Tuesday 22 December 2009
Monday 7 December 2009
Healing Heels
Not one for the squeamish. The day after getting back from Wales (see previous posts) I had to go over to Liverpool to view a flat my daughter Vicky was looking at for her new job. This meant me wandering around for a few hours after work. On the train back to Manchester my heels were teeth gittingly painful. I had to wait ages for a train in Manchester and was dying to take off my shoes to releive the pain but daren't as I knew I'd not get them back on again. By the time I got back to my room in Whaley Bridge it was nearly midnight and my heels were swollen. I could hardly walk and was nearly in tears. Back in the B&B I performed minor surgery on my heels cutting away the loose and dead skin. This was the result:
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Needless to say I couldn't get my shoes on the next day.
As for the black toenails, they came off a couple of days later.
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Needless to say I couldn't get my shoes on the next day.
As for the black toenails, they came off a couple of days later.
OMM 2009 - Class B - Day 2
The pain in my knee didn't prevent me dropping straight back off to sleep. The 6 o'clock alarm woke us up just before the megaphone man wandered round the field announcing start times. The pain didn't make a reappearance so, not wanting to tempt fate, I didn't mention it. As it turned out I had no knee problems all day, unlike the day before.
The new sleeping bag was fine in the night but it probably didn't drop below 5 deg C. I'm not sure it would be comfortable at 0 deg which is what it's rated at but down filling apparently reacts to temperature drops and fluffs up. I'll have ot wait and see.
Breakfast consisted of Expedition Food's porridge and strawberries. It was a bit on the sweet side but very filling. The rain had stopped and the sky was clear but there was a bitter wind blowing. We were ejected from sheltering in the barn while killing time before the start. So we wandered up to the start ten minutes before our time.
The first control was straight up onto the top and along a shoulder heading south. As with the day before route choice was very limited. A mixture of grass, bogs and tussocks took us over an undulating route, west of Drygarn Fawr, to controls 2 and 3.
Things started to go awry at control 4. The woods we thought we were heading for were actually hidden out of sight behind a hill, so we overshot. The fence was a clue but we thought maybe they hadn't put it on the map. Note to self: "Trust the sodding map!!!". Ten minute later we're back on track. At this point I can feel my right heel starting to blister. It was bearable so I kept going. It was at this point that we came across the first of the many dead sheep that we found. There's often one or two sheep remains on a run but we must have come across a dozen by the end of the day. I later heard that one competitor fell into a decomposing sheep carcase.
From there on in the blister was joined by another on my left heel. We had to stop at control 7 to patch up my heels. The compeeds lasted about 5 minutes before coming off. It was a case of grin and bear it from then on. We picked off control 8 then headed across to 9 and on approaching it the tightly packed contours on the map manifested into the world dropping away under our feet. Control 9 was a little dot down at the bottom of one of those slopes you wouldn't attempt without some nice spikey soles. Dave dashed off down while I gingerly eased my way down. We climbed back up at a tangent rather than go straight back up.
Back up on the top we picked off control 10, found 11 in its 'stoney renetrant' and picked up the zig zag path down to 12. Then it was down into the Elan Valley and a flat run of about a mile to the finish line.
A short walk to Elan Village later we found ourselves in a queue for the bus back to the event centre. There was a soup tent serving delicious soup so we indulged in a couple of cupfuls while waiting. What we couldn't see was the queue winding itself down the road.
An hour later we reached the front of the queue. The weather was on our side but had it been cold and wet I reckon there'd have been a few cases of hypothermia. The warmth of the bus was very welcome.
Back at the event centre I had my first ever shower at an OMM. They were lovely and hot if a little grimy after several hundred other competitiors had used them. My feet were in a state. I'd ripped the skin off both heels and had two black toenails.
Our overnight 38th place had dropped to 63rd after our day 2 glitches. All things considered though not a bad weekend's work.
Post script: Dave went on to win the Bingley Harriers' 2009 club championship which shows that he was on a roll this year.
The new sleeping bag was fine in the night but it probably didn't drop below 5 deg C. I'm not sure it would be comfortable at 0 deg which is what it's rated at but down filling apparently reacts to temperature drops and fluffs up. I'll have ot wait and see.
Breakfast consisted of Expedition Food's porridge and strawberries. It was a bit on the sweet side but very filling. The rain had stopped and the sky was clear but there was a bitter wind blowing. We were ejected from sheltering in the barn while killing time before the start. So we wandered up to the start ten minutes before our time.
The first control was straight up onto the top and along a shoulder heading south. As with the day before route choice was very limited. A mixture of grass, bogs and tussocks took us over an undulating route, west of Drygarn Fawr, to controls 2 and 3.
Things started to go awry at control 4. The woods we thought we were heading for were actually hidden out of sight behind a hill, so we overshot. The fence was a clue but we thought maybe they hadn't put it on the map. Note to self: "Trust the sodding map!!!". Ten minute later we're back on track. At this point I can feel my right heel starting to blister. It was bearable so I kept going. It was at this point that we came across the first of the many dead sheep that we found. There's often one or two sheep remains on a run but we must have come across a dozen by the end of the day. I later heard that one competitor fell into a decomposing sheep carcase.
From there on in the blister was joined by another on my left heel. We had to stop at control 7 to patch up my heels. The compeeds lasted about 5 minutes before coming off. It was a case of grin and bear it from then on. We picked off control 8 then headed across to 9 and on approaching it the tightly packed contours on the map manifested into the world dropping away under our feet. Control 9 was a little dot down at the bottom of one of those slopes you wouldn't attempt without some nice spikey soles. Dave dashed off down while I gingerly eased my way down. We climbed back up at a tangent rather than go straight back up.
