2016 - The year of the pb

“You would run much slower if you were dragging something behind you, like a knapsack or a sheriff.” - Lemony Snicket

Having just finished my last trot of 2016 I thought I'd post something about how its gone with my running this year.

After a slow start and a while taken to relocate my AWOL mojo, two goals for the year slowly started to emerge.  To maintain my UTMB qualifying status and to post some quicker road times at last.

Training weekend in the Lakes

Fewer miles this year, 1,740 to be precise, fewer races too, but faster times.  So how did I get on? Well, by sneaking in a Parkrun with only a couple of weeks to spare, I'm chuffed to say I got both bagged...

Best bits

• The best hug ever from my dad after finishing proud at the Ultimate Trails 110k in the Lakes.
• A mega day out in the Lakes and a boat ride home with my old mate Ben for his first 50k.
• Posting fastest ever times at 5k, 10k, half and marathon.
• Finally joining the world of Parkrun. 
• Running with the BDB crew at the Leeds Abbey Dash.
• An awesome solo wintry epic on the Moors in November.

Worst bits

• A seriously muddy day out ending with a wrong turn at the end of the Haworth hobble.
• Missing my 3.15 target at the marathon.
• Return of the cramps at Osmotherley and the Yorkshire Marathon after a cramp free 2015.
• Falls one to nine of a very wet UT110k in July.

Its been great to post some faster times this year but I have learned how difficult it is to improve as much as I'd like at everything from 5k to 100 miles (well, duh!).  To get close to a three hour marathon is going to require much more focus and it certainly isn't going to happen any time soon as I'm still loving the trails too much.

2017 will be the year of the ultra, starting in a few days on New Years Day at the Hardmoors 30 at Robin Hoods Bay for what promises to be a bracing 50k on the coast.  Unlike last year, I already have my major races lined up for 2017 with the two most exciting being the Hardmoors 110 (my second 100 miler) and the V3k in Snowdonia (my first Skyrunning event).  

Then there is the UTMB ballot again in a few weeks time.  Double chance this year for the greatest race in the world but I'm trying to not get my hopes up too much.  If I'm unsuccessful this year, its guaranteed for 2018 assuming I finish what I've got planned.

Couldn't finish this without showing off my one of a kind medal hanger created for me by my dad for a Christmas box.  Had loads of fun loading it up and reminiscing of battles won and lost...

Looking forward to more running adventures in 2017.  Happy New Year!

Sweating the small stuff - 11/12/2016

"If I can get better, why not?"- Emil Zatopek
One of the reasons I started writing this blog was to record my thoughts and experiences about running my first ultra distance race when I finished the Race to the Stones in 2014.

This post is partially about Parkrun so its amazing to see how far I've come in the last three years and over 4,000 miles!

One of my major running goals this year was to put down some times on the road I feel happier with and having got personal bests at half and marathon earlier in the year, the past few weeks have been about maintaining consistent training but also squeezing in a 5k and 10k road race.  

It might sound strange but I've never raced over these distances so any time would be a personal best but I still wanted to see where I am at and put down a marker for each distance before the year is out.

The 10k was at the Leeds Abbey Dash with my colleagues and some clients from BDB.  It was a cool and wet morning perfect for running if a little cold.  Bobby and Ben were also there hunting down a pb (and succesfully I might add).  

From BDB there were some notable performances.  Andrew nailed a sub 40 time after a long recovery from a horrific leg break (nice one fella) and Gill and Amy completed their first (and last Gill?) ever races.  It was great to share the experience with so many friends and a mid morning beer afterwards!  Awesome running by everyone 

I had a good run if a shade too conservative at the start on reflection.  I finished in 38.16 which was well inside my target of 39 minutes.  

Sporting my red BDB shirt at the Leeds Abbey Dash

Despite having a reputation for fast times, having reviewed mine and others Strava records it looks like the course measured a little long (maybe 100 metres?).  So sub 38 minutes looks like a great target for the next 10k attempt.

I have been saying I want to do a Parkrun for ages but because i do my long runs on Saturday it has never quite happened.  Yesterday I realised I was running out of time this year so I just fit York Parkrun into my long run and did the rest after (a grim 11 miles after charging around a 5k so I will not be making a habit of this!).  Getting my excuses in like a proper amateur athlete, I have a rotten cold and made loads of mistakes.  My time was 18.36 which felt ok all considering.  18 minutes looks like a worthy next step to aim for...

