The year 2012

RIP Charlie

Sat bored at home with food poisoning is a good time to reflect on the year gone by and the year ahead. So here goes.
Running became my main focus in 2012. From being just a way of staying fit this now has flooded me with possibilities, endless goals and exciting challenges. My pursuit of climbing, skiing, touring, diving becomes increasing distant due to  a lack of many things, buddies, friends, weather systems and money. But running really comes down to you. The sport of trail running has allowed me to connect to the outdoors whenever I feel like connecting, never having to wait for a free weekend, funds in the bank, available friends. I get out and run. I can attempt whatever challenge near or far I choose.

I started the year with a fine wild camp on Hurst spit enjoying a warm meal and good company, then curing my hangover with a slow run (17m) home from the New Forest. The week after 18miles on the Jurassic Coast, stunning scenery to keep those legs going up those hills to see what splendid views await. Then I ran from the source of the River Itchen home (24m) and on tired legs completed the Stonehenge Stomp a well organised marathon by the LDWA. Insisting afterwards that I would be doing more of these, a year has passed and I have failed. It just shows how you can miss out due to putting things off. So, hopefully I will get around to participating in more LDWA events this year.

February brought a strange illness/virus that lasted most of the month and knocked me for six resulting in little running and a first DNS. I did get to North Wales for a few days up in the wet and windy mountains which did cheer me up.

Feeling fresher in March I met up with Dave in the Alps and we had a memorable mix bag of skiing, via ferrating, mountaineering and touring. Days fondly remembered especially ripping it up, down the steep powdered treeline slopes. Depresses me now thinking that we won't be repeating this this year and hope budgets allow it for 2014 as these winter trips are my life blood in my adventure. Back home the running is again held off by a stinking cold resulting in me doing nothing till I do my first solo Adventure race held in The Forest. Clearing the running section but doing quite lame on the bike.
April and May brought mixed emotions. Another DNS due to my car blowing up on the motorway to the event and costing me a bomb. But, I was in good condition and so the running miles started to flow. Good training culminating in a fantastic weekend running the Jurassic coast again, a beautifully exhausting day. Stopping at winspit for an overnight wild camp after 26miles, warmly met by Jake and Melisa for a bbq and beers. Shattered the next day I shortened the route and so this year I'll have to return and repeat with a fully version.

June, we must of had good weather as I went climbing a few times, even went out on the bike. Took on a 12hr Adventure race solo in Mid Wales and took on the weather and my first fell race in North Wales in the 1000m peak race. The weather so foul that the course was altered completely apart from the end up to snowdon. The weather being that fickle we managed to climb milestone buttress in the dry the next day with kayakers paddling their hearts out down the flooded rivers!


Training and running for running sake is all good but to get the most out of what you are capable of and to give a little motivation then setting yourself a challenge or signing up for something gives you something tangible to look ahead, to get you out the front door, to inspire. And so, this month I decided to set a challenge I thought I may or might not be able to attempt. I signed up for the Longmynd Hike 50miler in october. If I could finish this it gave me the added incentive of UTMB points. I love Chamonix and all around it has all I want. I have, skied and climbed here for many years and so to visit and run here would be special.
July was all about enjoying the summer. Perfectly reflected at the end of the month by climbing at swanage on the friday, wild camping with buffulo steaks and vintage wine on the saturday and running (my first ultra of the year) the 29miles home on the sunday to get into the spirit of the olympics.
My second Ultra came around quick in August in the Salisbury 54321. The miles racked up for a monthly best of 190. This showed me that if runs were difficult during the week due to work then taking on back to back runs and/or double daily runs, the miles and the intensity was not lacking. From completing my first ultra the year before and struggling to walk the week after, I was now feeling tired but capable of doing recovery runs, which means I was building a solid endurance base now. My new headtorch arrived this month and I treated myself to a solo wild camp in the New Forest, testing out the torch with a night run, then ran (23m) home the next day.
More high mileage in September but, nicely overlapped with a great weekends climbing in the Wye Valley, wild camping on the shores of the river and entertained that night by fireworks, then stars lighting up the night sky. The week later brought us back up to Wales for another 12hr Adventure race, this time in a team with Jake and Melissa. A long day in a spectacular location. Ended the month by going on holiday and relaxed plenty as the 50 mile race was just around the corner. But if the mountain environment inspires me to challenge myself, the underworld reflects on the beauty of this planet, from the noble nudibranches to the majestic manta rays.

