The main feature of this weekend was Lancaster Race Series’ Trimpell 20 on Sunday. I had actually tried to participate in this last year, however a diary error resulting in a swift U turn on the M…something… and a subsequent clash with another 2014 commitment meant I never did. As such, when I was offered a place as a consolation prize for coming almost-sort-of-but-not third lady on the Lancaster Half Marathon in November (you can read more here on the trials and tribulations of gun versus chip times and the subsequent pitfalls!), I jumped (or ran for) the chance.
As is not uncommon however, both days of my weekend featured running and I enjoyed a slightly more sedentary stroll around the Manchester Run Expo on Saturday. Highlights included catching up with the UK Run Chat guys as well as a (far too brief) ‘hello!’ to Ira Rainey, saying thanks to Joel Enoch at Clif Bar for his nutritional advice in November, which does indeed seem to have made a difference, and waving quickly at fellow Salford Harrier John of Cannonball Events, who introduced a talk from Ultra Runner David Moretta. As David will also be competing in this summer’s TrailBlaster12, I was keen to grab him for a quick question at the end… What do I need to do differently in my marathon training to prepare for my first ultra? Of course I say ‘also competing’ as if I myself will be competing… No, I shall be content to plod round as many 5k loops as I can in the 12 hour race whilst experimenting with exactly what happens to my body and mind as I do so. I’m sure Dave will lap me several times as he bashes miles out of my sorry arse. Self deprecating predictions aside, I was absolutely delighted with his reply to my query…
“Are you following a training plan at the moment?” he probed.
“Er. Not really. I sort of deleted it. But I do sort of have a sort of plan in my head and I kind of know sorta what I’m doing, and, um, er…” I shamefully trailed off.
“Good!” he replied enthusiastically, “I never have done!” before advising that the best thing to do was eat healthily and ‘run happy’. Now that’s advice I can get with and coming from a world record holder in distance running, it’s pretty presumptuous to argue with it! Nothing like someone telling you that what you’re already doing is the best course of action to give you a boost. Selfie High Five for Me!
Of course, the other good thing about running trade shows is that you don’t need to pack lunch for the day as you know you can fill up on free samples of energy bars, protein snacks and iso gels. Yummy. Unfortunately, it would appear that one of my fellow freebie vultures had mucky claws in one of the lavish, oaty platters and come 11pm I was experiencing the effects of some kind of mild but nonetheless pressing food poisoning. Great. Only 12 hours ‘til race day! Not the best start to a 20 miler, Imodium notwithstanding.
As is not uncommon however, both days of my weekend featured running and I enjoyed a slightly more sedentary stroll around the Manchester Run Expo on Saturday. Highlights included catching up with the UK Run Chat guys as well as a (far too brief) ‘hello!’ to Ira Rainey, saying thanks to Joel Enoch at Clif Bar for his nutritional advice in November, which does indeed seem to have made a difference, and waving quickly at fellow Salford Harrier John of Cannonball Events, who introduced a talk from Ultra Runner David Moretta. As David will also be competing in this summer’s TrailBlaster12, I was keen to grab him for a quick question at the end… What do I need to do differently in my marathon training to prepare for my first ultra? Of course I say ‘also competing’ as if I myself will be competing… No, I shall be content to plod round as many 5k loops as I can in the 12 hour race whilst experimenting with exactly what happens to my body and mind as I do so. I’m sure Dave will lap me several times as he bashes miles out of my sorry arse. Self deprecating predictions aside, I was absolutely delighted with his reply to my query…
“Are you following a training plan at the moment?” he probed.
“Er. Not really. I sort of deleted it. But I do sort of have a sort of plan in my head and I kind of know sorta what I’m doing, and, um, er…” I shamefully trailed off.
“Good!” he replied enthusiastically, “I never have done!” before advising that the best thing to do was eat healthily and ‘run happy’. Now that’s advice I can get with and coming from a world record holder in distance running, it’s pretty presumptuous to argue with it! Nothing like someone telling you that what you’re already doing is the best course of action to give you a boost. Selfie High Five for Me!
Of course, the other good thing about running trade shows is that you don’t need to pack lunch for the day as you know you can fill up on free samples of energy bars, protein snacks and iso gels. Yummy. Unfortunately, it would appear that one of my fellow freebie vultures had mucky claws in one of the lavish, oaty platters and come 11pm I was experiencing the effects of some kind of mild but nonetheless pressing food poisoning. Great. Only 12 hours ‘til race day! Not the best start to a 20 miler, Imodium notwithstanding.
