0 to 30 in 10 months.
An idea is born.
Earlier in the year we launched a competition related to our Dig Deep races www.digdeepraces.co.uk . The idea seemed a good one over coffee (as they always do) and “nought to thirty in ten months” was born.
The idea was to take a man and a woman with limited, or no, running experience and prepare them to race in our Dig Deep Peak District ‘Intro Ultra’ – a 30 mile foot race through the beautiful (but hilly) Peak District in August 2015.
The competition was launched and the prize was free entry in to the race along with free running kit supplied by race sponsor MAMMUT and free coaching plans and advice from Dave Taylor at Fell Running Guide – www.fellrunningguide.co.uk. The winners would also have their progress followed in Trail Running Magazine – the Dig Deep media partner.
We had a great response and Dave Taylor and I sat down to pick the winners. On the face of it we thought that this would be an easy task but in the end it wasn’t… Dave and I ‘ummed and ahhhd’ and eventually we had a short list which was then (like a good shoe shop) whittled down to 2! Tonya and James were picked. This is what they had to say about themselves:
Tonya
I’m 41 and I work as a Fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital Charity, which supports the Children’s Hospital here in Sheffield.
My running experience is extremely limited to the point where I only run for a bus if I really, really have to. I did try running once, think I ran as far as 2km in one go and was pooped haha! Being inspired by the people who fundraise for us and hitting 40 last year I decided it was time I took on a challenge so I did the 100km Trans Pennine walk from Manchester to Sheffield (go big or go home as they say) and was very pleased to have completed it in under 24hrs.
I work 9-5, some evenings and some weekends, depending on what’s happening at work at the time.
I guess my hopes & fears about entering the race at the moment is that I hope to complete it, without coming last and still being able to breathe at the end of it and my fear is the training programme set for me – I think it’s going to be a shock to the system haha!
James
I started trail running in 2011 a few years after hanging my boots up from many years of playing rugby. I had got somewhat unfit and a good friend of mine who has been trail/fell running for many years took me out on our local trails in Sutton Coldfield, in Sutton Park.
Since I took up trail running I have competed in a few events including the first 12.12 race which was tough! I think it took me 2hrs 30mins or there about. I work for a large bakery manufacturing group, selling our product range to food wholesalers across the central belt of the UK. This involves a reasonable amount of travel throughout the week. It’s a really enjoyable job, I just need to make sure I don’t eat to many cakes that I have in plentiful supply at home due to sampling with customers!
I have 2 children and as with most runners I juggle family life. The amount of training time I have available does vary week by week depending on my appointments at work.
The mental challenge is intimidating for me and an area that I want to ensure I can be as strong as possible in. Having never had any professional advice on my running/pacing/race plan I am hopeful that I can learn a great deal right up to the race day for all aspects of ultra-running. Anticipating crossing the finish line already, but a little wary of the path that lays ahead!
First meetings…
In mid-November Dave and I met Tonya and James for the first time and we had some pictures taken out in the Peak District for Trail Running Magazine. We had an opportunity to see them on the trails and hills which would, in 10 months’ time, be their nemesis.
What then followed was a period of getting to know them. Firstly, Dave asked them to fill in a questionnaire – getting to know their work/life habits and past training experience and we also asked them to start a diary of their current training. We reviewed them 2 weeks and Tonya and James then started their first monthly training programme at the beginning of December. Both James and Tonya have started to realise the enormity of the task ahead, fitting in the training, and coping with the demands of preparing for a 30 mile run. However, like all big challenges in life, the key is to break it down in to smaller bite size chunks.
James and Tonya are both upbeat and keen to learn and train. Tonya has found her biggest challenge is fitting in the training around her work life whilst James has been hampered with a niggling injury. Welcome to the World of Ultra running!!!
The end of December will mark the end of their first period of training culminating in them both entering the Resolution Run at Rother Valley Country Park – an ideal introductory Trail race ( www.eightpointtwo.co.uk for race details).
We will be following their progress with regular blogs. Trail Running Magazine are also following their progress throughout the build up to next year’s race.
