2017 - Plenty of Ups and Downs

It's been a while since I blogged, and to be fair my running has been a bit lack lustre too, so it sort of went hand in hand.

2017 started off pretty well to be honest, I hadn't booked in many events because I wanted to give a little bit back to the family as they were spending a fair bit of time chasing me around whilst I ran.

The year started with the Cousin Jack Classic II race. A 17 mile South West Coastal Path (SWCP) race from Cape Cornwall to St Ives put on by Bys Vyken Events. Throughly enjoyed this little tough race. The section of the SWCP isn't easy to run on for various reasons, however that didn't stop me enjoying it. Click the link for the Blog Cousin Jack Classic II. My good friend David has put on some good events and I go on to do another later in the year.

The final stretch to the finish at CJCII

The first big event I ran in '17 was Hope24. This was the 4th year I was involved with in some capacity. Again I helped set up and then ran solo once more. With weather interrupting us and it becoming a 17 hour race instead after postponement I didn't get as many miles in as I wanted. I did get to run/bimble alongside my wife for one lap which was great as it's something that doesn't happen often (sadly she twisted her ankle during her first lap but she did manage 3 laps with it strapped up in the end). Got a hug off fellow blogger and runner friend Sarah (see her blog here Sarah's Blog) so another bonus. She's great!

I was then due to run in the CQ44 again but sadly I couldn't run it this year. Not disappointed as I had run it before.  Soon enough I was getting myself ready for the biggest event of the year. The big adventure where I was to run from North Wales to South Wales via the Offa's Dyke and Glyndwr's Way then the following day after I finish race Mudcrew's "The Plague". It wasn't a complete failure in fact I still achieved from it. It just didn't go the way it was supposed to go. But then that's life really, It wasn't out of my depth, just things didn't go to plan and I had to adapt, improvise and over come. I still raised a lot of money which was the main goal. It gave me some amazing experiences and some fantastic memories. Like all my other adventures and races, I also learnt lessons to take forward. Here's the YOLO blog YOLO 17 and the Plague blog The Plague .

Watch the video YOLO 17 Film

A week after my epic adventure across Wales, I ran my last big race of 2017 "The Madness of King George". A 12 hour strict ruled 1 mile laps of King George's Memorial Walk in Hayle, Cornwall. David of Bys Vyken Events again created something quite special. As it was only a week after my Welsh run I wasn't sure how this was going to go. Luckily it didn't go badly and I finished it! It def holds a special place in my memory bank this one. Madness of King George race

2017 also allowed me to host my first guest blogger. I was approached by a publicist to see if I would host an author who's book was about to launch. As he is a runner and it was about his record run around the Wainright's Round, how could I say no? It was good to do and I enjoyed his book to which I can highly recommend. Here is his blog There is no Map in Hell part 3 .

2017 also brought me some major downers as well, first of all there was a group set up to slag me off behind my back. Worse of all it set up by someone who was supposed to be a friend. They tried claiming it was "Banter" sorry it's not when it's behind someone's back. Then I got accused of cheating because Strava amended some of my race times and it made me look like I was an Olympic Athlete. Without talking to me about it went and started slagging me off at my local running club, and this then went out in public. I've never cheated, I've never amended any runs. I'm not exactly trying to win anything and my performances that are all noted down in the results show I'm not great. Why would I want to cheat with mediocre performances really? My Garmin files show nothing was amended. it just shows the type of people they are really. Especially fi they thing Strava is the be or end all. Then an American Running forum "Let's Run" (I'm not even a member of it) on a thread to do with another British Runner, I get mentioned (because I commented on the other runners FB status) as "too thic to be an ultra runner" Thic is urban slang for fat. Yes I am not a racing snake I know that. But body shaming is never on in my books. The recent "This is Me" song from the Greatest Showman film says it all really.

So as you can see a real mix bags for 2017 for me. 2018 hasn't started off well, I've had to defer my Arc of Attrition 100 mile place to 2019 due to now deploying. Sadly that is the way things go in my line of work. At least it give me even more time to get prepared for it, I am already looking at races at the places I am going with work and found on already so silver lining and all that.

I am looking forward to my running overseas, and I'm starting to plan my next big adventure run!

Thank you to all my readers, my wife and son and my sponsor Tailwind Nutrition UK!

