Happily Ever After
Life in The Rural Retreat with a beautiful wife, three cats, garden wildlife, a camera, a computer – and increasing amounts about running
Earlier posts can be found on Adventures of a Lone Bass Player, where this blog began life. Recent entries can be found here.
Cutting It Short
by Russell Turner - 15:26 on 12 June 2023
There’s less than four weeks until the Race to the Stones, so the current heatwave is not helping at all with training. At least the Black Isle’s been spared the wildfires in Daviot and Cannich, and thundery afternoons haven’t affect me yet, but there’s still time.
Last Friday’s 45k was abandoned at 30k, although the heat wasn’t all to blame. Rather than head into Millbuie Woods with a hydration vest, I planned some shorter loops with a hand-held bottle and pit stops at The Rural Retreat. This may have been a mistake, as I’ve got out of practice with long distances on tarmac. However, what really put a stop to what would have been my eleventh marathon (and a bit) was overlooking the protective properties of the vest.
One more kilometre and I would have become one of those cautionary runners with bleeding nipples, and that despite me applying plasters at the first pit stop. Their adhesive properties were sorely compromised by sweat – almost as sorely as I would have become if I’d gone on.
That’s another lesson learned: use Nipeaze or plasters from the start if not wearing a vest. I’ll play safe on Friday by reverting to vest – with a full race day load – plus nipple protection too. The forecast is even hotter for then.
Matchgirl, it must be said, covered 45k a day later with 550m ascent. She’s properly tough.
Garmin lies. It was much hotter and much windier.
Friday’s target is the full 55k final pre-taper long run, although I’ll settle for anything over marathon distance; a decent early start will help. To ease my way in, today’s 5k began at 8.20am. My intention for Wednesday’s 10k is a pre-7am start, and even earlier on Friday when I expect to be out up to eight hours and endure some mid-20 degree midday sun.
The sun was hidden by mist this morning when I attempted to run the ultra slow pace I’ll need to do to cover 100k. It felt barely faster than a brisk walk but worked well in the hot and humid conditions. Who knows what we’ll get on race day.
The digital race guide has landed, and with it the news that my start wave is at 8.30am (20mins after Matchgirl’s) which meant I could book the runners’ transport from the finish (where we’re staying) to the start – a journey time of 90mins. It’s a long way to run. That cost £35.
There’s been more expenditure: a box of Tailwind stickpacks; some race bib magnets, as I can’t borrow Matchgirl’s; another pair of Brooks Adrenaline, because the 35% discount on last year’s model was too good to resist and I’ll probably need them for the autumn races. And there’ll be race photos to buy soon too, as this is likely to be my only 100k ultra. Who said running is cheap?
Add your comment
© Russell Turner 2008-2024