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    Over and Out!

    2021 Reflection Richards Journey richard-guy
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    I’ve not written for a few weeks, and one reason is due to easing back on the training after the ultra and planning my training for the next couple of months. It also gave me some time to reflect on a lot of things past, present, and future.

    When I first started this blog a few years ago I wasn’t in a great place, and over that time things have improved on many levels. Towards the end of last year, the blog focused on my journey towards completing the Serpent Trail 50k. It is something I’m proud to have completed, even though I know I can go back next year and do a much better time.

    Since I started the blog, I think I’ve grown as a person, and every day I strive to improve. It hasn’t been a totally smooth journey, but I didn’t expect it to be. I’d consider myself to be a very private person. I have a small circle of friends. I know a lot of people and can be quite sociable when I choose to be and, on my terms. But in terms of people I consider to be friends, that circle is small.

    I don’t tell people a great deal about myself, it is strange on a lot of levels — part of me thinks they wouldn’t be interested, part of me thinks they wouldn’t understand, and part of me thinks they don’t need to know.

    The things I achieve (or have achieved) I don’t say a great deal about, as the focus is usually on the next steps and challenges. I have always tried to play down my achievements (and have written about it in a previous blog, so no real need to go any further on that topic) because I don’t see them as being anything spectacular or remarkable.

    Over the last month, I’ve noticed I’ve become more introverted than I normally am. It isn’t something I’m worried about, probably the opposite if I’m being honest. I much prefer it that way nowadays.

    Over the last few months, I’ve really struggled with the blog and what I’m writing. It was OK writing about all the different aspects of training and how I approached them, but anything further than that I’ve just never felt comfortable with. I much prefer to keep myself to myself, to maintain a high level of privacy. Much of my life is on a need-to-know basis – if you need to know I’ll say, if you don’t then it is obviously of no concern.

    I’ve thought about the blog quite a lot over the last couple of weeks, and it has been great to have been given the opportunity to write some stuff over the last couple of years. I never had a plan or an agenda on what I wanted to achieve with it.

    This is going to be the last blog entry. I don’t feel I’ve got a great deal more I want to say (certainly not using this medium). I always had the feeling earlier in the year that once I had completed the Serpent Trail that would be the case. I’m still going to be working towards the goals I have in life and as I’ve proved time and again, I will achieve them and move quickly onto the next.

    Cheers for reading.
    Over and out.
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    Post-Race Learning and Moving Forwards!

    2021 Running richard-guy
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    I’ve had time to do some really important reflection since completing the Serpent Trail 50k Ultra, and it has been important, as it has given me that opportunity to look at what went well with the training and the event, as well as what I can do differently next time. Yes, that is right, next time. I’m going back next year to do the event again, but more about that in a moment.

    My main objective on the day was to get to the finish line. I didn’t really have a ‘set in stone’ time that I wanted to finish it in. In terms of meeting that objective, I did it, but there is something niggling away at me that says I could have gone quicker.

    I felt my training for the event was consistent and pretty much spot on. I just need to refine it a bit. I did no other events or races in the build up, and it was the first event I’d done for quite a few years.

    I’ve got two events coming up before the end of the year that I am now focusing on – the Great South Run and the Portsmouth Coastal Marathon. I’m back into training again having taken a few days off and have been doing those runs at a slightly quicker pace. I need to start adding in some focused tempo runs and some speed work now.

    The plan for next year, in terms of events, is to complete the Jubilee 70k in June and then a month later return to the Serpent Trail 50k. Initially I thought it was a total no-go and that I wouldn’t recover in time. I gave it a lot of thought and came to the conclusion that I have around a year to train for both events, I have a good base endurance already, I know I can complete a 50k course, and I want to use both events as a fundraiser for a couple of local charities. It is ambitious, but more than achievable.
    I’m taking the learning from this year's event and really refining my training and plan for the event.

    I felt I took far too much nutrition and fluid with me, so will make sure next year I’m taking enough to get me to the checkpoints/aid-stations and top up at each. Obviously, focusing on some speed work will hopefully lead to running at a faster pace and will help get me around quicker. I’m also planning on doing some training runs on parts of the route for the Serpent Trail, so I am covering some of the hillier parts of the course quicker – I feel I lost a lot of time on those sections this year. I also need to move through the checkpoints quicker.

    I believe that I can knock an hour off my finishing time and will have that in mind now with each and every training session. I’ve got around a year to really fine-tune everything and get back to the start line fired up and ready to go again.

