I’ve covered about 200 miles in training during the first three weeks of April, and almost 70 miles last week.

I was back to running early and squeezed in 11 miles before work on Wednesday – and embraced the early morning sunshine with one of my favourite routes along the canal towpath to Stockton Brook and back.

On Saturday, after a visit to Isabel Trail parkrun, a post-run bacon buttie and an excellent catch up with Sarah, I ran back from Stafford on Saturday via Stone – thanks Julie and Bryn for the midpoint cup of tea. I hit 20 miles at the bottom of the bridge at Etruria – perfect practice for the many railway bridges on the London to Brighton route. Once I managed to get to the other side, I stopped at Costa for a recovery cappuccino before walking the last mile home.

And then on Sunday, I met up with Julie to run to Alsager – a route we’d done back in 2020 when we last trained for an ultra (for a race we never did). Thanks Julie for the burst of music to get us through that final uphill climb into Alsager – yes we were singing along to Bohemian Rhapsody! Another recovery Costa at the end – and some toast this time. There has been a lot of variety in post-run snacks recently.

In terms of ultramarathon training, and preparation for going from London to Brighton at the end of May, I’ve reached the peak of my training plan.

I am equal parts exhausted and ridiculously hungry.

But I’ve been getting it done – with lots of support along the way. Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement, cups of tea and company along the miles.

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And so this week has all been about recovery.

I’ve only run twice. I’ve been going much more slowly and walking up all the hills. I’ve been getting lots of sleep and drinking a lot of tea.

I’m looking forward to a weekend away – back to my student days with a trip to Leicester.

Recovery is good.

Next week, the training will pick up again and I will definitely be on countdown – just 4 weeks to go.

But another couple of days of recovery will be appreciated. Time for another nap.

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50 for 50 #35: 50 posts for my 50th birthday to be posted before I’m 51.