I tried to convince myself last week that the three peaks race was not a test of how things were progressing for the BGR. I mean, how could it be? The BGR takes @24 hours and is done slowly whereas the three peaks is a fast, pounding circuit done at a hard effort. The BGR is contains many rocky sections whereas the three peaks is on grass, good paths and not a little tarmac. The BGR involves the taking on of a substantial amount of food whereas the three peaks can be done just taking on fluids...
Despite these accurate non-comparisons, it's clear to me now (with 20:20 hindsight kicking in) that this was always going to be a test; perhaps not of my readiness for the BGR exactly but certainly of my progress towards being fit enough and strong enough to do it.
The simple fact is that if i'm not demostrably stronger than when i last did the three peaks 2 years ago then it's uncertain that I have it in me to train and improve to a sufficient level to get round the BGR. A good run today doesn't remotely guarantee a completion, but a bad one might raise some serious questions for 9 weeks time...
I never really acknowledged the significance of this, but deep down i must have known. I had to not just beat my 2005 time of 4.17, i had to shatter it and run at a different level. I never actually said this, even to myself, for fear of failure. Expressing the significance of this run might have robbed me of the chance to talk off a bad one as insignificant, probably citing the points above about how the 2 don't compare.
I might not have acknowledged any of this, but my conscience knew better and it explains why I was nervous as hell on that start line.
I went out fast, stupidly fast I thought. I didn't sprint or anything but it felt like a hard pace. I tried to slow down but instead I just motored on, almost on autopilot. 10 mins in and the hard pace was not hurting so much so I decided to relax and go with it. At the turn to climb Penyghent I was in a pack which had some fast looking runners in it, including Sharon from Bingley who I knew was a 3hrs 30 runner. There was quite a headwind for a time so i drafted a Bjorn Borg lookalike from Tring who looked strong. He towed me most of the way up PYG and I reached the top in 37.28 - just 32 seconds faster than the sub four hour schedule i had set myself. I had mixed feelings here - ok i was on track but that felt harder than i wanted it to and i worried i couldn't keep that up. I decided to simply relax and push on...
Next target on the schedule: Ribblehead in 61 mins. This involves a 7.5 mile cross country run on paths and tracks with loads of little ups and downs. Taken too quickly, it can scupper the rest of your race. Despite that, i decided to give myself a chance to break four hours and to push it a little here. I patted myself on the back for a brave decision as this could easily backfire. Once i had a plan, i relaxed and it felt like i was running on air. Bingley Sharon had long since gone but I steadily made my way through the field and felt increasingly confident. I was shocked at how quickly the 1 mile road section leading to Ribblehead arrived. I took a drink there (losing a few places as i did) and pushed onto to RH and a waiting Dave Oldfield + drinks. 56 mins for that section and a massive confidence boost. I thought before the race that i might get near four hours, but now it seemed now like i was well inside the schedule and i started to dare to hope.
Whernside is a steep and messy climb. However, it's not as tall as it looks - just 1500' from Ribblehead. That's not much more than Moel Famau, although it is far steeper. I decided to keep attacking. At this point I caught a chap who was on his first 3ps race. He looked very strong and I decided he would be a suitable candidate to hang on to. He pushed hard and ran much of the climb, which took me 42 mins in 2005. This time, thanks to him, I was up in 37 mins - a huge improvement for such a short section. Result! I dropped my temporary pacemaker shortly after the summit who seemed to have used too much in the climb - but I was very grateful to him!
Yessss, things were going well! Don't balls it up now on the descent by going over on an ankle or something.... I had to get to the Hill Inn in 25 mins acc to the 4 hour schedule. I was caught between backing off and sandbagging for Ingleborough (and also avoiding an injury) and just going for it. As i was pondering this, and descending along the ridge like some big jessie, a wiry old bugger from Horwich came flying by. "Now that's fellrunning" I thought. It also occurred to me in an ultra-competitive moment that this is precisely the sort of place where Steve comes hurtling by. So I decided to hang onto Horwich man. He took a fabulous line well to the right of the track and i knew i'd made a good choice. It's not like me to make places up on a descent, but there I was passing people merrily. 22 mins later i was running up that short and bloody steep road to the Hill Inn checkpoint knowing that 4 hours was looking possible.
I decided that 40 mins up to Ingleborough and 40 back down to Horton and the finish line would be enough. I took a drink and a gel at the checkpoint and set off towards Ingleborough. For the first time i didn't feel good. Those 2 miles or so to the main climb along duckboards and stone slabs were awful. I ran most of it but walked on some of the small rises and got angry with myself for not running. I saw Dave O halfway along there which perked me up a bit but declined a drink as i was in a rhythm and wanted to keep plugging. I reached the main climb feeling a little worried that I was going to blow it. Bizzarely, it seems now that what I needed was a steep climb that noone could have run at that stage of the race. Everyone was forced to walk and so that run/walk debate, which was getting me down, was swiftly removed. To my delight, i found i was passing people on that steep climb at will. I wasn't stonking up there or anything, but i was moving well enough.
Sarah and Carole appeared at the top of the climb before the final summit rise with a drink and a gel on offer. I took it because it was there rather than because i felt like i needed it. That was probably my main mistake of the day. Shortly after that, i started to run on the final climb and was overcome with an awful stitch. Despite strong and willing legs, i had to walk up to the checkpoint across the plateau. I was preparing for a dissapointing split time for the climb but was astounded to see 36mins on the watch. Perhaps that section across the slabs went better than I thought?
Just a 5 mile tricky descent to go and 47 mins to make the four hour barrier. If i had have been simply tired, i'd have relaxed knowing that sub 4 was on. Hower, the stitch got worse and soon runners were streaming past. If i stayed like this, i'd miss out. Again, i tried to relax and walked and jogged lightly for about half a mile. It was soooo frustrating. Relaxing worked, it got better and i picked up about 10 places over the start of the limestone section. Suddenly I felt fantastic.
But then the stitch returned and another walk through Sulber Nick meant losing more and more places. A kind lady runner from Ilkley that i passed on the way up Ingleborough stopped to ask if i was OK just at the point when i did feel better. I realised that that the bumbag had been too tight so i took it off and carried it in my hand and ran with Ilkleybird (as I had dubbed her) right to the end. I'd stopped thinking about time until I saw the last marshall on the fell who shouted "1 minute from here!". One look at the watch and i thought he was taking the piss - my watch read 3:52 and that was well inside even my most optimistic hopes.
He wasn't though, and after a surreal run through someone's garden i sauntered across the line absolutely delighted. I still managed a 40 min descent, despite walking some of it. I felt great, my stomach hurt more than my legs and it became clear in that moment that I was on track for a good attempt at the BGR.
Finishing time 3:53:11.
This capped off a good week for me, summarised as follows:
Mon - 5M, 1600' - Moel Famau
Tues - 5M, 1600' - Moel Famau - again
Weds - 6M 2000' - guess where? Ran well..
