tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20711369626431355752024-03-06T06:29:59.280+00:00Random running bloggageAnd other ramblings about life in general, my over-thoughtful imagination, philosophical ponderings, procrastination, my lack of direction, manky feet, ultra's, marathons & recovery Guinness ;-)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-48022137248003101202017-09-12T11:27:00.001+01:002017-09-12T11:57:35.997+01:00Temporary loss of ultra mojo <p dir="ltr">Avoiding the likelihood of further DNFs, my ultra marathon journey of 2017 is definitely over, if it ever truly started. I had intended to do the 'canalslam', having done the canal double in 2014 and 2015 (GUCR and LLCR) and always being extremely slow, but successful at canal ultras. But then in 2016, my 4 consecutive GUCR 'successes' came to an end and I dropped out, feeling as if I was running on a treadmill, with heavy legs, in the hot sun. My confidence took a knock, but I knew I'd be back this year.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But, this year,  the DNF streak continued instead and I pulled out at a similar point. My mind wasn't in the game at all and I seemed to have lost my ultra mojo. Maybe I had dropped it into the canal?</p>
<p dir="ltr">I did a couple of marathons after that and I convinced myself that my head would be in the game for KACR. It sort of was, but not enough. I can say with all certainty that I didn't try my hardest. When I knew that I was going slower than I should be, my negative voice told me I'd only just make the next CP cut off and did I want to feel the pressure of only just making that CP - it'd have a knock on effect to the next bit of the race and only just making a cut off isn't good enough, especially only 45 miles into a race; better to slow down and DNF now, get it over with. At least it was expected. And even though I've never DNFd at LLCR, I avoided it this year through fear of making it a 'DNFslam'.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But I realised then that I seem to have lost my ultra stubbornness somewhere. I seem to have misplaced my 'I will get to that finish line at any cost' mindset. I need to get it back. And there are moments I know it's still there... like when I'm running home from work with my rucksack and I feel like I'm on an adventure and moments from ultras come back into my mind and I wish I was on those adventures now. I miss that feeling. It's good to know it's still in there somewhere.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDs4gcESxl9VJ7vZ_HbX40IrBKIhdSaXcmh7OXrFSbKYvMYw3qIOwqdNmt_2MI3qxMbCdXO6iDh_hmiZYOYfPHF0xdS4hCnv_jP-7G7SvBxXW_LuXFLMQkbJtrI2jpIeZYih3AY-Wu3Q/s1600/20170904_141855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDs4gcESxl9VJ7vZ_HbX40IrBKIhdSaXcmh7OXrFSbKYvMYw3qIOwqdNmt_2MI3qxMbCdXO6iDh_hmiZYOYfPHF0xdS4hCnv_jP-7G7SvBxXW_LuXFLMQkbJtrI2jpIeZYih3AY-Wu3Q/s640/20170904_141855.jpg"> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-92036848509839043612017-04-04T17:46:00.001+01:002017-04-04T17:46:05.863+01:00When you can't be arsed.Thoughts of the day...<br />
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Sometimes when you really don't want to go for a run, you really, really should. You should just get your bum through that door and do it with even more urgency than ever before, because you don't want to and can't be arsed.<br />
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However, sometimes you should just give yourself a rest, stop getting 'run envy' against more motivated runners than yourself who are running down the road, stick some tunes on, chill out and relax. Or lift weights. In a dress. Or do all of the above. Even throw in a beer, especially on such a sunny day. Especially let your mind relax. I don't know about you, but my runner's mind tends to run around tirelessly, thinking about random stuff and running worries. My mind is always running.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-2190596006953401002016-12-31T21:15:00.001+00:002016-12-31T21:15:59.342+00:00The year I became......a fully fledged Primary School Teacher.<br />
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Tougher than any ultra, I have worked so hard to train and learn to become the best teacher I can be. I'm still learning. But, like most hard work, it was all worth it.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-59842983970239704972016-12-31T21:10:00.002+00:002016-12-31T21:10:48.952+00:00This year....... I made it through several thunderstorms, whilst simultaneously being lost during the Liverpool to Leeds Race.<br />
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Did I feel nervous for this race? Yep, more than normal since I had bombed GUCR so bad, and dnf'd which I'd never done before and I can describe (just about) just how horrible that feels to do. I'd been lucky to escape that before last year. So, my luck changed during this year's GUCR...(not going to keep me down next year though!) I didn't want to get a taste of how it would feel to DNF at Liverpool to Leeds as well. However, I was a little unprepared and I also hadn't factored in the altered CP timings that reflected the amended lesser race time limit.<br />
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Surprisingly, all ran smoothly for a while. I got a good pace going and I chatted to some familiar faces. The weather wasn't too bad - was fairly sunny from what I can remember. But it changed.<br />
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The first sign that I got of an imminent thunderstorm was around the 70 mile mark. The thing is, at this point, we thought we had loads of time to play with. Wrong. Our pace became so slow due to the rutted, uneven ground which had now become muddy with rainwater.<br />
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There was sideways rain and wind. And I was getting a little bit scared of the lighting moving closer. I love thunderstorms, when I'm indoors. However, rather than dampening my spirits, I felt absolutely determined that I would make that next checkpoint. How dare it rain AND thunder? I legged it. And just made the next checkpoint with a bit of time in the bank. Although, I was sad to say goodbye to my running buddy thus far, who had been such fantastic company, but had decided enough was enough. Yet, I saw a familiar face from GUCR who had dnf'd at the same checkpoint back in May. Spoiler: we ran nearly the entire race together this time and both finished. Yey.<br />
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I didn't know at the time, but that was merely a warm up 'baby' thunderstorm. Just after the 100 mile point, we got horrendously lost. And I was annoyed at myself because I've done this race before, and I remember this tricky bit, but in the torrential rain that ensued, I couldn't remember the way.<br />
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We added on miles. And over an hour of time. And nearly our will to carry on. And my new iPod got completely water damaged and died. There were moments, though, when I envisioned a news story detailing how some runners had been struck by lightning whilst lost during an ill-fated ultra marathon. I have never seen rain so bad, let alone been so absolutely soaked to the skin in it and so close to lighting. Scary stuff. And yet it was all worth it.<br />
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To cut a long story shorter, my feet held up amazingly in injinji socks...until I changed them to some dry 'normal' running socks, and my shrivelled feet ended up covered in huge, deep blisters. I don't know...I've battered my feet more times than I can remember and I'm still learning. Don't change socks unless you have to - I had to deal with the worst peely feet for months afterwards.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-78346140214732737132016-10-10T07:28:00.000+01:002016-10-10T07:28:07.764+01:00I'm (not) a morning runnerFour months since I last wrote on here and a lot has happened. I now have a job as a primary school teacher and that is pretty amazing. And, since I have to get up early for work, I've started to make a real effort to go running early in the morning.<br />
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I have never been a morning runner. However, I have always admired those early morning runner types. What a great routine to get into, thought... I find it far too hard to get up early sometimes. However, it finally started to make lots of sense, after years of thinking it'd be a good idea to run before work, I now try and get in a morning run as often as I can.<br />
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I had been getting up at 6ish, but I switched this to 5ish am. So, now I can get up, grab a quick coffee to wake myself up a little and be out the door by 5.30ish. The great thing is that I'm still pretty much too tired to complain that much about dragging myself our of the door or overthink it. And the hardest part is always dragging yourself out of that door! When I get back I feel so much wider awake and I can get on with my day then. It lets me be lazy later on. I don't have to do as much in the evenings as I would otherwise have to. So far, it's working really well. I'm actually out there training again!<br />
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Once a week, I also try to get a slightly longer run home from work in, with another teacher. In fact, tonight is run home from school night. I never feel too enthused about this at the end of a busy school day, but it's worth it once you're out there....<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-91628698830438837442016-06-03T01:16:00.000+01:002016-06-03T01:16:01.540+01:00Overthinking it and sulking... First run back since epic GUCR fail. I know, I know, 'fail' isn't a positive word to use, but it's what happened. I'm still over-analysing it of course. Any one who were to read this blog, who isn't a runner would have no idea why it even matters so much to me, but it does.<br />
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(Side-rant): I'm not a wealthy runner, I'm a nearly (but alas, still training) qualified primary school teacher, so money is tight and entering races is somewhat of a luxury these days. Ultras are expensive too, especially when you take into account the petrol to drive, possible accommodation costs, kit, food etc. I literally can't afford to fail... But, money isn't everything and I logically know this.<br />
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I'm going off-point and ultimately the money angle only matters in relation to how often I can race. And I would love to do it more than I do. I'm just venting. About everything. I put all of my eggs in one ultra-basket. Almost. I've got to remember I have a chance of redemption at Liverpool to Leeds Canal Race in August and I'm more than up for taking the opportunity to do so....although, I wasn't so positive about this when I called it quits on Saturday!<br />
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What matters more is that I'm still feeling a bit emotionally bruised. I wasn't able to see beyond the moment like I normally am. I wasn't able to transcend the pain or pull myself together. I wasn't able to use all the advice that I'm normally so eager to give out. I rely on that mental stamina normally. It's my rock that can often pull me through. It all feels a bit crappy and embarrassing. And I don't like not finishing things. I like to set out to do something and do it.<br />
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However, I know it's not all doom and gloom. Having trawled the internet for motivation and post-race affirmations, I have come across many words of wisdom...<br />
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<a href="http://cdn-media-2.lifehack.org/wp-content/files/2015/02/0c76071ea90d2dbbb75d76453be1c9d1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="http://cdn-media-2.lifehack.org/wp-content/files/2015/02/0c76071ea90d2dbbb75d76453be1c9d1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/photos/c/colinpowell386437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="http://www.brainyquote.com/photos/c/colinpowell386437.jpg" width="200" /></a><img alt="You don't pass or fail at being a person, dear - Neil Gaiman: " height="200" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/ce/ec/a3/ceeca3b486a8bbd85970ff31c10e6088.jpg" width="141" /></div>
