My UltraRunning log

mithril

I have been meaning to start a log for a while but never got around to it until now.

I took up running fairly late (just before I turned 40) and have completed 5 marathons at this stage, the most recent in Berlin in 2:59.

I think I am close to my natural limit in terms of how much further I can improve as a marathon runner, and I want to try something different this year.

Since I appear to be better at the longer events, and have a decent base in my legs at this stage, I want to give an UltraRunning a shot.

I will be doing a few events, but the primary goal in the first half of the year is the Connemara Ultra in April, which I hope to complete in under 5:15.

gerard65

Good luck with the running. I'll keep a eye on this log with interest.

Abhainn

mithril wrote: »

the most recent in Berlin in 2:59

I think I am close to my natural limit in terms of how much further I can improve as a marathon runner, and I want to try something different this year..

mithril as you started late in running you might still have some improvement in marathon times. Don't discount it
Good luck in your quest.

Krusty_Clown

Will look for ward to reading the log, and will no doubt bump into you in a few races over the coming months, and hopefully the start line in Connemara.

mithril

Saturday 16 January
Location :Crone Wood


Very hilly, very slow run from Crone Woods along the Wicklow Way.
37 km in 4:13 (1778 m height gain according to the Garmin but this is not reliable.)

This is as long as I will go on a training run but will be stepping up the pace as I get a bit closer to Connemara. At the moment just focusing on building up time on my feet.

Route from car park up over the waterfall which looked fabulous with all the water from the melting snow. Then down to the Dargle - hoping to head up to Lough Tay but still too much snow there to run further at any pace.

Back to the car park up along the IMRA WW trail route to top of Prince William Seat , back again to car park (refueled) and then re-traced my steps again to top of waterfall before I called it a day.

Pretty pleased with the outcome but real test will be whether I can manage a second long run tomorrow. I know I could have gone on further and felt comfortable throughout except for a sore ankle which is a chronic problem I habitually run through.

I carried a small amount of fluid in a Salamon waist pack and then periodically returned to the car to stock up
Drank 0.5 litre water mixed with High 5 Energy source, 0.5 litre of water and then 0.5 litre of chocolate milk during the run along with a Viper bar.
Then more chocolate milk and a banana for recovery wheN I finished.

mithril

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Will look for ward to reading the log, and will no doubt bump into you in a few races over the coming months, and hopefully the start line in Connemara.

I am keeping an eye on your own training log for Barcelona.
You have come on quite a bit since Berlin. I don't think I could get near you now.
The MP runs will make the difference.
I think if you can avoid a dodgy meal the night before, you will finish closer to 2:55 than 3.

mithril

Sunday
Location :Glendalough

25 KM plod in just under 2:30 around the trails in Glendalough.
Much flatter course than yesterday.

Still a lot of ice on the trails and path washed away in parts by torrential rainfall so was not able to complete the long loop I normally follow.

Experimented with taping my ankle with Scholl ankle support and Leucotape and the additional support appears to make a big difference in preventing inflammation. Considering doing this routinely for long runs.

Thats 62KM in two days so taking a well earned rest tomorrow.

belcarra

These back-2-back LSRs definitely aren't for the feint hearted!
I did 35 miles between Fri and Sat and that's a pb for me but yet it's only going to get tougher. Still though, I can feel it doing me good week-on-week so that's good!
Have you done these type of b2b runs before? What's the max b2b distance you plan on doing in preparation for Connemara??

mithril

belcarra wrote: »

These back-2-back LSRs definitely aren't for the feint hearted!
I did 35 miles between Fri and Sat and that's a pb for me but yet it's only going to get tougher. Still though, I can feel it doing me good week-on-week so that's good!
Have you done these type of b2b runs before? What's the max b2b distance you plan on doing in preparation for Connemara??

I have done a 4.5 hour run before but long b2b runs are new to me.

To some extent I am playing this by ear. I think for Ultra marathons , there is a fine line between doing a tough workout that gives you a good stimulus to improve and putting yourself over the edge to injury.
My plan was to back-off and do a long bike ride today if I felt wrecked but I felt up for more punishment when I got up.

I am thinking 4 hour and 3 hour back to back with an average speed of 11 kmph will be my toughest week-end.

I am also going to run a 33 mile race in the U.K. but proabably not at full effort. This will be my longest single run.

mithril

Summary:10 aerobic kms at 4:52 pace doing laps of GAA pitch in U.C.D.

Legs still feeling heavy after weekend's double long run.
Laft ankle still sore so running on grass to minimize impact.

