Holly Rush – Marathon Star to Ultra Addict

29 January 2014 The Long Run

Hi my name is Holly Rush and I am a marathon and relatively new ultra runner.

I started running as a fun runner when I was at University but didn’t start formally training until 2005 when I met my coach and now husband Martin Rush. I had a breakthrough run at London Marathon improving my time by 10 minutes. Since then I have run over 25 marathons all over the world and been lucky enough to represent Great Britain and England 6 times, something that I never dreamt I would do as a non-exercising, beer swilling student. Representing Great Britain and winning a Bronze medal in the European Championships was one of the best days of my life and made all the hard training worth while. Having my family and friends there to share in the experience was just awesome. For the record, I wouldn’t say I am the most talented or natural runner but I think I have plenty of endurance and just love the feeling that running and training gives me.

Last year I dipped my toes into the world of ultra distance, something I had always had half an eye on but wasn’t really sure when or how this would happen. I started with a low key 40 mile trail race which I totally loved and even better came in first woman and second over all, smashing the course record. That was it, I was in love! After that I headed to Nepal to run in the life changing Manaslu Trail race which was a 212k multi day trail race over the Himalayas. This race was the one that confirmed what I had initially thought, ultras and multi day racing was where I wanted to focus my attentions. As soon as I returned from Nepal, I entered Comrades 2013 and began training. I had no preconceptions, other than to finish and try to enjoy it.

I am not going to lie, I was terrified. The longest I had run for was 5 hours and that had felt like forever, this was going to be tough. The day was especially tough as the conditions were unusually hot and there was a strong head wind in the second half, not what you want on an uphill year.

I needn’t have been so scared, the whole experience was amazing, emotional, but amazing. Coming into the Pietermaritzburg stadium after running 90k and being handed a rose at the gates (only the top 10 women get a rose to carry over the finish line) tipped me over the edge. I couldn’t believe I had done it and come 7th and was still alive. The crowds were so encouraging, the course was so tough but spectacular and the other competitors made me feel like I was part of a very special club.

So that was it, I was officially an ultra runner. So now I am preparing to go back to South Africa in only 11 weeks to compete in the Two Oceans ultra (56k) in Cape Town. I hope to share my journey through my blog, its going to be a lot of work but stick with me and feel free to ask me questions and or give me some advice (I think I may need it!!).

As well as talking about all things running I will most probably ramble on about my two other passions – food and my training partner Mr Mole (the fittest dog in Wiltshire or even the world).

Cheerio!

Week Commencing 27 Jan 2014

Mon- am 60 min easy
pm 60 min easy

Tues- am 45 min easy
pm Track session 2k (2min rec) 5x400m 2k (2min rec) 5x400m (45 sec rec between 400ms) 2km.

Wed – 90 mins and gym work

Thurs – am 90 mins progressive run 6.45 min mile – 6 min mile
pm 30 min recovery jog

Fri – 75 min easy

Sat – Cross Country race plus 20 min warm up and cool down

Sun – 2hrs 30 mins easy

Holly Stats:

5km Track – 16:42
10km Track – 34:13
10 Mile Road – 56:35
Half Marathon – 74:04
Marathon – 2:37:35

Career Highlights