Start of the Pennine 100

Sunday 26 July 2009

The Final Countdown

Well!!

I think I am ready. I have all I feel I need to feed, water and protect me. My body feels good and my energy levels are topped up and ready.

I've been checking out who else is running (doesn't everyone?) and hope that everyone doesn't just run away into the distance! I've managed a few 8 hour runs and been pleased with my kit and nutrition. The GPS I bought seems to be functioning properly now (had send it back once) which will be a good fall back if I manage to lose myself. While sorting my kit out I have noticed that my Inov8 trainers (Roclight 318 GTX) are probably only going to be good for this race then will need replacing. These are my second pair for the big races and they have performed VERY WELL but with the length of training runs they are only lasting one season.

The numbers for the race are well in excess of 200 - well up on last year's entrants and even allowing for a full no-shows there should be a great showing at the start and finish. The run through the night will be a challenge to my map reading and I am really looking forward to it (sad I know).

It will feel very strange to arrive early on Friday then have to wait until late afternoon to get stuck into the race. I know I will be like many of the runners - twitchy all day. I intend to rest and be well fed before the race so a snooze in my tent will be the order of the day.

The race for the winner is going to be very close with a number of world class runners. I wouldn't like to call who will be first to the finish line as there are people with big races in their legs, some with experience of the race course, one who has won it and one who at his best regularly won some of the Vasque series races. There may also be people who I don't know who could give them a run for their money. All very exciting!!

I, like all the runners I suspect, will be hoping for weather that's not too hot, not too cold, not too wet and not too dry. We don't ask for much, do we?

My personal goal is to come in in around 24 hours and I have worked out my pacing for that sort of time. In any event I want to get in before its dark again!!

Well, off to sort out my kit and things I will need for the weekend (mainly food). I just need a few nights of good sleep and a bit of luck and I am sure it will be a great weekend.

Training Plan

Week M T W TH F S SU
1 Rest 6-10 miles, including 4x1 mile at TMP Easy 5-mile jog 7-9 miles, middle 3 at MP Rest 90-minute run 3-hour run (or about 18 miles)
2 Rest 6-10 Miles, including 4x1 mile at TMP Easy 5-mile jog 7-9 miles, middle 3 at MP Rest 90-minute run 3-hour run
3 Rest 6-10 miles, including 2x2 miles at HMP Easy 5-mile jog 7-9 miles, middle 3 at MP (5:00) Rest 2-hour run 3.5-hour run (or about 20 miles)
4 Rest 5-8 miles, including 3x1 mile at TMP Easy 5-mile jog 6 miles, middle 2 at MP Rest 1.5-hour run 2-hour run
5 Rest 9 miles, including 6x1 mile at TMP Easy 5-mile jog 9 miles, middle 3 at MP Rest 3.5- to 4-hour run (or about 20-24 miles) 3-hour run
6 Rest 9 miles, including 6x1 mile at TMP Easy 5-mile jog 9 miles, middle 3 at MP Rest 3.5- to 4-hour run 3-hour run
7 Rest 9 miles, including 6x1 mile at HMP Easy 5-mile jog 9 miles, middle 3 at MP Rest 3.5- to 4-hour run 3-hour run, last hour at MP
8 Rest 9 miles, including 3x2 miles at HMP Easy 5-mile jog 9 miles, middle 3 at MP Rest 2-hour run 2.5-hour run
9 Rest 9 miles, including 6x1 miles at TMP Easy 5-mile jog 9 miles, middle 3 at MP Rest 4-hour run 3.5-hour run, last hour at MP
10 Rest 9 miles, including 6x1 miles at TMP Easy 5-mile jog 9 miles, middle 3 at MP Rest 4-hour run 3.5-hour run, last hour at MP
11 Rest 9 miles, including 3x2 miles at HMP Easy 5-mile jog 9 miles, middle 3 at MP Rest 2.5-hour run 3-hour run
12 Rest 9 miles, including 6x1 mile at TMP Easy 5-mile jog 9 miles, middle 3 at MP Rest 4-hour run 5-hour run (or about 27-29 miles)
13 Rest 9 miles, including 6x1 mile at TMP Easy 5-mile jog 9 miles, middle 3 at MP Rest 4-hour run 5-hour run
14 Rest 9 miles, including 4x1 mile at TMP Easy 5-mile jog 9 miles, middle 3 at MP Rest 2-hour run 2-hour run
15 Rest 7 miles, including 3x1 mile at MP Easy 5-mile jog 7 miles, middle 3 at MP Rest 1.5-hour run Easy 1-hour jog
16 Rest 6 miles, middle 3 at HMP Easy 5-mile jog Easy 3-mile jog Rest: Stay off your feet 50-mile race Rest. (Duh.)

Key:(MP) Marathon Pace: the pace/effort you can hold in a marathon
(HMP) Half-Marathon Pace: the per-mile average of your best half-marathon
(TMP) 10-Mile Pace: the per-mile pace of your fastest 10-miler
Recovery for HMP/TMP: Jog slowly until you feel fresh enough to start the next repetition.