Thurs - 4M road with A - easy pace
Fri and Sat - rest
Week summary - 44M, @10,000'
Monday, 30 April 2007
Monday, 23 April 2007
w/c 16th April - 10 weeks to go, the calm before the storm...
Arrrrgh, arrrrgh, don't panic, don't panic - 10 weeks to go - that's 70 days. That's 70 days to become a finely tuned, prepared, fit, clued up, cool, calm and collected BGR'er.
Thing is, the BGR has seemed 'ages away' for, well, ages. Now, without exactly being round the corner, it's appreciably close to happening for me to start sorting out some practicalities as well as simply getting fit. I must re-contact my supporters and confirm arrangements this week. I must also ensure Paul's support is factored in. Time to get communicating.
It's also time to step up the training. The next few weeks are going to be tough.
A real mark of progress is that 10,000' a week is not leaving me with aching limbs and an all consuming tiredness. Looking back at this blog and my training log, that's a hell of a statement and shows that i've come a long way.
Touch wood i've been injury free despite this week having seen me put in some very concentrated climbing. Between 7.30pm on Thursday and 2pm on Friday, I climbed 8,600', with most of this climbing done as a run (I ran all 8 railway reps on Thursday night and ran most of the Sedbergh Hills route on Friday). I felt a little heavy legged on Saturday but nothing more. This is a sign that I can pick things up.
After the three peaks this coming Sunday, that's what I'll do. I'd like to take the coming week as a step back week, with a few days rest leading up to Sunday's race. Unlike other years, the 3Ps is not a target race, but confidence is a powerful ally and a good run there will really stoke me up for the tough weeks to come. If I can get near or even under 4 hours for the 3Ps I'll be delighted.
After this week, it's going to be really tough, so I look forward to knocking out 15,000' a week from now until the middle of June. In the meantine, I'll have an easier week and eagerly anticipate one of my favourite races.
This week's summary....
Monday - rest
Tuesday - RC session, 4 * 1km on triangle with steep climb/descent on side of Maiden Castle - felt good and ran well. Held off Andrew which is quite some going (esp as he ran 3.06 at weekend in London!). @1000', 7M
Weds - club committee meeting so could only squeeze in a quick 3M road run, but ran fast and felt quite fresh
Thurs - 8 railways, and incredibly, i ran all the way all 8 times. It was mentally quite tough, but each climb took about 5 mins and although it was barely a run, it was a run nonetheless. Ran for 40 mins afterwards to cool down. 2600' ascent, 8 miles
Fri - Sedbergh Hills race route - 16M 6000'. Trotted round without ever pushing it and felt great. 3hrs 30mins of really enjoyable running. Climbed very well and ran every step up both the big climbs (i.e. Arant Haw and up to the Calf from CP4). Felt fantastic, esp in second half. Only 30 mins slower than when i raced it flat out last August in similar conditions (cool, light wind, misty) which given the easy effort level i applied says plenty about my fitness and gives me a lot of confidence, esp as that was one of my better races.
Sat - In Nottingham
Sun - 8M, 1000' - very very very gentle walk with parents in Derbyshire. Not really sure whether it should count! It is said by many that a day's hillwalking is good training for the BGR but this is pushing it a bit! Needless to say, very easy indeed.
Weekly summary - 10,600' ascent, 42 miles
Thing is, the BGR has seemed 'ages away' for, well, ages. Now, without exactly being round the corner, it's appreciably close to happening for me to start sorting out some practicalities as well as simply getting fit. I must re-contact my supporters and confirm arrangements this week. I must also ensure Paul's support is factored in. Time to get communicating.
It's also time to step up the training. The next few weeks are going to be tough.
A real mark of progress is that 10,000' a week is not leaving me with aching limbs and an all consuming tiredness. Looking back at this blog and my training log, that's a hell of a statement and shows that i've come a long way.
Touch wood i've been injury free despite this week having seen me put in some very concentrated climbing. Between 7.30pm on Thursday and 2pm on Friday, I climbed 8,600', with most of this climbing done as a run (I ran all 8 railway reps on Thursday night and ran most of the Sedbergh Hills route on Friday). I felt a little heavy legged on Saturday but nothing more. This is a sign that I can pick things up.
After the three peaks this coming Sunday, that's what I'll do. I'd like to take the coming week as a step back week, with a few days rest leading up to Sunday's race. Unlike other years, the 3Ps is not a target race, but confidence is a powerful ally and a good run there will really stoke me up for the tough weeks to come. If I can get near or even under 4 hours for the 3Ps I'll be delighted.
After this week, it's going to be really tough, so I look forward to knocking out 15,000' a week from now until the middle of June. In the meantine, I'll have an easier week and eagerly anticipate one of my favourite races.
This week's summary....
Monday - rest
Tuesday - RC session, 4 * 1km on triangle with steep climb/descent on side of Maiden Castle - felt good and ran well. Held off Andrew which is quite some going (esp as he ran 3.06 at weekend in London!). @1000', 7M
Weds - club committee meeting so could only squeeze in a quick 3M road run, but ran fast and felt quite fresh
Thurs - 8 railways, and incredibly, i ran all the way all 8 times. It was mentally quite tough, but each climb took about 5 mins and although it was barely a run, it was a run nonetheless. Ran for 40 mins afterwards to cool down. 2600' ascent, 8 miles
Fri - Sedbergh Hills race route - 16M 6000'. Trotted round without ever pushing it and felt great. 3hrs 30mins of really enjoyable running. Climbed very well and ran every step up both the big climbs (i.e. Arant Haw and up to the Calf from CP4). Felt fantastic, esp in second half. Only 30 mins slower than when i raced it flat out last August in similar conditions (cool, light wind, misty) which given the easy effort level i applied says plenty about my fitness and gives me a lot of confidence, esp as that was one of my better races.
Sat - In Nottingham
Sun - 8M, 1000' - very very very gentle walk with parents in Derbyshire. Not really sure whether it should count! It is said by many that a day's hillwalking is good training for the BGR but this is pushing it a bit! Needless to say, very easy indeed.
Weekly summary - 10,600' ascent, 42 miles
Monday, 16 April 2007
w/c 9th April – Yeah, but no, but yeah, but...
Someone I haven't seen for a while asked me at Llantysilio how i was doing in preparing for the BGR. He meant, 'how is the training going?' or 'how fit are you?' I'm sure, but the poor sod tapped into a bit of a psycho-analysis of how upping the training seems to sap your ability to enjoy other things. I’m enjoying it all, but I do feel really flat and listless between runs.
Someone else collared me after the race when i was knackered and asked, "So Mark, BG training going well?" Puffing and panting, all i could come up with was, "Yeah, but no, but yeah..." Vicky Pollard would have been proud.
All this is starting to make me worry that the BGR training is taking its toll – not so much on my body (which seems to holding up well, touch wood) but on everything else. I’ve not been myself recently, but wouldn’t go as far as saying that I feel ‘down’ or anything – it’s a strange feeling that I’ve not encountered before. I’ve been a bit weary during marathon training before, but this is different.
I think more fun is required.
