Up at the crack of dawn (8) looking forward to a super easy few miles just to keep the legs turning over. However it appears that my gears are broke, it actually appears to be difficult to roll along at a slow pace. If I don’t concentrate and start thinking about other things like clouds and fluffy kittens (admit it you all do it) then I naturally increase pace to one which I wouldn’t want to sustain for 20 miles. I’m gonna have to be super careful not to go out too quickly next week. Combined with adrenaline my winky gearing might kill me off.
I was enjoying myself so much I ended up doing 8 miles along the cliffs trying to get some climbing done in the cwms. When it’s hard I think oh fuck I’ll never do this for 24 miles next week and then after a while it all flies again and I think I’ll be gone. 2 things to remember. Don’t go out too quick and don’t panic when I’m blowing outta my ass halfway up a mountain cos it’ll pass and I’ll feel good again before long.
Cowslips at clifftopI was on the cliffs as someone had flooded my playgroundDon’t pick the flowersSo …. pollen anyone?
Five miles at the beach yesterday just to keep the legs ticking over. I’m taking it easy this week and the same next week just to give the body time to rest before Preseli. Seems like the sensible thing to do. After so many months of training there’s little to be gained and much to be lost by pushing until something snaps now.
I must admit its the frustrating past of taking part in races, as you know I prefer to just run to feel and mood but a race means having to do things differently. It would be easy to say “well don’t race” but having a date and a distance does at least provide some sort of structure to what i’m doing even if it’s only loose. Plus of course I want to see where I’m at mentally and physically as things toughen up.
Sky is blue wherever you are or whatever you doGrass is always green
You cant fight a feeling and todays feeling was to ignore my holding pattern and run hard becuase my body told me it wanted to. I hit maximum flow(tm) almost immediately and as the weather was fine and the tide out I just let nature take its course. All of a sudden I’m running 7 minute miles on the sand without really noticing! After a while I eased off as I deep down I knew not to take too many chances but good to shake out the legs.
I saw some stuff too!
I saw a helicopter that did a lot of hovering
Perhaps they just do a lot of hovering practice
I saw people climbing at witches point
One fell off but sadly they had safety ropes
I saw the beach from the top of the ladders
For perspective the climbers are doing the safe routes at Witches which is the point at the top of the photo
I saw an even higher tunnel of rape seed oil
Pollen tunnel of doom
I saw what appear to be tulips growing wild (ok maybe big crocus I dunno)
All in all I ran some, I saw some and I came home happy. All you can do sometimes
Double post as I catch up today. This morning tide was out and the weather was simply stunning. How could I not run? I took it super easy as I was in that sort of mood and it felt like nature was in the same kinda vibe as the sea was soooo calm and flat. Perfect weather for sea ducks! Can you see them floating about?
In this photo you can see an airborne sea duck and one right at the back floating – The floating gives it away – definitely sea ducksSee them? Bit blurry buts thats cos they are elusive – Sea ducks!
Yeah so 6 miles and apparently sunstroke or maybe sun and running = happy and having fun
Also when I got back I passed my garden and where I buried Soaky, Merlin and Spoon is now a mass of beautiful flowers with bluebells right where they are ….
Tuesday it was back to normal following the Easter weekend. Well I say normal but of course I’m still off work 😉
So a quick 6 miler in the sun to stretch the legs. Along the cliffs to Cwm Mawr and back.
It feels a little odd at the moment with just over 2 weeks to go until the Preseli Beast. I’m now trying to maintain where I’m at without getting injured which feels almost like I’m putting the brakes on myself when the weather is sunny like this. Perhaps its overcaution but I really don’t want to screw myself over after 4 months of training for this run so I guess it’s listen to the body and force myself to rest every few days …. like today … hey I get to catch up with everyones blogs (and mine)
Bane of a trailrunners life or a chance to stop and take in the scenery?Competition time – Spot the crow?Woods at Cwm Mawr which is the perfect turning point for 6
I only ran once over easter … I’m no fan of crowds and a bit of sunshine meant I would have to share my beach so sod that … plus ok I wanted to spend some time with friends in various pubs….
Which actually started during my friday run. I ran the beach over to Southerdown to meet friends at the pub there. So only four and a half miles then a few pints and a walk back. Except I’m not much use at just walking anymore. I was itching to just run everywhere as usual. So I just ran off after a while with my friends two dogs.
This is them fighting over the same stick.
Also as it was a bank holiday the coastguards were busy dealing with cretins
Not sure how much it costs to send a helicopter to get idiots off cliffs but I’m guessing it aint cheap.
