Trail marathon - Bonking in a cabbage patch

For the last 10 weeks or so I have been building up to running the marathon at the Dorset leg of the Endurance Life coastal trail running series.  This meant getting back into a decent amount of training with the additional long term arrangement of doing this alongside full time work.

On Saturday 6th December I raced my first trial marathon finishing 4th in 4'00'17 which was not quite the end of the year I was looking for but was a day for a lot of learning abut myself and racing.  Racing over marathon distance on the road controlling the demands on my body can be done with relative ease, however this was a whole lot more difficult on trail.  In the early part of the race I ran with a club team mate which was great to get the the early miles out the way, but going on to the more undulating parts of the course it became a whole different ball game.  Feeling like I was just about holding my position I trekked over the steep climbs at one point producing nearly a 14 min/mile but pushed through to about mile 20 in 2nd position and then the fun started.  Firstly having to stop to answer a call of nature, a very spectacular location but is hindsight maybe wasn't that urgent and then nearly bonking in a cabbage patch (not a funny as it sounds, running speak for feeling really trash and nearly fainting).  At this point I slowed to take on some food and water but this was probably wasn't the greatest idea as I could barely digest what I had eaten.  This then led to me slowing over the closing miles and being overtaken twice (I only found out at the finish thought it was runners in the half marathon event, although don't think I could have done much to keep up with the eventual 2nd place finisher).  I was finally overtaken on the closing 1/4 mile or so on the beach but did not realize again, this I maybe could have done something about if I was a bit more switched on.



This block of training has really been a transition from student life, to the real world which is very much inevitable but was tougher than I expected.  The main challenges I found was the amount of mental tiredness from concentration at work leading to feeling physically tired and the hospital bugs which you pick up when working.  This lead to me feeling rather chesty and pretty awful at times, but managed to keep doing some training even if it was just running the 2 miles to and home from work.

Well on to the next races with the first big one being London Marathon and then 2 months later is Mont Blanc Marathon.  The thought of the these races and the next 7 months or so makes is exciting, the variety of being in a big city marathon one week and then a few weeks later being partway up a mountain is so cool.  I am making some changes to my training firstly introducing lighter weeks routinely to try to let my body recover and fight infection avoiding the big drop in weekly mileage and missing key sessions.  Also speeding more time running in the Quantock Hills to get in some more accent and decent as well as weekly key marathon sessions on a Tuesday and a Thursday morning tempo session hopefully on the local track.

Here are some totals from this block of training:
625 miles,
72 hrs

Race day... and recover!

As I write this I am very much enjoying a couple weeks off from training before working towards my next targets.  After a 2nd place finish and 61st overall at Challenge Weymouth last Sunday this completes a very satisfying last year, even in the tough blocks of training I can truly say that I have really enjoyed the whole experience. 

All smiles before

Not so all smiles

Relief!

Prior to the race on Sunday I drove the bike course with dad which was a absolute blessing to know the course with a largely down hill run in to T2. I also had chance to pop in the positively tropical waters in Weymouth bay with only very small waves. Waking up on race day race numbers were applied and transition bags packed I had some breakfast and headed down to transition to drop off my transition bags. Due to the wind and waves the full iron distance races started late with two laps of a modified run course. This delayed the start time of the pink wave which I was starting in leaving me hopeful that we would be doing a shortened swim, although this was not the case and after 47 minutes 10 (368 position overall for the swim) seconds I returned to shore and head into what was a slow T1 (9 minutes 1 second/ 499 overall for T1).  With the swim behind me and on my bike I thought this as my chance to get myself back up the field and did so being 4th quickest over the first 9km which was the climb out of Weymouth.  On a mission to make my way through the field I hydrated well on the bike got some food down me despite the taste of sea water being ever present.  I then arrived back into transition after 2:44.35 (64th position for the cycle) in the saddle, and produced a decent transition (T1, 1 min, 52 seconds, 102 position) to get out on the run course to produce a 1 hour 25 min 22 second run (13th Overall). This was a really testing run for such a flat course feeling strong on the first lap and half I pushed on but very quickly the wheels started coming of and I had to really knock down the speed just to get around. Walking through the last couple aid stations to get some flat coke on board was the arguable the best decision of the day getting my home in a total time of 5 hour 8 minutes 2 seconds, just 50 seconds ahead of 3rd in my age group.

