Dark O'Clock X-C
Early morning cross country run from Flitwick to Luton
Monday, 28 May 2012
Day 149 Monday 28th May 3 miles : miles to date 1029.3
Ah, DOMS. Don't you just love em? I had thought that the day after the JB trail run would be the worst of the year. Today's bad boy was challenging for the title, as the legs were stiffer than yesterday, I was dehydrated after last nights vino and meat fest and in truth just tired. I know its only 3 miles and in normal circumstances I would just knock it out, but the body and the mind are just not in the game today. Luckily, from experience I knew this would happen before it did and I was expecting a bit of a shut down. As a result, I also know that if I jack this running every day lark in for the sake of a few bad days, in a few weeks I will be gutted and kicking myself. So, the only answer is of course to get out there and grind out a few painful miles until the head and the body are ready to get back in the game. It may take a week or possibly more, so if you know me and see me out there running with my head down and grimacing, you have my permission to give me a boot up the backside, metaphorically speaking of course!
Days 146 - 148
Day's 146 & 147 Friday 25th and Saturday 26th May circa 82 miles : miles to date 1023.3
After some months in planning, the inaugural John Bunyan ultra trail run arrived with a bang. This was such an awesome event, it is impossible to set out all the highs and lows in this short blog, so lots of pictures and details will follow later in the week on my blog.
Day 148 Sunday 26th May 3 miles : miles to date 1026.3
This was always going to be one of the toughest run's of the year, or so I thought. After the last two hundred plus mile races I have not been able to walk the next day, let alone run. Since I came up with the idea of running all the John Bunyan trail, I have had one eye firmly fixed on today's run. Indeed, after yesterdays ultra, so many peeps at the running club asked how many miles I was going to have to run today, I think it was on a lot of other minds as well.
I was more than a tad stiff in most of my joints this morning, so an early run was shelved in favour of a trip to Tescos to purchase 40 cans of Bud, 6 Crabbies, 6 ciders and a bottle of gin. Having done so, the thought of a few very cold beers whilst sitting in the sun in the garden pushed me out of the door for a short run around the standard village loop. I was quite prepared for a slow and ponderous plod and for the first mile or so, it was the end of JB all over again. After that, the soreness in my feet eased and I was able to pick the pace up again, finishing in 25:37. Not a world record beating time I know, but if you asked me on Friday before the JB I would have taken 50 mins. So, one very happy chappy is off for a shower and several beverages.
After some months in planning, the inaugural John Bunyan ultra trail run arrived with a bang. This was such an awesome event, it is impossible to set out all the highs and lows in this short blog, so lots of pictures and details will follow later in the week on my blog.
Day 148 Sunday 26th May 3 miles : miles to date 1026.3
This was always going to be one of the toughest run's of the year, or so I thought. After the last two hundred plus mile races I have not been able to walk the next day, let alone run. Since I came up with the idea of running all the John Bunyan trail, I have had one eye firmly fixed on today's run. Indeed, after yesterdays ultra, so many peeps at the running club asked how many miles I was going to have to run today, I think it was on a lot of other minds as well.
I was more than a tad stiff in most of my joints this morning, so an early run was shelved in favour of a trip to Tescos to purchase 40 cans of Bud, 6 Crabbies, 6 ciders and a bottle of gin. Having done so, the thought of a few very cold beers whilst sitting in the sun in the garden pushed me out of the door for a short run around the standard village loop. I was quite prepared for a slow and ponderous plod and for the first mile or so, it was the end of JB all over again. After that, the soreness in my feet eased and I was able to pick the pace up again, finishing in 25:37. Not a world record beating time I know, but if you asked me on Friday before the JB I would have taken 50 mins. So, one very happy chappy is off for a shower and several beverages.
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Day 145 Thursday 24th May 3 miles : miles to date 941.3
Whats the best preparation for quite a long ultra the day before? How about a very slow three mile run on one of the hottest evenings of the year? No, I don't think so as well. A slow plod was followed by a very large bag of chips and lovely wrap. At least this mad ultra malarkey means I get to eat mountains. Just need a beer to help it slip down. Unfortunately, I have to wait until 6.37pm on Saturday by my calculation, taking into account estimated finish time, laying on the floor and not moving, attempting to stand, a blooming hill I know we need to walk up and bar wait. Oops, best make that 6.39pm. Less than two days to a beer, yippeeee.
Whats the best preparation for quite a long ultra the day before? How about a very slow three mile run on one of the hottest evenings of the year? No, I don't think so as well. A slow plod was followed by a very large bag of chips and lovely wrap. At least this mad ultra malarkey means I get to eat mountains. Just need a beer to help it slip down. Unfortunately, I have to wait until 6.37pm on Saturday by my calculation, taking into account estimated finish time, laying on the floor and not moving, attempting to stand, a blooming hill I know we need to walk up and bar wait. Oops, best make that 6.39pm. Less than two days to a beer, yippeeee.
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
An ultra checklist
Day 144 Wednesday 23rd May 3 miles : miles to date 938.3
I watched the clock tonight, ticking ever so slowly around to 3 miles. It seemed to take forever, due I suspect to the snails pace I ran. Just gathering my stuff to pack for JB ultra. So far, I have got;-
1. Headtorch
2. 8 Ibruprofen
3. Toilet roll
4. Fruit loaf
5. Camera
6. Banana boat suncream
7. Chocolate coffee beans
8. Yoghurt raisins
9. Maps
10. Money
11. Vaseline
12. Spare socks, shorts, tops etc
13. First aid kit
14. Phone
15. Water
16. Compass
17. Phone list
18. I-pod
19. Buff
20. Waterproof
21. Shades
22. Vest
23. Mug
Couple of questions. Firstly, have I forgotten anything (self navigating, non race, 24 hour ultra)? Secondly, how on earth I am going to lift my rucksack with all that lot in it? I got stuck once at 2am in an ultra socked to the skin and freezing in Scotland in skimpy shorts, running top and lightweight jacket. I ain't going to make that mistake again!
