How I Missed EVERY Race TARGET this Summer | Film My Run

[@milliejake2]

Most definately not a summer of failure Stephen, what you achieved within time goals or not, was simply astounding! Be proud 🥰

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you Tina

[@BatTechnologies]

Lakeland 100 for the first time: Tick. Never been on the course: Tick. No knowledge of the terrain: Tick. No knowledge of how the weather affects the course: Tick. Pull a target time out of thin air: Tick. So it looks like I will be in a similar place next year when I give it a go. At least I now have a 33 hour 36 minute (make that 34 hours 36 minutes...) target to beat and a number of great videos to watch again for prep!

[@FilmMyRun]

haha Colin. Now is the time then to go and change all that! I'll be volunteering there next year so I'll be able to give you plenty of pep talks!

[@euanforrest7428]

When's the Ben Nevis Ultra Video getting uploaded, we can't wait to see the Scottish mountains.

[@FilmMyRun]

It’s on the way Euan!!

[@colinanderson4979]

Ace. Really looking forward to that one.

[@gwynwilliams4877]

Just to attempt these.crazy events is a huge achievements. My thoughts are that your runs aren’t specific enough for the retain your racing on. Running on a treadmill will not build up the specific stability muscles and tendons needed to run on rough ground. In your early days a lot of your training runs and videos were of training runs outside on trails in your local area. These days there are a lot more zwift workouts. I appreciate that Zwift help pay the bills but I’m sure that more off road trail running as a large portion of your weekly training would help plus of course every year we are all getting older and after 50 we suffer muscle loss unless we add additional weight training to our programmes

[@FilmMyRun]

Hi Gwyn and thanks for commenting. Yes I agree, specificity is vital. Unfortunately as you also say, Zwift pays the bills and I have to constantly manage my training. However, in my last training block if you check it on Strava, I was doing a far greater percentage outdoors than on the treadmill. But it's always going to be a trade off unfortunately.

[@nigelb1851]

You may have missed your times, but that's one hell of a bucket list, and you got to do them all in one year. Congrats 👏 👏 👏

[@FilmMyRun]

Hi Nigel. yes, very lucky to be able to get them all in. Now we can go and do a load more different bucket list races next year!!

[@nigelb1851]

@@FilmMyRun are you going to try for Paris 2024? in fact you could do a vlog on how to get into the ballot?

[@FilmMyRun]

@@nigelb1851 yes I nearly have my 100,000 points! Good idea

[@nigelb1851]

@@FilmMyRun I only signed up yesterday, so may take me a while to get to 100K, but points seem to accumulate quickly, at least so far.

[@jarhaaje]

Glad that you've taken the many positives from this year's races, i've watched them all and they are certainly not failures. We all sometimes set ourselves goals that we cannot quite achieve and that is good to keep pushing yourself and not be complacent. You're an inspiration to many and have insiped me to enter three ultras in Scotland next year after saying i would never do one again when i finished Run the Blades in 2016. Keep making the vidoes and running the good races.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you so much. It's a good point about complacency. Always must remember how lucky we are to be able to run and in such amazing places. Appreciate your words.

[@Winter3033]

Don`t feel bad. The accomplishment you have done is way way better than most people. 100km is like hell for most of us...

[@FilmMyRun]

Hi Steve. Thanks for this. Have you tried 100km yet? It definitely hurts but once you finish it's a great feeling.

[@mattsoutham]

We started the Beachy Head Marathon together in 2020 with the weird lockdown in a field start - good to see you still tackling these huge races! Far from failure!! Your WW50 report really helped me finish that event in late 2019. Keep it coming!

[@FilmMyRun]

Oh I remember that one. I really enjoyed that weird start! Beachy Head is so well organised. And well done on WW50. Not an easy 50 miler at all. Say hello to me at the start of BH next year!!

[@johndudley2030]

I think this is one of my favourite videos you've made. Honest assessment with your usual eloquent humour. Excellent. I'm "celebrating" turning 50 next year with a variety of races next year, including my first 100 at North Downs Way 100

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks John that's kind of you to say. I will see you on the start line of the of the NDW100!! Happy 50th!

