun to run - lots of slipping, sliding and careful placement of feet! About 100 starters and about 20 of them were runners.
We're out again with the Irregulars on a Challenge Event on 1st January (The Hangover Challenge)... Can't wait! Wedding in Shrewsbury tomorrow..... may well be hitting the bottle again - someone had better warn the band....
Thursday 9 December 2010
Boxing - Boo!
Really late home from work and the other half wasn't going climbing, so I ended up sitting in front of TV. Felt good now, but will regret it when I'm ploughing (slowly) up a hill on 1st January! Booked back in for Tuesday to make up for it.
Wrote my speech for the weekend wedding, and checked the route for the 20miler on Saturday (walking, not running). Weather meant to be getting warmer, so hopefully we won't be walking on ice!
Wrote my speech for the weekend wedding, and checked the route for the 20miler on Saturday (walking, not running). Weather meant to be getting warmer, so hopefully we won't be walking on ice!
Wednesday 8 December 2010
Yay - Swimming
Finished work late, but managed to get home, get changed and get back out to the pool for half five. It was positively crowded today - me, Rich and two women.... fab! Did half an hour. Did several lengths leisurely freestyle, then a few concentrating on my core muscles and my arms/shoulders. Tried to pull myself through the water using those, rather than my legs.
It's only from doing core training that I noticed how much I use my core in running, and ergo how much better my running got with a strengthened core. This is also the reason why I have started with the boxing training and kettlebells!
The only problem with swimming is that it makes me munchy - at least with a run I don't feel like eating!! Got boxing tomorrow night, but before then I need to spend the evening writing my speech for my best mate's wedding on Sunday! It's all go!
It's only from doing core training that I noticed how much I use my core in running, and ergo how much better my running got with a strengthened core. This is also the reason why I have started with the boxing training and kettlebells!
The only problem with swimming is that it makes me munchy - at least with a run I don't feel like eating!! Got boxing tomorrow night, but before then I need to spend the evening writing my speech for my best mate's wedding on Sunday! It's all go!
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Bambi on Ice...
Well, Tuesday is run day, but there's not a 'snowball's chance in hell' (!) of that happening. The temperature is still hovering around about -3 degrees and the pavements are covered in snow that has compacted and frozen into an ice-rink worthy of Times Square. The estate roads aren't any better either, and I don't much fancy dodging the Bolton drivers on their way home from work. In addition, my little black dog, Mouse, has had an abcessed tooth out tonight, so the little beastie needs some TLC. We saw a mad man out running on the way back from the vets, but I swear he had his track spikes on!
The problem with not being able to train is monitoring the old food intake! Boredom makes me munchy, whereas exercise helps suppress my appetite. I don't mind eating when I am exercising, but I don't want to go putting any weight on now due to the weather! My ideal race weight is about 8st7 - 8st10 (119-122lbs), so I try to keep myself around about there.... not easy when there's tins of Christmas biscuits lying in wait to tempt me at work!! Still, I will try to stay strong!! At least I have swimming and boxing to look forward to over the next two days and a 20 mile long distance walk on Saturday.... bliss!
The problem with not being able to train is monitoring the old food intake! Boredom makes me munchy, whereas exercise helps suppress my appetite. I don't mind eating when I am exercising, but I don't want to go putting any weight on now due to the weather! My ideal race weight is about 8st7 - 8st10 (119-122lbs), so I try to keep myself around about there.... not easy when there's tins of Christmas biscuits lying in wait to tempt me at work!! Still, I will try to stay strong!! At least I have swimming and boxing to look forward to over the next two days and a 20 mile long distance walk on Saturday.... bliss!
Monday 6 December 2010
Ice...Ice... and yet MORE Ice...
Looks like this incredible weather is not going anywhere. Thank God I'm not in full on mileage-gaining at present! I've checked out the pavements and the roads, and there's not a chance of running at all tomorrow.... so I'll resort to swimming instead, although the thought of coming out into the cold air with wet hair does not seem like the best prospect!
I've been looking at the 2011 calendar and noting the key races that I've been accepted into. The first 'biggie' in the calendar is the Ultra 90 in Northampton in January. 45 miles of canal towpath (I'm dreading that already... the monotony of the terrain kills my hips!) a night in a hotel, and then 45 miles back the following day. I need to get on the local canals here and do some long runs. My body is so used to undulating and hilly territory that it cries out in pain with the flat runs.
