My Ultra Ego and Me Archives - Put the Kettle On

The Cotswold Way 100 Mile Run

Written by amanda on 23rd June 2017. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on The Cotswold Way 100 Mile Run

It wasn’t really in my plan to bore anyone to tears with yet another ‘race report’ that’s only really of interest to the person writing it, but I suppose that since the Cotswold Way 100 Mile Run is/was my ultrarunning swansong I should write a few notes. Now, for anyone contemplating a 100-mile race this is not for you. Much as I would have loved to have raced 100 miles I never had the courage and most certainly never had the self-belief that it would ever happen, hence I opted to tick the 100-mile...

Back to the trails: SBU35 (UKan Trail)

Written by amanda on 3rd September 2015. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. 1 Comment on Back to the trails: SBU35 (UKan Trail)

‘You’re running from Keswick to where?’ ‘Back to here.’ ‘Where?’ ‘Back to here.’ ‘Never heard of it!’ My introduction to St Bees was both challenging and entertaining! Thought I’d landed in an alternate universe for a mo – but then I landed in my gorgeous hotel, set out my race kit, tucked into a delicious pre-race dinner … and realised this was no alternate reality. Yikes! Here I was, preparing to embrace another start line. A result of my guest visits to Talk Ultra, I was invited to race the...

PILGRIM CHALLENGE THE RETURN (2015)

Written by amanda on 5th February 2015. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on PILGRIM CHALLENGE THE RETURN (2015)

31 January/1 February Reading on fabulosity scale: 10 Level of awesomeness feelingness: 10 Muddiness: 10 Conqueredliness: 10 Meltdowns: ZERO State of feet: Pass Did I mention that I had quite a good Saturday?? But it wasn’t all marvellous. The photos were shit lol Mind you, I always look shit in running photos. Just when I think I’ve lost weight and am looking ok, here comes another pic of me mid-race and OMG – words fail me. I’m thinking of suing. They must’ve photo-shopped some of that, surely!...

High Peaks 40 Mile Challenge – 20 September 2014

Written by amanda on 28th September 2014. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on High Peaks 40 Mile Challenge – 20 September 2014

SUPERVET LADIES – 3RD PLACE – x hours and x minutes!! Oh, all right, we all know how I wangled that one. Hyatt tortoise pace does NOT ‘win’ podium places unless … unless I’m merely beating everyone who didn’t enter PAHAHAHA Whatever! It’s there in writing. I’ll take it. I mean, when would I EVER get a placement otherwise? (Actually, I did beat one other lady haha) Who cares? I finished – eventually – but not without drama. The course was every bit as beautiful as I remembered – perhaps even...

Isle of Wight 50km Challenge 23 August 2014

Written by amanda on 28th September 2014. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on Isle of Wight 50km Challenge 23 August 2014

Last-minute run-up to this was slightly thought-provoking. Shouldn’t races be social events, a time to get together with like-minded friends and strangers and enjoy some healthy competition? Yet I found myself apologising to a group of lovely people who were setting off to do the 100km walk and were all meeting up in the pub for food and drinkies the night before. Apologising because I just wanted to relax into race mode. I’d really been looking forward to this one. I was worried that my IT band...

A Runner’s Plea (when the demons come calling)

Written by amanda on 28th September 2014. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on A Runner’s Plea (when the demons come calling)

A Runner’s Plea (when the demons come calling) *** Please remember, don’t forget, That when this runner’s face is wet With tears, mid-race, of fear (or worse), The help I need is in this verse … ‘Poor ickle you, you’ve done your best, Go home and sleep, you just need rest,’ Or ‘Never mind, another day – I think you’re awesome anyway,’ Though heartfelt, lovely, sweet and kind, (my health and safety clear in mind), When DNF is in my head I beg you try these words instead … Try ‘Don’t...

COACH v. GENERALISED TRAINING PLAN (GTP)

Written by amanda on 25th June 2014. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on COACH v. GENERALISED TRAINING PLAN (GTP)

Questions I used to ask/worry about before, during and after every run: I’ve found three plans which will prepare me for my next race. They all have different work loads. Should I do the easier-looking one (will that prepare me enough?)? Should I go for the harder-looking one? Why is that so different from the other one? It’s a 16-week plan, I’ve got 14 weeks before my next race. Do I start from Week 1 of the plan and make up the time somewhere – or should I start on Week 3? These intervals...

New Forest HM – My Race My Way

Written by amanda on 24th March 2014. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. 2 Comments on New Forest HM – My Race My Way

I’d love to know what it feels like to run fast. I really would. But meanwhile (like that’s going to change??), I’m destined to work with what I’ve got. At 51 and late to running there are quite a few compromises going on – but I refuse to be accused of not giving my 100% – even if it doesn’t look it from the outside and I can tell you what … as slow as I am racing is no less exciting from my end of the field. Yesterday – 22 March 2014 – I competed in my first off-road...

Do better. Try harder. Go further.

Written by amanda on 27th October 2013. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. 2 Comments on Do better. Try harder. Go further.

My 2013 running year has been plagued with injuries; minor injuries (phew!) that coach Ian Corless (thank you!) assures me have been ‘sent to test me’. Well, I’ve been tested a-plenty. Time for the Injury Gods to go pick on someone else. Meanwhile, as I’ve spent the year taking two steps forward one back, lots of people have asked me how and why I’m still motivated, why I don’t stop running instead of waiting for my ‘next’ injury, how I can remain positive (mostly) when I’m constantly (it seems)...

Inside my marathon head …

Written by amanda on 19th April 2013. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on Inside my marathon head …

Welcome to the weird (and scary) world that is INSIDE MY HEAD!! If you want to know how to train for an ultra – or how to run a marathon – then may I direct you swiftly AWAY from this blog?? If, however, you’d like a list of ‘what not to do’, then … put the kettle on!! So here we are again – Brighton Marathon time. I really REALLY want a PB. I want a particular number that will excuse from marathons guilt-free for the rest of my life! That’s not to say that I won’t run longer or shorter – but...