Tales of Trails, Mountains and Rocky Roads

Now I’m back home in sunny Stoke, I’ve had the chance to sit down and reflect on my weekend in Perth and decide how I really feel about my run. In all honesty, I am actually quite pleased despite things in the latter stages not going to plan, but that’s the thing with these long races – 100km is a bloody long way and anything can happen! Andy and I drove up to Perth, and on arrival it was great to see all the familiar faces that I haven’t seen for a while – the other Andy Smith, Chris Finnell, Allen Smalls, Angie Sadler, Paul Fenandez, the crazy but “loveable” Heather, and of course Karen who has been an absolute star since turning to ultra running last year. There were also a couple of other chaps – George, Harry and Phil – who I hadn’t met before, along with Eleanor who was the England Ladies Team Manager. The pre-race meeting the night before was also a good opportunity to catch up with friends from the other home nations before heading off for some tea and then to bed. The 100km ...

With just 4 days to go until my first 100km race for over 3 years, the nerves and excitement are setting in, as well as the paranoia! I'm convinced I'm starting with a cold, muscles ache where they shouldn't do, and the couple of easy runs I've done this week, I've felt stiff, tired and sluggish. This is what tapering does to you - it's hard both physically and mentally, but hopefully come Sunday, all will be well and I'll have a good race. I've got my race plan all set out having spoken to coach Norman earlier this week. He won't be there at the weekend, but thankfully I'll have my most devoted fan there with me - none other than my fantastic partner Andy who is so supportive and patient when I decide to do these long races. He never complains, and takes all the abuse from me when I start to get tired, but he's always there at the end to either congratulate or console me. I couldn't do it without him - so thank you Andy! I finish work ...

Well 2 weeks today it will all be over, and I will hopefully have ran a good 100km and qualified for the Worlds in September. Since Barry, training has been going well, and this week things couldn't have been better. It's nice when things go to plan and you hit training targets - it gives you confidence that things are on track. I completed my last long run yesterday - a 20 miler along the Manifold Valley - and really enjoyed it. It was lovely to get out of the city and to breathe in that fresh country air. Then today I did the second leg in the Stafford 20 relays - 6 miles in just over 37 minutes, not bad considering I'd done the long one yesterday. Things are now starting to wind down, and I guess I need to get mentally prepared for the 100k over the next couple of weeks. I'm really looking forward to it, and just hoping that I can avoid the lurgy and any injuries between now and then.

I've never shied away from a challenge, so when coach Norman suggested doing the Barry 40 at the end of February, I thought why the hell not! Some may think that 40 miles is a walk in the park for those who have already done 100km races, but the difference here was that it was all on an athletics track - yes, 40 miles of running around an athletics track - 161 laps to be precise. I had actually heard very good reports about this race, and so in a way, I was looking forward to it despite being a little daunted by the thought of so many laps. I was also worried about what effect it would have on my body in terms of injury, and I wasn't used to running in the same direction over and over again, but thankfully all seems to be ok with no after effects as things stand. So having set off from home at 6am on Sunday morning, there I was 4 hours later standing on the start line alongside 20 or so other athletes in the pouring rain and howling gale - typical weather for this race, a...