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| Spike |
I had been very kindly been offered a last minute entry and
although I have not done any specific 24 hour training, I was going to seize
the opportunity to use the event as preparation for the Ridgeway dream.
I was also very excited at the prospect of spending a
weekend with a very good friend and hopefully help her achieve her dream…
However, a situation on Friday morning with our little
foster puppy changed everything…
Spike has recently been diagnosed with hip dysplasia, probably
as a result of very bad breeding practise and a very poor nutritional start in
life. Since he has been diagnosed we
have been managing his condition as best we can until a new foster or adoptive home
can be found for him. We would love for
him to stay here but it is not in his best interests. Our dogs have complete freedom to run around
the house and garden. Spike needs to
have certain restrictions placed on his exercise until he is fully grown. We are not able to do that for him as he is very
competitive with our younger male and they will race each other around the
garden at every opportunity. We simply
cannot provide the life for Spike that he needs just now. Given time and the right rehabilitation Spikes
future prognosis is very good.
However, on Friday morning, Spike collapsed. He appeared to totally break down whilst we
were walking. There was an incident
minutes before involving a kamikaze rabbit – it ran past the huskies on a very
narrow path as I held them steady, and then repeated the death dash going the
other way…. I managed to keep all
huskies’ teeth away from it, but I think it “nutmegged” Spike.
I immediately feared the worst and that his hips had given
way. However as he recovered I was able
to ascertain that it was his front legs that were causing him strife. I could not work out which one as he appeared
to intermittently limp on both. Thoughts
of elbow dysplasia sprung to mind.
After this frightening incident I knew there was no way I
could leave him for the weekend. I
needed to know what was going on and what we needed to do to help him. I needed to be there for him and take care of
him and not gallivanting in Derbyshire. I didn't even want to go to work in case he suddenly worsened...
I had a terrible day at work on Friday, dashing away from a
meeting to come home and check that he was okay, before dashing back to work
for another meeting…. He was absolutely fine and playing enthusiastically with Kroi.
On Saturday morning I awoke feeling exhausted, but relieved that
I had made the right decision. Spike had
improved a lot in 24 hours and had spent a lot of time charging around the
garden with Kroi, dispelling rumours that ED was to blame…
I looked at all the gear I had packed for my 24 hour event
and all the food I had carefully planned and prepared and then I looked at Spike. As he tried to jump on the bed to say hello,
I felt a plan forming in my mind. I has
prepared all week to run a 24 hour event, had everything all set up, why not
just go out and run my own ultra. I
could run all day if I wanted to. I could
run lots of different laps, each time returning to the house to check on Spike
(and the other huskies) and feed myself at the same time before venturing back
out for another run.
And so the idea was born and “The Spikey Ultra” became an
event. No medals, t-shirts or goody bags
on offer, just the pleasure of running for as long as I wanted to.
It had several stages, and now I will share them with you
all. Sit back and enjoy the run…
THE SPIKEY ULTRA
Stage 1: Resistance & Patience Training
It was only fitting that I commenced the Spikey Ultra with
my four training partners – the huskies.
However walking/ running with all four is a very hard thing to do. I have three huskies with a working attitude
and one husky that is more dog than husky.
One of the three “working” huskies is nearly 13 years old and is very
heavy coated. He is also quite a lazy
dog and although he “works” it is at a slow pace. The “dog” amongst the huskies likes to chase
butterflies and wander from side to side….
I should add at this point that the vet's advice is that Spike is okay to jog very gently, but we need to avoid him bounding. He has developed a gait where he uses his front legs to power himself along, avoiding the need to engage his weaker hind legs properly.
I should add at this point that the vet's advice is that Spike is okay to jog very gently, but we need to avoid him bounding. He has developed a gait where he uses his front legs to power himself along, avoiding the need to engage his weaker hind legs properly.
We all survived the walk/ run although I think Kez and Kroi
were rather frustrated at the extremely slow pace and short duration.
Stage 2: Triathlon
Training
Just Kez and I, off we went back up my favourite hill.
I love running with Kez. He is quite simply an amazing athlete and knows me better than I know myself. Last week for example when I was frozen solid in fear of my life atop Mount Snowdon, he knew what to do. He stood by my side and tip toed down the steps, constantly glancing round to look at my face and check I was okay. I followed where he led, trusting him. Every time I stumbled he froze, as if knowing that running forward whilst attached to me would cause me to lose my balance. He just knows what to do and never lets me down. He helps me run faster when I would slow down – I see his enthusiasm and don’t want to let him down, so I speed up…. He is a full and proper husky and yet he has overcome his natural instinct to pull and only does so when I ask him to.
I love running with Kez. He is quite simply an amazing athlete and knows me better than I know myself. Last week for example when I was frozen solid in fear of my life atop Mount Snowdon, he knew what to do. He stood by my side and tip toed down the steps, constantly glancing round to look at my face and check I was okay. I followed where he led, trusting him. Every time I stumbled he froze, as if knowing that running forward whilst attached to me would cause me to lose my balance. He just knows what to do and never lets me down. He helps me run faster when I would slow down – I see his enthusiasm and don’t want to let him down, so I speed up…. He is a full and proper husky and yet he has overcome his natural instinct to pull and only does so when I ask him to.
