Floating like a butterfly..
In my mind, when I run, I float across the ground, steadily and skillfully making progress over trails, across rivers, over and down mountains.
I feel like an explorer covering new ground, slightly heroic as I go beyond the everyday world and I endure the hardship of the distance with a quiet smile.
In reality, I'm a clumpy, sweaty old sod, crunching along on a body that has been battered by years of contact sport. Various parts of the lower limbs ache every day and my long runs have one common theme, when will it really start to hurt?
On a good day, this can come as late as 15 miles, but on a bad day it can start before 10... I haven't worked out if it is physics, nutrition? the only consistency is knowing it will come!
But the dream persists....
Ultra.. or let the dream die..
A few years ago, I actually ran my first Ultra - it was part of the EnduranceLife Coastal Series and was just over 27 miles. It was in February and a similar route to the Beachy Head Marathon so lots of short sharp up and downs and a pretty tough run.
So I'm going to count it.. I finished in a pretty respectable time (about 4hrs 30m). I also signed up for Rat Race The Wall in 2014.. 69 miles over 2 days from Cumbria to Newcastle.
I trained well for it, and got a 30 mile training run in as part of the preparation, having a food stop half way sitting outside Hove town hall before setting off home.
About 3 weeks before the race I developed an acute knee injury that meant a month rest.. so my plans were thwarted.
100km
I've gone for the soft option of taking this on over 2 days.. but it'll be an interesting journey.
My last longer run was 16 miles in Sept when my calf pinged.
Fingers are crossed, and touch wood for luck.. I'll let you know as my plans take shape..
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