Great Scottish Run Half Marathon 2023

What a day.  What an event.  What a race.  It's estimated 30,000 took part in the half marathon but all I know is Glasgow "came alive".  The runners, experienced or otherwise, came out to complete either their 10th or their 1st.  The sun shone.  The crowds lined the streets and cheered us on.
I was in the purple pen and separated from Beth, Holly & Stuart that I was travelling with.  I met my pal Beardy which was good but there was so much chatter going on from excited runners that I shrank into myself and just focused on the starting pistol.  I was unsure I could complete the race due to my knee injury but I was going to give it my best shot.
I was aiming for 1 hour 45 mins and knew from last year that the pacer starts off fast up St. Vincent Street.  After 500m I'd lost Beardy, he was flying and after 3km I was doubting my knee would last and I was considering pulling out.  Then I thought about my WHY.  This was a lead up to the Amsterdam marathon in 2 weeks time.  It was to test my ability to maintain a fast pace, faster than I'd ever achieve in training.  Faster than I'd run all year.  And I was injured.
Beth was also injured with plantar fasciitis but she was going to push through the pain.  They say 80% of runners are running injured but we weren't going to let spoil our day.
I lost the 1:45 min pacer at 5km.  He was doing sub 5min kms which was too fast for me.  But the time made up with the sub 5's offset against the slow K's in Pollok park.  Once again my heart rate defied logic.  Running my fasted time this year and my average heart rate was 147 with a max of 157.  It goes higher in Strathclyde Park running slow!  But my other watch showed I had been in AFib - it's all about the rhythm.  I hit my 1:45 target and Beth was happy(ish), being 5 mins behind although she would have preferred being 1 minute ahead!  A successful day. Fortunately the meds are working so tomorrow is a new day. Training starts for Amsterdam in 13 days time.  I think both Beth & I will enjoy the scenery around the route rather than go for a PB as we don't have the training in us.  But then again, who knows.  It will depend on the WHY.
But Glasgow you rocked today.  Thank you to everyone who cheered us on.  Being "inside the ropes" is such a privilege and I will never take it for granted being able to take part in these events.

A fine balancing act

As you know, I'm cramming for the Great Scottish Half Marathon next Sunday, 1 October.  Two weeks later I am taking on the Amsterdam Marathon.  I've been getting treatment from Grant McLullich of the Treatment Hub in Hamilton and the results are showing.  Before the treatment started I could hardly bend my knees without severe pain in my quads.  At the same time I started with Beth's personal trainer Bartek, who doesn't take any prisoners.  A week ago after my treatment, Bartek made me squat for 40 mins.  Before that my normal was 10 mins then I couldn't walk for the next 2 days.  Surprisingly the next day I had no pain and was out running!  But one squat session doesn't make a summer!  
My personal training is tough but going well.  However with my race a week away I need to balance getting strong with not being too tired for Sunday.
I also have to keep an eye on Amsterdam.  So on Saturday I ran 32 km at a slow 6 min km but this is ideal practice marathon preparation, but it might not help my half marathon speed.  I was accompanied by my pal Gavin who is also doing the same races and having company made all the difference.
Beth is also cramming her training as life has "got in the way" of training.  But it's important to train when ever possible as it makes you feel so much better.  Today she ran 30 kms on her own down south and that's tough mentally. The races are just the cherry on the all important cake.
This week I will run three times which will include some speed work as I want to get a good time in both races assuming my body holds up.  I'll also be keeping a close eye on my heart rate and if it gets too high I'll walk it in.  Life is more important than a medal.
We're definitely in Autumn now and choosing what to wear can be a real pain as you're either too hot or too cold depending on what you wear as the temperatures fluctuate.  But there is something fresh about the air now.  Not as fresh as the other week when we were walking on the most beautiful beaches in the world on the island of Lewis & Harris.  We took a rest from training but had a couple of dips in the sea which was refreshing.  It was a much needed break and part of our fine balancing act. 

