LET THE TRAINING START

The training grounds for the lakeland 50 (photo's taken this afternoon from the top of the foel.)

Yellow snow

The Christmas lifestyle has taken over the Hodgson house over the past week, life has been hectic but we've still managed to fit in some quality runs . I'm looking forward to starting training for the lakeland 50 in January, Ive got some demanding mountain routes planned.

Lakeland 50

Just entered the lakeland 50. I've never been to the lake district before, so i imagine lots of visits to the area. I'll be doing my first run since brecon tomorrow, plan is to have some quality running time with jasper on the mountain.

Quick note to daymion, if your reading this, thanks for your help in brecon, all the best in Australia and see you at snowdonia next year.

Beacons Ultra

Managed the 48mile beacon ultra in a time of 11hrs 25Min's. Looking back at the event i think i could have done much better. There were a number of factors that i think hindered my performance they were, nutrition before the event (eat to much), should have taken time off work before the event, should have slept better the night before and possibly trained differently.

I will use the beacons ultra as a learning curve and i will do better next time.

My next event is an summer ultra, possibly the Lakeland 50. Training for my next ultra will be different from the beacons. I will need to concentrate more on diet, running with a pack and time on my feet.

Did i enjoy the beacons ultra? Yes i loved every second. Do i want to do more ultras? Yes i do.

The Beacons Ultra - Ready for the off.

Last run today, 45Min's over the mountain, the shortest run I've done in a long time. Over the past five days I've been doing one hour runs over the mountain and I've been feeling excellent. I am going to take the next five days off, I want fresh legs on Saturday, I've got a feeling I'll do well.

Beacons Ultra

The training has gone ok. Last week thurs and fri done a full lap of the course, 48miles in two days, not bad for me, although they were slow. I have got a plan, i hope to complete the first lap within 5 hrs and then crawl around the second lap. I think once the tor y foel is out of the way on the second lap the hard work is over, just head down to the finish. I am illness free at the moment, if i could wear a face mask in work i would, I'll just make sure to be on my best guard in relation to prisoners. Fingers crossed everything will be ok, the taper is drive me nuts though.

Feeling goood at the moment

Had a good 4hr run on the mountain trails today. I even had 10 min walking break, felt a lot better and stronger after the walking break. Sunday and Monday were 2 hr mountain runs and tomorrow will be approx 3 - 2 hrs, Thursday will be 3 hrs on the mountain trails and on Friday i will do my best to try spend alot of the day out....... Next week i will calm it down a little bit and then it's into taper madness for 2 weeks.

Beacons ultra............?

I had one day off after snowdonia, then on the Monday it was back to it. After some awful runs on the Monday and Tuesday i had pain in my right foot. I seen the doctor at work, he said i had tendentious said and to rest up for a couple of days. (gutted) By Saturday i was all better and started training again. Ive managed to have six days of two and half to three hour runs, they weren't to bad but i could have done better, i am lacking motivation.

I am reading forum posts on the beacons ultra, i think almost everyone doing the event has done it before or are experienced ultra runners and i think that's my problem, its getting me down. I am thinking of how good everyone is then the there's me, never run an ultra before.

The course has altered a bit, it includes a hard mountain climb , i went up today and almost got blown of the top. Ive decided to follow the two week taper program for the beacons as i did for snowdonia. I wonder how I'll do?

A free picture of me.

Having fun on the closing stages of the marathon.

NO SLEEP TILL SNOWDONIA

I had very limited sleep the two nights before the marathon, why i worry i don't know. The marathon was excellent fun, i enjoyed every minute. I wanted to take it a bit easy and at the same time run at the sort of pace I'll be running the ultra. And to my surprise i found it comfortable all the way around. I even managed to run up the hill from waunfawr and didn't even consider walking, i was very surprised. Thinking back now if i hadn't of talked to so many people and maybe pushed myself harder i would of broken 4hrs, but what the hell i had a great time. I think the last mile i pushed myself the hardest and overtook nearly every runner to try and get under 4 hrs ( the thought of breaking the 4 hrs barrier never came into my mind until the last mile, silly me). According to my watch i managed 4hrs 2mins and a few seconds which i was happy with. The results haven't been published yet. The run is on S4C tonight, which i will be glued to.

Cant wait till Saturday

Well all is ready for snowdonia. Friday we did a 5 mile run around the mountain, it was slow and very enjoyable. Sundays run was approx 7 miles over the malvern hills, did'nt feel very good and i was glad when the run was over. Mondays run was supposed to be short and slow but with Sundays bad run i wanted my last run before snowdonia to feel good. So i decided to do the first ten miles of the beacons ultra. I felt good and enjoyed running along the canel towpath and felt good at the end.
I have decided not to waste myself when doing snowdonia, i want to enjoy the race and have fun. If i get under 5 hrs i will be happy but any time will do. My mission is to finish............

