Laugh hard

Peter Capaldi's Dr Who told us to Laugh hard / run fast /be kind. Aims for 2018 maybe?

Happy New Year, here we come 2018

Grand Trail book

This book, Grand Trail, by Alexis and Frédéric Berg, is one of the best running books I have ever been lucky enough to own. Incredible photography, fantastic insights into long distance running and some associated big names in the field.
Brilliant. Buy it, if you get chance.

Like this story

I really like this news story. Not only does running contribute to physical / mental health, personal goals and travel, but the idea that it is in some way promoting conservation - even better

There's nothing quite like getting your Dad to help you figure out new kit....

Happy Christmas!!!!!

Hi guys.... HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Keep running!!!!

Let it snow

Superb run in the snow.. Certainly the weather for it

Secret trails

Secret trails, no mobile phone signal, no Internet access : just quiet, just for a little while. Perfect.

I'm trying these...

I'm trying these for winter trails. They have a kind of gaiter attached in an attempt to ward off some mud.
So far, so good - comfy, good grip, dry, no blisters. Everything a pair of gnarled running feet would want in life.

Coping with a dnf

There's a very real possibility (well, 44%, according to this year's race), that I will achieve a dnf (did not finish) on my next race.
Most likely, this will be due to my error - inadequate training, incorrect kit. It may be due to circumstances beyond me - the weather may force the race to be pulled.
Either way, I'm not sure how a dnf would affect me. So far, I have managed to avoid one - although been very near. I've had a few dns- did not start: - due to circumstances or injury, :somehow, these have felt OK.

The bigger the race, maybe the more likely a dnf will happen.
But, this feels huge. Logic tells me it is only a race, a hobby, irrelevant in the grand scheme of life. I know this. But indulge me slightly. Months of thinking about, preparing, fretting over kit, have contributed to the build up to January. I have decided to attempt this race only once - I cannot imagine attempting this prep again. The race has its own psychologist attached, to offer support to competitors - I am starting to see why.

Coping with a dnf from this - I am already trying to prepare. Not because I am looking to fail, but I need a cushion for the fallout. So, I have been planning races for next year, to keep the running momentum going and become the subsequent focus. Working out how long, realistically, until I may be able to start training again. Hoping that I'll be able to say that I got to day X before X/Y/Z happened. Be able to put it in perspective for what it is - a hard, hard, event that I was lucky to even get a place for, let alone compete in. And believe that this is all part of racing itself.
Another reminder that long distance running so truly reflects reality - sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't : however much effort you put in.
And I certainly hope that nothing, no matter how disappointing, will stop future running and adventure.

8 weeks...

Just over 8 weeks until the terror.. No, Er I mean Adventure, of the big one.....

Endurance or just hideousness?

It is starting to become apparent, I think, that there is yet another category of endurance events. A category not necessarily named or officially recognised, but exists nevertheless.

Some endurance events are just gorgeous. Hard work, but gorgeous. Whether it's the scenery, the company, the feel of the event itself - they can be such a good experience to attempt. Every second, a pleasure.

And.... Some endurance events are just plain hideous. Maybe the terrain / weather / the challenge itself : you know from start to finish, that every moment is going to be a grind. There will not be a single euphoric glitter at any given point. Even worse, you may have entered the event with this knowledge. So you really only have yourself to blame.

Why are some endurance events more hideous than others? Part of the variety of life? Not all races of similar distance are the same.

Whichever type of event you're training for at the moment - good luck with that.

She's up and running

Thrilled to see a cycle-run friend back out there after a nasty fracture from a driver - blind - to - cyclists injury. She's brilliantly started cycling again after recovery, and even begun some gentle running. Luckily for me, she is prepared to cycle alongside me for hours whilst listening to much waffling chat- some running related, some not. Great way to get the miles in, thank you!

As ever..

As ever, reaching any kind of finish prompts that little buzz of relief and satisfaction

APPARENTLY!!!

Apparently, the weather was being kind to us out on the Mary Townley loop... But did it really really really have to rain quite so relentlessly in its' kindness????

Being around people

Being around, running alongside, attempting navigation with, swapping equipment tips ... With fellow aspiring competitors, was the very essence of this training weekend, in my view.

Spine Race : training weekend

This weekend, I made it up to Hebden Bridge for the Spine Race training event. Aha, I thought when I booked this : a few chats, discussions about navigation and kit, meet fellow competitors. Imagine the distress when I opened the itinerary to find that the Saturday incorporated a 47 mile training run, carrying all mandatory kit, with scenarios thrown in. Even the training weekend felt bigger than me.