What would be categorized as an easy run during last year's marathon training is a faster than race pace workout for the Ultra.

Heading over to Seattle next week where one of the largest outdoor shops in the world is located so planning some shopping on www.rei.com

Injinji socks and some of the American nutrition products such Gu will be purchased for experiment.

Krusty_Clown

Buy a few sets of these. You can sell them at a premium as soon as the ice returns. Do you feel like you are sacrificing a bit of speed for endurance? Does it bother you?

mithril

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Buy a few sets of these. You can sell them at a premium as soon as the ice returns. Do you feel like you are sacrificing a bit of speed for endurance? Does it bother you?

I considered them but to be honest the cold snap did not disrupt my training.
I was injured until end of December and then got some good runs in along the Royal Canal path in Mullingar. Back in Dublin I always found a field or trail I could run with the Mud Claws. Might have been different if I needed to do repeats but pretty much all my running is slow aerobic at the moment.

I think you are probably right on the speed versus endurance question although you could also make a case that the slow runs I am doing at the moment are building a base that could be used for a fast marathon in the Autumn with anerobic training.

Certainly its a trade-off I am prepared to make.
3 hours is a nice round number and the next one that means anything to me is 2:50. I don't think I have the ability to get under it.

Another consideration is that my calf muscle tear will take 3 months to fully heal and I have been advised against very fast runs until then which would rule out a competitive Spring marathon even if I wanted to do it.

My goals are to run increasingly longer ultras for the next couple of years.

mithril

Summary:12 km at 4:14 (Marathon pace) on U.C.D. track

First fastish run i have done since tore my calf muscle at start December.

Felt fine going into this one with no niggles and tiredness had gone away.
However both left ankle and right calf muscle, the two recent injuries I have had, started to niggle once I stepped up the pace.
Ran thru it since this did not worsen but never got a smooth rhythm.

mithril

Thursday

Easy gym session.
30 minutes on elliptical trainer.
Stretching and calf raises with weights.

mithril

Friday
Summary: 36 km in 2:55 (4:52 pace) on pancake flat coast path from Blackrock to Sutton and back again.

Moved my LSRs forward a day to align with travel plans.
Too dark after work to head up hills so ran this one slightly faster than planned race pace on coastal route.

Experimented with Mizuno Wave Creation, a stability shoe targeted at heavier runners to see if it would provide shock absorption to protect ankles and seems quite promising. Still think the right insole in a neutral shoe might be better and aim to pick up one in the on my travels.

Left ankle and right calf still niggling but was able to run through both without them getting worse. 10 minute stretching at half way seems to have helped.

Comfortable with this run and could have managed longer but tried to slip a MP KM at 4:15 in the middle of the run and could not manage it. I was able to do this last year easily during build-up to Berlin. Lack of speed training is the reason I believe.

Fuel:
2 slices of brown bread with honey, 0.5 litre High 5 energy source and orange juice before I headed out.

1 Powergel and 0.5 litre at half-way.

Choc milk, orange juice for recovery followed by pasta with tuna and a glass of red wine.

mithril

Saturday

Felt still quite fresh after yesterdays LSR so parked the car in Taylors car park in preparation for a planned 25 km run over the Wicklow Way.

However, after a couple of hundred metres noticed that my left ankle had deteriorated and I was limping quite badly.
I am fairly sure the concrete sections on the Sutton path did the damage. Next time I will jog or walk on them and forget about maintaining pace.
Tried 20 minutes slow jog on grass in Marley Park and when no improvement, abandoned the run and resorted to plan B.

Took 2 Nurofen for anto-inflammatory properties and got out the mountain bike. 2:50 cycle from Blackrock to Bray and back again.
Noticed that the cycling action appeared to be loosening up the ankle and it appeared a lot better.

Did a short job in Carysfort park once I got home which confirmed this . Tempted to try another run but deciding the prudent thing to do was to call it a day.

Next week, step-back week as I am working in the U.S. and I want to taper in preparation for Pilgrims Challenge Ultra on Feb 6th.

Hopefuly a rest will give the niggles a chance to clear up.

Krusty_Clown

mithril wrote: »

Friday
Summary: 36 km in 2:55 (4:52 pace) on pancake flat coast path from Blackrock to Sutton and back again.

Great running Mithril. How long is the pilgrim's challenge?