If you’re interested in entering the 2015 Dig Deep Races please look at www.digdeepraces.co.uk or contact me, the race director, at ian@eightpointtwo.co.uk
If you are interested in individual running training programmes or coaching please contact Dave Taylor at www.fellrunningguide.co.uk
Filed under: Dig Deep Races, Eight Point Two News | Tags: dig deep races 2014, peak trails intro ultra, trail races peak district, trail running peak district, trail ultra marathons peak district, UTPD
Sally was the first female runner to cross the finish line of the 2014 UTPD, part of the Dig Deep Peak District weekend. You might also remember her from the training diary films that we have made. Sally has sent us her race report which you can have a read of below…
Well done to everybody who took part – it was a fantastic weekend.
UTPD Report
My build up to the UTPD had been fantastic up to 2 weeks prior to the race. I had recovered well from The Highland Fling and done some good, long training runs. Then I needed a wisdom tooth out! I thought the week or so of rest wouldn’t be a problem and had loads of soft food sorted for when I couldn’t chew. I hadn’t banked on the sprained jaw resulting in munching paracetamol and ibuprofen right up to 4 days before the race. I didn’t run for 9 days, but did manage a couple of 10 mile walks. So, with 3 days to go I decided to do Grindleford Fell Race, if I couldn’t do 5 miles pain free I wasn’t going to manage 60 miles! I was very sensible with my pacing and completely non- competitive (see I can take it easy!) but was relieved to get through it with mild aching in the jaw only, and even upped the pace for the last half a mile to test it fully. So, the race was on!
On the race morning a had a bowl of granola and a couple of mugs of coffee but didn’t go mad with breakfast, instead I planned to eat from early on in the race. I had a plan to eat every 30mins, alternating a Shot Block and a third of a Chia Flatjack. This worked really well up to around 8 hours in, then I just drank Cherry Coke and had a Shot Block every about every 30-40mins. As it was hot I was glad of the two 500ml bottles on my Salomon Vest, I worked out I went through 7 bottles of water, 2 of diluted Coke and one undiluted Coke which wasn’t a massive amount for the length of time out but I felt I got this right.
From the first few miles of the race I realised I was in a good position, the first guy went off really quick, 2nd and 3rd were a little way ahead but then a group of 5 of us remained pretty close together right up to Moscar. I was very disciplined, always being the first to walk the hills when the guys around continued to run. I settled into 8th place and let them go ahead, but always in sight until the descent from High Neb. We came onto a long road section here and it was great to have Matt from Dark Peak, out for a cycle, deciding to keep me company and ride alongside me from 30-33miles. This was great as I wasn’t feeling my strongest here, I even said to Matt if I get to Edale (42miles) I’m on the train route so can drop out. He said not to be so stupid, of course I will be feeling drained as I have run over 30 miles and I was looking better than the guys in front! Those miles passed really quickly, just by having someone to chat to. Before I knew it the 5 of us had all more or less come back together and reached the second feed station at the bottom of Win Hill together, so I must have been running well to catch them up.
Win Hill came at 34 miles in, only ¾ of a mile but a hell of a climb, I actually enjoyed this as it was shaded through Parkin Clough and allowed a good long walk! At the top it was great to see Smiley Pacer Julie, she was actually about to head down as she thought she must have missed me. Along to Crookstone Barn one of the guys dropped back and I didn’t see him again. I settled into 7th place, walking more than the others but feeling surprisingly good. The descent into Edale was pain free, my quads were holding up well! The guys in front were temporarily out of sight, they must have set off up Hollins Cross at quite a pace but I knew there were plenty of climbs left. Near the top of Hollins Cross a group of chav’s, tops off, mobile phone blaring music out asked what was going on, when I told them how far I had run they offered me their water saying I’d need it more than them! I thought the descent from Hollins Cross would be more painful than it was so I must be getting the pacing right. Onto Cave Dale, this was a lovely climb, up ahead I was surprised to see two of the guys I had been in the group with earlier running at a very catchable pace! Before long I made my way past each, stopping for a quick chat but without much effort I found myself in 5th place moving away from them, managing a good pace along the top of Cave Dale all the way into Bradwell.
Sally on Win Hill, photo copyright of Summit Fever Media
More familiar faces, Isobel and Ken, appeared on the approach to the third feed station, 49 miles in and I was feeling ok! Quick chat, fill up of the water bottles, wetting of the Buff and hat and I was off for the final push.