Well, to my relief, I survived the run. I have revised my kit yet again, after the info given, experimenting with some items, and talking to other participants. An invaluable weekend to attend, and I loved every minute.

Possibly more importantly for me, during this event I met and ran with other aspiring participants (apparently we are called Spiners). We have semi arranged to meet at the starting line of the real thing, and at least begin the event together. This in itself, has taken some of the worry out of the pre race build up.

The whole thing still looks horrendous though.

School running club : the return

Last year, we started a small running group for Mums and Dads, after school drop off. Just an hour, one morning a week, running around the local park with a few sprints thrown in. Time for the parents, not just the kids.

It became quite a special hour, I thought. An opportunity to off load, talk about any general worries including those related to childcare. Just as importantly, a chance to run outside and dodge the puddles.

Long may it continue, these times. We may be a bit rusty, but I still think we're doing quite well. And it all helps keep our sanity intact.

The Spine Race..... It won't quite be these views

I started running the first few miles of the route, to negotiate my gps system, and then got carried away soaking up the views around Kinder Scout. Get these views while we can, it'll all be different in the winter. Amazing. The Dark Peak.

The Spine Race - starting point

A little trip to Edale today, to the start of the Pennine Way and beginning point of the Spine Race. A real buzz standing at the start, wondering how it's going to feel in January - the nerves, the weather, the anticipation.

Ouch... Again

Yesterday, I managed to sustain yet another running related injury. Running at speed around a blind corner, straight into the path of a surprised cyclist. To be fair, I don't think either of us should have been travelling at any speed on city pavements. In a bid to protect myself, protect the poor young chap, and stop his bike falling, I managed to hyperextend all my fingers leaving some bruising and a mildly dented pride. No huge head injuries for either of us, thank goodness.

This is a minor injury in what is becoming a long list of running related items. Multiple tendon sprains, ligament strains, increasingly crunchy knees, scrapes and cuts, even a broken nose: have all been due to falls whilst on the road and trails. I don't count black or missing toe nails as any kind of 'injury' any more, just par for the course. Whoever thought running was a safe sport, was surely not thinking it through.

I cannot be the only one. I don't even consider myself particularly accident prone.
Still, always good to have a story to tell.

A few unofficial rules in trail running?

I was thinking about this alot during my last race (it was very long). There is a certain standard of expected behaviour during trail racing, just as there is an any given social situation. Do rules apply? Maybe.

- always turn off your headtorch at a checkpoint, if you are running at night. Rachel, you are an idiot for forgetting. But it's just plain rude to have your light blinding the poor marshals, up at all hours in their own time, trying to provide sustenance. Plus, let's face it, they can't even actually see you when you're asking for that refill of flat Coke.

- adhere to running pole etiquette. This is probably well documented somewhere. But never carry them horizontally. Or overreach with them. The shins and calfs of runners around you need to be protected from sharp edges.

- don't look in the general direction of anyone... Er... trying to answer the call of nature near the side of the trail. It's just plain ignorant. And hopefully, all runners involved will remember to return the favour.

- try and give people plenty of warning when you're running past them. I appreciate the more tired you are, the less you want to be courteous. But seriously, there's nothing worse than having people jump up behind you when you're stumbling along and struggling to focus

- if a fellow runner has fallen or needs help... Offer it!!! There may not be a medic for a while, and your finishing time will probably not be affected too much by offering the odd plaster or paracetamol. Unless, of course, you're racing at the front. In which case, none of these thoughts apply anyway.

Lastly, for now, my favourite unofficial rule. Look around you and drink in the scenery, race, atmosphere. Possibly, you may never participate in this event again. Or get to see this place again.
Enjoy, savour, enjoy.

Goodbye Rosalina, goodbye

A close running friend is making the move 'down Saarf'. A very special mention.

Apart from missing her hugely, the poor woman has suffered years of running excursions, trips, and related activities. We were part of a running club, we were not part of a club. We were trying our hand at city marathons... We were not. We were attempting trail ultras... We didn't quite get there. You name it, we were convinced at one point or another that it was for us. It's certainly been varied. Plus very very fun.

Roz has also sat through countless photos of running events, listened to endless stories of running days / kit / worries. She has literally picked me up along the roadside after long runs, always with extra jumpers / coffee / sandwiches. What an absolute star.
Whether her interest has been genuine or well feigned, I will never know, but it has been an era of generating many stories and good memories.

We will plan our next running trip soon. I will miss my running soundboard. Good luck.

Keep running, Roz.

Do it while you can...

Just a few thoughts on the 'seize the day' theme.
Life often gets in the way of running and attempting running events. Work, family, money, all take priority to most of us.

