Cats and tails

As ever, my runs with Duncan are always full of surprises especially when I first looked at his feet to see a pair of his trusty trail shoes but I in my Monkey Feet, it meant only one thing....MUD! Confirming the call Duncan and I set off on our run but I was beginning to suspect it was going to be a set piece but I had a cunning plan to branch off to do an out and back to an agreed distance be it that we are in a recovery stage in our respective running diaries.

This run was not about the distance but for the companionship and to chat about various things from water pumps to university degrees. For some reason I appear to have swallowed a Zen book of philosophy so at every turn I was spurting some read "wisdom"!

• You learn a lot when you pick up a cat by its tail.
• How do you eat an elephant? 
• The grass is always greenest on the otherside but sometimes shielded by a hedgerow of self-doubt.

  So running up some horrendous hill we pushed ourselves over the top to descend but as we got to a side turn we decided to run down it for the only reason that we could. Jumping over a fallen tree we came to a clearing with a very distinct path inviting us to follow it but no.....Duncan's ever present trail eyes saw a gap in the trees in the middle distance and decided to run through it and to my amazement it opened up in a vast grassy field, gipsy horses running free, the sun breaking out of the clouds casting long shadows on the ground and wild undulating fields. I couldn't help but to run to the top of the nearest and highest hill and jump up on the benches atop, a Rocky Balboa moment if ever there was one.

Great run on so many levels but just ask yourself one thing...

"What do you learn when you pick a cat up by its tail?" 

The Storm approaches

After a bad storm last Monday evening which saw me up at 3.30am assisting neighbours prevent their house flooding I found that the trains the next day were non-existent. A second storm is promised tonight and the trains have been cancelled already so that workers can clear any debris up in good time on Friday.

I have decided to be prepared also and am planning to run to the nearest Light Railway and catch it into work via central London...here is the problem

Standing around with my feet in cold flood water for 2 hours on Monday and the 90 minutes on Tuesday saw my black toenails soften and I found they detached in a matter of 24 hours and today's run has rubbed one nail bed so it is "tape time" ready for tomorrow's run! My feet are not the best looking at the moment but at least the ankle had improved:

Gone to the Dogs

As I awaited on my driveway the local church clock struck 8.00am and as promised Rob came plodding up the road opposite his opening words "Have you got at Oyster Card, I thought we could run to Canary Wharf and get the train back?"So hopping back into the house I grabbed my Oyster Card (travel ticket), my cash card and we plodded off.

This was the second run since my Winter 100 at the beginning of the month and the first since a horrible throat infection so was unsure how it would go but after the first mile I was gasping and feeling rubbish but after I reset my breathing we were great and carried onto a route that Rob knows well that was almost a straight line from our road to Greenwich and to the Cutty Sark ship to go under the Thames River via the famous Greenwich Foot Tunnel to the north bank of Thames a route I had never taken before but enjoyed the morning sunshine that took us in the central banking area of London a total alien environment to me where we stopped off for coffee and the plan to return by light railway and train.

That was fine but we soon discovered that the trains were not working on Boxing Day so decided to run the bus route until a bus caught us up which it finally did and we dropped off about 2 miles from home which we happily jogged.

So, in all, a totally unusual run that saw an expected 10km run turn into a 20 km one but great fun.

Present for Santa

The days of early nights on Christmas Eve have but gone now that my daughters are in the late teens, the mince pie, glass of milk and a carrot for Rudolph now replaced with parties and a late night cap but Santa still visits.

So packing the last party items in the dish washer and the children nestled all snug in their beds with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads, and the Delightful Mrs S in her kerchief and I in my cap, we settled down for a long winter's nap.

On awaking the next morning I dropped my feet to the floor and looked down to find that at some time during the night my toenail had fallen off! A general search of the bed and floor surrounding it it remains undiscovered, I only hope that it was in fact taken by one of Santa's Little Helpers just after midnight.

Never mind, this will remain a mystery but I hope Santa has some use for it as I certainly don't apparently.

New Wonder Diet

So in just 20 days I have lost 7 pounds (3.2 kg) and I haven't even been trying! No, it is no new wonder diet just a combination of a 100 mile run and then a week later picking up my daughter from university with a horrific chest and throat infection then catching it myself!

As of last Tuesday I have been laid low with a nasty bug that saw the glands in my neck come up and a high temperature. I managed to get to the doctor's yesterday and he prescribed me strong antibiotics, I reckon in the past 4 days I have taken more pain killers to reduce the fever and swelling than I feel comfortable with but it has at least got me over the worse. 

