My Ultra Ego and Me Archives - Page 2 of 4

New Forest Running Festival – 50 km race

Written by amanda on 12th March 2013. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. 6 Comments on New Forest Running Festival – 50 km race

10 March 2013 A 9 a.m. start gun for the New Forest Running Festival 50 km trail race (http://nakedstrength.co.uk/events/the-new-forest-running-festival-2014/) meant a 4.30 a.m. start from Brighton but spirits were pretty high in the car. I was thrilled that my art of persuasion had resulted in Amanda Jackson joining me, intent on racing the half-marathon later in the day. It was the first time I’d ever had a friend with me on the way to an ultra start line – usually I’m just one among strangers....

PILGRIM’S (LACK OF) PROGRESS

Written by amanda on 11th February 2013. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on PILGRIM’S (LACK OF) PROGRESS

Your mind will quit a thousand times before your body will! – Yup! It’s true! PILGRIM’S (LACK OF) PROGRESS A TRAGI-COMEDY IN TWO ACTS Setting: The North Downs Way Prologue I had a feeling I might be making a mistake when I pressed that ENTER button sometime late November 2012. It was going to be a big ask to prepare in ten weeks for a 66-mile race, but one of my 50 goals for 50 years was to take part in a multi-day event and just as I was thinking about it up popped The Pilgrim Challenge...

Of Pilgrims and Plans …

Written by amanda on 18th December 2012. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on Of Pilgrims and Plans …

It’s some ridiculously small single-figure number of weeks until Pilgrim Challenge so yes, panic is setting in but it’s not all bad news, it’s just bedlam. Last time I wrote I’d just discovered I had ten weeks to get from 0 to 60 miles. Seven weeks left and this is just silly but two things are certain: (1) I WILL get to the start line; and (2) I’ll do everything I can to get there safely!! You know me … I never do anything without a plan. There’s no point telling me to ‘just train’ or ‘do a few...

MY RUNNING LEGS HAVE ARRIVED – WAHAY!

Written by amanda on 30th November 2012. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on MY RUNNING LEGS HAVE ARRIVED – WAHAY!

So my first week back to any semblance of running has been interesting, to say the least. As described in an earlier post, during one session I had to throw in a surprise sprint interval in order to catch the thief who I spotted disappearing down a path with all my gear – hat, gloves, phone, car keys, windbreaker … Two days ago I had a surprise strength session thrown in as I was obliged to climb over the doors of the public toilets having somehow locked myself in!! And no, there was no point...

Donning my SIU hat – 10 weeks to Pilgrim

Written by amanda on 27th November 2012. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on Donning my SIU hat – 10 weeks to Pilgrim

It is time to catch up, get a grip, suck it up and do whatever it takes. The Pilgrim Challenge is, in training terms, just around the corner. I think this might be an early mistake of mine for the new year. I’ll let you know. Meanwhile, I’ve just realised it is merely TEN WEEKS AWAY and I’m struggling to run 5km. This does not bode well but miracles can happen. Nah, scratch that. Miracles WILL happen. If I discovered ultra-running in 2012, well 2013 is going to be my year of ultra-exploration...

Of inspiration, motivation and Hokas

Written by amanda on 26th November 2012. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on Of inspiration, motivation and Hokas

‘Run with your eyes closed.’ So says Kilian Jornet (article in Trail Running magazine – Oct/Nov 2012). Come on. Really? That made me truly laugh out loud. I mean, what planet is he living on? Well, certainly not mine. Jeez, doesn’t he realise that most of us have enough trouble running with our eyes open? Complete nutter!! He goes on to suggest one should try running for 5m blind. Erm … I’m hoping that’s not 5 miles! Oh – and let’s not forget...

The right kind of support …

Written by amanda on 25th October 2012. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. 1 Comment on The right kind of support …

During September’s High Peaks 40-mile ultra marathon I had the amazing fortune to run alongside an inspirational lady called Kelly T (I’ll keep the surname back just in case). Kelly left me in total awe as I watched her battle valiantly with shin splints for most of the race while she simultaneously regaled me with her training plan stories in readiness for the Himalayan 100 mile stage race (http://www.himalayan.com/) a mere six weeks later. It only took about ten miles, though, to realise...

High Peaks 40 Mile Challenge 2012

Written by amanda on 21st September 2012. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. 4 Comments on High Peaks 40 Mile Challenge 2012

(Post-script: I’m laughing my head off as I realise I’m writing this tale of woes and troubles while beside my laptop is a copy of my current read: Scott Jurek’s Eat and Run http://scottjurek.com/ … which puts everything into perspective! In short, the following ‘harrowing’ tale is, in reality, akin to having a tantrum because I had to run down the road for the bus! Here goes, though …) FINAL RESULT: My first ever medal 🙂 2nd place … wait for it …. SUPER VETS (isn’t...

Poetic Ultra: Some Rhyme, No Reason

Written by amanda on 13th July 2012. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. 1 Comment on Poetic Ultra: Some Rhyme, No Reason

by Amanda Hyatt (12/7/2012) You’ve got to be utterly nuts, you know, You’ve got to be utterly nuts, To choose to do an ultra-run, And claim that it’ll be hard but fun? You’ve got to be utterly nuts. You’ve got to be out of your mind, you know You’ve got to be out of your mind, To train for months, through rain or hail, And sun and snow, on road and trail, You’ve got to be out of your mind. There are those who’ve been locked up for less, you know, There are those who’ve been locked up for...

Jinxed? Or just stupid?

Written by amanda on 12th July 2012. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on Jinxed? Or just stupid?

Some runs simply don’t go to plan … but this one was in a bit of a class of its own. Was I jinxed? Or was this my own stupidity – coupled with a steep learning curve? Not a bad start to the day, all things considered. A gentle breeze spread a sharp chill and storm clouds lurked in the distance ready for attack, but all in all a typical mid-summer’s day … July in England. Not to worry, I wasn’t going to be out too long. A gentle 10k up the hill to the Downs and back down again. Minimal planning,...