Flitch Way Marathon...

New Years Eve dawned cold and frosty, looked like it was going to be a great running day! Being local meant no stupidly early start, I wasn't racing it, was excited and unusually not in my normal pre race panic!

The Flitch Way Marathon started at The Discovery Centre, Great Notley and was an out and back with the turn around point being just past Takeley. I train on the Flitch Way regularly and was looking forward to a familiar run.

I enjoyed the look of disbelief on many faces as Lindley said the finish would be at the top of the hill at The Discovery Centre during the run brief, not sure if they thought he was joking or not!! I had known in advance and as our parkrun route takes in the hill and I do my hill training there I was not too worried!

The run started well although I probably went out a bit quick but I was happy and enjoying the day so just went with it. I looked forward to the checkpoints as I knew I had friends volunteering and it is always good to see a friendly face and receive some encouragement.

     Early in the race but was good to see Len and Dan from parkrun.

The going was pretty firm on the way out, a few icy patches, a bit of mud but all runnable and I reached half way and the turnaround point in 2:10 all was going well. I was struggling a little with my stomach and feeling a little queasy but otherwise all good.

Going back my pace dropped more than I would have liked, my stomach just wasn't right but I made the decision not to stop eating and drinking as I normally do if feeling sick and just kept with my practised eating schedule, this didn't make me feel any worse and kept my energy levels up. It made me smile that the only times I thought I was going to be sick was running through Dunmow and at Rayne Station both places where there were the most people around! Fortunately it didn't happen and I managed a steady plod back to Great Notley. I knew as long as I kept running albeit slowly I would make my target time which was between 4:45 and 5 hours. The route had thawed out a little on the way back and the one muddy section was very muddy! 

      Enjoying my run!

I made it to the top of the hill to claim my medal and t-shirt in 4:56 and feel satisfied with a good run. My previous hamstring injury caused me no problems and as this was the furthest I'd run since hurting it at Stor30 it was a great relief.

     My favourite medal of the year. 

A big thank you to Lindley and Maxine and all at Challenge Running for another brilliant event. The checkpoints as always were well stocked with all sorts of goodies. For me the fig rolls at CP2 were my favourite! The marshals did a fantastic job in the cold making sure we were well looked after. Would highly recommend this marathon it was the perfect way to end my running year.

Happy new year and happy running xx 

2015...

I don't tend to make New Years Resoloutions because by mid January they're usually forgotten about!

I do though have running goals...

My main and primary focus for 2015 is to complete Challenge Running's Grand Slam. Four ultra marathons (tough ones as I discovered this year!)

1. St Peters Way 45miles March

2. Saffron Trail 70 miles July

3. The Chiltern Way Ultra 133 miles August

4. Stort30  October

I have a couple of months of hard training coming up and a time to smash at St Peters Way in March, I know what went well and not so well in this years races but time to leave that behind and focus on getting it right this time round. Learn from the mistakes and be encouraged by the successes. I am a stronger, fitter runner than I was this time last year and am going to continue to be coached by Lindley. So that's me sorted for 2015, feeling optimistic and ready to give everything I've got to achieve my goal. 

I will continue to blog about my progress, training and races, thanks for reading this year.

Whatever your plans for 2015 make sure you have fun and happy running xx 

End of year ramblings...

 So another year draws to a close, shopping is done and we're waiting for Santa...

What better time to stop for a while and look back at what has been an awesome year of running or as I was thinking earlier nearly 13 years of running! If anyone had told me then, when I first laced up my trainers to lose a few pounds that running would end up entirely dominating my life I wouldn't have believed them. I really was just going to lose some weight and tick the London Marathon off my to do list!! 

13 years later I live and breathe running, obsessed, addicted or a healthy way to spend my time you decide but I wouldn't have it any other way. This year has been awesome, having Lindley as my coach has improved my running no end, I'm more confident about what I can achieve and although I had two DNFs this year and still have lots to learn I know it was 100% the right decision for me. Having that schedule on the fridge and knowing exactly what I have to do each week works for me and I love it. I no longer just run routes I know as my navigation skills have improved I'm happy to get out and explore. 

