Race week is here. I’m hardly running which is the strangest feeling. I’m getting antsy to run which is usually a good sign. Theoretically I’m ready to run. My training has been ample. My hotel is booked for Friday night, just need to commit to train tickets. 

New shoes arrived at work the other day and are feeling excellent. I’m hoping to use them for the entire race. No shoe change this time. I usually change after 50 miles but at UTMB I didn’t feel it was necessary so I may attempt only a sock change. These are the Hoka Tecton X2, I raced in the Tecton X at UTMB. 

I’ve got some nutrition on the way and will probably get a few things from work as well. I’m running with VeloForte chews, mainly because they have a high carbohydrate content, and probably some Clif Bloks as well. Otherwise I’ll supplement from aid stations. There are 13 and the finish, all around 5-10 miles apart, only a few long ones at 9-10 miles apart. 

Fingers crossed for no rain but whatever happens happens. 

This should be the link to the live tracking, race start 7am UK time. 

https://centurionrunning.com/live?mc_cid=a98f65da70&mc_eid=1c4630f23d

Race Info in general, Centurion Running North Downs Way 100:

https://centurionrunning.com/races/north-downs-way-100-2023

As infrequent as I blog I figured I’d get this up before I forget! Goals? Well my safety is always number one. I’d be ecstatic with an 18 hour finish. That being said, I play “pacing games” for these races looking at what’s possible ahead of time, and I never seem to get it right! Theoretically 18 hours with quick aid station stops should be totally do able. Looking at my race and training history I should be capable of it. But in the moment a lot of factors can come in to play so we shall see. In comparison to UTMB a top twenty finish should be expected unless I have a totally miserable day. Off we go. 

Training has been going surprisingly well! I’ve been really happy with it. Usual long run on Mondays have been consistent, started doing a tempo run on the treadmill Thursdays, and this week fit in a back to back long run Monday Tuesday! The kids’ sports day, kind of like field day in elementary school, was cancelled due to rain so I got an extra day off. I took full advantage and ran 21 miles. The timing leading up to North Downs Way 100 couldn’t have been better. 

Wyre Forest singletrack 

Been making a list of things to focus on during NDW100. I just need to implement them.

1. Aid stations - in and out fast, don’t waste time

2. Consistent pace - pain will get better

3. Run easy hills

4. Listen to music, podcasts, or a book

An insane amount of time is wasted at aid stations, UTMB I was hanging out with Chris and Gail for nearly 4 hours! Not that it was a bad thing as it was really fun but this race I don’t have a crew, no reason to hang out. 

Focusing on a consistent pace, realizing “it will get better” when I feel bad is probably the most difficult. 

Late in these races it’s easy to walk any hill. It’s an excuse. Easy running will always be faster.

I usually end up chatting with people, it’s fun and passes the time, but it also slows you down sometimes. Music etc distracts the brain, passes time, and has been scientifically proven to reduce pain, but I’ll hopefully move quicker.

Considering how I’ve felt in training if all goes well I’d hope to have a solid finish. Doing the math the pace doesn’t need to be fast, just consistent, and I could do really well. 18 hours would be fantastic. 

This would be an ideal race to have crew and/or a pacer as both are allowed. My buddy from Cornwall would’ve but he’s racing the following weekend. His girlfriend lives on the course even! Oh well, it would’ve been fun just to run together but no big deal. I’ve done most of these alone anyway. 

I just need to acquire a new pair of shoes and I’m ready to go. Maybe one more long run, two tempo sessions, and then rest! 

Trail snacks are ripening 

Really been enjoying getting to know the Wyre Forest better. Without a huge need to work on uphills I can roam a bit more. The single track out there is excellent. Most trails are questionable legally and made by mountain bikers. Super fun, winding and smooth,  are for excellent flowy trails. Sometimes I wish I was on a bike but running them is just as good. 

Finally committed to North Downs Way 100. Signed up this morning. Race is August 5th. I think I’m back on track with training, doing weekly 20 milers at least and feeling good. It’s the least focused training I’ve done in a long time so could be interesting. I guess I have ran 100’s on far far less! Hoping to do a weekly tempo session on the treadmill too. 

My right quad has been giving me issues but I usually can massage the problem away. I think it’s a recurring muscle issue so being aggressive on it works. No idea where it comes from. I had the same issue years back and it got so bad I couldn’t run at all. Just need to keep on top of it.

Long runs have been very enjoyable lately. Super easy meanders exploring the Wyre Forest. That place has an insane amount of illegal singletrack from bikes and it’s super fun! Really would love to have time to learn it well. Weather has been gray and in the 60’s, it’s alright, can’t complain since it’s not raining, however the “heatwave” in the 80’s we had was really nice! 

Anyway here’s a pile of photos:

Hot sunny day during our heat wave.

Overgrown summer trails.

Rockslide from storms.

Overgrown field covering footpath.

Evening run

Cleaned my shoes, I guess I like Hoka:  Mafate Speed, Challenger, Tecton X

Wyre Forest, love the ferns here

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!