The Ultra Marathon

Or as I like to call it 39.2 miles of PAIN. So I don't really know where to start. I took part in this race 9 days ago but what with work and the training camp(later blog) Ive not been on to write about this horrific experience. For Mick photos will follow when I'm back home. OK im going to try and keep it short and sweet. Starting way Back when both Kaz and I decided we wanted to do something different training wise. We came across the Connemara Ultra Marathon in Galway. This was my 1st mistake, aggreeing to do this with Kaz as she can run, is a whippet and also built like 1... and most of all at least she has done a Marathon. Furthest I had run was 15 miles. So months of training go past and Ive run 20 miles as my longest. This was my 2nd mistake I was counting on my endurance from the bike to get me through(It did). Don't get me wrong Ive been pounding the streets getting the miles in as my weight loss will vouch for, Yippee, Anyway 2 months before Kaz gets ill and we have lots of in and outs of hospital, visits,tests etc. Bee all and end all there is no way she is running.... Oh dear not good news in all aspects. She is getting better.

So....First time doing the connemara half- Weather was brill! Perfect day for the run. Found the hills tough but good going. Legs are still feeling it today!

Learned a lot from the race however - I under trained and thus found the experience far tougher going as a result. Thanks to all helping out at the water stations and support on the route.
The experience of the race for me, was pure hell. I had set off ice and steady as not to blow. 9 min mile pace going to about 8:30, not too sure when we (A fellow Englishman Andy P) hit the 13 mile point was about 1:50. Was feeding good and felt OK. Mile 18 - 20 went through my 1st little wobble. 20-26, OK but slowing. This is where it all when Pete Tong...........

To give you an idea here's what happened to me:Crossed the line- shattered, dizzy and legs in bits! Blood-sugar levels seriously low when I crossed the line was very close to passing out! -Completely disorientated.
Was desperate for energy -no bananas, no chocolate, no energy drink even available at finish line - hadn't the energy to walk to bag area/figure out where it was or even to get my medal and t-shirt. Thank god Kaz was there- life saver.
Thank god there were such sound people in the race. Really helped lift my spirits afterwards.

So what happened at the 26 mile point, there were various feed stations around where you could leave food and drink. You guessed it my major feed/re-fuel was at this point to help me cover the last 13 miles. Somebody had nicked my stuff. I hit this point at 3:58. So was still on my target time of sub 6 hrs. I mean 2 hrs to cover a half..... how hard could it be. 2hrs 49 minutes later I crossed that finish line to my amazement. Basically I BLEW. I had not eaten anything of substance from 18 -32 miles. I had put fluids in. I was now down to a shuffle and walk. By the end it was a walk and rest. I had power walkers doing the half flying passed me. I am so glad I have done it though and have got the t-shirt. Now the days have passed I'm picking up the positives from this challenge the major one being I have the inner strength to keep going. A MASSIVE well organised event. Glad Kaz was there with me I needed the support.

Ouch!!!!!

Christ no matter how many I have had them bloody sports massage's wreck, especially when you don't stretch on a regular basis. Yes that's me. So got my hr turbo in at lunch, 15 min warm up at 149bpm Cad 96. Then 30 min at 153bpm cad was roughly about 94. Then a 15 min WD covered 19.1 miles in the Hour. Sometimes the turbo is a killer. Unlike the Hussler I'm more of a beat man required to inspire me, none of that girl's singing stuff!!!!! So I'm done and dusted now till the big day. I'm trying to relax but its not really happening.

Taper Week

So still carb loading for Sunday and taking all my Vits and Supps that I get from the awesome website MyProtein. What value. I also must be a weirdo because I like the taste of the Whey Isolate. Got my Hr Run in today. Covered7.5 miles steady at L3. Felt a bit heavy to start off with but soon got into the swing of things which was nice as it made me feel a little better ready for Sun. So quick turbo tomorrow and then rest. Mrs Swallow has made me lovely Homemade (healthy) cakes and smoothies etc for me to nibble on this week. I'm trying to get the Salads, Fibre, Chicken, Pasta,Feta cheese etc in. Coach told me when I get the chance to rest to put my feet up and relax. Not sure what world he lives in, if its not the normal married life jobs its the dog who needs walking or work. Kaz has promised to drive the 5hrs down to the race destination Ill start then. Booked into a lovely little B&B for 3 days so Guinness will be drunk if race completed.

Taper Week

OK there has to be a start point for all this blogging stuff. I have finally decided to get myself in to this phenomenon. Not sure how long I will be able to keep the posts up to date but will try my hardest. Well I'm on taper week this week and its killing me already. All I seem to be doing is putting all the good work Ive done over the last few months to waste by fuelling up ready for my Ultra Marathon this Sun. That's right 39.2 miles with some of the hilliest climbs I will ever run up. I originally signed up for this under the impression that if I completed this then the marathon leg on my Iron Man would be a breeze. But now I'm starting to worry as it draws closer. I am not aiming for a time here but just to finish. Then it will be a week off and then off to Malaga for some long warm weather training with Richard Allen's gang. Hope Ive recovered.

So last night I did a 2400m swim set, today I have a L3/L4 run for Hr tomorrow 1hr turbo (15 minutes low L4, 30 minutes 153 bpm, 15 minutes WD) then a nice sports massage and 3 days off ready for the big day. i hope to have some photos from the day just to show my expressions throughout the miles as that will be fun to see. Mr Sags keeps hassling me to write a bit about my Iron Man training I am undertaking at the moment so I will enclose some of the last few weeks when I get a chance along with some photos of the machines especially the new S Works(Oh what a dream to ride)