We'll meet again, don't know where don't know when...

About a month ago I came across a new phrase; race to train not train to race.  If this lockdown has demonstrated anything to me it's how true that phrase is.  Yesterday I started the Ultra Race Romania Lockdown - a 6 stage 70 km race.  I entered it two weeks ago and my coach changed my training schedule so I could be ready for it.  I've been so focused on this virtual race that my stats have gradually improved before I "toed the virtual start line" on Saturday.  Stage 1 was a 10k and I was under instructions to race it, no pacing myself.  Delighted with the 47min 28 seconds especially in the heat.  Today was a 12km run but the conditions couldn't have been more different, cold with a very strong wind.  Again I was to race it - 59min 10 secs, bang on target and I had to work hard in those conditions to achieve this time.  Would I have pushed myself so hard in training or in the race itself if it wasn't a race?  Definitely not.  Having a race, even a virtual one, creates focus and motivation so thank you to Andrei Gligor and his team for putting on this event.  Not only is it bringing people together from around the world, it's raising money and awareness for the charity Autism Voice.
For many this will be the first time they have competed 6 days in a row, imitating a staged race such as the one due to take place in Romania between 10-18th August over 250km.  The athletes will experience racing on tired limbs, running on blisters day after day and trying to pace themselves over six days just like the real event.  However they will be spared carrying their own gear, sleeping in tents, not being able to shower before and after the days run, eating boil in the bag food and running in dirty smelly gear.  Tough as that may sound, the friendships made in these races last a lifetime and I have made so many from all over the world with a number of them in this virtual race.
I'm loving checking out how they have done.  It can be difficult to compare times as much will depend on the terrain and climate.  It's difficult to compare against someone running in say Canada in the snow and mountainous terrain but just knowing you are taking part together in the same event gives me the feeling we're all one big "ultra family".  I look forward to reporting on the rest of the race next Sunday.
While we are social distancing, running with my usual training buddies has been a non starter.  But at least with the virtual races we feel part of something and can catch up over a coffee / beer on zoom to have a chat about how we're getting on.  I long for the days of a Saturday run at Chatelherault or up a Scottish mountain where it's so peaceful.
The title of this blog is my way of saying thank you to those that gave so much as we celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE Day this week.  Let's not forget what they sacrificed as we work our way through the greatest danger to humanity since the war.  Stay safe out there as this is just a period in time.  As Vera Lynn sang  "we'll meet again, don't know where don't know when...

Rookie error

Last weekend's 10 k which I commented on in last weeks blog turned out to be a real success.  Out of 2,100 athletes I came 49th and 4th in the UK (out of about 38 runner).  It wasn't a real race in that we were all running different courses, in different countries & different temperatures so comparing times isn't really relevant.  What's important was the focus it gave all the athletes and the fact we felt part of something special.
The organisers of the 10 k came up with a brilliant idea.  Let's do a 6 day virtual staged race.  70 km over 6 days to replicate a staged race such as the one scheduled for August this year in Romania, except it's 250 km.  I spoke with my coach and she put a training plan together to get me ready for Saturday 9th May.
I'm going through a pair of shoes every month and it's a costly affair.  Shoes are so personal, what's right for one runner may be no good for another one.  So with some help from my coach we chose a different brand hoping that they would last longer.  Unfortunately they didn't have my size but I went for a half size smaller as I felt the size I was running in was marginally big.  The shoes arrived the next day and I had 18 k to do so off I went.  The shoes had a 10 mm drop at the heel instead of the 8mm drop I was used to.  They felt great.  More supportive and as I suffer from time to time of plantar fasciitis, my arch felt great.  13 km into the run and I could feel a heat spot on my right big toe.  The remaining 5 km we uncomfortable as I knew what was happening to my big toe. 
Turned out I have a 1 inch blister on the inside of my right big toe and a half inch blister on the outside of my left toe.  Conclusion; squashed toes due to smaller toe box.
Now if we hadn't been in lock down, I would have gone to a specialist sports shop and got my feet measured for the new shoes.  But I went for the half size smaller and paid the price - rookie error.  Changing shoes is such a major decision that it's not to be taken lightly.
Today I had a 14 km run to follow the 18 km run so I went back to my "old faithfuls" and taped my toes up.  They didn't feel as comfy but at least my toes had more space.  The plantar fasciitis didn't feel so great but that's another problem with lock down, I can't visit my sports therapist.
Equipment is so critical to what we do.  Changing socks or shorts can make or break a race with chaffing or blisters and I need to make sure I don't make another rookie error.  Come Saturday I'll have six tough days of training but as it's a race, I'll have a smile on my face.
Another week of lock down is over and these virtual races are keeping me motivated.  If you haven't signed up for one then please do.  It creates a focus that really elevates your training.  Enjoy.