Bradwell Edge is not a nice climb, at least it wasn’t quite the mud bath I have seen it every other time. It’s hard to get into a rhythm when you’re slipping and sliding on the mud but the really muddy sections were few and far between. It was still a relief to get onto the flat section along the river from Shatton to Hathersage, this was one of my favourite bits as it was shaded, fairly flat and nice and soft underfoot. As I crossed the railway line up the field from Hathersage I was relieved to know this was the last steep climb, and what a lovely suprise to hear the cow bells as Isobel and Julie ran across the field with Lotty and Karl from their house, so motivating for the last few miles.
Ian was still just about in sight (him in 4th, me in 5th place) as I climbed out of Hathersage onto Ringinglow Road, but then Ian had a real kick and pushed the pace. He was out of sight in no time, I thought with 6-7 miles to go that was far too early to push on, but he let me know at the finish, that’s where he spotted 2nd and 3rd place not far ahead! He managed to catch them but they pulled away as he’d put everything into the chase.
I carried on up to Carl’s Walk, relieved to be in the last few miles, picturing the beer and pizza at the finish! Turning onto Houndkirk Road I was able to get a good pace for 58+ miles, even managing a 8.53 min mile! Julie, Michael, Isobel and Ken again popped up unexpectedly at Houndkirk giving me a boost for the last effort. Through Limb Valley I was running the whole way, even the hills, I think all that caffine was getting me through these miles on a bit of a high!
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My aim was for sub 11 hours so I was delighted to come into the finish at 10 hours 43 mins in 5th place, with a new female course record. It was only then I found out how close the 2nd – 4th place guys had been in front. It was probably best not knowing, as I would have pushed myself and no doubt suffered for it if I had thought to try to chase them down! Looking at the data I averaged 10’42 per mile at 5.6mph, a stat I’m really chuffed with considering the 2722m of ascent. If you like hilly races this is definitely one for you.
I just wanted to finish by saying thanks to the those who came out to support, the Smiley Paces were so encouraging, it is so motivating to see a familiar face when you have raced all those miles and really spurred me on to the finish 🙂 |
Sally Fawcett over the finish line of the UTPD the Dig Deep Races 2014, Photo copyright of Summit Fever Media
Filed under: Dig Deep Races, Eight Point Two News | Tags: dragons back race, Peak district ultra marathons, trail races peak district, trail running, trail running peak district, ultra marathons, ultra running
Dig Deep Peak District 2014 – Friday 20th June at Whirlow Hall Farm, Whirlow Lane, Sheffield S11 9QF,
0114 235 2678
Friday 20th June at Whirlow Hall Farm, Whirlow Lane, Sheffield S11 9QF, 0114 235 2678
ENTRANCE IS FREE!
7pm – 8pm
James Andrews “Why I bother”
James will be presenting a story of what he has learned about the human brain while running. James has been running ultras for about 7 years and over the past couple of years he has been reading and studying psychology. The talk is going to be a combination of what he has learned about the brain in the process, including;
- What motivates it in general and throughout a race
- How to deal with stress and paranoia that will attack you in a race
- What to do when the task feels overwhelming, or boring, or pointless?
- How to use your mental training to deal with novel event that might pop up in races
- Some general tricks on making yourself feel awesome
Ultimately he hopes to answer the question “Why I bother?”
8.30 pm The Dragons back – Film
The legendary Dragon’s Back Race™ follows the mountainous spine of Wales from Conwy Castle to Carreg Cennen Castle. This incredible 5-day journey is approximately 300 kilometres long with 17,000 metres of ascent across wild, trackless, remote and mountainous terrain. It is not a trail race.
The original Dragon’s Back Race™ happened in September 1992 and ever since, it has been whispered about with a mix of awe and trepidation. Its reputation had reached legendary status with fell, mountain and ultra runners the World over by September 2012 when the second Dragon’s Back Race™ happened.
The Dragon’s Back Race™ is one of the hardest mountain races in the World and this is the film of that event in 2012.
Saturday 21st June –at Whirlow Hall Farm, Whirlow Lane, Sheffield S11 9QF, 0114 235 2678
5pm Iron Trail (film)
The Irontrail, held in Switzerland, breaks the 200 km barrier. With the start in Pontresina and the finish in Chur this film covers the event which Stages the Alpes’ highest altitude, longest, toughest and most beautiful single-stage trail race in the multi-faceted natural, cultural and mountain landscape of Graubünden – this is the thinking behind the Irontrail!
