2012 summary

STATS FOR THE YEAR OF 2012 FOR ALL YOU GEEKS OUT THERE

January - 209 miles, 3,986ft
February - 219 miles, 18,502ft
March - 237 miles, 21,910 ft
April - 168 miles, 18,856ft
May - 191 miles, 19,733 ft
June - 74 miles, 3,889 ft, INJURED!
July - 200 miles, 7,841ft
August - 181 miles, 12,367ft
September - 210 miles, 11,831ft
October - 163 miles, 6,509ft
November - 62 miles, 4,293ft, INJURED!
December - 202 miles, 10,126ft

Total - 2,115 miles, 139,840ft

Big year in 2013, glad to see the back of 2012 - Happy New Year!

Lakeland 50 recce, Ambleside to Coniston

Had a cracking day yesterday (23rd Dec) over in the Lake District meandering around the Ambleside to Coniston section of the Lakeland 50 race. This is the last 15 or so miles of the route and takes in Elterwater, Chapel Stile and Tilberthwaite also through Little Langdale. A combined climb of around 3,000 feet.

Bearing in mind that 35 miles would have been trodden when leaving the Ambleside checkpoint, this is going to be a hellish race. The terrain is akin to the Borrowdale fell race so the feet are going to be battered for much it. A wise choice of footwear will have to be mulled over, x-talon's for an ultra?? Doubtful

We set off from a dry Ambleside at around 9am using the published road book which I have to say was very descriptive and an essential tool. There are a few tough climbs along the way which will not be welcome come race day. It has put me off even considering doing the 100 one year (for now!).

The weather remained dry throughout although blowing a hoolie on the tops.

Final descent to Coniston

We returned to Ambleside via the road route as it was more direct. In total we covered over 23 miles. A welcome pit stop at the cafe above Lakes Runner for a pint of tea and some sugar before the drive home. Cheers JM!

Looking forward to the next recce. Aiming for the Hillforts and Headaches race on New Year's day. Approx 16 weeks to go until the Highland Fling. Can't wait.

Best foot forward

I'm back running again after a two week break to rejuvenate and to allow a few niggles to settle down. I took this decision so I would be ready and raring to go when my Highland Fling training plan kicks in at the end of December. 16 weeks of training building up to my first ultra marathon. I'm really looking forward to it, something new and something which I know will be tough but fulfilling (and thinking of the long term goal of course!).

During my two weeks off I did a little cycling but nothing too strenuous, kind of got used to doing nothing really. It was a good decision as now I'm recharged and focussed on the job in hand. I'm going to make sure I build up slowly as I'm pretty fed up of setbacks this year. Back to the club on Thursday for a track session, should be interesting and tough!

Hoping to do a recce of the Lakes 50 around the weekend of the 22nd December, should be a good day out.

Skiddaw bimble 3,000', 9.64 miles

Headed over to the Lake district on Sunday for a bit of a jaunt up Skiddaw. Picked a perfect day for it as the pictures will reveal!

Could have stayed up there all day!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62513996@N02/sets/72157631928045880/

Sunday jaunt

Had a great run in the Northumberland countryside today starting from Thrunton Woods car park. We couldn't have asked for better weather. Clear blue skies as far as the eye could see. A few bogs to negotiate but inspiring views in all directions. Makes you feel proud to have it on your doorstep.

Ended up doing around 10.7 miles with just short of 1700' of ascent. Magic.

2 year plan - foolishness or enlightenment....

I've been plodding happily along for the past 3-4 years going through the motions. Train and race for my club at 5k, 10k, 10 mile, cross country, do the odd half marathon or even a marathon at a push (against others' advice). The next year begins and the same routine kicks in. The only variety being some fantastic fell races in Borrowdale, Nevis and the Chevy chase to name but a few.

This year has been a nightmare with regards injury starting around April time and been ongoing since. I always seem to find myself trying to catch up and get back to fitness then something happens and I'm back to square one. Confidence is low...

My weekend up in Fort William for the Nevis race gave me the time and space I needed to clear my head. One question from a running perspective - What do I want to do? Do I want to remain floating in between the bread and butter club races and the long inspiring races or do I want to make a decision and put a plan in place to aim for a particular race/challenge which will make me happy?

Don't get me wrong, representing my club in any race is something I'm proud of. It's the expectation of how I should be performing - "you should do this race", "you should be doing these times", "avoid those fell races if you want to make progress" etc etc. Times are not my motivation, I'm no record breaker nor could I be. There seems to be an obsession about times which is fine if that's your goal. I want to enjoy my running without pressure and without being ruled by a clock. Even if I trained hard specifically for a 10k and came out with sub 34/35 minutes what would that achieve?

So now I'm nearly over my ankle problems (still niggling now and again, peroneal tendonitis I think), and nursing injuries inflicted by coming off my bike last week (own stupid fault), I've decided what I want to do. I have a race in mind to complete before I'm 40. Not divulging yet incase I don't qualify.

Qualification means doing some Ultra marathons. I have entered the Highland Fling (April 2013) which I have been reliably informed is a good entry level race. I have also entered the Lakeland 50 (July 2013). Completion of these will give me enough points to qualify but it does depend on the draw if I get in. The entries open in December 2013 so hopefully by then I'll have accrued the points required by then. If I don't get in then I'll try again until I do.

I have put together a training plan taken from various sources on the internet and some advice from runners who have done ultra's in the past. This kicks in around December time leading up to the Highland Fling. Hopefully I'll get support from family/friends and some training input from coach which I will need.

So, why not? You only live once, why wait?

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot

Kielder blast fell race 29/09/2012 5.9 miles, 1,558'

I headed over to Kielder on Saturday morning feeling a bit under the weather. I felt the onset of a cold creeping up on me for the past few days but the Kielder Blast fell race was the first English Championship race in Northumberland so I had to do it. It was also being held on the same day as the Sherman Cup, no way I would have put in any kind of respectable position for that.

On the journey over it was blowing a hoolie but thankfully it was dry for the duration. With all the wet weather recently the terrain was very boggy with a few shoe sucking bogs en route. I hung back at the start and tried to enjoy it, conscious of the fact that my position was going to be poor. I have to say that the route was great, up and down, through forest, along trail, hard ascents and fast descents. I do hope this will be held again.

I reached the finish in around 1:11, the distance on the garmin read 6.9miles. A little further than advertised but more time to enjoy the route.

On another note - chip timing on a £4 fell race. Unbelievable, huge thanks to the organisers.

Some great views of Kielder water on the journey home. It reminded me that the marathon is next weekend and I have a chance of a number.... dare I do it as a long training run?