I still have The Flitch Way Marathon on New Year's Eve to take part in and then I will be completely focused on training even harder to ensure I finish Challenge Running's Grand Slam next year. Finishing the two races I didn't finish this year is constantly on my mind. Physically I believe I'm fit enough, toughening up mentally and being stubborn enough to get through the tough bits I'm working on! Another race I am fascinated by is The Hill, 48hours, 160 miles and 55 laps of a hill in Derbyshire in December. It is a insanely tough but I can't get rid of the little voice that keeps telling me I could potentially be the first female finisher, so when I finish the Chiltern Way Ultra next year I will seriously consider entering!! 

As always it's the people I have met along the way this year that really makes me happy to be part of the running community. Race directors, volunteers, other runners all support each other in a way that I'm not sure happens in other sports. 

My newest venture has been to join the core team of Great Notley's parkrun, Saturday I shadowed Richard as run director and although out of my comfort zone had a thoroughly enjoyable morning and am looking forward to going solo on 3rd January. It was a surreal morning as it was a fancy dress run for Christmas, so I shivered on the bench in my 118 costume as I delivered the run brief, to some Mexicans, Santas, Penguins, a two person parcel and even the Christmas dinner! I love parkrun and am really happy to be part of the team and looking forward to all that 2015 brings.

So 2014 has been a pretty good year and it can't end without me saying thank you to all those that have supported me this year... Lindley and Maxine, all the volunteers and runners at Challenge Running events, Richard, Łen and everyone at parkrun who have welcomed me as part of the team, the Commando Runners, the Nutters and everyone else I've met along the way this year. Also my non running friends and family who have supported and sponsored me.

Abbi, James and Ben my children, who listen to and encourage my crazy running plans I love you all x

Have a fantastic Christmas and New Year and happy running xx 

Resting...

This month has seen me mostly resting, a few short runs and lots of walking. It's been tough...

The first week I hated it but knew Lindley was right when he said I needed to let my hamstring and a touch of PF in my left foot heal, I've run over 1500 miles this year and my body needed a rest. So I needed to fill my time up somehow...

The house is slightly tidier than normal, the dog has enjoyed lots of walks and I've tried to do some things that take me out of my comfort zone. I regularly run at Great Notley parkrun and am now part of the core team and in training to be run director, I'm not confident talking to lots of people but love our parkrun community and know I will be well supported. Today I did the first timers run brief and it was fine, no where near as scary as I had imagined and am looking forward to being involved.

This evening I'm off to do a photo shoot, a friend is a photographer and wants to do some running shots, again not something I'd normally do but it's good to try new things!

I think my willingness to say yes to things is a result of the confidence I have gained this year from my running, I may not have finished every ultra I entered but have learnt so much about myself and what I am capable of and this has had a knock on effect throughout my life. Even silly things like last week I knew if I drove my usual route home from dropping my son with his dad I would have to sit in traffic, possibly for hours, but the confidence in navigation I have gained from running trails this year meant I was more than happy get the map out, find an alternative route and avoid the traffic jam, no way I would have done this before! 

      Time to see what fun can be had outside the lines!

So a month of resting, reflecting and trying some things that for me are 'outside the lines' has been great. This whole year has been great and taught me so much...

Time to plot and plan for next year...

Happy running xx 

Stort 30

Training for Stort 30 had gone really well, everything I have done/learnt over the year seemed to be paying off and I was feeling fit and strong, had a great 20mile run about three weeks out and was confident I could get the time I wanted.

The two weeks leading up to the race weren't so great had a hamstring tendon niggle but a week of rest seemed to settle it and it was fine on a couple of short, slow easy runs. Then the week before I picked up a cold, full blown sore throat, cough, gallons of snot and felt crap. I shovelled copious amounts of vitamin C into me didn't run and hoped I would be well enough to run, at least the hamstring was getting more rest! 

A few non running friends were horrified I was still planning on racing, I think my perception of distance has become distorted this year as I reassured them it was fine as it was only 30 miles! 

