A Running Glut

Cast your mind back to last weekend when I went for a lovely muddy run followed by some cake, during that run I had what seemed to be an innocuous fall in the mud. In that fall my legs slipped from under me and I landed on my side jumping up quickly to carry on my journey.

Sunday went and all was OK but waking on Monday morning I discovered I had a tender left shoulder and my lower back felt really sore, not muscular but sore to touch. Then there was the matter of the aching in my vastus medialis muscle above my knee,not great.

So it was time to rest, no club run on Tuesday, Wednesday was out of the window and so it was down to the track tonight to test the various aches and pains. Stepping out onto the track it was very apparent that the conditions under foot were very slippery as the temperature dropped and ice formed on its surface.

So, just after 5 laps I called my run off and strolled off to the side, back sore, knee niggling but shoulder OK. This is probably the worst start to a New Year I have had in a very, very long time.

Muddy Monkey Feet and Cake

Yet again I was refused entry to the house on my return to the house on Saturday morning and quite rightly too what with my legs covered from ankle to groin in mud, the resemblance of my Monkey Feet caked in horse muck and mud.

Let me take you to 3 hours earlier in the day when, as planned, I met David and Michael for a 10-12 mile run which would end in a very quintessentially English pastime of eating cake and drinking tea.

The weather was cool and I had chosen to wear my lightweight smock, shorts and Monkey Feet, the other two seemed a little more sensible with hats, gloves and leggings but I wanted to be as minimalist as possible.

Running off, I had a route in my head that we could follow but as there was only 3 of us we could change it at will but the first leg was for an hour as we promised to return in case other runners wanted a shorter run and we could meet up. 

The recent storms and rain has flooded the Downs in sections and this area was just as bad with mud covered chalk was now a quagmire making going tough found even harder in my Monkey Feet which whilst giving me the ability to "feel" my way through the trails I was later seen sprawling on the ground after my legs went from out under me to stand with a big grin on my face.

It was a joy to run with Dave and Michael, the former I had not seen for a long time and Michael because he had been out of running for a good few months and was looking great with his new found fitness

So the run continued, David's exceptional local knowledge kept us entertained, new news from each of us kept the miles coming and going however the Monkey Feet were losing grip on the hillier sections on the mud with them slipping back an inch or two on each step making my run just that little tougher but great training nonetheless.

On our return we discover Rupert from our club has come along for some cake, tea and chat in the cake shop. Tea, coffee and various cakes guzzled we leave promising that this has to be done again....very soon.

Time to pay up

This evening was one of organising my running year and paying for various memberships and more importantly my target race.

So tonight using various internet methods I have paid for:

Long Distance Walkers Association (Bank transfer)

Membership of running club (Cheque)

Grand Union Canal Race (PayPal)

Nice to get the bills paid now it is just about the running from now on.

Up the ante

"The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground."

Probably one of my most comfortable runs on the track I have had in weeks, finally I feel the fitness coming back. 

Time to up the ante.

Swell run

Saturday's run saw two old training partners meet up after a long spell away from each other to go for one of our more unusual runs.

George and I spoke on Friday evening and the basic plan was that I would pick him up at 6.30am and we would run the Darent Valley Path along the River Darent from Shoreham. This all sounded fine on paper but as we started our run, I in a headtorch as the sun was not quite up yet we soon came to the old ford (pictured above) which is normally about 40 cm deep but today it was lapping at the sandbagged doors of the neighbouring houses and was no longer a stream but a raging river and stepping through the outer limits of the water we soon found that river had completely burst its banks and the path blocked. Unperturbed we decided to go the long way round to bypass the blocked path to be met by another deep puddle to the bridge, we splashed our way through with the water just below our knees knowing that the bank raised higher just a few 100 metres along the way.

This continued for the next 8 miles with us running around flooded fields, joining the road and running parallel to the river path as best we could and then dropped down to see if we could rejoin it but were laughed at by local dog walkers when they saw us attempt to go across a park advising us the water was just a little too high, we erred on caution taking the road until we hit 8 miles to return the same way.

A great run was had by the two of us as we plodded the muddy paths catching up on missed news, the conditions a little tougher than we were expecting giving it the feeling of a 20 mile run...a great confidence builder.

