Keswick Mountain Festival 50k. FIRST LADY :)

What a run!!! The wind and rain made the conditions tough but the route was spectacular with a bit of everything to keep it interesting. Having it so well marked meant that I could just focus on the job in hand and enjoy the running. So, thank you KMF for that. 

I set off wanting to run my race, not putting unnecessary pressure on myself, but equally give it my best shot. I needed to get my confidence and joy for running back, and this was really going to test my foot.

From the early on I, unintentionally, was in third place (ladies) and by the time I was going up to Walla crag I had put myself into second, just behind first lady. She was going quick and steady but not dissimilar pace to me. I decided that I wasn't going to try and overtake, just stay close by. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to keep up with her pace or if the pressure would get to me so I decided straight away to stick with my plan of running my race. If I was meant to get ahead then I would. I wanted to give it my all but equally enjoy it as much as possible. 

Going down to Rosthwaite we hit some technical ground and I managed to navigate my way down confidently where I took a lead, all the while trying not to put pressure on myself to keep it. Not always easy because who wouldn't like a win!?  I was feeling good and choosing to mostly power walk up the hills meant that I avoided fatigue in my legs and running the slight gradients, flats and downs felt comfortable. 
Going up from Honister was challenging with the wind but I didn't let it get to me and powered my way up still feeling strong. I surprised myself the most on my decent via Dubs Crag into Buttermere. I felt confident with the tricky technical decent, despite the wet and windy conditions and kicking a rock that I thankfully managed to not fall from, but left me with a bruised toe. It was a relief though to be running along the lovely trail beside Buttermere. 
The section along Crummock was my least favourite, but I had expected that and used it as an opportunity to slow down and catch my breath and got a great welcome at the top end of the lake by a friend Raj and being told I was first lady did make me feel proud, although a bit pressured.  
Newlands valley is a long valley! Running off camber and trying to keep a good pace, on wet ground was not easy. My legs were feeling good and knowing that we were well over half way and having some company kept me going, I was feeling confident that first place was mine. 
The final sections of road were tough and I had to dig deep to keep up my pace because I wasn't sure how much ahead I was and really wanted the win by this point. However; I managed to smile on the last section into Keswick before being brought to a halt just after the Rugby club as the festival was shut down due to winds.
The last few km of the race we joined other runners doing a 10km route. I was a little disappointed that no one seemed to know I had just won first lady in the 50k due to the merge of runners and the hectic change in finishing venue. Nevertheless, I was chuffed to bits to have run it it 5.31, ten minutes from the record time and in harsh conditions. My training must have paid off somewhat and I have gained some confidence now. I just hope that I can carry some of it with me on the 100.

Final organised rec. day, foot pain, poles, and 50k prep!!!

POOLEY BRIDGE TO AMBLESIDE-FINAL LL100 GROUP RECCE

Despite a really early start and the weather looking pretty grim I was excited for the day ahead.  Leaving my car and walking to the bus I knew something didn't feel right. The arch of my left foot felt sore and uncomfortable. Putting it down to my shoes I spent the bus journey up to Pooley Bridge adjusting and re-adjusting my shoe in the hope that it was just pressure on my arch that was causing the discomfort. No matter what I did the pain stayed just the same. It made the 28 miles particularly tough. More mentally knowing that my foot was potentially injured, unsure if it was due to footwear and how I was going to resolve it. I had quite a low point and if it weren't for good company I think I would have hated the day. I did pick up though and by the end did feel I could have continued on despite the pain that was clearly something that wouldn't just go away. The day taught me that I can keep going but that I am really quite afraid of doing any long term damage, no bad thing but scared that this won't resolve or flare up during the race. 
I also had a go using poles again and that on sore feet or legs they do help and also found my hands didn't feel quite so puffy despite the heat and thinking about what I was doing with the poles was quite a nice distraction. I had also been advised by several fellow runners, before even asking, that poles would really help save my legs if used from the start...I was convinced. Conveniently my Birthday was a few days away and I made the purchase reassuring myself that I could sell them on even if I only use them for the 100 event. 

NEW POLES!

