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Unforeseen Victory
A Trail Runner's Tale of Pain, Perseverance, and the Unexpected
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Wadi Bih 72km through the Oman mountains is the setting. You have just climbed a vertical km up what is commonly known as “Butt F**K” hill (or so I was told). The reason being that by the time you get to the top, your glutes are fried!
I had run this race once before in a time of 8 hours 20 minutes, and I had a goal in mind to crack that 8 hour mark. Everything was going well and I had ascended “the hill” in great shape. There was another small climb and a nice descent to bring me to the 36km halfway point of the out and back route, and I was feeling very confident.
Then BANG. I could feel this pain surge up through my knee.
Confusion set in, and I started mentally backtrack through the race so far. I’d not gone over on a stone, not pushed too hard up the hill, I had warmed up. In my opinion, I had not done anything to warrant this pain.
Running became too much, so I downgraded to walking which over the course of a few more minutes downgraded further to limping. Admittedly, I am a fairly stubborn person when it comes to pain and expect every race to incur a decent bit of either physical or mental suffering, but this was different. I was limping along the ridge of the penultimate summit and took an anti-inflammatory, the stabbing pain now shooting up my leg into my hips. I was certain that my race was done. Stubborn as I may be, I know that shuffling along for 40+ km is reckless at best. As I was pondering how to stop the race and get myself back to either an aid station or a support car, I needed to pop to the toilet. As this is ultra-life there are no portaloos so a quick detour off the trail behind some rocks to take care of business was in order. I then stood up to get back onto the course, and the most bizarre thing happened….. There was NOTHING, no pain! The was pain completely gone, I could walk and run as normal!
Just goes to show you when you think you are done, you are probably not, yet your body might do some strange things to get you to stop.
Ultimately I didn’t make the sub 8 hour time cap that day, but came out of it with a good story and lesson learnt.
ENGINE
Double Mikko’s Triangle. We’re doubling the time and aiming to double the calories. Can you match your pace and hold on?
GYMNASTICS
Tuesday morning, we're diving into all things handstand push-ups with both strict and kipping variations, plus some fun progressions to challenge your upside-down game. Expect overhead strength work and spicy core finishers, too.
Toes-to-bar will take centre stage on Thursday evening with drills on the low bar and rig to sharpen your skills. Then we’ll move on to capacity work before wrapping it up with core and lat work to boost strength, control, and coordination.
HYROX
Build the Upper body strength you need for HYROX with a focus on sled pulls, farmers carries, push-ups (to power through your burpees), push presses (for stronger wall balls) and SkiErg conditioning.
MOBILITY
We have been quite dominant with mobility for the lower body; per request, we will stick with the flows, but make sure we hit the upper body harder this weekend. This session will be aimed towards the people that have shoulder niggles.
PURE STRENGTH
This week's pure strength session marks the start of the deadlift cycle, following high-volume RDLS. We also have some heavy box squats and volume reps to finish up on Monday. On Wednesday, we will start a paused bench press progression, incorporating some overhead presses and barbell rows as accessories.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting, we are focusing on developing the split jerk technique. Followed by a classic complex of clean + front squat + jerk.
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 Rob Foster
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. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 8 mins blocks. You will take a 3 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 3x.
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. This week we will be running 200s and 600s at 3km and 5km pace. We will help you identify the best pace group for your ability at the session.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running1km at effort, into 4 x 400s and then back to 1km of effort. Push hard on the 400s, these should be a 9/10 RPE.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be running
10X
1min @ 9/10; 1min @ 3/10
5mins easy jog
then,
4X
4mins @ 7/10; 1min @ 1/10 (easy jog/walking)
Coffee post session at Common Grounds at 7am.
Monday:
We start the week with some single-leg deadlifts into a power clean front squat complex, followed by a leg-focused workout that is sure to set the tone for the week.
Strength:
A) Every 2:30 x 5 6/6 Single Leg Deadlift
B) Every 90secs x 5 2 power clean + 2 front squat
Conditioning:
17min AMRAP
3 Power Clean (60/40)
6 Front Squat
9 Box Jump
Tuesday:
On Tuesday, it's all about push and pull in the strength work, with pull-ups, bench press, gorilla rows, and some static overhead strength.
