In prep for the ACC I ignored various niggles and have had a pleasent injury-free spell going back to 2008. I certainly think the generally softer off road surfaces and slower paces have helped this, as well as the greater variety of muscles engaged on the more variable inclines. Having Snowdon Marathon to prepare for has kept me going but I'm starting to suffer some "wear and tear".
A sore spot under my left foot I first felt the day after the ACC has returned, maybe not a bone-bruise after all. I've also started to suffer all kinds of right leg problems in my last three runs, with sore top-outside of knee being joined by a sore calve yesterday making the last mile of 11 a bit of a pathetic limp. I'm a bit paranoid that the majority of my runs in the last 3 weeks have been on hard surfaces - mostly due to the shortening days - so I'll return to off-road for this weekend. Damage limitation up until Snowdon. Then I'll rest awhile.....
..... who am I kidding the next zany event will be just around the corner! I am Danny and I am a running addict ;¬)
Friday, 16 October 2009
Saturday, 10 October 2009
2 weeks recovery, 2 weeks taper
I've reached the stage of being nearly two weeks recovered which means less than two weeks until Snowdonia. Quite sensibly for me I didn't run until Thursday after the event - 4 days rest - and then didn't do anything at a strenuous pace until this Wednesday. That's still probably too early but I figure I'm pretty well trained and recover quickly by now.
I'm still on a bit of a high and enjoying each run despite sometimes less panoramic locations than the South West coast path. Here's an untypical week and a bit in my MIUAYGA - Make It Up As You Go Along - schedule...
Thu 01/10 - 8m club run, down the humber path into Hull. Solid trail along side of A63 at first (bit grim) but with an almost glassy, calm, Humber a few yards the other way, reflecting a multitude of yellows, reds and oranges as the sun set. The next section is all path, passing a retail park, skeltons of dock buildings and then the highlight; a raised walkway over the dock warehouses which is very surreal. Its was dark going back and the A63 provided a useful function as the roadlights and headlights lit the trail. Felt like a medium effort, but quite a slow pace.
Sun 04/10 - Sandstone Trail race - A very nice event in part through Delaware forest in Cheshire. Met up with Claire for a steady-paced run; as she is in injury recovery and I was being sensible. Very nice trail, flat at first and then deceptively undulating at the end, nothing that required a walk though. A very nice off-road introduction event with very runnable paths. We did the 10.5m route, but the 17m apparently has an undulating and scenic ridge run to get you a sweat on before joining the 10.5milers - one for next year.
Mon 05/10 - Hessle hills training - Up and down the small hills on roads in my hometown, which adds up to a fun challenge I might have once considered hilly. Again pace was steadier than I thought.
Wed 07/10 - Club 4 x 400m champs - Exactly the sort of thing I probably shouldn't be doing, but they do say a change is as good as a rest. B******s, but a memorable quote. I was B leg in my team (A's being faster, C's and D's - you get the picture) and ran pretty well. On first attempt, made up the few yards to other team through first 200, sat on him till 300 and then kicked home. Felt great and dead chuffed with 69 seconds. I didn't disgrace myself in other two legs of races either, no one got past, and despite putting more in could only manage 72 and 73 seconds. Happy with that after recent lack of focus on speed.
Thu 08/10 - Club hard session - Ran to the meet up point carrying a pack of hobnob's as my turn to bring biccies - must have looked slightly odd. 1m+ warmup and then 5 x 2k - and a bit - undulating road laps at nearly 10k effort with just 100m recovery. Really one to pace well as thats a lot of fast stuff and little recovery. Did something right as my laps got slightly faster each time ending up 21 seconds faster on last than first. With cooldown ended up being over 10m - a session with it all.
Sat 10/10 - Run around Hessle, < 3.5m mostly flat on roads, but with some solid trail and a decent climb out of the quarry via ~ 100 steps (I'd guess). It'd been a sedentary day so I hit a good effort of nearly 7 min/miling.
Tomorrow will be my practice run. Too late for a productive long run so I'm going to run a few 5m laps with a long climb and descent. Remind the legs what Snowdonia demands.
Eating really well and can't sleep enough.. which reminds me (YAWN)...
I'm still on a bit of a high and enjoying each run despite sometimes less panoramic locations than the South West coast path. Here's an untypical week and a bit in my MIUAYGA - Make It Up As You Go Along - schedule...
Thu 01/10 - 8m club run, down the humber path into Hull. Solid trail along side of A63 at first (bit grim) but with an almost glassy, calm, Humber a few yards the other way, reflecting a multitude of yellows, reds and oranges as the sun set. The next section is all path, passing a retail park, skeltons of dock buildings and then the highlight; a raised walkway over the dock warehouses which is very surreal. Its was dark going back and the A63 provided a useful function as the roadlights and headlights lit the trail. Felt like a medium effort, but quite a slow pace.
Sun 04/10 - Sandstone Trail race - A very nice event in part through Delaware forest in Cheshire. Met up with Claire for a steady-paced run; as she is in injury recovery and I was being sensible. Very nice trail, flat at first and then deceptively undulating at the end, nothing that required a walk though. A very nice off-road introduction event with very runnable paths. We did the 10.5m route, but the 17m apparently has an undulating and scenic ridge run to get you a sweat on before joining the 10.5milers - one for next year.
Mon 05/10 - Hessle hills training - Up and down the small hills on roads in my hometown, which adds up to a fun challenge I might have once considered hilly. Again pace was steadier than I thought.
Wed 07/10 - Club 4 x 400m champs - Exactly the sort of thing I probably shouldn't be doing, but they do say a change is as good as a rest. B******s, but a memorable quote. I was B leg in my team (A's being faster, C's and D's - you get the picture) and ran pretty well. On first attempt, made up the few yards to other team through first 200, sat on him till 300 and then kicked home. Felt great and dead chuffed with 69 seconds. I didn't disgrace myself in other two legs of races either, no one got past, and despite putting more in could only manage 72 and 73 seconds. Happy with that after recent lack of focus on speed.
