Back on the tarmac

After a couple of days well earned rest I was out on the tarmac tonight. No rucksack on, just a fast 10km which is easier said than done when I've been running slowly for months. No stunning scenery, back to normal altitude and the hard regular impact of tarmac took it's toll. The fronts of my shins complained but this is just because I've had a couple of days off. I certainly never felt out of breath which is the positive result of the altitude training and come the weekend I'll be back to long slow trail miles with the rucksack on my back. I've been advised to incorporate some interval training over the next few weeks and this is intensive so it's going to be tough. It reminds me of the training in the run up to Ironman last year. But MdS is taking my physical and mental endurance to a new level. The lessons I learned in Morocco need to be worked on especially around the food I will be taking with me. I'll report back when I have finalised my plans. But until then, the training continues. Only 5 weeks to go!

MDS training camp

I've just returned from a 4 day training camp in the amazing hills in Morocco. It was lead by Laurence Klein, 3 time MDS female champion, and Damien Vierdet, who finished 4th in MDS 2 tears ago. Along with 9 other athletes we were put through our paces covering 75km and climbing over 3,300 metres with base camp at 1,400 metres. We were in the foothills behind the Atlans mountain range which was a spetacular back drop with the snow capped hills. The territory was more suited to a mountain goat and the terrain was either hard packed trail with stones and rocks or dried mud with stones or rocks. We also ran on dried river beds and no matter what surface, every step was a potential ankle breaker. On the 2nd day it rained making the mud tracks / roads slippy and unfortunately for one athletes he slipped and empaled himself on a catcus plant which left him sore and requiring over 20 needles removed! Ouch. The one surface we didn't run on was sand but it was more important we learned how to handle this terrain as there is a lot of it on MDS. We has 2 night runs with head torches. Up until then I though the odd pothole was dangerous in the UK but this required 100% concentration due to the conditions underfoot. We absorbed the top tips we were given and on 2 occassions cooked our food out in the open - only edible if desperate! The objectives were to test myself and also my equipment. The outcome is I have another 2.5 weeks of really hard training before starting to taper and I'll be changing my food plan based on what I learned. It was a well organised trip and I have made new friends despite the language barrier - they all had a reasonable grasp of English fortunately and one of the UK guys (David - thank you) was fluent in French. The staff and the accommodation could not have been more helpful. The food was out of this world - probably similar to what we will eat in the desert except that will be food from a different planet! As for the leaders Laurence and Damien, what a privilege to run and learn from world class athletes. Thank you Laurence and see you in the desert in 6 weeks. Damien I hope we meet again and you still carry the tune of "Flower of Scotland" in your head. Maybe someday someone will sing it to you properly.

The adventure begins

This is it. I'm heading off for my first taste of the Sahara Desert in preperation for the Marathon des Sables in April. I will arrive tomorrow for the start of a 4 day training camp which will involve running across different terrain in the desert, night running, testing equipment, food, nutrition and hydration. Learning about looking after your feet, compass reading and basic survival. I can feel the excitement building in my stomach. It's not the "full monty" as we are staying on an estate which provides half board - still I'll be sleeping in my sleeping bag to test it out as it's not luxury accommodation. But we do need to prepare our own lunch on the camp fire e.g. boil in the bag freeze dried food. But you know how fussy I am and my dislike of garlic so the food provided may be a bigger challenge! However getting calories in is essential in this environment and there are no shops to stop in for a quick snack so rule 5 will apply (MTFU). I'm going to miss the family while I'm away and am unlikely to have any way of getting in touch so I hope there are no problems back home. I haven't had my "shots" from the doc as he came back to me too late but I'll get these when I get back. I won't be sleeping in the middle of know where on this trip so think (hope) the hygene will be better. My task this morning is to pack my rucksack. Last night I weighed every item that is going in the rucksack and put it on a spreadsheet. This is so I know what I've taken and when I go next time, I'll know what to leave out. I'm experimenting with different types of energy bars and gels so I know what works best in those temperatures. The food accounts for 1/3rd of the weight but this will increase for the next trip as I'll need 3 meals a day. So my friends, this is the last blog until next Wednesday when I resurface in civilisation. I can't imagine what stories I will have to tell, but know there will be many. Let the adventure begin.

Final preparations

Not long now before I head off to my training camp so today I was picking up my freeze dried foot, compass, whistle, survival bag, energy bars, blister pads etc etc. Then I headed off to the poditrist to have my new high tech insoles sorted. They will be tested tomorrow morning and if they need adjusted he has said he'll open up the workshop and do it tomorrow night. It great having that kind of support. I've borrowed a Garmin that won't require recharging and with a foot pod I will be able to tell distance and pace which will be important in such a strange environment. Today was the second day of rest from running having run 50 odd miles last week. I had an early morning yoga session which felt amazing. It is such a good start to the day, like warming up your engine before setting off on a journey. It's important that I make sure my legs are stetched every day as it is my lower back especially as I am carrying 8kg when I run at the moment. This is why I will also be having a sports massage tomorrow to ease any aches in pains before I set off on Thursday to the Sahara. Finally tomorrow night will be for my rucksack packing. Should be fun! Just hope I can get it all in and then manage to lift it!

Athlete's heart

Before I head off for MdS in April I need to take a ECG signed off by my doctor. This is the bit everyone is worried about. Not because of the reading itself but how the doctor may interpret the information. Endurance athlete's, (I think I qualify for that tag now - unbelievable!) can have an enlarged heart on the left side due to the nature of the training but it doesn't mean there is a problem. The GP might ask me to go to a specialist for an expert opinion but I only have 1 month to have this done - it's a tight timeframe. Even when you cross that barrier, on the second day of arriving in Morocco you have to pass your details to their medical team. They can turn you away and refuse you entry into the race - that would be heart breaking. So I'll be holding my breath until I get the all clear in Morocco and then my "athlete's heart" will be getting the workout of a lifetime! I also need 3 injections before I go and I can't say I'm a fan of needles but it will be necessary. I've run out of time to get them before I leave this week, I only found out what was required tonight, and I don't think getting them just before you leave would make sense. I'll sort it when I get back.

Testing my gear

Armed with my new orthotic insoles and my new high tech running top I headed out in a beautiful sunny day. I also increased the weight in my rucksack to 8kg as I gradually get closer to the 10kg target. I didn't have any music as I'd accidently left it in my running jacket which was washed - end of Nano so that's saving me some weight already! The new insoles were more comfortable as I pounded 15 miles around the streets and the increased weight was ok although occassionally I got the odd twinge inbetween my sholder blades. I did a few stretches which seemed to work so I'll have to continue doing this when running. My new running top, which is the same high tech material as my shorts, was so good I didn't even notice it. That's the sign of a good shirt. So at the end of the week I have ran 52 miles and am feeling good. I won't run now till Wednesday so my legs can have a rest and I've got a sports massage booked for the evening. This will be perfect preparation for my trip to Morocco and the training camp. Finally yesterday I ate my first freeze dried foot - spag bog it said on the lable and to be fare it taste ok. The secret was not to look at it but in the Desert I'll be starving after the runs so I'll be in "scabby heeded wean" mode meaning I could eat a child with a rash on it's head!

Technology to the rescue

Between been "Dad's Taxi" and other domestic duties I squeezed in 15 miles of trail running. This takes my mileage in 5 days to 38 and tomorrow I should bring that total to 50. I tried to avoid all the dogs that were interested in my gaitors as one bite of those would give me a major issue for my trip to the Sahara Desert next week. There was one wee terrier (it's always the wee ones), whose owner was to distracted by his headphones, who really wanted to take a chunk out of me and when the owner noticed the confrontation he didn't seem to bother. Obviously his dog didn't bite, in his opinion, but any closer and he'd have been testing his flying ability - bloody dog owners, get a hold of your dogs please! I then went to visit my poditrist who is experimenting with different material on my orthotics to spread the load and reduce the heat in my feet. The results were amazing and it will soon be a published case study once I've returned from the Sahara. Anything that takes the pressure off my feet gets my vote as they will be taking a substantial amount of punishment running 5.5 marathons in 7 days carrying 10 kg in 40 degrees. It's really getting high tech and I have the experts on my side - thanks Robbie.

I'm so lucky

At 4.30pm today I had my second training session of the day having started the day with a 6.15am yoga session. As I was running through the beautiful countryside it occurred to me how lucky I was. I have a wife making things happen while I'm away, the kids put up with my training and the team at the office make sure that everything runs smoothly while I'm away. I'm fit and healthy and in a weeks time I will be at a training camp in the Sahara desert - how lucky am I? I'm breaking in my new shoes which have the gaiters stitched in. They are getting loads of strange looks however today a delivery lady had commented she had seen me running with something strange on my legs. When she found out what they were and what I was doing she donated to my cause, Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres. If you would like to support my endevours please go to https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/derekstewart. Every day we should look around, take time to smell the roses and appreciate everything you have in your life.

