Life has been pretty crazy lately with my daughter's epilepsy and seizures becoming more frequent. Then add in helping her with her school work, which normally ends up being 'dad does it for me.' Then I need to figure out how the hell to submit it when she has no idea what any of her passwords are. Just a nightmare. So is the life with a kid with special needs. You don't give up though. Ever. 

Weather has been shit. We had a “heat wave” of 80’s and humid and it felt great, just like home. Now we’ve returned to 60’s, clouds, random rain. Shittiest summer so far I’d say. 

I’ve taken a step back from martial arts. Honestly kind of losing interest. I’m not a fighter anyway, however there are obviously other mental benefits too. Been enjoying being home and being able to ride bikes with my son and run, even if it is in the garage. JKD just seems to drone on without any new goals and eskrima I just want to focus on curriculum for my second degree black belt rather than do new things. Also my morning habit of practice has gone away as I need to keep an eye on Annabelle. No more early mornings which I love. 

 Since Crown King way back when I've slowly been becoming more consistent with training. No main goal yet other than the Arc of Attrition in January. I probably say that every blog! Anyway, I ran the Wyre Forest Half marathon a couple weeks ago. I hadn't ran it in years due to conflicts with other races and me shying away from shorter faster races. Training has mostly been shifted to the treadmill in my garage. Huge thanks to my parents for the birthday money towards it this winter. It's nothing fancy and I bought it used but it ticks the box for training perfectly. Not only am I home more and available more if needed but it's eased me back into more faster running which I'm thoroughly enjoying. It was the piece of my training that was missing as well so my fitness will improve dramatically. Besides it's really fun being the fast old guy. Yeah it's kind of boring but it works well considering the situation I'm currently in. My son will usually ride the turbo trainer next to me for a bit as well so he's at least exercsing too. I'm still getting outside though for my Monday long run and usually a Saturday morning before work so I'm not totally stuck inside. 

P

 Wyre Forest Half was super fun. It's a trail race thats deceivingly hilly and can be really muddy and hot. I finished pretty much the same time I ran 6-7 years ago so no complaints. I felt strong the whole race which was a huge confidence boost. It was ideal conditions this year, cool and dry. I finished 2nd, again! Some hotshot young kid always shows up! To be fair he was a 2:30 marathoner and half my age so no complaints! Best part was finishing and chatting with other runners, many of which were customers from work. 

Up next? This weekend I'm meeting a friend from Cornwall in the Lake District to run the Cumbria Way. 74 miles through the center of the Lake District National Park. Splitting it up between three days with options for "high routes" off the traditional route if the weather is good. Should be awesome. Day one around 25 miles, day two 36, day three an easy 15 to the finish. Vert will vary significantly depending on high versus low routes. Some people go to therapy, some drink, others have friends.  Me? I run. Can’t wait.

And everything seems to already threatening to be overgrown! The trails are fairly dry and green. My quad issue seems to be going away finally and I’m increasing my running. The bluebells have come and gone as well as the white flowers of the wild garlic. It’s amazing how fast it all changes. One reason why I hate to take time off, I haven’t been to the Wyre Forest for a bit, I’m sure it’s fully transformed from winter by now, the ferns beginning to mature and carpet the forest floor. 

This post will most likely be more photos than words as I don’t have much to say! 

Wild garlic

River Severn in Stourport

Ribbesford singletrack

And off to Scotland we go! Heading to Prestwick to visit Lauren’s family. Hoping for a big long run as my leg is allowing it finally. I made it happen and need up on a portion of the West Highland way.

I woke at 4am to walk to the train station in Prestwick, a bus was provided to Glasgow due to construction or something, no big deal. In Glasgow an early walk through the city to Glasgow Central Station and I’m soon on a train meandering through the city heading into the highlands. I arrive in Balloch, orient myself and find the bus station. Patience is paramount in these endeavors. Nothing is open and all I’ve got is running kit. I’m a bit chilled but at least it’s not raining! Turns out since it’s a holiday the bus schedule is not normal. So more waiting ensues. I don’t even know how much time has passed I just bide my time until it arrives.

