Glenmore 24 2016

The first Sunday in September 2015.

It is a day as disappointment for me, feelings of failure and emptiness and what could have been. I had just finished Glenmore 24 with a distance of 90 miles. Well short of what I had been looking for. I knew I had to improve for the next year. I told Theresa my plan. For the next full year not a day passed when this years race didn't pass through my thoughts. Every time I laced up my trainers, every time I was tired and couldn't be bothered, everytime the alarm went off at 0440 for a run in the dark before work, I was at the start line of Glenmore. I had to better myself.

2nd September 2016

The car is packed. I have all my clothes with me that I could need during the race no matter the weather. We arrive at the Hayfield about 1500 hours. Set up camp quickly thanks to some kind helpers, and the horde of midges start. Not as bad at the West Highland Way, so I can cope. I constantly go through the race in my head. I know how I'll feel and I'm getting into the frame of mind. My pace plan is worked out to the minute and I go over and over it. Im going over and over in my head that it is an eating competition, with a bit of running involved. For those who dont know me, eating is my downfall and the last quarter of races is usually a death march for me due to this. Not this time i tell myself.

Soon Andrew Crichton arrives who we are also supporting this weekend and we spend some time chatting the usual pre race stuff.

2200 hours and it is bed time. No party for me this year!! I toss and turn but get a good sleep until 8am.

Race day

A pint of porridge for breakfast (we didn't have any bowls) and then I wander about. I bump into Davie Gow who convinces me to go off slightly faster than I had planned. I agree it's a better idea. Back to the tent, tell the boss my plan and I munch down 2 potato scones and a tin of beans. Changed into my running gear of inov8 race ultras, injinji socks, under armour under shorts, runing shorts and my Dumbarton vest. A few wee yoga moves and its time to go to the start line. 

I line up at the front alongside Euan MacMillan who I know and who is doing to 12 hour race.  I know he is going a similar pace to me to begin with so I plan to stay beside him. The horn goes and I take the first step of many. I settle into my pace of around 8:30 per mile average. I dont find it easy to run this slow but it will pay off in the 2nd half. The miles pass easily to begin with. Before I know it I am approaching my first marathon. Just under 4 hours as planned. At this point im in lead position after passing 2 runners after about 16 miles. Im not fazed by this but it is good to know. Im not bothered about a gap behind me. Id ran all the hills to this point. There is about 300ft of gain in the 4 mile loop, but so far so good.

Into the 2nd marathon and I am eating well. Im picking up food each lap and stopping on the 3rd lap for a 5 minute break of stuffing my face with food. Im trying to go as natural as possible with my food. Bananas, dates, raisins and nuts are the order of the day, plus 200 ml of tail wind per lap. Ive made some rice pudding which is doing the trick also.

The miles pass uneventfully. Ive passed Andy but not seen him again. It would be good to see a familiar face to share some miles with, but onwards i go. Each lap i ask how he is and pass messages to him through theresa. Seeing Theresa each lap gives me good energy and she is doing a great job of looking after me and making sure I fuel properly.

I find myself at 52 miles in 8 hours and 18 minutes. I start to struggle here and I hit a real low point. I dont know why because I am running well, eating great and have very little fatigue. I wanted to give up for more than an hour. Its a long hour, but I try and remind myself why I am here. I grind on and on and on and I know it will pass. A crushing low is always followed by an enjoyable high.  I think this is mostly due to me worrying about Theresa because she is still on her own and Chris hasnt shown up.

                     During a low point

Darkness falls and I get my head torch on. I love running at night. The low has passed and my first lap in darkness is awarded by a surge of energy through my full body. Its like jolts of energy going directly to my legs. Unfortunately my headtorch doesnt feel the same and goes to sleep before the 1st lap is done! No big deal and its changed for another one as I see Chris has arrived to support so I settle down.

I get an update that the guy in 2nd is only 30 mins behind me. By this time im not wanting passed so I decide to put a move in and try and lap him. I pick up the pace as much as I can, but keep it below suicide pace for the time being. Still early days to be burning out! The laps pass and pass and I still dont see anyone who I haven't already passed. I begin to wonder if Theresa is making this elusive runner up. She often tells me what I need to hear rather than the truth. Good plan! However my faith is in her completely so I push on and on and on. I feel like my legs are starting to hurt as I approach 100 miles.

