Technical problems

Sorry you haven't had any updates but that doesn't mean I haven't been out there battling with the elements. Unfortunately a "boy racer" rolled his car outside my house a few nights ago and took with him our telephone pole. Therefore no phoneline or broadband - kids aren't happy! Fortunately the "boy racer" and his passenger walked away from it but the car is a total wreck. A reminder for all young drivers out there, including my son, that we're not as good as we think we are behind the wheel some times. But I've been putting in the miles running with 4kg on my back and getting used to it. I'm just back from a 10 mile trail run which was tough and had to hose my self down before I was allowed in the house. The mud would have jammed the washing machine! Some big miles coming up at the weekend and I'll report back next time I have access to broadband. Hope you're all enjoying the break?

Boxing day run

With no one available for a run I headed out to work of yesterday's excesses. With the rucksack now weighing 4kg I headed off into the countryside. It was grey but dry. I covered 22k in a reasonable time, slower than my normal running without a rucksack but faster than my ultra pace. The rucksack isn't bothering me and it's great to have a couple of water bottles to keep me hydrated. No aches or pains so I was happy with my run. I am now actively recovering by eating as much food as possible while watching telly. Ah don't you just love Xmas holidays? Hope you're enjoy yours!

Webbed feet

It's Xmas eve and that means the last opportunity to....train of course. The last push before a day off. I had a couple of pals join me as we went trail running rather than splosh through the streets. The forrest run provided some protection however there was severe flooding at one stage and we had to go across a farmers field which doubled the size of my trainers! 15km of splish splosh and avoiding slipping on the mud was fun but one of my pals decided to up the pace in the last 3km and we ended up with a full on race. I was running with my rucksack but it didn't hold me back so I was happy with this progress. Back home and hosed down my trainers before dropping my soaking wet filthy clothing in the washing pile - I'll be popular! So to everyone who visits my blog and keeps me motivated to get out there when it's hosing it down with rain, I hope you have a Merry Xmas and enjoy a break with your family and friends. I'll be back on Boxing Day!

Mental toughness or just mental?

Last night I was well behaved so I could have my long run this morning. Up at 6.30am to have breakfast and give it an hour to digest. It was pitch black outside and didn't sound too windy but I was at the back of the house. My wife suggested I was completely off my head to go out in those conditions - but I had to. I was running with my rucksack weighing about 3.5 kg and as I turned out the drive the gale force wind and rain hit me - wow! Man up I thought, this is what makes you mentally tough. After a mile I turned west straight into the wind and rain. Now I was struggling to move but I kept going and imagined that the rain smashing into my face was sand in a sand storm in the desert. But then I found myself in an oasis or to put it another way, water over my shoes as the road was completely flooded. Time to reconsider on the grounds of health and safety - mine! The run was meant to have involved a big climb and the wind was so strong at this level and I could hardly stand up. When I turned around I almost got blown over as the wind caught my rucksack. When I got back home I had covered the slowest 5.3k ever and had to admit to my wife that perhaps she was right, I was mental! Note to self - Sometimes safety overrides the need to complete a task.

Noah's Ark required

After a day off training yesterday due to our staff party, which was excellent and well behaved, today I ran in the worst rain so far this year - wouldn't be surprised if someones building an Ark! I covered 11.25 miles at a reasonable pace but ran with a rucksack I am trying out for MDS. The rucksack was empty but I had a bottle strapped to each strap. This will allow me to run longer and get used to the rucksack at the same time. In January I will start to weight the rucksack but until then I will be working on my back strength. I'm out partying again tonight but will need to be tee-total as tomorrow I am setting off in the darkness around 6.30am pto run 8 miles with a big climb to meet my fellow ATHelite Club Members for a 7 mile fancy dress run. Once this is finished I will run the 8 miles home. The weather looks dreadful and where we are running is up high and exposed! Should be fun, bring it on. In the meantime my brother is making a good recovery, thankfully.

Maintenance

Today was about maintenance - making sure my fitness continues while avoiding injury. So a leisurely start at 6am on the turbo followed by a yoga session. Not exactly taxing but essential to make sure my body doesn't think it's getting a rest. But all that was put into perspective when I discovered my brother had been in a car accident and was in an ambulance. Everything all of a sudden goes on hold. It's funny how your focus can change in an instant. A reminder to us all that we could be gone in the blink of an eye so we should enjoy ourselves while were here. As for my brother it looks like he'll get home in a couple of days. Thank goodness for A&E and the NHS. Tomorrows another day, fortunately!

Big mileage

In the last week I have run 54.5 miles over 4 runs. My minimum run is now 10.5 miles and when I got home tonight it was hammering down with rain. It had been a long day but I had to get the run in so tomorrow morning I could start with a turbo bike session followed by yoga to flush out the lactic acid. Both will be done by 7.30am. This will mean when I get my sports massage tomorrow afternoon, I will get the full benefit. It would have been so easy not to have gone out, it was totally miserable but I seem to run in "a bubble". Music on and focus straight ahead looking for potholes with my head torch. Writing my blog also helps. I don't want to have a gap in my training and I want to be able to tell you what I've done. So thank you for reading my blog because when it's raining, snowing or freezing you motivate me to get out there!