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<br /><img alt="So just keep going. Yes. :: 365 Days of Gratitude: Day 262 - Susa Talan: " height="200" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/94/77/34/94773492f3a56e07670711814ea94234.jpg" width="200" /><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/41/19/6d/41196d615462f14f8bcde7e3cddf350e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="There is nothing more powerful than confidence. Here are 10 quotes that will make you believe in yourself again: " border="0" height="200" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/41/19/6d/41196d615462f14f8bcde7e3cddf350e.jpg" width="178" /></a><img alt="http://www.williamotoole.com/Survey Get motivated :-): " height="200" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/db/f8/e6/dbf8e6f859df16669b4d3d302c86a486.jpg" width="134" /></div>
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<img alt=" : " height="200" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/11/f2/ef/11f2ef55c2d4e764b8de90cecadcadef.jpg" width="193" /><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/14/87/9d/14879de3a9b5d168fe7f6594f15effae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=""You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be." -Marianne Williamson #quotes: " border="0" height="200" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/14/87/9d/14879de3a9b5d168fe7f6594f15effae.jpg" width="200" /></a> <img alt="50 Life Changing Motivational Quotes for Entrepreneurs – as Awesome Posters – Design School: " height="200" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/a3/52/e8/a352e890042cf0ab06c1e33b677e91a1.jpg" width="143" /></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">You try, you fail, you try, you fail - the real failure </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">is when you stop trying</span><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">If you don't fail, you don't learn. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">If you don't learn, you'll never change.</span></b></div>
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<b>Okay, you got me...I LOVE Pinterest!! And, I have no race photos ;-)</b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-69831278350553430482016-05-31T22:08:00.001+01:002016-06-01T18:45:32.511+01:00Daring to fail - tale of a GUCR dnf <i><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #999999;">"Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts" - </span><span style="color: #cccccc;">Winston Churchill</span></span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>DNF</b></span> and <span style="color: #990000;"><b>GUCR</b></span> are words that I have been lucky enough to never have to use in the same sentence. Until now. And that's exactly what I did. I DNF'd. And it feels rubbish. For so long, I was so proud to say that I had finished GUCR 4 times in a row and never dropped out. Not bad for someone who doesn't look like a 'real runner'. I never really contemplate not finishing. I always think of that as one of my strengths, to keep going, no matter what. So, it was strange and actually heartbreaking to dial that Race HQ number and confirm that I wouldn't be carrying on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Mile 36 to Mile 53 is a tricky section. Despite having done this race from 2012- 2015, I had forgotten how tough I find this section. It's very rural, a lot of it looks the same and the ground is quite uneven. The ground is fairly hard to consistently run on during this bit. The scenery is pretty though... During this never-ending section, I felt both mentally and physically rough and I couldn't see the let-up. I became one of those 'negative Nancies' (a miserable, negative runner who you don't want to meet on an ultra) - one of those people who is so relentlessly miserable that you run faster just to avoid them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I finally neared the 'unreachable checkpoint', I burst into tears and had a word with myself. I just felt limp and my mental strength had wilted in the warmth of the day. I felt sure I must be right at the back, and I wasn't far off. But, as I got nearer and nearer to the CP, some other runners emerged from behind me. By that point, I had this strange feeling that I wasn't part of the race that I loved any more. I didn't feel a part of it. I had given up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I know we do these races and prepare ourselves for pain, both emotional and physical, but I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I normally think things like, 'pain is part of it, deal with it', 'pain comes and goes, get on with it' and 'expect pain', blah blah blah. I was so close to the cut-offs and if I'd have carried on and made it to the 70 mile CP after the cutoffs, then I would have been stranded in the middle of the night. I know that's my fault, because I was unsupported, but it's just something I've never fully had to contend with before. I've always had stubbornness on my side, but it had all but gone this time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=""Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." Henry Ford: " height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/f4/20/1a/f4201a1ab2afc295a892fc6cad2519a6.jpg" width="285" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ultimately, the best I might have hoped for on zero energy was to spend another 30+ hours down a canal. Imagining another 30+ down the canal wasn't hard to imagine, as it's something I had to contend with last year, when my feet well and truly ended up battered. However, at least last year I was further ahead of cutoff's at this point in the race. Psychologically, this really messed me up this time round. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Depressingly, my feet were great this year. I taped my big toe, arch and the ball of my foot with Rocktape the night before and it worked amazingly. I experienced no rubbing and no blisters. It was </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">my body that wouldn't play ball this year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can't really explain. Ever since Saturday I have tried to dig deep and really think about whether there was any way I could have carried on. I hate giving up and I hate making excuses. Yet, as much as I try to explain, I can't. My body simply had no energy. I felt like a rag doll. All of my energy had been zapped from me. I wanted more than anything to move forwards and yet, I felt like I was on a treadmill. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't run for long periods of time and the miles dragged on. I felt clumsy and a bit disorientated. On more than one occasion, I dropped something on the floor. I nearly dropped my map in the canal, but it landed right by the edge. However, I wasn't so lucky with my MP3 player - I looked down after CP2 to discover that it was no longer attached to my earphones and that I'd lost it. It was a bit demotivating and frustrating. Actually, it was more than a bit frustrating - music is such a useful tool to have when you're on your own down a canal, with lots of thoughts bouncing around your head.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was a humid day on Saturday and I definitely think this contributed to the energy-zap I felt. However, I don't want to make <b><span style="color: purple;">excuses</span></b>. It just wasn't my day. If I were to put it down to fate, I may point out that my boyfriend's car broke down the night before and we nearly never made it to the start. He went through all the trouble of renting an emergency car, last minute, to help me get there! I could also point out how I couldn't find my running rucksack or OMM up until the day before the race, despite looking for over a week [I can't afford to replace everything, so I kept looking and eventually found them]. And on the morning of GUCR, there was a shortage of technical t-shirts in Size Medium, and so I wasn't able to get the shirt I had ordered - a good thing, it now appears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Success is a mindset. Leaders are created and when you have the right blend gret things happen for you and your business partners.: " src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/88/0e/b2/880eb284f9a98708f131a06d84714ceb.jpg" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can't deny it, a big part of me did have a little bit of anxiety over possibly failing at this race. It means so much to me and as much as I know I have nothing to prove in some ways, I can't shake the feeling of still wanting to <span style="color: #f6b26b;"><b>prove something</b></span> to myself. That's part of why we do these races and put ourselves through the challenge, right? Aren't we all trying to prove something to ourselves; to prove that we can be better, go further, realise our dreams? But maybe, just maybe I needed to fail in order to face up to that fear of failure and realise it is possible for me to come back stronger next time. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-23994592845230407762016-03-25T15:46:00.002+00:002016-06-01T18:46:03.462+01:00I run because...I didn't start running because it was an extension of who I already was. Yep, I used to be better at running at school, because I have an ingrained fear of balls being thrown at my head, but I was fat when I started running. I was unmotivated. I was down in the dumps. I had low self-esteem. I was overweight and it was hard. It wasn't the most fun. I 'couldn't run for a bus', as they all say. I couldn't see ahead and picture myself running races, let alone marathons and ultras.<br />
<br />
It hurt me when I first started running marathons (emotionally) and for a few years later, when marathon blokes would make comments about my weight. I'd come a long, long way, but I still wasn't what you'd call 'athlete thin'. I didn't necessarily look like a runner. I wasn't skinny, And yet, I was running long distances. It didn't make sense to some. So, I got little comments, mainly from male runners. They didn't mean to hurt or offend. I know that. But it did hurt and offend. I'm not an 'offended person', by the way. But I've come a long way and that's what some people don't see. I lost a lot of weight before I ever started running and before they ever knew me. I will always have a saggy stomach, unless I get surgery. I will always have flappy underarms. I always will have some loose skin. I'll never be one of those super-toned types. You all look amazing though, you super-toned types :)<br />
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My record got broken this week, which I'm all good about. Records are made to be broken and I truly believe that. Otherwise, what is the point in them? I was only ever in the right pace at the right time, at the right age. I didn't know all too much about marathon running or the running circuit before I became involved in it. I just saw all those '10 marathons in 10 days' runners and got inspired by some amazing 100 Marathon Club members and vowed to be like them. I did. I just ran a lot of races. But, what will never be broken is the fact that I have run lots of ultras and marathons and challenged myself. That will always exist and I'm really proud of it. I want to challenge myself more. I know so many amazing runners who I aspire to be like. You know who you are. I have met many of you who have done some fantastic things.<br />
<br />
I went to an 'interview technique' session the other week and I realised how bad I am at selling myself. I could have been in Runners World etc. haha, but I never have been. I love running for the sake of running, for the way it makes me feel, for the sense of self it gives me. Most of all, I like the feeling you get from knowing you have travelled so far on your own two feet. How awesome is that? You should probably have used a car, but you got there with your own two feet. I also like running at night, in ultras, when the world is asleep and you're still moving forwards.<br />
<br />
Just some thoughts I decided to write down on this Good Friday. Have a lovely, long weekend everyone.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-74933160992996865262015-12-31T15:53:00.002+00:002015-12-31T15:53:27.346+00:00It's out there, finally... Liverpool to Leeds Race 2015 ramble<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Someone once told me (not so long ago) that I have a ‘slight’
tendency to hold on to things, to not let things or work go unless I think it
is as absolutely good as it could possibly be. Obviously, nothing is perfect. In the case of this blog, I guess that is pretty true, albeit it has also been crazy hectic this year. But, now I’ve realised that
sometimes you just have to get it out there.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><b>It has been a massively hectic year, hugely hectic. I know, I said that already. I’ve not
run as many races as I would have liked or was once used to, but I’ve run some
good’uns that are important to me. The Liverpool to Leeds Race was one of them.
