Every year there is an event called the Cheltenham Circular Challenge, it's a marathon distance course that loops around Cheltenham. People could enter the whole thing or segments of it. This year they have changed the event, it's no longer circular and is now called the Cheltenham Challenge. There are a number of events as part of this challenge being run on the same day...
- 5km - on the, world famous, race course
- 10km - on the race course and surrounding area
- half marathon - a single loop over Cleeve Hill
- marathon - two of the half marathon loops
- ultimate challenge - a combination of the first 4 events, so three loops over Cleeve Hill then the 10km then the 5km.
I have entered the Ultimate Challenge as it's essentially an ultra on my doorstep. It represents 8 further miles than the furthest i have run (40 miles in the Born to Run Ultra) but more significantly, with three ascents of Cleeve Hill, more climbing than i have undertaken before at this distance. It is all part of the learning though.
I have devised a training plan and with 70 days to go it's pretty much straight into some larger mileage weeks (for me) before a couple of weeks taper. What i am doing this time though is on my long runs is taking in some local hills. They aren't significant by a long stretch but i need to use them to increase strength in my quads and glutes. I am also going to go back the gym to do some work on these areas.
I am looking forward to the training and even more to pushing myself to a greater challenge than i have already undertaken. I am also going to be doing some fund raising for Diabetes UK. As a Type 1 diabetic myself i use their resources but also i want to be someone that can show what you can do despite having Diabetes. It is not a barrier for me and shouldn't be for anyone else.