Back up on the top we picked off control 10, found 11 in its 'stoney renetrant' and picked up the zig zag path down to 12. Then it was down into the Elan Valley and a flat run of about a mile to the finish line.
A short walk to Elan Village later we found ourselves in a queue for the bus back to the event centre. There was a soup tent serving delicious soup so we indulged in a couple of cupfuls while waiting. What we couldn't see was the queue winding itself down the road.
An hour later we reached the front of the queue. The weather was on our side but had it been cold and wet I reckon there'd have been a few cases of hypothermia. The warmth of the bus was very welcome.
Back at the event centre I had my first ever shower at an OMM. They were lovely and hot if a little grimy after several hundred other competitiors had used them. My feet were in a state. I'd ripped the skin off both heels and had two black toenails.
Our overnight 38th place had dropped to 63rd after our day 2 glitches. All things considered though not a bad weekend's work.
Post script: Dave went on to win the Bingley Harriers' 2009 club championship which shows that he was on a roll this year.
Thursday 29 October 2009
2009 OMM LIMP PICS
Official piccies from the end of Day 2.
Not sure why I'm smiling, I've got no skin on my heels and two of my toenails are about to drop off. Those endorphines work wonders.
Not sure why I'm smiling, I've got no skin on my heels and two of my toenails are about to drop off. Those endorphines work wonders.
Tuesday 27 October 2009
OMM 2009 - Class B - Day 1
I'll say one thing for the OMM/KIMM. You get to see places you wouldn't normally visit. It's just that now and again there's a reason you wouldn't normally go there. Take the 2001 KIMM for example up in Clydes MuirSheil Regional Park, Scotland. A trackless wasteland of bogs and tussocks. Being so close to Glasgow et al you'd expect a few paths but no. Who'd want to trudge through that when there's the Highlands within reach. Expectations for this weekend were pretty much based on that experience and to a certain degree I was pleasantly surprised that some (around half) of the course was fairly pleasant runnable terrain with the odd non-OMM created track here and there. However, the other half of the course however made up for that in shedloads. Miles and miles of gloopy shoe sucking wobbly featureless plateau. The anticipated tussocks were no match for Muirsheil's ministry of silly walks monsters but they were just as lethal in their own ankle snapping way. Taking your eye off the path immediately ahead resulted in a twisted ankle or a dip in a particularly deep trough of black sticky goo.
One of those weird coincidences happened at the event centre. While waiting in the queue for the gents I saw Rick Ansell from Tring (where I live). He's unmistakable in the fell running circuit as he has a large ginger afro hairdo. I asked him how many Tring runners were taking part then he asked me which club I was in. I explained that I lived in Tring but had actually recently joined the Goyt Valley Striders as I'm working up there (160 miles from Tring). Blow me if he didn't then introduce his partner Mark Richards who's in the Goyt Valley Striders. How weird is that?
So, back to the event where a fun time was had by all (except those who had their tents knicked from the Friday night campsite). Thanks to last year's media bollocks, this year saw a few changes. The event centre was in the Welsh national showground with proper buildings and everything instead of in a barn. This resulted in us having to be bussed to the start. A half hour trip to the Elan Valley. Everyone assumed that we'd be taken to the Elan Village but instead we were unceremoniously dumped in a layby and had to walk half a mile or so up a hill to the start gates.
Dave and I had very late start time of 11:23 (or 11:33 as Dave thought). As luck would have it we checked our time at exactly the time we were due through the gates. We seem to make a habit of that.
One advantage of a late start was the clearing up of the low cloud that hindered the early starters. Visibility was good for the whole weekend. Dave did all the navigation this time apart from a couple of incidents when his spatial awareness wires got crossed. I didn't even get my compass out the whole weekend. To be honest being so late the routes were well trodden leaving navigation choices, with one or two exceptions, simply a matter of choosing which OMM-path to take when we came to a split.
Equipmentwise, I was back to my old KIMM SAC after snapping the waist belt on my Salomon rucksac during last year's OMM. I wore my GORE shorts and a HH top and, for the first and last bits, my green Salomon goretex jacket. On my feet I wore my Hilly mono socks on day 1 with my Inov-8 Mudclaw 3-something or others. For the overnight camp we had my good old North Face Westwind tent and I was carrying my new PHD Minim 300 sleeping bag and Minimus down jacket. As I've mentioned before in this blog the shoes have a grip to die for but they don't really suit my feet. By tying the lace really tight I can eliminate the heel lift but they don't give my heels the support they need. My over pronation caused the left side of the left shoe to dig into my foot just below the ankle bone. Fortunately I'd brought some long lengths of plaster that protected that. Our bags came in at 21 lbs this year. Far too heavy but it's difficult to know what to cut down on without making the long overnight camp a miserable experience.
So, the course went from the start up and along a ridge before dropping across a shallow valley and over the other side to control 1 conveniently placed on a bridle track.
Then it was along the track, over a road, more track then off the edge down to the side of one of the reservoirs to control 2. Another easy find.
The direct line to control three was straight across the reservoir but unlike a ladies team in a previous LAMM who swam across a lake rather than run round it we opted for the dry (well drier) route. North along the side of the reservoir, over a road bridge, up the road for half a mile then onto yet another track.
We followed this to the top then dropped off to the right into a re-entrant and control 3. Down the side of a valley heading north, past an out of bounds farm and up over the other side of the valley to control 4. As usual Dave was the stronger ascender and he left me on this climb and had found the control before I found him again. A slight bending of the 'must stick together' rule there. More track, getting a bit boggier (is that a word?), took us along a ridge to control 5. Apart from a few of the steeper uphill sections we had managed to run a large part of the course and felt we were making good time. Next was the monster leg, 9k of relentless undulating soggy plateau. Moving across this terrain is drudgery of the highest order. Relying almost entirely on my aerobic ability for my running this slow sapping strength work is not my cup of tea. Especially as my largely dormant bad knee was making its presence felt. I couldn't apply much pressure on it and ended up up developing a sort of peg leg running style where I'd simply pivot on my left leg rather than push with it.