So, finally, before the year is out, here is a ramble about that....</b></span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><b>_______________________________________________________________________</b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><b><br /></b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><b><br /></b></span></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hadn’t planned on running the Liverpool to Leeds Canal
Race again this year. I figured I’d do a bunch of marathons and do GUCR and
that would be my ‘big’ race. However, Grand Union didn’t go so well for me. I
finished, but I finished painfully slow and my feet were a mess. I felt
physically and emotionally bruised. I no longer wanted this to be my long run
memory of the year. Because, quite frankly, I felt like a bit of a whimpering
mess after GUCR and my PB attempt at this race actually became my slowest
finish ever. I guess you can never completely plan for <i><span style="color: magenta;">stuff </span></i>in ultras. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The start and supplies and stuff</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I made it to the start in one piece and as disorganised
as usual. I packed all the necessary stuff, such as plasters and emergency
energy gels, Lucozade and ‘full fat’ Coke. I didn’t pack as much food as usual,
as I feel that I have a tendency to overbuy for these races.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had a natter to lots of the usual lovely faces at the
start and picked up my t-shirt. I never normally buy a race t-shirt for these
long ones. I guess part of me never wants to tempt fate. However, this means
that I never end up owning a really cool race t-shirt with a huge map of a
canal on the back and I actually really want to. Also, I reasoned that if, for
any reason, I was unable to complete LLCR then it was all ok, because I successfully
completed it last year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, t-shirt picked up. A kiss for the boyfriend. A big
‘class of 2015’ photograph and we were off!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hadn’t trained for this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tummy troubles</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not to be graphic, but my stomach felt poo. I had to stop so
many times on the Saturday, because my stomach just didn’t feel right. I felt
so bloated and not particularly awesome. All I kept thinking about was where
the next toilet or bush was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was very aware of how much I was slowing down and with
this came a bit of a negative attitude. I knew that I would do it no matter
what, because I would never go into such a long race thinking that I’d just
‘give it a go’. You can’t and shouldn’t do that. You should go into a race
KNOWING that you ARE going to do it, no matter what it takes, giving it
everything it takes. However, it doesn’t stop the negative thoughts that make
it a little bit tougher, when you’re not feeling 100%.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I felt bad, because
Jogging Jon had very kindly let me run with him. That was great because it’s
nice to have the company on such a long run, but I felt guilty, because he had
put in so much training for this race and I had put in little. His pace was
amazing and I was being a bit of a snail. I’m so grateful to him for sticking
with me for so long and for the lovely Mrs Sarah Jogging Jon who provided lots
of awesome support and goodies along the route.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Into the night...</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It must have been around 2.30am in the morning when my
eyelids started to uncontrollably close and I must have spent approximately the
next 3 hours, until day broke, agonisingly battling against the urge to fall
asleep. It’s a horrible feeling when all you want to do is sleep, but you can’t
stop and you definitely can’t go to sleep, so you end up stumbling along like you’re
drunk. And it just doesn’t stop and no matter how much you wish for it,
daylight just doesn’t come. It seems never ending as you focus on putting one
foot in front of the other, very, very slowly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The resurrection...</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #999999;">“The sky’s awake, so I’m awake, so we have to play...!”</span>
(Yes, this quote is from Frozen)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The sun started to rise and ‘just like that’ I started to
wake up. It was pretty miraculous and I was surprised by how instantaneously I
woke up. One minute I was dragging my heals (literally) and stumbling about all
over the place and the next, I was running faster than I had in hours. I had
let Jogging Jon slip away as day broke, as I know he was going at a faster pace
than me and I was aware of how much I had held him back in the night section,
but like a gentleman, he had stayed to accompany me out of fear that I might
fall in the canal. I’m always struck by how beautiful this part of the canal
is. You start to head towards Skipton and the canal meanders and winds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Spoilt for shoes</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hokas. I bought some Hokas. I previously wrote about my
search for Hokas and how tricky it was to decide upon which ones to get and
where to start. I bought the Challenger ATR and I thought it had adequate room.
This is still mostly true. They had enough room in the front of the toe, but
they were a little too narrow at the toe, which meant that my niggly little toe
got a bit snagged. It's funny, because my feet are surprisingly narrow for how long they are. So, it would appear that a UK 8.5 would probably have been
best. I also started to over pronate a fair bit, especially on my right foot,
after a while. They were great in terms of stones and cobbles and not being
able to feel the ground, but after 40 miles I had to swap them for a trustier
structured shoe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I whipped out my Asics GT 2000s at the next checkpoint and I
immediately felt so much more supported in my arch. I wore these through the
night section and until I reached the 94.5 mile checkpoint. A few checkpoints
later I changed these shoes to my well-worn-in Kayanos, because the morning dew
on the grass had soaked my feet and clean socks. It’s good to have the variety
I guess. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Random things you see by canals</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhal6hOUKxN8A4p9UFTs-_wKD9F8_JmrKy4dUV_dkTKm7SCqAeivAiE_M_pr7PXM7TYSqhuF4NXznhppH6bePq2My5ivIFmYyc36SokezbqnQoil2JLAqNmVR7A3BbC7l586ptnvdwlj20/s1600/82cfa660a3e3b9f" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhal6hOUKxN8A4p9UFTs-_wKD9F8_JmrKy4dUV_dkTKm7SCqAeivAiE_M_pr7PXM7TYSqhuF4NXznhppH6bePq2My5ivIFmYyc36SokezbqnQoil2JLAqNmVR7A3BbC7l586ptnvdwlj20/s320/82cfa660a3e3b9f" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m always looking out for random things by canals and
during ultras in general. You do see some random things. Most notably, I saw
some horses on a bridge. And I became a little obsessive with taking pictures
of mile markers by the canal. I was so much happier when a stone mile marker
informed me that it was 110 miles to Liverpool – not far to go – than when it
said 99 ½ miles to Leeds...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEid9aAfWLjgzxpTEVDQcoHFJN3alueUO4OBUa4LoLbVrrFIVbvXOAa4BXqySuSyZVAw0ud_Ab9wc_Y0mO57sQTuFuLjN3A9r9n8yNmZFHETPk_Nf9Ey1vy0tREw9msqyQbEPboE1ecIk/s1600/89b50db7c9db5ba" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEid9aAfWLjgzxpTEVDQcoHFJN3alueUO4OBUa4LoLbVrrFIVbvXOAa4BXqySuSyZVAw0ud_Ab9wc_Y0mO57sQTuFuLjN3A9r9n8yNmZFHETPk_Nf9Ey1vy0tREw9msqyQbEPboE1ecIk/s320/89b50db7c9db5ba" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxylcmJnX-hXbweIBx9NK4aSxnbT_zWG5AE7QuNgXAS1K9QGkOwdIc_UHlAh0z8MaX3O0D7IQbZ_asPnuNl1mj4cbyGHViqTGqOROnBpAIH24CPxbbuxyd3wu0zxG8ThkKkwerPK8qxQ/s1600/c0386b25a79ef5c" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxylcmJnX-hXbweIBx9NK4aSxnbT_zWG5AE7QuNgXAS1K9QGkOwdIc_UHlAh0z8MaX3O0D7IQbZ_asPnuNl1mj4cbyGHViqTGqOROnBpAIH24CPxbbuxyd3wu0zxG8ThkKkwerPK8qxQ/s320/c0386b25a79ef5c" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2H1qyXtrwqIYgKNsUg2AtzaZ9QQ0qTOcu8IJLlHm_L1Z78jwEeDCaDRu15FIZXeq6Jhaiokp5wrlOG8SA30GVZOUJL-qWItmYkjJdWsP4wj9d7CsutPWpphGZp6ccjnpjZ-tBwpPlNrc/s1600/48d7f9f975c46f9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2H1qyXtrwqIYgKNsUg2AtzaZ9QQ0qTOcu8IJLlHm_L1Z78jwEeDCaDRu15FIZXeq6Jhaiokp5wrlOG8SA30GVZOUJL-qWItmYkjJdWsP4wj9d7CsutPWpphGZp6ccjnpjZ-tBwpPlNrc/s320/48d7f9f975c46f9" width="180" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Fooooood</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can never fault the check points on GUCR or LLCR. There
was so much yummy cake. Lemon drizzle was my favorite and it’s so easy to eat
when you’re finding it hard to get down anything else. I also enjoyed a really
lovely bacon buttie just before the 100 mile mark and some pineapple juice at
around 120 miles. I was feeling much better by then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The End</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now I’m trying to recall it, I’m finding it tricky to recall
everything. The last bit of the race was fairly pleasant, but painful. I do
really need to solve the unsolvable problem of painful feet, but I’m not certain
that this can be overcome during such a long ultra. This is a shame, because I'd like to think I could run even longer one day... Maybe it’s just part of the
challenge? So, in the last bit, I found myself having to stop and take off my
shoes a fair few times, as my feet were hot, sore and itchy. However, once I
sensed that we were near the end and started to see all the tall buildings and
hotels of Leeds city centre getting close and closer, I started to run faster
and faster. I guess the bit that I’m most proud of is that I literally sprinted
the last bit. I saw the finish and I legged it. I know it wasn’t just my
imagination, I really did sprint it and most definitely ran faster than I had
done all race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I finished 3<sup>rd</sup> female in <span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">35hrs 43mins</span> – most definitely because