Xmas comes early

My kits arrived. How exciting opening the package - just like Xmas. Now I can spend the weekend practising packing my rucksack for next weeks training in the Sahara. This takes a degree of planning and skill. So much so we actually have a session about how to pack your rucksack. You don't want the weight to be in the wrong place or something rubbing. You definately don't want to be searching for your Venom pump because a snake bitten you and you only have 60 seconds to take action! I'll have fainted anyway so I'll leave that problem to my pals! Fortuantely the weather was ok this morning so I managed a wee run after my yoga. This is me re-introducing my legs to running or at least that's how it feels. The good news is today there were no aches or pains although bum cheeks were well clenched as I had a pressing need to get back home to the loo if you get my drift! Wonder what that will be like in the desert? Horrible will be the short answer but hygene is a major factor over there and one drummed into all competitors as it could finish your race and all your "tent mates" quicker than saying, pass me the bog roll! Looking forward to my yoga lesson tomorrow and hope I can make some progress with handstands because I was crap last time. Hmmm, bit of a theme going here. With those mutterings I will leave you to enjoy Valentine's Day - another load of crap if you ask me! I can be romantic the remaining 364 days.

Alcohol free zone

I've been enjoying a few glasses of wine more than normal over the last few weeks. It just seems to have crept up on me. So on Monday I took the decision that no alcohol would pass my lips till I get back from my training camp in the desert next week. It's not that I'm a big drinker (cheap night out actually) but I was feeling a bit sluggish. So three days in and I'm amazed at how good I am feeling but part of this is also to do with my early morning yoga practise. At 6am I am on my mat and it always feels tight when I start but quiet quickly I start to loosen up and now am extending my practise by adding in more exercises. The morning snow meant no run and the torential rain and strong wind has kept me indoors tonight. Tomorrow come rain, hail or shine (probably all three) I will need to be out there. Hopefully my package full of goodies will arrive and I can then start packing for my training camp. There's always something to do in preparing for the trip of a lifetime!

Fashion Police

Today I picked up my running shoes for the desert with the full length gaiters stiched on to prevent the sand getting in. So before Morocco next week I need to go a few runs to break the shoes in. The looks I got from my wife, kids and anyone else passing me in the street was comical - or was that my look. Fortunately there will be no fashion police in the desert and the benefits out weight the looks. Sadly I will need to wear them in the local area until I leave for MdS in April. Testing equipment is essential and I'll get plenty of chance next week. But tonight my two water bottles started leaking so better I found it out before it became a worse problem in 40-50 degrees. I'll also get to test my diet of freeze dried food - hope I like it? A short 10k run tonight was my first since Saturday and there was no reoccurrence of the abductor problem. So the rest and the stretching has worked, so far. I'll build the mileage up till Tuesday and then have a rest before Morocco.

Equipment ordered

The MdS is becoming a reality. I've ordered the bulk of my equipment from the manditory venom extractor (which doesn't work) to the flash signal mirror in case I get lost (or need to sort my make up!). I dropped my brand new running shoes off and tomorrow they will have gaiters stitched onto them to protect my feet from the sand. They are knee length (not a good look but there are no fashion police in the desert!)and one of the critical parts of the kit. If sand gets into your shoes it will take the skin off your feet - just search on MdS and you'll see plenty of examples. I am finalising my travel and accommodation for my training trip next week to Morocco and that will really get me focused. At the moment with the abductor niggle and the cold weather I can't say I am putting in heavy mileage but I am balancing that against getting there in one piece. So the nerves are starting to creep in but again that's what next week is all about. Back training tomorrow and looking forward to it. I was tempted by the sunny day today but wanted to give the niggle another day to get sorted. Once I've got all my kit I'll post a picture! A few comments have been passed about my weight loss. I'm actually as heavy as I've ever been, 11 stone. However my legs have got bigger with muscle and my body is losing any spare fat so maybe that's the issue. I'll just need to keep eating!

1st priority

The first priority in training for an endurance event is that you make it to the start line. It's all too easy to get injured with the amount of training you do and today I had to remind myself of that. I had planned a 22 mile run which consisted of an 11 mile out and return. But my abductor muscle which has been playing up since The Great Glen run started to become very uncomfortable. I made a decision to change my plan and cut the run short to protect my leg against injury. I took the opportunity to practise my walking. This is an essential part of endurance running especially when I will be running for 6 days on many different terrains and some incredibly steep sand dunes where there are ropes to help you up and down the hills. So rather than feel down hearted about only covering 2/3rds of the target distance I channeled my energy into an aspect of my training that I had largely ignored. Walking isn't easy especially when you have to start running afterwards. But the number 1 priority is to avoid or minimise injury. I will be doing a loy of stretching to get rid of this niggle because in 12 days time I am heading off to the Sahara Desert for 4 days training and don't want to be carrying an injury. I am also going to rest tomorrow, except for a yoga session, to give the niggle a chance to heal. I have to say I do feel a bit of a wimp as I'm watching the rugby and any one of those tackles would have me hospitalised! Each to their own as I couldn't see many of them running the MdS!