That completes the slam of road bests in 2016.  It has certainly given me a confidence boost and a better feel for where I am with my running.  Hours on the trails is the best fun but its difficult sometimes to see how you're progressing as no two runs are the same.  

I'm not sure what opportunity I'll get to shoot for faster times next year.  I have some major ultra plans which is about going long and not fast so its been great to get some quicker markers down for the future.

I am already into my training plan for the Hardmoors 110 in May 2017, with the next major target being a 50k on New Years Day at the Hardmoors 30.  What better way to spend your birthday!?

   

The Yorkshire Marathon - 09/10/2016

'Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional' Haruki Murakami

So to the Yorkshire Marathon.  My home marathon and what a great event.  Super slick organisation, a great route through the beautiful city and then the villages of Stockton, Stamford Bridge and Dunnington.  The weather dawned cool and sunny and the good folk of York were out in force to cheer us on once again.

This is the fourth edition of this marathon which has deservedly earned a great reputation and my third attempt.  Given the countryside around York, lots of people go into this race expecting a pancake flat course, but the two 'out and backs' and the lumps and bumps along the way make for a tougher challenge than first expected.

My running targets at the start of this year were to maintain my UTMB qualifying status (which I did in the Lakes in July) and then an ambitious grand slam of personal bests across 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon on the road.

With the half pb in the bag at North Lincs in May, this would be the one chance at a marathon pb in 2016, and in the days leading up the nerves really started to build.

I had such a good day last year at this race as I cruised round easily in 3.26.  This year, the preparation was a little better (decided to skip the ankle sprain this time) but with still only five weeks to get ready after the TMB hike this summer it would by no means be easy to go faster.

I did manage to squeeze in some good runs around 17-20 miles in the short period I had given myself but I did feel undercooked.  I also set myself an ambitious target of 3.15 which is closer to the time suggested by my strong performance at the North Lincs Half in May.

Despite executing the first half of the race perfectly, the dreaded cramp set in from mile 16 or so which is seriously early.  Whilst I managed to maintain a good pace for a further four miles after that, it was all I could do to ease off and make the best of it after mile 20.

In the end a time of 3.19.26 was a big pb but it was bitter sweet given how strong I felt.  If it wasn't for the cramp, I am sure I could have gone under the 3.15 barrier but I guess 5 weeks just wasn't enough time to condition my legs for this run.  If I hadn't dialled down the pace in the way that I did, my cramp would definitely have brought me to a halt and the pb chance would be gone.  So I guess in a way it was good to still salvage a personal best time despite the painful last few miles.

A big shout out to my old mucker Ben who cruised under his four hour target.  He's come a long way in the last year or so and its great to see how much he improves with every run.

Having spent so long focusing on going long on the trail for the past few years, this was a good reminder of why the road 26.2 deserves so much respect.  If I'm going to get closer to the 3hr mark, I'm going to need a proper run up and a more singular focus.

This is the second time this year I have cramped badly in a race, the other being at Osmotherley in May.  I thought I had put the cramps behind me with my running but it has returned in a big way this year.  I'm putting it down to insufficient specific prep combined with running a sustained faster pace but time will tell I guess.  I will need to find an answer if I'm going to continue to improve.

In hindsight whilst I have enjoyed running faster this year, it is proving difficult to satisfy my expectations of myself over these disparate disciplines.  Perhaps I was just too ambitious this time.  I can be pretty hard on myself and sometimes focus so hard on the negatives I forget to acknowledge the progress I'm still making with my running.

Anyways enough navel gazing, I'm half way to my pb slam!

Next up is to see how fast I can go at the 10k at Leeds Abbey Dash where I have a target to go under 40 minutes.  I may go for that 5k pb at my first parkrun as some speedy preparation.

Only three weeks to go so I've given myself another uphill battle to get ready.  Nowt like making it easy for yourself!

Ultimate Trails 110k - 02/07/2016

"Whether you believe you can or believe you can't, you're probably right." - Henry Ford

The only long race I have planned this year after injury and three ultras in 2015 almost permanently extinguished my running mojo.

The route is a sixty odd mile loop taking in a huge section of the beautiful Lake District which required all four OS lakes maps when I tracked it out on my living room floor! It would be my fifth ultra beyond fifty miles, but a first for a night time start and a step up in terms of technicality of terrain in the Lakeland fells. I need my beauty sleep, so it would be good to see how I fared through the night for the first time.

I'd trained hard but not had as much time in the hills as I might like as I have also been working on my road running this year which doesn't help that much as preparation for an event like this.

With mum and dad at the midnight start

I have a reputation for organising soggy jaunts to the lakes with my pals so it seemed apt that my first long Lakeland run would be tackled in some classic Lakeland conditions. Hours and hours of rain would be a test of kit but also would add to the test of resolve. 

The first of many downpours eased off just as the race briefing finished and thankfully we were quickly away for the race start. It was awesome to have Mum and Dad, Rach and Bobby along for the ride, although due to most of the route being in the remote fells, access to meet up on the route and support would be limited.

Whers's Matty!?

The first job was to get to Kentmere and climb high into the fells before a tricky descent to Haweswater. The sight of a twinkling snake of headtorches stretching miles down into the valley will stay with me for a long time. Unfortunately for me though, it had become clear that my headtorch was seriously underpowered and as a result I fell many times in the dark (seven to be precise!). Luckily I got away with just a few scrapes and bruises but I won't be leaving it to chance next time.  An investment needs to be made before I try anything like this in the dark again. 

Despite the falls, I was still making pretty good time and after cruising along a still Haweswater to the sound of the dawn chorus I arrived at Bampton where Bobby and Rach were waiting.  Thanks guys, top support at a ridiculously early hour - you are mental!

4.30 am trundling into Bampton making decent time

After smashing some pizza into my zombified face I was on again for the push to Glenridding and half way via Ullswater and a crushing climb out of Boredale.  I had started to feel weak on the climb so just resolved to get to halfway and regroup.  The rain had set in big time now so it was a relief to have a dry shirt and socks waiting for me there and my trusty Ambrosia ultra fuel.    

8 am fortified by rice pudding and clean socks - On to Grizedale Tarn!

Meanwhile the cheerleaders were busy missing me on the trail, getting drenched, savaged by midges and eating my breakfast at the B&B!

Ace support from the family, cheers guys!

Midge dodging race crew!

A steep ascent to Grizedale Tarn was the next big obstacle collowed by the most technical descent of the day alongside Raise Beck which was a spectacular roaring torrent in the rain.  The descents were by now making my knees grumble but my trekking poles helped take a little of the strain and definitely helped keep me upright and attack the climbs a little better.

40 miles in and it had been a hard fight against the climbs and the weather so far.  My feet had been wet for hours which meant the soles were being nicely tenderised but I was growing used to the discomfort and more determined to finish this thing.  The calories from Glenridding kicked in and I found I was even able to drop a few runners on the climbs at Watendlath and up Stakes Pass.  

It was the descents where I lost time though and descending into Rosthwaite I found myself in the dirt again when I slipped on a wet polished slab.  I'm still very wary of my weak ankles from injuries and on tired legs my confidence on the long and technical descents was now really low. I definitely could have done with more practice miles in the mountains to toughen up the legs and be a little less cautious.

Lakes still stunning in the gloom - Photo credit James Kirby

Beautiful Langdale

After a final bone jarring descent, all that remained was to run the length of Langdale, one of the most beautiful places in Britain.  By now it was mid afternoon and I was very weary with so many climbs and 55 miles in the legs but I was still running and fighting hard.  I was lifted by the scenery, sensing the finish now and some much needed encouragement from the folks at the final aid station was just what I needed.

Photo credit  -James Kirby

Ultra running delivers a very special
kind of pain experience
Photo credit - James Kirby

The gift of gate opening is a powerful one for long distance runners 

There was still time for me to squeeze in another rather comical and pathetic fall but thankfully the finish was now only a couple of miles away.  There was a lovely reception as I ran into the finish in Rothay Park as spectators had gathered to cheer everyone home.

Now where's the bar!?