                          Going through 100 miles

17 hours and 56 minutes and Im through 100 miles and met by the sound of the horn. This is an enormous milestone for me. I feel a great sense of relief more than any other feeling. The 100 mile monkey is finally off my back, but im aware that it now has a target on it that people are aiming for. Im pleased with my pacing, 4 minutes infront of my intended pace. Things are going well.

 Into the forest I run again, chasing whatever light I see infront of me and ticking off the miles. I listen intently for the horn, too see if there is indeed a runner behind me so close. I dont hear it. The forest is silent so im sure id have heard it. Or my mind is playing tricks on me. A relay runner passes me and I seek assurance from her that no one else is through 100 miles. 'The horn has went twice' she tells me.

Shit

I push on, threatening suicide pace. There is a long way to go. Another lap concludes and I apologise to Theresa. "Im giving everything I have" and "if he catches me thats me done" is what i tell her. I could cry. Ive had about 8 hours of solid effort to try and catch the elusive 2nd place. Why cant I catch him? If he sees me first I know he wins. The psychological blow would be too much for my now tiring legs to take. Im beginning to feel bogged down and heavy, not helped by the disappointment I feel id heap on Theresa if I was now to lose. (This obviously isnt true but its how i feel at the time) she tells me Stevie is arriving about 7am to cheer me on.

BOOOOM

Im not letting him come all this way to see me lose in the last few hours. I constantly repeat things to my self - It's my race to lose. How bad do you want it. In 10 hours will you wish you put in more effort? I bound on and on. I say out loud 'suffer now' over and over, willing my legs to continue. Another lap passes and 2nd place is still 20 mins behind. Unbelievable. What do I have to do? Stevie has now arrived and he wills me on. Each lap im buzzed by the people in the hayfield cheering. Each runner I pass again spurs me on with their kind words, and I try and give something in return.

A spy in the camp

Daylight is here. Im wearing black and red, proud to be wearing the club colours. I hate racing without these colours. At the end of one of my laps stevie tells me 2nd place is 2 minutes in front. Yesss!! I can catch him. If I lap him I know im winning. Into camp, im told he doesnt stop. I refuel stopping for 3 minutes. He is now 5 in front. Off i go. Running all the hills. Pushing on. Where is he? Another lap nears an end. He is 90 seconds in front. Next lap. I stop again. Force a banana down, which replies by a brutal vomit which lasts about 5 minutes. Im not worried. Im well used to running and spewing. 7 mins in front. Another lap. 2 in front. He doesnt stop. I do. 5 mins in front. Another lap. 2 mins. He doesnt stop. Again i do, taking on food. How can iI be putting so much time into him only to fall short on each lap? Little do I know, he is stopping each lap with a crew member watching me, making sure he starts to move before me. What a move!! Why didnt we think of that? Top effort. Another lap passes. Time is ticking away. I get into camp, eat something. They have spotted him!! He is stopped, getting a massage. But not for long. I make chase. I run the hills. I know if im running at this stage im moving faster than most. Hopefully. Suffer now!!! Out loud again. Half a mile left. I spot Stevie. He jumps up and down, turns around and does a dance! 2nd place is just in front. I see him and finally catch up with the elusive Ross Grieve. What a moment. We shake hands, congratulate each other with a hand shake and hug, and walk through the start line together. 124 miles. Its now half 10. 

          Ross grieve who pushed me so hard!! 

I head out for my final lap. My legs dont enjoy it. I share some conversation with Patricia who photographed last years race and who is running amazing. I push on slightly and conclude my last lap, ive eased off and its my slowest of the race.

Little loops

The hayfield is now open for laps. 400m loops. I trudge on slowly now. Walking and running when I can. Counting down the minutes. My legs arent working so well now. 2 minutes to go and I put my peg beside the tent. Chris has headed off. Stevie shakes my hand. I see Theresa and I could cry im so happy for her. Running a good race for her is a small thing to repay her for everything she does for me. She puts more effort into my running than I do at times. I get a cuddle and then I lie on the ground.

Its over. 130 miles. A year in the making. Im so relieved and happy for Theresa that we finished first. Im glad for Stevie coming all that way. Im thankful to Chris for helping feed me and making the effort. A real team sport. My role in running is a small part in the weekend. The win and my race going to plan is mostly down to others, and im happy for them. In many ways it was a first. My first 100 mile run, my first win, my first race where I fuelled and ran as planned. I can rest easy now. Until next time...

