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 

April/May in a flash!

I'm slowly getting worse and worse at updating my blog. The month of April and May just flew by for me. I have had many of good and bad times over the last two months from winning races to being hospitalised for a few days due to illness.

April saw me race many road runs in a bid to find some fitness and hit some small goals I had set for myself. One of them goals being going sub 17 minutes for the Conwy Parkrun. I have ran sub 16:30 several times but the Conwy 5km is a tough little course and I just couldn't get under the 17 minutes barrier till I finally achieved this in April. (All results below) I also won the Denbigh 10km and placed on the podium in 3 other events over the month.

Flying the flag in the Anglo Celtic Plate 100km, after a tough day on the course..!

Not that many expected me to make the start line of my Welsh International vest race in the Anglo Celtic Plate 100km, I did.. I wasn't going to miss this for any thing. Unfortunately I didn't run any where near what I wanted to but I was still pleased and proud to have pulled on the Welsh vest and give it my best on the day.

Exploring the Picos National Park

I followed this up by a brilliant 3 weeks out in the Picos De Europa National Park, just a couple of hours outside of Santander. I had received an invite out from the UTPE Ultra race with work to basically go and experience their race. For anyone who loves mountains and a huge range of trails you have to check out the Picos National Park. The UTPE race has to be one of my favourite races to date, the course is spectacular and gives you a real experience of trail running at it's best. Technical trails to gorge running and wildlife. Never in a race have I raced along cows, descended with mountain goats or climbed with vultures flying over head! This race had it all.. Apart from racing the UTPE out there we had several running/hiking adventures around the local areas.

From 30 degree heat on some days to snow on others! 

Making the most of every day in the mountains!

Racing with the locals..

I also got a last minute entry in the Edinburgh Marathon for the end of May. I was pleased with my run after not doing any marathon training or road running for that matter. The return leg of the marathon was all into a head wind too what made things harder too, but good to get another one under my belt and take my marathon/ultra race number to 27 now.

Recent trip to the Lake District with Work. 

Results for April - May:

• 4th April Morning, Conwy Parkrun 5km - 17:15 (2nd Overall out of 239 runners) 
• 4th April Afternoon, Llandudno 5km - 17:09 (3rd Overall out of 169 runners)
• 11th April, Conwy Parkrun 5km - 16:58 (1st Overall out of 194 runners) Course Record
• 12th April, Denbigh 10km - 36:24 (1st Overall out of 74 runners) Course Record, new event.
• 2nd May, Anglo Celtic Plate 100km - 9:52:38 Wales 3rd team in British Championships. 
• 16th May, UTPE Ultra - 8:29:59 (51st Overall out of 381 finishers) 
• 31st May, Edinburgh Marathon - 2:51:22 (52nd out of 7814 finishers)

I look forward to racing and training more in June as I'm now a month closer to the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc 100 mile race at the end of August. 

UTMB Race Profile.

Thanks for following and reading as always!

For more pictures from my adventures follow me on Twitter: @PaulWathan

Paul x 

The dream of a National Call Up /// High Terrain Events - Buttermere 10 Trail Race

This last weekend saw High Terrain Events organise their very popular 10 mile trail race in partnership with the National Trust around the shores of Buttermere and Crummock Lake. This event has sold out the past 4 years and continues to get better each year. 

I travelled up to the Lake District a few days before the event and on the way up I had an email come through with congratulations from the Welsh Athletics. I had been called into the National Team for the upcoming Anglo Celtic Plate 100km (including the UK Championships 2015) down in Redwich. This was my first senior call up for Wales, my last call up was as a junior back in 2008. As many of you know I have been racing ultra marathons for about 3 years now and have raced in many races around the world with the dream that maybe one day I would get to run for my country in the Ultra's... Well tick that one off the list! Dreams do come true!! 

Call up letter from Welsh Athletics..! 

On arriving in the Lakes I was working on the Buttermere 10 trail race with Ian,Emily and Simon. The day before the event we headed down to a very wet and windy Buttermere to set up the course and race village. The weather was some what challenging with high gusts of winds and driving winds. (A typical lakeland day) we split up and marked the route the best we could with the conditions we was facing. Once the course was marked we started to put up the event tents and secure them in place for what was a very wild evening spent in a tent. Driving winds and high winds meant no sleep for me before race day. Sunday morning still had showers and gusty winds but after a couple of hours in the early morning we had managed to get everything set up and in place ready for race time of 10:30am. This event was kindly supported by 9Bar and Salomon Uk. 

