Procrastination and Paralysis

I have seen many Blogs from different people about their plans for 2014 and the goals that they have set themselves. I started to write my own and spent so long procrastinating over it that it is now March. This got me to thinking about what causes delay or more specifically procrastination? How does this effect ones day to day life and what are the potential effects on Training?

1. Firstly it seems Procrastination is part of a more vicious and sinister cycle. Procrastination rears it's ugly head at times of high stress, emotional pressure and/or high workloads.

2. Procrastination leads to Paralysis. There is a point where it feels like there is just so much to do that the mind cannot cope and goes into shut down and finishes none of the multitude of tasks awaiting its attention.

3. By becoming paralysed the workload, pressures and stressors only increase. The sensation of being overwhelmed leads to a point where the persons mind and body go into to shut down.

So what happens next? There is no easy way to tackle these difficulties other than to break them down into manageable chunks and bit by bit address them.

In addressing any issues I liken the pressures to a strong tall building that keeps growing week on week. You don't try and pull the roof down in some vain effort to bring the building down. The best course of action is to kick away at the foundations. It takes time and can be tiring, but little by little the task becomes smaller, more manageable.

For me the biggest difficulty faced is in my job. I am generally so busy on a day to day basis, often with deadlines that force me to exceed the expected hours of my working day. Historically this has led to me skipping training sessions and eating crap. This has led to weight gain and fatigue. It has also caused a loss of quality time with the family. You can see how the frustrations from this build. For me at the times the hardest thing is to pull back and gather a sense of perspective. It can feel like a losing battle and the question "What's the point?" Rears it's ugly head.

When under the gun I have watch my small work tasks grow as I prioritise the urgent stuff. The big pieces of work command attention, but the little things build and build until they are a big and daunting task in themselves. I can be working hard, but appear to be getting no where.

I reached a point at the end of February where enough really was enough and something had to be done. A little bit of self reflection, honesty and a whole lot of determination were required to sort this all out. It was time to remove the excuses and take back control. My situation had become one where I was working, coming home, trying to do more work and falling asleep on the sofa. I was missing out planned training sessions and quality time with my wife. In essence the time was being consumed but in an inefficient manner.

The main part of my life that didn't take a back seat was time with my boy. It suffered a bit as I was distracted, but in essence I was still focused on him and having fun. This for me was the crucial lightbulb moment. The reality is.............

You are MORE productive after rest and recuperation.

I was working relentlessly, but like a wind up toy. I kept going and going, but as the cogs turned I began to slow down and eventually, in essence, paralysed. By near burn out everything was taking twice as long to do and the workload was rising. I have a senior position in a Local Authority and am tasked with improving practice of social workers. I love the role, but it's hugely demanding and I needed to reclaim my me time and family time.

I learnt a few things very quickly;

1) Sometimes doing less really is more.
2) devoting 30mins to a smaller task is never wasted time.
3) Attacking things in stages has a cumulative effect.
4) Maintenance is key.
5) rest breaks are key.
6) don't waste time when resting or working,
7) be clear on what you are doing.

My advice would be for everyone to remember these points and strive to keep the balance. It's easier to keep things under control than try to fix them once they have gone wrong. Each element plays a crucial role.

1) by being realistic about what can be achieved I have stopped setting unrealistic goals. These were in essence setting me up to fail and giving me no time to rest. I was then having work to do over night and would be tired in the morning. It meant the little jobs then got sacrificed by started to mount up. By setting myself to do less people may have to wait a little longer, but everything can be done to a high standard and I don't end up like a heap on the floor.

2) When it has felt like I don't have enough time to complete a task I found myself doing nothing or planning the bigger tasks. Spending the snippets of time starting/finishing little tasks it appears almost as if I have found "magic hours" with the day. They were always there, but just not being used.

3) similiar to point 2. by planning things in stages to completion it means I can start tasks and feel they are progressing, but have the plan for each stage and an end in sight for each task. This is moral boosting and gives a constant sense of progress, rather than moving backwards.

4) Sustaining change is far easier than catching up. By ensuring that I am maintaining reports and records for current issues I do not fall behind on them whilst catching up on others. These are prioritised and this way the backlog always comes down or maintains. It is prevented from getting worse by maintaining the completion of current work. Maintenance is key.

5) It has become vital to know my limits and the points at which I need to switch off. There needs to be a balance and the rest means that I can wind back up read to move again at a higher pace. I liken it to a walk/run strategy at the start of an ultra. Act from
The start before the exhaustion kicks in.

6) As I was addressing the issues of work I was looking at the time I was wasting. I have utilised this to ensure my strategy to prevent paralysis works. Reflecting on this I realised the same applies in rest. How many of us sit and watch tv in a vegetative state when we could interact with our families, sleep, blog, or any other number of things that would be productive and give a greater sense of achievement. Remembering this helps me optimise my time, even when it is my intention to do nothing. When doing nothing I intend to do it the best way I can.

7) With any task or action it is essential to have clarity on what I am doing and trying to achieve. There are so many distractions in this world. Technology means I am always being contacted by phone, email or in person. I am often interrupted mid flow. By managing this and staying clear on what I am doing I manage the time better. If people need help they are asked to come back at a time that works for my plan and I only log into my email if I have allowed the time to actually respond to them. These keeps my mind focused and clear on what I am trying to achieve.

This to many will sound very idealistic and it is certainly a work in progress, but by starting now I stop the backlogs getting worse and I take control. I am undoing the paralysis and am at the stage of wiggling my toes.

If you are reading this blog then you are likely to have spotted the startling manner in which all of the above applies to running and any training plans and goals you may be trying to achieve. This period of reflection was to focus on work and it's effect on my life and also drew me back to reflect on the management of my training and general running. Looking at points 1-7 they all remain pertinent. The less is more can definitely apply and alongside remembering the short time runs all add up and have huge benefits in training. It remains imperative to be clear on what you are trying to achieve, whilst also acknowledging the cumulative effect of training runs and maintaining a level of fitness.

All in all it leads to a plan that involves reclaiming a balance in my life whilst training hard and in essence optimising my time. I don't want to get into the mess I have been in for last couple of months. It is not good for my health, neither mentally nor physically. I feel like with this period of reflection I am back on track. I hope everyone out there who is feeling paralysed is also motivated to get things back on track. It is not easy, but when was anything that is worth doing ever easy?!

In refocusing my attention I ran the Eastbourne Half marathon. I had no expectations. I had done no speed work and the last couple of months meant I anticipated a slog and ultimately a time well in excess of 2hrs. I cleared my mind and approached with the attitude that points 2,3 and 4 would at least apply. Alleviating the pressure I set about just maintaining consistent pace. I loved this run. The first run for a long time where everything clicked and the mojo was there in abundance. I had nearly pulled out of the race due to a lack of...... Well of everything. With the assistance of a sprint finished I came home in 1hr59:58. What (if any) my body has lost in fitness it made up for in mental focus. I am about where I was last year and that was a pretty good year. So with my 7 point plan etched in my mind my targets are;

A. Completing GUCR
B. 20 loops at Endure24
C. PB at Beachy Head Marathon
D. PB at Beacons Ultra.

This plan will no doubt be tested by the arrival of my second baby in early August. With my 7point plan in mind I have every intention of this paralysis not rearing it's head again in work or free time.

Happy training everyone.

Beachy Head Marathon is fast approaching. I'm really looking forward to this race. It's not technically an Ultra, but in terms of toughness it's right up there. Looping from the start in Eastbourne the race starts and finishes on a short sharp hill. Only the front pack run up it and only the idiots (me) sprint down it.






The scenery throughout the race is beautiful. The uphills are rewarded with downhills, but whichever way you spin it there are a lot of hills. It is generally accepted amongst the field that an 40min on top of a road marathon time is about where one should aim. This is reflected in the course record of 2hrs47min. My time of 5hrs49(ish) is just over an hour off my road marathon pb.

Regardless of the hills, the 300 steps and the 14 gates there is also the time of year. With it being October you can toss a coin for what the weather will do. This race has an incredible vibe. Amongst the runners and the aid stations everyone is in great spirits. A lovely touch is the category of walkers. Many of the walkers set off early. It results in effect to the runners having a rolling cheer squad.