There are plenty of good things to report this week on the running front. I’m climbing well, getting stronger and the endurance is coming along nicely.
Monday – 4M, 1250’ ascent – Simple run from Cilcain up MF and down the CH route – felt really good. Up in 23 mins, didn’t push too hard
Tuesday – 6M, 1450’ ascent – Club session involving 3 railway climbs and some quick descending on Bulkeley Hill and from Peckforton Gap. Ran well up the railway which seemed to get easier each time. Ran all the way up on the third climb and felt great.
Weds – 7.5M, 700’ ascent – Run around Marford quarry and Gresford and felt a bit slow. Much of this was on the road.
Thurs – 6.5M, 800’ ascent – Club session with Dave – various reps. Felt slow to start with and seemed to rally later on. Perhaps I didn’t get any more tired rather than felt fresher? Either way, I ran ok but was happy to stop at the end!
Friday – 5.5M, 1530’ ascent – Ran Llangynhafal Loop route, measured it for Martin (who I saw en route!) with the GPS. Again, felt slow but steady.
Saturday – 11M, @4000’ ascent. Llantysilio. Marked the course with John Lindley early doors and then ran the race in very hot and windless conditions. It was stifling up there but I had a great race. I wasn’t at my best, but happy with 1.02 and 16th place. Pretty good with tired legs.
Sunday – 5M (inc warm up), hilly – Border League 6, Deeside. A bit farcical as no-one knew how far it was – the race was 4.3M and many of us were ready for 5.5M or 10k. Felt tired from the off but happy enough to finish 82nd and average 6.30 pace on a hilly course.
Weekly summary – 43.5 miles, @10,000’ ascent
This coming week I’ll work hard, but will take the weekend off. I might even go out with my old schoolmates in Nottingham and have several too many beers – now that sounds like fun.
Someone else collared me after the race when i was knackered and asked, "So Mark, BG training going well?" Puffing and panting, all i could come up with was, "Yeah, but no, but yeah..." Vicky Pollard would have been proud.
All this is starting to make me worry that the BGR training is taking its toll – not so much on my body (which seems to holding up well, touch wood) but on everything else. I’ve not been myself recently, but wouldn’t go as far as saying that I feel ‘down’ or anything – it’s a strange feeling that I’ve not encountered before. I’ve been a bit weary during marathon training before, but this is different.
I think more fun is required.
There are plenty of good things to report this week on the running front. I’m climbing well, getting stronger and the endurance is coming along nicely.
Monday – 4M, 1250’ ascent – Simple run from Cilcain up MF and down the CH route – felt really good. Up in 23 mins, didn’t push too hard
Tuesday – 6M, 1450’ ascent – Club session involving 3 railway climbs and some quick descending on Bulkeley Hill and from Peckforton Gap. Ran well up the railway which seemed to get easier each time. Ran all the way up on the third climb and felt great.
Weds – 7.5M, 700’ ascent – Run around Marford quarry and Gresford and felt a bit slow. Much of this was on the road.
Thurs – 6.5M, 800’ ascent – Club session with Dave – various reps. Felt slow to start with and seemed to rally later on. Perhaps I didn’t get any more tired rather than felt fresher? Either way, I ran ok but was happy to stop at the end!
Friday – 5.5M, 1530’ ascent – Ran Llangynhafal Loop route, measured it for Martin (who I saw en route!) with the GPS. Again, felt slow but steady.
Saturday – 11M, @4000’ ascent. Llantysilio. Marked the course with John Lindley early doors and then ran the race in very hot and windless conditions. It was stifling up there but I had a great race. I wasn’t at my best, but happy with 1.02 and 16th place. Pretty good with tired legs.
Sunday – 5M (inc warm up), hilly – Border League 6, Deeside. A bit farcical as no-one knew how far it was – the race was 4.3M and many of us were ready for 5.5M or 10k. Felt tired from the off but happy enough to finish 82nd and average 6.30 pace on a hilly course.
Weekly summary – 43.5 miles, @10,000’ ascent
This coming week I’ll work hard, but will take the weekend off. I might even go out with my old schoolmates in Nottingham and have several too many beers – now that sounds like fun.
Monday, 9 April 2007
w/c 2nd April - Inconveniences and obligations
If the glass were half empty, then this week's training could be summarised by simply stating that it was a so-so period with just about enough climbing (9000') mixed in with a some quality and some rest. Such a summary would also come accompanied by a recommendation to get more climbing in, including some big climbs.
If the glass were half full, a description of this week would all be all about life throwing several reasons not to train at me that were somehow overcome, with each session representing some kind of well-seized opportunity to escape all manner of inconveniences and obligations.
The truth, as ever with these things, lies somewhere between the two, and so I finish this week thankful that I got a half-decent week in, mindful that I need to step it up from here and grateful that things at home and at work are managing to co-exist with training for the BGR - just about...
This week's training has been made all the more diffcult for not having access to my car, which is stuck in Stockport awaiting an expensive repair. This has meant sharing Alison's car, and so it's not been possible to get out to Moel Famau after work and get some mid-week climbing in. We've also had A's parents here helping us work on the house (which really needed it) so getting out over Easter was always going to be tricky.
Knowing all this on Monday, I was not hopeful for the coming week's training and the glass was decidedly half-empty looking.
Monday - rest - bloody car. Gorgeous day and I had to get out to the Peak District and get the thing recovered. All those hills and I'm stood around like a lemon waiting for the AA man.
Tuesday - RC session. Brown Knoll, Duckington, Maiden Castle, Kitty Stone, Bickerton, back along the road to the sandy car park, short fast reps, back to BK over the hills. 7 miles and about 800' ascent.
Weds - Spring 5 road race - couldn't get out to hills as was reliant on A's car, and she wanted to do this. I ran OK but heart was never in it. 31.40 - not quite a pb, but i didn;t give it everything. Encouraging fast last mile and a decent time for a half-hearted run on tired legs, but I couldn't help selfishly thinking about the climbing I could have been doing!
Thurs - 7 * railway reps, straight up and down. 700 metres of climbing, which is @2300'. Felt great, and bizarrely, ran further up the railway each time before walking. Much to my amazement, I ran all the way up on the 7th ascent, although it was a very slow run. I would have done more, but it got dark. The railway is an excellent way of cramming lots of steep climbing (and decending!) into a short space of time. I will use it more. Next time I'll do 8...
The crucial point here was that I went off on my own, away from the group, and did what I needed to do. As the BGR approaches, I will have to do this more and more. Consequently, I'm going to step away from taking the Tuesday sessions for a time. It is a little selfish, but I need to concentrate on getting my legs really attuned to steep climbing and I must not inflict that sort of training on those that will not benefit from it. I'm sure the club will share the load out and keep Tuesdays going.