    I’m currently looking at some early season events as well, and I am toying with the idea of some trail half-marathons in the build up. I’ll use those events as fast training sessions and an opportunity to work on some of the more technical aspects of trail running.

    By the end of this month, I would have run over 700 miles so far this year, which is amazing. By the end of the year, I should be close to 1,200 miles – I would never have imagined that at the start of the year. I’m still planning on doing the longer runs still, I’ll need to for the marathon at the end of this year and I want to maintain that high endurance work rather than having to start that build up at the start of next year. In training over the last few months, 20 miles runs became the norm and I actually enjoy them, so I’ll be doing plenty more before the end of the year. I actually find I’m much more motivated with the longer distance runs than the shorter ones.

    So one ultra under my belt already and time to start training for the next two – bring it on 😊

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  • Published on

    A Tough Day Out!

    2021 Running richard-guy
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    As I write this blog post, my legs are still aching and my feet are still blistered. Most importantly though, I’m still smiling, and the post-race pain is worth it.

    On Saturday, I completed the Serpent Trail 50k ultra. It was my first attempt at completing an ultra-marathon and the first endurance event I had done for quite a few years. I had one expectation going into the event – get to the finish line. The week leading up to the event hadn’t got off to the best of starts as I damaged my left foot and, on the start-line, it was still bruised and sore. My race vest felt fairly heavy as I had the mandatory kit plus nutrition as well as 3 litres of energy drink and water. I was fully aware going into the event that this was going to be tough, and I would need to dig deep, both physically and mentally.

    The weather leading up to the event hadn’t been ideal, and much of the course was really muddy. The course was stunning. I don’t think I’ve run on a course as varied in terrain or tougher than that. It was hilly as well, and my strategy was to walk some of the hills to converse energy and take on nutrition.

    The start was quite congested in the first couple of miles and being on single track it was difficult to pass other runners in places. I also managed to go off course within the first couple of miles – I was flying down a hill and missed one of the course direction signs and only realised when I got to the bottom of the hill with another runner closely behind me that I was off course. Not great, having to run back up hill to get back on course. Several miles later I managed to go off course again for around 150 metres after misreading a direction sign. I decided I needed to pay more attention for the rest of course.

    About halfway through the trails became a bit clearer which was ideal, and I managed to get a good rhythm going, but this was soon broken by muddier sections and more hills. 20 miles in and I was feeling good, feeling positive, and feeling focused on getting to the finish line. I was moving through the checkpoints as quickly as possible after refuelling and topping up my water bottles.

    The weather was strange. When we started, it was raining, but it was also muggy and humid. The sun did break out a couple of times, but then it also rained again – the joys of racing in the English summer, I guess.

    Around mile 26 was the last checkpoint, another packet of salt and vinegar crisps, an energy gel, plenty of water and headed off again. Up and down hills and only 3 miles to the next aid station. Mile 29 and I hit the last water stop on route still smiling and still laughing and joking with the volunteers and marshals. Only 2 miles left and it felt like the longest 2 miles I’ve ever run in my life – it seemed more like 10 miles if I’m being honest. With 1 mile to go I tried to urge my legs to pick the pace up a bit and as painful as it felt they did respond……….just!

    Through another woodland trail and then suddenly a left turn and I could see the finish line. I picked the pace again, it felt like I was sprinting, though in reality I was probably shuffling along. Crossing that finishing line felt amazing. I felt shattered, and my legs felt painful. It was worth it though.

    So after months of training, I achieved my goal and feel pretty pleased with the effort that I put in. I also learnt quite a lot during the event – about myself and what I would do differently in future. My head is saying do some more ultras and my legs are in total disagreement - I’m sure that’ll change very soon.

    The plan is to build on the training I’ve done and do a few shorter distance events (Great South Run (10miles) and Portsmouth Coastal Marathon (26.2miles)) and then build up to a 70km next June and hopefully a return a month later to the Serpent Trail 50k and a quicker time (mud permitting!).
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    Ready!

    2021 Running richard-guy
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    So many months of training are now completed. The early mornings, training in all weathers, running longer training distances than I’ve ever covered for an event before. It is all completed now and the next time I run will be at the Serpent Trail 50k. I’ve run over 600 miles in my training this year in preparation – I’ve never run that far in a calendar year before, let alone 6 months!

