Tom Wake - Run Coaching

When not running races, we’re organising them! A great weekend last week at the Beer & Pudding race.

Hosted at .taproom, I set runners off up a nice hill to get everyone warmed up into the fog and mist, before clearing the course signs and ensuring everything was s***k and span on the trails. The sun came out and it was topped off with some tasty Thornbridge refreshments and pizza 🍕 (last photo 😂)

I love being able to help out on these events and seeing runners of all abilities get out onto the trails, some for their first trail race too 🙌

If you’re intrigued check out and get involved!

A new trail on the same routes I’ve run hundreds of times?

I managed to get a run in the sunshine and check out a new trail opened as part of the King Charles III Coast Path, linking two areas along the local River Deben.

It was never possible before as the old path disappeared after the river breached the bank, meaning a road diversion every time.

Nothing better than discovering some new footpaths in the sun ☀️

I’ve been a little quiet on here, but slowly building back up after Ultra Mediterrània with no real pressure at the moment. Although I could do with getting a race in around May/June… ideas welcome (I have a few thoughts).

Ultra Mediterrania 100 mile - the race with the unexpected finish…

found this race and he didn’t take much convincing to do the 100 mile version over the 100km.

Training went well, bar a few weeks of illness and niggles - I made it to the start line feeling ready. We set off at 2:00pm on Friday from Alcoy in the Spanish mountains. With 7 peaks and over 22,000ft/8000m of elevation, this wasn’t going to be easy.

Matt and I ran together into the night, through forests, over rocky summits and along technical trails. Ladders, fixed ropes, tunnels and storm drains all featured along the way. The aid stations were amazing, close together and well stocked - I hardly used my own nutrition.

Reaching half way at 3:30am, we agreed that I would push ahead. The night felt long as I passed through small towns, along exposed ridges and down paths lined with spiky shrubs that barely seemed to exist. Around 8am the sun came up, the final 50km.

That’s when it got tough. The route headed into the mountains, away from the finish, climbing to 1,350m for the final big peak. After mixed weather overnight, the wind arrived hard - icy gusts over 50mph. The climb was slow and draining, mentally and physically. At the summit there was ice and snow on the ground and I was glad to start descending.

I hit a tarmac track and knew the final big checkpoint and bag drop was close. I felt good about my time and knew the hardest terrain was done - just 15 miles to the finish.

As I approached a woman told me the race was being stopped. All distances were cancelled. At first I thought I’d misheard, then the realisation hit. I was asked to run through the timing mat to record my position. The race was over. The finish had arrived early due to government enforcement around fire risk and extreme winds.

Pasta, a beer, and a bus back to the start. I felt gutted but also proud. I came here to take on the unknown, practise pacing and nutrition, and see how I’d handle a tough 100-mile course. All of that went well.

The organisers handled a difficult situation well - I’d definitely come back.

Based on the timing where the race was stopped, I was placed 28th in 25:00 🙌

A race first for me… race cancelled!

Made it as far as 85 miles in around 25 hrs and everyone was pulled from all races and bused back to the start. It’s due to a level 3 fire alert that’s in place, there are also very strong wind gusts (I’d just spent all afternoon battling these and they were horrible!)

An enjoyable race to the end at Cocentaina - more soon, sleep first!