there weren’t many women in it to begin with and also because the rest of the
speedy ones dropped out. But, I’m happy with that. A really great memory from 2015. I better start looking ahead to 2016. Who knows what adventures will be had? <i><span style="color: #cccccc;">(I actually don't know yet...I need to plan)</span></i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-64626115207111165082015-11-30T20:21:00.000+00:002015-11-30T20:21:28.181+00:00Knackered. Shattered. Tired.As one of the children in my class remarked, earlier today, "You look really tired today, Miss Tunna". Yup. I feel shattered, knackered, sleep, tired, all rolled into one. Training to be a primary school teacher is like the longest ultra marathon ever, and the most emotionally draining. And yet, it is so rewarding. But I am definitely looking forward to a bit of a Christmas shindig night out on Friday. I need it.<br />
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Needless to say, I have been pretty busy lately and I haven't done too much running. And I really need to do more running because even when I'm not getting physically fat, I feel mentally fat and not quite sane if I am not doing a lot of running. However, I have just gone for a short one and I do feel better for it. Should have worn more layers though. It's surprisingly chilly out there. Brrrr.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-10875289986824069192015-10-23T01:18:00.001+01:002015-10-23T01:18:46.771+01:00Another year older.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nXs2GN-xru1BwUMVbFxicZ6_7eEh6fJdMrIj9bmjhyphenhyphentC18J7z_vC1JjkKqQclwKvDO835o01FHEPd3QDnBHxbuMSgiU_Qqqw1PufhEouz9PlX6nendvuC3Dc5XdGsBdcOsAMhtldrmU/s1600/birth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nXs2GN-xru1BwUMVbFxicZ6_7eEh6fJdMrIj9bmjhyphenhyphentC18J7z_vC1JjkKqQclwKvDO835o01FHEPd3QDnBHxbuMSgiU_Qqqw1PufhEouz9PlX6nendvuC3Dc5XdGsBdcOsAMhtldrmU/s320/birth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, It's my birthdaaaaay... I always have a bit of a tendency to feel quite sad around my birthday, as I never feel like I've achieved exactly what I wanted to in the last 12 months. However, I feel like I've achieved more than last year. I am training to be a primary school teacher, finally and I guess that I have always wanted to do this, but never had enough experience to get onto a course before/ it wasn't the right time. I also completed GUCR for the 4th time this year and LLCR for the 2nd time. Not done as many races as I'd have liked, but I've kept in the loop and not done too badly. And I've got Snowdonia Marathon tomorrow and then off to Dublin. There are positives here.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-74740847924865465112015-10-21T12:00:00.004+01:002015-10-22T00:53:43.314+01:00New Shoes, coconut oil, coffee and pre-birthday splurge<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, it's my birthday on Friday, 23rd October, so I decided to buy myself an early birthday present and got some new <b><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Kayano 22s</span></b>. I used to work at an Asics outlet, so I really got to like the Kayano and the GT-2000, which is slightly less supportive and cushioned. And as well as being the right shoe for my strange feet, I really like the way they look :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Whilst I was having a bit of a <b><span style="color: #741b47;">pre-birthday splurge</span></b> I also picked up some coconut oil to aid in my mission to incorporate more healthy fats into my diet and <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px;">medium chain triglycerides etc.</span> I'm also trying to eat more protein and less crappy carbs. However, I feel like my eating habits have been a bit rubbish as of late. I've been doing some intensive trainee primary school teacher training, lesson planning, teaching and not a lot of sleeping, so I've been craving rubbish and haven't been entirely disciplined. But the consequence of this is that I've been feeling a bit yuck. If I write it here, I have to do it...</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-27693714455063696302015-10-19T14:14:00.005+01:002015-10-19T14:20:27.425+01:00Too busy and sleepy<br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">So much information and observations backlogged in my mind
right now, and that’s before I even get to the pedagogical theory and primary
school paperwork for my School Direct PGCE – fair to say I have been more than
a little bit preoccupied. The other week, I was roughly averaging 3 ½ hours of
sleep a night. As I type, I remain pretty preoccupied in the university
library, but I cannot currently think of anything useful to write here with
regards to my practises in the classroom, so I thought I would procrastinate
and empty my mind of recent running exploits.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chester Marathon – Sunday, 4th October<o:p></o:p></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can hardly believe that it’s been 4 years since I did my
100<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> marathon. This year’s race was my 160<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>…not an
awful lot run in the last 4 years, when you consider that I did my 100<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
within two years. However, I have completed lots of long ones since then, so I
have to remember that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I do Chester because it is my home race. It’s local and it’s
friendly. However, I also find it extremely overpriced. Yet, I’m not just moaning
at Chester here, I’m moaning at pretty much all city marathons out there. They
are so expensive for what they are and the medal is always overshadowed by
corporate sponsors. I need to put a picture on here, but the original medal for
Chester Marathon was all about Chester’s famous clock. The newer medals are
much more stylistic and feature a massive sponsor slogan. I guess that is the
way it is. So, this would be my first grievance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Other grievances: I guess that I also really hate the endless
country roads. It almost feels that the marathon runners are banished from the
city, out towards Wrexham and then they’re finally allowed back into Chester at
the end. Consequently, the middle bit is really boring for me. I tend to get a
bit lazy around the 14-20 mile mark of boring country-road running. And because
it’s a city marathon, you get the endless barrage of runners asking if you’re
okay and telling you, <strong><em><span style="color: #999999;">‘you can do this/ well done/ not long now/’</span></em></strong> etc. They all
mean well, but I’m there in my 100 Club vest, thinking that I have run a lot
and I have run far tougher….not meaning to sound arsy, but I just always hear
the same stuff. I was thinking about it and there is always that same small
talk at city marathons. I don’t hate them, I really don’t, but, sometimes I just
don’t know what to say. I think I was just especially sleepy at this marathon, because of my course. I want to do my best, but I'm finding it tricky to be my best at the moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And even though I am sounding like a very Negative Nancy
here, I couldn’t help but spot the Negative Nancys during the race. By this I
mean, those runners who just give up and don’t carry on or moan a lot (not just
to themselves) during the race. I came upon a couple of guys who were still
going and they were telling me how they had expected to finish in 3hrs 15 mins,
but how they had injured themselves and were going to drop out at the aid
station just up ahead. We were approximately 18 miles in. I couldn’t contemplate
dropping out, even if I had to crawl, I’d do it. And I have felt like I have
had to crawl in the past, in much longer races than a marathon. I guess my key
point is that I often feel safer and more comfortable amongst ultra runners or
at least marathon maniacs who somehow seem that little bit grittier and
determined. I like the madness and the irrationality that even if you have a
niggle, the possibility of carrying on is still there for the taking, because the
impossible is a lot more possible when you dream bigger. <span style="color: #cccccc;"><strong>[Got a bit philosophical there, but you get my gist...]</strong></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-91859424864118042242015-09-21T23:19:00.000+01:002015-09-21T23:20:24.538+01:00PGCE and Kidney followed by snifflyJust in case you'd like to know:<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Liverp<span style="color: #444444;">ool to Lee</span><span style="color: #999999;">ds race</span> <span style="color: #cccccc;">bloggage</span> <span style="color: #eeeeee;"><u>is underway</u></span></span></b>, but it got rather backlogged due to a hugely busy spell.<br />
<br />
So, I ran to Leeds and I made it and then I quickly attempted to recover and then I started a primary school based PGCE, to become a primary school teacher.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Busy</span><span style="color: #a64d79;"> busy </span><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">busy</span></b><span style="color: #a64d79;">.</span> Lots of paperwork and folders and an assignment and thinking and pedagogical ramblings. And then I started to feel horrible and shaky and sweaty and shivery and feel rubbish and my kidneys felt like I had been punched or kicked continuously. So, I went to the doctors (I know, I can't believe I got an appointment either!) and did a urine sample and had a high temperature and the doc thinks it was a kidney infection. Sooo, I have just finished taking antibiotics which also made me feel pretty rubbish in my stomach and now I'm one day post-antibiotics and I have a very sniffly cold. Rarrrgggh. Consequently, I will get a running blog out there soon, but I haven't even run since I ran to Leeds, so that's a pain. Therefore (I'm trying not to write 'so', I write it faaaaar too much) I have entered Chester Marathon at the end of next week. <b><i>That should do it.</i></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-27938323606823963282015-08-24T15:48:00.002+01:002015-08-24T16:09:49.900+01:00I got some Hokas!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I <span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>finally</b></span> (years and years after everyone else...)
