Well, where do I start ha ha!  Its been a really tough last 6 weeks knowing that my next big run is not far away and I'm hampered by injury.  I've tried to work as hard at my recovery as I would at my training, by taking any advice seriously and spending time at what I've needed to do.  Thankfully I feel I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.  So in my time off from running I have missed Kielder 30 miler which gutted me to be honest but I new if I'd have gone and done it then the recovery was going to be even longer and I may have made it much worse.  I rested and did light gym work but no running.  Leeds Half Marathon came and went, I was even closer to where I am now with feeling good and able to run but still have that slight apprehensive approach to any form of sport as can still feel a slight pain in my heel.  So the decision so far has been not to attempt anything and I feel that this has allowed me a quicker recovery. All I hear from people regarding 'Plantar Fascitis' is how long it takes to get rid of, and how that's it now it'll be injury after injury.  What a load of twaddle, look after yourself, do what your told by the people who know, and rest.  Its an injury like everything else it needs time to mend and then it needs time to learn how to work properly again!  Trust in common sense and do the obvious but actually do it, not pretend to do it or just say you've done it. Anyway preaching over ha ha!

Where to now, its going to be a long hard slog up to 'The Wall' but self belief is important now and a strong mental attitude is key to the success of this challenge.  I have set my sights on running a 100 miles and there is no way in that journey that I am not going to have set backs so its just learning important lessons along the way and learning how to deal with them to make me stronger!

Last week I started putting things back together, routines, planning, gym work and motivation.  Each of these things being key areas to the success of the journey.  I went out for a gentle run around the field covering about 5k which was enough, soft ground to help the injured foot and soft re-introduction to running again.  Success! It felt fine the next day, what I mean is, it didn't feel any worse and this is a positive as it means it is healing.  Over the course of the week I had a PT session which was great, really starting to develop better posture and core which in turn has improved my balance and flexibility.  Also playing a few tennis matches really let me start feeling like I had turned a corner as this would have undoubtedly put pressure on the sore area when loading and pushing off.  This all brings me to the start of this week which I felt the real start to being back in the game.  I headed to Body Balance in the morning to get some essential stretching in and again to really get routine back  As per normal I was utterly useless at it although John my friend wasn't there to make me look slightly better, sorry John.  So Kasia made a bee line for me spotting all my failings and lack of balance!  'Bend your leg more Ed!', 'Hold your balance Ed!', 'Come on Ed keep your legs straight and just above the floor!' and so it continued, where was John, thats all I kept thinking.  When will it end.....

That evening I had arrange a run with Dave thats 'Ginger Dave'.  So off we went all in good spirits really pleased to be back out and running again, beginning to get some miles under my belt.  First comment Dave comes out with is 'so how far we going then? as still have a tight calf so not far yeah?' me ' yeah me too, lets just do a couple of miles and have a stretch out'.  Brilliant, loved it, funny funny!  Half way way round Dave cherps up with ' so how far we going?? Because I reckon we've already done about 3 miles!!!'  Think we were out for about an hour so 10k ish which was perfect for both of us he just didn't know it!

Very frustrating period at the moment and not much to report really.  The training has taken a bit of a set back due to this bruised heel I am suffering from which is thought to be 'Plantar Fasciatis'.  Many different ideas on how to treat yet no curable method except 'rest'!  Not possible in my line of work so constant stretching and the use of rock tape and a massage ball.  I was signed up to do Kielder this Sunday which would have been 30 miles of suffering I think and then the inevitable week of hobbling and regret. So since I am a year older and wiser I have decided to listen to the voice on my shoulder telling me 'don't do it!!' its tough since the voice on the other shoulder is saying 'you'll be fine, you'll love it of course you want to do it!!' Aaaarrrgghhh! It was a fight initially but as the great Highlander once said 'there can be only ONE!'  So I have decided to pull out and take the time off to recover properly so can get on with training for The Wall.