*cough* Heavier runner?!
I've been running with the Mizuno Waveriders, and have just ordered a pair of 13s. I'm suffering from similar troubles to yourself, but I think it may be down to the current waveriders, which have been through a couple of marathons, and a lot of long runs (which I reckon shortens the lifespan below the standard 500 miles). Still, at 85 euro a pair, I can generally afford to change them more regularly then the Asics I used to wear. Hope the ankle troubles clear up. Arnica cream is a natural anti-inflammatory, that might help.

mithril

33 miles and a few IMRA type hills on route not the tiny things we will be gliding up in Connemara.:)

I should have mentioned I am 9 stone but need the type of shock absorption that is targeted at heavier runners because of the state of my ankles.

I had pretty good results with the Waveriders, combined with a custom orthotic as well, but also get terrible blisters with them.

I don't think I have found the optimum choice for my road running yet.

mithril

Sunday
Summary: 14.27 KM recovery jog in 1:29 to loosen up after flight around Seattle suburbs, Marymoor park and then the lovely Sammamish River trail

mithril

Monday: rest.

mithril

Tuesday.
Summary: approx 17 KM in 1:30 around Seattle sub-urban streets and then Sammamish River trail in the dark. Jogged on concrete paths and ran on the trails at 4:55 pace.

I have established that at least part of the problem with my left ankle is a tight calf muscle so spent the day sitting in a training class with my trouser leg pulled up rubbing it to try and loosen up the knot. My American colleagues must have thought I was very strange!

One of my colleagues has a problem with a bear in their back-yard and there are also Cougar mountain lions in the vicinity so checked first with a few people who confirmed the chance of an attack by wild animals was infinitesimal. The most dangerous predator though is man - I am running thru Marymoor park where the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy lured and attacked some of his victims. Since objectively I am far more at risk of dying in a traffic accident, (you should see the way some of the taxis are driven), it not something that worries me particularly and I am trying to be sensible in terms of where I am doing my running.

Back to hotel after work, changed , put on the head-torch and headed off along the Sammamish river trail for a fabulous run in moon-light.
This follows an old railway track 11 miles along the Sammamish river north of Seattle with car use not permitted. Grade is very flat and surface has been covered with asphalt with a soft margin for trail runners and horses at the edge. Its a lovely surface to run on , with squirrels running in the trees and nice views of the sky-line lit up by night.

Trying out a footbed aimed at ultra-runners - it needs to be heat moulded to adjust for the profile of the feet which I have not done yet, but very impressed with it last night. Provides an awful lot of shock absorption, good support and the cloth texture absorbs persipiration. Appears to be better than the much more expensive custom insole I have used previously.

Also picked up some Injinji toe socks which a lot of ultra runners swear by .Might be something to get used to but to me the fit did not fell natural or as comfortable as regular socks. Cloth was tight against some of my toes with bunching on the cloth on others which appears a recipe for blisters. Will do a trial on a shortish run later this week

mithril

Wednesday

Rest (heavy drinking session with some Irish friends who have moved over permanently to Seattle)

mithril

Thursday
Summary: 20K in 1:35 (4:35 pace) along East Lake Sammamish Trail in Seattle.

Still a bit de-hydrated after last night's session but managed to escape work at lunch-time to do this lovely run in day-light. The rail follows an old railway track along wooded Lake Sammamish with views of the Issaquah Alps and Mount Rainier in the background. Very similiar in appearance to the Upper Lake in Glendalough.

Grade was dead flat and on a nice gravel surface so picked up the pace a bit on this one. Quite pleased with ability to maintain this pace comfortably but found it quite painful if I tried to increase to Marathon Pace (4:15 for me). Glad I did not attempt a Spring Marathon since the time would have been very disappointing and possibly these types of runs will get me a respectable performance in the Connemara Ultra.

Took a Honey Stinger Gel at half point and really like these. They are a natural product comprising mainly honey with additional electrolytes and give you a good boost with a nice taste. Have not seen them for sale in Ireland through the regular outlets so may bring back a box with me.

mithril

Friday
Summary:11.24 KM in 1:08 (6:05 pace) recovery jog around Issuquah town at lunchtime

Recovery jog (very slow job on concrete about 5:20 pace on gravel) exploring my immediate surroundings.

Hoping to head up nearby hills and admire views over lake but further than I realised and road was dangerous so turned back without going all the way. There is an alternative route I will try next week.

Previous post should have conveyed how idyllic the immedate physical surroundings are but work situation is difficult and working very long hours. Felt shattered this morning since sleep is still impacted by jet-lag but felt much better after I escaped for lunchtime run.

