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Off the Beaten Path
Lessons from the UK Trail Running Championships
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In 2015 I entered the UK Trail Running Championships. I was told only idiots could get lost running the 137km National Trust 5 star maintained trail. It's famous for being the oldest road in Britain (although no cars allowed on it now).
At the 46km in with around 6hrs of running under my belt, I put myself firmly into the idiot category. I didn't have a route map with me, being so sure the trails were so well marked and as the light was fading I took a left instead of a right in a town called Nuffield.
For 1 hour I ran, completely unaware I was running south instead of the correct direction of West. It was only when I needed a water refill and the aid station that was 8 miles ahead wasn't showing up did I start to think I had gone wrong.
I don't know who owns the pub in Stoke Row but I can tell you they are doing well! At 7 pm on a Saturday, I walked in, in full trail gear, to ask for directions. It was a full house and it seemed like everyone stopped drinking or eating and looked straight at me. It turns out I had run 16km off route, which was far enough for the bar staff to have no clue where the 'famous' ridgeway trail even was. I left incredibly depleted and wishing I had a route map to attempt to get myself back on track.
I didn't and I couldn't, so I called my support crew. After confirming I was an idiot they made a plan to come to find me. I was adamant not to quit so once they did find me I ran behind the car to get back on route jumping in for the last 1km so the marshals wouldn't see me running into the checkpoint the wrong way.
At 86km, with 11 hours done my feet fell to bits and I DNF'd. If I had stayed on the route I would have hit two other checkpoints which I missed on my custom route. Those checkpoints would have been a chance to check my feet and change socks/shoes.
Never leave a route map behind if you have the chance to take it! And if you haven't seen another competitor or marshall for a while, don't think it's because you are too fast or too slow, stop and double-check your location!
ENGINE
Revisiting Mikkos with some over and under-threshold intervals.
GYMNASTICS
This week, we will spend some time on ring dips! Get read for isometric holds, eccentrics, strict work, and kipping progressions. We’ll prioritise lockout strength, crucial for pressing movements like handstand push-ups, strict presses, and jerks.
HYROX
We will take on a full HYROX for the race simulation. It can be done individually or in pairs.
MOBILITY
This weekend, the mobility focus is improving the range of motion in joints and muscles. Upper body mobility focuses on the shoulders, wrists, and T spine, helping with movements like reaching and rotating. Lower body mobility targets the hips, knees, and ankles, improving flexibility for activities like squats and lunges. Come join us to keep those bodies healthy.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength this week, we are hitting some cluster sets on the front squat on Monday, followed by some single leg work coupled with the bent-over rows. We are clustering the Bench Press and ring rows to build some push and pull strength, followed by some dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts on Wednesday.
WEIGHTLIFTING
For weightlifting this week, we will focus on the squat snatch. With a fun complex snatch pull, Hang squat snatch and OHS. Great technique session!
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email rf@innerfight.com
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. This run is currently gearing run fitness towards the incoming half marathons. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: Tempo
PM Session only: This evening we will be building in pace as the blocks progress. Each block of work is 6 mins long and has a 2 mins recovery. Start at a 5/10 effort and gradually build to a 8/10 RPE.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. Today we will be running 200m repeats at 1km pace. This is a fast session, focus on keeping good running form throughout.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 4:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
If you didn't run track, today we have some speed work for you in the morning. The session at 5:59am will be 1km into 400m repeats, back to 1km.
In the evening we will run easy at 4:59pm this week with IFE ahead of Iftar in Gym 2 from 6pm.
Friday
Hills Start Time: 5:29am
Tempo
Brief time: 5:54am
Start Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will have bridge repeats for those who want elevation, and tempo for those who want to push the pace on the flat surface. The choice is yours. (If you are running Two Oceans, we recommend the hills option).
Saturday
Location: KhorFakkan
Session: LRC Training Camp
We will be back in Hatta this week for our Sunday long run. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. All details or run distances, start times, and locations will be share in TrainnigPeaks and WhatsApp.
Please talk to Steph for further details.
SH@Innerfight.com
Sunday
Location: KhorFakkan
Session: LRC Training Camp
We will be back in Hatta this week for our Sunday long run. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. All details or run distances, start times, and locations will be share in TrainnigPeaks and WhatsApp.
Please talk to Steph for further details.
SH@Innerfight.com
Monday:
We start the week with some upper-body pressing work and weighted push-ups as we build up to heavy 3 reps. Then, we'll move on to dumbbell bench presses and push presses before hitting a tough effort partner ski and burpee workout. Who's your partner?
