It's All Over... but should I have stayed at Home Instead?

What can I say, we did it! We crossed the finish line at 3.16am, 15hrs 16mins after the start at 12 noon the previous day.

We started off very quickly and initially made very good time, however; the weather wasn't great (to say the least); conditions underfoot were extremely slippy, muddy and wet; and something happened to my left knee at or around the half way point, slowing the running down to a comedy hobble and making anything other than a mild descent (of which there was plenty) slow and very painful. Not to mention the five and a half hours of darkness were using 'the force' would have been useful!
So if you examine the split times below, you'll notice that the further we went, the slower we got.

The good thing is, when considering the above, it was never about finishing in a specific time; it was about finishing - which we did as a team. There was plenty of pain and discomfort suffered by all and it really was the hardest physical challenge I've ever done! The pain is temporary: blisters, chaffed skin (I'm currently walking like John Wayne!), sprained limbs, bad backs etc but the ability to say 'I did that' will last forever (but i ain't ever doing it again! See bottom picture if you don't believe me).

Thank You's
First and foremost i've got to thank all my sponsors. The total I've raised at the time of writing this is £950 and there are some monies still to collect. Gaz has raised at least £100 so between us we have smashed the £1000 target (I'll update with the final figure once I have it). Many thanks to you all, a very worthy cause and trust me when I say we earnt every penny of it!

Secondly I'd like to thank my running partners in crime. Gaz; Mr. Motivator (the kindest of the names we gave him) kept our spirits up and pushed us on throughout. Frank; The not so sure footed mountian goat, who fell on pretty much every run we went on but manages to bounce quite well. It was a pleasure training and running with you both!
Also Tom Robinson, who accompanied us on many a training run and also helped to raise awareness of our fundraising efforts - thanks!

Thirdly I'd like to thanks Mark, Terry and all the Lakeland 50 support staff who ran a very professional event. Very well organised indeed and I especially liked the finish where a member of the support team leads you in to the main hall and announces your arrival which is met be thunderous applause - brilliant! Thank You

Finally
I thought i'd leave the the final word with Lisa, the funrasing manager at Dr. Kershaw's Hospice, this is the tweet which she sent us on completion of the event:

Lisa Pearson‏@KershawsHospice

@HISC_Oldham WELL DONE!! What a fantastic achievement! Thank you so much on behalf of all the patients and families. You're a superstar

I hope you've all enjoyed reading the blog.
Cheers
Mick

Lakeland 50 Race Gallery

Gaz is ready... not sure what for though?

Dalemain: last few minutes before the start

Here we go!

Nearly at the top of one of the many big climbs

Mardale Head checkpoint

Me, Gaz and a bandit

Typical ankle twisting descent

No stopping just because it's dark

Langdale checkpoint; comfy be bloody hard to get up from!

It's all over

Never tasted better

Finishers silverware

Just incase you though I was joking when I said never again!

Official timings

5 Days to Go!

Only 5 days to go till the big day. The run starts at 12 noon on Saturday 28th July 2012. Am I nervous or excited? Er... a bit of both to be honest. I think it's going to be a real experience but I keep questioning if I've put in enough training? As it's a bit late for worrying about that I'll just focus on making sure all my kits ready. I've done a brief review of various bits of kit below, just in case anyone's stupid enough to consider something like this for themselves in the future.

I've been told several times since I decided to do this challenge, and more so over the last week or so, that I'm mad! That may well be true but in my line of work; providing care and support with the highest level of passion to our elderly clients, I have a full team of staff that I thank on a regular basis for being exactly the same... MAD. Home Instead, along with other caring organisations like Dr Kershaw's are MAD, we 'Make A Difference' to the lives of the people we care for. As such, it's quite fitting that I should lead by example!

At the time of writing this the fund raising is up to 40% of the target £1000. If you're reading this blog for the first time, please click on the link above and make a small donation on my Just Giving site.

Let's just hope we have as much success as Sir Bradley!

Many thanks in advance

Mick.

Kit list
Here's a list of what needs to be worn or carried by each competitor:

• First aid kit to include: blister plasters / sterile pad dressing / bandage or tape to secure dressing as a minimum requirement.
• Full WATERPROOF body cover, top and bottom *please note that windproof is not sufficient.
• Spare base layer *top and bottom.
• Head torch / spare batteries if required
• Mobile phone *fully charged
• Whistle
• Hat and gloves
• Emergency foil blanket or bivi bag
• Emergency food & drink (additional to your general nutrition i.e. not to be eaten during event)
• Map (supplied, waterproof and pre-marked) 1:40,000
• Road book (supplied on waterproof paper)
• Compass

So what am I wearing and is it any good?
I've not listed every bit of kit (it'll take me forever and i'm not even sure if anyone's remotely interested!) just the most important bits.

