Sunday 27 November 2011

Stage 6 and the finish

Stage six began with an unexpected and quite mystical trip across the lake by the camp in 4 man canoes. The mist was heavy on the water so it looked very cool. The stage was just 13k with little over 100m elevation but crossed rice fields and bogs so not a pushover ! I decided I was going to do it as fast as my sore legs would allow. I set off quickly in the morning mist though it was very humid and the sun broke through. I was cursing as we went through bogs and town side gutter streams (sewers) as I had an open wound on my toes(infection risk). I ran well at a pace I felt I could maintain and finished in 25th for the stage, and 35th overall. 215 starters roughly so top 15%. I'm very pleased to get a huge hard won medal. I ignored the finish line food and cleaned my open wounds straight away with alcohol. I'm changing dressing and dousing in iodine every few hours until I get home where I can get it looked at. Thanks for the support. Full report when I get home!

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Friday 25 November 2011

stage 5 - when a plan comes together

We slept in a tea house after stage 4.  I ate well, slept well and ate a large, if not unusual, breakfast of Spaghetti Bolognese.  I’d been looking at the course info for stage 5 all week. 45 miles, 2900M of ascent.  Most of the ascent in 3 vicious climbs (1-2 hours each)in the first half of the race.  After that the terrain looked better.  I told myself to take it easy until I got to the top of the 3rd climb, save it all, and then see how I felt.  So we set off on what was the most unbelievably difficult 45 miles I have ever encountered.  We went up and down steep and slippy uneven stone steps and boulders, through primary jungle areas complete with leeches, and up burning hot farming terraces.  The slippy stones and climbing meant a painfully slow pace for everyone; as you will see from the wide range of result times.  I was better hydrated that anyone, I sank 4 litres in the night, and drank all day, no repeat of day 4 misery.  I ate often, a small amount every 30 mins, so was well fuelled.  So, I struggled through the first 3 climbs and 25 miles and felt good.  At CP5 the top of the 3rd climb, I got more water and passed straight through the CP in a minutes, just like I had all day and would do for the rest. I fuelled up on a handful of food, tightened my race pack and opened up.  I ran at a great pace straight through CP6 (8.5k later), it was then dark, so headlight on, I ran on the next 9.1K to CP7, all without stopping or pausing, passing a lot of people who had given it all a little too early in the race.  I saw no one shortly before CP7 until the end of the race, everyone was strung out so far. The last 10k included a horribly difficult final sting of slippy stairs and route finding was difficult as the local kids stole all the glow sticks.    Eventually I emerged onto a road and Ultra Running legend Marshall Ulrich (pulled on day 2 with sickness) was on his own directing people.  Great guy incidentally, I owe him for helping me on day 4. I lost my hat in my confusion, and well, I have the best souvenir, I have Marshall Ulrich’s cap!  Maybe some of his talent rubbed off a little as I had a good day.  In the last 2k, my body let go, with left knee pain, left Achilles pain (id ruptured the blood blister hours before incidentally, on a descent).  Still I ran through to the end and finished in 13 hours 17 mins.  I’d been Running on Empty for 10 miles and had low blood sugar.  I ate quickly while the docs advised me on the toe, and gave me some voltarol for my knee and heel.  All the skin on my little toe has gone.  I’m dousing it in alcohol every few hours(ouch) and trying to stop it being infected.  I feel good today.  Tomorrow just 13k to the finish.  I may be limping, but I’ll make it.  Thanks for the support, it’s been great. Thanks to Mike for the last min treatment, Ive had no big issues.  Feels good to get this race done.  It’s been so tough.  Looking forward to finish line pizza tomorrow.  See you at home.

