So on Friday at 9pm I tackled a local ultra challenge, a 75 mile unmarked route with 20,000ft of elevation. The course is a mixture of peat bogs, fells and footpaths and you have 24 hours to complete it.
So I had a 22h 40m schedule. The first mistake I made was setting off at 9pm, This one gave me 1h 30 mins of daylight running before tackling the toughest and highest section in the dark. The mist came in and with visibility down to around 2 metres, this made running nearly impossible and I stumbled from one bog to the next.
By the time the sun rose I was an 1 hour behind schedule.
The second problem with starting at 9pm was stomach issues. To lead your day as normal and eat as normal and then starting running 75 miles, is just stupid. However that is what I did and from 3 miles, the stomach issues began (never had wind like it). This conitnued throughout the night and Into the daylight.
Once the sun rose I was began on the schedule but still 1 hour behind. So as I reached the 37 mile point, I stopped for a toilet break and hoped that it would relieve the stomach issues. Again I lost time (20 mins) and this left me right on the cutoff.
I persevered until 14 hours 45 miles and 9000ft of climbing but the stomach cramps just wouldn’t ease. So I decided to abandoned the attempt and will go back next year in June and start at 2am.
Last Saturday I ran in a Lakeland Classic Fell Race In Ennerdale. For those who arent familiar with fell racing. It is a self navigation and unmarked race up and down crazy ascents and descents, with several checkpoints along the way (that you have to reach within a time limit). This race was 23.1 miles with 7500ft of climbing. No aid stations!!!! You just carry and find your own water on the route.
The start was at 10.45am along ennerdale lake and the first climb of the race was after 3 mile (and was awful). I suffered a spasm in my left calf and head to keep stretching it. This left me second last at the summit and checkpoint one (still well within the cutoff).
At the top of checkpoint one was a fell running legend (infact the fell running legend) Joss Naylor. I stopped for a quick photo and was now inspired to move on and run the cramp off.
Checkpoint 2 was relatively flat and saw me pick up a couple of places. They was only one climb and that was short and steep (no cramp though).
The run to checkpoint 3 was the toughest when i recced it. However, I had learned some better routes down the scree and up the brutal climb to the checkpoint. Again i was moving forward and managed to pick off another 4.
The run to checkpoint 4 took you past a river and a chance to stock up on water. Then the push up to Green Cable and her 800 metre summit. Again i was moving OK and managed to pick off a couple more.
The next checkpoint 5 was on the top of Kirk Fell and involved a great little run down the scree and a tough climb in the heat to Kirk Fell Summit. Again I picked off a couple more runners and now had the dangerous descent of Kirk Fell.
The descent off Kirk Fell is notoriously dangerous and we were warned about it at the safety briefing. The descent is called Red Gully (and my toes still have the red clay in bedded into them today. I paired up with another runner for the descent and we slipped and slided ourselves to the bottom. Now onto checkpoint 6 at the Summit of Pillar and the last cut off point. Pillar is the highest point of the race at 892m. I struggled in the heat and the climbing and my quads were heavy. I got there well within the cut off and was still gaining places.
Onto Haycock at checkout 7 which involved a tough descent and ascent and a short cut around a mountain (which a few runners missed, so i got several places back). A walker offered me water and I gladly accepted.
Then onto checkpoint 8 along a runnable and flatish part of the course. I passed runners and others passed me, so god know what position i was in. I asked if marshall at the checkpoint “that must be all the climbing down, as we are still 700 metres high?”. The reply wasnt what i hoped for “one tough climb and one descent”. I really wasnt sure if my legs had a climb left in them.
So off to the last checkpoint and it was al lovely down hill, until there it was the last climb and checkpoint 9. I took a few rests on the way up and even more swear words but i got there. It was awesome to hear these words “you have 2 mile down hill to go”
So off i skipped downhill and onto the finish straight. Here i noticed i may get under 7 hours (the winner finished in 3h 30 mins), so i bashed my quads even more and got home in 6h 59ms 41 secs. In 284th out of 315. I will take that.
Onto the mcwilliams ultra round next and then a bloody rest.
So as training intensifies, I have to add more elevation to my training. Living in the North of England means one thing ‘a trip to the Lake District’.
The Lake district has some absolute superb running routes and we attempted the 30 mile course with 11000 ft of elevation called the”Tea Round”. It is called the Tea Round, as it is all the peaks that can be seen for a tea shop in Keswick. Cat Bells, Robinson, High Stile,Grisedale Pike, Hobcarton Crag, Eel Crag, Sail, Causey Pike, Rowling End and Barrow.
I have already completed it twice in 11h 50 mins and 10h 48 mins. The plan was for around 9 hours.
I set off with a friend and we set off on a damp morning around 7am. The first climb is after around 3 mile (cat bells) and it was an absolute calf burner. We made good time and had completed it within an hour. Then onto Robinson and you couldnt see the summit for the low cloud. We again mad good time and made the summit within 2 hours. A steep descent in Gatesgarth and then the toughest climb (high stile). Finally we found a good line upto the summit and we on track for 9 hours. The descent was tough due to the rain and we both took a tumble.
The next climb up Whiteless Pike and it was energy sapping, my quads were on fire. A quick refill of water for a beck and onto Hobcarton Crag. It was on the way upto Hobcarton that my friend started to feel dizzy and unwell so at this point after 18 miles and 8000ft of climbing, we called it a day.
