Foot pain

Sunday's epic run along the North Downs Way caused a nasty little niggle on the top of my left foot. I am unsure what caused it, maybe the rugged landscape, shoelaces too tight or just over-training, I am sure I will never know.

On Monday night I put on a Heat Pad and went to bed with it taped on to the top of my foot and woke up and it felt pretty good. I was careful about it all day Tuesday and decided to run with the niggle that night but at a reduced distance than I had planned.

Still hurting a little but I am sure it will have settled down for Thursday evening when I plan a little jaunt out maybe with t he headtorch to cut cross country in the dark...we'll see if it is a stressy day tomorrow and see how I feel.

Mystery Man

I was out on a club run last night in a pack of about 15-20 runners and was running up a long, shallow hill when about 100 yards ahead I saw another runner coming in from a side road and stop to look at us. I had never met this man before but by his demeanour and general kit he was a serious runner.

I greeted him and asked if he wanted to join in which he did so but said he felt like a turn coat as he was from another club (my secondary affiliated club) so we chattered about some superficial running stuff and the fact I raced under their colours when doing long distance stuff.

He asked me which race I was doing next, told him Gatliff .

A little later he said "This is my turn off, I'll see you later Jerry, I am glad London to Brighton went well!" and the disappeared up the side road.

Spookily, at no time did I mention my name or London to Brighton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have my theories how he knows but wow what a small world.

The training continues

So we pass the point of no return for the Gatliff 50 km challenge and I start a very shallow taper over the next 3 weeks still being mindful that this run is a means to an end as Country to Capital 45 mile trail run in January is the target race and does not justify a full taper.

My left foot is still a bit tender after yesterday's run but with a little TLC I should be all right for Tuesday's evening run in which I plan to run 10-12 miles but I will see how it goes.

The North Downs Way

Wow what a brilliant run today, best described as gutsy and hard! We haven't really run East from Shoreham along the North Downs Way ( that we had realised) in our training runs this year and so decided to run down from Poll Hill (nr Orpington, Kent) to Shoreham and then joint the Darenth Valley Path to Otford and then join the North Downs Way to get as close to Wrotham as we possible do in 2 hours and then return the same way.

This decision proved to be easy to make but in doing so proved to be an epic run which was both challenging and satisfying in its brutish profile. Little were we to know at the beginning of the run that the chosen route had some vicious ascents and descents (Ok I should have looked at the map closer) muddy and very slippery paths and some outstanding views from the top of the escarpment all along the way. Even my trusty trail shoes failed to grip on some of the more slippy, wet and exposed chalky paths and George was seen and heard to make a few falls luckily not too serious. The profile above proves that we had our work cut out and although seen to be walking in some sections we challenge some of the hardy souls we know not to either ;-)

In all a great if tiring run that will be great in the Spring, take a look at the course here:

Run v Life

Training plan said Friday was a 10 mile Easy run which I was happy to do although if I am truthful with myself would have been as flat as possible if how I was feeling at lunch time was anything to go by.

Mrs S rang during the day and told me that by pain of emasculation I was to go to a party on Friday evening but we also had to get the Jezzarettes to the local fireworks display to meet there friends by 7.00 pm so that looked like the end of my planned run...

Bestill your fluttering heart dear reader, bestill, this ultrarunner has a few tricks up his running vest sleeve. Why not reduce the distance but increase the intensity? You know it may work and no way was I going to miss my run...so how did I do it?

The easiest option was to make time...I was able to take back an hour "owed" to me from work and take the early train home. Once home I got kitted up and ran a blinding 5 mile hill run with a 1 miles[ish] cool down both at near PB times.

Back home, fried egg with crispy bacon, the perfect stomach lining for a few ciders and a glass of wine at the party with a ton of fireworks and laughs, a good end to a stressful week and wifey happy.

I am really chuffed my 5 mile time was great considering but just need to be mindful of speed work.

Guy Fawkes Night

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

A dark, clear and cool night promised a good hill run, my plan was to run as hard as I could up hill for 5 miles and then turn around and go home. Stepping out from my house the air was thick with the smell of burnt fireworks and the relentless sound of banging as numerous squibs blew their tops.

After about 2 miles it became apparent that the training was kicking in and my tempo pace had improved even for the hills but the long miles in recent weeks have played their toll. The best part of the run tonight was taking on a steep down hill section which took me down a darkened country road which ever so often was lit by an exploding firework...surreal.

Just say No!

How hungry do you have to be?

The end of a very long day found me standing on Charing Cross Station at 9.30 pm with about 20 minutes to wait for my train. A small pot of cold pasta and some fruit for lunch, a snack at 6.00 pm just before I started my lecture at College and I was left standing at the station with temptation all around me.

One corner a Burger King, the other emporium full to the brim with pasties another with sandwiches and another with French sticks with lovely fillings all high in calories, saturated fat, salt and sugar......lovely but no.I can't believe I run 50 miles a week and yet I still won't eat burgers but maybe that is a good thing.

Ducked Out

A crappy day at work meant that the only thing that could be salvaged was a nice run with the club, the chance of some "running banter" and then return home, do some chores and relax after all I had been on call for over a month and needed to relax.

