Champagne - the alternative tapering method

You may have wondered where I’ve been as I missed my blog last Sunday but I’ve been away on a special training camp.  One that involved lots of heat, humidity and .....champagne.  It was all part of a master plan which had my coaches finger prints all over it....maybe not the quantity of champagne though.
In previous blogs I’ve mentioned balancing training with life and it’s important that as I’m not a full time athlete who makes a living from my adventures (yet), that life gets priority 99% of the time. And this was such an occasion - a 3 day trip to Miami followed by a week’s Caribbean Cruise.  This meant I missed a week of normal training and my tapering period started while in the middle of the ocean.  But my coach knew this and we planned the training for this period.  I’m currently sitting in Miami airport supping my last champagne before boarding the flight - cheers.
The previous three weeks leading up to the holiday we’d been building up the miles.  We’d had to ramp them up in anticipation of the holiday but my body was showing signs of fatigue especially from having raced the 50km Kielder Ultra a few weeks ago.  I had to build in a few rest days in a row and was looking forward to a real rest on holiday while allowing the training to tick over.
We arrived in Miami and our hotel was on the boardwalk that gave me a four mile run down to South Beach and the same back.  I did this every day and made sure I was out before 7am because by the time I’d finished I was a sweaty mess with the temperature at 29c and humidity at 80%.  I’d step straight in a cold shower with my running gear on so I could wash it to reduce the smell - 10 days training gear in my case.  Can you imagine the smell?  These were very different training conditions and I had to work hard to maintain a reasonable pace.  It was -3 the day we left home.  I ate like a king and enjoyed the wine, champagne and beer.  My philosophy was to wake up feeling slightly hungover and going out an 8 mile run.  This would then feel like a 53 mile run so perfect training for my next race on Saturday next week.  That’s what I call dedication.  Miami was fantastic but when I wasn’t eating and drinking I was resting and after 3 days felt as though I was getting stronger.
It was also good to have time to talk and not worry about deadlines or work and visit art shops - all things we don’t find time for at home.  This was a great holiday.
We headed off to the cruise ship and that’s when the “endurance” really starts.  It’s an all inclusive top class party.  Every morning after my run the hardest decision was should I have fruit, smoked salmon, poached eggs washed down with coffee and a chocolate croissant again!
Training on a cruise ship isn’t easy.  If running on the treadmill you have to take account of the ships movement.  One day I failed and got spat out the back of the treadmill like all those videos you’ve seen on FB.  A nice bloodied knee to go with it.  I mixed it up with a step machine, cross trainer and running round the deck but with the exception of one days rest, I was training.  My wife also took me through a yoga session most days which was great for stretching out the muscles and relaxing.
We visited Key West which was probably our favourite destination, Grand Cayman was OK and the two stops in Mexico were excellent helped by the fact we had befriended two lovely American’s, Mike and Mugette, who knew their way around.  Wall to wall fantastic food and I’m hoping I’ve put a few pounds on as I was at minimal weight before setting off.
Saturday will be a tough test.  53 miles with 7,500ft of climbing and the forecast is 10 degrees with sunshine and rain.  It’s not the ideal preparation although my body will definitely have benefitted from all the rest and sleep I enjoyed.  My legs have the miles in them that’s required, I just need to make sure my mind is focused in a positive manner to defeat the “dark moments” that always happen in a race of this length.  The Highland Fling is a wonderful event with amazing runners, volunteers and organisers and takes place in a beautiful part of Scotland.  I’ll take in as much of the scenery as I can through the blood, sweat, tears and snotters so that when I cross the finish line I can get back on the champagne.....at least for a day!  See you on the other side.