Right leg has cleared up but left ankle still is sore, particularly when I up the pace.
There is a request that I extend my stay but still hoping to get home next week to compete in North Downs Ultra. I was always treating this as a warm-up for Connemara, rather than a competitive race ,and I am not fully fit, so would be happy to complete it in any time provided I do not pick up an injury.

mithril

Saturday
Summary: 42.2 KM in 3:17:15 (4:40 pace) from Marymoor park along the Sammamish River Trail and Burke Gilman trails to Bothel and back again to Redmond.

This run was a really good morale boost.

Got a really good night sleep and finally appeared to shake off the lingering tiredness from the trip over.
I already knew I would not be running Sunday so planned to push up the pace in this one (most of my runs for last few weeks have been double long runs).

Started at 5 minute pace and pushed it down to 4:50 once I warmed up. The trails are on old railway line which now have been paved and dedicated for recreational use so no worries about nasty concrete for a change or need to look out for traffic since there are tunnels and bridges under all the roads.
Note: Ireland once had the densest concentration of railways in Western Europe and with a bit of foresight we could also have converted these into a wonderful resource -another missed opportunity.

Light drizzle meant that the promised views of the Seattle sky-line and Cascade mountains never materialized but still lovely running on dead flat asphalt trail through woods beside river.

Stopped at Bothell at half-way point in Subway for tuna sandwich, litre of water and crisps - which actually went down very well.
I am starting to wonder whether race-day nutrition matters all that much for ultrarunning.

Really good thing is that ankle loosened out after about 2 hours and was able to push up the pace to 4:30 for final section of return journey to get home in 3:17.

Ankle felt a bit unstable for final 2 KM and slowed to jog as a precaution but I think it is OK.
Quads which I think are key for the final third of Connemara felt great and still no inflammation 1 day later.
I think the ultra slow long hilly runs I have been doing along the Wicklow Way are helping to strengthen them.

Still seemed to be plenty of energy in tank at the end and I felt I could have gone on for a good bit longer but maybe losing a bit of pace in the process.

Recovery food: 1 honeystinger gel and fruit smoothie.

My neck and back were the most tired partS of my body - next long run I am going to try shrugging and loosen these and also include them the next time I have a sports massage (normally I concentrate on the legs). .

mithril

Sunday:
3 hour drive from Seattle with colleague to near Canadian border and 3 hour hike through snow in North Cascades National Park .
Running tights and runners were not ideal for 24 inches of snow so cut walk short without completing planned route but still saw enough to appreciate magnificent scenery.

mithril

Monday
Long day at work so did not manage to get out for run.

On way home passed a flashing red sign "Massage" beside my hotel which gave me an idea. Not sure what services were normally offered here, and I got the impresssion that they went a bit further than a sports massage , but I felt a lot better after an hour of this.

Did not go quite deep enough to loosen up the calf muscles but back and neck felt a lot less tense afterwards.
I don't think this was caused by running - long hours hunched over a lap-top was the cause - but this was the area of my body that started to get tired first during the long run on Saturday so hopefully I will see the benefits on Saturday.

mithril

Tuesday
Easy recovery jog for about 30 minutes on hilly roads around the office at lunch-time. Garmin battery is gone now so did not capture stats.

mithril

Wednesday
Flying back overnight to Ireland and then flying to UK on Friday for Pilgrim Challenge which is a 33 mile off-road Ultra over the North Downs.

I have done an off-road marathon (the Causeway Coast in October) before but this is my first run over 26 miles.

I am going to head off at about 6 Minute/KM pace and then push up the pace a bit if I feel comfortable.

I really want to practice running for a very long time in this race - I expect to be taking more than 5:15 to complete this and a competitive finish is not a goal in this one.
It should provide a useful physical adaption and be mental preparation for Connemara.

Route directions look bewildering - the route is waymarked erratically so might have to do a bit of back-tracking on the way.

mithril

While waiting at the airport, I have put together some notes on what worked for me and did not, of the various running products I experimented with while in the U.S. Most of these are not generally available in Ireland.

For me the best one was HoneyStinger gels which gave a real lift. It tastes nicer and goes down easier that any of the gels I have tried before and is a natural organic product. There is added Sodium and Potassium but it's quite possible that the same effect can be produced a lot cheaper by shovelling some standard honey into an appropriate container.Still I have brought a few back home with me and intended to use them in this week-end's Ultra and probably Connemara.

