I have not known what direction to take the blog since I completed the Peddars Way Trail Ultra. I felt a bit of low mood settle in after the initial high of completing the event, but I soon snapped out of this, and, as predicted by several running colleagues, I signed up for more: The Norfolk 100K and the Stour Valley Path 50K. I must admit, I can’t wait! So, in terms of the blog; I’ll write about events that stand out for me, and stuff that leads up to ultras.
In terms of the initial recovery after Peddars, this went better than I thought it would. I had some toenail issues (some are still black); I lost some weight (a stone overall since the training and the event itself), and I remained very hungry for three days. I felt back to normal in just under a week.
I have ran and cycled a bit since Peddars, but the main events since then have been the Ely Runners Annual Cross Country Championships, Brandon parkrun (only because it is one of my favourites), and the Marriott’s Way Trial Half Marathon.
I was pleased with my run at the XC Championships. The race got easier after the first two loops of Cherry Hill and The Deans Meadow, but it was slippery and tough enough to slow me down in places where I would have performed better had I got some spikes: I’ll be investing in some. The less said about the swearing the better! As tough as this race was, I was pleased in general, and especially with my sprint finish. It’s a race I dread, but enjoy (weird).
There has been the usual parkrun obsession, but a trip back to a favourite stands out. Brandon is a gorgeous course and it always has a great atmosphere. Lauren (regular running buddy), and blogger (see below) always jumps at a chance to run Brandon, and it was good to see Andrew S turn up! As usual, Lauren did her ‘make it look easy’ routine, and crossed the finish as first lady, with a time a little quicker than my 5K PB (not jealous). That hill in the middle felt tough, and I realised that I might not have rested after Peddars in quite the way I should have. It was maybe a bit silly to run this parkrun the day before a trail half marathon, but there you go.
Andrew S and I arrived at the start of the Marriott’s Way Trail Half Marathon nice and early (we both like to be dead early). A coffee and a sausage rolled was necked, and we were soon ushered to the start and sent on our way. I had debated long and hard about what to wear, and the Merino wool base layer had worked out so well for me at Peddars; I am so glad I went for the vest; it was hot! Andrew and I ran together for most of the race, with me setting the pace for the first half, and him for the second. However, things went wrong for me from mile 9, with my quads and hip really playing up. I felt tired, heavy and sluggish. Andrew pulled off in the second half, and rightly so, as he was on form and running a superb pace. The trail is gorgeous, and I actually took it in instead of staring at the ground. The last two miles was tough, but I managed a decent time for the course, and I was very pleased to enter the Village Hall for a medal, shirt, full-fat Coke and food!
More rest is needed, so nothing for a week. More soon!
Justin has signed up for what? 