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