Run a bit, walk through the swamps, run a bit, up the side of a valley head, run a bit, more swamp, more swamp, run a bit and so on. On this section we passed Adrian (see 3 Peaks) and his partner Martin doing the C class course. Looking at their results it seems that they packed at around that point as they missed all of the remaining controls.
Eventually it was round a knoll and control 6 was dibbed. I bonked at this point and had to have a gel, a fruit bar and some malt loaf to bring me round again. Finally it was over the last ridge then down into the valley for the last control of the day (before the finish one)and onto the campsite.
Our fears of finishing in the dark (for which I'd forked out a vast amount of dosh on a decent headtorch) were unfounded as we finished with an hour's daylight left, as were our fears of not finding a (relatively) decent spot for our tent. The campfield was enormous with loads of room. The ground was a bit waterlogged but by previous standards it was pretty good (apart from the fact that my trusty Westwind seems to have a weepy groundsheet). We were trying out some new freeze dried foods this year from Expedition Foods. These just need boiling water to be added and don't require boiling for ages. We ended up with loads of spare gas and the foods were pretty good. We'll be using them again I reckon.
Checking the results board on Saturday night we found we were 38th in the B class (out of some 400 teams I think). Not a bad days work. Slept like a log for 10 hours apart from waking up to turn over and having a horrible pain in my left knee. It felt as if it had seized up and I had images of telling Dave that we had to retire in the morning.
One of those weird coincidences happened at the event centre. While waiting in the queue for the gents I saw Rick Ansell from Tring (where I live). He's unmistakable in the fell running circuit as he has a large ginger afro hairdo. I asked him how many Tring runners were taking part then he asked me which club I was in. I explained that I lived in Tring but had actually recently joined the Goyt Valley Striders as I'm working up there (160 miles from Tring). Blow me if he didn't then introduce his partner Mark Richards who's in the Goyt Valley Striders. How weird is that?
So, back to the event where a fun time was had by all (except those who had their tents knicked from the Friday night campsite). Thanks to last year's media bollocks, this year saw a few changes. The event centre was in the Welsh national showground with proper buildings and everything instead of in a barn. This resulted in us having to be bussed to the start. A half hour trip to the Elan Valley. Everyone assumed that we'd be taken to the Elan Village but instead we were unceremoniously dumped in a layby and had to walk half a mile or so up a hill to the start gates.
Dave and I had very late start time of 11:23 (or 11:33 as Dave thought). As luck would have it we checked our time at exactly the time we were due through the gates. We seem to make a habit of that.
One advantage of a late start was the clearing up of the low cloud that hindered the early starters. Visibility was good for the whole weekend. Dave did all the navigation this time apart from a couple of incidents when his spatial awareness wires got crossed. I didn't even get my compass out the whole weekend. To be honest being so late the routes were well trodden leaving navigation choices, with one or two exceptions, simply a matter of choosing which OMM-path to take when we came to a split.
Equipmentwise, I was back to my old KIMM SAC after snapping the waist belt on my Salomon rucksac during last year's OMM. I wore my GORE shorts and a HH top and, for the first and last bits, my green Salomon goretex jacket. On my feet I wore my Hilly mono socks on day 1 with my Inov-8 Mudclaw 3-something or others. For the overnight camp we had my good old North Face Westwind tent and I was carrying my new PHD Minim 300 sleeping bag and Minimus down jacket. As I've mentioned before in this blog the shoes have a grip to die for but they don't really suit my feet. By tying the lace really tight I can eliminate the heel lift but they don't give my heels the support they need. My over pronation caused the left side of the left shoe to dig into my foot just below the ankle bone. Fortunately I'd brought some long lengths of plaster that protected that. Our bags came in at 21 lbs this year. Far too heavy but it's difficult to know what to cut down on without making the long overnight camp a miserable experience.
So, the course went from the start up and along a ridge before dropping across a shallow valley and over the other side to control 1 conveniently placed on a bridle track.
Then it was along the track, over a road, more track then off the edge down to the side of one of the reservoirs to control 2. Another easy find.
The direct line to control three was straight across the reservoir but unlike a ladies team in a previous LAMM who swam across a lake rather than run round it we opted for the dry (well drier) route. North along the side of the reservoir, over a road bridge, up the road for half a mile then onto yet another track.
We followed this to the top then dropped off to the right into a re-entrant and control 3. Down the side of a valley heading north, past an out of bounds farm and up over the other side of the valley to control 4. As usual Dave was the stronger ascender and he left me on this climb and had found the control before I found him again. A slight bending of the 'must stick together' rule there. More track, getting a bit boggier (is that a word?), took us along a ridge to control 5. Apart from a few of the steeper uphill sections we had managed to run a large part of the course and felt we were making good time. Next was the monster leg, 9k of relentless undulating soggy plateau. Moving across this terrain is drudgery of the highest order. Relying almost entirely on my aerobic ability for my running this slow sapping strength work is not my cup of tea. Especially as my largely dormant bad knee was making its presence felt. I couldn't apply much pressure on it and ended up up developing a sort of peg leg running style where I'd simply pivot on my left leg rather than push with it.
Run a bit, walk through the swamps, run a bit, up the side of a valley head, run a bit, more swamp, more swamp, run a bit and so on. On this section we passed Adrian (see 3 Peaks) and his partner Martin doing the C class course. Looking at their results it seems that they packed at around that point as they missed all of the remaining controls.
