The expression goes, “Throw enough mud…". This year I seem to have had to apply that same theory to running ultras and it finally paid off. So, after 2 race DNFs, a solo attempt DNF and a DNS on my main race for 2010 I re-acquainted myself with a finish line (and mostly without the mud this year).

I was woken up at 3am by my long suffering better three quarters who, after just finishing work, is banging on the bedroom window with an extended clothes prop. Why? Because I have locked her out, left the keys in the door and I am not answering my mobile or the house phone. Thankfully she’s not so miffed, as I still get the life giving cup of tea I requested earlier in the evening. So that’s another 3 hours sleep in the bag.

After an hour of packing and fussing with gear I set off without any spare socks/pants (underwear for any one reading from the west side of the Atlantic) for the journey home. After a fuss free journey and I arrived not long before 6am. I registered, grabbed my excellent t-shirt, badge and number and prepped whilst chatting to Nick Ham. It was great seeing Nick at the start after such a turbulent year.

A little while later I met and caught up with Rory Coleman and Jen Salter. I haven’t seen Jen since I did the MdS way back in 2009 and since then she has gone back to better her already fine performance. One thing is for sure, I wouldn’t be running anywhere near Jen after the first 15 yards or so! Rory declared a desire for a sub 10 hour performance which was exactly the same as my goal for the day. This was great news as I never fail to enjoy a run with Mr C, it’s always entertaining, informative and frequently punctuated by truly awful jokes from both sides!

For the first time the route was marked by some circular way marker badges, well mostly. Although it was still dark it certainly didn’t warrant dicking around with a head torch. Me, Rory and Chris and Wendy (MdS entrant clients of Rory) set off at a faster than expected but steady pace and the entertainment began, mostly about the way too fast 9.5 minute mile pace which seemed to be the only pace I was capable of maintaining and was somehow the most influential pace out of us all!

The route hadn’t really changed at all and with the new markers I didn’t expect much navigation was required. I was reminded that this was a fairly cocky attitude to take when after about 45/50 minutes I clocked Colm in my peripheral vision and then Jen and a host of other fast lads and lasses. Something certainly wasn’t right … it was the extra 1.7 miles they had done when they shot past a left turn of a canal. Sadly Jen had bashed her arse on a fence and was not in race mood any more.

As we carried on up toward Keppels Column and the first check point at around 10 miles, we were catching up with the walkers. Keppels Column is a large and almost phallic tower built in the 18th century for what ultimately was no more purpose than because the proprietor had enough money to do so. He could however survey his land from the top, I have a step ladder for the same purposes.
Jen dropped at CP1, not that she was incapable of finishing, hell she could probably have finished and been back in and showered before I decided a sock change was warranted, but it wasn’t race pace and if it’s not a race … it was a shame, but we run/plod/crawl/complain our way around these things for our own reasons.

After passing near the tenuously named “Sheffield City Airport” Wendy took an unfortunate tumble, whilst it could have been very nasty she picked herself up declared (pretty much) “’tis but a scratch” and carried on. Without any getting lost all four of us cracked on nicely. After almost 17 miles I saw Nick up ahead, he was having a bad time, he’d just downed some NSAIDS and was pushing himself along.

After passing many of the less desirable sections of the route (although numerous are over early enough) we hit the CP at Treeton in fine form, it also signals the end of light industrial estates, tree plastic and cash ’n’ carries, I gorged on bread and butter grabbed some water and headed off with the posse. Next up was the Rothervalley Country park, which is an odd place, and always a slog. Despite it being a low point in the route it’s a relatively short lived slog up a road which feels featureless and unending. I knew something was wrong, my hip flexors were saying no to movement and the quads were balloting on strike action as well.

I held the pace and kept the spirit up, not long until the 25 mile mark. Despite my best efforts here I was about a minute (possibly more) behind Rory et al into this CP. I did my thing very quickly and headed out. Despite managing to keep them in my sights and close I just couldn’t hang on like I needed too and they (slowly) pulled away. At this point my legs were starting to feel trashed, like I had already done 45 miles and despite the magic Anadin Extra picking me up and carrying me on I just wasn’t 100% and it was taking its toll on my time and, more devastatingly, my state of mine.

