We all get caught up in our own lives, part of which for me is training with a goal in mind. However a phone call on Friday informed me of a close friend had suffered a massive heart attack on holiday and died. 54 years old with plenty of dreams ahead of him and his family. It stopped me in my tracks. I was heart broken at the loss and can't even imagine what this loss will mean to his family. There is a phrase "you're a long time dead" and when I think about it, you are.
So on Saturday I went out for my 20 mile run and reflected on the news. How lucky am I? Healthy (as far as I am aware), fit and running through beautiful countryside breathing in fresh air. My goal might be an ultra marathon in 8 weeks time but that's just an event. But being able to go out and run, swim, cycle or enjoy time with my family has been brought sharply into focus and I am going to appreciate it more than ever before. It shouldn't take the sudden, unexpected death of someone close to make me wake up but as I said at the beginning, we all get caught up in our own lives. You've one life, live it! Enjoy every simple thing. Take time to smell the roses. Normal "service" will be resumed next week but for now my thoughts are with a family without a Dad.
Monday, 24 February 2014
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
New Maggie's Centre
Today I was invited to a pre-opening event of the Maggies Cancer Caring Centre at Monklands General Hospital. What an unbelievable building - stunning. Draped in natural light it's the perfect setting for cancer suffers to receive advice, counselling, help in many different ways. It rejuvenates me to do everything possible to raise money for the charity. 10 people a week in Lanarkshire are diagnosed with cancer so the requirement for the facility is huge.
Colin Montgomery has been behind the fund raising and the centre will carry his late mother's name. I had a 5 minute chat with Colin who remembered me from the cutting the turf ceremony 18 months ago. He really comes across well especially when talking about something that is close to his heart. He was keen to hear how I'd got on in the desert and thinks I'm mental! He's not alone on that one but as I explained, it's perfectly normal what I do with the people I train with.
This morning at 7am I was back in the pool following last nights tough pool session. It seemed as though I had got faster which is encouraging considering the hard work I've been putting in. The key is constantly working on my technique and making sure I swim twice a week. Soon I'll be applying the same approach to my cycling which has suffered badly in the last two years so that's going to hurt!
Finally tHe chief executive of Maggie's invited me to swim in the Serpentine in London and I will certainly take her up on that when I am next in London. What an opportunity.
Colin Montgomery has been behind the fund raising and the centre will carry his late mother's name. I had a 5 minute chat with Colin who remembered me from the cutting the turf ceremony 18 months ago. He really comes across well especially when talking about something that is close to his heart. He was keen to hear how I'd got on in the desert and thinks I'm mental! He's not alone on that one but as I explained, it's perfectly normal what I do with the people I train with.
This morning at 7am I was back in the pool following last nights tough pool session. It seemed as though I had got faster which is encouraging considering the hard work I've been putting in. The key is constantly working on my technique and making sure I swim twice a week. Soon I'll be applying the same approach to my cycling which has suffered badly in the last two years so that's going to hurt!
Finally tHe chief executive of Maggie's invited me to swim in the Serpentine in London and I will certainly take her up on that when I am next in London. What an opportunity.
Monday, 17 February 2014
Breaking point
Last week was a busy one. So much so that my blog is late! Two good swim sessions had me busting my lungs but feeling that progress was being made. Swimming is reducing my chance of injury with my running, helps with the recovery for my legs and at the same time keeping me fit. I need to be ready for a 1.9km open water swim as part of a 70.3 ironman in June which I feel comfortable with and then the major 10km river swim in September. I can concern myself with that in the summer when regular open water swimming will start once the temperatures have risen but in the meantime just work on my technique rather than distance.
On Saturday I was short of time so went for a 10 mile "fast" run. It's difficult to get the old legs going fast when I am training them for an ultra but I was pleased with the result. On Sunday I was going to be doing 3 laps of Chatelherault with some friend but went early so I could get an extra lap in to total 20 miles. It was a beautiful day with a blue sky but you had to stay wrapped up. I was testing out my Ultimate Direction running vest which is like a minature rucksack. I need to carry 2 bottles with me on my training now due to the mileage and the bottles sit on your chest just like my MdS rucksack. However I couldn't work out how to get the water out without unscrewing the top. Knowing you have water but not wanting to stop to get it made me very thirsty and frustrated. But this is why you test any new equipment. A fellow runner said he had the same problem so I asked a friend who had one and he explained how the bottles work! The running vest didn't rub or bounce around so that was £100 well spent!
Sadly my shoes gave up on me - they'd reached breaking point! I hadn't noticed when running but they both split on the outside edge along the material. I'll be taking them back to the shop as they haven't done so many miles but this gives me a quandary as I need to be able to trust my footware.
My legs felt reasonably good this morning considering the hard trail miles which means they are getting conditioned (or tenderised!). My swimming for the next two days should have them ready for more running as the miles build up. I'm looking forward to more miles along the West Highland Way because it is so beautiful and just on my doorstep.
