Spring updates

 

Well it's been quite an eventful few months since the last time I wrote. It took some careful rehabbing of the ankle to get back to running comfortably but I struggled to shift a virus so training has mostly been stop-start with really only the last few weeks seeing any consistency.

I had entered a 50k ages ago and talked a colleague into running it too but as the weeks passed I was really concerned that my lack of running was going to be a problem. I could just blame the virus and also how tired I'm getting from being in class all day every day, but to be honest I haven't been enjoying running much either. The lack of focus on running meant that my aerobic fitness had significantly fallen away and it was just horrible plodding out 5km or so and feeling out of breath and tired. But I haven't even wanted to run much, instead choosing to lift or do plyometrics several times a week.

However, I decided that this would be my last race and that I should at least try for 4 weeks of consistent running so that I wouldn't feel completely destroyed and miserable during or after the race. It was hard, and I think I was only managing about 30 miles a week, maybe 35, but I was hoping that experience would get me through. So 6th April arrived and we rocked up at Salcey Forest neither of us feeling up for it. My colleague had been in Wales the day before for swim training so was pretty tired before we even started. I was just grumpy because it was freezing cold and I was trying to think of ways to not run.

At the start I met someone I had worked with briefly last year. It was lovely to have a bit of a catch up so and the three of us started the race running together and chatting. It was sunny, the ground was dry and the first few miles went by comfortably enough. I felt pretty good and said to Carrie and Chris that I was going to crack on and see how far I could get before the wheels came off.

The first loop was done in pretty much what I'd anticipated as being my best pace. Quick refill of my water bottle and off onto loop 2. Legs were feeling good although my hips weren't sure about the relatively flat course. There were two or three sections that were already very dry and rutted and required a lot of concentration and careful picking of the way and I made a mental note to take especial care as I became more tired.

Loop 2 completed about 2 minutes quicker than the first- hmm maybe I should take it a  bit easier on the next time round. I don't want to blow up and end up walking the last 12 miles. Loop 3 was definitely less fun after the first few miles. I was having episodes of light-headedness and my hips flexors were sore. My feet were getting sore too from the very hard and dry conditions underfoot. I decided to push on but monitor the dizzy spells- remember to drink more!

I came in at the end of that loop about the same time as I completed loop 1. Nice. But I wasn't feeling good so the last 8 miles were going to be damage limitation. Just get round, don't fall over. But as I set off I though I might as well run as much as I could and save walking for when I really couldn't run any more. I did stop briefly at the mid-way aid station though as I'd caught up with Carrie who was on her 3rd loop. I was also feeling nauseous by this point and asked if they had anything with ginger. Stupidly, I hadn't stashed a bag of crystallised ginger in my pack. The one time I forgot was the one time I needed it! Oh well, just keep going.

I didn't enjoy those last 4 miles, so I kept running just to get it over with. There was nothing left for a final sprint to the finish line, but at least I was running. Then something ridiculous happened:

I was first! Utterly nuts! Me, win a race?!

The best bit was cheering in everyone as they came in at the end of a loop and set off again, and as they finished. Chris finished his first ultra in really good form and now has the ultra bug I think. Carrie finished with some solid power walking and honestly her race was so impressive given the amount of other training she's doing to prepare for swimming the Channel as part of a relay team.

What a lovely end to what I'd expected to be a pretty miserable day!

Unfortunately it's not been so lovely since- we've had water pouring through a light fitting, holes in the ceiling and a couple of days with no water or heating. Then someone drove into my car...

But I'm back to my strength training, and maybe just maybe I'll do another race.