2013 - Some Year

I'm not going to go over it all again but am going to say thanks once again to all of you who supported my madness, offering advice, support of all kinds and at the times the shit hit the fan many words of kindness. Hopefully 2014 will be just as much fun with a PB attempt at London and my first 24 hour race (as part of a pair) to look forward to in the first half of the year and then (and I must discuss this with Laura) maybe Loch Ness or Brecon Ultra in the 2nd half of the year. I am really going to cop out though and leave Ol' Blue Eyes to put the year into words. I am sure that any of you who know my 2013 running story even slightly will see the truth in the lyrics: And now, the end is here And so I face the final curtain My friend, I'll say it clear I'll state my case, of which I'm certain I've lived a life that's full I travelled each and ev'ry highway And more, much more than this, I did it my way Regrets, I've had a few But then again, too few to mention I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway And more, much more than this, I did it my way Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew When I bit off more than I could chew But through it all, when there was doubt I ate it up and spit it out I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way I've loved, I've laughed and cried I've had my fill, my share of losing And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing To think I did all that And may I say, not in a shy way, "Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way" For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels The record shows I took the blows and did it my way! Yes, it was my way

Forgotten garmins, navigational issues and custard slices.

Has taken me a week to get round to writing about my '30' miler last Sunday as I have been a very busy bee what with taking the students to London for three days, catching up with everything on my return and Llanelli Carnival and fireworks last night. As regular viewers will already know my club, Sospan Road Runners, were hosting their annual Multi Terrain 10 miler last Sunday in Pembrey Woods and along Cefn Sidan beach. I however had decided many months ago to run the event three times, it would give more opportunity to raise some cash for charidee and also give me a goal as I came back to fitness from the injury. On the morning of the run Laura was working nights so basically me and Meggy were going to be leaving as soon as she got home from work as Meggy had volunteered (or been coerced into) marshalling the event so that I could be free to run. As I waited to leave I mentioned to Laura that I was not my usual worked up self before such an event. This made me appreciate why people keep doing crazier and crazier things to maintain the buzz, I'd like to think I wasn't complacent but the run certainly didn't worry me as it once would have, why should it?, I had run 30+ miles a day 6 days in a row earlier in the year. I had to come back to the house a few time when leaving because I had forgotten my drinks bottle and banana. Laura did say at this point that she was worried I was being to blase. Maybe she was right. It wasn't however that I was nearly at the start line that I realised I had also forgotten my garmin. Now I wasn't too worried about pace but was keen on keeping track of distance as I knew that I did have the potential to get lost and this would help give me an idea of whether I was in the right place. Thankfully one of my lovely clubmates, Jenny, had a garmin I could borrow although it was clear from the charge that it probably wouldn't see me through the whole race. And so it was at 0920hrs, 1hr 40mins before the official start and with my clubmates and Meggy shouting encouragement I set off for lap 1. I had hoped to complete the 3 laps in 4 and a half hours, 9mm pace, but was basically happy to run to feel and the miles soon started ticking off. In my mind navigation was going to be ok as the course was marked already so the first two laps would be fine and although the signs would be down by lap 3 I should know it by then, ahem! The course is basically a mixture of tarmac, grass, shingle, hard dirt track, soft sandy/soil and a mile along the sandy beach with many short undualtions and 2 harder climbs on the soft sandy/soil terrain. First lap went pretty much to plan except for an extra half mile added on just after the 5 mile mark, a part of the course I knew wasn't going to be marked until later on. Nothing too much to worry about though as I knew the general direction to the beach and soon recognised the path I was supposed to follow. I completed lap 1 in 1hr 35mins which with 10.6 miles on the clock meant I was faster than 9mm pace but due to the longer distance was possibly not going to get in under 4 and a half hours. Lap 2 begun at the same time as the official race which was nice as it meant that as well as making contact and stocking up on flapjacks from Meggy I could talk to a few familiar faces, talk to some new ones and get carried along by everyone else for a while. So lap 2 went ok, I worked out where I had gone wrong on lap 1 and banked the knowledge for lap 3 and the support from the marshalls was obviously very personal for me and helped me along. I was on 3 hours and 10 minutes at the end of the lap so still below 9 minute mile pace with 20.6 miles on the clock. Then it started to go wrong. Here I am still looking as if I am enjoying myself at mile 12ish. Don't get me wrong I already felt as tired as anyone would having run such a course 2 times but was happy enough