The next biggie in the list is the Housman 100. I've got my entry confirmed already (number 160 of a max 535) as I sent the form off dead on 1st December. 48 time limit and the kind of terrain I like - hilly, undulating, nice to look at! This will be the longest non-stop ultra I'll have done, and the aim is to run as much as I can, and when fatigue sets in, get a good march on! I'm hoping for 36hours or under... although to finish is the key!
Finally - the last biggie is Thunder Run 24 (TR24). I did it last year as part of a pair and managed 10 laps (62 miles) with my partner covering 31 miles. This year I've entered as a solo and I am hoping to get as close as I can to 100 miles. I know I can do the 62 in about 15 hours, so it is possible. I'll also be a year fitter by then... snow and ice pending...
On the book front, I am obsessed with all books running and nutrition, and the latest read is "Running by Feel" by Matt Fitzgerald. He openly accepts that this book contradicts much of his earlier work, and I think that this shows the progress he has made as a coach/trainer through the years. Running Ultras I think you HAVE to listen to what your body is telling you, and accept that training plans created through formulas just aren't practical when fitting in round jobs, family etc. I'm enjoying the book (although it really gives you no answers as everyone is individual) and it very much mirrors the spirit of 'Born to Run' and the style of the Tarahumara runners.... who run for the sheer joy of running!!
I've been looking at the 2011 calendar and noting the key races that I've been accepted into. The first 'biggie' in the calendar is the Ultra 90 in Northampton in January. 45 miles of canal towpath (I'm dreading that already... the monotony of the terrain kills my hips!) a night in a hotel, and then 45 miles back the following day. I need to get on the local canals here and do some long runs. My body is so used to undulating and hilly territory that it cries out in pain with the flat runs.
The next biggie in the list is the Housman 100. I've got my entry confirmed already (number 160 of a max 535) as I sent the form off dead on 1st December. 48 time limit and the kind of terrain I like - hilly, undulating, nice to look at! This will be the longest non-stop ultra I'll have done, and the aim is to run as much as I can, and when fatigue sets in, get a good march on! I'm hoping for 36hours or under... although to finish is the key!
Finally - the last biggie is Thunder Run 24 (TR24). I did it last year as part of a pair and managed 10 laps (62 miles) with my partner covering 31 miles. This year I've entered as a solo and I am hoping to get as close as I can to 100 miles. I know I can do the 62 in about 15 hours, so it is possible. I'll also be a year fitter by then... snow and ice pending...
On the book front, I am obsessed with all books running and nutrition, and the latest read is "Running by Feel" by Matt Fitzgerald. He openly accepts that this book contradicts much of his earlier work, and I think that this shows the progress he has made as a coach/trainer through the years. Running Ultras I think you HAVE to listen to what your body is telling you, and accept that training plans created through formulas just aren't practical when fitting in round jobs, family etc. I'm enjoying the book (although it really gives you no answers as everyone is individual) and it very much mirrors the spirit of 'Born to Run' and the style of the Tarahumara runners.... who run for the sheer joy of running!!
Sunday 5 December 2010
December Training.... or not....
My friend (and Personal Trainer) Tom Ritson always goes on and on (and on) at me about how recovery is as important in training as any other activity I do. Unfortunately, although I know he is right, I tend to panic that I'm not training enough. During the course of the last year he has convinced me that I can rest before and after an event and put in a better performance than usual by allowing my body the time to recover. I struggle with it, but I am getting better...
So, I manage to rest 3 days before and 2-3 days after an event (generally) or I do some cross training such as MTBing or swimming instead. He also suggested a month off to REALLY allow my body to rebuild. PANIC! Anyway - I'm trying it in December. My poor body has been hammered with running all year, so I'm cutting right back this month on the mileage.
I've got no runs entered this month, but I am continuing with my long distance walking events (we've got one next Saturday - 20 miles, as well as social walks on 18th, 22nd and another on 29th), boxing on a Thursday night, and swimming every Wednesday early evening. We're mountain-biking (once this snow goes) once(ish) a week and I'm just going for a short run on a Wednesday (about 6-8 miles) to keep my legs ticking over.... I KNOW Tom, but I think my legs will forget what to do if I don't!!
So, that's the training plan - walking, MTBing, swimming and boxing with just one run a week - steady and in my Vivo Evo Barefoot Shoes (which I'm LOVING!). It feels weird not running everyday, but I know that when Jan 1st comes and I have my first run of the year (20 mile trail - The Hangover Challenge!) my legs will feel brand new.