I have 3 weeks to Gatliff (50 km) and any speed work was just going to rip my legs and screw up my training plan. It was only when I arrived at the club and got chatting that I realised that it was "Special Training" and involved a fartlek running around a 1 mile block.....not for me, not after Sunday's hard run so I ducked out and carried on to complete a 10 mile Tempo run.

My apologies to Martin, I didn't realise it was you until I was 30 yards down the road. Well at least I had the chance to catch up on the news from my friends and the run did the job.

Distortion

A really weird thing happened today with my vision. I was in the office and was discussing some new widget we are building, nothing new just day-to-day work when I started to get this horrific visual distortion in my right eye which seemed to spread across in what can be described as a thick line into the left. It was as if I was looking through drops of water and shimmering.

Things that were going on just before this:

1. Project deadline and a system error in the call centre software
2. I had just eaten a ferrero rocher chocolate
3. Slight eye infection

I don't suffer from migraines and was thinking that it may be a reaction to stress and/or the choccy. I soon found it impossible to do screen work so decided to leave the office and walk around the block.....it cleared up within minutes.

I am really hoping this was not stress related as this was one of the reasons I started running!

Primordial

That was the word that sprang to mind during this morning's run...primordial!

The day started early with a car journey to Knowle Park, Sevenoaks, Kent an area of outstanding beauty our objective for the morning was to join the Greensand Way and follow it through the wealds of Kent to have a look at the beautiful autumnal colours and also to take on a very tough run over the undulating paths and bye-ways of the area.

The morning started dry with a low lying fog covering Knowle Park as we travelled east to join the Greensand Way, it was obvious at this point that the weather was going to get worse as the run went on but we were prepared with jackets, hats and gloves in our packs. The initial look in Knowle Park proved us right with a fantastic view of autumn colours with deers peering through the mist at us.

We soon joined the wealds and had to take care of roots and chalk hiding in the leaves beneath us and was really pleased I had my trail shoes on as they provided just that bit of extra grip. The wealds were out of this world, Chestnut, Oak and Birch woodland made the ground underfoot a miriad of orange, yellows and reds.

The woods soon behind us we found ourselves crossing paths to open farmland with the Greensand Way becoming a mixture of bridle way, permissive path and fields. It was decided that we would run out for about 100 minutes and then turn back as we had to keep our wives happy and then turn back.

At about 45 minutes into the run the misty views began to disappear and the rain and strong winds blew in, the paths became muddier and the trails wetter...perfect weather for us extreme runners and we were heard to comment that we would prefer this weather in a few weeks then a warm and barmy day.

We turned and retraced our steps, the weather now turning for the worst, water forming great puddles on the path and the leaves falling from the trees as the wind gusted and buffeted at every step as we went back up onto the escarpment back into the wealds. The path in some areas was quite dangerous as the hillside dropped off by 300 feet so we trod carefully pulling our speed right back to negotiate the steeper areas. I stopped at one point, the wind in my face, arms outstretched and screamed "WOO HHHOOOOO" fantastic stuff.

We were soon about 3 miles from the car, the water pouring from the sky and with no respect for the puddles we stumped through them, water over our ankles to run through the park to the car. A brilliant, hard 16 mile run both wet, cold and hungry, all a run should be and more.

One for the road

Balls!

In an attempt to get my core fitness back I have bought myself a Gym Ball and had a go at a few exercises tonight.....OH. MY. GOD it is hard!

I have tried press ups, sit ups and other torturous exercises with it, I think I will leave it for a few days and have another go and build up slowly, maybe one day I will lose this gut.

Effortless

I had a nice complement the other day, my running style was described as "Effortless". Between you and me dear reader is that although on the surface I may look like it doesn't hurt, I can tell you sometimes it blooming well does.

Take tonight for an example the speed work was there and I was doing fine until I hit a long up hill drag along the A20 just as I was halfway along the breating went to pot, the legs were screaming and I suddenly found myself walking....I swore under my breath and then realised I was doing 7:25 min/miles, time to slow down. I have to admit it though I will have to tone the speed down a bit my legs are getting a little too tired.

So tomorrow I will be taking a very easy runand pacing it properly to try and get that effortless style back :-)

Red Lining

Tonight was club night and these days I invariably take a gentle run to the meeting place and then go for a mid-paced run of about 6-7 miles. It was no different tonight but as I left my house I felt the legs were still a biy achy after Saturday but within a mile they had settled down and I was soon pacing off up the hill muscles warming up nicely a gentle run soon forgotten.

At the club I joined in my usual group and immediately noticed that the pace was 30 seconds per mile faster in the early stages of the run and continued at this pace until we got to 4 miles when we were released to free run back to base. I was aware of a new runner in the group who overtook me on a steep hill and then the gauntlet was down, the race between us began. Paced out, shoulder-to-shoulder we ran. My heart rate was through the roof but I continued on overtaking her on a crossing but all I could hear were her feet thumping nearby behind me, was she playing the waiting game...? How dare she, that is my tactic so I raised the pace soon realising the pace was sub 7.00 min/mile. An up hill finish was in front of us and we paced up it to eventually get to the cross-roads the unofficial finish line......a red line run towards the end, I heard her mention a re-run soon, can't wait :-)

Gatliff 50 km

This hidden jewel has been on my radar for quite a few months now and looks to be a perfect Downland Ultra with 92 runners for the 50 km and a mixture of runners and walkers for the shorter events.

