My Forum

Running really strongly at the moment but having a serious problem late on in races.....My last four marathons/ultras (all trail) have all resulted in roled ankles/sprains. Each time it occurs it is around 22 miles, can be either ankle and 3 of them have been on flat parts of the course so not just co-incidence that hit 'bad' ground etc. The marathons I have gone on to finish as close to the end although compromised my finish time, the ultra I ran on from 22 miles to 45 before finally giving it up as turned it 3 more times during that extra 23 miles...(would never make this mistake again).

Have been using a wobble board to strengthen the ankles as assumed it was some sort of proprioception issue but it seems to make no difference, 22 miles and bosh, over we go again..

Has anybody experienced anything similar or have any idea as to what the issue is likely to be. I seem ok on tarmac but I train and race on trails and once we hit a point of fatigue, bosh, over we go.

PS the ascents measured 5500ft and the descents 5400ft, no wonder it was hard graft

Utterly brutal marathon, twisted ankle at 7.5 miles, went on to properly sprain it at 22 miles as any of the 5 runners directly behind me on the trail will tell you as I shattered their ears with my screams....Ran with Alistair and like him had plenty left in the tank, tbh I was more mentally than physically exhausted having to constantly pick my footing and trying not to break my neck on every slippery rock descent. Great prep for Hardmoors 60 ultra in September, just hoping the sprain repairs quickly as need to get plenty of miles in my legs before then....Great race, brilliant organisation, deffo short of 26.2 on Garmin....Shows how tough it is, ran Kielder in 4hrs at over 14st, set off at over a stone lighter for this one but finished in 4hrs 48mins and was really pleased with that