Monday 29 July 2013

New challenge - here we go again!

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.