The big month, October. It starts in the worse way with a cold, no doubt thanks to the flight home. Having huge doubts about whether to bother and racking up another DNS I head up thinking I can just take it one CP at a time and boy am I glad I made the trip. A great race, intensely satisfying and now definitely hooked on Ultras.

Still buzzing in November I signed up for the Ultra Brecons 42 miler in december. Why not. I kept running this month but what was best is that I decided to help out with a race. It was a new concept by James Adams of setting out a group of runners in a unknown route on a unknown distance called The Piece of String Race. The weather again was foul but the runners sure did give it their all. It was mightily impressive and for me it was good to be around extraordinary people and get caught up in the infectious world of ultra running.

Back in Wales for December and took part in the Might Contain Nuts 42 miler around the brecons. We were blessed with a fine day for running and a glorious sunrise. A well organised race and again it was all the competitors, organisers and volunteers that made it enjoyable. Talking of fun I also took part in the Turbo X 10 miler, a mud infested swamp run which I ran hard and came 22nd. Although and I cannot pin point it to here, I picked up my first real injury for the year, tendon damage to my foot arch. But my running for the year done, it was time to rest with just a few long runs here and there mainly to ensure that I reached my target of 1500miles for the year.

After Christmas I spent some days in the Yorkshire Dales with friends and rekindled my love of mountain biking which has been sorely neglected this year but, hopefully not for next. I also headed over to the Lake District and caught up with a climbing friend and somehow through all this weather we managed a half decent days' climbing in the Langdales on wet, cold rock. A 22mile run on NYE took me over my target for the year and so ended 2012 extremely content.



           
2012 Stats.......
With 186 days of training, over 200 exercise sessions accumulating 430 odd hours. I am happy. I set out to do 1500 running miles and achieved it, especially after half the year gone it looked like an uphill struggle. I wanted a challenge that would see me out my comfort zone and completing the 50 miler certainly tried me out. But far from it being the finish line, I want to keep persevering and looking into what I can attain.

So lets take a look at 2013 for me. I am hoping that by writing it down, desires now will not get neglected like I feel they did after my first LDWA event, although what I want is more than I can deliver due to finances at the mo. So if I cannot do a big race I would like to do then all I shall do is pack my overnight bag and go running and wild camping somewhere new instead.

March - Paris Ultra Trail 80km. I wanted to combine this with a ski trip. Time is running out and I still dont have the money. So it may have to be delayed a year.
April - London Marathon. I got in after 5 years of waiting so I should do it. I might look to work on my speed to get a time i'll be happy with as it will probably be my first and only road marathon.
June - Lavardo Ultra 122km, Italy. this is my target race of the year now. Can I do 75 mountain miles?
July - Andulus Ultra 250km, Spain. This is a multi staged race and will enter if I do not get into Lavardo.
August - UTMB CCC 100km. Have entered the CCC ballot so fingers crossed, a bonus target race.

Here's to 2013. Good fortunes to all.

MCN Winter UB42

With a quick registration I treated myself to a beer and curry down the road then headed back to sort my gear out at the Outdoor centre. The room had an international feel to it, Peter from Denmark and Mark and Kevin, brothers from Ireland. We were all eager for the race start. Peter was doing his first Ultra after competing in some IronMans and amazingly Mark and Kevin were competing in their 11th Ultra this year. Their goal is to complete the 12th just before Christmas in their hometown. Good luck guys and great achievement.

Morning arrived too early. Why is it that everyone gets up way too soon? Relax. With the noise and the heat of the room it was pointless sleeping in so, I went down and had a bacon and sausage roll made by the superb onsite Chef and managed to 'borrow' a few rolls for myself so I could make some meat and cheese sandwiches. It was decision time on what to wear. It was cold and dark which made you want to put on all your layers but the day had promise so I went with shorts and just a thermal top. Kitted up took my overloaded heavy sack - one day I'll learn to take the right amount of food and water, one day.
The start was down by the canal at Talybont. Excitement was in the air, the full moon was showing and the day-light was creeping in as we all began The Ultra Brecon 42 Winter Edition by The Might Contain Nuts team up the gentle slope to Talybont reservoir.