as I went through the 'finish' line for the second time with the race announcer introducing me to the crowd and questioning my sanity. Lots of smiley, familiar and friendly faces here though which is always nice. The first two miles of the race basically take in a lap of the country park on the road and then enter the forest. Unfortunately the garmin had died at mile 21 so was not longer really aware of distance although had switched endomondo on, not sure if that was a blessing or a curse. I was aware however, after re-entering the forest, that now the signs had gone I had taken nothing in on the first two laps and had no idea what way to go. After a mile or so of faffing about and returning to the same place I had to phone, Karen, another one of my clubmates who I knew could run the course in her sleep. I'm not sure whether she really was but she gave the impression that she would rather be out showing me the way than dealing with the finishing line faffage and proceeded to run the next mile and a half or so with me to meet up with another clubmate, Jenny who had lent me the garmin, and who had always going to be running the last 6 miles with me. Unfortunately and to further add to my guilt my navigational saviour, Karen, went arse over tit whilst showing me the way but was thankfully unhurt and more importantly, at least according to her, so was her iPhone. It was only after starting to run with Jenny and with about 5 miles to go that my troubles really began. First of all I started suffering cramps, severe cramps at that, in my right leg in the general area of the hip flexor and adductors. This was coming and going and I needed to stop and stretch a few times. I was now, because of this, walking more than I was running and although I kept setting myself landmark targets to aim for was actually managing to complete them running less and less frequently. Energywise I was ok and the legs weren't too tired apart from this cramp. Anyway I got to the beach where Jenny took this photo of me looking better than I was feeling and knew there were only 3 miles to go. A continued run walk strategy and donations of fruit loaf and energy jelly beans kept me moving as well as possible until about a mile or so from the finish when both calfs kept cramping every time I tried to run too. I did manage, with much encouragement, to run the final 400 metres or so out of the forest and to the finish line where Laura, Rob, Meggy and Caitlin were waiting in all their glory along with a few hardy clubmates, thanks Arwel, Karen and Beth. It was great to see them but as I collapsed over the line I will not lie to you and say that seeing them all was better than the custard slice they had waiting for me. Beautiful. So 31.5 miles done and in the space of 10.9 miles I had gone from just below 9mm pace to finishing in 5hrs 20 mins at an average pace of 10.19mm. I would hardly say I was satisfied with the overall result but I did manage to dig in and complete when I would have, at times, been quite happy to sit down, stamp my feet and refuse to go a step further. The main questions for me to ask now are regards why I cramped so bad, I can honestly say that it has never happened before in all my years running. There are however a few things that I know I will change next time I undertake such a challenge. 1. I walked/jogged about 6 miles helping set up the course the day before the race and also cycled there and back which was just under 20 miles. Nothing huge in the general scheme of things but probably not to be recommended. 2. I had a pack of original hula hoops at around mile 14 which I had never done before. A schoolboy error trying something new I know, a contributing factor to my problems I don't know? 3. I did some strong training but very very little on this type of terrain. Is surprising how much it takes out of you. Maybe my biggest mistake. I am however glad I did it and that Meggy got involved, she was fantastically looked after by the guys from the club and is going to come to beginners night with me on Wednesday so I am sure she will be kicking my arse before I know it :-) It also made me realise what a special running club I am a member of. It is an honour and privilege to run with them and be classed as one of their resident nutters. I actually didn't feel too bad getting up at 3AM on Monday morning then to take the students to London (I wasn't driving the coach thankfully) and although I ached a little I got through the day ok, it was more uncomfortable sitting on the coach, through the enterprise conference and Mamma Mia (which was marvellous entertainment) than it was traipsing about. Was up early Tuesday morning for a recovery run from Russell Square through to Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Regent Street, Oxford Street and back. This got rid of the last bit of stiffness fine. Wednesday mornings run, which veered left at The Savoy and took in Embankment and Whitehall too, and Thursdays were however not so good. I just didn't feel right, fatigued is the best way to describe it so yesterday just consisted of a cycle commute and today is a complete rest day. No it wont help me reach my last target of the year, 2000 miles, but that is just a number. I will go out tomorrow morning and may go as far as 12 miles but if I don't feel right will turn right on round and come home. I will finish off by giving you another picture, this time from last nights firework display where I got to use the firework setting on my camera for the first time, let me tell you I was suitably excited :-)

Feeling blessed, dedicated to you all!