Look out for my up coming blogs of my overseas runs.

Arc of Attrition 2016 - Taming Mother Nature!

It was that time of year again when friends were prepping themselves again for one of their biggest events of the year. This time last year, the skies were blue and little to no winds during the day and just cold during the night. How different this years weather for the event was going to be. It was like it was ordered just to spice things up as if running 100 miles around the South West Coast Path wasn't difficult enough anyway.

Usually when someone labels an event as the toughest this and that it's usually a marketing game being played to draw people in. Arc of Attrition 2016 was already being labelled as one of the toughest winter footraces in the UK and the toughest in the South West. Mudcrew events tag line is "We don't do easy" and knowing their events like I do, they certainly don't. So there was a good chance this years AoA will live up to it's expectations as one of the toughest.

The event this year was starting earlier at 12pm compared to last years even which started in the evening, I had a few things to do that morning as I've not long moved house, but I left as soon as I could to get to the start line. I wasn't running it this year, but I had a fair few friends that were. They all had their own support crews so my plan was just to go down and support as many as I could for the duration. Knowing the coastal paths well I could pop up in places, some may not know.

At the start

My friends, Mudcrew and the ultra running community supported me and my efforts a lot last year, so the least I could do return the favour. yes I was jealous I wasn't with them running, I still like being involved somehow.

I arrived with about 8 minutes prior to the start, and my word the atmosphere was buzzing. All the runners eager, nervous and raring to go. I saw Andy, Fergie and Jane the RD's of Mudcrew Events and gave them a hug and handshakes. They were big supporters of mine, I also tried to see as many of my friends running as much as possible give them all good luck man hugs from me. There was just over 100 runners starting, with athletes from Switzerland, Spain and Belgium in the line up as well. It was looking to be an epic race, with last years joint winners Duncan Oakes and Steve Wyatt back once more. It's their playground, so they were definitely two of the favourites. There were other good ultra runners in the line up including international athlete Pat Robbins.

Ready for the start

Soon the hooter went and off they all skootled along the South West Coastal Path for 100 miles. The weather was alright currently but you could feel the wind starting to pick up the start in Coverack. I made my way to a place ideal for support crews and supporters at Lizard Point, it's the biggest area so you can imagine it was pretty busy as everyone was waiting for their runners to come through. The wind was picking up for sure, and soon enough the first few runners came through. I finally saw some of my friends come through and speaking to them they told me the first 5 miles were pretty tough with boggy paths. The weather leading up hasn't been very good at all. They all looked pretty strong going through the lizard, the majority of them topping up their bottles and grabbing a quick snack as they made their way to the first CP at Porthleven which was around 24 miles from the start.

Me with Russ Powell's support crew

I went straight to CP1 instead of stopping along the way at Mullion for a couple of reasons. I needed some food and I wanted to be able to park my car prior to all the support crews turning up. Once at Porthleven I popped into the CP which was in a lovely warm pub and saw people I knew there who were helping out. The weather now had really started to build up with the wind really blowing, the temperature felt cold because of the wind, and as runners were making their way in and out being looking well after at the CP with warm drinks and food (well stocked CP's I may add) the rain started to lash down with vengence!

All the CP's were run like well oiled machines, it was like they were professionals not volunteers. They "Arc Angels" as they were known as were made up of runners and supporters from various local running clubs and groups.

Dave Brock at CP1

 The whole event to be honest ran like clockwork from how it looked from my eyes, even when there was incidents like part of the path had to be closed to due the weather causing destruction and I was called in for assistance as an extra marshal, it never stopped the fluidness of the whole thing.

As the night went on the weather continued to batter the runners with heavy rain and wind, I was soaked myself but that was nothing compared to the runners. Then suddenly it all died, the rain and the wind suddenly stopped as the current weather front passed through. It gave the runners a little respite for a few hours, before the storm that was due arrived. As predicted around 3am the weather started to pick up once more and by 6.30am the storm was in full force again even heavier than the day before. The beast was starting to eat up it's children, come CP3 at Sennen a lot of runners were either timed out, injured or just beaten by the weather and route. More fell to the wayside after valiant efforts to cross what is deemed as the slowest part of the course and with the weather making even tougher, it was no surprised it caused more to be timed out, injured or beaten by the route and weather as they hit CP4.