[@andrewwright3676]

Well done Stephen you have a fabulous year of racing completing some of the best ultra-races on the calendar. It is always important we all take positives away from all our races whether it be a DNF or a PB.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks Andrew. Yes, I've had my share of DNFs in the past. Happy to escape any this year. What do you have coming up?

[@popopopo4981]

you damn right these aint a failure... to run that many events and so to speak the gap time of recovery, damn... truly inspiring... next year gonna be awesome, keep up, stay healthy and keep making inspiring running video contents..

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you. I'll keep on taking my camera with me on my runs!

[@PaulCoatesTrailRunning]

The best video I have seen this year. So open, honest and humble. Thank you

[@FilmMyRun]

Hey hey Paul. How are you? Thanks for your words. I only wish I could crack out as many events as you do each year!

[@colinanderson4979]

Huge congrats on what you have achieved. Slaying the demons of BNU and TDS alone is mega. Glad you have been able to retain a positive perspective on 5 epic achievements. I do love a crazy race calendar too!

[@FilmMyRun]

It doesn't get any less crazy next year by the looks of things at the moment!!

[@jamiegrant1297]

Great video Stephen and well done on an excellent summer. Having tried the Mudclaw at Ben Nevis, what shoes would you take now? Speedgoats? Got UTS100 next year so similar considerations I think.

[@FilmMyRun]

Hey Jamie! Hoka Speedgoats are my general go to trail shoe. I wore them for my first two Ben Nevis races. I think I would probably try the X-Talons if I did Ben Nevis again. However, for the UTS 100 I would definitely go with the Speedgoats. You won't be mving as fast and you need the comfort over that long distance. Inov8s will give you minimal cushioning. Hopefully see you in Wales next year!

[@mytrailrunsaustralia4094]

Very honest re-cap of your summer of running. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and it’s giving us all a learning journey through watching your videos. 😊 recce runs are very important. That’s true. I look forward to your next installment and running adventures.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you very much. Still have a couple of races to edit and publish on here from this year and next up is the Centurion 100 Grand Slam next year.

[@joncadman4935]

Loved all the reflections Steve and most definitely not a summer of failure, merely competing events so tightly packed together was an awesome achievement. Loved sharing the climb up & over Black Sail Pass with you and like you, the race and course ate me up and spat me out, but a few months after the event, I'm equally as proud of battling on and finishing than if I'd have achieved my goal time. Looking forward to seeing what 2023 has in store for you, take care and all the very best.

[@FilmMyRun]

Hi Jon, yup certainly felt like I'd been eaten up by that course. Hopefully catch you again at another event. I'm volunteering at Lakeland next year. What about you?

[@joncadman4935]

@@FilmMyRun Thanks for the reply Steve, I'm booked in for the 50 (wanted to have a crack at a good time before revisiting the 100) that said, currently waiting for an op on a Haglund Deformity issue on my achilles but no matter what I'l be there in some capacity, hopefully see you once again

[@nicograf9745]

Thanks for the great content throughout the season!

[@FilmMyRun]

Amazing. Sincerely, thank you so much for your support.

[@sandratormey5343]

Stephen, you successfully completed your training plan injury free and then completed (Actually Completed) all your races. You were tired but injury free! I would call that a very successful year💪🏻🥳👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Can’t wait to hear what you have in store for next year.

[@FilmMyRun]

Agreed Sandra, and thank you. I'm very happy really. It was a super year.

[@AngelaDChildress]

Stephen you constantly astound all of us and inspire us to strive to do more

[@FilmMyRun]

Aww thank you Angela!

[@Heikolampe]

Lovely editing. A lot of planning and so enjoyable to follow you on that speech across so many days of filming.

[@FilmMyRun]

Heiko, aaah thank you. Yes it took a while to plan and put together!! Glad you appreciate the effort!!

[@Heikolampe]

@@FilmMyRun I know the effort ... so yes, I appreciate it. Also, nice running ;)

[@mickeydundee1]

Great video and what a summer of running. To complete several races which previously you haven't managed to is an amazing achievement on its own, as well as all the other events and many miles you did. An absolute amazing effort and really enjoyed following your story on this channel.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you. Always got to be thankful for what we are able to do.