Don't worry I am going to try my best not to post a load of old spirtual claptrap but am feeling extremely positive about where I am with my running and life in general at the moment so am going to share the reasons why with you my loyal followers :-) I have my 30 mile race tomorrow, is actually a 10 mile multi terrain race organised by my club but I am running it three times. At the time I suggested doing it it was partly to give me something to aim for and partly to try and keep peopple interested in my fundraising effort. The fact that I am actually going to be starting it tomorrow though, after some strong training over the last few months, has allowed me to take stock a little over the last few weeks of my 2013 journey. Unless you are a complete newbie, in which case Hi *waves* :-) , you will know it is only 7 months since I landed on the bench and the challenge that had consumed my life for 18 months so unceremoniously and abruptly unravelled. Now I read with, unfortunately, regularity about other peoples trials and tribulations with injuries and other problems that stops them doing the thing we all love running and this makes me appreciate even more where I have come from and where I am today. if you are one of those who isn't able to run at the moment it probably wont help but I will in part run tomorrows race for you guys and gals. Stay strong, be patient, it will, as the old going says, all come out in the wash! I'm sure If I read back through my infrequent blogs I will see that I have mentioned this point time and time again but with the aforementioned challenge there was always a very fine line between whether I was doing it more for me or for the sake of the charities I support. Well over the last few weeks I have made a half baked attempt at getting this years fundraising total up to £5000 before gift aid, I am going to fall a couple of hundred pound short I think but hey who is counting (lots of people I'm sure but you get my drift). Again though I feel blessed that I have managed to raise this amount and what must be close to £10000 since I started pounding the tarmac. This is solely down to you lovely lovely people who have made the kind donations, whether you be Fetchies, FB friends, Twitter followers or one of the normal people ;-) such as friends, friends of friends or one of my wonderful students past or present. So the race tomorrow will also be for you, there are more than one of you that I know for a fact gave to the cause when times were hard, again including students who spent their very own beer tokens supporting me *cheers *pint* Lastly I keep on remembering small details of the levels people went to to support me during the challenge in addition to the kind donations. I can't even begin to list what all this support consisted of but I will always be in your debt, every last one of you, and will be back asking for help again in 2015 x There is however one person who stands out today who offered incredible support with route planning, offers of accommodation and general advice and encouragement. That I haven't met this guy for over 20 years since we both uncermoniously dropped out of Liverpool University after 1 year (we didn't have a choice really, attending some lectures may have helped) makes his level of support even more incredible. Unfortunately this friend lost his wife, and I don't know the ins and outs, what seemed extremely suddenly this week. Certainly again this is something that, I'm sure, makes many of us appreciate what we have even more and I know for many of you will get you thinking of what you have lost. So I am also going to be running the 30 miles for all you guys who have made this year so much easier for me in so many ways but mainly in memory of my friends wife and all you other people who still miss departed loved ones. So I don't want your donations this time just for you to keep on being you and at some point between 9 and 2 tomorrow spare a thought for those a little less unfortunate than yourselves at the moment, unfortunately it can only take a split second for the shoe to be on the other foot. So thanks again, whatever happens in the race tomorrow, and it at the very least looks like being dry which is good, it will be you guys that are pushing me on when, for instance, I get to the killer hill for the last time. Cheers! Peaceout!

2014 Plans Mk3

Another change of plans for 2014. laura was, rightly, not overly impressed that I had booked the Joust 24HR race the weekend of her 40th Birthday. I't wasn't intentional you know, I don't think of these sort of things, one look and I soon realised my error though :-) So it will be a nice relaxing time away that weekend in September instead. I did suggest we could do the Joust together but, err well, no! In its place I have booked for me and Joint Ear Knee to run as a pair at Endure24 in June instead. Is only 2 months after VLM so decided against taking the solo plunge then, just don't think I would do myself justice regards what I would hope to get out od such an event and the preparation I would require. In addition to these still plan to enter Likey's Beacons Ultra next November too. Looking forward to tomorrows run with club which will be a recce of the MT10 course I am going to attempt to run three times in a row in 4 weeks time. Hopefully along with helping to mark out the course the day before the race this will get me over my concern of going off course. Trip to the flicks last night to see Sunshine on Leith, thoroughly enjoyed, can think of a million and one worse ways to spend two hours of my life. Catch it if you can, good entertainment.

The old dog bares his teeth!