The race is superbly marked and there should be no excuses for navigational mishaps. There is even an unofficial aid station on top of the Seven Sisters, courtesy of the coastguard. The organisers pride themselves in this not being a race. I would concur with that as it's more an event and a great one at that. After all who wouldn't love a race where a checkpoint has tea cakes and sausage rolls?!

I last ran this race in 2011 and am very excited to be running again in 2013. The weather will be anybody's guess and the course will be tough, but consistently ranked one of the best marathons in the country this is one not to be missed. It's currently sold out, but lots of places get sold on eBay as people withdraw.

South Downs Way 100

With the excitement for the South Downs Way 100 set to boil over I cannot believe that it is so close. It seems a long time ago that I was signing up to it and even further back at NDW100 2012 that I was "never doing it again."

This time round I have trained and lost weight and am feeling ready to go. Aside from being fitter I have a truer sense of the mental battle that awaits and feel that I am prepared for the challenge that this will pose. The highs and lows of an ultra event should not be underestimated and no less the severity of the swings from feeling bad to good and vice versa. There are going to be times when I feel like crawling but this will not mean I won't be able to feel like running shortly after. The brilliance of a 100 miler is the magnitude of the mental challenge. Literally anything could happen. I will be running the North Downs Way 100 as well this year. If you are reading this and not clear about what this challenge involved then you can go here

My kit is ready as are my provisions. I have short sleeved tops and my long sleeve X-Bionic and I think I am covered for all temperature and weather eventualities (famous last words). I had a long sleeve top on for last years NDW100 and this had a bigger impact than I realised. It was a very hot day and that was hard so have added a short sleeve top to the kit. I also have the fortune of this time running using a Salomon Slab12. I can't fully explain how much better this is than my previous pack. It's so comfortable that this can only have a positive impact.

I have food and treats for my drop bag. These include self heating cups of hot chocolate. I think leaving mile 69 with a hot chocolate could be a lovely moment. This is assuming Bryan hasn't already drunk it before I get there. I have box of Jitterbeans for when the sleep desire and loss of focus hits. I have bought jelly fruit pouches from Asda that I am using as an alternative to gels. They are tasty, easy to consume and have a twisty lid. Hopefully this will save me from sticky hands.

This is going to be one hell of an adventure and I'm going to give it everything I have. I am aspiring to get to the top of the hill out of Jevington. Once I'm there it's pretty much all down hill to the finish. My wife and little boy will be there and that will be the best reward, although a buckle will be nice :) This will be my first Father's Day as well and I have a little gift from my son ready to open at midnight. It could prove a very useful mental boost.

Aside from the love of running I am also trying to raise money for St Wilfrids hospice. They are a wonderful cause and for more info should be visited here. And if you wish to sponsor me you can do that here.

My previous blogs have explained the difficulties my wife's grandfather had and the support he received from St Wilfrids. I am literally in awe of the job they do every day. There vision is;

of a community where people talk openly about dying, live well until the end of their life and where nobody dies alone, afraid or in pain.

Sounds like a brilliant mission statement to me. When I get to the top of Jevington I am also only about 400mtrs from where My wife's grandfather's ashes were scattered. This will be a really poignant moment.

So if you are running, out on the downs, know someone who has struggled with cancer think that just 1/3mile from the finish line is St Wilfrids hospice. There are people there living the last few days of their lives in a calm and tranquil environment. This is thanks to the brilliant staff at the hospice.

If you can spare a few pounds to sponsor me and support this cause then please do so here and spread the word.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the start and throughout the day. I hope I stay happy and smiling, but forgive me if seem a bit down at any point (deep down I will be enjoying it really.)

Happy running everyone.

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Why I run!

My Ultra running season is only 2 weeks from beginning. My last ultra race was the North Downs Way 100 in August last year. Those who have read my previous blog will know that this did not end well for me and I finished at mile 60. After much reflection I have been training hard and am ready to take on the ultra challenge of running 100miles. This year I will be attempting this not once but twice.

Everyone when told for the first time about Ultra running says to me "are you mad?" I quite probably am and truth be told I could come up with a million profound reasons why I do it. In the past I have used some of these reasons. The truth when all the profound reasons are stripped away is this.... I love running! It's that simple no fancy philosophical justifications. I run because I enjoy running.

My job and home life are busy and on the go. There is a lot of stress and pressure on a daily basis. At work I'm left feeling drained and some times shell shocked at the way some humans can behave. Running for me changes all this. The very action of lacing up my shoes is like mentally putting the day in a box or pressing the pause switch. After a run I feel refreshed and rejuvenated and better placed to take on tasks and challenges.

I'm always amazed by the running community and especially the Ultra community. The warmth and support shown to everyone is astounding. The mutual respect is shared from fastest to slowest runner and the only question ever asked is "did you do your best?" With Ultras (to an extent) time becomes irrelevant. The act of toeing the line shows the strength of the runner and pushing yourself further than you thought you could go takes you to a pure state of euphoria. What a way to spend a weekend.

The rising popularity of ultra running has also, in equal measure, given rise to those who question why we do it and assume we are all mental. Hey I think sitting by a stream with a rod in hand for hours to catch something and put it back is mental. This doesn't mean thousands don't love doing it.
What I love about ultras is the training and devotion required means everyone doing them regularly has the same unbridled passion. The simplest act of one foot in front of the other, becomes the greatest act of all.

I am very fortunate to have made several friendships via twitter. These friendships are all ultra runners. Some I've met and some I have not. Despite this each & every person is supportive of my goals, as I am of theirs. We laugh, cry, grimace, support and banta with each other. The most fun I've had in a training run was with Graham (@GrahamCarterGC), Max (@maximisemylife), Bryan (@bryanwe), Tom (@tomgoom) and Lee (@leebriggs9). It was an awesome weekend where our love of running transcended our diverse backgrounds. I can't think of another sport where this would so easily occur. Watching and in some small way supporting graham to his first ultra finish was a true pleasure.

Sharing in everyone's achievements gives me faith that in a world where we are increasingly isolated such community spirit can still thrive. The thought that come 15th June there will be several people checking live updates and twitter feeds to see how I'm doing is very humbling. It's also a great thought that we are all inspired by each other and the support received at Aid stations during ultras is always immense. This year I know a few people who will be at them and this will add to the enjoyment. When I cross the finish line my twitter feed will go mad, then we will all chat about it and plan how we can do it all again tomorrow.

This is why I run!

