Been nearly a month since my last post! Didn't realize that! Well running has been going alright, just trying to find that balance of running and sleep. I know I'm not sleeping enough and it hit me last night. After a busy day at work and working in 16 miles of running by waking early, run commuting, and a lunch break run I got home and was wrecked. I went to bed at 815 and was very happy I did!

I woke at 350 am after a really good night's sleep in the hopes of running 20 miles before 7 am but from the get go I didn't feel well. Just tired overall. I figured I'd wake up and feel better but that never happened.  I opted out at 15 miles so can't complain. Probably a good decision.

A little over a week ago I took a day off work and ran 20 miles. I felt great and enjoyed the day out. The best part was that afterwards I felt fine. Normally I'd expect to be super tired and hungry but I wasn't which was a good sign and definitely motivating for the up and coming Thames Path 100. I ran on trails that follow the River Severn so as far as race specificity you can't get much closer. I very comfortably ran 815 minute miles which is slow for me. Over a 100 miles, if I average 9 - 10 minute miles, I'd hopefully be in the top 10. Last year 10th averaged an 11:54 per mile pace. 2nd place ran 10 minute miles! I've always struggled with keeping it so easy, I need to really focus on it this year as it may be the missing piece of the the entire strategy.

I also started a pretty nasty weight routine for my legs. There's a couple guys who coach alpine climbers, nordic skiers, mountain runners, and ski mountaineers who recommended a killer leg routine specific to going uphill for a long time. It's mainly squats, jump squats, lunges, step ups using initially body weight but then adds weight via weight vest or backpack. I figure if I can make my legs bomb proof for the mountains I'd hope they'll be invincible on the flats. It takes about 40 minutes and I've got serious soreness a day or two after.

I've taken a step back on my upper body calisthenics. I was making good progress and started working towards one arm push ups but after a solid set of pull ups my right AC joint in my shoulder flared. It hurt enough for me to even consider a doctor visit. He pretty much told me what I already know but it was comforting to know it just needed some rest and strengthening. So I'm taking an upper body break but excited to get back at it.

JKD is trucking along. They've now started once a month black belt classes which I'm really psyched about. For the past couple months I've been helping the lower grades which has been very rewarding but it will be good to focus on some different stuff too.

Things overall are going alright on this dank dirty island. Really enjoying my hobbies and am looking forward to bettering myself as I get older.           

So I think it's safe to say I did not get picked in the Tor des Geants lottery. I have yet to receive an e-mail confirming and people are being added to the runners list. I kind of wish there was a confirmed "not in" list. I had two names in the hat this year and honestly I'm kind of glad I didn't get picked. I can hopefully assume I'll get in next year and plan ahead for it financially and with my training. This year they said if you don't get picked three years in a row the fourth year you are automatically in. With the growth of the sport it's possible this could change but either way I'll have a ton of names in the hat increasing my odds. I believe they do it similar to Western States where the number of times you're in the lotto multiplies in some fashion to increase your odds.

Jan 31st run commute into Worcester for work

Race plans! So I think I'll stay in the Thames Path 100 which is the first weekend in May. Main reason to stay is that I've already got a hotel room booked and I'll lose money by pulling out. I should be capable of finishing it which will give me 5 points towards the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc lottery and a Western States 100 qualifier. I then am most likely to add in the South Wales 100 which is mid June. This race will give me 6 UTMB points and finalize the amount I need to try for that lottery in 2020, which is very difficult to get into, much like WS100. Added bonuses: UTMB and Tor des Geants are BOTH Hardrock 100 qualifiers. Hardrock is a notorious race in Silverton, Colorado. Likely the most difficult to get in to.

Trail run during "fool's spring"

Downside to all these lotteries? What if I try for all three and I get in to all three or even two? Well as much as I'd like to do WS100 again it's very expensive with flights and I've done it. It's the first lottery of all three and if you get picked they automatically charge your credit card and there's no refund. UTMB is the second lotto, and I believe they give an option to NOT enter if you're chosen, and only lose a 10 euro fee, no big deal. The Tor is the same, you can back out and not lose anything more than a 10 euro fee. If time and money weren't an issue I could easily do WS100 and one of the other two races. However Tor and UTMB are within a couple weeks of each other so a tall order physically to do both.

I do still dream of having my kids finish WS100 around the track with me. I unfortunately may have to hope this to happen at UTMB or Tor, both races equivalent in importance to me. 

I hate to say it but WS100 I may not even take the chance despite having "lost" the lotto the past two years and having a pretty high chance of getting in. With no back out option it's just too much of a financial gamble. However UTMB and Tor I'd try for both for sure since I can back out.

evidence that the shittiest season here is at least moving on

Back to summer race plans. The South Wales 100 starts just north of Cardiff and does a loop around the Brecon Beacons. It's a tough course, 20,000 vert, but I'm familiar with the difficult sections. There's also a possibility of my family stopping by due to my sister-in-law living very near Cardiff. I'm normally alone and it would be fun to see the kids during the race. It's oddly a Friday night start which from a spectating perspective makes it convenient time-wise on Saturday, and maybe even for a daylight finish, that is just as long as the notorious Wales weather stays in check!

I acquired a -20F sleeping bag on eBay for cheap so if by chance I want to do a winter ultra, such as Arrowhead 135 or more likely Rovaniemi 150 in Finland, I've got the most expensive piece of gear covered. There was a downside to getting the bag on eBay though. It was advertised as "Mountain Hardwear Ghost (?) -40." The guy thought it was a Ghost which is indeed a -40. I assumed it was a -40 bag. It was used on Kilimajaro so was definitely an expedition bag. It arrived and and had no identifying marks on it but was in excellent condition. Only the "Mountain Hardwear 775 Down" logo and also their waterproof breathable logo "Conduit SL." The label had been cut off. I knew it was at least a -20 bag but which one? The Wraith -20, which I've owned in the past, had the model embroidered on it. This has no embroidery. I did a little googling, contacted Mountain Hardwear, and we came to the conclusion that it was a King Tut XL -20 bag. Just fine for winter ultra requirements! Great! But there's one big problem. I can't confirm 100% to someone at gear check at a race that this IS indeed what it is! Without any model numbers or names on it all I've got is a Mountain Hardwear 775 down filled, Conduit SL sleeping bag! So I guess I'll attempt to resolve that if or when the time comes.

430 am along the canal, water pipeline construction

With my training I need to start doing a long run every week, about 15 - 25 miles in order to prep for Thames Path. I'm running alright, about 50 plus mile weeks, with a couple minor injuries that I'm not too concerned about. I did however come across some training on muscular endurance used for the Tor des Geants and expedition climbing. It's a strength workout that starts with body weight and slowly adds weight via weight vest or backpack. It builds muscular endurance in the legs via squats, squat jumps, box steps, and lunge motions basically making your legs bombproof. I've already incorporated this and am excited to see the outcome. The main article on it I found was from an American who I believe finished the Tor in 13th place! He said the weight exercises made a huge difference. The coach is also very well known for training not only elite alpine climbers but also nordic skiers.

So, back at it until life throws another speed bump!