 

 

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Wednesday 23 November 2011

Stage 4 - had better days

Ill spare you the detail until I get home to save worrying you anymore than reading this will.  I finished in 6 hours in 59th place but that doesnt tell the story of how close I came to not finishing.  Ive ended the stage and Im in one piece but had an awful time with severe dehydration and ive smashed up one toe and got a large blood blister that I cant burst and will struggle to run on.  If it bursts I could get cellultits again, so I have to pad it and be careful. With 1000s of up and down steps its impossible.  Dont know why my other blog updates didnt work, shame but it all went ok until today.
Tonight we sleep in tea houses (local indioor accommodation).  Tomorrow its 45 miles and 2900M of elevation.  All day and into the night and maybe beyond.  By the time you read this Ill be already started so dont worry about emailing now.  I know youre all wishing me well and I hope I can get through tomorrow. Its a huge challenge when youre in the condition I am in now.  Ill do my best.  Thanks for all the messages, both email and on the ipod from Wendy and Alex.

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Tuesday 22 November 2011

stage 3 - steady day

I decided to back off the gas today and take it easier today.  The stage was all uphill. gradual for the first 3 checkpoints, and then a brutal 650M climb up terrace steps in the hottest past of the day.  I got my gastro problems out of the way before CP1, had more immodium, its like a routine.  Still managed not to throw up yet, keeping my fingers crossed for that not happening now; stomach a bit dicey now so I hope its not on its way.  Today I did much of the stage with tent buddy James Love, until the last 5k.  I had saved plenty of energy for the hill, so arrived at the foot feeling good.  As a result I got up the hill in 1 hour 20 minutes.  It was steep, and hot, but managed to keep a good pace and then the finish came earlier than I was expecting all of a sudden, it was a nice surprise, everyone from the local village had turned up to cheer us.  The camp is at 1800M surrounded by terraced hills and white capped mountains; amazing.  They put a flower garland on everyone as they finished, it was very nice.  Despite easing off I finished in about 6:20 in 47th place, so I cant  really complain about that.  Tomorrow starts with a 1200M climb to CP1 (very hard!), and then an immediate descent of 3500 uneven steps which will be just as hard.  Trying to avoid a fall is hard.  A guy broke 2 fingers yesterday, when he fell, then re-set them, taped them up and carried on.  The photos are grim; he took some.  So I need to avoid a fall, and arrive at camp 5 safe and in good condition for the big day on day 5.  Groin did start to play up today, but on the flatter sections more than the hills.  Lucky there isnt much fllat here.  Ive stretched and exericised to keep it at bay.  Thanks for the support from everyone!

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Sunday 20 November 2011

Stage 1

Today was very tough first stage.  The weather has been hot and its very humid.  It started well with an undulating 5k, followed by 9 miles of elevation up switch-backs and steep uneven stone steps and narrow paths.  We got lost half way through due to some bad course marking.  A lot of people got lost.  We realised our mistake and backtracked addinhg a lot more elevation on.  We would have been better staying wrong I think, as those that did had an easier route.  Then about half way into the stage I had some pretty horrible gastro issues (ill spare you the details) , and had to sit down for 10 minutes after to try and eat and rehydrate.  Quite a lot of people are suffering from it, some have already pulled out.  By the time I got 3 miles from the finish I felt a lot better, and managed to come down a very steep and slippery stone steps section fairly quickly.  The last few k were on the road, so I chase down a few people and finished strong.  Not sure how many people started; maybe 230 -240.  I placed 47th in 5 hours 11, or thereabouts.  Tomorrow is longer and a lot tougher, and day 3 is ALL uphill from start to finish, no let-up.  All the ascent each day is going to be very punishing.  I hope I can stay healthy and not get more gastro issues.  All this aside, the scenary is breathtaking.  Google for Fishtail mountain, and thats what weve been running in the company of all day.  Spectacular mountain covered peaks from the Annapurna range are all around.  Its worth coming for thisd scenary along.  Thanks for the messages everyone.  Back to tent to eat and rest now.
 
