Hope 36 - Finally Back to Racing

 It’s strange to think it’s been way over a year since I last raced. Due to being deployed or being quite ill for a long period of time prevented me from treading a start line. 

So the build up to Hope 36 for me was not my normal build up. I was ill up until basically June (including ending up in A&E) with tests still on going now as they try to work out what is going on. So although I was allowed to keep running (thanks Doc) and my miles have been consistent whilst running everyday (Over 5 years and still going) the actual training hasn’t been happening. The Doc said to carry on what I was doing but take it easy. Then leading up to the race two weeks to go, I caught the lurgy again and still had it just about at the start. 

Bib Number for Hope 36

So for those who don’t know, Hope Trail Festival started 10 years ago as a one off 24 hour race to raise some money by the legends Danny Slay, Pete Drummond and 4 other fire fighters for charity. It grew over the years and last year was taken over by GBUltras who have a portfolio of events around the UK. Wayne Drinkwater the owner of GB Ultras had race Hope 24 in the early years so was fully aware of the community and event that was built by Danny and Pete. 

This year was the 10th Anniversary of the event, only missing 2 due to deployments I was eager not to miss this one. The event has played a big part of my running career over the years. I decided to run the 36 hour event again, but I was more excited about seeing friends, who I’ve not seen in a long time. 

The race weekend came, and Thursday like always I went to help out set up the course etc. I had already pre booked the time off work before I knew the loading pattern at work, so the latest group of recruits I pass out on the Friday. This event is always been a community thing, so it’s always nice to see others come and help where they can. It also allows me to set up my tent early as well which is a bonus. 

Race morning, and I was awake at 0630 (still in work mode although this is a lie in for me). This would be the last time I sleep for quite a while. I get down to the event arena and help a little more with the set up. 2100 was the start time, so it does keep me busy and my mind off the race for a while. Keeping my RaceZilla attitude to a minimum. Full of nerves, and just a dick basically. 

Eventually it was time, there were a few more 36 hour racers this year, which is good to see. People stepping further out of their comfort zone and also realising it could give them a better chance of the 100 mile buckle compared to 24 hour race, if they race it sensibly. It had been chucking it down with rain all afternoon right up until the start time. So now I had to decide how I was going to cope with wet feet from the start. Then I realised I has some gortex walking trainers. So I decided to wear them until either the wet grassy areas dried up or a trodden path formed by the runners appeared.

So the whole idea if the 12,24 & 36 hour race is to smash out as many 5 mile multi terrain hilly laps as you want. This still of the timed event is ideal for all runners wanting to step into the world of ultras, see how far they can go or just want to put some miles in with out the worry of cut offs. You can do just 1 lap of you wanted, it wouldn’t be the cheapest of 1 laps but if that’s what you wanted you can. The event itself is still good value for money. Like everything prices do go up and I have no doubt will do again, but it’s worth the pennies in my honest opinion doing this events for as long as I have. 

Having not raced for a long time, and not been fully well for a long period, I was going out to have some fun and see what I can do. The last time I did 36 hour race I was awake for 51 hours. I don’t plan on that happening again but we shall see what the body says. 

The race started and off we went! 5 miles of beautiful trails, with the sunsetting, the head torches were worn as we lost light pretty soon especially going into the wooded sections. I wore my gortex walking trainers to run into start with. I was going to change into my newer Asics Trail shoes later on.

18 hours into the race pic by AG Images

Soon enough we were into the early morning hours, and I was tired “zzzz”! As I came into the wooded section of of the course after the long slog up Pylon hill, I started to fall asleep whilst running. This wasn’t fun, I tripped over roots a couple of times also. As I made my way back to my tent after finishing that lap, I sat down and thought I should try and kip. I tried but no bananas. I went out for another lap and by this time the sun was starting to rise. 

Boom! A second wind came and a went smashed out another 3 laps full of energy and the legs feeling ok. I changed shoes, feet were still dry and I was no longer feeling tired (first mistake). This was not good! Post those laps I started to be on a major come down. Like I had taken something to enhance my performance and it wore off. (I hadn’t taken anything just in case someone started wondering). My happy hormone levels had dropped, legs start to feel solid as I made my way round the next couple of laps.

Sunday morning Sunrise

I had taken a break after each lap, fuelling and hydrating. But now the breaks started to get a little longer each time (second mistake). I still couldn’t nap (3rd mistake) and I was struggling on course. I was starting to not enjoy myself out there. 

A couple of friends had a massage gun, which they kindly offered for me to use to see if it would help the legs out. Never used one before, as I have looked into them and found they don’t really do anything like they suggest but worth a shot! I gave my legs a good battering with the massage gun, but sadly I was correct. It doesn’t really do anything. 