Race day arrived and I was still suffering with blocked sinuses, the good thing about all this was I hadn't stressed myself out with the usual obsessive weather forecast checking, kit planning etc etc so I was actually pretty chilled out about the whole thing. I planned to run the first couple of miles with no plan then see how I felt and come up with a strategy for the final 28miles! 

This was an important race for me after DNFs at my two previous races I had to have a good day. I had lots of friends from The Commando Runners taking part and other friends I've met at events over this year and I was looking forward to it.

       Ready to go!

Stort 30 is a 30 mile out and back run along the river Stort, it's a pretty route and I had enjoyed the race last year. I wished good luck to friends and we were off, the race starts with two laps of the cricket field and after only one lap I knew my cold wasn't going to be an issue, I felt good and quickly decided to go with my original plan of aiming for 2.5 hours to the turn around the push as hard as I still could on the return leg. I was happily running 9:30/10 minute miles for the first eight miles, I didn't plan to stop at the first two checkpoints as I had my own food and drink and was sticking to my eating every two miles strategy that seems to work for me. At eight miles my hamstring began to feel a little tight, not painful so I wasn't too concerned but slowed my pace a little. This seemed to work and I ran on pretty certain I'd make 15 miles in the time I wanted. I shouted some hellos to friends manning checkpoint two and said I'd stop on the return leg.

    Still happy at 10 miles

At 12 miles the shooting pain I'd had a couple of weeks ago returned, I ignored it for a bit then stopped to stretch hoping that might help, it didn't... My run now resembled a hobbling shuffle but I managed to run to the turn around point. Stopping made it feel worse to get going again so I made my checkpoint stop as quick as I could. The Redbull cake was much appreciated! I let Maxine and Karen know that my leg wasn't good but I was carrying on. Was good to see Richard too who was looking good on his first ultra, he did say to me afterwards that when he saw me at half way he didn't think I'd finish. There was no way I wasn't finishing even if it had meant crawling! 

The return leg was slow and painful I ran a bit, walked a bit trying as much as could to keep under 15minute miles. I stopped briefly at checkpoints but it was taking every ounce of willpower to keep moving. I got some great shouts of encouragement from Nici and Fiona as we passed and they were both looking good. Shortly after I passed the sweepers, Brian stopped to see if I was ok and said he'd be on his way back in an hour and would kick me along if necessary, as much as I like Brian there was no way I was running in with the sweeper, so that gave me some added motivation to try and keep up some sort of speed! 

The last 10 miles I spent doing calculations in my head as to what sort of finish time I could get at my current pace, I knew I would be inside the cut off but could I scrape in quicker than last year, I wasn't sure but thought I could get sub 6:30.

Just before 28 miles I worked out that if I could just run till the end I could, maybe, possibly beat last years time or be very close so I started to jog. It was painful and my left leg was sort of doing it's own thing but I was moving quicker. I managed to keep up this shuffle and turning into the cricket club I was met by Lindley's daughter Laura, you have to run a lap of the field to finish and she offered to run it with me. I said I had less than 5 minutes to get round to get a PB and she was great encouraging me round (as last year I'm sure the field is bigger at the end!!). I crossed the finish line in 6:22 one minute quicker than last year.

So despite it not all going quite to plan I had an awesome day out running, the support from everyone was amazing, I was genuinely overwhelmed by how many runners slowed down or stopped to check I was ok, offer painkillers, tape and words of encouragement. Seeing so many friends completing the race in some pretty awesome times was great, well done to all of you, very proud of you. I think the support and friendship on display today sums up brilliantly the ultra running community and I feel very privileged to be a part of it.

As always thank you to Lindley and Maxine for organising another phenomenal event, Karen for the hugs and cake, Laura for getting me round that field, all of the checkpoint volunteers and everyone else who supported along the way.

So what's next, well some rest and getting my leg fixed then it will be back to training for next years second and hopefully successful attempt at Challenge Running's Grand Slam...

Have a good week and happy running xxx 

Is it all just attention seeking...

I got asked a few weeks ago, and not for the first time, why I want to run ultramarathons. Is it for me or to impress others? It got me thinking...

