What next? I keep coming back to this question when it comes to running ultras. Is it really a 200 mile race for me? I guess I’d always talked about Tor des Geants. That’s what that is! It’s intimidating due to the mountain factor, the vert involved, not necessarily the distance. There are other races in this category now. Moab 240, Tahoe 200, Cocodona 250. All three in cool places that I’ve either lived or spent a significant amount of time. But, they are too far from England where I live. The races are expensive to begin with then add on travel. Oof! Too much! I look closer to the UK and you’ve got races such as the Spine here but it seems the one to do is in winter. Wet. Dark. Cold. Doesn’t really interest me. A new 200 near London launches this summer I believe but just not into the scenery. Maybe I return to chasing the Tor? Or maybe I save my money on the expensive entry and travel to a 100 miler in the US? I’d love to run Leadville or even run Superior again! 

I feel as if my head is becoming straight again and I’m excited about ultra racing and training again. I followed along the live stream of Canyons 100 in Auburn, CA yesterday and it was inspiring. Followed that up with some Billy Yang YouTube video of OCC at UTMB from August. I was there. And the experience was awesome! I want that again!

Fired up again! 

St. Leonard’s Church Cemetery 

Kind of hanging in limbo right now. The excessive life stress seems to have subsided. I’m not exhausted all the time which must be a good sign. I had a fairly solid week of running last week and I seem to be on track for the same this week. Still not 100% though. Could be that my son wakes up a couple times a night scared of some outside noise disturbing a solid night sleep. I also have yet another mild cough. Just can’t get a break this winter/spring. 

Fish ladder outside of Worcester on River Severn

I feel like I need something to focus on, an event. I’ve yet to find it though and am scared to commit seeing how my training has been and most importantly how I’ve been feeling. I’ve been considering a fastest known time (FKT) attempt on the Worcestershire Way. I think I could beat the current time however since no one has tried it unsupported I’d get that FKT for sure. FKT’s can done supported, self supported, or unsupported. It’s only 30 miles so could even do it during school hours. A thought, but you miss out on the community experience since it would be me running alone. Benefit though is it’s free! I’d just need to get a train ticket home. There’s also the out and back FKT on it, 60 miles, and the current record is really soft. 15 hours I think! That would be very easy to get. I don’t know. Ideas I guess. 

Severn Way near Bewdley

I yearn for adventure. Spring trips to the desert or to access spring backcountry skiing with friends. An escape to a warmer locale. Just missing that old life I guess. Social media poisons the mind. 

Worcestershire Way sign in Bewdley very near the start

And we are race free as of now. I pulled the plug on UTS 100 and got a little money back. The way training has been just seems to continue on. Up and down, no consistency. Hoping things will smooth out once the kids are back in school after Easter break. That’s at least what I told myself, get consistent when it becomes more convenient. 

That being said I’ve felt alright a few times. Had a nice run on the Wyre Forest where I felt ok for most of 17 miles. Followed the majority of the Wyre Forest half marathon course and then added on a bit more. Great few hours out. It was nice to not worry about vert and just run. With no big vert race on the horizon I’m just running where I want. My strength training has also escalated since it’s easy to fit in so trying to look at the positives.

I’m feeling ok about my daughter’s epilepsy medication and will hopefully return to my favorite early morning run routine but we shall see. I’ve been sleeping in the same bed as her for a long long time just to make sure I’m there if she has a seizure, and yes, I’ve seen a handful. This has been tough on myself and my wife. With no consistency to the seizures we have no timeframe or idea of anything, we just assume or hope it’s working. You have no idea how difficult this is and the strain it puts on us. We persevere. 

Photo dump:

Wyre Forest 

Wyre Forest

Wyre Forest

Still hitting up my easy 4-5 mile loop near home adding in some new footpaths to freshen it up. A quick escape that’s mud and people free, can’t complain!

Blackstone Rock

Had a decent set of hill repeats on my regular Sunday evening run. Returned in the dark but felt good. These workouts for some reason are always good. Maybe because I get to escape the day into the quiet for an hour or so. 

Evening run back into Stourport from the river

Stourport bridge over River Severn

We were in Wales north of Cardiff for Easter. Nice visit with family and had a really solid run despite being hungover! 6 or so miles exploring around a wind farm. The climbs were consistent but I cruised up them. I felt very good which was reassuring! I was tempted to go back and take a couple Strava King of the Mountain segments but ran out of time. I also managed to fit in a solid chunk of strength work each day.  Dips, handstands, handstand push ups, push-ups gave a solid workout each day. Bonus to having to wake early with kids is having spare time for this! 

Narrow steep lane in Wales

Wind farm in Wales

Wales

Wind farm