Stretton flyover

Whew, well definitely feeling Stretton Skyline! The downhills destroyed my quads. Other than stretching and working my legs with a foam roller I got on the treadmill yesterday for a bit which helped get the blood flowing. Didn't feel too bad since it's set on a slight incline. Today got out for 6 miles easy, ouch!

Found a map of the race course on MapMyRun.com, check it out in 3D. If you pause the action you can zoom out a bit and get a better feel for the landscape, still doesn't do it justice!

My first fell race: Stretton Skyline

Saturday night the wife's family was in town and with the little one teething I awoke Sunday morning feeling ok actually. I finally fell asleep at 2am I believe and got up at 630am, not the ideal night's sleep precluding my first official fell race in the UK on Sunday.

My former nemesis, now team mate, rolled in to pick me up at 9am and we drove out to Church Stretton, Shropshire to test our meddle in the Stretton Skyline fell race. Roughly 4500 vertical feet over 19 miles, 5 major climbs with major descents. I'd never been out to this part of the country despite it being an hour away. We drove through the standard rolling farmland I wish was mountains then after about 40 minutes the topography began to morph into huge hills some topped with ragged crags until we arrived in Church Stretton.

Church Stretton, image from Wikipedia

The town is situated between the Long Mynd or long mountain and the Caer Caradoc a huge set of hills. The race course was essentially a loop around town going up and down a portion of these hills. A beautiful sunny day greeted us and we started in a parking lot and then headed uphill following a gnarly rocky trail along a creek that brought back memories of hiking the granite paths of the Sierra Nevada.

A few small water crossings and a short section of class 4 rock scrambling brought us to the ridge line and giant hills covered in purple heather (I think). It was a very surreal landscape, and I got the same feeling much like the first time you go to South Eastern Utah.

race start location, image from Wikipedia

Below is the "race map" which I have posted before. To the left of the photo the Long Mynd with Pole Bank summit, to the right the Caer Caradoc with the Ragleth, Caer Caradoc, and Lawley summits. The fifth and most brutal and deceiving climb finished at Motts Rd. Junction which then was a bomber downhill descent to the finish. All of the summits you went up one side and down the other, other than Lawley summit which was an out and back.

course profile from MapMyRun, the vertical isn't correct

So I've done long races, been out for a day and done much more vertical feet than this race, ran gnarly trails, etc. However what set this race apart from others is that there were no course markings or people telling you where to go (other than a few dangerous road crossings and some minor signage to the finish and over private property). Unless you had run the course or had a real map you would have no idea of where to go. In the past leaders have gotten off course and lost 5 miles! So other than the print out from the race website I had nothing so I had to keep within sight of someone who knew the course. The only course requirement was you had to go through 8 checkpoints. (There had been a gear requirement but they did away with it due to good weather). Otherwise the fastest route you could find is the best! Pretty cool idea. Over some sections people were all over the place; careening down hills, scrambling up hills, following different trails. At one point we were following a more or less trail on a ridge line and the two guys behind us bombed straight down the hill into the woods! We came out ahead but still it could have been faster.

pain cave descent
photo credit:  http://www.fellrunningpictures.co.uk/strettonskyline2012.html

Other than the hills we ran through a series of fields, people's yards, hopping fences, going through gates, chasing sheep, as well as a few short sections of road. The final climb was the worst, a lower angled slog not steep enough to walk and just steep enough to make running painful and it lasted for a little over 2.5 miles. 

Most of the climbs it was quickest to walk straight up them, your heart rate or legs still don't get a rest however! I try to ski walk everything in order to use different muscles but it ends up being faster than normal walking so I'd start to pull away from people, the same people who I needed to follow in order to find the finish line! I always hated all the ski walking we'd do in dryland training for Nordic ski practice especially coming fresh off of cross country running season but it is a life saver for this stuff! 

photo credit:  http://www.fellrunningpictures.co.uk/strettonskyline2012.html

The final descent into the finish was fun but the very last mile or so killed my quads. I was passed on the final climb but then once I hit the downhill I smoked down the trail and reeled the guy back in. The trail was really rocky, loose, and had some stream crossings on it but was fun and I forgot about the pain since I was concentrating on my footing and having so much fun. Total out of control running the entire way dodging hikers and horses! I caught up to the guy and then we hit the road we started on. This time of the day it was full of tourists and there was some crazy dance going on in the street which we zig-zagged through laughing! Once we were clear of the "animated cones" the downhill pavement took it's tole on me and the guy in fourth pulled away again. I suffered it in the final bit to finish 5th. Not too bad for my first fell race! 

