The Stupidest Trail Running Mistake (Not Happy)

[@Flash_of_the_peat_hill]

Dude, you’ve got this. The one consistent in your videos is your infectious optimism and drive.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! I'm good at slowly plodding, so that's my backup plan 🙈

[@adverspace]

Goodluck with the prep!! but dont put too much pressure on yourself . Cant wait to see next video either!

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! Too many things all happening at once doesn't help, but yeah I need to just try and not feel that pressure

[@macanbhaird1966]

Beautiful countryside! Thanks for the video and hope you feel better soon for your race.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks!

[@gunillahoglund6613]

😂They say you heal faster if you laugh more..watching your videos will heal me in no time😂.. and you inspire me not to be sad about having to stop my training and choosing a new way to keep fit...nature is the best! Good luck with competition!!

[@stephenmcclean4996]

I don't only found your channel earlier this week. Loving you content and your energy. Also love seeing our beautiful country.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Stephen! 🙂 it’s a bit of a mix on here

[@SoloSarahBX]

Hitting the wall makes us want to jump over other side to see what’s there. If we don’t jump, we’ll never get there to see the wonder in front of us. Amazing running, the event will take you with it, you’ll run half on adrenaline alone. Amazing video!!! 💜✨💜

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Sarah 🙂 Walls there to be climbed. Well unless they are in a zoo

[@nigelmcardle4112]

Best of luck Stephen, you will get it done, it's a bigger challenge now but will also be a bigger achievement when you finish it!

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Nigel! 🙂

[@donpardoe8067]

Great video. And what a beautiful park! Love the humour too.

[@andypotts8062]

A beautiful video of Tollymore Forest. You are just a bit out of condition following your recent illness. Keep at it and all will be good. Very best wishes.

[@adventuredogs8773]

Me too Stephen, first ultra (50K) in a few weeks (20 April), and not where I should be on mileage plus had a couple weeks not feeling right and done bugger all running. But hey, we both got this! Glad to be in the same boat, will crack on with it (and I'll be keeping an eye on your Strava! heh heh). Cheers, Amy, NZ

[@littleoldmanrunning105]

If I might offer a little insight from my adventures screwing up training and ultras.... Don't sweat the distance. Really, don't. You CAN do the distance. it's just a matter of how long it will take. You're not trying to win, so just allow yourself the time to enjoy the day. The nice thing about race day is - that's the only thing you need to do on that day - just go for a run and chat with people. It takes 6-8 weeks to see real adaptations from your training. So you don't really have enough time for your body to adapt to high mileage. So I would suggest that you focus on dialing in your nutrition, kit, hydration, and mindset stuff - as you are doing. Try (if possible) to get more time on feet by running shorter distances, but more often. Maybe run twice a day. But try to run at least once every day for the next couple of weeks. You will see really quick benefits from that, especially if you are recovering from a chest infection. The crap feeling that you had on this run is probably a mix of not enough food, but more probably you just burned too much gas. I ran an ultra in NZ a while ago on a familiar trail that i had trained on repeatedly. I had done the same distance, over and over. On they day, I was totally drained from work stress (six months of being hammered left me pretty broken), and it took me an extra hour to finish the course than I did it in training just a month before. So, take it easy on yourself. You can't force an ultra. The BEST preparation you can do for the day, is be well rested and hungry to get out there and run. Everything else is just tinsel. ;-)

[@StephenJReid]

Great advice! I had hoped to do more smaller runs and run every day but it’s just proved impossible with my work schedule and other commitments. But trying to do something active every day so the cardio is being worked on. Planning a big miles week 3 weeks before the race with a long slow 30miler being the max. More about letting myself mentally know I can do it.

[@IrelandOutdoors]

Fair play Stephen, makes me tired just thinking about running! Sneak Peak, can't wait!!! 😀

[@ozenfant_ozn]

right after the intro i thought 'right he's forgotten his emergency bog roll, happens to the best of us!'

[@StephenJReid]

😂 I did also not have that on me, but figured I was always about 30mins from the loos

[@MrWrob32]

Good on ye Stephen, I felt your pain when you pushed yourself to do the last 5k. Looking forward to the next one

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! Pushing on 🙂

[@katwilliams4168]

My running club is doing one of the checkpoints for the CANUM (we do most of the Pegasus races). Looking forward to cheering you through. We will have cake. 😁

[@StephenJReid]

Oh amazing! Do you know which checkpoint?