I believe after about  5 or 6 hours of travel I’m at my destination in Balmaha! Patience pays off. And soon I’m on the West Highland Way along Loch Lomond.

 
Symbol for the West Highland Way 

Boats moored in Loch Lomond

Pub along the trail unfortunately no time to stop! 

West Highland Way

Loch Lomond 

Detour time! Going up!

About 7 miles in I took a detour off the WHW to climb Ben Lomond, the southern most Munro in Scotland. A Munro is any mountain over 3,000 feet. The highest being Ben Nevis which I’ve also been up. 

View down from part way up Ben Lomond 

Trail up

Took me just over a hour to reach the summit. Unfortunately it was fairly socked in. Wind was blowing and soon a light rain started. Really no complaints because I’d had great weather up until now. I got a tiny bit wet but lower down it stopped and I dried out on my run back to Balmaha. 

Lame selfie on the summit

I returned the same way I came hoping to get a beer at the pub and some hot food. Unfortunately I was tied by buses! I got back and waited, and waited, and waited. No bus. It never arrived. So in anticipation of a late but I lost time I wanted in the pub! The next bus arrived and food and beer less I was. Maybe in Glasgow I can get some food. Good or bad from Balloch the trains all lined up perfectly and I had no opportunity to eat! I had snacks and junk with but after 23 miles and 5000 feet of vert I wanted a meal. No luck. 

I arrived in Prestwick at about 8pm and walked myself to the grocery store, bought a pizza, and walked to the house. Grabbed a beer from the fridge. Oh well. I guess I. Saved some money! Long day out but as always well worth it!

Morning run in Prestwick 

Snuck out a couple days later for an easy early four miles. Nice to get out but there’s nowhere to take a dump! I’m hesitant to run due to this! Anyway, we leave in the morning and then as of Monday back to normal.

So here we are. Craving a race. Still no official 2024 plans. However I did sign up for the 2025 Arc of Attrition. It’s been taken over by UTMB which I’m not sure I like or not. The price has gone up, there are more aid stations, and more people. I don’t know, what I do know is I want sub 24 hours! 

Bluebells in Shrawley Wood

I keep looking back at this race in Bulgaria. 100 miles in a very mountainous region. A Hardrock 100 qualifier, and extremely affordable considering the economy there! A quick calculation and it appears entry, flight, car hire, and accommodation would be under £500! And that’s not dirt bagging it! Only hesitation is this quad issue.

Giant Sequoias in Shrawley

I’ve returned to my usual physio and she stabbed me with 5 needles, and over 40 minutes manipulated them. I’m running yes, but still haven’t gained confidence in my leg. There’s still a bit of tightness there. Kind of in limbo still, not ready to commit to anything. 

White flowers are all wild garlic, it reeked, but in a good way

After Arizona I’ve kind of lost my motivation for martial arts. I miss having a crew of people like my bike friends and spending time with my son Colby bike racing reminds of all that. I’d rather spend the nights I normally train martial arts helping him get better at bike racing, especially if I’m going to commit to a full blown race bike for him. Since getting my second degree black belt in JKD we haven’t had much new content and classes just seem to be a lot of helping others. I enjoy that but want to progress my skills too! I don’t know, maybe I’m done with it.

Single track running in Ribbesford Wood

Well I guess for now I’m an exerciser and not training. However, looking at the long game, Tor des Geants 2025 is really really consuming my mind as well as the idea of a 200 mile race. 

Well I’ve of course fallen off the blog horse again. Screen time is a waste of time it seems and when I step back from it this goes as well. Short synopsis, Crown King was super fun and non-competitive. Saw a bunch of really good friends from Flagstaff, the crew I raced mountain bikes with in college. Saw my family which was awesome as well. 

Didn’t run at all other than the race unfortunately but that usual happens, especially without any goal. Speaking of that I’m still trying to sort races out for this year! Plans have changed with other commitments taking over the calendar. On,y thing I’m thinking about is in November, Hardwolds 80, which is in the Yorkshire Moors I believe. A place I’ve not spent much time. It comes recommended as an event so that’s a positive. Otherwise I’m struggling to find a 100 miler I haven’t done.

