So, over three weeks after the my first big 100 and how did the recovery go?
Not like anything after any other race is the answer.
The sore feet soon recovered in a day or so and after arriving home on the Sunday evening I was out running again on Tuesday night, albeit only following my son Henry around his orienteering course. I thought that was a gentle enough starter. After that, for some reason I lost all motivation to run at all.
I managed a couple of miles on the Friday in anticipation for a long one on Saturday which ended up being about only 5 miles. I just couldn't get going, often just stopping and starring into space and eventually having to sit down in Sherbrook Valley with my head in my hands. I was physically fine but after the big events of Fellsman and Housman so close together my head was gone and I couldn't see the point in this comparatively mundane ambling around.
The Tuesday after was the second round of the Walton Chasers domination series. A short course in an area that I'd ran before but didn't do too well on. I felt rather enthusiastic in giving it a go but soon came unstuck as I don't think I would ever have found the first control if someone hadn't have told me where it was. I lost the will again and stood motionless for 2 minutes while I got my head straight. I found no3 OK but then thinking I'd gone to 4 ended up at the close by 12, a schoolboy error, sloppy map reading. It had taken me 30 minutes to find 3 controls. It was a shame because I found all the others up to 12 without a hitch but with over an hour gone I was ticked off with it and just went for a little run around. I should have done the last 2 and the finish but felt it would have been embarrassing and didn't even bother to download my si card.
Since then I have slowly upped the mileage with the last 2 weeks being around 25 mile each which I suppose is ok.
In hindsight I should have maybe had a cool down event a week or 2 after. Both Nick and Mark ran the Shires and Spires ultra the week after the Housman with great results, well done chaps.
I have now got the fire back and am enthusiastic about running. This weekend is a full recce of the second half of the Lakeland 100. Saturday is Pooley Bridge to Ambleside (28miles) then Sunday is Ambleside to Coniston (14 miles). Yes, I know that doesn't make 50 but it's an organised recce which is slightly shortened. The Saturday is followed by a lecture by last years winner Stuart Mills, sure to be motivational, just what I need.
On another L100 note, I've just heard that Joss Naylor will be starting the the race again this year and will be giving another motivational talk at the race briefing. Exciting stuff.
..And for those interested. It's the Western States 100 this weekend. I remember last year sitting in front of the laptop into the small hours looking at twitter updates and live tracking on probably the most exciting ultra race ever. The talk was of whether Kilian Jornet could stamp his European alpine mountain running dominance in the 100 mile American trail race that started it all or could the in form Anton Krupicka show him how it's done. They were neck and neck all the way but waiting in the wings was Geoff Roes to pounce for the win at the last minute while Kilian blew up and Anton just couldn't hold on.
Both first and second broke Scott Jurek's course record.
This year looks just as exciting. While Anton is out injured Geoff Roes and Kilian are back but keep an eye out and fingers crossed for the Brits. Jez Bragg has been training well and is fit but also Ian Sharman is my tip for a good result. I didn't know who Ian was until he was top ten at Western States last year and after reading his blog I realised he was the guy in the spiderman outfit who flew past me in my very first marathon in Edinburgh. He still often runs very fast marathons in daft costumes most recently as Elvis.
All these runners have blogs in my blog list except Kilian who has a big Salomon sponsorship and his Kilians quest videos.
Here's a taster of what to expect
I had swollen ankles for a week after the Housman, that was a real toughy, also my first 100. I think I saw you running with Mark after the 85mile check point (all a bit of a blur now). Was that you who said to me "going a bit slow now" and "I said at least your still going!". If not it was someone very similar.
ReplyDeleteRoger
Roger, Yes that was me. I do remember you saying that but can't put a face to the name thought you looked a lot more sprightly than me and obviously finished a lot quicker. Well done on your first 100
ReplyDeleteYou're doing better than I am Simon! For two weeks after the Housman I couldn't stand for 5 minutes without my legs aching, and just took my first running steps again today. Motivation was similarily low for a couple of weeks. It's been a long recovery for me. Good luck on the Lakeland 100.
ReplyDeleteDawn, I does take it out of you that's for sure, more mentally than physically for me. It's a massive strain on the system and some seem to recover faster than others.
ReplyDeleteHope it's not put you off and you'll be back for the games 100 next year, it's bound to be flatter than the Housman
Thanks and you, I was the one probably wearing a buff any way. I see your doing the Lakeland 100, I'm also stupidly doing this lol. How are the recce's going? I've not had time or money to do any so I'm just hitting the local hills hard and studying the route as much as I can. I hear the fell's are going to be tough.
ReplyDeleteRoger, The L100 will be nothing to worry a man of your speed but having just done the last half recce this weekend (I also did the L50 last year) it brought it all back just how rough the terrain is. Make sure your shoes fit well and theres no chance of your feet moving in them and rubbing. Blisters are are big problem for some on this race. It was wet all weekend which meant slippy on the wet rock and boggy but only just ankle deep in places on the grassy parts. Theres a few places where you can take a wrong turn but I should be OK for the second half now...If I get that far. I'll do a post on the recce soon
ReplyDeleteCheers
Ha well I don't think these thing's are about speed for me at least. It's normally just about getting around. I'll check it when you post :)
ReplyDelete