Boom!!!

 Hardmoors 160 DNF, Lakeland 100 finished, Hardmoors 55 finished and Hardmoors 60 DNF!!!!

Its been a long tough summer, with races stacked up and injuries holding me back.  I've had a few niggles and one fairly bad injury that have just seemed to last forever.  My knee just did'nt get better and at first I thought I'd done some lasting damage but thankful I've come through it.  Its first test was the Hardmoors 160 which it was going to be a make or break situation.  There was no way around it, the knee wasn't right but I knew it would be ok to a certain degree.  It was ok as long as I didn't bend it too much but a slow run was ok, less pressure on it and sustainable.  My plan was to just try get through the first 50 miles protecting it as much as possible and pushing too hard and then by that time it would hopefully be warmed up and other parts of my body might be hurting by then to distract me from it ha ha!  Without doing a full race report, the HM160 went actually very well, I was on form for so long and feeling reasonably comfortable for so much and following my eating and drinking plan perfectly.  It all fell apart just after Kildale so between 120 and 130 miles.  I'd stopped and helped a fellow runner who was in a bit of a mess and needed assistance.  She was unable to continue and was gradually getting worse and worse and my fear was she'd start suffering with hyperthermia.  She was unable to call for help so I rang the medic and he asked me to carry to the checkpoint.  This was approximately 1.5-2 miles away, so no chance on my own lol!  Another guy was passing us and stopped to help, so we both carried her to Kildale and the medic.  I wouldn't change what I did as I'd hope someone would help me if in a similar situation, but what I didn't realise was how much energy it sapped from me and was one of the things that I think tipped me over the edge for a few reasons.  Anyway, my knee was fine, the body as a whole ached yeah sure and my legs were saw but that wasn't why I DNF'd.  The mind was a mess going up the hill out of Kildale, I couldn't keep my eyes open I was fighting with myself to stay awake but I was beginning to lose that battle.  After a few short breaks, sitting down in random places, fellow runners passing me quite often now by this point, I decided to call Sarah.  Oooops!  I never call her, not on purpose but my phone is never really accessible and I try to save the battery as I know it runs down quickly if on.  I couldn't speak coherently, my texts were short and distressing to her.  I was basically saying I couldn't keep my eyes open and I needed her to do something to help.  She obviously panicked and headed out to find me.  Anyway to cut a long story short, she eventually caught me up, she'd run from Kildale and I'd been expecting her from the other direction but she didn't realise I was still moving.  So after her initial hostile reaction to meeting me and almost killing me, we got to the car and Jonesy my mate who was helping us.  My mind was done I'd broken my positivity and the momentum had gone. I'd talked myself out of it, again arrrrggghhhh!!!!! 

 Oh wow what a day!

Firstly before I say any more I need to say how much I love my wife Sarah! If she didn't give up her greatly earnt time then I wouldn't be able to do most of this stuff, plus she puts up with me training and facilitates it.  My running definitely makes me a better person or even a happier person so making the effort to do it even when its a chore or awkward timing wise I know I'll be better for it.  Sarah comes out in the middle of the night, sleeps in the car, exhausts herself and looks after me which I am eternally grateful. I am very lucky!

So on to my run, loved it! Even the early start, the anticipation, the preparation, the learning outcomes, the glorious weather, the team work, the amazing route, the pain, the pleasure, the lows and the highs!  Since the Hardmoors 55 race had to be postponed due to Coronavirus I decided I wasn't going to let this stop me.  I knew I needed a long run done pre-160 and this was it.  I needed this not only to see how I faired physically but mentally I needed the confidence and reassurance that I was going to be able to cope ok on the route.  I know the route fairly well but its been a couple of years so a little recap is always good plus I wanted to learn a bit more in the first section where I was going to have to work harder and where I was just going to have to give it my best effort and try not to lose too much time.  From previous races the section coming from Slapewath Pub going into Guisborough woods is going to be a crucial point for me, so a little preparation is important here.  So my plan will be to get to get to Sarah who'll be waiting in the pub carpark for me after seeing me at Saltburn.  I intend to get a good feed here and refuel with a little sleep.  Then I'm going to attack the next section that mentally held me back last time, but not this time!

Saturday morning came and I was up at 4.30am to let Bertie the family dog out into the garden.  I was to get myself sorted and packed whilst having some breakfast and make Sarah her coffee, ready!! I woke her at 4.50am as was the plan so we could leave at 5.15 to allow me a 6am start.  As per normal I wasn't ready and we were behind schedule.  Once we arrived and I got myself sorted I headed off all keen and excited for my adventure that lay ahead.  I said my goodbyes and and Sarah waved me off still half asleep I think and off she drove.  That was it, I was on my own.  The sun was just up and it was nice and fresh, I felt good and got focused on the job in hand. The plan was to get a good overview of the route in the next couple of sections and workout how fast I need to go to get through it.  I wanted to see why I'd build it up in my head to be so hard, yet the reality was yes it was tough going but not nearly like I'd built it up in my head.  It was 2 miles of slogging it up hill to High Cliff Nab, now that I know that I can push myself that little bit harder as its not far and I know it will be over soon 30 mins worst case scenario remembering I'd have already done 105 miles by this point so fuel and salts will be important before this section. Power up here then its a section I have to push on with to get across to Roseberry Topping, ok I won't be racing up it but I can try and get across to it a little quicker than walking.  Then it will just be a matter of getting up and Roseberry without taking forever or falling and back up little Roseberry before heading to Gribdale and Captain Cooks Monument a few miles away.  Again very runnable once up little Roseberry so I have to make myself try harder here again so as to make up a little time.   Once I'd got over to Kildale I new I'd done the section that bothered me and that I wanted to learn more about.  I wanted a mental boost that allows me to look at it and not think this will be where I break, whereas now I'm thinking "it won't be there, that is not so bad and its not going to break me".  I went on to Blowarth Crossing and over the Wainstones but realised I was running out of water fast.  The sun was now beating down and yet again I was ill prepared for this and allowed it to bake one side of my head.  I was starting to worry about the water situation with being mindful about savering each drop.  I had a little plan or hope that I'd be able to refill my reserves at Lordstones camping park where I knew there was a toilet block, for residents, but I just preyed I'd get a top up.  Luckily as I staggered up to it I spyed an outdoor tap which by now was going to save my life.  I filled all the bottles and poured some over my sun baked head, wow it was hot.  Off I went towards scarth moor woods with Osmotherly in my sights.. This was another section I was weary of and keep building up in my head so again I wanted quash all the negativity around these areas.  The best way to deal with this is to just be prepared for them and have little stratergies.  It works, its still hard but you break them down from being monsters and making them more not necessarily happy places but nicer and achievable and undemonise them if that's a word lol!