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NDW & SDW Recce

After a failed attempt at NDW100 in 2012 I was determined to come back in 2013 and tackle it again. I was mindful that I made several mistakes in 2012 and was determined to rectify this. I have run as far as mile 55 before on NDW, but no further. I wanted to recce the other half. I was planning a weekend of running on my own. The wonderful world of twitter means that a couple of tweets and the next thing I new there was a group of us running. Eventually it concluded as Bryan and myself running on both days with a group of 5 of us running on Sunday.
With Bryan training for TP100 (which he has since completed! Well done Bryan) it was an opportunity for me to gauge my current fitness level. The Sunday morning brought snow and on this day only added to the excitement. I was wrapped up warm and with my new Suunto Ambit on its first outing (review to follow) things were all set for a positive day.
Bryan and I quickly found our stride and were in a steady pace of 9min 40sec per mile. The snow was causing no problems and if anything made it easier under foot. There were no dramatic issue with navigation and it was easy to follow the trail. Between the map, the markings and the excellent course route on my watch, we were finding our way nicely. A few early glitches with the map, or rather my use of it, were resolved and I was able to track us consistently.
Bryan knew the first half of the route really well and I was able to gather useful information from him. There came a point running through the snow where we burst out the forest on open land of fresh green grass. It was like returning from Narnia. Almost as surreal was the fact that we had carved out 15miles of our planned 30. The day was flying by and proving to be a lot of fun. Bryan and I share a similar sense of humour and this made the day that much more pleasant.
A few miles on we hit a stretch of Ugly road as we crossed the motorway. Pounding the concrete for 2-3milea ripped through our legs and caused the pace to plummet. Pain was the order of the day. Fortunately we met up with Lee at mile 22/23 and an additional party member provided ample distraction. By mile 24 the pain had gone and there was once again pace in our running. This was a useful exercise as pain barriers are likely to arise on numerous occasions on race day.
Conducting the recce was fruitful from a psychological perspective. Until this point I thought that the first 50miles was the hardest. I would suggest that mile 55-82 is harder and would STRONGLY recommend everyone running NDW100 recce this segment. Arriving at Detling to see a delightful set of down and up steps I can only imagine the expletives that will leave my lips on race day. The steps were left for race day. I'd rather not know what they feel like :)
The day was concluded with a cup of coffee, kindly provided by Lee. It has to be said it was an inspired move on Lee's part to leave a thermos in his car.
Overall it was a good recce and a great day out. Conditions were pretty good under foot and the company was excellent. A
big thanks to Bryan and Lee. It is always inspiring to hear why other runners embrace the world of ultras and it was a great day to be out.
The following day was ridiculously windy and very cold. The majority of the runners heading out were SDW virgins. I had pre warned about the exposure that you don't get on NDW. The wind was really going to make this run a real challenge. The plan was to run the last 20miles of the route.
We met as a group in Brighton. It had whittled down to the famous 5 of Bryan, Max (Kevin), Graham, Tom and myself. Ok so a not so famous 5, but 5 of us nonetheless.
It was great putting faces to names and solidifying twitter friendships. We set out to join the trail. Climbing some lovely rolling hills to get us there. Tom's journey was cut short due to an ongoing injury. A real shame as his company was excellent and genuinely upbeat. Tom departed about 3 miles and the four of us plodded on.
Feeling surprisingly good the day after 30 miles the day was panning out well. The weather was cold and windy but the sun was out. Practicising hills Was paying off and i found I was able to keep up with Bryan. This bodes well for race day.
Knowing the last 20 miles of the route will be a real bonus on race day. The other runners were all feeling good as well and the conversation was flowing nicely. It was lovely to engage in some banta with other runners. Graham is preparing for his first ultra and he was really enjoying the challenge of running the downs. He will be running the NDW50 and then a 100 miler next year (won't you Graham ;) ). Bryan and Max were running a good pace and also sharing a really positive vibe for the day. Both are on aid station mile 62 for SDW100 and have politely told me they will be kicking my arse out of their aid station. I'm hoping after a slice of pizza :)
By the end of the day we has climbed out of Jevington. A few idle steps and the trig point was missed. We retraced our steps and eventually found the trig point (one less thing to worry about on race day). I am very familiar with Jevington in to Eastbourne with my inlaws living in Eastbourne and my wife's granddads ashes scattered near the trig point. After a nod to the sky and a hello to Tim I carried on running. From this point I am happy I can run in auto pilot to the finish.
Getting to the end of the day was a great feeling and felt like a massive step towards finishing the 100 mile race. Wishing Max, Graham and Bryan all the best for their races as well (since writing this Bryan has finished TP100. Massive congrats to Bryan).
I am feeling now that I can do this and achieve the downs double. Preparation continues to be going well. The 15/6/13 is not far away.
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Last Weeks Run

Had a beautiful training run last weekend. I think the pictures say it all.
















I am loving the running and it is clear to me that the journey is as much fun as the end goal.

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2013 A Year of Possibilities

An Exciting Year Ahead.

After the slightly under whelming running efforts of 2012 the plans are set for 2013 and it promises to be an exciting year. I have carefully thought through the races that I plan to do and some are for nostalgic purposes whilst others are to lay demons to rest. Overall they are to be run because they will be fun. My planned races for 2013 are as follows:

Eastbourne Half Marathon
South Downs Way 100
North Downs Way 100
Norfolk Ultra
Beachy Head Marathon
Beacons Ultra

Eastbourne Half is the first race I ever did and when looking back now the perspective has shifted substantially. What I thought then was a hill now seems like it was on the flat. I am aiming to make this my first sub 2 hour half marathon. This race is in a beautiful part of the world and will be a lovely morning by the sea and an excellent training run.
There will be a couple of recce runs before the South Downs Way and North Downs Way 100 milers. I don't intend to make the mistakes that I made at the 2012 North Downs Way 100. I will be ensuring that I know where I am going and at the right physical condition to ensure that I give myself the best possible chance of finishing these races. James Elson runs some excellent events and I am already excited about seeing what I can do in these races.

My running seems to be getting busier in the second half of the year. I nearly entered the Norfolk Ultra in October 2012, however, was unable to do this and am excited to give this one a crack in 2013. My friend Sam Robson ran this one in 2012 and spoke highly of the event.

The Beachy Head Marathon I was due to run in 2012, but after one thing or another I missed out on entering the race as it was fully booked by the time I came to enter the race. No such mistakes this year as I entered this one yesterday. It's not an ultra, but it is a pretty tough marathon. It is a truly beautiful route and spends much of the time along the terrain that I have run many training runs. I ran this in 2011 and finished in about 5hrs 49mins. This year i will be aiming to take at least an hour off of this time.

My racing year finally concludes with a the Ultra Party of the Beacons Ultra. I was genuinely gutted to not have been able to attend the race in 2012 and am more determined than ever to finish this race with a good time. 11hrs 29min is the time I have for the course and this year I will be aiming for a sub 10hour run. I may even treat myself to a visit to the Likeys store on the sunday.

Finally of course I am still undertaking the 365 challenge and am hoping to get to the 1st September 2013 which will be 365 days of continuous running.

It is going to be an exciting year ahead and certainly one that should have me well and truly with both feet planted in the Ultra Running world. It is a year that I can wait to undertake and one that should lead in to a very exciting 2014 where I may consider an attempt at entering Lakeland 100 and perhaps the UTMB ballot. There are also a couple of other things in the pipe line, but for now you will all have to wait and see what these may be.

Happy Running Everyone!!!

How NOT to finish an Ultra!

Best ways not to finish an Ultra

After my failed attempt to complete the North Downs Way 100 I further reviewed my training and plans for preparing for my future attempts. I am neither a scientist or a personal trainer, but felt as a slightly over weight runner I would share my views on "How NOT to finish an Ultra." In the hope this may in some way assist others in completing an Ultra and perhaps providing a few smiles at my expense :)

Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

It may appear a really obvious statement to make, but without preparation you may not make the start line. One thing is for certain and that is the finish will become a distant unattainable fantasy. This is particularly true of anything from 100 miles, but also applies to the shorter distances.
I have heard so many cliche's like "Fail to prepare and prepare to fail." Cliche? YES! Irritating? YES! True? Absolutely!

The problem comes in how we interpret preparation. Should we run? Well yes absolutely everyone should run, but I don't believe that simply covering the mileage will constitute preparation.
It is clearly imperative to run often and run long. No one will tell you anywhere what the ideal training plan for an Ultra is. The truth being it appears no one is sure. What is generally accepted is that time spent running is more important than the actual distance covered. To this end a regular pattern of running that varies distance, pace and intensity will go a long way to that first stamp in the book of preparation.

So I'm running and feeling fit so surely I'm physically prepared? Not necessarily, don't underestimate the importance of strength work, particularly core muscles. Too many of us, me included, have assumed if I'm running then the relevant muscles are getting the work out they need. The fact of the matter is this may not be the case. Equally it's very difficult to apply the strain to the body that it will come under over the course of an ultra. The best thing therefore, in my opinion, is to have a good weight programme attached to your running programme. Utilise both to get the body into the physical shape required to run.

Ok so you've been running and lifting weights and feel good. So now your fully prepared? Not necessarily. Preparation for an ultra is more than just physical.
So what else? The list may vary between people, but for me the following other things need to be prepared and prepared well:

1. Kit choices
2. Nutrition
3. Course Awarenes
4. Race plan

If all of this is prepared then I think each individual can be confident they have prepared for an Ultra.

So given i see them as so important let's look at each one in turn.

1. Kit choices

There seems to be so much kit out there and every brand proposes they have the perfect solutions. The truth is that for every person who agrees a brand has the solution there will be someone who disagrees. It's important to research potential kit and try things on wherever possible, particularly with shoes. Once you find kit that works then stick with it, train with it and then race in it. Don't be foolish and gamble on new kit for race day.

2. Nutrition

Gels or solids? Which type of gel? Caffeine or no caffeine? Salt tabs or not? The list of questions goes on. With such an important matter it is essential not to be gambling and guessing on race day.