Runners head along Buttermere Lake ( Picture credit of High Terrain Events)

Stood on the start line in the rain I took a minute to compose myself before the gun and come up with a race plan, I knew there was some stiff competition from a former Ennerdale 25km Trail Race winner and CastlebergOutdoors/Salomon supported athlete. And others who I wasn't aware of at the time. With my Wales call up still fresh and exciting inside me I decided to use this excitement to overcome no sleep and run hard from the off. We set off along the shores of Buttermere Lake for just over a mile before returning back along a higher trail. At the turn point I was greeted by encouraging words from a good friend Simon as I had reach him with about a 20 second lead on the second runner. Battling on back towards the start/finish area I continued to relish the tough weather conditions, the underfoot terrain and the technical rocky sections. Along the west side of Crummock Lake the terrain got even more testing with flooded trails and knee deep bogs to run over, the single/technical track in tough weather conditions is what I call brilliant! I really do enjoy the challenge and the mentality that goes into a race like this. 

Me on a mission .. (Photo credit of Grand Day Out Photography) 

On reaching the far end of the lake I knew I hadn't really gained too much of a lead from the ever persisting second place runner. (Still sat at around 25 seconds)  Seeing a friendly face and some words of encouragement from Ian gave me that extra boost to push on knowing that the terrain was going to be quicker on the return leg with a few added climbs.  Running right through the aid station I pushed on to race back along the east side of the Lake trying to keep a pace that would let me keep the lead I had over second at this point. I raced over the first smaller climb through the Blueberry Fields and onto the second and highest climb of the day up a challenging range of technical trail and slippy wet steps. On reaching the summit of the climb I noticed 2nd had gained on me a little and was moving well. I descending of the back of the climb as quickly as possible trying to gain them extra few seconds, the final few KM's were through a mixture of muddy fields, single tracks and finished with a 500 meter hard packed trail before entering the finish field. I crossed the line to take victory in 1:07:48 a lot slower time than my usual 10 mile races but was extremely pleased considering the weather and conditions. Christopher Armit crossed the line in second 1 minute 3 seconds behind me and 3rd a further 3 minutes back.. The woman's win was separated by 28 seconds between two international athletes, with Lizzie Adams just taking the win away from youngster Heidi Davies. 

Top 5 overall. 

Overall I really enjoyed this great race, the route was perfect had a good mixture of everything what made it a good challenge but not impossible for even the beginner trail runners. I would recommend this race to anyone looking for that course what just sums up trail running! But I'd enter early if your wanting a place as it fills up quick. Thanks again to all the marshals along the course and to 9Bar for fuelling all us runners along the way. I even got a great Salomon pack for my win (Thanks Salomon!) and a unique trophy from High Terrain Events (A framed picture of Buttermere with a plaque on the front saying 1st Male Buttermere Trail Race 2015) Beats the usual cup trophies you get in most races... I then finished off a good day by running round the course again to collect the markings.

Great 1st price from High Terrian Events. Well worth the effort! 

Stephen Wilson (Grand Day Out Photography)  took some great shots along the route of the runners too, what can be seen here: http://www.granddayoutphotography.co.uk/high-terrain-events-buttermere-10 

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

High Terrain Events - Ultra Trail Running Weekend

March the 6th - 8th saw another addition of the High Terrain Events trail camps. I have been to a couple now and I can defiantly say they get better each time. High Terrain Events are a well established organisation what organises sporting events from trail runs to triathlons and duathlons across the Lake District and beyond, but they have turned that experience and passion into creating trail running camps of the highest level!

This weekends trail running camp was based on ultra running. On first evening the runners started to arrive at the Derwentwater Independent Hostel based in Keswick before kicking off the weekend with an easy lakeside introduction trail run to get to know each other and the High Terrain Events team. Everyone was greeted by the Lake District weather of strong winds but thankfully the rain held off till we had finished our run. On returning from an easy 7km run the group all got together at the hostel where I took every one through a presentation on equipment & kit selection for ultra running. It was great to start the weekend off with a topic that everyone can relate to and all take an interest in. After a group discussion and questions it was time to head for our evening meal. For anyone wanting somewhere to stay in close proximity of Keswick with amazing food the Derwentwater Independent Hostel is the perfect place. The food and portions they serve is among some of the best I've experienced.