Thu 08/10 - Club hard session - Ran to the meet up point carrying a pack of hobnob's as my turn to bring biccies - must have looked slightly odd. 1m+ warmup and then 5 x 2k - and a bit - undulating road laps at nearly 10k effort with just 100m recovery. Really one to pace well as thats a lot of fast stuff and little recovery. Did something right as my laps got slightly faster each time ending up 21 seconds faster on last than first. With cooldown ended up being over 10m - a session with it all.
Sat 10/10 - Run around Hessle, < 3.5m mostly flat on roads, but with some solid trail and a decent climb out of the quarry via ~ 100 steps (I'd guess). It'd been a sedentary day so I hit a good effort of nearly 7 min/miling.
Tomorrow will be my practice run. Too late for a productive long run so I'm going to run a few 5m laps with a long climb and descent. Remind the legs what Snowdonia demands.
Eating really well and can't sleep enough.. which reminds me (YAWN)...
Monday, 5 October 2009
ACC Day 3 - Lelant to the end of the Isle
I awoke on Sunday with still functional limbs so I guessed it was time to get the final run done and dusted. I seemed to be famished as I'd not really eaten enough the previous day. So I had plenty of porridge, bread + jam and then a banana not long brefore the race. This just succeeded in giving me an upset stomach by race time. Camp was quiet immeadiately before the briefing as many runners had started with the walkers, fearing the worst in the last days offering or needing to make a train/plane back to the real world? There was a bit of gallows humour on the minibus which lifted the mood slightly from the standard aura of the tired, nervous, and, following the brieifing, probably fearful passengers.
The slightly reduced runners gathered on masse on a village green near a church, some like myself watered the flowers. No complaints from the congregation who hopefully prayed for our mortal souls. We were soon off and it was quite a sedate start. Paths, alleys and quiet streets winding towards Carbis bay and then St Ives. I recall thinking that St Ives is somewhere I'd like to spend more time. Pleasent looking pubs, cafs and little shops. I must be getting old as I would have probably thought that of Newquay at one time.
Of the RW forum members I'd shared prep for this event with; Stuart was off up ahead on the way to a superb performance, Tommy I had just met and ran the first few miles with and then we met up with Gareth almost by accident. Nice to put faces to names and hear a bit about how this was going for them. Lots of solid surface and reasonably flat streets meant for a faster start than day 2. On the other hand it wasn't like day 1 where I purposefully had my foot on the brakes for 13miles. A small group of runners had bunched around me and kept me in line when I tried to go the wrong way after climbing the headland beyond the harbour - it was a short cut.. honest ;¬)
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After another climb out of St Ives things soon got rough. My early confidence and pace would soon be knocked for six, but for now I was ascending and descending ok and managing to skip over the stones, boulders, twigs of heather and keep in line on the twisty and undulating paths. The trails here were a sign of things to come, fun at first, concentrating on keeping balance and rythm when there were a hundred-and-one obstacles in every one hundred strides. Gone were the straight, flat, and good surfaced paths that made up much of the previous days. This was more like crossing rough moorland somewhere like Calderdale or the western Yorkshire Dales.
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By the time the path diverted inland to Zennor - following the return of a section of path near Zennor head to the sea - the cracks were forming in my will and endurance. Running the road into the town I seemed to be in slow motion almost like being towed by the guy in front. I felt like I had at 22 on day 1 or twenty on day 2, no longer confidently catching those in front, now just a passenger on an unpredictable ride. The sun was also out and I was sweating buckets as I often seem to do in the least hint of warm weather. The stomach was neither here northere at CP1 so I guzzled coke and water and ate some chocolate which seemed to agree. Then it was off again in slow motion, slightly bouyed by the very late arrival of CP1, probably more like 10m than 10k'ish, which is a good incentive that I'm near halfway.
A few runners passed me on the way back to the coast and the roughest section of terrain of the whole 3 days. Picking up where we had left off before Zennor it was wild, rocky, moorland, zig-zagging up and down the coast as it sloped towards the jagged cliffs. I was keeping up with those in front - who I was sure were ahead of me the previous day - until I hit the rounding of Porthmeor Cove. Then I just had to walk a bit as the path zigged up hill through more rock-strewn foliage. I let a few runners passed and decided to walk to the next flat bit. As I topped out I passed a girl I had the few previous days, also struggling, who on both occasions previously had then undertook me as I faded. As I approached a hill top the path became unclear, head was almost spinning and I couldn't see the, surely close, CP2 to pull me on. I became more ungainly, short of breath and unstable. A few minutes of this and a small fall made me realise I couldn't get to CP2 without action. I grabbed my emergency gel to get in some energy and electrolytes quick. I then reagained my direction and pushed on at a march. I passed "MdS" Mike who had gone out with the walkers, like myself he was unsure of the true path t this confusing section of the coast "path"?!. He had some of those walking poles, I could have done with some as the downhills were rabbit-punching my trashed quads.
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Cape Cornwall appeared to the south and a long way below the high approach past a small castle and cairn. Thud, thud, thud, went the hammer to my quads and soles of feet as I padded down the hill ungainly. I felt proper rough at this CP and drank at least 5 cups of water and coke. I then took a cheese and pickle sandwich and lay on my side in the grass verge behind the "grub van". I lay there for a while, eating in mousebites, trying to psyche myself up for the next.... last section. just about 6 miles, how could I consider giving up now. People came and went, any competive instinct I had was drained, I just needed to drag myself to the end. After 10-15 minutes I was back on my feet and plodding out of the carpark. The next section was comparibly good footing, some tricky stones implanted in paths and the odd big stone to clamber over, but for the fresh trail runner this would have been rather fun. It was a really dipper of a route though, traipsing up and down over whatever hills could be found. More runners passed and others appeared ahead, obviously suffering a bit like myself. I focused on trying to catch up with somebody! I ran downhills, level bits and did what I could on the uphill and tricky bits. I wasn't walking all of it as this would just prolong this experiance... not in a good way. Despite this I was only averaging about 17 minute/miles.
