DPR at Dartford 10

DPR startline, originally uploaded by ultraBobban.

stepping back from the ultra and taking the time to support all of the club who turned out for the Les Witton memorial Dartford 10 this morning. Such a great day and time to spend with people from the club and also great to see so many familiar friends from clubs across the South East over the last few years.

and hopefully it won't be this muddy on saturday

Doyen2009 Me adjusting shoes, originally uploaded by ultraBobban.

This is the bit I always hate but should enjoy

95km of snow running around south london, aided by the fact that school was shut for 3 days owing to the depth of snow, quality of roads and general health and safetyness. After a few hours of paperwork each day, it was time to run. Nevertheless, I donned the spikes and went for a good old bimble with other folks who were not working and then defrosted in the sauna at the gym for a long stretch and a chin wag with other gym-ites.

As a scientist I am aware of the importance of the taper, particularly for ultra events. I have tried and tested lots of different theories.....but am particularly indecisive as to what to do. My best performance to date was a gradual carb-load throughout the week prior to my top 20 finish in the 3FM. The day preceeding this was an exhausting 30 mins of silliness on the Dulwich track and then straight to the gym for a stretch, a sauna and a 1.5 litre bottle of lucozade in a bid to replenish stripped carbs and trick my body into loading glycogen.

This time, a long slow feed adding carbs and essential vits and mins throughout the week. Reading Michel Roux Jnr (a marathoning chef no less) I am adding in nuts, pulses, basmati rice and snacking lots on dried fruit. That and a dry January so far leads me to feel really good....although how can you ever be ready for a 45 mile race? Never mind. To cheer myself up I managed speedwork of an intensity never completed before....5km in 19 min 06 seconds, with a 2km warm up and 2km warm down. Now the snow is subsiding, we should be ready for saturday. Looking forward to seeing the ultra crew from Doyen and the rest of the races last year. Then, a quick recovery snooze and the dartford 10 the next day. Brilliant!

New Challenges

OK, so the snow is dissapating and just before dinner in Battersea I am contemplating the challenges for the year. ITB doesn't hurt after 75k of snow running in xc boots over the last 5 days. hopefully if we have a good turnout at the club tomorrow morning I can make it my first 100k week in a couple of months.

The challenges are London to Brighton 56 miles XC on 5th Spetember, that is if I can get a place......which should be in order seen as I am the runner on www.erxtremerunning.org Doyen of the Downs page advertising their great race!!

The more interesting challenge is a birthday one.....3 Marathons in 3 weeks. Bungay Black Dog; a road marathon which, all being well might see a PB (I don't ofen run road marathons) of sub 3.20. Then, a new race for me, the South Downs Marathon on the same day as London Marathon. Finally the 3 Forts Marathon (a pocket ultra XC 27.1 miles) to finish it off. I gained 21st place here last year and that is my best finish....but also a lovely lovely race where my friends Simi and Anouck came to meet me at the finish with a cider! Can't wait for this again.

Snow, Snow and more Snow

While the weather forecast has been doom and gloom, I have never seen so much snow in London in the 12 years I have lived here, nor can I remember it being this prolonged or cold. Some might say that this inclement cold front is enough to put off the street pounders but NO! Back into the swing of things after New Year and it's extravagances, it is back to no red meat, no alcohol, plenty of fruit and veg and low GI carbs. The energy has come back and I have been out and run 60km in the last few days, almost all in the snow.

Although school was closed and I spent most of the day catching up on admin, I met up with George and Chris (not until the final England v SA ball had been bowled and England; Onions and Swann, rescued us against the Yarpies) and after donning the Roclite 312 GTX XC shoes, we were cruising through the streets of London faster than all other pedestrians and also cars! An 18km snow run felt like 18 miles and new muscles were used to gain motion through frozen climes. Brilliant!!!

snow and cold

managed to get some low quality miles in Snowdonia, although great to get out in the cold windy weather. A January of austerity in the cider and wine department and a focus on the finer arts of running ultramarathons.

11 days to go until the GB country to capital. If the cold weather continues it will be road shoes, a thaw will mean inov-8s are cleaned and ready to go.

DPR club handicap tonight so will be glad of a bit of speedwork in -2 conditions