Bloody ballots

The UK is one of the most active ultra running scenes in the world.  We have so many different races you are spoiled for choice, if only you could get in them!  Last week I said we'd got the first half of our year planned.  That would have been the case if 2 out of the three of them didn't go to a ballot. The West Highland Way hasn't opened yet but I have lost out twice before so fingers crossed.  Beth & I applied for the Montane Lakeland 50.  She got in, I didn't.  Went for a charity place and 15 minutes after it opened I was number 751 in the queue, didn't get in.
The only race that is booked is The Lap (Lake Windemere) 43 mile Anti-clockwise in September next year and I'm glad to say, we're in.  I only found out about it last night from our pal Stu who has also entered - the race entries opened 2 hours ago and it's almost sold out!
I have a good for age for the Boston Marathon and entries open tomorrow so again, fingers crossed.  It's in April and 2 weeks after it is the Chiltern 50 miler which opens next weekend.
In the meantime my quads have some issues that are being worked on by my "medical team".  Running down even a slight decline is painful but running on the flat is fine.  I've also started work with a personal trainer to get stronger so hopefully that will help.
I'm investigating a "big race" in the next couple of years as I haven't succeeded in anything "big" since Tahoe in 2019.  Races in the heat are probably out due to my AF so it looks like I maybe going cold!  I'm excited about that but a my research is just starting.
With the Glasgow half marathon 3 weeks away, I ran 16/21&13km in the last fours days with my dodgy quads.  I have my fingers crossed that I can build up some speed work as I really want to "give it a go" and get a PB.  I also have to remember we have the Amsterdam Marathon two weeks after it so my mileage is going to increase.  I've enjoyed my training runs this week but need to lose the sharp pains in my quads.
There is a great deal of planning in advance required to put together a good race calendar for the year ahead and you success in getting into some races comes down to luck.  So plan well ahead and look into the application process as well as the race as you can get caught out.  As for the ballots, it's a sign of the success of ultra running in the UK and many of the entrants are from overseas as was demonstrated in the Montane Lakeland 50 (& 100) and every year in the West Highland Way.  I can only keep my fingers crossed for the WHY which would be amazing. 

Cramming

It's been a difficult month for me as far as training is concerned.  The two weeks in Romania involved one 4 km run.  However I did lose 3km with the manual labour of being a volunteer.  When I came back home my knees were aching from the constant bending down when putting the tents up or down and working 8 - 12 hours a day.  Now I'm back I've started training but my foot/calf injury came back and I took four days off training before I saw my wonderful sports therapist Pamela.  When I booked the meeting it was my right knee that was the problem - it kept collapsing.  But by the time my appointment arrived my foot was very uncomfortable and walking on it was difficult enough.
She focused on my foot/calf and finished off by spending some time on my right knee/quad.  I've got stretches' to do and hopefully it will start behaving.
In the meantime I have signed up with Beth's Personal Trainer to strengthen my body as for too long I have suffered injuries.  I'm not aiming for "beach muscles" but being stronger for my running.  First session is on Wednesday and Bart helped Beth in her prep for URR in 6 weeks so here's hoping.  He doesn't allow swearing and that will definitely be a f@@@@@g problem!
Today Beth and I headed to the "Arrochar Alps".  It was our intention to do 3 summits but when we got there it was all in cloud base.  We power walked to the top and my lack of training showed although one climber said she thought we were running so it was a decent pace.  Beth "threaded the needle" but there is no photographic evidence as you can hardly see the rock!  I did hold my breath while she did it as the rocks were slippy which meant she didn't get to the top of the rock (the Cobbler).  
We had a wonderful run down taking about 40 mins and I relied on my poles as my knees had a few weak moments - total distance up and down 11.7K.  We skipped the other two summits and agreed to get back home and run a lap of Chatelherault.  We arrived stiff from the drive but the sun had come out and again we had a fantastic, although tough lap (7.6k).  I was blowing out my arse but my heart  behaved itself although it did show up my lack of training.  It was interesting to watch Beth tackle, what in normal circumstances we'd call hills.  They didn't even feature for her having come back from the Romanian mountains. 
The reference to cramming is that in a month I have the Glasgow half marathon and two weeks later the Amsterdam Marathon.  This is not the recommended approach and it will be "reverse tapering".  I want to do well in both races but much will depend on how my knees/calf and foot hold up.  But I'm excited for the challenge and Beth will be racing both events.  I have the experience to run sensible races and also have the miles in the legs.  But I'll be pushing for PBs so lets see if the cramming works.
We've already got our races planned for the first half of next year, if we get in, and I'll provide those details in the coming weeks.  

