Been doing some interesting reading lately about how in control you mind really is over your body, and that how when you think you're all out of energy, it's probably your mind holding you back to protect you.
I think this will be most interesting to long distance runners, as when I get to the 20-25 mile mark, I am hurting so bad. I stopped at mile 23 last week. Eveything hurt, felt like I was going to die. After reading this article, I hope it will help me push through that wall a little bit!
The central governor theory, pretty interesting!
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=17712
Friday, 24 February 2012
Monday, 13 February 2012
Wadsworth Trog - Race Review
The Trog has a reputation to be one of the hardest and most gruelling races in the fellrunning calendar and I'm glad to say that it didn't disappoint!
Due to ice on the roads, the start route was changed and runners went up onto the moors via a narrow track with a few styles. This slowed everyone down and it was a nice social start to the day for those of us aiming to just get round in one piece although I'm sure it was frustrating for those chasing a competitor and seeing them run off into the distance whilst you're in a queue!
Once on the moors the race took off and I relaxed into a comfortable rhythm, down to checkpoint 2 in the reservoir and up the huge steep ascent back onto the moor certainly took it out of me, killed my calves, but I, as everyone else, soldiered on.
Everything was very well marked and I had little trouble finding my way round. All was going well until about mile 13, where something just did not agree with my stomach. I proceeded to spew my guts up on the road between the waterfall and cock hill several times, leaving me feeling drained and down to a stumble.
The moorland from cock hill was horrible, every bouncing step over the tussocks made me gip some more. In my delirium, I lost the path and stumbled my way in the general direction of high brown knoll in open moorland. Luckily, some people arrived at the knoll at the same time as me. My navigation skills has gone out the window by then. I was on autopilot just focussing on putting one leg in front of the other.
The pace in this group was slightly too high for me in my state, but I knew I had to keep with them, or else I'd be lost, and out for more hours.
The last 3 miles, I admit, were agony. The sickness had passed, but left me feeling weak. I would even say bonked. But I stumbled my way up the final hill and came in at 4:47. I would have liked closer to 4:30, but there is always next year.
After stumbling to the cake and tea inside the crickey club, grabbing randomly and stumbling back to my car, it concerned me that at least 5 people asked me if I was okay... I must have looked like shit!
I made it home anyway, collapsed on the sofa and it was a good 4-5 hours until I could eat again, after throwing up £1.50s worth of Rego. Gutted!
I had a big greasy curry. Best thing ever.
Today is Monday, and I went for a steady 3 miler, felt reasonably good.
Calves are sore, but everything else is okay.
Just signed up for a 33 mile recce of the Haworth Hobble on friday. I'm not doing the actual race, but I want to get in some big milage!
Ultras are my calling!
Due to ice on the roads, the start route was changed and runners went up onto the moors via a narrow track with a few styles. This slowed everyone down and it was a nice social start to the day for those of us aiming to just get round in one piece although I'm sure it was frustrating for those chasing a competitor and seeing them run off into the distance whilst you're in a queue!
Once on the moors the race took off and I relaxed into a comfortable rhythm, down to checkpoint 2 in the reservoir and up the huge steep ascent back onto the moor certainly took it out of me, killed my calves, but I, as everyone else, soldiered on.
Everything was very well marked and I had little trouble finding my way round. All was going well until about mile 13, where something just did not agree with my stomach. I proceeded to spew my guts up on the road between the waterfall and cock hill several times, leaving me feeling drained and down to a stumble.
The moorland from cock hill was horrible, every bouncing step over the tussocks made me gip some more. In my delirium, I lost the path and stumbled my way in the general direction of high brown knoll in open moorland. Luckily, some people arrived at the knoll at the same time as me. My navigation skills has gone out the window by then. I was on autopilot just focussing on putting one leg in front of the other.
The pace in this group was slightly too high for me in my state, but I knew I had to keep with them, or else I'd be lost, and out for more hours.