    The start of the week presented me with a major challenge. I managed to stub three of the toes on my left foot quite heavily early on Monday morning and feared that I may have broken one of my toes, they were bruised and there was some swelling as well. For months, I’d been careful in my preparation and recovery to avoid injury, and one slight accident less than a week before the event could easily have thrown everything away.

    Had this been any other event I would have skipped my last couple of training runs, but this is different.

    Monday morning I headed out for a 6-mile run to see what the impact was. Thankfully it wasn’t as bad as I thought and although it felt painful at times it was manageable – that was a relief. Tuesday I went out for another 6-mile run. The foot still felt painful, but it was manageable. Thursday was the last run before the event and I did 8 miles at what was supposed to be an easy pace, but I was feeling good so picked it up a little and the foot felt much better – a couple of twinges but more of a slight ache than anything painful. So apart from the damage to my left foot the training has gone well. I’m feeling strong, I’m feeling both mentally and physically prepared, and most importantly I feel ready.

    I know that whatever challenges the event throws at me, I will be able to overcome them. I’ve made sure that some of my longer training runs have been over tougher terrain than the event. I’ve done my research into many aspects of ultra-running; nutrition, mental preparation, kit, and recovery.
     
    Years ago when I spoke to people that competed in ultra-running events, I admired them but thought it wasn’t for me. I had a change of mindset a couple of years ago (about the time when I first started this blog) and decided to enter an event. I didn’t make it to the start line for multiple reasons – the main one being at the time my head and heart wasn’t fully committed to it. It has bugged me since, and now I have an opportunity to put those bugs and that disappointment in myself well and truly behind me.

    I’ve found over the last 6 months when I have been fully committed to training for this event that my mindset has changed dramatically. When I started this blog a few years ago I wasn’t in a happy place, I didn’t like myself, I was frustrated with myself, and I had no goals that I was aiming for. Now I’m determined, stronger, and know if I push myself further than I think I can go I can achieve so much more. It feels good. Getting to the start line has been a major positive, crossing that finish line will be cathartic, but won’t be the finish. It will be a new beginning.

    I know that these events are tough both physically and mentally and require huge efforts of endurance – that is why I am drawn to them. I think getting across the finish line and resting on my laurels and saying I’ve ticked that box, I’m done with it would be a huge waste. I know that I’m going to be tired and aching at the finish line and the following days and those inevitable words – ‘never again’ – may be muttered but the tiredness and aching muscles will pass and the thrill of completing the event will override this and thoughts of what next, could I do it again but a bit quicker, could I go further, could I do a tougher course?

    And it starts again, those months of training, those early mornings, the planning, the physical and mental preparation and getting to that point where I can say I’m ready for this. That is a massive change from when I first started this blog, and with time and belief anything is possible if you want it enough.
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    Pushing Beyond The Limits!

    2021 Running richard-guy
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    I’ve completed some decent training over the last couple of weeks and am pleased with the progress that I have been making.

    The previous Saturday was another run of just over 20 miles. I’m getting used to running this distance now and feel comfortable doing so. So far this year I’ve completed 6 runs of over 20 miles and I know that there are plenty more to come. This Saturday I ran 27.08 miles – that is my longest training run of the year. Actually, that is my longest training run ever. I’ve trained for marathons in the past and completed 9 of them so far – I’ve never gone beyond the marathon distance in training or an event. Saturday provided me with the ideal opportunity to push beyond my usual limits.

    I decided on a route that would challenge me both physically and mentally – a good mixture of road and woodland trails with plenty of hills. The weather was hot, and I knew this would add to the challenge. By going beyond my usual training distances, I knew that this was going to require both patience and determination to complete it. One thing I have learnt this year about ultra-running is it is OK to walk short sections rather than run, it means conserving energy and gives an opportunity to take on nutrition as well.

    I’ve also learnt a lot about pacing runs properly – this isn’t like training for a marathon, and I would never run the full marathon distance in training usually. I was also honest with myself about my expectations – this isn’t about hitting certain times, it is about being able to move forwards at all times. I feel having realistic expectations is important.

    I hit a bit of a mental dip at around mile 18 for a couple of minutes, but I soon managed to switch those emotions off – there was absolutely nothing I could do to change the situation and I told myself that this is what needs to be done so keep moving forwards, just concentrate on each step and nothing else. The mental dip didn’t last long. I’m resilient and brutally honest about my abilities. I’m also extremely stubborn at times and don’t give up easily. These are the traits I need when the going gets tough. I know that I need to become comfortable being uncomfortable – both mentally and physically. The key is to be able to switch off and accept that things are tough, not to quit, not to break, to be able to keep moving forwards when it feels painful and muscles are screaming at me to stop.