 I made it through to Osmotherly in fairly decent shape and time was ok. Sarah was there after I eventually found her, hiding round a corner out of the way.  As ever she had everything there for me tending to my needs and Bertie the dog was with her and very excited to find me there.  It was a great  chance to just have a break and refocus, refuel and then head up the hill to Square corner.  Again this was a little section that I have built up in my head and making it horrific.  The reality is, its not that bad I've just got to get it done but allowing myself enough time to struggle up it rather than race against the clock as this is a cut-off check point and if I'm getting this far then I'm finishing.  I've been there before on the 110 and been timed out.  Its not a nice feeling and its not going to happen again!!!!  Once up the hill and another mini catch up with Sarah and Bertie I pushed to get the last 22/23 miles done.  In theory this is the easy bit as you've done the hard work and its just a matter of running down the miles.  It definitely felt good being able to run for long sections and feel like your getting somewhere, so the time and the miles were flying by.  Unfortunately I had still done 32 tough hilly miles beforehand so fatigue was creeping in what felt quick to me was actually not that fast lol!  What pleased me though was the desire to be running and the bodies willing to keep going.  It would be easy to feel broken at this point and to just plod out the remaining miles, but I wanted more, I wanted to push myself at this point because in the 160 I will sill have a 100 miles to go :)

I had been given strict instructions to call Sarah at 6pm and give an indication of what time I'll be finishing.  As always I'm very optimistic with this so Sarah has learnt to just add a bit more on to whatever I say so in this case an extra 30 to 45 mins.  I got myself finally to Sutton Bank and on to the White Horse car park where it was just starting to get dark which was going to change everything.  The fun was disappearing gradually as was the sun.  On to Cold Kirby and Rivaulx which now was just a going through the motions exercise and trying to keep pushing right to the end not letting up and walking it out.  This was not acceptable.  I ran down the hill into Helmsley feeling tired and exhausted but not totally spent, there was reserves and I knew I'd run with in myself therefore I'd have been ok to continue.  Sarah was there waiting as ever and off we went straight away as it was after 8pm now and we were both shattered.  Bath and food was calling me and bed for Sarah.  Job done, what's next!!!!

 I'm feeling very inspired at the moment and my running ambitions are probably getting a bit carried away but why not hey its not hurting anyone and its making me fitter and healthier than I've ever been.  I just can't get enough of that feeling of trying something that seems so impossible (for me) that its actually mega appealing.   Crazy I know! I love the idea of extreme training for an extreme event. The harder it is the more I want to do it and enjoy the process.  Whilst in lockdown I've really tried to basically do as much as I can do with everything else.  I've honestly pushed myself to the extreme I feel, and anymore would have resulted in injury without being able to get massages etc. There is something about testing myself and setting that ridiculously early alarm and forcing myself to get up and prepared for a long run.  In my head they're like my mini-adventures.  I might not ever be able to climb up Everest or trek to the North Pole but I can have my own mini-adventures that push me to exhaustion and achieve things that others wouldn't even dream of trying.  I read constantly books on people achieving this, and that, running the length of Great Britain, across America, The Yukon, Badwater and treks across the artic, and all I can think about is why not me? So all I'm trying to do is have a go and get as close to what they've achieved as I can.  Preparing for an event is great, deciding on what kind of training I'm going to try and see how hard I can push myself physically and mentally and how determined I am at getting my body in the best shape possible for the attempt.  I'm now at the lowest weight I have ever been, or at least since I was about 14 lol!  I've dropped down from once bordering 16 stone, to hovering at 14.5 stone to now being not just under 14 but under 13.5 and heading towards the target of under 13.  This isn't me trying to be skinny and look better in clothes as I've never been motivated like that, its about me getting fitter and better prepared for long distance Ultra events.  I seriously want to achieve greater things and I've always been held back a little by my weight.  I never let it stop me don't get me wrong, but its now at the point where its one of the things I can do something about. I'm not a naturally fast runner so I have to work with what I've got and my theory is that I have to deal with the things I can do something about and not worry about the rest.

Along side these long runs I've been boshing out over the past 6-7 weeks which has been great but taken its toll on my body somewhat, I've been doing small workouts at home using bits of kit I've either bought or made.  This would be along the lines of doing a bit of a warm up so running on the spot incorporating star jumps and jumping split steps.  This would then progress to a routine of skipping say 100 jumps, 10 press-ups, 10 air squats followed by 10 burpees and sometimes adding a couple of laps of the garden or kettlebell swings or dumb bells or bar bell.   This has worked well in improving my overall fitness and calorie burning but also my mindset of running while tired or drained.  I've also used the stairs quite a lot as I think this really helps with cardio training and continuous effort for climbing those long drawn out inclines.  A new part to my training has arisen from getting Bertie the dog.  We head out for our walks with me car a ruck sack weighing 19kg.  The funny story to this is that for at least 3 months I thought it weighed more like 15kg, then one day I weighed myself wearing it and it turns out it is 19kg!!! Great for the legs and core muscles I've decided.

