In 2007 & 2008 I ran 2 ultras each year, Highland Fling & West Highland Way races. The first year was a massive learning curve and I was so pleased to finish both races. In 2008 I went faster in both races with a sub 20hr whw.
In 2009 I turned 50 and celebrated by running 5 ultra races. In the three races on the whw I acheived my goal of going sub 10hrs in the Fling, sub 20hrs in whw and sub 7hrs in the Devils. I also ran the Hardmoors 110 and the Saintelyon race in France.
Looking back it was definitely my best year by far. In 2010 I tried things differently, racing four ultra races from March to June. While I did okay I felt I never gave my best as I was always running with tired legs.
In 2011 I decided to go back to what worked in 2009. I set out my training plan in January with long runs once a month on the whw including the Fling and a 2 day run in May. I ran most of these with Ross Moreland and he really helped me run at a steady pace.
As I look back over the first 3-4 months of 2011 I would say that my training was really good. I was running faster times especially my tempo runs. So I approached the Fling in April full of confidence.
For whatever reason (mainly heat?) I struggled from Inversnaid onwards. I took the wise decision to easy off and run as I felt and enjoyed the rest of the race. I ran with Claire Walton which was fun as it was her first outing on the whw.
The 2 day run went well and again I got to the start line of the whw feeling okay. My confidence wasn't as high as previous years but I still felt I had a sub 21hrs if not sub 20hrs in me.
It all went badly wrong from about Inversnaid onwards as I slipped behind my schedule. By the time I reached Tyndrum I knew it was going to be a battle to finish. Finish I did but in a time of 27hrs 36mins.
I was proud to have grinded it out and collected my 5th goblet but on my slow walk on the Lairig Mor with Katrina I made the decision to not run in 2012. Up until then I'd just assumed I would do the whw every year for as long as I could.
I respect and love the race too much that I don't want to be in the same situation again as 2011. I would hate to drop out and so feel it would be better to have a year off and come back to it with a renewed desire. I will be back!! In the meantime I'm still involved in the race having taken on the race web site.
After a couple of weeks off after the whw I noticed that my left Achilles was a little sore. Like most runners I thought I could run it off. I ran every other day and it was just about okay.
I ran the Devils race and again really struggled in the heat and finished in 8hrs 21mins ... almost 90mins slower than 2009. Not a fun experience!
I was still planning to run the RAW race in September and at least qualify for the SUMS but one Monday night's Fartlek session put paid to that. As I pushed the pace my Achilles was REALLY sore and I realised I needed to rest it.
I took 6 weeks off. During this time I bought a decent road bike through my work's cycle to work scheme. I really enjoyed doing some cycling and keeping the fitness ticking over.
This time off running also coincided with Katrina running the Glasgow half marathon in a pb 1.44 and the Loch Ness Marathon in 3.50. It was great to be able to support her after all the support she's given me.
I started running again in early October and slowly build up the pace and distance. I worked on running four days a week rather than the 6 I was doing. I've replaced my Tuesday and Thursday recovery runs with cycling to and from work and feel it has benefitted me.
Over the Christmas period I've run four races from 5k to 11miles. In all of them I've struggled with the pace and know that my fitness is not quite where I'd like it to be.
I must admit I'm left with the thought that I may not regain the fitness I had in 2009 and I'm happy with that. But as long as I'm enjoying my running and I am I will continue to run and blog about it!!
I will look back on 2011 with mixed feelings. While I had a tough time Katrina and lots of my ultra running friends had a great year and I loved being part of that, supporting and cheering them on.
If you've not seen it I did a video of 2011 highlights.
2012 is a new year and I'm looking forward to seeing how it progresses. I'm not going to set any goals this year as I miserably failed to achieve any of last years!!
I have two main targets though...
1. Highland Fling with Katrina
I said to Katrina if she would like to run the Highland Fling I would run it with her. So we've already had a few runs on the route and have 3 more planned between now and the race in April. It will be fun to run it together .... I just hope I can keep up with her!!
2. Lakeland 100
This is my main race of the year. Ever since I heard about the race I really wanted to do it but felt that I wouldn't be able to do the whw and Lakeland 100 in the same year. Having made the decision to not run the whw in 2012 it opened the way to go for it.
Dave T and I have planned out four recce runs from February to June which will cover the whole route. I'm looking forward to the training as much as the race. It is a new challenge and one that I'm ready for.
To finish off here are some stats of my 2011 running year.
All runs on an excel spread sheet
Summary of runs by type ....
Plus a comparison with the previous four years ....
Finally if you want to read our family Newsletter you are very welcome!
