I've put down a marker

I remember entering Ironman Lanzarotte in May 2012 in the best condition I had ever been in.  My coach Gen had worked me like a dog to make me feel so fit.  11 months later I stood on the start line of the Marathon des Sables and my fitness was different.  I wasn't attempting one long day but six and in very different conditions so I knew I was fit but in a different way.  They say it can take 6 months to recover from MdS and I suppose much depends on your base fitness and your age.  So what am I on about?
I've been "playing" at getting back to fitness and potentially holding myself back with the thought that it takes 6 months.  I'm not sure if I have a problem mentally, physically of if I'm just being lazy.  Sure I've put numerous 50 mile bike rides and a couple of 84 mile rides in the last few months but nothing regular - yes I know you must be reasonably fit for that.  My running has been limited as I learn to chi run and had some injury problems as a result of not using my orthotics.  As for swimming, forget it.  I've had one video (nasty) analysis and one visit to the pool in 15 months.
So this week I decided to get real.  On Tuesday I attended the first swimming training session of the winter.  I swallowed my lunch twice and left the pool before I decorated it.  I had completed 2,000m of interval sessions and was totally gubbed.  I hated it but also am looking forward to being swim fit and loving it again.
On Saturday I wanted to give up 1/3rd of the way into a 50 mile cycle.  The boys persuaded me to go on so I did - thanks boys.  I was dropped on every hill which is sole destroying when I remember where I was before IM.  But I did it.
Today I followed my cycle with an 11 mile run in the wind and rain.  I managed it at a reasonable pace and there was no sign of the recurring foot/ankle injury.
So I'm back.  Less tears and moaning about how fit I used to be.  I've put down a marker in my three disciplines and I now intend to improve on them in every session I do.  I'm looking forward to reflecting on this post come April 2014 as a turning point.  Oh and I forgot to mention, I have a new goal to add to my half ironman and my 10k river swim next year.  In April, assuming I get in, I will be running the Highland Fling - a 53 mile Ultramarathon from Milngavie (Glasgow) to Tyndrum along the West Highland Way.  That should keep my training focused!

Inspiration from others

On Friday I gave my first talk about my adventure of a lifetime in the Marathon des Sables to the Institute of Directors in Glasgow.  I had spent many hours preparing for the event and replaying the journey brought back some wonderful memories.  Chatting to the audience afterwards I was delighted to find so many of them had taken on challenges from 10k to ultra marathons and had come away with something from the talk whether it was about their personal or business challenges.  One of them had even completed the MdS two years earlier finishing 70th!  What makes that all the more amazing is he was the first person to complete the race with a pace-make fitted - incredible and inspirational.
On the "fatness front" (muffin top) I've lost a 1/4 of a stone and feeling better for it.  I went out for an hours hilly run on Saturday and there was no foot trauma so it looks like I'm on the mend and will be able to run more miles, more frequently and the body can get back to normal.
As summer starts to disappear my thoughts are turning to my autumn/winter training programme.  Swimming training starts tomorrow night and while the first few weeks will be hell I know this is what I need especially as I am aiming to complete a 10k swim down the river Dart in a years time.  My yoga will help with the shoulder flexibility which will be required if I am to succeed in that challenge.  I still have to pick my half Ironman for next year but that will be done withing the next month.  These stepping stones (goals) are important to my frame of mind which impacts on the quality of my training.  Onwards and upwards after all, you're a long time dead!

Round Strathaven 50

It's been a busy week hense my late report.  Following the poditrists advice I switched back to my orthotics in my neutral running shoes and have to report it feels a lot better.  However the "hangover" from not having worn them continued.  Every morning when I got up my right ankle started complaining but this was just muscular and I thought in time it would get sorted.  My feet weren't too please either.
So on Saturday I went back to my favourite trail run with some pals and doubled the distance from the previous week.  It was great to have company and the 10 miles past quickly - no issues with my feet and just a slight ankle grumble.  Now I can step up the mileage which has been frustrating me for the last few months.
On Sunday it was the socialble "Round Strathaven 50".  400 cyclists took off and we had at least 10 from ATHelite Triathlon Club wearing our team colours looking fit.  It's not a race and just as well as the wind was so gusty and strong, they shut the windmills at the windfarm down!  What is that all about?  Isn't that an ideal time to generate electricity?  It certainly made for a tough ride but made more enjoyable with the cake stop at Sandford and Chapleton which is much better than energy jells!  Thanks to all the organisers, volunteers and the runners (yes runners, all 50 miles) who responded to our encouragement and wished us well! Eh, we've got the easy bit on the bike!
I've been keeping my daily yoga practise up but yesterday I went to a Bikram yoga class.  104 degrees heat and a 1.5 hour workout that made you sweat like a Glaswegian watching Crime Watch.  I was so wet I even rung out my shorts afterwards.  There were a lot of leg postures which had my feet and ankles screaming but guess what?  I woke up this morning, jumped out of bed to find no pain in my feet or ankles.  Unbelievable.  So I'll be back for more although don't think it will become my main yoga, and will continue to update you on making a 51 year old body try and behave as though it was 25 years younger!

