Well, it seems my last update didn't update!! :(

Thank you to everyone who has donated and for our support :) The final race was a Half Marathon which myself and 3 others decided to run together and finish together... This made it all the more special as it may have been the last time I could run with my team-mates in Japan. 

With all 4 races over and also moving house and many farewell parties to go to I was a little tired haha! But it has been so very worth it.

Open Water Swim:

 

My slight fear of the sea made me reluctant in registering for this race, but my interest in trying a triathlon pushed me into it!

 

The weather was hot, the sea was calm, but my heart was racing! The start of the 400m race had everyone in the water at the same time which meant the odd foot in face!

 

I started out a little fast but found my "stride" and swam a good race! 10mins28secs making me 27th overall and 2nd in my age group.

 

The relay was lots of fun. One lady in my team had only begun swimming a month ago!! it took her a while to get round the 500m course but when she finally did she got a hhuge cheer from everyone.

 

All in all a good race. I have to say I am feeling tired now, but am continuing training this week for the half on sunday. I have a little pain in my right leg, but hopefully should hold out!!!

 

Wish me luck for the last race :) and thank you all for your sponsors so far.

 

Jo

 

 

My first 50k Trail Run Race Report!

 

It's the middle of the night, well 2:30am, and my alarm goes off. Up I get, have a shower, put my running gear on, get my supplies together and head out the door to meet my fellow trail runners.

 

We head off to the windy roads up to Shiga Kogen. It's a little misty and a bit chilly, but no rain! We arrive in plenty of time but still end up giving our bags in very close to the starting time haha, typical!

 

I wonder if I am going to be able to finish 50k over such terrain in 12 hours.... I have no idea how my body will cope with the distance or the climbs. Will my leg that has been giving me trouble hold out? Hae I brought enough food? Too much perhaps?

 

Well, the start was slow being a single track there was a bit o a traffic jam. But once we got moving it was a lovely run through the trees. The night before there had been a lot of rainfall so the course was muddy to say the least. After the trails through the trees we came out onto a road which we had to ascend for a few miles. It started to get hot here and the sweat started to trickle! After the gradual ascent on the road we hit the real ascent  - up a ski slope...or 2! These were the killer climbs for the 1st half and even worse ones to come in the 2nd! I hit the first gate an hour before the cut off time, so I thought I was doing not too badly at this point...although starting to feel the heat quite a lot!

 

At the top of one ski slope I had to take a break and re-fuel, but I just couldn't eat. I tried a few things, but I realy had to force it down. The easiest was a sweet red aduki bean bar - sugary with added salt too. But it left me gasping for water! haha I felt better after I had it inside my stomach though. So off again up the rest of the mountain. This time climbing steps - oh how I hate to climb steps - those long wooden ones that really don't fit your height!

 

Once these were out the way there was a lovely descent and fun running through the trails to reach a point with a fantastice view of a beautiful lake. Re-fueling point! This time a power bar - and it gave me power for the next set of trails! These were MUDDY! Slipping and sliding...loads of fun hahaha

 

Next cam the most gruelling climb. Up one slope only to find there was another km to climb up a very very steep ski slope - the look on other people's faces was great....i'm sure mine was a picture too!!

 

at the top of this climb there was a welcomed water stop to prepare for the remaining 15km downhill with some ups back to the finish. 

 

All was going fine until the last 5 km - the hills just kept coming !! not so steep, but enough to tire me. I hadn7t eaten enough...but I coudn't eat anymore now...I should have! The last 3 km were bad - we ran all the way around a lake and up a zig-zag pavement which seemed to neverend!!! This was a gruelling finish - it really zapped everyone's spirits...but eventually you come out and see the goal before you and, well, you have to run !!!

 

I fnished in 10 hours and 11 minutes. It was a much harder course than expected, so I'm pleased with my time...but would have liked to have finished under 10 hours of course :)

 

My next 50k is in October :)  

 

 

 

If you are having trouble donating please keep trying! Don't give up! The site is having a few technical difficulties apparently, but others have been able to donate so it is possible!!

 

50k trail run in T minus 4 days!!!

 

Update:

First race over!!! Boy was it a hard one! We climbed 2 ski slopes before entering the tree covered trail up to the top. The climbs were steep and it wa s very humid. I passed a couple of guys on the way up lying on the floor suffering from dehydration. When it's humid your body just can't cool down sometimes either.

 

The downhill was steep too...the kind where you can't stop!  This is where I managed to pass a few other runners haha. My downhill wasn't as fast as usual due to stitching in my diaphragm, probably due to lack of fluid intake (so I have read)...

 

The Result:  Time: 2:15:42 Place: 13th/28 in the women's Overall place:  196th / 245 haha!

 

 

Next race is my first ultra trail run!!

 

 

There are so many causes we need to donate to in this world, but the money we donate doesn't always get where it is really needed. That's why I have chosen Global Vision International Charitable Trust.

Here is what GVI-CT is all about:

 

 "The Global Vision International Charitable Trust is dedicated to Sustainable development through the empowerment and education of local communities and grassroots organisations in over 30 countries worldwide.

Our figurehead program "The Global Eden Project" focuses on land purchase creating sustainable local incomes for indigenous communities and centres for climate care monitoring and education.

Donating to the GVI Charitable Trust is easy and every penny helps. Partners including the Jane Goodall Institute, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Global Giving, the Grameen Trust, Whole Foods Market, the Phoenix Project, FUNEDESIN, South African National Parks and many more will benefit from your donation.

The GVI Charitable Trust has also created an emergency fund that is used to aid communities around the world affected by natural disasters such as the support offered to the communities of Guatemala following Hurricane Stan in 2005.

Please please donate as much as you want to and help alleviate poverty, illiteracy, environmental degradation and climate change. GVI-CT can combat these problems through education; nutrition; conservation, income generation and capacity building."

 

I am putting my body through 4 gruelling races with just a week to recover between each one and I would be greatful for your support and donations to this wonderful cause.

 

And finally, wish me luck!!

 

I will update you on my progress after each race!

 

Thank you for your kindness,

 

Jo

 

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