The unfortunate thing was that my daughter came home with her infection very close to after I finished an ultra when my immune system was compromised and I have felt its full force but that cannot be helped as she certainly needed to be with her Mum if she felt like I have over the past few days.

So back to the wonder diet, as I was not able to swallow solids taking only  fluids my weight has plummeted in the past few days but would not recommend the way I have accomplished it, one long run and a chest infection!

Pee like a pint of London Pride

I hear some of my Dear International Readers probably scratching their heads now as to what London Pride is, let's say that a well prepared barrel of Pride will be emptied very quickly, a fine ale.

Let us concentrate on the colour of London Pride though and it will assist in the reason for my post.

Cast you mind back to the Winter 100 race at the beginning of the month where I mention that I was dehydrated in certain sections of the race mainly around the 50-75 mile mark, look at the chart on the left and you will see a pee chart, I do try and concentrate on the 1-3 levels but it really depends on the weather, conditions and distance. Whilst worried about my hydration levels I noted that I never went above 5, drinking often but drinking more at aid stations...I was coping.

So lets move forward, the race completed and my pee is fine and even on my return home I was still drinking, the colour of my pee within 1-3.

However, I awoke at 7.44am the next day, bladder bursting, so went for a morning pee and was totally shocked  when I saw the colour to be a number 7 or best described as London Pride and smelled revolting. I went downstairs, had a cup of coffee and a glass of juice, 20 minutes later my pee back to 1-3!

Question is why or what was in my "over night" urine that caused it to be this colour.

Note: I do not use NAIDS medication before, during or after a long run like this

Short but successful

Today was about getting out on the trail to test my ankle and knee so mileage or speed were not the issue. By coincidence, I was contacted by Liz who needed to get out and return to running after a small break... a run was organised.

Due to a hold up at home that morning I chose not to run to our normal meeting point choosing to drive parking up and wait at the corner. Like clockwork, Liz appeared at 8.59am and reached me on the dot such that I moved to her side and we took the first turning.

From that point forward there was non-stop chatter with us catching up with the past 8 weeks worth of news, running rubbish and our achievements that year, Liz has done some amazing stuff and it is only after she recited her victories I was in awe, well done you Liz.

We did an extended, "set piece" 5 mile run with Liz getting some extra miles after we returned to my car. Today's run was wonderful, effortless and casual with no pressure a lovely time to reflect on stuff in the past year.

After my run I iced my ankle and knee very pleased to decide that the rest of the year is hobby running with a cheeky long run this weekend (but don't tell the Delightful Mrs S)

Would you like ice with that Monkey?

I have been able to wear day shoes and walk about 3 miles for a few days now but still have a little stiffness in my ankle after the Winter 100 race two weeks ago, so recovery is looking good at the moment.

Tonight I had a plan to go to the track with the idea of doing a few laps but thought better of it knowing that I do have a habit of returning from injury too quickly. I still wanted to go so donned a pair of trackies and my trusty old Monkey Feet but my top half in a t shirt, fleece and windproof jacket. Turning up the track I noted that the numbers had dwindled of late down to just four runners, so walked across to see what they were up to after a quick catch up I went through a few drills, gentle 100 metres, knee steps, side steps then "ran" 100 metres backward.

One of the runners pulled off as a prevention from causing an injury so I ran a cool down lap with him. I am very pleased to comment that the ankle feels fine but as I sit here writing my blog noticed a little pull on the top of my foot so have it wrapped in an ice bag and raised up to get any swelling down. Things are looking good for an early return.

An Itch I Cannot Scratch

The ankle injury is going OK at the moment and has been quite an intensive set of care over the past week. Whilst everywhere on the internet prescribes the age old remedy of R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) I wanted to show my diary of recovery and whilst still some way to go it just shows the steps I have had to take:

Sunday (1/12)

- Ice and elevation

- Hot bath

- Bandage from mid calf to toe

- NSAID

Monday - Tuesday  (2-3/12)

- Ice and elevation

- Compression bandage mid calf to toe

- NSAID 

Wednesday (4/12)

- Compression socks

- Elevation when resting

- NSAID 

Thursday - Sunday (5-8/12)

- Compression socks and day socks

- Soft soled shoes

As for today my ankle and shin show two distinct lumps but whilst the swelling is down in the surround areas I am being driven absolutely MAD with the continuous itching around the shin, foot and ankle. Whilst this is showing tissue repair I am going crazy but amazingly I have sprayed some Deep Freeze on the area and it has gone.....for the moment....BLISS

Winter 100 - Race Report

I was first aware of this race in 2012 when I volunteered to be a Sweeper at that year's event little did I know then that itself was to be an adventure just on the 50 mile stretch I ran with high winds and horizontal rain, this year I had to do it myself, preferably without the bad weather though.