I know this bit!!!!

I was genuinely pleased just to get round the course and complete the distance but what I found most satisfying was my estimation of pace prior to the race which proved to be great guess work, as well as handling the troubles on the last lap to produce a damage limitation finish. Also consider that I could barely swim a length of front crawl this time last year and had to swim in decent size waves I was really impressed that my application  and coaching from my Joe got me through the tough conditions.

I can now also pass judgement on triathlon as a sport which I realize means so much to so many but was very interesting compared to running (only my opinion).  Firstly the time required for training and getting organised for training I found frustrating at times and must be hard for those with families, although was so nice to see a sport which allows you to finish with your family if you wished to do so, a really nice touch. Secondly the money... there was lots of this kicking round it appeared I am sure my bike was worth as much as one wheel on some of those being used.  I can honestly say I wouldn't change this yes it is frustrating when it clear makes a difference on performance level but in terms of participation it is a minor detail.  Although does make me appreciative the level playing field of running which is accessible to so many.  Finally the really friendly crowds, a moment which will stick with me for a long time is a family who were once someone race took the time to say to me that I had handled the race well, really made me smile at the end of a long day.

What next? Well next few years I will only compete in running events (injury permitting), which decision has been based my results within the last year and some vary enjoyable trail runs giving me chance to explore.  I look forward to this continuing with this particularly with the Quantock hills only two miles away from my new home in Taunton, I also look forward to some trips to Datmoor to get in some climbs.  Firstly an obvious target for next year is the London Marathon in April which will provide me chance to really see my speed on the flat but also look forward to racing on trail initially this December on the SW Costal path around Lulworth.  I am yet to decide on further race but hope to push on towards compete in the bigger races, heading out to the Alps at least once and potentially my do a ultra to build up points towards racing the CCC event at UTMB 2016.  Really just ideas at the moment but these only normally head one way with me and that the bugger it I will just do it way and think of the consequences after.

And the smile is back (well maybe a grimace)

Getting Closer...

One from the family album

Over the last few weeks I have been getting my teeth into the bulk of the training for the triathlon I am racing in September.  This has been pretty tough at times but have seen some reasonable improvements which has kept me going.  At times I have had to adapt and make do with the time I have had, but after all 'life happens'.  Over the last week seems my double sessions have become a swim, cycle or run followed by a couple hours walking round furniture shops.  Not what any good training plan would tell me but I'm not following one of them, been going free style.

Competing in a couple of races since last writing yielded a mixed bag of results.  Early on saw a 1 minute 48 second over 10 miles at Portland 10, arguably a tough course than my previous PB to (not many flat courses in the Dorset Road Race League).  This was yet another successful day for Bournemouth claim minimum points in the league for both women's and men's teams.  However racing over half marathon distance a few weeks later wasn't so successful, just managed to sneak under 78 minutes.  Legs were not really playing ball through this race lacked speed but felt reasonably strong.  Again more BAC success (well done guys, I could have had a lie in this time). Looking for another PB this was a bit of a knock but took this as overall training must be going ok, but we will have to wait until September to see if that is correct.  No more racing until the targeted race for now.

View of the Mendips, no wait I mean Spain

Training has consisted of a reasonable amount of running with cycling and swimming a couple times a week, usually totally around 140 miles and 12 hours of training. Spending a week in Spain on a family holiday gave me chance to get out on some trail running and get some decent assents in the legs .  Thought this was not much good preparing for a race with a flat run course, but seemed to have helped my all round strength particularly on the bike.  While back home I have been cycling in the Mendips for my big sessions which has seen me climb a decent amount on the bike.  Today I completed what is likely to be my last big weekend session due to a couple busy weekends ahead, but have taken confidence from decent distance and feeling strong for the majority of the 3 hour bike and 1 hour 30 minutes run.