Strength:
A) EMOM x 6 - 15-20 sec UB kipping pull-ups
B) Alt EMOM x 10 - 8 DB Bench Press / 12 Alt Gorilla Row
C) Alt EMOM x 9 -M1 - 30 Sec Dual KB OH / 30 sec hollow hold / 30 sec arch hold/rock
Conditioning:
4 rounds for time:
16 Alt KB STOH
1 Lap Car Park Farmers Carry
10 Burpees Over KB
30 Double Unders
Wednesday:
On Wednesday, we will start with some heavy squats, followed by work on both the GHD hip extension and the GHD sit-up, and then a tough interval workout.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 6 - 3 2 2 1 1 back squat + 1 set AMRAP @ 80% of top single
B) Alt EMOM x 12 - 5/10 GHD Sit Ups / 30 sec Pallof Press L&R / 10-15 Hip Extensions
Conditioning
In a 3-minute window:
15 TTB
30 wall balls
AMRAP cal row
Rest 2 mins x 3
Thursday:
On Thursday, we have some bodybuilding in the strength work, followed by a real test of grip and capacity in the workout with high-volume dumbbell snatches.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 5 6/6 DB Strict Press
B) Alt EMOM x 9 - 30 sec banded tricep extension / 15-20 DB Lateral Raise / 15-20 Barbell Bicep Curls
Conditioning:
For time:
120 DB Hang Snatch
Every 3 mins
15/12 Cal Assualt Bike
10 Hand Release Push Ups
Friday:
Finally, we conclude the week with an awesome partner workout that combines aerobic work with strongman exercises.
Strength:
EMOM x 5 6 Sandbag Over Bar
Conditioning:
In Pairs for Time:
800m run together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
100 Cal Ski
Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
80 Cal Ski
Half Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
60 Cal Ski
Car Park Run (Together)
20 Sandbag Over Bar
40 Cal Ski
Wadi Bih 72km through the Oman mountains is the setting. You have just climbed a vertical km up what is commonly known as “Butt F**K” hill (or so I was told). The reason being that by the time you get to the top, your glutes are fried!
I had run this race once before in a time of 8 hours 20 minutes, and I had a goal in mind to crack that 8 hour mark. Everything was going well and I had ascended “the hill” in great shape. There was another small climb and a nice descent to bring me to the 36km halfway point of the out and back route, and I was feeling very confident.
Then BANG. I could feel this pain surge up through my knee.
Confusion set in, and I started mentally backtrack through the race so far. I’d not gone over on a stone, not pushed too hard up the hill, I had warmed up. In my opinion, I had not done anything to warrant this pain.
Running became too much, so I downgraded to walking which over the course of a few more minutes downgraded further to limping. Admittedly, I am a fairly stubborn person when it comes to pain and expect every race to incur a decent bit of either physical or mental suffering, but this was different. I was limping along the ridge of the penultimate summit and took an anti-inflammatory, the stabbing pain now shooting up my leg into my hips. I was certain that my race was done. Stubborn as I may be, I know that shuffling along for 40+ km is reckless at best. As I was pondering how to stop the race and get myself back to either an aid station or a support car, I needed to pop to the toilet. As this is ultra-life there are no portaloos so a quick detour off the trail behind some rocks to take care of business was in order. I then stood up to get back onto the course, and the most bizarre thing happened….. There was NOTHING, no pain! The was pain completely gone, I could walk and run as normal!
Just goes to show you when you think you are done, you are probably not, yet your body might do some strange things to get you to stop.
Ultimately I didn’t make the sub 8 hour time cap that day, but came out of it with a good story and lesson learnt.
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 Rob Foster
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. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 8 mins blocks. You will take a 3 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 3x.
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. This week we will be running 200s and 600s at 3km and 5km pace. We will help you identify the best pace group for your ability at the session.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running1km at effort, into 4 x 400s and then back to 1km of effort. Push hard on the 400s, these should be a 9/10 RPE.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be running
10X
1min @ 9/10; 1min @ 3/10
5mins easy jog
then,
4X
4mins @ 7/10; 1min @ 1/10 (easy jog/walking)
Coffee post session at Common Grounds at 7am.
Monday:
We start the week with some single-leg deadlifts into a power clean front squat complex, followed by a leg-focused workout that is sure to set the tone for the week.
