Here's What You Could Have Run

Some final advice for anyone running their first London Marathon this weekend. Normal, more regular service will return! Reminder that my second book “Ducking Long Way” is out on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ducking-Long-Way-Ultra-Running/dp/1913207587 For more irreverent running nonsense head to:  www.runlikeduck.co.uk

California dreaming? I was. A holiday to the US fortunately lined up with the Born To Run event hosted by All We Do Is Run events so I turned up to a horse ranch at 5am on a Saturday to run 30 miles and hopefully avoid the rattlesnakes. Hear how I got on and why you should head to California. Reminder that my second book “Ducking Long Way” is out on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ducking-Long-Way-Ultra-Running/dp/1913207587 For more irreverent running nonsense head to:  www.runlikeduck.co.uk For Born To Run events head to:   https://allwedoisrun.com/  

If you like your marathons with a touch of politics then you're in luck! The Malta Marathon has been running for 37 years and has face cancellation due to Covid and freak storms. As many as 4000 runners tackle the full and half marathon on a typical year. With just three weeks to go until the 2022 event they were denied a permit on their previous route and offered a new route they deemed unsafe so were forced to cancel.  Then the very next day there was an announcement of an alternative full and half marathon, organised by Transport Malta and Sport Malta, for the same day as the original. Could a government department organise a large scale event so quickly and could a pasty Brit with little training make it around?  

The Centurion 50 mile slam is four 50 mile events in a single year and a challenging target for any runner. Dawn decided it looked a bit too easy so threw in becoming a mum and completing her journey to the 100 marathon club all in 12 months! She's full of enthusiasm and advice for recent or expectant mums on returning to running, as well as recounting the challenge of completing the slam. Reminder that my second book “Ducking Long Way” is out for pre-order on Amazon and includes my adventure on the Lakeland 100: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ducking-Long-Way-Ultra-Running/dp/1913207587   For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk   For the race head to https://www.centurionrunning.com/  

This year's MDS was as usual hot and sandy. With soaring temps and a bug sweeping through the camp it saw drop out rates of 50%. If the camel spiders didn't get you the vomiting did. In part 2 of the MDS special Lauren is back to tell us how she got on, why there's a mountain in the desert and describe how bad 200 people who haven't washed for a week smell. Reminder that my second book “Ducking Long Way” is out on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ducking-Long-Way-Ultra-Running/dp/1913207587 For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For the race head to https://www.marathondessables.com/en  

The London Marathon is famous for catering to runners of all abilities but that image was tainted in 2019 when the back of the pack runners were pushed to one side and the course was closed around them with aid stations packed up before they got to them. The organisers vowed to fix this and took on the criticism, intending to improve the provision so that all runners can truly experience the London Marathon for all 26.2 miles. I talk to Bex, a self-proclaimed back of the pack runner about her experience this year when she ran London as her first marathon, taking the daunting leapt up from half marathon distance. Bex also has great advice on how to deal with online trolls and what it truly means to be a runner. Reminder that my second book “Ducking Long Way” is out on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ducking-Long-Way-Ultra-Running/dp/1913207587 For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk  

Ep39: You Could Have Been Running The Berlin Marathon – Ben did, eventually Three times a charm for Ben, when he finally got to run Berlin marathon this year. Hear how to keep you focus when the world and your own body conspire to stop you running the event you've trained for.   Inspired to run Berlin? The race will be held September 25th 2022, and ballot entry is open until December 6, 2021 with the lucky winners notified at the beginning of January 2022. https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/   Reminder that my second book “Ducking Long Way” is out on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ducking-Long-Way-Ultra-Running/dp/1913207587   For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk  

After nearly an 18 month wait, London marathon is finally here. As it's a bit different this year here's some tips on the Expo (yes we still have to go, yes I still don't like them). What you need for the Expo – Negative lateral flow test – either the text or the email. You'll need to show this to staff to enter the Excel and again when you collect bib Drop bag (or just the contents, they have spare bags if yours never arrived like mine) ID to collect bib – I don't think this was well publicised but there may have been documentation with the drop bag I never got that covered this. QR entry code – install the official London Marathon app on phone & login as per the emailed instructions you should have received on Wednesday this week. It will also confirm your bib number if you never received the drop bag. £20 parking charge if driving – machines take card. Or first born child. Face mask if taking public transport (although few seem to bother) or if you want to wear in the expo. Maybe 20% of attendees and 50% of the staff had them on.