6pm – 7.30 pm
Helen Bonser Taking on stage racing in the Alps
Having grown up in the Lake District UK, and now living in Scotland, Helen has always been passionate about the outdoors and spending time in the hills. For her, hill running is a way of life, and is what continually pushes her forward – it enriches her life in adventure and rich friendships. Some of her favourite races are technical 1 day races in the Alps, and Alpine stage races, where she enjoys racing day after day in big mountain scenery. Helen still works full time, and it sometimes a challenge to fit both work and running in! Helen is a Mammut sponsored athelete.
Multi day stage races in the Alps are some of the most challenging and engaging racing experiences. This talk gives a brief look into what’s involved, from the trails and terrain, to the training and preparation, and the racing itself, with examples from some of the major stage races currently in the Alps.
7.30pm – 8.50pm
Marcus Scotney The Peaks and troughs of Ultra Running
The Peaks and troughs of Ultra Running – Team MONTANE International Ultra Runner Marcus Scotney will share, in his entertaining and motivational style, the highs and lows of his Ultra Running experiences where he has overcome physical and mental exhaustion and continued to dig deep rather than giving up.
9pm The Dragons back – Film
The legendary Dragon’s Back Race™ follows the mountainous spine of Wales from Conwy Castle to Carreg Cennen Castle. This incredible 5-day journey is approximately 300 kilometres long with 17,000 metres of ascent across wild, trackless, remote and mountainous terrain. It is not a trail race.
The original Dragon’s Back Race™ happened in September 1992 and ever since, it has been whispered about with a mix of awe and trepidation. Its reputation had reached legendary status with fell, mountain and ultra runners the World over by September 2012 when the second Dragon’s Back Race™ happened.
The Dragon’s Back Race™ is one of the hardest mountain races in the World and this is the film of that event in 2012.
Filed under: Dig Deep Races, Eight Point Two News | Tags: Dig Deep Peak dISTRICT, intro ultra peak district, suffolk trail marathons, suffolk ultra marathons, trail running, trail running peak district, ultra marathons north of england, ultra running peak district, ultra tour of suffolk, ultra tour of the the peak district
We have now finished filming the 2nd in our series of three films following the training plans of three athletes who are all competing in the Ultra tour of the Peak District this June 21st/22nd. This month we have been talking about the effects of nutrition on the body when competing in something as physically and mentally challenging as an ultra marathon. Nutrition seems to be a minefield and in every article you read on it, you will find something that contradicts everything you have been taught.
The overriding message from listening to Sally, Amy and Matty’s opinions seems to be – listen to your body, and just use common sense. Stay away from processed food on the whole – stick to meals that you make yourself from scratch but make sure that you treat yourself from time to time. Interestingly both Sally and Amy mentioned that when they are racing in ultras, food becomes something to look forward to – something that drives you on to the next checkpoint, a reward for your efforts. I have definitely found that when you are going through a low point in a race and you still have a long long way to go, the thought of launching myself on the food at the next checkpoint always picks me up…vulture.
Amy talked about how she likes making her own energy food and views gels as a last resort, Sally switches between both making her own and snacking on food such as Running Food’s Chia Charge and Matty is a huge fan of Torq gels as a source of immediate energy but also as it can bring the weight of his pack down. I think it is very easy to get bogged down in reading various articles and following new superfood trends, and it is easy to forget that everybody is different. What works for one person doesn’t mean it will work for everybody. Some people crave sugar when running and others need savoury. It’s also important to take into account what you find easy to digest – the last thing you want to worry about when you are 30 miles into a 60 mile race is your digestion playing up – there isn’t much to hide behind on Stanage Edge!
A tip I was given before my first ultra was to make sure to hydrate well before the race – and to actively go out of my way to drink way more water from about three days before hand. With hindsight it seems quite obvious but then it didn’t even cross my mind to start hydrating before I was was even thirsty. According to a few articles I’ve read we should be looking at drinking around 3 litres of water a day (it seems to vary from researcher to researcher), just during a normal working day, how many of us can say we drink that much?! It takes quite a lot of effort and a lot of bathroom trips to drink 5 pints!
Sally mentioned one thing that stuck in my mind, and that is that she makes sure she eats a colourful diet – that is one lesson that I had been taught years ago but i’d forgotten whilst being preoccupied trying to cram as many superfoods onto my plate as possible!
Possibly one of the driving forces for me was something Matty mentioned: the great thing about running in ultras is that you are able to pig out at the end of them – 60 miles for as much macaroni cheese as I can eat – ok then!
