Was it all worth it?

About a week ago I ran my first marathon. It was a quiet and frosty morning. The start and finish line were my driveway and I was the only competitor, which meant that I won the event (and lost technically having placed first and last).

Like so many interests I have picked up over the years, my goals on running have changed more times that I care to recall, but the one that has remained constant was to run that distance.

26.2. Just a number right? But for novice runners this number has a hold over us in the same way as the height of Everest does for mountaineers or speed does for racing drivers.

The run itself was uneventful. Camelbak, Garmin, iPod and a handful of SiS Smart1 gels (berry and caffeine) and the whole thing went without a hitch. Under 4 hours for my first attempt was a very pleasant surprise and slightly faster tan I would have paced myself, but when it feels good, it feels good. What can I say.

People who I have told can't seem to understand the desire to run this distance and this made me reflect on whether or not it was worth the early start, the discomfort of running in the freezing cold and the aches afterwards.

I assure you that it was.

For those thinking about running a marathon soon or in the future, there is something a little bit magical about going the distance. I learnt a lot about myself as a runner during the four hours I was on the road. Like how often I need gels and how much water I get through. Where the aches come in and equally strangely, when they disappear. My knee ached at 7 miles and was feeling great again by 15. I took a gel every three miles after the first 10).

I realised that I am capable of accomplishing great things with determination and preparation. I have scoffed at the 10% rule in the past and I am sure that some can do without it. But for me, it got me to 22 miles, injury free and prepared for that last push to 26.2.

It made me realise that for me it is about going the distance alone and accomplishing something personal. Something which only a year ago I never thought I would manage. So was it worth the training, the preparation and the effort? Hell yes it was.

 I always expected to run 26.2 and then collapse in a heap, exhausted. Overjoyed but drained of all energy. I was surprised and happy to find that I had loads left in me. I'm not saying I could have done it all again, but I could have run further. I ached, sure, and needed a few days recovery. But I was far from spent.

2012 is to be my year of ultras with my first ultramarathon planned for May. Whereas before it loomed on the horizon like an approaching storm ready to test me and try to break me. It now seems like a challenge to prepare for. Finishing it will be a huge challenge but I now believe I can.

Looking back at 12 months of recording my running in a blog, I've accomplished more than I would have imagined. Not just the distance and the experience or the results and the medals. But a sense of achievement and personal pride which other interests have never given me.

I was asked once why I run and I did not know the answer.

If I was asked now I'd reply "Why wouldn't I?"

Sharpening my teeth.

I will begin this post with a flashback, its necessary to set the scene and make sense of the bizarre title to this blog.

About 14 years ago I ran up a hill. Well I tried to run up a hill but halfway up my body gave in, I threw up and limped home holding my stomach. I ran because I had to and I ran badly. But perserverance paid off and I learned to run, the hard way on the local Downs. When I'd lost the weight and passed a fitness test I was training for, I stopped running.

The view from up here is pretty awesome, I'm very lucky to live here.

I always felt like I cut my teeth running on these hills. I've returned countless times since. Run these hills, done two races here and been here in all weathers. If I have a favourite place to run it is here. I mix of open grassland, chalk trail, woodland, mud and pathway, with infinite combinations of route.

And so it was that once I found out what trailrunning was, I realised I was already doing it. At the time I'd bought some Adidas Kanadia TR3's and I thought they were the business.




The view has changed since then. I'm 2 stone lighter, running further and faster than ever before and this week upgraded my shoes to match my new passion for running and form.


As usual I did my home work. Minimalist was a definite for me, I wanted loads of grip, because the trails round here turn to mud and bog very quickly. Imagine crumbling chalk covered in clay mud that has been churned up by horses and grazing sheep and you're getting there.
I've always been a huge fan of the inov-8 brand. I like their image and style and they have some great ambassadors on Twitter @Inov8Guy and @terryconway.

Terry's review of the Baregrip 200 sold me on this shoe. And I found it 20% cheaper on Up&Running's website. The shoe has zero drop and a very sticky sole. It grips everything and feels surprisingly supportive for such a pared down shoe. It weighs in at just over 200grams. The toe box felt narrow after the Merrell trailgloves, but not uncomfortably so.
Out on the trail, this shoe excels. Crazy levels of grip. Exposed tree roots and loose mud were no issue. The lugs on the bottom are made of very sticky rubber, they dig in and propel you forward.


These are a good quality shoe, comfortable and supportive, but aimed at those who have already become competent in barefoot/minimalist/posed running.

