After a couple erratic weeks of training due to family visits, Scotland and then my parents visiting from the US, I think I’m getting back on track running. 

I was looking at my old training diaries and it’s amazing how little I ran and successfully completed 100 milers. I look at past training to reassure myself I’ll be alright with less. For the majority, at least up until the past couple races, I’ve only ran a few 20 plus mile training runs! Unreal! UTMB and the Arc I ran 14-16! So in looking forward to North Downs Way 100, of which I have yet to register, I should be alright if I get five weeks of consistent training in. Finish, yes. Race, not sure. 

I still would love to be race fit for it but I think that time is gone. I need to accept my age, and time available, one of these days and realize I’m doing these for the experience. Honestly I think I already have but always think if I had the time to train properly to be fast I probably still could be competitive in a localish race. It’s hard to really find drive without something crazy live UTMB in the pipeline. With drive like that the available time appears no matter how tired you are. Seeing friends race is motivating though. A Belgian guy I met during UTMB ran the Mozart 100 in Austria yesterday and it was fun to track him.

The trails are now inundated with nettle so I’ve been finding clear paths as I can. At some point someone thankfully clears it all making trail running fun again! I’m looking forward to it! It’s been in the low 80’s and humid, unlike here, but I love it! Shirt off hot and sweaty. Feels like home! 

The issue I’ve had in the past with my right quad muscle has returned. Not exactly sure what it is. Feels like a big knot, and it can get painful enough to halt running. I’ve had dry needling done on it twice a few years back, aggressive massage worked well, so I’m trying to do that. Think of having a big bruise and ramming your knuckles into it slowly, working on it sucks! I just need to be persistent with it and it will hopefully subside. 

Not much of one for race merchandise as I rarely wear it but I ordered a UTMB hoody. Not cheap but it’s made up of all the participant’s names. I thought it was pretty cool. Rather have a t shirt but oh, well:

 I’m really jealous of people who are able to afford and have time race often. These events are so much fun despite the discomfort you put yourself through. I guess we do what we can and keep ticking boxes as they present themselves. 

In Scotland at the moment for the week visiting family. I like it up here, the people are extremely friendly and funny, and we always seem to get decent weather! 

Not sure what training will bring. Have yet to run since Sunday. Kind of checked out of running it feels. My son still wakes early so morning running is out of the question, nighttime I’m usually too tired, and during the days we seem to be busy or it feels selfish to take off! Skipping a trip to Arran. Supposedly the ferries are unpredictable and the foot accessible terrain I’ve kind of done. And as always adventures like that are more fun with others. 

I almost am viewing this next ultra in a relaxed manner. If I get a 20 miler, a strength routine, and a hill session leading up to it every week I should be fine. I’ll fill in where I can and I’ll likely have done a better job leading up to it than most early races I’ve done! 

I have been practicing martial arts every morning though. Sunny garden, coffee, and kali sticks! Great routine! Usually sneak in some push-ups as well. I guess that’s a decent trade off for now. 

I guess you could say I’m training again, no longer just an exerciser. Strongly considering the North Downs Way 100 in August, or as a backup the Autumn 100. Both near London. I’ve done the Autumn 100 before and it’s location and central aid station set up is convenient. I’ve ran the North Downs Way 50, my first ultra, which is the first half of the 100. Leaning towards the NDW since I haven’t done it in total. My drive is back and I’m focusing on training so I’m guessing it will happen. Family obligations are clear as is the weekend from work so just need to get paid and commit. 

Excited to do a non-mountain race. 11,000 feet of vert is nothing compared to 33,000! The training is quite a bit less focused so I have more options. Scrapping a Worcestershire Way FKT I think, the nettle is erupting so the trail will likely be much less fun overgrown. 

Canal run

My daily martial arts routine has taken a back burner. I think because of lack of consistent sleep. My son is still not only waking at night scared of outside noises but he wakes super early. It’s adding up and it’s really lame. Of course I’ve also picked up a cold thanks to the kids. At least the weather has turned sunny.

Strength routine has been less with more of a return. About two months ago I committed to doing a set of 50 pull ups once a week. I kept at it and although I haven’t tested my max reps yet, my workout the other day way great. I started doing sets of three with a relaxed break in between, usually 3-5 minutes. Monday I easily cruised sets of five with 2 minutes rest! 

Still keeping at it. It’s what I do outside of family and work. I could watch sports, but I’d rather partake. I could be up to date on the popular sitcoms, but I’ve never found them entertaining. I’m only good for conversation if you want to talk aerobic thresholds, ground reaction forces while running, and implementing the lanka step in Indonesian Silat. 😂

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 

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.