Living in the present

I sometimes have to remind myself that I need to live in the present, meaning here and now.  We all make plans whether it be for a holiday or a race in the future, but somehow the actual event disappears before you know it.  Ultra Race Romania was just like that.  We spend a long time planning it and were excited as we sat in the departures lounge thinking about arriving in Romania where it was 15/20 degrees warmer.  Before we knew it, 2 weeks had past and the adventure was over.  Our memories of the people, the beautiful countryside, the mountains and the challenge are stored in our heads and constant reminders come up on FaceBook, but life has to return to normal.  That's not so easy but a transition we all have to make.  We can't live in the past - it's a reference library to dip into when required, not lived in.
I've been thinking this over since returning and gradually switching from adventure mode to business and normal life mode.  Last night I had friends Martin & Elizabeth Schwitter, from Grand 2 Grand (2017) visit me from Geneva and stay over.  We shared memories of the race and the people we had met and it took me right back there.  I helped them plan their tour of Scotland and again, when looking at locations to visit, my memories kicked in as though I was there.
But if I live my life in the past or thinking "one day....." then I am missing the most important part, today, right now.  It came to me this morning as I was walking Poppy around the Hamilton Race course.  Her nose was twitching as she picked up the scent of deer and started searching for them.  Nose to the ground she went back and forth.  They were hiding in the undergrowth fortunately or I'd have been pulled off my feet!  It's happened before.  But Poppy was living in the present, making the most of her early morning walk,  Not like me, I was on auto-pilot, walking Poppy before our breakfast and then off to work.  What I should have been doing is taking in my beautiful surroundings, the noise of the birds singing and the sight of the deer running for cover.  The morning dew makes the fragrances come alive and I remember my first run when I came back from Romania and I was overwhelmed with the fragrances of the flowers and the trees.  Something I rarely noticed because I'd become accustomed to them.

Living in the present means appreciating the here and now.  Take time today and discover what fragrances have been under your nose that you haven't noticed.  Look up when walking and take in the horizon.  Unplug your headphones and listen for the birds.  Feel alive because it's a privilege to be fit and healthy.  The simple pleasure in life can be the most precious and sharing a home cooked dinner with a friend who I hadn't seen in 6 years reminded me how quickly time passes. Go and enjoy today.

