My "bubble"

In August 2021 I didn't complete the Ultra Race Romania, a 6 staged 250 km self supporting race.  While there were many positives that came out of the experience, for which I am eternally grateful, the disappointment still lingers.  I have played it over and over in my head as to what caused my stomach to close down which meant no fuel could be taken onboard - end of race.  End of over a years preparation but one of the wins was I reached the start line fit and uninjured which is a result on it's own - you've got to enjoy that journey because you don't always get to cross the finish line. 
But this week I had a team of students, under the direction of their professor of exercise physiology, from the University of West of Scotland prodding me with needles & checking my core body temperature as I ran in their state of the art heat chamber.  The weather outside was pissing down with rain so I loved the heat chamber.
7 students were in the chamber with me as I walked and ran for an hour in 35 degrees heat and 40 degrees humidity.  I made sure I didn't over do it as this was my first session and the last thing I wanted was my HR to shoot through the roof.  That could have brought the testing to a halt.  So I set an easy pace and felt comfortable throughout - the students on the other hand were sweating and leaving the chamber to cool down - that amused me!  They were a great bunch of guys with a good pedigree in a variety of sports.  They were intrigued and asked loads of questions to try and understand what made this 60 year old relic keep taking on extreme challenges.  Everything went well and my HR behaved.  I haven't seen the data yet but I did hear them say I'd lost a kilo in sweat during the hour.  This is key to my hydration strategy in Romania in August.  But there are many more heat chamber sessions ahead and I am really looking forward to learning from them.
The KMs are building up as are the back to back runs.  Last week I ran five days in a row along with gym session and I could feel the fatigue building.  After the heat chamber I had a sport massage so the next day I felt knackered, but had gym work to do.  On Friday I had a complete day off and needed it.  I really shouldn't be surprised at the effect of the heat chamber but the more exposure I have to it, the better the preparation for Romania.  I am feeling the strongest I have ever been in my life which is down to the wonderful programme put together by my coach who knows just how far she can push me without me getting injured.
On Saturday I ran 18km at Chatelherault, my furthest distance this year.  It's a tough track especially when you have to wade knee deep through freezing water but 5 minutes later your feet are fine.  The key is the right socks that won't cause blisters and I've got that sorted.
Today the weather was once again rubbish.  So bad was the wind in rain that I was almost going to run on the treadmill in my gym.  What was I thinking?  I had a "talk to myself" and dressed properly and got into my "bubble".  My bubble is really important to me when I'm running in shit weather because when I'm in this mindset, I don't feel the rain and wind smashing against my face or the rivers running down the road going over my shoes and soaking me.  I'm oblivious to the conditions even when I'm almost at a standstill with the wind as I was today.  Only positive thoughts run through my head when I'm in my bubble like imagining you're having a conversation with a pal on a warm and sunny beach or the summit of a Scottish mountain.  It's a great technique when facing a hill, straight into wind with the water running down the hill and over your shoes.  Before you know it you are at the top of the hill.  Try it as it really works.
If you've ran a long distance, it's all relative so to some that could be a 10km, marathon or a multi-stage ultra, you need techniques to deal with the negatives thoughts than always come along - I've got my bubble.  It also works when you're in a group, or a meeting , where people  are being negative for no good reason and you don't want to be "drained" by it.  Just get into your bubble.  It's the best place to be.  Give it a try, there is no downside.  Have a wonderful week.