Once again the best preparation is to try things out in training. Everyone is different and some people are gel exclusive, whilst others are real food exclusive and others fall somewhere in between. Get it wrong though and this can end your race. Remember even if you are a gel person find a gel you like. After all you wouldn't say "I like solid food" and just assume it was all the same.

3. Course Awareness

You will hear it all the time that where ever possible it is valuable to recce a course. This is particularly relevant to trail running where course
Markings will be minimal. From a navigational point of view having knowledge of the course means one can know where they are going to go and relax. It also means you can plan the likely energy output at certain phases of a race, plus who wouldn't want to know when that last big hill was coming? With a knowledge of a course, your kit and nutrition planned then a race plan can be formulated.

4. Race Plan

A race plan, I believe, is absolutely crucial in utilising all other aspects of ones preparation. The race plan must reflect the runner and their needs. The plan should be tailored to them and their needs and ambitions. A plan formulated from someone else's race plan is a recipe for disaster. Every human is so different, what I love about the human mind and soul is we can all function in so many different ways ways independent from the way others function and yet because we are running a race together where we share the same ultimate goal of crossing the finish line we assume our race plans can be similar. Perhaps they can, but this should be by coincidence and not design. Find your own race plan!!! Research, research, research and the look at other people's views. From this information absorb what works and dispense with everything else. Your race plan is unique. Cherish that plan because it's what will get you across the line.

Preparation Done!

Wow it sounds so simple doesn't it. At this point the blog probably is reading more like a mini lecture on how to succeed in an Ultra. The truth is the above is my utopia. It is what I know I should do. Do I always do it ? No!!!
My running CV is short and fairly unimpressive, but my aspirations are great. If you want someone to tell you how it's done then you should be asking runners like James Elson, Mimi Anderson, Allan Rumbles, James Adams and Sam Robson to name but a few.

What I can discuss with some confidence is the reality most 'average Joe's' are faced with and that's "how not to finish an ultra." This is what this blog is really about!

Reality can be very different.

It still amazes me how easy it was to write the 1st half of this blog. Of course I know what i should do. This is no different to knowing McDonalds is bad for me. Do I still eat it? Of course I do. Is it because i like the taste? No. Is it because it's easy? Absolutely!
The truth of training for an ultra is there is nowhere to hide and no Drive thru's awaiting to provide an easy finished 'you' ready for racing.

So I know preparation is key and quality training is essential, but it's so much easier to sit on the sofa watching tv and staying in bed on those rainy mornings. The extra haribo tastes good too. I've
Done all these things and
Then convinced myself that a) there are plenty of days left yet to train and b) my base fitness is good I'll be fine.

The problem then with a) is that days run out and I've gone from "it's ok there's 100 days left." to "running out of time but still have 50 days left" and the excuses begin to fade. I'm then at a certain level at a start line screaming internally that I am simply not ready." the truth of b) is that my base fitness level will not be enough to complete an ultra.

In reality my biggest error is that which I believe is the same for many; the reality of hindsight. After a run or an event I find myself saying "next time I'll be better prepared, next time I'll be fitter." The truth is "next time" is like "tomorrow" in the essence that it never arrives. I am great friends with "tomorrow." A friend like this is a perfect example of how not to finish an ultra. For the point of finishing I need to make friends with 'now'

There are all too many tempting moments where making a difficult choice to get up to train is needed. Don't misunderstand me I love running, but general day to day demands mean its very easy to hit the snooze button on the alarm. Before you know it you have gone a few days without running and then you realise it's actually a couple of weeks. This is an action that left me completely under prepared for the North Downs Way 100 or before this the Beacons Ultra 2011.

Being totally honest I was chuffed to finish the Beacons Ultra, but there were moments where I knew that I was totally under prepared. The second climb up Tor y Foel nearly killed me. I overcame this and finished in 11hr29min. An achievement I am proud off and what should have served to spur me on to greater accomplishments. I'm afraid I now must stand on the confession box and acknowledge finishing my 1st ultra as one of the factors in not finishing my second. I had some complacency that the training in 2011 was enough so I could do the same again. The truth is a failure to recognise getting lucky over being well trained is a key factor in "How NOT to finish an Ultra." Perhaps a more general way to label point 1 then is,

Thinking you are a better runner than you actually are.

So if you are not properly trained then you are likely to fail or at least not do as well as you could. What constitutes "properly" trained is open for debate and will require more research from the reader and not something I can explore in this blog. What I can say is as the runner you must be honest with yourself about your training and your current running level. Without sounding like a moralistic teacher, if you cheat or lie about your training then you are only cheating yourself. This type of self deception will catch up with any runner eventually regardless of ability.

So let's assume we have learnt from that and are going to train hard and honestly. What else can cause us to not finish an ultra?
Looking at the points considered they are all factors that can impact us NOT finishing an Ultra. So let's consider them in turn.

1. Kit choice

Of course it makes sense to have tried and tested kit before we are at the start line on race day. This is a really simple plan and one that I follow. The issue then is that I hadn't until recently tested kit properly. The explanation links to the earlier comments about having not run enough.

Of course my kits lovely and of course it works. Without training enough I invariably can't test my kit enough to genuinely know if it works for me.

This type of naivety leads to being half way round the beacons ultra thinking your feet are sore or 52 miles into a race wishing you had found a better way to secure your hydration tube. Kit that can seem lovely one minute after 9hrs+ of running can turn out to need tweaking or worst case scenario become not fit for purpose.

So the best way NOT to finish an Ultra is to buy kit on the assumption it's great and then only test it properly on race day. If you want to finish an ultra then make sure you are so comfortable with your kit that when it comes to race day it is all second nature. On race day there is enough to worry about already.

2. Nutrition

The same applies about testing things during training. It's easy to assume that a nutrition plan is working because it has worked on an hour or two hour run on a lively summers day. The reality may be very different after 8hours on a grotty winters night.
Test products and plans thoroughly if you don't want to finish an ultra then not understanding your body and it's responses to such things as gels is a great place to start. The difficulty can be that gels are a great tool and for some cause no problems. Equally after hours of consumption they can make your teeth feel horrible and your guts do backflips. Not a great space to be in when running an Ultra. If you don't test products under lengthy conditions I have found the propensity is to exclusively listen to other peoples experiences. This can be a recipe for disaster. The mantra of everyone is different somehow gets forgotten. I ended up in situations where I have consumed more gels than necessary. The result a horrible sickly feeling and a sudden urge for the toilet. Ultimately don't know your body and your personal nutrition wrong and you won't finish an ultra.

Whether its solid food or gels or a combination unless you know it works for you then you are entering into a game of craps.

3. Course Awareness

Sounds like such an easy ideal to recce the entire course and to be sure of all directions. When life happens this is not always possible.

It's great to recce a route but some courses are far away or the simple reality of sacrificing a day at a time to become familiar is not something we can all do.
It's an unfortunate scenario therefore that a lack of course awareness has serious repercussions. The obvious being missed turnings. This in itself can be a game ender. I discovered this myself at North Downs Way 100 when at about mile 58 I took a wrong turn and did an extra 7 miles and in turn destroyed my legs and missed the cut off. The frustrating thing is such things are easily avoided. Not having course awareness can be a significant distraction from your ability to perform. Imagine getting into the flow and being knocked out of it every 10mins or so wondering if you are going the right way. It destroys your rhythm and can make the race seem a whole lot harder.

The reality is we can't all recce courses every time. We can all have maps though. Of course having a map means that you need to be able to read it and know where you are on the map. The best way NOT to finish an ultra is to get complacent and reliant on course markings. With the result being that when you need the map you can't find where you are on it. The other way to negate the benefit of a map is to become über reliant on technology. A garmin plots a route well, however, they run out of battery, can lose signal and have a margin of error. A Garmin is an excellent complimentary tool to a map, but if you are unfamiliar with a route then ignoring the map is a great way to NOT finish an ultra. Trust me mine went in my bag at ndw100 and when required was essentially useless. So retracing steps was the only option and this means factoring in unexpected climbs, descents and unnecessary extra mileage. Dicing with cut offs and this will definitely end your race.
With course awareness and going wrong it's important to be humble. If you realise you have gone wrong or suspect you have then retracing steps is the only option. Reassurance you are going the right way or an avoided disaster are both great motivators. Do what I've done and keep running blindly whilst relying on garmin and you can end up doing several miles extra. Avoid this by being smart. Being stupid is a great way NOT to finish an ultra. If you think you have gone wrong check early as a few extra steps to confirm you are going the right way are better than a few miles travelled in the wrong direction.

