Introduction:
In January 2017 I will begin my biggest challenge to date when the Midlife Crisis begins with the Spine Challenger.
The midlife crisis builds up to my 40th birthday, when apparently life will finally begin, and instead of the usual big party or trip to somewhere warm and sunny i've decided to celebrate 'suffering' in the great outdoors!!! The Midlife Crisis is a collection of eight challenges, many of which have come straight from my bucket list. As well as the Spine Challenger, the challenges include:
IronMan UK
Climb Mount Blanc
John O’Groats to Lands End Triathlon
The OMM
The OMM
Finishing the midlife crisis with the New York Marathon
There will be a couple of ‘smaller’ events so friends and their children can join in as well……..
The Midlife Crisis will finish with a 40th Birthday Dinner Dance in December 2018 to celebrate my birthday and the end of the challenges but also to boost the fundraising for the chosen charities as guests will donate to the causes instead of bringing presents!
However, before I can even think of next January, I have to achieve my goals for 2016 to get me in the best possible shape mentally and physically for the Spine Challenger in January and beyond......
So sit back, relax and let me do all the hard work as I take you on a tour of 2016.
*Click on the headings to go to the event website.
*Click on the headings to go to the event website.
Muddy Shoes 5 Mile Run
On Sunday 14th February, I took part in the Muddy Shoes 5 mile race. It was right, I did get muddy shoes!!!
The event started at Calder Vale just on the edge of the Trough of Bowland on the Garstang side. I had not done a lot of training as I was just on the road to recovery after having broken my foot in September, so fitness levels were at a premium, added to the fact I had just done a 50 mile ride on the bike the day before I knew that despite ‘only’ being five miles, it was going to be a slog……..and it was!!!
We started at 10am and boom! Straight into a beast of a hill, I set off at a decent pace and a third of the way up started to blow a bit....the arrival of ice on the road gave me the excuse I needed to slow down……at the top of the hill we ventured into the main terrain of the day which was to be muddy fields…..whilst great fun my legs and ankles were not enjoying the sliding around and it put a lot of strain on the ligaments in my lower legs and ankles. Just as it was starting to get a bit much for my legs we hit a farm track and I could get back to a reasonable running pace which felt good and gave the legs a bit of respite from the mud! It did not last long though as we were soon back in fields and mud!
You could tell there were a good number of road runners taking in the challenge as the terrain sapped the energy and took its toll on the legs, eventually we arrived at a wall and ventured over onto the road. Despite the steep climb it felt good being out of the mud and again, gave my legs some rest.
As we hit the top of the hill we headed back into the fields for the final leg. My legs had finally woken up and started to feel good, though I think the downhill helped, as we headed onto a path and to territory that I recognised, which meant the end was near!
I approached the finish to a decent cheer and a medal and goody bag, which was a nice touch. It was now time for the reason most of us had competed in the race, pie and peas!!! The real food of athletes J
All in all, a great event with beautiful scenery and great atmosphere. Definitely one I will be adding to the diary next year and a nice ‘warm up’ to my training for 2016.
Anglesey Half Marathon
On the 6th March I gave my fitness levels a good test with the Anglesey half marathon. I competed in this event last year and was happy with my time of 1 hour 54 minutes. This year, however I was expecting closer to the 2 hour 30 minutes mark due to injuries and lack of training. It is a fantastic event with stunning scenery and the course has a nice mix of flat and cheeky hills to add a bit of variation.
The build up was not pleasant with my knees giving me a bit of pain but I loved this event last year and really wanted to do it again. I arrived at the start line with the aim of finished my primary goal, ideally under 2.5 hours. As ever the North Wales scenery was breath-taking with a calm morning most welcome after the evenings strong winds. In the distance the Welsh mountains were capped in wonderful pure white snow.
The route took us over the stunning Menai bridge into Porthaethwy and along to Beaumaris and past the impressive Beaumaris castle before looping back on ourselves. My legs were starting to feel the pain but the view of the mountains in the distance and ocean glistening in the sun help take my mind off my legs complaints!
Passing the ten mile marker and looking at my watch I was close to a 2.5 hour finishing time so stepped up the pace as much as I could, especially as the crowds started to increase as we headed for 'home'!
Across the finish line and it was all done, not my greatest run ever but it was good to get out and get some miles under the belt and as ever experience such a wonderful event and it was more about enjoying the run and fitness for the coming months.
Below: On the Menai Bridge with my nephew Jack after completing the Anglesey half marathon..
Ironman 70.3
On the 12th June I will embark on my first official Ironman event, unlike the midlife crisis this will 'only' be a half Ironman (or 70.3). The aim is to swim 1.2 miles, cycle 56 miles and run 13.1 miles all within the time limit of 8 hours 30 minutes. Individually each section offers its own challenge but added together make it quite a daunting task. The prospect of taking part in an Ironman event is pretty exciting though and I am really looking forward to it.
The event is based in Staffordshire in and around the Shugborough country estates with the swim taking place in Chasewater reservoir. The bike ride is based around Burton upon Trent and the rather beautiful Channock Chase. I have cycled briefly through this area on other challenges but it will be nice to get on the bike somewhere different that my usual training routes.
With the course being quite flat I aim to really push myself for a good time on this event, ideally under 6 hours.
Lakeland 50
On the 30th July I shall be taking on the Lakeland 50.