After an impossibly long 3 miles a beach appeared - Whitesand Bay, the last beach before the finish. I passed some walkers and then some runners, I ground almost to a halt on some soft sandy sections and then into a town. Sennen Cove, a nice little place and a flat, concrete path to run along. Despite this luxury I still had to take a walk break halfway through town. A sign said "Lands End 1 1/4m" :¬0 - but pointed uphill :¬(
Then I was hallucinating, "Holy batman and robin...", the caped crusader and his squeeky-voiced assitant passed me. No.... it was actually happening, whatever wonders the crime fighters had in their utility belts it had them running a storming finish, despite the costumes that must have been baking them. I regained my focus, just a few hundred metres now. Me and another guy even broke into a fast finish, despite the ludicricity - is that a word - of getting there a few seconds faster in what had turned into over a seven hour, 28.5 mile run! Winners did just under 5!! Amazing, but consider the difficulty of this last days course when I remind you they'd been sub 3:30 yesterday.
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I was there, the line, I stopped for a picture, received my rather cracking laser patterned glass trophy and was directed over to the food. I didn't dwell on the frankly anti-climactic Lands End (Cape Cornwall was more impressive). Water, water, water, was the first order of business. I've never appreaciated water, undiluted by anything calorific, more. The budget cola on offer had become a close second. After a few moments rest I grabbed my hard-earned pasty and headed off to the food table. I didn't feel hungry so availed myself of a "For goodness shake" which I've always found rather pleasent and effective. Thank the lord a "meat wagon" had just pulled up and I joined the other coastline casualties in crawling in for the luxury of automated transport. I couldn't resist nibbling the warm pasty - it was good - but unfortunately my parched throat couldn't drink enough to let me digest it all so I had to leave half till I got back to camp.
It was pretty much dark as I arrived back at the holiday park. Daryl - of the MdS suvivors team was already back at mine and Mikes chalet. He'd sucumbed to a painful foot injury and was able to complete the last day, but not in time for his train connection, even having gone off with the walkers. Made me realise that despite my bodily failures I was lucky to be seemingly uninjured. I tried a hot bath, I felt I'd give the ice bath a miss today, I'd punished my body enough. That took the edge off despite several acrobatics to try get properly washed up in the worlds smallest bath. Not long after Mike arrived back after a long day out, finishing just before sunset. The three of us dedided curry would be just reward and got a lift with one of the votwo guys into Hayle - some of them were still ferrying back tail-enders, well after dark. Those still out there were real heroes, they must have spent nearly half the last 24 hours on foot.
The curry was heavenly, the the cobra beer nectar. I remember once having a strong curry thats name was supposed to translate to "medicine for the sick man". If this is true todays Chilli Chicken Masala must do something similar for the man with very tired legs. A true reward - but I didn't need a reward, completion had been enough, the pasty the prize, the smile on my face didn't fade all the next day. I figured I was the happiest person spending 9 hours on a train the next day - though I may not have had much competition.
Its been over a week now, I'm back in the real world, the rat race, I've probably piled on the reckoned half stone I worked off on a parallel world where the sea was just a few footsteps to my right and a short drop away. It was life changing; though I'm no better or worse afterwards, probably no happier, or sadder, but I've taken on a challenge that was enormous to me and risen to it. Whats left to do now, but to look onwards and upwards and reset my expectations and think about what to do next. What challenge I can rise to meet, and prepare hard for to give me a focus to drive me on past the mundanities of life, the real stuff, getting in my hours, paying the bills.
4:39 - 4:43 - 7:12 - 79miles - 23rd of 127.
Drunken-Euphoria will return in a yet unknown adventure.
The slightly reduced runners gathered on masse on a village green near a church, some like myself watered the flowers. No complaints from the congregation who hopefully prayed for our mortal souls. We were soon off and it was quite a sedate start. Paths, alleys and quiet streets winding towards Carbis bay and then St Ives. I recall thinking that St Ives is somewhere I'd like to spend more time. Pleasent looking pubs, cafs and little shops. I must be getting old as I would have probably thought that of Newquay at one time.
Of the RW forum members I'd shared prep for this event with; Stuart was off up ahead on the way to a superb performance, Tommy I had just met and ran the first few miles with and then we met up with Gareth almost by accident. Nice to put faces to names and hear a bit about how this was going for them. Lots of solid surface and reasonably flat streets meant for a faster start than day 2. On the other hand it wasn't like day 1 where I purposefully had my foot on the brakes for 13miles. A small group of runners had bunched around me and kept me in line when I tried to go the wrong way after climbing the headland beyond the harbour - it was a short cut.. honest ;¬)
A few runners passed me on the way back to the coast and the roughest section of terrain of the whole 3 days. Picking up where we had left off before Zennor it was wild, rocky, moorland, zig-zagging up and down the coast as it sloped towards the jagged cliffs. I was keeping up with those in front - who I was sure were ahead of me the previous day - until I hit the rounding of Porthmeor Cove. Then I just had to walk a bit as the path zigged up hill through more rock-strewn foliage. I let a few runners passed and decided to walk to the next flat bit. As I topped out I passed a girl I had the few previous days, also struggling, who on both occasions previously had then undertook me as I faded. As I approached a hill top the path became unclear, head was almost spinning and I couldn't see the, surely close, CP2 to pull me on. I became more ungainly, short of breath and unstable. A few minutes of this and a small fall made me realise I couldn't get to CP2 without action. I grabbed my emergency gel to get in some energy and electrolytes quick. I then reagained my direction and pushed on at a march. I passed "MdS" Mike who had gone out with the walkers, like myself he was unsure of the true path t this confusing section of the coast "path"?!. He had some of those walking poles, I could have done with some as the downhills were rabbit-punching my trashed quads.
The, panoramic, event signature, CP2, perched high on Trevean cliff, was a welcome sight as I waddled in. As scenic as this was it was not ideal as there was standing room only and the crowd were sheltering me from getting easy access to food and drink. So I only got a bit of water and coke and went on with no food for my "grumbling tum". The footing on the paths improved after CP2. A small blessing almost lost on me as I could barely run the slightest incline and any small obstacle halted me. The names of place I passed were now lost on me, there was some old mining remnents which distracted me for a while. Everything seemed to be uphill, even if only a tiny gradient. This was somewhat not an illusion, as when we got to CP3 were were far above the Atlantic. That was still a way off though. Any last remnents of energy I had were soon left slightly off the side of the coastal path. I inadvertantly strayed to a lower path which soon rounded a headland in almost scrambling style as I had to engage my hands to climb up and down boulders whilst keeping a safe distance away from the crumbling edges. I rejoned the true path, probably having not suffered a distance penalty, but a time and energy one.