The second night came and on with the head torch once more. Again being so tired and awake for over 40 hours at this point, I started to trip and fall sleep whilst on the trails. (Having spoke to others I wasn’t alone in this, others felt the same during the first and second night and one even actually went to sleep on the trail floor lol). I got back to the ten after the lap and decided to try and grab a couple hours of sleep. I fell straight to sleep and woke up after a couple of hours. It bloody worked to my legs felt great again, they recovered pretty quickly. I went out and put some more laps in. The buckle had already gone from my grasp so having those few hours sleep wasn’t going to make a difference. 

Finish Selfie

I went out on my final lap with 20 mins of the 36 hours to go. One more lap it was! The 12 hour racers had already finished at 2100 the day before, the 24 hour races soloist and team relayers were still flying around as they still had more time to go. They started at 1200 on the Saturday. The last lap did seem to drag, but I was the last 36 hour racer still out on course. 

My little family who crewed me, came out to the last section to join me before heading to the finish lien to see me finish. As tradition, I always sprint finish the final arena section to the finish line. Off I went! But as I approached the finish line, there were awards being given to those already finished and podiumed of other races. I never got my finish line action pic, I usually got. As the last 36 hour finisher I did feel a little forgotten about due to the awards ceremony being done on the finishline. I grabbed my medal, went on got a post race portrait. And that was that! 80 miles completed with in the 36 hour period. Not my best by far and I am capable of more but with how my year has been, I am proud of myself. My run streak continued, so that was pleasing too. 

Post Race Portrait by Dan Bentley

I was able to go up the and down the stairs the following morning with out issue, pretty much no DOMS, so I went for my usual recovery runs for the week. I'm really pleased how well my legs recovered. Now I can look at getting back training seriously whilst continuing my run streak.

It was great that I got to see old friends and make new ones along the way. I enjoyed myself out there for the majority of the race, can’t say I enjoyed falling asleep whilst running lol. The race event itself still holds that special place in my heart. I’m glad it’s continuing on under GBUltras. Yes they are still learning and trying to find ways they can improve, but they have done a great job this year! 

So I can still highly recommend this event, especially if you want something to challenge you, an event with a great atmosphere and an event worth the pennies. We have lots of event companies folding down here in the South West, and this event is worth making the weekend of! 

Well done GBUltras

Until next time

One Thousand, Five Hundred Days of Running Everyday - What I have learnt

So, it’s been a while since I’ve put pen to paper as the saying goes and written a blog, but as it’s a big milestone coming up with the run streak I thought, let’s get back on the horse and write one. 

 

I’ve been so pre-occupied with work, making content for social media and YouTube and of course running every day, I’ve just not had the effort level to write a blog. I was actually sat at my desk in the Ops Room with time to spare; it seemed a good opportunity to do so. 

 

The milestone I’ve just hit recently is the 1500^th day of running every day. That is just over 4 years of running every day with out fail. For it to be an official run streak it has to be at least one mile a day, but I’ve not had to do a mile day in a long time now. I will always have that in my back pocket though should I need to a streak saver. 

 

I’m currently away with work at sea, and I’ve had a few people ask “How would I keep my streak up at sea?” and “What am I going to do when I go back to sea?” They weren’t curious questions with good intentions. They were asked with expectation of failure. 

The day the streak started 19th May 2019 Plymouth Half

If anything, the last 1500 odd days of running everyday has taught me, that there are only excuses. I’ve built my discipline up, that even after the many races I’ve done including ultra marathons, I’ve got myself out and ran. Even when in my last role in work where I was in work at 0530 and finishing at 2230, I was still getting my run done at 0330/0400 those days. So why wouldn’t I be able to keep my streak up at sea.

 

Running everyday isn’t easy by any means, many fail for one excuse or another. It’s why it’s deemed as a challenge. As for something to be deemed a challenge, there must be a chance of failure. This is why I never set my self any goals for the run streak, that way I can never fail!

 

Since I started the run streak over 4 years ago, I have broken personal bests, achieved a podium and a couple top 10 finishing results in some ultra marathon events. I pass the stair test now every time after a marathon or ultra marathon. What’s the stair test? You know being able to go up and down stairs not looking like you’ve shit your pants. DOMS disappear pretty quickly, which is down to nailing my recovery very well. Which also has lead me to not being injured through running or running everyday. Some people say I’m just lucky, they maybe right but those are the same people I know have been injured a lot over the same period because they don’t do recovery properly. 

Hope24 - 24 hour running and I still kept run streaking

What have I learnt over the last 1500 odd days then?