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Day 143 Tuesday 22nd May 4.1 miles : miles to date 935.3
It was very easy to do the basic miles tonight, as the club met for a change in Rowney Warren woods. The place is such a lovely area to run, the miles slipped by in a blink. I didn't run the session hard, due to John Bunyan being less than three days away now.
Mind you, my fellow JB runner Paul Barton, puts me to shame. We were talking earlier about bag drops and what he wanted to eat around a quarter of the way into what is going to be at least a 78 mile run. He was planing to run a 6 mile race tonight, couldn't drop his bag off Wednesday as he plays darts and is likely to have a fair few beers, he is going to go training on Thursday and wants Pie and Chips at the 4 hour mark of the run on Friday. The blokes a legend. All hail Mr. Barton.
Monday, 21 May 2012
More water works
Day 142 Monday 21st May 3.4 miles : miles to date 931.2
Second day in my new office and time to break them into what to expect from me for the future. I donned the gear at lunchtime and went for a quick spin along the Grand Union Canal, which is about 400 metres from the front door. I had bought an Ordinace Survey Explorer map at the weekend and spent sometime this morning looking at all the options, which are many. Actually I think me and Fi have got a bit of a thing about map's, as she bought herself one as well for the area in which her 10k race was run, despite it being signposted and marshalled all the way. I have even just paused to check something else on my new map, as I am writing so much about them.
It makes a major change to be able to get away from cars and people within such a short distance. Leaving Luton, it would take a number of miles to do so, dodgeing car's on the way. That having been said, I have been known to race a bus or two into work which I might miss, eventually. Trouble with canal boats, is that you can wait for age's and then three will come along at the same time.
I found myself running too fast along the canal on what are still tired legs. The JB trail run is this Friday and I need to re-charge the body somehow. The trouble with running every day, is of course I have no time to recover. I can only do the next best thing, which is cut the miles and speed down. Hopefully, with a few days of hearty eating I should be ready.
The JB run promises to be great fun. It is not a race, time doesn't mean a thing and lot's of peeps from the club are going to come out and join us. I still can't quite believe that six hardy souls are going to start running with us at 2am. Fingers crossed for warm weather and a stunning sunrise.
Second day in my new office and time to break them into what to expect from me for the future. I donned the gear at lunchtime and went for a quick spin along the Grand Union Canal, which is about 400 metres from the front door. I had bought an Ordinace Survey Explorer map at the weekend and spent sometime this morning looking at all the options, which are many. Actually I think me and Fi have got a bit of a thing about map's, as she bought herself one as well for the area in which her 10k race was run, despite it being signposted and marshalled all the way. I have even just paused to check something else on my new map, as I am writing so much about them.
It makes a major change to be able to get away from cars and people within such a short distance. Leaving Luton, it would take a number of miles to do so, dodgeing car's on the way. That having been said, I have been known to race a bus or two into work which I might miss, eventually. Trouble with canal boats, is that you can wait for age's and then three will come along at the same time.
I found myself running too fast along the canal on what are still tired legs. The JB trail run is this Friday and I need to re-charge the body somehow. The trouble with running every day, is of course I have no time to recover. I can only do the next best thing, which is cut the miles and speed down. Hopefully, with a few days of hearty eating I should be ready.
The JB run promises to be great fun. It is not a race, time doesn't mean a thing and lot's of peeps from the club are going to come out and join us. I still can't quite believe that six hardy souls are going to start running with us at 2am. Fingers crossed for warm weather and a stunning sunrise.
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Day 141 Sunday 20th May 3.5 miles : miles to date 927.8
The early part of today was spent at a race where for once I was supporting and not running. I hardly ever do that and it was really quite nice pitching up with no pressure and the only decision being whether to have a bacon sandwich with my cuppa or a muffin. I was very happy to support Fi and our friend Emma Else on what turned out to be a hilly 10k around Wimpole Hall estate. Emma had a cracking run in her first ever race and Fi also stormed home in an unexpected but very welcome PB. It was fun watching all the runners come in and a great morning out.
There were around 440 odd runners, the majority of which were non club members judging by the sparsity of vests and the assortment of running gear on show. I thought that might mean less pressure for the ladies, but of course whom ever was at the very front, meant little to them as they would have battled away for a good time regardless.
As for me, as Daisy did so well yesterday, I took her out again today for our run. Bit of a mistake, which is self evident from the fact that as I sit here typing, she's laying next to me snoring her head off. Drat, just realised that's another thing we share that could have gone on yesterday's list.
So you can sleep tonight, I plumped for a bacon buttie.
The early part of today was spent at a race where for once I was supporting and not running. I hardly ever do that and it was really quite nice pitching up with no pressure and the only decision being whether to have a bacon sandwich with my cuppa or a muffin. I was very happy to support Fi and our friend Emma Else on what turned out to be a hilly 10k around Wimpole Hall estate. Emma had a cracking run in her first ever race and Fi also stormed home in an unexpected but very welcome PB. It was fun watching all the runners come in and a great morning out.
There were around 440 odd runners, the majority of which were non club members judging by the sparsity of vests and the assortment of running gear on show. I thought that might mean less pressure for the ladies, but of course whom ever was at the very front, meant little to them as they would have battled away for a good time regardless.
As for me, as Daisy did so well yesterday, I took her out again today for our run. Bit of a mistake, which is self evident from the fact that as I sit here typing, she's laying next to me snoring her head off. Drat, just realised that's another thing we share that could have gone on yesterday's list.
So you can sleep tonight, I plumped for a bacon buttie.
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