Eventually it was round a knoll and control 6 was dibbed. I bonked at this point and had to have a gel, a fruit bar and some malt loaf to bring me round again. Finally it was over the last ridge then down into the valley for the last control of the day (before the finish one)and onto the campsite.
Our fears of finishing in the dark (for which I'd forked out a vast amount of dosh on a decent headtorch) were unfounded as we finished with an hour's daylight left, as were our fears of not finding a (relatively) decent spot for our tent. The campfield was enormous with loads of room. The ground was a bit waterlogged but by previous standards it was pretty good (apart from the fact that my trusty Westwind seems to have a weepy groundsheet). We were trying out some new freeze dried foods this year from Expedition Foods. These just need boiling water to be added and don't require boiling for ages. We ended up with loads of spare gas and the foods were pretty good. We'll be using them again I reckon.
Checking the results board on Saturday night we found we were 38th in the B class (out of some 400 teams I think). Not a bad days work. Slept like a log for 10 hours apart from waking up to turn over and having a horrible pain in my left knee. It felt as if it had seized up and I had images of telling Dave that we had to retire in the morning.
Tuesday 13 October 2009
Ridgeway No Way
Pictures borrowed from the excellent 'TheRacePhotographer'.
Just as I thought I was making a breakthrough I come down to earth with a bump. Expecting to knock a few minutes off my Ridgeway Run time on Sunday I went and added 3 minutes to it instead. I just had no strength on the hills and stopped on two of them (at the bottom of the first one to be honest), used both drink stations as an excuse to stop and even went behind bush for a pee as an excuse. I was so close to packing in trying and just jogging back. Felt a bit better in the second half and even pulled a dozen places back but it was too late by then. Ironically I had no problem with the knee or the calf muscles or anything else for that matter. I just felt crap.
Official image in the post.The stats are 9.6 miles hilly off-roader, 1h 15m, 95th out of 473 finishers. (See course here) Still upper quartile but not an enjoyable run. Only just beginning to feel normal over two days later. Having a rest this week. I might go out on Thursday night.
Not sure what the explanation is other than I might have overdone it last week with four hard runs over four nights. I felt sluggish on Thursday night (having felt great up to then (see previous post)) but I thought it was because I was with the fast lads in the GV Striders. Also need to look at my diet as I'm living on Marks and Spencer's sandwiches and pasta dishes during the week living away from home as I am.
The weather was fine. Looked like it would stay cloudy with a cool breeze so I togged up in black only to have the sun come out as soon as I walked out of the door. Where's a nice green and white vest when you need one? One runner was togged up in long tights, long sleeved top, hat and scarf (he's at the back of the middle picture). I'd have died wearing that lot. I ran the mile or so to the start and felt ok. The late start (11:00) wouldn't have helped either.
Finisher's tea-shirts were OK this year. Black with and orange design on the front.
I guess I'll have to put that one down to experience. Got the OMM in a couple of weeks.
Thursday 8 October 2009
Changing Shape
Something weird is happening. Followers of this blog will know that I hold more store in losing a bit of weight rather than getting fitter as a better way of increasing speed and stamina (think bags of sugar). So I'm trying to keep under 2500 calories a day while also running most nights. The result seems to be that my waist is reducing as I've gone down two notches on my belt (no it isn't stretching) recently but haven't lost an ounce (so far).
I'm thinking that perhaps I'm putting on leg muscle with all this hill running. I've noticed a change in my running this week too. I seem to be able to handle the hills a lot better (although I still struggle with the faster boys in the GVS). I feel a lot lighter on my feet. I'll be interested to see what the weight is doing when I get home this weekend.
Doing the Ridgeway Run again this Sunday (See 2008). Suspect I'll be the only GVS runner in that one.
I'm thinking that perhaps I'm putting on leg muscle with all this hill running. I've noticed a change in my running this week too. I seem to be able to handle the hills a lot better (although I still struggle with the faster boys in the GVS). I feel a lot lighter on my feet. I'll be interested to see what the weight is doing when I get home this weekend.
Doing the Ridgeway Run again this Sunday (See 2008). Suspect I'll be the only GVS runner in that one.
The Lure of the Green and White Vests
Having just had my contract extended another three months and regularly going on the GVS training runs I felt obliged to join. I wouldn't mind but I don't like green and white kit. The last time I was a member of a running club was back in the 90's when we still lived in York and I joined Wigginton AC. Their colours were green and white: dark green shoulders, light green chest band, white bottom half. The Goyt Valley Striders is the same except there's no dark green bit. I could have joined Bingley or Tring with their nice blue and white vests but I seem to end up in Green and White. C'est la vie. Regardless of their colours they're a good mixed bunch. I enjoy my evenings out with them.
(Picture borrowed from www.goytvalleystriders.org.uk)
Just as an aside, when we lived in York we were about three miles from both Wigginton and Long Marston (site of the battle of Marston Moor). We then moved 200 miles down to Tring and now live a couple of miles from Wigginton and Long Marston. How weird is that?
(Picture borrowed from www.goytvalleystriders.org.uk)Just as an aside, when we lived in York we were about three miles from both Wigginton and Long Marston (site of the battle of Marston Moor). We then moved 200 miles down to Tring and now live a couple of miles from Wigginton and Long Marston. How weird is that?
Sunday 20 September 2009
Hot and Sweaty (and that was just the barn dance!)
Having been tempted to run the High Peak 40 by my new friends in the Goyt Valley Striders I was reliably informed by my lovely wife Rosie that I had a prior commitment to attend the birthday barn dance of our friend Sue 150 miles away at home. So, as a compromise I decided to have a go at running the eastern half of the Ridgeway National Trail which starts a couple of miles from our house. I planned to run from Ivinghoe Beacon to South Stoke near Goring, a distance of around 42 miles.