So let's assume the kit, nutrition and course awareness are in researched and prepared a bad race plan is another NOT to finish an ultra. So let's look at that.

4. Race Plan

Knowing what you want to do and how you want to do it are great elements to preparation and a significant factor for an Ultra in the form of a race plan. Not having a race plan and being too rigid with a race plan are both ways not to finish an ultra.
One can become distracted from their own plan for a number of reasons. Perhaps the weather is not what you expected or you are feeling better, or worse, than you anticipated. The important to thing is to have a race plan that factors these things in. It's easy to be distracted by others. Perhaps someone appears fatter and less fit than you. The following internal monologue may occcur:

Surely they can't run fast?! Well fine I'm obviously going too slow I better speed up.

Never judge a book by its cover. You can't look at a car
And always know the state of the engine and so why do it with people. At the end of the day let everyone else get on with their own race plans. You have yours and swapping it for someone elses is a great way way to not finish an ultra.

You may also get distracted by the enjoyment of someone else's company. That's a nice thing, but if you damage your rhythms and focus on the race before you know it you are in a world of trouble. Making it clear to the other person you are running your race and they are free to get on with there's anytime including if that leaves you floating behind. This is better for everyone in the long run (pun intended).
Having a plan that is backed up by contingencies Is like a tightrope walker having a safety net. If something goes wrong you have other outs. A race plan is personal and as we let the "fat" man overtake so we should not dictate our plans based on other peoples plans. The plan is personal and should be kept so. Assuming you can have no plan or that someone elses plan will get you by are both ways NOT to finish An Ultra.

For me at my last 100 attempt I had a plan. It was a plan that in truth concealed a lack of preparation. More specifically a lack of understanding about how I best run. The plan was in place and I found myself about 7 miles in talking to a really nice guy. This was great, but what I then did was distract myself from my plan and soon there was no plan and at this point (in hindsight) my brain found that very difficult to tolerate.

Remember when it comes to Ultras little things become very big annoying things surprisingly quickly and that applies to the mental side as well as the physical.

All Prepared.

So you have good kit choices, nutrition sorted, course awareness and a race plan sorted. Brilliant. This must mean you will definitely finish an Ultra?! No!! There are so many anomalies that can stop ANYONE from finishing an Ultra. If you avoid my bad mistakes then hopefully you will finish and if you don't it won't be down to a lack of positive preparation.

At the end of the day all one can do is control the controllable and let the variables look after themselves.
Happy Running!

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100 Mile Challenge

The 100 Mile Challenge
It is now about a year since I last announced a challenge. For those who are not aware I undertook a challenge that for me was completely beyond anything I had ever attempted before. I decided that I was going to run a marathon and I wanted to raise money for a charity. I decided I was going to try and raise money for St Wilfrids Hospice in Eastbourne. Having made this decision I thought about it a little bit more and decided that I wanted this event to stand out a little more than "just" a marathon. Now don't get me wrong a marathon is an epic achievement by anybody's standards. I simply felt that lots of people raise money by undertaking a marathon and I wanted to grabbed some attention. Equally I could be considered stupid and liked the idea of doing something a little more extreme. It's this attitude hat has ultimately led to me being an Ultra-Runner.
The challenge was to run one half marathon and three marathons in the space of four weeks. This was then to be followed up by an Ultra-Marathon in the Brecon Beacons a 45 mile run on a 23 mile loop (yes it ended up being 46 miles for all you mathematicians) The Ultra-Marathon was only four weeks after the last marathon. This was a challenge that I loved every minute of. In a strange way the hardest event was the half marathon. I have come to realise that I significantly prefer the longer distances. It is such a different type of race with a different perspective.
Friends and family responded to the challenge brilliantly and my Justgiving page accrued some £663. This was excluding Gift Aid and I believe the final total was closer to around £800. I can't explain what a difference donations like this makes to a charity like St Wilfrids. I urge everyone to donate to charity. Even if it is not to my page them donate to someone. It keeps these brilliant charities alive for a minimal sacrifice from us.
This challenge was completed and I have to say I enjoyed every minute.
Following on from the Brecon Beacons I realised that this was the format of running that I loved and had been considering the next challenge that I wanted to undertake. Of course the challenge needed to be bigger and better than the previous challenge. I am fortunate that my best friend, Sam Robson, is of the same mindset and about two years further down the road of training than I. As such, I was already aware of the existence of 100 mile runs. With relatively little hesitation I signed up to the NORTH DOWNS WAY 100. This will take place on the 11th of August 2012. Stretching from Farnham to Wye this run will take approximately 24 to 30 hours. Runner's who manage to get under 24 hours will receive a special medal noting "100 Miles One Day" For those of you who know me will therefore know that I am instantly drawn to trying to achieve sub 24 hours. The cut off for the run is 30 hours and runners will need to be at the half way mark within 15 hours. The winner will likely achieve a time of between 15 and 17 hours.
Training is going well and with just under three months to go the real training now starts. It is the training that is hardest. Trying to find the time to get long runs in as well as the shorter regular runs is not always easy. It is also essential to get in some strength training. The pressure of all of this is what can prevent anyone from reaching the start line, let alone the finish line.
Training so far has gone ok. It has not been without the odd hiccup or week where I simply have not trained but as a general rule thus far it has been about a 6/10 and for the next three months it needs to be a 9/10. This means bye bye to any lie ins for the next few months. It is certainly achievable and will be worth it for that feeling of crossing the finish line in Wye.
In addition to the 100 mile race I will be revisiting the Beachy Head Marathon. This is far from any ordinary marathon and most runners are advised to add between 45 minutes and 60 minutes to their normal marathon time. I am aiming to beat my time of 5hrs45min (ish). There are a few points where I am determined to run and not walk. Sub 5 hours is here target this year.
Once I have done the Beachy Head Marathon then my year is concluded with another brilliant run in the Brecon Beacons. This run is hosted by Martin and Sue Like. It is a brilliant atmosphere with a real sense of Social Community everybody is encouraged and all achievements recognised. I shall be aiming to beat 11hrs 29 minutes, but most importantly I want to have as much fun as i did last time. Over the course of 11/12 hours you tend to enter into some great banta and conversations with other runners.
Between the North Downs Way 100, The Beachy Head Marathon and the Brecon Beacons Ultra I would go as far as to say I have picked just about the most beautiful trio in the UK. I shall take plenty of photos and let you all decide what you think.
I shall blog more specifically about my training and each race as the build up continues.
My Justgiving page is still up and running and if you wish to donate to St Wilfrids Hospice then please got www.justgiving.com any donationhowever big or small goes a long way to making the difference in someone's life.
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Training is harder than racing!

The title of this blog will to some seem like a really obvious point to be making. Those "some" are generally the community of like minded people all striving to a target. That target might be anything from a 5k to a 100mile run. The principle remains the same. Training is harder than racing.
I believe it can be pretty dangerous to forget how tough training can be. When I'm talking to people at work they will ask what the next race I'm doing is and I understand that is a point of reference for people who may be interested in my insanity. Particularly when I discuss my next race being a 100mile run along the North Downs Way. The truth is, however, that in the grand scheme of things the race itself is the easy part. The challenge comes in ensuring maintenance of a training routine. Following a plan that may be structured over several months. There is always issues that arise resulting in the plan having to be adapted or tweaked. Life doesn't simply give you a gold pass because you are training for a race.

It is really easy to slip up and miss a few days training and for that to turn in to weeks and then suddenly you can be behind and running the risk of not being ready for an event. Now of course "ready" is a relative term. In this context I use it to mean whether one is in a position to achieve the goals they set themselves in their original plan.