Strength:
A) EMOM x 7 - 3 Weighted Push Ups
B) Every 90secs x 5 - 8 DB Bench Press (Tempo 20X1)
C) EMOM x 6 - 5/5 DB Push Press
Conditioning:
In Pairs 2000m ski
EMOM including minutes 1, 5 synchro burpees.
Tuesday:
We have some single-leg barbell good mornings at a nice tempo that will fire up your posterior, followed by a heavy barbell complex and running in the workout.
Strength:
Every 2mins x 5 - 6/leg staggered stance barbell good morning
(Tempo 30x1)
Conditioning:
25 min AMRAP
Park run
Into
6 Rounds Complex:
1 power clean
1 hang power
1 STOH
Wednesday:
Wednesday is about strict pulling strength, focusing on developing strict pull-ups and building more strength with sleds and dumbbells. The workout will test your grip and your shoulders!
Strength:
Alt EMOM x 10
A) 3-5 Strict Pull Ups
B) 5/5 Db Bent Over Row
C) Every 3mins x 5 - 1 Length Sled Pull
Conditioning:
For Time
30-20-10
DB Hang Snatch
100 DU after each set
Thursday:
On Thursday, we are progressing on our back squats and working in some power with jumping and some single-leg work before a nice triplet of rowing, rope climbs, and assault bike work.
Strength:
A) Max Distance Broad Jump
B) Every 2mins x 5 - 3 Back Squats (Tempo 30X1)
C) Every 90secs x 4 - 16-14-12-10 Db Reverse Lunges
Conditioning:
In a 3-minute window x 3
250/200m row
2 Rope Climb
AMRAP Cal Assualt Bike
Rest 2:00 mins
Friday:
Finishing the week off with some static gymnastics strength as an EMOM before hitting the workout, which will last for 30mins involves a barbell, some push-ups, and box jump-overs.
Strength:
EMOM x 9
A) 20sec L Sit Hang
B) 20 Sec Handstand Hold
C) 30sec Hollow Hold
Conditioning:
#FUF
In 2015 I entered the UK Trail Running Championships. I was told only idiots could get lost running the 137km National Trust 5 star maintained trail. It's famous for being the oldest road in Britain (although no cars allowed on it now).
At the 46km in with around 6hrs of running under my belt, I put myself firmly into the idiot category. I didn't have a route map with me, being so sure the trails were so well marked and as the light was fading I took a left instead of a right in a town called Nuffield.
For 1 hour I ran, completely unaware I was running south instead of the correct direction of West. It was only when I needed a water refill and the aid station that was 8 miles ahead wasn't showing up did I start to think I had gone wrong.
I don't know who owns the pub in Stoke Row but I can tell you they are doing well! At 7 pm on a Saturday, I walked in, in full trail gear, to ask for directions. It was a full house and it seemed like everyone stopped drinking or eating and looked straight at me. It turns out I had run 16km off route, which was far enough for the bar staff to have no clue where the 'famous' ridgeway trail even was. I left incredibly depleted and wishing I had a route map to attempt to get myself back on track.
I didn't and I couldn't, so I called my support crew. After confirming I was an idiot they made a plan to come to find me. I was adamant not to quit so once they did find me I ran behind the car to get back on route jumping in for the last 1km so the marshals wouldn't see me running into the checkpoint the wrong way.
At 86km, with 11 hours done my feet fell to bits and I DNF'd. If I had stayed on the route I would have hit two other checkpoints which I missed on my custom route. Those checkpoints would have been a chance to check my feet and change socks/shoes.
Never leave a route map behind if you have the chance to take it! And if you haven't seen another competitor or marshall for a while, don't think it's because you are too fast or too slow, stop and double-check your location!
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email rf@innerfight.com
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. This run is currently gearing run fitness towards the incoming half marathons. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: Tempo
PM Session only: This evening we will be building in pace as the blocks progress. Each block of work is 6 mins long and has a 2 mins recovery. Start at a 5/10 effort and gradually build to a 8/10 RPE.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. Today we will be running 200m repeats at 1km pace. This is a fast session, focus on keeping good running form throughout.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 4:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
If you didn't run track, today we have some speed work for you in the morning. The session at 5:59am will be 1km into 400m repeats, back to 1km.
In the evening we will run easy at 4:59pm this week with IFE ahead of Iftar in Gym 2 from 6pm.
Friday
Hills Start Time: 5:29am
Tempo
Brief time: 5:54am
Start Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will have bridge repeats for those who want elevation, and tempo for those who want to push the pace on the flat surface. The choice is yours. (If you are running Two Oceans, we recommend the hills option).
