wannabe ultra runner?

*Waving to everyone from the wilds of Inverness* 

Well done to Tim and DT.  Commiserations Alistair, but in the long term you will be better off getting that hamstring sorted.

Sorry to be so late with this, but the WiFi at the Premier Inn is a bit doddery.  Well that was a strange one.  Lots and lots of newbies, pretty straightforward course, good weather and I really struggled.  I wasn't in a good frame of mind at the beginning, as the journey to the start line is a bit of a 'mare.  We all had to get on buses before 7.45, which crawled through the countryside and didn't arrive until 9.25!!  26 miles!!!!  As you can imagine, the loos etc were a bit busy with 4,000 runners suddenly descending on them.   I realised early on that I was not going to do a particularly reasonable time, my left achilles was grumbling, I could feel PF in my right foot and at no stage did my breathing settle down properly.  I had broken down old road shoes, as my current road shoes seem to exacerbate the achilles problem.  What can I say about the race itself?  Stunning course, smiley marshalls, but thinly supported most of the way, generous supplies of Clif Shotblocks, gels and their electrolyte drink.  Nice goody bag, with a tin of soup, which on first sight I bizarrely thought was a tin of cat food.

I think the various niggles I am getting at the moment and my deteriorating form is down to overtraining, so I am going to dial it down a bit for a couple of weeks and start training with a heart rate monitor.  I think it will be difficult to do though, it seems counter-intuitive to think that reducing the training will improve my form, so I shall have to keep giving myself a stern talking to. 

yikes Tim and Daytrekker-you are hardnuts indeed! sounded like some rough hours at times but glad you enjoyed it and learnt a lot by the sounds of it. often our mistakes are the making of us and id say we are pretty fast learners on here so no doubt both of you will do even better next time!

Rosemary, i know what you mean by stepping down training feels like you are not improving, my head works a bit like that as well:/....rest though is important too and sounds like your body is hinting that you need a wee break perhaps? youve done quite a lot , also it sounds as if the journey wasnt a very good precursor to the main event .....tha catfood/soup made me laugh though!!

Rosemary - I did Loch Ness as my first marathon in 2010, the bus ride to the start is quite something, lots of over hydrated runners locked on a coach for over an hour!

Whilst I had nothing to compare it to back then, looking back now I think it is quite deceptive in spite of being downhill overall the undulations seem to accumulate.

I remember it being a pretty good atmosphere in Invernes but as you say pretty sparse out on the course.

I'm guessing it was a tin of Baxters soup? local cuisine ... of sorts!!!!  As I said, hadn't realised you were doing the Loch Ness one, yes the start logistics are grim to say the least which is a shame as it IS a beautiful course (haven't run it but know enough).  Definitely take a wee recovery for a week or so, have been where you are and the temptation is to keep on training to see if you can get 'fitter' when actually your body needs some R&R, which in turn will allow you to recover physically and mentally. Well done for hanging in there though. And yes Alistair, you are correct, it IS undulating and is considered a hilly marathon of sorts - obviously not hilly by hardcore ultra standards

i think Rosemary will come back fighting once she gets her hands on the pink Barbie sandwich bag Cragc....thats what was up this weekend

JeremyG wrote (see)

Well done Tim and daytrekker - some great running going on. I did contemplate the Lady Bower50 - sounds good so it's on the list for next year - can't beat beer and fish and chips at the finish!

youve  already sold the event to me Jeremy  on the strength of the fish and chips alone- !! maybe i will pass on the beer though

Sorry I'm late to the party everyone...

Alistair - bad luck mate, but very wisely done. DNF is less of an issue than big injury.... and well done on making a good day out from the disappointment!

Daytrekker - well done sir! Good running, I knew you'd do well at it. Sounds a fun event, although if you think there's too much tarmac i'm unlikely to be running it anytime soon!

Tim - Great report - and very honest. Every event is a learning experience (not that i'll ever be learning what it's like to be near the front!!). Well done you on persevering, and still finishing well.

Rosemary - Take a week off... Seriously, you'll probably find you come back so much fitter and fresher! Always remember, fitness is gained when your body has time to adapt ready for the next onslaught - give your body a bit of time to do that adaptation, and to recuperate.

Hello everyone else

oh that IS funny, although all about perception I guess, hubby was chuckling at me yesterday as I described my 10-miler I did in the morning as a short long run - if that makes any sense!! In his opinion a 10 mile long run is a bl**dy long way ... and this is the man doing the OMM (mountain marathon) in three weeks time on the back of some random road bike sessions and some rowing in the gym!

Nope! Has been known to occasionally break into a jog on these events - to be fair, if you are a good mountain yomper and a very good navigator (which he is) then you can do OK, but I've abandoned doing them with him as I get so frustrated when he runs out of steam!!

CC - Some people's ability to gain so much time through navigation is impressive. Good on him if he can use it to his advantage. I would love to do a Mountain Marathon but will sharpen up my navigation first 

SDW100 entries open... I have seen the Tiago is in and lining up to smash his first 100!

Hey WiB, I'm in, but I ain't number 1!

Haha... Benefits of volunteering and getting early entry

Great that you are running it though, plenty of time to prepare and a fantastic race. Plenty of support. Get in touch if you are out on the SDW for a recce in the lead up, would be good to go for a run.

I will do that, buddy, thanks.

well done on gettting in Tiago  i think i may do the SDW50 in April as well as the NDW50 in May

How come NDW50 is May?

coz it is Spen..and the 100 is August