    The remaining miles became easier – the terrain was still tough and hilly – because I was just focused on moving forwards and nothing else mattered. I had got to a place both physically and mentally where I felt fatigued, but knew I could keep going. It felt like I could keep going forever.

    The more I was pushing beyond my limits the more I felt comfortable.  When I finished the run, I looked at myself in the mirror – I saw someone who looked different, there was something different in the way I looked that went beyond fatigue. It was like I had opened a door within myself and revealed something stronger, tougher, and limitless.

    Prior to the run I had envisaged that physically my legs would be shot to pieces and ache for days – in the past when I’ve trained for and run marathons walking downstairs backwards becomes the norm (those who know, know) but nothing.

    As I reflect on the run I know I got to a place I had been searching for in training for months (maybe years) and I can’t wait to get back there again.

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  • Published on

    Suffering and Acceptance!

    2021 Running Sport richard-guy
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    It was quite shocking to read that 21 runners lost their lives competing in a 100 km ultra-marathon in China over the weekend. High winds and freezing rain hit part of the course and many of those competing developed hypothermia, others got lost due to poor visibility in the mountains.

    I’ve read some reports that said many runners started the event without adequate equipment or kit (whether this would have made any difference at all is debatable). I wonder if the event organisers had stipulated that competitors take minimum kit required (for example, water-proof jacket, foil blanket, first aid kit). In many events this is a requirement and if you don’t have it you are not allowed to take part (and in some events the kit also checked at aid-stations/checkpoints).
     
    Endurance events are tough. The distances covered, the training required, the physical demands and the mental demands are there to challenge all who wish to take part in them. One of the ways I’ve changed my approach to training this year is to really focus on the mental aspect. As the training distances and weekly mileage have increased, the mental aspect becomes more important. The mind gives up much quicker than the body does.

    I’ve started focused a lot more on being present and being 'in the moment.' I’m not worrying about how I’ve run or how far I have left – I don’t have a great deal of influence over either of those factors. Instead, I’m just fully focused on the next 5-10 metres and moving forwards quickly.

    Fatigue is certainly a factor on those longer runs, but that is the purpose of those long runs, to fight that fatigue and get stronger. It has taken months of carefully planned training and preparation to get to that stage. There are also going to be times when the fatigue really kicks in, my quad muscles are screaming at me to either slow down or stop. This is where being 'in the moment' really comes to the fore.

    I know that endurance events are tough. I know that training for and competing in endurance events, means that there are going to be mental highs and lows. The key is how you manage them. It is quite easy when feeling good to push the pace a bit more but at what cost later on? When having a mental low it is quite easy to stop or quit but the pain of quitting days after the event is going to be a lot worse.

    Those mental lows can be caused by multiple factors – fatigue and tiredness, low energy levels, the terrain and the weather can also add to the suffering of trying to cover the distance. Many of these I have very little influence over. What I do have influence over is how I deal with them – recognising my emotional reaction, accepting it, and letting go of it. Focusing on it will only increase the duration of those negative emotions.

    Today I put this into practice to my advantage. I did a 19.2-mile training run. I started it in the middle of a downpour and was soaked through in minutes; oh well. I didn’t think about the distance I needed to cover and the time it would take and having to do this in wet kit. Instead, I just focused on putting one foot in front of the other. Later in the run, on the return, (around 13 miles) the heavens opened again, with the added bonus of hail as well. I just kept moving forward, focusing on the next 5-10 metres. It wasn’t the greatest conditions I’ve ever trained in and being on a very exposed part of the route with a strong relentless headwind made it that bit tougher. I accepted it for what it was and just focused on moving forwards. I’d originally scheduled in to run 18 miles today but went on for another mile just because. My quad muscles were fatiguing, but that is the point of training long distances; to be able to push that bit further.

    A part of me enjoys training when the conditions are not favourable. I enjoy that aspect of working towards being comfortable in the uncomfortable. I enjoy pushing my physical and mental endurance to see how I overcome issues and challenges that arise, how emotionally react and how I deal with it.

    Less than 6 weeks of training left now, and I’m looking forward to this event.

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