Strength:
A) Every 2:30 x 5 6/6 Single Leg Deadlift
B) Every 90secs x 5 2 power clean + 2 front squat
Conditioning:
17min AMRAP
3 Power Clean (60/40)
6 Front Squat
9 Box Jump
Tuesday:
On Tuesday, it's all about push and pull in the strength work, with pull-ups, bench press, gorilla rows, and some static overhead strength.
Strength:
A) EMOM x 6 - 15-20 sec UB kipping pull-ups
B) Alt EMOM x 10 - 8 DB Bench Press / 12 Alt Gorilla Row
C) Alt EMOM x 9 -M1 - 30 Sec Dual KB OH / 30 sec hollow hold / 30 sec arch hold/rock
Conditioning:
4 rounds for time:
16 Alt KB STOH
1 Lap Car Park Farmers Carry
10 Burpees Over KB
30 Double Unders
Wednesday:
On Wednesday, we will start with some heavy squats, followed by work on both the GHD hip extension and the GHD sit-up, and then a tough interval workout.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 6 - 3 2 2 1 1 back squat + 1 set AMRAP @ 80% of top single
B) Alt EMOM x 12 - 5/10 GHD Sit Ups / 30 sec Pallof Press L&R / 10-15 Hip Extensions
Conditioning
In a 3-minute window:
15 TTB
30 wall balls
AMRAP cal row
Rest 2 mins x 3
Thursday:
On Thursday, we have some bodybuilding in the strength work, followed by a real test of grip and capacity in the workout with high-volume dumbbell snatches.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 5 6/6 DB Strict Press
B) Alt EMOM x 9 - 30 sec banded tricep extension / 15-20 DB Lateral Raise / 15-20 Barbell Bicep Curls
Conditioning:
For time:
120 DB Hang Snatch
Every 3 mins
15/12 Cal Assualt Bike
10 Hand Release Push Ups
Friday:
Finally, we conclude the week with an awesome partner workout that combines aerobic work with strongman exercises.
Strength:
EMOM x 5 6 Sandbag Over Bar
Conditioning:
In Pairs for Time:
800m run together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
100 Cal Ski
Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
80 Cal Ski
Half Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
60 Cal Ski
Car Park Run (Together)
20 Sandbag Over Bar
40 Cal Ski
ENGINE
Double Mikko’s Triangle. We’re doubling the time and aiming to double the calories. Can you match your pace and hold on?
GYMNASTICS
Tuesday morning, we're diving into all things handstand push-ups with both strict and kipping variations, plus some fun progressions to challenge your upside-down game. Expect overhead strength work and spicy core finishers, too.
Toes-to-bar will take centre stage on Thursday evening with drills on the low bar and rig to sharpen your skills. Then we’ll move on to capacity work before wrapping it up with core and lat work to boost strength, control, and coordination.
HYROX
Build the Upper body strength you need for HYROX with a focus on sled pulls, farmers carries, push-ups (to power through your burpees), push presses (for stronger wall balls) and SkiErg conditioning.
MOBILITY
We have been quite dominant with mobility for the lower body; per request, we will stick with the flows, but make sure we hit the upper body harder this weekend. This session will be aimed towards the people that have shoulder niggles.
PURE STRENGTH
This week's pure strength session marks the start of the deadlift cycle, following high-volume RDLS. We also have some heavy box squats and volume reps to finish up on Monday. On Wednesday, we will start a paused bench press progression, incorporating some overhead presses and barbell rows as accessories.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting, we are focusing on developing the split jerk technique. Followed by a classic complex of clean + front squat + jerk.
Wadi Bih 72km through the Oman mountains is the setting. You have just climbed a vertical km up what is commonly known as “Butt F**K” hill (or so I was told). The reason being that by the time you get to the top, your glutes are fried!
I had run this race once before in a time of 8 hours 20 minutes, and I had a goal in mind to crack that 8 hour mark. Everything was going well and I had ascended “the hill” in great shape. There was another small climb and a nice descent to bring me to the 36km halfway point of the out and back route, and I was feeling very confident.
Then BANG. I could feel this pain surge up through my knee.
Confusion set in, and I started mentally backtrack through the race so far. I’d not gone over on a stone, not pushed too hard up the hill, I had warmed up. In my opinion, I had not done anything to warrant this pain.