Long hair and heavy metal music

Captain's log 26 April 2020, week 5 of lock down.  It's like an episode of Star Trek - out of this world!  Fortunately we are healthy and busy with work.  My family and friends are all well and in the end that's really what matters after all.

My hair however is a disaster!  It's so long at the front that it's past my chin.  So when cooking a leg of lamb tonight I was dancing round the kitchen to heavy metal music "head banging" with the hair playing its part.  My kids thoughts I was off my head, after all I'm a soul man.  But there was times in the 70's when heavy metal was my thing. Lock down is having that type of effect on me so I'm hoping it's going to relax in due course.

It's been a good week of consistent training with some more virtual racing.  Again it's amazing the effect having a race in the diary makes.  Total focus meant I complete my Olympic Triathlon with 2 great runs and a less than average bike.  I'm delighted with the runs, they push me to the limit and I'm enjoying it but next week there will be some longer runs so back to a slower pace.  It's a different type of pain.  My 10 km run doubled up with a race organised by my pal in Romania.  His run meant there were over 2,000 athletes around the world running the race at the same time and I knew some of them so it made it special.

As for the bike, I decided to take a scenic route which involved a lot of climbing.  I was more interested in enjoying it rather than  pushing myself on a boring route.  It's a training session and my long term objectives are more important than a short term goal.  I'm just getting back to cycling so I shouldn't be too disappointed.
Whatever it takes, lets get through this pandemic and look forward to what they are calling a "new normal" in time.  Stay safe and healthy.

  

Virtual racing

So this is what it's come to.  Virtual racing.  Not something I'd ever heard of before but it's a gift from this current pandemic.  We're all locked up, limited to 1 hours exercise a day, assuming you're sticking to the rules and all races are cancelled.  And then, into my inbox comes an invitation to compete, yes compete, in a sprint triathlon - a virtual one.  WHF!
I notice that my fellow club members are all signing up so I think, what the hell, why not?  I may be a slow ultra runner but why not take on some short distance sprints and a bike race - I've only been on my bike 3 times in the last two years, and they were all in the last two weeks!
This weeks blog is about motivation.  For if I didn't have this "virtual race" in my diary, I can assure you I wouldn't have burst my arse getting ready for it with less than a weeks notice.  But that's the thing about races, even virtual ones, they are a target and once set you have to turn up ....and be ready.
On Friday I started with a 5km run.  Speed isn't something I've been training for, more endurance i.e. keeping going for 85 hours like my last Ultra.  I was really pleased with my time of 22:31 until I was informed that I'd ran it before the competition started so it was null and void. F@@k.
On Saturday I headed out for my 1.5km run and gave it everything; 5min 56sec pace 3:57 pace - delighted.  I followed that by my 20km bike - it was outdoor and a 20 mph wind so was reasonably ok at 28.5 km per hour.
The decision I had to make was did I give the 5km run another bash on Sunday having given it my best on Friday?  Bugger it.  So glad I did.  After all I had a target.  I couldn't have let it go and not completed the race.  So I went out and pushed myself to the limit.  It was tough.  Very tough but I had to convince my legs that they could go faster and my lungs they could breath better while telling my brain to MTFU.  I smashed it in 21:45.  Fastest 5km I've ever done, and all thanks to a virtual race.
The virtual race motivated me to push beyond the barriers I had set myself because I'm an ultra runner.  But I'm more than that.  I'm a 58 year old guy pushing the boundaries, pushing the limits.  I love every minute of realising I am capable of so much more.  And setting a target always raises my game.  What motivates you?  What gets you to push the bar higher?  Once you know what that is, repeat it.  Enjoy.

Where's Bruce Willis when you need him?