Food

During the race I consumed;

About 30 servings of tailwind
10 bananas (-1 that I spewed back up)
250g dates
300g raisins
1 vegan bean wrap
3 x nakd bars
4 x nakd packets
3kg rice pudding!!!
3 cans of coke
1 energy gel
4 x cliff gel shots
Some melon
Some mango
Several midges

Approx 11,000 calories

This is a rough guide. Maybe have been more or a bit less. In the last 8 hours we stopped writing stuff down.

West highland way race 2016

I think I was about 18 years old when I first heard about the west highland way race. I'd just finished running a marathon when I heard that people ran the full West highland way. I don't think at the time I could process the thought of this. I swore to myself that I'd run it one day.

Fast forward 13 years...

June 18th 2016. 5 minutes to 1 am. Race briefing done and I'm standing on the start line at Milngavie train station. The start line which I'd imagined myself on for the previous 13 years. I go through my training in my mind. 1500 miles for the year. 100,000 feet elevation gain. I'm ready. I am surrounded by familiar faces, some I've never met, some I recognise from social media, all illuminated by the glow of the head torches on every runner. It's time to go. Another run through of my race plan goes through my head, this time interupted by the sound of the horn and the cheers from the waiting crowd. The race begins and I take the first step of many.

The first few mies pass quickly. I settle into an early rhythmn of just over 8 minutes per mile average. I'm joined by a few others and natter away to each other. I manage to get out on my own soon and enjoy the company of only my headtorch, continuingly chasing the bouncing glow along the easy flat miles. The miles pass uneventfully and before I know it I've reached drymen. I've ran the next section many times. I have fun remembering the miles in the harsh weather that I have put in on this sectionto prepare for today. My mind drifts and I find myself at the bottom of the conic. I run the hill at an easy pace, exactly on plan. I turn at the top to look around. Seeing the worm of headtorches dancing behind me on the trail up the hill is an amazing sight. When I look forward again I am greeted with the almost full moon illuminating the glass like water of Loch Lomond. I think at this point it is worth doing the race for these two views alone.

Its is starting brighten and I no longer need my head torch. Which is handy, on the decent from conic hill my battery runs out. It should have lasted hours longer. Hopefully not a sign of things giving up before they should be. I reach Balmaha car park within 3 seconds of my target time. Im met by my lone supporter Theresa who fills up my water bottles and sends me on my way quickly. She shouts to me that the battery on my go pro had already ran out, yet another sign that things weren't lasting as long as they should! I shout back that we forgot to pack beer for after the race. Priorities!

Balmaha - 2 hours 45 minutes

Within a mile of leaving Balmaha I force down an energy bar and immediately bring it back up. Not really ideal but I sometimes struggle with the solid food and I was managing enough tailwind for the early part of the race so I wasn't too bothered. The remaining miles to Rowerdennan passed uneventfully. I don't remember passin anyone or being passed at all, however I may be wrong. I ran into Rowerdennan to see Davie Gow just in front, and immediately thought I must be going too fast. I arrived just a few minutes in front of my target time. 

Rowerdennan - 4 hour 5 mins

Another attempt at an energy bar is met by the same result at the first. I don't hang about long as I am being attacked by a horde of midges. I grab a banana and force this down as I trundle along the lochside. I ease along and spot Davie Gow in front. I take the lead from him - he is far more experienced than me so I walk the sections he is walking and run again when he does. The race is following the low route this year which I love. The rugged section passes underfoot and Im having a great time, my legs feel fresh. Davie stopped for a comfort break and i stretched not far in front of him. I run through Inveruglas stopping briefly to drink an irn bru. The army of midge is stronger here than at the last stop. I soldier on, aware Im being followed closely but I'm not bohered by position, certainly not at this stage anyway. A few miles up the road the the lead lady tears past me. There is no way I could keep her pace she is setting scrambling over the rocks. Time passes and I know Im closing in on seeing Theresa and my dad which gives me an immense boost. The dreaded midge attacks continue until Im almost at Beinglas. I spot a familiar vest in front and catch up. I see its Hal Koerner! We exchange pleasantaries as I pass. He is struggling with a knee injury. I doubt he has understood anything I said. Before I know it I am climbing the style and Ive arrived at Beinglas. My dad and Theresa set about me, feeding me and filling my bottles. Id love to hang about but the midges are too harsh. I make a joke about overtaking famous Hal and run on.