Whilst 40,000 runners are getting ready to run London Marathon in the rain, Lauren is mere days away from the Marathon Des Sables. It's now in its 35th year and one of the most famous ultras. Competitors take on a multiday 250km race across the Sahara, trying not to get eaten by camel spiders or bitten by snakes. They do all this whilst carrying everything on their backs. The organisers provide tents and water, everything else is down to you. As you can imagine the planning and training for an event like this is a huge challenge. Hear how Lauren has prepared and where to buy venom pumps. She'll be back on after she's finished to let us know what it was like and if the reality lived up to the expectation. Reminder that my second book “Ducking Long Way” is out on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ducking-Long-Way-Ultra-Running/dp/1913207587 For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For the race head to https://www.marathondessables.com/en  

A 10 mile lap of Wendover Woods is a pretty challenging loop for any runner. There's some hills big enough to have names, a couple of technical trail sections and a few stiles thrown in just to break it up and make you regret never doing any yoga. It's the 50 mile event of the Centurion Grand Slam that runners often dread. I've managed to avoid it as it always falls on my wife's birthday and I like being married. That's my excuse anyway. Centurion staged a 100 mile one-off event here in 2019 and due to popular demand it returned for 2021. 49 people were daft enough to turn up on a Friday morning in July and see if they could add to the 20 finishers from the previous event. I was one of them in a field at 8am wondering what I'd signed up for. After a string of 100 mile DNFs it wasn't looking positive so I tried to break it down into small chunks and not thing about the enormity of the task.   Reminder that my second book “Ducking Long Way” is out for pre-order on Amazon and includes my adventure on the Lakeland 100:   https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ducking-Long-Way-Ultra-Running/dp/1913207587   For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk   For the race head to https://www.centurionrunning.com/

The Grand Union Canal Race (GUCR145) is a legendary 145 mile continuous race from Gas Street Basin in Birmingham, to Little Venice in London, entirely on the canal towpath. Most people try and complete a few 100 milers before even considering signing up. The distance is a real challenge and even experienced runners struggle, with a DNF rate typically of 50%. Rachel isn't most people, and with a longest run of 70 miles decided to enter a race twice that distance, without a coach, balancing training around work and family, during lockdown. With few opportunities for training races this was a huge undertaking and a huge test of determination. Hear how she got on, why you might consider a nutrition coach, and her glowing review of Milton Keynes towpath at night!   Reminder that my second book “Ducking Long Way” is out for pre-order on Amazon and includes my adventure on the GUCR145: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ducking-Long-Way-Ultra-Running/dp/1913207587   For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk   For the race head to http://www.canalrace.org.uk/  

A special episode where Spencer and I talk about the unmentionable side of ultras - Did Not Finish We both failed at the recent Thames Path 100, and discuss why, what we learnt, and give advice for when you're in the same position and making sure you really, really have to quit! DNFs are often spoken in hushed terms like a bereavement. Many other runners offer only platitudes and weak assertions that ‘You've done really well anyway' rather than speak the honest truth, you tried something hard and failed. If DNF wasn't a possibility they'd be no challenge in the first place. We run ultras because they're hard, things go wrong and holding the buckle at the end is not a certainty. Important other news my second book “Ducking Long Way”  is out for pre-order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ducking-Long-Way-Ultra-Running/dp/1913207587 For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For the race head to https://www.centurionrunning.com/

A bumper episode with two ultra runners who have just smashed their goals this year already. Kerry has recently beat her goals at the SDW50 as part one of the Centurion 50 mile slam, and Helen galloped around the Thames Path 100 for a 5th place finish. We talk about what it is that drew them to running ultras and possible reasons why other women tend not to move up in the distances. Both interviewees have recently taken on coaches and they discuss the benefits that having a more structured approach brings to their training. Helen is coached by Gary House of Runstrong: https://www.therunstrongclub.com/ Kerry is coached by Adam at Greenlight PT: https://www.greenlightpt.co.uk/ Important other news my second book “Ducking Long Way”  is out for pre-order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ducking-Long-Way-Ultra-Running/dp/1913207587 For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For the race head to https://www.centurionrunning.com/

In the words of Ross “We were on a break”. You might have noticed a gap in podcasts but racing is back and so is the podcast! This episode features a newer addition to the ultra running calendar, The Rose Of The Shires 54 miler. It's a single loop of the Northampton countryside and features a varied and challenging course and is well recommended. Despite only being held once before, the 2021 event was faultless as we've come to expect from Go Beyond. I ran the event with clubmates and previous guests Eoin and Jon. For Jon it was a long training run and practice race for the SDW100. For Eoin it was a big leap from his previous longest race of 35 miles.  Hear how we got on and why Jon got up to rutting in the countryside. For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For the race head to www.gobeyondsport.co.uk