I'm starting to get used to lockdown, in a strange sort of way.  Falling out of bed, grabbing some breakfast and then wandering into my makeshift office feels....very time efficient.  This only occurred to me when we had to visit the office to send an important message to our clients who don't use email.  The office felt very strange with nobody in and a number of screens missing from desks which have been taken home by staff - working off a laptop screen when you are used to two large screens is a pain.  The journey took 25 mins each way and of course used fuel.  I filled my tank up 3 weeks ago and have hardly used any fuel so at least that's a saving and look at the impact of us all not driving is having on the environment!
Restricting my outdoor training to an hour is definitely having a negative impact on my fitness but it's just for a period of time.  This has shown up in my increased heart rate when doing my "heart rate recovery run" or granny shuffle as I call it.  Running slow and trying to keep my hear rate in the 130s has been impossible - it's been in the 150s!  Some of this is down to the hilly terrain around my home.  Some due to the reduced training but I feel a lot of it is down to the stress I've been under, like many people, in running a business in these difficult times - and we're in a good place! 
However, as I was getting frustrated at running at a granny pace with a high heart rate two days in a row, on the third day of doing the same my heart rate dropped from an average 151 to 121bpm - that's more like it.  My last two runs have been at a quicker pace and my heart rate has been within the acceptable range.
I really do hope that this bank holiday weekend doesn't see the numpties out sunbathing in the parks and having parties as this will ruin it for everyone who is enjoying taking daily exercise.  Bring in Bruce Willis and let him clear the mess up, he's got a 100% success rate over the years.  Seriously though, my house is on a popular walking route and it's so good to see so many people out walking, whether they have a dog or not.  Hopefully this challenging time will encourage others to reflect on what's important and when we come out the other side, they won't go back to their unhealthy lifestyle but instead remember what they enjoyed doing differently during lockdown and make a positive change in their lives.
I'm really looking forward to a club zoon quizz tonight, what a great idea and something we haven't done before, and I also signed up for a worldwide virtual 10km on 25th April.  Even signing up for the virtual race motivated me when I went out for my run today.  I hope you are all staying safe and sticking to the guidelines.  My nephew and his family came by yesterday and we had a chat while keeping a good distance apart outside in the sun.  They were there with their one year old baby and it was so nice to have a conversation with someone that wasn't online.  This won't last forever but we need to be mentally prepared that it's probably going to last longer than we initially thought.  Stay strong and we'll look back on this when we're in the pub or out for a meal and appreciate the simple things in life more.  Mother nature and the environment certainly seem to be enjoying the rest!

Living in lockdown

It's coming up for two weeks now since Boris told us to lockdown and it seems I'm in a different world, but one of the lucky ones.  There are four of us at home with one away.  Three of us are working from home and we're lucky to have the space, although our broadband is under strain and it drops at the worst possible times but I'm sure we are all facing that challenge.  I was never one for going to the pub but as soon as you can't do something, oh how I'd like to walk in and order a pint!
Social media has been a distraction and with some good humour which has made me chuckle.  I can see some people depending on it and other apps like Zoom which until two weeks ago I hadn't heard of.  Yesterday I had my first post run coffee meet up through zoom (I actually ran after it) and it was great fun catching up with my pals that I'd normally be running with on a Saturday morning.  Who'd have thought a month ago we'd be doing this and who knows what I'll be writing about in 10 days - two weeks when we reach the peak of the virus?  Rumours are they might ban daily exercise due to idiots not listening to the government guidance on social distancing - as always it's the selfish idiots that spoil it for everyone else and if they do fall ill it will be the NHS who will put their lives on the line to save them. Rant over.
It's been a steady training week and the highlight was going out on my bike - yes I took the stabelisers off!  It must be 2 years since I've been out on my bike and the roads were almost empty.  What a joy but I was quickly reminded you only need a couple of cars on the road to have near misses!  I'd forgotten the feeling of climbing a big hill and running out of gears and having to grit my teeth and get on with it.  It gave my feet a rest and did them the world of good.
Some good steady running to and I'm getting used to the walkers scattering with a look of fear on their face as they think I've got the plague.  Honestly I normally sound like that when I run, I'm not ill.
The lack of cars is strange.  Still queuing for 20 minutes to get into Sainsburys is now normal although I try and go to the small shops such as the butcher, baker and fishmonger.  A much more pleasant experience.  As our kids are away from home it's really nice to have 2 of them home and sharing making dinner, eating it together and clearing up has been an unexpected bonus - especially with the dishwasher out of commission!
We can't sell our house at the moment and the new house we're building is "moth balled" until the lockdown is over so we can only imagine how long it will be before we are living there.  By that time hopefully we will be over the worst of Covid-19 and life will probably be different following the experience we've being through, but that might be a good thing.
Please stay safe, this is only for a limited period of time.  Make the most of this time especially if you've been furloughed.  Take up guitar or learn a language.  It's unlikely you'll get this chance again.  There are plenty of online yoga classes or exercise classed to help work of the excess wine you've been drinking.  I think getting my bottle bin to the top of the drive might be classed as a weights session - think my neighbour must be using it as well!!!  Till next week for some more ramblings, and by then I may really be rambling, take care.

