I've got Leki poles and I'm learning how to use them

I've got all my UTMB equipment in place except a fresh pair of sports pants (you probably don't want to know about my underwear preferences so I'll stop there). They include a pair of ultra light Leki Makalu carbon trekking / running poles as shown below (ooh gasp at their carbon construction and sleek appearance):

I've tried them out once, and despite feeling like a complete prat running repeatedly up and down a hill in rural Buckinghamshire I was very impressed. They cut 10 secs off a hill rep of 4:30 typical with the same effort. Well I never thought I.

Not sure I am using them correctly so any tips much appreciated - I have them at medium height (arms bent a right angles) and am using relatively short thrusts, about half as frequently as my footfalls.

A year without the West Highland Way Race

Well, the Race has been run and the times are almost all out. There have been some cracking performances (Richie C in 16:24, Neal Gibson in 18:42 and John K getting a further 8 minutes into sub-20 territory), but I can't see any mention of Thomas L or Murdo McE, and can't find times for Jon Steele, David Hall or David Waterman on the finishers list. I wonder if it is incomplete? Hope they all did well.

This is the first year in 4 that I have not competed in the WHWR and I do feel a little sad not to have been part of the camaraderie and fun (masochistic definition of fun) this year. I wouldn't have been in a fit state though what with the various injuries and baby caught illnesses this year so no worries.

Will I be back next year? I deeply suspect my wife might not let me, but you never know. Ha ha!

Back in action ta-daa

The Marlborough 33 miler was held on Saturday and, in a calculated risk, I decided to take part to get my first ultra race of the season under my belt and put my UTMB training back on track. The results aren't out yet so I'll wait till they are to post a race report. However I reckon I did it in about 5hrs 11mins - a good 15 mins slower than last year but I couldn't push my pace over rough ground in case I went over on my ankle. The whole race was a little odd in that respect. I had to let people pass me and not be bothered as I gingerly trotted downhills over bumpy agricultural land for fear of knackering my ankle. I finished strong though and had a great day out running across the North Wessex Downs. And best of all my ankle hasn't twinged at all so taking the risk has paid off.

Next will be to run the route of the Fling on 13th June at race pace(ish) to get the mileage up and to make up for missing the real Fling.

Don't iron in the buff

About to head out for my first decent run since my ankle injury two weeks ago. I'll take the pace easy as I'll be heading off road but increase the distance to 6 miles with ~500' of climbing. If my ankle reacts badly tomorrow then I'll have to consider pulling out of the Marlborough, so I'm a bit nervous about the run.

And so to the title of this blog. Today I learned why one shouldn't iron in the buff with the ironing board situated at groin height. Or at least, if one does decide to iron with such an equipment arrangement then one really ought not to employ vigorous sweeping movements or allow oneself to be distracted by the antics of ones cute baby daughter. Yes, today has been a bit stingy in certain regions. Luckily nothing deep or serious.

Doh ...

2.5 mile run woohoo

I upped my run mileage to 2.6 miles (shhh don't tell my physio, he only Ok'd 1 mile) last night. I ran a reasonably brisk 7:40 pace for the distance and although I was aware of my right ankle there was no pain so the recovery looks good. I'll do some cross-training on rowing machine and bike today before seeing my physio for more thumb in the torn tendon spot torture tomorrow to get rid of the few remains of swelling fluid build-up.

The Marlborough Downs may yet be on!

Recovery progress and Fling thoughts

Yes, more self-indulgent injury tedium but it is about all I have running wise to say. Anyway, I did a gym strength training session on Friday and then a 1.5 mile (woo) run on Sunday morning. My ankle seems fine with it although there is still a little fluid build up around the front outside of the joint. My sports therapist will kindly thumb that away on Thursday when I see him, whilst a bite down on a bit of leather and swear a lot.

I'll up the mileage to 2.5 tonight then lay off for 1 night before trying a 5 miler at a very easy pace on Wednesday. Still hopeful for the Marlborough Downs on 16th May but it's not 100% yet.

It's been great reading the various blog reports about the events at the weekend's Highland Fling. Sounds like Dave the subversive pirate was excetionally grumpy, probably due to not getting to wear tracksters for half the day. Sounds like Ian and John K had tough races - might be age gentlemen? ;-) The others have still to report but it looks like Marco, Ritchie, Neal, Tom, George R and Davie Hall had great races, and of course, Jez beat the course record again. :-)

Well done to Drew Sheffield, who I will be sharing an apartment with at the UTMB along with George Reid. He completed the Fling in 10:55 then ot on a bus and completed a marathon the next day somewhere in the Midlands after almost no sleep. Crazy fella!

Hopefully I am injury free next year to join in all the fun.

The diagnosis and prognosis

Yes, I'm still sitting here self-absorbed in injury and recovery, but the weather is very nice and I am feeling quite chipper all in all. Off business class to Abu Dhabi in a few weeks to deliver some teaching to the Abu Dhabi water and power company - reclining bed seats and all. Woooo. The teaching day finishes at 2pm strangely enough so I'll have quite a few hours to either UTMB power hike train on a severe incline running machine ala Mister Mason's recommendations, or to find a large skyscraper to run up and down the stairwell of. Maybe the beach for some heat training. Who knows?



Anyway, my physio diagnosed my ankle injury today. Likely that I have given myself a minor tibialis tendon tear (grade 1) and a bit of anterior talofbular ligament damage too. Got good strength and no pain when under load so should recover quite quickly. He didn't want to say much about me doing the 33 Marlborough Downs ultra on 16th May but gave me the OK to run a few miles at the weekend as a tester, then build up sensibly. I'll see what the weekend brings ... :-)

Good luck to all the WHWR Family in, or supporting the Montane Highland Fling this weekend. It should be hoot, and a great race with a few folk trying for PBs (Tom, John K, Neal and I suspect also Marco). All the best all!