The furthest I'd run before in one go was 28 miles while training for the Jungfrau (although I have cycled 240 miles in a day a few times but that's another story). Having jogged round the Bath half marathon with my daughter Lucy and not even breaking into a sweat I reckoned that at the right pace and with the right hydration and nutrition it should be possible to run a very long way without too much effort or damage. That was the theory. I was also conscious that I had to be careful to keep my one remaining functioning kidney safe from dehydrating.
My plan is below showing the stopping points where I would refuel (apologies for the format):
Time per leg - Place - Distance - Longitude - Latitude
n/a - Ivinghoe Beacon - 0 - N51.841717 - W0.6047630
1h 40m - Wendover (Hale Rd - Church Ln) - 10 miles - N51.756136 - W0.7350920
1h - Whiteleaf Cross (Car Park) - 16 miles - N51.724976 - W0.8093060
1h - Chinnor Hill - 22 miles - N51.695834 - W0.9012360
50m - Watlington, B480 - 28 miles - N51.633627 - W0.9992090
50m - 'The Crown', Gangsdown Hill (A4130) - 33 miles - N51.584183 - W1.0267440
35m - Mongewell A4074 (old road/layby) - 37 miles - N51.585102 - W1.1109520
45m - Perch and Pike Pub, South Stoke - 40.5 miles - N51.546950 - W1.1371820
My intention to start at 7:00 a.m. didn't go down to well with my support crew (Rosie and daughter Vicky) so I changed that to 7:30. This was still a tad ambitious as, working away from home during the week and not getting back until Friday evening, I had to prepare in the late evening (not helped by going to watch District 9 at the cinema that evening) and first thing in the morning. I eventually started at 9:40. Better late than never.
The weather was overcast but warm to start. I took our dog Pheobe on the first leg (10 miles to Wendover). I tried to keep the pace down but occassionally found myself running at normal pace. Conscious that dogs can overheat I took a couple of small detours to let Phoebe dunk herslef in cattle troughs. She loves to go running and spends the first hour dashing around sniffing at everything but then get a little bored and trots alongside. The run to Wendover was nice and steady. I was worried about a field full of cows that the Ridgeway runs through the middle of but they were all lying down in a corner. Rosie was there to meet me at the agreed place near Wendover church. I topped up my camelback with another litre of water and threw in a couple of Nuun isotonic tablets (cola flavoured), drank a bottle of Lucasade isotonic, ate a muller rice and had a sip of miso boullion (a tip picked up fromthe Jungfrau, to replace the salt lost in sweating). Rosie took Pheobe home and I took off on my own.
It was starting to get warm. The clouds thinned and temperature rose steadily to the mid-20's and there was absolutely no wind. This results in massive amounts of sweating as the body tries to keep cool. I was constantly sipping from the camelback to replace it.
From Wendover it was up over Coombe Hill, down past Chequers (first pit stop (in a bush not in Gordon's loo)), over the shoulder of Pulpit Hill then up to the top of Whiteleaf Cross hill (16 miles) where I met up with Vicky for my second stop. I changed my shirt (wringing out at least a pint of sweat), shorts, socks, shoes (road shoes after trail shoes) and hat. Another Muller Rice and a variety of drinks went down the hatch.
From Whiteleaf it was down and along the back of Princes Risborough then followed the Ridgeway in a big loop to the south. A brisk walk up Lodge Hill then down towards Chinnor. On the way down I was checking out some signs to make sure I didn't miss a turning when I went over on my right ankle. As has happened quite a few times I thought I'd really damaged it only to find that there's no problem (unlike on this year's 3 Peaks). I then started on what must be the longest straight stretch on any national trail. Nearly eight miles without a bend to speak of. I could see a prime example of iPod man jogging up ahead along this stretch so I couldn't resist burning him up (I know it's not funny or clever but I can't resist it. Sorry.). A couple of miles along this stretch I arrived at my third stop near the Chinnor quarries (22.5 miles) to find that Vicky wasn't there. Fortunately she turned up a few mintues later. Another top up of the camelbak. I was drinking about a litre for every 6 miles plus drinks (isotonic, recovery, coffee, boullion) at the stops. Then it was off again. The old legs were beginning to stiffen up after these stops including the knee making its presence felt but soon loosened up again. Half a mile into this strech a couple of policemen were searching the ground. Not sure what for but they looked pretty bored.
This stretch is gently rolling for ages, occassionally in the open and occassionally through trees. I recognised certain points from when we had to navigate the mud (now dried up) while cycling the Ridgeway with friends a few years ago. I passed through the marathon distance just before running under the M40 as it emerged from the cutting (as seen on Vicar of Dibley opening shots) on its way to Oxford. It was here that I noticed my ankle was very sore from having clipped it with my other foot. The skin on the ankle bone was rubbed raw so I rolled my sock over it intending to stick a Compeed plaster on it at the next stop. The weather by now had settled into one of those rare sultry days ideal for sitting out by a riverside pub but not what you want for running in all day. I was getting a bit bored with sipping the isotonic stuff by now but I forced it down anyway. So it was on to the next stop south of Watlington where I arrived at around 4:00.
When I arrived Vicky said that she had a confession to make. She was going out at 6:30! So, not wanting to spoil her evening (and the fact that I was supposed to be at that barn dance at 7:30) I decided to cut my run short. I would do the next leg then we would go home. I had proven to myself that my theory about hydration and nutrition works even on such a hot and sweaty day. I was a bit weary but had cracked the run. The last 7 miles that I would miss were downhill to the River Thames then flat along the river. There was no way I wouldn't have been able to finish the run. Point proven.