Some amazing trails around the Lake District. 

The evening was finished off with a great presentation from the current World Trail Running Champion Ricky Lightfoot. I have know Ricky for many years now but his talks and discussions forever amaze me on how he manages to train and stay fit amongst his normal living life with his family and work. The evening was filled full of great questions from the group all wanting to learn how to train and gain the most out of the stretched time they have each day. It's a real opportunity for the runners who come on these camps to learn some brilliant hints and tips from some of the worlds best.

Everyone learning from Ricky Lightfoot. 

After a good nights sleep Saturday started of with a brief discussion on the events of the day and the introduction of 9Bar Athlete Vicci Mousley. We soon headed off down the trails right out of the back door of the hostel. We headed towards the far end of the Derwentwater Lake shores before making our way up the right hand side of the Borrowdale Valley following the Scafell Pike Trail Marathon course. The weather was still extremely blustery and the mist was down covering all the tops, but this wasn't going to dampen the groups moral and attitude towards the day. The run gave the group a perfect insight of what it takes to race the Scafell Pike Trail Marathon with the terrain changing almost every km from single technical trails to bogs and undulating terrain. On reaching the highest points of our run (Seathwaite Tarn and StyHead) the clag was right down to just above ground level and the tarns looked like we had reached the sea coast! I have never seen them so wild, this made a great example at how the weather can be in the Lake District and explained why we carry specific kit for when we do these races in the mountains for our own safety. The Scafell Pike Trail Marathon then follows the corridor route up and over Scafell Pike but the weather today wasn't going to make this a safe passage of route for the group so we started to head back down towards Rosthwaite where again we would test the legs of the group as there was a challenging climb over before we descended into the Watendlath and along to Ashness Bridge before ended up back at the hostel. Overall a brilliant 32km run covering a good section of the marathon course and a range of underfoot terrain.

Descending down from Styhead.

On returning back to the hostel we was given time to get sorted and fuel back up before Vicci kindly took everyone through a core stability and stretching workout. What everyone really enjoyed as it was something what most don't do.. Including me, who found it extremely hard and would take the 32km run again over another session. (I will try practise Vicci...!) A short break and we moved onto nutrition and a presentation from Ian Mulvey on training programs and principles for ultra running. Yet again another great insight for the group to learn another part of running an ultra marathon.

Vicci putting us through our paces.

The evening run was a head torch 8km run up onto Walla Crag. Petzl had kindly supplied the weekend with the head torches to try out on the trail. Again another brilliant route right from the hostel door and a rewarding view over Keswick on the summit before descending back down. The winds were still extremely strong and the group kept moving so we all stayed warm and ultimately safe on the mountain side. Our evening was finished off with a nice evening meal and an informal discussion on anything running / ultra running.

Saturdays route profile and information.

Waking up on the Sunday morning meant unfortunately it was the final day of the weekends camp. But High Terrain Events still had plenty of tricks and trails left to share.. We headed back up on to Walla Crag before making our way over to the Bleaberry Fells and High Seat. This morning runs was all about leaning how to navigate in the mountains and many of the group took it in turns to navigate the group to different parts of the map, before I took the group through a session on how to run efficiently uphill and downhill in the mountains. I took the group through several exercises and drills to try and share hints and tips to keep moving efficiently throughout the trails when they come to racing an ultra marathon before descending down of the trails for the final time of the weekend.

Sarah navigating our next route.

Overall the weekend was a huge success and I'm looking forward to the next trail camp later on in the year in November. (Date still to be released by High Terrain Events, but I fully recommend keeping an eye out and get your selfs booked on before the places fill up!)

Me taking the group through a few things on how to run up hill efficiently. 

Thank you to everyone who made the weekend one to remember including High Terrain Events, Derwentwater Independent Hostel, 9Bar for fuelling everyone with bars for the weekend, Petzl and Salomon running who provided some test kit for the group and to Ricky and Vicci for giving their time to come down and educate us all.

Final decent of the weekend. 