The last 3 miles, I admit, were agony. The sickness had passed, but left me feeling weak. I would even say bonked. But I stumbled my way up the final hill and came in at 4:47. I would have liked closer to 4:30, but there is always next year.
After stumbling to the cake and tea inside the crickey club, grabbing randomly and stumbling back to my car, it concerned me that at least 5 people asked me if I was okay... I must have looked like shit!
I made it home anyway, collapsed on the sofa and it was a good 4-5 hours until I could eat again, after throwing up £1.50s worth of Rego. Gutted!
I had a big greasy curry. Best thing ever.
Today is Monday, and I went for a steady 3 miler, felt reasonably good.
Calves are sore, but everything else is okay.
Just signed up for a 33 mile recce of the Haworth Hobble on friday. I'm not doing the actual race, but I want to get in some big milage!
Ultras are my calling!
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Gu Energy Gel, Espresso Love - Review
After my last ultra, I wanted to make some adjustments to my gearing choices. My 10 litre bag was full to the brim with food, water and clothes and weighed close to 7kg! I saw others in the race with nothing more than a camelbak. "Where is their food? " I thought, plodding along with my heavy pack whilst they trotted off into the distance.
I was a great believer in proper food over manufactured supplements. I'd rather have some jaffa cakes and chocolate raisins any day of the week, but enough of these for a 50 miler, going on 12 hours, was what filled my bag to bursting point and ultimately ruined my race.
I did some research and came to the conclusion they must be using gels! So I thought before my next ultra I would try survivng solely on gels for food in long training runs. One an hour, 12 gels, is a lot less space than 12 hours worth of jaffa cakes!
Gu seem to have a very good name in the energy gel industry, so I went for them. I am a fan of coffee, and the Espresso Love were the cheapest, so I went for a box of them. I was hoping they weren't cheap because they were horrible!I have used them in training for a few weeks now and I am pleasantly surprised. I love the taste, they haven't felt sickly sweet at all yet, I think the bitterness of the coffee helps, as I've heard complaints of other being too sweet!
As for performance, I didnt notice any improvements from eating normal food, which is good. I wasn't left feeling hungry on one gel per hour, and I could maintain my usual pace for the usual time.
My only criticism is how thick they are. In cold weather, you basically have to chew them. Best to take with a little water and mix it in your mouth into a paste!
I feel confident that I would be able to survive for upwards of 5 hours on these things, I feel like I would want a little real food for a 12 hour run, but for the majority of the time, these will be all i will carry.
You can buy a pack here GU Energy Gel, 24-Pack Espresso Love
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Sportsshoes.com discount code
I buy all my shoes from sportsshoes.com, about to buy a pair of mudclaws this week, and I got a discount code for them.
Click on this link to go to the site, else the code won't work.
www.sportsshoes.com
Code - FF1225
Promotion - 5% Off All Orders at SportsShoes.com. Type the code in the special instructions box in the delivery section of the checkout. Your discount will be deducted when we charge your card after receiving your order. This code cannot be used with other codes.
Expires - 13-02-2012
Click on this link to go to the site, else the code won't work.
www.sportsshoes.com
Code - FF1225
Promotion - 5% Off All Orders at SportsShoes.com. Type the code in the special instructions box in the delivery section of the checkout. Your discount will be deducted when we charge your card after receiving your order. This code cannot be used with other codes.
Expires - 13-02-2012
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Wadsworth Trog Preparation
After an unsuccessful recce of the trog last week, I must admit I am a little bit worried!
I managed to cover 18 miles of the trog, but it could have been less as I got extremely lost up on the open moorland, and took a few wrong turns, adding some miles.
On the return to High Brown Knoll, I decided to call it a day and make my way back down to Old Town, missing out the final 2 checkpoints.
I was destroyed. Shattered. Physically and mentally.
The never ending frozen tussocks, bottle ice, frozen mud to twist ankles on, and plunges into icy slush took their toll on me and I was well ready to get back to the Cricket Club cafe and get some cake, much less coherent than I was earlier in the day!