I tried a few of the American energy bars such as Clif bars but they did nothing special for me and I did not find anything superior to, Go bars as a general nutrition bar, and Viper bars which are very small and easy to carry but with a big stimulant effect. I get both from www.wiggle.co.uk

For me Gu gels were very similiar to Powergels widely available in Ireland.

The big disappointment was Injinji socks which a lot of ultrarunners rave about. I only wore them twice, on 10K and 15K runs, neither done at pace, but encountered noticeable rubbing on my toes that would have developed into blisters over time. They also take ages to put on and line up the toes successfully to the right hole. I spent a good deal on time getting this right to give them a fair trial but they still never felt comfortable. Possibly this is a matter of sizing, I choose a fairly small sock which was marginal for my shoe size - maybe a large sock with more room would work better.

Abhainn

mithril wrote: »

and Viper bars which are very small and easy to carry but with a big stimulant effect. I get both from www.wiggle.co.uk

Hi Mithril I second the Viper bar. The best one I've tried to date. I've found no other bar quite like this. Brilliant for the bike section in the tri's.

Great commitment there while in foreign lands. Not many would do what you did. Best of luck at the weekend

Krusty_Clown

I got some Honeystingers gels before, and just couldn't stomach them at all. Sickly sweet, massively sticky, I was bent over with cramps within 30 minutes. Just shows, you gotta try everything before the race environment, as it's different strokes. By the way, you can buy them from ISO active in Edinburgh: http://www.isoactive.com/hs/index-1.html (athough I see they are temporarily prohibited from importing them into the EU).

Can't believe you missed the opportunity to grab some photos for the 'photos of where I run' thread! Missed opportunity!

mithril

Saturday: Pilgrims Challenge North Downs Ultra
53 KM in 5:08 (5:48 pace)

Good run over the North Downs in Surrey,UK which got me home in 8th place on the day (winning time 4:44).

I will post a more detailed report later in the week.

Krusty_Clown

Great running mithril. How did the legs feel at that pace?

mithril

The overall time is a bit misleading since we walked the hills and stopped at each check-point for a short break.
Most of the guys were doing a second 33mile run back to the start on the Sunday, so pace was not very fast ,and I always was very comfortable with it. On the flat we were doing about 5:15, and my fastest KM was the second last when I picked up to 4:35.

mithril

Saturday: Pilgrims Challenge North Downs Ultra
Summary

8th place out of approx 110.
53 KM in 5:08 (5:48 pace)
Location:North Downs Way, Surrey ,England.

Introduction
I picked this 33 mile run as an intermediate race between a full marathon distance and the 39.3 mile Connemara Ultra Marathon which I am hoping to complete in April.

As a basis for comparison, I would rate the course slightly tougher than the Causeway Coast Marathon (also off-road), which I completed last year in 3:32), but easier than the IMRA Wicklow Way Trail.

The route follows the North Downs way along the slopes of a chalky ridge from Farnham to Mersham in Surrey (just south of London). It’s an undulating run along bridleways for most of the way, but gets tougher near the end. There are there are two significant climbs with elevation gain of about 400 feet apiece at miles 20 and 26 which you encounter when starting to get tired.

The event is marketed as a preparation event for the Marathon Des Sables - the famous long distance ultra-run in the Sahara – with an option of running a one day 33miler from Farnham to Mersham - or both days with the second day back from Mersham to the start point.

I picked the first day only, but 90% of entrants were doing both. Also a lot of the entrants were carrying their sleeping bag and kit in preparation for Marathon des Sables so the finishing times and positions are misleading in terms of the level of running ability.

Kit
· 1 pair Montrail Hardrock running shoes. (not ideal for conditions since designed for running on rock rather than muddy surface of this route but brought since well broken in and most of my WW training runs had been done in it. )
· 1 pair of Mizuno running tights.
· 1 pair x-sock sky run socks
· 1 Berghaus x-static long shirt.
· 1 Salomon waterproof top.
· 1 Salomon twin belt hydration pack (carrying 1 * 700 ml container only , with second holder adopted to provide more storage space).
· Compulsory safety equipment – space blanket, head-torch with spare batteries ,mobile phone and whistle.
· Garmin 305 GPSwatch.
· 1 Honey stinger gel ,1 Power gel, 1 viper bar and 700 ml of Lucozade sport.

Preparation

I completed a marathon distance training run on the previous Saturday in 3:18 on a flat course which probably was a bit close to the actual race but I do not think it took very much out of me on the day.
I had been working in Seattle for the two previous weeks and took an overnight flight on Wednesday, arriving home Thursday evening. Sorted out kit and re-packed again, had a big feed of pasta and straight to bed at 8 PM. Early flight next morning to Gatwick and then got train to Farnham about lunch-time. I had not got a full night’s sleep since the previous Tuesday but managed to doze quite a bit on route so did not feel too tired.