Well well well. Let me talk you through my day. Was supposed to be up at 6 this morning to get ready to leave at 7 as was supposed to be taking the students to an educational visit to Bristol Zoo, workbooks to complete and everything. Actually woke at 0650 out of routine as I had set my alarm wrong. One huge rush later I was on my way to meet the students in the pouring rain. By the time the coach was half way to Bristol I had made the executive decision that a day in the zoo was not going to work so after a bit of sweet talking the students were happy as they had £17 in their pockets that would have gone on entry and the driver was persuaded to take us to Cribbs causeway for some retail therapy instead. It was clearly the right decision as we were all soaked through just walking the 150 metres from the bus park to 'The Mall' (there words not mine.) So first things first me and my two colleagues decided it was time to find a cafe and have a pot of tea and a slice of cake which actually turned into a beautiful warm scone, clotted cream and strawberry jam. At 10AM it was pure decadence I know :-) Anyway it was at this point that my little voice started saying 'you will be home earlier than usual maybe you shouldn't have a rest day after all?' After a walk around the shops and the identification of the new Tim Burgess, The Streets and Neil Young autobiographys and Stone Roses: War and Peace book to add to my list for Santa it was time for a Nandos for lunch. Halloumi cheese and portobello mushroom pitta with spicy rice and side salad consumed with pleasure and I was certain I was going out when I got home. However then I had the two hour coach journey back to contend with which, as I am sure you will appreciate, was extremely tiring so was not really feeling it when I got home. I am too old, ugly and experienced to let that stop me though, I knew it was just a case f get home, don't sit down, get changed, get out and have a plod safe in the knowledge that by the time I got home from 6 miles tea would nearly be ready. Yes my life revolves around food, really whose doesn't? I was not execting much from the run though, 6 miles and I would be back within an hour was all I could be sure of and with that I was out of the door. And that was it I just ran without concern for pace as I find myself doing more and more. When the garmin beeped for mile three though I glanced at the time and thought ooh I must be going at a fair (for me) pace and before I knew it the 6 miles were over and I had actually done 6.2 as I knew I was shifting (again for me) and wanted to measure my 10k time. Well it turns out I came in at 49.11 minutes with each mile progressively faster. Wasn't even that hard, yes I worked harder than I have been but it has given me a huge boost as I start look forward to December and the start of my VLM plan and what will be my first speed work since last summer. If I can get within 5 mins of my 10k pb with minimal effort off absolutely no speed work at all maybe just maybe there really is life in the old dog yet?

Is it too early?

Is it too early to talk about plans for 2014 that is? Saying that I am only writing this as I just realised it is only quarter to eight which may be a little too early for bed. Not much mind... Anyway most of my plans are in place for 2014 but first I feel I should fill everyone in on what has been happening in the last month or two and what I have on the agenda for the rest of 2013. The base training has obviously served me well since the wheels fell off on the Pennines back in April and am now back up to around 50 miles a week which meant that last week I reached one of my initial targets for the year which was to break the 1500 mile barrier. That is the 4th year in a row I have made it to 1500 and the quickest by two weeks so the race is on now to try and break 2000 for the first time. With the plan as it stands it is possible but could well see me scratching around for miles on New Years Eve. So what are the plans, well currently I am preparing for the triple Sospan MT10 in November which could be a really tough 30 miles, especially if the weather doesn't play game. Of course 30 miles is always hard but will be even harder when I begin my third 10 mile lap when everyone else is completing their first and only lap. Not quite sure why I said I would do it now but once you have put it out there you are committed isn't it. I am looking forward to it anyway but will be nice next year to actually do an official ultra for the first time. After that 30 miler I will have a 3 week 'break' before beginning an 18 week P&D training plan for VLM. This is where my plans for next year, which regular readers (oxymoron?) will realise, have begun to change. I was signed up to do the Multi Stage Severn Challenge at the end of May/start of June but after much procrastination and deliberation have realised I have to do the right thing and leave it for another time. Mrs T is taking the youngest to Manchester for three days to see One Direction at the same time and although I could probably find places for the elder two to stay I can't leave my daughter in the middle of her GCSEs, well I oculd but ownt. Not really a hard decision to make? Anyway with the Severn Challenge off I have also scrapped the plan to do a double VLM, which was to be part of the training, and just give everything I have got to try and get a PB instead. Sub 3.20 is the goal. There we are I have put it out there again :-) Think is possible, especially if I continue the good work on the healthy eating front which has seen me lose 11lb since the end of August which is what I put on post injury and then some. My lightest in about two years I think and I hope to lose another stone. After VLM I am fully signed up to Ultra Running Limited's 'The Joust 24HR' as a solo participant so that will clearly be my main focus after London, need to try and find a 12 hour/50 mile event at some stage around end of June or start of July ideally. Any ideas please let me know (waits for Mrs S to make a Scotland suggestion). Am also planning to do a little more on the bike over the Summer and have already tentatively arranged two or three Summer days in the Lakes with my brother, brother in law, families and others. V'rap, El Bee put the kettle on x Apart from that am intent on doing the Likeys Beacons Ultra next November and then it will be 2015 and....... Will start/continue to shake the charity bucket too, would love to reach £5000 for the year. So what are your plans?

