Long run 1 of 3.

It was a scheduled for today. Sunday. The wife was having a few drinks last night and somehow broke her finger/hand. It happens! 

I got her rings off with some dental floss compressing the swelling before it was too late, took her in to the doctor, X-ray reveals a break. No long run today. 

I do have tomorrow, Monday, available however she has a broken hand and two kids to deal with it’s best if I stay in. 

Place your bets, race or no race due to Covid? Rumors abound we’ll be in lockdown for January.  Not sure how I’ll feel after committing a solid 20 weeks of training for nothing. It’s not even like I was running somewhere cool! 

Time is still moving fast. The kids are off school after tomorrow and I’m off work to watch them. I’m anxious about my upcoming training. I have three long runs scheduled over the Christmas break. The wife has agreed it’s ok for me to disappear those three days for 4-5 hours. I’m preparing myself to run at night just in case.

Previous photo, no fog

This kitchen project is beginning again. The new cabinets arrive Saturday so I’m off work to help pick them up with the carpenter and I’d assume we’ll start building them. I have a long run planned for Sunday so it’s safe to assume I won’t be running as promised during the day. There’s one night run. Ugh. Not looking forward to muddy trails, in the dark, for 4-5 hours. Fingers crossed the carpenter can’t do Sunday. On a positive note a shitty night run is great practice for race day! 

Logging road

Training is becoming tiresome. I’d expected this running the same route over and over in order to get the hills in. It is about this time when you are ready to be done, you’re tired, and need a solid break. That solid break will come early to mid January in the form of a reduction in training load and finally a taper. The ultimate goal to arrive at the starting line rested and having your body fully absorbed the training. 

Used this one for work

After these three closely spaced long runs over Christmas I have a rest week, and then the peak workouts I’d say are two days, back to back 30 - 32 miles.  I’ll take work off for these, then maybe one longish run of 16 - 18 miles. It’s funny running consistent 25 milers, anything in the ‘teens is just a regular distance and single digit runs, well, seem pointless! 

I got my first notification about the race with my number and what bus I’m riding to the start. It’s a staggered start due to Covid. I saw they canceled Arrowhead 135 in northern Minnesota which was a shame. Fingers crossed Arc goes on! Today they released the updated Covid restrictions and so far so good. 

Training continues.......

November into December

Whew, busy November. We were in lockdown so I was home from work. Fortunately the kids were at school and the wife working from home. So I got after it and did a ton of painting ceilings and walls, removed and rebuilt a cupboard in the kitchen to accommodate a new big refrigerator, removed the old fridge, repurposed the old fridge location as a pantry, removed and replaced the flooring in our downstairs bathroom, then a ton of little projects.....

 

Lame long run selfie

It’s been muddy! 

Ankle deep

Took advantage of the extra time during the day as well and caught up on sleep. The early morning running I love but it does wear me down. So a few shorter runs I normally do early I did in the afternoon. Besides there’s only so much painting in a 7 hour time span before you get dizzy! I feel bad saying it but it was great not being pestered by kids while trying to concentrate.

A little sun on the canal

Really fired up for this race. I probably mentioned this but previous 100’s I’ve only ran 2, maybe 3, 20 mile runs leading up to a race. I’m currently at 7 or so long runs and mostly 25 milers on hilly, muddy trails! Specificity! I’ve also been dead on with my strength and power work. Heard a podcast where a top women’s mountain biker said she only hit 80% of her training which was reassuring since I do get down if I miss workouts. I’ve only missed a couple long runs so I’m doing pretty good considering I’m training around family. 

Foggy morning 

Fog engulfing Stourport in the river valley

About 8 weeks until the Arc of Attrition 100 and things are going well. I’m finalizing my kit and have 4 big weeks of training coming up. Mostly two long runs a week. Then it slowly reduces down to a two week taper. As of now the race is going on but it looks like one threat is that if the covid goes up in my immediate area I may not be allowed to travel to the race in Cornwall. 