Beinglas farm - 6 hours 59 mins

This next section is a bit of a baw breaker. I get my head down and trudge on. Truth be told I don't remember much of this section. Im met by a walker near Crainlarich who fills my water bottles. Im beginning to fade and Im doing garmin maths to see if I'll make the next check point in time. The sun is rising further, and it seems with each further rise, my legs respond with lost energy. Im now struggling to take on the tailwind and I know I need to eat. 

Auchtertyre - 8 hours 51 mins

A struggle. I sludge into the checkpoint. On the scales and run on towards the car. I see my dad behind and he soons catches up and tells me I've lost more than 4% of my body weight. I need to eat. I lean against my car and rest my almost weary legs. More bananas go down a treat for some reason. For those who don't know - I HATE bananas. But today they serve me well. My body knows it needs them. I refuse the offer of swapping into my vest. Im determined to cross the line in Dumbarton colours and keep my black t shirt on for the time being, in favour or ruining the vest for the end. Away I go, through Tyndrum and Im offered a choc ice. Id love one however my vegan stubbornness doesnt allow this. Had it been a calippo I would have faceplanted it right there.

 A mile further nd I hear a tooooot from the road. My Dumbarton team mates who are running the relay  shortly pass me on the main road. This gives me a massive lift. I manage to bounce along nicely. The day is warming up, the trail is busy and I enjoy seeing the walkers and cyclists on the route again. A drone flies overhead and I try and maintain good running form incase it records me. I begin the small descent in to Bridge of Orchy and Im starting to feel the days efforts. The sight of my dad perks me up again, and I run a short distance to the car park, happy I'll see Theresa soon and get more Bananas! 

Bridge of Orchy 10 hours 40 mins

Im well down on my target time now. At the aid station my mum and daughter are there. The lift I get from seeing my wee girl is well needed. A man recording for the adverture show asks me some questions, I have no idea then or now what was said, but I know I need to move. Stocked up again and Im off. I have a wee bet on with thhe Dumbarton crew that I will get to the finish before them Im under pressure and Ill need to run well to conme close. This urges me on. I push on and on and on. The miles now pass slowly. I check my garmin moreoften. It doesnt speed up. Im running upwards of 11 minute miles on the good bits. The descents begin to hurt. Energy comes and goes from my legs like the ebb and flow of the tide. The power drains from them gradually, each step getting harder and more sluggish as the garmin shows me slowing, only for the power and freedom they once had to come crashing back in, when I manage to force some food down. Garmin tells me Ive already lost my bet. Ill be doing well to reach Glencoe without being passed. I make this a micro goal. The heat is getting to me and I finally give in and take my t shirt off. TAPS AFF for a while.

Glencoe 12 hours 57 mins

A happy sight to see. I run a few hundred metres with my dad. This is always a proud moment for me. Into the aid station and Theresa and the rest of the team do a great job of perking me up. I feel sick and can't keep much down and feel a little dizzy. I get into my team colours and the other team mates ask how Im doing. Its good to see familiar faces.The relay team catch up and pass me in the aid station. A short lived bet, however Ill be back another year to avenge it!! Banana fuelled again and Im off. Im feeling it now. The devil comes and goes, with a few high 5s at the bottom which were well needed. The descent is hard. I walk a lot of it and im basically counting the steps to Kinlochloeven which can't come quick enough.

Kinlochleven 15 hours 36 mins

This aid station is a blur. I get weighed which shows Ive put weight back on, but this will be down to getting weighed with full water bottles. Im told I spoke to team mates

but looked right through them, unaware of who they were at this time. Im dizzy, I don't know who is talking to me, I dont know what Im eating, I know I must push on. I reluctantly leave Theresa and my daughter, my mum and the Dumbarton team mates, and Im led from the station by my dad. I run slow. There is now another runner and I try keep in front of him on this final climb. I focus only on the finish. There is no where else to go but forward. No point looking back, Im not going that way. I beat the other runner to the top of the climb, Im immediately left in his wake on the flat. I know now I will not feel the energy and power surge back to my legs, I have eaten too little. I death march on, milee by mile slowly passing underfoot. My mind wanders again, I know my wee girl is running the last 100 metres with me and this keeps me going. Lundavra approaches, Im greeted with a cheeky wee rest on a chair and somne irn bru - love it. I death march on, the down hills are agony and Im overwhelmed by the amount of relay runners passing me to shake my hand and offer a cuddle. The must know I need it.