I’m still digging myself out of this quad injury. Went to my usual physio and she did a much more thorough job dry needling my muscle so hopes are high I’ll be building miles again soon. It was indeed a muscle knot. Not a hip flexor strain as I kind of knew. Dry needling fires the nerves around the muscle that help it to relax. Anyway…. It’s getting better.

The longer days are motivating as was my co-worker’s London Marathon today. He ran a 2:44 which is excellent and a time I’m pretty sure, with proper training, I could hit. Never broke 3 hours in the marathon, I was 9 seconds short! Kind of a goal to revisit. Maybe this is the year without a 100 miler on the horizon.

A buddy from Cornwall and I are planning to run the Cumbria Way. An 80 mile trail that bisects the Lake District. Probably take three days to do it, no rush.  Nothing too crazy or extreme, it’s a very popular hiking route that appears to meander it’s way through the fells avoiding big vert. Should be fun I’d guess. 

Fastest Known Times always linger as well. Worcestershire Way at 50km being one of them. Definitely itching for a goal. 

Last big run today before Crown King Scramble. I felt decent so the race will be fun, jet lag and all! Sounds like the finish will be an NAU Cycling reunion! Bunch of people showing up which will be really cool! 

In other news the Tor des Geants must have had a wait list. I just received this email: 

Shit. I have until March 22 to enter the race if I want to do it. First of all, I really can’t afford it. Secondly I actually don’t really want to do it. Thirdly, is there ever a time that’s good to do a 200 plus mile running race!? Unlikely to do it but if I win the lottery this week I’d consider it. I am happy waiting. 

A few photos from today’s run.

Old church door

Single track along the river

Love the sun, hating the mud! 

Getting really excited for Arizona. Another friend is running Crown King and it’s her first ultra I believe. Her and her husband are old NAU cycling bike racing friends. He’ll be at the finish and is able to get us home from there and also if my wife and kids want they can tag along too. Big day out in the desert though for British folks! Bumpy rural Forest Service roads for a hour or two is a daunting thing for people over here in the UK! Super scenic drive though, I hope they at least consider it. 

Icy mud on my long run

I’m running part time. Still riding the bike to lessen the impact. Long run is up to 16 miles, which I’m happy with, and hope to bump it up to 20 miles the next two Mondays. Would love to be back up to 40 mile weeks before the race but as long as I can comfortably run 20 miles, 50km (30 miles) in the desert will at least be do able. Probably won’t be competitive but that’s ok.

Cat friend at the church

It’s difficult to transition back to running. I’m enjoying time on the bike and the strength work I’ve been doing. I need to see if I have the will power to at least keep up with the strength work. I’m also easing back to running to avoid any new injuries. I was honestly sore after my Monday long run. The mud was horrible, the pace was slow, but just what I needed.

Forestry equipment….

L
……thrashed the trails into ankle deep hell!

Well the injury lingers on. Been back to the physio again and I’m running a little. Definitely not 100% but I’m running. Was logging 100-120 miles per week on the bike which was fun but it’s getting old now. Strength work has been fun but it’s not running. I’m anxious now too with a looming goal! 

Next race is on, Crown King Scramble 50km in Arizona. Visiting my family in Arizona the end of March so figured I’d jump into a race. My good friend from Oregon will be flying down to join me as well so there’s major incentive to be ready to run. Nathan paced me at Western States for the second half of the race so it will be awesome to run with him. We met racing mountain bikes for NAU in Flagstaff. Hoping to see a whole bunch of NAU friends which will be awesome. 

Kind of bummed out because of this injury. Without it I’d have ran the Arc of Attrition which would’ve set me up perfectly for this 50km. Oh well, I guess I should’ve known better adding in aggressive speed work at my age. Definitely taking note of that. 

On a positive I’ve significantly increased my martial arts training which I’m thoroughly enjoying. Wish I had more time to train with other people but at home sessions still have been very beneficial. 

Not many photos to share without running, hopefully soon. One last thing, I didn’t make the lottery for the Tor but I guess as usual that’s not necessarily a bad thing! I’ve spoke of the Tor des Geants before. It’s beast of a race, around 200 miles and 75,000 feet of climbing around the Aosta Valley in Italy. Maybe someday.