In 2009 I turned 50 and celebrated by running 5 ultra races. In the three races on the whw I acheived my goal of going sub 10hrs in the Fling, sub 20hrs in whw and sub 7hrs in the Devils. I also ran the Hardmoors 110 and the Saintelyon race in France.
Looking back it was definitely my best year by far. In 2010 I tried things differently, racing four ultra races from March to June. While I did okay I felt I never gave my best as I was always running with tired legs.
In 2011 I decided to go back to what worked in 2009. I set out my training plan in January with long runs once a month on the whw including the Fling and a 2 day run in May. I ran most of these with Ross Moreland and he really helped me run at a steady pace.
As I look back over the first 3-4 months of 2011 I would say that my training was really good. I was running faster times especially my tempo runs. So I approached the Fling in April full of confidence.
For whatever reason (mainly heat?) I struggled from Inversnaid onwards. I took the wise decision to easy off and run as I felt and enjoyed the rest of the race. I ran with Claire Walton which was fun as it was her first outing on the whw.
The 2 day run went well and again I got to the start line of the whw feeling okay. My confidence wasn't as high as previous years but I still felt I had a sub 21hrs if not sub 20hrs in me.
It all went badly wrong from about Inversnaid onwards as I slipped behind my schedule. By the time I reached Tyndrum I knew it was going to be a battle to finish. Finish I did but in a time of 27hrs 36mins.
I was proud to have grinded it out and collected my 5th goblet but on my slow walk on the Lairig Mor with Katrina I made the decision to not run in 2012. Up until then I'd just assumed I would do the whw every year for as long as I could.
I respect and love the race too much that I don't want to be in the same situation again as 2011. I would hate to drop out and so feel it would be better to have a year off and come back to it with a renewed desire. I will be back!! In the meantime I'm still involved in the race having taken on the race web site.
After a couple of weeks off after the whw I noticed that my left Achilles was a little sore. Like most runners I thought I could run it off. I ran every other day and it was just about okay.
I ran the Devils race and again really struggled in the heat and finished in 8hrs 21mins ... almost 90mins slower than 2009. Not a fun experience!
I was still planning to run the RAW race in September and at least qualify for the SUMS but one Monday night's Fartlek session put paid to that. As I pushed the pace my Achilles was REALLY sore and I realised I needed to rest it.
I took 6 weeks off. During this time I bought a decent road bike through my work's cycle to work scheme. I really enjoyed doing some cycling and keeping the fitness ticking over.
This time off running also coincided with Katrina running the Glasgow half marathon in a pb 1.44 and the Loch Ness Marathon in 3.50. It was great to be able to support her after all the support she's given me.
I started running again in early October and slowly build up the pace and distance. I worked on running four days a week rather than the 6 I was doing. I've replaced my Tuesday and Thursday recovery runs with cycling to and from work and feel it has benefitted me.
Over the Christmas period I've run four races from 5k to 11miles. In all of them I've struggled with the pace and know that my fitness is not quite where I'd like it to be.
I must admit I'm left with the thought that I may not regain the fitness I had in 2009 and I'm happy with that. But as long as I'm enjoying my running and I am I will continue to run and blog about it!!
I will look back on 2011 with mixed feelings. While I had a tough time Katrina and lots of my ultra running friends had a great year and I loved being part of that, supporting and cheering them on.
If you've not seen it I did a video of 2011 highlights.
2012 is a new year and I'm looking forward to seeing how it progresses. I'm not going to set any goals this year as I miserably failed to achieve any of last years!!
I have two main targets though...
1. Highland Fling with Katrina
I said to Katrina if she would like to run the Highland Fling I would run it with her. So we've already had a few runs on the route and have 3 more planned between now and the race in April. It will be fun to run it together .... I just hope I can keep up with her!!
2. Lakeland 100
This is my main race of the year. Ever since I heard about the race I really wanted to do it but felt that I wouldn't be able to do the whw and Lakeland 100 in the same year. Having made the decision to not run the whw in 2012 it opened the way to go for it.
Dave T and I have planned out four recce runs from February to June which will cover the whole route. I'm looking forward to the training as much as the race. It is a new challenge and one that I'm ready for.
To finish off here are some stats of my 2011 running year.
All runs on an excel spread sheet
Summary of runs by type ....
Plus a comparison with the previous four years ....
Finally if you want to read our family Newsletter you are very welcome!
2 comments:
Hope you enjoy 2012! I'm trying to follow your optimistic example! Caroline
Interesting review John. I know that I don't do enough faster outings, something that I'm trying to address, but I wonder if you go to the other end of the spectrum with lots of fast training and very few longer runs? Your log shows a 20+ mile training run less than once a month on average, is this enough? Just a thought.
All the best for a great 2012.
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