Hardly Chris Vroom

Been a week or two, maybe longer, since I wrote anything so bear with me if I ramble but do be aware that this is very much a cycling blog and may well end up with me asking more questions than telling you what has been happening but I will try to begin with telling you what has been happening with my training. Firstly I ran 165 miles in June which should convince me that everything is in proper working order now, still doing all the runs at 70%WHR and below but with my plans as they are I don't think I have a lot of reason to go much faster although I am going to introduce a weekly tempo run or interval session by the end of the month. The major excitement of the last few weeks has been regards my work joining the Cycle 2 Work scheme. My colleagues in my office thought it was hysterical how excited I became when I received the email about the scheme, more excited than their children at Christmas by all accounts. So I had a peruse of what was on offer and within the range set and after road testing it plumped for the Cannondale Caad 8 Tiagra with dual purpose pedals (I will buy some shoes v.soon but am currently using the flats) and specialized puncture resistant tyres. Here is a link if you want a peek: http://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/p56418/cannondale-caad8-tiagra-2013-road-bike Since putting a photo in the gallery on Fetch I have been confused by a couple of comments. One I was asked was what heat it is packing on the back? I don't know? The spec is above, you tell me? and then explain what it means please :-) is a technical discipline in lots of ways and I need educating. Also there were a few comments about the reflectors, hadn't really noticed them myself, is it uncool to have them or something? Anyway as soon as I knew when the bike would be ready I entered yesterdays Pedal for Parkinson's 55 miler that was starting less than 2 miles from my front door and having covered only 38 miles on the bike before the event was not sure how it would go, as I didn't know over half the route and it was a tad warm. I think it went ok. Was actually only 50 miles because Pembrey Forest is still waterlogged :-0 but I completed it in 3hrs 40 mins with around 750 metres of ascent and descent, can you see the profile from this link? http://www.fetcheveryone.com/routes-view.php?id=1409133&subtab=elevation The most positive part of the ride for me was actually the ascents, I found them relatively easy and was passing a lot of people and not being passed myself. Could this be just because I am fitter than the average bear? What I don't understand is why so many people were passing me on the downhills, not the winding ones, where I may have been guilty of riding on my brakes a little, but the long straight downhills? Would you be in the highest gear on these and giving it all or freewheeling? I can't recall what was happening now just that people were passing me by as if I was going backwards. Anyway I enjoyed and the clotted cream and raspberry pavlova double scoop ice cream at the end was to die for, as was the copious amount of ice cold cider I drank for the rest of the day watching Murray own Djokovic and Chris Froome being abandoned by Team Sky. Funniest part of the ride for me though was quite early on after getting to the top of one of the aforementioned ascents feeling quite fresh and passing a lot of the riders who had stopped at the top to take a breather. As I headed down a winding descent safe in the knowledge there was no-one behind me I was joking to myself that I should be called Chris Vroom just as I rounded a bend in a relatively high gear to be faced immediately by a steep ascent. Suffice to say I was too late changing gears and stopped dead so then had to resume from a standing start on one of the steepest ascents of the day, lots of people passed me then. Will teach me for showing off :-) So I like the bike but as I said to my BIL last night I am still a runner, I have to be with the races I have entered and am happy to be, but I can sort of see how the bike takes over for some people. I would normally have a rest day on a Monday but was so easy to get on the bike and do a quick(ish) recovery ride of 12 miles earlier. I know it is a new toy but it seems easier to motivate myself for the bike, I certainly don't recall even when I only had the MTB thinking I really don't fancy this as I do sometimes with running. That said I fully intend to get 50 miles in on two feet this week, is just that I will probably do 100 on the bike too. I'm going to finish by saying how much it makes me laugh that people are now moaning about it being too hot to run. Although I do feel for those completing endurance events you just have to slow down and stay hydrated don't you? Is all about perceived effort isn't it? If for instance you have an interval session lined up yes you may be a fair bit slower than the norm for the same effort but you are still making that effort, you don't go out and try even harder to go your normal pace do you? At least I wouldn't......