What's next? What's my plans for training and races oooo I'll let you know next time :)

 Push, push, push!  Its easy to just get into the mindset of unrelenting training and constant pushing.  Once I get into a routine, for example running 7 miles every day, I find it difficult to either stop or change it.  What I've found in having the training plan from Ronnie is that I get the variety needed, but I still get carried away and currently due to covid I'm definitely over training or at least in danger of over training if I don't reign it in. The Myzone heart rate training app is great and really helped me through this period but it's dangerous too as I get addicted and carried away.  It means I have to keep going every day so as not to miss out on the bloody points.  What I notice in the training, if say a run, the effort level stays the same or at least I mean I'm still trying as hard as possible but it becomes more and more difficult to get the desired heart rate.  So for the same run its a lot lower and therefore the points total is less so actually a little disappointing.  Throw in an odd rest day and boom, its straight back up there.  So is this the body saving energy knowing that this is now the daily routine therefore it needs to preserve reserves, and when its less regular it allows more fuel/energy to be used and allows it to deplete knowing its not every day???

So based on the theory above I've mixed it up a bit.  In February I really tried to put a big effort in, not only trying to lose a bit of weight which I did, and I tried to put in as many miles as possible with some big efforts every Sunday.  Pushing myself hard over the month actually led to a couple of niggly injuries that I knew weren't major but needed managing.  Knee's and hip were the main areas that needed constant stretching and focus.  What pleased me the most was being able to work through these longer distances such as 28,30 and 35 miles while slightly impeded by these injuries.  Not always advisable but I looked after them and I was able to rest in between runs as I'm not working at the moment.  This week I'm doing a few different things whilst allowing a bit of recovery, such as when I'm walking the dog I'm carrying a 15kg back pack so I'm still putting in a shift.  I did short sprints and hill repeats yesterday over a 4 mile distance, and back out with the dog this morning.  I intend to do a short workout this afternoon before long run tomorrow of 22 miles and 30 on Saturday or Sunday. 

I actually like this periods because I become a little more inventive with my training which gives me an extra edge.  What I've gained from the last few months apart from a greater fitness and weight loss, is stronger resilience and confidence from being able to just get out my back door and run.  

So my message today is, like the Nike logo says, "Just do it!" ..........

No excuse :)

Love this as it reminds me of something very important.  Once you get to the point of wanting to quit, that's when the journey really begins!!!

 On and on, it never ends! Ha ha that's how the training feels sometimes but its getting through those days or runs which help you to become not only physically stronger but mentally more resilient.  February was a big month for me in my training, not necessarily what my program said but it had to be then.  Its about making it work for you, if I didn't strike whilst the iron was hot I'd potentially miss my chance of doing something new or at least different, in this case that was mileage.  I don't think I have ever ran as many miles as this especially over a period of a month.  The consistency factor is what was important here, I maintained a focus on being steady and not necessarily pushing myself too hard as long as I got the miles in or time on my feet.  I have had a few niggly injuries to contend with, my left knee is almost better and my right hip flexor is almost better.  So with these in mind I just wanted to get the miles in without making anything worse or making any more injuries.   Yes I probably would have recovered quicker if I'd just rested but my confidence now is much greater, I have no issues with just going out the door and running 30 miles which actually sounds completely bonkers lol! I've now managed to do it for 6 weeks in a row and kept up the mileage mid-week.  I wouldn't advise this for everyone, and I'm no sure if I could do it when I'm back working either.

I think with all this time off work its given me the opportunity to get more training in than ever before which I won't ever be able to replicate again I don't think.  For that I feel very lucky as its been my saviour through these tough times mentally and physically.  Its enabled be me to be more focused on my training and diet.  Basically there's no excuse! I've now managed to lose over 5kg so I'm actually only a few kg's of my target weight for the race.  I'm now getting quite excited about the event and really believe I can do it this time.

What's on the horizon?  In the next few weeks I'll be looking to complete the virtual Hardmoors 55.  I'm going to use the actual route and go from Slapeworth Pub carpark so I can use the experience as a recce for the 160.  This is where it is going to be crucial in my race as it was the place I began to breakdown last time.  Its maybe just a mental think but I'm focused on giving myself a confidence boost for this section so I can mentally overcome the challenge.  I know its where I lose time so I want to learn a bit more about that section so I know where I have to push harder and when its ok to just plod uphill. I truly believe if I can just get passed Roseberry Topping with a bit of time in the bank still then get over to Osmotherly Square Corner in time then I can do it.  Yes its hard work all the way round but I've learnt is there are sections that if I make it a concentrated effort then I can come out of that section successful. This is how I approach it, in sections, I know the weak spots and where I just need to dig in and put in an effort and I know the sections where I can cruise a little.  Love it!!! Unfortunately this is the easy bit, training.  Yes I know I hear you, its not that easy getting out the door, getting the time, feeling tired all the time, aching all the time, managing injuries, I know I know!! But it is, since I don't go out and run 160 miles in training its difficult to replicate how it feels, but if your training hard and feeling tired, aching, and mentally drained then you're preparing yourself the best you can! I do think I should do a 100 mile training run beforehand, I would do an event in February or early March if there was one. Its mindset!  Preparing your mind for being uncomfortable constantly for 50 hours basically. So in your training its important to take this in to account, so for me its not just about pace its about being uncomfortable and still getting the job done.  David Goggins book is very good on this he talks about it quite a lot. He believes in making his training uncomfortable so he's ready to smash it!

