Not looking forward to this one.

Well this Sunday marks the first race of the 2011 English Fell Championships. I did two of the races for this last year but had an injury and didn't complete the last race so didn't get an overall ranking. If i am honest I am not looking forward to Sunday at all. The race is Longmynd Valleys in Shropshire and the race is 11.5miles with 4500ft of ascent. More than the Full Tour of Pendle which is over 17 miles and i still remember how the hills burned my calfs on that one.
I will be annoyed and frustrated if i feel that I do not have a good run as in the past six months I have increased my training and really been working hard. I SHOULD be fitter than I was at Noonstone last year when I had a fairly decent run finishing top 20 ladies. I feel that I am no good at racing anymore, a lack of races and lots of long distance training feels like it has slowed me down and I am really hoping that this is not the case.
I have my new OMM rucksack, my 2XU tights and my Mizuno Wave Harriers so all the kit shouldhelp me to have a good run. I am abandoning my trusty Mudclaws as my feet will no longer work in them. I get awful blisters so I need to forego the grip for comfort.
This week has been as easy week;

25 Sunday
9 Tuesday
7.5 Wednesday
8- Thursday

and now a rest for Friday and Saturday in order to refuel for Sunday. (It's so funny - I look back at this and realise that actually it's no wonder my legs feel tired they have done 49 miles so far this week so I MUST make myself not run till Sunday!)

Is it an addiction? Hell, yeah!