As always the start had the usual hustle and bustle with people trying to find there space, luckily there were no styles for a couple of k's so the field had spread by the time we hurdled our first fence. Watching a runner lifting his gorgeous husky's over the fences made me think it was gonna be a tough day for him and chatting to him later in the race covered in mud, the dogs had been too quick for him on the downs and took him clean out on more than one occasion. Still, I heard he finished the race and all enjoyed it (can't wait to get a dog myself and do this).

As we horseshoed away and back to the reservoir the morning sunrise views were spectacular with valley inversion mist, glowing red skies all accumulating into a perfect winters morning out running with 150ish like minded enthusiasts.
It wouldn't all go my way though. After a glorious muddy descent where one unfortunate had gone over on his ankle and was being  helped down by a couple of gracious guys. We took on another hill and I decided to try and start offloading some of my food, in doing this I chipped another one of my teeth. I had broken one of my smaller front teeth only the day before and 'luckily' had booked a dentist appointment for monday (only 200quid to fix hmm that's a couple of races). This played on my mind for a while as I couldn't help thinking that all my teeth were about to fall out! I ate more tentatively from then on in and tried to stay away from all my sugary sweets. As misfortune would have it my mind was taken away from my teeth to my feet as a hot spot was being felt on my left heel. Something I am pleased to say is that I have hardly ever suffered from blisters so this was a little disconcerting. In hindsight wearing old crappy shoes that I'm sure were rubbing all week at work and old socks on the day were to blame. I stopped and applied a compeed whilst watching numerous runners overtake me.
Coming into CP3 by Pontsticill Resevoir (all amazing CPs btw and wonderful marshals) I felt another hot spot on my right heel but choose to ignore it as I kept saying I'd change my socks soon (I had brought 4 pairs along with me). Soon after leaving though I decided to plaster up my heel but left my wet socks on for one more CP. With body and mind fixed we climbed up into the wastelands where the wind picked up interspersed with a few light showers. But enough to put my waterproof and gloves on. The wind was bitter but the cold had its benefits in that the moorland was mostly frozen and not horrendously boggy as is the norm. My only incident here was mistaking a piece of ice for a rock and subsequently going knee deep into the bog.
At the next CP I knew the next section from the MCN adventure race and so knew it to be very boggy and decided to keep the wet socks on and could run the paths straight rather than scamper around the countless puddles and bogs. I was getting tired by this point and after finally changing my socks at the next CP it was all uphill to Pen Y Fan. A long tedious ascent where I started to doubt myself finishing. I felt that I had enough and didn't have the energy to cope with more hills. These I need to train on as I was slow and always felt like I was losing time as I trudged my way up these steep endless slopes. A nasty short steep up and down brought us near the top of Corn Du and veered off NW down what can only be described as one of the most exhilarating descents I have done. It not only cured my misery but is motivating me to head up here when I can, to do the hill training that's needed and to get the cherry on top descents.
Still buzzing from the last section I topped up my water at the CP and was told less than a half marathon and the easiest part to go. Here there was plenty of tracks and roads but still a fair amount of tough hills to challange any comments of this being the easy bit. Heading down a steep embankment I managed to tumble head over arse and my knee actually plugged into the mud. Managing to unplug myself I noticed a river, which had no natural crossing and so the only thing was to wade right through it, but, forgetting to wash the mud off whilst there. Heading back out the valley a hill, sorry mountain, starred down at me and my only thought was 'shit, not sure I can do this'. As luck and the kind gods would have it a little way up a marker traversed us around and on the steady contour to the final CP where I changed socks again for the final 6 mile leg.
Easier ground from here although the Irish brothers missed a marker and added 4miles to their ultra. As dusk was approaching we were treated to a stunning sunset and I was making good time and from not seeing another person for ages I managed to pass a few on a tricky slanting footpath which went for ages which  I'm sure has aggravated my ankle due to the angle and running hard on a tired body. We approached the canal and followed this down for a short section. It was hard to believe that we were running on this canal all those hours ago and had now circumnavigated the Brecons. The finish was also known to me from the adventure race and so with darkness falling fast I at least knew where the finish was and duly kicked on to finish in around 9hrs covering 42miles with circa 8000ft of ups and downs (came in 30th).
The finish felt good and after a clean up had some food and watched some other runners finishing. Then we headed to the pub for a few too many beers and good conversation about a great race and what next.