This is a 50 mile ultra marathon starting from the Dalemain Estate heading through Pooley Bridge to Kentmere and Ambleside before finishing in Coniston with the whole event to be completed in 24 hours. This will be the fourth time I have completed the event but after previous times of 18 hours 50 minutes in 2012, 17 hours 31 in 2013 minutes and 21 hours 37 minutes last year, I aim to break the 15 hour mark for the event!.
The event is unbelievably popular, selling out in a matter of minutes and also has a 100 mile race setting off around 6pm on the Friday and picking up the 50 route for the second half of the race.
Taking part in the event you can see why it is so popular, the scenery is amazing and takes you to places you may never go even if you are a regular visitor to the Lakes. The route does not take in any ‘major’ climbs but still manages to drag you up and over 3100 meters of ascent.
The camaraderie of the event is second to none, with organisations and businesses taking control of check points and adding their own unique themes, ranging from wild west to a Smiths disco!!! The runners, even those on the 100 race (well when they are not on a planet far away due to lack of sleep) support and push each other on. Last year, I was running with my good friend Robin when after 25 miles heading up the Garburn Pass we starting chatting to Carl who was a 100 runner. 75 miles in he was struggling a bit mentally and physically. We decided to stick with him for a couple of miles to push him on. In the end we gave up trying to get under 20 hours and stuck with Carl for the rest of the race pushing him on and making sure he fed and watered himself at each check point.
We got Carl to the finish with 45 minutes to spare, and it felt almost as good as finishing the race ourselves.
The first time I completed the race it was starting to get light and I was cold and tired, I arrived outside the Lakeland HQ and dibbed my dibber to signal the end of a long and tiring 50 miles, I began to head towards the head quarters in Coniston to get food, my medal and have a much needed sit down……. when the guy on the checkpoint asked me to wait. I was not happy, I just wanted to be inside and sat down!!! He then led me to the door of HQ and again told me to wait. I was getting slightly irritated at this point not having slept for a full 24 hours and just walked / ran 50 miles…..he opened the door after what felt like ages and shouted 50 finisher…….I finally headed in to see 50 finishers, 100 finishers and their supporters stood applauding me as I entered. It was the most amazing welcome I have ever had on a race and made my few minutes wait to enter all worth while!!!
Why sit at home in front of the television all day when you could be experiencing amazing views like this?
Looking down on Haweswater towards Mardale Head, checkpoint 2 of the Lakeland 50.
Way of the Roses
This was initially intended to be part of the midlife crisis but one of my friends was so keen that I threw it in as part of the training for the Triathlon X and also the Midlife Crisis. The decision was made that we do the ride in one day…..that is one day to cycle 24 hours…..saddle sore is a given!!!
I have cycled coast to coast from Workington to Tynemouth (140 miles) in two days so have an idea of how the profile will pan out.
The start is going to be early, very early at around 5am, with a good 15 miles or so on reasonably flat roads before we hit the big stuff!!! Speed will not be the key, but with 170 miles to cycle getting up hills without too much physical damage will be key as will keeping well fuelled.
The metal barrier will be the 80 mile point when we leave the major hills behind us, apart from a couple of cheeky ones and have a good (but still very long) run to Bridlington, with the prospect of missing last orders pushing us on!!!!
The route takes in some truly beautiful parts of the North of England and despite the early start and long distance it will be a privilege to see these places by bike.
Triathlon X (Half)
When I entered the Triathlon X it took me a good 20 minutes to click submit after I completed all the details on the entry form. It is tough, very tough…….normally I just jump in with both feet without thinking when it comes to challenges, well either that or announce it in the pub after a few drinks, then regret it next morning but this was different it has made me question my abilities and time needed to get fit and that is scary looking at some of the challenges I have managed to get round!!!
However I was pulled in and seduced by the fear and sheer stupidity of the cycle ride and before I knew it I had the confirmation page staring back at me……it was too late!
It is however a great challenge to focus on as I get ready for the midlife crisis, and it's always a pleasure to spend time in the Lakes. I have completed the Helvellyn Triathlon including a cycle up the Struggle and a run over Helvellyn and I have been on a ‘training’ cycle over Wrynose and Hardknott. All of which were tough, I did not manage to cycle up Wrynose in one go, it was completed on a 3 stop strategy so doubt was resting heavily in my mind as I approached Hardknott. As I hit the first climb I turned the peddles but it felt as though I was standing still, each pedal turn was doing just enough to keep me upright. As cars kindly waited and beeped and shouted encouragement I could sense the top was in sight, so I managed a quick glance from just staring at the concrete below me, and the top was almost in touching distance. I stepped up the effort to warp speed, though in reality probably going from 2mph to 2.5mph and honed in on the summit, result!!! I had cycled up Hardknott!!!
Hardknott....comes with its own health warning....
Almost at the top of the struggle....the clue is most definitely in the name.....
The scary thing with the X is that not only do I have to cycle over from the Langdales towards Wasdale, I also have to cycle back the same way……then run a half marathon over the Fairfield horseshoe…..one word for this challenge, BRUTAL!!
A view of the cycle route and profile.............come and laugh at my pain, errr I mean cheer me on up some of those little climbs!!!
A view of the cycle route and profile.............come and laugh at my pain, errr I mean cheer me on up some of those little climbs!!!
Half_x_2016 from Mark on Vimeo.
Bike fly-through Triathlon X - HALF X - World's toughest half
The above challenges are checkpoints to assess my fitness and training throughout 2016 and help keep me focused, as well as these events I will also be taking on many bike rides and runs and the Yorkshire 3 Peaks numerous times, which will all be reported in my regular blogs!
You can also keep track on my progress:
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