Saturday
Location: KhorFakkan
Session: LRC Training Camp
We will be back in Hatta this week for our Sunday long run. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. All details or run distances, start times, and locations will be share in TrainnigPeaks and WhatsApp.
Please talk to Steph for further details.
SH@Innerfight.com
Sunday
Location: KhorFakkan
Session: LRC Training Camp
We will be back in Hatta this week for our Sunday long run. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. All details or run distances, start times, and locations will be share in TrainnigPeaks and WhatsApp.
Please talk to Steph for further details.
SH@Innerfight.com
Monday:
We start the week with some upper-body pressing work and weighted push-ups as we build up to heavy 3 reps. Then, we'll move on to dumbbell bench presses and push presses before hitting a tough effort partner ski and burpee workout. Who's your partner?
Strength:
A) EMOM x 7 - 3 Weighted Push Ups
B) Every 90secs x 5 - 8 DB Bench Press (Tempo 20X1)
C) EMOM x 6 - 5/5 DB Push Press
Conditioning:
In Pairs 2000m ski
EMOM including minutes 1, 5 synchro burpees.
Tuesday:
We have some single-leg barbell good mornings at a nice tempo that will fire up your posterior, followed by a heavy barbell complex and running in the workout.
Strength:
Every 2mins x 5 - 6/leg staggered stance barbell good morning
(Tempo 30x1)
Conditioning:
25 min AMRAP
Park run
Into
6 Rounds Complex:
1 power clean
1 hang power
1 STOH
Wednesday:
Wednesday is about strict pulling strength, focusing on developing strict pull-ups and building more strength with sleds and dumbbells. The workout will test your grip and your shoulders!
Strength:
Alt EMOM x 10
A) 3-5 Strict Pull Ups
B) 5/5 Db Bent Over Row
C) Every 3mins x 5 - 1 Length Sled Pull
Conditioning:
For Time
30-20-10
DB Hang Snatch
100 DU after each set
Thursday:
On Thursday, we are progressing on our back squats and working in some power with jumping and some single-leg work before a nice triplet of rowing, rope climbs, and assault bike work.
Strength:
A) Max Distance Broad Jump
B) Every 2mins x 5 - 3 Back Squats (Tempo 30X1)
C) Every 90secs x 4 - 16-14-12-10 Db Reverse Lunges
Conditioning:
In a 3-minute window x 3
250/200m row
2 Rope Climb
AMRAP Cal Assualt Bike
Rest 2:00 mins
Friday:
Finishing the week off with some static gymnastics strength as an EMOM before hitting the workout, which will last for 30mins involves a barbell, some push-ups, and box jump-overs.
Strength:
EMOM x 9
A) 20sec L Sit Hang
B) 20 Sec Handstand Hold
C) 30sec Hollow Hold
Conditioning:
#FUF
ENGINE
Revisiting Mikkos with some over and under-threshold intervals.
GYMNASTICS
This week, we will spend some time on ring dips! Get read for isometric holds, eccentrics, strict work, and kipping progressions. We’ll prioritise lockout strength, crucial for pressing movements like handstand push-ups, strict presses, and jerks.
HYROX
We will take on a full HYROX for the race simulation. It can be done individually or in pairs.
MOBILITY
This weekend, the mobility focus is improving the range of motion in joints and muscles. Upper body mobility focuses on the shoulders, wrists, and T spine, helping with movements like reaching and rotating. Lower body mobility targets the hips, knees, and ankles, improving flexibility for activities like squats and lunges. Come join us to keep those bodies healthy.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength this week, we are hitting some cluster sets on the front squat on Monday, followed by some single leg work coupled with the bent-over rows. We are clustering the Bench Press and ring rows to build some push and pull strength, followed by some dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts on Wednesday.
WEIGHTLIFTING
For weightlifting this week, we will focus on the squat snatch. With a fun complex snatch pull, Hang squat snatch and OHS. Great technique session!
In 2015 I entered the UK Trail Running Championships. I was told only idiots could get lost running the 137km National Trust 5 star maintained trail. It's famous for being the oldest road in Britain (although no cars allowed on it now).
At the 46km in with around 6hrs of running under my belt, I put myself firmly into the idiot category. I didn't have a route map with me, being so sure the trails were so well marked and as the light was fading I took a left instead of a right in a town called Nuffield.
For 1 hour I ran, completely unaware I was running south instead of the correct direction of West. It was only when I needed a water refill and the aid station that was 8 miles ahead wasn't showing up did I start to think I had gone wrong.