Maldives 2012

Holiday video..

Maldives 2012 (long) from Andy Humphrey on Vimeo.

Longmynd 50 Mile Hike

A lack of recent training, mild jet lag, a stinking cold and massive apprehension before race day. All bring doubt on whether you can complete a 50 mile race. This was my first race at this distance, I had been training and looking forward to this all summer. Getting a cold the day before really does put a dampener on the excitement, instead disappointment on thoughts of not even being at the start line.
I got up on race day, took a load of drugs and set off at 7am on a 3+hour journey to Shrewsbury. Feeling somewhat nauseous I arrived in glorious weather and parked and went about the formalities of registering and getting my kit checked by the marshalls. My bag felt heavy but I couldn't discard anything. Apart from drinks and a few sweets etc nothing would be provided. So all food and gear had to be carried (there was no drop bags either). So what did I have : Waterproofs top and bottom, 2 thermal tops, spare socks, gloves, 3 buffs, torch , spare batteries, comprehensive first aid kit, lots of food inc. 5 ham and cheese rolls, 3 packs of biscuits, 5 brekkie bars, jaffa cakes, sweets, 5 caffeine gels, phone, 2 litres of water and what i had on for running.
1pm came and it began. 100's ran, 100's walked. I got in mid pack and was happy with the pace especially as the start included 2 of the toughest hills,  a 750ft ascent of Caer Caradoc closely followed by a 550ft steep ascent of The Lawley.
 This spread out the field a little but I was happy just to keep sticking to groups and following so that I didn't have to rely on my map skills. Plenty of undulating terrain followed which I stuck to my plan of walking up the hills and running the flats and downs.  more tough long hills down and the CPs were ticking off nicely and the hills of The Longmynd, The Stipperstones and Earls Hill, all painstakingly conquered. The day was perfect the views stunning. Sun out but cool, the only problem was the mud. Every turn brought more squelching unavoidable mud turning your footwear into a wet sodden mess.
After an eternal road walk we got to the Shelve CP as it got dark, so roughly 27miles and 6 hours in. Here we had to change into night wear. I put on some leggings, changed my top for a long sleeve thermal and best of all put on my fresh pair of socks. Felt real good. As well as a change we had to group up. I had for a lot of the race been leapfrogging a couple of guys, Andy and Craig so we decided to join forces with 2 others. And set of into the night.
Within minutes I had plunged myself into ankle deep bogs and so had ruined my dry socks. Still, there was more on my mind. We had to get up the next big hill of Corndon Hill. Painful and at the top you could feel the temperature drop and wind pick up so we made sure we got a move on to keep on. This was a little too pacey for the other 2 so they decided to let us go ahead at the next CP. I haven't particularly done any night running but the was very enjoyable especially with the others around. The night running brings pluses and minuses, the good side is that you cannot see how big the hills are you have to climb but, in the dark you have to be a lot more clued up on the navigation. And following a footpath through woodlands soon showed us how easy it is to get disorientated and unsure of your surroundings, only through pushing on and finally hearing the sound of the occasional car brought us out onto the road. From here it's mandatory sections to take us up the next peak of Black Rhadley.

With 2 other groups following us we crossed some heath land we took a sheep track and went a little out the way. Lucky through good judgement from Andy he took us over the heath to the CP. So only 10+minutes lost plus extra wet feet from jumping poorly over a pond. Tip - don't follow unless you are certain of the way.
By this point we were over 40miles down and the mind is in a good state as the finish seems so close we were passing people/groups at regular intervals which is always a little pleasing (at mile 20 I was told I was in 75th place). The body though is in a different state. We all have problems, cramps, pains, soreness. My thighs were solid hurt but I felt ok to keep moving. The worst was the underside of my left foot, I expect I had trench foot. There was just searing pain on each foot strike (later looking at it there were 2 massive groves that had been made and just extremely sensitive to the touch, still are).
With the finish in sight there was just a few more obstacles to overcome. The first being a thigh bashing 700ft descent into Minton which pretty much finished us off. I was actually thinking at the top that I was still enjoying this, this proved short lived. Soon after the descent pretty much came my one and only lowpoint. These are hard to shake off, but chatting to the guys, eating, drinking, more ibuprofen and things became bearable again. Only Ragleth Hill to crawl up and then descend into town and then run, jog, shuffle to the finish.

