Keeping flexible

So I'm all healed, running well, and lacking motivation! My longest run since Lakeland has been 10 miles although my pace has been consistently below 7 minute mile pace, even dipping below 6 minute mile pace a few times. Not really 100 mile training that's for sure. Cotswold Century is in 10 days and I was unsure of how to recover, start training again, then taper over an eight week period. Well considering the wife is VERY pregnant I've accepted the fact that if Cotswold doesn't happen it's ok. 

Yes, any chance of getting into UTMB is gone but with so many other races I have options. Besides if I really do want to race in Chamonix I do qualify for two other shorter races. Options are good, right? The crazy ass huge option is to enter the lottery for the Tor des Geants in Italy (September). A vastly more difficult race than UTMB. Twice as far, 200 miles, I think three times the vertical, 75,000 feet. The race is won in 70 hours. Other races that I'm looking into are GUCR, the Grand Union Canal Race (May 23), 145 miles Birmingham to London along the canal. I've enquired about entry and this race seems like a great option considering where I train. A "classic" UK ultra that seems to be overlooked by many since it's "only along a canal". It has a very small field and they only allow maybe 40 unsupported runners, they prefer runners with crews following them the entire race. I'm sure it make their logistics far easier, understandable. 

I've done some sweet races here but have yet to do a European race. I feel I need to take advantage of living so close but with family and cost I seem to keep staying close to home. 

Change of topic, now after a few years of consistent running I feel I've got a solid base mileage but am hugely lacking speed. Running the Worcester Marathon on a whim for a "training run" and easily running 3 hours shows this. I'm considering focusing on a spring marathon at 2:45. I figure if I can get the leg speed from a decent marathon training plan all I need to do is add in some longer runs focusing on ultra distances and things could improve drastically. Obviously this is in an ideal world. Things like injuries, motivation, family, NEW BABY BOY, race course specifics (elevation, terrain, etc.) all would need to be considered and factored in. This plan does line up nicely with any plans for GUCR.

This Saturday I'll be running my first 5km in probably 20 years! And my first road 5km as well! Two of my co-workers and I are taking part in the Worcester City Run/Bike/Run Duathlon. We are in the team category where each of us run one of the legs. I'm the anchor doing the 5km! Kind of excited to see how I do but wish I would've done more speedwork. I'll be super happy if I break 17:00, that's about 5:28 per mile pace. I did an 8 miler last week and averaged around 6 minute miles so I'd like to think it's possible. 

Otherwise in general I'm just out running to run. I've been having trouble adjusting to the darker mornings but everytime I get out I feel good. It's nice to feel good! 

Berlin Wall, 100 miles.

More and more this is very intriguing, 100 miles following the Berlin Wall. I'd assume it's flat which caters to my training grounds. http://www.100meilen.de/en. Considering the uncertainty of UTMB I've been looking for alternatives. Yeah it's not a big mountain race but as I've found out at Lakeland it's tough to race in the mountains without training in the mountains, this seems like an excellent option. 

Planning ahead for once

So I went and did it. Entries for 2015 Lakeland 100 opened today. I registered for the 100. I believe it filled in 30 minutes. I figured I'll need a big race to keep up any sort of qualifying for other races (like Western States 100) and LL100 is the main race here in the UK. So if I don't get into UTMB for 2015 I've got something big, fun, and familiar planned. Considered the LL50 as a lead up to UTMB but then I'd lose the opportunity to qualify for other events, plus UTMB isn't guaranteed. If by chance I get into UTMB I'll most likely do both, the altitude and mountains will be extremely hard to train for here so just finishing will be the main focus. 

I ran all of last week with minimal pain in my foot, even had a hard 8 miler Saturday which I felt great for. Cotswold is coming up in four weeks, still unsure of the foot for that distance but if it doesn't happen not much I can do about it. Glad I'm in LL100 so if UTMB doesn't happen I've have a back up, even if it isn't a new race that was a great event.