Cape Cornwall appeared to the south and a long way below the high approach past a small castle and cairn. Thud, thud, thud, went the hammer to my quads and soles of feet as I padded down the hill ungainly. I felt proper rough at this CP and drank at least 5 cups of water and coke. I then took a cheese and pickle sandwich and lay on my side in the grass verge behind the "grub van". I lay there for a while, eating in mousebites, trying to psyche myself up for the next.... last section. just about 6 miles, how could I consider giving up now. People came and went, any competive instinct I had was drained, I just needed to drag myself to the end. After 10-15 minutes I was back on my feet and plodding out of the carpark. The next section was comparibly good footing, some tricky stones implanted in paths and the odd big stone to clamber over, but for the fresh trail runner this would have been rather fun. It was a really dipper of a route though, traipsing up and down over whatever hills could be found. More runners passed and others appeared ahead, obviously suffering a bit like myself. I focused on trying to catch up with somebody! I ran downhills, level bits and did what I could on the uphill and tricky bits. I wasn't walking all of it as this would just prolong this experiance... not in a good way. Despite this I was only averaging about 17 minute/miles.After an impossibly long 3 miles a beach appeared - Whitesand Bay, the last beach before the finish. I passed some walkers and then some runners, I ground almost to a halt on some soft sandy sections and then into a town. Sennen Cove, a nice little place and a flat, concrete path to run along. Despite this luxury I still had to take a walk break halfway through town. A sign said "Lands End 1 1/4m" :¬0 - but pointed uphill :¬(
Then I was hallucinating, "Holy batman and robin...", the caped crusader and his squeeky-voiced assitant passed me. No.... it was actually happening, whatever wonders the crime fighters had in their utility belts it had them running a storming finish, despite the costumes that must have been baking them. I regained my focus, just a few hundred metres now. Me and another guy even broke into a fast finish, despite the ludicricity - is that a word - of getting there a few seconds faster in what had turned into over a seven hour, 28.5 mile run! Winners did just under 5!! Amazing, but consider the difficulty of this last days course when I remind you they'd been sub 3:30 yesterday.
It was pretty much dark as I arrived back at the holiday park. Daryl - of the MdS suvivors team was already back at mine and Mikes chalet. He'd sucumbed to a painful foot injury and was able to complete the last day, but not in time for his train connection, even having gone off with the walkers. Made me realise that despite my bodily failures I was lucky to be seemingly uninjured. I tried a hot bath, I felt I'd give the ice bath a miss today, I'd punished my body enough. That took the edge off despite several acrobatics to try get properly washed up in the worlds smallest bath. Not long after Mike arrived back after a long day out, finishing just before sunset. The three of us dedided curry would be just reward and got a lift with one of the votwo guys into Hayle - some of them were still ferrying back tail-enders, well after dark. Those still out there were real heroes, they must have spent nearly half the last 24 hours on foot.
The curry was heavenly, the the cobra beer nectar. I remember once having a strong curry thats name was supposed to translate to "medicine for the sick man". If this is true todays Chilli Chicken Masala must do something similar for the man with very tired legs. A true reward - but I didn't need a reward, completion had been enough, the pasty the prize, the smile on my face didn't fade all the next day. I figured I was the happiest person spending 9 hours on a train the next day - though I may not have had much competition.
Its been over a week now, I'm back in the real world, the rat race, I've probably piled on the reckoned half stone I worked off on a parallel world where the sea was just a few footsteps to my right and a short drop away. It was life changing; though I'm no better or worse afterwards, probably no happier, or sadder, but I've taken on a challenge that was enormous to me and risen to it. Whats left to do now, but to look onwards and upwards and reset my expectations and think about what to do next. What challenge I can rise to meet, and prepare hard for to give me a focus to drive me on past the mundanities of life, the real stuff, getting in my hours, paying the bills.
4:39 - 4:43 - 7:12 - 79miles - 23rd of 127.
Drunken-Euphoria will return in a yet unknown adventure.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
ACC Day 2 - Perranporth to Hayle
Saturday dawned, again I was up and wide awake well before the alarm. Porridge and toast for breakfast and due to short sleep I was almost dozing again by the time the bus had shipped us back to Perranporth. I fancied hiding under a few of the other runners bags, waiting while the other runners and VO2 team were distracted and then sneaking in to one of the many pubs I'd noticed here at the finish the day before.
But I didn't... I was at the line and off - very slowly - up the hill out of Perranporth. At this point I first met Stuart, who was one of the guys I'd been talking to on the forum about this the last few months. He seemed energetic and was well out of site by time I'd stopped to pee and take a few pictures - No! not of the pee, of the lovely scenery down this coast. I hadn't stopped to take pics the day before, but figured my legs could do with the odd break today. The picture to left is Perranporth, looking from top of hill back over the long beach we'd run the length of at the end of day 1. It was quite an up-and-down first few miles, lots of steps or trail descents and then ascents out of small bays. I quite enjoyed this as I was still going well both up and down, not as tentative as some down and willing to run more uphills than others. It was soon down to Trevaunance Cove and the first CP of the day - yeh!
Found some flapjack, gulped water and coke as this had hydrated me on day one well enough. Onwards and downwards, through Porthtowan. Feeling good and the average pace had dropped below 12's after the slow start, there was then a reasonably level section towards Portreath and CP2. Sandwich time, randomly grabbed a peanut butter which was a bit hardgoing and on to the beach under a high cliff before a shortish but steep climb back up onto the cliffs.