I have two youngish children who I adore, and I do my best for them. But I still feel the need to attempt challenging running events, for my own running goals and interest. I am fortunate enough to have much help with childcare at times when I do go away for a few days - massive thanks to all involved.

But I just think that, attempting ultra races and multi day events has a time limit. If I do not take the opportunity to try some of these events now, I will never be in a position to do so. I think that in ten years' time, I will not necessarily be willing to sleep in tents for long periods or go days without a proper shower. Speed is recognised as deteriorating over time (mine was never fantastic in the first place). I am desperate to try things while I have the opportunity, inclination, and fitness.

Surely this applies to all of us- trying to find the balance between what we love to do, and what we need to do. A competitor at an event recently remarked to me 'I wish I would just go ahead and arrange my place on these races, then worry about the logistics after - that way I will let everyday life get in the way less, and not miss out on these incredible evrnts'.
Let's all keep trying, within the imposed limits of everyday life. We will end up doing more, seeing more, trying more, than we ever hoped.

And as for kit...

After a huge amount of debating and agonising, I have come to the conclusion that no running rucksack will be large enough to fit in all the kit on the mandatory Spine kit list. Try as I might, no amount of squeezing and squashing would allow a decent sleeping bag into my prized MDS running pack, let alone leave any room for other gear. So, it's back to a bigger rucksack - the comfiest I could find within my budget. I felt less like a runner, more like a cadet training for the DofE. Ah well.

Pennine way - how can one person still get so lost

Well, as I found out the hard way, some parts of the trail are easy to follow. Just nice trail running. And some parts of it completely disappear. It was difficult enough to keep track on a clear sunny day - what on earth would it feel like in the middle of a cold snowy day. Time will tell.

Pennine way - a little taste

In a bid to get a feel towards the Spine race, last weekend I took a trip out to the Pennine Way. I got tipped off the bus at Standedge, and wobbled my way along the trails up to Colden. After camping overnight in a pub garden (a little Lager helped the rehydration process),I carried on the next day up to Ponden. Not far in distance terms - 16 m the first day, 10 the next - but I was just experimenting with carrying kit, and investigating how it felt on new trails. All good fun and a new running challenge.

Running to catch up...

Running in the Peaks... More importantly, to catch up with old friends.

Trails

Just another trail session on the edge of the Moors. Gorgeous.

OK....

OK, so picking the hottest day of the week to do my long run, was probably not the brightest idea. An extra stop at a well known fast food restaurant, for air conditioning and fluids, helped a huge amount. At least the thunderstorms stayed away..

Next race....

Looking towards the next race - about six months away. I have given myself some breathing space and preparation time, in the lead up to the Spine. This event is massive:like the MDS, way way bigger than me. But try I will.
Looking at past images of competitors battling through blizzards in Scotland, makes me think no way no way no way - impossible. Surely that tracking device will mean that someone somewhere somehow, will be able to find me.

So, thoughts turn to kit. A sleeping bag for the desert nights is not going to cut it. Plus, let's face it, I was still cold despite being in the Sahara. So, a new sleeping bag. Unfortunately it feels as big as a house - or at least a hamster cage. Definitely time for more weight training in a bid to at least lift the thing.

Hey now....

'Hey now it's the sun, and it makes me smile...'...(Polyphonic Spree)

Hill work in the hot sun. Who couldn't love this.

Lavaredo Ultra Trail 2017 - last favourite bits

After this, other race elements seem smaller in comparison. I liked the nighttime start: it meant that we had a good distance under our belts before the heat of the day commenced. The whole route was well marked with reflective strips, even an idiot like me couldn't get lost. The race bib included the basic route alimentary profile, which served as a rough guide - as this was already pinned to my shorts, it was just really useful.
I felt really well 'observed :, there were regular medical posts, checkpoints, and extra drinks stops, - you were never too far from help if needed.
I personally wouldn't want any of this race altered. It felt less like a race, more an observation of magnificence.

Lavaredo Ultra Trail 2017 - favourite parts

First of all, I need to point out that I fell in love with this race as soon as I saw some footage : running through the Dolomites looked irresistible. To me, this was certainly the case throughout - the scenery was amazing. If I forgot, for a moment to look around me, I would kick myself into trying to absorb as much as possible.
Running through a long valley during the second part of the race provided a reminder of how huge nature is, with these tiny human runners trying to get through. The mountains were magnanimous - it's the only word I can find.
Thunder rumbled throughout the whole of the second night we were running. This literally echoed around the mountain ranges. Trying to negotiate summit paths with this in the background was slightly frightening and felt very daring. Not your normal 10k post work run.
Running be forgotten : nature and the elements, the world was always yours.