It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world

How things can change in a few weeks.  The writing was on the wall when it started in China in December but there must be something in way the human brain works that refuses to believe the inevitable.  Maybe it’s our lack of trust of politicians who we believe always have an agenda in the background and, who in their right mind would have their job anyway?

I’m not about to get political in my blog, there’s enough column inches dedicated to speculating rubbish, I’m merely setting the scheme for the “apocalyptic movie” we seem to be a cast member in.  Whoever thought loo rolls, rice, tinned tomatoes and pasta were going to become commodities?  It's mad out there.  If you want wine it will be from the top shelf and only the exclusive stuff you’d have at Xmas because everything else is sold out.  Sugar is sold out because people are turning to making their own wine – because the pubs and restaurants are closed.  Or maybe it’s to get them through lock down and the restrictions with the family at home!  Life has changed and there’s much more to come in the way of deaths so prepare for the shock and fear which the press will stir up despite the fact we know what’s coming.  Do whatever you can to stay safe.

On Monday the 2^nd of my races was cancelled, the 1st race was cancelled the week before, and on Tuesday we went into the office and finalised the lock down preparations so we could all work from home.  It’s fare to say I felt down and as I’d been working all hours to get to this stage, I skipped two training sessions.  That on its own is not important but going into lock down demotivated and not wanting to exercise could become a real issue and I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels that way.  After all why bother putting yourself through all this effort/sweat and pain with no goal in sight.  So, I had a good look in the mirror and remembered “Rule 5” (Man the f@@k up!) and gave myself a good slap.

I’m not a “key worker” saving lives or delivering food to the elderly, I’d love too but I still have a business to run and want to come out of this having looked after my staff and clients.  The clients are depending on us as we manage their finances and you may have noticed that world stock markets are significantly lower than where the were 6 months ago.  We’re working flat out to a lot of tight deadlines with the end of the tax year approaching and the internet, which we’re depending on, is like “treacle”.   Before you think I’m looking for sympathy I’m not.  We’re in a fortunate position to have a business that will get through this crisis because of good long-term financial management and by looking after staff and client.  However, with all this pressure and being locked down at home with most of the family, how do you remain healthy and sane?

My August race is still on so I have that focus although have my doubts the world will allow travel by then.  
My motivation is three fold:

1-      I don’t want to lose the fitness I have build over the last 6 hard months

2-      My training sessions, gym or run, become even more precious than before – a break from news about Coronavirus which is 24/7 at the moment or my home office

3-      I’m looking to 2021 and what an amazing year it will be approaching it with this fitness

If you’re feeling demotivated because your races are cancelled well at least you’re not injured and can’t exercise or have Covid-19 and are in isolation.  Make use of this time to build your strength, flexibility or speed.  If you can’t then learn a foreign language or learn to play a musical instrument.  You won’t get this time back so make the most of it.

All my recent training has been solo but today I had the pleasure of company for 4 km.  As I was leaving the house ultra running legend Rosie Bell came running past my house so keeping to 2m behind her I joined her.  We had a great chat and it made me realise how much I missed other people’s company on runs.  After 4 km I had to let her go because I couldn’t keep up if I was going to finish my 2^nd day of 20 km.  And being the legend she is, she sent me a message afterwards to say thanks for pushing her on, it helped motivate her!  She must have thought I had Covid-19 and wanted to stay well ahead!  I’m missing my running pals but know this is a short period in time.  Running has taken on a different purpose – a physical and mental break from lock down.  

In 1963 the film It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world came out which was about groups of people searching for stolen cash – greed drove their behavior.  A bit like people hoarding tins of food and others doing without as a result.  If anything good comes out of this pandemic, I hope it will be a better world as our values will have changed or at least we will value people more.  Stay safe, keep healthy and get your daily exercise!