I don't know who owns the pub in Stoke Row but I can tell you they are doing well! At 7 pm on a Saturday, I walked in, in full trail gear, to ask for directions. It was a full house and it seemed like everyone stopped drinking or eating and looked straight at me. It turns out I had run 16km off route, which was far enough for the bar staff to have no clue where the 'famous' ridgeway trail even was. I left incredibly depleted and wishing I had a route map to attempt to get myself back on track.
I didn't and I couldn't, so I called my support crew. After confirming I was an idiot they made a plan to come to find me. I was adamant not to quit so once they did find me I ran behind the car to get back on route jumping in for the last 1km so the marshals wouldn't see me running into the checkpoint the wrong way.
At 86km, with 11 hours done my feet fell to bits and I DNF'd. If I had stayed on the route I would have hit two other checkpoints which I missed on my custom route. Those checkpoints would have been a chance to check my feet and change socks/shoes.
Never leave a route map behind if you have the chance to take it! And if you haven't seen another competitor or marshall for a while, don't think it's because you are too fast or too slow, stop and double-check your location!
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: Tempo
PM Session only: This evening we will be building in pace as the blocks progress. Each block of work is 6 mins long and has a 2 mins recovery. Start at a 5/10 effort and gradually build to a 8/10 RPE.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. Today we will be running 200m repeats at 1km pace. This is a fast session, focus on keeping good running form throughout.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 4:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
If you didn't run track, today we have some speed work for you in the morning. The session at 5:59am will be 1km into 400m repeats, back to 1km.
In the evening we will run easy at 4:59pm this week with IFE ahead of Iftar in Gym 2 from 6pm.
Friday
Hills Start Time: 5:29am
Tempo
Brief time: 5:54am
Start Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will have bridge repeats for those who want elevation, and tempo for those who want to push the pace on the flat surface. The choice is yours. (If you are running Two Oceans, we recommend the hills option).
Saturday
Location: KhorFakkan
Session: LRC Training Camp
We will be back in Hatta this week for our Sunday long run. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. All details or run distances, start times, and locations will be share in TrainnigPeaks and WhatsApp.
Please talk to Steph for further details.
SH@Innerfight.com
Sunday
Location: KhorFakkan
Session: LRC Training Camp
We will be back in Hatta this week for our Sunday long run. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. We will be in Khorfakkan this wekeend for our LRC Training Camp. All details or run distances, start times, and locations will be share in TrainnigPeaks and WhatsApp.
Please talk to Steph for further details.
SH@Innerfight.com
Monday:
We start the week with some upper-body pressing work and weighted push-ups as we build up to heavy 3 reps. Then, we'll move on to dumbbell bench presses and push presses before hitting a tough effort partner ski and burpee workout. Who's your partner?
Strength:
A) EMOM x 7 - 3 Weighted Push Ups
B) Every 90secs x 5 - 8 DB Bench Press (Tempo 20X1)
C) EMOM x 6 - 5/5 DB Push Press
Conditioning:
In Pairs 2000m ski
EMOM including minutes 1, 5 synchro burpees.
Tuesday:
We have some single-leg barbell good mornings at a nice tempo that will fire up your posterior, followed by a heavy barbell complex and running in the workout.
Strength:
Every 2mins x 5 - 6/leg staggered stance barbell good morning
(Tempo 30x1)
Conditioning:
25 min AMRAP
Park run
Into
6 Rounds Complex:
1 power clean
1 hang power
1 STOH
Wednesday:
Wednesday is about strict pulling strength, focusing on developing strict pull-ups and building more strength with sleds and dumbbells. The workout will test your grip and your shoulders!
Strength:
Alt EMOM x 10
A) 3-5 Strict Pull Ups
B) 5/5 Db Bent Over Row
C) Every 3mins x 5 - 1 Length Sled Pull
Conditioning:
For Time
30-20-10
DB Hang Snatch
100 DU after each set
Thursday:
On Thursday, we are progressing on our back squats and working in some power with jumping and some single-leg work before a nice triplet of rowing, rope climbs, and assault bike work.
Strength:
A) Max Distance Broad Jump
B) Every 2mins x 5 - 3 Back Squats (Tempo 30X1)
C) Every 90secs x 4 - 16-14-12-10 Db Reverse Lunges
Conditioning:
In a 3-minute window x 3
250/200m row
2 Rope Climb
AMRAP Cal Assualt Bike
Rest 2:00 mins
Friday:
Finishing the week off with some static gymnastics strength as an EMOM before hitting the workout, which will last for 30mins involves a barbell, some push-ups, and box jump-overs.
Strength:
EMOM x 9
A) 20sec L Sit Hang
B) 20 Sec Handstand Hold
C) 30sec Hollow Hold
Conditioning:
#FUF
ENGINE
Revisiting Mikkos with some over and under-threshold intervals.