Oi jasper, what does TAPER mean?

Over the past three days i have recovered from my illness and have been doing slow 2hr hilly runs. With the beacons ultra not so far away i am finding it hard to slow things down in time for snowdon. But i suppose i will have to TAPER (hate that word) so will start from tomorrow. Training pogram for the next week.

tues 13th =5miles

wed 14th =rest

thurs 15th=1-2 hrs hilly

fri 16th= 1-2hrs hilly

sat 17th =rest

sun 18th = hilly 10mile (with marathon clothing)

mon 19th = 1/2 hr hilly / football on mountain with jasper

tues, wed, thurs, fri =rest

Today jasper and me done a nice slow hilly 2hr session and late afternoon paid a visit to brecon for a walk / run up to pen y fan (top really enjoyed). We were up there in time for a great sun set

Gastroenteritis

Thats the illness ive had over the past five days. Monday morning i phoned in work sick and by late afternoon couldnt i get out of bed. I went to the doctors on Wednesday and he diagnosed me with gastroenteritis. He advised me to take it easy and lay off the running for a bit, he said i should be ok for snowdonia but advised me to take it easy. Ive been a bit better since Thursday, ive been dying to get out for a run, my mind is willing but my body is saying 'NO NOT YET'. I am bored a the momemt, hanging around the house watching movies and killing teenagers on xbox live 'call of duty'. It's made me wonder how much of my time running takes up (not that i mind). Jasper of wondering what the hell is going on, we've had six days off from running, its the longest we've had off in approx 2 years....... which makes me wonder.

Everything has arrived on time for Snowdonia

My new road trainers, new shorts, new t- shirt and of course the sore throat and blues. I was concerned that my sore throat wouldn't arrive in time but luckily it has and fortunately its made me feel knackered and down. And the blues have come in time, captain paranoia is sitting on my shoulder asking me if I've done enough training for snowdon. I keep telling myself I've done enough but i question myself. Mileage is a big issue for me, sometimes i go out for approx 4 hrs and living in mountains and running on difficult trails i could only cover approx 20 miles but that 20 miles totals to approx 23 miles if done on the flat.
Things are not good in Andrew's running world at the moment, even to the point of jacking it all in and just enjoying running with jasper, do i do snowdonia.........?

Ive been hammering in the mileage over the past couple of days. Ive done two trips to brecon a 16 miler and once around the beacons ultra route. Yesterdays run was crap even jasper felt it, we done a very hilly 14 miler, we were happy to finish it. So today i wanted a day off, but enough is never enough for me. The wife had gone out with her friends, the baby was over the outlaws and i had a whole afternoon to myself. After an hour by myself i cracked, i loaded jasper in the car and headed off to brecon. I wanted to do a fun run, no pressure, just fun with jasper and the camera. We had the time of our lives, i felt i could of run forever and i was running strong, i am still buzzing from it.

Another busy 12hr day shift, i didn't stop all day. It was good to get home, get jasper and go out for a quick hour and unwind. Ive began to treat the runs after my first day shift as a fun run, no pressure just enjoy the freedom of the hills with jasper, a chance to unwind sort of thing. No running after work tomorrow, my plan is for a very long run over brecon on monday, ive decided to up the mileage, snowdonia just around the corner and brecon just after (my first ultra...help)

Pen y fan

We've had a difficult couple of day running, its been enjoyable but I've been finding it hard. Today we done 16 miles over brecon taking in pen y fan twice, it was windy and again i found it very hard. When we got back to the car park i was in bits, i had a cup of tea from the burger van and that made me feel nauseous. I am not feeling to good now, i hope i am not coming down with something. Jasper enjoyed, he got a lot of attention from some french female students on top of pen y fan.

http://www.GoodRunGuide.co.uk/RunMapExternal.asp?RouteNumber=51661

We had a great run today after work. Only 5 miles to the top of the foel and back but jasper and I really enjoyed. I had a stress full day at work and it was nice to get home, say hello the family and take a stress free run on the mountain with jasper. Broke out the head torch on the way back. Weeks achievement's :

Sat 5th sept 20miles

Sun 6th sept 8miles

Mon 7th sept 15miles

Tues 8th sept 15miles

Wed 9th sept- forced rest day (not by choice)

Thurs 10th 15miles

fri 11 sept 5miles

Another slow 15miler today,it was hot but we both enjoyed the run. We made a pit stop back at the house for water and food, then with a bark we were off again. The nights are starting to get darker, so tomorrow after work i think we'll do a run up the foel and break out the head torch on our way back. I think i am on track for completing the snowdonia marathon comfortably, i have decided not to stress about what time I'll do, but instead to enjoy the experience.

http://www.GoodRunGuide.co.uk/RunMapExternal.asp?RouteNumber=50952

Foel

Done 15miles over the foel today and felt terrible all the way. The weather was hot and the run up the foel took it out of me. Half way up the foel jasper seen a deer and ran after it making me laugh for a while. Not a good run today.

http://www.GoodRunGuide.co.uk/RunMapExternal.asp?RouteNumber=40607

We are on track

Over the past three days it seems to have all come together. I am running further and longer than i have done for a while. I seem to be recovering faster and jasper's interval training is on top form. On Saturday we done a 5hr run and jasper was on top form, i m sure he could of carried on all day. The hot weather of the past few months certainly affected his performance. Tomorrow i am going to get in touch with the organisers of the beacons ultra and ask if he can run it with me.

