The build up … Week ending 18th May 2014

A stroke of luck with new kit arriving just in time but with Hardcastle 24 hour race at the weekend, I figured not much running would be the order of the day.

I’d been gutted practically from the minute I hit “Pay now” on an order for a Suunto Ambit on a website called Value Basket and then found some reviews of them to find they’re not UK based, have a reputation for sending knock off gear (or nothing) and then not issuing refunds so when after 3 weeks (not the 2-4 days advertised) the courier turned up, I was expecting to open a box with a Funnto Umbert or some knockoff but amazingly I dodged a bullet and it was as ordered.

I was lucky enough to get a decent honorarium for speaking at a web conference recently so decided to spend some of it on the Ambit and a new pair of Saucony Kinvara TR’s (last year’s because they were only £50) so it all arrived in time for Hardcastle 24 which was good. I didn’t wear the shoes but the watch was great!

Running wise, didn’t really do much, 3 short runs midweek to work at a slow pace would be plenty although with a niggling knee and achilles I have to admit concern at how I was going to handle 24 hours.

I’ll write up the Hardcastle 24 in a separate post as there was so much that went right and few things that went wrong and much to digest!

  • Monday – Rest
  • Tuesday – 6.4 miles
  • Wednesday – 6.5 miles
  • Thursday – 6.5 miles
  • Friday – Rest
  • Saturday to Sunday – Hardcastle 24 hour race – 63.2 miles total

Total: 82.2 miles, 15,528ft elevation.