For anyone looking for some great trail or ultra races, High Terrain Events offer something for everyone from beginners to experienced athletes looking for their next challenge :

• 29th of March - Buttermere 10mile Trail Race
• 26th of April - Kielder Ultra 50/80/100km (UTMB Qualifying Race 100k only) 
• 7th of June - Borrowdale Trail Race 13/21km 
• 7th of June - Scafell Pike Trail Marathon
• 4th of October - 3 x 3000 Ultra Trail 80km (UTMB Qualifying Race) 
• 18th of October - Ennerdale Trail Race 10/25/50km  

More info and details can be found on http://www.highterrainevents.co.uk or follow them on Facebook at 'High Terrain Events' and Twitter on @HiTerrainevents

Thanks for following as always! 

Paul x 

Everyone making light work of the climbs! 

How many races can you run in a month?

With February been and gone, it was a month of great racing for me. I actually do often enjoy racing more than training just because I often train on my own and can never get to the pace or distance I would in a race. I have been fairly pleased with how the month played out and has set me in good spirits for a solid month of training in March.

Race Results for the month:

- 31st Jan / Conwy Parkrun - 1st Overall (New Course Record) 

- 7th Feb / Conwy Parkrun - 1st Overall (Broke my own course record) 

- 8th Feb / Nick Beer 10km - 7th Overall (Apart of 1st team prize) 

- 14th Feb / Conwy Parkrun - 1st Overall

- 15th Feb / Wrexham Village Bakery Half Marathon - 18th Overall (Disappointed with my run)  

- 21st Feb / Conwy Parkrun - 1st Overall

- 22nd Feb / Run Wales Rhyl 10mile - 3rd Overall 

- 28th Feb / Blackpool Stanley Park 10km (Day1) - 2nd Overall

- 1st Mar / Blackpool Stanley Park 10km (Day2) - 2nd Overall (In the exact time as day 1, even to the second) 

How the month looked on my Movescount.

As every running knows to race this much in a month it is impossible to also train in the middle. Therefore I haven’t really done much in the way of training throughout the month but was wanting to get my race fitness back before going into March where I won’t race much if at all and work on getting some good miles and hills in for preparation for my UTMB 100 mile race later on in the year. This will all start as of today as I’m sat on train heading to the Lake District where I will spend the next 12 days running around in the fells and trails with the guys from High Terrain Events. (www.highterrainevents.co.uk) 

February was also a good month for me as I got a return call up to the regional squad (North Wales) for a race later on in the year. Where hopefully I can run well and do the team manager proud. 

I often get asked by followers on Twitter about good ultra races in the UK where they can get points towards the UTMB. Bellow are two of my favourites what High Terrain Events organise: 

-Kielder 100km Ultra Trail (Also has a 80km and a 50km route option) - 26th April 2015

-3x3000 80km Ultra Trail (Apart of the SkyRunning UK Series) - 4th October 2015 

This picture tells you exactly what High Terrain Events are all about.

Both of these events are over brilliant courses and a great challenge if your looking for something to work towards in the year. All the details and entry information can be found on the webpage www.highterrainevents.co.uk 

Hope everyone had a great month of running in February, roll on March! 

Thanks for following as always

Paul x 

What goes up must come down...

Since winning the Vale of Clwyd Half Marathon back in December it all went a little down hill. I picked up the flu followed by a bug over the christmas period and into January... Training should we say was none existent! I was lucky to cover 8-12km of training in a week due to a chesty cough and no energy.

44km into the CTS Ultra..

As January approached I had a few events planned and just wanted to enjoy them as I knew I wasn't going to be race fit after a rough 5 weeks of flu. I started the year with a couple of local Parkruns followed by a 54km coastal ultra and finished off the month with a trail half marathon. Results of each race: 

• 3rd of Jan: Bangor Parkrun - 3rd Overall, 1st Senior Male
• 10th of Jan: Conwy Parkrun - 2nd Overall, 1st Senior Male 
• 17th of Jan: EnduranceLife CTS Ultra - 6th Overall
• 24th of Jan: Buff Winter Trail Wales Half Marathon - 11th Overall 

Over all I have been pleased with how the month progressed but have a lot of work and training to do going into February. 

I recently rejoined my old running club Eryri Harriers. I look forward to be running again for such a great club.. 

Course Profile from the Winter Trail Wales Half Marathon.

After 3 years of collecting 'points' and trying the lottery I got the email earlier this month from the UTMB organisation to say I finally got my place in this years UTMB 166km race in Chamonix.   

My golden ticket..!

Thanks for following

Onwards and Upwards
Paul x