Training for my first Ultra

25-31 October - 91 miles
Monday - 13 miles (4am; 9pm)
Tuesday - 6 miles (am)
Wednesday - 9.5 miles (am)
Thursday - 14.5 miles( 4am; 10pm)
Friday - 16 miles
Saturday - 16 miles
Sunday - 16 miles


The marathon was only 2 weeks ago, but I am already back in the thick of training, as it is now only 2 weeks to my first ultra marathon, an 82 mile race over 3 days! Okay, I can hear some of you asking, why on earth did you plan an ultra marathon 4 weeks after running a marathon, especially one you gave everything to. All I can say is, good question, however, I think a multi-stage 3 day race will give me a a very small taste of what life will be like in the MDS.

So, no sooner had Amsterdam come and gone, but I had to start to train for the Ultra. I have to admit I thought I would be back in training a couple of days after Amsterdam, but it was four days before I could even walk properly never mind think about running. I had put my body through so much during that race that I felt empty and sore for days afterwards. I finally managed a 3.5mile run on the Friday night, but I was stiff, sore and short of energy. Saturday was the same, although I managed a 6.5 mile run with my dad, and Sunday I took a rest day owing to a little bit of a hangover and because my body simply didn’t have it in it to run!



So last Monday, 15 October, training started properly with a run to work and then a longer run home. It has been a hard week, as my muscles still continue to ache following Amsterdam. The first half of my week was all about getting my legs moving again and get back into training. I went back to club for the first time on Thursday, which was great. In order not to do myself a mischief I joined in with one of the slower groups, but still worked really hard and despite my legs feeling pretty tired and stiff I began to feel my old-self returning.


The Druid’s Ridgeway is a 3 day race covering 29.5 miles on day one, 27.5 miles on day two and 26.5 miles on day three. So, the second half of this week was all about preparing for the race, so I decided to run 16 miles on Friday, 16 miles on Saturday and 16 miles on Sunday.


On Friday and Saturday I was in Oban for work at a conference, so I knew I had to fit my runs around my work schedule. On Friday, I went out at lunch time, just in time for the torrential rain! However, it didn’t bother me one bit, as I was disappearing down a single lane, country road surrounded by beautiful countryside and hills on my left hand-side and the sea on my right. Being lost in that scenery and being lashed in rain meant I didn’t pay any attention to my watch for the first few miles, but just enjoyed my running. I was, therefore, a little surprised to see that I was clocking sub 7 minute miles. It didn’t feel that quick and I carried out on knocking out the miles all the way through my 16, so that I finished my run in 1 hour 48 minutes. I was really pleased, as this was the fastest I have run since the marathon.


Later that day my legs began to feel a little stiff and achy later in the day and I did wonder how I would be able to get through another 16 miles on Saturday.


On Saturday morning at 6am and in pitch black and rainy conditions I repeated the same run and again it was a fantastic feast of beauty, as on my way back over the last eight miles I was treated to moody autumnal sun rise, which washed the sea, hills and trees in greys and oranges. I didn’t go quite as quick that morning, but I took it deliberately slowly over the first eight miles, as I did struggle to see where I was going! I managed to pick the pace back-up over the last 8 miles and run 7 minute miles. My legs had felt pretty stiff and sore at the start of the run, but they did loosen up as I went. Later that day my legs were pretty stiff and with the three hour drive home I was not looking forward to a third 16 mile run on Sunday.


Thankfully, Sunday morning at home meant that I would be heading to Craiglochart to do the 16 mile run with the club. I picked up Colin and we arrived at the tennis centre carpark to find a fair few of the usual bunch stretching and chatting away. I have to admit I was feeling pretty stiff in my quads and calves, but knew I would be able to make it with the gang. We set off.


I ran with Niamh for a bit and we chatted about running, what else is there to chat about. I then ran with Robert Riddle and Bryan for a bit, before Bryan slowed down to chat with an old friend he’d made on the Water of Leith the week before. With Bryan chatting away, Robert and I sped away and to my surprise I found we were picking up a pace towards 7 minute mile pace and then under. Just before the 4 mile mark Robert turned off to head back, as he was only doing 8 miles. I suddenly found myself on my own and a glance behind showed the rest of the group about 45 seconds behind. I decided to press on as I was pretty sure the rest of them would catch me soon.


My pace got quicker and I was really pleased to find myself running around 6.45 pace. The stiffness in my legs had eased greatly and I was feeling pretty good for my third long run in as many days. I reached Balerno and just as I left the Water of Leith Ben came flying back down the other way. He had set off at some pace at the start of the run and was doing a fair pace on the way back. I looked back and couldn’t see any of the others, so pressed on alone. I started to head up the hill and a quick glance back and I could make out Colin and Bryan about a minute or so behind me. I turned back and carried on toward the top of the hill. I have to admit I was pretty pleased. The last few times we have been out running on a Sunday the three of us have raced it hard to the top of the hill and I have lost out the last two times. I smiled to myself as I knew I would be there first and wouldn’t need to bust my lungs and legs to get there! I still went pretty quickly though at sub 7 minute mile pace. At the top I pressed on and even quickened my pace. I couldn’t believe that I felt so good. It was a perfect day, with cool crisp air, bright skies and not a breath of wind, so a perfect day to run well.


I ran through the forest and passed the nine and a half mile mark when I heard the distinct sound of Bryan and Colin behind me. Sure enough I turned round and saw the two of them bearing down on me. I was gobsmacked! I was at least a minute a head of them at the top of the hill and had got quicker over the couple of miles since then running 6.30pace. They must have run two consecutive miles at sub 6 minute mile pace! They caught me at the 10 mile pace and both looked pretty knackered. They took great pride in telling me that they weren’t prepared to let me run away and leave them lagging well behind. I was impressed with their dedication in the pursuit. We continued on at a really quick pace and chatted away about running, training, and just about everything else. Again, I was really impressed that my legs felt so fresh and the three of us chatted fairly easily as we knocked out 6 minute miles over the last 6 miles home.


Of course the three of us couldn’t just run home together. That would have been far too sensible, so as we entered the last mile and moved on to the canal, Bryan dropped the hammer and left Colin and I standing. I was too tired to chase at that pace, so let him go. At first I thought Colin was going to stick with me, but after a few seconds he cursed and called Bryan a name and then shot after him. Again I didn’t go. I watched as Colin caught Bryan and then go past him before Bryan retook him. The two of them battled a bit and then slowed, so I took my chance and pushed a little to catch them. I caught them both just as we entered the last 400m and even pushed ahead of them, but I had nothing else and the two of them charged past me and finished a few seconds ahead, with Bryan just keeping Colin behind. We ran our 16 miles in 1hour 45 minutes, an average of 6.30 pace.


I was really pleased to finish my third 16 mile run in such good shape and so fast. My first week back has been really good and I feel as though I am well on my way to being ready for my first ultra. I have another hard week’s training ahead as I look to increase my miles and repeat the exercise of running three long runs back-to-back over Friday, Saturday and Sunday.