Fri - A's folks here and so it was a day for decorating. It was a stunning day, and it was hard to keep looking out of the window! I had resigned myself to not getting out, esp as A's parents were working so hard on, well, everything! However, we reached a point in the early evening where we couldn't progress until the paint had dried so rather than just watch it, I threw some studs in my bag and shot off to MF for a quick hour's run. I felt guilty all the way there in the car, but as soon as I got out and ran it was a blessed relief. Work and home (and automobile) have all been stressful this week and boy did I need this run.
I ran up Moel Famau direct from Cilcain and felt very powerful - bounding up the really steep steps halfway up. I met another runner up there who was new to these parts. He wanted to get back to Cilcain so i showed him the nicer descent via the Clywdian Hills route - so that was my good deed for the day. All in, about 4 miles and 1200' ascent.
I wore the mudclaw O330's and they were really uncomfortable. It seems the hard packed stuff 'pushes' the studs back up into your feet and i got a nasty bruise on the underside.
Sat - no running, loads of housey stuff to do. Living room looks great now!
Sun - Long run, 14M and 5000' in just over three hours on Clwydian Hills. Started in bottom car park and ran straight up, descended towards top car park and picked up Hotfoot route down and up to the hill fort (ran all the way up that bugger) and then down and up the gully (walked small stretch of that) before visiting the summit again. Then dropped down on bridleway to Clwyd side and ran along the bottom to Llangynhafal and climbed back up the ridge from there. Back along the ridge (saw Steve Bellis plus lost lamb!) and followed Clwydian Hill route down that lovely decent and then back up the grooved path to the ridge. Ascended MF again (saw Steve again!) and then dropped back to car.
Was back home for 12, which was useful as got loads of housey stuff done in the pm.
Wore Swoops (very comfy). Also took new Foretrex GPS. Tried marking the summit of MF with the GPS and getting it to 'take' me back there later. It worked well and I look forward to getting Paul to give me a masterclass (oh, and all of his BGR summits and landmarks data!).
So in the end, I got a good week in despite not having my car and having to get shed loads done in the house. No complaints, but I do need to try and get more done as the weeks progress.
Week summary - 9300', 38 miles
If the glass were half full, a description of this week would all be all about life throwing several reasons not to train at me that were somehow overcome, with each session representing some kind of well-seized opportunity to escape all manner of inconveniences and obligations.
The truth, as ever with these things, lies somewhere between the two, and so I finish this week thankful that I got a half-decent week in, mindful that I need to step it up from here and grateful that things at home and at work are managing to co-exist with training for the BGR - just about...
This week's training has been made all the more diffcult for not having access to my car, which is stuck in Stockport awaiting an expensive repair. This has meant sharing Alison's car, and so it's not been possible to get out to Moel Famau after work and get some mid-week climbing in. We've also had A's parents here helping us work on the house (which really needed it) so getting out over Easter was always going to be tricky.
Knowing all this on Monday, I was not hopeful for the coming week's training and the glass was decidedly half-empty looking.
Monday - rest - bloody car. Gorgeous day and I had to get out to the Peak District and get the thing recovered. All those hills and I'm stood around like a lemon waiting for the AA man.
Tuesday - RC session. Brown Knoll, Duckington, Maiden Castle, Kitty Stone, Bickerton, back along the road to the sandy car park, short fast reps, back to BK over the hills. 7 miles and about 800' ascent.
Weds - Spring 5 road race - couldn't get out to hills as was reliant on A's car, and she wanted to do this. I ran OK but heart was never in it. 31.40 - not quite a pb, but i didn;t give it everything. Encouraging fast last mile and a decent time for a half-hearted run on tired legs, but I couldn't help selfishly thinking about the climbing I could have been doing!
Thurs - 7 * railway reps, straight up and down. 700 metres of climbing, which is @2300'. Felt great, and bizarrely, ran further up the railway each time before walking. Much to my amazement, I ran all the way up on the 7th ascent, although it was a very slow run. I would have done more, but it got dark. The railway is an excellent way of cramming lots of steep climbing (and decending!) into a short space of time. I will use it more. Next time I'll do 8...
The crucial point here was that I went off on my own, away from the group, and did what I needed to do. As the BGR approaches, I will have to do this more and more. Consequently, I'm going to step away from taking the Tuesday sessions for a time. It is a little selfish, but I need to concentrate on getting my legs really attuned to steep climbing and I must not inflict that sort of training on those that will not benefit from it. I'm sure the club will share the load out and keep Tuesdays going.
Fri - A's folks here and so it was a day for decorating. It was a stunning day, and it was hard to keep looking out of the window! I had resigned myself to not getting out, esp as A's parents were working so hard on, well, everything! However, we reached a point in the early evening where we couldn't progress until the paint had dried so rather than just watch it, I threw some studs in my bag and shot off to MF for a quick hour's run. I felt guilty all the way there in the car, but as soon as I got out and ran it was a blessed relief. Work and home (and automobile) have all been stressful this week and boy did I need this run.
I ran up Moel Famau direct from Cilcain and felt very powerful - bounding up the really steep steps halfway up. I met another runner up there who was new to these parts. He wanted to get back to Cilcain so i showed him the nicer descent via the Clywdian Hills route - so that was my good deed for the day. All in, about 4 miles and 1200' ascent.
I wore the mudclaw O330's and they were really uncomfortable. It seems the hard packed stuff 'pushes' the studs back up into your feet and i got a nasty bruise on the underside.
Sat - no running, loads of housey stuff to do. Living room looks great now!
Sun - Long run, 14M and 5000' in just over three hours on Clwydian Hills. Started in bottom car park and ran straight up, descended towards top car park and picked up Hotfoot route down and up to the hill fort (ran all the way up that bugger) and then down and up the gully (walked small stretch of that) before visiting the summit again. Then dropped down on bridleway to Clwyd side and ran along the bottom to Llangynhafal and climbed back up the ridge from there. Back along the ridge (saw Steve Bellis plus lost lamb!) and followed Clwydian Hill route down that lovely decent and then back up the grooved path to the ridge. Ascended MF again (saw Steve again!) and then dropped back to car.
Was back home for 12, which was useful as got loads of housey stuff done in the pm.
Wore Swoops (very comfy). Also took new Foretrex GPS. Tried marking the summit of MF with the GPS and getting it to 'take' me back there later. It worked well and I look forward to getting Paul to give me a masterclass (oh, and all of his BGR summits and landmarks data!).
So in the end, I got a good week in despite not having my car and having to get shed loads done in the house. No complaints, but I do need to try and get more done as the weeks progress.
Week summary - 9300', 38 miles
Monday, 2 April 2007
w/c 26th March - time to take stock
I think i'm probably half way through the BGR training now, at least in terms of days and weeks. I'm not fooling myself though; there are many more miles ahead than have passed.
Still, with the BGR recently recced in one outing and with the onset of some seriously springlike weather, it's probably not a bad time to reflect on how things are going and what I have learned. It's also a good time to challenge a few of the assumptions that I've made about preparing for this round, not least in relation to its impact on others.
In no particular order, here's a few rules of thumb that have come to be part of life when preparing for the BGR:
Still, with the BGR recently recced in one outing and with the onset of some seriously springlike weather, it's probably not a bad time to reflect on how things are going and what I have learned. It's also a good time to challenge a few of the assumptions that I've made about preparing for this round, not least in relation to its impact on others.