I have been keeping up with my massages to freshen the legs and keep them in good working order so ready for action again.  Personal training session today with Chris at Epoc Coaching should restore a bit of confidence and self belief although that hasn't been affected too much yet but I think that would have been if I'd run this Sunday then had to take another couple of weeks off heavy training.  I have been studying training in the form of 'Functional Patterns' so in theory training that is more relative to day to day living movements and functions that prepares the body better for an all round fitness.  I don't think this on its own is enough for me but I definitely see the benefits in incorporating it into a training schedule along with some crossfit endurance and the dreaded swimming pool!  I keep getting asked if I am going to do a Triathlon or Iron Man and I have kept shrugging it off and saying 'once I have done what I want to do with the running then will have a go'.  I am just putting it off, the pool is beckoning and so is the Iron Man challenge lol!  The trouble is I swim very badly and inefficient, it looks like someone has tied my legs together and attached lead weights, while simultaneously my arms are flapping through the water like a person drowning and trying to stay afloat or get peoples attention. Not the best to be honest if I am having to swim a couple of miles!

So what shall I be concentrating on over the next few weeks while in recover??? Its the big one.......diet!!!  What I am eating, how much and when?  This will be my biggest challenge yet and its only the beginning.  Not today though, will start tomorrow ha ha!

Its been a tough couple of weeks!  In and out of thinking I am back to the training, slight niggle in my heel which could be the dreaded 'plantar facitis'!  So for the last 2 weeks its been massaging and pain killers and little running after a 4.5 mile trek with 'Dave'.  Now Dave is new to the schedule he is training for the York Sport Triathlon and since he hadn't been out training much at all I suggested he came along with me for a few training runs.  The problem for Dave is I now need a running club name for him!

Ok so where are we at? Well, psychologically I feel really behind due to my minor set back but physical the rest has probably done me some good.  The training I have done is in the bank, its done, so just keep the faith!  Rest and attention to the injury is key, don't over do it and look at what I can do and not what I can't!  With Keilder 30 miler this coming Sunday I am not sure whether to risk it for the sake of a long run.

Now we have to go back to my running with Dave! This was brilliant, there we are out for a gentle 2-3 miles and I decide to explore a different route that took us around York Sport.  The path we diverted on to was a gentle incline for a few hundred yards which I thought was great and expressed my delight to Dave saying ' great hill, love it when find beauties like this!', well Dave's face was a picture itself ha ha! It was the kind of look when you think someone is joking and 'no they can't be serious look kind of look'  ha ha brilliant and priceless! Anyway after exploring this new route and being quite pleased with myself we revisited 'University Hill' at which point I think Dave was about to kill me but he didn't have the energy or strength.  It was tough after what we had done so thought he done really well, we enjoyed the final stretch and even put in a bit of a sprint finish at the end.  After a few stretches and the power plates we ventured into the club room to see what the football score was and get some refreshments, water for Dave and a nice pint of Amstel for me.  The tennis boys had all finished there practise and were sat around the bar astonished at Dave's achievements and then they proceeded to ask 'how much further did you run to him???' ha ha this was brilliant as Dave was this intense deep colour of red looking rather exhausted and tired while I still not what I would call an accomplished runner by any means, had a slight sweat on and ready for round two.  On the plus side I was very happy with just getting out and doing a run although this turned out to be fatal.

Dave and myself both ended up with severe heel pain and have been unable to do anything since.  We managed a game of tennis the day after but hobbled round the court like two old boys.

The lesson I have learned is it doesn't matter how fit you are or how far you can run. Respect your body and respect what you have done and respect what you are trying to do!  More caution in future post race! Silly mistakes cost you.

Back in training though and that felt great :)

Back to it yesterday after a two week break from the training programme, I have still done things but nothing scheduled or planned.  I think this is important for variety of training and motivation.  I decided to get out and plod round a steady 4 miler thinking 'this will be nice, a steady little run to get back into it all',  ha ha how wrong, sorry to say it wasn't any fun and felt fairly rubbish to be honest.  My legs ached my lower back was really sore, my breathing was heavy and I just wanted to stop!  After having a good chunter to myself after fighting the demons I realised this was just going to have to be a run I get done and out of the way to start again.  Not too inspiring but it actually motivated me once I'd finished and left me realising that its not something to take for granted or get complacent about.  If you want the results you have to put the time in!