Interested in visiting castle on Farnham hill since it features in The Burning Land by Bernard Cornwell , a book I had read last month but it was closed for the day. Still managed to admire great view from crag and I would not like to have to fight my way up it.

Then had a very dodgy baked potato with tuna for lunch which kept me close to the hotel bathroom for the remainder of the day, but worst of it was out of me by the evening, and I don’t think it had any impact on the day.

Felt a lot better by the evening , and had excellent dinner (salmon and potatoes and alrge glass of red wine ) in hotel where I met John who was also eating on his own and clearly running next day as well.

John had some really interesting tales of some of the toughest endurance runs in the world which he had previously completed. The jungle ultra-marathon on Brazil is apparently the toughest - harder than Marathon Des Sables because of the humidity - and terrifying because of the threats from anaconda snakes and jaguars, particularly at night.

Race

Walked to Farnham station from hotel and got mini-bus there to start of race. About 120 in total had entered but the runners had been streamed into groups by expected finishing times. Walkers kicked off at 8, runners at 9 and in the final group fast runners which I optimistically put myself into, lured by an extra hour in bed, at 10.

Conditions were close to ideal – about 8 degrees and remained dry throughout but with a haze which spoiled some of the views.
About 30 of us started off from a grassy field and headed up a road for the first few hundred metres.

I had hoped that I would be able to stay with the leaders at the start, given I was only running a single day, but I found it too much effort to stay with the pace and wisely dropped back to about 12th place where I found a group that was closer to my level.

My left ankle then started to feel painful and unstable. I had deliberately rested it for the previous few days to see whether I could clear up the injury but this did not really work. I was starting to wonder at what point I would have to drop out when we moved off the road onto a muddy field and the softer surface cushioned the impact. The ankle remained painful throughout the race but after a while settled down into a dull ache which I was able to run through quite successfully. It’s a concern though for Connemara where I will be running on road for the entire race.

It then became apparent that the route card given by the organisers was woefully inadequate – the North Down Trail appeared to have been way-signed in the seventies and the marking posts had weathered and were difficult to pick out at speed, while they were missing entirely at some key junctions. I have difficulty finding my way around the office and it was a real miss not to have picked up a map (actually two would have been needed to cover the entire route).

Luckily one of the guys who later introduced himself as Andrew had some prior familiarity with the route and some better route cards, and I resolved to stick as close to him as possible pace as long as I could. In the end , about 6 of us ran in a group together , which allowed multiple pairs of eyes to watch out for route indicators and worked quite well. We took one wrong turning on an unsigned junction but only lost about 3 minutes and other than that we followed the correct route throughout.

The first check-point was about 8 miles on up a hill by an old ruined church which was very runnable by IMRA standards but all the runners immediately started power-walking up the hill - a pattern which repeated itself though-out the race. This was the major difference I noticed between marathon running and the longer distances (remember most people were doing 66 miles over two days). In effect it meant that a hill was an opportunity for recovery and probably these breaks were the reason I felt so comfortable at the finish.

I re-filled my container with water and picked up some food from the table – a large slice of cheese. The energy food offered got even more eccentric later on but in fairness there were regular energy bars supplied as well . Ate the first half of my viper bar as well which provided an excellent lift.

I had a look at the guide book after the race and it mentioned that WW2 pill boxes were scattered along the route all over the North Downs but I cannot remember seeing any of them – it’s really strange how you can get tunnel vision when running a race. The North Downs are the last significant natural barrier between the coast and London and had been fortified for a last stand, but I don’t think would have held the Germans up for very long.

Kept a consistent pace running well within myself and sticking with the same group to check-point 2 at 18miles which was beside another old Church , at Renmore. This time the offering was cold sausage. The sensible thing was to spit it out once I realized what I was eating, but I felt it would have been rude and downed it instead. It did not do me any good but no real harm either

Feeling very comfortable at this point as we headed into Denbies estate (the famous English wine producer) and ran through the vines where we had the first sight of the formidable Box Hill ahead, our first significant challenge. Before we could get up it we needed to cross the river Mole, - there were stepping stones in it which provided a short-cut in dry weather but were now impassable so we took a detour to a nearby bridge to get over.