Background of the race

The race is described as a 100 mile winter trail run taking in the Ridgeway and Thames Path National trails. Race comprised of 4 x 25 mile out and back spurs. Total Climb: 3,840ft

The day of the race

Having packed my kit the night before it was just a matter of getting up at 5.45am, have a quick breakfast, get some clothes on and get to the station by 6.29 am to catch the early train. It was cold at this hour and a quick look in the mirror suggested I was looking a bit like a burglar going on a job! The black hat was going to be my friend for a considerable amount of time that weekend as were my gloves.

An uneventful journey unfolded from then on but it was only until I reached my changeover stop of Reading did I spy Montane wearing, Hoka bouncing skinny people that when I mentioned loudly "Winter 100?" they looked up and we gathered together to talk tactics, expectations and experiences, the party had started.

Arriving at Race HQ in Streatley it was a whirlwind of activity, runners stepping over each other, the acrid fug of Deep Heat, calls for safety pins, Vaseline, waiver signing, kit check and dressing. The weather was sunny with a sign of cloud but windy, I took the majority vote and went for long and short-sleeved top, hat and leggings but after standing outside for a few minutes went for a shower proof jacket as well, from experience I know it gets windy on the open areas of the Thames, in fact a good call.

5,6,7,8

This was my secret plan, aim for 26 hours total, 5 hours on the first spur, 6 hours on the second, 7 hours on the third and then 8 hours on the last. So in all, if the plan went right, I would have 12 & 14 hours on each trail in total taking into account a slowing speed as the race progressed giving me 4 hours to play with if something went wrong.

Spur 1 (0-25 miles)

After the start I pulled back away from the main group of runners as I was aware that there were a lot of novice 100 milers in the pack and did not want to be pulled into an early fast pace. The trail was dry and just slightly damp so there was no mud, my focus was 5 hours and so everyone around me was ignored unless I was spoken too as I wanted to just pace through. As I dropped into the zone I had loads of advice I had heard through the years from trail friends :

• Keep the breathing unragged
• Always drop down a gear
• Drink, eat

Just a few of many tips rolling around my head, one that came back to haunt me later was "Ditch the Union Flag shorts" was even suggested but they were going to stay  for a little while. The weather was amazing compared to last year with blue skies and sunshine but it was very obvious stepping out of the door that it was windy so I was glad that had I nipped into the hall before the start and grabbed by windproof as it was quite cold on the open river. The banks and path were dry and with very few muddy sections so it was a comfortable run chatting to anybody who wanted to talk but I was still mindful of going it alone as it was early on in the race and I wanted to knock it out easily such that as I approached the first aid station at Wallingford I was happy to see the food items were classic long run food, fruit, cakes, cola, water and other tasty delights.I grabbed a some food, topped up the bottles and a carb gel and back on the road with 4 minutes.

The pack was still close and I was happily cruising such that the miles flew by that I was soon on the turn around back to Wallingford finding that there was a small group of us running near each other but I was still single minded to stay away from forming allegiances, it was just too early. Back at Wallingford and 19 miles into the run I was great and had this massive craving for fruit such that I was gobbling down water melon and satsumas, the simple sugars and juice really hitting the spot. So with topped up bottles I went on my way to rattle into Streatley in a very pleasing 4:29. My main objective was to get as much trail as possible in daylight but chose to have some me time to eat, drink a few cups of cola and a (cooled) coffee before I ran off towards the Ridgeway (with my race saver map safely exchanged in my race vest)

Spur 2 (25-50 miles)

I have run all these race trails on a number of occasions but none so more as this section as last year I was Sweeper and ran this part twice the strange thing was I had never run it in daylight before! I enjoyed this section and lapped up the initial miles as the ran parallel to the River Thames for 6 miles such that I could see the other racers on the other side of the river. I'll talk about my race tactics another time but care needed to be taken on this section, wonderful flat sections soon turned into the Grim's Ditch and even now as I write this want to add an expletive to the front of its name as it holds memories of stumped toes, stumbles and friends getting hypothermia on its exposed areas, this section is not for the light hearted, this section is respected by many a seasoned trail runner. I was well and truly on the Ditch now and 34 miles into the run mid section come and gone but now the issue of head torches hit me. There is one annoying problem with out and back runs that some runners with extremely powerful lights have a habit of looking directly at your face when wearing it causing night blindness and this was beginning to happen more and more, I think the issue is the fact that they themselves do not have night sight so are unaware of runners approaching them. Along Grim's Ditch this can be a real problem with the many trip hazards, I think I was a bit weary now as I was feeling a bit tense and just wanted to navigate off this section so was really pleased when I realised that I was jogging off the path and onto the roadway which was a sign of the aid station and turn around at 37.5 miles at the top of the sharp ascending hill. On arrival I was really happy to have a nice cup of coffee, some solid food and a pocketed a handful of carb gels. I didn't waste time here and trudged off aware that the temperature was dropping as the skies cleared to a beautiful starry night. The most bizarre thing happened around this time when, in the distance, I heard a cacophony of birdsong originating from a small woodland, hundreds of birds which kept me mesmerised for a few minutes until...

