2013 Trail Running Calendar

I thought it was about time to put down my race plans for 2013, I think more for my own benefit so I can start focusing on racing.

Winter Running on Helvellyn

A winter run around St Sunday Crag and Helvellyn, including Swirral Edge and Striding Edge. One of my favourite runs to date. So much fun.

New Year - The Journey goes on

A belated Happy New Year to everyone...

This is just a quick post today. I will at some point post a 2012 review/reflections and my plans for 2013.

Until then...

I've moved up the the Lake District, Cumbria full-time as of New Year's Day and I couldn't be happier. It has been mine and Annie's dream to move here for a long time but that's all we thought it would be...a dream. It's such a great place to be and the running...well, hopefully some of the photo's and video's you will see over the coming year on facebook, twitter and YouTube will do it a little justice. It's breathtaking!

I've joined the staff at Ambleside Backpackers, so if you're ever in the area, come in and say hi, or better still...come and stay at the hostel and we may be able to go for a run out on the fells together.

Here's a quick clip of what running in the Lake District is all about...

The Bare Soul

MONTANE LAKELAND 100 UTLD (103.9 miles, 21,760ft of ascent) Friday July 27^th 2012

I am floating through the landscape. I feel the wind caress my body. The sun touches my skin with a tender kiss. The ground beneath my feet narrates earth’s history, with each stone, root & plant holding its own story. Water trickles and meanders through the landscape. I stop to take a sip of nature’s life force and touch the ground around me. I have become one within my environment. I have been stripped of all pretensions. My bare soul has been exposed.

Anglo Celtic Plate & UKA 100km Championships – Redwick, Wales – Sun. 22nd July 2012

Just a quick update really....

Although I had a 'bad day at the office', there were some truly inspiring performances out there in a small town in Wales, on a very tough and brutal day.

I pulled at 50km after some issues with my stomach and bladder. I'll save you the gory details but it wasn't a nice experience. I was still running well up until this point, but after consulting with the team management it was decided that it would be best to stop. It doesn’t appear that I have suffered any long term damage and it's difficult to know that if I had carried on racing, things might have sorted themselves out.

One of the most surprising aspects of the race was that I was actually enjoying myself up until that point. The idea of running road, over 2 mile laps for 100km, initially sounded like hell to me but after the first couple of laps I found myself really enjoying the experience, sharing some great banter with team mates Marcus Scotney, Craig Holgate and the rest of the field.

So overall, it was a great experience and something that I definitely want to do again! I learned quite a lot during the weekend and I now know what I need to do to put me in a better place the next time I stand at the starting line of a 100km road race.

Anglo Celtic Plate 100km Home International Team Race

Redwick, South Wales: 22nd July 2012

I am delighted to announce that I have been selected to represent England at this year's Anlgo Celtic Plate 100km taking place in Redwick, South Wales on 22nd July.

The race comprises of 2 mile loops on road, meaning approx. 31 laps!

Anyone quick enough with their numbers will of worked out that it's only 5 days before the Lakeland 100.

Obviously not ideal, but there's no way I would turn down the opportunity to run for my country.

I have no idea how to run on the road these days so it's going to be one hell of a challenge and the 31 laps does sound like mental torture! But, I'm always up for a challenge.

West Highland Way Race - 95 mile Trail 23rd June 2012

“Essentially the object of the West Highland Way Race is simple.

You start at Milngavie Railway Station (7miles north of Glasgow) at 1am on Saturday 23rd June 2012 & run/jog/walk to Fort William Leisure Centre by noon on the Sunday 24th June 2012, 35 hours to cover 95 miles including 14,760ft of ascent.”

I like that. It’s simple, clear and concise.

So at 1am on Saturday 23^rd June 2012, I left Milngavie Railway Station and arrived at Fort William Leisure Centre via the West Highland Way some 15 hours 39 minutes and 15 seconds later.