Braveheart car park!!!! I know Im almost there, Richie passes me in the van, shouts I have half a mile to go. Im aware there is a runner close behind, unaware relay or not. This injects life into my sorry legs. I spot my dad, shake off my race vest ready to hand to him. Its just around the corner. I shake off my tired running form, my short stride, lift my head up and go. Running faster than I have the entire race, I see me wee girl, in team colours too. I take her hand and we run into the car park together. I look at her as I cross the line, a moment 13 years in the making. Its hard to describe how much I enjoy sharing this moment with her. 

Fort William 19 hours 26 mins and 6 seconds.

I couldn't have managed the day without those who helped me. Theresa, daddy cool, my mum, my daughter, and all the Dumbarton team mates. Particularly those who I had the bet against who urged me on when they knew how I was feeling, and perhaps more importantly, put my tent up for me. Thanks, I owe you. 

A lot slower than my target. Im happy enough. Never satisfied. Sometimes I set myself goals, and making them or not the feeling can be bitter sweet. Its strange, something Ive wanted to achieve for so long, and putting a goal in 2 months before of a time which Ive not achieved, Im not overjoyed. Happy yes, estatic no. So the goblet has remained in its box so far. I wouldnt enjoy drinking from it when I dont feel like Ive lived up to my potential on the day. Bitter sweet as I say. Until next time...

Continuing the build

Monday - AM 10 miles @ 7:19 min miles PM 10 miles @ 7:17 min miles

Tuesday - AM 9 miles @ 7:25 min miles PM Dunbartonshire track 5k 17:24

Wednesday - 16 miles off road 9:15 min miles 2,300 ft elevation

Thursday AM 6.6 miles @ 8:02 min miles PM club 5 mile tempo 5:49 min miles

Friday 10 miles 7:11 min miles

Saturday 14 miles @ 7:32 min miles

Sunday 8 miles @ 7:23 min miles

Weekly total 100 miles elevation 5,300 ft

13 hours total.

I don't remember what age I was but I was pretty wee. I remember on a Saturday morning I was playing in the garden when my dad came back from playing golf and he was putting his clubs away in the garage. He had a massive red and black Dunlop bag and I asked him when I got bigger if I could have his bag and his clubs, and he said I'd need better ones because I'd be better than he was. I thought he was the best golfer ever (he played off of 21)  I'd played with him and he hit it for miles, much further than a wee me could hit. He also taught me how to play and act on the golf course. Plus he had also had 2 holes in 1. Ive still never managed to get one and I play in single figures. This is the first memory I have of him being my sporting hero.

He also ran when I was wee. As I grew up I don't ever remember him running much, but he had ran a marathon and one time done a race which involved kicking an orange down a hill which we went to watch. One of the things I remember is when he told me he had once ran 100 miles in a week. I thought that was amazing and I didn't know how far it was but I was proud he had done it and I remember telling my friends about it.

When I took up running again a few years ago I still remembered this. About a year ago I decided to do it one week to see how I got on. I ran my last run on a Sunday on my way home from work, and met my dad for the last few miles or so. I finished my first 100 mile week with him, after all its all down to him that I run. I really enjoyed that moment.

Today when I was running I finished another 100 mile week. I think I'll always think of him and how he has inspired me when I reach the 100 mile mark. I hope so anyway. 

Now I'm hitting 100 miles a week fairly regular, and my legs feel great for it. I'm running better,  stronger and faster than before. A few months hard work coming up when I'll be pushing towards the 150 mile a week mark and I'm looking forward to seeing how I cope with that.

This week's training was fairly simple, no long runs and mostly double runs to get the miles in. A 5k track race on Tuesday night I was hoping for about 16 minutes, but on pushing off I knew it wasn't going to happen and finished in 17:24.

Thursdays tempo was on tired legs but I managed to average 5:49 min miles a faster time than I've managed on this course.

Happy with the progress I've made in recent weeks and I'll see how I feel on this week's long runs.