Flash, Flash, Flash

...aaahhh my head torch was losing power, the batteries new, but were a cheap option that obviously didn't like working in low temperatures around 0 C (there was frost on the ground at this part of the Ridgeway) so dropping the output to its lowest setting trudged off carefully, in fact, it was not a serious issue, I just needed to concentrate. At the 43.5 mile aid station I grumbled about my stupidity when the volunteer happily handed over new Duracell batteries. I was back on track, a warm drink and food now got me on stride and I paced off, part running, part speed walking to hammer home to Streatley at completing the 50 miles in 11:19 pleased that I was on schedule but that spur taking a little longer than I wanted.

Spur 3 (50-75 miles)   

 The plan at this aid station was to change my kit, off came my trusty Union Flag shorts, my long and short sleeved tops replacing them with a dry top, a 200 gram under-fleece, my OMM Kamleika top, hat and fleece gloves. I was feeling particularly dehydrated so I took some time to drink loads of fluids, eat a pile of food.

This section was going to be full of surprises and silly mistakes, one I was not really looking forward to as after all it was the Ridgeway! From the outset it was up hill all the way, some section horrendously steep for legs that have now done up to 100km. The temperature was down and the ground under foot was rutted and hard with wind coming off the shoulder, I was toasty warm taking full advantage of my Buff as a face cover but the going was hard as I was mainly going at speed walking pace but having to really concentrate as the course markings were few and far between and I had to use fingerpoints and the path signs of an acorn.

I continued up hill and I was feeling really warm as the hat was down, the Buff was up and I was happy to plod the section as my time was looking good and I was feeling unpressurised but now feeling really hungry such that I saw in the distance a bright light....an aid station? A few years ago I remember being on the Ridgeway and saw a similar light as this and it took ages to arrive, a horrible trick of the light that took 20 minutes to turn into a tent with hot soup, sausage rolls and gels. Here I took a cup of chicken soup and cracked on knowing that it was only about 4 miles to the turn around. At the turn around I think I had the most delicious soup which really hit the spot and bucked me up such that I was raring to go.

I carried on trudging and tripping holding it together for the moment as the directions were becoming unclear to me probably caused by tiredness and was past the midpoint checkpoint very soon. As I continued on I looked up and in the distance saw very bright lights getting brighter by the second that soon merged into one, a vehicle? Strange as it was, a vehicle was driving up the Ridgeway in no man's land and at first I thought it an ambulance but it was in fact a small flatbed truck that bumped and bounced past me.

DISASTER....the lights blinded me and little did I know that we passed each other just at the turning point where I need to go east, I continued south! The image on the left shows the turning point and I continued on Churn Road and was totally confused when I found myself on a road and off my map, it transpires I had gone 1.5 miles off course and was told by phone the only way back was to retrace my steps....AAAAHHHHH I was now 3 miles behind myself which was the equivalent of about 50-60 minutes race time, I was furious and probably made a strange sight as a ninja style ultrarunner jogged swearing and muttering back up the hill to start the next 6.3 miles back to Streatley.

At Streatley I entered the hall and looking back at it was probably seen acting strange when I asked about cut offs, for vaseline, coffee and food all in one sentence, it appears I was going a little stir crazy. The ever attentive staff soothed my furrowed brow stuffed my face with drinks and food as I was again feeling dehydrated. I was was probably grumbling about something and my concerns about cut offs when a lovely lady called Nina approached me and just quietly told me I was 2 hours ahead and had to get out there before I talked myself out of it. I did just that, manned up and left the hall ready for the last 25 miles....one of the most painful 25 miles I have endured.

Spur 4 (75-100miles)

I had done it....I was out on the route after 75 miles, the event was mine and I had plenty of hours in the bank, I was enjoying it now as the sky was lighting up and I recognised the trail have traipsed it a number of times before, I was nearing Paignton and was feeling happier, the hot coffee and light food was working its wonder as I felt the energy return to my legs...however disaster struck, I stumbled lightly on a root and rut and felt my ankle turn, not a major twist but one that caused me to grunt...OUCH.

