Tales of Trails, Mountains and Rocky Roads

After a week off work and a few days of easy running, it's now back to the hard work as training recommences in earnest to get me ready for the Worlds in September. Following a lovely day in Porthmadog on Sunday, I ended up doing my "long" run on bank holiday Monday instead -a  perfect excuse to run off all those Easter eggs that I'd been scoffing over the weekend. It was very warm, a little on the breezy side, and for some idiotic reason I'd chosen a hilly route. The legs actually didn't feel too bad, but with suffering from hay fever, the breathing was quite laboured and I found it difficult. I still managed a respectable 1 hour 34 minutes for 13 miles, so can't complain. Then on Tuesday, I was back at the club and it was great to do a session with the others. Being the last Tuesday of the month, it was the 3k time trial so I was interested to see how I faired compared to last year. The loop goes around the Wedgwood Estate at Barlaston, and although it...

It’s been 3 weeks since I did the 100k and I’ve just completed my 8 th London Marathon. What an experience. It doesn’t matter how many times you do it, the atmosphere and crowd support is phenomenal and I absolutely love it! We travelled down to the capital on Saturday morning, courtesy of the County Staff Club in Stafford, heading straight for the Excel and race registration. For me, this is where the excitement starts – picking up your number and race day details, it really starts to sink in what you are here for. This year it was exceptionally special for me as I finally got to meet one of my sporting heroines – yes indeed, it was Paula Radcliffe, and along with many others on the day, I was honoured to have my photo taken with her and to have her autograph. Paula has been an inspiration to many, myself included, and it put me in a positive frame of mind for the remainder of the weekend. Sunday morning dawned and we were up early for a 6am breakfast. The race wasn’t due to start ...

Running can be a solitary sport, and I’ve certainly found myself pounding out the miles on wet and windy Sunday mornings with just the “pleasure” of my own company for what seems like hours on end. Thankfully, it can also be a team sport, and for me there is no better team than the one I am proud to be a part of – Trentham Running Club.  It doesn’t matter how good you are, it doesn’t matter whether you’ve had a brilliant run and smashed a PB, or a dreadful run where you just want to bury your head in the sand, the team spirit and support you get from club mates is second to none – and that goes for both the ladies and the gents! Saturday was one of those days where team spirits were on a high as the Trentham ladies team had their best ever placing in the national 6 stage road relays at Sutton Park. The team has been going from strength to strength recently, with numerous individual and team wins in cross country and on the roads, and dare I say even on the track, but a top 10 fini...

It's only been 5 days since I did the 100km race in Perth, and already I am looking forward and planning my races between now and the Worlds. I'm feeling really motivated at the moment, and am quite excited about what lies ahead! I got out for a run last night, and although the legs were still a little achy from the weekend, thankfully the foot/ankle was fine and didn't give me any grief. It's the London Marathon 2 weeks on Sunday, and I know I won't run a PB so fully intend to go out there and just enjoy the race without any pressure.  After that, the plan is to focus on the big one again in September. I've got a few long races penciled in - Forest of Dean 33 mile Trail Race (also the English Trail Championships and selection race for the Commonwealth Trail Championships), Boddington 50k, the Lakeland Trail Marathon, Dovedale Dipper 27 miles trail race and the Belper Rugby Rover 30km trail race. I've also got a couple of local races that I intend to do...

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.