Hope you enjoy the film and good look with the training…
It’s only 40 days until the Dig Deep Peak District
– still time to book yourself onto a race! We have everything from a 60 mile to a 10k to choose from!
Check out our latest addition to the Dig Deep Race Series: Dig Deep Suffolk, 6th&7th September 2014.
Featuring 4 fantastic trail races through Suffolk:
5.5 mile Rendlesham Dash Suffolk Trail Race starts at 10:30am on Sunday 7th September £13.00
20KM Rendlesham Suffolk Trail race starts at 10:15am on Sunday 7th September £17.00
28 mile Suffolk Trail ‘Intro Ultra’ starts at 10am on Saturday 6th September £40.00
50 mile: ULTRA Tour of Suffolk (Suffolk trail ultra marathon) starts at 8am on Saturday 6th September £55.00
Filed under: Dig Deep Races, Eight Point Two News | Tags: trail races peak district, trail races suffolk, ultra running peak district, ultra running suffolk, ultra running uk
We would like to introduce another elite ultra runner who will be speaking at both the Dig Deep Peak District and the Dig Deep Suffolk event. James Adams is a popular figure in the ultra running world and you may have come across him in one of the many ultra running forums or heard about his epic run across America. He has just released his first book to brilliant reviews, which, incidentally you can find on amazon here 😉 So without further ado I will let James introduce himself…
James Adams Running and Stuff
Hi. My name is James and I am a fairly normal person with a regular body and regular mind. I have however completed some endurance challenges that some might find extraordinary. I have run 150 miles in one go several times, run 200 marathons and ultra marathons and a couple of years ago ran across the USA, from Los Angeles to new York. 3200 miles in 70 days, that’s 45 miles a day in what was the worst heatwave in living memory. People say “you must be mentally tough to get through that kind of thing” and I agree, you must be. However I certainly don’t believe I am any more mentally resilient that the next guy. I get upset and angry and paranoid and jealous just like we all do. However I do believe I have some valuable insight into what goes on in the human mind when trying to complete endurance challenges. I have been running ultra marathons for seven years and studying psychology for three and I have made it my mission to try and join the two together. I will be presenting a story of what I have learned about the human brain while running. When I started ultra running I didn’t appreciate that I will be participating in an intense and long term psychological study of on. I think anyone studying psychology should spend a summer running across the States as I reckon you learn more about the human brain while puking your guts up on the side of a road in New Mexico than you would in a lecture theatre. The talk is going to be a combination of the stuff I have run and what I learned about my brain in the process, including;
- What motivates it in general and throughout a race
- How to deal with stress and paranoia that will attack you in a race
- What to do when the task feels overwhelming, or boring, or pointless?
- How to use your mental training to deal with novel event that might pop up in races
- Some general tricks on making yourself feel awesome
Ultimately I hope to answer the question “Why I bother?”
I have also written a book about my adventures over the last few years. Running and Stuff is available on amazon.
My blog is here www.runningandstuff.com
Filed under: Dig Deep Races, Eight Point Two News | Tags: suffolk trail ultra marathon, trail running peak district, trail running suffolk, trail ultra marathons peak district, ultra running peak district, ultra running suffolk
Keep things interesting.
Sticking to a structured ultra marathon training plan, running the same routes at the same times of day can get really monotonous and hard to keep up. You see the same views, jump over the same puddles and if you’re not careful it can become more like a chore and less like fun. With a long lead up to a race, like the Ultra Tour of the Peak District (90Days) or The Ultra Tour of Suffolk (5 months) that original training plan can seem like a curse.. or worse still… boring.
Before you tear up that carefully crafted training plan and slam dunk it into the nearest bin just take a moment to think. Try taking your runs to different places, somewhere you’ve not been before. This new experience will boost your enthusiasm, your confidence and it’s always great to continue the search for “the perfect trail”. You never know what you might find, perhaps a view you never knew about or a hill that’s much better for hill reps than the ‘bump’ that you were believing was a hill. Trail running is meant to be fun, it’s meant to test you and let you forget the everyday stuff.
Root hopping on Parkin Clough
It’s not just excitement that new routes can bring you, venturing into the unknown will help hone your navigation skills, forcing you to use that map & compass instead of taking it as a token on your regular trail run. Perhaps it will bring into perspective where your nav skills are, allowing you to top them up where needed. Don’t forget, you can save minutes on race day easily by sharpening that nav – it’s not just fitness that will affect your time!