If you are following a training plan then that may be adapted and adjusted where required but following should mean the race will take care of itself. This doesn't mean to say the race won't be tough or pose challenges, but a well crafted and, most importantly, executed training plan will see an individual on the start line with the confidence and capacity to achieve their goals.
With the issues already evident to keeping such a long term training plan on track there are then issues such as managing injuries that needs consideration. The point of managing a plan is so that you don't over exert yourself, but equally injuries can come from slipping off a curb, dropping something on your foot or, as in Sam Robson's case, things like falling off your push bike whilst commuting to work. It is in these moments it can feel as if life is conspiring against the training plan.
It's also essential to find a balance of running and family life. With my first baby eagerly anticipated this will clearly become my priority and once again the training plan will be adapted. I can see runs occurring whilst baby and wife are asleep. Good night time running practice. So getting in the time will become even tougher to do but I will have to find a way. Once again training becomes harder than racing.
I love running as much as all other running fanatics, but sometimes there are just days where training can feel like a chore and it is these days that it is crucial to work through.
To this end social networking, in my opinion, has been brilliant for such a loners sport like running. The community is huge and I'm always sharing advice and discussing running plans and it's a great motivational tool. It turns lonely training into a community based activity.
So my next plan is the NDW100 and regardless of what time I do I intend to do well for myself. The truth is that by putting the hours in day in day out they all build to a final moment. The moment is race day. As confident as I will be come race day this will all ultimately be because I know that I've put the training in and that all the challenges I faced over the months means that TRAINING IS HARDER THAN RACING.
This is a challenge all people with targets have to face, but by training hard then I know that I can enjoy race day for every gruelling mile that I will face.
So yes Training is harder than racing. Ask me this just after I cross the finish line of NDW100 and you may, for a moment, get a different answer. This will be short lived as I then prepare for the next race.
Training is certainly harder than racing, but it does nothing to detract from the love of the sport and the memories created along the way.
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The next challenge!

Last year I set myself the goal of running a half marathons, three marathons and an ultra marathon. Up until this point I had run three half marathons in my short lived running career. I wanted to do something that would be a significant challenge and one that I could conceivably fail. Add into the mix that I gave myself 8weeks total to get this done.

Training for this challenge was up and down and I was confident mentally I could do it, but unsure if physically my body would hold up. In 2009 I tore my ATFL (a ligament in my ankle) and it put pay to my Taekwondo and it seemed my running. Over time I have built strength up in my ankle and this challenge was a good way of testing how far I'd come.

My previous blogs will give further accounts and confirm that i successfully completed this challenge. A challenge that culminated in the beautiful Brecon Beacons Ultra.

This challenge was planned with a view to also raising money for St Wilfrids Hospice. I wanted to raise as much money as possible for this amazing charity and was fortunate to be able to raise over £800 (including gift aid) for them.

Once one challenge finishes it seems only fitting to replace it with another challenge. Having now undertaken the Devizes to Westminster 125 canoe race and this recent challenge i decided that the 100 mile mark should now be reached on foot.

My best friend Sam Robson has previously run the South Downs Way Ultra. A 100 mile race across the South Downs. My first point of call was to look at this race as I could use Sam for advice and reference points. Upon inspecting dates for the race it became apparent that it is around the date at which my son is due to be born. This was obviously a no go. I revisited the excellent Centurion Running website. I figured I could rely on them for anther option and without fail there it was.

A few clicks of the mouse and a couple of lines to confirm my previous experience and it was done. So here i am with a confirmed entry into the North Downs Way 100 on 11th August 2011

The NDW100 starts in Farnham and finishes in Wye with nearly 10000ft of elevation. It has a cut off time of 30hrs and a special award if you can finish in under 24hrs

Prior to September 2011 I had only ever run three half marathons. It goes against most advice to progress this quickly to 100mile runs, but I'm confident that this is something I will be able to do. I have found a passion for the Ultra approach. It feels much more or a mental and personal battle and every single competitor seems supportive of the next competitor completing their goals. I can't imagine the winner of the London Marathon waiting around 3hours to cheer home tail end runners. In the ultra community it's not uncommon for runners to wait several hours to cheer home other runners. The atmosphere of such challenges makes all competitors a winner in their own right.

I am training hard for this run and shall be looking to finish in under 30hrs with the faint hope of running in under 24hrs.

I am still looking to raise money for St Wilfrids Hospice and so if you wish to donate please follow the Link.


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Next challenge!

Last year was eventful and I raised some £800/£900 with gift aid for St Wilfrids Hospice.

I wish to continue to do what I can and so in Aug I will be running 100mile ultra marathon and aiming to finish in under 24 hours.

Just a quick blog and more to follow later.

Regards

Dan


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The final run looms!!!

With the date being the 14th November it means only 5days until the Brecons Ultra. A 45mile run in the Brecon Beacons. It is hard to believe that I have got to this point. It seems hard to believe that only a few weeks ago I had never run a marathon. In the space of 4weeks I ran three and a half marathon on top of it. A break of a few weeks now sees me about to run 45 miles. This is my first venture into Ultra marathons and I can honestly say that I cannot wait!! The excitement and anticipation are beginning to build and who knows what adventures, stories and long lasting memories will be created within this challenge.

I have so many memories from the previous events from the finish of my first marathon to the dreaded stairs near Alfriston as part of the Beachy Head Marathon.

It has not all been playing sailing. Whilst (touchwood) I am thus far without significant injuries the tips of my toes have taken a battering.

I will be heading off to the Brecons on Friday evening with my best friend Sam Robson. On Saturday morning there will be an early registration and at 7:30 the race begins. The joy of an ultra marathon is that the term "race" means something very different to other events. I am most looking forward to the mutual respect of all the runners and the enthusiasm just for everyone to finish successfully and safely.

I am clueless at this stage as to how my body will react and therefore cannot know how long this race will take, but it is likely to be somewhere towards the 12hour mark. In turn about 9000. Calories will be burnt.

At the end of this run I will be an ultra marathon runner and I am not sure there will be anyway back from this addiction. As for the challenge I will have run 5 races and a total of 136.7 miles.

This challenge was commenced to raise as much money as possible for St Wilfrids Hospice. A sensational cause. If you have not already donated then please consider sponsoring me. At this stage I have raised £541 but they need all the money they can get and anything you can give will be greatly received.

Please got to www.justgiving.com/danpark

Thank you for reading!


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Visit to St Wilfrids

Half way through this crazy challenge and the reality of the demand is sinking in. After such a sick feeling post Peterborough Half Marathon it became apparent that next two races are going to be tough. With that in mind it seemed a good idea to visit the Hospice I am raising money for.

On Sunday 16th October Zoe and I went to visit the Hospice and met with Charlotte one of the nurses there. It was lovely to walk into the Hospice again. Zoe was very nervous having last been there visiting her terminally ill grandfather. Despite this it was a pleasure to visit the Hospice. This is true credit to the environment. It generates such a relaxing atmosphere. It would be wrong to say you forget the residents are dying. What the environment does seem to do is give people an opportunity for some tranquility, reflection and a sense of living.

I have taken time to read up on the website of the Hospice, but it was lovely to hear from Charlotte about everything that St Wilfrids are doing for terminally ill patients, their families and the community.

St Wilfrids are well known for their 10 bed hospice and the respite this affords patients and their families. What people may not know is that St Wilfrids also offer support to families in their homes. This allows many people to remain in their homes rather than be hospitalized. For many this allows families quality time and a sense of comfort. It is unbelievable to think that a hospice that is stretched beyond belief is determined to help everyone who needs it.

Charlotte invites Zoe and I to see the plans for the new St Wilfrids Hospice. It's a humbling experience and to see the grand plans it is clear that even more people will be supported by the hospice. In the new building there will be 20 beds rather than 10. When we say beds these are individual rooms with access to a garden. Currently the hospice has a physio room that can support 15people. The new building will house a MASSIVE gym that will offer greater outreach to the community. It is shocking to think many of the referrals to the physio service will come from the NHS. Despite these referrals there will be no additional funding from the government. Even as we are being told this there is no bitterness from Charlotte (although enough from Zoe and I) who is just pleased to be able to help as many people as they can.