In no particular order, here's a few rules of thumb that have come to be part of life when preparing for the BGR:
- Build up to the big training weeks
- Stretch often, but don't overdo it
- Eat plenty of good food
- See a physio regularly, even if you have no obvious symptoms - just get an 'MOT'
- Check shoes regularly and replace when needed - both road and fell
- Rest one day/week and slip in an occasional easier week
- Slip in some cross training now and again, esp upper body stuff
- Listen to youy body and don't be afraid to back off, esp during a tough session with your peers
- Warm up and warm down
- Don't neglect speedwork...
- ...but focus on feet climbed rather than distance run
- Long days are KEY, without them you will fail
- Practice vaious foods on the hill, and perfect the art of muching as you climb
- Don't try any new foods on the day
- Recce, recce and recce some more, esp in bad weather and at night where needed
- Stay positive - the mind is a seriously powerful thing
- Get out in all weathers
- Get plenty of sleep
And most importantly, as this week in particular has taught me,
- The BGR takes an unusual amount of time to prepare for and you can be forgiven some extra indulgence - but it is not an excuse to neglect the needs of loved ones.
(Alison's 'admin error' re the FLM will seem funny after she's breezed around the course at Stratford, but she needed more support than she got last week, and that was because of this BGR business. I'll be putting that right this coming week.)
Generally, things on the training front are going well. No DOMS after last week's efforts and a good run at Kinder Downfall, despite tired legs and sore feet.
A feature of this training week was lots of running but no long runs - a shift towards more quality. Long runs are vital but I think this was a canny week's training after the long days of last week which has provided a good balance.
Mon - rest
Tues - RC - 6 miles. Off road with the club, took it easy and let others do the efforts. Recovery run. right calf niggly. Probably about 600'
Weds - Straight up and down Moel Famau from lower car park. Saw Steve Bellis. Up and back inside half an hour - felt strong but took it easy - calf still a bit funny. 4M 1000'
Thursday - RC - 8 miles. Felt great - Harthill to Raw Head via steep slope and steps. Onto cornfield and some triangles there - felt OK. Ran back to club on TT route nice and steady. Probably 700'
Friday - Moel Famau and back up the ridge from the Clywd side. About 6 miles and 1600' - one hour. Felt good all the way round, calf much better.
Sat - 9 miles and 2800' - Horseshoe pass along ridge to end and back again. Ran all the way - getting better and running the steeper climbs. Pushed hard up Moel y Gamelin
Sun - KINDER DOWNFALL - 10 miles, 2500'. Ran 1:26? Around 60th from 250 - a good result for me, more so on tired legs. Fast decent hurt the calf so i backed off, which probably copst me a minute ot 2. Wanted to run with Martin on the way down but felt safer preserving the calf - was pleased to pass him earlier as he's a strong guy but he flew past me on that runnable section. C'est la vie.
Have also bid for a GPS (foretrex) and bought a Myo XP headtorch - quite like the kit buying bit of the BGR prep!
Weekly total - probably about 9000' and 35 miles - but plenty of qualty in there
Monday, 26 March 2007
w/c 19th March - Back with a bang!
Hmmm...funny how you lose faith suddenly to find it completely and defiantly restored!
I started this week feeling low after a poor run at Edale. I knew it was down to illness and that I should have been happy to get round in such bad conditions, but i was not happy and felt that i was just not the kind of guy that could race well on the fells. To add to that, my calves were tight as anything after completing that race in very lightweight fellshoes (Innov8 Rocklite 285s) which offer very little support (even less than Walshes). Not good.
So, I rested Monday, had a short run up Moel Famau after work on Tuesday before the club AGM . This was painful and i worried that the calves would 'go' at any moment. Soooo frustrating - maybe the BGR is a pipe dream and I'm wasting everyone's time. I was still sore on Weds so backed off then too.
And so it was that on Thursday evening I found myself driving up to the Lakes with sore calves and a dip in confidence. I met Nick and Paul, we had food and few beers in Rosthwaite and we each hoped for some fine weather. I hoped more than anything that i would not get injured and tear a calf again...
Well I needn't have worried. It's not as if i was flying or anything, but throughout the whole weekend I felt like my legs were just able to keep steadily moving. Provided I went at no more than slightly quicker than BGR pace, I felt as good after six hours as I did after one. This, of course, is the idea and it was reassuring that i was able to just keep moving at a good pace all day.
Friday started nervously, with a tight right calf and a stiff climb up Yewbarrow with Paul and Nick. As we moved over those leg 4 peaks in wonderful weather i felt the calf actually easing and gained more and more confidence. By the time we reached Kirk Fell, and were joined there by Steve and Sarah, I felt great and the 4,500' of climbing done to that point seemed easy. We ran on to Great Gable and over to the end of leg four at Honister. As we sat having some welcome food, i felt fresh and despite the calf (which still hurt), confident too. As we set off up the long pull up Dale Head, i felt like the day had just started - a strange feeling given the amount we had just done. Steve, Sarah and Nick left Paul and I at the summit of Dale Head for their run down to the valley. Paul and I carried on through leg five and i really started to enjoy myself. Descending towards Robinson from Hindsarth, I felt a real flush of confidence. It wasn;t a surge of energy or anything, and I didn't start sprinting all of a sudden - in fact the pace stayed the same - but I felt that moving steadily and consistently in the mountains for long periods was something I could do. This won't win me any races, but it just seemed like my legs were able to cope with climbing and descending on the fells time and again - which of course is just as well.
By the time we reached the road head at Newlands and the 5.5 mile run into Keswick on the road, I felt a bit weary for the first time, and the calf was still tight. We didn;t have road shoes available as we will do on the day, and so it was either running those lanes in fell shoes or bare feet. That was the toughest part of the whole weekend, those 5.5 miles seeming to go on for ever. I'm seriously hoping that the road section will actually be easier on the BGR itself given that i'll have road shoes on i'll have no rucksack. Paul had better shoes on and seemed far more comfortable. As it was, we walked the uphill bits and jogged the rest. With about half a mile to go to Keswick, my right calf really started to hurt and so we walked in. As it was we were still well under the schedule for that section and well over an hour up across legs four and five, and this was at a really easy pace. Chips with Paul and then a pub meal with Paul and Nick (who awaited us in Keswick) made for a good evening, despite only managing one pint.
Friday's stats - 23 miles, 9500' ascent.
Saturday saw the addition of Dave Sykes and Andrew Gooda to our number for today's objective - completion of legs 1 and 2. This meant running with fit lads with fresh legs which did worry me a little. I think Paul and Nick were similarly worried as there was plenty of talk, rightly so, about "taking it easy" and "reigning them in"!!! I was concerned about how my legs were going to be after such a mammoth day yesterday.