Deeside 33 ultra

This was the first ultra of 3 I am running this year. Being so early in the calendar year it's the first for many. I ran it last year for which I done a race report if you scroll through the old posts. Comparing myself to last year to the date, I had ran almost double to the previous year, was running faster, feeling better than ever, plus almost a stone lighter in weight.  So it was almost a guarantee to be a good race and a new PB for me. Except it wasn't. 

Up until a fortnight ago I had never failed to finish a race. No matter what happened. I've finished a triathlon in which my chain snapped and I ran half the bike loop, I've cycled on in races using 1 leg when my pedal broke and fell off, ran while vomitting,  and believe it or not, once ate a regurgitated meal to allow me the energy to finish when I really didn't feel like it.

I entered the glentress marathon which was on an amazing loop, off road over hills with great elevation all of which I love. I stopped after 1 lap. I used the excuse that the race started late, and if I had went out for the 2nd loop I'd have been struggling to make work on time. I could have ran faster or harder but I didn't. I just gave up. Quit. So a few days mulling about and I set my sights on d33.

Last year's time was 4:07 and this was easily beatable without much stress. Keeping an easy pace I should have bust 4 hours with ease. But I'm just not up for it. I am just not enjoying racing at all. Anyway I tried to talk myself into it and being up for it on race day, but as it drew closer I was looking for an excuse not to go. I briefly mentioned this at the running club and was told to man up/get a grip/go run well so off I went with the best intentions, helped by some kind words of how well I'm running at the minute.

Race day

4 bells and my alarm went off and I made the lonely trip up to Aberdeen.  Arriving in good time I met some familiar faces and had a good catch up with jonny pritchard about the races we were doing this year.

9 o clock came and I set of at 7 min miles which I find really easy now, especially for a flat course on tarmac like this. I've done this in training and know I can run this pace for 30 miles without too much trouble. I was more of less this for the first half apart from a few toilet stops and reached the 16.5 mile halfway about 1:58 hours. I had planned to pick it up here and return a bit quicker so safely go under the 4 hours.

Although when I ran round the half way point the same thing happened as a fortnight ago. I gave up. I did go on and finish the race but I gave up in my mind. I was upwards of 8 and a half min miles in some places, and 1 mile I even stretched to an 11 min mile. This was not due.to fatigue at all. My legs were fresh. At 1 point I didn't see anyone behind me, so I stopped and walked and was waiting for someone to catch up with me. This is purely a motivation issue. I finished in 4:15, 8 minutes slower than last year. But that's the problem. I don't care. I'm not interested that I'm not racing well.

It's not that I'm not enjoying running.  As soon as I got back in the door I wanted to go out running again. I'm loving training and I can't get enough of it. I hate a day when I'm not running and I don't feel right. So what's the problem? How do I get my mojo back and get that bit between my teeth that I used to have, even if it was racing someone up a set of stairs? I hate getting beaten. Except in recent months when it's not fussed me at all.

I've never been like this and I need to sort the issue quickly. I've a few ideas on how to sort it so only time will tell if they work. If not it will be a slow year for me.

Hopefully ill be back to it soon and get back to running well, and see what happens from there.

100 mile week

Monday 8.3 miles @ 7:28 min miles

Tuesday am 4.2 miles @7:27 min miles PM 7.5 miles @7:16 min miles

Wednesday AM 4 miles @7:43 min miles

Thursday 26 miles on West Highland way @ 9:21 min miles

Friday 20 miles @7:48 min miles

Saturday 15 miles @ 7:50 min miles

Sunday 14.5 miles @ 7:19 min miles

Weekly total 100 miles elevation 7000ft

I started this week solely with the aim of running 100 miles for the week. I did initially plan some speedwork aswell but the club sessions didn't suit me this week. Monday and Tuesday were non events really with no exciting runs. The morning runs when I am early shift I am starting to cope better with. Life at home meant I had to skip wednesday nights run which was a planned 10 miles, so I felt like I would be chasing my tail trying to get the weekly goal.

Thursday I headed to the west highland way and done an out and back from Balmaha. I had intended to go north from Rowerdennan but the road was shut! The lochside is my favorite section of the WHW, it is just so tough. Anyway I ended with 26 miles, my wee legs were tired which I blame on the lack of hills so far this year, but at the end I could have ran on. My average HR was 139 was happy with that.

Friday was the return of more mile loops around my housing estate. I love running loops and it's good to run past the house tired and not give up and go in. HR 131 and it took in elevation of 1,500 feet.