The structure of the new Hospice has been so carefully thought out and will keep the same feel as the current Hospice. In addition to this it will ensure that more people have access to the physio, a chapel, stunning guardians and fabulous counseling. The gardens have been designed carefully to offer a sense of peace and have been noted as something that is of great importance to residents. The Chapel is there to provide support for people of every faith and comfort even to the complete atheist. The counseling I believe is the most valuable tool. This support is afforded not only to people with cancer, but also to their families. Many services will relinquish support once a patient passes, but St Wilfrids continue to support the family and ensure they can move on with their lives.

All this support is incredible and dominated by people suffering with cancer. Charlotte reminds Zoe and I that St Wilfrids also offer the service to anyone with a terminal illness.

It's impossible to sum up the value of St Wilfrids to the local community. In the hallway they have a tree with paper leaves with written comments from family members. The comments on the tree will bring even the most stone willed person to tears. The comments just remind me how much I need to complete my challenge and how important it is to raise lots of money.

Currently St Wilfrids need to raise £2950000 per in donations. Despite the increased service they will be offering to the community there will be no increased national funding yet the increase in costs will spiral.

Please help me raise as much money for them as possible. I have so far run two marathons and a half marathon and just have another marathon and a 45mile run to go :)

Www.justgiving.com/danpark


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16 Hours to Race Day!

So time is ticking by and I'm currently sitting in the room of a lovely B&B in Inverness. First thing this morning at 5am I set off for the Loch Ness Marathon with Sam Robson and Pete Lefort. After a journey of 8.5hours we arrived in Inverness. For many of you the sun is shining and you are experiencing an Indian Summer of great proportions. This is not the case for us and the rain has been falling. Spirits are high with the hope for sunny spells tomorrow.

Once we unpacked and appreciated what seems to be a gem of a B&B we headed into town for the pasta party. After getting our race numbers and tucking into some carbs we returned to the B&B and are relaxing watching The King's Speech.

I have taken this time to ensure I have all the things that i require for tomorrow. It is somewhat unnerving preparing for a course of which I have no idea. Equally I am looking forward to the beauty of the Loch Ness.

There can be no denying that a marathon tests a person both physically and mentally. During the struggles I will embrace the strength and fight of Tim, a lovely man, who fought cancer with a courage that will get me over the line with plenty to spare. It is to this end that I also find myself in Inverness.

When Tim sadly entered the last few weeks of his life he did not falter in character nor did he diminish in his personal strength. A great portion of the credit and deepest thanks must go to St Wilfrid's hospice. Tim spent two weeks in the hospice. The support and comfort of the staff appeased his fears (as much as they can anyone). I don't believe a price can be put on the work and care offered by the hospice. In a world governed by profits this normally means a high end charge to accompany the service. St Wilfrid's place no charge on this service. Bringing a much more appropriate sentiment to 'priceless'. Everyone has access to the service and and a time of devastation the burden of not being able to afford such a service is removed. St Wilfrid's receive minimal government money and are left to raise £2950000 every single year.

The money needed by the hospice is why I find myself in a B&B in Inverness. It is for them I am trying to raise money and in turn am running 3marathons 1 1/2marathon and 1 ultramarathon (45-50mile run). All of this is being done in under 8weeks. To put that into perspective most reports note it takes nearly 6weeks to fully recover from 1 marathon.

I did not envisage when we were saying goodbye to Tim that I would undertaking such a challenge. Despite that by embracing life and challenges I am proud that I can in some way demonstrate a full fraction of the determination he showed.

The Hospice changes so many people's lives. If you ask my wife she will say that she holds many dear memories of her grandfather, Tim, and in addition her uncle who also was at the hospice. They touch the life of the family as well as the individual.

If you have been effected by cancer in some way and understand the value of places such as St Wilfrid's Hospice then please sponsor me.

You can sponsor me in two ways;

1. Www.justgiving.com/danpark
2. Text "DANP99" plus the amount (e.g £10) to 70070

Don't forget to agree to gift aid as this increases your donation by 25% at no additional cost to you. Please help me raise lots of money.

Thank you to you all. Next blog after the run :)

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1 down and a lot to go!!!

So Sunday came and Sunday went, but, not without bringing a whole new answer to the retorical question "what did you do at the weekend?" This was the weekend in which i would run my first marathon. In actual fact my first marathon would run across a route that was in its first year. My first task was indeed the Grafham Water marathon.

I am familiar with some of the route having run a single loop of about 8-9 miles on a previous occasion. I have also cycled around it three times in assisting Sam Robson in his first ever unofficial marathon. On this occasion the organisers had plotted the route to deviate through a village and fields to mean that the marathon would be a double loop. I was pleasantly suprised by the up beat attitude of everyone undertaking both the marathon and half marathon. What was a lovely touch was that the marathoners had a brown strip across their numbers. I like to think that this is to distinguish their madness.

I arrived with Sam at the start line and we seperated to be reunited at the finish line. I entered my predicted finish "time pen" and awaited being allowed to walk to the start line. So at 10:12am we were released on the first adventure in my challenge. Initially i was faced with two big challenges, the first was not getting carried away in overtaking people running the half marathon. The second was ignoring the mileage markers. The main problem with these was on the first lap. Each of the signs had two markers eg. 1mile/14miles. It made it very difficult on the first lap to feel like i was eating into the mileage. Despite this i plodded on and was pleasantly suprised when i got to 6.5miles in 58minutes. I should point out at this point that i forgot to put my Garmin 305 on and so it was a massive relief to hear i had gone out at a sensible pace. I settled in to a run walk routine and continued to plod over the hills and far away. Eventually i turned a corner only for the reservoir to reappear on my left, a sure fire sign that i was nearly at the end of the first loop. I made a mental note of this point for the second loop as i knew it would give me a much needed adrenalin boost.

I had made the decision that throughout this race i would work off a conbination of water (with electrolytes) and gels. I had visited TriSport on the saturday and loaded up with goodies. I was pleasantly surprised that the gel i bought (described as rocket fuel) lived up to its reputation. It gave me a needed kick and i was feeling good as i began to enter the 14th mile. I was feeling strong and i ate into the next couple of miles without too many noteable issues. Following a planned walking break i cracked on with my intention of running a mile and then walking for a small amount of time and then running another mile. The plan was working and when i asked a marshall for the time i was on for a time of around 4hrs 25-30min. I was really pleased with this prospect. Despite this my mother always taught me to expect the unexpected. At somewhere between 19/20miles this happened. My right calf cramped and felt like it was going to explode, in addition to this my quad decided to cramp. I was forced into a position of walking a lot more than i had intended to do. After a minute i decided "stuff it" and reached for the ibuprofen. The next annoyance immediately occurred as when i first took them i must have not put them back in the pocket of my bag properly and my painkillers were gone gone gone. I expect there i a rabbit somewhere dosed up. I prefer to think that a runner behind me found them at a time of need.

Left with no choice but to suck it up and be sensible whilst trying to pushing as much as was plausible. This is a moment in which the enormity of my challenge hit me. 6miles to go and this is only the first race of 5. After striding out up the hills and then jogging only to stop as soon as my legs cramped i was losing time on previously dream finish time. At 24miles i was loving the experience but the legs were hurting and the heavens had openned. The rain was not too bad and actually when it stopped i felt a little better (possibly psychological) than before. At 24.5 miles i could see three people way ahead of me and i set about pulling them in. My leg appeared to have eased off a bit and though they felt heavy i was feeling pretty good. I appeared to have found a pace that allowed me to keep going whilst just floating under the cramping threshold. The cheers from all marshalls was helping me keep going and at this point the marathon was feeling pretty isolating. Reeling in the three runners was just what my brain needed. I ran past one runner who looked like they were resigned to walking the rest of the way (all power to the fact they got across the finish line) and as i approached the 25mile marker and water stop i caught up to the next. It was lovely that we were able to exchange pleasantries and congratulated each other knowing that this was the final push. I was keen to kick on and catch the next person. He was a little further ahead than i hoped, but, with the water on my left i knew i was near the end and so i pushed on.

