Another year of running ends, many ups and downs

I'd have to say 2014 was an interesting year, having Transe Gaule for the first time since 2008, I'm still not totally convinced that doing multi day stage races is really my thing or not, however those seem to be where I get consistent running in, although looking at how some of the younger runners went this year have to acknowledge that as I get older I appear to not recover day after day as well I think I do.
Certainly my second year in a row with no wins (unless you count age groups), and like last year injuries messed me up, 2013 was the year of the Hamstring, 2014 the year of the Calf, worst to be honest was a cough that lasted from around April until now, to be honest didn't see the doctor until I needed to get a referral for my calf tear in December and eventually it ended up to be a "Whooping Cough", only thought kids could get that but apparently not. In theory antobiotics fixed that, although as I had a very bad reaction to the antibiotics was only able to go half way through that course.
Certainly this year I appear to have been the unhealthiest really fit person about, as still ended up with 17 Ultras, 4 Marathons, 4 Half Marathons, 1 25K and 17 Parkruns for just over 2,420K, over a 1000K more than the previous two years. Details  here
I'd be honest and say I really haven't made big plans as yet for 2015, find it hard to enter races when I can't actually run, in theory the calf should be fine by the end of January, although I did, probably against better advice, run a little over Christmas in Montreal and did manage 46.2K run/walking in my only race over there.
Certainly there will be races, and hopefully some overseas adventures (and blog posts about them) but first I have to get myself healthy.

Day 11, Short and pretty

You know that you are in the swing of ultras,when you look forward to a day that is "only"49k, but certainly that was my mindset this morning.
A sleep in with lights on at 5:30 and a 7 start talk about luxury.
rather nippy but pleasant, running downhill through the the town. From then gentle uphill, I don't really do running uphill on the first half in multi day races but did run some just to stay around my normal people, we were starting at 420 metres and going to a bit over 800, but no really steep climbs.

First aid station at 13k really only topped water into the handheld of Tailwind mixture and a bit of fruit, I could see Jean-Pierre and Philippe just ahead they always run together and a steady pace usually early on just faster than me, so happy to just follow along, often losing them on the many twists.
Beautiful scenery reminded me of days in the Bavarian part of Deutschlandlauf, cattle, sheep, lakes.
Next aid station at 26k finally took off my gloves, sleeves and buff, picture perfect day.
From then on it was a case of knowing people were around simply because there were crew cars about,I occasionally got glimpses of the two in front but they appeared to be slipping away.
At the next aid station La Faux Mpuntaine we were cheered and called out by microphone, that inspired me a bit although accidentally put limonade instead of water into my Grenadines Sirop, silly mistake.
Just enjoyed the scenery to the last aid station on a massive lake and could see those two a few hundred metres ahead, really doubted I'd catch but there was much more downhill than I thought, to be honest would have been happy just to run in with them but just not a comfortable speed so pulled away, then the interminable vlimb into town and the finish line, admit I did look back a couple of times but breathless crossed the finish line 12th in 5:39. Time to rest tomorrow is much longer.

Day 10 Spitting across Limousin

Woke up with the chest feeling quite congested even yesterday didn't quite feel the cold was gone and a night in a very cold gym didnt help not a good sign.walk to the start and we were off, was glad to see Hiroko next to me moving better she'd had hamstring problems. Moving reasonably but spitting alot and lots of walking as much uphill, was very cool at the start and had Nike jacket for the first tim threw it and gloves off at first aid station, moving with some of yesterday's people so knew I was okay. Was getting warmer so at the next threw off the bugf and sleeves was getting into more like race mode but still hard work with much walking was now between Ya-Fen and Christine, Christine would almost catch me on the ups and I'd get away on the downs. After 40k I lost sight of Ya-Fen and until the 50k aid was worried she'd taken a wrong turn, after that it waz worry about what would happen near the finish line as apparently the Tour of Limousin bike race would close the roads, ultimately was allowed through and with alot of walking in the steep last K got in 14th place in 7:21 just happy the day was done and a hot shower

Day 9, tired and almost alone

Didn't really have a good nights sleep and woke tired for what would be a testing 69km. Early on had really no go in me and just wanted to plod on, thankfully after a while I had Hung-Chang in front of me and that pushed me on a little, finally catching him on a downhill,knew there were two other runners around as I kept seeing their crew, I guess spurred me on. If I'm honest really didn't have any race kick in me today so was a little shockec with a mile or so to go saw the second lady Ya-Fen just in fron only problem most of that last section is uphill so I passed her then walked and then run again so happy to reach the top 13th in 8:14 by memory. Beer, an apricot and Mars bar such a great way to end. Downside k walk to the hall and showers with tepid water and squat toilets in a separate building I was beyond caring just wanted ti lie down

Day 8 that's better

Woke this morning and thankfully the back was fine,definitely back to the Asics Ds Trainers though, looked a lovely fay and was running nicely.
No idea whether Chattelerault is really a big town but hitting it 26k in was a massive shock to the system like Cbd in peak hour, so happy to get out of there. From then
on started picking up and feeling great as the weather warmed up. 5k to go only a splash'n'dash at the last aid station rather than my usual picnic as the youngest runner 20 year old Angel, already a Spartathlon and finisher here was right behind me. So essentially a 5k sprint he's got plenty of years left to beat me.
Finished in 6:54 dead for the 63k, very happy but of course tomorrow is another day! 4

Day 7 good for a long way then!!!

👋I'd thought long and hard over the night and with my smallest left toe rather sore decided being a short day I didn't have much to risk if I wore the slightly wider Hokas.
Beautiful countryside all vineyards and sunflowers and I was going nicely until the 41k mark at Loudon (swear it must be French for London as wet and miserable as soon as I got there !).
Anyway out of the fields and a steady drizzle on a relatively busy road and at 45k felt my back go, took it very gently onwards thankfully only around another 14k, certainly worrying, and I've had similar issues with the Hokas prior so they are going back in the "desperation box" 6:45 thankfully heaps of time to rest before the mayoral reception and seemingly local delicacy "pork cheeks"

Day 6 Short but fairly sweet

With this day only 53k wasn't really sure how to handle it, made stranger by the fact we had a k walk to the start for the real start and photos at the Chateau I once remember as the old finish line, at least gave me a chance to hear some new tales from Don Winkley.
Then we were off, lovely foggy morning with 3 beautiful bridges crossing the Loire, France's longest river. Then some climbs, many vineyards either side of the road and very pretty.
Once the fog burnt off it was getting warm and probably left it a little late to get my gloves, buff and sleeves off at 39k had suffered a little between aid stations to be honest, needed more fluid. Was now on the chase could see 5 runners in front but a group of 4 ran strong and i couldn't pick up, with a mile to go realised two were crew pacing their runners so I dug that bit deeper as we climbed into the town and round the bend ended up tenth in 5:44, took alot out that final sprint but all good, two smallest toes on left foot a little messy but I'm used to that as foot being smaller they really dont go into toe box, early finish means more time to rest though