I had started into my Honeystinger gel to give me a lift going up Box Hill but the path rose very steeply up a flight of steps for a couple of hundred feet and I did the sensible thing and walked up it with the others .The Garmin indicates 12minutes for the 1 KM ascent – I probably could have jogged up it in 8 so this was an opportunity lost to make up time – but I wanted to run the race at a comfortable pace rather than flat-out since I had never run this far before and I was not focussed on a goal time.

The views from the top would normally be magnificent over the Southern English plain and South Downs but on this occasion there was a haze which reduced visibility somewhat.

I encountered John, who I had met the evening previous, at the next checkpoint (he had started an hour earlier than me) and gave me great encouragement. He had done another ultra two weeks previously and was using this a warm-up for the John O’Groats to Lands End Ultra(Running 55+ miles a day, for 16 consecutive days) so naturally was completing this one at a slower pace then me.

Another big hill then followed and we then passed the marathon distance so we were in uncharted territory for me. My body still felt good above the knee but ankle was now quite inflamed but not noticeably deteriorating and calves were also getting very tight.

We lost some of our group before the final check-point 3 miles out and were down to myself, Andrew who was the principal navigator and Claire who was the leading woman. There was a gradual downhill down to the finish and psychologically it was getting easier as we sensed the end in sight. We overtook a few runners ahead but it was not clear which group they had started with and whether we were actually picking up places.

Last mile brought us off the North Downs through Mersham village (where I nearly took a wrong turning) to the finish in a school gym. I felt I could have pulled away on the final section since I did not need to hoard my resources for the following day but I wanted the three of us who had been together for the last 20 miles to finish together. The finish at least was well sign posted and I crossed the finishing line just behind Andrew and Claire in eighth place on the day in 5:08:56, a result I was well pleased with.

Most of the approx 100 runners were over-nighting in sleeping bags and mats in the school gym, which looked a bit of a grim prospect to me. Atmosphere was very friendly but I felt a little out of place as people started to prepare for the night and following day’s run so I headed off fairly early to my B&B in Redhill where I started the pleasurable task of replenishing the 3000 calories I had burned off with an excellent meal in the Italian restaurant there.

mithril

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Can't believe you missed the opportunity to grab some photos for the 'photos of where I run' thread! Missed opportunity!

I am hoping to have an even better opportunity shortly .

mithril

Noticed some marks on my legs and chest and went to the doctor this morning. There is a very nasty tick borne disease called Lyme Disease prevalant in the North American woods which matches some of the symptoms I have and I wanted to check it out.

Good news is that its unlikely to be Lyme's although its still a possibility. It appears I touched some poisoned ivy or similiar vegetation while running and have got an allergic reaction.

On steriods for the moment to try and clear it up. I might be risking a ban if I compete in any races for the next few weeks.

Krusty_Clown

mithril wrote: »

On steriods for the moment to try and clear it up. I might be risking a ban if I compete in any races for the next few weeks.

Best to wait-up at the finish line then, and aim for second place.
A great account Mithril, it's certainly given me a taste for this type of event for the future, after I have sowed my wild sub-3 oats.

dermCu

Great performance and race report mithril. Box Hill is my stomping ground of choice when I want to get some hill training in. I don't have very many options in North London so I make the trek down to Box Hill. I was actually there last Sunday.

I know the steps you were talking about. You can jog / power walk from the river (beside the stepping stones) to the top of the steps in 7:30. I know every step intimately, I've done a lot of reps and been in a lot of pain on that hill in the past. Its a lovely area to train in. Best of luck in Connemara.

shels4ever

mithril wrote: »

Noticed some marks on my legs and chest and went to the doctor this morning. There is a very nasty tick borne disease called Lyme Disease prevalant in the North American woods which matches some of the symptoms I have and I wanted to check it out.

Good news is that its unlikely to be Lyme's although its still a possibility. It appears I touched some poisoned ivy or similiar vegetation while running and have got an allergic reaction.

On steriods for the moment to try and clear it up. I might be risking a ban if I compete in any races for the next few weeks.

Oh this takes me back to the day, actually ended up with lymes myself a few years back, onc eyou catch it early your grand. I had text book version of the mark on my leg.

donothoponpop

Fantastic report to read Mithril. Navigation is so important on these long hill treks, you were wise to multiply your eyes looking for markers.

Looks like your speed (3:18 marathon in training), recovery, and endurance, are bang on for Conn.

mithril

shels4ever wrote: »

Oh this takes me back to the day, actually ended up with lymes myself a few years back, onc eyou catch it early your grand. I had text book version of the mark on my leg.

