Training, hmmm.....

I'm currently in a low patch, training-wise. This time last year I was racking up the miles, but somehow I can't get into my training groove.

I did a couple of weeks of up-at-6-and-get-on-the-bike, and noticeably lost weight, plus I've run into the Southbank office a few times (including a new personal best), but overall I'm struggling to get a training rhythm. This is mostly because I'm working from home a lot just now, and not sleeping well because one of the kids always seems to be off their sleep.

I ought to be worried because Michael is banging in 60 mile weeks, and my Lakes neighbour, John, is training daily. Mind you, he's doing the 100 miler, so he needs to ;-)

At least I've done a bit of the course - John & I ran the last couple of legs from Ambleside to Coniston - 16 miles, and the bit we'll do in darkness. I've also done Dalemain (start of the 50) to Howtown, another 11 miles or so, so over half of it already covered. This is to help with the navigation as much as fitness - familiarity is going to help when we're tired.

It's half term next week so I'm hoping to squeeze in Howtown to Coledale at least, which means we'll go into the event with most of the route already done.

Training with John was very helpful -we covered the 16 miles in pretty much bang-on 4 hours, which is too fast according to the man who did it last year. Average speed for finishers in the 50 is 3.3mph, which doesn't sound a lot but given some of the 'up's, believe me it's motoring.

John walks anything that is up, and his definition of up is pretty tight - I was walking things that I would have happily run up at the start of the day. 

By the end I saw the sense - ultra distance is about managing your energy, so careful control of effort and equally careful attention to nutrition are absolutely key.
One runner describes events like these as eating competitions, with a bit of scenery thrown in. Sounds right up my street!