got some Hokas. I researched and searched and Googled and Googled some more.
Ended up with a headache from all the research. I had a few concerns. As
someone who overpronates, I wondered if this even mattered in Hokas, as the
platform is so significantly big/ stable in comparison to other running shoes
on the market. For road running, I had previously been running in Asics' <b><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Kayano</span></b>
and <b><span style="color: #351c75;">GT-2000 </span></b>series. I was used to supportive shoes, but I needed even greater
comfort for ultra-running.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In May, I utterly destroyed my feet during the
Grand Union Canal 145 miles race. I wore <b><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">inov-8 Race Ultra 290s</span></b> and I was
really disappointed :(. Initially, I thought they were great quality and looked good;
I went up half a size from my normal everyday shoe size. I'm normally a Size 8
everywhere. And I've worn inov-8s many, many times over the years. They are the
only brand of off-road shoes I had ever worn, so I trusted them. Most recently,
I have run in the<b> <span style="color: #93c47d;">inov-8 Roclite 275</span> </b>Gore-Tex trail shoe and I had no problems
with that at all. I even ran GUCR 2014 in that shoe and I've worn other
versions of inov-8 shoes for various ultras over the years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, I have long feet, but I don't have wide
feet - they're pretty narrow and not very padded. The Race Ultra 290 was too
wide around my forefoot. It was like a big clown shoe/ balloon around my foot.
I know, the irony, considering that most Hokas look like clown shoes... Yep, I
always want some room in the front of the toe-box, but there was too much room
to either side in the inov-8s. Ultimately, I ended up with mega tenderised feet
and HUGE blisters on the side of my heel and both big toes and between my big
toe and second toe of both feet. There are lots of pictures on this blog
somewhere. My feet have never been that bad during a race. It was incredibly
painful. And I thought more than ever that I must try Hokas. Those little sharp
stones along canal towpaths are the worst. I just don’t want to feel them<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztxXq7XEb_qt6sTBeqqKsJIeVLMpTEJRIRvlAO1Ju5WynegDV6GoUCw9Uhi1Hfs8ztBT_FcjuAhQXRMaF41eLtW__Paax8ztwOxl8GJVivVM_DBL0ugZEzOEuWirZTc2Xdpyolqt2Bac/s1600/20150822_173000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztxXq7XEb_qt6sTBeqqKsJIeVLMpTEJRIRvlAO1Ju5WynegDV6GoUCw9Uhi1Hfs8ztBT_FcjuAhQXRMaF41eLtW__Paax8ztwOxl8GJVivVM_DBL0ugZEzOEuWirZTc2Xdpyolqt2Bac/s320/20150822_173000.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgwrno37TIVTrqO0C4FfUUMVhBNzFCcN_dHMAo2-0Wh6FiHMJqtzSKfhISk4wC3UTqmcPduVQq-XNbjRV0vO7SDC2zSl6P-ecdCEIrSB-p_gVNWSAoKbrgtGgxrI4SQIgWTEGOZyfRdI/s1600/20150822_135623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgwrno37TIVTrqO0C4FfUUMVhBNzFCcN_dHMAo2-0Wh6FiHMJqtzSKfhISk4wC3UTqmcPduVQq-XNbjRV0vO7SDC2zSl6P-ecdCEIrSB-p_gVNWSAoKbrgtGgxrI4SQIgWTEGOZyfRdI/s320/20150822_135623.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Th<span style="color: #444444;">e Sea</span><span style="color: #666666;">rch</span> <span style="color: #999999;">for</span> <span style="color: #cccccc;">Hoka...</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, it was all well and good deciding that I
wanted to try these shoes and see what the hype was like, but getting hold of
my size and figuring out which ones to get was a different matter. Almost every
UK website I went on only had small ladies sizes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After advice from fellow ultra-runners, it
eventually transpired that a Conquest 2 would probably be best for me and my
moderate over pronation but it was also the most expensive at around 170 Euros
or £125. I was also more interested in getting a trail shoe, rather than
a road shoe, because I wanted the sole to be a bit more rugged and durable. I
decided to get a <b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Challenger ATR. </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxNbnprHzqUvojNgym4M6TTxO2e9I8qUhWtathv224nFOfV1X_igC2fuxr_1FExveRNXgyjTrfZpGNMBkoHE9i5B9NzdZ3QgVmZHkFWuObukT5zq8AxI3XInWAx5QBxeU_eus_azqE4Y/s1600/20150822_131640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxNbnprHzqUvojNgym4M6TTxO2e9I8qUhWtathv224nFOfV1X_igC2fuxr_1FExveRNXgyjTrfZpGNMBkoHE9i5B9NzdZ3QgVmZHkFWuObukT5zq8AxI3XInWAx5QBxeU_eus_azqE4Y/s320/20150822_131640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now I just need to work out my foot measurements. I
initially thought I'd need at least a UK 8.5 / 42 2/3 / 27cm. Looking at my
current Asics road running shoes, I normally go up a whole size to a UK 9,
because I like the extra length in the toe box. This equates to 27.5 cm. I'll
admit that there is a bit more extra room than I strictly need, but it never
causes me problems. I'd always get at least a UK 8.5 in Asics (27cm). But I'd never
gotten Hokas before and I wasn’t sure what the deal was with how they fitted.
