Extreme Knitting Redhead: Wednesday Woes

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Wednesday Woes

My ultra marathon yesterday, the Gothic Challenge, was wet, windy and a rather tough challenge both mentally and physically. It was the same location and route as the previous 2 but the weather forecast was even worse than before with rain and wind throughout.

I donned my waterproof jacket right at the start but that didn't stop the blimming wind taking my breath away. This time we were running uphill into the wind - nice! However, the weather gods must haven taken pity on us as the rain didn't come until later and we were treated to 2 hours of rain-free running before it did its worst and soaked us.

This time I was practising my fuelling strategy (get me sounding all knowledgeable, as if!) and I tried out some Tailwind combined with solid food (a piece of my banana cake & some salty crisps) which didn't cause any tummy problems. For many years I've trained in what's known as a 'fasted' state which just means I don't eat before I run which helps train your body to burn fat as a fuel rather than relying on taking in lots of carbohydrates. With what I have planned in a few weeks (details to follow very soon) I will have to take on much more fuel than I'm accustomed to so hence the trial. Apparently using Tailwind helps aid recovery too.

There's not much to say about the run itself as it was just a case of putting your head down and grinding out the miles. We were certainly a strange looking bunch all hidden behind cowls/hats with our heads bowed against the wind.

I opted for the 'short-ultra' of 29 miles and was delighted to finish in 6:00:36 which included a trip to the toilet and nipping back to my car to get some nice dry gloves (oh how wonderful it felt to exchange my soaking wet gloves for some nice warm and dry ones).

Next I have the Moonlight Challenge which starts on Saturday afternoon and goes into the night. A nice dry day would be very welcome!

Marathon 141

2 comments:

oldrunningfox. said...: Agree with your strategy of not eating before a run. I never do, but usually have a coffee before I step out the house. Nor did I ever consume anything during marathons. No gels for me though I drank water at every opportunity.
In long distance fell races I stuffed mini Mars bars and glucose tabs in my bum bag,the same as when running the Scottish Munros, but rarely touched them until I finished.
On long mountaineering (climbing) days a block of marzipan came in handy, to the envy of my climbing partners!
Cheers!; February 15, 2018 at 6:13:00 AM PST
Susie Hewer said...: Hi MrFox! Lovely to hear from you and I'm re-assured to learn that you don't eat before a run either. I too drink a nice strong coffee beforehand and I believe that hit of caffeine helps enormously. When I first started marathining I tried the usual Sports drinks and felt completely bloated with far too much liquid sloshing around in my stomach. Someone gave me a gel to try and I spat it out 'cos it was horrid so I've always been a plain water girl for long distances up to and including 50 milers, until now that is as I realise that plain water just won't hack it for what I'll be doing next.; February 15, 2018 at 6:32:00 AM PST

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Mum's Story

In 1997 my mother, then aged 81, had a series of minor strokes. Shortly after that we started to notice behavioural changes notably memory loss and confusion over everyday items. We thought it was just old age finally catching up with her. Then she started wandering and had violent mood swings. Although she already lived with us it became obvious that she couldn't be left alone for long and so I left my job to care for her. The next few years saw a gradual decline into the blackness that is 'vascular dementia'. My normally placid mum became violent and aggressive. She had psychotic incidents where she would see imaginary people (children hiding in her wardrobe, Russians sitting on the stairs, women stealing her clothes) and she would shout at them and sometimes throw things too. She was so convincing that we used to go and check that there wasn't anyone there! When my sister died mum did not know who Judy was or that she was her daughter. There came a point when I suddenly realised she no longer knew that I was her daughter and this was a terrible time for me. In the last 2 years that she lived with us, life for us all became almost unbearable as she needed 24 hour care - she couldn't be left alone at all because she would either wander off or hurt herself, she never slept for more than 30 minutes at a time during the night, she became incontinent and incapable of doing anything for herself. Finally my husband and I realised that we could no longer provide her with the care that she needed and she went to live in a special care home where the team did a splendid job caring for her in the last few months of her life. There she lived a zombified existence unaware of who she was, what she was or where she was. It was heartbreaking. She died in March 2005, the day after her 89th birthday.

Thank you for taking the time to read mum's story and I hope you'll dig deep and sponsor me using the link below to help find a way of beating this destructive disease.