After much faffige I managed to figure out a fairly convenient way to stash my poles on my running bag and headed up steep Fleetwith Pike  to have a practice. They will take some getting used to but think I can feel the benefits, just taking a bit of strain off the legs. Getting them out to use and putting them away is what puts me off the most, but I'm sure over time that will become a bit more slick. It reminds me of being on the cross trainer actually! I knew it was going to be helpful beyond just aerobic fitness :) 

Feelings before Keswick Mountain Festival 50k

The last two weeks I've been feeling pretty tired, heavy legs with the minimal running that I've done due to foot resting. I feel like I have become so slow and the couple of runs I've done have seemed like such an effort. This doesn't fill one with confidence when running a 50k let alone 100 miles! However; reducing the running and doing a bit of cross training has allowed my foot to rest and feel quite a bit better. So despite feeling sluggish this has given me a bit of confidence that I can at least start the event without pain. I imagine the aftermath will be different. It's a long way to run and it is going to be tough especially because i want to give it my best shot. But I can't help feeling particularly nervous because in my mind it's a fraction of the distance that is before me. I just hope I can take the pressure off myself, at least some of the time, and just enjoy the running. I need to really try and get that joy back after the stress and pressure of training, so that when I do get ready to start the 100 I am going out doing what I love. I want to enjoy the journey and experience as much as I can and so need to start with the event tomorrow. oh yes, and I'm going to try it in my Scott shoes 😛
Until afterwards...

Mental strategies and prep

It's a long long way, 105 miles! I can't get my head around it at the moment and just pray that on the day(s) it will kind of fall into place. Am I going to be strong enough to keep moving forward despite being sleep deprived, feeling sick and sore? Will I be able to cope with the emotional roller coaster that it is inevitably going to be? I remember on the 50 having moments thinking 'this is ridiculous! Why am I putting myself through all this!?' The 100 will be the same only I will be having those thoughts much more frequently and the desire to stop will be strong. What is going to keep me going? I really need to think about what I am going to do to try and get me through the moments that really test me and where I am on the brink of stopping...

1. It's not 105 miles, it's _ miles to the next check point and food stop 

2. Turning any negative mindset into a positive...my legs are so sore, well they're not falling off 😜

3. If I stop I'll have to wait an awfully long time to get back so may as well keep going

4. Count or sing something in my head when the going gets really tough to distract me from the pain. 

And I kind of get stuck. I am trying to visualise myself getting to each checkpoint, and getting to the end. How good it will feel to achieve the goal I've set myself. Just hoping and praying that I make it and that I can enjoy some of it along the way.

Poles and working on positive thinking

I decided I wanted to try out some poles and just be out for a bit with no expectations of time, effort or distance. After all time on my feet is good training anyway. I am struggling to stop looking at strava and play the comparison game where in my mind I always come out short. Others always seem to be doing so much more; time, distance; efforts etc etc. In my heart I know we are all different. We train different, have different strategies, different responsibilities and different expectations. We will all be running our own race and I really really need to start focusing on my own race, from now! And today I was just out with my boys...my besties. The ones that keep me going when feeling really low and help me to keep believing that I have what it takes to run 100 miles!

We made our way from Seathwaite over to Wasdale, the wind doing its best to blow us of the mountainside and the terrain, well I hated it. But armed (or footed) with my Hokas I felt much more at ease knowing that every step wasn't going to be a risk of sharp rocks hurting my feet. It wasn't easy or that fun but I was able to just tell myself that although I'm not running much it's good agility training :) A lot of the terrain was rocky and just difficult to navigate with much speed. I didn't think much to the poles going down that sort of trail. Going up Black Sail I did feel I could have pushed more but took time trying to get used to the poles, and I wasn't focusing on speed. On our last ascent up a scree path between Great and Green Gable they made a considerable difference. I was able to get a good rhythm and ease off the legs a bit, my arms got a bit of a work out for a change! 

So, Hokas I'm pretty convinced I will use at least on the second half of the 100. Poles, I'm undecided but think they could be really helpful to ease off the legs. So long as I don't get fed up with carrying them when I don't want to use them. I think if I can put them in my bag when I want that would be the best option. 