As we hit the “killing fields” (see “Round Rotherham 50 – Mudfest ‘08”) I was struggling, I had lost it where it counts the most in these things, my head. My confidence was rock bottom, knocked by the list of DNFs, a profound lack of sleep and a general weight on even these broad shoulders. I was walking simply to drop out at the 30 mile checkpoint with warm soup and a lift back to my car. After 5 minutes of self doubt, self pity, a little self deprecation and a decision to not run any ultras until Woldsman 2010 Nick arrived. This moment was an epoch, Nicks arrival picked me up, the prospect of good conversation and some encouragement led to me breaking out into a matching pace.

In many ways Nicks early undoing was my success.

Despite our pace and timing not being a patch on Nicks 9:16 last year it was good, and I knew I could do it. At 30 miles I was handed my drop bag, a quick change of t-shirt and buff, enough time to scold my mouth badly on some vegetable soup (ruining my palette completely) and we broke back into our ministry of silly walks impression, both of us were suffering from unusually trashed legs.

At around 40 miles we clocked a time of 8:30, this was certainly unexpected and realistically allowed me to better my 11 hour time from last year. We hit the penultimate CP and cracked on, it was in the bag now, 9 miles left and just 1 CP. It was hard to keep going now but it wasn’t getting any worse. After a moment of jelly legs was saved by the most gracious donation of 1/3 of a Snickers abr from Nicks bag I was able to keep going. We played cat & mouse with some other runners, all of whom had that familiar but strange gait.

After explaining the characters and premise behind “In The Night Garden” to Nick (if you haven’t any children who are of the age for CBeebies you wouldn’t understand too) we were on to the final checkpoint, which meant only 3 miles to go. We picked our pace up and managed to overtake those immediately in front and leave behind those we were so close to in the past few miles. It was now or never and what is for me the most exciting part was ahead of us.

Despite the pain and the problems we only had to hold pace for 3 miles, 3 measly miles, it’s nothing compared to the previous 47, Nick didn’t let the pace drop once, we just plugged away, each runner in front becoming a target to catch and pass. This is the stuff. We didn’t take our foot of the gas. We knew every turn, we knew how close the finish line was. I counted 9 runners as we passed them. The legs, back and feet were screaming to stop but the head just drowned those noises out. With the finish line in sight there was no option but to get faster, I grabbed Nick and we crossed the finish line together in 10hours 43 minutes.

A new 50 mile P.B and a great day out doing something amazing in the company of truly great folk, I couldn’t ask for much more.

I was pleased to see Rory, Wendy and Chris made it in before the 10 hour mark and both Chris and Wendy looked well, certainly better than me. Rory trashed his legs and all movement is accompanied by sounds. Despite doing some stretching in the sauna at lunch every time I get up it takes about 5 or 6 steps before constant movement returns. Bike and a small run tomorrow will hopefully stretch everything out and see me ready to get back to the training grindstone.

• Nick Ham
• Rory Coleman/Jen Salter
• Round Rotherham Information
• Round Rotherham Results 2010

After the summer of right foot based injury woes my left foot gave out forcing me to quit at 80 miles and keep the 100 mile club dream (and it’s selection free Feast ice-creams) away for a little longer.

I was gutted to drop as after completing the 75 miles in 20 hours and getting through the night without issues, and frankly the rest of me felt great. The several weeks of really hard training in the run up really paid off, my recovery was quick (apart from my foot) and I was certainly quicker than expected.

I’ll have the race report up here soon, in the meantime I can highly recommend reading the report from my compadre and cohort, Sharky, who completed the race. His report can be found at http://www.themds.co.uk/forums/content.php?159-South-Downs-Way-race-103-miler

The final information has arrived and some of the info/organisation seems a little at odds with what I have experienced in the past, however I will reserve an judgement until after the deed is done.