[@tomascalder6825]

Im doing the beachy head marathon Saturday, been feeling strong until yesterday and basically walked, had to back out in the evening to try and boost my mental confidence, should be on for 5 hours, well thats my goal.

[@FilmMyRun]

I’ll see you on the start line Tom!!

[@tomascalder6825]

@@FilmMyRun i sneezed in bed this morning, sent shooting pains down my leg, sciatica,will be absolutely gutted if i cant run, as was using this so i could enter an ultra.

[@tomascalder6825]

@@FilmMyRun im not running now due to a injury i picked up tuesday, if know anyone who would like to run they can have my number, i live in tarring.

[@jamstaa69]

I was going to say.. how can you say finishing two of the races that you’ve not finished before a failure.. should be proud of that. Look forward to some more adventures. They’ve just refreshed the uts wales runs if you wanted a familiar change 😂

[@FilmMyRun]

Yes I was looking at UTS. Interesting to se what the new route will be like. I am of course very pleased to finish those races and finally can move on to something different!!

[@venusdepablo]

Well done this summer. I can’t wait to see what your up to next year.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you so much Venus. There may be a few 100 milers on the calendar for next year.... Do you have any plans?

[@georgeb.311]

V enjoyable Stephen and thank you for sharing. Some fantastic running, regardless of times.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks George. Yes I am super chuffed with it all to be honest. I just found it amusing that when I looked back I hadn't met any of the time goals. But it really doesn't matter. I hope you're getting out there and enjoying the trails!

[@georgeb.311]

@@FilmMyRun Thanks Stephen, training is going well, Dublin marathon at the end of the month, a shortish Ultra (Lecale 50k) here at home in December and I’ll toe the line for the Arc in January if all goes well. I’d come off the back of a 100 miler in June and took the Plague for granted this summer and it nearly finished me, so we’ll see🙂

[@robsbeenrunning]

You set your sights high there Stephan, hats off to you for even getting through all those races, my body would have given up long before the flat marathons of Berlin and London. What a year of running you had. 👏

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks Rob. It's been a decent year. More to come next year hopefully.

[@robpage5594]

Great video Stephen.....and love the editing, you're getting good at this..!!

[@FilmMyRun]

Haha thanks Rob. I've been trying for long enough!!

[@Rhino_12]

WOW that’s some series of races and hopefully some magical memories made, love watching and following the channel and looking forward to following your adventures in the future. Any spoilers for what’s on the card for next year ?

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you! Trying for a fast marathon in Paris in April. Then it's the Centurion 100 Grand Slam with UTMB thrown in there too.

[@julietmorrice3205]

Definitely not a summer of failure! Finish lines not finish times 😊 and what a year of adventures! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, always inspiring 👏🏻

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you so much Juliet. Really appreciate your words. So right about finish lines. That was the main thing with TDS and Ben Nevis. Just get across that line!! Now we can move on.

[@cherries4life387]

Really interesting to hear this review of your crazy crazy summer schedule of racing. Major kudos for attempting such a ridiculous schedule and well done especially for finally getting past those Ben Nevis cutoffs. Your Ben Nevis videos make me want to give it a go... perhaps next year after I give UTS 100 a go

[@FilmMyRun]

Hopefully I can get this years Ben Nevis video out in the next couple of weeks to make you all the more determined to sign up!! Thanks for commenting

[@matthewrendell1713]

Like the debrief video - thank you. Certainly not a summer of failure. I've been inspired and in awe of the calendar of events you've taken part in this summer. Additionally, and as ever, I've enjoyed the video content you have created. Looking forward to your next adventure! Perhaps see you down in Cornwall during the ARC races!

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you very much Matthew. Yes I will definitely be down in Cornwall for the Arc again. Making the Live Stream bigger and better than ever this year.

[@adamb6472]

Love your work mate 👍

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks Adam! Always appreciated.