So after my quick reality check, I was back into training mode.  When they say things are 10% body and 90% mind, they aren't kidding.  The games the mind plays with your motivations and character are relentless and challenge you beyond your training programme.  I came to the conclusion that it was like a safety device the mind employs as protection, its trying to convince you that you shouldn't be doing it, and how if it can make me convince myself that either the pain is unreasonable or my fitness isn't good enough or its just no fun, then I won't do it any more.  Wrong, it just makes me want to train harder and work at it longer!!!

What did I learn from the last block of training and race.  That these challenges are achievable, and with the right training and the right attitude you can do it.  'Keep the vision, respect the process!' this is so true, when you think your not doing enough, or not improving then just remember to stick with it and keep working hard.  There is no way I ever thought I'd be finishing a 55 mile endurance race ever, a marathon was always a bit of challenge but achievable with some training, but to that twice was not something I ever thought I'd be doing.  The mind again plays heavily with you afterwards, as I straight away convinced myself that if I could do 55 then I can do 70 'its only 15 miles more!!!'  Crazy isn't even close.  This is insane, 15 miles on its own is not to be laughed at let alone after you've just done 55.  What am I thinking?????  To keep my motivation and learning I have decided to add a few things to the programme.  More stretching, this a must so Yoga will be playing a greater role, Crossfit endurance routines will be introduced and a little bit of swimming and cycling.  This seems a lot but if you spread it out and plan your week it all fits into place like a jigsaw.  My longest run for the HM55 was 16 miles, this proves to me that high mileage isn't necessarily the way forward.  Again, it doesn't mean not at all, as its important to prepare your feet and body for the up coming ordeal.

Its crazy to think that I am not that far from my target of achieving the 100!  It seems the closer I get to it the more insane the thought processes.  Just booked a 30 mile event at Keilder, thinking ' this will be a great training run!'.  Who in there right mind would consider 30 miles as a training run ha ha!

Hardmoors 55 - Part 2

So off we went into the distance towards Roseberry Topping, just the thought of it was making my legs ache.  Having gone through the experience of the Half-Marathon up RT I new what torture was ahead of us so I kept my pace comfortable and tried not to think too much about how far or how long the day was going to be. It was a fairly steady start gradually increasing into ascent after ascent but still no sign of Roseberry and I was nearly an hour and a half in, it was only 7 miles to the checkpoint at the summit, oh dear its going to be a long day for sure.  Re-assess the calculations!!!

Once I had this ordeal over with it was onwards and yes upwards over to Captain Cooks monument which is a great trail and then a long draining path uphill. Yet again I'd been here a few times now as its on the route for the much shorter half marathons that I'd done so it felt good to be in the know for where I was going, which always helps!!  So on I went with my first major target being Osmotherly at 32 miles, I thought if I can reach here in under 8 hours I am on track.  With the gruelling route taking you over the Wainstones and Clay Bank area it was looking like a tough ask, my quads were killing and feeling like I was carrying another person on my back.  At this point the end did not look possible!!!

This wasn't me but it was exactly how I felt, the kitchen sink was definitely in the pack!  I just past 20 miles and my thinking was now actually quite positive, I thought I was going to make Os in just over 7 hours if I could maintain the pace I was going, oh how wrong I was ha ha, crawling into Osmotherly Village Hall at 8 hours 10 minutes with this image of a magnificent buffet of food spread all across the hall and oceans of different drinks to dive into, I was broken!!! Barely anyone there and barely any food left, just 2 half squashed end of the packet dry sausage rolls, which actually were amazing, and then tons of sweet stuff which on any other day would be great but at this point I'd already had loads of sweet, I needed savoury.  I was so disheartened I had set myself up for this fall really I shouldn't have allowed myself to get fixated on reaching here.  My drop bag included spare socks and new dry base layer but I didn't even have time to change them I decided it was more important to crack on.  So more items to add to the pack, 'any lessons learnt yet Ed??' was the question humming through my head, torturing myself even more!!!