Running became too much, so I downgraded to walking which over the course of a few more minutes downgraded further to limping. Admittedly, I am a fairly stubborn person when it comes to pain and expect every race to incur a decent bit of either physical or mental suffering, but this was different. I was limping along the ridge of the penultimate summit and took an anti-inflammatory, the stabbing pain now shooting up my leg into my hips. I was certain that my race was done. Stubborn as I may be, I know that shuffling along for 40+ km is reckless at best. As I was pondering how to stop the race and get myself back to either an aid station or a support car, I needed to pop to the toilet. As this is ultra-life there are no portaloos so a quick detour off the trail behind some rocks to take care of business was in order. I then stood up to get back onto the course, and the most bizarre thing happened….. There was NOTHING, no pain! The was pain completely gone, I could walk and run as normal!
Just goes to show you when you think you are done, you are probably not, yet your body might do some strange things to get you to stop.
Ultimately I didn’t make the sub 8 hour time cap that day, but came out of it with a good story and lesson learnt.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 8 mins blocks. You will take a 3 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 3x.
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. This week we will be running 200s and 600s at 3km and 5km pace. We will help you identify the best pace group for your ability at the session.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running1km at effort, into 4 x 400s and then back to 1km of effort. Push hard on the 400s, these should be a 9/10 RPE.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be running
10X
1min @ 9/10; 1min @ 3/10
5mins easy jog
then,
4X
4mins @ 7/10; 1min @ 1/10 (easy jog/walking)
Coffee post session at Common Grounds at 7am.
Monday:
We start the week with some single-leg deadlifts into a power clean front squat complex, followed by a leg-focused workout that is sure to set the tone for the week.
Strength:
A) Every 2:30 x 5 6/6 Single Leg Deadlift
B) Every 90secs x 5 2 power clean + 2 front squat
Conditioning:
17min AMRAP
3 Power Clean (60/40)
6 Front Squat
9 Box Jump
Tuesday:
On Tuesday, it's all about push and pull in the strength work, with pull-ups, bench press, gorilla rows, and some static overhead strength.
Strength:
A) EMOM x 6 - 15-20 sec UB kipping pull-ups
B) Alt EMOM x 10 - 8 DB Bench Press / 12 Alt Gorilla Row
C) Alt EMOM x 9 -M1 - 30 Sec Dual KB OH / 30 sec hollow hold / 30 sec arch hold/rock
Conditioning:
4 rounds for time:
16 Alt KB STOH
1 Lap Car Park Farmers Carry
10 Burpees Over KB
30 Double Unders
Wednesday:
On Wednesday, we will start with some heavy squats, followed by work on both the GHD hip extension and the GHD sit-up, and then a tough interval workout.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 6 - 3 2 2 1 1 back squat + 1 set AMRAP @ 80% of top single
B) Alt EMOM x 12 - 5/10 GHD Sit Ups / 30 sec Pallof Press L&R / 10-15 Hip Extensions
Conditioning
In a 3-minute window:
15 TTB
30 wall balls
AMRAP cal row
Rest 2 mins x 3
Thursday:
On Thursday, we have some bodybuilding in the strength work, followed by a real test of grip and capacity in the workout with high-volume dumbbell snatches.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 5 6/6 DB Strict Press
B) Alt EMOM x 9 - 30 sec banded tricep extension / 15-20 DB Lateral Raise / 15-20 Barbell Bicep Curls
Conditioning:
For time:
120 DB Hang Snatch
Every 3 mins
15/12 Cal Assualt Bike
10 Hand Release Push Ups
Friday:
Finally, we conclude the week with an awesome partner workout that combines aerobic work with strongman exercises.
Strength:
EMOM x 5 6 Sandbag Over Bar
Conditioning:
In Pairs for Time:
800m run together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
100 Cal Ski
Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
80 Cal Ski
Half Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
60 Cal Ski
Car Park Run (Together)
20 Sandbag Over Bar
40 Cal Ski
ENGINE
Double Mikko’s Triangle. We’re doubling the time and aiming to double the calories. Can you match your pace and hold on?
GYMNASTICS
Tuesday morning, we're diving into all things handstand push-ups with both strict and kipping variations, plus some fun progressions to challenge your upside-down game. Expect overhead strength work and spicy core finishers, too.
Toes-to-bar will take centre stage on Thursday evening with drills on the low bar and rig to sharpen your skills. Then we’ll move on to capacity work before wrapping it up with core and lat work to boost strength, control, and coordination.