The Country To Capital is a longstanding fixture in the ultra calendar. A 43 mile run from Wendover to London is a great way to kick start January. Or at least a good way to realise how unfit you've got over Christmas. Hear how Jon got on running in the mud and the canal tow path. Did he fall in? Was he chased by a cow? For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For the race head to www.gobeyondsport.co.uk

January is a great time to stay in the warm. Running is a summer sport surely? If you feel compelled to get out, you could run around the coast of Cornwall, mostly in the dark, risking exposure and falling down mine shafts. Arc of Attrition comes in 50 and 100 mile version and is referred to as the South West's toughest footrace. Spencer has tried the 100 twice, being crewed by Stuart. It didn't put Stuart off and he was down to run the 50 this year until Covid caused cancellation. For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For the race head to www.mudcrew.co.uk/event/the-arc-of-attrition/

2020 has been a difficult year for all. In this episode I catch up with previous interviewees Stuart, Kerry, Spencer, Ellie and Lauren to see how their year went. Everyone had big plans, and then Covid came and ruined the party. We also talk motivation during uncertain times, how virtual races have come into their own and the reasons for even experienced runners to enlist a coach. For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk  

In this episode I talk to Olly who decided that some fast marathons were ideal prep for a race described as “The World's Toughest Mountain Race” and entered the Dragon's Back Race, a mere jog down the length of Wales, over 5 days. It covers 195 miles with some serious climbing, starting in Conwy and finishing in Llandeilo in South West Wales. He has some great tips and advice on what it takes to complete this awesome challenge. For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For the race head to www.dragonsbackrace.com

In this episode I talk to experienced ultrarunner Steve Morris. After a catalogue of finishes he was cruelly timed out at the 85km mountainous ultra at Madeira last year. He decided to return this year to settle the score, and escape the British weather. Hear how he got on, find out where Madeira even is, and why you should check out the Ecotrail series. For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For Ecotrail Events head to www.ecotrail.com/en  

The Run of 6 is a virtual event set up by Mark Cockbain of Cockbain Events. It sounds simple – You can only start at 6 am or 6 pm. You must run 6x6 miles (36 miles) Each 6 miles must be done within the hour, and you can only start the next 6 miles upon the hour. If you fail to complete any of the 6 within the hour you are out. You must have proof of 6x6 milers within the time limit to complete the challenge. Find out why I joined a virtual event and how I got on. Warning for swear words!   For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk   For Cockbain Events head to www.cockbainevents.com 

If you'd finished an ultra in A&E on a drip would you go back for more? If you'd DNFd more 100 mile events than you'd finished would you try again? If your PB was two hours OUTSIDE the cut-off would you toe the line of a track 100 miler? Mike did when he took on the 25 Hour Track 100 by Mark Cockbain Events. Mike did finish. He did better than that. He smashed it. With a measured approach and self confidence in buckets he went on to win and secure a Spartathlon qualifying time. This is a long episode as his tale is one worth covering, and hopefully encourages you to dig deep next time you struggle! For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For Cockbain Events head to www.cockbainevents.com  

In a special (and short episode), it's just me!  I entered the 25 Hour Track 100 by Mark Cockbain Events - a 100 mile track race on the day the clocks go back, giving you that extra hour.  Being fast and flat it it's ideal for a 100 mile PB, to qualify for an event or even set a world record.  I won't let on how well I got on, but given I'm uploading whilst the race is still on, the outcome may not be surprising! For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For Cockbain Events head to www.cockbainevents.com  

In the third of their post Covid 19 hundred mile races, Centurion held the Autumn 100 this month. For Grand Slammers like Sonny Peart it meant a very compressed few months to get three 100 mile races complete, and not leave himself too broken for the final, the South Downs Way 100 in November. Hear how he got on and the unique aspects of the A100 race compared to traditional point-to-point races. Sonny is also co-founder of Black Trail Runners, which campaigns to increase the participation, inclusion and representation of black people in trail running. We discuss the lake of diversity in trail running and the reasons behind this, along with what he and the running community can do tackle the issue and introduce many more runners to the sport we love. For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For Centurion events head to www.centurionrunning.com