I was asked if I could take two runners back to Race HQ at the finish as they were no longer continuing, which of course I did. Once I got there I finally grabbed an hourish nap in the car before continuing my support for the remainder.

Stu McQueen at CP3

 As most were going through CP2 and 3 the leaders were on their way to the finish after going through CP4 in St Ives. The leading pack made up of 4 runners had been together pretty much all the way, there were 5 up to CP3 but one fell back and didn't make it further than CP4. They were still flying and soon enough to a rousing cheers and applause they arrived at the finish in Porthtowan in a fast 22 hours and 44 mins ish (tracker time). I believe the clock time was 22 hours 46 mins. Extraordinary performance by the 4 winners who were Steve Wyatt, Duncan Oakes, Pat Robbins and Jason Lewis.

With some of my friends making the finish and some not, they all put in an amazing performance considering the conditions they faced throughout and performances they should be proud of regardless of finishing or not.  I was in awe of them all! You have to admire the physical and mental abilities these runners put in, and with only 28 finishers it shows it was brutal out there this year and safe to say it was definitely one of the toughest winter footraces in the UK. It in my personal opinion lived up the expectation and although Mudcrew Events put on fantastic events they definitely don't do easy!.

Jane (one of the RD's) welcoming the 4 winners at the finish

If you're looking for an event that will test you, or an event that gives as much beauty as it does brutality then look no further than one of Mudcrew's Events especially the Arc of Attrition. I for one have this on my 2017 list (if I'm not at sea).

Now for me it's back to training and focusing on my own racing.

Until next time!

Chasing Friends and Racing - Arc of Attrition

Being very lucky enough to have great friends who also run ultra marathons does have draw backs, I say draw backs but it's not in a bad way! This weekend just gone 6th Feb 2015 I had a few friends running the inaugual Arc of Attrition 100 mile Cornish Coastal trail race. The AoA is an event created by Mud Crew, who already having successes with other event such as "The Dark", "R.A.T Race" and "The Scrooge", so going by those events, AoA wasn't going to be easy and it sure will be awesome. So my friends running in the event was Matt Bisco, Luke Elliott, Vicky Saunders and Mark Evans. I planned to follow and support Matt and Luke as much as I possibly could from the go. However living in Plymouth and having to wait for the wife to finish work to look after the boy (he had a friend's birthday party on the Saturday so couldn't come with me on the Friday) meant I couldn't leave and get down for the very start. So I aimed to hit the first CP to cheer and support them into and out again. Vicky had her own support crew so, I was able to do give her support from a far and allowed me to deal with the others. Mark unfortunately didn't have a support crew and after 20 miles on the tough first section, had to pull out (still an awesome effort). He wasn't the only one and the first section claimed a few victims. What you have to bare in mind is you had to qualify for this event, you couldn't just enter. So all the runners were accomplished ultra runners through various previous events. So that left me with Matt and Luke to support along the way.

I arrived at CP1 in good time, very lucky I have an Impreza so was able to get down quickly (of course at the speed limits) in time. The first CP was in the Harbour Inn in Porthleven. Which was 24 ish miles from the Start which was at Coverack on the South Coast Of Cornwall. Anyone who knows the Cornish Coast will know how tricky the those coastal trails are especially at night! I arrived and the mud crew CP team were all set up ready to go, the rugby was on in the other side of the pub (unfortunately Wales losing to England put a slight downer on the weekend), so I could hear the game from the otherside of the pub as I waited for them to arrive.