So, I followed their instructions and put my foot on a piece of A4 paper, foot
up against a wall and drew where the end of my foot was = 26cm. This equalled a
UK 7.5, but I didn't feel comfortable getting that Size. I want a little room
in the toe. So, I settled on a UK 8 (26.5cm) And....they fit! I have room, but
the shoe is actually quite a narrow fit and not really wide like my inov-8s,
but I have that length.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, at the weekend, I took them out for an 11 mile
test run on gravel trails and a bit of road. I could not feel any of those
pesky sharp stones. Hurrah. I just hope that they serve me well during my next ultra-adventure
at the weekend, <b><span style="color: #45818e;">Liverpool to Leeds 130 miler</span></b>. Fingers crossed!</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-10119251966963645982015-07-28T00:28:00.002+01:002015-07-28T00:28:51.894+01:00Another run home, another foot dunk...Post-run foot dunking is so refreshing. This could become a thing. Tonight it was dark when I finally got home. I also managed to get in a bit of food-weight-training by stopping off at the shop on the way back home and picking up some Babybel cheeses, avocados, yogurt and milk. I always end up picking up way too much on a quick trip to the shop.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfptztN8eIF9dZsq-RZ5D55Q8XHLwtShuEezsU4rH5Dny129U4uxhyphenhyphenu0PVhUibzd2JuCd6F8wX6-WP0AOCeljrVAGFL_K5Om5lh249VXGxEVoTwBFdL5dwDArY6lHvF43_GBmDcOm620/s1600/2015-07-27+23.41.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfptztN8eIF9dZsq-RZ5D55Q8XHLwtShuEezsU4rH5Dny129U4uxhyphenhyphenu0PVhUibzd2JuCd6F8wX6-WP0AOCeljrVAGFL_K5Om5lh249VXGxEVoTwBFdL5dwDArY6lHvF43_GBmDcOm620/s320/2015-07-27+23.41.13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Really looking forward to the Dovedale Dipper 26 miler on Sunday - done it a few times before and even though the cows in the first field always scare me, it's a really friendly little run. I'm hoping me and my boyfriend can spend a couple of days in the Peak District afterwards and have a little explore.<br />
<br />
And I am now seriously contemplating doing the Leeds to Liverpool 130 mile race again on August Bank Holiday weekend. I've got to sort out a few 'logisticals', but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to. I'm always up for a long ultra-running challenge... Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-3068114819484825252015-07-27T12:30:00.001+01:002015-07-27T12:30:09.273+01:00A bit random, but...... I had a really sweaty day at work yesterday. It was busy busy and the air-con was off. To use up the little bit of energy I had left, I decided to run home from work. I was feeling pretty knackered and my feet were feeling pretty sweaty. Fortunately it had been raining all day and I happened across a large, yellow container under our guttering. It was full to the brim with rain water.<br />
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It was far too tempting not to take off my trainers and stick my feet in the cold, refreshing water. Best feeling ever. Ahhhhhh.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-45097924484430152972015-07-20T23:02:00.000+01:002015-08-13T18:07:03.173+01:00The last few days...<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"><b><i>The last few days I have...</i></b></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt;">* </span><i style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #a64d79;">Been tormented by the biggest house
spider ever.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #d5a6bd;"> </span></b></i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I thought I was safe now, because we (not really we, as I
definitely did not partake) had managed to kill 'Biggest House Spider No.1'
about a week ago, but now there is another one, living in the same nook and
it's out for revenge. It only seems to come out in the evening and during
moments where I have momentarily let my guard down. An example of this would be
whilst on the loo or in the shower...</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt;">*</span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #a64d79; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <b><i>Run home from work a few times and been
high-<span aria-haspopup="true" id=":z.3" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">fived</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>by a fellow runner.</i></b></span><span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday's run
was much more energetic than today's. My legs felt so stiff and achy after
work. I really felt like I was plodding along very slowly. So, when an
unidentified runner from my old club ran past in the opposite direction and enthusiastically
high-</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":z.4" role="menuitem" style="background-color: white;" tabindex="-1">fived</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">me, it put a big grin on my face and
made me dig that bit deeper. And camaraderie is the name of that run.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt;">* </span><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #a64d79; font-size: 13.5pt;"><b><i>Eaten lots of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":z.5" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">scrummy</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>food.</i></b>
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">So, we decided to try the food at a pub that we always drive past but have
never eaten at. I had a fairly unhealthy Caesar salad, with pan-fried salmon
and mega amounts of Parmesan cheese - my favourite. It was delicious. We also
ordered some chips that had been drizzled with truffle oil and</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":z.9" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">sprinkled</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">(not
really the</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":z.10" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">right</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">word given the size of the</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":z.11" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">parmesan</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">shavings)
with</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":z.12" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">parmesan</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">. Shaved
parmesan would probably be more accurate. I felt like this balanced out the
abundance of lettuce very nicely!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt;">* </span><b style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><i><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #a64d79;">Thought about entering lots of
marathon</span><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">s</span><span style="color: #a64d79;">.</span></span></i></b><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">I get paid tomorrow, so this may well be realised. I want to up my
game and do a few ones that I</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":z.13" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">haven’t</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">done before. I love a good goal and it
will sure make me get out there and get in the miles.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt;">* </span><b style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><i><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Nearly puked up after sniffing a protein
shake</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #d5a6bd;">.</span></i></b><span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">My Protein Oats and Whey is definitely the tastier shake. However, Maxi
Nutrition Lean Definition offers more in terms of added nutrients and the</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":z.14" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">amount</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">of
protein you get vs. calories. Having said that, it tastes disgusting mixed with
water and smells terrible. That's why, upon sniffing the latter protein shake,
post-run, I gagged. Downed it, but didn't enjoy it.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-89169031817723348782015-07-16T11:33:00.003+01:002015-07-16T11:33:59.421+01:00Old new routeSince I have the morning free, which never happens, I decided to drag myself out for a<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"> sunny</span></b> run. However, I've been getting bored of 'the usual route'. I run it ALL the time. I run home from work on that route too.It's not particularly scenic and I found myself getting into a running rut.<br />
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I tend to be too safety conscious sometimes and I stick to routes with lots of pavements and safe options. Today I decided to take a more scenic route which was more countryside-ish. This route took in a small country lane in addition to the safer roads. I felt better for it. And I figured that if cars couldn't see me then they really shouldn't be driving at all!<br />
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The only odd thing I saw on my run was another runner wearing a coat! It is so sunny out and I am absolutely sweating. I don't understand. It's the same when men (mainly) wear full length running tights in the middle of a heatwave, I don't get it,Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-42381602365674093802015-07-14T00:03:00.001+01:002015-07-14T00:03:10.068+01:00Snot Rocket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnR0eBAA0Du-2u3VOidQx44jfBu3uxVLIbiDOMdrnZMeUsvOhu1uZslttWn4U4Q4p9Bk1JVSxoInhDupDb2fi29m4gyLbeWotxZ_JpgyLGW-UHcFiQmqqe1TSRvV6pH1vGUU3xQKVDuc/s1600/snot.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnR0eBAA0Du-2u3VOidQx44jfBu3uxVLIbiDOMdrnZMeUsvOhu1uZslttWn4U4Q4p9Bk1JVSxoInhDupDb2fi29m4gyLbeWotxZ_JpgyLGW-UHcFiQmqqe1TSRvV6pH1vGUU3xQKVDuc/s1600/snot.jpeg" /></a></div>
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A rather <b><span style="color: #93c47d;">snotty run</span></b> home from work today. I have been battling a dreaded summer cold for the past week and it really has been annoying. It's one of those things where you want to go for a run, because you physically <b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">can</span></b> go for a run, but you just feel really bunged up and can't breathe properly, so your run ends up feeling rubbish and you sound like Darth Vader's relative.<br />
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Anyway, determined not to wait for the bus home from work and probably catch even more germs (I miss having a car...), I decided I was going to run home regardless. The run home isn't too far, just under 5 miles. But, I decided to extend my run, because I figured that I was out there anyway and I didn't get in any running at the weekend because of the cold, so I ran a little further and did about 6.5 miles. Not too much further, but it all counts. So, it was a snotty run, but a good run. It always feels good to bank some miles for the week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjycMmU1mC3dWg7tWtA5QdVaUaDeM8dtce8OFeZl8iZ5TyvetUEMindDkJ9bS01E2ot341moT4ZfORd4Eg95A3HeGdLo3MAhpe3xSGzU9-YyWJF8nUUlslGlD0oQffojf_k0hbstH2hk/s1600/2015-07-13+23.52.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjycMmU1mC3dWg7tWtA5QdVaUaDeM8dtce8OFeZl8iZ5TyvetUEMindDkJ9bS01E2ot341moT4ZfORd4Eg95A3HeGdLo3MAhpe3xSGzU9-YyWJF8nUUlslGlD0oQffojf_k0hbstH2hk/s320/2015-07-13+23.52.10.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it home</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-70893373060110327042015-07-08T07:05:00.001+01:002015-07-14T00:03:51.470+01:00Run homeOn yesterday's run home from work I wondered whether I could fit anymore in my rucksack. I think the answer was probably 'not really'. But, I decided to pop to Tesco on the run back and picked up a random selection of milk, cheese triangles, an avocado and some blueberry yogurts nonetheless. Good workout. I was feeling super achy and sleepy after yesterday's run home from work. However, it's always good to know that you got a run in, when you know that you certainly wouldn't have dragged yourself out after work...<br />