IF IT AIN'T RAINING IT AIN'T TRAINING

We used to have a saying in the Army ' if it ain't raining it ain't training'. The wind and rain certainly put me and jasper to the test today. We enjoyed a three hour run today fighting the weather every minute, the rain on top of the foel was incredible. I found myself enjoying every step of the run bringing back memories of Army runs over brecon. I lost concentration for one second while climbing a barbed wire fence, i slipped, fell on my arse and the fence ripped the back of my Adidas windproof jacket.

Jasper was back on full form today. We done 2 hours 40 mins around the foel and pontrhydyfen today. It started to rain as soon as we set off and didnt stop until we got home. I think the rain and wind picked jasper up. I would have done more but i was soaked and was starting to get cold. I think the colder weather is coming, it might be time to break out the windproof jacket.

Malvern Hills

Took milly back home to malvern today. On the way back we stopped of at the Malvern Hills for a two hour run. I lost jasper for about five minutes at the turn around point, i don't know where he went or what he was up to but we eventually managed to meet up.
I am a bit worried about jasper, he hasn't been himself on runs over the past few weeks. I am hoping when the colder weather starts to arrive he will be back of full form. Till then if he doesn't improve I'll take him to the vets.
I think we'll do a long run tomorrow and take in our fave mountain 'foel fynyddau'.

Total mileage for week approx 76miles, i am happy with that. Milly is down for the bank holiday. Ultra collie has given me an idea, Milly and me are off down to ogmore and southern down coast on the horses and i am going to recce a route for a long run along the coast.

We are the road crew

Tens miles today over the Bwlch and all on road (lanes). Felt really good, down hills were not that bad. It was nice to have Jasper on the lead next to me, instaed of him running around tiring himself out. I think until my new trail shoes arrive i'll stick to the mountain roads and take in a few long runs. Next session - tomorrow after work Same as today i think..............

Have managed to knock out 45miles over the past 3 days, all around afan argoed. For tomorrows adventure Ive decided to put on the road trainers and do some miles through the mountain lanes. Dont know what route to take or how far / long to go, just going to have some fun. Ive not been on the roads for a while but will have to start doing more with snowdonia not so far away.

Need new trail trainers and new road trainers. Note to self, order new trail trainers from Likeys on Thurs.

Bwlych Road here we come.........

Had a great 15miler with jasper today. The Afan Argoed trails were full of frendly mountain bikers all of them made a fuss of jasper. Afan Argoed is a place ive been avoiding for he past few months. Its a great mountain biking area and people come all over the uk to use the bike trails. I'll take a camera tomorrow and take some snaps.

I will have to start logging my runs because i am losing faith in my abilities. Day off today (bad night shift last night......... it was murder) Past weeks training was.

fri 14/08 Afan argoed 15 miles
Sat 15/08 day off
Sun 16/08 Afan argoed 18miles
Mon 17/08 Afan argoed 8mles
Tues 18/08 day off , first day shift
Wed 19/08 baglan mountain 8 miles
Thurs 20/08 baglan mountain 11 miles
Fri day off last night shift

Total = 60miles

Feeling really tired today,so no running. I have planned to do the route i done on saturday (fan llia, pen y fan, crybyn and fan y big) tomorrow. I'll fill up with pasta tonight and see how it all goes tomorrow.

Had a good 90min run with jasper yesterday by the waterfalls. Today done the fan hir and camarthern fans and felt totally wasted at the end. I done 4 hrs but would have liked to go further. The weather was really hot and i felt it a bit.

This is where i should have gone today. Let this be a lesson to myself. NO TO PEN Y FAN ON WEEKENDS.

Flip flops and walkers

What i should have done today was cut out pen y fan and surronding mountains and gone over the black mountain and camarthen fan. But i didnt (gritted teeth).

I parked the car in fan llia carpark. Took the route over fan llia to the 'Storey Arms'. The route was then corn du - pen y fan -crybyn - fan y big over to torpantau then on the gap road to the bottom of crybyn back up pen y fan and back to fan llia.