If you’re limited to where you can train and going somewhere new is more tricky, there are other ways to freshen things up. Why not run your route in the other direction, try it in the dark and at other times of day. Find a running partner, run with your dog, your neighbours dog (ask them first) – listen to an audio book, learn a language … you get the picture.
Running at Night can change your perspective of a route
So next time you’re feeling the boredom monster knocking at your door, think of something new for your next run, it’ll put a smile on your face and a spring in your step!
Check out our latest addition to the Dig Deep Race Series: Dig Deep Suffolk, 6th&7th September 2014.
Featuring 4 fantastic trail races through Suffolk:
5.5 mile Rendlesham Dash Suffolk Trail Race starts at 10:30am on Sunday 7th September £13.00
20KM Rendlesham Suffolk Trail race starts at 10:15am on Sunday 7th September £17.00
28 mile Suffolk Trail ‘Intro Ultra’ starts at 10am on Saturday 6th September £40.00
50 mile: ULTRA Tour of Suffolk (Suffolk trail ultra marathon) starts at 8am on Saturday 6th September £55.00
Filed under: Dig Deep Races, Eight Point Two News | Tags: Dig Deep Peak dISTRICT, dig deep suffolk, Peak District trail running, peak district ultra running, suffolk trail running, suffolk ultra running, UTPD
Here is an update from Matty Brennan – our Dig Deep Peak District competition winner. The next you will be seeing of Matty will be in the next trail running training film and we will be talking about his nutrition – hopefully with three very different athletes we should get a good cross section of knowledge and experience when it comes to nutrition.
Suffolk trail races and ultra marathons 2014. Peak district trail races and ultra marathons 2014
“The last few weeks havebeen a bit of a mixed bag – had a fantastic result from the Grizedale Trail 26, coming 2nd in 3:37, but then caught a dose of man-flu, which hasn’t been helpful to my training at all!
The week ending with the Grizedale race was my biggest so far, covering 54 miles, with the last 2 weeks both at around 20, with approximately 2 or 3 runs per week, with my pace massively off.Feeling much better now however, with a big trail running weekend this weekend – running around Shropshire and the Long Mynd tomorrow (Saturday 15th March) with the Torq Performance Trail Team, and then another long one Sunday at the UTPD recce day.
My first “tester” trail race is a week on Saturday, the Hardmoors 55. I’m rested, recovered and ready for it”
Matty Brennan, training diary for UTPD
Thank you to everybody who joined us on the Dig Deep Recce day – it was a fantastic event, even if the weather wasn’t as kind as the week before. The event was led by Dave Taylor of Fell Running Guide and Ian Loombe our Race Director. Outside were fantastic hosts and we will be meeting there for the next one!
If you missed the March Recce Day don’t worry, our next one is on 13th April – follow this link to book your place: April Recce Day
If you need to scrub up on your navigation then it’s worth having a gander at the Navigation course, which are run by Dave Taylor of Fell Running guide – the next course is on the 12th of April: Book Here
In other news have you seen us in the latest edition of Trail Running Magazine? Make sure you pick up your copy quick to be in with a chance of winning a fantastic bag from our sponsors Mammut – and the chance to win freeentry to any of our Dig Deep Peak District races!
Check out our latest addition to the Dig Deep Race Series: Dig Deep Suffolk, 6th&7th September 2014.
Featuring 4 fantastic trail races through Suffolk:
5.5 mile Rendlesham Dash Suffolk Trail Race starts at 10:30am on Sunday 7th September £13.00
20KM Rendlesham Suffolk Trail race starts at 10:15am on Sunday 7th September £17.00
28 mile Suffolk Trail ‘Intro Ultra’ starts at 10am on Saturday 6th September £40.00
50 mile: ULTRA Tour of Suffolk (Suffolk trail ultra marathon) starts at 8am on Saturday 6th September £55.00
Filed under: Dig Deep Races, Eight Point Two News | Tags: Dig Deep Peak dISTRICT, trail races peak district, ultra marathons peak district, ultra running peak district, UTPD
There is now 92 days to go until the UTPD trail ultra marathon and Amy has sent us her latest training installment. You’ll be seeing a bit more of Amy in our next film where the emphasis will be on nutrition, which I’m sure many of you will agree is a bit of a minefield! There is so much information out there it’s hard to know where to start and what is right for one person isn’t always the best thing for another. So hopefully our next film might be able to give you an idea on where to start and also an insight into how other athletes eat. Happy training this weekend and now over to Amy…
“I’ve just finished the 12th week of my 25 week training plan for the UTPD, which has been a 60 mile week. The whole plan looked really daunting when I stuck it on the wall at the end of last year, so it’s really satisfying to see I’ve now nearly reached the halfway point!