Ghost Runner

At the track tonight I decided that I would run:

Quality, not quantity

Heart Rate, not pace

Bare foot, not shoes.

Having dumped the Monkey Feet after a few miles I ran the last mile or so in bare feet. The rain fell around me, the wind blew and I ran alone as speedsters paced past me as I enjoyed my run around the track. As I ran I put my camera on Sports Mode which takes a multitude of frames with the shutter depressed with the lens pointing to my feet, one frame produced the image above.

This skeletal image seems to show both my feet fixed together  in time but in fact in tandem. My feet screaming in pain from the rain, the wind and the grit from a wintery, unswept track such that I stopped to put on my Monkey Feet but by now my feet were numb and I was unable to feel my toes so I ran off  abandoning them.

The Speedsters looked pained, I elated as we walked to the cars wincing as I stepped over the gravel path,my Monkey Feet dangling from my grip. Loved it

UltraRunning Magazine OUT NOW

Rob Krar, Men’s Ultrarunner Of The Year,
at The North Face championships
(Photo Lori Clayton)

I have been really looking forward to reading this month's UltraRunning Magazine covering masses of race reports including mountain races in the Himalayas to kit reviews and the bit I love, 2013 Year In Review & Ultrarunners Of The Year.

In their own words:

"UltraRunning magazine is an invaluable resource for ultrarunners – experienced, new and aspiring endurance athletes seeking to go beyond the marathon. We provide helpful and entertaining content to ultrarunners, and measure our success by the accomplishments of our readers, and ultimately by the growth of the sport."

To get your copy go to:

UltraMarathonRunningStore.com

I make no secret of it

After the Winter 100 recovery period with the added problem of a recovering twisted ankle, the post-ultra throat infection laying me low and then an unexpected bout of depression over Christmas I slowly came to the realisation that running and my weekly adventures no longer drew me to their call. Pre-run I would turn over in bed knowing that if I did get up I would have a blast, my recent run with Liz proved this with discovery on paths anew but still lay there paralysed by doubt.

Deep down I was unhappy, take Saturday just gone, my running kit containing maps, food and associated equipment lay ready for my 30 mile run across the Surrey Hills but remained there at 9.00am on Sunday when I finally raised my head from the pillow previously pinned down tight by the Black Dog. As I strolled around the house, I put my energy to small repairs, gardening and quality time with the Delightful Mrs S actually content that I had not in fact run.

Monday came and I had ideas of writing my blog mentioning boot straps and how I should pull myself up by them...it never got written.

Today the notion drew up from the depths of my musing:

Why not just run for fun?

...and I did, tonight I donned my trusty Monkey Feet after the obligatory telling off by Mrs S for dropping mud on the carpet, and joined a slow group at the club for a gentle run, chatted, laughed, ran backwards and forwards checking on the tail enders and basically had a good laugh. I returned smiling, I think I am beginning to fall back in love with running again.

Stripping away the emotions

 "The deeper sorrow carves into your being the more joy you can contain."

Kahlil Gibran

A very well produced video that so eloquently describes my feelings sometimes before, during and definitely after a long race.

Winter Tanners 2014...get the flippers

Looking at the social media pages discussing the Winter Tanners this weekend talk of 12 flood warnings in and around the area and no doubt on the course.

The Tanners is always billed as a tough event organised by the LDWA as a challenge when runners are invited to participate. Last year was the only time in the history of the event that it was cancelled due to the heavy snow and very cold temperatures which I ran with two others self supported but this year it is the wet including ground water, mud and fallen trees from the recent storms.

The route description says 30.5 miles (49 km) I just know it is going to be more but I know I will love every minutes, Tanners never disappoints.

GUCR Dog House....AGAIN

Imagine the scene, the Delightful Mrs S and I curled up on our respective favourite seats on a late Sunday evening, I watching a film and she reading the Ipad. All is good and all is tranquil ,when ever so often there would be the soft trill sound of an email notification on the Ipad and Mrs S would inhale and exhale loudly!

The evening went on until she looked up from the Ipad and asked "Are you planning any of those long races this year Jerry?"

