Knowing a lot of the membership in this forum are mainly in the USA and Canada I just thought I would share my plans for the coming months so you can get an idea of some of the low key events I plan to do here in England. I am working myself up to my longest ultra in September 2009 (more later) and will be moving up through some distances as the months pass and as my training programme increases in mileage. Due to the shrinking Pound I have to pick and choose my races carefully to ensure I get value for money. I am therefore going to rely on a group called the Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA) who are a group of walkers around the UK that organise long distance challenges mainly for walkers but recently have accepted runners along. These are great value ranging from £2 - £5 and for that you get maps, fully manned CPs with hot drinks and at the end sometimes a hot meal comprising egg, beans and chips (fries). I will be running the 30 mile option in LDWA events. So here we have my list 22nd March - Sevenoaks Circuit - 30 mile trail run (LDWA) 11th April - Compton Challenge - 40 mile trail run 20th June - The Picnic Marathon - 26.2 mile fell marathon (6000 feet rise) September - London to Brighton - 56 mile trail run There will be a few more "fillers" in between times, especially LDWA events, to keep the motivation up but I thought I would share and to think I have training plans for each one that cover 7 months What is being planned in your neck of the woods?

Also in UK....: Jerry - have you thought about the Ridgeway?

I have seen it and it maybe a step too far this year what with London to Brighton which is a big commitment in itself, however I am interested in the Breacon Beacon Challenge possibly in December 2010. I have a feeling that 2010 will be the tear of the long ultras, but I am not getting any younger

what is a fell marathon? and nice plans gentlemen!

A frigging big hill Definition of a Fell

Just to give you an idea of a dream of mine.... The Beacons Ultra It looks sssooooo beautiful and just look at the drop

I am currently reading "Feet in the Clouds" - Askwith, an history of fell running. It's a good read, and it's got me romanticizing about running fell races... particularly the Bob Graham Round

22/3/09 Ultra complete.....billed as 30 miles but in fact various garmins argued between 31.5 and 33 miles Race report done: Sevenoaks Circuit Race Report

Thanks Jim I know in my heart that eating the sausage roll was probably a bit of a mistake as that type of food was more for the walkers doing the route but I was starving hungry......well the rest is history. This was put aside as a training run as we prepare for a 40 miler on 11th April and my nutrtion will be dealt with in a completely different way and will have a drop bag at the 20 mile stage that will have "proper" runners foods to pick up although hot cross buns (fruit bread) will definitely be in the list as it is loaded with carbs. I am laughing to myself as a number of people have commented on the sausage roll but this race was about enjoying the day as well and not to be too focussed on time