I wont lie, i was disappointed and felt like a sub 9 hour round was achievable. However, my friends health was the priority. He told me on to the 6 mile return to Keswick, that he had a stroke 10 year ago and had same symptoms up there.
So it was the correct decision and we go again. Next weekend a trip to Scafell Pike (Englands Highest peak).
So at the weekend John Kelly an American endurance athlete broke the Pennine way course record in the UK
For those that aren’t familiar with the Pennine Way. Its is a trail stretching from north Derbyshires peak district, upto the scottish borders in Northumberland. It even includes a section along Hadrians Wall. It is 268 miles and total ascent of 12000 metres. The trail is tough and has weather to match it.
John completed the course in an unbelievable 58h 4mins and only had 20 mins sleep.
Why i am I writing this blog?
As on Sunday i got up at 4.30,am and travelled an hour down the country to the beautiful Middleton-in-Teesdale. I knew John would be passing through there and wanted to show my support. So i planned a 10 mile run to the beautiful High and Low Force waterfalls. I knew i would pass John and cheer him on.
When i found him. I could not believe the pace he was going and this was after 100 miles of running over brutal terrian (he averaged around 13 min miles for the whole course. WOW!!!!). He was so focused and so controlled in his tempo and breathing. I said some words of encouragement and he quietly replied “thanks” (not even audible on the video. Then he was gone in the distance.
That 20 secs of seeing him run has left me with no excuses. I always say my legs and frame arent built for mountain running, yet John is the same build as me. If not even slighter. It all comes down to determination.
Yes, i won’t be breaking any records like John. However, i sometimes need to stop look for excuses to why i cannot push myself more and knuckle down and do it.
This week i will be in the Lake District running the Abraham Tea round. A 29 mile (11,000 ft) self navigated course. I will let you know how it was soon.
I am a big Tommy Rivs fan and have been so excited about the release of running shoe that he has been designing along with Craft Sportswear.
Even more so when they got released here in the 🇬🇧. So as soon as I could then i ordered some.
Yes the are expensive but after todays first run in them, i am already in love.
Even when you first put them on and walk to the front door, u can feel the shoes design trying to make you push off from the front of your foot.
Once out of the door i did 7 mile with a mixture of road and firm trails. The shoe was bouncy and responsive on both surfaces. I couldn’t feel any of the rocks or tree stumps, as i ran over them and had plenty of grip.
My feet stayed cool throughout and will be a god send when the summer finally arrives. The only negative was the shoes were not very responsive or stable over a short muddy section. However the shoes arent designed for that terrian and will be left behind, when i hit the fells.
I am no shoe expert but these shoes are a big improvement on my Nike Air Pegasus Trail 2. Yes, they arent cheap but if you love running, then why not treat yourself.
In October I ran upto the top of Crossfell 893m (the highest peak in England, oustide the Lake District) and then back down. A 15 mile route and 2200ft of climbing. I had been struggling for weeks with pain in my adductors and abdominal muscles and the pain was worse on this run. I ended up struggling back in 3 hours and 30 mins. Time for a trip to the doctor.
After a couple of months and a MRI, the consultant diagnosed me with osteitis pubis. I was referred to a physio and started to undergo a programme of rebuilding the strength in my glutes and hamstrings. No running for 2 months and then a return to running programme.
Fast forward to today and i returned to the crossfell to see how i had progressed. The uphill was great (as great as running up a mountain can be) but involved some walking.
The downhill return was much quicker and down wind. The last mile was a little uncomfortable and i could feel it in my left adductor. However it was nowhere near as painful as it was in October.
I ended a full 44 minutes quicker and in alot less pain. So happy days and here is to progression.
This weeks training was a tough week. It included 28 miles and 2800ft of elevation, 2 strength sessions (one with physio) and 5 mile on my bike (to test whether it aggravated my Osteitis Pubis).
I managed a 49 min 10k on Monday. It was a suprise, as i was just running on feel. I can only put it down to the power from my strength sessions and my paying attention to my form.
Tuesday was a 25 min recovery run (i love recovery runs). Wednesday was a hill stride session, Thursday 52 minutes endurance paced off road and Friday was a beautiful rest day.
Saturday was a trip to the physio, who was happy with my progress and gave the greenlight for increased intensity in my running.
Today was a return to the route i ran two weeks ago and an extra mile. The three hills were tougher than the last time and involved some extra walking. However i had more strength and speed for the final 2 miles downhill.
A wrong choice of shoe didnt help, as it was to early in the year for the Altra Timps. However, you live and learn.
So that is the first week back training for Junes attempt at the Mcwilliams around ultra.
I ended up with 22.7 miles and 1758ft worth of elevation. All miles that were done on local muddy trails. I have sacrificed distance for elevation and will continue to do so. I struggled with the uphills but am not worried about that, as the climbing will return with training.
I also included two strength sessions amd continued to focus on weighted deadlifts and squats. They have helped me through the Osteitis Pubis rehabilitation and are no ingrained it my workload.
This week will see a little progression in my long run (20 mins) but will still include 2 strength sessions (one with my physio).
The aim will be to end up with around 25 miles and 2000ft in elevation.
Michael wants 2 run further 