Through all the doubts at the start to actually finish and finish well. Well I cannot say just how happy I was. The body racked with tiredness and pain all I could do for the next hour before going to bed was to have a beaming smile. A great run and 2 great running companions in Andy and Craig. Plus all the other good natured runners along route, who all had time for a quick chat etc.

Finally, the organisation. What can you say about the support, truly amazing, we just do the race these guys are out from start to finish helping, cheering, motivating, looking after us for all hours in all conditions and just making us all feel better. Thanks to each and everyone of you.

Stats:  51 miles, circa 9,500 ft of ascent and descent in just over 12 hours (placed 42nd).

Note : Finished with too much food 1 roll, 4 gels, jaffas, a few biscuits and bars and the bag feeling just as heavy as the start.

MCNUTS Black Mountains Adventure Race

Warm up

Travelled up to Shropshire on the friday to scope out a few miles for the long race I am doing next month. A few things came to light in that there are a lot of tough hills and navigation will be hard especially as I lost my way a couple of times in the daylight and I will be covering this ground at night. Still a good recce and hill miles in the legs.

14 miles 2hrs 45mins.

After this I headed south to the Black Mountains for the next round in the Might Contain Nuts 12 hour Adventure Race series. 

The morning of the race arrived and the team gathered, Jake, Melissa and myself and made tactics. Not particularly looking at the big picture we decided to go for the  big points on the first stage.

T1 Run 15 miles 1000m elevation 4 hrs

What an introduction to the Black Mountains, some serious hills taken in, stunning scenery and fun induced cross country which didn't suit all but I was loving the differcult decents. An annoying 20+mins looking for CP didn't help our cause. Although we got the points we had seriously underestimated the terrain and how long it would take us over the high ground as we crossed over a reservoir and 'sprinted' to the transition missing out on a point CP due to not having a spare 10minutes. The additional hour it took us to complete this stage meant we were now playing catch up for the rest of the race.

T2 Bike 25miles 1000m 3hrs

Chasing time for the kayak cutoff we decided on the best direct route available, more roads than desired and less points to go for, this still encompassed 25 brutal miles of hills. One a near 600m of ascent over a few miles. Gruellingly hard. But a justified reward with the best descent of the day over tough steep technical ground marred only by missing a cp and having to crawl back up 100ft to tag in.

Then Jake's bike caught a branch which broke his chain, luckily just on the link so was quickly fixable. Some luck at last. At the transition we agreed with RD Matt to bike the remaining 3miles to the kayak so that we were not late and so could enjoy the 3rd discipline (40miles 2000m 7hrs).

T3 Kayak 5.5miles 1hr

All 3 of us boarded a canadian canoe. Jake steering/relaxing whilst Melissa and me put all the dogwork in. A good paddle down a beautful stretch of the Wye. Jake even managing to pull a 360 in one of the mini rapids. Tranquility and rest was soon aborted when trying to get out the river where 20 other people were lingering with boats etc strewn everywhere. Soon out and painstakingly working the legs to a sombre run through Hay on Wye to the bike transition (45.5miles 8hrs (1mile run 20mins)).

T4 Bike 5miles 1hr 40

Not over yet. With tiring bodies and sore backsides it was back on the bikes for a strength sapping 500m steep ascent the only saving grace was that it was on minor roads, although they went on and on and on.

(51.5miles 10hrs 2600m)

T5 Run 5miles 1.5hrs 200m

With light fading and bodies failing it was just an 'easy' jog home. Running below the stunning peak and superbly named Lord Herefords Knob. Jake was too enamelled with the glorious views of sunset and so missed another CP. This was one strike too many and so he was dismissed from map duties as I faultlessly took us home. The ground was tough in failing light and broken ground from the countless cattle that had somehow passed through these narrow tracks and left there mark. Once through the farmlands it was just a matter of 3km downhill road run back to camp and the excilleration of the finish line.

56miles 11.5hrs 2800m

A tough race but as the Race Directors explained these aren't for the faint-hearted and looking back I'm glad it was hard, you get more from pushing yourself than from keeping things easy. There seems to be too many ARs now that are 'easy' in that the course is completable for the best and so route finding and decision making is redundant. The top athelte scored only 2/3rds of points available a monumental effort from my perspective but good in being an AR for both elites and for regular outdoor folk like myself who can both enjoy the course/area but take part in a race.

So a big thanks to Might Contain Nuts team. I hope these races pick up in popularity (only a little though) so that they remain on the calender. I wont say any more on the Black mountains as this should remain a secret.

Solo Wild camp

After a few drinks on the friday night. The idea of 'wasting' away this glorious weather was dispelled and a plan hatched. The misses understood. It's guaranteed there would be plenty of wet weekends to come.
We drove down to the New Forest and after a lovely lunch went for a walk and checked out some spots for me to stay. One was perfect. So after heading back to the car and picking up my gear, saying goodbyes, I headed back to my campspot.
After clearing my site up and collecting firewood, it soon became apparent that I was neighbours to a few billion midges. Now I wont be able to escape these totally but maybe there was a better, dryer place to camp. So I walked around for an hour or so, I did have a load of time to kill and after an exhaustive failed search I went to check out one last outcrop of forest which fortunately had an idle setting. So I went and collected my things for a second time and set up my second camp. Cleared the site and collected firewood again. All this was timed perfectly as it then gave me a little time to watch the glorious sun set.
Once this was down I then had a fair amount of time to myself. So I got the fire going and chilled out. It wasn't long before the peace and solitude was broken up by a far away party with the DJ screaming COME ON COME ON to the revellers to the tunes of Niki Menaj and Rhianna.
At this point I decided to test out my new torch and go for a 20min run in the dark. I love the torch (Petzel Nao) and would of run further but didn't want to get into bed too sweaty. With a few fresh logs burning on the fire I settled down to bed and star gazed for the second time in a week to a stunning Milky Way et al.
Although I didn't really get spooked over night it was a strange feeling being on your own in the middle of no where. I did though get startled in the morning with a couple of deer wondering into my camp. Who was more scared? Looking around the view was astounding with an early morning mist surrounding the countyside interspersed with the grunting/warning call from the deer. I soon nodded off for an hour but, awoke with the sun burning off the morning dew and as I slowly cleared camp I was joined by half a dozen wild ponies whom seemed set on sticking around and joining me for breakfast.
With the camp cleared and a full belly I set off on my way home. The main theme being getting lost but, this only added to the adventure. After navigating my way out of Bramshaw woods I was a lot further north and so looped back to Canada common and over several 'quaking bogs'. For some inexplicable reason I took a southward direction over Half moon common and ended up in Newbridge, way off course. Then decided instead of taking the looped tracked back on course I went off route and made my way cross country through farmers fields and over rivers. Just when I was thinking I was completely lost I could hear the screams of children far off. This was Paultons theme park and after a few more corn fields I was running through the golf course and back on the map. I took a deserved break in the local petrol station here and treated myself to a cold coke and chocolate bar.
After crossing the dual carriage way and somehow losing my sunglasses in the grass verge I got myself lost again in the small corpse. By now I think I was getting good at getting myself out of these situations and duly found a road to take me down to the Test Way. Following this path until it veered south after a bridge I starred agonisingly at the refreshing river with all access points signed 'Private No Entry. Sod that, I needed a dip. It was the hottest day of the year, over 30'C. So I snuck in below the bridge and jumped in to cool down.
Back on my way I negotiated a couple of minor roads to get me to Romsey Golf course and the path taking me through Nightingale wood and onto familiar territory. No more getting lost for the day as I ran known routes back home feeling surprisingly good.
Another cracking wild camp and run home and by myself. This was a nice test to see the night out on my own as if I end up doing some longer runs then these will entail overnighters and with my new torch I cant wait to hit my local trails at night.

Stats: 23miles in a little under 4hrs.