HYROX
Build the Upper body strength you need for HYROX with a focus on sled pulls, farmers carries, push-ups (to power through your burpees), push presses (for stronger wall balls) and SkiErg conditioning.
MOBILITY
We have been quite dominant with mobility for the lower body; per request, we will stick with the flows, but make sure we hit the upper body harder this weekend. This session will be aimed towards the people that have shoulder niggles.
PURE STRENGTH
This week's pure strength session marks the start of the deadlift cycle, following high-volume RDLS. We also have some heavy box squats and volume reps to finish up on Monday. On Wednesday, we will start a paused bench press progression, incorporating some overhead presses and barbell rows as accessories.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting, we are focusing on developing the split jerk technique. Followed by a classic complex of clean + front squat + jerk.
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 Rob Foster
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. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Wadi Bih 72km through the Oman mountains is the setting. You have just climbed a vertical km up what is commonly known as “Butt F**K” hill (or so I was told). The reason being that by the time you get to the top, your glutes are fried!
I had run this race once before in a time of 8 hours 20 minutes, and I had a goal in mind to crack that 8 hour mark. Everything was going well and I had ascended “the hill” in great shape. There was another small climb and a nice descent to bring me to the 36km halfway point of the out and back route, and I was feeling very confident.
Then BANG. I could feel this pain surge up through my knee.
Confusion set in, and I started mentally backtrack through the race so far. I’d not gone over on a stone, not pushed too hard up the hill, I had warmed up. In my opinion, I had not done anything to warrant this pain.
Running became too much, so I downgraded to walking which over the course of a few more minutes downgraded further to limping. Admittedly, I am a fairly stubborn person when it comes to pain and expect every race to incur a decent bit of either physical or mental suffering, but this was different. I was limping along the ridge of the penultimate summit and took an anti-inflammatory, the stabbing pain now shooting up my leg into my hips. I was certain that my race was done. Stubborn as I may be, I know that shuffling along for 40+ km is reckless at best. As I was pondering how to stop the race and get myself back to either an aid station or a support car, I needed to pop to the toilet. As this is ultra-life there are no portaloos so a quick detour off the trail behind some rocks to take care of business was in order. I then stood up to get back onto the course, and the most bizarre thing happened….. There was NOTHING, no pain! The was pain completely gone, I could walk and run as normal!
Just goes to show you when you think you are done, you are probably not, yet your body might do some strange things to get you to stop.
Ultimately I didn’t make the sub 8 hour time cap that day, but came out of it with a good story and lesson learnt.
Wadi Bih 72km through the Oman mountains is the setting. You have just climbed a vertical km up what is commonly known as “Butt F**K” hill (or so I was told). The reason being that by the time you get to the top, your glutes are fried!
I had run this race once before in a time of 8 hours 20 minutes, and I had a goal in mind to crack that 8 hour mark. Everything was going well and I had ascended “the hill” in great shape. There was another small climb and a nice descent to bring me to the 36km halfway point of the out and back route, and I was feeling very confident.
Then BANG. I could feel this pain surge up through my knee.
Confusion set in, and I started mentally backtrack through the race so far. I’d not gone over on a stone, not pushed too hard up the hill, I had warmed up. In my opinion, I had not done anything to warrant this pain.
Running became too much, so I downgraded to walking which over the course of a few more minutes downgraded further to limping. Admittedly, I am a fairly stubborn person when it comes to pain and expect every race to incur a decent bit of either physical or mental suffering, but this was different. I was limping along the ridge of the penultimate summit and took an anti-inflammatory, the stabbing pain now shooting up my leg into my hips. I was certain that my race was done. Stubborn as I may be, I know that shuffling along for 40+ km is reckless at best. As I was pondering how to stop the race and get myself back to either an aid station or a support car, I needed to pop to the toilet. As this is ultra-life there are no portaloos so a quick detour off the trail behind some rocks to take care of business was in order. I then stood up to get back onto the course, and the most bizarre thing happened….. There was NOTHING, no pain! The was pain completely gone, I could walk and run as normal!
Just goes to show you when you think you are done, you are probably not, yet your body might do some strange things to get you to stop.
Ultimately I didn’t make the sub 8 hour time cap that day, but came out of it with a good story and lesson learnt.
One-Hour Workout: Revving Your Swim Engine
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