Rich
 

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Wednesday 16 November 2011

Landed in Nepal

Haven't had time to post again. Been crazy busy getting ready. Got to Kathmandu an hour ago. Big culture shock, crazy busy streets much like India. 6 hour bus trip to Pokhara tomorrow. Race starts on Sunday.  Hopefully links below work to send me a message. If not just go to www.racingtheplanet.com
And follow he Nepal links to email a competitor

We've been told to expect weather from -5 and below up to 30c, chance of rain and even snow as well as hot temperatures. Just depends what the mountain weather has in store that day. The highest camp is 3200M. Race stages are 4 x marathons then a 47 miler day, then a short last day 10 or 15k fun run basically. 

My pack without water is about 7.3 kilos. 3000kcal per day. I should have plenty of food this time!  I had physio and even accupuncture on my groin injury this week. Hope it holds up. Might post again before race starts. 


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Friday 4 November 2011

Snowdonia and the accidental 1/3 marathon

I travelled to Snowdonia last Friday night.  My girlfriend and a friend from her running club were doing the Snowdonia Mararthon, which is a particularly tough route as marathons go, with 975M of elevation as well as some trail sections.  One of their friends had pulled out of the event so I was offered his spot in the Snowdon Ranger youth Hostel.  I thought I'd just use Snowdonia as a base  for some hill training over the weekend and let everyone else get on with the marathon.

I arrived late on Friday and had a room to myself. The manager of the place, was a fairly surly chap, not the happiest guy I've ever been greeted by to be honest.  Maybe it was the full house and the stress was getting to him!  The next morning I got up at 7:30 and was out by 8am.  My girlfriend had given me 2kg worth of clothes and food to hang onto during the day, to give to her on the finish line when she completed it. I added a couple more kilo of clothes and water, so had about 5-6kg to carry.  It was her first 'road' marathon, so it was a big day for her.  She knew the course was tough and has hoping to get in under 4 hours 20.  So, I was instructed I had to be waiting on the finish line with the drop bag, on pain of death.  So, no tripping around on the hills for 10 hours and forgetting the time then.  I did however say that as an extra bonus I'd also run over the pass and meet them in Llanberis for the start.  As soon as they were off, I'd hot tail it and run up the Llanberis path to climb up to Snowdon summit (1050m), then run back down the Snowdon Ranger path back to the youth hostel, as the marathon route passed it at 18 miles, then after I saw her I'd run back over the pass to Llanberis again before she got to the finish.  This was a fairly tall order;17 miles and about 1600M of ascent, with the added pressure of being 'on the clock'. 

Turns out the weather wasn't going to allow all of that anyway, however I managed to make up for it.  So, I headed out of the Youth Hostel just about 8:15am.  Pictures from the train line just above the hostel.


It was already raining lightlywith a strong wind down at the youth hostel (150M) and the cloud was down about 3-400M.  There is a stiff climb on the Snowdon Ranger Path initially before a fork in the path heads up still to the pass which sits at about 500M.  I was wearing waterproofs, jacket and trousers, and some non-waterproof gloves  By the time I got up to the highest point I was lost in cloud, with visibility less than 15M and heavy rain.  The winds were gale force and the rain was driving horizontal and stinging.  The only saving grace was that going North to Llanberis, the wind was blowing from behind me, pushing me up and along.  I hopped over a couple of stiles at the top of the pass and started to run down the path to Llanberis about 3 miles away.  It was an easy run downhill, just very windy and very wet!  It was also very cold with the rain/wind combo.


I got to Llanberis about 9:30, so it had only taken me 1 hour and 15 mins to get there.  I was however like a drowned rat.  I went into the cafe opposite the electric station and paid a hideously expensive price of £7.90 for a fairly poor (both in quality and quantity) breakfast and mug of tea.  I should have gone to Pete's Eats like everyone else apparently does on marathon day.  I stripped off my 'waterproof's' to find that my clothes underneath were wet.  My OMM Kamlieka waterproof jacket had needed re-proofing so I didn't have much sympathy for myself.  My gloves were ringing wet, and the OMM waterproof trousers were also suitably sodden but probably would take another another hour before they gave in.  I realised I wasn't going to get up to the summit of Snowdon.  I didn't have any more waterproofs and well, the winds were gale force.  It wouldn't be an enjoyable trip.  So, I would have to settle for running back over the pass to the Youth Hostel, but even that prospect I wasn't looking forward to.