The sun was out now following the typical weather pattern of the weekend with overcast start and slow boil in the afternoon. Quite a long and flatish run now along higher cliffs with the odd twist to liven things up. I found myself playing random songs in my head - a good sign? Radio Gaga was good but I was surprised that "Jake the Peg" (Rolf Harris) was also in there, guess it suited the slow rythm of my plodding. maybe I was distracting myself as the aches mainfested beyond halfway. The next CP at Godrevy head was a long time in coming. When I got there I was slowing, hot and had to walk awhile down into St Ives bay.
I caught up with a few other runners in the dunes as the path became multiple paths and four of us eventually abandoned the slow and hard dune navigation and headed for the solid sands of the 3 mile beach towards Hayle. This went on for a long time, my comfortable run pace now over tens even on the flat. The effects were different to the previous day, more stiffness, less energy, but no feeling of hitting the wall. Eventually the beach was left and the cliff climbed to head back on ourselves through Hayle Towans and towards Phillack. There was an extra CP here - ther to make sure we didn't cut through the dunes a mile back to the "back door" enterance of the holiday park. Like we would?
Running on the hard paths and roads through Phillack wasn't fun but at least the end was close, just up a small hill, a left turn into the camp, a steep drive I coul barely run up and then down the steps and the finish right at the holiday camp. A brief stagger to drinks, soup, food and massage if we wanted. This day was a bit short - ~24.5m - and I was slightly slower than the day before having never quite recaptured yesterdays pace after the steady start. 4:43, so 4 minutes down, but actually 2 positions higher in the standings. 20th for the day of well over 100 who had ran and walked these first few days. I was tired, but happy that all those long runs around the beautiful Yorkshire Moors, Dales and Peak district in the last few months hadn't just been a useless distraction. The 2 leaders had dipped inside yesterdays time of 3:37, to run sub 3:30.
But I didn't... I was at the line and off - very slowly - up the hill out of Perranporth. At this point I first met Stuart, who was one of the guys I'd been talking to on the forum about this the last few months. He seemed energetic and was well out of site by time I'd stopped to pee and take a few pictures - No! not of the pee, of the lovely scenery down this coast. I hadn't stopped to take pics the day before, but figured my legs could do with the odd break today. The picture to left is Perranporth, looking from top of hill back over the long beach we'd run the length of at the end of day 1. It was quite an up-and-down first few miles, lots of steps or trail descents and then ascents out of small bays. I quite enjoyed this as I was still going well both up and down, not as tentative as some down and willing to run more uphills than others. It was soon down to Trevaunance Cove and the first CP of the day - yeh!
Found some flapjack, gulped water and coke as this had hydrated me on day one well enough. Onwards and downwards, through Porthtowan. Feeling good and the average pace had dropped below 12's after the slow start, there was then a reasonably level section towards Portreath and CP2. Sandwich time, randomly grabbed a peanut butter which was a bit hardgoing and on to the beach under a high cliff before a shortish but steep climb back up onto the cliffs.
The sun was out now following the typical weather pattern of the weekend with overcast start and slow boil in the afternoon. Quite a long and flatish run now along higher cliffs with the odd twist to liven things up. I found myself playing random songs in my head - a good sign? Radio Gaga was good but I was surprised that "Jake the Peg" (Rolf Harris) was also in there, guess it suited the slow rythm of my plodding. maybe I was distracting myself as the aches mainfested beyond halfway. The next CP at Godrevy head was a long time in coming. When I got there I was slowing, hot and had to walk awhile down into St Ives bay.
I caught up with a few other runners in the dunes as the path became multiple paths and four of us eventually abandoned the slow and hard dune navigation and headed for the solid sands of the 3 mile beach towards Hayle. This went on for a long time, my comfortable run pace now over tens even on the flat. The effects were different to the previous day, more stiffness, less energy, but no feeling of hitting the wall. Eventually the beach was left and the cliff climbed to head back on ourselves through Hayle Towans and towards Phillack. There was an extra CP here - ther to make sure we didn't cut through the dunes a mile back to the "back door" enterance of the holiday park. Like we would?
Running on the hard paths and roads through Phillack wasn't fun but at least the end was close, just up a small hill, a left turn into the camp, a steep drive I coul barely run up and then down the steps and the finish right at the holiday camp. A brief stagger to drinks, soup, food and massage if we wanted. This day was a bit short - ~24.5m - and I was slightly slower than the day before having never quite recaptured yesterdays pace after the steady start. 4:43, so 4 minutes down, but actually 2 positions higher in the standings. 20th for the day of well over 100 who had ran and walked these first few days. I was tired, but happy that all those long runs around the beautiful Yorkshire Moors, Dales and Peak district in the last few months hadn't just been a useless distraction. The 2 leaders had dipped inside yesterdays time of 3:37, to run sub 3:30.So far so good, day two was probably harder than day one, higher cliffs meaning bigger drops and climbs when a bay or inlet was crossed, generally more rugged. It was also prettier and more scenic, more remote, no Newquay to cross ;¬) Certainly not as difficult as bleak Calderdale moorland, the muddy south derbyshire dales. Not in the same league as the higher parts of peak district, the Western Yorkshire dales, Sedbergh Hills or Lakes.
After a short massage I hoped would help I hit the sack for a few hours in a vain attempt to relax into a late afternoon nap. My legs were pulsing and twitching, trying to pump bllod around, clean out waste products, wanting to cramp, and did a few times later. I nibbled on snacks, took Ibuprofen, Glucosamine, dark chocolate - cos I like it, but did I heck have any cramp tablets in my medical bag of tricks.... grrr!
BBQ time, I seemed to arrive everytime they were waiting for more food to cook so only got one burger, lamb chop, breadbun and veg kebab. At least I got a chocolate banana and forced down a few beers. Most of us were all tucked up in bed by 11.
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
ACC Day 1 - Padstow to Perranporth
So, after a journey longer than any of the marathons would take on Thursday I arrived at the quiet Hayle station and was picked up straight away by one of the votwo guys. I got to the site, got checked in and learnt my chalet partner for the next four days was already here. Got to the chalet and met Mike and three other guys who'd met at this years Marathon des Sables and kept in touch after enjoying there tent banter. I declined the kind offer of joining them for a journey into Hayle for a restaraunt meal as I already had a voucher for a meal on site. Votwo food was good and quite substantial, tasty, yet healthy and I chatted to a guy called Don who was there with his wife and daughter, all planning on running and/or walking the event. A completley different end of the experiance spectrum to Mike and the MdS survivors I'd just met. This pattern of extremes was repeated throughout the weekend, with marathon novices doing all three marathons, often, pretty respectably fast, then there was a guy in his early 20's who holds the 10 marathon in 10 days record contested the last few years at the Windermere Marathon and the guy who did the final two days to tick off marathon numbers 599 and 600 - gulp!