Shoes: Salomon Speedcross 3
http://www.salomon.com/uk/product/speedcross-3.html

Pro's: Excellent grip with reasonable wear & tear; comfy as slippers; good lacing system; reasonable shock absorption on tarmac.

Con's: Salomon don't sell replacement insoles and as the originals are made of foam it stands to reason after a good few wet miles, they fall to bits!

Score: 8/10

Insoles: Sorbathane Double Strike
http://www.sorbothane.co.uk/index.php/shock-stopper-double-strike.html

Pro's: Help to solve the problem above and are much better than the originals. Seem to help with the Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness (DOMS) which i suffered from on our trial run of the route last month.

Con's: They're a little thicker than the originals and as such take up more space.
I'm between sizes on the Speedcross and opted for the larger size and have been wearing 2 pairs of socks. Now I have a fit problem and am undecided on sock choice - eek!

Score: 7/10

Socks: Wet weather - Sealskinz
http://www.sealskinz.com/socks/thin-ankle-length-sock

Pro's: Do what they're supposed to - keep your feet dry.

Con's: The material is quite rough/course. Without wearing a liner sock underneath I fear big blisters on a long distance run! Don't step in a deep puddle; if the water goes over the top of the sock they act like a pair of wellies and hold the water in - it's a trade off, like any waterproof kit I suppose.

Score: 8/10

Socks: Dry weather 1 - 1000 Mile
http://www.1000mile.co.uk/cgi-bin/psProdSrch.cgi/@cAthletics%20Socks@b1000%20Mile::0::user::1,0,0,1::::11

Pro's: I've worn these socks for years and very rarely get blisters

Con's: Quite lightweight and thin, which may not suit for this particular run and the issue above with shoe fit. This takes nothing away from the quality of the product though.

Score: 10/10

Socks: Dry weather 2 (Alternative to the above?) - Injinji
http://www.facewest.co.uk/Injinji-Midweight-Mini-Crew.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=facewestFroogle

Pro's: I bought these from The Endurance Store and apparently they are the socks of choice for ultra runners! The main idea is that you won't get blisters with toes rubbing together. I've worn them twice and they feel ok but I've not had enough time in them to make a proper assessment. Will i risk using them on the day - hmm not sure?

Con's: Hard to get your toes into the individual sections (a bit like trying to get a pair of gloves onto a young child's hand - if you've ever tried!)

Score: To early to pass judgement

Backpack: Inov8 Racepac 8
http://www.inov-8.com/New/Global/Product-View-RacePac-8.html?L=26

Pro's: Lightweight, reasonably good fit, lot's of adjustability. Better than any other backpack I've tried for running (not that I've tried that many).

A point to note before reading the Con's below - I'm not a fan of running with a backpack!

Con's: If the pack is full you need to lie it down before unzipping or things fall out: Zip system for main compartment, zips open like a big flap. Straps loosen as you're running with full weight (I've had to get the right adjustment and tie a knot in the strap under the buckle to stop it slipping. Getting at the bladder at checkpoints is going to be a bit of a pain as it's in the main compartment. The pack seems to fall away from your back (especially if not fully loaded) which exaggerates the 'bounce'. As you can see on the image above I've tried to counter this with a bungee strap which helps a little (see image above).

Score: 6/10

Backpack accessorie: Race Pac
http://www.inov-8.com/New/Global/Product-View-RacePac-2.html?L=26

Pro's: Very useful to have gels, camera etc easy to access. Great idea.

Con's: Impossible to stop it bouncing about (you need to tighten the waist strap; which stops you breathing! And somehow try and stop it from rising up from the waist) - very annoying. Worn twice and never to be used again!

Score: 1/10

Bum bag: Lowe Alpine Fell Runner
http://www.lowealpine.com/eng/prod_app_det.php?catid=15&itemid=379&type=

Pro's: A good size to fit drink, gels, waterproof, camera etc. Wide waist strap that spreads the load and doesn't dig in, also doesn't slip. Additional 'space reducing' straps to stop half empty contents bouncing around.

