Reality Dawns

Like ground rush when parachuting the Winter 100 has always felt as though it is months away, in fact it is now only 1 month away!

This morning I had this terrible feeling of self doubt which was then replaced by quiet confidence when I reassured myself that I had run two 30 mile (48 km) runs within 8 days, one extremely hilly and the second in about 6 hours (running time) which is a nice comfortable pace with minimal food intake.

I even looked at my original training plan and was amazed to see that, although I haven't been following it to the letter, it was near as damn on spot. The mileage kept down on purpose but with quality with it, I want to do one more long run this weekend of about 22 miles (35 km) possibly on the North Downs to get the last bit of hill and strength work in before I reduce the weekend runs down to 2 hours.

In all, I am very pleased with my recovery and increased fitness since the September.

The watch word from now on is:

Winter 100

Stort 30 - Not a Race Report. A sweepers View at the back

The Stort 30 mile, or to take its social media venacular...Stort30 promised to be a brilliant race and now in its second year had everything a novice ultrarunner needed. The organisation looks sleek, a great Race Executive team, beautiful scenery, boat life and the usual goings on by a canal. I thoroughly recommend this race to anyone new or old in ultrarunning.

Sweeper Duties

Instructions from the Race Director, Lindlay, were to meet at race HQ by 7.30am for race briefing which I was happy about as the clocks went back the night before allowing me to have one more hour in bed as I did not relish two 5.30am starts at the weekend!

The British, as ever, are fixated by the weather and this past weekend had the media in a frenzy over the fact that the St Judes Day storm was about to batter the south of England. As I stepped from my door to get into the car I was both dismayed and excited to see that the wind was up and the rain was coming down, I hate motorway driving at the best of times but I detest it in the rain...

But the the sun broke through!

Pulling into the sports club the sky changed from one full of grey ominous looking clouds to a beautiful blue, sunny one such that the runners were seen ripping off their waterproofs and putting them in kit bags. I chose to stuff in a spare short sleeved top if it got bad later

As the crowd of 150 runners gathered it was very obvious that there were a lot of newcomers in the crowd doing their first "step up" into an ultra distance which is to be expected, lots of club shirts mixed in with a few trophy shirts from longer runs. Either way this was still going to be a good race as the marathon runners take this distance at pace, we were not to be disappointed.

...and they are off

The job of Sweeper is a varied one, the most important is the safety of the competitors whilst be aware of their own as there is no one behind them to pick them up if they fall over. The other is to stay at the cut off pace but not such that they feel pressured. I was to pair up with Alistair Stewart from The British Trail Running Podcast fame. I was even interviewed for the next one...God knows what I said and hope it was OK!

Alistair and I decided that we would give the runners a half an hour start but before that we  blocked off the road to traffic to guide them towards the Stort Navigation Channel.

...and we were off

We went off at a very comfortable pace and were really pleased when on the canal which soon came apparent that it was out of season as only a few die hards were moored up and very few actually navigating but the few people we saw were a friendly bunch and walkers willing to chat. Our pace was such that we hit the first checkpoint at 5 miles with the news that the back markers were about 10 minutes ahead, time to have a break and a laugh with the other volunteers to move on.

The same happened again when we discovered at the 10 mile mark the leaders were passing us in the opposite direction, the winner completing it in 03:23:21. It was just past this checkpoint at about 12 miles we spotted the back marker and by chance the only lock-side coffee shop was available. We decided that the best thing to do was to them some space and we could have a break to watch the other runners pass through, some looking a bit worse for wear, others really up for the remaining 12 miles. At this point I was getting worried that my good running buddy, George, was missing as some of the runners passing us were slower than him. It transpires George had taken a wrong turning and we had passed him whilst he was discovering new paths! George, even with the detour had a brilliant run and true to form was at perfect pace for the distance he did.

Turn around

Even with breaks Alistair and I were really pleased that we got to the turn around CP at 12:28pm, 2 minutes before the cut off, at our rate of effort, without breaks and staggered start we would could have got a nice sub-6 hour run but today's run was to give a bit back to the community and to concentrate on the runners. It is so nice to have this type of run, feel as though you are doing some good without the pressure of the clock.