Come Friday morning I was up before the alarm, fitful and restless sleep so I got down to the catering tent for porridge, honey and some nutella on bread. I'd prepared my hydration backpack the night before with all the kit requirements. Not exhaustive compared to some events but still plenty to remember. Checked everything and got my post-run warm gear together and headed down for reg and kit check. The check was quite thorough and applied to everybody and I felt fairly pleased that I had a smaller backpack than the majority of people. We had our briefing and then a long trip in the mini-bus convoy up to near Padstow. The trip was over an hour so we didn't start till early afternoon and there was a hilarious moment as nearly every bloke headed to the cliff edge to pee over it, a few yards apart like some kind of small army. I'm sure the ladies also found somewhere to lighten the load, but were more subtle about it.
12:10 and we were off, but not very fast as we herded at the stile. With over 100 runners - the walkers which took our number to roughly 200 had set off two hours earlier - the queue was long so many of use jumped the fence. I spoke to an MdS trainee for the first few miles as he told me the anecdote that Hugh Grant owned one of the big, remote, white houses overlooking Constantine beach we were passing. The first few miles were great, easy trails, grass, short sandy beach crossings and not much challenge. Very easy to be lulled into a false sense of security about this "challenge". I steadied my fresh-legged pace from 10's to nearer 11's, anything slower would have been too easy. Cliffs were generally low and the undulations small at first, this changed throughout day one and escalated over the following days.
There were a few beach sections and stream crossings on day one. The first was at Porthcothan beach. There were mutters from those in road trainers around me and I felt slightly smug in my f-lites, knowing if my feet got wet they would be dry again before I could dwell on it. The contours the path followed tightened a bit for a few miles culminating in a decent drop down to the beach at Mawgan Porth. On the beach I suddenley got the sensation of a wet arm, I looked around, nobody with water pistols, no rain clouds, didn't look or smell like seagull "output". Then something fell off my bag into the sand. I retrieved the plastic valve from my hydration pack tube, which had loosened until it had dropped off, brushed the sand off it as best I could. I'm useless in any kind of warm weather without plenty of fluid so loosing the valve could have been a nightmare at such an early stage.
8m down and on to CP1, mini mars bar, cola, water and off, no sense in hanging around whilst fresh. Off down the coast along Watergate bay, Newquay bound. It wasn't far to the next CP but definately harder going than the opening 10k. A variety of routes over and around Port beach were taken. I'm just glad I followed the right people and got to CP2. We passed several others later who had missed this in the maze of Newquay and lost loads of time doubling back.
CP2 of each day was the first sandwich stop. I sunck some water and grabbed a random sandwich. Cheese and pickle :¬) , always seems to help, can be dry, but I'm sure a change from sugary carbs helps. Off into Newquay, I tried valiantly to follow South West Coast path signs but this got difficult as they were just tiny stickers on lamp posts amongst a litter of street signs on bustling resort streets. Briefly I was alone, but then rejoined a group through downtown Newquay. I nearly took a wrong turn, but thankful to be called back. The path became evident again as we passed the grand looking hotel featured in the film version of "The Witches" and alongside the famous surfer mecca that is Fistral Beach.
One more headland and down to Crantock beach. Depending on tide crossing the river here can be a swim, but today we were thankful the tide was low and the bridge was usable. CP3, I had some kind of cereal bar, more water and coke and got off again. 16m down and there was now a bit of dune crosssing before a few undulating headland tours on towards the challenging section of the day. After some narrow, lumpy paths it was down dunes again to Hollywell beach. Route options here, you could go up a cliff or across a stream at the back of the beach and stick to the path. I kicked myself later, just a little, for taking the longer - slower - option. This climbed us up and around more rugged headland terrain past abandoned mines and a "danger area" - perhaps military? I was tiring now, my run around Ligger point to the vast Perran beach was slow and I stopped catching up with people.
Down the dunes and on the beach I followed a few hundred yards behind the next two runners, who seemed to pull away. 22m+ now and my stomach tightened and breath seemed harder, I always assumed this is a sign of walling so backed off the pace more as I tried to follow the nice, springy mid-beach sand on the near 5k beach section. I'd feared this bit but it turned out to be very runnable on a wide, flat beach at low tide. Perranporth took an age to grow at the far end of beach but eventually I was there. A short run around the small promenade passed less active daytrippers and that was it for the day. 4:39, quite happy with that
I never feel hungry at the end of a long run, but I gulped some liquid and put away a cup of nice veg soup and breadroll. I was worryingly stiff and tired and wondered if I could restore my energy supplies ok for tomorrow or if it would be painful fat burning much of the way? I've done two long runs in a row before, but this was three and my worry didn't ease till the food I'd ate kicked in and picked-me-up a bit. There was a big dinner back at the holiday park, I sure needed it. My roommate Mike turned up a bit later having been out quite a while - he hadn't trained much since MdS - and having to wait for the last finishers to get to the last minibus. Night finished with a few of the complimentary beers from organisers, sponsors and chilling in front of some TV comedy - Rock and Roll?.... nope definately more Soup and Roll.
With hindsight this was the easiest day, also my fastest, whether I should have held back more I don't know. If the next two days were anything to go by then yes. Other factors like eating and sleep may have been wrong also - not enough of either all weekend, neither by choice. I didn't force myself to eat when full and kept waking early.