The UK has a three tier system that rates the severity of the infection rate specific to your immediate area. 1 low, 3 high. If you’re in tier 3 you’re not allowed to travel to lower tiers. Most of the country is in tier 2, Cornwall being rural is currently tier one. Fortunately we are tier 2 and it seems to be going down. Let’s hope it continues that way. I won’t be happy if a week out from the race after putting in all that training I’m not allowed to travel! 

So that’s where things are at for me. Back to work as of yesterday, running, trying to keep a smile on my face when I’m tired. In general everyone here has been in a good mood and happy. Been really nice, usually Christmas is a stress and I’m grumpy, must be the running!

Another week where life gets in the way. 

Our kitchen lights have been shit since we moved in. It’s an obvious DIY job gone wrong. We finally got the lights together and I finished painting the ceiling. The electrician arrives Wednesday and we’re expecting an easy fix. I’m also expecting to run an easy 7 - 10 miles so opt to not run early. 

12 hours of electrical work, cutting 5 access holes in the freshly plastered and painted ceiling, we only have 1/2 the lights working and I haven’t ran. I say “we” because the electrician is a friend and I’m there to help. He exposes an utter shit show of amateur work and plans to write out the circuit at home trying to figure out what the fuck this guy has done! 

A day goes by, I finish painting the toy room, and the electrician returns, today, Friday morning. I have a 25 mile run planned. 

I’m guessing it will be an easy in out within a hour. We have two lights to link up with the switches and the 14 other lights already linked and rewired. 

He’s got a few ideas, they don’t work. We then discover a hidden switch that has been linked to the other switch. The previous asshole didn’t have the correct wiring and used what he had,  using the earth as a live wire to link the switches! The reason why we ended with everything overloading. The friggin’ earth was live! 

So we end with answers, a plan to eliminate the dual switches, and a plan to avoid tearing apart the walls. He leaves four hours later leaving me with 2 hours to run 25 miles. Ain’t gonna happen.

Frustrated about training I motivate to at least get in 10 trail miles before the kids get home. I nearly just didn’t go. 

It was no one’s fault. It’s just an example of how life gets in the way. I struggle mentally with it though. It’s “just running“ says one side of my head, the other says “I need” to get the miles in! Training is going so well! 

During the entire run I tried to figure when I could run. Run 15 tonight after the kids go to bed, run early tomorrow and late at night, etc. the list goes on. I’m still toiling over it. It’s just running. 

Friday Long Run.... mainly photos!

Back into the groove again as the next four week cycle begins in training. Have had a decent week but still have today, Saturday, and tomorrow to go. Nothing crazy really but as I’ve learned life can build and get in the way. 

Had a solid long run yesterday. All of the photos are from it and taken with my GoPro. I didn’t edit any of them on the blog but if you happen to see them on Instagram or to the right they’ve definitely been manipulated a bit. Still getting used to using the camera for videos and still images.

Not much really to report. It was a sunny yet cool autumn day yesterday which was nice. Today looks to be rain all day for my planned 12 miles. It’s been really muddy where expected but fortunately no falls. Good testing though for shoes, mainly to see not only how well they grip but how well they drain water and shed mud.

Got to see the loggers working with their harvesters which was cool. I posted a photo in my last post of one of these machines. So cool how they fell the tree, cut all the branches off, then cut it into shorter lengths all without dropping the entire tree! 

Managed 25 miles and just shy of 4000 feet of vertical which was what I needed. I was expecting a couple more miles but my estimate came up a bit short. My foot continues to bother me but it’s runnable so I avoid spending money on getting it seen by a professional. I just need to be diligent with what remedies I know if I’m going to roll those dice a bit longer.  

