Chasing Dreams, Project Santander

I wrote last week how I thought I just wasn't ready to break 2:20 at the marathon. This may have been true but as it turned out I was either still ill from the virus I had had a couple of weeks before, or I was in the process of incubating a new one. Last week I was very under the weather with more typical cold symptoms as well as a bit of vertigo which was a bit weird. It may also explain the hallucinations I had around 14 miles at London where I inexplicably saw the same person six times (three lots of twins, or sextuplets divided by three if you prefer)! At the time, I was a little freaked out by it and I chose not to put it in my post race blog as it felt like a bit of an excuse and also my initial reaction was that I just wasn't ready. But here's the thing, I know from a fitness point of view I was. I have never been as fit. My mental state was primed and as I said I was so relaxed. I know I have that 2:20 in me and it will come. I will however need everything to come together on the day. One day it will.

For now however, I have other dreams to chase. I am revisiting the Ultra world and having a stab at the Santander 100k in June with the aim firstly to finish and secondly to post a solid time that will put me in contention for a spot at the Anglo Celtic Plate next year. It is the World Championships next year and so it would be a dream to qualify for the GB team so the hard work has to start now. The UK ultra running scene is currently in excellent shape. Good friends Steve Way, Anthony Clarke, Lee Grantham and Robert Turner are all World Class ultra runners and should be on the plane to Winschoten, Netherlands next year. Charles Harpur also posted an incredibly impressive 6:44 winning the ACP this year. I certainly have my work cut out. But I'm up for it and I believe I have the talent, physiology and work-rate to realise my dreams. That said I am yet to complete an ultra, so maybe this is another case of 'Cherriman has bitten off more than he can chew'. I dropped out of the Meridian 100k two years ago at around 85k after some rookie mistakes, so this time I want to ensure I get round and post something solid to move forward with to next year.

The legs felt fine on Monday last week, basically like I'd done a hard long run and not raced a marathon. I took that first week back cautiously (61 miles) especially with the lurgy still in my system. I also enjoyed the time to not give two shits about what I ate or drank. I ate all the food. And drank all the drink. And then I had seconds. And thirds. Our grocery bill for last week must have been in excess of £300.

Drinking all the drink

So Santander 100k, a classic race. One that has seen amazing races over the years with GB Ultra great, Don Ritchie returning on many occasions. The date is 15th June. I have a huge base from my London build up which will support me over the next few weeks. I don't plan to change much at all. Mileage will be high, the long run will be longer, mid week sessions will be easier given the tough weekend long run but essentially, this is a simple sport; the more you can do while staying on the right side of injury, burn out and illness the better. That is my plan.

The Late Great Don Ritchie (6.7.1944-16.6.2018)