Many of us keep asking the same question, why? I used to think I knew, why, but now I just feel or think its just because.  I don't think there is necessarily one reason for doing the running, and running ridiculous amounts of miles.  All I know is, this is now who I am and what I like to do.  I realised I can go a bit further than what was considered a normal long distance and I'm now aiming to achieve 160 miles in one go.  That's more than 6 marathons back to back over the hills.  This is something I never thought I'd be doing, and to be fair I didn't even know people did lol!  The achievement of something like this is very addictive and a strong motivator.  The problem with hitting these sort of distances and time schedules is the training.  Looking back at what I've done in the past for training and achieving 50, 60 and even 110 miles, I don't actually think I did that much.  What I did manage to do though was structure it so the build up to the main race showed progressive increase in distance.  The difference now, knowing what I know and having unfinished business on this race with not finishing it twice is, there is no compromise on training miles.  The advantage I have now for actually completing the race is massive, in comparison to what I thought was enough or adequate before to now is huge.  My confidence is sky high for distance, my ability to run a bit quicker is much greater and my knowledge of the route and my weak areas is much greater.  I now have to keep focused on my training and keeping the miles up and not getting injured.  The nutritional side of things is now where my attention needs to go and gain some discipline for eating and drinking on the go.  I am mainly going to give this more attention slightly nearer the event and set a routine where it is just going to be habit from the word go.  This will likely be something along the lines of every 30 mins and try and do a rough estimate of the amount of calories I will need to replace.  This will involve small snacks which will become musts, not options and small meals to keep me fuelled.  I actually think in the last two attempts I have got the fluids right so I will use the same method for that which is keeping water for constant sipping and then switching between a recovery drink and an electrolyte drink at checkpoints.

What other areas can I work on?  I am happy with my training so far and overall mileage but currently not getting much hill work in so I need to have a focus period on that shortly once the restrictions change for Covid.  I will also be looking to do some sections of the actual course where I feel I need to not necessarily learn the route as this is now in my makeup and etched in my brain, but it's more to do with confidence and knowledge on certain sections.  Such as, leaving Saltburn I now know this is a long uphill slog, not particular Everest like but after you've done 100 miles I remember it draining me. I will be looking to push on through here even though I know I will be exhausted but I will have the goal of getting to Slapeworth where I will get more fuel but more important I'll be having a sleep here providing the rest of the race has gone to plan. I intend to get 15 mins sleep before heading through Guisborough woods up to High Cliff Nab and on to Roseberry Topping.  Last time I broke down here, my body was shutting down, negativity had developed from a seed to a race ending blockage in my thoughts.  I will not let this happen this time!  The recce will be to determine at what pace I can go before I have to push myself beyond, and to explore where on the route I need to run just to keep my average time up.  The goal here is to just get it done without losing too much time.  Normally 10 miles I would 2-2.5 hours but after 100 miles and its all up hill its a different story.  In this instance 2 miles an hour, even though it sounds mega slow, is actually a safe bet.  The question is, for how long before I just have to increase that to 3 miles an hour.  The work I will put in at the start of the race is for this exact reason, I will be making up time on the cut-offs to bank extra time for this section and for the hill up to Osmotherly Square Corner which will be another section I will dissect and have a strategy for because this might be the crucial moment between finishing the race and being timed out.  I need to know how much time I will need to do these sections. Remembering I will be broken by this point so all positive thoughts and focuses will be needed rather than negative thoughts about how hard it is.  If you can fill your thoughts with aims and targets then there is no room for the negative doom and gloom!

Happy training folks, small targets large goals!!

 Maintaining the momentum!

This is a hard one really.  I have good spells and bad spells.  This was one of the reasons I signed up with Ronnie Staton, not only for his insight to the really long stuff but to get some structure into my training and consistency.  Since January 1st I've really kicked on and pushed myself, lockdown has helped to be fair with time so no excuses there.  I was a bit reluctant to going to far to begin with so I focused just doing my 7 mile loop, I needed more.  I did this in the first lockdown which was great but I  burned myself out.  I decided to start using my time better, I had different responsibilities at home this time so therefore being clever with my training was key.  It started with using the virtual Hardmoors races really as they motivated me to get out for a long run to not waste my money really, then I've kind of just carried on.  I did another yesterday, 28 miles from the doorstep using a similar route to normal.  Although this time it was a bit of a struggle, my legs felt empty and I just felt generally drained.  I decided this was actually a good thing, uncomfortable yes but quite necessary as it replicates how I feel running over 100 miles.  It is never comfortable then either, I know I've shocked you there hey lol!!!!  Seriously though it's good to have to battle through training runs like this sometimes as it makes you remember it isn't that nice and it isn't comfortable and will most likely be done with aches and pains.  So why not give your body a little taste of things to come.

This takes me back to last year. I've mentioned previously that during the first lockdown I joined in a challenge that was occurring a little on facebook where people were running a marathon around there garden.  The problem was, once I'd done this, which by the way at the time was super tough and I was really pleased to just get it done, someone announced the next big thing. What?   I hear you scream.  Not another Garden Marathon, no, but a Garden Ultra ha ha! The challenge was set, no more than 100 feet in distance and continuous.  Er... red rag lol!!! Ok so I set the date and got a sponsorship page organised as thought it would be good to earn a bit for a good cause and set the route.  Boom! Numerous hours later and 52 miles smashed.  This was great for the confidence as was the marathon, mainly because I'd only been managing my 7 miler up till then. Completely and utterly bonkers but great memories and glad I've done it.  The problem is, I was disappointed with the total and feel I should have gone further lol!