I’ve been really enjoying my long runs over the past few weekends. I think this is in part due to improving weather (a little bit of sun does a lot for morale!) and also part due to the fact that I have been noticing improvement in my performance – I feel like I’m hurting less and recovering faster than before and it’s good to think that my hard work is taking effect!
Amy Freeman, training for UTPD, in Mammut
I ran my first long race of the year this weekend, the 32 mile Haworth Hobble, and I really enjoyed it. My first ultra was the Dig Deep Intro last July, which took me 7 hours to complete. The Hobble has similar elevation and is 2 miles longer, but I finished in 6 hours which I am super happy with. It was also nice to meet fellow UTPD first timer Drew, who recognised me from the training blog video, and chat about our training over post-race stew!
The UTPD is almost double the distance of my current long run, so I still have a lot of work to do and miles to clock in preparation. But as I’m starting to see the effects of my training, I’m feeling confident I can get there. Fingers crossed!”
Check out our latest addition to the Dig Deep Race Series: Dig Deep Suffolk, 6th&7th September 2014.
Featuring 4 fantastic trail races through Suffolk:
5.5 mile Rendlesham Dash Suffolk Trail Race starts at 10:30am on Sunday 7th September £13.00
20KM Rendlesham Suffolk Trail race starts at 10:15am on Sunday 7th September £17.00
28 mile Suffolk Trail ‘Intro Ultra’ starts at 10am on Saturday 6th September £40.00
50 mile: ULTRA Tour of Suffolk (Suffolk trail ultra marathon) starts at 8am on Saturday 6th September £55.00
Filed under: Dig Deep Races, Eight Point Two News | Tags: first time ultra marathon, suffolk running weekend, suffolk trail races, suffolk trail races 2014, suffolk trail ultra marathons, suffolk ultra marathons
ultra marathon training
Trail races and ultra marathons in Suffolk
Filed under: Dig Deep Races, Eight Point Two News | Tags: dig deep recce day, running weekend peak district, suffolk trail running, suffolk ultra running, ultra marathon peak district, UTPD
Sally has shared her latest training news for the Ultra Tour of the Peak District. Did you know there are less than 100 days to go now until the Dig Deep Peak District weekend?!
‘Training so far:
In the last month each weekend has been taken up with lots of long runs. I have covered 20 then 26 miles on consecutive days of the West Highland Way, 21 miles of the Edale Skyline then completed the High Peak Marathon – a fantastic night ultra of 44 miles, in a team of 4 over the Derwent Watershed, thank goodness we won’t encounter the knee deep peat bogs in the UTPD! Last weekend I did the Grindleford Gallop 21mile trail race, considering the previous weekends mileage at the HPM I was delighted with 24th overall and 2nd female. Keen to avoid injury I have a low milage couple of weeks coming up before the Edale Skyline 21mile fell race in 2 weeks time.
Sally Fawcett coming off Stanage Edge
So to summerise my training so far:
Average weekly milage: 60-70miles
Average long run: 20 miles
Average runs per week: 6
Favourite run: Hillsborough Hills – a 7 mile run from home which includes 11 hills of varying length, all in about 2 square miles!
Pairs of trainers wrecked since January: 1′
Don’t forget we have the Dig Deep RECCE Day coming up this weekend. There is still time to book onto it, just click on this link for more info: 16th March RECCE day
Check out our latest addition to the Dig Deep Race Series: Dig Deep Suffolk, 6th&7th September 2014.
Featuring 4 fantastic trail races through Suffolk:
5.5 mile Rendlesham Dash Suffolk Trail Race starts at 10:30am on Sunday 7th September £13.00
20KM Rendlesham Suffolk Trail race starts at 10:15am on Sunday 7th September £17.00
28 mile Suffolk Trail ‘Intro Ultra’ starts at 10am on Saturday 6th September £40.00
50 mile: ULTRA Tour of Suffolk (Suffolk trail ultra marathon) starts at 8am on Saturday 6th September £55.00
Eight Point Two 