Barefoot Ted is back!

The hallmark of Ted’s barefoot running philosophy is regaining connectedness, mindfulness, and presence in your running and in your body.

“Barefoot running is not about blocking or pushing through pain, or at least it shouldn’t be. Rather it is about tuning-in to your own body’s highly sophisticated set of integrated awareness systems, systems that communicate through feelings and senses that are being collected in real-time as you move. From my perspective, learning how to run well means learning how to tap into the feeling of running well, which more often than not requires baring the foot to get the full feel of what happens when you move.”

Ted will be appearing at Run and Become, both to tell you more about how Luna Sandals, the book, and his running philosophies co-evolved, and to take you out for a run around the urban jungle of London!

The event is free but sign up to book a place as there is limited space

Ultrarunning World

The British Ultra Fest features the first 6 day non-stop in the UK for 23 years. Along side this will be a  much rarer event, a 48 hour race of which there have only ever been two or three in the UK and for those for whom a day is enough, there is a 24 hour race. All the events are staggered and finish on the final day an hour apart.

The course is a 400 m all-weather track. The runners will stay in dorms or tents trackside and in a pioneering move the event will provide vegetarian food by Veggies.co.uk.

The event is organised by Pam Storey of the Crawley Ultras fame, Alan Young, elite athlete manager, and Abichal Sherrington the man behind Multidays.com and Ultrarunning World. The trio are supported by the Radley Co-ordinator, 100km specialist Paul Fernandez.

Leading UK multiday runners William Sichel and Richard Brown, Japanese runner Kenji Okiyama and Konstantinos Anagnostou from Greece along with Christine David from France ensure that there will be a great race for the top spots.

The 48 hour race is virtually full but there are still a few places left in the 6 day and the 24 hour.

Checkout the details at The British Ultra Fest.com

Visit the British Ultra Fest Facebook page for updates and discussion

Ultrarunning World

Christopher Howe Photo courtesy of UltraRace

Photo courtesy Ultrarace.co.uk
The Cardiff Ultra is a 50 mile race which starts in Brecon and follows the Taff Trail through the Brecon Beacons National Park, past Cyfarthfa Castle and Castell Coch, before arriving at Sport Wales, Cardiff where the race finishes.

There were 140 starters in Brecon and first home was Christopher Howe in 6:44:34 First ;lady was Nicola Golunska in 7:33:54. Lowri Morgan was fourth.

The race is organised by Ultrarace.co.uk, run by Rory Coleman and Jen Salter and their next race is the 100 mile road race through the Cotswolds, June 28th 2013.

Resources
Race report: Cardiff Ultra Louise Ayling
Race report: Helen Crossland
Race report: Andrew Landells
Race results: Cardiff Ultra Results 2013

Ultrarunning World

William Sichel at the Emu 6 day race. Photo by Alan Young

NEWS from Orkney’s

William Sichel

Fighting back from the effects of heat William Sichel takes 5^th place in Hungary

Orkney-based ultra marathon runner, William Sichel (59) overcame the effects of serious heat, during the 2013 Hungarian 6 Day road race in Balaton, Western Hungary to achieve 5^th place overall with a final distance of 469.22 miles.

Temperatures rose to the high 20’s centigrade during the first part of the race stressing runners excessively in this incredibly grueling ultramarathon.

“I was satisfied with my heat training in preparation for this event and I was pleased with how I responded in the heat.  There is however, a limit and late on Friday, after the sun set, a sheet of cloud came over and the area became like an oven with very high humidity too.  I sensed a strange feeling of the whole body ‘heating up’ especially around the neck and head – not a pleasant sensation.”

William responded by wrapping himself in wet towels and by resting more to allow for sufficient cooling.  Time and distance was obviously lost but the condition had to be treated properly before he could continue.

William came back strongly and for many hours see-sawed between 3^rd and 4th place.  A final surge from the Hungarian ultrarunner Pula Tamas saw William drop to 5^th place which he held onto until the finish.

The Balaton event is the strongest in-depth multiday race held so far this year and William’s performance puts him in 7^th place on the overall World Rankings for this year.

William also enjoyed a near perfect nutritional strategy using almost 12 litres of ice cream during the race along with some bacon and eggs.

“It was great to be so well fueled and have no stomach issues at all.  It makes a big difference if this can be achieved in these long events.

William doesn’t have much of a break before he tackles the first 6 Day race to take place in Britain for 23 years – The British UltraFest 6 Day track race to be held from August 11^th – 17^th at the Radley College, Abingdon near Oxford.