Now there had been about 300 footfalls and the mud in places was sticky such that you had to watch your step. We stepped off the pace as we were aware that we had quite a few runners very close to the cut off speed so we just enjoyed the autumnal views, and weeping willows reflecting in the waters, beautiful.

At about we spotted the back marker again but chose to play a game of cat and mouse, not to pressure her and it almost became a game when we got to open ground however we were discovered at the 10/20 mile  CP when we misjudged the time. Alistair discussed a game plan to allow her (Nici) to get a head start but we warned her that at 5 miles we would be on her to get her through, it was agreed.

So as the run went on I was feeling surprisingly good considering this was my second 30 mile run in 8 days but was actually finding it hard to keep the speed down but brilliant training for the longer runs.

So in the last 3 miles we were met by Anna,  who had already run the race and part of it with Nici which is a wonderful gesture so the four of us pushed on with a lovely flourish at the end for Nici as she crossed the line completing her first ever Ultra... I was glad to be part of it and smiled as she went off to celebrate with her friends.

In conclusion

If you get the chance to enter this race you will not be disappointed, the organisation was second to none wit a wonderful medal, technical t-shirt and well stocked CPs, you even get hot drinks and  food at the end. A must do race

Just Monkeying around

You know the feeling Dear Reader, the one when you really want to do something but you are not sure you really need to, just want to.

Tonight was one of those nights, a typical Thursday evening when I was tired but wanted to get out to the track for a few laps but knew that Caesar's Camp still had the after effects in my legs. I definitely didn't need a run but wanted one to try and stretch out the last of the strains.

Turning up at the track I went about a few laps warm up and chatted merrily with the early birds to return to be part of the session briefing. Something to do with  3 lots of 4 laps with lots recovery sessions. For a change I thought I would join in but after two laps decided to break away having realised that my pacing was absolutely shot with so many people preferring the  solace of a lone run....for a few laps!

That is, until I ditched the Monkey Feet to go barefoot and really enjoyed the freedom of running without any pressure of time. I went for 1600 metres on tarmac track but was only when I completed my run realised that the track was wet in places, had the gunk from the recent rains still all over it. The picture accompanying this blog will show my messy feet...tonight was for fun as I have another long run this Sunday to prepare for.

Day of the Monkey

After a few of my recent marathons or 50km runs I have discovered that  I am fine to run a recovery run about 48 hours after even after some of the back to backs I have done I am fine but, BOY, are my quads sore today.

This primarily shows the toughness of the Caesar's Camp Endurance Runs and I only did 50km not the 80km option so who knows what the other competitors are feeling today, let alone the 160km bunch.

My quads are suffering from a bad case of DOMS which has seen me walking like a Chimpanzee all day, any lengthy stay in an office chair is met by laughing from my colleagues when I stumble off to do something....going down stairs, forget it.

Monkey Feet to the rescue

My trusty old Monkey Feet have proved their worth yet again when I discovered tonight that by putting them on changes my posture taking the strain off my quads allowing me to walk with almost a normal gait as I take the pressure off my calf muscles.

Very pleased to report that there are no stress points, blisters or issues with nails from the CCER run proving that my Injinji 2 Trail socks are worth the cost. 

Let's hope a short recovery run is in the making for Tuesday.

Trail snack anyone?

At what point in a long run are you tempted to eat this?

I found this two week old, mushed up Jaffa Cake in my pouch yesterday, at 23 miles it looked quite tasty!

Caesar's Camp Endurance Run - Race Report

The end of an era as we see the last of the Caesar's Camp Endurance Run series come to a finish. These events are organised by the big character, Henk; if you don't see Henk first,you will hear him as every profanity is expressed to anyone who dares mess up his race and checkpoints. The man is a legend, I like to see him as hard but not cruel and anyone who does not see that will get his sharp tongue berating them for whatever misdeed Henk declares.

With runs come big shoulders and such sideline entertainment all part of the event. Hearing that this was the last one ever I found out that there was a place going up for grabs but for the 100 mile event and bought it via a web forum. I got my confirmed place although I had no intention of running the 100 but down changing during the event as is allowed by the rules, I chose to down change to 30 miles as I had to get back to assist the family with my ailing Father who was in hospital with a heart attack.

