Monday 9 January 2017

It's been a while (aka looking back on 2016 and planning for 2017)

So, it's been a while... I promised myself that when I started this blog it would be a diary for myself of my adventures in running; if anyone else cares to read it, I'm more than happy for them to share the experiences with me - but it's primarily a repository for my own memory.

Many things happened in 2016 that meant I didn't commit the time to keeping the diary... the biggest change being me starting a new job. I now work on an offshore oil platform in the North Sea; working 2 weeks offshore and then having 3 weeks leave.
This led to me being definitely less than efficient in my training, as I've never run on a treadmill before. I ran a few interval sessions but without any real purpose.
Offshore life takes its toll on training

This lack of training, along with skipping too many of my long runs whilst onshore (due to various other reasons), resulted in me towing the line at the 2016 Highland Fling completely under prepared.
I set off at a reasonable clip, and felt OK; however by Beinglas the wheels had completely fallen off and I ended up with a long hobble/run/walk to the finish in Tyndrum - managing a disappointing but still fairly decent time of 9h46m.
At the finish, I chatted to Donnie Campbell who had just broken the course record and subsequently become the 2016 British Trail Champion - a seed had been sown. The following week I had another chat with Donnie and decided that we'd work together to see what we could get out of my running.

Fast forward to July and August (via many hours on a treadmill and lots of single legged squats!) where I managed 9th place at the Scafell Pike Marathon and then my first ever podium (2nd place) at the Devil of the Highlands. The Devil had been one of my best performances in 2015, but under Donnie's guidance I'd managed some silverware along with a 20 minute PB.
Things were falling into place!
2nd place at the Devil - and a 20 min PB

After being unsuccessful in the UTMB ballot, my "A" race for 2016 was Lizzie Hawker's brand new Ultra Tour Monte Rosa. The race itself was to be a test of my new found fitness and a chance to explore somewhere new. My performance in that race is probably due a post all of its own, but I had to pull out at around 50km (having sat in the top 10) due to cramping and a lack of fuel.

Wanting to put the disappointment of UTMR firmly behind me, I signed up for the Wooler Trail Marathon as a season finale in November. This looked to be a great new race, with a strong field and, again, a chance to explore somewhere new. Despite the freezing conditions and feeling like I had no strength on the climbs, I managed to pull off another 2nd place - I also finished 10 minutes faster than on Scafell Pike, even though the course felt tougher.
Another 2nd place, this time at Wooler

So 2016, a year of highs and lows... once I'd found a training system that works for me while I'm offshore.
The early bird catches some hill reps!

Planning for 2017 will be along more of the same lines. Some long stuff mixed in with some really long stuff; I'm hoping to do my first 100 miler this year.
This years races will be (or will hopefully be...!):

  • Started the year with a reasonable performance in the Aonach Mor Uphill Race on New Year's day
  • Glentress Trail Marathon
  • Selkirk Trail Ultra Marahon (only just an 'ultra' at 45km!)
  • I was fortunate in the West Highland Way Race ballot, so that's currently the 'A' race performance wise
  • I'm also hopeful of a UTMB place this year, so that would be the 100 mile box ticked
I may try and fit a 100km race in too around April/May to help me build up towards West Highland Way.

So, a big (and exciting) year ahead. I'm hoping to get to explore some more new places, and expand my horizons as part of my running.
One thing for sure though, is that I'll make a more determined effort to record it all here.
Watch this space!