Warrington Way 40 Mile Ultra

So I've been fascinated with Ultras since I've read Born to Run so when the opprtunity to sign up for a local 40 mile race I was all in...and very excited

So the race was opened in Spring and I signed up pretty much straight away ( 2 weeks after it opened ) I didn't let the fact I had only ran 2 10k races and  by the time the race started on 7th November 3 HM I'm a bit optimist (sometimes to my own detriment)

As most people know I follow the Maffetone method for my training so my idea was just MAF long runs it didn't really pan out as planned and my longest runs in prep were 18 miles and marathon simulation on 4th Oct which helped

So fast foward to 7th Nov and I'm still awake at 2am (on the couch as not to wake the family up)

I get up at 5.30am and make a coffee have a banana and raisin and nut bar and get changed waiting for my lift who arrives at 5.50am

When we arrive the heavens open and it's raining (perfect Ultra weather apparently) 

I'll break the race down into each 10 mile section

Lymm - The Plough 

This section was very muddy and wet the first mile was spent jumping through puddles and mud you then hit the fields and Warburton Bridge which was ok the weather didn't help you cross one field into Dam Lane where my friend was waiting for me, he gave me the news that the leader (I found out later it was Charlie Sharpe) came through at about 7 min mile pace sheesh we ran and chatted for a bit then he branched off to go home and I ran the last 2 miles to the checkpoint myself 

Time 2hrs 1 min

The Plough - White Moss Garden Centre

I got to the 1st CP just after 3 members of my running club Julia, Lisa and David we had a brief chat and something to east (jaffa cakes and coke) and then decided to set off together bar a short detour (left instead of right) we soon got back on track as I was running MAF I ended up a little bit over my HR in trying to keep up and eventually lost them all together - this section had a little detour in it due to water works being done on part of the route a couple guy ahead of my ended up going the wrong way (quick shout to them sorted that out) and then we arrived at the 2nd CP 

Time 2 hrs 44 mins

Widnes - Hatton

This next section was by far the easiest section mentally due to knowing the first 7 miles of the route I had run it numerous times and didn't need to check my map this was a tough section physically due to going over my longest run distance this was helped by a visit from my cousin and few others from my running club at mile 27 that spurred me on 

Time 2hr 52 mins

Hatton - Lymm

Once we reached the final CP there was a group of us (Ben and Howard the 2 guys I shouted to earlier and Denise a women from my running club 2nd Claim) we mingled with another two local runners and set off I ended up going with the two runners and Denise and left Ben and Howard to use the CP they weren't far behind us but I had home in sight

Time 2hr 33

Total Time 10hrs 10 mins

This section was very tough legs were heavy and I was tired but I ploughed on it was sort of a game of keep up until about mile 8 when I put some music on to spur me on and it sort of had the right effect I ended up leaving everyone behind and finish the last 2 miles very strong and 10 mins ahead of Denise and the other two women and 25 mins ahead of Howard and Ben - I felt a little bad due to running with everyone for such a long time but I needed to get done

I really really enjoyed this race it was tough but I learned quite a lot about myself during it and considering I had only done my first HM in May to jump up to an Ultra was a big ask but I did it

I am going to take away a lot from this race I think knowing the route helps massively and gradually increasing mileage up to the required distance is the way forward it is on my list for 2016 and I'll definately better my time from this year

Ultras aren't for everyone but I'm pleased to say that they are for me

Thanks for reading

All smiles after 41 miles

Why go Ultra?

Well I don’t really do things in moderation, I always have been an “ All or Nothing” type of person

I can become obsessed and have a lot of focus on things that interest me (sometimes to my own detriment and am trying to focus on the right balance)

So back to the question

Why go Ultra?

Well when I first started running I looked ahead to where I wanted to be before really getting started and I discovered JOGLE orJohn O’Groats to Lands End a 969 mile supported Ultra

JOGLE has been covered many times from bikes and other methods of transport and this peaked my interest you could say I put this desire to the back of my mind as 969 is some going and I was still learning to run but it lit a fire in me that has burned for 3 years and is only growing

After reading Born To Run by Christopher McDougall this completely changed my outlook on UItras and it seems more and more events have been popping up else where there is a boom (which I’m sure many of us are grateful for)

Born To Run tells the story of Micah True or Caballo Blanco (The White Horse) a ultra runner that lived in the Cooper Canyons in Mexico and also the story of the Tarahumara the true Ultra distance runners who think nothing of running 100+ miles easily as it is their only form of travel. 

The book is extremely well written and informative, you learn about some of the original races Leadville, Badwater and Western States 100 mile while being introduced to a cast of characters such as Barefoot Ted and Scott Jurek (the latter has his own book)

You are also introduced to the Barefoot running trend which has created a Billion dollar industry for shoe companies and you also learn about why we are built for running compared to other animals 

**I think every runner should read this book**

Once I finished BTR I then discovered Eat and Run by Scott Jurek for those that don’t know Scott is a very successful Ultra Runner has won Western States 100 multiple times and numerous other races,consults for Brooks regarding their running shoe line, his book is also very well written and explains about his journey and also the fact he is a Vegan (doesn’t eat any animals or animal products) this opened my eyes to the other types of nutrition and options available. 

After Scott’s book I stumbled on Finding Ultra by Rich Roll and his endeavours as a Vegan and Ultra Endurance Triathlete his book is the one I related to the most because the struggles with alcohol and recovery and transition into fitness resonate with myself not on the same scale as him but I have battled with drink and drugs (not touched drugs in 5 years and never will again)

The main running distances are 5K (3.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles), Half-Marathon (13.1) and Marathon (26.2) for most that start out running 5K is the normal starting point ,

I signed up for a 5K race and at the time it was a big challenge but over time it became easier (as it does with regular training) and 5K became one of my training runs then I set my sights on 10K and hit that target and then moved up to Half-Marathon and have hit that in training frequently (race to be completed in 2015) and the next normal step was Marathon with sights set on Manchester 2016 and then an Ultra, but after talking to William Robertson that all changed he changed my outlook on how I approach my goals and I realised a normal escalation doesn’t always have to apply you can think outside the box and jump up as you please the choice you make is 100% your own

Also the fear surrounding Ultra doesn’t intimidate me I look on the long distance with excitement the further the better so my plan

2015/2016 plan originally

Trail Half Wales – 20/06/2015
We Love MCR 10K -12/07/2015
Tough Mudder – 12/09/2015
Birchwood 10K -16/08/2015
English Half Marathon – 20/09/2015
Hell Up North -17/10/2015
Manchester Marathon -19/04/2016
Lakeland Trails

2015/2016 plan changed

Trail Half Wales – 20/06/2015
We Love MCR 10K   Grim Reaper 40 miler -31/07/2015
Tough Mudder – 12/09/2015
Birchwood 10K -16/08/2015
English Half Marathon – 20/09/2015
Hell Up North -17/10/2015

Not Confirmed

Manchester Marathon -19/04/2016
Grim Reaper 70 or 100 miler -30/07/2016

       

The Grim Reaper Ultra has become my main focus as I feel it is everything I could want in a Ultra 10 mile loop ran either 4,7 or 10 times in the lovely location of Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire

I can see this Race becoming a regular event in my running career and leading to more Ultra races hopefully

#EnjoyYourRun