Open5+

I was good about having most of the week post Fellsman as recovery (see photo of me at the end -- maybe i needed it!) -- managed a few gentle cycle to work and only one run... i knew Dave & I had entered the Open5+ adventure race on Saturday so that would give me an idea how quickly i was recovering.


Dave and i had completed the Open Adventure 5 hour mountain biking/running series through last winter as a mixed pair. The event last Saturday from Keswick was an Open 5+ (in a series with a 12hr and 24hr challenges) - as the organiser said at the start line it was more of an "open6" by stealth! You had to cycle to the mass start in Whinlatter forest before you even began. The first section this year was around the tracks & single track descents in the forest -- so no navigation -- but for me test of my nerves downhilling as fast as possible so you don't get mown over. After the forest we got the control scores for the rest of the 5 hour of the event - then it was up to you to plan the next bike/run/bike sections. The "+" bit turned out to be a pretty exhilarating Ghyll descent (timed out of your 5 hours). This involved getting very wet -- and after my initial nerves i did manage to do all the jumps. We were pleased to have dry clothes & shoes at transition & then headed out on the run. We opted out of the lake swim, but did the other "special" stages of a short climbing wall & mine tunnel. Unfortunately i took a tumble on rock on the run and a pretty sore knee slowed us down for the rest of the race (both run & bike). But we made the most of the road-based controls on our last bike section & were able to enjoy the race a bit!! Great scenery and terrain around Keswick. It was a nice atmosphere back in Keswick as everyone was finishing at similar times. A good thing to do on a pretty showery Lakes day! If you are interested in adventure racing check out www.openadventure.com for more info.

Should have been at a local fell race tonight but my knee still needs a few days off (am now getting a bit frustrated...) , but still a few weeks before the LAMM so should hopefully be back to training soon for that.

Fellsman

Well i am struggling with walking today... but i think it was worth it! Very pleased to complete my longest ever race so far... 62miles & 11,000-ft (~3800m) of ups & downs. The Fellsman is an excellently organised events - many Thanks to Keighley Scout group & also the many volunteers at all the checkpoints.

The race starts in Ingelton and loops round taking in lots of Yorkshire summits and finishing in the village of Thresfield, near Grassington.

Me & Mandy at the start.

There were 381 starters this year -- setting off on a bright but slightly overcast day. We had one really heavy rainstorm and going up Great Knoutberry in the mist & hail was pretty unpleasant. After that though the rain dried up, so for most of the day we had bright views over Yorkshire. I caught up with Julian Brown (a fellow Macclesfield harrier) in Dent and we managed to stay together encouraging each other on and it was very nice to have company. Chatted to a few other runners en route as there were always a few people around, but we were mainly following our own route. I had great encouragement at various checkpoints through the day from my husband Dave and also Karen & Matt.


Setting off round the bog over Fleets Moss... it was a bit wetter than a reccie a few weeks ago! But we did make it across and down to the Cray checkpoint before the 7.30-pm grouping time. I definitely struggled a bit here as Nicky Spinks had suddenly appeared at Hells Gap checkpoint and i felt i really should try and keep up... but as Nicky descended rapidly off Buckden Pike i knew there was no way i could match her speed & strength. So then i relaxed a bit more to the grouping point at ParkRash. We set off at about 9pm so got up to the top of Great Whernside before it was too dark, so the end bit in the dark was fine - the route was aided by beacons and also a very picturesque moon-rise. The final 2 miles on the road weren't quite as bad as i had feared -- we finished in 14 hours 22mins so i was very pleased with my time. Half an hour behind the 1st lady Sarah Rowell. A plate of chili & tea and then to bed. Definitely felling pretty pleased of my achievement today... i think my legs will need a bit of a rest though!

www.fellsman.org.uk

Human Endurance Centre

This week i made a second trip to the Human Performance Centre at Lincoln University. I am one of a 'cohort' of about 50 ultra runners who are taking part in Paul Murgatroyd 's research project into understanding physiology of ultra runners. I was going to write more... but spotted that Nick Ham has also written about his visit this week on his blog - so i think i will cheat and recommend you check out his blog for more info! http://ultraploddernick.blogspot.com/ .

Paul was keen to collect data in the lab close to the data he collected at the Calderdale Hike. For me many of my measurements were similar, although i have decreased my heart rate at my LT point, which is good. Also my "running economy" has improved (although last time i weighed in lighter than usual - i think my weight this time was more realistic) , but my VO2 max had decreased slightly. Paul puts the info together with some personalised training tips, but hopefully the main learning from this work will be to really study a whole group of runners. How does the lab data compare to "on the day"? - well Paul is looking in to it -- for me at Calderdale i ran for 6hr40min with an average HR of 154bp (82% my max heart rate) -- quite close to my HR at LT (HR at LT this week in the lab 151bp) and i hardly went above my HR at lactate turn-point 165bp).

Right, better get some sleep - i think that is now the best prep for Fellsman (where i won't be wearing a HR monitor nor donating blood en route - plenty of other things to think about i expect!) Let see if my "improved fitness" helps get me round 62 hilly miles...