On arriving at Caesar's Camp it was party season as we all ran around and gave hugs and catch up with old and new trail friends. It was not 5 minutes before Henk was on the war path screaming out for two runners who had been rude or something, we stood back to watch the entertainment unfold, vintage Henk.

The Race.

The course, at the best of times, is hard:

• 10 mile loop.
• No road crossings, all trail. About half of the course is tree covered, the other half is heathland.
• Fully marked and first laps marshalling at crucial points and lightsticks at night.
• Altitude gain 1520ft per lap.
• Underfoot conditions can be described as from quite nice to downright brutal. 

The weather has been wet of recent and there was promise of more during the following 24 hours.

Not  a goal race for me but one to get some hard trail in my legs and to chase away the demons of CCER 2009 I happily plodded out knowing that some of the hares ahead of me would flounder and fall as the hills and conditions paid their tolls. The first ascent just takes your breath away as you climb 60 metres over loose flint and wet sand as all conversation comes to a halt as we puff and pant to the top to heathland and beyond. This could be a race run where I talked about every up and down but that would take a boring read over 30 miles but you can look at the profile below and get a feeling of what was in store for each lap:

As I ran along I caught up with other people I knew and had caught up with what had been happening, shouted banter and teased each other, everything to keep our minds off some of the bigger climbs. I reached the first checkpoint in a perfectly timed 64 minutes which was my planned pace of doing the first lap in about 2 hours and then let off the pace and run at a pace my legs allowed, I wasn't their to prove a thing.

Reaching the end of lap one I ran over to my car to get some refills of my favourite drink, grab a gel and a cookie to join the others in the race tent. Having been in there for a few minutes I chatted with Allan to then be screamed at by Henk, called every name under sun and verbally ejected from said tent, the two of us howling with laughter and then Jennifer shouting some more as we ran up the big ascent again.

Stories of runners pulling out already some injured, some apparently vomiting on the sides which was a general theme of the run. At about 17 miles I began to feel down as a horrible malaise swept over me possibly from the events of the week or just the tiring effect of the run but I was beginning to feel as though I needed to give in at the end of the lap, that is until I was caught up by Gil. Gil is amazing who dragged me up by my shoe laces and we ran together as we immersed ourselves in chat which soon saw us running to the end of the lap with him calling to me to remember my headtorch.

 Lap 3

My pace was down now  but sufficient to keep me sweating in the humid air as the rain came back to freshen the already trampled paths which now became dangerous on the descents and trippy in the woodland areas, some sections just gloop, I was wishing now that I could have gone another lap but I wanted to leave this with good feelings.

I was in the dark now and no one was around the way was marked by glow sticks placed at line of sight so it was just a matter of looking up and see it in the distance. The spookiest thing was there were no night time animals that I could sense possibly because this was MOD property and they had been blown up or were just sensible to not enter the area!!!  

The End

I ran into the finish area with two loan supporters whooping and clapping from a car window, a security man (guarding a film set) shouting a solitary well done to the finish tent and officially handed my race number to the Race Director Henk who smiled, shook my hand and ushered me into the tent for a cup of coffee. He then returned to outside to swear at a few runners and I departed feeling as happy as Larry.

I did well today and happy with my efforts.

All set for Saturday

I have been a bit quiet on the Blog front this week due to some "family stuff" which needed my full attention and such did not get my last run in on Thursday as planned but I am totally happy with that as my calf is a bit tight and is loosening up nicely for Saturday's long run in Aldershot, England.

As you can see from the picture I am using my old faithful "Jezza Race Box" which is going to sit happily in the boot of my car while I trundle around 5 x 10 mile (16km) very hilly laps of the course ready for me to snack away if and when necessary. The difference with this type of race, being laps, allows me the luxury of having extra sets of clothes, some favourite drinks and snacks.

The sad thing is that this is the very last Caesar's camp as the administration of the race is proving to be very difficult with the Ministry of Defence who require heaps of paperwork and I am desperate to finish it this time as I have a few demons to fight after my 2009 attempt when I pulled my hamstring after running after London to Brighton too soon without proper recovery in 2009.