I am now just trying to maintain good quality training for the next few weeks, waiting to see when I can get back to work but mainly to manage my knee niggles and hip flexor issue.  I'm going really put some effort into stretching over the next few weeks and strengthen my core and hamstrings/glutes.  Its only 4 weeks now till the Hardmoors 55, providing it goes ahead so I don't any injuries now.  I can't wait till we are allowed to get out any train properly on the Moors I'm busting for that but using my time wisely until that moment.

Since January 1st I've managed to drop 5kg which is great, it makes me feel so much better.  No drinking has helped and eating less with shake days thrown in with focus weeks.  I'm currently using Huel, it rally does help, I don't feel hungry after it so not tempted to snack.  £ or 4 more kg to go and I'll be at my lowest weight for over 25 years!  Its not what its about to me but I know it makes a difference and I'm prepared to use it as a tool to achieve my goals.  Makes me feel pretty good too.....:)

 The thing about training for these long events is that I just get so focused on it and fixated on what's going to make it a successful attempt.  I love the basic progression of the training, increasing strength and mileage, decreasing body weight and a focused approach to the event in question whether this be recce's of the route or hill training etc..  What I am focusing on at the moment for the Hardmoors 160 initially is mileage as this is something different to previous attempts, yes I got out there and got the miles in but it wasn't my focus where as this time I have the opportunity to get a series of long runs in and consistently hit good weekly total mileage.  So for instance in the last few weeks I've been hitting around 70 miles, gearing up for a big 100 mile week.  What I intend to do is use the Hardmoors 55 as my base for that week.  The changes that I've experienced so far in comparison to a number of years ago and even previous to just last year is the condition of my feet and body, during the run and post run.  Before my feet would be blistered and sore, aching and bruised, where as now they very rarely get any kind of blisters and the bruising is minimal and gone by the next day.  I used to suffer from leg soreness and lower back but these also seem to have reduced and I feel little discomfort the following days.  This I put down to consistent regular training and conditioning which have helped build this level of resilience.  In turn this strengthens the mental resilience and confidence.

I have allowed myself a rest day after Sundays 28 miler which was hard because I always feel the need to keep pushing and trying for more but the reality is the rest will do me good and actually my body needs it to recover a bit from the niggles that I've been running with over the last few weeks. I'm going to for the next few weeks try to double up on my training which will involve either a run or workout in the morning then the same again in the afternoon.  I'd like to fit half an stretching in at lunchtime if possible too! It might prove too much and I don't have the time, the trick will be to plan my days and not to make excuses.  I can't stand being lazy, resting because you've exerted yourself is different and much needed but lounging around doing nothing is not me. 

Reluctantly I'm going to have to bite the bullet and buy some more road trainers and eventually trail shoes because I have literally worn the current ones out.  It was only last year during the first lockdown that I got my Hoka's as they were a birthday present from my Mum.  I think that is the first time ever I've worn a pair out through mileage or use rather than age or the MdS.  This just shows me how much I'm running at the moment and how far I have come over the past few years.  My training really has evolved in cycles.  I've tried to give it different focuses over the years to try and gain new things and work on my weaknesses and to my strengths.  I've had guys helping me who have worked on my cardio, my functional strength and conditioning, power and strength and now a more running focused training which was inevitable in the end and has been incredibly beneficial and motivating.  They have all had positives and I've gained so much from each individuals input as I have from the Sports Massages I receive. Starting from when I used to get Hot Stones massages showing me the benefits of such therapies.   I never really thought about adding this sort of thing to my journey but once I started  I instantly realised the benefits in recovery and body maintenance.  Its something we should all do really as the body needs that release from its daily stresses.  My running journey has come so far and its easy to forget where it actually started, mine was as a youngster really 10 years old and running fun runs accomplishing my first ever 10k.  What I didn't realise then was, running down the cycle track with my Dad on his bike, getting me out there and training (probably unwillingly ha ha), was the beginning of my journey.  The seed was being planted and my Ultra journey was a foot!

Thanks Dad :)

 So yesterday I awoke at the crack of dawn with the intention of running 28 miles.  This is a great feeling knowing that I can do this after last week doing 34 and the week before that doing a 30. This finally feels like the training after all these years is coming in to fruition.  The work I've done over various distances and terrains.  The different trainers I've had with differing ideas on how to prepare me has payed off as have learnt so much physically and mentally from all these guys.  I haven't stuck to my plan necessarily over the last few weeks but I have stuck to the structure of it and done the different elements to the workouts as required.  What lockdown has enabled me to do is have the time to get some extra miles in and long miles.  What I have tried to do over the past few weeks is incorporate Ronnie's training program for me with long runs and the virtual races that I entered.  The virtual races were from the Hardmoors series which have acted brilliantly as motivators over the past 3 or 4 months helping me get out for longer. The Hardmoors 1000 club isn't over yet!