Only 23 miles to go, 'how hard can it be???' Really bloody hard if you want the honest answer.  I then had to reset myself and plough on entering the second phase of the run in my mind.  This was the easy bit ha ha!!  No chance, darkness fell and the head torch was on.  At this point I found myself on the middle of the moors in pitch black darkness all on my own and no idea where I was going, brilliant!  'Just keep going, stick to the path its all the way to Sutton Bank now, just keep going!'  this is all I kept saying to myself for about the next 10 miles until I eventually spotted more bobbing head torches in the distances not too dissimilar to fire flys!  I managed to stay with 2 or 3 other runners which was at least a bit more reassuring, at least if you go wrong you all go wrong, which we didn't due to one of them being local and knowing the route like the back of her hand.  I decided it would be in my favour to keep up with her, this would tactically save me I think.  As we watched a number of fellow runners go off in the wrong direction, obviously trying our best to get there attention if possible before they went on clueless to there peril.

The final check point was in the White Horse carpark, this was a fun set up they had going on, very welcoming and jolly with music playing and lights flashing, very rave like!  Just what I needed before the final tough climb back up Sutton Bank via the steps, which on any other day would be tough going but after 47 miles of hills and moors my legs were not impressed, but up I went powering one after the other, just repeating to myself  'you will not beat me, you will not break me, I will finish this!!!'.  Making it over the road at the top and across to other side where the trail went off down into Helmsley for the final 7 miles of which I new from my training run. I couldn't believe I had actually made it to this point, I'd thought about getting here for so long throughout the day, it was almost like I'd classed this as the end.  Unfortunately after doing 48 miles, 'a mere 7' was actually still a massive task.  It is at this point it becomes mental torture because you know you are so close to the end ' only 7 more to go, you've done 48 you've done it!' which is great but my legs are shot, my feet hurt, my backs aching and I just want to go home! Take my word for it, it was 7 miles that felt like 14 Hardmoors miles and anyone who has run there races will know exactly what that means.  There's no let up, there's no easy bits, and when you think it couldn't possibly throw any more at you, BOOM! 'Try climbing some steps before your final mile'.

The run into Helmsley and round the corner from the car to the Town Hall suddenly felt amazing, I'd made it, I was here at the end that I'd been visualising all day.  The relief was great, and so was the pain in my feet! There we were at the end of the Hardmoors 55, checking in and then the last piece of cruel punishment, you had to take your shoes off before entering and receiving your medal and shirt. Trust me this was not a pleasant experience with a grimacing face, and maybe even a tear as I reluctantly leaned over to undo them and pull them off.  Oh my word that hurt the most out of all of it, and I was finished.  Entering the Hall to a half filled room of applause but still plenty to make you feel championed even if the winner had finished about 7 hours before.  Medal on, T-shirt in hand, off I waddled back down the route I'd just struggled down and to my car.  Wow, I've done it I've actually completed a 55 mile ultra marathon,  now I just have the task of getting home!

What can I say, I feel immensely proud of my achievement, I worked hard to get to this point.  I also felt strong so I have the belief in myself to go on and reach my next target which will be 'The Wall' which is a 69 mile run along Hadrians wall.  This was really hard going and a real mental challenge of working through the pain and the emotions, the challenges we set ourselves and try to achieve are what defines us.  This is another one I will look back to in years to come with great memories.

Hardmoors 55, I will be back again!!!.....one day

Hardmoors 55 - Part 1

Hardmoors 55 DONE!!!!!  Wow it feels great to be able to say I have run this far, it was a bit of a slog towards the end but the end goal was to finish, and that I did.

It all started at 3.40am Saturday 21st March, that horrible sound of the alarm yet excited feeling of needing to get up and start my preparation for the day ahead.  Porridge on and final checks of kit and then wrapping up warm so as to at least begin the journey in comfort.  Placed all the food bags in the backpack and additional clothing knowing full well its all coming back out in the kit check.  I wanted to be out the house and in Helmsley early so not stressed about missing the bus, so the aim was to be there for 5.30 therefore leaving home 4.30.  This all went to pot about 2-3 miles down the road when I had this flashback of my Garmin watch charging in the kitchen, do I remember picking it up, oh chuff its still there, what do I do carry on and stuff it or go back and chance it????? Yep, I went back and chanced it, I decided it was worth it.  I still made it there well ahead of time so as to prepare myself and not to miss the bus!  So, I'm wandering round Helmsley carpark in umpteen layers of kit, headtorch on and flipflops ha ha, good job it's still early and a carpark full of other weido's doing the same.  Kit all ready and out of the car, and back to my ongoing issue of clothing, since I've got it wrong it seems on so many other occasions I thought I'd change from my original plan of starting in shorts then adding the leggings when it gets dark and cold, to......wait for it........I just added the leggings on top and thought would take off once warm then put back on later.  Not at any point thinking I wouldn't have time to do this, oh how wrong I was! So that was how I stayed all day, plus I'd had these great plans of changing my top and socks, oh no that didn't happen either but look on the brightside I'd put them in my drop bag which gets handed to you at Osmotherly check point. Great, now I just had the pleasure of carrying them all the way to the end.  Huh, genius Ed!!!!

