Another pair of new shoes

I got a text this afternoon from one of my favourite running shops telling me they had been able to source out a pair Mizuno Wave Inspire 4 in my size from one of their stores in the north and had had them shipped down to them, would I lke to collect them. When all was quiet at home I got straight into my car and zoomed off to said store and what made it even sweeter was the fact they were only £50, £10 cheaper than the last pair I bought.

The other thing that makes these shoes special is that they will be my London to Brighton pair so in a couple of weeks time, after my current pair have hit 500 miles I'll be wearing them in.

The Big 60

It is only until I filled out my training log tonight that I realised that I have just completed my first 60+ mile seven day stretch for a very long time. The last time I did that I was 18 years old and capable of 64 minute 10 mile runs.

So tonight was quite a celebratory run, this month I have run 2 ultramaratons (30 and 37.2 miles), managed to get a PB in a 10 km distance (in training) and also completed a 61.9 mile seven day stretch. This little bit of news has made me quite good about myself and it will just be a matter of building on that hard training.....7 months of hard training.

PS I'll let you work out the significance of the topic picture ;-)

Tick Tock Tick

Newsletter just in from our friends at Extreme Running, Mark, Alli and Dennis. It is really good these guys send these letters through, it reminds the whingers (and dare I say there were a few last year) that this is not some happy, clappy little jaunt with sign posts and cup holders.

It has also focussed my mind that it is only 51 days away, sounds a long way away, but a lot has to happen in those 51 days, from now the basic mileage has been done, the hard races have been completed, now is a scheduled rise in weekly mileage, we have to keep healthy, devoid of injury (apart from my toe) and keeping the challenge real.

No more races for me until September just proper training, it is getting quite exciting now

Squidge, squidge

"WHAT?" I hear you say dear reader "What is Jerry going on about?"

Well it appears that I didn't get away scot free last Saturday as I discovered my big toe is my weak spot, especially after I stubbed it a few months ago. The continued pounding on the pathways of Faversham Rec must have bruised it and then Tuesday's run finished it off as it was blackened. Tonight as I ran a nice easy 11 mile trail and road run I felt this funny feeling of "squidge, squidge, squidge" and then realised the darn thing must have split. Yep, you've got it the nail had risen off slightly to let all the gloop out.

So it is covered in melonin and tape now hoping iy will harden up soon as I have to do another 10 miler and a 22 mile run on Sunday.....ggggrrrrr it is always the silly little things

Easy goes it!

First time back in running shoes since Faversham last Saturday and I was just a little worried how my legs would be but they seemed to hold up well.

I went for a nice, easy and gentle trail run around near my house and the aches and pains seem to have melted away I even had the opportunity to have a 400 metre race with a club buddy at the end of the run. I will see how I feel tomorrow but I reckon I should be right to return to my training schedule by Thursday at the latest.

Faversham 2009 race report

The day started at 6.00 am and as usual I went about by various preparations this one being slightly different as I had to take my chair and all my water bottles, sports drinks, cool bag and other equipment.

Andrew arrived at 6.55 am and we loaded the van for the quick drive to Faversham Recreation Ground arriving at 7.45 am, after a very quick check in we went about the business of preparing ourselves and staking our claim for a our HQ. We eventually opted to borrow a corner of Tom Meldrum's rather posh camping table.

I originally met Tom via a small internet forum, UK Runners hosted on runningahead.com, as we went through the preparations and got our bearings Ian from the above forum arrived and was our main support man for the whole event. His presence was brilliant and it was really assuring to have a friend there just to give an encouraging word.

Photo album of the race

At 8.55 am, things got serious as we were gathered together and the last safety instructions were talked through and then the airhorn started us on our way. It was unusual as a looped circuit that the marathon runners started on the opposite side of the park and it was about 1.5 laps later that I was overtaken by the first ultramarathon runner, who was in fact the fasted marathon placement of a 2:50 hour marathon runner!

After the first 200 metres we were met by "The Hill" we were not sure what to expect but it had a vertical rise of 45 feet over a 100 yard horizontal distance and as Sid the organiser stated "It won't be hard for the marathon runners, by the ultras will find it hard"....never has a truer word been said, I was able to run up it for 32 miles of my race but I have to say the last 5 miles it felt like climbing Snowdon!

I don't normally wear an Ipod but I opted to wear one for the first 4 hours. Lesson #1 learnt: Don't put Iron Maiden - Number of the Beast as your first track, it makes you run just a little over your planned pace :-)

Not much to say about the course as it was a loop around a recreation ground but it was a Devil and not to be underestimated, as it was on a slant with a 400 metre stretch upwards to "The Hill" and then a 500 metre stretch going down and a 100 metre length which was flat, this caused the heart rate to rise and fall regularly and I heard Ian mention it was like a faartlek, a very good analogy as it really played games with the psychology.