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Below are some piccies of my sleepy face, trusty Kayanos, bursting-at-the-seams running rucksack and my trusty water bottle. I love this dinky bottle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNpl_y9O3uizQjEReg8Picjb2kqlCXdVzH0lh0_F_ryuSQhwIXJUERZBzAld9h33P-YK8MnWNGwGgg5XafW1Wd39Wca70AeXOlU2JH3o21Pel7OxQADxftpfQ53tLQSG-9xjrZEekVUY/s1600/20150707_193544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNpl_y9O3uizQjEReg8Picjb2kqlCXdVzH0lh0_F_ryuSQhwIXJUERZBzAld9h33P-YK8MnWNGwGgg5XafW1Wd39Wca70AeXOlU2JH3o21Pel7OxQADxftpfQ53tLQSG-9xjrZEekVUY/s320/20150707_193544.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9JEvibFQgGgijsE2uruntK9olQx_P-xBwrnQrD5uffI9wdOSAB6hf9xvi_szBI9VOpaofjStnUEVqZ4j8ZSGAU_tQUycdsljnJbANfOdw1wHb405R00pQZJMh0gfC67pv33k1Bm9BMA/s1600/20150707_193456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9JEvibFQgGgijsE2uruntK9olQx_P-xBwrnQrD5uffI9wdOSAB6hf9xvi_szBI9VOpaofjStnUEVqZ4j8ZSGAU_tQUycdsljnJbANfOdw1wHb405R00pQZJMh0gfC67pv33k1Bm9BMA/s320/20150707_193456.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFK476V4xC-8tOPtgb0wrC1W4_UE-kuAimix6kVAOKgjT_rmSwV6RyyP2B6lJNBT02ectD0-jjtf4PSobnpVxpRzBZC02ETclMBjbqEK4ewNegQkdIcSkli2iOb0KMjuzypS82x_I4614/s1600/20150707_193412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFK476V4xC-8tOPtgb0wrC1W4_UE-kuAimix6kVAOKgjT_rmSwV6RyyP2B6lJNBT02ectD0-jjtf4PSobnpVxpRzBZC02ETclMBjbqEK4ewNegQkdIcSkli2iOb0KMjuzypS82x_I4614/s320/20150707_193412.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-21509348733010422552015-07-07T08:35:00.006+01:002015-07-14T00:04:53.605+01:00Snake-likeRunning long distances has turned my feet into something resembling a snake. Well, not green and scaly, but the skin is definitely shedding like that of a snake. If I was squeamish, it'd actually be pretty gross. Instead, I have taken lots of pictures (see below). Actually, my mum did think it was pretty gross and promptly told me that maybe I should stop running so far. I told her that I had actually walked and staggered more than run on my last ultra ;-)<br />
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So, the hard skin on the upper sole of my foot has started shedding. I have had to cut bits away to make it feel more 'normal' and comfortable to walk on.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-33822078763821656652015-07-01T22:06:00.004+01:002015-07-01T22:14:34.530+01:00Protein<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've regularly taken whey protein for a while now. Sometimes I use it as a (lunch) snack/meal replacement, but more often than not I use it for recovery and to<b> <span style="font-size: large;">up</span></b> my protein intake. Having tried some truly awful tasting and smelling protein shakes, I settled on <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>MyProtein's Oats and Whey</b></span> in Chocolate. However, since it was on offer, I have decided to go fancy and have been using <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 30px;"><b><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">MaxiNutrition Promax Lean</span></b><span style="color: #040404;"> (chocolate flavour). Now, I know it says to mix it with water, but it tastes horrible this way, so skimmed milk it is...I can get over the few extra calories and at least I have added calcium :)</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbow0-VoKhu1DP2cwIOm_8w4BhjWZCVwiDQcA5mE3hVL8BXrRmxpL4Pe2I8wXpPEWIGyTLW0lvMNeTv7wp7gPvAwAyfOEa1kjqqgeo5fPC0Zi-fjiZpoZ-9dY60PxQL-rv5AaBmzo2p4/s1600/20150629_113335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbow0-VoKhu1DP2cwIOm_8w4BhjWZCVwiDQcA5mE3hVL8BXrRmxpL4Pe2I8wXpPEWIGyTLW0lvMNeTv7wp7gPvAwAyfOEa1kjqqgeo5fPC0Zi-fjiZpoZ-9dY60PxQL-rv5AaBmzo2p4/s320/20150629_113335.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #040404; font-family: inherit; line-height: 30px;">I even treated myself to a girly new shaker. But, I've spotted something that looks even better and I want on</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 30px;">e - </span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -2px;"><a href="http://www.gym-talk.com/promixx-vortex-shaker-review/">PROMiXX Vortex Shaker </a>. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; letter-spacing: -2px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; letter-spacing: -2px;">Yep, I don't need one, but it's so cool and mixes everything up so you never have lumpy protein shakes again...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #040404; line-height: 30px;">In other news: It's so hot right now. Just not used to the heat in Britain, I guess. I went for a 5 mile run yesterday and I felt as if I'd run 50, my heart was beating so fast and the sweat was dripping off me. I remedied this with a swift recovery beer, of course.</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-58840954755802200912015-06-19T00:54:00.000+01:002015-07-14T00:12:46.114+01:00Everything feels okay, but my feet are killing me... - GUCR race ramble<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b>Apologies in advance for excessive rambling, random thoughts and pictures of my manky feet...</b></div>
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<span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Just</span> </b></span>when you think you have learnt all you can from this
race, it teaches you something else. I wasn’t expecting that this year. I
thought I had grown fairly comfortable in this race, in what it was and how it
worked. But, I was wrong. I think I had grown confident after last year’s <b style="color: #76a5af;">PB </b>of<b style="color: #76a5af;">
38 hours 25 mins.</b> Well, not over-confident in an arrogant sense, that’s not
really my style. However, I had developed an inner confidence and
self-assurance. Still, I didn’t exactly feel in my comfort zone. I don’t really
think you can ever get that comfy with the prospect of a 145 mile run. But, I
would talk about this race with fondness to whoever happened to ask about it.
Oh yes, Grand Union Canal, so many adventures to be had along this stretch of
path. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, the long and short of it is that this year’s race
kicked my bum – big time. I’ve written many blogs about GUCR over the years and
I don’t want to be too repetitive, so here is a fragmented version of events:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"><b>The plan</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The plan was for me to run my fastest GUCR and try my
hardest to run as fast as I could for as long as I could. I was down as an
unsupported runner, so I could access various refreshments and food at checkpoints
along the route. However, I had roped my lovely boyfriend, Jonathan, into being my
‘moral support crew’ and he did a great job – he even walked out to the last
checkpoint to meet me and run/walk/hobble the last bit of the race with me (I
was the one hobbling). I also wanted to create new memories on this year’s
race. Some of the plan was successful. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">The night before</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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After fuelling up on <span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Pizza Hut</b></span> and doing a mad trolley dash
around the supermarket, my lovely boyfriend drove us down to Birmingham and we
stayed at a Jury’s Inn. Last year, I stayed at a Travelodge just a few doors
down from here. However, the noise levels were immense. I knew I wouldn’t be
sleeping for long, since I had to start running at 6am and had set my alarm for
around 4ish-am, but I still wanted to dose a little. This hotel I booked was so
much better. Maybe they have better noise insulation? Major happy points <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">Fast forward to... The night section</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I always dread going through Milton Keynes, despite this bit
of tow path being very runnable. However, there are cycle paths off to the left
of the path and I always think there are going to be dodgy people lurking. The
reality is that I think all of the dodgy people don’t tend to be hanging around
this late into the night, fortunately. I always envisage scary ‘status dogs’
around these parts, but there was nothing during this night section. I didn’t
see anyone. It actually got pretty lonely. And, even though I have run this
race for the previous three years, I still kept <span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>worrying</b></span> that I had gone wrong
somewhere, that maybe I hadn’t crossed a particular bridge I was meant to.
These were just paranoid mind games which were largely triggered by the fact that I hadn’t
seen anyone for so long. </div>
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I was seemingly all alone and I had no idea of my
position in the field. I knew I wasn’t near the front, obviously, as so many
people had passed me much earlier in the race. However, I didn’t feel as though
I was right at the back either. I just kept on going. A big bonus was that I
felt really wide awake, which almost never happens during the night section. I
normally always feel as though I’m about to dose off. Not this year, I felt
really alert. However, I was really missing a buddy runner. I have pretty much
always run these night sections with somebody else for company. It’s nice to
have a bit of company to keep you sane and feeling normal. I missed that and
felt slightly and sadly envious of the others runners I had seen ‘collect’
their buddy runners to continue on their night-time adventure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"><b>Everything feels okay, but my feet are killing me...</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I wasn’t lying. Or exaggerating. I got to the <b><span style="color: #999999;">100 mile checkpoint</span></b> and
everything really did feel okay, except for the feet. My legs felt much better
than they had the week before whilst running Windermere marathon (probably due to not pounding the tarmac and hills) and I didn’t
feel sleepy. These were major bonuses. But, the <b><span style="color: #76a5af;">MAJOR downside</span></b> of having
painfully sore feet <b><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">faaaaar</span></b> outweighed
the positives. It is the most frustrating thing to have so much will and want to move forward, but hardly be able to. I was limping along. I had invested in some ‘inov8 Ultra Race
290s’, having found it hard to navigate the range of HOKAs available and what I
should be trying. The HOKA website also didn’t have any Women’s Size 8.5s in
the ones I wanted/ thought I needed. </div>
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Now, I have suffered from sore feet quite regularly during
longer ultras, so that isn’t something new (I have long but narrow and fairly fat-free feet...the fat seems to stick everywhere else!). And, I also don’t think it’s hugely
abnormal either. You are going to hurt on a long ultra. It’s not ‘if’, but
when. Of course you are, at least a little bit. It’s a long way in the car, so it’s
even longer by foot. However, not only were my feet hot and itchy and
throbbing, but I had huge blisters. <b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Huge </span><span style="color: #ea9999;">blisters. </span>I tried not to drain the blisters for as long as possible, but it had to be done at around the 106 mile mark. Armed with a safety pin (not the most sanitary procedure, but had to be done), Germolene and plasters, I sat on a lock and squeezed. So thankful to my boyfriend for providing all of the above 'instruments'. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I don’t regularly get
blisters. Yes, I’ve had a blister or two on this race before, but not to this
extent. On my <b><span style="color: #ea9999;">left foot</span></b>, I had a huge blister on my big toe and on the upper
sole, extending from a blister between my big toe and second toe. My little
toes had become blisters in their own right. I also had blisters on the sides