[@ianl4518]

I really enjoyed this format Stephen and definitely not a fail in my books. Like you, I do a smattering of everything and have had a combo of DNFs, missed times and one 50km early in the season that I actually hit my goal. Nobody can nail it all the time and as I get older, I'm pretty happy to do fairly ok some of time. 😅

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks Ian. Yes I tend to agree. having the experiences is more important than meeting the goal times if I'm honest.

[@patoflaherty5582]

Liked and subscribed . Love your race reviews

[@FilmMyRun]

Appreciate that Pat thank you. What do you have coming up?

[@patoflaherty1887]

@@FilmMyRun a very modest 10km in Norwich next weekend 🏃🏼‍♀️ that's y favourite distance

[@markthomasson5077]

Wow, you set some goal with all those mega races. Goals and mountain running don’t go together. Anything above a finish is a bonus. Goals / constantly checking your watch etc, that’s for road running…otherwise it would just be plain boring! Looking forward to report on Ben Nevis Ultra

[@FilmMyRun]

haha yes Mark! You definitely get to a point in those mountain races where every time goal you set is no longer important and all you want is the finish line! Ben Nevis will be on the channel in the next two weeks.

[@jillbuckenham9145]

Wow Stephen you've done some amazing stuff this year!!!

[@FilmMyRun]

Hi Jill. Yes it's been a busy year! Thanks for watching

[@petraalma29]

Try XTalons instead of Mudclaws for a muddy mountain race next time. Mudclaws are only useful for mud! Love the channel by the way. You possibly do too many races but it does provide lots of excellent content for us, just not the finishing times you want for you.

[@FilmMyRun]

Good shout. I nearly went for them! Next time I do something similar I will try the Talons. Thank you Petra. Have you used them? In what races?

[@petraalma29]

@@FilmMyRun Yes I have the XTalons G210 and also the 212. There are lots of versions. The G210 are fab but quite minimalist so it’s not for everyone as you will feel the ground, and not much in the way of cushioning. Saying that I have done the PDA at Val d’Aran in them so I will wear them for longer races. Awesome grip and very nimble (the shoes, not me 🤣).

[@childrenm]

Looking at strava, your training block for LL100 is impressive and you clearly were in great overall fitness but I'm not sure it was specific enough. All the treadmill elevation means your legs won't have been properly used to the downhills and the south downs just isn't anywhere near as steep as the lakes.. if you want to give the LL a good crack I'd suggest as much time as possible on similar terrain getting the adaptations for power hiking and downhill quad bashing. Just my two cents worth as a southerner who now lives up north and was meant to do the 100 before covid got in the way... Hats off for the summer of racing regardless of times though, you're clearly made of very strong stuff! Ps I did the Ben race too, loved it but found it brutal and wanted three different shoes over the course of the day!

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks, yes you may be right. Specificity is really important and I think I’ll do more downhill for the next attempt. I thought I’d done enough but probably not.

[@childrenm]

Obviously that specificity much easier for me to achieve living up here.. Best of luck for the grand slam next year, would love to give that a go some time

[@taylorlayton4508]

I totally relate - I'm batting 50/50 right now. Was way below my time goal for a road marathon - thought my easy trail miles would have been enough base, but no. I have been more successful with my ultra goals. Makes me really respect Kilian's year even more to be able to SMASH at efforts ranging from 3 hours to 20.

[@FilmMyRun]

Yes, I definitely think some speed work must compliment the slow base building easy runs. It's just the easy runs are so nice!!

[@juststalks]

Do you regret not putting off two or three races until next year in order to improve your performance? I'm glad you didn't because there would have been fewer awesome videos. On that subject... Your reflection video has been really well produced. How you keep track of what you're saying and where you've said it, I will never know. Thanks Stephen

[@FilmMyRun]

Hi Sam, thanks for commenting. It's a tough one. The schedule sort of happened by accident and yes ideally I wouldn't have had so much crammed together. But as I said at the end, it's the experiences which are most important for me. If I get a good time then all the better. But I am going to concentrate of a fast marathon early next year. In terms of the video,. thank you. It's all scripted. So I spent a day or two writing a tight script. Then I plan how much of the script I'm going to say for each shot. It took a couple of days to film and I didn't always stick exactly to the script. But it's close enough!!

