Ski Fit - The Ultra Marathon way

So, this summer I turned 60 and was finding it hard to focus on training for the coming ski season. Between holidays, social events and over celebrating the big birthday. Then along came a challenge that seemed perfect, running an ultramarathon.

The event was in memory of a good friend who passed in 2023 after a long battle against cancer and to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. It would have felt like letting my old buddy down if I didn’t join in and run at least 50 or 60K of the 150Ks planed.

The event was called the Sloppy Ultras, in memory of Simon (Sloppy) Heslop. Three Ultra marathons in three days starting at Leeds Rhino’s ground, AMT Headingly Rugby Stadium and ending at the Wigan Warrior’s ground, the Brick Community Stadium. The route would follow the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The event was organised by Andy Scargill who along with Neil Harvey would be running all three days. The youngster of the group was Josef Wolstencroft, fresh from his first Ironman event. He would be running two of the days. And me, who would rather humbly be running just one Ultra marathon on the last day.

We would all have the support of Tony, Simon, Andy and Martin on their bikes. And, not forgetting Matt and Jake in the support van with all the sandwiches, drinks and much needed supplies.

The Training

I had run several marathons in my 20’s, so had a good idea what to expect for the first 42k, but beyond that would be unknown territory.

Nevertheless, I resolved to drop a few Kilograms to get closer to my old running weight and upped my distance from 4 x 6K per week to 10K per day. Soon I was able to add in a couple of 20K runs, then 30K and eventually a testing 42.2K training marathon.

As I would be running the Ultra in a group, I adopted a new way of running. Instead of the none stop run as fast as you can, I ran at an agreed pace and took a short break every 10K.

There were the inevitable blisters and chapped legs on the first of the long runs, but by the time I was running marathon lengths, everything had toughened up.

This just left me with the psychological challenges of monotony and motivation. Motivation was tested when having a break after 30K and then telling yourself to get up and carry on for another 12K, when no one would know if I did or I didn’t. I had to dig deep and it was the fear of letting the others down that forced me back onto my feet to achieve my set goals. Dealing with the monotony was the easier of the two. I already have an overactive mind, so getting a few hours of daydreaming time in, was a luxury. A couple of hours of an audio book and a few tunes also helped.

The Run

It was great to meet everyone the night before at the hotel in Blackburn. Neil and Andy weren’t looking to bad considering they had already run two ultra-marathons in two days and Josef looked as fresh as a daisy. I knew half the chaps from past ski trips and was meeting the other half for the first time. After a hearty meal, some planning for the following day and a few stories about Sloppy, we all retired early. But, as often is the case when you need to sleep, you can’t.

When we met for breakfast at 6am, no one it seemed had a good nights sleep. By just after 7am us four runners were dropped at the side of the canal. The sky was grey, there was a drizzle in the air and we set off at a steady pace.

The water on the canal was mirror still and in the first 10k we saw herons, swans, kingfishers, ducks of a few varieties, moor hens and even the odd water vole. It seemed like there were hundreds of canal barges painted in traditional colours and designs. I grew up around the canals of Wigan and the locks brought back memories of an 11-year-old helping boaters with the gates to get a few extra pennies of pocket money.

The support van was always a welcome sight, meeting us where the road intersected the canal. A fresh pair of socks, a Lucozade drink and even a sandwich set us up for the next 10K, or so. Our main stops were at the Malthouse Pub, the Bridge Inn and after we had run down from Top Lock near Wigan we stopped at St Patricks ARLFC to change into our Wigan and Leeds kit for the final leg to the Warriors ground. It was a warm welcome with refreshments provided and a photo opportunity with all the great rugby league memorabilia at the club.

The final stint from St Pats to the Wigan Warrior’s ground was not a hurried affair. We sauntered past the Wigan Pier and the Seven Stars Bridge and ran together down the mall to the Brick community stadium arriving to cheers and applause from well-wishers, wives, family and friends. Joanne Heslop, Simon’s widow was there and it was an emotional end to a great team event. That night we were treated like royalty by the team at Wigan. We met the players and every one we met took an interest and the time to ask about the run.

I am eternally grateful to Andy and Neil for having me along for the day and well done to them for raising well over £4,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. I had achieved my goal of completing my first Ultra Marathon and even got to spend the day with a great bunch of lads. Whether they were running, cycling or driving the van, well done everyone. It was a great chance to get fitter, remember, talk about and hear about an old much missed friend and make some new ones. Thanks

If you would like to read more or make a donation you can HERE