Con's: If it's the right size for the kit that you need to carry I can't think of any down side at all with this product. I've had mine for years. Excellent piece of kit. I'm using it in conjunction with the above backpack (because i wanted the smallest backpack i could get away with; less size = less annoying bounce) and will put items that i need access the most in here.

Score: 10/10

Cap: Inov8 Hot Peak 60
http://www.inov-8.com/New/Global/Product-View-HotPeak-60.html?L=26

Pro's: Good fit, lightweight, sun protection, people will see me coming, it matches my backpack ;o)

Con's: Head tends to overheat, like with any hat on a hot day!

Score: 8/10

Headtorch: Petzl Tikka
http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/headlamps/universal/tikka-xp-core

Pro's: I was amazed at how much light this gives off. Adjustable brightness and a diffuser that spreads the beam like a flood light.

Con's: Slightly annoying to wear but i guess they probably all are!

Score: 8/10

Thigh support: Compressport FORQUAD
http://estore.compressport.uk.com/epages/288898.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/288898/Products/MC005-FORQUAD/SubProducts/%22compressport%20forquad-0001%22

Pro's: I bought these, again from The Endurance Store, as they are supposed to help with DOMS. My thighs were ruined after running the second half of the course last month, I'm praying these will help. I've trialed them locally but not had the opportunity to see if they really do work, so far so good though. They fit very well (various sizes) and they stay in place.

Con's: Price (don't ask)!

Score: 7/10

Windproof Jacket: Montane Featherlite Jacket
http://www.montane.co.uk/products/men/windproof/featherlite-smock/40

Pro's: My personal opinion is that this jacket is about as good as it gets for exercise in rain or showers. There's always going to be compromise over waterproof level and breathability but i think this is about as good as it gets. You don't overheat, as you would in a full waterproof, and it dry's very quickly. It's extremely lightweight and packable. Provides surprising warmth as a windproof layer. I've got 2 of them!

Con's: Not fully waterproof - but if it was it wouldn't be as good as it is!

Score: 9/10

Shorts and T-shirt:
Dry Fit style shorts & a fitted/compression style T-shirt; Nike, North Face etc (fitted t-shirt to save on the 'bloody nipples' syndrome - see one of my previous posts).

Waterproofs:
I've an old North Face Summit series shell jacket and a pair of golf waterproof trousers.
This doesn't sound very technical but you general won't wear a full waterproof jacket unless it's cold as you end up wetter on the inside with sweat, than on the out with the rain. The purpose of the trousers is for emergency only; I've yet to see a runner out in a pair of waterproof trousers!

Final proper training run 07/07/2012

The aim of this final distance session was to give all my kit a final test and get in some reasonable mileage including as much ascent/descent as possible. After what's become common place now in our English summer; flooding, I decided to stay on the tarmac for Saturday's run. There's only so much practice your feet need at being wet and muddy!

At one point on Friday I wasn't sure if I'd be running or paddling. As you can see by the couple of snaps below, courtesy of saddleworthnews.com, it certainly came down as per the forecast:

Well i Hole, Greenfield

(There's a cracking movie clip of a tractor driving through the above at full speed on the site)

http://www.saddleworthnews.com/?p=13184

Allotments in Uppermill (I think?)

Back to the run: I ran from Uppermill to Dobcross and up Wall Hill, at the top I stopped and stripped off t-shirts number 2 (Home Instead/Dr. Kershaw's PR t-shirt) and baseball cap as I was sweating buckets. It was far too warm and muggy for running, let's hope it's a little cooler on the day! From there to Scouthead, down Cooper st to Grotton and back up the hill to Lydgate. Right turn and down to Stockport rd, then down through Rough Town to Manchester rd. Up to the Royal George pub, turn right and then left off rd through the little crops of houses and up to Moor edge road and back down Freizland lane.

From there it was the trusty run up Manchester rd to Dove Stones and up to Chew Reservoir, tag the wall at the top and straight back down. Into Greenfield and up over Kinders and back to Uppermill.

It was a proper tough run with the potential for a heart attack at the top of a couple of those hills. I ran as much as I could but am man enough to admit defeat on some of those climbs; yomping replaced running.

Here's the route info (click on any of the images to enlarge):

See the full route here

I was really pleased with the distance and time, although it wasn't a pace I could maintained for much further, it was good final training session; just over a third distance with nearly half of the elevation required for the event itself. An average moving speed of 6mph with full kit up those hills has put me in a good positive frame of mind for the 28th - I'm ready (I think).

