Sadly, my scenery isn't going to be as stunning as this Gif, but the Hertfordshire countryside isn't too bad. I'll be seeing a fair chunk of it on Saturday 4th April running my first ever ultra marathon - 50km.
My route is known as the STOOP - Stevenage Outer Orbital Path. Basically a countryside trail lap of the town of Stevenage. I have hiked this route once when training for my 100k hike a couple of years ago, and it took over 13 hours to go the 51.7km. I'd like to get around in 10 hours. We shall see. There is an idea in ultra event training that if you can get half distance, then you can go full distance. After 40km it's about your head, as much as your body. A 50k is a good way to test this. Especially doing it almost entirely alone. No conversations. No pep talks. Just me, my music and my thoughts. If the demons and doubts kick in, it will be seen this Saturday. Train for it. I'm a bit nervous as my last two weeks training haven't been what I wanted given my back problem: but I'll grit my teeth, take it easy, and get it done. No crowds. No medals. Just me, my backpack and a few water drop offs points the night before, plus a mercy dash by my wife for food at halfway.
I'll be starting the challenge at the same time my two friends Graham and James (who are both doing the same 100km ultra challenge hike). They will be hiking it and I'll be doing my MAF Zone Run-walk-run method. It'll be a good indicator of relative speed difference, and will give me an idea of what my final time for a 100km will roughly be in 7 weeks time. To bring home what 50km actually looks like here is the google earth 3D flythrough of the route... Wish me luck.
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