With my recent events at London to Brighton and a reasonably successful run (at ultra pace) at Beachy Head I am tempted to "red-line" this and go for a top 5 after all the 4th place guy last year was slower than me at Beachy Head this year.

So 4 weeks to go and I am actually thinking of going for a podium position...it has got to be worth a try :-)

Double whammy - 50 km weekend

Busy day doing things with the family and I noted a little tightness in my hips so decided to go out for a brief recovery run.

So late this evening I chucked on my kit and stepped of the house for a gently paced run, first to return a DVD to the shop and then to carry on to see how I felt. I ran the first few miles without a problem but felt "a bit uncomfy" down below but thought I should carry on and get home as best as I could. At 4 miles I had terrible stomach cramps and had to cut my run short and run as fast as I could to home where I go to the loo....just in time.

No big problems, I think it is just a combination of carb-loading a busy running weekend, quite pleased with my recovery though...

Beachy Head Route

For anyone wanting the route of Beachy Head Marathon...enjoy.

Beachy Head Marathon 2009 - Report

Throughout the past week we have been reviewing the weather reports as the rumours were that it was going to be pretty rough in Eastbourne on the south coast of England. So it was at 5.15 am this morning that I peeped out of the bedroom window to see wet streets and a moonless night.

I was up and out at 5.45 am to pick up my club friends George and Brian and soon on our way to the coast. About 15 miles out of Eastbourne we noticed the cloud was getting lower and spots of rain were appearing on the windscreen of the car...this did not bode well.

Beachy Head Marathon is a notorious race and undertaken by only the hardiest of man fellows and lady fellows, 26 or so miles across the South Downs with paths made of chalk, flint, woodland paths and ungulate fields. Starting at 181 feet above sea level it rises to 567 feet (asl) after just 3.2 miles. You can see by the elevation chart above that it is, in the best British tradition, called undulating!

Suited and booted and wearing a pair of semi-retired road shoes as my weapon of choice 700 runners, 700 joggers and 700 walkers commenced on our challenge with the feel of drizzle on our faces and the wind in our hair.

After the first ascent and at the highest point in the course it soon became apparent that we could get no visual clues of ascent or descent as the visibility was down to about 50 yards due to low cloud. The ground underfoot was soft after 2 days of rain and the chalk under rock was not assisting in draining it away as large puddles of water stretched across the paths creating clawing, sticky mud and it was soon to find a number of victims who took various dramatic tumbles.

I was aware that my running time was not going to be a personal best for the course as it was becoming obvious conditions were tough so I went off to do my best, have a laugh and get through the challenge unscathed.

To give you an idea of my race plan, it went:

1. Run as fast as I can to 19.5 miles
   
2. Walk the ups, run the downs and get to the finish as quickly as I could
   
3. Keep away from the edge of the cliffs
4. Come back in one piece

At Beachy my opinion is that the race starts as 19.5 miles when you hit the coast and start the sharp ascents and descents of what are called the Seven Sisters, the iconic cliffs which are the South Downs Way. It was here that the wet weather, the cloud and the mud really payed a toll on my reserves, I was at a good pace up until then and onto equalling, if not just beating my course PB but the buffeting wind, the very powerful gust of winds and low cloud base made it very difficult to judge pace and distance, I decided to just work with #2,3 and 4 from my list and just push through.

Digging deep I finally came in sight of the finish some 375 feet below me and I took the treacherous descent to the finish, some 4:45 hours later, collected my medal and met up with all my pals in the canteen for sausage, beans, baked potato and a cup of hot sweet tea.

I kid you not, a tough run but one I would go back for year after year....BRILLIANT

Oooopps

So there was the bag all packed and ready to go, spare shirt, vaseline carb gels etc and I went to settle down for the rest of the evening, a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I may have missed just one thing...no not me, I am always so careful!

So the evening went on, I checked the kit, nope all there but still it nagged me.

Went to the kitchen and there, under a tea towel was an envelope......an envelope Jerry... yes Jerry an envelope with your race number in it you idiot.

Oh well it is all packed now, I am just wondering what I have missed

Thursday night is (pre-race) wash night

So it is Thursday night and being spurred on by comments made by Martin in Beachy Head Weather I have gone mad and making sure all my various kit is washed and ready for packing on Friday night.

In addition to the usual kit (shirt, shorts and shoes) I am going to take the following just in case I need them:

• OMM Kamleika smock
• Hat
• Gloves
• Running tights
  

Knowing how this course has the first checkpoint 9 miles into the race and then about every then ranging 3-5 miles apart thereafter I will definitely take my bottle belt (2 x 500mls, both half full) and fill the bottles at the CPs. Two things are certain though, trail shoes and the promise of a brilliant run