Ultra Race Romania - 2023 Reflections

This is the last of 3 blogs regarding URR and I think it's an important read for the athletes who took part, the volunteers and anyone who is considering signing up for this adventure of a lifetime.
The athletes and volunteers have returned home to their families and they will enjoy telling stories of bear foot prints, bear poo, wild dogs, the stunning scenery and all the experiences they went through in this adventure.  I call it an adventure because it's way more than a race. 
The athletes have completed an extremely tough 7 day adventure and during that time they were "stripped bare".  No luxuries, no showers, no fresh clothes, no make up or hair conditioner, eating freeze dried food and suffering from a calorie deficit every day which means you lose your muscle mass.  It's not for the faint hearted.  But you are treated like "movie stars" with cheering volunteers and photographers taking unlimited pictures of you and giving interviews about your experience to the wonderful Fisheye team.  Facebook receives these images and they go worldwide.  But when the race is over and you've enjoyed some downtime with your fellow competitors life returns to normal.  In my experience that can be a tough time making the adjustment to normal life and going back to work.
Most of us lead a risk free sedentary life.  That's part of the reason we put ourselves into an event like this, to stimulate the "animal" in us and to take risks (calculated) because it makes us feel alive.  But when we go back home it takes a period of adjustment and this is where an opportunity lies.
What did you learn about yourself during the 7 days?  How did you cope with the fear of being in the forest in the dark on your own knowing that there were wild animals about?  How did you handle sharing a tent with 3 strangers who spoke different languages and constantly being with other people with little time for yourself?  Personally speaking it had a profound affect on me after I came through the post race blues which really had me quite down two years ago.  Coming back as a volunteer wasn't as tough but it still required a period of adjustment and Facebook prolongs that experience with everyone sharing their stories.  And quite rightly too, you should be proud of what you have achieved even if you DNF, you still contributed to the adventure and got outside your comfort zone.
Some competitors have races coming up immediately afterwards so this will delay the come down but it will happen.  
This is your chance to see if you need to make changes in your life.  It may confirm you are perfectly happy but it may also confirm that you are not.  If it's the latter then start to analyse what makes you happy and follow that path.  It may be a change of jobs or making a commitment to a relationship or leaving a relationship.  When I was in URR two years ago it made me feel alive and appreciate "real" people more than ever.  As a volunteer it made me realise this is my "happy place" with likeminded individuals in an environment that excited me.  There's no room for posers or bullshit in this arena.  Taking part is too painful so you only get the gritty people who have a love of the out doors.  URR has changed my life significantly. The changes haven't been easy but I realised "we all know the end of this movie and nobody gets out alive" so you might as well enjoy yourself.  I've always said URR is more than a race, it's an adventure so pluck up the courage and follow in the foot steps of Legends who took on the challenge.  I leave you with one final thought - you have one life.  Live it.