I planned to run a steadt 8:45 to 9:00 min/mile pace as long as I could and was pleased when I ran through the marathon marker at 4:01:36, almost spot on, but as my Garmin was under counting I reckon I was almost spot on. At 4 hours I was still on for a 40 mile end but knowing I was beginning to flag I went for my second option of smashing my predicted distance of 36 miles, something I knew was in my ability.......well within my ability :-)

By 30 miles my carb-loading strategy was really working in which I would take 300 calories per hour in the form of carb gels, chew bars and sweets, it worked a treat as I was nowhere near the imaginary "Wall" at any time. Fluids were easy, I took on fluids every 2 laps and if the sun came out I took a bottle with me, at 3 hours I drank a pint of Dioralyte (rehydration salts) and I felt the cramps in my quads just drift away.

Just before the last lap we were handed a wooden baton with our name on it and we were told to place it on the ground by our feet when the airhorn went, I went screaming through the Start/Finish point with 30 seconds to spare and then realised that if I went too fast I would have to run up "The Hill" never has a blast been so welcome when I was able to stop just 50 feet from the start of it :-)

In all a great race, I am hooked on lap races now as they are a great way to pace yourself and not feel stimulated as there are people around you all the time to look and maybe talk to.....may be there next year, we will see........"How far did you run Jerry" I hear you say, 37.2 miles

37.2 miles

Here I sit, every quad muscle aching and telling me that I had a long run today.....in fact a lovely long run of 37.2 miles, or to be official:

36.99 miles + 179.1 metres

I am really pleased with this run coming 8th out of 20 runners, the previous course record was 39.4 miles and I think I gave a strong performance but today the winner ran just over 50 miles having done a 2:50 hours marathon, an outstanding athlete.

The picture on the right is me just about to pass 37 miles and running sub-9 minute miles at that point. Full race report later.

Hat and Glasses

After many miles of running in rain, snow, sun and wind I have finally realised that although my trusty Buff can keep me warm in the cold and cool in the heat it cannot protect me against direct sun. During the Tanners a few weeks ago I found myself after with sunburn and with sore eyes from the glare, my running buddy George also mentioned how he got quite badly burnt after 10 hours and 50 miles in the sun last Sunday.....I took notice.

So tonight I went out to my local running shop and got myself a new running cap and a pair of sports sunglasses. Easy thing to do I hear you say but I have to admit that buying these two pieces of kit have been as difficult as choosing a pair of running shoes!

Remember, these pieces of kit have got to be with you for a long time and one thing I wanted was a pair of vented sports glasses. A lot of glasses are designed to wrap around the face and cause a seal between the frame and the brow, if you slow down it causes sweat to form as condensation on the glass which will only go away if you speed up or move the glasses off the bridge of your nose, this is further exacerbated it the peak of the hat causes another seal above it!

I have therefore spent a little time finding a pair of glasses with a vented frame where there is a gap between the frame and the glass and a peaked cap that sits away from the frame.

I promise you, it is important to take time to make these decisions, I have had pieces of kit that have really frustrated me and all I want is peace of mind so I can concentrate on running a good race.

What a stink!

As per usual I left my post run vest in the utility room sink to await the next wash but due to the back log caused by me not plumbing in the new washing machine in it lay there (along with two others) for three days!!!!

I finished the works and went to chuck my kit into the washing machine tonight and was taken aback by the overpowering smell of ammonia that evaded the vests and my shorts and I mean overpowering. My wife has mentioned it a few times and I have taken it on board as a typical breakdown of proteins during my more longer runs but have to say it is coming more and more common over recent weeks as my mileage ramps up towards a series of ultras.

My diet is pretty good with a good blend of carbohydrates and protein, the latter reducing in favour of the former. However, I am now thinking that I will have to start taken onboard proteins during my longer runs of more than 3 hours....I now have to decide what to use. Ideas any one?

Snail with a yellow workman's hat!

This is how it was described to me last weekend when we were out in Eynsford, Kent. After a little research I have found out these little beauties are White-lipped Grove Snails or Cepaea hortensis

Not running related but just something I noticed whilst out on the trail

mɪrɪəgɒn

I am pretty pleased with myself at the moment and I can't quite believe what I have done. Last night I was out for a standard tempo 10 mile run and had just knuckled down to a long up hill drag (Regular readers will recognise when I say the Hayes Lane L2B route).

There I was on 50 mile legs* and managed a 10,000 metre PB beating my previous time by 52 seconds.......

Not counting it as an official number as I was training on a longer distance but it just shows I can do it....if I wanted too ;-)

* 50 mile legs is the mileage I had done in the previous 7 days

100 miles....my dream

This has been playing on my mind for a few days now; should I bring forward my dream of 100 mile foot race from 2011 to April 2010.

This little baby is The Devon 100.....I love this part of the country. I think I can do it but boy the weekly mileage needs to go up to ~100 miles a week, looks like 5.30 am starts for next year if I decide to do this!

Topless running

Something I have been thinking about is why run with a shirt? Runners are often heard talking about which type of shirt to wear and they invariably advise wearing a sports shirt which has wicking cloth to wick away the sweat from your skin. Good advice but....

Why wear a shirt made from wicking material at all, why not just run topless.....OK I know that this is not very practical for a woman for obvious reasons but for men there are some practical reasons why. I often get nipple rub and bleed, I also can get chafing during long wet runs, a running shirt generally does not protect you from the sun and you can get burnt.

