Pre Kielder 80k Ultra

So, this weekend is the High Terrain Events Kielder 80k Ultra, which will be my first race of the year. Unusually, I'm not really sure what kind of shape I'm in as I line up on the start line. I took a long break from running training at the start of the winter and only really began this year's build up at the start of February. Normally, at this time of year, I would have had four steady months of training in my legs rather than the eight weeks at present. Those eight weeks have only averaged about 40-50 miles per week over just four runs. However, I have had a longer period of core conditioning, something new to me, and also had a turbo session each week on my bike.

My hope is that, after the Kielder race, I can slightly ramp up the training (hence the easier/later start) towards the Keswick Mountain Festival and then again kick on to the TDS in Chamonix in late August. With this kind of periodisation, I have to accept that I will not be at my best this weekend (there is, hopefully, more to come) but I have to admit that I feel ready to race and I'm looking forward to seeing what difference, if any, the core work has made.

Kielder Water

I've had a few trips up to Kielder to have a look round the course. It's very fast, on really good tracks apart from one loop which has some good off piste fell/marsh/bog sections - something to suit everyone.

So, I suppose I'm looking for a good solid performance, having some strength in my legs over the later stages, I'm trying a couple of nutrition ideas in a race for the first time (thanks to the guys at Mountain Fuel for the advice) and really want to enjoy the experience to further fire up my mojo for the next stage of the year. We shall see.

Whilst training with Rupert from Mountain Fuel earlier in the week, we did a bit of filming and I put together this short clip. It's a shame that my (free) editing software and old computer can't make full use of the mega HD of the camera, but you get the idea of the gorgeous trails on my doorstep.

This is why we do it!

What a fantastic morning! There are times when you are out on the trails that stick in your mind. This morning will be one of them.

I had planned to do about 10 miles around Derwentwater which is picturesque even when the weather is bad, but today was a stunner. I'm putting together a really good week's training and, so far, have coped well, even to the point of holding back a bit. I did my first tempo run since the operation on Thursday evening along the old railway and really enjoyed running a bit faster. My legs felt a bit tired after that so I had a relatively easy run last night before going to a talk by a mate who cycled John O'Groats to Land's End last summer. A great evening.

This morning, things just fell into place. My legs felt much fresher again, the trails had dried out after the rain last night, did not feel the need to carry a jacket in a bumbag, the sun was out, the Lake District looking her best and me bouncing along, trying to stop myself from running too fast. I love it!!