Leading up to my goal 100 mile race the end of January I’ve ran more 20 plus mile training runs than ever before. I was having a look back at my training logs and it’s unreal how few I had ran! It looks like 2, maybe three 20 milers were my normal lead up. I have another 8 to 10 weeks of training until I taper and I’ve logged five 25 mile runs and one 20 miler! All with a suitable amount of vertical as well! Fingers crossed Covid doesn’t cancel the race! As long as this mild injury gets better things are right on track! 

Bonus of running through an orchard! 

Yes, a great day out running yesterday. And I’ve gotten a ton of house DIY done this week as well! 

I was trucking along really well and hit a speed bump! Last week I was exhausted from the accumulation of lack of sleep and it continued into the week. The kids were off school and I was expecting a tough week since I wouldn’t have time to run for four hours at once, my weekly long run. I also missed two other sessions, an easy 7 miler and a 10-12 miler. I wrote the week off. 

Logging equipment 

I knew it was coming and I think I actually needed a easy week. It’s mentally tough taking time off and getting off the program. You feel like you missed out, but it’s never advisable to try to “make up” the missed miles. This week I’ve got a rest week anyway, although it still involves a solid long run, just little to no strength work, so right back to it I’ll go. 

Newish shoes

As of this Thursday I’m off work due to another full lockdown. I believe I’ll still be paid fortunately and I do have plenty to do at home (interior house painting). The kids will still be in school, kind of an odd lockdown I guess! My wife will continue to work due to her usually working from home anyway. We’re damn fortunate thanks to her job situation. The government says “4 weeks,” we think it will last much longer. Yes, people will die, but I feel we’re just kicking the can down the road. Anyway... 

Autumn colors at cemetery 

Big bummer is all extracurricular activities are shut down. No martial arts, no football, no gymnastics, no gyms, no swimming. This hurts the most I feel, and not just for adults but for the kids. 

The Arc of Attrition is still slated to happen the end of January. Fingers crossed. I saw some video footage on Facebook of some of the race course and it’s amazing. Crazy single track with steep drop offs to the sea! It looks really rad! 

The virtual challenges are popping up again too. I’m considering a 100 mile training week as part of the Centurion Running “One Community Challenge.” A virtual event for charity put on by the Centurion race promotion company. I’ve done a handful of their races which are great. You get a belt buckle for a 100 mile week and I figure it would “commemorate” this era in running. They did the same before and I passed on it. I believe I have a big 75 mile week planned anyway so maybe could add an easy 25 more miles with little detriment, it’s also followed by a rest week going into December before I start my peak training loads. 

Dirt augered watch

Took a really nasty fall ten or so days ago. Slippery mud threw me about ten feet downhill. My watch, above, shows how bad I augered in! My watch band tore off but I found the parts and fortunately fixed it. I caught myself with my forearms and a knee. Tore my jacket and packed grit and rocks into my skin, nasty looking caked clay and mud with blood seeping through. I sacrificed some water to clean it up my knee in case it has livestock poop packed in there too. Shook me up pretty good honestly but still managed another 19 miles!

On to a few more days of work until lockdown but back at training again. I’m hoping the time off work will be productive for running as well. 

Life’s been busy. Normal routine really but it seems to be all consuming. 

I’ve stuck to the training plan so far. I don’t think I’ve deviated any more than anyone else with a busy life would which is good. This week is week 5 and fairly normal however mileages escalate in two weeks which will be challenging to fit in. I think I have a plan to get it done though. 

River Teme along Worcestershire Way 

As always sleep is a huge concern. I’ve had maybe 2 good nights of sleep within the past ten days. I’m otherwise interrupted by kids at night, have to sleep with kids, the house is too hot, or I’m wound up from martial arts. 

Woodbury Hill

Had one more 25 mile run on the Worcestershire Way before a rest week (last week). “Rest week” included a 17 mile run which I reduced to about 15. Mainly because my foot was bothering me a bit. Same old inside arch/ navicular of my left foot. I have started  more strengthening for it as well as some other “voodoo” I’ve been learning about at work to increase my proprioception and mobility in my foot. 