My girlfriend had only a pertex jacket.  I broke out an emergency poncho from my backpack and gave it to her, for all the good it would do.  The rain was set in for the day, so all the marathon runners were going to get very wet!  Here's the start of the race. Nice weather for ducks eh?


I saw one loon running the marathon totally barefoot.  26 miles all on tarmac, with slate and rocks in a few places.  Bravado I assume; nothing to be gained but sore feet. Barefoot running on soft ground I can just about 'get' (though I'm still not tempted), but a road marathon, why?

I saw her off at the start and then went back into the town and bought a "Mac in a pack" waterproof jacket, which I was assured was quite good and had taped seams.  I also bought myself a pair of waterproof mitts, as they were in the sale and I figured I'd get some use out of them over winter, even if they were a bit overkill for today.  So, freshly kitted out I headed back up the path and over the hill.  This time I was running (before giving up) straight into the gale force wind.  I slowed to a walk and leant in to the wind and heavy rain which drove straight into me.  I was fairly quickly back into low visibility and wasn't enjoying it one little bit.  I had a big run in with bad weather in a storm in Tenerife a few years ago, and I've never quite got over it.  I hate being in poor visibility, driving rain and wind when in an unfamiliar location. 

I had been using a map and compass but pulled out my PDA/GPS which was in a new Aquapac waterproof bag to check my navigation.  The Aquapac had saved my life in Tenerife.  All my other electronics were destroyed in the storm, but my GPS in the aquapac survived and enabled me to navigate to safety.  My girlfriend had recently bought me a new type of Stormproof aquapac, which has a roll top (like a dry bag you put in a rucksack).  I didn't realise but you had to roll over the top 3 times, but my PDA was a little too large and I could only roll it over twice.  Anyway, water got in and killed my PDA, right at the point where I came to a fork in the path with no visibility.  I emailed Aquapac when I got home and they were quickly replied, and I sent back mine for investigation although it's pretty much certain that it must have been not making the seal with 3 rolls that was the cause.  They also very kindly sent me the original aquapac model as a replacement, free of charge.  This one has twist clips and is fully submersible in water to 5M.  It's basically fool (me) proof. Awesome customer care from Aquapac, thank you very much!

Anyway, back to the fork in the path.  I was a little worries and also getting cold.  The mac in a pack had proved itself to be not very waterproof, as my quilted Nike windproof top underneath was wet through.  The mac in a pack hadn't even stood up to an hour of the weather.  If I would have been out there for another hour or two, I'd probably have gotten very cold and gotten myself into trouble.  My waterproof gloves had performed admirably, but were now starting to succumb to the weather too.  My hands were toasty and I wasn't likely to get frostbite after all was I!  I got out the map, leant into the gale and decided which path I needed to take.  I passed a coupe of guys who had not long set off from the Youth Hostel.  I tried to ask them if I was on the right path, but we just couldn't hear each other.  We went our separate ways but I saw them not long after, as they wisely decided to return to sea level due to the weather.  I started to run downhill now, and the path started to look familiar.  I breathed a sigh of relief as I exited the cloud and as I run further the wind dropped.  I got back to the youth hostel level, where the weather at sea-level was just a very wet and fairly blustery day.  I saw the lead runners come past as I headed into the warm and dry of the youth hostel.  There was no way I was going back up over that pass to the finish line again, which as pack mule carrying my girlfriends finish line supplies, was a problem.