I use social media regularly to let everyone, whether they're interested or not, know what training, races etc I've got planned. I blog, I talk about running. So is it for attention?

 I don't perceive myself as a particularly popular person, I was always one of 'the invisible' children at school, not bright enough to be top of the class, not troublesome, I went, did what was asked of me and went home again. Also my social skills were and still aren't amazing, being in large groups of people is uncomfortable. There is always that worry I'll say something stupid and so I tend to keep quiet. It takes me a long time to really be comfortable enough to open up to people. I'm not the life and soul of the party so I always assume if I'm not around I'm not missed. I'm not writing all this for approval or for anyone to tell me I'm wrong. I'm 42 and have got used to and accepted the person I am and I'm mostly happy with that. 

So how does this all fit in to the original question. Do I run ultramarathons to get attention... I'm not going to say I don't like the attention, but I like it in that it is usually by way of giving me support for whatever crazy challenge I've got myself into! 

But surely ultrarunning by it's nature is an anti social hobby, I am more than happy to go to bed early on a Saturday night, get up early on a Sunday morning and spend several hours running around the countryside by myself. I enjoy the solitude, the thought that no one knows where I am, the peace and quiet. Even during a race, especially an ultra I often find myself running for many hours alone. I am happy alone, conversation doesn't always come easily. So hours alone with just the odd horse or cow to talk to is ok.

      Peace and solitude 

I will always be grateful and amazed by the support I receive from friends and family for my endeavours and long may it continue, but if there were no Facebook, Twitter or blogging, if no one was interested in my running would I still run ultramarathons? Well that's an easy question to answer...

Yes, of course I would, there are still so many races to do, places to explore and distances to see if I can conquer...

Happy running xx 

Chiltern Way Ultra

Wow what an epic weekend in the Chilterns.

Maxine picked me up at 5am Saturday morning in the pouring rain and we set off to Hemel Hempstead and race HQ. I had been practicing some relaxation techniques in the few weeks leading up to the race and although I was nervous, I wasn't as stressed and panicky as I am normally, managed to eat well in the lead up and was excited about getting started. Fortunately the weather improved and it turned into a lovely day for running.

There were only six crazy fools taking on the inaugural Chiltern Way Ultra  (214km version) the 100k event would start on Sunday morning. We were fitted with trackers, given 58 pages of maps to follow and at 9am we were on our way.

    David, Steve, Graham, Mark, myself and Glyn ready to run! 

The first leg was about 15 miles and all went well, navigation was going ok, I was really pleased to actually be able to interpret the maps and if nothing else this weekend my map reading skills have improved massively, it wasn't very long ago that I was convinced I couldn't map read so throughout my run I used the maps with my GPS for checking if I wasn't sure. The Chiltern way is a well walked path and pretty well waymarked. I was grateful for my GPS and it saved me from making any major navigational errors.

I was happy in my running, maintaining 12 minute miles which is what I wanted in the early stages. My nutrition was under control and it was the start to the race I wanted. I was smiley and happy that I was able to spend my weekend taking part in this adventure.

I reached check point 1 only 5minutes later than my predicted time and was happy with that as well inside the cutoff. Was good to see Lindley and Cali, a quick photo, food, drink and I was on my way again.

     Cali and myself at Cp1

Leg two was 16 miles. 

Again it went well, legs felt good, my annoying left heal was niggling a bit but I ignored it and refused to let it spoil my run. I was running well, coming out of High Wycombe Golf course I saw Mandy and her daughter waiting for me for a hug and some support, was a great boost and i looked forward to seeing them again at CP2. This section was getting hillier but I was still on track, walking the hills briskly and running the downhills and flats. I arrived at CP2 at 5:15pm and Maxine taped a couple of hotspots on my feet, while I ate and had a quick chat with Mandy and Lucy. Apparently I was getting lots of support via FB, I had made the decision to only take a very basic phone with me so had no idea what was going on. Abbi was updating my progress and I was left to focus solely on my running. 

Leg three.

