The Cotswolds Way Challenge 2013 was an inaugural event organised by Extreme Energy whose events I'd raced in before. Knowing how well organised and welcoming their events were, I chose the CWC as my first target "A" race for 2013.
So during the first quarter of 2013 my training was geared towards this back-to-back Ultra weekend. I slowly increased my mileage, immersing myself in the elements of our never ending British winter.
I adopted the Maffetone method of training throughout the first few months, keeping my heart rate steady and building a fat burning base http://www.philmaffetone.com/bmaffmethod.cfm
In between work and family life, I managed to bring my weekly mileage up to 45 miles during my peak in March, then threw in some speed-play for fun whilst beginning to taper for my racing weekend on 6th and 7th April.
I must have done something right because I secured a clear win in the ladies field and was 3rd overall!
Although the field wasn't massively stacked I was pleased with my pace with respect to elevation gained.... I do love hills and the Cotswolds has some beautiful rolling hills that are deceptively tough!
Details of my training and both race days can be found here
http://app.strava.com/athletes/198829
http://app.strava.com/dashboard?feed_type=my_activity
I raced in my Merrell Mix Master Move Glides (review to follow) and although I missed what I call my "Fairy Shoes" AKA Merrell Pace Gloves.... The Glides gave me a little more protection over the distance, which was in fact 60 miles over 2 days.
I wore a combination of Salomon and Strava apparel, with the new Nathan Vapor Shape, women specific race vest/pack.... I had zero issues with any of the kit which I'd tested during training. There was no chaffing, flapping or rubbing... Everything felt good. Still laughing to myself at Austin's (my Day 2 running buddy) disgust at competitors who run 6 hrs with a map slapping against their ass every single step... or loose change shaking in a pocket for 32 miles!
So now I'm done with plugging of my favourite gear.... !!! Lets get onto the beauty of the race...
There were three of us Shropshire Lasses travelling down for this event and we took a hotel in Droitwich Friday night to break up the journey...
Now although my diet is generally low carb/Paleo stylie these days, I'm always up for a spot of light, pre-race carbo loading when it is in the form of beer ;-)
Race Day 1 was estimated at 27 miles, so essentially only just an "Ultra" but when there is another 30 to follow the next day, I'd say the distance needs respecting!
I set off waaaay too fast, I knew I wouldn't sustain a sub 9 min/mile pace with 3,000+ foot of ascent in my path, but I felt good! The sun was shining! The trails were dry!
I felt I'd got the peaking and tapering pretty much spot on, so I just went with my silly fast pace leaving a lot surprised runners in my wake until I settled into an easy (but not too shabby!) Ultra trot....
Now the trouble with having four different starting times for different paced runners, is that I really had no idea of my placing.. so there was not a lot of tactics involved. I really just ran as hard as I could whilst trying to keep my breathing steady, and stress hormones and heart rate low with the view to live for another day!
The Cotswolds Way is probably the most beautiful trail I have run upon. Hilly but not too exposed or vast, with a mixture of light sandy soil and grass. Beautiful idyllic villages strewn along a National Trail that dips down into and up over rolling farmland, common land and ancient woodlands. Forts and a multitude of viewpoints (even though one such viewpoint was actually described to me by Austin as the biggest dogging area in Gloucestershire!!) are scattered along the Way.
We had perfect running weather. Dry, sunny but not too hot with very little wind.
So after 10 miles or so the usual doubts kicked in. Every ultra runner would probably understand me when I started to question the aches and pains that were creeping up on me. "How the heck am I going to complete this ridiculous distance if I'm aching already??!"
Then as usual things either start to go numb or I become accustomed to the pain and just keep on running.
The navigation was pretty straight forward if you were pedantic about the way mark symbols. I indeed became very pedantic about these after detouring off onto a CW Circular Walk! Lovely for a Sunday ramble, but not on race day please!!
I climbed an extra hundred foot or so, added to my distance and lost two places during my little detour. But it could have been worse... I overtook the two guys (again) and I learnt my lesson.
So after 28 miles I dropped down off Cleeve Hill, flying down through the steep, open fields into Bishops Cleeve for a short road run to the finish. The usual warm welcome from the Xnrg crew and news of my 1st place in the ladies field and 4th overall ended a great days racing for me.
Once showered, refreshed and with legs massaged by the Xrng crew, Debbie suggested we head straight to the pub for a lazy pre-dinner drinkie. Yes please!
After a lovely big feast I had an early night and although I didn't sleep too well, my legs and body had a good horizontal rest. It was an interesting harmony of tired snoring competitors that night in the big school gym.
I was raring to go on Day 2. I was put with the late starters, the theory being we would catch the others up.
I get a real positive hit when I can start overtaking people even if they are walkers! When Austin pointed out some figures in the distance later, we soon realised they weren't even in the race.... But that didn't matter, we were reeling them in, like predators hunting a wounded bison!
After clearing it with the organisers, Austin had arranged to meet me at mile 9 on Day 2 and run to the finish with me. He knew the route, and being an ultra runner himself knew exactly what the score was. He was fantastic company and a real boost for my morale.
The hours flew by and I kept going strong. I only threw my toys out of the pram a couple of times when we hit the tarmac (tarmac does that to me... its not me... its the tarmac!). Thankfully the whole route had very little road, so my grumpiness was short lived.
The highlight of the day was my ice cream! Thank you Austin!
I had highs and lows, but even the lows were enjoyable, if that makes sense!?
Stretching a hamstring at a checkpoint.....
Final food stop... 7 miles to go.....
As with all my ultra races I felt like I could fly the last couple of miles... its all in my mind because it matters not what distance I am doing. Its always the last mile or two. Everything seems to stop hurting and I can pick up the speed. We flew down into Stroud at a 7.30 min/mile pace shaking off a couple of guys who were trying to stay with us.
I crossed the line and secured my win for the two days combined.
Kate was 3rd lady and Debbie was 4th Lady... a great result for "Team Shroppie!"
All in all a good start to the season for me...
My next target races are the Red Kite Trails weekend
http://www.redkite-barcudcoch.org.uk/
These are a lot shorter... which means faster! So as soon as my legs feel ready for action, I'll be on the hills trying a little more speed-play and quick foot turnover work and see what May brings!
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