So, into the last leg. Finish off the straight bit then left up into an undulating five miles past Swyncombe church and house. This section was a relief after the relative monotony of the straight section. A nice mixture of hills, fields, buildings and woods. The last section to the Crown on the Gangsdown Hill road near Nuffield was across a couple of large freshly ploughed fields then through a wood onto the noisy A4130. Vicky was waiting across the road in the pub car park. A quick change then we were off taking a short detour to visit Turville which is the setting for the vicarage and church in the Vicar of Dibley. Driving back made me realise how far it was that I'd run. I suppose that's the beauty of a point to point run. You can see how far it is. I'd run across the width of two OS Explorer maps (sheets 171 and 172).
Back home I was amazed at how good I felt. I did ache a little and was a bit weary but I could easily get up out chairs, run up the stairs and not the slighest hint of cramp. I had a nice bath, a bowl of Rosie's home made veggie soup and a bowl of pasta then got ready for the barn dance. Unlike my expectations of sitting in a corner feeling sorry for myself I took part in several dances without any signs of having just spent over seven hours running. Marvellous.
The next day I drove back up to the B&B in Whaley Bridge and this morning I had to sprint uphill to catch the train and jumped onto the train just as the door shut. No problem, no aches and pains, no heavy breathing. Not bad for an old git. After all that I still don't know how far I can run but it's a good start. Next time I'll maybe do some pre-planning and preparation.
Friday 21 August 2009
Up(hill)date
Just a quick word to fill in the last few weeks. I'm now working in Manchester on a 3 month contract and am staying in a B&B in Whaley Bridge during the week. This is in the Peak District and has plenty of hills to play on. So, four weeks ago, with my knee more or less behaving itself I took myself for a run over Taxal Moor. I nearly stopped at one point with the pain but continued and found that the pain receeded. Since then I've been out at least four times a week and have started going out with the Goyt Valley Striders on their mid-week training runs. A fine bunch of runners (which is a relief after encountering some right miserable gits while out on my own). I even had a crack at their Eccles Pike fell race on Wednesday. This is a quick sprint straight up and down the pike (3 miles, 817 feet), much too short for me but the knee held out. I find that I've altered my running style since the knee injury. I can't storm downhill any more which was my one defence against being crap at running uphill. It still feels like there's a fluid sac under the knee cap and it is a little sore after a strenuous run but it's more than manageable. It's just such a relief to be running again.
I'm now being tempted by the High Peak 40 in September. Sounds like kill or cure.
I'm now being tempted by the High Peak 40 in September. Sounds like kill or cure.
Sunday 21 June 2009
Knees and Oils
Six weeks in and the knee is not fully fit still. This is doubly frustrating as I'm 'between contracts' at the moment and could have really got some decent runs in. However, this morning I wnet on the treadmill to test out the knee. I could still feel it (a bit of pressure under the kneecap and the odd twinge at what I think is each end of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This is on the outer edge of the tibia and inner edge of the femur.) but managed to complete a mile at 5 mph then 7.5 mph. It seems to have loosened things up a bit and certainly hasn't appeared to have done any damage. Hopefully have another go tomorrow.
Anyway, whilst I've been laid up I'm been persuing my attempts to learn how to paint. I'm now onto my sixth painting and have just set up a blog to share the results and my experiences. Take a look at Slapping Oil on Canvas
The next stage is to become official painter to the FRA and OMM!
Anyway, whilst I've been laid up I'm been persuing my attempts to learn how to paint. I'm now onto my sixth painting and have just set up a blog to share the results and my experiences. Take a look at Slapping Oil on Canvas
The next stage is to become official painter to the FRA and OMM!
Saturday 23 May 2009
Woe is Me, I've Hurt my Knee
Feeling a bit cheesed off as I'm out of action after doing something to my left knee. I was hoping to springboard off the 3 Peaks and start putting some proper miles in. Maybe I should have done that before as I reckon it was the lack of miles that has done me in.
I'm suspecting the extra stress I put on my left leg after spraining my right ankle on the 3 Peaks has caused this. Post 3 Peaks it took me four days before I could actually walk again without wincing over my extremely aching legs. Once I could feel my legs again my left knee would click while I was walking. There was no pain or discomfort so I went out for a run in the Foret de Soigne near where I was staying in Terverun. Thirty minutes in and my knee was playing up. I then ran another thirty minutes back by which time I was in a bit of pain (I know, I'm stupid and should have walked but it was getting dark and I was in the middle of an enormous forest).
So, I've rested it for a week or so and I can still feel it when using stairs and it still clicks occasionally. If it's not improved by next week I suppose I'll have to go to see a specialist.
Bummer.
I'm suspecting the extra stress I put on my left leg after spraining my right ankle on the 3 Peaks has caused this. Post 3 Peaks it took me four days before I could actually walk again without wincing over my extremely aching legs. Once I could feel my legs again my left knee would click while I was walking. There was no pain or discomfort so I went out for a run in the Foret de Soigne near where I was staying in Terverun. Thirty minutes in and my knee was playing up. I then ran another thirty minutes back by which time I was in a bit of pain (I know, I'm stupid and should have walked but it was getting dark and I was in the middle of an enormous forest).
So, I've rested it for a week or so and I can still feel it when using stairs and it still clicks occasionally. If it's not improved by next week I suppose I'll have to go to see a specialist.
Bummer.
Wednesday 29 April 2009
Coincidental Heart Club
I forgot to mention that Dave's excellent 4:04 in the 3 Peaks on Saturday was gadget assisted.
Remember the pacemaker and heart monitor episode before the 2007 Jungfrau Marathon? Well the only other person I know to have one of these monitors was Dave and he had both the three day and seven day monitors at the same time as me. This was completely coincidental. Well he went on to have his heart zapped to stop it beating irregularly. That worked for a couple of years but now its back and he has had another 7 day monitor fitted. He ran the 3 Peaks with this thing strapped to his chest.