For some years William has been engaged in Project 60@60 in which he was attempting to have set 60 ultra distance records, at World, British and Scottish level, including age-groups, before his 60^th birthday on October 1^st 2013. The two 1000km records, achieved in Monaco in November 2012, marked his 59^th and 60^th records thus achieving  his target 10 months ahead of schedule.

William will announce a new ambitious project at some point in the future.

William is grateful to main sponsors Orkney Micro Renewables, Loganair and the Orkney Islands Council.

Ultrarunning World

Photo courtesy XNRG

The Pony Express 2013: A Bank Holiday Belter

The Extreme Energy Pony Express is more than just an ultra-marathon: it’s two 30-mile ultras, run back-to-back over the two days on the May bank holiday weekend. Completing even one day of the multi-terrain course is an achievement; completing both days is enough to earn you two qualifying points for the mighty UTMB.

Over 70 runners joined the Extreme Energy crew in the New Forest this year for the third annual Pony Express, with the men’s race won by Justin Montague with an impressive combined 2-day time of 8:07:01, just three minutes behind Mark Ford’s 2012 course record, and the women’s title taken by Jennifer Bradley in 9:03:35, putting her in third place overall behind Austin Jarrett.

Beyond the podium, the challenge once again brought some impressive achievements from runners and walkers throughout the field, with nearly nine hours separating the first and last finishers, and more than 40 years of age between the youngest and oldest. One first-time ultra runner, Rochelle Williams, clocked up the first- and second-ever ultras of her running career on days one and two of the race to finish in 11h 29; Kenwynne Barber, an Extreme Energy veteran and the oldest finisher at 72 years old, described the race as ‘another “F” week-end, as in Fabulous!!!’, showing incredible stamina to finish the course in 18h 46.

Evening entertainment came from Jennifer Bradley, a Pony Express veteran of 2011 and 2012 (placed second lady both times) who ran 3300 miles coast-to-coast in the USA last year and returned to tell the tale. Jennifer shared the story of her inspirational running experience in an after-dinner presentation at the overnight stop between days one and two, before going on to demonstrate her ultra tips in action, by winning the ladies’ title! Course conditions in the New Forest were perfect, with clear skies and sunshine throughout the weekend.

Next up in the Extreme Energy event calendar is the Fan Dance Challenge, 18 May, followed by the Round the Island Ultra Challenge on 1/2 June.

Further information:

Pony Express 2013 competitor information http://www.xnrg.co.uk/ponyexpress2013.htm
Get an overview of the course from the Extreme Energy blog: extremenrg.wordpress.com
Jennifer Bradley’s race report http://runningandbaking.com/2013/05/06/pony-express-2013/

Ultrarunning World

Caroline McKay Finishing The Fling 2013

California Calling
Spring Training Diary: Peak Weeks

It’s almost mid-May and the Western States 100 countdown timer reads 49 days 16 hours. So, just 7 weeks to go until I am standing in the early morning at the Squaw Valley start line. This week, I have developed the feeling that time is running away faster than I’d like, but that is partly because the last two weeks training have not gone to plan.

To recap, my last month of training has been divided up into a few different aspects: a short taper, racing the Hoka Highland Fling Ultra, recovery, and briskly back into the weeks of specific training for the Western States – during what is now the peak training period of my plan – including sessions back in the climatic training chamber at Napier University.

Hoka Highland Fling
It was my third time running ‘the Fling’, which is a 53-mile trail ultra along the southern half of the West Highland Way, from Milngavie in Glasgow up to Tyndrum in Stirlingshire. I reckoned this year it would be a particularly good training race, if such a thing exists, for the Western States – the route is hilly, mixed-terrain and an excellent test of fitness. Every year I have raced it I have found it challenging, punishing and uplifting in equal measure and this year was no different. I had a shaky start but paced myself better than in previous years and felt my hill/downhill training and higher mileage really slot into place, leading to a more comfortable race overall. I did however miscalculate one of the stiles midway through the race, missing the bottom step and landing hard with my left foot in an awkward position. I felt a sharp shooting pain which I thought I could brush off, but after Beinglas Farm – the final checkpoint at 40 miles – I felt mild pain with every step. But I cracked on and was overjoyed to finish in 9 hrs 36 minutes, taking an hour off my PB for the Fling. On finishing, a dark bruise was spreading up my foot and I couldn’t put full weight on it, but thankfully my physio later reported he didn’t think I’d done major soft tissue damage and the bruising and inflammation was down to bursting a few blood vessels in the area.

So the Fling was another good learning experience – as well as giving respect to the stiles, I also have to get a grip on my pre-race nerves. The start time of 6am is similar to the 5am start for the Western States, and I hardly slept at all the night before – not even an hour. I wondered if it was possible to run out of the adrenaline I’d need to get me through. As it happened, I didn’t feel tired after I settled into the race and it didn’t seem to affect my performance, as far as I was aware anyway. But I’d rather find a way to relax, switch off my mind and feel fully rested before the start of the big races, particularly the States. My full Highland Fling race report is here.

