It’s all about your heart...

 

Monday: Was determined not to let lasts weeks head demons get to me again. 

Had loads of encouraging messages and comments (all appreciated, supportive and very thoughtful so massive thank you).

Had the pack ready on Sunday evening and although an 11m was on the cards I wasn’t sure what I’d actually do so, included snacks and started experimenting with motivational “treats”

No cockin’ about. Kit on, pack on, bit of the ol’ Foo Fighters to rock out to and off! Put distance and time to the back of my mind and ran, not like the wind I hasten to add but stuck to a realistic pace that was sustainable.

The things about ultras, the focus isn’t about getting an awesome time but more about getting to the finish line. Start slow, settle into a routine, clear yer head and crack on.

Three miles in and Paula Williams passes me and shouted at me to stop leaning so much!! 

Stopped for a natter and then back on it.

Got to the half way point and tbh, felt pretty good so trekked on to take the slightly longer route through the woods and via Hook village. 

Paula had a totally valid point (or two) one of which was heart rate consistency. Bit like cadence on a bike I guess but either way, focussed on keeping a steady easy pace and figured it’d take as long as it was gonna take.

Darkness soon rolled in, in fact, the route is totally pitch black and the head torch really wasn’t up to the job so needed to take things a little more tentatively.

Mile 11 I thought it’d be a good time to take a power walk and see how the “treat” thing worked. 

So, scoff done and a decent gulp of the good stuff and back on it. 

Ended up with just under 15 miles in 2:07:00 mins which was so much easier without the run app telling me how far I’d gone, pace, speed etc.

Defo the way to go! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday: kinda settled into the 15m route and although could’ve swapped it for a shorter one figured that I’d only be sat on the sofa chillin’ 30 mins earlier so plodded on. 

Still no app to tell me distance travelled and just concentrated on keeping my heart rate at a something comfortable. 

I took Paula’s advice and rigged myself up to an old heart monitor (chest strap) plus old Garmin watch I’d had laying about (which I’d never used).

Did LOADS of research online only to find that there’s several conflicting formulas for what rate you should run at. 

There’s the standard 220bpm minus your age, then there’s the French formula with is somewhat different. Once figured out you can “zone” the heart rates depending on what you want to get out of a run. Sadly none of these compensate for luggin’ a dirty great weight on your back! 

Generally speaking I came to the conclusion that, for marathon distance I should be aiming for anything between 125-150bpm 

Apparently, you should be able to hold a conversation during a run without blowing out yer arse if you want to have enough energy to get to the end. No probs yeah?!

Tbh it wasn’t as slow or painful as I thought it’d be. In fact it was almost pleasant despite being in total darkness for 90% of it. Which reminds me.... when ya only have a weak head torch tunnel of light, look out for fricken tree stumps!! Missed one and went arse over tit landing in THE biggest, muddiest,foulest puddle of what I suspect was rainwater and sheep piss!

That said, even with the strong headwind, no light, really wet mud and bit of rain managed the 15 miles in a respectable 2:24:00 and that included a power walk whist necking some grub, all without taking my heart rate over 145. Please to get back home feeling ok.

See... it all about the science!

If you wonna know more about heart monitors I strongly recommend you speak to Nick Carter at Alton Sports if you’re local. I dare say he’ll give you the best advice / device whereas mine's quite old but seemed to do the job. 

Friday: I had two choices, do my long one today or take a short one and then the long one Saturday. 

Got to 3m and being such a lush afternoon just kept going. 

Legs were a bit sore from yesterday’s 15m but nothing to moan about. 

Hit what I knew to be a 5m marker and reversed the route. 

Another 10m done bringing the total for this week to bang on 40m which means tomorrow will just be a Park Run of 3m and then rest day!

Kit Update: Decided to sort out the head torch issue by visiting Nick at Alton Sports. Looked at a few but opted for the 250 lumie Ultra. It’s got a 30hr battery life when on full so I’m hoping that it’ll be good enough for the Amazon without having to take spare batteries (every little bit of weight WILL count). Roll on Monday night so I can give it a go. 

Invested in a Gortex waterproof top too. Not the cheapest I have to say but defo the lightest and with the weather slowly getting wetter plus more regular days out doing the do it seems the sensible thing to do if I’m to avoid unnecessary winter colds n stuff. Big thanks again to Nick for the advice.

Saturday: Aimed to do a Park Run and absolutely nothing else. Needed to get a decent rest day or two in ready for next week. Fortunately / unfortunately the weather was sodding awful and rather than get a 30 min soaking for 3m I just skipped it for this week.

Feeling a little guilty lasted about 2 nano seconds. I'd done 40 miles this week so wasn’t gonna beat myself up.

So far, this has absolutely been one hell of a journey both mentally & physically but ya know what, I’ve learned more about myself in this last 4 months than I can believe.

Whatever you’re doing next week, aim high, push your limits and smile at what you achieve no matter how small.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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