Just A Walk In The Park - Likeys Beacons Ultra, 16th Nov 2013

It seems such a long time ago but, in fact, the disaster in the Elan Valley swamps on Exercise Cambrian Patrol was a mere 4 weeks ago. This was probably the lowest of the low points that had stricken my planned preparation for this year's Beacons Ultra. On the plus side, the good thing about the lowest of low points is that things can only improve. I did think that there was no way I was going to complete the Ultra due to the restriction of training due to my collateral ligament issue and the demoralising effect of Cambrian.

The effort and attainment in the Snowdonia Marathon perked me up somewhat with the confirmation that I could at least not forfeit the entry fee and pre-booked hotel by turning up in Talybont and cracking out 1 lap of this wonderful course. The next couple of weeks training, including a couple of reasonably big hitters confirmed this belief so I set my stall out for 1 lap plus a bit further down the canal bank to make up marathon distance..

This was the plan until only last week when inspiration beat me around the head as described in my previous post. I knew that I'd manage the one lap OK and I decided that I knew enough about the course to be able to mentally steer myself around the second and complete the full distance. If it took me the whole 15 hours to complete the course then so be it. At least I would still make it to the quiz!!

As it transpired, I crossed the finish line a whole hour faster than last year with an 800mtr sprint finish that Mo Farah himself would have been proud of and one which gained me 4 places on the finishers list.

The 10hrs 30mins was not without incident, nor did I finish unscathed. Quite early in the day, I bemoaned the lack of portaloos. I won't go into the gory details but there was an unplanned comfort break involving a handful or 3 of leaves. The improvisation worked well enough but contributed to some uncomfortable chafing which started around the 20 mile mark. I was also having a bit of trouble with something rubbing my back, which again caused some uncomfortable chafing.

Nice arse, sore back!

I managed to block out these things and soldiered on manfully passing the half way point in 4:50. I knew now that, even if I walked the rest of the way, I would be back inside 12 hours. I had, however also found a comfortable running rhythm towards the end of lap 1 and decided to continue that on the flats and power walk the inclines.

By the time I passed The Gap for the second time, I knew that 10 and a half was definitely on and pushed on with increased vigour. That vigour sharply stopped on reaching tarmac with a stabbing pain in my anterior tibialis ligament (lower shin) Again, a good dose of MTFU helped me to run in patches but occasionally it would bring me to an abrupt halt. On reaching the canal bank for the last 2 and a bit miles, the pain subsided enough for me to get back into the rhythm. And with the aforementioned power finish 10hrs 30m was hot almost bang on (by my watch anyway).

Other things probably helped throughout the day - consistent food and liquid intake, including Nuun tablets, fantastic weather for the time of year, marvellous scenery, knowledge of the course and a decent playlist of tunes on my phone. Above all though, I believe I was mentally prepared and it is this that I will take forward to future events, most notably the G2G next year and, if I can plan it and Martin and his team will have me, the 6633 Ultra in 2015.

Ah, yes the marvellous scenery. Here's a brief interlude of pics

The falsest of false horizons

Who needs to go abroad?

Due to the early finish I not only made it to the quiz (well by question 3 anyway) but managed to fit a nice long bath and decent power nap in beforehand. A couple of points on the quiz for Martin if he's reading this:

1. Gareth Bale signed for Real Madrid not Barcelona so technically the answer to that question was £0
2. Can you repeat Q13?

In closing this post I have to admit that I had pretty much made my mind up to do nothing now until after Christmas but I'm so chuffed with myself that it would be criminal not to ride the crest of this wave and push in and improve my performance. I know that my time didn't set the world on fire as everyone I spoke to after seemed to have finished about 2 hours before me but, with all the setbacks beforehand, I think I've reasons to be optimistic, especially if my lovely lady keeps up her level of support.

Here's to 2014

Inspiration Sir? Don't Mind If I Do

Yesterday I posted, on Facebook, a brief RIP for rugby league player Steve Prescott who died of a rare form of stomach cancer aged just 39 years old.

As is the case with rugby players of both codes, Steve was not the kind of guy to take a backward step. I had the fortune to see Steve play a few times in his St Helens days, most notably in the 1996 Challenge Cup Final. This was probably one of the greatest Cup Finals in rugby league history and Steve banged in two tries from full back helping Saints to beat the Bradford Bulls 40 - 32.

When Steve was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, he was given just a few months to live. The fact that he managed 7 years again shows the spirit of the man. Nor did he sit around waiting to die but started the Steve Prescott Foundation raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Christie NHS Foundation and TryAssist RFL Benevolent Fund

Just last year Steve accomplished a massive challenge. In the space of a week he completed the Paris marathon, cycled from Paris to Calais, rowed across the Channel, cycled to London and ran the London Marathon.

Legend and hero are words often overused in sport these days but, in the case of Steve Prescott MBE, they couldn't be more appropriate.

It is all of the above that has motivated me to push through the entirety of the Beacons Ultra this coming Saturday no matter how long it takes or how much it hurts. Due to a worrying lack of training, I had thought of giving the first loop a bit of effort and then putting my feet up in the hotel room before enjoying a beer or eight on Saturday evening, however I would be doing an injustice to Steve's memory.

So to Martin and all his team around the course, if you see me trying to take the easy option then politely remind me of everything I have just said and ask them to keep me a pint to one side in the pub.

Next week's post should be interesting.

Why, He Could Be Greased Lightning

A week has gone by since the suffering in Snowdonia and I can safely say that training has gone well. A couple of good treadmill sessions at work in the week plus over an hour yesterday and over 2 hours this afternoon. I can't say with confidence that I'll get round the whole Beacons Ultra and won't know for sure until the day but I'll certainly manage 1 lap of 23 miles plus push on for a wee bit longer to get the marathon distance under my belt. See how that is going and make a decision then. Training will still be for the full distance with a 90mins treadmill session planned for tomorrow.

I've paid for the entry and for B&B so it'd be a shame to waste that outlay. Plus, at the third time of asking, I can attend the customary post race quiz night and help England regain some self respect following what is becoming an annual slaughter at the hands of the Welsh!!

Now enough of this nonsense and back to Grease on Channel 4!!