Why am I asking this I hear you say dear reader, I have decided that if the weather is hot during my Faversham ultra, I am going to go shirtless.....that is if I don't frighten the locals :-)

Hopefully this will get rid of some of problems that long runs can cause and after my recent salt rash at the Tanners it may relieve some discomfort.

Caesar's Camp Route

Fresh off the press, I have managed to get a tcx file of Caesar's Camp......wow, we have to run this circuit 5 times.

Have a look at this map and make sure to click view elevation, this is going to be a toughy, especially the last 25 miles in the dark....can't wait :-)

Faversham - bring it on

The final preparations are being taken over the next few weeks and there is a lot of forum chat and blooging going on between the more computer literate ultrarunners "Who will win Faversham?" One associate of mine fancies his chances and has come out on a very assertive front but I always say be careful of the quiet, unassuming person at the back of the crowd, they are the one to watch.

Faversham is a nice ultramarathon as it is a 6 hour race on a circuit 1,044.43 metres in circumference and has to be run around as many times as your little legs can manage. I have made a conservative mileage guess but I think my friend may have to worry about this quiet gentleman at the back.

R is for Runner...

.. or so we think. Out on the trail today we saw

Roe Deer

Romans

Rabbits

Rivers

Rain

Railways

Viva La Revolucion!

It forever amazes me about the small world that makes up the running fraternity (and sorority if you prefer). We all know this loose group of individuals are united in a common goal of so many things such as competition, fitness, spiritual well being among just a few things.

Every meet, every internet communication, every forum there are people who are willing to give advice, to meet up or offer a lift to an event. How by donning a pair of shorts and running shoes brings everyone to the same baseline, all trappings and vestiges of status removed. Tonight was an example when I was contacted by a gentleman doing the Faversham Ultra in 2 weeks and we chatted on the phone about tactics, clothing and the like......great bloke, I think I will learn lots from him.

Liberté, égalité, fraternité ou la mort

Recovery run

First run after Taverner's tonight, felt a little sore for the first 5 miles and then everything warmed up and I was away, kept the clock below 8 min/miles for a good part but slowed it down on the hills so as not to do any damage. Not all there yet but give it a couple of days and I'll be right as rain......good point, isn't it great that the heat wave has gone.

Tanners Marathon - Race Report

The Tanners marathon is a unusual event in as much it was designed for walkers and they are challenged to walk a punishing 30 mile route in under 10 hours, no mean feat for any fit walker. This obviously attracts a lot of hearty men and lady folk from the running fraternity from the Trail Runners Association, to club runners down to humble fitness fanatic.

We all met at Leatherhead Football club just in time to see the walkers set off at 9.00am to a loud cheer as we sauntered in for a cup of tea, get kitted up and have general banter between the runners and compare old races we had attended.

Sharp on 10.00 am we also were sent on our way, no compasses needed, just our whits and a 3 pages of written instructions telling us which trails to cross and distance for the next turn or instruction, a great tool to get teams working together.

Within 30 minutes the sun finally poked its head around the clouds and the heat of the dat started, increasing to 26 degrees centigrade. Checkpoints were every 5 miles or so and boy did we need them! I hust have drunk a pint of water at each one. The hills were tough and with gradients of 12% at some places.

Faster paced runners were soon dropping back through the field as a steady pace and good stops at the checkpoints proved a good way to survive the overbearing heat and moral seen to ebb away as we approached the 21 mile mark to see a sharp ascent and descent of 200 feet, what one would call "character building" by the top of the ascent even the hardiest of walkers and runners were seen bending down holding their knees or gripping a tree trunk panting for air, God the humidity was high. A quick drink, a joke and we were on our way to a tricky descent. I thought the hard bit was over until we hit one of the hardest ascent for a long time 2.5 miles with a rise of about 500 feet, not much normally but by now the heat was over bearing and there was no shade for 2 miles of the climb.

From then on it was a gradual drop down back into Leatherhead through some woodlands and shaded alleys, every step hard as the trails were heavily rutted and rooted to arrive back at the club for a lovely cup of tea and a well deserved rest.

I make it sound as though it was a tough 30.3 miles, by god it was, but it was through some of the most beatiful areas of Surrey with stunning views and sights such as running across Epsom Race course and seeing the Grand Stand in the distance. A beautiful day, tough but one I would do again and again

1000 miles

Wow, I can't believe it!!!

Today I passed my 1000th mile for 2009! How did I do it? By running a 30 mile race in Leatherhead and across Epsom race course. Report of the race later but I thought I would share my news first :-)

Bloody Hell, 1000 miles!

Day 2...

...of the taper and I am now beginning to twitch! Thursday is my usual training night out off and onto the woodland trails for a bit of speed work but tonight it is still horrifically humid and close.

Rumours are that there will be a large amount of rain tonight and it will cool down tomorrow but then it will heat up for Sunday when we are off for a 30 mile trail run at Tanners....my God, Tanners came quickly.

I will make no secret of it that I want to do a sub 5:30 on this run but I will see as I am taking no chances if the temperature goes up and we will be having to run through noon. The organisers should be shot, but we are big boys now we play it by ear