I don't seem to have the classic bulls-eye mark which makes me less worried. A bit of a concern when my Irish doctor could not remember the name of the disease - I had to prompt him - but he knew the symptoms and what it was about.

Its a good deal more common in North East America.
A lot of Americans have given up hill walking because of the perceived risk.

mithril

Wednesday.
Summary: 5.19 km in 27:37 (5:19 pace) in laps of Carysfort Park.

First run since the ultra at the week-end and I seem to have come thru it OK.

This was meant to be a recovery run but struggled to keep down the pace which is always a good sign.

Lovely springy feel on the grass in the park which appears to have dried out a good bit while I was away.

Tried heat moulding my Dean Karnazes insoles which I picked up in U.S. to give a better fit.
The 2 minutes in the oven stated in the instructions is definitely too long and were sagging badly at the top when I took them out. Will try them out later this week and I have another spare pair if I need them.

mithril

Thursday
Summary: 10 aerobic kms in 47:30 (4:45 pace) doing laps of gaelic pitch in U.C.D.*

*Performed under influence of steroids.

mithril

Friday
Summary: Easy gym session in preparation for week-end's double LSR.
20 minutes on cross-trainer and calf raises with 5 KG weight.

Then sports massage. My ankle injury at last appears to be settling down.
I can now hop on my left leg almost without pain.

Finally more steroids.

mithril

Saturday
Summary: 32.21 KM in 2:39 (4:57 pace) initially on grass in Marlay Park and then headed up Three Rock Mountain for a final hilly section.

Ankle felt much better so executed initial 17 KM around grassy fields in Marlay at 4:30 pace. Even managed 1 KM at 4:06 but panting quite badly during it.
This would have been a comfortable pace before I picked up injuries in December but I am not sure anyway how relevant the ability to run at this speed is for the Ultra in Connemara.

Then headed up 3 rock mountain on the WW route via Kilmashogue lane. Ran the up-hill at quite a good pace and pleased that no apparent lingering tiredness in the legs from last week's race. Completed the loop via Ticknock road which was a mistake since the hard surface on the steep downhill started to impact my ankles and right knee and I finished the run at jogging pace to avoid further damage.

Headed to gym for shower but avoided the hot tub since I still have nasty marks on my chest which the doctor assures me are an allergy probably caused by contact with poisonous ivy (and therefore not infectious) but to me look more like medieval leprosy. I think if I got in everyone else would have made a quick exit.

Hopefully the steroids will start working their magic soon and clear this up.

Still if you meet me in a race, even though I won't be ringing a bell or shouting "unclean", the prudent thing to do would be to step immediately off the path and not get back on it again until I am at least 100 metres clear.

mithril

Sunday
Summary: 34 KM in 3:22 (5:58 pace) initially on grass in Marlay Park and then headed up the Wicklow Way for some hills.

First 10 KM on grass on Marlay at 4:29 pace. This is what passes for speed with me these days. I am not sure of the phyical benefit of running fast when tired - the consensus seems to be you don't get as good quality of physical adaption as when performed when rested - but mentally I think this is good to force you to run at a decent pace while a bit tired.

Then headed up the Wicklow Way via Kilmashogue, headed over to Tibradden and then up the new DMI route to top of Cruagh Mountain where I re-traced my steps back to Marlay.

Ran up the hills at a decent pace but my right knee is now giving trouble - I think it's ITB- so jogged the downhills and anything with a firm surface.
Calf muscle is now fine and left ankle is improving so I am down now to one niggle and a half.

Happy with this -could have gone on for longer and don't feel wrecked after two tough days - so stamina has definitely improved in the last few months.

Gave the Montrail Continental Divide - my new long distance off-road running shoe - its maiden trial after replacing the supplied laces with lock-laces. It's a fine shoe. Heavier, but much better protection underfoot than the Salomon x-wings I used yesterday and I think I will get good use out of it.

Krusty_Clown

Great consistent running there Mithril. Have you considered Inov-8 Roclite 288's? Very light, at just 288grams, but with ankle support.

mithril

I have 6 pairs of running shoes on the mat in my kitchen and another 7 pairs in the "archive" box upstairs. I never somehow can bring myself to throw out my old pairs even when I replace them.

So many choices!

The only Inov-8 I currently have is the Mudclaw which does what it is supposed to very well.

You are tempting me now to add to the collection - there always is something better out there.:)

mithril

Monday

Day of rest. Finished the course of steroids and they appear to be working. Hopefully I will be able to test clear by Connemara.