Many of us run marathons but taking the step up to an ultra can be intimidating. On this episode I talk to good mate Maff about his first time at the recent Shires & Spires. Hear first hand what happens when you step outside the comfortable world of 26.2 miles and how you might bounce back from the experience to run a super fast marathon at the Dorney Lake event. It's a story of hard training, laying down in the grass, drinking Guinness and toughing it out to the end! For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For Shires & Spires head to http://gobeyondsport.co.uk/ For Dorney Lake Marathon go to https://activetrainingworld.co.uk/

It's marathon majors time! October would normally see 45,000 runners take on the 26.2 mile course around the windy city. For 2020 it's yet another race casualty of Covid-19 so instead get the low down from husband and wife racing team Stephen and Kathryn who ran it last year. You can also hear how the city got it's nickname, and it's nothing to do with the weather! Yep this podcast is educational and fun, like a clown with a dictionary. For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For Chicago Marathon head to https://www.chicagomarathon.com/

In this episode I talk to experienced ultrarunner David Harvey who decided to tackle a 140 mile race running from Whitehaven to Tynemouth along the coast to coast route. Within a 38hr cut off. Over the Lake District and the Pennines. With no aid stations. And a minimal support crew. And no listening to music allowed. So a bit harder than a parkrun. Staged by the RD of ridiculous events Mark Cockbain, you know it's going to be a tough one. I was sorely tempted to sign up myself! For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For Cockbain Events head http://www.cockbainevents.com/  

In this episode I talk to Ellie about her recent experience at the Fox 60k Ultra, held in Surrey. It's a relatively unknown race so good to hear about it and add another event to your wish list. Ellie is a relatively new runner and in a few years has gone from a tentative half marathon all the way to ultras and manages to sustain a very impressive consistent mileage, knocking out 100 mile weeks like they're no big issue. You may notice we spend longer talking about her unconventional training than the race, so apologies for getting side tracked on this one! For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk For the Fox Ultra head to https://aat-events.com/

In the second of their post Covid 19 hundred mile races, Centurion held the Thames Path 100 last weekend. Lauren set off from Richmond to run a daunting 100 miles along the Thames to Oxford. Hear how she got on, her tips for training for a flat 100 mile event and the restorative power of a Calippo.   We also discuss female participation in ultras as Lauren was one of only 28 women out of 230 starters. Are there barriers to entry and could the running community do more to encourage an even participation level? For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk https://centurionrunning.com/

The Great North Run is an iconic event. The 40th Event was due to take place this year with an estimated 57,000 runners taking on the 13.1 mile route from the centre of Newcastle to the coastline of South Shields. It's often cited as the largest half marathon event in the world. I talk to local runner Anji who has run the event more times than she can recall, about what makes this event so special and why you should add it to your event bucket list. Anji is a running coach and co-host of Marathon Talk so is a veteran of slickly produced and professionally recorded podcasts. So her appearance on this must have made a nice change. For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk To pre-order her book head to https://www.amazon.co.uk/Running-Midpack-Strong-Successful-Runner-ebook/dp/B08CNF62R8 https://www.greatrun.org/great-north-run  

The Norths Downs Way 100 is a challenging race at the best of times. Add in a heatwave, erratic training and a pandemic and you get a race with a 54% DNF rate. Hear how Andy got on with his third attempt at the NDW100 and his experiences at the first post-Covid large scale trail race.   There was a lot of anticipation for this event. If anyone could hold a safe race in the current climate then Centurion Running were doubtless the organisation to manage it, but would they be able to retain the friendly and supportive atmosphere that they're so well known for? For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk https://centurionrunning.com/

The Lakeland 100 is one of the most challenging single stage races in the UK. The DNF rate of 50% shows it's a real step beyond your standard 100 and tests runners up to and beyond their breaking point. With a combination of terrain and the always unpredictable Lake District weather you are as likely to retire from trench foot as heatstroke. It's this challenge that sets the race apart and ensure competitors return year after year to settle a score with the course.   Hear how Dan got on last year when he set out to put right his previous DNF.   Contains controversial discussions of iron distance triathlon VS 100 milers as well!   For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk https://lakeland100.com/

“The Snowdonia Trail Marathon is a challenge in every sense of the word. Ascending 1,685 metres over 26 miles of iconic and spectacular trails, this epic race will circumnavigate and eventually climb Wales' highest peak - Snowdon.” Hear how Paul got on last year and how shocked he was to find it was a little hilly. Yes even more incline than Rugby. As an RD it was also good to get his view on the recent race postponements and cancellations including Paris marathon which is set to be postponed every month until the sky clouds over and the dinosaurs return. For more irreverent running nonsense head to www.runlikeduck.co.uk https://alwaysaimhighevents.com/snowdonia-trail-marathon/snowdonia-trail-marathon