I managed to get the bus and squeeze a few minutes of sleep before arriving at Guisborough Sea Cadets Hall.  Straight in and had my kit checked, more or less empting the whole bag, so glad I didn't pack it in any particular way.  Then I had the joy of sitting around for the next hour and a half watching everyone else go through a similar experience.  Now still being what I consider a rookie in this sport it was clearly evident being in this room.  All I could think was, 'I'm way out of my depth' and 'what am I doing here', 'I'm such an idiot to think I could do it' and then the biggie 'Why is everyone else's, barring a few other liked minded people, packs so small and not really a pack at all?????' This bothered me and still does.  My pack has everything in the kit list and a few small light extra's but looks and feels like it has the kitchen sink in it!

Some time passed and like human nature is curiosity took hold, I kept looking round the room seeing what other people did in their preparation and eyeing what kit they had with them.  The human race is brilliant really, the desire to all be different to stand out yet be part of a group. Love it, there were giddy excited people, serious and frown like people, people sleeping, non stop chatting people and dead solitary people just mentally getting themselves ready for what lay ahead, oh and one guy meditating in the corner.  I suppose I fell into the solitary category since I didn't know anyone, it just meant I could scour the room observing everyone else's antics.

After the race brief we all made our way outside to the start, the road. This is when any traffic just has to wait whilst 350 people crowd onto the road, or not in the case of my mate Daz who was still in the toilets unaware of the start ha ha!  So 3,2,1 and off we go, this is it, this is what all the training has brought me to, this is how far I have come.  I had one goal, FINISH!

Can I actually do this mamouth challenge I have set myself?  This is what I have been dealing with all week, ifs, buts, what if's, can I's??????  At the start of the week I decided to call it the psychological phase, well I am going to call this last week the 'Paranoia phase!!!' Its unbelievable the games or tricks the mind plays with you on this final stage.  Its almost like there's a final barrier to break through where the mind knows the body is in for a tough time so what it does is sends a barrage of message's in one form or another to try and convince you not to put yourself through the ordeal.  Its very good at this, because if you let it, it will beat you!!!!  Major crisis today, as per normal I'm not actually that prepared apart from rushing out and having to make the normal last minute buys such as mmmm yes a map that would be a good idea, mmm waterproof leggings since there on the mandatory kit list and a survival bag, you know kind of quite important things but in the world of Ed last minute will be fine ha ha!!    Now that wasn't the crisis, that's just normal behaviour in my life, so to do anything other would upset the rhythm yeah????  I ordered a super duper new waterproof jacket as required with a hood unlike my wonderful Christmas present that I really want to wear for it but can't.  For the right reasons this was ordered, anyway this was at the start of the month now being a good 3 weeks in 'no' jacket so I give them a ring and its been sent back and they'd forgot to notify erm meeeeeee! The chap on the phone was great so I can't complain at all they were really good, I chose a new jacket and its arriving next day please please please as my run is the day after!!!

How do I feel??? Quite good actually but this I think is that my brain is deflecting the actual reality of what I'm doing because it knows its in for it.  Laugh I know, what the hell am I going on about, but its true, I have no worries or concerns about the distance only food, drink and whether I can prevent myself from getting lost ha ha! The distance is irrelevant, as its the ability to keep going so therefore it doesn't matter if its 10 miles, 20, 30, 40, 50 or a hundred. Learn how to survive it and you have the key.  That's what I am convincing myself and I'm sticking to it!

Tomorrow will be exciting as just want to get on with it now but final kit checks and bag backing in order followed by work, gym, jacuzzi and the right meal!!!!  Then bed..........

Next blog will be Sunday, what happened? how much I'm hurting! and whats next?????