Still on the clock, I stripped off everything I had one.  It was all soaked to the core.  The waterproof trousers had also given up as well as the mac in a pack.  I put on a new pair of running tights, new socks, fleece jumper and left my Kamlieka jacket to dry in the drying room.  I had one more dry jacket, but I was saving it in case my girlfriend needed it when she came past.  I put on another pair of waterproof trousers, and then cast aside my sodden fell shoes and put on my road running trainers.  I realised the only was I was going to be able to be there at the finish was to join the marathon route, stay low in the relatively mild foul weather, and stick to the road. 

I waited outside the YHA for about 30 mins until she came past.  She was soaked to the bone, but didn't want the waterproof jacket I held out as she was warm enough from the running.  So, I hastily stuffed it into the backpack, which was still about 5kg and gave chase, caught up with her, and settled into her 9 minute mile marathon target pace, just before mile 18.  I think I got a few surprised looks as we passed people and some lunatic in full waterproofs and a large backpack was running past them.  I felt a bit guilty and hope they didn't think I had run the whole race, and demoralise anyone.  Still, I had already done about 12 miles and climbed about 700M.  I probably wasn't too far off in energy spent!

The rain persisted but still there were lots of people out supporting the runners.  There is a cruel hill from about mile 22 to mile 24, a long gradient which some walk and some run depending on how much they have left.  The course really is a tough one.  I had some quite severe adductor pain, which has not healed after the 80km race a did last weekend.  I was pretty hot wearing all the gear that I did, as well as the pack but just about managed to keep up as she ran up the hill.  We slowed up to a walk about half a mile from the top, which gave me chance for a breather before she carried on running all the way down the slippy and treacherous trail section into Llanberis.  I've snuck into the official race photography, oops.  See the picture below.  You can see even in waterproofs, which are by then shiny and useless, I was wet through again.

A few people fell over, and I just about managed to stay on my feet; road shoes giving me no grip at all.  We ran down the hill and into Llanberis where I ducked off the road and onto the pavement and let her carry on through the finish line.  She finished in just a few minutes over 4 hours,so she was very happy indeed.  Well done!  I was on hand to perform my main duty as pack mule, and got out her bag of clean clothes and sorted out some tea and refreshments (in the Electric Station cafe this time).  So, apart from a very sore adductor all was well.  It may not have been quite the day I was expecting but I had done about 20 miles and over 1000M of ascent, with some excitement and several changed of clothes to boot!

The following morning, the weather was much improved at sea-level and the cloud was up to about 600M.

Looking towards Snowdon

I set off alone on the Snowdon Range Path with the aim to climb Snowdon again.  I did do some running but my adductor was sore, and really concerning me.  The path gets much steeper on loose rocks and slate.


I got up into the cloud where the winds were touching gale force again, low vis and fairly miserable.  I climbed up to 850 metres, about 1.5k from the summit, but at that point considered my options.  I'd done most of the climbing and was worried that I could be doing more damage to the adductor if I did a big day out again.  It was also miserably cold and windy where I was, and no visibility, so no reward for reaching the summit anyway.  So, decision made a run and walked back down to the YHA.  I took a few pictures once I got back under the cloud.



A ray of light...

This week I've had several massage treatments to try and settle the adductor.  I've not done any running.  I've walked into work with my pack a couple of times and done some passive sessions on the altitude machine.  This means I sit still but breath in air at 6500M.  It makes you very sleepy as the oxygen sats plummet towards 70%.  I've been advised not to run this weekend either.  It's very frustrating as I should be peaking my training, but I'm wise enough to know when to back off.  Next weekend's 26 miles  Six Dales Circuit is very much in jeopardy too, as that's just 3 days before I fly to Nepal.  The adductor issue is worryingly the opposite side to my other groin problem, which is also problematic at the moment too.

I've just got to hope that 10 days rest is going to sort things out.  This weekend I'll have to do my packing for Nepal, so I'll update about that next week.  Have a good week!