In retrospect my recent (and lets face it the most of it) training has gone well. When I think what I have achieved in around 35 days I am astonished. Making the decision to blow the normal rules out of the water was the right thing to do, or at the very least, I have so far managed to get away with it.

I had two runs today, a fast & ever increasing treadmill run (start at gradient 0 speed 11 and keep going up on both values) during my lunch hour and a 5.9 mile run in a little over 50 minutes with the club. Put that on top of Mondays 20 and it’s not bad (making it a two long run week). Whilst my crash training schedule hasn’t been anything like that put in by Chris Carver in preparation for running in Perth (Scotland), it’s been one hell of a relative jump and the risk of injury for me was all too real.
But 6 weeks ago my chances of completing the SDW were more down to luck than actual ability and this kill or cure method seems to have got me back on track, in terms of ability the stats indicate I am 90% where I was before injury struck in April, perhaps with a taper I’ll be almost there.

Finally though, best of luck to Chris, running in the Perth 24 hour this weekend.

Just in the nic of time too, the inaugural 103 mile South Down Way is just a few weeks away. Provided I come back in one piece there are a few more long races this year, doing those would salvage the year for me in terms of running.

So, that’s it, my name is off the list and running is off the menu for the time being. Gutted.

BUT … it’s not all bad, my name is on the list for a 2011 application and I can have a decent 2nd half of 2010 with a sensible and good recovery.

I would like to question my general state of mind at these moments but to be honest I’m usually having way too much fun.

Today was practice for the Grand Union Canal Race and the main part was that my long suffering Dad, Dave, was working as Crew Manager (albeit with a crew of 1). He was due to meet me shortly before 7am at West Heslerton, but there was 20 miles to go before then. Did I mention it was dark? After Adam had helped me out with an extra top and left me on my own I set off through Filey, after a couple of map consultations I found myself lost at the edge of the town down a culd-e-sac where the route should carry on. 5 minutes of backtracking and chancing around I was back on track, the route was not marked as such on the map but was clearly signposted … provided you found the signpost.

The wind had dropped and it was quite cold but altogether quite pleasant running and my head torch was providing adequate light, I followed the route through Muston, occasionally taking unnecessary long ways around fields. This carried on for a few miles before I took the inevitable wrong turn, turning left down a track across a field before the actual track across a field, after a mile or more I realised I was not on track and had wandered off course and was carrying half of North Yorkshire on my feet. After ten or more minutes of map orienting, using the compass to take back bearings from potential features and working out the lay of the path I had ended up on I worked out where I was, this led to a plan to get me back on track, ten minutes later and some ducking and weaving/crashing through a wood scaring animals I was back on track.

The sky had cleared by now, the temperature had dropped and the ground was crunchy underfoot. I plodded on keeping pace despite the very steep climbs and sharp downhills (which I foolishly didn’t expect!), scaring more wildlife. Up towards Staxton I could see some light on the horizon, after turning on to the road I looked up at the sky, it was crystal clear and the moment I looked up a shooting star ripped across the sky. Always a beautiful sight which really makes dragging yourself out a worthwhile exercise.
After Staxton I passed many pigs, many many pigs and almost 50 minutes later than planned I finally reached my Dad waiting patiently at the checkpoint (looking pretty cold). The sun was out and peanut butter on white bread was the order of the day, I fuelled up, got some fresh liquid and swapped maps, placed my GPS in a position it was unable to pick satellites up on and headed off. The route was a little more gentle at this point and my pace picked up with the daylight, but any road sections remained slippy underfoot. I was slowly making up a little time.

Without the undulation of the first section the pace was much more steady, but the larger hills did make themselves known, the views over to the moors (still with some snow) and the Howardian hills was an early morning delight. I kept up knowing I was entering more familiar territory and the company of Danny Aldus after the next checkpoint.

Sometime after 10am I arrived at Wharram Percy car park, a familiar place from days out with the family and past events. I was still of schedule but not so far behind as to worry. Knowing that there was some minor pain in my foot I changed my shoes, map, refuelled and set off with Danny through Wharram Percy. I took 100mg of caffeine as I had now been awake a long time, I was hoping this wouldn’t suppress my appetite, thankfully I was right and I was still OK taking and wanting to take on food.
We arrived in Thixendale in good time, I grabbed some jelly babies and we set off again, a good chunk of the route was now under the belt and whilst I was refusing pain killers for my foot (as to avoid masking the pain) I was feeling great.

We passed through Fridaythorpe in pleasant sunshine chatting about Dannys upcoming Hardmoors 55 race and various other topics. As we carried on into the classic steep sided dry valleys we headed towards Huggate. Before reaching Huggate the route climbs sharply out of the steep valley and then drops down on a farm road to the village, at this point I knew my foot was becoming a problem, the steep uphill and downhill made it hurt.

After some soul searching, rational thinking and some wise words from my Dad and Danny I regrettably had to do the one thing I and most ultrarunners don’t do, the sensible thing. Today’s training was over, around 47 miles (including getting lost!) and just over 10 hours later that was it. The rest of the route would have to wait another day.

As my last post explains I felt great post race (and continued to do so), the day was in no way a failure and my foot has turned out to be not so bad. Still some you win some you lose and I am ready for the next run. As for the Wolds Way – I’ll be back shortly to make sure I get that route nailed.

It is the challenges we don’t complete that teach us the most

I’m not normally one for pontification or quotes, but for me that really sums up today.

Yesterday I embarked on a rather epic training run, to run from Filey to the Humber Bridge via the Wolds Way, a mostly off road total of 80 miles.

Sadly due to a problem with my right foot I made the decision to stop at around 47 miles, as devastating as this was it was the sensible thing to do and really the only option. So before I post a my usual report I thought I’d round up what I got from the day:

• Being awake for 21 hours before starting wasn’t an issue, even without much sleep on Thursday night (children and chicken pox, not a recipe for sleep). I was close to or on for a 50 mile PB.
• Neither today nor yesterday have I at all felt like I have done any sort of large run this weekend.
• The core work has paid off and I felt very comfortable after 10 hours.
• My nutrition and hydration systems worked well, mix of food was good.
• The 100mg of caffeine (2 * Pro Plus tablets) used pro-actively at 10am didn’t suppress appetite/hunger.
• My Dad is going to make great crew.
• I can listen and think rationally!

Thanks to my Dad, Dave, for crewing, Adam Bryson for driving me up in the middle of the night and Danny for turning out and putting some good miles in with me along the way.

The vast length of the GUCR has really scared me into action, to this end I am not far from starting my longest ever run, and a training run at that.
I have jumped on this enthusiasm to do something I have had on my mind for a long time, a single stage run of the Wolds Way. My recent training has been towards this step in the big picture. I have kept it quite because I know what a massive task this is and how the dates have been moving around. Sadly at the last minute both Megan and Joshua are unwell, Megan has developed Chicken Pox and Joshua has been running a temperature of 39.2C (and that makes a 6 month old SERIOUSLY upset), along side his cold he probably has the pox too. This has made the past 24 hours quite difficult, but thankfully we are still on. This is with great thanks to Vickie.

I frequently run sections of the Wolds Way and growing up with the end (or start) of the trail at the end of the garden this one has special meaning for me, it’s almost a homecoming!

By the time I have finished I will have covered 80 miles and over 7000ft of ascent. In order to try and finish in the daylight I am setting off at 3am from Filey. Most importantly my “Crew Chief” (my long suffering Dad) we will have had many hours practice crewing for me in prep for the GUCR and will have a much better idea of what to expect.

Whatever happens, it’s going to be great fun. My friend Danny Aldus is popping along for the ride, a nice slooooow 20 mile run before he competes in the tough looking Hardmoors 55.