The Spine Challenger is the sister race to the full Spine. At ‘only' 108 miles you could be forgiven it's just another 100 miler but it's anything but, as proven by the 60 hour cut off and even then less than 50% of competitors finish it. Chris is a very accomplished runner and has a number of race wins and top 10 finishes at serious races like the Lakeland 100 so he's anything but average but this is a race that pushed him well beyond anything else he's done before. https://thespinerace.com/events/2018/1/14/montane-spine-race-5gsj5  

Now in the 9th year, another ultra from Centurion Running - the South Downs Way 100 runs from Winchester to Eastbourne, finishing on the running track for an amazing sprint finish! It boasts a beautiful course, a couple of significant hills and a total climb of 12,700ft. Sadly for 2020 it's had to be postponed to November so instead relive the race through an interview with Kerry and hear about her journey from cross country to ultra runner.

The Accumulator is a virtual event set up by Mark Cockbain of Cockbain Events. Run 1 mile on 1st May. Run 2 miles on 2nd May. Run 3 miles on 3rd May.  Complete the whole month and it's a minimum 496 miles for the month, or 798 km. Find out why I joined a virtual event and how I got on. Warning for swear words!

The London Landmarks Half Marathon is a closed road, central London run and is the only half marathon to go through both the City of London and City of Westminster. Spencer and Stuart have both run it as the official pacers.  Hear their view of the event and why two ultra legends would put their trainers on for 'just' a half marathon. https://www.llhm.co.uk/ 

Meet the man behind Big Bear Events. Paul started running to lose weight before University and after a brief affair with triathlons returned to running and set up his Rugby based events company specialising in mid-week six hour timed events. http://www.facebook.com/bigbearevents http://www.bigbearevents.net  

The Grand Union Canal Race (GUCR145) is a 145 mile continuous race from Gas Street Basin in Birmingham, to Little Venice in London, entirely on the canal towpath.  Hear Baz recount how he got on last year and the view of his support crew Rachel who tended to his every need and even found time to rescue escaped boats.  http://www.canalrace.org.uk/ Helpful Race Hints  

Shires & Spires is a 35 mile trail Ultra around the Northampton countryside, organised by the excellent Go Beyond Ultra. Hear Katie recount how she got on last year when running it as her first ultra and advice for anyone considering getting a personal trainer or coach. http://www.gobeyondultra.co.uk/ http://www.cleancoachkatie.com/  

Now in the 10th year, another ultra from Centurion Running - the North Downs Way 50 runs from Farnham to Knockholt Pound. It boasts some amazing scenic sections, a couple of significant hills and a total climb of 5,600ft. Sadly for 2020 it's had to be postponed to July so instead relive the race through an interview with Matt, a big fan of hilly courses!

Meet the man behind Enigma Running and learn how an accidental marathon for David started him on the road to running 100s of marathons all over the world and setting up his own Milton Keynes based running events company. https://www.facebook.com/enigmarunning/ http://www.enigmarunning.co.uk/    

In this episode I talk to Keith about his experiences on the Guernsey Ultra that was due to take place mid-May. It's a 36 mile mixed terrain race around the island of Guernsey in the Channel islands. Although not as well known as some of the big events, it's developed a great reputation in the running community and sells out quickly every year. Hear from Keith why you should be on the start line next time!

This weekend hundreds of runners should have been setting off from Richmond to run a daunting 100 miles along the Thames to Oxford as part of the Thames Path 100 by Centurion Running. Sadly for 2020 it's had to be postponed to September so instead relive the race through an interview with Spencer, ultra legend and 2 time finisher of TP100.

This weekend should have been the ninth edition of the Milton Keynes Marathon Weekend. From it's inaugural event in a rain soaked 2012, the team behind the event has made subtle changes every year to improve on the great format and deliver one of the best events in the running calendar. Sadly for 2020 it's had to be postponed to September so instead relive the race through an interview with Neil, veteran of over 90 marathons. 

This weekend 40,000 people would be running the streets of London for the Virgin Money London Marathon. Sadly it's not to be so instead relive the race through an interview with Eoin who completed the event in 2019 and live vicariously. This was his first marathon and he has a unique take on the event.