Saturday was a real struggle, every step was a hassle and my whole body was wanting me to stop, but I struggled on. Sunday was a different story. I felt great on Sunday, mayne because I knew I had met my weekly target,but my legs felt fresh and I could have ran on at tne same pace.

A recovery week for me now with the glentess marathon at the weekend. This is my first race of the year but along with the D33 I had planned both as training runs and wasn't planning on actually racing them but I'll see how I feel on the day.

I really enjoyed the 100 mile a week and I will soon be doing back to back 100s, with upwards of 130 a week during my peak months.  

Ticking over

Monday - rest day

Tuesday - AM 3 miles @ 7:31 min miles PM club session 6 x 800m @ 5:30 min miles

Wednesday - AM 3.8 miles @ 7:36 min miles PM 10 miles @ 7:08 min miles

Thursday - AM 2.6 miles @ 8:04 min miles PM - 5 miles tempo @ 5:53 min miles

Friday - recovery 5 @ 7:54 min miles

Saturday - 11 easy miles @ 8:30 min miles

Sunday - 11 miles @ 7:30

Weekly total 62 miles elevation 2,700

Not much to cheer about this week! 18 miles short of my target but a surprise weekend off with the good lady led to less running. Happy wife happy life. The 2 club sessions were good, the 800s were not at full pelt. HR average was 154 bpm and max 168 bpm, shows I was holding back a bit as I had planned this week.

The tempo was good aswell. This was on tired legs but again happy with my pacing, average HR 159 so I can defo push it much harder. Ontonthis week, 2 back to back ling runs and the first 100 mile week of the year. Happy days

The benefits beat the alarm clock

Here we go again...after last weeks recovery week of 50 miles my legs felt pretty good at the start of the week. Ill keep with the 3 hard, 1 recovery week for just now. Some yoga sessions thrown in too and im starting to notice a difference in my flexibility so ill keep at it with 3-4 sessions a week.

Heres this weeks training

Monday - 3 miles @ 7:58 min miles

Tuesday - club session 2 x 2ish miles @ 5:38 min miles

Wednesday - AM 4 miles @ 7:20 min miles PM 6.7 miles @ 7:47 min miles

Thursday - AM 4 miles @ 7:39 min miles PM 5 x 1K @ 5:14 min miles

Friday - 4 miles recovery @ 7:36 min miles

Saturday - 20 miles @ 7:15 min miles

Sunday - AM 13 @ 8:29 min miles

Weekly total 73 miles

Elevation 2800

Monday was a total non starter due to belly issues - enough said. The club session 2 x 2 is one of my favorites, and this time was much improved from the last time around. First rep comfortable at 10:55 HR 170 max, second rep 10:33 HR 176. I even managed to catch the fast guys in my second rep, but going by my HR Ill be able to go quicker again. It was pretty windy into the bargain aswell.

Recovery wednesday with a run before work, the same thursday and my legs were still tired from tuesday. This is how I feel about morning runs...

But the benefits beat the alarm clock everytime.

The club session was 5 x 1K, its round a loop so we had the wind in our faces and backs which I enjoyed. The firat rep was 3:20 which I thought was too quick, but then came 3:16,3:16,3:12 and a 3:07. Without doubt the fastest Ive been and a max HR of 179 made me burst at the end.

Saturday 20 miles in the legs at a comfy pace which we picked up near the end and the last 5 were under 7 min miles with a headwind. Was a thought after less than 5 hours sleep but read the above words below the picture and that soon sorts it!

My legs were tired sunday but that was due to kack of yoga and foam roller. The weather was minging. Sheets of wind and rain in the face wasnt fun, I did have 20 planned but bumped into people from the club and they helped me suffer through 13 miles. A low HR of average 126 showed I wasnt working hard, if I pushed it in this session I would have suffered the following week.

For those who play close attention will notice im short of this weeks target. The condidtions outside talked me out of it, but now Im home I cant face the thought of not making my goal for the week, despite some good speed sessions in there. So off I go for another 7...see you next week.

I love irn bru!!