Anyway - I'm typing this with a hangover.... I don't drink often as I'm always training and alcohol just slows me down, but thanks to my 'recovery' month I've allowed myself a bit of a night out. Danced my legs off in Carlisle last night with two of my fab friends, and drank my year's quota of rose wine. Had an amazing time. Maybe this recovery lark ain't so bad afterall!
So, I manage to rest 3 days before and 2-3 days after an event (generally) or I do some cross training such as MTBing or swimming instead. He also suggested a month off to REALLY allow my body to rebuild. PANIC! Anyway - I'm trying it in December. My poor body has been hammered with running all year, so I'm cutting right back this month on the mileage.
I've got no runs entered this month, but I am continuing with my long distance walking events (we've got one next Saturday - 20 miles, as well as social walks on 18th, 22nd and another on 29th), boxing on a Thursday night, and swimming every Wednesday early evening. We're mountain-biking (once this snow goes) once(ish) a week and I'm just going for a short run on a Wednesday (about 6-8 miles) to keep my legs ticking over.... I KNOW Tom, but I think my legs will forget what to do if I don't!!
So, that's the training plan - walking, MTBing, swimming and boxing with just one run a week - steady and in my Vivo Evo Barefoot Shoes (which I'm LOVING!). It feels weird not running everyday, but I know that when Jan 1st comes and I have my first run of the year (20 mile trail - The Hangover Challenge!) my legs will feel brand new.
Anyway - I'm typing this with a hangover.... I don't drink often as I'm always training and alcohol just slows me down, but thanks to my 'recovery' month I've allowed myself a bit of a night out. Danced my legs off in Carlisle last night with two of my fab friends, and drank my year's quota of rose wine. Had an amazing time. Maybe this recovery lark ain't so bad afterall!
Friday 3 December 2010
Umm.... where do I start?
Hi
As the title says.... where do I start? Well I suppose I'd better begin with the reason why I want to start blogging....
I am an amateur ultra-runner - I run distances over and above the marathon distance of 26.2miles. We're an ever growing group of people, but I found it hard to find info about REAL people doing this sport in an amateur way... ie because they LIKE doing it rather than because they are good at it!! Or maybe that's just me?!
Secondly, I want to track and record my exercise, my thoughts, my feelings and my progress in this sport. I've had confirmation today of my entry into my first 100 miler at the end of May this year, so it's a good time to get myself on track. I'll be honest and try to share what I have learned with anyone who stumbles across my Blogs in the quest for advice, info and answers of their own about the world of Ultra-running.
So... what have I done so far this year in the spirit of Ultra-Running? I'll detail the 2010 races below (Ultras in red, runs over 20 miles in blue, training events in white):
7th Feb 2010 - Preston Half Marathon - road (13.1 miles)
21st February 2010 - Great North West Half Marathon - road (13.1 miles)
18th April 2010 - Coventry Way - 40 miles - Trail (first ever ultra)
16th May 2010 - AAA Adventure Race (10km + obstacles)
22nd May 2010 - Cyclosportive 60 mile cycle ride - road
6th June 2010 - Yomp (Kirby Stephen) - Trail (25 miles)
12th/13th June 2010 - 2 day MTB challenge
20th June 2010 - Freckleton Half Marathon - Road - (13.1 miles)
26th June 2010 - Durham Dales Challenge - Trail (30 miles)
3rd July 2010 - Rossendale Way in a Day - Trail (42 miles)
10th July 2010 - 10 Hour MTB Challenge, Kirroughtree
31st July/1st August 2010 - Thunder Run 24hr - Trail (62 miles)
4th/5th September 2010 - Bullock Smithy - Trail (56 miles)
12th September 2010 - Yorkshireman - Trail (26.2 miles)
2nd October 2010 - Rivington Half Marathon - Trail (13.1 miles)
10th October 2010 - Turbo X Glasgow - Trail (12 miles)
16th October 2010 - Round Rotherham Ring - Trail (50 miles)
7th November 2010 - Hellrunner, Delamere - Trail (12 miles)
13th November 2010 - Six Dales Circuit - Trail (23 miles)
21st November 2010 - Wensleydale Wedge - Trail (25 miles)
The ultras are all off road and involve navigation (sometimes in the dark, especially in the case of Thunder Run24 and Bullock Smithy) and a real mixture of terrain!
Training on the Cumbrian Fells - October 2010 - Copyright Phil Rigby
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