Sore throat started February 10. It hasn’t built into anything other than a little sniffle here and there but it’s hanging on exhausting me. I was glad it started near the beginning of a rest week and also a week of kids off school but I’m still feeling wiped out. When these waves hit I wonder why I put the time in to do these races. No one other than me is really interested. 

Another downer my friend in Cornwall messed his ankle up so we’ve cancelled our training weekend in North Wales. More worried about my buddy getting back running than going to Wales. He said it wasn’t broken at least but will be off running for two weeks! I’m sure he’s going crazy not training! 

I’m ready for warmer weather. Even on sunny days the wind bites here. The high moisture content in the air makes temps in the 30’s and 40’s miserably uncomfortable. Give me negative numbers in the dry any day! It’s fascinating how much the moisture has an impact. 

Spring is coming! 

Trying to follow along with the Nordic Ski World Championships in Slovenia. So miss that sport. I always thought myself to be a much better skier than a runner, but always felt running was way more bad ass! Ha ha ha! I have roller skis but never use them. I’ve considered doing a cool classic race like the Vasalloppet in Sweden. I think it’s 90km of classic skiing, largest in the world! That would be an experience! I could easily train without snow, swap my long run to a long ski, focus a bit more on strength specific to skiing, it can be done. It lingers in the back of mind for the future.

Other than the constant mental battle to get out there training is chugging along for UTS 100 in May. I’m planning to add some speed work in that I’ve never done before. Will make me faster on the flats and downhills, something I really lack. Looking back at my UTMB training the treadmill hikes were a key session so I’ll likely start those soon too. 

School is back in session tomorrow and fingers crossed this illness subsides. 

Flooding and photos

To start a few before and after photos of the River Severn flooding. This is a normal occurrence here in the winter but has in the past flooded above and beyond normal causing all sorts of issues. I did enjoy a bit of exploring to avoid the flooding, it’s easy to get frustrated though, when time is limited I like to have an idea of where I’m going and when I’ll be back.

 Ran out the Worcestershire Way a couple weeks ago for something different. It’s an out and back run which is very scenic but running from the house can be a bit blah vert-wise so I drive a few miles to start where the hills are best. I prefer to run from home as it’s more time efficient but doing this I am able to get in an extra 900-1000 feet of vert over 20 miles as compared to my normal 20 mile run from home route. I also dip into territory of some of the Worcester area clubs and their Strava segments. Am considering running out here more to tick off some of the King of the Mountain segments for fun. 

Cold morning but kept the mud a bit more solid.

Not exactly sure what this is but a herd was fenced in at a farm in Abberley

Training is ticking along. I’m meeting my friend Greg from Cornwall in Manchester the first weekend in March and we are driving to North Wales for a few days of running. Hopefully the weather is good. It can be really nasty there. Hoping to cover a bit of the UTS 100 race course. Tough running up there, lots of vert and the terrain can be very technical. I’ve ran a pretty good chunk of the race course however the northern section, which I believe is the most technical, I have not. Should be a fun weekend away. It’s always strange leaving the family behind but once I’m in the moment it’s all good! 

Frozen water

Cold but sunny out,  can’t complain

River Teme during flood stage

Top of Abberley Hills

I guess mainly a photo post. Not much to talk about. Life is ticking by. Had a birthday last month, I turned 46, even though I swear I’m 47! Doesn’t matter much really, just another day. So on we go.