On Saturday I was short of time so went for a 10 mile "fast" run. It's difficult to get the old legs going fast when I am training them for an ultra but I was pleased with the result. On Sunday I was going to be doing 3 laps of Chatelherault with some friend but went early so I could get an extra lap in to total 20 miles. It was a beautiful day with a blue sky but you had to stay wrapped up. I was testing out my Ultimate Direction running vest which is like a minature rucksack. I need to carry 2 bottles with me on my training now due to the mileage and the bottles sit on your chest just like my MdS rucksack. However I couldn't work out how to get the water out without unscrewing the top. Knowing you have water but not wanting to stop to get it made me very thirsty and frustrated. But this is why you test any new equipment. A fellow runner said he had the same problem so I asked a friend who had one and he explained how the bottles work! The running vest didn't rub or bounce around so that was £100 well spent!
Sadly my shoes gave up on me - they'd reached breaking point! I hadn't noticed when running but they both split on the outside edge along the material. I'll be taking them back to the shop as they haven't done so many miles but this gives me a quandary as I need to be able to trust my footware.
My legs felt reasonably good this morning considering the hard trail miles which means they are getting conditioned (or tenderised!). My swimming for the next two days should have them ready for more running as the miles build up. I'm looking forward to more miles along the West Highland Way because it is so beautiful and just on my doorstep.
Sunday, 9 February 2014
Tough conditions
It's been a good but tough weekend for training. Yesterday was a confidence booster as I went out with 2 mega experienced ultra runners, Rosie Bell and Craig Hamilton, to run 16 miles of the West Highland Way staring at Drymen. "Dry" it certainly wasn't and on climbing up Conic Hill in the howling wind and rain we reached the snow line. In conditions like this I was inside "my bubble" that protects me from the elements. I had my buff pulled up over my ears and baseball cap and going down the other side it was over my mouth as the conditions deteriated.
We ran at a proper ultra pace and I felt I could have gone on for a long time which is reassuring. However after 16 miles we decided that was enough for the day. I had got to see the terrain I'll be running in just over 2 months and it's going to be a challenge. Between now and the event I will have visited the trail so I know what to expect.
This morning I went out for another 15 miles of trail running with some friends, in the wind and rain again. I was hoping to do 20 but my body was telling me it was hurting and if pushed much further could cause an injury, so I stopped. Also as the miles build up I need to carry more fluids and I had become thirsty which means you are dehydrated and it's too late. So that will be my next purchase so I can carry more water when running as it's essential.
It's still a mental challenge thinking how I will run 53 very challenging miles in about 75 days time when I've struggled with the mileage today. But there are a lot of training miles between now and then and that is what I will be focusing on. I just need to be patient and keep up the training. Finally my weight has dropped to 11 and a half stone so I'm not having to cart so much around - that makes me happy!
We ran at a proper ultra pace and I felt I could have gone on for a long time which is reassuring. However after 16 miles we decided that was enough for the day. I had got to see the terrain I'll be running in just over 2 months and it's going to be a challenge. Between now and the event I will have visited the trail so I know what to expect.
This morning I went out for another 15 miles of trail running with some friends, in the wind and rain again. I was hoping to do 20 but my body was telling me it was hurting and if pushed much further could cause an injury, so I stopped. Also as the miles build up I need to carry more fluids and I had become thirsty which means you are dehydrated and it's too late. So that will be my next purchase so I can carry more water when running as it's essential.
It's still a mental challenge thinking how I will run 53 very challenging miles in about 75 days time when I've struggled with the mileage today. But there are a lot of training miles between now and then and that is what I will be focusing on. I just need to be patient and keep up the training. Finally my weight has dropped to 11 and a half stone so I'm not having to cart so much around - that makes me happy!
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Benefits of group training
If you've followed my blog over the years you'll know how I've struggled with swimming. Not an uncommon problem with triathletes! However it's a great way of keeping fit and it gives my legs a break from running. An essential aspect of my swimming is group training. Tonight after a 200m warm up (not much I know but I knew we'd be having a tough session) we did 250m of drills, 14 x 25m alternating between slow 25m followed by 25m sprint and repeat. The main set was 800m with a 60 sec rest, 400m with a 40 sec rest, 200m /20sec rest, 100m/10 sec rest, 50m finish.
That is a set I wouldn't like to do on my own. Swimming with others encourages you to stay up with the swimmer in front and you end up going faster as a result. We all take turns at the front where the hard work is done.
Triathletes usually find swimming their weakness so we're all in the same boat. But working together as a group we get the job done. Tomorrow a smaller group will be back in the pool by 7am for another session. The months of hard work is starting to pay off which is just as well with a 70.3 ironman in June and a 10km river swim in September. Bring it on!
That is a set I wouldn't like to do on my own. Swimming with others encourages you to stay up with the swimmer in front and you end up going faster as a result. We all take turns at the front where the hard work is done.