Come Friday morning I was up before the alarm, fitful and restless sleep so I got down to the catering tent for porridge, honey and some nutella on bread. I'd prepared my hydration backpack the night before with all the kit requirements. Not exhaustive compared to some events but still plenty to remember. Checked everything and got my post-run warm gear together and headed down for reg and kit check. The check was quite thorough and applied to everybody and I felt fairly pleased that I had a smaller backpack than the majority of people. We had our briefing and then a long trip in the mini-bus convoy up to near Padstow. The trip was over an hour so we didn't start till early afternoon and there was a hilarious moment as nearly every bloke headed to the cliff edge to pee over it, a few yards apart like some kind of small army. I'm sure the ladies also found somewhere to lighten the load, but were more subtle about it.
12:10 and we were off, but not very fast as we herded at the stile. With over 100 runners - the walkers which took our number to roughly 200 had set off two hours earlier - the queue was long so many of use jumped the fence. I spoke to an MdS trainee for the first few miles as he told me the anecdote that Hugh Grant owned one of the big, remote, white houses overlooking Constantine beach we were passing. The first few miles were great, easy trails, grass, short sandy beach crossings and not much challenge. Very easy to be lulled into a false sense of security about this "challenge". I steadied my fresh-legged pace from 10's to nearer 11's, anything slower would have been too easy. Cliffs were generally low and the undulations small at first, this changed throughout day one and escalated over the following days.
There were a few beach sections and stream crossings on day one. The first was at Porthcothan beach. There were mutters from those in road trainers around me and I felt slightly smug in my f-lites, knowing if my feet got wet they would be dry again before I could dwell on it. The contours the path followed tightened a bit for a few miles culminating in a decent drop down to the beach at Mawgan Porth. On the beach I suddenley got the sensation of a wet arm, I looked around, nobody with water pistols, no rain clouds, didn't look or smell like seagull "output". Then something fell off my bag into the sand. I retrieved the plastic valve from my hydration pack tube, which had loosened until it had dropped off, brushed the sand off it as best I could. I'm useless in any kind of warm weather without plenty of fluid so loosing the valve could have been a nightmare at such an early stage.
8m down and on to CP1, mini mars bar, cola, water and off, no sense in hanging around whilst fresh. Off down the coast along Watergate bay, Newquay bound. It wasn't far to the next CP but definately harder going than the opening 10k. A variety of routes over and around Port beach were taken. I'm just glad I followed the right people and got to CP2. We passed several others later who had missed this in the maze of Newquay and lost loads of time doubling back.
CP2 of each day was the first sandwich stop. I sunck some water and grabbed a random sandwich. Cheese and pickle :¬) , always seems to help, can be dry, but I'm sure a change from sugary carbs helps. Off into Newquay, I tried valiantly to follow South West Coast path signs but this got difficult as they were just tiny stickers on lamp posts amongst a litter of street signs on bustling resort streets. Briefly I was alone, but then rejoined a group through downtown Newquay. I nearly took a wrong turn, but thankful to be called back. The path became evident again as we passed the grand looking hotel featured in the film version of "The Witches" and alongside the famous surfer mecca that is Fistral Beach.
One more headland and down to Crantock beach. Depending on tide crossing the river here can be a swim, but today we were thankful the tide was low and the bridge was usable. CP3, I had some kind of cereal bar, more water and coke and got off again. 16m down and there was now a bit of dune crosssing before a few undulating headland tours on towards the challenging section of the day. After some narrow, lumpy paths it was down dunes again to Hollywell beach. Route options here, you could go up a cliff or across a stream at the back of the beach and stick to the path. I kicked myself later, just a little, for taking the longer - slower - option. This climbed us up and around more rugged headland terrain past abandoned mines and a "danger area" - perhaps military? I was tiring now, my run around Ligger point to the vast Perran beach was slow and I stopped catching up with people.
Down the dunes and on the beach I followed a few hundred yards behind the next two runners, who seemed to pull away. 22m+ now and my stomach tightened and breath seemed harder, I always assumed this is a sign of walling so backed off the pace more as I tried to follow the nice, springy mid-beach sand on the near 5k beach section. I'd feared this bit but it turned out to be very runnable on a wide, flat beach at low tide. Perranporth took an age to grow at the far end of beach but eventually I was there. A short run around the small promenade passed less active daytrippers and that was it for the day. 4:39, quite happy with that
I never feel hungry at the end of a long run, but I gulped some liquid and put away a cup of nice veg soup and breadroll. I was worryingly stiff and tired and wondered if I could restore my energy supplies ok for tomorrow or if it would be painful fat burning much of the way? I've done two long runs in a row before, but this was three and my worry didn't ease till the food I'd ate kicked in and picked-me-up a bit. There was a big dinner back at the holiday park, I sure needed it. My roommate Mike turned up a bit later having been out quite a while - he hadn't trained much since MdS - and having to wait for the last finishers to get to the last minibus. Night finished with a few of the complimentary beers from organisers, sponsors and chilling in front of some TV comedy - Rock and Roll?.... nope definately more Soup and Roll.
With hindsight this was the easiest day, also my fastest, whether I should have held back more I don't know. If the next two days were anything to go by then yes. Other factors like eating and sleep may have been wrong also - not enough of either all weekend, neither by choice. I didn't force myself to eat when full and kept waking early.
September catchup
Work and prep for the Atlantic Coast Challenge have robbed me of blogging time the last few weeks. For instance I did the Good Shepperd classic fell race the Saturday before last. A challenging race with some big climbs and difficult underfoot, but also enough runnable bits and scenery to keep you enjoying it and looking forward. Its a bit distant now for me to report, but from a personal point of view I had a good run after burning up a bit too much energy at the start. Try this one, runs from Mytholmroyd, about 13.5m and 2450' up and down.
This last - long - weekend was my big challenge of the year. Started with a 9 hour train journey down to Hayle in Cornwall (near St Ives). Amongst other distractions I read a good chunk of Feet in the Clouds for a second time. Great book and worth reading for any who haven't yet. Some amazing feats of endurance described in there, but also some brilliant descriptions of the hardship of personal challenges in hilly and ill-weathered parts of the country. Anyway I was down there for the Atlantic Coast Challenge, organised by votwo (VO2). Big report to come, but to summarise...
This event follows the South west Coast path from Padstow to Lands End in three daily sections which roughly equal 78.6 - 3 marathons - mostly off-road, sometimes on very difficult trails.