Recovery
I’d hoped to be running after a few days recovery but this was not to be. A week later I tried a few short, slow plods but had to take another few frustrating days break due to pain. But now, two weeks later, it is almost back to normal and I instinctively feel my body is healing well. I’m easing back into longer runs and hill sessions and will ease back off again if inflammation re-occurs – even another week off now, whilst far from ideal, would be preferable to the issue continuing or worsening to impact the States.

Back in the Heat

The Heat Chamber

After the break, I ventured back to the warmer climes of the heat chamber to try an easy bike/run session. This time, we increased temperature to 33 degrees Celsius. I alternated from the stationary road bikes set up to the treadmill on a 20 minute rotation, along with two others sharing the chamber. This worked well, not least as my body is still adapting to being back on a bike after so long away from cycling! I cranked up the treadmill pace at the end of the session to 11km/hour and once again felt distinctly dizzy and sick when I left the chamber, another lesson that running at a pace you know you can maintain comfortably in the heat is so important – and it’s interesting being able to experiment with the tipping point in these sessions.

Final Preparation
As well as the logistical preparation that still needs attention, I have two longer 36 degree sessions left for June in the heat chamber, immediately before I fly on 19th June, to aid the physical adaptations. I will couple this with 4 more weeks of intensive training focusing on downhill, speed and back to backs, including a weekend running most of the West Highland Way in late May. Then in California, a week of light running and short hikes on the Western States route awaits, which I am looking forward to just about as much as the actual race. Having run in the Sierra Nevadas in 2011, I am so excited to be back in that beautiful, pine-scented environment again – hopefully with no stiles to negotiate.

Until then, happy training and racing to all!

Caroline McKay

Caroline McKay is an ultrarunner living in Scotand and working as a Development Manager at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. Having run many ultras, Caroline drew a ticket in the lottery for the 2013 Western States 100 mile Endurance Run in California in the USA and will be sharing her preparations for the event with a short series of articles for Ultrarunning World under the banner California Calling for which we are very grateful.
Catch up with Caroline on her blog, Chapters in Running and on her Facebook page

Related articles:
California Calling: Spring Training Diary – Heat and Hills
California Calling: The Western States 100
The UltrAspire Surge Hydration Vest Review by Caroline McKay

Ultrarunning World

The British team produced some excellent running with Sharon Law setting a new Scottish record for 200 km and a new 24 hour record surpassing Debbie Martin-Consani’s previous best of 217 km  with 226.170 km. Sharons run earned her bronze medal in the European Championships and helped the GBR Womens team to Silver Debbie Martin-Consani also surpassing her old record. Emily Gelder’s 212 km clinched a fine team performance. After running well in the early stages, Lizzy Hawker had problems around the 10 hour point and stopped around 130 km. Mami Kodo won the womens race setting a new world record breaking Lizzy’s record set in 2011 in North Wales. Mami ran 252.205km to finish 7th overall.

Steve Holyoak produced a great performance for 12th place overall, running over 152 miles as did Robbie Britton with 239 km who tweeted “Nothing has ever hurt that much”.

Congratulations to all the team, crews and management who put a lot of time and energy into performing well on the world stage.

The Irish Team saw a good performance from Eoin Keith who finished 15th overall with over 145 miles.

World and European 24 Hour Championships Results

Robbie Britton’s race report

Ultrarunning World

Photo courtesy of VO2

The VO2 Oner 2013 took place April 21st along undulating coastline in the South west of England. Founded in 2007 this run over classic terrain has checkpoints approximately every 6 miles and a cut-off policy for those not sustaining an average of 3 mph. The route starts at Shell Bay, Studland, then up to Old Harry Rocks – one of several famous landmarks the path passes eventually  reaching the seaside resort of Weymouth. The final section makes its way along Chesil Beach, Golden Cap and the descent to the finish line.

This year there were 29 starters and 22 finishers.

Marathon man Adam Holland took on the ‘Oner’, described as ‘the mother of all ultra trail runs.’ The race is a triple coastal marathon over the Jurassic coast path along Dorset. But the competitors had 24-hour time limit is imposed on them. The runners also have to self navigate the path along the coast, running through the day and night.  Although it is described as a triple marathon, the distance covered by the athletes is more like 80 miles.
Adam started the event at noon on Saturday, and finally crossed the finishing line at about 5am. He said: “it was great to take on the Oner again, I wanted to prove to myself that I could run the whole thing this year without having a kip in the event. Toward the end I was getting tired, but did go all the way. I took a bad fall and got very muddy from it, but it was not going to stop me from finishing the event” Adam’s time was 17hours 21 minutes and was 1st back to the finish. That was over 4 hours faster that last year.