Warning! This post is about internal musings not a run! No photos (Well I might sneak one or two in)
Last week I read this post on the excellent ultrarunning blog by James Stewart which got me thinking about not just how I run but why. As the winner of the Rocky Raccoon 100 in Texas last month I think its definitely worth a read from someone who’s “done it” and a great jumping off point if you want to get started but have doubts.
I checked with James and he was happy for me to basically scavenge his post in order to present my thoughts – well I said reference but i’m using it as a template. Theft is the highest form of flattery or something.
James uses 4 tips to set his goals. When reading these it made me wonder why I’m running. I kinda know but its not something thats straight in my head. My eventual goal is one that i hope to complete this year – an ultra. The one I have planned is a 32 miler along the Cornish coastal path in August
Which means I will have gone from unfit non-runner who literally couldnt run a tenth of a mile without dying to running an ultra in two years. Thats my goal.
OK I have a goal after all – I just didnt really realise I had arranegd this part without knowing.
James says “Firstly, I determine why it is important enough to be a personal goal.” Well I have this cracked too. I’m not doing it for bragging rights or as an end it really kind of boils down to a promise I made to a small dying dog two years ago ….
Soakys favourite thing ever – Destroying wood – Sticks, branches, logs, firewood – anything would get chewed to destruction.
After 16 years I knew losing her would be a huge wrench so I promised her I wouldnt mope about and would do something to get outside and keep my head clear. I still dont know why I picked running but it seemed a good way of continuing to visit the beach where we spent so many happy hours chewing wood.
As I improved fitness-wise the goal of an ultra just slowly worked its way into my head as the miles ticked by – You gotta have something to think about!
2. So next up James says ““Soon” and “One day” and “I’ll need to do that” and allthatshittypassivelanguage needs to be eradicated from your vocabulary.”
You gotta pick a date – Well I have that! I actually signed up when injured in a moment of cabin fever induced madness last year but this years date is perfect!
3. James says “Then, I tell people about it” Ok so this one is a little trickier. Most of my friends feign an interest in what I’m doing but don’t really comprehend it. I’m fine with that, it’s my journey not thers anyway and I like having it. My parents are incredibly cool about it, they read the blog and enjoy my progress and I know they are rooting for me in whatever I do. So the other peeople who get the sharing are you guys – I find writing the blog does two things – It helps me log my training records and photos so there are always reference points. It also gets me communicating with other like minded people. I have 128 followers now – who knew! And some of you I feel I know really well just through the blog. Your support is incredible, I get advice and a sense of community which is important as I am most definitely an anti-social runner out on the trails!
4. James – “In the words of MC Hammer (and many much better rappers) I then break it down.” break things down into smaller manageable chunks. This I’ve already done naturally without even knowing it. I’ve seen myself go from nothing, 1 mile, 2, 3 etc I remember when 8 was a huge deal, 13, 15 and now 20. I know I can keep adding and pushing a little bit til I get there. I have one big race in a few weeks – The Preseli Beast which is 24 miles of fell running which is going to be a huge test as its going to be a lot of steeeeeeeep climbing over a distance Ive not covered yet. I’ll give it my best and remember its just a bitesize step – Just a huge chewy painful bite.
Just as they say pick your fights carefully then pick your goals carefully – but pick them. Get off yo ass and pick them!
As I said at the start of this post (and well done if you waded this far) many thanks to James for his motivational post which got me putting all this into words. And again congrats on the Rocky Racoon win – I guess youre an elite now!
Only because I like the word jaunt. Just a quick visit to the beach as the body wasnt really feeling like pushing today but the mind wanted fresh air for an hour. Rememebr kids listen to your mum and your body – They know best!
I spent some time fiddling with wordpress too, I was full on my free plan so it seemed like the ideal time to do an upgrade to the next plan for more space and now the world can find me at https://bluegreengoldgrey.com/
Which makes no difference to you lot I know … You’re already here
Took 7 more miles and a sunny day to finally catch up with my posts! Only to Witches Point and back but totally worth it if only to realise my body is so happy at the shorter distances its building confidence for the longer ones.
I of course saw some stuff ™
Spring weather means algae! (and waterfalls) Look – I have discovered purest green!I found quicksand – Not necessary to throw myself flat as it was contnet to stop at my ankles – There are shifting patches of this all over the beach, running into one is a bitch as it suddenly stops you and pulls all your legs muscles at once.Of course there were beautiful viewsAnd a little boat braving the sea between the shore and Nash sands, I wayched in hope for a while but it didnt sink
Blue Green Gold Grey, Awyr Maes Tywod Aarreg 