Making improvements

The September running challenge is now finished. As a result I can get back to cross training in the build up to Marathon des Sables. The benefit of cross training is that it reduces the likelyhood of an injury, especially if I'm putting in high mileage on my feet running. So tonight I returned to the pool for a group training session. We spend the beginning of the session on drills to improve our technique. Then the main set is fitness based and because you are part of a group that are all aiming to improve, you put the effort in. You don't want to be dropped in the lane so you hang on and do what ever is required - even if your lungs are screeming to stop and your feet are cramping. All the hard work is done in the winter months and will pay off next season. Bring on the winter!

Seve's legacy

Sporting climaxes such as last nights Ryder Cup don't get any better. The mental toughness of those players under such duress was incredible. Even Lee Westwood was shaking over a critical 1 foot put. Great players crumbled on the greens that must of been like putting on a coffee table - super fast. But in the end, their belief in themselves, their pride in their team mates, the wanting to win for their team and their respect for their hero Seve Ballesteros pulled them through. We can all learn from these acts of courage in the sporting field but the one lesson I take from it is no matter what the score is you must fight on because it's "not over until the fate lady sings" to use a non-PC phrase which we all understand. The thousands of hours of physical practice in the end came down to the mental side and didn't they do well. Congratulations Team Europe - I'm sure Seve will be smiling down on you.

Mental running

Preparing for the toughest footrace on the planet makes you do things that people thing is mental. Last weekend I ran with the ultra runners but at 17 miles ran on without them as I found walking up the hills was making me too cold. Their pace was slower than I'd ever run before but at the same time they are extremely experienced and I will learn lots from them over the winter. But yesterday I decided to run the same route at Whitelees Windfarm which is an 11 mile out and back making 22 miles, but on my own. I did this for several reason; to see if I could pace myself & to practice the lonleyness and boredon that you experience in a long distance run. The weather wasn't great so that makes it even tougher to get out there. I dressed appropriately and got my music on and managed he first 11 miles in 1hr 36 mins. Half way is never half way in a long run and although I had a tail wind the pace of the first half began to tell. I was 7 minutes slower on the way back but I did walk two of the hills. My legs were tired and I had a large blister on on of my toes. My pace was a minute per mile quicker than last week and considering that was too fast I am really going to have to work at slowing down. It would be fine if I was just doing 1 marathon, but 5.5 marathons in 6 days carrying 10kg on my back while running on sand is a different "ball game"! The story of the tortoise and hare comes to mind!

2 days to go

I've stuck with the September challenge which is running 6 days a week throughout the month with a minimum run of 20 mins and a max of 1 hour. Well I've ignored the max as I needed to step up the mileage but the regular running certainly has helped. Today I went out in the dark and the rain and took out one of the swimmers for his first run. Triathlon is interesting because you can have people who are good at one discipline but struggle at another. My colleague did really well and I think he may be a runner as well as a swimmer. I am looking forward to two more runs over the weekend including a big one and then next week return to more cross training with the bike and the swim. Certainly the window for training during the week is shortening due to the light so I'll need to dig out my head lamp to run with. Oh well, summer was good when it was here!

London fitness

I headed out into the west end of London for my morning run. It's a vibrant city with many cyclists but when you go into the parks it's full of people running and groups taking part in fitness classes. It's fantastic to seeing so many people exercising and a bit unreal where the otherside of the fence is the hussle and bussle associated with London. As I ran around a small park I kept looking over the fence to see the stress in the drivers faces as they sat in their cars going nowhere quick. Quite a contrast. So now I am heading into the city and will have to put up with the "squeeze" on the tube where everyone will be "zoned out" listening to their music and avoiding eye contact or nose to armpit contact which is not nice! Although exciting I am looking forward to my early morning run tomorrow back home wrapped up for the winter conditions!

Tropical weather

It was an early start at 5am as I was flying to London. What a difference in 400 miles! The increase in temperature is incredible. I've just walked through Covant Gardens and people are sitting outside eating. Back home we'd be indoors with the heating on! But today is a rest day so I can enjoy wandering around town without wearing lycra - that comes tomorrow. I have a full day conference to attend so I'll be up very early and running round the streets and parks in London after my yoga session of course. I think it will be a lot warmer than I'm used to and I wish I'd brought running shorts rather than tights! I'll just put it down as a heat training session!

Pain free running

Since the age of 1 I haven't been able to touch my toes - stiff as a board I am but that doesn't stop me taking on daft challenges like running 152 miles across the Sahara Desert in April 2013. So when I pulled out of the Aberfeldy half Ironman (my first even DNF) due to severe cramp and a hamstring that was about to blow, I decided it was time to take action. I found a yoga teacher who took on "lost causes". 3 weeks later, having practised every day, I have pain free running for the first time in my life. It's only a 15 minute daily session with a 1 hour 1-2-1 session. The proof came when I ran 25.2 miles on Sunday and on Monday not only could I walk down stairs but went running, after my yoga warm up,and felt great afterwards. This is a revolution and as I approach 51, if anyone can get me touching my toes and running injury free then I'm sold. Check out http://www.pamelayoung.co.uk/. Namaste.