Since I have returned from the Sahara Desert people have been asking "what's next?" I've had lots of suggestions and there has been a fair amount of communication from "the Tartan Army" as we enjoyed our adventure on "the toughest foot race on earth!" After much contemplation I've decided the next big challenge is The Ocean Floor Race in October 2015. Check out the video and you'll understand my reasons for wanting to go. The quotation from Mark Twaine says it all http://www.oceanfloorrace.com/ . It seems a long way away however I had 2 years to prepare for MdS and it flew by.
So how different will this adventure be? The biggest difference will be that it is less structured - it's a non-stop 160 mile race over 4 days. You choose where and when to stop but let's budget on 40 miles a day for 4 days in a row. That's at least 14 miles more than most days on the MdS, with the exception of the long day. So 4 Ultra-marathons in a row across a desert. I think that's a worthy challenge, don't you? As I will be in control of when I run I intend to start running at first light which will probably be around 5.30am. This will allow me to miss out the heat of the day, assuming I can find some shelter. The number of participants will be much less. As far as I can tell, last year was the inaugural event with less than 20 people so I will obviously be spending time on my own which brings a navigation challenge.
Now I need to get back in shape so I will pick up my triathlon training and my yoga. I need to have smaller, but still important, challenges to focus on. In September 2014 I have agreed to enter the River Dart 10k swim http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/index.php?p=events&s&id=92. Yes you read that right, me swimming 10k! Unbelievable but another worthwhile challenge (as I swim like a brick!). I will also be taking part in a series of triathlons including a 70.3 Ironman - I can use this as the build up for the 10k swim.
Now I have made these decisions I feel better. It has brought a focus back that has been missing since MdS. In fairness that was always going to be the case and allowing my body to recover is an important part of taking part in endurance events. So a new chapter begins. I hope you will follow me in my journey and kick my ass if you see me slacking! Go on. Read that Mark Twaine quotation and dream a little yourself. You never know what might happen.
Monday, 29 July 2013
Saturday, 20 July 2013
A new challenge!
It's not what you think or are likely to guess. After a fantastic 2 week holiday, where I ran every day and practiced my yoga, I came back having put on weight! This is not something that happens to me, ever, but I've put on half a stone - and I don't like it!
It was also the first time I've been on a cruise and it was probably one of the best holidays we've ever had. Top class service and outstanding food - just way too much of it and also the booze! Now I'm sharing this information so you will realise that "I'm not an athlete" in the sense of watching what I eat and training all the time. However I saw what lies ahead for me if I don't keep training as people in their 50's, 60's and 70's walked by with mega guts hanging over their shorts and the strain that must put on their heart is incredible. It doesn't help when they cruise twice a year and eat and drink everything that's on offer.
So this being my first day back I squeezed into my lycra and went out for 3 hours on the bike with my fellow club mates. I hung on and noticed my increased bulk made me go down hill faster but the opposite was true on the climbs! This heat wave is incredible and it's like cycling abroad if it wasn't for the pot holes. But that's me back and regular training will now commence.
As for cruising, we all want to do it again as its a great family holiday. Having arrived as a passenger I was at risk of being taken off as cargo so next time I'll behave better!
It was also the first time I've been on a cruise and it was probably one of the best holidays we've ever had. Top class service and outstanding food - just way too much of it and also the booze! Now I'm sharing this information so you will realise that "I'm not an athlete" in the sense of watching what I eat and training all the time. However I saw what lies ahead for me if I don't keep training as people in their 50's, 60's and 70's walked by with mega guts hanging over their shorts and the strain that must put on their heart is incredible. It doesn't help when they cruise twice a year and eat and drink everything that's on offer.
So this being my first day back I squeezed into my lycra and went out for 3 hours on the bike with my fellow club mates. I hung on and noticed my increased bulk made me go down hill faster but the opposite was true on the climbs! This heat wave is incredible and it's like cycling abroad if it wasn't for the pot holes. But that's me back and regular training will now commence.
As for cruising, we all want to do it again as its a great family holiday. Having arrived as a passenger I was at risk of being taken off as cargo so next time I'll behave better!
Monday, 8 July 2013
Incredible achievement
Yesterday I watched Andy Murray achieve an incredible goal - winning Wimbledon. The first Scot ever to have done it and the 1st Britain in 77 years since Fred Perry. I was watching it in a bar in Rome and wouldn't be surprised if you could have heard our screams at the TV urging him on. Like many I won't forget that moment. I had the great priviledge of working with Andy shooting 3 videos with him for a leisure group. At the time he was no. 11 in the world and by the end he was no.4. His transformation since then to no. 2 and double major winner is incredible.
A few years before that I had the pleasure of playing John McEnroe in a game of doubles. When asked about Andy he thought he'd get into the top ten but his partner Peter Fleming said top 5. Neither said he'd win Wimbledon.This just goes to show how driven he was to ignore those around him that doubted his ability and believe in himself.
This weekend 4 Athelite members became ironmen following the success of 2 the weekend before. During their journey they will have had self doubt, injury and questioned what they were doing. During the race they will have overcome pain and have visited some very "dark places". But they believed in themselves and got the reward they deserved, just as Andy did. So lets all reflect on the success of individuals who set the bar high and achieve it. The only question is, what's next?
A few years before that I had the pleasure of playing John McEnroe in a game of doubles. When asked about Andy he thought he'd get into the top ten but his partner Peter Fleming said top 5. Neither said he'd win Wimbledon.This just goes to show how driven he was to ignore those around him that doubted his ability and believe in himself.
This weekend 4 Athelite members became ironmen following the success of 2 the weekend before. During their journey they will have had self doubt, injury and questioned what they were doing. During the race they will have overcome pain and have visited some very "dark places". But they believed in themselves and got the reward they deserved, just as Andy did. So lets all reflect on the success of individuals who set the bar high and achieve it. The only question is, what's next?
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