Day 1 - Padstow to Perranporth - ~26m - 2700'
Day 2 - Perranporth to Hayle - ~24.5m - 2750'
Day 3 - Lelant to Lands End - ~28.5m - 4100'
Took me roughly 16:37 for the three days running, all challenging runs and day 3 would challenge the hardiest runner. Not just the increased distance, climbs and descents but also much rougher paths as challenging as nearly anything we have in the hills up north due to vegetation and stones/boulders being strewn everywhere for long stretches.
This last - long - weekend was my big challenge of the year. Started with a 9 hour train journey down to Hayle in Cornwall (near St Ives). Amongst other distractions I read a good chunk of Feet in the Clouds for a second time. Great book and worth reading for any who haven't yet. Some amazing feats of endurance described in there, but also some brilliant descriptions of the hardship of personal challenges in hilly and ill-weathered parts of the country. Anyway I was down there for the Atlantic Coast Challenge, organised by votwo (VO2). Big report to come, but to summarise...
This event follows the South west Coast path from Padstow to Lands End in three daily sections which roughly equal 78.6 - 3 marathons - mostly off-road, sometimes on very difficult trails.
Day 1 - Padstow to Perranporth - ~26m - 2700'
Day 2 - Perranporth to Hayle - ~24.5m - 2750'
Day 3 - Lelant to Lands End - ~28.5m - 4100'
Took me roughly 16:37 for the three days running, all challenging runs and day 3 would challenge the hardiest runner. Not just the increased distance, climbs and descents but also much rougher paths as challenging as nearly anything we have in the hills up north due to vegetation and stones/boulders being strewn everywhere for long stretches.
Thursday, 17 September 2009
One week to go
This time next week I'll hopefully be all tucked up for my last recharging sleep before the Atlantic Coast Challenge (ACC). I'm quite excited, but have quite a busy week beforehand at work and getting prepared for this. Since doing 39m two weekends ago I've been cutting the mileage slightly, low 40's last week and probably this. Last 20+ last weekend over the wolds and just 15m on the Saturday plan this week and a token effort on Sunday.
My weekly mileage hasn't been mega, but certainly big for me and often concentrated around a long and a medium run at the weekend. Last 5 weeks have all been forties, fifties and one excursion into the high 60's which is a best for me. I've only done two runs this week (Tue=9, Thu=10), but weekend should get me to high thirties at least.
I find the mid to long runs at this stage a bit boring/tedious as I just want to be doing my big run next week.... now. So I've decided to enter one last race of 15m, ideal length and in Calderdale so will be hilly and muddy. I'm also not breaking the 20 so not depleting the energy stores completley - I hope. I'll give your the filthy details when I'm done.
Regarding ACC prep, I'm about ready bar the packing. There is a short required kit list but I'm hoping I can get it all in the new Inov8 race Elite 3 pack I've ordered. I can always nab a few velcro pockets off another pack. This is assuming it ever turns up - great time for a 5-7 working day delivery to actually take that long and a postal strike! Really hoping I get this tomorrow so I can use it on Saturday as sort of "dress rehearsal". I'm also undecided on shoes so I'll be taking road, mild trail and harsher trail shoes - leaving nothing to chance. If its like coastal paths in my area then the trails will be quite solid, but if its more like Calderdale or parts of peak district then it could be pretty muddy all year around. I've also started reading Feet in the Clouds again to keep the inspiration topped up. Food wise there is breakfast and dinner provided if you want it. On the run there is water, cordial drinks, and flat cola (latter of these I'll only experiment with if thoroughly sick of other two). I'll be taking one bottle of my own energy drink each day too, to assure I get all the electrolytes, etc... There are also supposed to be sandwiches at some CP, which is always nice and I'm quite partial to a cheese and pickle on the run. I haven't found it causes me stomach problems. At the end of each raceday we can also get soup and For Goodness Shakes. Both of which I believe will be useful to restock various drained resources. I've tried the shakes after a long run and often run well the next day. They may not be the reason but could well be a piece of the jigsaw.
Enough of that, I'm babbling on. I'll report again when have something to report.
Cheers
My weekly mileage hasn't been mega, but certainly big for me and often concentrated around a long and a medium run at the weekend. Last 5 weeks have all been forties, fifties and one excursion into the high 60's which is a best for me. I've only done two runs this week (Tue=9, Thu=10), but weekend should get me to high thirties at least.
I find the mid to long runs at this stage a bit boring/tedious as I just want to be doing my big run next week.... now. So I've decided to enter one last race of 15m, ideal length and in Calderdale so will be hilly and muddy. I'm also not breaking the 20 so not depleting the energy stores completley - I hope. I'll give your the filthy details when I'm done.
Regarding ACC prep, I'm about ready bar the packing. There is a short required kit list but I'm hoping I can get it all in the new Inov8 race Elite 3 pack I've ordered. I can always nab a few velcro pockets off another pack. This is assuming it ever turns up - great time for a 5-7 working day delivery to actually take that long and a postal strike! Really hoping I get this tomorrow so I can use it on Saturday as sort of "dress rehearsal". I'm also undecided on shoes so I'll be taking road, mild trail and harsher trail shoes - leaving nothing to chance. If its like coastal paths in my area then the trails will be quite solid, but if its more like Calderdale or parts of peak district then it could be pretty muddy all year around. I've also started reading Feet in the Clouds again to keep the inspiration topped up. Food wise there is breakfast and dinner provided if you want it. On the run there is water, cordial drinks, and flat cola (latter of these I'll only experiment with if thoroughly sick of other two). I'll be taking one bottle of my own energy drink each day too, to assure I get all the electrolytes, etc... There are also supposed to be sandwiches at some CP, which is always nice and I'm quite partial to a cheese and pickle on the run. I haven't found it causes me stomach problems. At the end of each raceday we can also get soup and For Goodness Shakes. Both of which I believe will be useful to restock various drained resources. I've tried the shakes after a long run and often run well the next day. They may not be the reason but could well be a piece of the jigsaw.
Enough of that, I'm babbling on. I'll report again when have something to report.
Cheers
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