Taper week I guess? Malvern Hills Ultra on Saturday. 47 miles total on an out and back course along the Worcestershire Way. Local race I’ve ran before. Previously it was 56 miles but they’ve changed the starting point of the race a couple times since and with it the distance has changed too. Only recognize one name on the start list, a local guy who is about as fast as me in the past. He’s expecting me to win but you never know who will show up or how the day will go. 

Recent run through town

Temperature will be hot for here so am experimenting with more fluids and electrolytes. Training seems to have gone well but I’m fairly tired so far this week. A lot of treadmill running which, although beneficial for specific workouts, has become boring. I’d rather be outside. Monday I took it super easy, walked, enjoyed being outside. The weather was beautiful and I saw a lot of wildlife. The flowers are popping right now too. Brought me back to my days as a Ranger when you’d observe so much outside, miss those times. 

Bluebells

Still considering another 100 in June. The Jurassic Extinction. 100 miles point to point along the Jurassic Coast which is coastal path much like the Arc of Attrition but not in Cornwall, it’s further north east. It finishes in Exmouth and I believe is considered the South coast. Here’s a YouTube video of a previous year of the race: 

Also here’s a link to the race website: https://www.climbsouthwest.com/events/jurassic-coast-100/ you’ll see the same video there. Beautiful scenery hence my interest in it, also a new place to visit. One other big benefit is it’s summer! Hopefully decent weather and a short night, two things I haven’t had in recent races! 

Slow worm, a leg less lizard that lives here

The slow worm is a lizard, why? They have eyelids, a notched tongue, and the head and neck are continuously connected. These three things differ it from a snake! No eyelids, forked tongue, separate head and neck. The UK has 6 reptiles, three snakes: grass, adder, and smooth. Three lizards: slow worm, sand, and common. I wish I’d research these things more often, it’s fun to know. 

Added a new toy. I’m not one to buy many things these days but since accessing a gym is very difficult for me (limited on time away from family) I bought a squat rack and barbell! Just a cheapish set of squat stands, a shorter 6 foot barbell (vs standard 7 foot), and have been accumulating bumper plates from Facebook marketplace. It’s amazing how expensive weights are! I think I have ample weight for my running goals but would be fun to find out my 1 rep max! 

Since my testing showed I lack strength and power I figured this would be a good addition that could help significantly. Besides, I’ve always had an interest in lifting. Hopefully this will grow the healthy habit of strength work that I’ve lost over the past year or so. For years I did a ton of body weight exercises. Pull ups, hanging leg raises, handstand pushups, body weight squats, pistol squats, all sorts of progressions, but never had more than a pull up bar and a few kettlebells. Also my strength plan for ultras, “The Money Workout” from Uphill Athlete/Evoke Endurance, was my go to progression for legs. A SOLID muscular endurance routine for legs.

Getting older I understand the need for strength training. It doesn’t take long either, it’s a matter of having the discipline to add it in to the rest of a busy life. So far I’ve had a few sessions and it seems like a good thing.

In 3 weeks I’m racing the Malvern Hills Ultra. Link: https://www.ultrarunningltd.co.uk/race/the-malvern-hills-ultra/#tab-46433  I ran it years ago when it was 56 miles, now it’s 47. I’m excited and training seems to be going well. I’ve changed my training and have been doing more faster running and less long easy runs so it will be interesting to see how it goes. 

It will be fun to do a shorter race and one that’s closer to home. I haven’t had an opportunity to run the course which I had planned on doing. It is on the marked Worcestershire Way, and an out and back, but there are some areas that can be confusing or done quicker if you know the route. Fortunately I’ll have it on my watch unlike the first time I ran before watches had navigation! I don’t believe there is tracking and I’m not sure if I’ll have crew. It would be great to have a crew as the aid stations are 7-9 miles apart and I could run with very little kit. Being a 47 mile race the required kit is pretty basic, but I will need to sort the crazy amount of nutrition I’ve been consuming. 

A few photos from running. Been enjoying long faster road runs lately. The country lanes are really enjoyable but where I’m at can be hilly. I’m assuming the “12%” is an average as the center part of this climb you can’t see has got to be way steeper! At least it definitely seems much steeper!