I'm back

Dippy the Diplodocus

I have been away from my blog for far too long and so much has happened in my life that ultra-running had to be put on the back burner whilst I dealt life's ups and downs.

Since I last wrote I have been running on and off having entered and run the Liverpool to Leeds 130 but completed just 51 miles before jumping into a pub and calling it as day. To be frank, I had no chance of completing it and was very happy to get to the point I did with absolutely no training!!!

Other news that I need to catch up on is that I am now an England Athletics qualified:

1.  Mental Health Ambassador, 
2. A Guide Runner for Visually Impaired and Blind Athletes

and in those roles I have run with, mentored and met some amazing people who use running and walking as one of their therapies, I am often just a "listener" to let them just talk in a non-confrontational or neutral environment to get things off their chest.

I announced on social media about a month ago that I would be retiring from ultra-running as I cannot afford to have so much time training but now I have been "prescribed" running by my doctor.

Additionally, I was made redundant in September this year but was able to get my dream job working at the Natural History Museum in London as their Senior Database Administrator Developer. I am sure to mention the museum more than once over the coming weeks but please remember that my Monkey Feet a.k.a. Vibram Five Fingers are still around and running in a race or two near you soon.

England Athletics - Mental Health Ambassador

In February 2016 I was made aware that England Athletics were looking for Mental Health Ambassadors from the ranks of local running clubs which I leapt at, the advertisement read:

England Athletics are looking for Mental Health Ambassadors who are committed to our cause of improving mental wellbeing through running.
We are looking for ambassadors who are/have:

• Experience of a mental health problem, either personally or from a close relative or friend.
• An open and non-judgmental attitude.
• A member of an England Athletics affiliated club or Run England group.
• A positive, patient and supportive approach towards supporting people with mental health problems.
• A positive role model.
• Behave in a professional, confidential and non-discriminatory manner at all times and promote equal opportunities for all.

I jumped at the chance and wrote a brief history of my experience, background and outlook, much to my surprise I was accepted along with about another 100 people in England. My role, whilst not a counsellor, is to:

• Support
• Engage
• Use social media to guide athletes
• Share social media messages
• Talk openly to people
• Advocate (finger point to resources)
• Volunteer in events to support people with mental health concerns

It is early days yet but I am really looking forward to taking on my role.

The one that nearly got away

My race kit sat by the front door ready for a quick get away for the Punchbowl Marathon which was either a 20 or 30 mile, I had opted for the 20 miler and was looking forward to my first event of 2016....that was until I woke up at 6.15 am on the day of the race.

The morning of the event

The alarm went off and I surfaced from a very deep sleep aided nicely by my anti-depressants but with the added affect that I couldn't rouse myself so sat on the edge of my bed for 5 minutes trying to kick start my body but like so many mornings I was filled with feelings of insecurity, self-doubt and worse, misery. It would have been very simple to get back into bed, pull the duvet over me and fall asleep.

I was in a personal fight of  Do It versus Don't Do It, the former just about winning but the latter was beginning to overwhelm my senses. I went into automated mode, made coffee, got my kit on, drank coffee still wanting to go back to bed and switch off.

I dragged myself to the car, got in and drove to Witley in Surrey about 75 minutes away and then found that my medication was not clearing but soldiered on with the window fully open so the cold air kept me alert.

Hi Gramps

I had forgotten that I was to drive past the Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley where my Father's ashes were scattered, I waved as I passed said "Hi Gramps" and for the remainder of the journey had tears running down my cheeks...bereavement is such a horrible thing but promised him that today's run was for him.

The event

As normal, the LDWA put on a brilliant event, the weather cold, windy but sunny. After catching up with old trail friends I excused myself and went off on my own, there is one thing I love about my mob of mates is that they respect your privacy and are happy either way, to run as a group or not.

This was my first time doing the Punchbowl and so I was looking forward to the challenge and, that, is exactly what it was. The ascents were steep, the ground sometimes no more that river beds, soft gloopy mud and exposed chalk and sandstone just waiting for you to tumble which I did a few times.