As it was, we ascended Skiddaw in regulation time, which included a couple of little stops. The weather was terrific. We met a BGR-finisher up there who offered some advice and was a very decent chap. He did his night section over the Dodds, neccesitating a 6pm start which i'm not convinced about, esp as he said he lost half an hour! Still, food for thought...
Nick left us atop of Skiddaw as he was in danger of exceeding the terms and conditions of his weekend pass out. He had to return to the valley to buy Alison some shoes. I had a good laugh to myself at that as we descended towards Calva, finding the Hare Crag trod with no diffculty. I must do that section in the dark soon to practice finding it then... We caught (and passed) another BGR aspirant out on a recce on top of Calva and picked our way down through the heather towards the Caldew. Paul seemed to be struggling with his knee and was already contemplating binning things after leg one when disaster struck. He turned his ankle quite badly and was forced to limp back to Keswick to shop. Paul and I are thinking of merging our BGR ambitions and so I felt his frustration as he limped off, consoleing myself that ankle turns can heal quickly and always seem worse than they really are.
That left the fresh-legged Andrew and Dave plus myself to slog up Blencathra, which we did on a great line at a pretty decent pace. Despite a 10 min stop for Paul, we were inside the 23-hour schedule on that section. I started to find it hard to hang onto those two but not to move at the pace i knew was required so i was happy to let them go. I was pleased with the confidence and self-knowledge that doing this demonstrates - it started to feel like it was coming together.
A quick butty on the summit of Blencathra and we bumped down the Hall's Fell ridge to Threlkeld. Andrew was v strong on the technial ground and Dave was quick on the grassier slopes. I was fair to middling at both, desceding at the right rate throughout. We breezed through Threlkeld without a break and moved onto leg 2 and Clough Head.
Moving from the sunny south slopes on Blencathra to the cool and breezy northern slopes of Clough Head (a favourite of paragliders) marked a change in mood and some degree, conditions. It seemed darker and felt colder and breezier. It is a slog at the best of times and today felt no different. We all quietened down a little, donned windproofs (even brass-monkey Sykes) and plodded on. I was OK though and easily reconciled the change in vibe by the fact that it was far worse when Peter and I came this way in November, and it wasn't much cop during my last visit with Paul. I was rejoicing in the blue skies and perfect visibility.
From Clough Head onwards I felt comfortable. If i could get this far today without feeling bad after a big day like yesterday, then there would be no problems. The sun got lower and the light looked fabulous - I would not have wanted to have been anywhere else. As we moved towards Helvellyn over its many subsidiary tops, Andrew and Dave started to slow. It occurred to me that I have the motivation to bang out days like this, but these guys were supporting me and would probably crack before I did. Each of these lads had their own targets, e.g. Andrew's impending London Marathon and Dave's three-peaks, and I didn;t want to scupper those. I also knew that they would be reluctant to back out umprompted so casually suggested to Andrew on Raise that I would knock the last few peaks off on my tod if he and Dave wanted to get down to the car early (and warm it up for me!). Andrew said he'd see how he felt, and Dave bit my hand off, making Andrew's choice easier. So, when we reached Grisedale Tarn, I set off up that long and loose climb up Fairfield on my own, wondering how i would cope. I was very grateful for their support, which amounted to 25 miles and 10,000' - not bad going without the BGR training i've doing, and without the motivation and self-interest I had in putting in a long day.
I felt very good when climbing FF - it seemed daunting to start with but you just ease into these big climbs and they soon fly by. I could not get "Put your hands up for Detroit...I love this city"...out of my head, despite the fact that it is shite. I guess it was something to do with the cadence of my uphill plod, perhaps, or maybe tiredness-induced dilerium. Eitherway, it helped and FF appeared 4 mins inside schedule time from Dollywaggon and all was well in the world.I turned west and descended into a low sun, with the peaks of Lakeland silhouetted in front of me - it was a stunning sight. I felt bouyant as I crammed a handful of yoghurt coated peanuts and raisins in and ran down towards Seat Sandal, the final peak of the day.
I got up and down that with no drama (still went a bit too right like i did when with Paul) and was feeling so very pleased after 2 big days. I felt hungry and really wanted chips. As a lovely touch to end a great day, Andrew walked from the car to come and carry my rucksack for me for the last few yards - a small gesture perhaps, but a very thoughtful one which given the big day just completed, went down very well.
The chips, sausage and gravy (plus tea!) was greasy and great - it barely touched the sides. Andrew and Dave left Paul and I to get showered, get out, eact more grub and drink 3 lovely pints to end a great day - for me at least. Next morning would tell us how Paul's ankle would be...
Saturday's stats - 29 miles and 11,500' ascent
Sunday and a bad start. Paul's ankle was purple and yellow, and twice its normal size. No way he was going to be able to manage what remained of the BGR that weekend - i.e. leg three. Now was not the time to be selfish either, so we hatched a plan where Paul could take an easy walk back to the car and I could cover the second half (bit more actually). So, we bused into Langdale and I picked up leg three where i left it when i was last up in February, i.e. top of Bowfell.
I got up Bowfell from Langdale in just over an hour, and felt bloody good despite two big days out. As expected, this section was hard to run on and i found it much harder to beat the schedule despite feeling good. I climbed well but descended so poorly, often at a walk on the very rocky and bouldery ground. I need to remember that this section is not a place to look to pick up time and not to be surprised if i lose a little around here. Apart from time lost in going round via Foxes Tarn, i was pretty much slightly ahead of schedule up to Great End, on Schedule to Scafell PIke and a bit slow on the descent from Scafell, which was the first time i;d ever gone that way to Wasdale. Still, a good four hours out and a great end to a brilliant weekend, esp when Paul arrived at the cars 10 mins after me in good health.
Sunday stats - 10 miles, 5400' ascent
Monday morning - Legs aren;t sore, just a little tired. I bet DOMS is in the post though!
Week summary - 65 miles; 27000' ascent
I started this week feeling low after a poor run at Edale. I knew it was down to illness and that I should have been happy to get round in such bad conditions, but i was not happy and felt that i was just not the kind of guy that could race well on the fells. To add to that, my calves were tight as anything after completing that race in very lightweight fellshoes (Innov8 Rocklite 285s) which offer very little support (even less than Walshes). Not good.
So, I rested Monday, had a short run up Moel Famau after work on Tuesday before the club AGM . This was painful and i worried that the calves would 'go' at any moment. Soooo frustrating - maybe the BGR is a pipe dream and I'm wasting everyone's time. I was still sore on Weds so backed off then too.
And so it was that on Thursday evening I found myself driving up to the Lakes with sore calves and a dip in confidence. I met Nick and Paul, we had food and few beers in Rosthwaite and we each hoped for some fine weather. I hoped more than anything that i would not get injured and tear a calf again...
Well I needn't have worried. It's not as if i was flying or anything, but throughout the whole weekend I felt like my legs were just able to keep steadily moving. Provided I went at no more than slightly quicker than BGR pace, I felt as good after six hours as I did after one. This, of course, is the idea and it was reassuring that i was able to just keep moving at a good pace all day.