The last few weeks has given me the opportunity to go further and for longer.  My first effort of 32 miles was on the back of doing 16.5 miles a few weeks ago.  What motivated me further was the fact that I'd entered the Hardmoors Virtual Saltburn marathon and Roseberry Topping marathon and desperately needed to fit these in before the deadline.  The first of these was Saltburn hence 32 miles.  This was a cold wet miserable morning, rising at the crack of dawn as per usual to get the dog walked and out of the door early enough to be back by lunchtime. I was a little setting off but only a few minutes so all was good.  I comfortable chugged my way through the first 14 miles before my hip started getting tight and being an issue.  I pulled over to the side to stretch and try to walk it off for a few mins.  What I thought was going to be a problem was my knee as I'd a niggle over the last few weeks which wasn't enough to stop me from doing anything but enough to keep bothering me.  It wasn't going, it was going to be decision time soon as all I could manage was half a mile running before stopping and stretching again and a walk.  This does not bode well at the half way point.  I pushed on to the last point of no return, the opportunity to go home doing 3 miles or carry on and do another 12.  I decided it was great but ok to carry on I would just take it easy and get the mileage done trying not to injure myself to much.  This proved just about ok with no lasting injury or additional suffering, just a few days of soreness which I'd expect from a 32 mile run anyway.  I spent the rest of the week trying to monitor my hip flexor and my knee stretching and managing them constantly.  I put a few short runs after a few days of walking before contemplating another long run the Sunday after.

Last weeks epic of 34 miles was just brilliant.  To know I can just put my trainers on and go out the door and complete a 34 mile run without too many issues is a great feeling.  The plan on this occasion was to do a slow first half and a quicker second half so therefore the opposite of the Sunday before even if that was as a direct result of being hampered by injury.   What I wanted to achieve here was firstly having the energy to push on and inject a little bit of pace to complete a 30 plus run and secondly to experience having tired legs but forcing myself to push on and run.  So yesterdays run was again with another strategy in mind of not going quite as quick as I know I could but to run the whole thing at a good steady pace.  My target here was 11 min miles consistently.  I was aiming for 28 miles so a little under the last few weeks but still a decent distance to really benefit.  I was really pleased with the initial 15-20 miles which went great and felt fairly comfortable yet I also felt I was pushing myself.  My legs felt strong and weren't getting weiry,  but then I dropped off slightly for a few miles which I had to really dig deep and step it up. I had to keep reminding myself what the race plan had been, and this was to push through to the end after being consistent throughout and not letting the pace or effort drop off!

All in all its been a great few weeks of training and I now need to just get the last few weeks in, who knows I might be back at work in 4 weeks! Maybe.....

 What have I just done????

Well, little over a week ago I planned to do the Roseberry Topping Virtual Hardmoors race.  Purely for two main reasons, 1) because it was a good way of forcing myself out to do a ling run 2) because it means I gain some Hardmoors miles towards my 1000.

The reason for that particular Sunday was mainly due to it being the last day you could so I didn't really have much choice and I wasn't prepared to waste the entry fee. So I planned with Sarah what I was going to do and it started with me getting up at 5am and taking Bertie out.  The plan was then to just get some breakfast, get my stuff together, and go asap! I managed to get out the door just after 6, still dark, very wet, and generally very good Hardmoors weather, i.e. miserable lol!  I had my route in mind with an estimation of distance but no guarantee so my theory was that I'd get through as much as I could before deciding whether I needed to add any more.  This is great in theory but the further I went the more I kept thinking that if it wasn't enough do I really want to get to my house and then have to go back out and do a bit more.  NOOOOOO! so I tried to judge from after about 20 miles once I began following the road signs back and there mileage.  I calculated I needed about an extra 2 miles, so without any hesitation I started picking moments when I'd double back and then turn round and resume my route adding a quarter of a mile on.  This is ok as it soon adds up, the only problem that after 24/25 miles its quite demoralising turning round and running away from your target.  This is when the positive side of me kicks in and makes me put it down to 'good mental training'! If I can make myself turn round and run back a bit and then restart it can only be making me more resilient. surely!!! ha ha!! Please be true, please have been worth it.....!

With 5 hours 46 minutes gone and 30 miles banked I crawled home.  The outcome was exactly spot on, time was about 16 mins slower than what I'd wanted and my body generally felt ok.  Where I had a few problems was my hip/quad on the right hand side.  I'm not entirely sure why except this recurring tight quad that I seem to have to manage constantly.  It really became a problem as I left Brauby and headed towards Great Barugh.  The quad got tight on the lift of the leg and in turn created a problem in my hip flexor.  This wasn't a major injury or something that was going to put halt to my plans of 30 miles, it just meant it was going to be slow and painful.  Basically I had to stop and stretch it out, then I could run pain free for about half a mile then repeat the process.  This was how I managed the last 15 miles.  The positves: I kept going! I finished what I started! No major injury! Great strength of mind! Great resilience!!! Strong mind, strong body!

After a few days of minor soreness and tightness I was back to it as planned, I wanted to test my recovery and ability to get back on with it.  It was tough to start with but as the week went on my strength improved.  I was feeling good after the weekend, I felt I could do anything lol!  The inner me piped up, 'go on then, do it again this weekend, see if your hard enough' ok I said, so I did.  The plan this time was to not have to do any backwards and forwards malarkey so I got the map out to try and devise a similar route that would actually be nearer to the 30 as stated.  The problem was, that bloody inner me piped up again, as he does, ' maybe you should go a bit further this time, why not 35?' Any way, yes I did go further, this time I added a few minor sections on to make up the distance and I finished with 34 miles.  Excellent, 34 miles, I would never ever been able to even contemplate running from my own door step for 34 miles 10 years ago maybe even 2 years ago, but I did it.  A slightly earlier start since I was going a bit further, and with a different tactic.  This time I wanted to do a steady start and then push myself in the second half.  Two reasons really, one because I knew my hip flexor needed a decent warmup and I wanted to get past half way at least before it became troublesome and my other knee was a little sore so the same thinking was applied there too, and secondly I thought it would be good mental training to learn to push myself that far in to the mileage.  So I basically walked and ran the first half then ran and walked the second half.  When I say walked I'm talking a fast paced power hike as I'm training that aspect of my skill too. So without too much tooing and froing I managed to get 34 miles in the bank in 6 hours 31 minutes which I'm fairly happy with. No new injuries and I didn't make the old ones any worse thankfully, so all in all quite pleased.  Plus two 30 mile plus runs in 7 days almost 100 miles that week.  That's a record for me!  Now to get the hip and knee fixed :)

 5.25 alarm!  Up and out with Bertie the dog.  This is now my daily routine, whatever the weather we go out.  Easy comparisons to my training, we should use the same mindset as I now get up without questioning it because Bertie needs me to, but when its for a run and you're not fully committed then we often choose not to go because your bed is more appealing.