 

1. No excuses – It’s so easy for people to find an excuse not to some thing everyday. We were born to be mobile. It doesn’t have to be running.
2. Recovery – Being disciplined in your recovery is one of the key things. Recover properly and it would lessen the chance of injury. You will see people go for a recovery/easy run on strava because that’s what they’ve called it, but it’s the same pace as the hard/threshold etc run the day before. Sleep well and eating well as just as important to the recovery as doing your recovery activity properly. Not a single ice bath or foam roller was needed ;-)
3. Discipline – It took me a little while, but I found I can be disciplined, listening to my body, sticking to recovery programme after a big race even if felt strong. If I have to do a recovery run or easy run then I’ll do it. Plus they are my fav kinds of runs as well. 
4. Making it fun and keeping it fresh – Not a single run has been the same; something has always been different, even if it was a little change. Fun is always in my opinion the most important thing. If you’re not enjoying it, then you’re doing it wrong. Much like pretty much every thing in life.
5. Planning – A lot of people fail due to poor planning. Then it becomes and excuse. 

 

That is just some things I’ve learnt.

 

Don’t be scared to take selfies, action shots or anything. Logging your runs, however you want to keep you accountable is up to you. If it gets you out there, then you take that selfie. 

 

I’m still a toddler in the run streak world; I’ve grown from the baby stage into the toddler stage. There are runners out there with 10,20,30,40 years plus out there. Although the legend Dr Ron Hill still owns the World Record of 52 years and 39 days, although he sadly past away a couple of years ago. 

2nd Place at the Madness of King George 36 hour non stop race 

But what’s it like running every day at sea?

 

Now, up until I went back to sea I ran every run out doors. It was amazing, then I joined my latest ship and due to weather conditions in the North Sea and the Arctic Circle most of my runs at sea were on the treadmill (insert puke face). I did manage to grab a hand full of runs around the upper deck but the treadmill kept my streak going. Them the next part of the trip, at the time of writing this I’ve been super lucky the weather, and ship’s programme has allowed me to run every day at sea around the upper deck. 

 

Along the way I’ve run in some great countries in the streak and this recent deployment. But as always, planning has been important. Working my runs in and around my work which includes watchkeeping (shifts) be it 6 hours on 6 hours rotation or standard cruising watches etc. I’ve had to plan when I was going to run and get it done. For instance, currently I’m doing 12 hours on watch and 12 hours off watch. I come off watch at 1am, go to bed not long after, get up at 5am and go for my run, then get back in bed afterwards until lunch time. That’s when I get breakfast, and then go back on watch. 

 

During the run streak I’ve had all the comments about its bad for you etc. If there was a run streak comment bingo, I think I could tick it all off more than once. 

Not all the running at sea have been on the treadmill of doom

Run streaking, isn’t a cool thing. It is though something runners can incorporate into their training without the worry of injuring themselves from it. Runners get injured because they do something wrong in the majority of cases and that doesn’t matter whether they run every day or every other day. If someone came to me for advice on run streaking or looking to give it a go, I’d support them and not give them false information of how bad it is. I’ve seen it a lot, especially on social media. 

 

Do I recommend running everyday? Only if running is your thing, but its not for everyone, even if they are a runner. I get it, I do but what I highly recommend is being active everyday. We can fit something of benefit in every day. Active Recovery should not be dirty words, there are a lot of benefits from it and I see it all the time with those I know who carry out active recovery in some form. I see more injuries in runners who don’t do active recovery than I do in those who do something. 

Running in the Mountains of Bergen, Norway 

 

It's quite funny but leading up to this big milestone, I’ve never been injured through running or running everyday itself but whilst in Kiel, Germany, I injured myself by doing other stuff LOL. Firstly, after quite a few drinks, I thought it was a bright idea to electric scooter back to the ship giving an Oppo a lift. We didn’t see a curb at 3am in the dark and crashed quite heavily. I had a swollen elbow; bashed head and I pulled my calf a little as I went head first into an ATM booth LOL. The following day walking back to the ship sober after some food out. I stopped to talk a pic (air balloons in the sky with loads of warships in the background, sad I know), and I wasn’t paying attention. I took the pic, turned around and caught my left foot on a raise manhole type cover. This led me to try and stop myself stacking it by ending my right leg. This then over extended my calf muscle the one already hurt from the scooter crash and proper pinged it. DOH! So since then, I’ve been doing the minimum 1 mile run slow and at the pace comfortable enough to run to keep the streak alive (insert facepalm here). But like I said the majority of injuries are caused by mistakes and that includes most of those runners who are injured. 

Taken during one of shorter runs in Kiel, Germany

So, here we are, still running every day, no injuries caused by running or running everyday. Running isn't bad for you, running everyday isn't bad for you. People make excuses not to be active everyday. Go out and do something!

Anyway I think I’ve waffled on enough. Remember however you choose to run be it everyday or every other day. It should be fun, not a chore and recovery is the key! Don't forget you can find me on Instagram Click Here or on TikTok Click Here or on YouTube Click Here

Until next time. 

𝑶𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒏