Race Hard, Train Easier..

Everyone who knows me will agree that I don't like to follow the crowds and do things the same as others. It's basically the same with my running, the original moto is "Train Hard, Race Easy" for me it's the opposite way round. I enjoy racing hard and training easy... Why? I don't know! I have always enjoyed racing a lot more than I have done training, maybe because I train a lot on my own i can never motivate my self to push harder when it needs but in a race I can! So I have always stuck by racing lots and training less, therefore I still get the same amount of recovery as normal athletes who train hard before racing then have a rest. I just do it the other way round! 

A great shot from my local Parkrun early on in the month.

July has been no different... I have done a few races and kept up a little training in between each race. I am now 5 weeks out from my first 100 mile race. It's actually a 107 miles with 10,000 meters of climb involved (Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc) I am really looking forward to the race, one for the area where the race is based and two that I love to challenge myself and see how far I can push my body/mind before it cracks! 

The UTMB is defiantly going to test my limits to the max, I will to heading over with a great little support crew Gem and my Dad. All i have to do is run.. simple right? They have the hard job of keeping me going and making sure I fuel up and maximise my chances of finishing! 

I have been slowly going through the kit list I am going to need for my challenge and one area I was really lacking was my fuel/food. I have played around with many of things of my other ultras and have a good idea on what I am going to use at this one but I was wanting new form of hydration. My answer: Mountain Fuel UK. They had a philosophy what was so simple but seamed to come across so effective - 

Mountain Fuel at the ready! 

‘Food first, supplementation second‘ – get your training and fuelling strategy right and you should not need to a) spend a fortune on supplements or b) guzzle supplements that may not actually be really helping your performance or health and well being.

Our products are naturally balanced nutritional supplements which have been engineered to deliver energy and recovery. Mountain Fuel powers individuals and teams involved across a wide variety of activities. Whether you are doing exercise for fun, fitness, as an amateur, a professional, into extreme and or endurance sports; Mountain Fuel has a proven track record that delivers results.

Trying to break away at the Llyn Alwyn Trail Race, but legs didn't want to go... 

After the guys over at Mountain Fuel helping me sort out a range to try, I have used and trailed a few different products of there's now and have been happy so far.. The major factor/winner for me personally is that even tho have all the nutritional supplements needed in a energy/recovery drink it doesn't sit like a tone of bricks in your stomach like many other brands. Their drinks are easy to make up and not sticky/messy either. When I'm running I don't particular like having strong tastes from my food or drink and Mountain Fuel is perfect for this as the flavours they use are nice and light and don't taste sugary and heavy like others. I will comment and give more feedback once I have used, and used these products over a range of distances and circumstances but so far can't complain! Thanks guys for helping me out on this matter, much appreciated! 

A little summery of how my races have gone since my last blog: 

11th July - Conwy Parkrun - 1st Overall in 17:25

12th July - Ty Gobaith 10km - 1st Overall in 35:59 in a new course record for this hilly course.

18th July - Snowdon International Race - 47th Overall in 1:25:41 Pleased with time as it was a longer course this year due to the 40th Anniversary. 

19th July - Llyn Alwen Trail Run 12km - 2nd Overall in 42:10 Legs just didn't want to play after 7km due to Snowdon race still taking boss! 

22nd July - Race The Train 5km - 4th Overall in 15:52 Super fast course, and very pleased with going sub 16 minutes.

Local Newspaper write up after my Ty Gobaith 10km win.

A couple of long runs in over the next few weeks and get some climbing in the legs and we should be good to go at this years Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc! 

Thanks to everyone who follows and always supports me! 

Paul x 

My UTMB attempt moves a month closer!

As June has been and gone I am now 8-9 weeks away from my first 100+ mile race and preparations are going well... So far! 

Any one who isn't sure what the UTMB is, it stands for the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc and is a single-stage mountain ultra marathon. It takes place once a year in the Alps, across France, Italy and Switzerland. The distance is approximately 170 kilometres (106 mi), with a total elevation gain of around 10,000 meters. It is widely regarded as one of the most difficult foot races in Europe.

UTMB Course Map.

This has been my target race for all this year and will be my biggest challenge yet.. Obviously I would like to run well and get a good time for the course but I feel that I am going to complete the race and will go back in time to come to be in a better place to race around! A lot can happen in a 24 hour + race but I am setting a very rough time of 30 hours to complete. Where there this will happen on the day we will find out but I'm sure I'll enjoy every step of the way and gain life time experience along the course. 

On way my to 8th at this years Snowdon Twilight race.

I have used the month of June more for speed work and shorter races, as I don't want to completely loose speed as I run distances. Many top world class ultra runners state that speed work is still as important to ultra runners then to shorter distance runners. I have raced distances from 5km to half marathons including uphill mountain races through out the month. A summary of my June races can be seen below: 

• 13th June, Rock & Roll Liverpool 5km - 16:53 (1st Overall out of 1396 runners)
• 14th June, Rock & Roll Liverpool Half Marathon - 79:49 Suffered from a very tight hamstring after the first 8km (18th Overall out of 5530 runners)
• 21st June, Stone 10km - 34:23 (6th Overall out of 512 runners) I was apart of the North Wales team Vs the Staffs team.
• 26th June, Snowdon Twilight Uphill 8km with 1000 meters of ascent - 51:56 (8th Overall out of 103 runners)
• 27th June, Conwy Parkrun - 17:43 (2nd out of 175 runners)
• 28th June, RunFest Wales 5km - 16:49 (1st out of 86 runners) 

Running for North Wales Regional Squad at the Stone 10km.

July is going to be more longer runs and building up the leg strength for the alpine climbs around my 100 mile race.. The next 10 weeks is all going to be a learning curve for me from training to racing for over 24hours in one go! But any one who knows me, I am going to give it 110% on the day and will do everything I can to complete this challenging event. 

People have asked me how I got into ultra running and what makes it different..?! All I ever say is give it a go and you'll be hooked. I've listed a couple of events below from a mixture of a starting ultra to an ultra for someone who wants to challenge them selfs! 

Ennerdale 50km - A great lower lever race around the beautiful lake of Ennerdale. A great mixture of fire road trails, single tracks and a small technical section along the return leg of the race. More details here: http://www.highterrainevents.co.uk/#!ennerdale-trail-run/c22jn

Ennerdale Ultra Trail 50km 

SkyRunning UK 3x3000 Ultra Trail - Based on the classic Lakes 3000's but eliminating the long road sections this will be an 80k off road route incorporating Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and Skiddaw, starting and finishing in Keswick.

From the boulder fields of Scafell Pike to the smooth grassy ridge running of the Dodds, the route combines all the elements of a classic Lakeland run combined with aspects of european style ultra running. More Details here: http://www.highterrainevents.co.uk/#!3x3000-/cfib 

3x3000 Ultra Trail

Or if you'd like a very friendly and experienced team to cover everything ultra/trail running over a weekend, High Terrain Events have a ultra trail running weekend in November details here: http://www.highterrainevents.co.uk/#!trail-running-weekends/ca3b

Example of the runs covered on the training weekend.

Thanks to everyone who follows and supports me through my adventures! 
Paul x