This Saturday is where we get to the business end of this training block. A 50km Ultramarathon. This is followed with a short recovery period for a week and then into the 4 weeks before I tackle last year's nemesis of the JCC 100km.
The last week has been about recovering as best I can from the issues I was carrying from December and tapering in the two week run-in to this coming weekend. Given how much of Jan, Feb and early March went, I'm feeling much better about my prospects than I was a few weeks ago.
The 50km Route
The route is a Figure-of-8 double loop starting at the Queen's house in Windsor, running down to Egham in Surrey; back around to Windsor; and then around to Maidenhead in Berkshire along the Thames Path, before finally returning to Windsor for Tea and Pizza with a The Royals (LOL... not really as I couldn't face Prince Andrew smugly not sweating while I was); though I'm grateful that the weather forecast is for a sunny spring day with a high of 14C, rather than the 28C I encountered when I walked this route a few years ago. Given my training and speeds on hilly trail routes, while training fasted on every run, I'm confident that for the majority of this route i can move quicker than normal. I'll be fully fueled, for a start with my trusty Tailwind and Stroopwaffels, while carrying a few gels. My main aim is to get through rest stops quickly. More taking a quick comfort break and stretch before setting off for the next stretch.
I've put an anticipated schedule together, but it's pretty loose. I'd like to get round in under 9 hours at a stretch, but I'm mindful to not overdo it and risk my injuries flaring up. I've a 100km just over a month from now. While this is a means to that end, this is still an ultra-marathon and shouldn't be taken lightly.
It's running over 31 miles, carrying a pack. It needs to be respected. As someone who suffered a DNF on the 100 last year, it hurst when you don't make the distance you set out for. In fact it's shit. There are many things that can go wrong from a trip, to blisters, to injury, to getting your fueling wrong. I will take this very seriously as it's far from f*cking easy to achieve. It's very easy to fall into the trap of underestimating this first challenge, while focusing on the bigger and badder next one. I won't. Marathons, Ultra-Marathons, etc are HARD. They are hard on your body and they are hard on your mind. Even harder if you are older, heavier and more physically broken than the average person. Take it for granted at your peril!
Having seen the Amazing Ellie (My Physio) the other evening, I'm feeling much better with my injuries. Having given my trouble areas the once over, she's happy they are in better shape than when I first went under her hammer (elbows). It's also a good feeling to have her rooting for me through all this.. I say this knowing she thinks what I'm doing is pretty crazy though LOL. Luckily she was kind(ish) to some of my challenging areas (calves and glutes), so I can now simply relax with a bedlam rest-of-week at work and zero running until Saturday. One thing I am fascinated to see is my 'walking buddy' and slightly-unhinged-best-friend-Graham's 'Ultra Experiment'....
Graham has held the belief that if you have put a number of 50k and 100K walks through your legs over the last few years, that you can walk around a 50km route with no recent training....
I'm inclined to agree... Though it is not for the feint hearted. It'll feel like utter sh!t after about 30km, but if he takes it easy and keep stopping to a minimum, I'm a big believer that muscle memory will kick in and see him through. It'll be a challenge of the mind for sure. It's going to hurt... a lot, but I can't wait to watch him prove the point. It's a different type of challenge which will again be a crazy physical and mental one. I know he has it in him to finish this in the one sitting (or walking). Huge respect to anyone willing to go 'there'. Anyone else without that experience in his legs I'd urge them to rethink, but Graham is built for striding, knows from experience about fueling and pacing, and is well kitted out already.
He can do this. He knows he can do this. I'll be on phonecall standby to give him a few choice 'pep-talks' while on the route as well, should he need them.
I know he reads this blog, so a personal message to say "you've got this Mr GQ, and very proud to do this with you my friend"... Wish us both luck... we are going to need it.
The first challenge awaits...
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