It's here, the weekend I've been looking forward to for a year.
"You can do it". The mantra I've been chanting to myself since the day I signed up for it. I'm trying to remember how many glasses of wine I'd had that night!
So, this weekend I'll be running my first 100 mile event. I've done 100km events and when I tell myself it's only another 33 miles, I realize the scale of the challenge; only another 33 miles that's more than a marathon!
Once I'd sobered up after a night of hitting the enter button for every ultra the Ultra GB team offered I decided I needed a plan. Without a plan is like leaping off a precipice and trying to knit yourself a parachute on the way down.
I'm not great with plans. Oh, I can write them and make them look pretty by using every colour imaginable, but I can't keep to them. So my plan, I know I said I can't keep to them but I had to call it something, was to just run as much as possible on trails and enjoy it.
As I look through my training activities, it is easy for me to go on twittering about my adventures. I'm so fortune to get out there and enjoy the countryside.
So, on Saturday 19th May at 06:00 I'll be standing in the Waverton Village Hall field waiting for the 'go'. The fact I've made it to the start line in a healthy condition is all that matters. I'll just take each issue as it comes during the race and 'wing it'.
Every possible issue I think could happen will happen. It's too long of a day, both distance and time, for there not to be. I'm going to just reflect on the adventures I've had to get to this point and draw on the fact I survived them.
At the start line I'll not look the fittest; I'm carrying emergency rations around my waist. I hope I can keep the wobbling stomach in resonance with my pace!
My head, heart and legs are strong and I have friends who will be willing me on. I'll be taking all of this with me on this adventure.
Finally, my progress on the adventure can be seen via this live link.
"You can do it". The mantra I've been chanting to myself since the day I signed up for it. I'm trying to remember how many glasses of wine I'd had that night!
So, this weekend I'll be running my first 100 mile event. I've done 100km events and when I tell myself it's only another 33 miles, I realize the scale of the challenge; only another 33 miles that's more than a marathon!
Once I'd sobered up after a night of hitting the enter button for every ultra the Ultra GB team offered I decided I needed a plan. Without a plan is like leaping off a precipice and trying to knit yourself a parachute on the way down.
I'm not great with plans. Oh, I can write them and make them look pretty by using every colour imaginable, but I can't keep to them. So my plan, I know I said I can't keep to them but I had to call it something, was to just run as much as possible on trails and enjoy it.
Looking back through my Strava through the year I've achieved that, the enjoyment.
I think it started with the Pennine Barrier Ultra, a race I know, but also a test of my endurance levels.
You can't help but love this route. It takes in all the Yorkshire 3 peaks and the views from them. The surrounding scenery can be breath-taking. With that in mind the scene I remember the most is when I was trying to push hard to get in under the 15 hours cut-off, (which I managed by 10 seconds), I caused myself stomach cramps which forced me to stop, bend over double and retch. Once I completed my self inflicted Heimlich maneuver, I noticed the couple who'd been enjoying the romantic moment looking out across the field of wild flowers. A quick 'sorry' and I was off again.
The adventures continued through the year and one, the outing just west of Conwy was another rememberable one as I'd decided to just run in the general direction of where I wanted to explore. Only stopping to take in the views or check to see where the random track junction was on the map. It's the sense of freedom I remember the most. No time constraints; I had all day. No food and water constraints; I carried the lot.
So, on Saturday 19th May at 06:00 I'll be standing in the Waverton Village Hall field waiting for the 'go'. The fact I've made it to the start line in a healthy condition is all that matters. I'll just take each issue as it comes during the race and 'wing it'.
Every possible issue I think could happen will happen. It's too long of a day, both distance and time, for there not to be. I'm going to just reflect on the adventures I've had to get to this point and draw on the fact I survived them.
At the start line I'll not look the fittest; I'm carrying emergency rations around my waist. I hope I can keep the wobbling stomach in resonance with my pace!
My head, heart and legs are strong and I have friends who will be willing me on. I'll be taking all of this with me on this adventure.
Finally, my progress on the adventure can be seen via this live link.