[@TimGrose]

I enjoyed that one - so you! I always wondered with Ultras what the general goal is for the majority of runners who won't be on the podium given times are somewhat subjective. I guess it all comes down to what you enjoy most. Clearly, as you said, if the aim is to try to do a sub 3 marathon and a possible PB then 100 mile mountain races few weeks before would not be on the training schedule of overly many. I always thought though it was those 100 mile races you liked most.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks Tim. Obviously I prefer the big long mountain races but I do like a PB and I enjoy road marathons. So I have to balance all the things I like doing against what is practical and sensible. Or just ignore practicality and sense and just run everything....

[@siobhanbrewer56]

But you live in the south coast ! For the LL100 don’t you need to get out on the fells for big long days- that what folks do Still a phenomenal season of running . Muchos respect

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks Siobhan. I definitely think I’ll be better next time at L100

[@Shevock]

Great summer filled to the brim with events. But "the only thing you didn't do..." was less. Less is more if you have any sort of time goal. When doing event tourism, enjoy jogging the events out. But if you have a goal, set one of those events and dump the rest.

[@FilmMyRun]

Totally agree. Stuck between the two really, jogging the events out or going for it. With a couple of them I had to push just to get them finished. With Berlin I should have just jogged round and maybe I might have had a chance in London. But yes, if you really are set on a goal it has to be that and nothing else.

[@ianbritton7534]

You going back on Trail and Error podcast to discuss your summer? Great insights.

[@FilmMyRun]

Haha, thanks Ian. I'm not sure they want me on a third time!!

[@stevebailey1682]

Hi Stephan...you know you are inviting comments/observations? My only observation is over the course of watching your videos, it appears (to me) you are doing too much. Your (nor I) are 30 years old anymore so I have to schedule in more rest. I can still push as hard as ever, but I need more rest (no exercise) during a training block. Just my 2 cents worth.

[@FilmMyRun]

How dare you. I am literally only just 32 years old.......haha yup not getting any younger that's for sure. I was just saying in a previous comment though. Whilst I'd like to improve my times, I think overall I am more excited by the experiences and if I do a good time then all the better. But there are always modifications to make to training and rest is definitely a thing to consider!

[@craigjohnston8235]

No need for the shower scene 🙈😂

[@FilmMyRun]

You’re so right. Never again! 😂😂

[@chrisdavies6175]

You didn’t mention that you are getting older. Quite a long time between the Arc’s and the Lakeland….

[@FilmMyRun]

How dare you Chris. I am getting younger. At least that's what I'm telling myself. Good point though. But I still reckon I can get sub 30 hours!! Will give it another go in 2024...when I'm even older!! haha

[@mdgeorge4993]

I would never be so bold to provide advice to such a brilliant runner like you..but having watched and enjoyed your videos for the last few years...my advice to you would be to take your nutrition much more seriously...you absolutely are not taking on enough in the marathons...and for your ultras...look how much the elites totally focus on what they eat...you are a ferrari...but you are not putting the right type and amount of fuel in...

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks George. You sound like my wife!!! I’m constantly getting told this and I continually ignore it! Haha. You’re so right. It’s probably the most controversial and difficult part or being a runner.

[@PoetWithPace]

If you want to pay me, I can tell you where you went wrong 😃

[@FilmMyRun]

Haha. What's next for you then Donato? Shame about the cancellation of that last half marathon.

[@PoetWithPace]

@@FilmMyRun got a couple of 10k in December and then the "grind" starts again for London 2023. And you?

[@FilmMyRun]

@@PoetWithPace same. Brighton 10k in November and then training for Paris Marathon in April. But also doing the Centurion 100 Grand Slam next year starting in May.

[@PoetWithPace]

@@FilmMyRun another nice full year for you. Awesome!

[@stevierunner]

its simple. Too much hair...

[@FilmMyRun]

This

[@timeonfeet]

Good to hear your reflections Stephen and what a set of races you've had over this year. Might see you at Beachy Head if you're heading down this Saturday

[@FilmMyRun]

I’ll be there Ben!