The weather was good outside, be it cold but there was only a slight breeze (compared to normal Cornish weather) and it was dry at least. The first two runners arrived in good time. Looking fresh and hungry to get on, they didn't hang about. Matt soon followed with a grazed knee where he had lost his footing skipping on the rocks, he was still good to go. He smashed some pasta and soup down him provided by the Pub and off he went. Crewing for Matt was his better half Cassy and his Mum (his mum has smashed in some ultra events and still does!). Soon not long after Luke came in full of energy. I helped fill is water bladder up and get him sorted, along with his Mum and Step Dad, who was his crew. I was soon waving him off as well! Into my car and off I went to the next point where it was accessible to support them from. Obviously driving I couldn't keep any eye on my tracker (I totally forgot I could access the internet through my stereo doh!). I got to Praa Sands car park where the route goes through. With no phone signal I awaited for Matt to come through. However I noticed some runners who were behind Matt at CP1 come pass me. "oh bollocks" I thought I've missed him! I had no access to the tracker to check so I didn't want to miss him at the next one I moved one. However little did I know he had got a little lost on route and he was over taken. In the dark along the route there are a few paths you could take and it's so easy to take the wrong one and add extra miles on. As long as you keep the sea on the left, you won't be too far off though. At one point, I thought Matt had taken high ground so he could get his bearings but I don't think that was the case. I made it to Marazion, nr Penzance as I know the area and knew I would be far enough ahead not to miss them.

The car park is also a well known dogging car park, so when I parked up I had to becareful about how I used my lights. Tonight was defo not the night to get involved in anything especially as I didn't want to miss them running past! Sure enough, with phone signal and being able to track them again, Matt came to the carpark. His support crew was there, read with an array of goodies in the boot of thei vehicle for Matt to choose from before he carried on his way. Matt, mentioned he became bored. I informed him Luke wasn't too far behind and he seemed to enjoy the thought his friend wasn't too far behind and he may wait for him at CP2. Matt went on his way, his crew followed and I waited for Luke. I was still keeping an eye on Vicky who was further back but still going very strong. Her crew must have been doing a great job. Soon enough Luke's head torch came around the corner and got out to meet him. I ran with him for a 100 yards or so, that way he didn't have to slow down but I could speak to him. I informed him how far Matt was and that Matt was thinking about waiting for him. With the fullish moon out glowing away St Michael's Mount in the bay set off a great back drop for such an event. With Luke heading off into the distance and into Penzance on his way to Mousehole CP2, I jumped in my car and drove to Mousehole, occassionally passing some of the previous runners further ahead. I soon got to Mousehole, which if you don't know it, it is a small fishing village. I managed to park up, just behind Matt's support crew vehicle as we awaited for him to arrive.

The CP2 was in the little pub called the Ship's Inn. Now this is a little pub and because of that only officials and runners could go inside. Supporters and crew had to pretty much stay outside. I did however briefly get inside and saw another runner I knew, whom I met during Hope24 ultra in Plymouth. Richard Keefe won that event beating Matt by 1 lap, I managed to have a brief chat with Richard and he was looking good, he did mention his quads were starting to feel it now but otherwise ok. He had managed to tag along with some other runners which helped him along. So outside then I waited for Matt, and not too long after he arrived. He briefly popped into CP2 before going to his support vehicle. He took a few minutes rest inside the vehicle whilst he could and got a much needed cuddle off Cassy. He decided that Luke can catch him up as it was more fun that way and soon went back on his travels. About 15/20 minutes later Luke turned up, it was now about 3.45am ish! I quickly made sure Luke was good and told him I was off to get a few hours kip whilst I could. Luckily my parents live in Redruth so didn't have to far to go. I made it home not long after about 4.30am ish. Before I went to sleep I checked the tracker about all of them including Vicky were still going. Off to dream land I went!

With a a few hours sleep, I was soon back on it. I had to decide my next course of action. I was racing my self later that day back in Plymouth in a night race, so I had to leave at some point in time to get back for that. I thought about how well they were doing up until I left them that early morning so went to St Ives CP4 leaving out CP3. CP3 was all the way down in Sennen, which is in deep, deep Cornwall. To be honest, it's well known for it's inbreeding down those parts so thought best keep away haha! So I arrived in St Ives, and met up with a one of my best mates who has volunteered to run CP4 based in the Lifeboat Inn, St Ives. So I had company at least at this one as I awaited for the runners to arrive. Again the pub was providing hot food for the runners, if they wanted it. So to try and have the food ready for the runners when they arrived Craig went up the route through the town ready to speak to the runners so he could phone back to the CP to speak to another volunteer to order the food in advance. It was a good plan! I went with Craig so I could carry on catching up with him, as I no longer get to see him as much since I moved to Plymouth. We waited at the point the runners should come through. We kept an eye on the tracker in CP so knew when they were due through. Craig was one the phone to the CP being told they should be there any second. We looked and we couldn't see them. Luckily I had turned around and noticed they had come down the sea front via a slightly different point. Craig dashed off, luckily he is a quick runner and caught them to get their order. From that point on when ever we went out to meet the runners we made sure we covered all directions they could come from just incase. The 2 leaders were on fine form and well ahead of the others.