I got my hands on a new pair of trail shoes before the 25 miler which I was excited to try out. The Altra Olympus 4 had intrigued me when the rep brought them into work a year ago. Super cushioned and flexible. I’ve been enjoying the maximum cushioned Hoka Clifton on the road and wanted to try a trail shoe. The Olympus turned out ok. It’s big and clunky feeling, not quick and nimble, but at slow easy paces it was really nice. I think I still prefer the Altra Lone Peak but don’t want to invest in a new pair since it gets a major update this winter. Hopefully it will be available before the Arc of Attrition the end of January.

Altra Olympus 4

I guess so far so good with training however I’d like my foot to be 100%. Tomorrow another 25 miler on the Worcestershire Way which includes a deceiving and hefty 4000 feet of climbing. I was tempted to do a bunch of “back and forths” across a hilly section closer to home to get the vert in but we’ll see. 

Run commute in Worcester 

Long running and the disturbance of life

I nearly made it two weeks following a strict training plan and life gets in the way. Early morning training following a plan just isn’t  sustainable with all the stress married with kids throws at you. It’s fascinating, all I need is 12 - 15 hours a week, and I can’t. Outside factors such as sleep are so crucial and fuck everything up.

Worcestershire Way

I took work off yesterday to run a solid 25 trail miles with 3200 feet of vert. I felt like crap due to sleeping poorly the night before due to family. I got it done and feel alright today, good sign I guess with a while until race day. I only miss 4 hours of work when I do that so it’s not breaking the bank for me, I do work 6 days a week and my boss realizes I’m “working” when I’m running. Testing shoes, taking photos, etc.

GoPro shot for work, check out them hamstrings! 

I’m trying to stay positive about it all and at least focus on the main big workouts. I figure even if I just do the required long runs and strength I’m significantly ahead of what I’ve done in the past for ultra training. That’s the thought with 17 weeks to go. I’m sure wrenches will be thrown in the works, I’m already anticipating two. 

Panorama of Shaver’s End disused quarry 

The other day I received an email from the Arc of Attrition race director, it included their plans if the race needs to be altered due to COVID 19. A few modifications pertaining to crews, start and finish protocols. No big deal for me really since I’m alone all the time anyway. 

Took a fair amount of camera footage but the processing of it all is time consuming although fun to play with. I’m still uncomfortable taking selfies so the footage wasn’t that great. The quality is marginal on my computer too. 

The quarry above is a hot spot for kids to swim, although illegal. People die there every summer it seems. I’m curious how. The newspaper gives vague reports of “cold water shock” and hitting things underwater. I’ve never understood cold water shock, I’ve swam among floating, spring ice high in the mountains, Lake Superior, and other super cold water. I think alcohol is likely involved, I just want the real reason! People here are extremely paranoid of water. No swimming and danger signs litter the River Severn, a tiny river compared to what I’ve been around. At my wedding all my friends swam in it and people freaked out. I guess “wild swimming” as they call it is just not part of growing up here. 

Slowly going back to normal around here. Kids went back to school last Thursday for pretty much a normal schedule. They leave fifteen minutes earlier but otherwise it’s the same routine. I start working weekdays tomorrow and will begin run commuting again. These commutes, although short, really boosted my fitness last fall so I’m looking forward to cranking up the easy miles. 

The Arc of Attrition 100 is in 21 weeks, the last weekend in January. I’m hoping to get a solid training regimen started after this week. I’ve procured a stout but do able training plan via Uphill Athlete that I’m hoping to execute. My main focus will be the strength work and the long runs. I’m planning to take time off work in order to do it right. Too many times I’ve attempted to run Sundays, or around family, and it just has never worked. I feel pressured to be back or feel guilty about missing family time. I know my boss will let me take a random (or consistent) weekday off to train. I already work 6 days a week anyway and it’s not like it isn’t work related since I work at a running store! 

I’ve figured out some hilly routes that will enable me to get in the required vertical and miles, and also a solid enough hill for muscular endurance workouts. So I’m excited get it started hoping I can execute it appropriately.

