Still bumbling along

A quick update.

My running is still erratic with no structure.  Last week I completed one run, hardly an ideal lead up to the Great Glen.  Okay, it was my usual mid week marathon run home but it turned out to be a real stinker.
After a breathless and tired run along the disused railway, I hit the uphill section and completely ran out of energy.  It was a slow shuffle / walk home, I've had stronger finishes to ultras.  In fact, I think it was the longest time I've ever taken to cover 26 miles.

At the weekend, it was time for me to give something back to the West Highland Way Race.  By The Way hostel and camp site in Tyndrum was my overnight stay for the Friday night as I volunteered to marshal at Bienglas Farm on Saturday.

It was an early start where we all quickly became midge food.  Bienglas Farm is a checkpoint where support crews are anxious to meet their runners after the loch side section.  Almost two hundred runners require two hundred support crew complete with vehicles.  This is where Mike and I would step in, guiding the support vehicles in and out the designated field.  Sounds easy?  This was really stressful guiding and pointing vehicles in the right direction.  It was a pleasure meeting and working with Mike who also happens to be running the Great Glen Ultra.  All went smoothly with our task, all the support crews were nice, some offering food and drink throughout the day.  After things calmed down we made our way to the checkpoint, it was good to see some runners come through and then the sweepers.  It was time to close the checkpoint, after giving John and Helen a hand to pack up I headed home.

I have a lot to do.  I am not organised for the Great Glen yet.  I still have to read the race briefing and organise my drop bags.  My mind is not in ultra race mode yet and this is a worry, I must complete this race to turn my 2014 ultra season around.  I'll post again in the next few days.

Week ending 22nd June.  Wed 26.  Weekly total 26 miles.  

Bumbling Along

It's been a busy few weeks, hence the lack of posts.  My training program is a thing of the past, I now find myself running only two or three times a week.  I've too much to do at the weekends, long runs are now mid week, usually the marathon distance run home from work.  This is the summer bumble for me, never sure how many miles to put in to keep fit enough for ultras, I need the structure of a training program.

It was on one such run home where I tried some free samples from Chia Charge.  The raspberry drink mix was delicious and refreshing, the chia seeds turned soft in the water bottle and were easy to drink.  Half way home I devoured the flap jack which contains sea salt.  I really enjoyed the flavour and texture of the flap jack so I ordered some supplies from chiacharge.co.uk. Hopefully I have found some good fuel for future long training runs and races.

It's almost time for The West Highland Way Race and a last minute call up will see me marshalling at Bienglas Farm.  This will be my first time marshalling so I'm a wee bit nervous but look forward to helping out.  The advantage of this checkpoint is it closes at 1300 leaving me free to be a support runner if required.
So far I'm not supporting but I can't think of a better place to be at midnight on the longest day than the top of Devils Staircase, it would bring back memories of my first WHW race in 2012.

This is a special weekend, for runners, for support, for family, for friends, for organisers, for marshals and rescue teams.  A race where strangers are willing to chip in and assist where required, to help participants reach their goal and realise their dreams .  Running long distance is a team effort where we are all in it together, appreciated from the sharp end of the field to the rear, good luck to everyone running this iconic trail race.

Week ending 01st June - Tues 26, Sat 12, Sun 03.  Weekly total 41 miles.
Week ending 08th June - Tues 03, Wed 17, Sat 12.  Weekly total 32 miles.
Week ending 15th June - Wed 26, Sun 08.  Weekly total 34 miles.