We get stronger in running endeavors by stressing the body and allowing it to recover. In training though you need to consider all the stress around you as it will have an impact on your training. Well, all that life stress has caught up I think and currently there’s seemingly no escape. Running has become extremely difficult. I normally pop off a 20 plus mile trail run like it’s nothing. Monday I made it 16 and felt like complete crap for the entire thing and it’s not because I’ve lost fitness having an erratic week or two of training, it’s life stress. There is no escape or recovery besides time. 

95% sure I’ll drop out of UTS 100, I just can’t effectively train for it. I’m considering a late summer 100. Possibly North Downs Way 100 which I’ve never done or maybe Autumn 100 as it’s a convenient out and back set up. Both races have low vert and probably easier to train for. I really enjoy these but I’d like to enjoy the experience and without the ability to train it’s not going to happen. I’m not upset at all, just being realistic I guess. Life happens. 

For now I’m just trying to run when I can and keeping it easy. It’s hard knowing how I “should” be feeling and having no control over it. I can’t just rest a few days, eat more, self massage, etc. it is what it is I guess. 

Two photos that’s aren’t that great but may be interesting. First is the tail end of a deer that lives here, it’s funny seeing them compared to a mule deer or a white tailed deer as these things are the size of a dog! Tiny! Second is my sprints hill I normally use one a week. It’s on a farm that’s used for motocross. It’s steep and fairly short but I can get a minute plus of straight up sprinting on it so good enough for my needs. It goes lower and higher too. Crap photo really! Hill sprints recruit fast twitch muscle fibres, short sprints (10-60 seconds) with a full 3 minutes of recovery keep the aerobic system off line and train the anaerobic system. Lungs don’t even feel like they are working until the end of the sprint but the legs need to burn.

Read an interesting instagram post from a guy I follow. He’s ex military, big into strength training and jiu jitsu. He’s in his forties and was talking about training loads, recovery, skill attributes and practice. As we age we obviously lose the ability to get much stronger than we are and recover quicker. Yes, gains can be made but it’s far more difficult with time working against you. Skills training isn’t inhibited by age. So he’s cut back his strength training and has increased his skills training (jiu jitsu). Makes sense. 

Typical grey day, ready for sun

I’ve been struggling with what to do as far as juggling running and martial arts around life. I’m finally working more which is awesome, but other family factors have come into play causing stress and limiting available time to be away. My daughter has epilepsy and things are beginning to change with her and this is number one obviously, but I selfishly do want to get out and run, be alone outdoors. It’s not that I can’t get away, it’s that I shouldn’t. Mornings I need to be there just in case. I also need to be involved as a leader possibly in her extra curricular activities in order for her to confidently take part. This is important to me. As much as I want to give 100% to these ultras, am I able to still enjoy the experience and focus a bit less on training? I don’t know, and unfortunately won’t know until I race. Martial arts I can easily practice skills at home around family, running I need to be away. 

On my way to run some hill sprints

I’ve had a mild sniffle and cough for nearly a month. I’ve had this before and it supposedly lasts four weeks. With all this going on I haven’t felt the best running due to whatever this illness is. My training had fallen behind, nothing too bad, but it definitely has been frustrating and has ruined any drive I had for UTS 100. I know I can train around family but it’s difficult without drive, I did it for UTMB. Maybe these are all signs to move on from these long races?  Once again lessen the running and increase my skills? My running has become very routine as well. I’ve got a reliable training plan but I’m on my fourth or maybe fifth iteration of it and it’s becoming stagnant.

Lonely tired noodle around town after work 

Life stress adds up, toss in a stubborn cold, a long British winter, I’m ready for early sunrises and warm weather. Life is always in flux. 

Signs of spring