Saturday promises, rain, thunder and lightning, puddles and mud and will be a very, very tough run, would I want it any different?

Caesar's Camp Race 2013---GULP

This one has come right out of the blue but it had to happen!

Last Sunday my ultrarunning buddy, Gemma, posted a picture of a beautiful sunrise at the military training centre in Aldershot, the site of the much heralded and cherished Caesar's Camp Race. I innocently wrote on the picture:

"I would have joined you but I missed the boat, sad as it is the last one."

Gemma soon wrote back advising me that another runner had dropped out and he was soon to contact me, a quick conversation with him, myself and the organiser of the race.....and I was in!

The hardest part of the whole organisation was that of getting permission from the Delightful Mrs S, when I got the thumbs up I was seen to leave this message:

"Mrs S has released me of servitude that weekend, how should we organise the number?"

I have entered the 100 mile event and listed as such but I am being realistic so will most likely down change to the 50 mile option after one lap which is within the rules of the race. I want to get the target on this as it will be everyone's last chance to fight the demons on the course as this is the last event ever.

My Zola moment

Thursday night is Monkey Feet night and as is usual these days, track night.

My legs are feeling really good at the moment even after a heavy set of runs early on in the week, not perfect as my quads are slightly tight so my run at the track was to be gentle and fun such that at the end of my 16th lap I pulled off my Monkey Feet (and my Injinji liners) and ran the last 4 laps in bare feet. What made it even more lovely was that my running mate, Jenny, called for me to stop for a moment as she threw her socks and shoes aside and ran the last mile with me... Jenny is fast and a brilliant runner and I don't often get to run with her.

I loved it, my legs warmed up and ready, my feet gripping the track as I glided over its roughened surface....my Zola Budd moment.

Inspiration from my special running buddy, Bhundu...I ran with Paralympic ghosts

Schedules, stick to the schedule.

Tuesday is becoming a little cramped with family commitments these days but this one was a little bit more tighter than normal with the Delightful Mrs S out at a lecture, my two daughters with teenage "priority, stop the world we want to get off " stuff and, of course, me wanting a run at the club...at a cost.

All I wanted tonight was a 10km at a reasonable pace, a bit of company from some runners and to get the family back in the nest. It appears, however, that the gods were against me with the call to groups delayed with a long-winded announcement that could have been done by email making muscles cool and bodies to twitch.

Starting 10 minutes late and with a new group leader who promised a 10km run I soon discovered he was not sure of the local roads when at about 8km he told us to go straight ahead instead of a customary left , some of us surprised by the call as it meant an extension but played along with it....within 400metres I knew he didn't and realised now that the route was going to be 3km longer so a few of us broke away, time was of an essence already 10 minutes behind schedule and now an extended run we had our run, they could follow.

Now I dug in, already with 50km from the past few days in my leg at this point I was pleased to see I was still shouldering the other 4 runners but accepted that they had youth and lesser miles in their legs but kept it real. Feeling the burn at the end I ran through to the car hearing the others venting their annoyance that it was now 9.25pm and we had (not that it was a hardship for those present) run 13km....

So what? I hear you ask Dear Runner but I had to deal with the 17 year old daughter waiting for a lift from me waiting on the side of the road in a town centre to deal with!

This was one of the Trials of a Long Distance Runners.

Anyway happy with 35 miles (56 km) in 3 days.

Who's the twit now?

A little achy from yesterday's 20 mile (32 km) run I chose a sedately paced run around the local woods and associated paths tonight. The first scent of autumn normally means the temperature dips and the weather dry such this Englishman relishes a minimalist run in shirt, short and Monkey Feet, my head torch wrapped around my fist as I take to the local trails at night.

I was in my element and feeling really relaxed as I stepped into the woods, my head torch battery losing depth from a failing battery but not enough to cause me concern. As I ran deeper into the woods the sounds and light of the town dissipated and I was alone enjoying the smells of the freshly fallen leaves, the smells of rotting fruit wafting away as I passed an old apple tree. Foxes darted away along hidden tracks and birds flapped away in the glare of my torch...I was away with the fairies until....

