2019 Training - off the start line

First blog of 2019 - training has started.

If I just reflect for one minute on 2018, I'm still pinching myself that I managed to complete the Centurion Grand Slam, this time last year I had no idea if I could pull it off - I knew I would give it my best shot, train hard mentally & physically - but that also there would be elements outside my control which I could not train for - as it transpired the weather was one of those issues.

Another issue which I had not contemplated was the sheer physical & mental fatigue following the last race the A100 in October - my body & mind just wanted to go into hibernation mode in November & December. I tried to listen to my body without panicking about training and what others might be doing - one of the greatest lessons learnt from early on last year was to be blinkered and focused on my own training only, not looking at what anyone else was doing, but just simply focusing on what I needed to do to make myself better for my goals. So, following the A100 - I ran a 27 miler in an LDWA event in November & 2 marathons in December, with just shorter training runs between. But I was back in the gym doing the harder strength & conditioning sessions I really missed when I was between races in the slam - for me personally these are the sessions which really push my fitness.

Finally, in the first week of January I was running with a little zip in my legs - and there 2019 training starts.

The ultimate goal this year is to complete King Offa's Dyke a 185 miler - with a 90 hour cut off!

"The route passes through the Wye Valley AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), then climbs the Black Mountain skirting the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, passes through the Shropshire Hills AONB and finally the Clwyidian Range and Dee Valley AONB. The scenery is outstanding, but hand in hand with that, the relentless hills are very demanding." https://kingoffasdyke.co.uk/offas-dyke-race/

In all honesty as I sit here - I have no idea if I can do it or not, I'm in the same position as this time last year contemplating the Slam - I can only train to the best of my ability mentally & physically and approach it with a sense of adventure, humor and 100% commitment to the finish.

People keep asking me how will I train for 185 miler - the honest answer is I don't know - I do have a plan which will be flexible as I will learn along the way & make adjustments where necessary - it will be a huge learning curve again, but to me that's what its all about challenging yourself & learning so you can become a better person, coach & mentor.

My training & commitment started on the 1st of Jan - I am now going through the process, my focus "hold the vision - trust the process"

Like 2018 - County to Capital was my first race of 2019 on Saturday 12th Jan, I had been surrounded by people coughing & sneezing around me since before Christmas, and congratulated myself too soon on avoiding the lurgy - Murphy's Law - I woke up Thursday morning before my first race, feeling like I'd swallowed a few razor blades - I prepared like I was doing the race, leaving the final decision to Saturday morning. Feeling not 100% but OK on the Saturday morning, Russ kindly dropped me off at Wendover - it was a bit deja vu as he dropped me at the identical spot as 2018. Lots of friends taking part it was nice to sit in the pub for a natter before the off, its a really well organised race, a slick outdoor race brief no hanging about getting cold & we were off just after 8.30am.

C2C is a tale of two half the first 20+ miles are trail the latter half are made up of canal tow path, going from Wendover to Little Venice just a tad under 45 miles. The start is usually a bit crowded with a few queues as runners negotiate stiles & gates this is no bad thing as it eases you into the start and stops you going out too fast, unless of course you are out for a place. There are some lovely trails, undulating & technical in parts - also tricky navigation where a good GPX on the watch comes in handy (never rely on the person in front knowing the route)! Then you eventually hit the canal all pretty straight forward heading into the capital.

My race was going OK until I hit double figures mileage - unfortunately I started to feel very feverish & a little dizzy, I was forcing myself not to remove layers & keep eating and drinking - I hate to take painkillers when running, but the 4 paracetamol were a necessary evil in this case. Case of head down & get to the finish as quickly as possible, I was running really strongly but had to keep stopping to cool down & catch my breath - the light rain as the day went on was a blessing.

I finished the race in 8.54 - 4th lady in my age category, that was a big course PB for me last year my finish time was 9.23 5th lady in my age category, sod it I will have to go back next year - I felt I gave it the best I could given the circumstances, but fully fit I think I could do better.

So, in all a good start to the year - the result on the C2C gives me a good indication on my fitness and what I need to work on, it also vindicates listening to my body and allowing time to recover from 2018.

I have an issue with my ankle which I need to work on this week, in addition to getting rid of this cold - so most training will be gym based with some short runs & speed walks. Next week back to target mileage of 40+ per week.

Training scheduled looks a little like this

40+ miles per week, short runs (6 miles) during the week, 2 speed walking sessions, longer runs at the weekend, 3 gym based strengthening sessions per week.

Races booked from now to KODR in Sept

Winter Poppyline 50 miles 16th Feb

Humanities 50k 9th March

will add another 50k or trail marathon in March

Coventry 40 miles 6th April

Milton Keynes Marathon 6th May (PACER)

Chester 100 Ultra - 18th May

Beacon Way 100 Ultra - 13th July

SVP 100 (KM) - 11th August

King Offa's Dyke - 13th September

Its going to be a hell of a year & I'm really looking forward to the journey the learning, the new trails, new friends, the love & support of old friends -the tantrums, the tears - the blood & the sweat - life is truly amazing!

Watch this space - Hold the Vision - Trust the Process

much love & happy running

Sheila

#neveraverage