A good day out. Some good ascending and descending with some kit trial too. And I was with my boys in the mountains :) 

Hoka and Scotts review

My feet (along with my stomach, back, glutes and surviving lack of sleep) are my big concern. I know that inevitably my skin will prune, toes will bruise, lose a few toe nails and feel insane pressure in the balls and heels of my feet. But the longer I can delay that process the better! 

So, I tried some HOKAS!!! Speed Mafate 2 to be precise. How did I get on? Am I converted? Well, I started out with numb toes, pain in my arches and felt like going up hill was a million times harder. Although, that could have been because I was tired. Once I managed to sort those issues I absolutely loved being able to run over rocks and terrain that normally kill my feet with very little concern. I think I actually felt a bit more confident. 

On my second day out in the Hokas I seemed to suffer less with the numbness and pain but still felt like uphill running was more difficult. Again, hard to tell if that was due to being a little tired in the legs anyway or if it was the shoes. Still loved them on the rough terrain and do think they'll be great when I've been on my feet for a day or more already.

Onto my Scott Kinabalus. After a month or more waiting for them i was pleased to finally give the a shot. They seem to fit well, a little compression here and there but that is often the case with new shoes for me. I can't make too much of a judgement at the moment as the terrain was quite good but think they could be a good option for the first half.

Decisions, decisions. I just hope I can get it as good as can be expected. My poor old feet! Next trail...poles! :) 

HOKAS!

I've done it! Gone and bought some Hokas! Sorry about the blurry picture, my phone camera lens is cracked. 
Will be trying these out tomorrow and will get back with my verdict :)

Good training week :)

My ever faithful running companion :)

Chilling on the grass after a good 42km run out on Saturday...me looking rough, Kibo ready to keep going 






The week started with a bank holiday Monday spent out with my boys, having a fab day out in the mountain, sun shining on us. We were out quite a lot longer than we had anticipated, which I can struggle with. I generally like to know how far or how long we'll be out, and if it exceeds that I get a bit grumpy. But, taking on board the advise of my wise husband I kept trying to think of all the positives. When I reached some terrain I really don't like coming down into Buttermere, I focused on how lovely the valley was, how it meant I could just go slow and take the time to practice my descending on rocky ground. When we had another couple of hours to go after what had already been a longer day than I expected, and all I wanted to do was get it over with, I focused on how the time on my feet was great training, that I was out with my husband who was having a good run out and enjoying it, mostly, and thankful it was lovely weather, I wasn't cold and my feet were dry!!!  I knew it would feel good to have got some good miles in afterwards. So, I am going to keep practicing positive thinking and take time to be thankful for what I can do...well, as much as I can.

On Tuesday I went into work in Keswick early (I know, what a great place to say I work!) Managed a slow steady 8/9 miles, which didn't feel slow, especially as I tried to keep warm on what was a very cold morning and I was not dressed appropriately. I didn't even have gloves, which if you knew me is unheard of as I always get freeeeeeeezing hands, to the point of no function. And that's on a relatively warm day! I was pleased to get something in before work. I just need to be careful not to put pressure on myself to do it all the time. Easier said than done. Once I do something once I find it hard not to feel I should be able to do it all the time. Something I will work on with the aim of getting more of a balance. 

I decided to mix things up and had a good 46km bike (commute to and from work) on Friday. Not being 'bike fit' my back suffered and I got a blister under my toe. I rarely get blisters running, so found it funny to get it whilst on my bike. Poor socks is what it was. 

Saturday, the sun came out and I was looking forward to meeting a fellow Lakeland 100 runner to keep him company on his recce from Buttermere to Dockray and good training for me. I started out in Braithwaite in the end and ran back on the route to meet him.  We chatted the 20 or so km before I turned back. I felt pretty good other than a blister that developed because of a plaster I was wearing for my other blister...injiji socks please hurry up and arrive! Ankles been feeling a little sore and my glutes, right hamstring and knee niggles a bit. Stuff I need to try work on (however that may be) before the day. I will try and do a post on some specific strength and stretch training maybe?! 

Overall though a great day out, reinforcing what's so great about trail/fell running; being able to get out with like minded people and appreciate the beautiful countryside, push myself a bit and enjoy a rest afterwards. And I have a tired little dog too :) 

Thank you for a great day!

xxx