 

TWIT

and then a distant.....

TOO WOO

I jumped out of my proverbial Monkey Feet, my heart skipped a beat and I gasped. Now I am used  to a Tawny Owl calling at night but not about 3 metres away....I never saw it, never heard it fly away but wow, to add to the badger attacks I can now boast of an Owl "Near Miss".

Who said running is boring.

When 111=184

http://www.t184.co.uk/

Saturday morning saw me stumble down the stairs after an amazing 12 hour undisturbed sleep, that wonderful deep sleep full of dreams. As I entered the hall I saw an envelope on the doormat and picking it up found it was addressed to me but from the Tax Man! Full of dread I ripped it open to see what they wanted to take off me when to my joy I pulled out a cheque for £111, I was instantly ecstatic, at last I had got some money back off them.

The Delightful Mrs S instantly suspicious when I volunteered my services to go to the shops with her as I wanted to bank this beauty before the bastards could get it back from me....but there was an ulterior motive as I had a little plan that I have been thinking of for some time.

What was I up to?

   I have dreamt for a little while to have a go at running/walking the full length of the River Thames and the T184 is the ideal vehicle for me, billed as:

The T184 Endurance Race is a self supported non stop foot race covering the full length of the River Thames path.

Competitors are challenged with covering the entire 184 mile length of the route from the Thames Barrier in central London to the source of the River Thames at Thames Head in the Cotswolds.

 I will have 80 hours to finish this tough race with eat and sleep stops which is a totally different monster to any other race I have ever done apart from a 100 mile event when I was a teenager. This is a monster of a challenge...let the training begin as this time the tax man is paying for my journey.

The Running Man

It appears I have a new nickname in the local neighbourhood, Running Man!

Now you will have visions of Arnold Schwarzenegger clad in lycra suit about to embark on a dangerous game of cat and mouse with strange gladiators below ground. Break out of those visions to see a sweaty middle-aged man, in an old running top, union flag shorts and a pair of muddy Monkey Feet nipping to the local shop after a run for a few supplies and the odd bottle of cider after a training run in the evening.

The nickname first came about from a neighbour who shouted as I past "We call you the Running Man at the shop" and so the name has stuck, I enter the shop and a few of the ladies shout out "Running Man" but it has turned to a new twist....questions and advice about running! Last night one lady grumbled about her husband's knee and what he should do, the next night was it because he was a "heel striker" and should get some Monkey Feet like mine.

My favourite question lately "'Ere Running Man, is running really stupid and bad for your knees?" I laughed out loud as this is normally some silly comment I say to running wannabes...Running Man better be careful what he says in the future!

Back to Basics

Even with an ice roller and some TLC today I knew that a 12 mile run was out of the window this evening as the tendons on the bottom of my right foot were still a little tender. So I had a cunning plan, still go to the club and run with the beginners group at  a very sedate pace and just get the blood pumping and loosen my calves off.

It seems strange to think that nearly 7 years ago I started with this group and then, the pace felt fast and the gentle hills, mountains such that I have the deepest respect for the people in it who it transpires were experienced runners who have run marathons in the past but life got in the way.

I chose to wear my Merrells again today as I needed the support of the sole but the need for a minimalist shoe as a heel actually hurt.

Good fun tonight, I ran with people I don't normally do and also went back to where it all started.

Thanks guys.

Stumped

Iced roller and a bottle of cider, that was my exercise this evening!

Sunday's run along the Vanguard Way took its toll on my poor old foot when I ran through a woodland path and trod on a very large piece of flint protruding from some soft mud. I yelped like a kicked puppy  but when it happened again, this time on some sharp gravel I swore like a trooper such that I apologised later to poor old Liz who mentioned that I don't normally grumble so much when I stump myself.

Theories abound as to why I had so many stump injuries yesterday but the more reasonable one is that my Monkey Feet have done in excess of 650 miles of running and may not be suited or so protective to downland flint but needless to say I have spent this evening rolling my underfoot with an iced roller ( aka frozen 300ml bottle of water) and refraining from running.

Monkey Feet are off the long run schedule from now on deferring to my Merrells which have a thicker sole.

But my foot still hurts.