Trail Running Oct Nov issue

‘Listen to your body and
consider how much an
illness has taken out of
you before you stand
on the start line’
Recce the route
in the months
preceding the race
BRADSHAW TAYLOR
can sometimes go wrong, so make sure
you’re happy with each other’s pace
and you’ve discussed DNF scenarios
beforehand. Gareth Swain dropped out
during the ML100 and had to tell his
running buddy Matt to go on without him;
“We had the discussion early on in the
race that if for any reason one of us was
struggling, the other was to crack on”.
DO IT Consider running with a partner,
but be sure you’re both okay to go alone.
Ignoring any
5 pre-race illnesses
Montane runner and race favourite Sally
Fawcett dropped out of the ML50 this
year after suffering with a head cold in
the lead up to the race; “My breathing
was laboured right from the start. As I
was only five minutes from the course
record last year, I went out hard with the
intention of running quicker than last
time.” Sally struggled to eat and suffered
with a headache for nearly thirty miles
before calling it quits at the Montane
checkpoint. With only twelve weeks to go
until the World Trail Running champs,
she said it was the “sensible choice”.
DO IT Listen to your body and consider
how much an illness has taken out
of you before you decide to stand on
the start line.
Ignoring signs of injury
6 Ingaret Howells set off on this year’s
ML50 having suffered serious abdominal
pain for the previous five days. As a
seasoned Lakeland runner (this was
her fourth event) she knew the route
and was determined to get to the start;
“By the time I reached the summit of
Garbon pass I was really suffering from
lack of energy and dizziness, and the
pain in my hip was making me feel sick.
I struggled to stay focused and even
walk in a straight line.” A post-race GP
appointment confirmed colitis.
DO IT If you’re carrying an injury, seek
medical advice before the event and
be prepared to defer your place to the
following year.
Refusing to rest
7 Dennis Cartwright completed the
ML50 with his girlfriend Suze this year –
but was ready to give up after a killer
climb and descent from Fusedale;
➜
BRADSHAW TAYLOR
ELITE ADVICE
TRAIN RIGHT FOR ML100
The best way to avoid
a DNF is to prepare
well and to train right.
Previous winner and
Montane pro Debbie
Martin-Consani has
these top tips:
1
1 YEAR PRIOR
Commit to the race – it’s not
something that should be taken lightly.
The course isn’t marked, so you’ll need
to recce it. Start planning these but
take into account that winter months
aren’t an ideal time to learn the route,
as it’s highly unlikely they will be
deep in snow in July.
2
6 MONTHS PRIOR
Hills, hills, hills and lots of fast
hiking. Long days hiking in the hills
are better than a faster road run.
If you plan on using poles, start
practising with them.
3
3 MONTHS PRIOR
Get in some recce runs, as the
route should now be snow free. Focus
on the downhills to strengthen your
quads. Start testing your kit – run with
your kit/pack on long distances, train
with the food you plan to eat during
the race, and test your shoes. There’s a
lot of mixed terrain. Have some shoechange
options, as what is best for
dry conditions won’t work if it’s been
raining all week before race day.
4
1 MONTH PRIOR
Sort out what you need for the
mandatory kit list. Carry only essentials
and what you will use. Check out what
food will be at the aid stations, so you
can plan your race nutrition.
5
1 WEEK PRIOR
Pack your kit and make sure your
bag still feels comfortable when it is
full. Try a jog to make sure nothing
moves or rubs. Visualise the race,
going over the course in your head.
You should iron out any possibility
for navigational error and focus on
finishing strongly.
TRAIL RUNNING
53