Blog 2 – Mud, Mud and more Mud

How would I characterise the last two weeks or so of training? In a word, muddy.

You may remember from my first blog, that my first “proper” trail run, was on a very cold and icy morning. On the surface (excuse the pun) this may sound like a recipe for disaster, for your first time running on uneven and undulating terrain, with a slightly dodgy knee. Yes, there was the inherent danger of a slip here or a slide there as well as the real possibility of rolling my ankle on the rock hard lumps of mud. However, it was actually a blessing in disguise. I was able to hop and skip across particularly muddy patches like a cat along the top of a fence. In turn this meant I was able to keep my running “rhythm” and “efficiency” (if I have any) consistent with running on the roads. This was a massive bonus, because it meant I was able to conserve my energy (to a certain degree) and not burn out too soon, making my introduction to trail running all the more enjoyable.

Fast forward a few days later, when the temperatures had risen to a barmy 6 degrees, on a “quick run” before work, or, as it turned out, a “slow trudge” before work, and it was a completely different story. Instead of a light footed (for me anyway), tippy tappy run across the frozen bogs, it was an industrious and energy sapping plod, through ankle deep sludge. With each step, I was collecting more and more clag to the bottom, of my newly purchased trail shoes making the task of running all the more challenging. Not only did it now feel like I had added weights around my ankles, but the apparent grip my trainers once had was now a smooth cake of slippery gunk. Running “form” and “efficiency” had gone out of the window, this was a battle of merely staying up on my feet and not falling face down in the slop. Side note: As you may have guessed, I have researched every variation of the word “mud” in the last paragraph, with some more vague than others.

What was meant to be a “nice and easy” hour out on the trails turned in to a leg cramping slog, or, as I now like to call a “bog slog”. Now, it may seem like this was all miserable, and to many it probably would be, but it an odd way I loved it just as much as I enjoyed my first experience on the trails when the pathways were hard and smooth. But the enjoyment this time was different. When the going was smooth and manageable like the first time, I got a sense of relaxation and calm, which to anyone who knows me will know is hard to come by. I am not very good at relaxing in the way most people would, much to the disappointment of Amy (fiancé/support staff). Whereas during my first experience of a “proper British winter” trail run, where the going was tough and every step is a challenge in itself, I experienced a very different type of fulfilment. In some respects it reminded me of arguably my favourite sport, skiing…. But without the snow, speed or elegance. On the descents I found myself weaving and traversing, trying to find the grippier bits, as if I was a slalom skier. There is that little buzz of adrenaline you get, when you are right on the cusp of your physical and technical (and shoe) capabilities, knowing at any point it could end in disaster and in a muddy heap on the floor. Whereas on the ascents, it was more like tackling the “travelator” from my childhood favourite, Gladiators. Every step forward was resulting in a slip backwards, leaving me feeling like the chap in red below.

The last week or two of bog slogging runs, have shown that no two trail runs are the same. I was discovering that even though I was running the same handful of trails in my local area (due to lockdown restrictions), trail running is incredibly diverse, and never a bore, providing you with a huge sense of achievement each time you hit the track. Nevertheless, as much I have enjoyed being ankle deep in the slop, I am looking forward to the weather (hopefully) improving and the trails drying up!

Kit, kit and more kit

Another thing I am discovering about ultra and trail-running is the huge range of kit and equipment on offer which can “improve your running”, or at least that’s what I have been telling Amy, when justifying another delivery. Now, I love stash, I love any new kit! The problem is, the more you research and read about trail running, the more kit you see and hear about, and subsequently want. In reality to go trail running you need no more than a fairly grippy set of running shoes, and some “activewear”.

Nevertheless I can report that I now have a second set of trail running shoes, wooo. I may have only bought my first set a mere three weeks prior, however in my defence, I bought those off the back of no research, with the only differentiator being that they “looked nice”. However, I realised further to the first 3/4 weeks of training that these shoes sadly aren’t particular well suited to my feet or running style, hence could apparently lead to injury. As have probably guessed this was my well rehearsed justification.

But as my first blog highlighted, I’m going “all-in”, therefore, surely if I want to be an ultra-runner then I have to at least look like one right? “Fake it until you make it” as they say. Or is it more of a “all the gear no idea” situation? We will see…

So, in addition to new shoes, the deliveries have been coming thick and fast, much to Amy’s disapproval. New kit includes a running vest/backpack, hydration bladder, energy gels, running cap, shorts, head torch and the highly controversial and apparently baffling toe socks (third image below). The “glove socks” as Amy calls them are an absolute game changer, after weeks of some tasty blisters in between my toes.

• 

• 

• 

I am now four weeks in to my official training and I am loving it more than I could have ever imagined. I honestly thought after 2/3 weeks I would have gotten bored and lost the enthusiasm I had at the start. But if anything, I am even more keen and motivated than ever. In the past, running has been a chore for me, something I do as a “means to an end”. But I am actually starting to look forward to going out on my next trail run, and am excited by plotting and exploring new routes. Who knows, maybe you may like it to?

Thanks again for reading the blog, I really appreciate the great feedback from the first instalment and would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions going forward. Carry on below for the Stats, Thoughts and Recommendations of the Week…

Stats, Thoughts and Recommendations of the Week 

The really catchy named section “Stats, Thoughts and Recommendations of the Week” is back for another week.

This highlights the things of interest for the period between 15th-28th February.

3) STATS

The past two weeks (15th – 28th Feb) has seen the introduction of the dreaded pre-work early morning runs. But so far so good. Although I would like the extra time in bed, there is something refreshing about running at the break of dawn. Plus it means the effort for that day is done all before 8:30am, and apparently gets the metabolism going, which is good news for me with the amount I tend to eat through the day. Also I have made an effort to up the weekly mileage and elevation gains. See the stats below for the last few weeks. Remember you can also find my progress on Strava via links at the bottom.

• February 15th to 21st
  • Total distance (running only): 57.84 km (35.9 miles)
  • Total time: 5 hours 0 minutes
  • Total Elevation Gain: 936m (3,071 ft)
• February 22nd to 28th
  • Total distance (running only): 66.80 km (41.5 miles)
  • Total time: 5 hours 55 minutes
  • Total Elevation Gain: 1,276m (4,186 ft)
• Total Accumulative Running Stats (Between 1st and 28th February 2021):
  • Total distance (running only): 235.64 km (146.5 miles)
  • Total time: 20 hours 11 minutes
  • Total Elevation Gain: 3,324 m (10,906 ft)

That concludes this weeks blog. Thanks sooo much for reading and hope you’re enjoying it so far! Next week will see the turn of The 4x4x48 Challenge that me and my mate Duke Durham attempted. Check in next week to see how we got on with the challenge of running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours straight. It will be a good one!

Finally just a reminder you can keep up to my training via Instagram and Strava which you can find via the links below:

Instagram and Strava Links below!