of both heels and another huge blister on the upper sole of my <b><span style="color: #ea9999;">right foot</span></b> and
numerous sore spots. I’m sure there is something I did wrong. I definitely
could have worn the shoes in more, but I’m not sure why this contributed to me
getting blistering where I did. My socks had been good before and I always put body
glide/ foot stuff on my feet before I put my socks on. I even wore gaiters this
year, to prevent any sharp little stones getting into my shoes and then I have
the worst year I have ever had with my feet. </div>
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Needless to say, the feet issue
seriously got me down. I had gone from a comfortable pace to a hobble. I had
built up comfortable little gaps between cut-offs and now I was struggling. I
ended up doing about 2.5 miles per hour, approximately. It’s a good job I was
hours ahead of the cut-offs earlier on, because if I hadn’t have been, there is
<b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">no way</span></b> I would have made it to Little Venice. Later on in the race I was
running to the nearest narrow boat, whimpering, ‘airing me feet’, whimpering,
hobbling, running to the next bridge, crying, trying to stay in the game. I was
not going to not make it. No way were my feet beating me.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznq4obDi-lFv-mGymlCkS0qnufECQuZ4b8iwJ0rGxmtCY37AdHKT09GHbEdzMqvQXDKT5qDl81mvZ53u3H4kuut84WkLIvFuVFSJG0BDyzQUwX5zTONuMtvQcoLZcfyqsCeWnj3SNQi0/s1600/20150525_100412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznq4obDi-lFv-mGymlCkS0qnufECQuZ4b8iwJ0rGxmtCY37AdHKT09GHbEdzMqvQXDKT5qDl81mvZ53u3H4kuut84WkLIvFuVFSJG0BDyzQUwX5zTONuMtvQcoLZcfyqsCeWnj3SNQi0/s320/20150525_100412.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swelling: the immediate aftermath...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #999999;">The hardest to get to Checkpoint in the world ever... </span><span style="color: #666666;">Also
known as ‘The Unreachable’ </span><span style="color: #999999;">and </span><span style="color: #444444;">‘Check Point that never gets any closer’ </span></b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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After leaving the 100mile checkpoint at 9ish-am, the sun was
really beating down on us. It seemed like it as going to be a scorcher and it
felt pretty warm for a while, but it eventually became a little overcast and
rained a bit later on, thankfully. There is a twenty mile gap between two of the latter
checkpoints, from mile 100 – 120. When you’re so far into such a long race,
this seems unreachable and it’s such a slog to push through the eventual negativity
that starts to creep in. The towpath
also seemed to be quite ‘rocky’ along this section and the sharp stony paths started
to really exasperate my foot niggles. Past experience has made me really dread
this 20 mile stretch between checkpoints and I think this feeling gets worse
each year. However, the feeling of reaching this 120 mile checkpoint is a great one –
only about a marathon left once you make it here!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"><b>Beware of local wildlife...</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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At this time of year there are always swans and their signets
dotted around the Grand Union Canal. There are also lots of geese and they are
always really angry. There were a few incidents along the course of the race
where Angry Swans decided to camp out with their babies in the middle of the
tow path. There was one point in particular on the way to Braunston where it
was really hard to make it past a group of swans at all, as the mother swan
started to stretch out her neck and was getting a bit feisty with any runner
that attempted to make it past. In the end, a nice man on a barge got out a
stick and distracted them. This was the only way I made it past, because I’m a
scaredy cat. Beware of swans.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>This is the friendliest race ever</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I don’t know where to start, because there were so many acts
of kindness that I encountered. I will try to give some examples. I had just
left The Navigation Inn at Cosgrove and was roughly 70 miles into the race and had just
embarked on the night section. Suddenly the back of my head felt warm and my
head torch started to power off. For some reason, the battery pack on my head
torch had overheated and my head torch had packed up and I didn’t have a
backup. A few moments later, fellow runner, Mike Blamires, was running past with
his buddy runner and was so kind to lend me his head torch. Without this
extremely awesome act of kindness, I wouldn’t have been able to see a thing and
would have really struggled during the night section. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Grand Union is like one big crazy ultra-running family.
Crews stop and ask if you need anything, people help each other out and
everyone really gets into the spirit of things. I got offered yummy chocolate
brownie, various snacks and I even got bought half a pint of Guinness at 120-ish miles in – a
major boost. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"><b>The End</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The incredible kindness shown by all involved carried on
into the early hours of Monday morning as I stumbled towards the finish line.
Gosh, the finish line seemed so very far away this year. Normally, the paving
slabs start to change underfoot and the landscape alters and you just know that
you’re almost at Little Venice, but this year I continuously got confused and
progress was so slow. Minutes turned into hours. Ultimately, in my last mile
(and to think, I had convinced myself that the end was ‘just around the corner’)
a little ‘search party’ consisting of checkpoint crew and legendary awesome
runner-types wandered towards me to see me in safely, since I was now the only
runner left out there. I have to say, in the last ten minutes of the race, the
pain disappeared as it was replaced by the realisation that if I didn’t sprint
and get a move on pronto, then I would run out of time and I would fail because
the clock was almost up. So, arenaline replaced<span style="font-family: inherit;"> pain and I sprinted for all I
was worth, because nothing else mattered right then. I legged it. In the end I
finished <span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">63<sup>rd</sup> in my <span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">slo</span><span style="color: #76a5af;">we</span><span style="color: #45818e;">st</span> </b></span>ever time of <b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">44
</span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">hou</span><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: large;">rs 5</span><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: large;">5</span></b></span><b><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: large;"> mi</span><span style="color: #ead1dc; font-size: large;">ns</span></b> – I made it with five minutes to spare...</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Thank you to everyone who helped me during this race. <b><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>A huge
thank you to Dick</i></span></b> – thank you for doing such a wonderful job for all these
years. You made this race. We all looked forward to seeing you and your beard at the finish line! I have so many happy memories.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><b>Afterthoughts </b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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What was meant to be my fastest GUCR to date quickly became
my slowest and most painful. It’s impossible not to beat myself up about it a
little. What could I have done differently to change the outcome? Ultimately,
the outcome was that I finished my 4<sup>th</sup> consecutive race. But, to say
it was disheartening looking at the list of finishers and realising how much
slower I was than last year and everybody, is an understatement. </div>
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I know I was capable of better and yet, in
that much pain, I wasn’t. The thing is, me and pain get confused with each other. I
don’t know my limits because I have never truly experienced a serious injury or
– touch wood – been in hospital for anything. I don’t know what real pain is,
so maybe my feet weren’t the worst. All I know is that I stumbled onwards
through clenched teeth, contorted facial expressions, swearing and tears. This
wasn’t my brightest moment. And all I can think now is what is next? I will run
far again. I didn’t fail, but I didn’t do my absolute best.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283412538943232386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071136962643135575.post-72239282105943577232015-05-22T12:48:00.000+01:002015-05-22T12:53:37.882+01:00Race prep: Relax, TV, munch, cuppa<b><span style="color: #cccccc;">Slobbing out and watching TV before tomorrow's Grand Union Canal Race</span></b> and <b><span style="font-size: large;">145 miles</span></b> of canal, running, walking, sleeplessness, food and exclamations of, 'Why am I doing this (again)?'<br />
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I can't wait. It's a big adventure. And yet, I hate the start. It means hauling myself out of bed at about 4am-something and triple checking that I have everything and anything that I might need and knowing where I have put it and in which bag.<br />
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I have to remember: it doesn't always matter how your body feels, it matters how your mind feels. I never feel too amazing at the start because I always feel sleepy. Last year I felt really achy at the 50ish mile mark. Yet, I was pretty pleased with last year's time of <b>38 hrs 25 mins</b>. This year I am <b><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">GOING TO</span></b> beat this.<br />
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Last Sunday, 17th May, I completed Windermere Marathon in <b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">4.25.51</span></b> - this time was only 1 minute slower than last year. I'm pretty pleased with this, because the wheels actually came off at around 18 miles. I felt 'floppy' and pretty low on energy. I walked a lot and a bird even pooped on my head. I wasn't giving it my all and I hadn't intended to, with GUCR being less than a week later. However, I was pleased with my early speed. If I can get some good speedy miles under my belt in the daylight and keep that forward progress ticking over during the night section and not take too many long Check Point breaks, then it should all be good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The medal </td></tr>
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I have decided to run with my OMM waist-pack during the first half of the race. It breaks it up a bit and means that I won't feel as achy or restricted, which I sometimes tend to feel like if I have a running rucksack on my back for too long. So, I'll start off with a few essentials; snacks, gels, waterproof around waist, bottle in hand. I will leave my other important stuff and 'night section rucksack', packed with head torch etc. in my drop-bag.<br />
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One thing I wish I could have done successfully in preparation for this weekend is to have restricted caffeine, but I just didn't. I tried a little and even though I didn't majorly overdo the caffeine, I didn't cut it out completely. I will use tried and tested methods to keep myself awake during the night section. These methods include music, singing, full-fat coke and slapping myself in the face.<br />
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Again, if anyone would like to donate, I am raising money for <b><span style="color: magenta;">Claire House Children's Hospice</span></b> @<b><span style="color: purple;">www.justgiving.com/canalultra </span></b><br />
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