Although i am happy with what i done i was annoyed with the comments of some walkers as i was going up pen y fan the second time. When i got to the top the summit was crowded with people and i think about half were wearing flip flops and hardly a back pack in sight. (its no wonder the mountain rescue ........................).

I was bit tired on the way back to fan llia ( i was going to hitch a ride on a wild pony, but i was to tired to catch one) see photo.

Anyway back to brecon on Monday though to week Monday.

I think the brecon beacons is a wonderfull stunning place. Jasper and i love the place.

My training over the past few weeks has included the first half of the beacons ultra route. Not a bad route, the gap road is playing hell with my ankles and with all the rain we've had it's like a river, i imagine in dec it will be covered in ice. I am not pleased with my performance over the past few weeks. Ive been getting headaches while running (could be the weather getting on my nerves).
Tomorrow think i'll run Fan Llia - Fan Frynych - Fan Fawr and back
Check out the photo of jasper in the wind on top of Fan Llia (is this really summer?)

Great news, just entered the brecon beacons ultra, over the moon. I will have to buy jasper a little headtorch........

Fixture list for rest of the year 2009

October 24th - Snowdonia marathon
December 5th - Beacons Ultra

Jasper on a 3hr run over the mountains. I stopped at the waterfall for him to have a drink,felt good at the end.

Jasper enjoying a well deserved drink at the end of the neolitic canix half. (we come 3rd, great)

Sorry Milly, no entries since April. From now on i will tell lots of stories and put loads of photo's of me and jasper on the blog.

This is me coming 34th in the mdisummer munro (britains hardest half) 'The pain was great'

Jasper feels the effects of the credit crunch

Nights last night...............

We set off for our daily run about one this afternoon. I wasnt to sure what route to take, after some deep conversation with jasper we decided to take in the 'foel' mountain. (its a favorite of ours but after a night shift its hard work)
The way jasper was running you could of been fooled into thinking he was the one that had been working nights. I know now that he was pacing himself, not like me........
After about 2hrs of running i was in a terrible state.
When Jasper normally completes a run with me he always gets a pork pie or a few slices of ham. I promised jasper if he would get me through the final difficult 30Min's of the run i would give him double pork pie and ham treat. Fair play to jasper he was a dog of his word. He didn't bark at any sheep and stayed right by my side until the end of the run. We finished the run in 2hrs 30 Min's (give or take a few Min's).
I wiped jasper down and let him in the house. Jasper run straight into the kitchen and sat up looking at the fridge. I opened the fridge and to my shock there was no pork pies or ham. I looked down at jasper gave him a brief lecture on the current economic down turn and how it has effected the price of ham and pork pies.
I think he was happy with the dog biscuit i gave him though.

The mountain veiw

On top of one of the mountains I run up, Pen y Fan in the distance.

past few days

Right here goes, a quick update on my training days over the past few days. I havent been able toupdate because of log in difficulties. Day after sarn helen done a 3hrs mountain run. Had one day off due to work. Then had 1hr 30mins run after work, the day after that doen another 3 hrs mountain run and today done a 1 hr 30 min. I must say that i have been having some o fews over to pen y fan and over the swansea bay and will try to publish them NOW.

Sarn Helen

I parked the car at the start of the sarn helen roman road. It was a good run, loads of sheep and cows on the route. Jasper was pulling on the lead to get at the farm animals but after i lost my temper with him he got the message. The run took about 1hr 30mins. I didnt do the whole route as i was just seeing what the route was like. I might do it tomorrow, i dont know. I will def being doing a extra long run tomorrow though.

Malvern Hills

Ran fromone side of the hills to the other and back again. There were loads of school kids running around the hills like idots. Didnt take jasper as i was seeing milly.

The Storey Arms Trail??

Set off at 1330hrs from the storey arms. Go to the top of corn du abou 1405 hrs. Had tostopon the way cause jasper wanted to play with a dog (pain). Went across the top to pen y fan and over to cribyn. From crybyn over to fan y big. Stopped for 10mins to talk to some blokes and then set of back to the storey arms car park. Whole time approx 3 hrs. Really tired at the end,jasper wasnt though.

My dad came down this morning to fix the shed roof. Jasper was all over him, jumping up and that. Richard came down about 1230 and we went for a hour 45min run. Jasper was a littlebit of a pain on the lead. I found the run run a bit hard, we went over two mountains, i dont know why i found it hard, may be cause of the hard run in malvern,knackered now.

Went to malvern yesterday to see kids. Didnt take jasper. Went for an hour 10mins run on the malvern hills. Felt very good, missed having jasper.

Nights last night. Got up around 1300hrs, jasper was at my feet bugging me for a run. finally managed to get out about 1350hrs. Run over the mountain over a few big hills and was back by 1510hrs. I was very impressed with jasper, he didnt put on the lead or even bark at any other dogs. I think it might of been a bit warm for him, still never mind it wont hurt him.