Bear in mind I was doing a recce. No pressure. Easy jog and walk where I needed to. There was nothing easy about it. Even walking through some of the terrain is exhausting.
I was cursing the fact that everything was frozen, but I have heard from others, including the organiser, that it is even harder when thawed out. This baffles my mind!
I look forward to writing a successful race report. I know I will complete it, but will it be competitive? Maybe not.
I feel for all but the most elite of runners this will be a test of grit and mental strength rather than physical ability.
Wish me luck!
I managed to cover 18 miles of the trog, but it could have been less as I got extremely lost up on the open moorland, and took a few wrong turns, adding some miles.
On the return to High Brown Knoll, I decided to call it a day and make my way back down to Old Town, missing out the final 2 checkpoints.
I was destroyed. Shattered. Physically and mentally.
The never ending frozen tussocks, bottle ice, frozen mud to twist ankles on, and plunges into icy slush took their toll on me and I was well ready to get back to the Cricket Club cafe and get some cake, much less coherent than I was earlier in the day!
Bear in mind I was doing a recce. No pressure. Easy jog and walk where I needed to. There was nothing easy about it. Even walking through some of the terrain is exhausting.
I was cursing the fact that everything was frozen, but I have heard from others, including the organiser, that it is even harder when thawed out. This baffles my mind!
I look forward to writing a successful race report. I know I will complete it, but will it be competitive? Maybe not.
I feel for all but the most elite of runners this will be a test of grit and mental strength rather than physical ability.
Wish me luck!
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Calderdale Hike 2012 - GPX, TCX, KML
As part of my ultrarunning plans this year I am attempting the 37 mile mammoth challenge known as the Calderdale Hike.The only reference points given for navigation are UK Grid references. How you get between the points is entirely up to you.
To make this muddy uphill struggle slightly easier on the navigation side of things, I have painstakingly entered all the coordinates into an OS map, and plotted the most efficient route from checkpoint to checkpoint. I have taken into account inclines and surfaces. I prefer to run on trails rather than roads, so where there is a trail, I have used it!
Always bring a map and compass for safety. This route should only be used as a guideline and a quick reference point to stop you going too far off track.
If you use this and appreciate my effort, then buy me a beer with paypal!
OMM Ultra Waist Pouch - Kit Review
Having browsed the local running shops extensively for a pouch suitable for all my needs, I eventually settled on the OMM Ultra Waist pouch.I prefer pouches to rucksacks because I find the shoulder straps quite restricting, and the prefer the weight down low.
The reason I chose this pack over others, like the inov8 race pro 4 is that I prefer the ease of filling bottles at aid stations, rather than fiddling with a bladder. I can carry a small amount of water to get me from station to station, rather than having a full bladder and extra weight!
The pack is a 6 litre pack which is plenty for me on 99% of runs. I usually set off wearing all my layers and have to eventually take off my hat, and my lightweight waterproof, both of which fit in the main compartment easily. Presuming my run in less than 4-5 hours, I can fit enough food/gels easily in there as well. There is also a separate compartment in the main pocket where I like to put my phone and wallet, for easy access.
Another lovely thing about this pouch is the easy access zipped pocket on the left hip. I have asthma and have to carry an inhaler at all times, this pocket is perfect for that, plus a few energy gels!.
You can carry a water bottle (supplied) quite effectively as well. There is a pocket on the rear for this. Once the bottle is in the holder, you just tighten up the bungee cord and all bounce is basically eliminated. I couldn't even tell I was carrying it.
Bounce for the whole pack is kept to a minimum by the compression straps around the front. I can really get these tight without feeling i'm going to break something, and its perfect for flying down hills!
Good points:
- Water bottle instead of bladder
- Hip pocket for gels
- Plenty of room for all running essentials
- Minimal bounce when tight.
- The water bottle bungee cord came off, so I had to improvise with some shoelace, works even better than before!
- Possible durability issues, water bottle holder starting to show signs of wear where it connects to main pouch.
- If there is not much stuff in it, the large pocket can bounce.
You can buy one from here: OMM Ultra Waist Pouch
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