As this weeks gone on I've slowly recovered from my long blast last Sunday putting myself through it so I run on tired legs and get used to not feeling 100%.  Two niggles I've been dealing with, especially since Sunday, an ongoing sore knee and a tight hip flexor.  What have I been doing to relieve this so I can continue training?  Well I've dropped it down slightly to allow some rest and recovery, I'm trying to increase the flexibility in my knee or left leg by firstly leaning against the aga to warm it up slightly which is nice lol! Then holding a couple of stretches and squatting down trying to feel no pain when in my maximum bent position. The pain has become less over the week and is starting to free up which feels great. Most of this originates from my quads as they are excessively tight so I am constantly trying to free them up using stretching and foam roller and the rolling pin roller.  Constant attention is the only way I'm going to get this resolved and train at the same time.

Back to last year, so not only did I have the greatest day ever getting married to Sarah I had a few little achievements to remember the lockdown from.  After the initial period of the first lockdown which was horrific we began to establish a few routines and get to grips with it.  I kept up my training and started pushing myself more and more, and following various facebook groups and seeing lots of challenges occurring I decided focus my training towards something.  I decided a garden marathon was on the cards and I fancied having a go.  This, in my head was massive, once I selected my day working on the principle of about 6 hours I got up early and set off.  The first 10 miles didn't seem too bad then it started to become a bit of a chore. The repetitive nature of what I was doing was the toughest part.  I created a loop that involved running a figure of 8 to maximise my garden.  So I started at the back door and went clockwise to the garden then looped back around the garden and through the shed and back to the start. This was going to require several hundred laps but hey ho it is what it is.  I set up a mini checkpoint at the outdoor table and allowed myself a few stops to re-fuel. It was brilliant Sarah kept coming out to see how I was doing and offering support as she always does, and the kids running a few laps with me winning the races we kept doing. Exhausting for all ha ha!  I was right it took me approximately 6 hours and my last few laps I got a little disorientated because I tried to run the opposite direction to mix things up at the end as boredom had set in.  This completely threw me and messed with my head, making me a bit wobbly, very strange sensation indeed.  The end came and I collapsed on the grass feeling ecstatic that I'd done something so ridiculous yet brilliant.  Wow!! Thats just crazy, great mental training ready for the Hardmoors 160 and great base training for my legs.

Great achievement but my gut feeling was, " I know I can do more!" oh dear lol!!!

 Another lockdown day passes, groundhog day in many respects.  Its a weird feeling, being off constantly without working but yet not on holiday.  Its easy to think that this would be bliss but its more difficult than you think.  Guilt from not working, pressure to be reasonably productive and worry about the future.  Some people are setting challenges, learning new skills or picking up where they left off years ago, some use exercise!

Sunday was my opportunity to get a long run in, and when I say a long run I'm talking 30 miles. Before Christmas I signed up to the Hardmoors Virtual Roseberry Topping marathon, being 30 miles.  I tried to plan it so I used a few weeks of lockdown to get some good training in and build up the mileage.  The opportunity arose and with Sarah's ok I planned an early start after taking Bertie for his morning constitution.  He was sorted and all I had to do was get my kit together and get out the door.  I wasn't feeling great but soon came round to the idea and was up for it.  It was dark, cold and frosty so it was a matter of getting going and keeping myself warm.  It was stunning watching the sun come of the frosted landscape and discovering a few new roads and routes.  Time passed as did the miles and I approached the half way marker of 15 miles.  I started getting the feeling that my hip flexor wasn't right, it was tightening up and could become an issue, but I plodded on.  No, its no good I thought, I need to stop and stretch otherwise it's going  to be game over.  I couldn't shake it, I repeated the process of running half a mile, stretching then power walking a bit.  It still didn't pass but I decided I was going to continue rather than redirect and go home.  I'm so glad I pushed on through and mentally took on this challenge working the situation without damaging myself longterm.  It was a bit of battle towards the end, especially I calculated I was going to be short for miles so I needed to add an extra 2.5 miles so the process of back tracking quarter of a mile and then turning round began.  UUUrrggghh!!! I hate doing this but I'd hate getting home then having to go out and do 2.5 miles more, so it was just a matter of suck it and crack on.  5 hours 47 minutes and job done, legs actually felt ok and my feet were in good shape so no complaints.  30 miles in the bag and no serious injuries. Boom!!!!!

I was really pleased with getting out and being relatively comfortable completing 30 miles, although it was all road I don't mind as it was just important to get the time on my feet and miles under my belt. No blisters! Winner.  A few years ago doing something like this would have caused all sorts of problems, I know I know it wasn't fast but steady away and I got it done in a reasonable time, with the knowledge that I can do it faster actually if my hip and been ok. I reckon 5 and half hours would have been about right. In the past this would have broken me, I would have completed it but with battered feet, achy stiff legs and probably a bad back. I wasn't in bad shape after either, a few creaky joints that a bit of stretching cleared up and the feeling of being a little tired but all in all I was in good shape.  What this has done has given me confidence and a desire to get out regularly or as much as I can getting the longer distances in. Balance is everything and taking care not to wreck my body in the process.