Jeez, this event was tough, more so due to my lack of training but I was in it to the end. The picture above was taken at the viewpoint of the Devil's Punch Bowl which is a large natural amphitheatre and beauty spot  and was the highest point in the run and I was very happy it was going to down hill all the way. I couldn't be so wrong when I was directed to go up a 1000 metre riverbed of a path that just went up and up and up.

I was happy though when I saw the last descent and the village hall in Witley where there was a plate of beans on toast and a cup of sweet coffee. So I did it and with a smile at the end just over the reported distance at 33km.....very pleased with that.

"Just go out and enjoy it" they said

The past few weeks have flown by and whilst I may not be posting regularly I am indeed running in the background and slowly but surely my fitness is returning.

The beginning of the year saw my Demons return for a short while when I wallowed in a shallow pity and deep doubt of my ability as a runner and the almost insurmountable challenge of the GUCR. 

On 5^th January this year I ran along the Paddington Branch of the Grand Union Canal from Little Venice to Bull's Bridge and was not a happy Monkey at the end of it realising I had a long way to go into my training plan. Guided by friends who advised me to stop worrying about training plans and distances but go out and fall in love with the sport again. Looking back at this I realise that it is probably the best advice I have had in years, go out and enjoy it and that is what I have done.

My Garmin sits idle in the top draw of the night stand and my Apple Watch is set to No Goal and I just go for a run. The humorous picture above shows me looking very serious but in fact it has become a meme to show that in fact I am really enjoying it . I turned up to the track early to watch one of the coaches put someone through some running drills to improve his gait, had this been 550 years ago the coach would have been been burnt at the stake if the Inquisitors had seen the amazing results that he made to the runner. After this I joined the main group who were hovering around ready to start and warmed up with them and then went for a pleasantly paced run with a lady called Nicki who wanted to take it easy after an injury. We went off at a very sedate pace, no goals, just a run and as we chatted I noticed that I was running unlaboured and actually enjoying it such that we decided to do a pyramid run of 4,3,2,1,2,3,4 laps with 100 metre walk between sets. As we chatted we soon noticed the pace was up.

I don't think I can remember a word Nicki and I chatted about but the distraction really helped boost my confidence such that I am ready to take on my first challenge of the year on Sunday when I run in the Punchbowl Marathon a distance of either 20 or 30 miles, I am going to set myself the 20 miles as an easier goal and leave the larger distance to next weekend.  

Make note to self --> Just go out and enjoy it on Sunday, you have bigger fish to fry 

Secret Monkey Mission

I was back on the Grand Union Canal (Paddington Branch) on Monday this week and boy did it feel fantastic to be there again.

I had been requested by a member of my extended family of long distance runners to do a reconnaissance on the section between Bulls Bridge and Little Venice to which I was more than happy to do if only to get me out on the canal again and also have some purpose in my training.

My original plan was to run from Bulls Bridge to Little Venice but on my way there I was contacted by my work and was pulled into the office to "fix" a wayward server. With this change in plans so I chose to change the direction to save time.

The recent wet weather and winds left the canal-side wet in places with puddles formed  in certain non-residential areas but as usual there were the usual sights and sounds. Cyclist whizzed by with a customary "ting-ting" of their bell, Polish fishermen were catching their supper, the occasional prostitute stood on a corner plying their trade and the boats sat in their winter moorings whilst the smell of burning wood hit the back of my throat. A normal day on the canal. The light was magical as you would expect on a cool winter morning giving everything a yellow glow and the boats form silhouettes in the water.

I had planned out a route of 21 kilometres on the canal and 2 kilometres either end to get between there and the stations. Yes, the run was hard, I am in no way at running weight yet and my cardiovascular is not at all good such that my pace was very slow but methodical, at best described as "ultra pace"

Swans hissed at me as I passed whilst I swore back at them, I overtook boats whose hippy captains tendered to their spluttering engines and the occasional drug addict looked up at me with paranoid eyes. I puffed and wheezed along inwardly smiling knowing where I needed to get to in terms of fitness and this run was the step up I needed.

Finding that I had bled my battery dry from taking too many pictures in regards to my Secret Monkey Mission I was unable to get my triumphant selfie at Bulls Bridge but happy to tell you it was still there but I can confirm it still is.

This run was a lovely run.