There was strange moment with 1/2 mile to go. I could see the finishing flags and and the man in front was only about 75 metres ahead. I thought about kicking on and getting past him before the tarmac. The sensible side of my brain kicked in and reminded me that i had two more marathons a half marathon and an ultra to go. With the memory of my legs at 19miles i decided to let him go. Suddenly just in front of me i could see a beautiful chocolate labrador and my beautiful wife waiting for me. The first thing i heard was "you're looking pretty good" and this was followed by an excited dog wanting to run into me. I later learned a few of the people coming across the line were looking a little worse for wear and so my concerned wife had come to find me. We jogged together for a bit and then she let me kick on. As my feet touched onto the grass of the home stretch i realised that for definate i was going to finish this marathon. A surge of adrenalin hit and i sprinted the last 20 metres across the line. After the congratulations someone asked me if this was my first marathon i explained yes. I went on to chat about my "little adventure" to which i was wished luck and provided with a red bull shot.

The run was great fun and a lot of hard work but it was rewarded when i went to the timing machine to see how "fast" i had gone. Up on the screen came the moment 4hr55min20sec i was delighted with that. I knew i had lost a lot of time to the cramping, but, was always keen to break 5hrs in my first run. So there is the bench mark for the next run. With that said i have been reading up on the Beachy Head marathon and that is another beast entirely.

Two days on and i am feeling pretty good. A little tired, ridiculously hungry, but pretty good. My legs are not to sore and tomorrow i shall get back out on the roads again. The only injury i have is two blisters and with these safely compeeded up all is fine. I did read yesterday evening that it takes the body approximately 42 days to recover from a marathon. Good job my next one is not only 12days away...oh....wait at minute........

I am determined to keep going and come the finish line on the 19th November i will have covered 136.7 miles. If the first 26.2 are anything to go by then its going to be one hell of an adventure.

Whilst i love to run i am doing this to raise as much money as i can for St Wilfrids Hospice. Please give generously and help me raise £1500 (or more). Every you can given will help spur me on and only make me more determined to finish. Only 120.5miles to go!!!

First plus 26.2mile run

With time ticking down to my wedding and to the first marathon within my challenge I decided it was time to go on a long run.

To date I have twice tried to run 30miles and twice come up short. once following illness and once it was just beyond me. Today I went out with some new kit to try. Having liaised with the lovely people at Likeys.com I was able to get the kit that was best for me.

So with my raidlight endurance backpack and raidlight front pack strapped in place I put my feet into some new socks. I was most apprehensive of the socks as they are the new Individual toe socks. Putting them on is a little awkward and it is necessary to get them on just right. Once on they felt snug, but, I remained skeptical.

So I picked a route along the roads and got going. Somehow I managed to pick a route in Cambridge with an insane amount of hills!!! Yes in Cambridge!!! The first 10miles were fluid and felt great. The main challenge is to set a pace and accept walking as part of that. About 19miles in I was really regretting not having my ankle support on. it is so easy,when training, to forget about old injuries. What running massive distances does is expose every weakness that an individual has. it becomes so much of a mental game. What I learnt was I need to strengthen my left ankle and my lower back. Apart from this I felt great. This was until I ran out of water and began to get sluggist. the fast flow platypus is amazing but I was consuming more water than I realised. Fortunately a lovely farm shop was selling ice cold water.... Mmmmmmm.... The lady asked me what I was doing and I explained my challenge. She wished me luck and so with fresh water and a bit of adrenaline off I went.

23miles in, my body, was definately complaining but rather than quit I lowered the pace. It got me through it and I knew the downhills were coming. the drive to he downhills and downpour :( got me there. Running for such a long time strips every emotion back, in doing so, leaving the runner exposed an vulnerable. this is why I love to run and why I think it was the perfect challenge to take for St Wilfrids.

At 6hrs 40 I returned home feeling pretty darn brilliant. Not a quick time but a great journey for me and a perfect first step into these distances.

Almost as good was the performance of my kit.

Raidlight endurance backpack. BRILLIANT. Incredibly comfortable with ZERO bounce. Over long distances small things become big problems. this backpack gave me none.

Raidlight front pack (£29.99) worth every penny. Not having to reach into the back of my pack meant I could set the straps and leave it.

My one tip for both products is to have the confidence to pull the straps TIGHT. I found with cushioning he tighter the straps the more comfortable the product! My lower backpain was nothing to do with the kit and the kit seriously reduced this.

3lt Platypus big zip. This was amazing super easy to use and lock onto kit perfectly. It fits well into the raidlight pack. One word of advice is to be aware it is really "superflow" for the water. if you are use to other bladders then sip with caution. 3ltr and I surprised myself when I sipped and NOTHING. Man I never want to die from dehydration.

The Nuun electrolyte kola tablets are brilliant. easy to drink and a noticeable effect.

Sooooo the socks!!!! Well brilliant comfort, zero sore patches and not a single blister after 30miles!!! I am a convert and will be buying several pairs.

This training is very hard, but, I am doing it in memory of Tim and the courage he showed. I am raising money for St Wilfrids hospice and hoping to raise £1500. Please guys if this story is something you are following and you can empathize with the loss of someone to cancer then please give as much as you can. It's easy to donate just go to;

Www.justgiving.com/danpark

St Wilfrids requires £2,950,000 every year in charitable donations to stay open. Then never charge a patient as everyone deserves to die with dignity and not have their last days all about cancer.

Thank you for reading the blog and I hope the kit review was helpful. so come on get running people 1/2mile today and then 1mile the next week. If I can anyone can.

Keep smiling

Dan


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Training Progress

So we are only 14 weeks away from the first of three marathons and first of 5 events. This seemed like a good time to set out on a speed run. Well I say speed run, but, it was intended to be a run to how I feel. This generally results in running within your limit at a pace you can comfortably run at.

I was quite taken aback by my first glance at my watch which read 8:32 per mile. To put that in perspective I have been doing these runs at 9:45. I did not really expect this to last. It was a beautiful day with plenty of early dog walkers and v.little moisture on the grass. Perfect for a run along the river.

I continued to feel really good, the feeling of having a 'bounce' in your step. I assumed that I was obviously slowing down. A glance at the watch and..... 8:12 per mile. I was actually going faster than earlier.

In my enjoyment of the run I missed my turning but didn't mind running around the fields. It did mean running around an extra mile than intended. Not a problem on a comfortable run and knew I would slow down. The day started to get warmer but not too warm.

I approached the mill and it is beautiful at this time in the morning, sorry forgot to take a photo, and still felt good. Just after the mill it's pretty much road all the way home.

I set myself a target of only walking a couple of times for 30secs and stuck to this absolutely fine. Approaching St Ives bridge I was on for a good time still holding pace.

Into the last 1/2mile i decided to up tempo and finally finished in a sprint. The final time... 1hr 13min 43sec over 8.71miles which was an average of 8:28 per mile. All before 9am. Guess I didn't slow down.

So I guess gym work and landscaping a garden all contribute to good training. In short I'm on course for my challenge.

Don't forget www.justgiving.com/danpark

Have a great day!!!


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Seven Sisters Run

I have often wondered what happens if an idiot is told he is mad. Turns out he tries to prove he is not and there by in fact proving he is. This was certainly the case today. In line with my training needs I decided to head up over Beachy Head and across seven sister.


It was an eventful run with gale
force winds smacking me in the face as soon as I hit the top of the cliff. For the next 9miles I was running face first in to the winds. The wind was pretty string and so I ensured I stayed at least 20metres from the cliff edge. I can't say the same for my hat as the wind caught
it and I believe it may now be somewhere in France.

It was a challenging run incorporating a there and back over the seven sisters and a bit hairy when the mist closed in.




It was like this for about 3miles and eventually cleared for a final comfortable 4 miles. A total run of 25miles.

Onwards and upwards!!!

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Charity set up!

Thank you so much for the initial enthusiasm and encouragement for my plans. The plans are all with the ultimate goal of raising awareness, and financial support, for St Wilfrids Hospice.

With the effort of raising money I have set up a charity page at

www.justgiving.com/danpark

Whatever you can give would be amazing and make such a difference to people's lives.

In my attempt to get you to donate more why not donate now and agree a further conditional donation based on minutes under total target time (see previous blog). Sam Robson will vouch that my estimated times are realistic challenge for my running level and the challenge in mind. With all your help we can make a real difference to this organisation
and some fun along the way.

In case you don't want to scroll up

www.justgiving.com/danpark




The above patient has a SMILE on his face. Can you put a price on that. Please give generally so these smiles can be replicated in those misfortunate enough to need the service.

remember run fat boy run!

Thankyou

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