This would have been one of my hardest runs to date even without the challenging weather.  I am proud to have finished it.  The body held up well and the dreaded cramp stayed away.  I was especially pleased with how I dealt with the mental challenge of the sleep deprivation, all those falls and the never ending rain.  It was definitely an emotional finish and was made more special having my family there with me again.

I love the Lakes and I'll definitely be back here for more running in the mountains.  More practice on the steep stuff is required though and a better headtorch!  I lost a couple of places where I had to wait for others to catch up and help find the route, but no matter, just finishing felt like an achievement this time.

Photo credit - James Kirby

Yay - Mor hard earned race bling.
I need a medal rack!

Thanks to the organisers, volunteers fellow runners but most of all to Mum, Dad, Rach and Bobby for being such a supportive bunch.  I'm not sure what is more daft, running an ultramarathon or staying up all night to support one!

Three more points mean I'm set up for the UTMB draw again this year and the next.  Fingers crossed I'll get lucky in January with double the chance this time.  No matter if not, the more ultras I do the more my list of bucket list races seems to grow!

Next up York marathon, thankfully, no headtorch required...

Hardmoors 26.2 Series Osmotherley - 22/05/2016

This would be marathon/ultra race number 14 since my first in October 2013.  Along the way there have been ups and downs and in a strange way it was almost like they were all encapsulated here in this one race.  There were certainly plenty of ups to contend with that's for sure...

New marathon bling - Yay!

I had been looking forward to this race for a wee while as its is part of the Hardmoors 26.2(ish) series which are brilliant trail marathons with challenging routes in the North York Moors.  This one was no different.

The route takes in some of the most scenic parts of the Cleveland Way from Osmotherley, over the Three Sisters and then out on a loop deep into the Moors taking in the pretty village of Chop Gate before finally heading back through pretty woodland trails to finish back in Osmotherley.

I know the route well as I have clocked a lot of miles over the Three Sisters in training and as part of the route of the Hardmoors 55 ultra last year.  Ben and I had an epic recce only a month earlier in apocalyptic weather which in hindsight proved to be good preparation.  It would be a tester, with over 5,000 feet of ascent and particularly with Hardmoors miles tending to be on the long side (this race was about 28.5 miles long!).

My old buddy Ben was also excited to have a crack at another Hardmoors marathon after we had such a blast at Roseberry Topping in December.  When he finally gets round to running a road marathon, he will get a personal best by at least two hours such is the toughness of these routes!

Unlike at Roseberry though, this time we would be running separately which would be a new dimension to the challenge for Ben particularly as we wouldn't be able to support each other on the way round.

Ben rocking his Scunthorpe HM shirt!
Photo credit: Paul Munster

After the race briefing, Jon the race director led us up to the race start at the top of the village and we were soon on our way climbing into the woods on the first of many steep ascents.  I set off quickly as I knew the first of the big climbs was a few miles away and I was keen to get some momentum early on.  The strong sun made it seriously hot work on the climbs as we left the cover of the trees onto the open Moor.

Hot day on the beautiful Moors!
Photo credit: Chris P Rice

Good progress was made for the first ten miles or so before a steep climb back up from the aid station (and some restorative coke) onto the spectacular Wainstones.  Here hiking up became a quicker tactic than running the steep hills.  We crossed runners coming the other way who were yet to tackle the climb and we high fived on the way past.  The camaraderie on these events is superb with everyone being so friendly and willing each other on.  I got a little lift from the others as we cheered each other on as we crossed.  I looked for Ben, but he was making such good progress himself he wasn't that far behind so I didn't cross over with him.

Photo credit: Paul Munster

After a short climb after the Wainstones, the route heads into the Moors proper before descending to Chop Gate.  As I arrived in the village, I had started to feel very weary which was worrying with so far yet to go.  I passed bikers sat drinking beers in the sunshine outside the Buck Inn which didn't improve my now ebbing morale.

The long climb out of Chop Gate is the longest of the day and seriously draining on tired legs.  It was here where I was first struck with some seriously debilitating cramp which started in the calves and gradually spread to my hamstrings and quads.  I have experienced cramp off and on in sport for my whole life but this was as bad as I've ever experienced, worse even than I've had on much longer ultras.

Suffice to say that my early good work was rapidly undone as I was reduced to an agonised walk/hobble and even at some points a complete standstill.  I was caught by quite a few runners on Barkers ridge as we started the long journey back towards the Cleveland Way and home.  Fair play to them, every runner who passed me asked to make sure I was ok.