My feet are still bothering me. Second toe on my right foot and around the navicular on my left (upper inside above the arch). I can run on these things but they are there, I just wish they’d go away. Fortunately it’s time to build a monster aerobic base so easy running it is. Both feet feel like they need a good stretch, so I’ve been trying to just get them mobile. 

So life is feeling a bit more normal, things seem to be smoothing out a bit, so let’s hope it stays that way. 

Camera fun on the Wyre

An easy run playing with my camera today on the Wyre Forest. Having a lot of fun, once I figure out all functions and options I’ll try to implement more of a plan. 

Well my first try at film editing. It was difficult as I was learning how to use the GoPro app, poor WiFi, and of course kid factor likely played a part. I see a lot of places for improvement to make it flow and transition better but I’m impatient so I’m posting it! 

So my injuries are either getting better or I’m just dealing with them. Maybe they were never that bad? Who knows! Slowly returning my mileage back to normal. When school starts, this Thursday, and I am working, I’ll easily be getting more easy miles in which is something to look forward to. 

Heading up Carding Mill Valley

The wife took the kids to her sister’s in Wales Saturday overnight so I painted the house all day. Sunday I got up super early and drove an hour to Church Stretton and got in a fantastic 10 mile trail run on The Long Mynd, an area of steep grass covered hills and ravines. I’d raced out there before (Stretton Skyline fell race) so was a bit familiar. 

Sunrise from top of The Long Mynd, Carding Mill descending to the right.

Top of The Long Mynd

I timed it perfectly with the sunrise and of course I avoided the crowds. When I left the ranger asked if I’d paid for parking and we talked a bit. I had parked in a valley called Carding Mill, a popular tourist spot and trailhead. It’s a holiday weekend and he said they have had to turn people away because it’s been so busy. 

Ashes Hollow

I bought a GoPro camera and wanted to test it out somewhere cool. Brecon Beacons is two hours away and Church Stretton only one. It made me realize there’s really cool stuff close by. I’ve been trapped here and close to home by the British long drive mentality I think. I’ve been on the fence for a year about a GoPro, not that I can afford it making such little money, but I never buy anything so decided to. All the photos are unfortunately phone photos. Once I figure out my GoPro I’ll post what I’ve got from that. So you are missing out on the cool single track canyons! I’ll be putting videos on YouTube so have a look. I’ll post as I can and will likely be short snippets until I figure out editing. Try this link:

https://www.youtube.com/user/expatsamson

Caer Caradoc from Ragleth

Steep track up Ragleth

Panoramic from Ragleth looking at The Long Mynd

It was a much needed, although short, escape from life.  Between covid-19, furloughed from work, a struggling marriage, kids out of school, it was a nail pulled from the coffin for a change. I look at my life currently and it’s tough; I live in a foreign country, no family near, no close friends, no career, any career experience gone, no savings, I’m struggling to see any positives in my future. I was worried about this happening becoming a stay at home dad, I could rant on about how everyone here said I could go back to school, take a course, etc. when I voiced my concerns about my future but I have no one to blame but myself. 

It’s not all gloom and doom, my current job, although part time currently, does possibly have big potential, however it’s intimidating stepping into something when I look back at other things I’ve left behind. 

If it all crumbles maybe I’ll take my expensive camera and run home. Is this how people decide to do these things? 

2020 is turning out to be poop for running as well. Still dealing with this toe issue. And I had high hopes for a really cool race in Wales next year but since we have no one to watch the kids that’s out of the question too. 

I was looking at my fitness level from fall 2019 and it was erupting. Super consistent running, 60 mile weeks, and the gains I made were huge. Then it dropped a bit due to doing absolutely nothing on vacation in Minnesota, but within a week of returning I was back increasing. So I added some speed work, as you do, got injured, out for nearly 8 weeks. Then a huge drop in fitness and I’m back crawling out of hole only to end up where I am, injured, due to speed work. 

