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When I reflect back on my training I think I will come to view the Anglesey Ultra two weeks ago as the start of a new, more extreme, phase. And after what was essentially a two week respite of fewer miles and more rest today marked another escalation in my efforts. My plan was simple. I booked a hotel room just the other side of Llangollen and I would run there on Saturday, and run back again on Sunday.
So it was that I set out about 8:30am from Hanmer. The first 3 miles were on roads and I chose to walk over that ground to avoid aggravating my injuries (which were still painful despite the relative low mileage of the last two weeks). I kept a reasonable pace of under 16 mpm walking and then I started running once I got on the canal. I felt really good and strong and barring a couple of stops to re-fill my water bottle I kept around 11mpm all the way until mile 18 when I took an enforced walk break through the Chirk tunnel.
I took a stop at mile 19 because I was getting too cold and I boiled my kettle and had a pot noodle and a big mug of coffee before moving on at walking pace for a while to let my belly catch up. From there on it was run/walk for the last 10 miles and my average pace fluctuated from sub 12 up to 20 mpm. Mostly it was around 15mpm.
The route was beautiful. From the bucolic tranquillity of the Ellesmere lakelands to the drama of the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct. I love running along the canal. It's always so peaceful and the people are so friendly. Everyone says hello! It's also very flat!
The temperatures were low and I was getting cold very quickly at every stop. The paths were occasionally slippy with ice and I had some trouble keeping my footing, especially once my legs began to tire at around 15 or 16 miles.
Eventually I got into Llangollen and after a quick stop in the Spar (because I'd forgotten my toothbrush) I headed up the road to the hotel. The last mile was not so nice because it was on narrow roads with no pavement and thus every approaching car brings fear. People, please slow down for runners... it's scary for us when you drive so fast and so close!!
So that was it, 29.2 miles. The longest run of my life so far. I knew that in training for an event like the Marathon des Sables I would push myself to my limits and so this was part of it. But even after 29 miles I felt that I'd kept within myself. I was tired and exhausted at the finish but not broken. I knew I had more to give and that will be essential on the event itself; where every day will bring a challenge greater than the day before.
I felt wonderful at the end of the run although a hot (well, warm) bath revealed that I had rubbed away some skin in a place where no man should ever be injured. That blinding agony aside I felt fit, strong and sure. It's a nice feeling. I had a couple of beers in the bar at the hotel and a game pie (frankly, the word pie gave it a dignity and credibility that the food itself did not deserve). It was early to bed then for some active recovery ready for the challenge of running home the next day.
Thanks for reading folks! Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 78.9 Kg
TODAY
Distance 29.2 miles
Time 6:55:32 hrs
X-Trainer 0 hrs
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 20 mins
TOTAL
Distance 433.22 miles
Time 82:19:53
X-Trainer 17:41 hrs
Press-ups 620
Swimming 13,000 m
Sauna 7:35 hrs
Contact me: miffjacobs@hotmail.com
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP.
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