Ultrarunning World

Mark Denby,Robbie Britton,Mark Davies Kurt Dusterhoff

On April 21st, 120 runners from around the country came together in Evesham to take part in Cotswold Running’s Evesham Half Marathon and Ultramarathon. The two races, based at Jacksons Bar on Waterside, gave participants the opportunity to enjoy the countryside of the Vale and surrounding hills with either a 13.5 mile or 45 mile route. Following months of rain and treacherous mud, the sunny weather served to brighten spirits and dry out the trails, making for excellent running conditions. The 27 miles between the towers on Bredon Hill and Middle Hill, Broadway is broadly the route that inspired us to set up Cotswold Running. It just cries out, “Race on me – I’ll give you a challenge!”.

Race day dawned bright and cold, with a forecast for 1mm of rain (let’s call that a full day of sunshine, then!). As we set up HQ, runners arrived, registered, and prepped for the day. We got the chance to meet eventual ultra winner Robbie Britton as he helped us get the marquees up while we waited for the building to open. The staggered start between races made for a nice relaxed hum around HQ as people filtered in and out of the pub.

Following a brief remembrance of those affected by the tragic events of the week in Brighton, Boston, and Texas, the runners made their way to the starting line in Hampton. The ultramarathon runners set off at 8:30 on a route that would take them through Charlton, Cropthorne, Elmley Castle, Beckford, Gretton and on to their halfway point at Winchcombe. On their way they crossed Bredon Hill, Alderton Hill, and Langley Hill. Their return to Evesham brought them along the edge of the Cotswold escarpment, via Hailes Abbey, Stanway, Stanton, Broadway Tower, Broadway, Childswickham, and Wickhamford, with plenty more hills to add to the challenge. With over 4500 feet of total ascent, the runners faced an unrelenting battle against the terrain, as both the uphill and downhill gradients tested their strength and endurance. GB International 24-hour racer Robbie Britton from Surrey dominated in the second half to complete the gruelling course in an astonishing six hours and forty-seven minutes, nearly 25 minutes ahead of Herefordshire’s Mark Davies and Londoner Mark Denby. Running her first ultramarathon, Hayley Stockwell, of Stonehouse, Gloucs., won the ladies race in 8:47, passing Stourbridge’s Joan Clarke in the final quarter for a 10 minute lead. London’s Sandra Goldsack finished third, a further 15 minutes behind Stockwell. Having completed a momentous tour of the area, the 48 ultra runners were full of praise for their beautiful surroundings.

While the ultramarathon runners were taking in every hill they could see between Bredon and Broadway, the Half Marathon participants enjoyed a somewhat faster and flatter experience. Starting at 10:00, they followed the ultra route for the first 10km From Elmley Castle, they turned east to Kersoe before heading back to Evesham via the Salt Way and Hampton. The mix of experienced and novice trail runners quickly made their way around the route, led by Worcester’s Richard Walsh. Following up on his third place in Cotswold Running’s Naunton 19 in January, Walsh broke free in the final miles to win just 50 seconds ahead of Evesham’s Phil Cashman and ladies’ winner Susanne Enhard of Newbury. Third man across the line was Gloucester’s James Walters. Evesham’s Jill Moore finished second woman, leading Penelope Barber of Birmingham.

As ever, with trail racing, there’s a potential for taking an even more scenic route. At around mile 4, a few signs had some “overnight assistance” which led runners to enjoy a variety of alternatives to the marked course. Fortunately, enough runners had followed the key direction of taking a phone with HQ’s number stored and we got everyone on track without too much extra distance.

Considering the magnificent achievements of the runners in both races, race director Kurt Dusterhoff said, “Everyone who ran today was fantastic, from those who were running their first trail race to the experienced international competitors. It’s wonderful to be able to bring such a great group of runners together.” Volunteer and local runner Sue Wright helped the ultramarathoners at the final drinks station at Wickhamford. She reflected, “I was amazed at how many were still smiling after 40 miles’ hard running! It was a pleasure to meet some amazing and inspirational runners.”

Kurt Dusterhoff

Evesham Ultra 2013 Full Race Results

Robbie Brittons race report

Next race: The Cotswold Way Centuries, 100 miles, September 21st 2013.

Ultrarunning World

• 38 mile course
• 50 runner limit
• 10 hour cut-off
• £25.00 entry fee
• Map will be given
• Aid stations every 6 miles

Checkout the website for all the details: www.sussextrailevents.com

Ultrarunning World