Matching blisters - Summer trails are definitely harder on the plates of meat!

I struggled on like a wounded animal for the last eleven miles as the cramp just wouldn't let up.  I have to admit that it did take the edge off my enjoyment of the race despite the stunning scenery as I was in a lot of pain for the last two hours of the race.  My mood was briefly lifted when I was joined by a beautiful fox cub on the woodland trail who no doubt found me to be a curious creature cursing and limping through the woods.

It was a relief to finally round the last few corners into the outskirts of Osmotherley village where another old friend Chris had hiked a little way up the trail to take this picture of me suffering.

Grimace for the camera! Photo credit: Chris Pickwell

Thankfully, a few minutes later I was relaxing with a beer in the sunshine with Chris as we waited for Ben to arrive.

Way sooner than either of us were expecting, a topless bearded warrior came thundering down the High Street as Ben finished looking very strong.  It was great to see him do so well and also to see him progress over the last year, he seems to get stronger now with every race.

By the time he joined us at the pub the memories of the pain had already started to fade and we were soon trading stories of what had been an epic run.

As I write this my legs are still extremely tender from the prolonged cramping.  I'm refusing to feel too discouraged though.  I'm putting it down to a combination of heat, the quick start, a big effort the previous weekend at the North Lincs Half and not enough recent conditioning in the hills.

I've still got time to do something about the latter before the Ultimate Trails 110k in the Lakes in July. As with all ultras, it is 100% guaranteed to hurt, but a little easier on the cramps would be a start!

Once again, a big thanks to the Hardmoors family. The organisers, volunteers and everyone else involved without whom these brilliant races could not happen. What a special trail running community this is.  I can't wait to be joining you all again for some more punishment soon!

The North Lincs Half - 15/05/2016

Since being bitten by the ultra trail running bug almost two years ago I have run a lot of slow miles. They've been beautiful, muddy and tough but slow.  This training was essential for getting through three mighty ultras last year but I have been wondering whether I have been simply training myself to run long and slow.  

I do have a decent natural pace when I put my mind to it, so in addition to my one big trail race this summer at the UT 110k, I want to rediscover some of it and make some inroads into my road times this year.  The first opportunity would be at a race that is becoming a fixture, the North Lincs half in my boyhood town of Scunthorpe which I would be running for the third time.  It is pancake flat with a great opportunity for fast times and also to run with some of my old buddies from home.

Great to see you Mr Ellis
Photo credit Chris Pickwell

About five weeks out from the race I started to introduce one quicker run into my week to get myself used to clocking some faster kilometres ready for the race.  The sessions were hard as I'm so used to just steadilly accumulating the miles, but as a result my natural cruising pace quickly dropped by around 15 secs per mile.  After a few weeks, I was able to increase the distance covered at the faster pace and I started to feel more confident in having a really good crack at my half marathon time of 1h 28mins at this race.

Spot the Matt...
Photo credit Roger Kimberley-Scott

As it happened, the day dawned with perfect conditions, bright sunshine with a gentle cool breeze. As with last year, my old pals were there with me.  Ben, whose running is improving all the time was also looking to crack a personal best and Mark was just seeing how it went after having run a cracking race here last year.  On the start line it was a lovely surprise to bump into a friendly face in Gary Ellis, an old school friend who told me he has started running relatively recently back home in Liverpool.

Perfect conditions
Photo credit Scunthorpe Telegraph

As well as being flat, the course is quite scenic as it winds its way through villages outside the town and it still ends on the pitch in the football ground which is a nice way to finish.  I hope they can retain this when Scunthorpe United get a new ground soon.  Plenty of folks had turned out to cheer us on  along the route in the morning sunshine.

Mark breaks his 5k pb at the start, oops!
Photo credit: Roger Kimberley-Scott

I had worked out my splits for a one minute pb and resolved to stick with that pace as long as possible, fully expecting to fade a little at the end.  In reality I found that hitting the splits bang on was quite hard and ended up running several seconds per kilometre under.  I just went with it as we raced through the country lanes, fully expecting some painful payback later on.