Seeing the world differently!

I had another short fast run last night as I cruised the streets with my head tourch and rucksack getting funny looks from the dog walkers. Why is it that it's always the wee ones that have a go at your ankles? Bloody owners should have them on a short leash not an expandable one! But this morning I had a very differnt experience. My yoga teacher was trying to get me to do a head stand. Scary stuff. The fear factor really got to me and I couldn't get into the headstand without collapsing. Part of the problem was being upside down - the world looked completely different and I was confused. I couldn't tell where my feet or my bum was as I was so confused. But how could I fear doing something so realatively simple? Good practice for entering the new teritory later on this month of the Sahara Desert. Long miles for Saturday & Sunday as I build the mileage back up. Once I get back from my Sahara training at the end of Feb I'll probably have 10 more days of hard training before it tapers off as my body gets time to repair and rest. Happy weekend folks.

Number 836

It's getting close - 8 weeks to be precise and I've even got my number, 836. For 2 years I have dreamed about setting off for the desert. What it will be like running in that heat, in all sorts of different conditions underfoot? Cooking my freeze dried food on a small stove, repairing my feet and sleeping under the stars while avoiding any beasties! I'll get a first glimpse of it at the end of the month when I will spend 4 days in the desert testing out my gear and myself. Between now and then I will be building up the miles in my legs. Tonight by contrast I went out for a quick 10k run with my rucksack on my back. Lit up like a xmas tree as I was running on "b" roads with no streetlights. Dodging the potholes and avoiding the ice wasn't easy but running in zero degrees is going to be completely different from 40-50 degrees. Perhaps in the double marathon day when we run through the night the temperatures will be near freezing but by then I'll be exhaused and running on empty. I can't wait but there's a lot of work to be done before then.

Wise words from a Scottish caddie!

Gail force wins, sleet & hailstones - thank goodness my training plan had this down as a rest day. However it won't mean my son misses his outdoor athletics training tonight - that'll toughen him up! I had a yoga practice this morning and as usual, following a running weekend, I was as stiff as a board. It's like 1 step forward, 2 steps back but I knew that after the practice I'd feel the benefit of it and if I keep this up all week, which I will, then the results will be so worthwhile. That's the thing about training. Sometime you really can't be bothered especially if it involves getting up on a dark and cold wintery morning. But that's when you have to question "why am I doing this?" I've explained to anyone who will listen that to achieve something worthwhile you have got to have a reason, a desire within you or else you'll give up when the going gets tough. My reason for going through the hours of training / pain is to raise money for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres and this afternoon I visited the Glasgow centre. I had a cup of tea with two of the fund raisers and the boss of the centre. Everywhere I looked people were smiling and engaged in conversation. Not a sad face in the building. It took me a few minutes to realise that those smiling faces were on either cancer patients or family members of cancer patients. This is because the whole ethos of Maggie's is about life, not death. We'll all die one day and getting cancer isn't necessarily a death sentence. A positive attitude helps and in the wonderful, beautiful Maggie's Centre there was plenty of that around. I'm sure it's not easy to be positive when tackling cancer but as a wise old Scottish golf caddie once said to me when I was moaning about a bad shot, "at least you are the right side of the grass sir" - meaning not buried under the ground. That brought a smile to my face and I stopped moaning and guess what? My game improved. So to all those wonderful people I saw at Maggie's today, keep smiling. There is a magnificent support mechanism around you and if through my small efforts I can help raise some well needed money then I will. Thanks for making my day.

Recovery running

Last week was all about recovering. I felt very lazy doing only 2 yoga sessions and I had planned a few turbo sessions but was too tired. The rest did me some good and allowed the massive blister on my heal to repair. It now looks like a 2 inch oval shape of raw skin. But as it's been exposed to the air it's lost its senitivity. On Saturday and today I ran the same 10 mile trail route with my 6k rucksack. I was 2 minutes quicker today but that was probably because I had a running partner. However it wasn't easy as my legs were tired which was to be expected. I'll take a couple days off running now and concentrate on yoga, rest and recovery. I also need to set time aside to finalise the equipment I am taking and my nutrition. 8 weeks and 6 days to go!