Over the next 2 weeks my plan is to do some leg strength work in the gym, get in a couple of 5 mile runs with no back pack and do a bit of core strength work for good measure. The final week before the event I'll do next to nothing - bliss :o)

Just to give you something to read I'll do a bit of kit reviewing and anything else i can think of next week.

The sponsorship money is on the up no with £190 collected, only £810 to go! Please dig deep if you can.

Cheers

Mick

Two runs for the weekend of 30/06/12

Saturday
Tom talked me, Gaz and our gaggle of kids into doing a run4fun (1 mile) run in Alexandra Park in Oldham. We all thought it was a great opportunity to get out and show the youngsters how it's done. Around 300 people took part; all ages, abilities, shapes and sizes! The weather was pretty good for a change and fun was had by all.

Tom and myself turned up looking uber professional in full running gear and Gaz played it cool "it's only a mile" in jeans and a jacket; it may have only been 1 mile but those adidas samba didn't do much for his knee's after last weekends marathon training session ;o)

There was a live DJ, choreographed warm up, Chaddy the Owl & a life sized squirrel (who looked a little warm at the end when he took his head off!). However you'll have to take my word for most of that because I never thought to take many photo's at the time, forgetting the blog opportunity - doh!

Here's a couple of pics of the kids:

Harry & a couple of his running pals proudly display medals

Harry & Chaddy (Oldham Athletic mascot)

Sunday

In light of last week's monster session and the subsequent suffering of the thigh muscles I decided to try and get out and do some specific hill work. However it proved to be very difficult, if not impossible, to replicate the terrain of the Lakeland 50. The hills around Saddleworth are steep enough and nearly big enough but the paths/tracks are pretty good and soft underfoot, which for everyday use and injury prevention is great, but for practicing the rocky, hard packed climbs and descents of the lakes doesn't compare. Add to the mix all that bloody rain that we've had and you're hard pushed to find anything other than muddy bogs as soon as you leave the tarmac. Anyway, it wasn't for the lack of trying!

I set off (yes, in the rain) from Uppermill and ran to Greenfiled. From the main rd, it was straight up Kinders lane/Haw Clough lane to where you run out of tarmac and then off rd straight up the steepest/most direct route of Pots & Pans hill. Once on top, straight over and down the other side to Crowthers Farm onto the A635. It was at this point that I realised today wasn't the day for off road, distance running as my feet were already soaked, even with the Sealskin socks on. So from there it was down to Bin Green & Dove Stones Reservoir. Around the res to the other side and then up the killer drag (tarmac rd) up to Chew Reservoir. Tag the top and straight back down as fast as possible to try and get my muscles acclimatised to the impact of a hard packed steep and long descent. I'm conscious, at this late stage of the training and with the previous injuries I've had over the last couple of months (that seem ok - touch wood) that there's a fine line between conditioning the muscles and picking up another injury. I did push on though as i felt good and surprisingly strong which makes a change!

The tarmac road descent from Chew Reservoir,

much better to go down than up!

From Dove Stones it was back into Greenfield and back up Kinders lane but this time staying on the tarmac and following the road over and down into Uppermill.

It took me 2hrs 17mins (moving time; had a couple of backpack re adjustment stops) to cover 13.3 miles. The elevation gain over the route was 1093 metres which is about a third of the Lakeland 50 route but it didn't anywhere near as punishing as last week. 

http://goo.gl/maps/rBCv

I felt good when I'd finished the run and I'm aiming to do one final decent length run this weekend and then I'm going to start to wind things down gradually until the race on the 28th. I'd heard somewhere, a long time ago when I was working in the fitness industry, that the training you do today won't have any real impact on increasing your fitness level for at least 3 weeks, so don't bother trying to cram it in but rest instead.

The only personal experience I have of the above is when I was training for the London Marathon in 2004. I'd followed quite a gruelling training schedule and although I was running well, I felt knackered and my legs felt weak and heavy. As a result of overdoing it and being run down I got tonsillitis 3 weeks before the marathon and couldn't possibly do any running for 2 weeks. Conscious that the big day was only 1 week away and still recovering I did 2 x 3 mile runs at a steady pace in the last week just to keep my legs moving. I was worried about my lack of final preparation but on the day of the marathon I felt great and easily (well maybe not easy - time fogs the memory a little) achieved my target time.

So I'm going to give that approach another go. They say you get wiser as you get older; I'll be proper clever just before I drop dead! 

Cheers

Mick