Measuring progress

Over the last 5 years of my journey in becoming an "endurance athlete" the one thing that has remained constant is that I have kept records of all my training.  Various Garmin watches have come and gone (4 to be precise) but almost every session has been recorded.  This way I can tell if I'm on target with my fitness.  This is particularly important when getting back to fitness after a 4 month layoff.
So yesterday I went out for 50 miles on the bike but forgot my heart rate monitor. It would have made interesting reading as I struggled to keep up with the group and was eventually dropped with 5 miles to go. Nobody likes being dropped but it makes me more determined to get back into shape. So I'll fit in some turbo sessions before next weekend 50 mile race which I don't want to be dropped from!
This morning I went out for my first run in three weeks. Wearing my neutral trail shoes with my orthotics felt fantastic. No foot trauma.  I ignored my Garmin the whole way round Chatelherault and on finishing I found it was my fastest time ever - it was only 5 miles! It also felt like it as my heart rate was unhealthily high which confirmed my lack of fitness.  But now I have a benchmark so I'll be able to monitor my progress.  The final piece of good news is I've lost 1/4 of a stone from the holiday - much more to go as I don't see the point in dragging this all over the place. A bit like running with a weighted rucksack! :-)

Listen to your body

When I started this endurance "malarkey" I was given a great piece of advice - listen to your body.  It has saved me from many long-term injuries and came in handy again last week.  As you know I have been learning to Chi run.  I just loved the effortless look to it as I watched people float up hills.   At the same time I switched to neutral shoes and also stopped using my orthotics.  At first there were no problems as I was running 2 - 4 km as I was trying to improve my Chi technique.  But as I stepped up the K's my ankles and feet were starting to complain.  Most people said it takes a year for you body to come to terms with these changes so I persevered.
A week ago I ran to 10ks within 4 days and my body started shouting at me.  So I immediately stopped running and went to see my podiatrist - he's very busy with people switching running style or shoes without realising the problems it can cause.  Apparently my visit was just in time before any serious damage was done.  All the symptoms were due to my changes.  I have enjoyed running with neutral shoes, so in future I will do with the support of my orthotics and some strength building exercises for the muscles around my ankles.  But again I will need to take it easy with the running as my feet get used to the support.  So no long miles on the trails for me for a wee while which means I will concentrate on my cycling and swimming.
43 miles on the bike on Saturday in blustery conditions with the ATHelite crew was a good workout.  It also let me know just how out of shape I am so I intend to get some extra turbo sessions in so that I can survive the longer weekend rides.  And finally I took up the August 31 day yoga challenge which means practising yoga every day.  So far so good and I am really enjoying the feeling after finishing the early morning sessions before breakfast.  My body whispers to me that it is feeling the benefit and that I should keep it up!  Let's see what this week brings.

New challenge - here we go again!

Since I have returned from the Sahara Desert people have been asking "what's next?"  I've had lots of suggestions and there has been a fair amount of communication from "the Tartan Army" as we enjoyed our adventure on "the toughest foot race on earth!"  After much contemplation I've decided the next big challenge is The Ocean Floor Race in October 2015.  Check out the video and you'll understand my reasons for wanting to go.  The quotation from Mark Twaine says it all http://www.oceanfloorrace.com/ .  It seems a long way away however I had 2 years to prepare for MdS and it flew by.
So how different will this adventure be?  The biggest difference will be that it is less structured - it's a non-stop 160 mile race over 4 days.  You choose where and when to stop but let's budget on 40 miles a day for 4 days in a row.  That's at least 14 miles more than most days on the MdS, with the exception of the long day.  So 4 Ultra-marathons in a row across a desert.  I think that's a worthy challenge, don't you?  As I will be in control of when I run I intend to start running at first light which will probably be around 5.30am.  This will allow me to miss out the heat of the day, assuming I can find some shelter.  The number of participants will be much less.  As far as I can tell, last year was the inaugural event with less than 20 people so I will obviously be spending time on my own which brings a navigation challenge.
Now I need to get back in shape so I will pick up my triathlon training and my yoga.  I need to have smaller, but still important, challenges to focus on.  In September 2014 I have agreed to enter the River Dart 10k swim http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/index.php?p=events&s&id=92.  Yes you read that right, me swimming 10k!  Unbelievable but another worthwhile challenge (as I swim like a brick!).  I will also be taking part in a series of triathlons including a 70.3 Ironman - I can use this as the build up for the 10k swim.
Now I have made these decisions I feel better.  It has brought a focus back that has been missing since MdS.  In fairness that was always going to be the case and allowing my body to recover is an important part of taking part in endurance events.  So a new chapter begins.  I hope you will follow me in my journey and kick my ass if you see me slacking!  Go on.  Read that Mark Twaine quotation and dream a little yourself.  You never know what might happen.

A new challenge!

It's not what you think or are likely to guess.  After a fantastic 2 week holiday, where I ran every day and practiced my yoga, I came back having put on weight! This is not something that happens to me, ever, but I've put on half a stone - and I don't like it!
It was also the first time I've been on a cruise and it was probably one of the best holidays we've ever had.  Top class service and outstanding food - just way too much of it and also the booze! Now I'm sharing this information so you will realise that "I'm not an athlete" in the sense of watching what I eat and training all the time.  However I saw what lies ahead for me if I don't keep training as people in their 50's, 60's and 70's walked by with mega guts hanging over their shorts and the strain that must put on their heart is incredible.  It doesn't help when they cruise twice a year and eat and drink everything that's on offer.
So this being my first day back I squeezed into my lycra and went out for 3 hours on the bike with my fellow club mates.  I hung on and noticed my increased bulk made me go down hill faster but the opposite was true on the climbs!  This heat wave is incredible and it's like cycling abroad if it wasn't for the pot holes. But that's me back and regular training will now commence.
As for cruising, we all want to do it again as its a great family holiday.  Having arrived as a passenger I was at risk of being taken off as cargo so next time I'll behave better!