Talking of coincidences our race numbers in the 3 peaks were invertions of each other. Dave was 168 and I was 891. Wierd. Also, number 666 was a guy called Wulf. Now that can't be coincidence.
Talking of heart monitors. I've only recently (two years late) found out that the results from my 7 day test (back in April 2007) were fine (in so far as they don't want to fit a pacemaker). Nice of them to let me know.
While I'm on a roll I'd just like to note that there was a handful of runners from my local club doing the 3 peaks on Saturday. One even got onto page one of the results sheets. Many years ago I went on a couple of training runs with the club but they weren't very good so I didn't bother joining. They all beat me on Saturday so now they're too good so I won't bother joining! Only joking. I may wonder down one training night if I ever get back in the UK on a week day.
Keep on running (or at least thinking about it).
Tuesday 28 April 2009
The Woodentops
Just a quick plug for a couple I found out about this weekend: Dave and Eileen Woodhead.
On our way up to the start of the 3 Peaks at Horton from Bingley we came upon a tiny collapsible motorhome tilting round a roundabout. Dave said "It's the Woodentops" and went on to explain who they were.
Basically they live and breath fell running especially around Yorkshire and attend most of the events (as well as organising a few especially for kids) taking photos and posting them on their website. They run the Woodentops website from where (with their very kind permission (see their copyright statement)) I copied this picture of me.
This is either just before or just after Ribblehead Viaduct. That's Penyghent in the background. We'd just run up that then across to Ribblehead and were nearly 2 hours into the run which might explain the look on the two guys either side of me. I must say I'm looking rather cool and collected at this point. Probably very relieved that I'm not feeling as crap as I did last year as this is near where I dropped out on my first attempt.
On our way up to the start of the 3 Peaks at Horton from Bingley we came upon a tiny collapsible motorhome tilting round a roundabout. Dave said "It's the Woodentops" and went on to explain who they were.
Basically they live and breath fell running especially around Yorkshire and attend most of the events (as well as organising a few especially for kids) taking photos and posting them on their website. They run the Woodentops website from where (with their very kind permission (see their copyright statement)) I copied this picture of me.
(c)2009 Eileen Woodhead
This is either just before or just after Ribblehead Viaduct. That's Penyghent in the background. We'd just run up that then across to Ribblehead and were nearly 2 hours into the run which might explain the look on the two guys either side of me. I must say I'm looking rather cool and collected at this point. Probably very relieved that I'm not feeling as crap as I did last year as this is near where I dropped out on my first attempt.
Sunday 26 April 2009
3 Runners, 3 Peaks, 3 Finishers
Well I finally laid that ghost to rest. Finished the 3 peaks in 4h 43mins. Very glad to have completed but disappointed as I sprained my foot coming down Penyghent (first peak) with about 20 miles to go. It didn't bother me on flat ground (which was about 5% of the race) but on the rocky paths and downhill sections (where I normally make up for my slow ascents) I had to slow down and spent half my time hopping and hobbling when I caught the sprain. I also find it a lot more tiring to slow down on the downhills than just letting rip. It had me seriously worried just after I did it as when I got it it was so painful I had to pull up but eventually I realised it eased off after about 50 yards (until the next time). I reckon I could have cracked 4 30 without the sprain.
This photo shows my mate Dave (right) and his teammate Adrian (both Bingley Harriers) getting ready for the start. In the background you can just make out Penyghent through the haze. This was the first and by far easiest peak. We got to the top in 43 mins. As you can see the weather was fine. It was perfect running weather, sunny with a cool breeze (gale on the tops). I was aiming for 45 mins so a good start. It was then a long drag across to Ribblehead Viaduct before the climb up Whernside (where I packed last year). I reached Ribblehead in 1h 47m, ten minutes up on last year and feeling in a much better state. I was running just behind Adrian after Ribblehead when he did a spectactular face plant (fall). He was a bit shaken but otherwise OK (apparently he then fell again a mile later while crossing a stream). He picked himself up and managed to finish OK. Another Bingley runner crashed in a similar fashion on the top of Whernside, and on the way down a woman runner was being attended to after tripping. A lot of the path surfaces were very dangerous being covered in sharp irregular rocks. It made running with my sprain almost impossible in places.
So, it was up Whernside. I took it steady (not much choice really)and passed last year's drop out point without too much trouble then it was onto the vertical bit. It was quite a relief to drop onto all fours. So much easier on the legs. See the video of this year's (and four time) winner Rob Jebb from 2007 climbing the last section of Whernside:
The wind was so strong on the top that I had to fasten my hat down with my buff diadem style. The track down off Whernside gave me some serious problems with my sprain. I could hardly move without setting it off. I must have hopped most of the track along the top then dropping down the steep rocky edge was a nightmare. Eventually made it to the bottom and was fine on the track to the Hill Inn checkpoint. This was my main target as it was the last checkpoint where you could be timed out. At the start I'd hoped to make it inside the 3:30 cut off. I made it in 3:04. From then on it was just a case of keeping going to the finish. Just the small issue of Ingleborough to contend with.
The ascent was similar to Whernside with a steady drag up to a vertical hands and knees section onto the shoulder then the final climb onto the top. I was at the top in 4 hours. Then it was what should have been an enjoyable cruise down to the finish at Horton but turned into a cautious hobble. My foot went about a dozen times, each time me having to stop or limp until the pain wore off. I made it down in 43 minutes but reckon I could have done it a lot faster in normal conditions. Managed to grab a good half dozen places on the final sprint for the line. I finished 399th out of 614 finishers from 688 starters and 45th out of 120 in my age category. Overall I'm pleased with the results especially considering my lack of hill training and mileage. Dave did a cracking 4:04 taking something like 30 minutes out of me on Ingleborough. Adrian came in some 5 minutes behind me after his two tumbles.
