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. 

I’ve gone to the physio to assess my quad. Same as before, strained hip flexor. Massaged, dry needled, mobilized. Looks like I’m on the bike for a bit. Oh well. The weather is crap and dark out and with no events on the horizon I’m ok with that. Last time this happened I was off running for about 4 weeks. I’ll hook my bike up today most likely to the turbo. I’ve already begun more lifting which I’m enjoying. Heavy kettlebell work has been really enjoyable and something new.

Next race? As mentioned hoping for the Beacons Way Ultra. 100 miles stating in Abergavenny Wales (near Cardiff) and going through the Brecon Beacons and beyond. End of July. I’ve been cleared for entry, they vet entrants, so just need to enter to make it official. Formal training needs to start in March so hopefully I’ll be healed up by then.

Arc is a no go.

And I’m out. Went for a run last night and I ended up walking home. This quad knot is back and I don’t have time to fix it. Oh well, at least it’s a race I’ve done before. 

Told James I can’t make it which is a bummer. He and his family are so nice and accommodating. Looks like a boring birthday for me rather than a 100 mile start. Already considering the Beacons Way Ultra, 100 miles across the Brecon Beacons in South Wales. Just need to get booked in to the physio to sort my leg. 

Signs are saying no to the Arc. My friend Greg who lives in Cornwall said the weather has been horrid and the underfoot conditions will be extremely poor, part of the experience but it doesn’t instill confidence! Not good for an ankle that’s 80% at best. 

He also can’t crew me like he did last time as he’s out of town.  Likely could recruit my friend James who lives down there too but I just don’t know. My quad had been bothering me as well. Seems to be a reoccurring knot I’ve dealt with in the past. I can run on it but it’s not 100% and who knows what will happen after 30 miles. 

The big draw seems to be that I’ll be seeing and running with people I kind of know. I’ll get to be a part of the community. I also seem to be looking for some validation locally here. I don’t know why I care but partially because I want to promote my job (running store) but also seem to want to get some recognition in the local running community where I live. I’m very experienced in these things compared most and am kind of a sleeper. I stay away from social media, I lurk, I keep to myself. Like I said, why do I even care? I don’t have time for a social life or to meet up to run with people. Maybe it’s just normal to want to be a part of something. 

2024. Well 23 went alright. I ran less than normal, usually I’m over 2000 miles. I had good results so can’t complain I guess. Minor injuries with my ankle which seems fine now and my quad muscle which I’m currently dealing with.

Treadmill is going great. Easy way as expected to get training in around life and winter conditions and a great way to waste time watching tv and movies! Actually am really enjoying it. 

I believe I’m about as fit as I was for the North Downs Way 100 so ready enough for the Arc. I do have a few weeks to train but I’m still on/off the race. Not sure why. I’ll miss time being away from my family on my birthday. The weather is guaranteed to be cold and shitty. But, it’s a great race and I’ll know a fair amount of people. I can’t get my money back either or defer. 

Just some thoughts I guess. Unfortunately no photos because images of my iPad in front of a treadmill are boring! 

Welcome to Christmas, pretty much the most difficult time of the year to train ! It’s dark, cold, and busy! Sometimes I wonder where the “busy” even comes from! 

The health issues one close to me had been dealing with are better. A very positive outcome, however before the good news the bad news finally piled high enough on my mind that it crashed down. Mentally I was a wreck. When I don’t want to run things are bad, especially if it’s a day off from work, no kids, and the weather is good. Two martial arts friends noticed and checked up on me as did my boss at work. These three understand or have been there mentally. In general my training has been really off and on. The only constant has been my long runs. 

Sent  a message out to a guy for a new used treadmill. He got back fairly quickly and we’ve got plans to exchange tonight. This could save my training. It’s easy to hop on for a hour at night and watch a movie rather than battle the cold, dark, and cars. Plus it’s a great way to get quality tempo runs in. Got it for the price of a new pair of shoes so very happy about that. I hope having this flexibility I can get back on track. I never realized how much I use that thing! 

Arc of Attrition is still up in the air. I really have no excuse not to do it other than the worry about my ankle. I’ve ran 100’s off less so would likely finish but I want under 24 hours. With the time left and the treadmill I should be able to ramp up tempo runs on the treadmill which I had great success with for North Downs Way. I still have yet to have a full on successfully executed training cycle for an ultra. Consistent long runs, hill repeats, strength workouts then transitioning from strength to specific tempo runs and a few back to back long runs. I guess that’s life though. I’d love to see how I’d feel. Something has always gotten bumped off due to time and life it seems. I guess that’s part of the fun and challenge in the journey.