As such, it was with grim amusement that I collected my number 13 race bib a few hours later! Steeling myself with the assertion that ‘what will be will be’ and the personal conviction that a DNF (Did not Finish) is infinitely more honourable than a DNES (Did Not Even Start) I self medicated as much as I felt sensible, paid particular attention to my hydration levels, managed a surprisingly strong feeling warm up and set off humbly a few runners back from the start line. I’d already said Hi to the Awesome Autumn, who had her own story of success from the Lancaster Half with a stunning sub 90 minute Half Marathon PB that saw her win the ladies race and earn a championship place at London and it was a real pleasure to bob along for the first mile or so with her, finally getting to have a bit of a conversation beyond what can be reasonably fitted into 140 characters (We tweet, yo). That was mile 1 in the bag and barely noticed. I knew I’d not be running the whole race with her as her plan for the first six miles at ‘easy’ 8.5 to 9 minute milers followed by 14 at closer to 7 didn’t float my boat. Any other day I’d have been totally game for that, in fact as far as I had a plan, I had already thought I might plod out 8 minute milers to 13 miles, hit the gel and smash out the last 7, but really given my (in)digestive state, just getting to the end without major embarrassment was a target high enough for me. Seems I finally have learned to adjust my race goals based on how I feel on the day! Because of that, I sailed on ahead with a new plan for consistent 8 to 8.5 minute miles the whole way. I find changing pace can upset a tummy (Well, my tummy) at the best of times and I really didn't want to risk it. So I hope my gel enjoyed its jaunt round Lancaster as it returned home untouched. Yes, it might have sped up my run but that could have been true in more ways than one. |
I’ll stop alluding to poo in a minute, I promise, but just to say aside from a bit of gut cramp and the three necessary bush-stops at about mile 5, 7 and 10, I had a really nice run. The weather was absolutely glorious (too hot for some, I know, but perfect for me) and the scenery was delightful. Of course, as usual, I also enjoyed many mid-run chats, too many of which to list but each and every one of them as important as the others in maintaining that ‘runner’s love’ and community spirit that we all know and cherish. I clearly wasn't the only one enjoying the day either as I discovered when I turned to acknowledge what I thought was someone calling to me; “Sorry!” was the response, “I was just singing!” Fantastic. That really made me grin! I also had a chat with a gentleman who apparently recognised the back of my head (!?) from Stockport 10. I really must get better at remembering the people I've run-nattered to, it’s getting embarrassing. And that’s about that really (she says as she notices she’s already spewed out over 1000 words). Ah, but of course, not forgetting the obligatory ‘and this is what happened on the finish line’ story… During the earlier miles, I’d noticed two ladies in almost matching kit, one with neon pink and one with neon blue shorts, who seemed to be enjoying a comfortable chatty run… Approaching mile 19 or so, you know that point in a run where you realise you really have got it in you to get to the end without any disasters, I noticed pink-shorts-lady running alone. “How’s your friend?” I asked, “I hope she’s OK!?” fearing tales of injury or drop out but happily to be told she’d merrily sailed ahead, which is by far the better story! We chatted a bit more and discovered we were both London entrants, though it wouldn't be her first. “You go on ahead if you need to” I offered, happy in my pace. “I was thinking of saying the same to you!” she responded! Well, by the time I got on to the track for the final 600m, I did sprint off a bit, it’s kinda fun when you just ran 20 slow miles and realise you could still crack one out in 6 minutes… if you wanted to. Maybe I should have realised that at mile 19 but… meh. A medal, T shirt and a banana later (OK, 2 bananas but only because the doughnuts weren't vegan) and there she was again, but this time thanking me for helping spur her on at the end. Cue another sweaty-finish-hug. Ah yeah. That’s why we do it. It means so much more to me when I find I've helped someone achieve a goal than when I've simply plodded over a finish line for myself. (You can see Laura, in her fetching pink shorts, coming to the line in the photo below!)
I guess that’s why I was also rather pleased to be able to join a friend who is now trying to get back into running after a winter hiatus on a sunny canal side 5k when I got back to Manchester, though I hope my sub 9 minute mile pace could be forgiven! And that really is that. My first 50 mile week of 2015 in the bag (53 thanks to the impromptu 5k!) and I’m still standing. Incidentally, despite having refused to reinstate my training plan, I checked the Runner’s World suggested sub 3.30 target schedule for the week and I’m apparently pretty much spot on just by instinct. Running Happy, by Dave’s advice and life’s so much better when you allow it to be simple!
I guess that’s why I was also rather pleased to be able to join a friend who is now trying to get back into running after a winter hiatus on a sunny canal side 5k when I got back to Manchester, though I hope my sub 9 minute mile pace could be forgiven! And that really is that. My first 50 mile week of 2015 in the bag (53 thanks to the impromptu 5k!) and I’m still standing. Incidentally, despite having refused to reinstate my training plan, I checked the Runner’s World suggested sub 3.30 target schedule for the week and I’m apparently pretty much spot on just by instinct. Running Happy, by Dave’s advice and life’s so much better when you allow it to be simple!