[@katwilliams4168]

@@StephenJReid I’m not sure yet, but my club is She Runs Cardiff and our Pegasus checkpoints are legendary 😂

[@StephenJReid]

I’ll keep a look out! Although if it’s in the later stages I may be asleep on my feet! 😂

[@Kelly_Ben]

What a GORGEous place!! You'll do great, in the race AND the talk! You could make a lecture on taxes entertaining! 😂 As for the race, i just did similar.. I signed up for my first 100k 4 months out, while only running about 5 miles a week. 😅 That's how I did my first 50k and trail marathon too. I've learned that arriving at the start with overall fitness, well rested, with minimum niggles is far more important than squeezing in runs I'm not ready for and arriving at the start tired, sick, or sore/ injured. One day I'll properly prep... maybe. 😂

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Kelly! 🙂 Hmm maybe I should talk about Taxes, I did have a run in with the HMRC once thanks to filling in a form the wrong way 🤣 Hmmm thats good advice! Better to be in reasonable health than falling apart from over training. I'm going to give myself a long taper for this one. Max miles 3 weeks before I think.

[@Kelly_Ben]

@@StephenJReid I apologize in advance to all the expo attendees… just kidding, I’d still listen to the mayhem that ensued from the form debacle. One more piece of advice from a professional-level unprepared back of the packer… when you can’t run, walk. Oh, sorry, “power hike”. If your poor recovering lungs, or aching joints, or twingy tendons are telling you to ease up, just get some miles in walking. Every mile builds fitness. I can’t wait to see how training/racing goes!

[@dmytrochan7402]

Thank you. Mistakes help us find the right path. Rest is also important. How did you manage to keep your heart rate low at the beginning of training? Because it is very difficult for me. :)

[@Roadrunner9265]

I have complete faith in you, you'll be fine. You do train in some beautiful places, I'm so jealous. :)

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! Well I only make videos in the nice places I train, the country roads around my house aren't just as interesting.

[@tpharr1]

Great video and lovely trail. Don’t forget to eat and fuel when the demons begin to creep in. Calories will change your mood. Good luck !!

[@TheAngieStoned]

You're an inspiration to lazy bastards, like myself, mate Thanks for keeping me laughing 💚

[@RIDD0]

Look forward to the next video, will be interesting.

[@GaryB_OutandAbout]

Haha, that ‘Horse bike’ image 🤣 Which app is that, you use for the animated trail/route map? Good luck with the rest of the training, Stephen, you’ll get there 👍🏼 That’s a stunning looking place too. Cheers, Gary B

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Gary. I’m using Fat Maps for the route videos these days.

[@lizgreen2936]

Just subbed after seeing yr WHW vids in my newsfeed...loving them....when is ultramathon getting posted?? 😁x

[@pixelpeter3883]

Ha finally, the deep black forest hole is coming! You do have some lovely stream scenery in your neck of the woods! :-)

[@StephenJReid]

Yup! Lots of good interesting stories around it too!

[@emrais]

You’ll do it 👊🏼

[@StephenJReid]

Thank you!

[@martharunstheworld]

On steep uphills, power walk, save your running strength for the downhills. You'll burn yourself out trying to run uphill. Ultras are different. You can do it! Don't forget to eat at the aid stations! It's why we do it, after all.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Martha! Good advice 🙂

[@alanrobertson5497]

Tough station, fair play. ❤❤

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Alan

[@toddboucher3302]

Always remember you only need to taper, if you had a good hard training. If you were off being sick. Then just start to build and race. Race week then run light and race and you’ll be fine

[@kovenant7]

Running is awesome!

[@davidpoots8362]

If god had intended me to run he wouldn't have invented e-bikes. All the best for the event, looking forward to that video.

[@StephenJReid]

I’m using an e-bike for my recovery 😂

[@RunningSlow]

If you think you haven't done enough training, have a watch of my hardmoors 30 mile (actually 35 mile) video!! Its as much about mental strength as much as miles in the legs. You'll smash it

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! That’s good to know. I can plod all day

[@SpeedJetsUK]

Great video

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks!

[@Mantree101]

Just ordered my exmoor jacket, after being disappointed with the life time of more expensive options!

[@StephenJReid]

Enjoy! 🙂

[@craigrobertson4994]

We only hate running cause we’re terribly unfit Stephen mate lol 👍

[@StephenJReid]

😂

[@StephenJReid]

True, but that doesn’t have to be permanent

[@TheOpenboater]

Okay so lets deal with this video first. "Catch a grip" is an expression you will be familiar with. Another is "your health is your wealth". Its fine that you are trying to live up to your promise to do that marathon, but seriously, if you are sick for a long period in the leadup to it, its okay to take a step back and perhaps not punish your body by doing something you are ill prepared for. (just my opinion, and I know how much it will buy you in Tesco) As for the upcoming video.........Yeeoooo!!!

[@michelleharnett1351]

You've been sick. Don't underestimate how much that can affect you. You'll be fine on the day.

[@RH1812]

I now want to know how old you were when eating crayons…guessing 17 😄

[@Smashycrashy]

WHY ARE THERE BONFIRE SITES

[@Neohurricane]

The question is, are you still friends or was that the moment he decided he didn't like you??