Looking at them you wouldn't have thought they had run that distance already! Soon Richard Keefe arrived in 3rd place, closey followed by the 4th placed runner Mark Walker. They been having a close battle since CP3 along the hardcore section of Sennen to St Ives. You know it's hardcore when the leaders took at one point and hour and half to do 1 mile! Unfortantely Matt and Luke hadn't made it to CP4 by the time I had to leave, but they were together and keeping each other going. They had dropped a few places, but still going strong. So off I went back to Plymouth to run Night Race.

"The Night Run" was a nice little off road race in Plymvalley organised by the National Trust. Good value for money event and they arrange 12 of them through out the country during the year. It was my first run since recovering from illness, so felt it a little bit. However, I completed it, and as the wife and boy were marshalling the fun run version, they were ready to go by time I finished. All 3 of us flew back down to Cornwall, hoping to catch them before they finished. With a watchful eye on the tracker we knew this was going to be possible! The guys were on their way to Gwithian, and they were flying. It was like they found a new pair of legs. I truly mean they were flying too, they had caught up with other runners and over took them. We managed to intercept them at Hell's Mouth. This was a section of the North Coast reknowned for suicides and shipwrecks. The beauty of this section of the race is the road is close to the coastal trail so you can see the runner's lights as they pass.

They came out of the darkness, the wife and myself stood waiting. We broke into a two person mexican wave and cheered them on. The boy was a sleep in the car at this point now. They saw us and immediately came over and gave us a hug! I informed them they were only about 5 minutes behind the runner in front. " Right let's get him" Luke said to Matt and off they ran, at a pace most of us would be happy with in a 10K. I couldn't believe it, having ran stupid distances I can't recall having that much energy. They did though, inhumanly! We zoomed off to the next best point to support them from, my old local beach called Portreath. There I met other friends of ours and Matt support crew as well. All waiting to do the same as me. 10.45pm they came down from the Portreath coast to the beach carpark. The fact we were all there seemed to spur them on some more. They didn't have very far left to go now as well. They took on some more supplies to finish with. Luke had a nice combination of Banana with Pork Pie at the same time. Interesting one that one, I must try it myself another time. We set them off and we all then went to meet them at the finish. Vicky was arriving in St Ives shortly at this point but still going and running great.

So we got to the finish which was The Blue Bar in Porthtowan. Already about 4 finishers had gone through including Richard who came in 3rd place! Another great achievement by the Falmouth runner. After 29 hours and 37 minutes, Matt and Luke came running down the finishing straight, it was almost midnight and Matt's mum was ringing the Cow Bell. Such a great atmosphere, was going on and I choked a little as they crossed the line. I was in awe as well as a little jealous that I wasn't apart it finishing the race with them. I was so glad I was able to be part of their journey. My boy was now awake and was soon shouting well done to both Matt and Luke, I did feel for the runner getting his head down in the bar, however my boy loves marshalling and supporting our friends, so we didn't care.

So they fnished joint 11th in the end after under 30 hours of running and 100 miles (possibly a little more knowing them), and I was there pretty much all of the way. Vicky fnished around 5.30am, another truely inspriring and amazing run! I'm glad I did it, not only did I support my friends but I experienced another great local event put on. You can't beat the experience or the atmosphere of these events when you get involved in some sort of capacity.

So from what I saw as a supporter, the event from myside of things deserves all the praise it gets. Fergie and his team did one hell of a job! Would I be on the start line next year? Unfortunately I don't know due to work, I could be at sea. However if I had a choice, yes I would!

Now, all that is over and my illness has gone, I can focus on my training. I've some big events coming up during this year. Paris Marathon in April, Hope24 Ultra in May, Dartmoor Discovery Ultra in June, #YOLO7dayUltra in August, Equinox24 Ultra in September and Snowdonia Marathon in October. I'm am completing smaller local events as well so totalling hopefully 37 for the year. Already completed 3 events so only another 34 to go.

Fingers crossed all goes well!

Until next time!