I did hit a tricky patch around ten miles but it was more of a drifting of concentration than physical fatigue.  I quickly snapped out of it though and with only three miles to go I managed to get back on track and it wasn't long before we were rounding the corner for the long straight back to Scunthorpe. It was here I started to pass those who had gone out too fast and started to wobble but passing them gave me more confidence and I was able to lift the pace again which came as a surprise given my faster than expected start.  Entering the stadium straining for a few extra seconds, I knew I was on for a decent time but I hadn't looked at my watch for a wee while so I had no idea until I saw the race timer on the finish line.

Photo credit Claire Lewis

Before the race I thought that to put a minute into my best time would be a brilliant result.  In the end I battered down the doors of my pb by two and a half minutes to get home in 1h 25min and 31sec, a dream time given I have only really started thinking about faster stuff recently.  Perhaps there is something in this speedwork thing after all...

Suffice to say I am chuffed with that.  Its nice to have a time which better matches the amount of work I put into my running.  Turns out it was a day for smashing records. The course record was broken and Gary (see you next year?) and Ben also claiming new pbs.  Mark had a tougher day out than last year having overcooked it a little at the start but was still smiling at the end and even Harrison came away with a medal for bossing the fun run.

Proud fun run finishers
Photo credit Scunthorpe Telegraph

Afterwards we retired for a gravy dinner and a couple of shandies to top off a fab weekend.  Thanks to all the volunteers and organisers who put together a really well organised race.

I'm returning to the hills next weekend with the awesomest trail running community at the Hardmoors Osmotherley Marathon.  Cannot wait!

The Haworth Hobble (Wuthering Hike) - 12/03/2016

Out on the wiley, windy moors - Kate Bush

The first race of 2016 and a true test.  A classic route taking in 32 miles of mud and hills in Bronte country, the beautiful West Yorkshire Pennines.

Since the start of last winter I confess its been a battle to maintain motivation to run at the same mileage levels I seemed to manage in the first half of 2015.  I seem to have had one illness after another and the ankle is still a long way off 100%.  To add to that I didn't get a number for the UTMB and after much consideration I also decided to withdraw from my Plan B race, the Hardmoors 110, because of the enforced route change (due to a clash on the same weekend with a load of inconsiderate bikeists on the Tour of Yorkshire).  All in all, there have been quite a few factors which have knocked my running mojo and I was hoping to at least partially rediscover it somewhere out there in the Hills of Bronte country.

The route started on the High Street in picturesque Haworth and then after an initial climb headed West on a long and fast descent passing several reservoirs in beautiful remote countryside.  My pace felt pretty good for the first half and there were plenty of veterans around to follow avoiding having to slow down for route finding and mapwork. I was particularly pleased to be around others who knew where they were going when the route descended through winding tracks and back gardens at one stage.  All in all reasonably good progress was made.

Beautiful Scenery in Bronte Country

The true challenge of this route was still to come though with the ground going from soft to heavy and two mighty climbs up to Stoodley Pike and then out of Mankinholes which all must be done on very tired legs.  Unsurprisingly it was here that I started to struggle, the climbs just seemed to take more out of my legs than usual making it really hard to pick the pace up again after each.  My momentum was lost and I never really managed to get moving at a reasonable pace again.

A slower pace meant I was running with a few folk for a change instead of on my own in the lonely 'no mans land' I sometimes find myself in.  I was grateful for the company, to chat and particularly when the others could point out the right direction.  I would definitely have got lost without them. There were still a couple of points where the lack of route knowledge caught up with me, notably in the last few hundred yards where I ran past a turnoff and lost quite a few places (but not much time).

It had been a fantastic route with incredible views, however I'm afraid to admit the end couldn't come soon enough for my aching body and slightly bruised ego.  I finished way outside the time I had hoped for but at least I understand why.  I'm just not as strong as I was this time last year, but hopefully there will be brighter times and better runs ahead for me in 2016.  

One of the major draws for this race was to see an area of Northern countryside I have never visited and to have a crack at a classic race I had heard so much about. It wasn't my best run and I'm not sure whether my mojo has been restored, but I have to say it really was worth the aching legs to see this beautiful part of the country, for the princely race entry fee of £13!

Would I do it again, definitely but I'll be aiming for a much stronger performance next time...