I replied or rather blurted out, "Yes, I have been accepted on the GUCR again which is exciting isn't it?" (notice my attempt to try and soften the blow and make it positive)

Shall I just say she was very calm about it but at the same time but rather blunt:

"I can not believe you are doing it again, you were really strange after that run in December, weird for days after, almost poisoned, NO, no, no you are not doing it"

I assured her that I was supported this year and will be fine and guaranteed a finish. She then walked off mumbling about my sanity.

So the question is how did she become suspicious, that is, apart from me wearing my various GUCR t-shirts on an almost daily basis, leaving maps out and mentioning it ever so often (often ignored as it is to do with running)?

So looking at my emails I saw two emails entitled:

Winter Tanners 2014

Dear Jeremy,

I shall look forward to seeing you on the Winter Tanners next Sunday, 12th January at Leatherhead.  We walked out the short route yesterday, it’s a fine route though it was muddy and slippy (there were some trees down but no paths blocked).  I’m sure that you will have a great day (hope there is no more flooding!)

and then:

Liverpool to Leeds Race

Dear Runner

Please find attached the very long winded Terms and Conditions, and an Entry Form, for the first Liverpool to Leeds 130 mile Race

 

The Delightful Mrs S had seen the titles as they popped up on the Ipad screen and had put two and two together that plans were afoot, damn her Running RADAR is good and obviously been upgraded recently.

 

Silage, Mud, Water and Cake

In Shit Stream Avenue

Looking out of the window just after I leapt out of bed I could see my morning run with Liz was going to be a very wet and windy one. Promising that I would meet her at 8.00 am I got in the car to arrive at our meeting point, as I turned the corner I saw a wet (and possibly forlorn) figure sheltering under a tree to fend off at least some of the rain and wind, by the looks of it, it wasn't working. Waving out of the car window I saw her run up behind to meet me at my parking space, we ran immediately as we could talk run tactics as we went. Liz had instructed me to run "Tops 8" meaning no more than 8 miles (13km) which got me in a quandary as I planning to investigate a new path, much to my joy when mentioning this there was a momentary silence from Liz...

The weather was very wet and surface water evident throughout the run and when we reached the turn off for the new path we first found ourselves on a golf course and with me visualising the map with only one discernible path point towards a tree line and following it we found the main path with a few footprints and then a way sign in a direction I was happy with. I was aware Liz was getting nervous as I ummed and arred  with a short break to point out the road I was aiming for in the distance, still unsure she chose to follow partly due to morbid fascination methinks. 

Then it came, the puddle! This puddle stretched across the width of the lane and for about 200 metres into the distance which we obviously jumped straight into and started to run . It immediately came apparent that the water was a transparent orange/brown and there was a deep aroma around us; as we approached the end of the lane we then realised exactly why it was this colour and smell for at the end was an ENORMOUS pile of horse manure and silage, we were running through the wash off from the recent rains!

As it was a new discovery Liz was given the honour of naming the lane and without hesitation named Shit Stream Avenue, I couldn't agree more.

Great run, really enjoyable as I find my calf muscles loosening and the joy of running slowly returning. After, it was back Liz's house for coffee and a glorious piece of home made Christmas cake..yum.

Stop, Look, Listen...

beware of Monkey Feet!

My reported run with my running pal, Duncan, on 30th December told us of a wonderful run in pastures new but the darker side proved that a 10 mile (16km) run was probably not the best idea after a month's break and so soon after a 100 mile run. For the past 3 days my calf muscles have been tight and a bit painful such that I withdrew from the New Years Day run with my club.

However, today I was determined to run and decided to go to the track primarily to test my fitness and to do some remedial work on my calf muscles. So bedecked in my ugly compression socks and my Merrell Ascend Gloves I pushed out a few laps whilst watching the race bunnies do their stuff happy that I was plodding my laps and also that I ran the warm up lap at a (supposedly) 3.17 marathon pace...

Back to reality, at every 4 laps I stopped and stretched out my quads and calves and then ran off for more. The legs feel better but the 2 hour run with Rob, the Lanky Bin Man, on Friday will tell me if I am up to scratch, this time I will not be in Monkey Feet until my legs are ready.