I love the styling and the feel of these shoes as much as the performance it offers. I did two runs on the same, short 2.5 mile route this week at my pace threshold. A mixture of on and off trail, both days were wet and very cold. Both included steep hills and a fast hill descent.

Using the inov-8 knocked three minutes off my time. Over a short route, that is awesome; especially as it was the second day. Plus, it snowed on the inov-8 run. Right in my ear!

On day three I wore these for a 10k off trails. As a steady paced run with no intentions of blasting it I was only 4 minutes of my 10 k best. These shoes don't make you run faster, but they are ridiculously light and give you the confidence to do it if you want to.

I learnt to run on these hills and I cut my teeth on the trails here. With these shoes, it's time to sharpen them.

Something old, something new...

This week I am in mourning. The Merrel trailglove which I bought six months ago is no more, having worn through both soles (right one slightly more) they have been retired to the bin. I must say the customer service at Merrell and Ellis Brigham was great and I think that if I pushed I could have got a free replacement under their 1-year warranty on Merrell's. These were my first "proper" trail shoes and I learnt a lot from them.

1) Wear socks, running barefoot/minimalist is great but once your shoes get wet a few times they do not smell good.

2) I need more traction and on reflection am probably off-trail more than I'm on it. I also like to run in the wet and the mud so more grip is the way forward.

3) I love minimalist shoes. They keep me light and fast. I feel more connected and respond better with more preternatural feedback.

So my Merrell's are my something old. Time to find something new...

Following advice from some amazing runners I have settled on the inov-8 Baregrip 200. Light, zero drop and a sole that looks like it could chew through pavement. I've ordered them in and get to try them on next week. I then intend to spend some serious time on the trails.

In other news, the ultra training continues. I ran my first run over 20 miles and was a little disappointed with my pace, averaging 8.42min/miles. But still, bringing in 20.5 miles in 3hrs flat was an achievement and I'm mindful of just how far it is. Again I based the run on my HR, setting the maximum at 145 and aiming to stay below it. This process still seems to work for me. I never feel to wrecked after a run, just tired and a bit achy in my legs. This comes from an ultrarunner technique I picked up aiming to keep your bpm at 70% of your max. Try it and discover new levels of stamina. As with last weeks long-run it was a 5 am start and a 9-bar to start, camelbak filled and Brooks Adrenalin donned for the roads. Overall I was happy with the run. And if I don't sound convinced it's because I'm frustrated at having to wait for another race. Nothing planned until April is killing me. It may be time to break out the race book.

I only managed to fit in one other run this week. I did four miles of intervals doing 400m on/400m off.  enjoyed it and definitely felt the change in pace was testing my resilience.

Some great new contacts on Twitter this week, some running ultras, some working towards their first 5/10k, half or marathon. Each of them inspirational in their dedication. Increasing my circle of runners has helped hugely. Seeing others going out running appeals to my competitive side. Reading of their pace makes me want to go faster and for those running ultras, it gives me something to aspire to.

In the words of Roy Castle...

I did it.

I ran further this week than ever before.

I ran further than I ever thought I could or would a few years ago.

To some the distance is not impressive and I envy them for it, but to me it was a huge moment.

What I love about running is that it makes you proud of yourself, it makes you appreciate what you have accomplished. Passing the16.5mile mark was a huge achievement for me but no fan fair played, no line was crossed and no ticker-tape parade ensued.

A glance t my Garmin, a wry smile to myself, a deep breath and increased spring in my step as I knew that every step forward was a step into the unknown. Big words, I know, for running around my home town, but 36 hours later and I'm still riding a high from it.

I will run marathons and I will run ultras, (there is still a little part of me that thinks I'll get quite good) but as with all things I am learning as I go. I get advice from great Twitter people and off the ultrarunningpodcast podcasts too. So far I've picked up the following pointers which have helped me no end:

After 90 minutes of exercise, the body needs supplementing. To date the best is the SIS Smart1 gel. Caffeine and Berry flavour.

Train to 70% of your max your heart rate when increasing distance, it stops you from going out too fast or too slow.

Hydrate well, my 2l CamelBak is maybe the best thing I own.

Get the support of your family. Without this, you'll never have the time you need to dedicate to running to train for it. After 18 miles, the best thing was returning to a home full of smiles and support and people impressed by my achievement.

Others can disagree, or may be built differently but for me the above are gospel.

My run was uneventful, it started at 05.30hrs, it was raining, cold and very dark. Waking up that early really makes you question just how much you want this. How hungry you are to run and train for an event. I questioned myself for all of 10 seconds. If you're gonna run a long way you need to put the miles in and respect the ones you do.

In the words of the late, Roy Castle... Dedication, that's what you need.