The decision to go ultra.

I have made some big decisions in my time. I work in a job where I make potentially life changing decisions on a regular basis and I like to think I’m good at making the right ones.

So when I considered doing an ultra-marathon next year I did my research, considered what would be required of me. Weighed this up against the sense of satisfaction that will come from completing a 70 mile race and knew it was the right decision. The biggest challenge, other than the event itself, will doubtless be the amount of training required and how time consuming that will be, especially with a young family and a career on the go as well. But I honestly feel like this is the right time for me.

Telling people of my plans has been interesting. A mixture of responses, some abusive and some complimentary, but in the main, no-one seems particularly surprised. This means that either people have got bored of by running chatter and now tune me out, or, are no longer surprised at the challenges I’ll set myself. I hope it’s the second.

My previous big target for next year was my first marathon in April 2012, but now that will be a training run to assess pace etc for the ultra-marathon in July. The 7 laps of the ten mile course are run within a 26 hour window in Summer in Lincolnshire and now that dates have been confirmed I’m just waiting for entries to open. (www.fat-feet.co.uk)

Training has already started, with the increase in distance I will be doing in training, I’m planning on dropping a run per week and replacing it with a gym session to develop other complimentary muscles. Looking through some great resources (www.ultramarathonrunning.com etc) it also seems that increased core strength is important so that features heavily in my plan.

I’ve also considered losing more weight, but I’m not going to focus too much on dropping into the 11 stone barrier. I’m guessing that with all the running I’ll be doing weight loss won’t be a problem.

I guess that we all make decisions, some are big and some are small. Some are made easily and some require intense thought. But all decisions have an impact. This one is going to see me getting up earlier, training longer and harder than ever before. And to fit that in with everything else I’m going to have to take a leaf out of Dean KARNAZES’ book and run through the night if necessary.

But running has become such a fundamental part of my life now, such a constant that looking at this sort of challenge just feels right Like I said, I’m happy that I’ve made the right decision.

Northface Blacks single track trailrun.

One year ago exactly I completed my first trailrun and was immediately hooked on being closer to nature and engaging with the countryside. Along with a free copy of Trailrunning magazine I got some nice kit and had a great day, well satisfied with my 49:06 time.

But what a difference a year makes....

Last year I attended as a Trail virgin, nervous and excited, buzzing with excitement. In 12 months, the excitement hasn't gone, but my focus and determination have increased hugely. My wife came with me today, looking to do her first run, the equally challenging 5k. The weather was immense, chilled and with a heavy dew, but bright and windy. A great day to be outside.

I can't talk about the 5, but the 10k route starts with a quick first section, bringing the first mile in under 6 and a half minutes, before plunging into the shadows and single track on undulating terrain.
After tackling Bison hill, nearly 300ft of ascent, the course opens into woodland and farmland before returning to the start on open chalkland.

I put myself near the front of the pack for the first time in a race and gave it everything to keep up, instead of starting near the back and working through the pack. It seemed to work and without the pressure of overtaking, I settled into a fast pace, averaging 7:29 min/miles over the entire course.

I ended up in 31st position out of 430 runners. A good result for me.

On reflection, I enjoyed the day, I love the trails round here and I'm happy with the result. But most of all I loved sharing the day with my family. They were all there and its the support at these events that gets you through the tough parts.

God knows how much support I'll need to complete an ultra!

Prelude to a race...

It's been a busy few weeks. After my (relative) success at my last run, I started to look back over my previous blogs. I love when people read it, but the truth is that it's mostly a place for me to put down in words my thoughts about running so that I can maintain some focus on my running.
In the past I've picked up an interest and ended up nowhere near my original goal, so the blog has kept me moving forward at a good pace (pun intended)

Getting more involved in the running community has made me realise just how far I have to go. I started running two years ago and am really happy with what I've achieved, but I can't help but feel that there is more to come.

I've been asked to join a XC team at work and have a number of races planned through the rest of the year and into the spring.

I love that I have got others running, some at work and some at home. Tomorrow my wife take part in her first race, a novice runner who started training six weeks ago.

I have a 10k trail run tomorrow, it's a tough trail set on the Downs in Dunstable. 10 k of hills, field and mud on single tracks. I did this race last year and posted a time just ove 49 minutes. Tomorrow I go hunting for a PB. The recipe for the day; trusty trailgloves and Garmin GPS. No music this time, seemed to help previously.

Being unsuccessful on getting into VLM left me disappointed but I found a "rebound-run" in the shape of the Milton Keynes Marathon. After tomorrow the training begins to put a decent time in for a marathon in April.

I've been asking myself what I want to achieve out of running and one word lurks in the shadows and won't leave me alone; ULTRA-MARATHON.

100 marathon, one hundred weeks

One hundred marathons, In under two years.
Enough to bring professional athletes to tears.
But marathon man can do this in order,
To raise awareness of post traumatic stress disorder.

Help for heroes are receiving the funds,
From the money he raises at all of these runs.
As his following grows and the word starts to spread,
His podcasts are heard and his website is read.

Follow his progress on Twitter and Facebook.
Raceto100, Google a look.
Leave some money for a great charity,
And remember its all about #PTSD

Simon Buckden, the marathon man, Centurion, runner, the man with a plan.
Inspiring others as he does all these things,
An ordinary man, doing extraordinary things.