GLEN OGLE ULTRA 7 NOT OUT

When I ran my first GO33 I didn't have it on my mind that I would want to run this race every year but as the race has grown it is hard not to fill in the details on Entry Central and get my name on the start list and now I have come so far I cannot stop now. So 7th edition 7th start.

For those unfamiliar with the GO33 it initially started in Strathyre in the forest taking you up to Killin looping the forest and back down to Strathre with the bouncy bridge at the finish line but after severe flooding a few years ago the start had to be hastily changed and the new format developed. In my view the original format led to faster finish times but I could be wrong and maybe age is now catching up on my wee legs leading to me slowing down.

The race has grown from about 150 starters to almost 500 now, a true testament to how highly rated and appreciated this race is to newbie ultra runners and seasoned campaigners alike. For a debut ultra this race is ideal with a real mix of terrains and the distance being *only* 33 miles a great baptism to get the feel of running further.



My race this year was not planned to be fast, just time on feet a evenly paced as it is in the middle of 12 hour race training but it turned out a little painful with a bizarre episode of cramp in my calf muscles which I can only put down to a lack of hydration in the first half, something I am quite guilty of with only viewing the race as a marathon with a 10k stitched on at the end. Still at least I understand what went wrong and will pay attention to it and sort it next time out.

Road section to Strathyre

Another great BAM event and it was great to catch up with all the lovely marshalls and stewards. I reckon with the stops for hugs and greetings 5 minutes could be chopped of the running time but where would the fun be if that got missed out.

ENTERING MY 50th YEAR

So the countdown to my 50th birthday has begun and I have put in place a few targets for the next 364 days, one of which is basically to stay fit, uninjured and able to hit a new age group able to compete at the higher end of the competition. This will involve a bit of sensible racing and training so I am working on a plan which involves less to no ultras and a few more marathons.

I recently tallied up how many marathons I have ran and this coupled with ultras gave me a current tally of 72 so looked in to joining the 100 Marathon Club. If you have completed more than 50 (ultras count as 1 marathon only irrespective of distance) you gain Associate membership as you work towards the 100. So I submitted my excel spreadsheet of races and passed the vetting process and am now going to concentrate on building to the 100 and earning the vest.

100 MARATHON CLUB

Marathon and Ultra History

Thankfully my running career doesn't date back too long and Power of 10 is a great resource for storing runners details so I think I have remembered all the races I have done but there could be the odd one missing, as can be seen from the bottom of the list with ones I forgot.

I have two races left to go this year, Glen Ogle 33 on Saturday 4th November which will be my seventh there and keeping me ever present at that event and the to finish off the year I will be pushing my body to a bit of an extreme as I have entered the MR25 12 Hour Ultra in Singapore on the 30th December. Running for 12 hours isn't the hard bit, keeping hydrated and not overheating will be the tricky bit for me but hopefully I can go and give it a good run.

MR25 ULTRAMARATHON

The first 2 days of the countdown involved two races, the first the National Cross Country Relays at Cumbernauld on Saturday 28th October and then the Antonine Trail Race half marathon on Sunday.
I wont bore you with all the details but it is a true multi terrain workout and a great end of season gathering, superbly organised and marshalled. The route has everything to test you from over 1200ft of climbing to tarmac and muddy bog.

Full race report here from James Stewart RD : Antonine Trail Race report/results