Ultra Race Romania 2023 - the race

This is the second of a three part blog.  The first was about the wonderful volunteers that make the race happen.  This one is my observations of the race as a volunteer supporting the runners.
When you sign up for a 6 day multi-stage, self supporting race with 250 km over 6 stages and 7 days, you probably don't know what you are in for, unless you have done one before.  But URR is so tough with 11,000m of ascent and descent, 38 degree gradient climbs and rough terrain under foot that many experienced runners were surprised. 
When you describe it to friends they start asking questions, do they feed you? are there showers? do they put you up in a hotel between stages?  Your friends begin to question your sanity when they find out the answer was no to those three questions, because who in their right mind would sign up for that?  So why do we do it?  Each runner has their own story which brought them to this particular start line and as long as their WHY is strong they will be successful in their race.  But success is measured differently for each athlete ranging from winning to completing the race.
There were 15 athletes on the start line from, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Hong Kong, Romania, France, Great Britain, Japan, Brazil, and Luxemburg.  The age range was from the youngster in his early 30's to the mature gentleman in his 60s and the split was 9 women & 6 men.  When they met on the first day I observed those that were excited and happy to talk and those that were there to win who were more reserved and had their "game face" on.  At the first meal one athlete at our table finished their food almost without speaking to anyone and then retired to bed.
The next day the athletes traveled to the base camp and they weren't really mixing.  In fact in one tent they didn't speak to each other at all that night.  This however is normal as they are all contemplating in their heads how the next 7 days will go.  Camping with strangers & living out a rucksack for 7 days while running in the mountains isn't easy and so difficult to contemplate what it's like, even if you have ran an ultra before.  There is constant chattering in your head; did I train enough, have I got the right food, will we meet bears or wild dogs?  This tends to make you retreat into yourself as you don't want to show any signs of weakness to strangers you are competing with.
In previous races I have observed that the group normally breaks into three.  The top third are those who are out to win.  They are hardened competitors and winning a prestigious race like URR will be good for their CV.  The next third are out to get as good a time as is physically possible but they are also there to enjoy the experience and take in the surroundings.  The last third are athletes who are likely to power walk more than run and are there to complete the race rather than compete in the race but enjoy the scenery along the way.  The fast ones push themselves to the limit but get it over and done with quickly.  The rest are out much longer and suffer more in the heat so it's a challenge for all the athletes.
In day 1 Reinhold Hugo from Switzerland completed the stage in a record breaking 3:37.  He came across the line dripping in sweat but hardly out of breath.  The tail ender that day took 8:31 but enjoyed her day out - sadly she DNF'd the next day but continued to be involved in different parts of the race.  There were two other DNF's and they also stayed in camp and worked as volunteers just to remain part of what was becoming, a tight group. Already one of them has signed up for 2024 - that's the spirit Tun and Alessandro hopes to be back in 2025.
Reinhold won every stage and smashed the course record with a winning time of 29:39.  During the race he was humble, polite and encouraged all the athletes no matter what their time was.  
2 & 3rd place went to Noemi Hagg of Switzerland & Michaela Punz-Raml of Austria.  After 2 stages they decided to run together which they enjoyed and obviously was safer with bears in the area.  
You can read the full results on the URR website but what it doesn't tell you is how this group of athletes became like a family during the course of the race. 
The 4, all different nationalities, in the tent that didn't speak on the first night became like "party central".  The laughter that came from the tent showed they were having a good time in the toughest of conditions.  With no showers, everyone smells and usually has only one running top and shorts with them with two pairs of socks.  But in the end you don't notice the smell and everyone is in the same position.  Also the women wore no make up which didn't bother anyone as the race went on.
Everyone had their breakfast & dinner together and offered encouragement and sometimes a word of advice or even a massage for those aching traps from carrying the rucksack.  They tried learning Romanian, they told jokes and occasionally played tricks on each other.  The transformation I witnessed from day 1 was incredible.  They also got to know the volunteers so the family expanded.
The day after the "long day" (68km) the athletes rested in hammocks, slept, washed their clothes, ate their food and socialised.  This was helped by a surprise from the organisers which I won't go into detail about, as I don't want to ruin the surprise for future competitors.  Needless to say, every competitor was delighted with the surprise and it lifted their spirits as they rested before 42 km the next day which they considered to be "just a marathon"!
There spirits were lifted further when one of the volunteers, John, borrowed my kilt and ran up and down the campsite waving a machete like a madman while the sound of AC/DC played Thunderstruck!  John's past shoulder length grey hair made him look like the leading man from Braveheart and now he's known as The Highlander.
On the final day we witnessed 12 athletes become URR Legends.  The finish line had a carnival atmosphere and family and friends were there waiting to greet them.  The volunteers also had family along which made it a very special celebration.  We had beer at the finish line and once the last athlete was home safely we greeted the sweepers with a standing ovation.  We retired to the local restaurant for some wonderful Romanian cuisine and more beer!
All good things come to an end and when the meal was finished, the athletes said goodbye to the volunteers who had looked after them over the last 7 days.  A few tears were shed as we parted and I know the athletes and volunteers will stay lifelong friends.  This is so much more than a race and that message has been repeated by the athletes in their FB posts following the race.  
The athletes then had 2 days of sight seeing and again the bonds became even tighter between them.  After that first shower back at the hotel and a change of clothes, we all enjoyed real food and the tours that had been organised.
The friendships that have come out of this race are amazing.  I know because 2 years ago I was in the race and DNF'd but have stayed in touch with athletes who took part.  There were three athletes from previous years who came to visit the race and stay in the tents - one even brought his lovely family and another volunteered for 2 days.  That I think sums up the ethos of this race.  It doesn't matter if you are 1st, last or DNF'd - you are part of the URR family and on returning will be greeted with open arms as I was.  I watched 15 strangers from 11 different countries and 40 volunteers evolve into a family within a week - in today's fast paced world driven by greed and material things, this is something very special.
Again I'd like to thank the organisers for coming up with this amazing race that even the top athlete's said is harder than MdS and Grand 2 Grand.  But it's the total experience of genuinely feeling part of a family that is the "prize" you take home.  A lifetime of memories and a special group of likeminded friends.