Friday started nervously, with a tight right calf and a stiff climb up Yewbarrow with Paul and Nick. As we moved over those leg 4 peaks in wonderful weather i felt the calf actually easing and gained more and more confidence. By the time we reached Kirk Fell, and were joined there by Steve and Sarah, I felt great and the 4,500' of climbing done to that point seemed easy. We ran on to Great Gable and over to the end of leg four at Honister. As we sat having some welcome food, i felt fresh and despite the calf (which still hurt), confident too. As we set off up the long pull up Dale Head, i felt like the day had just started - a strange feeling given the amount we had just done. Steve, Sarah and Nick left Paul and I at the summit of Dale Head for their run down to the valley. Paul and I carried on through leg five and i really started to enjoy myself. Descending towards Robinson from Hindsarth, I felt a real flush of confidence. It wasn;t a surge of energy or anything, and I didn't start sprinting all of a sudden - in fact the pace stayed the same - but I felt that moving steadily and consistently in the mountains for long periods was something I could do. This won't win me any races, but it just seemed like my legs were able to cope with climbing and descending on the fells time and again - which of course is just as well.
By the time we reached the road head at Newlands and the 5.5 mile run into Keswick on the road, I felt a bit weary for the first time, and the calf was still tight. We didn;t have road shoes available as we will do on the day, and so it was either running those lanes in fell shoes or bare feet. That was the toughest part of the whole weekend, those 5.5 miles seeming to go on for ever. I'm seriously hoping that the road section will actually be easier on the BGR itself given that i'll have road shoes on i'll have no rucksack. Paul had better shoes on and seemed far more comfortable. As it was, we walked the uphill bits and jogged the rest. With about half a mile to go to Keswick, my right calf really started to hurt and so we walked in. As it was we were still well under the schedule for that section and well over an hour up across legs four and five, and this was at a really easy pace. Chips with Paul and then a pub meal with Paul and Nick (who awaited us in Keswick) made for a good evening, despite only managing one pint.
Friday's stats - 23 miles, 9500' ascent.
Saturday saw the addition of Dave Sykes and Andrew Gooda to our number for today's objective - completion of legs 1 and 2. This meant running with fit lads with fresh legs which did worry me a little. I think Paul and Nick were similarly worried as there was plenty of talk, rightly so, about "taking it easy" and "reigning them in"!!! I was concerned about how my legs were going to be after such a mammoth day yesterday.
As it was, we ascended Skiddaw in regulation time, which included a couple of little stops. The weather was terrific. We met a BGR-finisher up there who offered some advice and was a very decent chap. He did his night section over the Dodds, neccesitating a 6pm start which i'm not convinced about, esp as he said he lost half an hour! Still, food for thought...
Nick left us atop of Skiddaw as he was in danger of exceeding the terms and conditions of his weekend pass out. He had to return to the valley to buy Alison some shoes. I had a good laugh to myself at that as we descended towards Calva, finding the Hare Crag trod with no diffculty. I must do that section in the dark soon to practice finding it then... We caught (and passed) another BGR aspirant out on a recce on top of Calva and picked our way down through the heather towards the Caldew. Paul seemed to be struggling with his knee and was already contemplating binning things after leg one when disaster struck. He turned his ankle quite badly and was forced to limp back to Keswick to shop. Paul and I are thinking of merging our BGR ambitions and so I felt his frustration as he limped off, consoleing myself that ankle turns can heal quickly and always seem worse than they really are.
That left the fresh-legged Andrew and Dave plus myself to slog up Blencathra, which we did on a great line at a pretty decent pace. Despite a 10 min stop for Paul, we were inside the 23-hour schedule on that section. I started to find it hard to hang onto those two but not to move at the pace i knew was required so i was happy to let them go. I was pleased with the confidence and self-knowledge that doing this demonstrates - it started to feel like it was coming together.
A quick butty on the summit of Blencathra and we bumped down the Hall's Fell ridge to Threlkeld. Andrew was v strong on the technial ground and Dave was quick on the grassier slopes. I was fair to middling at both, desceding at the right rate throughout. We breezed through Threlkeld without a break and moved onto leg 2 and Clough Head.
Moving from the sunny south slopes on Blencathra to the cool and breezy northern slopes of Clough Head (a favourite of paragliders) marked a change in mood and some degree, conditions. It seemed darker and felt colder and breezier. It is a slog at the best of times and today felt no different. We all quietened down a little, donned windproofs (even brass-monkey Sykes) and plodded on. I was OK though and easily reconciled the change in vibe by the fact that it was far worse when Peter and I came this way in November, and it wasn't much cop during my last visit with Paul. I was rejoicing in the blue skies and perfect visibility.
From Clough Head onwards I felt comfortable. If i could get this far today without feeling bad after a big day like yesterday, then there would be no problems. The sun got lower and the light looked fabulous - I would not have wanted to have been anywhere else. As we moved towards Helvellyn over its many subsidiary tops, Andrew and Dave started to slow. It occurred to me that I have the motivation to bang out days like this, but these guys were supporting me and would probably crack before I did. Each of these lads had their own targets, e.g. Andrew's impending London Marathon and Dave's three-peaks, and I didn;t want to scupper those. I also knew that they would be reluctant to back out umprompted so casually suggested to Andrew on Raise that I would knock the last few peaks off on my tod if he and Dave wanted to get down to the car early (and warm it up for me!). Andrew said he'd see how he felt, and Dave bit my hand off, making Andrew's choice easier. So, when we reached Grisedale Tarn, I set off up that long and loose climb up Fairfield on my own, wondering how i would cope. I was very grateful for their support, which amounted to 25 miles and 10,000' - not bad going without the BGR training i've doing, and without the motivation and self-interest I had in putting in a long day.
I felt very good when climbing FF - it seemed daunting to start with but you just ease into these big climbs and they soon fly by. I could not get "Put your hands up for Detroit...I love this city"...out of my head, despite the fact that it is shite. I guess it was something to do with the cadence of my uphill plod, perhaps, or maybe tiredness-induced dilerium. Eitherway, it helped and FF appeared 4 mins inside schedule time from Dollywaggon and all was well in the world.I turned west and descended into a low sun, with the peaks of Lakeland silhouetted in front of me - it was a stunning sight. I felt bouyant as I crammed a handful of yoghurt coated peanuts and raisins in and ran down towards Seat Sandal, the final peak of the day.
I got up and down that with no drama (still went a bit too right like i did when with Paul) and was feeling so very pleased after 2 big days. I felt hungry and really wanted chips. As a lovely touch to end a great day, Andrew walked from the car to come and carry my rucksack for me for the last few yards - a small gesture perhaps, but a very thoughtful one which given the big day just completed, went down very well.
The chips, sausage and gravy (plus tea!) was greasy and great - it barely touched the sides. Andrew and Dave left Paul and I to get showered, get out, eact more grub and drink 3 lovely pints to end a great day - for me at least. Next morning would tell us how Paul's ankle would be...