With a slightly earlier taper than I had planned the weekday sessions are going to be kept at a reasonably volume may even try and get some speed back in the run legs.  Looking at today's session it seems that I have potential for a respectable finish but need to work on limiting my loses to the field on the swim so will try and increase the swimming, probably getting back in the pool when I move to Taunton (yes I will have a good moan about this, the swimming not the moving).  As race day gets closer rest will increase and will do some transition practice then it will be a case of fingers crossed.

Running in the sun. A learning curve.

Since my last blog I have had a couple of races the first of which was Poole 10k

and  this was followed by a half marathon at Cheddar Gorge while I was spending some time at home. These yielded a mixed bag of results and were entered with very contrasting expectation.

Following North Dorset Village Marathon I took a light week of training to recover but soon felt well recovered so tentatively forged on with a regular training load. This was a mixture of regular runs and the odd cycle or sea swim thanks to the nice weather. The variety helped me to do some longer efforts without racking up the miles on foot again, which I am sure helped with a good recovery.  I continued with the regular Bournemouth AC session gradually increasing the speed of efforts as my body allowed. In the last few speed sessions prior to Poole 10k form looked good clocking some 5 minute efforts close to 5 min/mile, this prompted me to have a go at running 33 mins for at Poole 10k (what a flop that was).

Poole 10k was an afternoon race and surprise surprise was sun, warm and slightly windy (typical South coast racing conditions it seems). Setting off I was on pace for the first mile and then was all down hill from there (unfortunately in my performance not the course). Heart rate shot up during this first mile and was unable to bring this down leading to the speed dropping, resulting in an average of 185 bpm for the 10k and a disappointing 34.48 (10th), but help me learn to manage competing in relative heat for the UK. After the race the general feeling was that it was not a day for going fast, which was reassuring.

Following completion of my university course I returned home (swim in the sea filled lake in the picture above) to attend an interview and to race a half marathon. While I was home having a bit more free time I also fitted in a Parkrun at Ashton Court which was 2.5 km up hill 2.5 km down, not being a fast course (17:05- 1st) but turned out to be good prep for the half marathon. I was informed this race was a bit hilly a some bits of rough ground. What this really meant was that it was full on trail with some hills you could only walk up. Thanks Dad! In the early miles I built a lead on the ascents and then was caught on the technical trail, again heart rate shot up in the heat but this time I managed to hydrate better and sustain a reasonable pace in places. Finishing in 2nd (1:37'58) over 2 mins behind the leader  and 4 mins ahead of third, I saw this as a successful first outing on trail and ultimately left me wanting to do more which I would consider a success for anyone (maybe even surprised some people turning up a obvious road runner).

Training for Weymouth Challenge Half triathlon is continuing with every bike ride being followed by a mile run with a few longer swims and rides. As I begin my unemployed graduate life I look forward to having more chance to train a bit more but obviously not sustainable for long, so prioritizing job applications and getting experience where I can (if anyone fancies paying me some mentoring then now is as good a time as any, three years as a physiotherapy undergraduate has taught me a lot about people vary is personality and ability along with me learning to train my own body so may be helpful!). I also have a weeks holiday in Spain to look forward to, will be packing the trainers and exploring the trail that leaves from the town we are staying in (looking forward to this reminding me why I run). Will also race a bit when I get chance but on the road this time I imagine for the time being and just continue ticking along with training triathlon training.

What a difference a year makes

What a difference a year makes. A year ago I was barely competing in any sport and yesterday got my first win over marathon distance which was also Dorset county championship.  My winning time was 2'40.29 which was a pleasant surprise, after only entering 4 weeks ago I thought 2'45 would be just around my limit but training clearly went well.

The originally race plan was to go off around 6'15 for the first half and the up the pace in the second half to see far bellow 2'45 I could go.  Don't think this even lasted a mile on a undulating course it was apparent that some miles would be quicker and some a bit slower, so with the legs feeling ok I just went by feel. 

After a couple miles I was over taken but thought it was just stupid to race the next 24 miles knowing that I would only be as good as my training so had to make the most of my engine and fuel over the distance.  The lead never went to more thank about a 100m I quickly reined it in going over some hills with a bit of speed. Over the half way point I had planned a up in pace running mile 14, 15 and 16 at 5.53 mins, 5.46 and 5.49 respectively.  This must be where the lead came from but all I knew was I could no longer see the guy who had led the early miles.  Then that point when you realize what the marathon distance is like came. From 18 miles I was hurting, slower and not quite as happy as I was earlier in the race, but this would only be temporary (about another 54mins- about the same as some of the winter efforts) so it was just a case of powering on as much as possible and hoping my lead was large enough.