The section at Paignton is horrible as it is a sharp incline up a section of hillside parallel to the river that takes you through a mini ravine and then out onto the road to ascend up a roadside and then down a massive staircase to the river again but now my ankle was complaining and I was at mile 83 which was not a good place to be as my speed was well down, I had practically taken no food at the mid-point aid station but was feeling strong, if not upset by the foot which was increasingly being knocked or twisted. I could see Reading in all its glory ahead and knew that there was one footbridge between me of the turn around point, jeez that was painful but not as painful as the aid station that I discovered was at the top of 2 flights of stairs but there was coffee and food there which I guzzled and slurped for all I needed to do now was get 12.5 miles to home and so limped off then went into uberpanic when I found the sweeper (Paul Ali) was about 5 miles behind me, possibly slightly ahead of cut off but sufficiently close enough.

I walked as fast as I could, my ankle on fire with every step of wet mud or an incline but I continued on trying to keep my mind on other things as I refused to be timed out, the comment by the Delightful Mrs S stating I probably wouldn't finish firing me up desperate to prove her wrong. The steps and hill back were horrible as my now painful shin and ankle conspired against me as I stumbled and limped down it, now a little perturbed as a runner and pacer zoomed past. As I approached Paignton again I made a call to HQ saying I was worried about time and my ankle was about to give in, James told that he wasn't going to pick me up as I had plenty of time. I needed the reassurance so plodded and limped on feeling sick with pain as I clambered  up the mini-ravine, going down fine but stepping back for every two steps forward going up nearly falling over near the top....I did it, now it was all downhill and flat so kept it steady, my watch being glanced at every 30 seconds, time was a problem now.

Paul Ali ran up from behind and started chatting, I monosyllabic but concentrating on the route ahead, then David appeared on the trail ahead, the Nici and the Dick on the bridge, I had 8 minutes and 800 metres before being timed out. Nici looked at me and asked if I wanted to run, I said no but then got the bit between my teeth and went for it as I crested the bridge, I was probably not running very fast but I felt like Usain Bolt as darted along shout "Do I need to go in the hall to finish?" or "Where's the road?"  Suddenly my world went into tunnel vision as all I concentrated on was the Centurion flag and the the last turn into the hall to cheers of the people inside....I had hit the cut off with 3 minutes to spare, my head reeled.

The next few minutes went like a whirlwind of hugs, hand shakes and what I wanted most, a chair. I had done it run my second 100 mile distance of the year and I was happy as hell but oh so very tired.

Monkey Birthday

Tonight I realised it is my Monkey Feet's Birthday and thought it poignant to celebrate their entry to my tumultuous running life. Their first "outing" was not as you would expect on the muddy paths of my local woods but a drunken stumble across Charing Cross train station in London. 

Our first meeting 

I was asked to attend a staff meeting at my University to discuss some vague agenda which turned out to be just an excuse to have a chat and drink loads of wine. However, the meeting was slightly later than expected so I thought it a great excuse to go to the local (to the Uni) running shop where I first encountered my Monkey Feet and was terribly excited as I skipped down the road with them safely tucked up in their Vibram branded box.

 Arriving at the meeting I was pleased to discover that there were six bottles of wine and only 4 people drinking so the evening went faster with the infusion of cheap plonk. However, I was continually distracted by the Vibram box and ever so often the MF's were taken out and admired and then safely wrapped up. Meeting finished, the seasoned drinkers continued down the pub to discuss various subjects until the wallets became empty and I staggered off to the station where I found I had just missed the train and had to wait 30 minutes...the lure of the MF's was too much and I was soon seen ripping of my shoes and socks to try and get them on. I felt like a teenage boy with his first condom that had got inverted as I struggled to get them on muttering "Big toe, little tore, big toe, little toe" which is the novice barefoot runners mantra to get them on. Some time later I proudly staggered around with a big grin on my face...we were now true friends.

Happy Birthday Monkey Feet, let's hope we have another 695 miles (1119 km) together

Battered but Elated

Sorry for the delay in getting my Winter 100 race report together, it is work in progress so will be coming soon.

Some of you will know that I succeeded in completing the full 100 mile (160km) course within the time limit but the journey there (as always) was epic especially with a damaged ankle/foot after a stumble at 76 miles...but that is a spoiler for the main report. Hang in there Dear Reader the report will come but for now I will leave you with my Finisher's picture and my foot!

Tired but elated

Spot the ankle bone