Hadrian's Wall 2013

Hey RaRa - you could wrap youself in your survival blanket and find a bench on the Quayside to sleep on - sure you wouldn't be the only one...

Seriously though, this is why I'm not entering loads of races - just can't afford the costs. Mostly local, mostly with easy transport links, no overnight stay.

On the plus side, 99% of my running is free, other than the cost of gear, shoes, and so on, so not so free after all, I guess. Stopped buying tops a while ago as I've built up a collection of freebies from races.

Hey RaRa, we have been on Amazon and ordered some espresso and blackberry Gu gels. Have had these for the past few months and apart from the great taste (!) they do give you 'something'. I'll make mine last over 5 miles, taking a pull every now and then. And well done on those back to backs last weekend; it's ok when the legs catch on with 'the plan'. Keep grazing almonds, kitkats, fruit, kitkats, pasta, couscous, kitkats - see a pattern here?

PAB - it is so expensive lately; the local races offer better value and nicer cake too. I prefer medals to t-shirts now.

Hi Tim, welcome to the party.

Got dozens of tops, and only four pairs of shorts. If there was a race that gave out shorts instead of tops, I'd enter that like a shot...

Incidentally, for anyone raising money for charity...someone I know suggested doing a sweepstake on finishing time. Seemed like a cracking idea - way more interesting than the usual "gimme some money" line. Winner gets a set amount, rest to charity.

One day
Alasdair Fowler, Alick, Amster and Mr Amster, Benjamin Kissel, Blakester, Checkmate, EKGO, Gramck +1, Ian78, John MacKenzie, Keith Jones +1, Magnus McGillivray, Mr X, Paulkrunner, Richard Langton, Rockhopper Penguin. The Foon+3. Tim Lister.

Two days
Craney, Crash Bang Wallop, Edinburghemma +Ashley. Flatfoot+1, Louise Hall, Marcus Nichols +2, Oscarr, Pinkbug, Pursued by Angry Bees +1, RunningRaRa, Sleepy Bear, Weedy.

I got a dandy pair of Salomon S-Lab socks at the end of the Kielder Marathon. Right Bobby Dazzlers, they are. 

Pair of shorts would be cool.

Some races have had Buffs (in America, I guess), can't have too many Buffs.

Edinburghemma wrote (see)

Relentless Forward Progress is good. I would definitely recommend it,

 

I'd second that - I've just finished it too

My fave tips from it (over and above the progs):

the book recommends taking on board 100 cals every half hour

The author recommends the following pacing strategy for novice ultra runners: 25 mins run / 5 mins walk, when start gettng tired drop to 20 mins / 5 mins and towards the end 15 / 5. 

Kit recommendations - compression tights (apparently reduce/eliminate any chafing).  Rest as per what we've already chatted about - ie spare socks - 2nd pair of shoes etc

real food is emphasized as far as we can stomach it as the mix of fat/protein/carb is apparently more lasting in terms of energy release.

Yeah I quite like my buffs - I had quite a collection of No Fuss ones at one point - only seem to have one left though but I do like their little monkey logo!

Anyone else heart rate training? I'm finding it slower than the average slug journey but everyone keeps telling me to persevere...

Spotted this posting, which might be of interest to anyone near Leeds

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/general-running/biomechanics-research---leeds-metropolitan-university/240696.html?lastunread=1&lastviewed=10299535#lvm

Guy looking for subjects for a dissertation. Downside you have to do 3 half marathons on a treadmill. Good chance to test a couple of different packs tho.

Not tried heart rate training Sleepy Bear. Tony Audenshaw on Marathon Talk podcast is a big fan.

We did a slowish, hilly  20 miler yesterday and legs 100% today without cold bath, so I'm going to aim to do 7-10 today. On the food, I ate a couple of shot bloks and tum felt decidedly funny 10 minutes later, so I'm going to try and eat proper food next week and see what happens. Also I was looking at an ultrawalkers blog, who walks/runs ultra races and he recommends carrying flat coke, citing that you'll get an extra 1.5hrs of oomph per can. Must find link...

John Tarrant - the Ghost runner used to drink a concoction called the Corspe reviver, it was 1 litre of lemonade shaken until completely flat, with 3 tablespoons of Glucose powder, and 1 large teaspoon of salt.

I tried a mix last week 1/2 litre hand bottle with water, 100mls of Maple syrup  dissolved in water with 2 teaspoons of coffee a small bottle got me through 18 miles very well. 

Chia seeds in water with agave and lime is class for keeping you going. Goes gloopy, and so stops me from getting stitches.

RaRa - "don't get mad, get running" - think you could get a t-shirt out of that...

One more run to get my Jantastic target - looks like I'll miss the Parkrun, so maybe a jaunt out tonight...

RaRa - that made me laugh. But the big question is what made you angry enough to enter Hadrian's Wall?

Weedy Gonzalez wrote (see)

RaRa - that made me laugh. But the big question is what made you angry enough to enter Hadrian's Wall?

Yeah - I'm wondering too

Hey Ra Ra - did you get mad when the Amazon gel arrived - note singular !!

Too good to be true. Wanted to say "yes" to PAB re chia, agave and lime; it assisted me round the MK marathon last year; rain and wind all the way but I swear it gave me the energy.

It's a mudfest this weekend at Wellingborough x-country. Bring it on!