GYMNASTICS
This week, we will spend some time on ring dips! Get read for isometric holds, eccentrics, strict work, and kipping progressions. We’ll prioritise lockout strength, crucial for pressing movements like handstand push-ups, strict presses, and jerks.
HYROX
We will take on a full HYROX for the race simulation. It can be done individually or in pairs.
MOBILITY
This weekend, the mobility focus is improving the range of motion in joints and muscles. Upper body mobility focuses on the shoulders, wrists, and T spine, helping with movements like reaching and rotating. Lower body mobility targets the hips, knees, and ankles, improving flexibility for activities like squats and lunges. Come join us to keep those bodies healthy.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength this week, we are hitting some cluster sets on the front squat on Monday, followed by some single leg work coupled with the bent-over rows. We are clustering the Bench Press and ring rows to build some push and pull strength, followed by some dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts on Wednesday.
WEIGHTLIFTING
For weightlifting this week, we will focus on the squat snatch. With a fun complex snatch pull, Hang squat snatch and OHS. Great technique session!
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email rf@innerfight.com
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. This run is currently gearing run fitness towards the incoming half marathons. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
In 2015 I entered the UK Trail Running Championships. I was told only idiots could get lost running the 137km National Trust 5 star maintained trail. It's famous for being the oldest road in Britain (although no cars allowed on it now).
At the 46km in with around 6hrs of running under my belt, I put myself firmly into the idiot category. I didn't have a route map with me, being so sure the trails were so well marked and as the light was fading I took a left instead of a right in a town called Nuffield.
For 1 hour I ran, completely unaware I was running south instead of the correct direction of West. It was only when I needed a water refill and the aid station that was 8 miles ahead wasn't showing up did I start to think I had gone wrong.
I don't know who owns the pub in Stoke Row but I can tell you they are doing well! At 7 pm on a Saturday, I walked in, in full trail gear, to ask for directions. It was a full house and it seemed like everyone stopped drinking or eating and looked straight at me. It turns out I had run 16km off route, which was far enough for the bar staff to have no clue where the 'famous' ridgeway trail even was. I left incredibly depleted and wishing I had a route map to attempt to get myself back on track.
I didn't and I couldn't, so I called my support crew. After confirming I was an idiot they made a plan to come to find me. I was adamant not to quit so once they did find me I ran behind the car to get back on route jumping in for the last 1km so the marshals wouldn't see me running into the checkpoint the wrong way.
At 86km, with 11 hours done my feet fell to bits and I DNF'd. If I had stayed on the route I would have hit two other checkpoints which I missed on my custom route. Those checkpoints would have been a chance to check my feet and change socks/shoes.
Never leave a route map behind if you have the chance to take it! And if you haven't seen another competitor or marshall for a while, don't think it's because you are too fast or too slow, stop and double-check your location!
In 2015 I entered the UK Trail Running Championships. I was told only idiots could get lost running the 137km National Trust 5 star maintained trail. It's famous for being the oldest road in Britain (although no cars allowed on it now).
At the 46km in with around 6hrs of running under my belt, I put myself firmly into the idiot category. I didn't have a route map with me, being so sure the trails were so well marked and as the light was fading I took a left instead of a right in a town called Nuffield.
For 1 hour I ran, completely unaware I was running south instead of the correct direction of West. It was only when I needed a water refill and the aid station that was 8 miles ahead wasn't showing up did I start to think I had gone wrong.
I don't know who owns the pub in Stoke Row but I can tell you they are doing well! At 7 pm on a Saturday, I walked in, in full trail gear, to ask for directions. It was a full house and it seemed like everyone stopped drinking or eating and looked straight at me. It turns out I had run 16km off route, which was far enough for the bar staff to have no clue where the 'famous' ridgeway trail even was. I left incredibly depleted and wishing I had a route map to attempt to get myself back on track.
I didn't and I couldn't, so I called my support crew. After confirming I was an idiot they made a plan to come to find me. I was adamant not to quit so once they did find me I ran behind the car to get back on route jumping in for the last 1km so the marshals wouldn't see me running into the checkpoint the wrong way.
At 86km, with 11 hours done my feet fell to bits and I DNF'd. If I had stayed on the route I would have hit two other checkpoints which I missed on my custom route. Those checkpoints would have been a chance to check my feet and change socks/shoes.
Never leave a route map behind if you have the chance to take it! And if you haven't seen another competitor or marshall for a while, don't think it's because you are too fast or too slow, stop and double-check your location!
One-Hour Workout: Revving Your Swim Engine
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