It was hot today and we took it easy. For those that worry about the fact that I
was running with a husky in hot weather, please do not fear, Kez lets me know
if he is unhappy or uncomfortable. We plan
our routes near rivers and he will head towards one if he thinks he needs to.
As we neared the end we went via the local Ford and Kez had a little paddle, almost swimming in the deeper section.
Stage 2: Entering Jurassic
Park
Next up was Kroi (pronounced Kree), baby brother to Kez and
already showing all the attributes of his elder brother, only with a little bit
more enthusiasm and less regard for my well-being….
I chose all the shady sections along the river valley for
Kroi as he is not yet of the calibre as his elder brother. Keep the river within 30 seconds of running was
my plan – in the end I had nothing to worry about, but it is always best to err
on the side of caution.
I decided to take Kroi on a route he has not been on for a
very long time. Over the winter and most
of early summer it was completely flooded and inaccessible. However I wandered down there a week ago and
was astounded with the change. It was a
route we used to travel on most days before the flooding, but it has changed so
much.
The plant life is different and appears almost like a new
world…. When I broke trail through it a
few weeks ago it reminded me of a scene from Jurassic Park where the
Velociraptors suddenly attack…
No dinosaurs today, just a human and husky wandering down a
narrow path.
Stage 3: Strength Training
Each time I returned to the house I heard reports on the radio
about how bad the traffic was in and around Salisbury. I needed to get some food for the Huskies and
thought I would combine my ultra run with some food shopping. I decided that the frozen meat from Pets at
Home would be the best option transportation wise. So off I headed with a back pack capable of
carrying a large quantity of meat…. |
| Now is not a good time to have 4kg of frozen cow on my back... |
4kgs of meat purchased, I loaded my ruck sack and questioned
my sanity.
Fortunately (or careful planning) there was a supermarket
nearby and I was able to get food and drink, whilst taking advantage of some
freebies from Clover – did you know that Clover upon a scone is most delicious
when you are absolutely starving? I am
sure it is equally delectable when one is not so hungry…
For some reason I decided to take the long way home and over
Laverstock Down with my rather heavy load upon my back. I also decided to run through a herd of
pregnant cows. I apologised to Bessie as
I ran past her with one of her relatives in teeny pieces upon my back and about
to be fed to some huskies…
Stage 5: Refuelling
Stations that provide hydration & Nutrition
Oh yeah, I ran to the pub.
Not the local pub though, one that is a few miles away. I found Guinness and water there, which I
suppose is no great surprise…
Heading homewards again I scoffed three Cliff bars – yes you
did read correctly. I was very hungry
and Clif bars are mighty fine especially when combined with a Yorkie bar and I am
most certainly a girl!!
I also changed into my Scott Kinabalus for the pub run. I had been wearing Scott AF Trainer but they are a slightly smaller size than the Kinabalus and my previously injured toes were suffering a little. Larger sized shoe solved the problem.
I also changed into my Scott Kinabalus for the pub run. I had been wearing Scott AF Trainer but they are a slightly smaller size than the Kinabalus and my previously injured toes were suffering a little. Larger sized shoe solved the problem.
Stage 6: Running with
the boys again
I forgot to mention, during Stage 5 I got soaked right through to the bone. By the time I arrived home I was freezing cold and could not use my fingers properly.
Coffee and change of clothes required. Scott Next2skin and Salomon Benotti jacket adjourned, I was soon ready for more action. As it was cold and wet and nearly evening “walky” time, the huskies all got called up for action. The plan was one husky per run which provided a perfect time for some “one-to-one” training.
Stage 6: Running with the Inspirer
It seemed only fitting as this very special ultra run came
to an end that I shared it with the one who inspired it all. Half walking half trotting we headed back up
the route where it all began nearly 12 hours earlier. I had to keep asking Spike to slow down,
fearful of his frail little body. He
looked so happy jogging along, coming back to me every time I called him. I am so going to miss this little guy when he
leaves us for his new life. I also
noticed that the best exercise for him is down-hill running. He does not try to “bound” or pull his body
forward. Instead he fully engages his
hind quarters as he descends. Lots of
this type of movement will help his muscles develop and protect his joints.
As we neared the end of our adventure I felt a mixture of
emotions. I was physically not anywhere
near breaking point and yet I knew I needed to stop as huskies had to be fed
and it was going to be getting very dark soon.
I had been running for over 12 hours, what was I going to achieve by continuing
until breaking point, a point I did not know was.
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| A Spikey Challenge...?? |
I had learned enough this day to know that the dream I have for the last weekend in August remains true. If I continue to believe, then I will achieve it. Today my mind and body worked together in a way that I have never previously known. 12 hours of running with no pain, no discomfort, no upset tums, in fact no negativity whatsoever and I got to share parts of it with my training partners.
Today was freedom running at its best, mind and body working
in harmony, but I cannot help thinking that a very special “Spikey Ultra” for
charity would be a glorious thing to do…….