After a bit of mumbling and grumbling the finish was just ahead so I dug in but in one last push and that was that 1st win and course record (apparently there was a slight change to the finish a few years ago). People were saying go for the course record at the finish as if I may miss it so did a bit of a sprint finish, well as much as I will ever sprint then heard it had stood at 2'42.  Was great to see a club team mate come in, in second in 2'46 having done a 61 mile ultra the previous Saturday, which I thought was so impressive and helped us to a team prize. 

At the finish I was met by family and could thank all the guys from the club who were watching.  With the race being half the way to home I could then head home for a nice roast dinner and freshly baked Easter biscuits (a little late I know but had to spend Easter weekend in Bournemouth).  The roast lived up to expectation, and ended up with me ending up on the floor with cramp much to the amusement of the family.

Where from here? So next big event is Challenge Weymouth half triathlon which is a middle distance triathlon, this is majorly out of my comfort zone but will a nice challenge.  This is so into the unknown to me I don't know what to expect but hopefully can learn more about how my body responds to different training and to take my first steps to possibly doing a long course triathlon at some point.  Will return to running for London next year and going to take some time to look for the races I really want to do,want to keep the fun which I am having at the moment but will take it a little bit more serious in future preparations no more of this 4 weeks of marathon training.

Quick congratulations to Steve and Jon for Bournemouth AC who ran for England over a 100 km on Saturday both putting in great performances.  With Steve breaking the British record and running one of the fastest times in the world ever over this distance.  Seeing this success within the club is just the best motivation to keep on training.

So far..

So far..

Making a move to the South coast of England at the age of 18 to go to Bournemouth University took a very ordinary start joining the rowing club enjoying the social side and just generally having fun.  I had always ran a bit but never anything really serious, but in May 2013 I decided to enter Bournemouth marathon.  Training for this was fitted around 3 weeks traveling around Europe followed by 9 weeks where I could get in a decent amount of miles to get round the 26.2 miles.  On a relatively hot day in October I got round in 2:55.05 and really enjoyed the experience and the running continued...

Prior to university I ran a bit, attended circuits a couple times a week but nothing regular or serious, I was to busy chopping it around the golf course for 8 hours a weekend.  Was not really a competitive runner made steady progress in School cross country but by no means the most talented of sports man.  Circuits were run by Ian Eisentrager's which I thoroughly enjoyed got me to a good level of endurance which I could apply as I wished.  The circuit sessions are quite frankly brutal at times but a great mix of people to training with which really push themselves.  At university was where I began to realize the endurance I had rowing for just under 2 years finishing with a 2 km PB of 6:38.5 but a new challenge was needed.  Participating in an individual sport fitted the bill with an ever increasing work load from university and allowed me to 'control the controllable' much more than was the case in rowing.  Rowing was great for  getting me into regular training, and taught me the importance of consistency, but with the time required for the training I felt that I could more effectively use my time else where.

Bournemouth marathon was the time lights went on in my head and longer (or what I considered longer) endurance racing was what I want to do.  Still being only 20 the training was chance to explore and with simple application and hard work improvements would come.  Joining the local athletics club (Bournemouth AC) where I really learnt what endurance racing was, 18 miles including speed work were training sessions on a Tuesday evening and 100 mile weeks were common for the guys focusing on London and longer races beyond London.  Within the road racing section of the club there is a great work ethic and some great results created (no coincidence I am sure).

I am know only a week away from my second marathon entered to make good use of the key sessions over the winter and to get experience over the distance.  The last 3 weeks have been about getting some real miles in with 70 Miles, 75 Miles and 50 Miles running under the belt it is time to get some rest and see how race day goes.  With the unconventional route into running, unconventional training is hardly surprise but with experience and hard work I can look forward to improvements for many years to come, one of the joys of getting into marathon running young.