When we first went into lockdown the initial few weeks were really tough as we had no idea of what was going on and what to expect.  I decided that I needed to approach this like work and give myself a routine with my exercise.  This began fairly normal with a run, most of the time folowing my programme set by Ronnie.  This escalated rapidly to running every day, almost with addiction as I didn't dare miss a session.  I was in the infancy stage of using the Myzone heart rate monitor and collating the points and competing on a leader board.  This also became addictive and motivational, helping me not only to get out every day but to keep pushing myself.  This soon became not enough, I needed more points to compete at the top level and soon started to include garden workouts experimenting with different things to achieve the best results.  I was loving it, and later I concluded that this was actually my salvation physically and mentally!

Currently I am in charge of home schooling! This is proving to be quite challenging and any aspirations of going on to further my career and diversifying into teaching are rapidly waning.  My patience has been tested to the max and my knowledge lol!  The telegraph crossword feels easy to some of this stuff!!  Sarah is still battling away with working and coping with constant interruptions from the kids, usually complaining about the horrible strict teacher in the other room.  What I'm able to do on these weeks is either get out running or garden workout training, first thing or at 3.30pm once they've finished.  This isn't always possible but I'm trying to get as much in as possible but using it as a recovery week.  In the other weeks when the kids are at their Dads I'm pushing myself to get longer distances in and doubling up with a conditioning session in the afternoon.  I'm also now in the mindset of trying to get a really long run in at weekends trying for every week but definitely every fortnight.

What else did I get up to last year?  Well, a few exciting things happened but the biggest and most exciting was that I got married!!!!! Wahoo!!! This was truly a brilliant weekend I loved it, Sarah and I had a great time and everything went just perfectly.  Sarah looked beautiful and we just had a perfect time at the Wisteria Hotel in Oakham with a few friends.  It was so special and I will treasure it in my heart forever. We didn't fly off to any exotic destination or take any sort of honeymoon it was back to it and crack on trying to get back to some kind of normality as we were still bound by certain limiting restrictions.  It wasn't till December the 27th that we managed to get away for a short break, just the two of us to Cornwall.  This also was amazing, a quaint little cottage with all you could need.  The fire was lit pretty much constantly as the weather was atrocious whilst we were there but they just made it all the more special.  We managed a few coastal runs, exploring the coastline and some very wet, muddy fields!

With restrictions getting tightened as were still away, an impending doom clouded over and we knew something more serious was coming.  Home we came as planned on New Years Day and collected all the kids and crashed!  Next day we collected our new addition to the household, Bertie the dog!  A beautiful Sprocker Spaniel! Then the inevitable happened, one day of work and boom, lockdown came and here we are again!

 What can I say, its nearly a year since I wrote anything here.  What does that tell you? The Virus I wrote about in my last post is still plaguing our society and the death toll is now in excess of 100,000.  This has truly been an awful time and we are still battling with it now.  I am currently back spending my days at home as we are in lockdown 3 which means no work, no school, no travelling, no days out, no nothing.  My training has continued and I'm feeling pretty good about it a the moment I'm back in training for the Hardmoors 160 and on my 3rd attempt now as I tried in August after the date had been rescheduled, more of that later though. I have quite a lot to catch up on really but I'll try do drop bits in as we go.  My intention is to keep this going even if it means short catch-up most days.

Currently I am planning a long run as I entered a virtual race which requires me to run 30 miles.  This was meant to be today but I weakly opted out and got my tax returning finished instead, phew!  So the new plan is to attack this on Sunday, so in a few days time.  One of the things I have taken from these lockdown situations is home workouts.  I use a myzone heart rate monitor just to help with motivation as I can accumulate points from my workouts and challenge on leader boards.  The points system really appeals to me, being fairly competitive ha ha, so therefore I push myself harder.  This really has worked as I've done this much before and actually enjoy the process and its in my own garden or front room.  What have been putting in the workouts that make a difference?  Well, unfortunately and I say unfortunately because I don't enjoy them, I've added BURPEES!!! They are horrible but my conclusion is that they have really helped me, amongst other things like press-up's, squats, lunges, walking lunges etc etc.  Burpees seem to not only improve strength but they are helping with my core muscles and strangely my breathing.  I seem to feel stronger and cope better when running and putting myself under more physical stress.  So I now know that I'm training hard enough if I'm not including the burpees.  I try to set mini challenges that involve doing a certain number a day or repeating the workout every day for the month etc.  Ok so along side the burpees I've decided stair reps help considerably too especially since I can't really get out into the hills.  They are a good form of resistance training and I get a good cardio workout from it too.  I feel the benefit when I'm running and pushing harder for longer. My lung capacity seems to cope better when I've got this as a regular part of my workouts.

Recently I've had some pretty miserable runs in the dark and cold.  The alarms goes off unappealing early so I can get out and back to then do the home schooling.  I shuffle down stairs and find my prepared kit in a pile on the stairs so I don't wake Sarah up or the kids whilst I'm falling all over the place getting dressed and waking up.  I quickly throw some granola down me and maybe a small cuppa before off.  Head torch on and a warm set of kit!  My route is all road and is a bit like an ice rink first thing at the moment which can be dangerous if your not concentrating which is hard at 5.30am! Skidding one way then the other, a quick recovery step with increased heart rate "but its all good training I keep telling myself" ha ha! I work hard at getting round the route in a reasonable time and with half an eye on my heart rate and which zone I'm working in and weather I need to up it a bit or just maintain pace and work rate.  I fall almost through the back door and I'm home, press stop and rest.  Its a great way to start the day I love it but its hard in the dark cold mornings of winter.

Hope your training is going well.  Stay hard! Stay safe!