Another 15 mile section and I knew it would start to get dark during this one so I tried to maintain a good pace while it was still light. It was all going well, legs were still feeling ok, feet were good and mentally I still felt strong. As darkness fell I stopped sort my headtorch, and make sure I was visible. My pace slowed (too much) but I was still moving at a decent pace that would get me to the next CP within the cutoff. I hadn't factored the cows into this though, I was in a field and I could here 'mooing' and then everywhere I looked all I could see were eyes, in front of me on the path. They weren't happy and began moving towards me, so I did what any sane person in the dark surrounded by agitated cows would do, I spied a barb wire fence that looked as though people had been though before and I leapt though it. The cows continued to stare and stamp but at least they now the other side of the fence. My only problem now I was in a small wooded area full of brambles and stinging nettles! I decided scratched legs were preferable to 'death by cow' so I battled though the undergrowth and managed to get out the other side of the gate away from the scary cattle. I was quite pleased when speaking to some of the other runners later that they had had the same issues, Glyn had also taken the dive through the barbed wire way out! I phoned my children after this, just needed to hear a friendly voice, it helped lots, I pulled myself together and carried on. 

I think with the dark and dramas I hadn't eaten properly during this leg and ran out of drink a couple of miles before the CP. By the time I arrived just before 11pm (and the cutoff) I was feeling a bit light headed and sick. Brian, Cali and Frank were at this checkpoint and also one of the other runners, Graham who was having stomach issues. I had a very welcome coffee, some soup and Brian made me up a bag of food to eat as I went. I was struggling to force food down but knew I had to and also knew I needed to seriously speed up to make the next cutoff.

Leg four

Brian walked us out of the CP and as we walked up the road another runner came from the opposite direction, it was Glyn who was having a navigational nightmare and had spent 2.5 hours running in a big circle. So Graham, Glyn and myself set off, I spoke to Lindley, who gave some good advice and I was determined to make the next cut off. For an hour or so I managed to keep up a good pace, Graham dropped behind and Glyn and I with maps and the GPS managed to more or less keep on track. Then the light headedness came back, and I really struggled. There wee some steep hills and I could only manage a few steps at a time before becoming very breathless and dizzy. I had to push hard to just keep going at this stage, several times all I wanted to do was sit down. I felt like I would never reach CP4. Glyn was great at encouraging me to keep going and I was really pleased I wasn't alone. This was the point where I decided I would pull out at the CP, I was feeling awful and tripping over everything. We eventually made the check point and that was the end of my race. Glyn continued on and I leant him my GPS. 

It was a tough decision but I had had several moments when I thought I might pass out, real or imagined I don't know, was I just looking for an excuse to stop...

At the time of pulling out I was certain it was absolutely the right thing for me to do, now there is that voice inside wandering if I gave up too soon, I don't know, just as I don't know if my feeling unwell was real or imagined, but that is the decision I made and I need to live with it, learn from it and move forwards. 

I am disappointed not to have finished but know for as long as I could I gave this race 100% effort, I pushed hard at the start and I am proud to have made 65 miles. My legs are telling me today that I worked hard! 

So out of the six of us who started, only David Pryce finished, I was privelaged to be there to see him cross the finish line, awesome running.

I had a good chat with Lindley afterwards, sometimes I think he knows me better than I know myself, I am lucky to have a coach who understands me as a person, can see my strengths and weaknesses and is committed to helping me improve. Still the best decision I made for my running this year. I have learnt so much not just about running or running stupid distances, but about me as a person. 

I have to say a massive thank you to Lindley, Maxine and all the checkpoint volunteers, you were all amazing and couldn't have done more to help and support throughout the race. 

Thank you also to the other runners, it was great to meet you all and hope you are all recovering well. I also had awesome support from friends and family, the text messages were brilliant and I was overwhelmed by the support I'd had on FB whilst I ran, thank you everyone.

Finally Challenge Running events are awesome, I would recommend anyone looking for a challenge to take on some (or all) of their events. Fantastic races run by runners for runners. There is no denying they are really tough events but extremely enjoyable and superbly organised. I feel really privelaged to have been involved in this first running of The Chiltern Way Ultras, have a feeling it is the start of a really special race.

Have a great week and happy running xx