The Brecon Ultra spelled the end of the racing season, and I’ve spent the last two weeks piecing together 2012.  Apart from the Forestman Iron-distance triathlon and perhaps the odd duathlon and triathlon it will be entirely ultra run focused in 2012.  I’m doing a fair bit of research on ultra and trail running at the moment, will come up with a new training programme and make some arrangements for some back2back weekend running training that will form the backbone of the training.

December is all about getting back into training but mainly building up the weekly (base) training.  I’ve managed to get my swimming back to some kind of form and along with cycling this will provide filler sessions/’recovery’ work to my running development.

I’ve not had the opportunity to focus entirely on one sport for ten years so it will be interesting to see if and how much my running can develop.  Of course the aim is to be able to handle ultra distances over multi-terrain, as well as research and practise some run/walk and nutritional strategies (I’ll be blogging more on this next year!).  I was lucky to get through the Caesars Camp 100mile race, and I really don’t want to go through an experience like that (running several hrs on empty) again!

I will no longer be entering the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc (UTMB) race in 2012.  I would like to do this and the West Highland Way race in 2013. Instead, I will be doing the Grand Union Canal Race, a 145mile run from Birmingham to London.  Good opportunity to set a fast 100mile time.  I have also pencilled in an attempt on the Cotswold Way Record (currently 22hr32mins) with a friend Peter Cusick.  I have a place in both the London and Berlin marathons and will set a high target time for both if the running goes well.  The main events for 2012 are:

(Confirmed in blue)

1 APR
Kingston Breakfast Run 16 Miles
22 APR
London Marathon
5 MAY
Malvern Hills Ultra 55M
2 JUN
Grand Union Canal Race (GUCR) 145M
24 JUN
Forestman Ironman-Distance Triathlon
14 JUL
Cotswold Way 102M Record Attempt with PC
11 AUG
North Downs Way 50M or 100M (depending how trashed I am!)
30 SEP
Berlin Marathon
21-22 OCT
Caesar’s Camp 50M . 
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