2024: Year in review

 The numbers

Running

• 203 runs
• 2637.4km
• 365hrs 30mins
• 89,108m ascent

Walking

• 367 walks (inc daily dog walks)
• 1238.5km
• 303hrs 48mins
• 34,819m ascent

The races

• Completed UTS-100M for the first time
• Completed RAT The Plague (100km) for the first time
• Whaley Waltz
• Marple Beer Run
• Completed 13 Valleys (100M) for the second time - PB
• Media City 10km - 10k PB
• Bowstones Fell Race

Thoughts

I've completed fewer runs this year - I was deliberately avoiding the every day running trap, instead ensuring more rest and more effective training. I was still not incorporating enough fast/hard days (sleep has not been good enough, in general), but I have been quite focused on hill strength. It is the most elevation I've completed in a year, despite being lower mileage than the previous two; this reflects my focus in the lead up to the UTS. I feel the hill training was productive, as it enabled me to successfully complete the incredibly tough UTS. I'm repeating that race again next year, but am incorporating strength training in my routine, which should help manage the brutal climbs better. Also, I've been progressively doing more hiking, including more difficult climbs on short dog walks.

The second bite at the 13 Valleys was quite revealing - despite a chaotic training period, abruptly halted by breaking my toe, it went really well, and I took several hours off my time. I felt stronger doing it, which I attribute to sustained endurance practice in more difficult terrain and hills. It is the first 100-mile race I've done that wasn't a step up in difficulty from the previous, and so was a good measure of progress. My race management has also improved a lot, with more effective fuelling, including diagnosing fuelling-related issues before they become acute.

Starting on strength training has revealed where some of my challenges lie - mechanical discomfort in long races is in part due to lacking strength in my hips and core. I'm starting to make improvements by training on more difficult terrain, including hiking and some scrambling, but focus effort in circuit training is also really helping.

Next Up: 2025 goals

• Arc of Attrition (100 miles) in January - first attempt
• UTS-100M in May - second attempt
• UTMB in August, if I succeed in the lottery
• ...otherwise, another 100-miler, possibly 13 Valleys again

I have been considering other challenges, including a Bob Graham round, but I love the 100-mile, single stage challenge; I feel that the endurance battle, including the fuelling challenges and sleep deprivation, is something that I enjoy and do quite well at. I might throw in some other shorter races, but completing two 100-mile races and a 100km race this year has proved a pretty challenging schedule; completing three 100-milers in 2025 is going to demand quite a lot of my body and training.