Monday - easy 10 miles (7:49 min miles)

Tuesday - warm up, club tempo 3.7 miles (5:58 min miles), cool down

Wednesday - 4.4 miles (7:22 min miles)

Thursday - 17 miles (9:05 min miles) elevation 2,247 ft

Friday - 20 miles on the west highland way (9:41 min miles) elevation 3,232 ft

Saturday - club 8 mile race (7:16 min miles) https://www.strava.com/activities/476386562

Sunday - recovery 8 miles (8:10 min miles)

The goal of this week was just more miles in the bank. I had planned 2 long runs. I cut thursdays one short by 3 miles because I had the dreaded white finger, if youve never had that it is absolute agony and totally ruins my runs.

A yoga session in the morning loosened me up for my long run. This was easy paced with a souble dunter of the conic hill. The views were totally different than the same place a week before (last weeks photo on previous blog). 

Another yoga session at night and my legs felt good again.

Saturday was a club race. I knew this would be on tired legs but that was the idea, and I was totally burst on the last mile and couldn't hold my usual pace but that was what I expected. 

Anyway, I love irn bru. I would drink it all the time if it was any good for you. I just can't get enough of it. However seeing as it's full of sugar, rotten for your teeth and body, means it's not wise to drink it all the time. 

I recently seen a YouTube video from your world within called clarity. Your world within is a series of motivational videos. In the video it mentioned a quote that said "deciding what not to do, is just as important as deciding what to do" or words to that effect. 

So therein lies the irn bru. I've not had a drink of it in weeks. I'm trying to do more miles, and last Sunday when I was planning out this weeks miles, I set myself a wee reward of an irn bru on Sunday night if I met my target. 

A long run Thursday followed by a longer one Friday, and an 8 mile X country race with the club in Saturday, meant I was doing well but would have to get up and do 8 mile recovery on Sunday morning. 

I bought my irn bru on Saturday and left it sitting out. It was the only thing that got me out the door on Sunday morning. 

80 miles in the bank, and it was the best can of irn bru I've ever had! 

Here comes the snow

Monday -  7 miles (7:46 min miles)

Tuesday - speed session 400/800/1000/12000 x 2, 400/800/1200 https://www.strava.com/activities/468978540

Wednesday -  5.4 miles (8:37 min miles) PM 6.3 miles (7:03 min miles)

Thursday - 6.6 miles (8:04 min miles)

Friday - off

Saturday - 14.4 miles (8:58 min miles)

Sunday -  6.3 miles (7:26 min miles)

Weekly total 56.7 miles elevation 4300 ft

I had set out to do 80 miles for the week as part of my build for the year, and I finiahed well short of that. Home life meant I scrapped Fridays run, so I had 44 miles to do over the weekend. Saturday came and the place was full of snow! I went on the west highland way from Drymen and went up the conic hill and back, I was running out of time before work so ended up with only 14 miles, but it was a good run and was safer to stay off the pavements.

I had planned a double run on Sunday, but chose the far more fun option of sledge shopping and a few hours up the park with the family.

Not the most outstanding training week but the snow is never here long, I have a kid and Im still a big kid, so there was only ever going to be one winner!

First week of 2016

Monday - 8.1 miles  (7:03 min miles)

Tuesday - a day out on the bevvy

Wednesday - 6.2 miles (7:03 min miles)

Thursday - warm up, 6 x 800m (5:33 min miles) , cool down

Friday - am  19.5 miles (7:48 min miles) pm - 4.5 miles (7:57 min miles) https://www.strava.com/activities/465677268

Saturday - 10 miles recovery (8:34 min miles)

Sunday - 11.8 (8:53 min miles)

Total miles 70 elevation 4000 feet

Well this was the first week of full training this year. I had taken a few easier weeks to let my legs feel fresh for the start of the year and so gar so good. Ive lost a wee bit of speed but that will be back next week.

Fridays 19.5 miles was a bit of a sore one, I haven't had a long run in ages. I went for 19 laps of the housing estate, good for the mind and body. It is good training to run past the house continually when the easy option is there to quit.

My priorities have changed a bit for the year, I got entry into the west highland way race, so I have ditched the plan to race a marathon in April/May in favour of some longer training runs. Ill still be doing at least 2 speed sessions a week, possibly 3 but im going to favour distance over speed for a few months and see how this makes a difference.

The 'A' race this year is glenmore 24, I just love running in circles and after making a complete arse of it last year I need to go back and make amends.

I have a goal in mind for the whw and g24, and a yearly target of 3,500 miles to run. Time to up the weekly miles 😊