One other difference compared to US races (besides no markings) was how it was an open course. We had to cross dangerous major road sections at our own risk, there were horse back riders, walkers, backpackers, etc. everywhere. All of these people were super tolerant of runners blazing by. It seems to me in the US most people would be pissed off about this. Just an observation that I thought was pretty cool.

   

I'm officially in the Brecon Beacons Ultra in November! Just need to send off my entry form to the race promoter then pay the person whose space I'm taking. I mentioned I'm on a "team" as well. We are the defending champions from last year. Pretty cool. Need to focus my training now on that. 45 miles I believe and climbs. May need to consider a trail shoe as well with it being in Wales in November! Also have to fine tune the required gear for the race. More on that later.

Well the wife had been using the treadmill we got off eBay and I try to avoid it. Much rather run outside but I am now kind of growing fond of it. Yesterday the wife had to go to London for work so I hamster wheeled it for about 40 minutes while the little one slept. Did 45 minutes today because the little one opted to wake up at 5am, my normal running time.

Listening to a podcast passes the time pretty well and I think the thing is set up at an incline, although small, every bit will help! Then I got to thinking I could add miles by running outside in the morning as normal and then when the little one is sleeping get in 5 or 6 bonus miles! I like that idea. I easily could average 15 miles a day on a "normal" day without compromising any family time!  

After kind of a downer day reminiscing things always head back up. First of all my parents are hoping to come over here for a visit, I haven't seen them in almost a year now and we weren't planning a US visit until Christmas. Glad they are trying to make it happen as is my daughter!

Also, I got a Facebook message from a guy I raced against in the North Downs Way 50 the other day. He got in touch to see if I'd be interested in running the Brecon Beacons Ultra in November. This race sold out in 20 hours this year and supposedly quite a few big guns show up to compete. Not to mention the race has cash money for the top three runners. Pretty cool this guy thought of me. They also have a team category where I assume they compile your team times and the fastest team wins which is also why he got in touch so I could be on his team.

I was really psyched about this. Not only have I been down since I don't know any "like-minded" individuals here but I was itchin' to get in another ultra. Once again really cool this dude thought of me.  So that is in the works, still working on the details and waiting to hear back or get the go ahead to contact the race director. STOKED!!!!!

Got out Saturday and Sunday for about 9 miles both days. On Sunday kind of figured out a decent hill routine/workout but it takes some time. The hill is good enough for repeats, and it seems to be the best around but is 4 miles from my house. It also is sizable enough to accumulate some vert. It's funny reading that, never thought I'd have to try to find vert! Anyway, so about a 4 mile warm up, then bang out some hill work, then 4 miles home. Good workout but the time frame isn't too nice. Ideally I'd love to be back within an hour but depending on how many and what type of repeats I do the time can end up towards 2 hours. Well I guess I'll just have to plan ahead.

Off today but messing around with one arm pull-up lock offs, push ups, etc. Mainly upper body stuff. Legs need a rest after all the hills and fartleks from last week.

The Sierra will always beckon

Convict Lake

Well it was a cold 8.5 miles this morning, could have used my gloves and soon enough I'll be needing my headlamp. This time of the year always in the past brought excitement. It's getting darker in the mornings, colder as well, and the green plants are all beginning to die off. All the ski rags are publishing their "buyers guides" for all the kick ass new ski stuff. We'd pour over the catalogs and weigh the benefits of a fatter or skinnier ski, compare the new to with what we've already got in our quiver. That means ski season is coming, well, for others not me anymore. Now it just brings cold dark morning runs that are hard to motivate for!

dawn patrol over Lake Tahoe

Sure miss the anticipation phase of the winter season in Lake Tahoe. And of course winter: 4am dawn patrols, dark coffee and day old donuts, breaking trail to the top of the West Shore peaks in 3+ feet of fresh snow to catch the sunrise over Lake Tahoe then laugh, hoot, and holler the whole way down with friends as you make some of the best ski turns of your life, put your skins on and charge back up. All before going to work where some jack ass thinks you're stuck inside all day on a powder day. Sorry, we skied better snow this morning than you'll ski all day riding the wires at the resort. But we keep our mouths shut, our secret safe. Besides, that guy will have a blast too skiing crud piles all day long.