Saturday's stats - 29 miles and 11,500' ascent
Sunday and a bad start. Paul's ankle was purple and yellow, and twice its normal size. No way he was going to be able to manage what remained of the BGR that weekend - i.e. leg three. Now was not the time to be selfish either, so we hatched a plan where Paul could take an easy walk back to the car and I could cover the second half (bit more actually). So, we bused into Langdale and I picked up leg three where i left it when i was last up in February, i.e. top of Bowfell.
I got up Bowfell from Langdale in just over an hour, and felt bloody good despite two big days out. As expected, this section was hard to run on and i found it much harder to beat the schedule despite feeling good. I climbed well but descended so poorly, often at a walk on the very rocky and bouldery ground. I need to remember that this section is not a place to look to pick up time and not to be surprised if i lose a little around here. Apart from time lost in going round via Foxes Tarn, i was pretty much slightly ahead of schedule up to Great End, on Schedule to Scafell PIke and a bit slow on the descent from Scafell, which was the first time i;d ever gone that way to Wasdale. Still, a good four hours out and a great end to a brilliant weekend, esp when Paul arrived at the cars 10 mins after me in good health.
Sunday stats - 10 miles, 5400' ascent
Monday morning - Legs aren;t sore, just a little tired. I bet DOMS is in the post though!
Week summary - 65 miles; 27000' ascent
Monday, 19 March 2007
w/c 12th March - Running on empty
What a truly frustrating week.
I've been laid low from Tuesday to Saturday with a nasty little stomach bug, which basically meant that I absorbed hardly anything from the food I ate, with most of it coming, well, straight back out! Alan at work described my reason for absence from work on Wednesday to all enquirers as being 'a case of the raging sh*ts', which unfortunately sums it up nicely. Well, perhaps not 'nicely'.
I tried to stay hydrated, and used Diarolylte to get some salts in. One slight silver lining is that some have recommended useing Diarolylte during the BGR if it's hot, and at least now I know I can tolerate it! But I lost 4 lbs in weight (my wedding ring kept falling off on thursday!) and it clearly affected my running at the weekend too.
Here's how the week panned (!) out...
Monday - Ran up Moel Famau after work. Felt great! Straight up from Cilcain, the steep way and ran every step very strongly. Came down the Clywdian Hills route - 40 mins all in.
Tuesday - Started feeling tired and poorly Tuesday morning and spent most of the evening on the loo. Not good at all.
Weds - Off work sick, terrible stomach cramps and just shattered.
Thurs - Still not quite right, but a little better? Went for a 3M potter around Rossett and just about got back in time - silly boy...
Fri - No, still not well, stomach still awful so decided to fast for 24 hours to kill this bug off.
Sat - Felt better and contemplated Edale. Decided to do an hour on Moel Famau as a 'test'. If i could do that easily, i would run. Set off from Cilcain and did an hour circuit of about 6M and 1500' climbing at an easy pace. Felt very easy and ran the climbs well. Appetite returned, starting eating again at about 3pm. Had evening out with Cath and friends, still felt a bit rough.
Sunday - 21M 4500' - Edale Skyline. What an EPIC! The weather was extremely poor - with very high winds, freezing temperatures, blizzards (blizzards i ask you!) and some very near sounding thunder. Ran something like 4.15 (not sure exactly) - well down on last year. I actually started well, although felt a bit sick for the first hour. Despite the wind, i got to Mam Nick in 2 hours dead, 15 mins ahead of last year. After that though, the wheels gradually loosened before coming off at Jacobs Ladder, with some distance still to go. Dave caught me up soon enough and although we ran together for what must have been an hour, he pulled away when i had used up the fumes and was running on willpower only.
The last 5 miles of running was a strange sensation because my legs we not heavy or sore, but there was just no fuel. I took gels and some lucozade, but it's clear that my body was missing that base that loading up in advance gives you.
Other lessons from that day - OMM waterproof very good, wear a tight hat, not one with a 'turn up' as it comes down and you can't see - oh and wear really thick gloves on days with strong wind and rain/snow even if they seem at odds with all your lightweight gear. I started showing signs of frostnip on my thumb and middle finger at times and had to keep massaging them as i ran. Horrible.
Monday morning and feeling tired now...
Summary - 35 miles, @7,300' ascent
I've been laid low from Tuesday to Saturday with a nasty little stomach bug, which basically meant that I absorbed hardly anything from the food I ate, with most of it coming, well, straight back out! Alan at work described my reason for absence from work on Wednesday to all enquirers as being 'a case of the raging sh*ts', which unfortunately sums it up nicely. Well, perhaps not 'nicely'.
I tried to stay hydrated, and used Diarolylte to get some salts in. One slight silver lining is that some have recommended useing Diarolylte during the BGR if it's hot, and at least now I know I can tolerate it! But I lost 4 lbs in weight (my wedding ring kept falling off on thursday!) and it clearly affected my running at the weekend too.
Here's how the week panned (!) out...
Monday - Ran up Moel Famau after work. Felt great! Straight up from Cilcain, the steep way and ran every step very strongly. Came down the Clywdian Hills route - 40 mins all in.
Tuesday - Started feeling tired and poorly Tuesday morning and spent most of the evening on the loo. Not good at all.
Weds - Off work sick, terrible stomach cramps and just shattered.
Thurs - Still not quite right, but a little better? Went for a 3M potter around Rossett and just about got back in time - silly boy...
Fri - No, still not well, stomach still awful so decided to fast for 24 hours to kill this bug off.
Sat - Felt better and contemplated Edale. Decided to do an hour on Moel Famau as a 'test'. If i could do that easily, i would run. Set off from Cilcain and did an hour circuit of about 6M and 1500' climbing at an easy pace. Felt very easy and ran the climbs well. Appetite returned, starting eating again at about 3pm. Had evening out with Cath and friends, still felt a bit rough.
Sunday - 21M 4500' - Edale Skyline. What an EPIC! The weather was extremely poor - with very high winds, freezing temperatures, blizzards (blizzards i ask you!) and some very near sounding thunder. Ran something like 4.15 (not sure exactly) - well down on last year. I actually started well, although felt a bit sick for the first hour. Despite the wind, i got to Mam Nick in 2 hours dead, 15 mins ahead of last year. After that though, the wheels gradually loosened before coming off at Jacobs Ladder, with some distance still to go. Dave caught me up soon enough and although we ran together for what must have been an hour, he pulled away when i had used up the fumes and was running on willpower only.
The last 5 miles of running was a strange sensation because my legs we not heavy or sore, but there was just no fuel. I took gels and some lucozade, but it's clear that my body was missing that base that loading up in advance gives you.
Other lessons from that day - OMM waterproof very good, wear a tight hat, not one with a 'turn up' as it comes down and you can't see - oh and wear really thick gloves on days with strong wind and rain/snow even if they seem at odds with all your lightweight gear. I started showing signs of frostnip on my thumb and middle finger at times and had to keep massaging them as i ran. Horrible.
Monday morning and feeling tired now...
Summary - 35 miles, @7,300' ascent
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