Triathletes usually find swimming their weakness so we're all in the same boat. But working together as a group we get the job done. Tomorrow a smaller group will be back in the pool by 7am for another session. The months of hard work is starting to pay off which is just as well with a 70.3 ironman in June and a 10km river swim in September. Bring it on!
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Round 2 with the chimp!
After yesterday's battle at Chatelherault, I was planning an revisiting the sight of my misery to bury the chattering chimp! My compression gear had done it's job yesterday and I felt good when I got up. I made sure I had plenty of "fuel" on board and headed out into very blustery wind.
I met up with a group of friends and we worked our way round the course for two laps. One of my pals who is a very experience ultra runner completed the third lap with me. My legs were feeling heavy from the 15 miles yesterday so we practised the ultra run / walk method. This allows you to recover and go further. At least this time having someone with you who has used this on many long runs, the chimp was silenced!🙊 part of preparing for an ultra is getting your head right and today was a step towards my goal in that regard. I've still got many miles to put in over the next few and hopefully the chimp will get back in its cage!
Recovery is important so coffee, carrot cake with cream, a hot shower, tuna pasta and eggs washed down with orange juice coffee and chocolate. Now in my compression gear to speed up the recovery with my feet up. Oh and the rugby is just about to come on - happy days. Still have some chores to do including shopping and cooking dinner - just in case you thought I got away with murder at home!
I met up with a group of friends and we worked our way round the course for two laps. One of my pals who is a very experience ultra runner completed the third lap with me. My legs were feeling heavy from the 15 miles yesterday so we practised the ultra run / walk method. This allows you to recover and go further. At least this time having someone with you who has used this on many long runs, the chimp was silenced!🙊 part of preparing for an ultra is getting your head right and today was a step towards my goal in that regard. I've still got many miles to put in over the next few and hopefully the chimp will get back in its cage!
Recovery is important so coffee, carrot cake with cream, a hot shower, tuna pasta and eggs washed down with orange juice coffee and chocolate. Now in my compression gear to speed up the recovery with my feet up. Oh and the rugby is just about to come on - happy days. Still have some chores to do including shopping and cooking dinner - just in case you thought I got away with murder at home!
Saturday, 1 February 2014
Battling with the "chimp"
I've been writing my blog for four years and part of the motivation is so I can look back and remember parts of the journey, especially when I'm struggling. Today was a really tough session and I was battling the "chimp" in my brain which was telling me to quit. It was constantly shouting you're not fit enough, you're too old, go play golf as it's less effort etc etc. You'll be familiar with the inner chimp whether you are training for an event or trying to improve yourself.
The "scene of the crime" was Chatelherault Country Park where I run on a regular basis. A five mile loop has 425 feet of climbing and it's tough. But fortunately it is sheltered as the wind was up and it was mixed with rain and sleet. A friend of mine who is a good ultra runner accompanied me on the first two laps. On the second lap I asked for a breather for a minute as I wasn't feeling great. By the end of the second lap I new it was going to be a tough 3rd lap as I was doing it on my own and the weather was getting worse.
The chimp went into overtime and suddenly I was walking every hill which is a first for me. I tried to make use of that time by eating an energy bar and rehydrating but it seemed to make no difference. My body temperature dropped as I wasn't running on the hills and had I been in the wilderness I'd have been in trouble. Trying to take a positive out of the situation I remembered some of my longest runs where you reach a very dark place at various stages. So this was my opportunity to practice getting through it. By the time I got home I was a shivering wreck so straight into a hot bath, compression tights on and food in. Now to rest because tomorrow I'll be doing the same again but hope for better performance. The chimp may have reduced me to walking today but I made the most out of the situation. I'm looking forward to looking back at this post as I believe this was an important session where I might not have performed as well as I wanted to, but I achieved what I set out to do.
The "scene of the crime" was Chatelherault Country Park where I run on a regular basis. A five mile loop has 425 feet of climbing and it's tough. But fortunately it is sheltered as the wind was up and it was mixed with rain and sleet. A friend of mine who is a good ultra runner accompanied me on the first two laps. On the second lap I asked for a breather for a minute as I wasn't feeling great. By the end of the second lap I new it was going to be a tough 3rd lap as I was doing it on my own and the weather was getting worse.
The chimp went into overtime and suddenly I was walking every hill which is a first for me. I tried to make use of that time by eating an energy bar and rehydrating but it seemed to make no difference. My body temperature dropped as I wasn't running on the hills and had I been in the wilderness I'd have been in trouble. Trying to take a positive out of the situation I remembered some of my longest runs where you reach a very dark place at various stages. So this was my opportunity to practice getting through it. By the time I got home I was a shivering wreck so straight into a hot bath, compression tights on and food in. Now to rest because tomorrow I'll be doing the same again but hope for better performance. The chimp may have reduced me to walking today but I made the most out of the situation. I'm looking forward to looking back at this post as I believe this was an important session where I might not have performed as well as I wanted to, but I achieved what I set out to do.
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