breaking trail

Some mornings during my run California's Sierra Nevada beckons me back. It always will. I not only miss the natural beauty and challenge of the Sierra but the friends I made there. The unfortunate thing is I don't think I will ever be back. However, I did leave once, I returned. And in speaking with one of the famed Sequoia Kings Canyon backcountry rangers, George Durkee, he told me in calm words, "you'll always come back".  

all smiles after skiing a 6000 foot couloir

Looked into this upcoming race a bit more. So it's the Stretton Skyline and is 19 miles long with 4,450 ft of vertical. Not too bad I guess for not being in the mountains. The men's course record has stood since 1986 and is about 2 hours 17 minutes. I'm assuming in the grand scheme of things that's fast!

So we are required to carry waterproof jacket and pants which I think is lame. I hate having shit bouncing off my waist which is most likely where it will stay. If it rains we'll run harder to keep warm! I actually think this rule is in place from the Fell Running Association for safety in case you get lost or injured and are stuck out for a while.

It seems there is no "official" route. "Navigational skills are recommended as there is considerable route choice & the course is not marked, except for a short section between the Lawley & Dudgeley Farm".  It appears that the fastest and most efficient way between the 7 checkpoints is the way to go. We are not required but they recommend carrying an OS map of the area (the USGS equivalent in the UK), whistle, compass, and food. They've also got a map of the course for us to carry. They have water at three of the checkpoints which is nice.

So sounds like it should be fun. Definitely different. I have an uber light waterproof jacket I got last year. The Montane Lite-Speed H2O breaths as good as a garbage bag but it weighs in at 5.5 oz and packs down tiny. It's a medium but I think I should have gotten the small. The UK fit is kind of weird. I also just got a pair of Montane Minimus waterproof pants, they weigh in at 4.4 oz. Mine will be a bit lighter since they are size small. Montane is a British company that seems to cater to a lot of these fell races and another similar event here in the UK known as a mountain marathon. It seems like ok gear but definitely not all that durable and as I mentioned the jackets fit kind of weird; I like that slim alpine fit. Well light is right and considering less is more in this case I'm looking good.

Definitely will be wearing trail shoes. My Mizuno Wave Harriers have aggressive enough tread but are a size too small. I may try to dig up a pair of something new to try but otherwise they'll work even if they do give me some toe issues descending.

I would have posted a map of the course but for some reason Blogger won't let me post any photos today!

One last thing, got my finger on the pulse for another ultra. Not many go down in the winter and I'm itchin' to do another 50 miler. I came across the Thames Trot 50, 50 miles from Oxford to Henley along the River Thames. Fast fast fast course. I'm pretty sure it's either flat or downhill the whole way.  Race goes down on February 2nd, the promoter said they expect it to fill by November so I need to get clearance from the wife and then get registered!

Yep, well the weekend went kind of as planned. About 8.5 miles Friday, Saturday was an off day due to lack of time to get out and lack of sleep. Sunday snuck out for 8.5 miles but definitely would have liked to have gotten out for longer but once again lack of sleep. Today missed out but I was planning on having it off anyway.

The little one has been doing her thing again off schedule so I've not been sleeping much at all. In addition we had the wife's sister's family here for a night at the last minute, which although nice to have them here, messes up the little one's plans.

had to take a pic of this place

Been having a hard time keeping weight on after the 50 miler for some reason. Been eating like a fiend but just keep dropping weight. My diet hasn't changed at all but it kind of worries me a bit. I think I've actually been eating worse/more high calorie shit food than before. Normally I try to avoid any packaged processed foods, any junk food, alcohol, etc. but lately been nibbling on some of that crap. Many people think I'm vegetarian because I eat an absurd amount of fresh fruit and vegetables. I try to eat fish and chicken most days however.

I haven't even been putting in big miles but have started to add in tempo and speed work. Also trying to be more adamant about body weight exercises; lunges, squats, push ups, pull ups, etc... I want to try to avoid any injuries as I pick up my pace for shorter races in addition I need to be prepared for more hilly terrain.

Am planning on a pretty cool sounding race in a couple weeks. I believe it's a bonifide fell race, 19 miles, about 5000 vertical feet, the course isn't marked so you need a map and compass among some other required gear. I need to do some more research and I'll let you know more in the next few days.

Lightroom 4 is still pretty cool but I've yet found time to play with it so sorry but the pics posted today aren't as cool as they could be!