Unlike last year when I made some stupid errors, this year it all went to plan (apart from leaving my prepared drinks behind in Dave's kitchen. I had to rush around getting replacements before the start.). I ended up running in my Salomon XA-Pros instead of the Inov-8 Mudclaws as the ground was so dry. They were fine (only one black toenail). I got the drink, gels and bars just right. I had 2 litres of isotonic drink, a few cups of water, four energy gels and an energy bar. My thighs ache a bit today but that's to be expected considering the training.
After a lovely recovery meal at Dave's (thanks to the lovely Angie) I drove back down south (3 hours on cruise control) to be home for Rosie's birthday (today).
Not sure I'll do it again as it clashes with Rosie's birthday, unless she wants to join me of course. Yeah right!
This photo shows my mate Dave (right) and his teammate Adrian (both Bingley Harriers) getting ready for the start. In the background you can just make out Penyghent through the haze. This was the first and by far easiest peak. We got to the top in 43 mins. As you can see the weather was fine. It was perfect running weather, sunny with a cool breeze (gale on the tops). I was aiming for 45 mins so a good start. It was then a long drag across to Ribblehead Viaduct before the climb up Whernside (where I packed last year). I reached Ribblehead in 1h 47m, ten minutes up on last year and feeling in a much better state. I was running just behind Adrian after Ribblehead when he did a spectactular face plant (fall). He was a bit shaken but otherwise OK (apparently he then fell again a mile later while crossing a stream). He picked himself up and managed to finish OK. Another Bingley runner crashed in a similar fashion on the top of Whernside, and on the way down a woman runner was being attended to after tripping. A lot of the path surfaces were very dangerous being covered in sharp irregular rocks. It made running with my sprain almost impossible in places.
So, it was up Whernside. I took it steady (not much choice really)and passed last year's drop out point without too much trouble then it was onto the vertical bit. It was quite a relief to drop onto all fours. So much easier on the legs. See the video of this year's (and four time) winner Rob Jebb from 2007 climbing the last section of Whernside:
The wind was so strong on the top that I had to fasten my hat down with my buff diadem style. The track down off Whernside gave me some serious problems with my sprain. I could hardly move without setting it off. I must have hopped most of the track along the top then dropping down the steep rocky edge was a nightmare. Eventually made it to the bottom and was fine on the track to the Hill Inn checkpoint. This was my main target as it was the last checkpoint where you could be timed out. At the start I'd hoped to make it inside the 3:30 cut off. I made it in 3:04. From then on it was just a case of keeping going to the finish. Just the small issue of Ingleborough to contend with.
The ascent was similar to Whernside with a steady drag up to a vertical hands and knees section onto the shoulder then the final climb onto the top. I was at the top in 4 hours. Then it was what should have been an enjoyable cruise down to the finish at Horton but turned into a cautious hobble. My foot went about a dozen times, each time me having to stop or limp until the pain wore off. I made it down in 43 minutes but reckon I could have done it a lot faster in normal conditions. Managed to grab a good half dozen places on the final sprint for the line. I finished 399th out of 614 finishers from 688 starters and 45th out of 120 in my age category. Overall I'm pleased with the results especially considering my lack of hill training and mileage. Dave did a cracking 4:04 taking something like 30 minutes out of me on Ingleborough. Adrian came in some 5 minutes behind me after his two tumbles.
Unlike last year when I made some stupid errors, this year it all went to plan (apart from leaving my prepared drinks behind in Dave's kitchen. I had to rush around getting replacements before the start.). I ended up running in my Salomon XA-Pros instead of the Inov-8 Mudclaws as the ground was so dry. They were fine (only one black toenail). I got the drink, gels and bars just right. I had 2 litres of isotonic drink, a few cups of water, four energy gels and an energy bar. My thighs ache a bit today but that's to be expected considering the training.
After a lovely recovery meal at Dave's (thanks to the lovely Angie) I drove back down south (3 hours on cruise control) to be home for Rosie's birthday (today).
Not sure I'll do it again as it clashes with Rosie's birthday, unless she wants to join me of course. Yeah right!
Thursday 23 April 2009
3 Peaks, 2 Attempts, 1 Runner
Those that have followed this blog in the past will know that for various reasons / excuses I DNF'd last year's 3 Peaks Race . This year I'm back for revenge.
I'm no fitter (I don't think) but I am wiser and in a new age category, M50. I also have a pair of Inov-8 Mudclaws. Not totally sure this is a good thing as while their grip is fantastic they are a questionable fit around the heels. This is apparently a common problem with them. I have to tie the laces very tight which doesn't seem to affect me but I ended up with a sore achilles after a longish (2 hour) run in them and still have it. The weather is looking a bit dodgy (wind and rain) as well. Don't mind that as long as it is clear what it's going to do. Last year it wasn't clear whether it would be bright sunshine or heavy rain at the start. As it turned out I over-dressed.
Watch this space.
I'm no fitter (I don't think) but I am wiser and in a new age category, M50. I also have a pair of Inov-8 Mudclaws. Not totally sure this is a good thing as while their grip is fantastic they are a questionable fit around the heels. This is apparently a common problem with them. I have to tie the laces very tight which doesn't seem to affect me but I ended up with a sore achilles after a longish (2 hour) run in them and still have it. The weather is looking a bit dodgy (wind and rain) as well. Don't mind that as long as it is clear what it's going to do. Last year it wasn't clear whether it would be bright sunshine or heavy rain at the start. As it turned out I over-dressed.
Watch this space.
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