I not too concerned. If I can be back running 40 - 60 mile weeks this fall I have plenty of time to be in top form for the Arc of Attrition 100 miler the end of January. I just miss getting out I guess. 

I’ve been wanting to do a longer race and recently I got a reminder of entries opening for the Dragon’s Back Race. A stage race the runs the entire length of Wales from north to south. It’s 6 days of 50km to 70km a day (about 30 - 45 miles) with nightly stops at a camp where everything is provided. It’s not cheap but is only ran every two years in September. 2021 is perfect due to everything being pushed back a year I have zero chance of getting in any of my normal bucket list races. It’s affordable for me because they have the payment split into tri monthly installments. However, due to having kids, and no one to watch them or help out at home while my wife works, it’s not going to happen. Now I’m worried about bigger goals in Europe I’ve had. 

Just trying to stay sane while not being able to get out. 

I’ve been dealing with a banged up tendon on my toe so am taking a break from running. The other night at Muay Thai I bruised it pretty good, it’s seeming better but still best to rest. Besides that I may have mentioned with shorter days mornings are becoming tougher to motivate for. Holy shit though am I itching for a fun day out somewhere cool. 

So yet another boring Sunday. I motivated and had a good hour at least of JKD and managed a small pile of push ups, pull ups, and dips. So I guess I earned a beer. Not that I drink much, but am disappointed in my kids. All they want are screens. I’ve been chilling between the hot tub and the kiddie pool all afternoon  listening to music. Until I hear the droning on of “dddddaaaaaddddyyyy” when then want something. Usually something they are fully able to do themselves. Sundays suck. Always at home. Always boringly demanding. Sometimes I wish I was a homebody. Someone who enjoyed doing nothing. Because that’s what my life has become. 

I look at Strava and the cool long runs or bike rides people go and do every Sunday. Must be fun to hang out with like minded people enjoying being outside. 

Other than the days getting shorter this summer seems to be taking forever. It's seemingly endless, which sounds like a good thing, but I'm ready for it to be over. I have a tiny bit more me-time with work when the kids are at school. Well I guess it will come soon, only about three and half weeks until they are back I think. 

early morning country lanes

We are back at the academy training however with little to no people contact. Any contact is with a heavy punching bag or via kali sticks which is better than nothing. JKD has been great because with the schedule change there are now two black belt specific classes a week! I've been enjoying it but with early morning running, kids all day, then class, I forgot how foggy my brain can be at night. Any technical classes can be difficult. 

van by the river

The kids are back at their Tae Kwon Do class as well which has been good. I've been taking part in order to pad feed so it's essentially a normal class for them. Annabelle has been insisting on going twice a day as well! There's been a morning class, which we are taking full advantage of, and then an evening class on Wednesday and Friday. It's been an easy option to get the kids out of the house which has been good. Unfortunately I work Saturday so we can't get to the class that day as well. Colby seems a bit more interested now but time will tell with him, he's really interested in what I do but just too little. There will likely be a point where TKD will no longer be good for Annabelle, it's very kick intensive, which she will run into significant difficulty with, but there are other options; kids kickboxing and also kids krav maga if she decides to continue.

berry season snacks

Running is running. I had been increasing speed work and trying to focus on a longer run toward the weekend and of course too much too soon brings injury. I know better you'd think however fast is fun, and such a release during tough times. My feet are both bothering me, medial inside of my left foot and my second metatarsal head on my right foot. Both runnable, but do cause discomfort, mental and physical. I need to resolve them though. I couldn't handle another big lay off like spring. A lot going on in life right now and I need the escape. 

sunrise

Any big plans or ideas are on hold, not that anything was set in stone, but it's always nice to have a plan just in case time opens up. Autumn is usually a better time for trail running anyway as most trails can be really overgrown this time of year. No one like running through fields of nettle.    

kitten annoying me post run. For once everyone slept in.