It’s been a week of ups and downs. The highlight was Mondays 33 km run before work. I was meant to have company but ended up on my own. Running with the backing track of the dawn chorus is such a privilege and the rain held off which was a bonus. All the stats looked great and show that I am in great condition for Tahoe which is now in touching distance - 18 days time.
Being in the “final straight” feels a bit strange. Every waking moment is referenced to the race and the worst is when trying to get to sleep or when you wake up in the middle of the night with your head full of Tahoe thoughts.
My back played up during the week and that resulted in me cancelling Saturday which was a 6 hour run with pals in Glencoe. It was a difficult decision to take as I might have been able to complete it however the downside would have been making it worse and affecting my race preparation. Of course the weather was perfect and my pals had a brilliant time although it took them over 7 hours and it looked a brutal course - I live to fight another day. I used the time to go over, again, the logistics for the race and double check I have all the gear/equipment required - time well spent.
I was also advised to skip the big run today but to go a short and gentle run just to see how my niggle was. Again a blisteringly sunny day which I would have enjoyed a long run on but I made do with a 37 minute run. No issues which is great so the rest has been good for me.
With my coaches direction we will adapt the training to make sure I get to the start line in the best possible condition taking account of any niggles. If I have to rest or run shorter than normal distances then so be it. I have to keep my eye on the prize. It’s been an amazing journey over the last two years to get here and I’ve loved watching the transformation of my body, my fitness and the expansion of my mind. I know I am capable of whatever I turn my mind to and if that raises money for Maggie’s then that’s a win win www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Derek-stewart8. The race will be the “cherry on the top” and I can’t wait to be standing at the start line.
Sunday 25 August 2019
Sunday 18 August 2019
Where did our summer go?
The week started with three planned days off training. It was delicious. I loved every moment of it and ate like a king while I rested my body. The sad thing is the weather was good but as soon as I was due back to train, it turned! The rest was in preparation for a tough weekend.
My trusted guide Michael Martin and I headed out early on Saturday to tackle 9 Munro’s in the Glenshee area. We’d chosen to head further east as the weather forecast was shocking! The first two hours were fab. Windy but dry and the first climb was steep - ideal. It was shaping up for a special day when after 2 hours the rain started. It came tipping down and unfortunately it led to a map reading error - difficult reading a map off your phone when it’s pissing down. This led to us spending the next hour and 45 minutes tramping round a bog and ultimately meant we only managed 6 Munro’s. Bog walking is like a non stop leg session in the gym! At one stage it was so cold I had to put my poles away as I couldn’t feel my hands. But Michael got us back on track and back to the car. A tough 5 hours 30 minutes.
Today I was out on my own. The weather was meant to be better but it was atrocious. I felt for my team mates who were taking part in the Aberfeldy 70.3 triathlon and whilst I was getting soaked they were swimming in Loch Tay and cycling 90k before the run - I thought about them and felt I had the better, shorter suffering!
I was given a low level route by another great guide, Graham Kelly. Once I’d found the beginning, easier said that done when the visitors centre actually doesn’t have a sign saying that, I headed off through forest trails. There was some good ascending and I got to test my full waterproof gear as it never stopped raining. I ventured off the main trail but was then back to walking in a bog. The tops of the hills were in cloud base so they were out especially as I was on my own. Being forest trails I was able to get a decent run downhill and my legs felt great despite yesterday. I stopped at 2.5 hours which was under half what I was scheduled for but the conditions were shocking. Every path was a river.
Tomorrow I have a 5.30am start tomorrow and am running 33km. I’ll be meeting my coach around 15km so it will be a great run, no matter what the weather is doing.
On Friday I got a check up from my amazing chiropractor Gill and I’m glad to report after she’d adjusted my spine, neck and shoulder she was happy. She’s given me an exercise to help stretch out my lats which I’ll build in with my other exercises.
This adventure started 2 years ago after Grand 2 Grand finished and I can’t believe we’re almost here. I head off on the 9th with my crew, Fiona, and before I know it I’ll be toeing the start line wondering what lies ahead. Despite training in sub optimal conditions, I don’t think my coach could have delivered me in better condition. There’s still a few weeks of training left and she’s still cracking the whip as she wants me even fitter than I already am. You can’t set a high bar and then slack off as the start draws near. She, like me, is expecting 100% before, during and even after when the active recovery starts. Nothing is being left to chance.
My trusted guide Michael Martin and I headed out early on Saturday to tackle 9 Munro’s in the Glenshee area. We’d chosen to head further east as the weather forecast was shocking! The first two hours were fab. Windy but dry and the first climb was steep - ideal. It was shaping up for a special day when after 2 hours the rain started. It came tipping down and unfortunately it led to a map reading error - difficult reading a map off your phone when it’s pissing down. This led to us spending the next hour and 45 minutes tramping round a bog and ultimately meant we only managed 6 Munro’s. Bog walking is like a non stop leg session in the gym! At one stage it was so cold I had to put my poles away as I couldn’t feel my hands. But Michael got us back on track and back to the car. A tough 5 hours 30 minutes.
Today I was out on my own. The weather was meant to be better but it was atrocious. I felt for my team mates who were taking part in the Aberfeldy 70.3 triathlon and whilst I was getting soaked they were swimming in Loch Tay and cycling 90k before the run - I thought about them and felt I had the better, shorter suffering!
I was given a low level route by another great guide, Graham Kelly. Once I’d found the beginning, easier said that done when the visitors centre actually doesn’t have a sign saying that, I headed off through forest trails. There was some good ascending and I got to test my full waterproof gear as it never stopped raining. I ventured off the main trail but was then back to walking in a bog. The tops of the hills were in cloud base so they were out especially as I was on my own. Being forest trails I was able to get a decent run downhill and my legs felt great despite yesterday. I stopped at 2.5 hours which was under half what I was scheduled for but the conditions were shocking. Every path was a river.
Tomorrow I have a 5.30am start tomorrow and am running 33km. I’ll be meeting my coach around 15km so it will be a great run, no matter what the weather is doing.
On Friday I got a check up from my amazing chiropractor Gill and I’m glad to report after she’d adjusted my spine, neck and shoulder she was happy. She’s given me an exercise to help stretch out my lats which I’ll build in with my other exercises.
This adventure started 2 years ago after Grand 2 Grand finished and I can’t believe we’re almost here. I head off on the 9th with my crew, Fiona, and before I know it I’ll be toeing the start line wondering what lies ahead. Despite training in sub optimal conditions, I don’t think my coach could have delivered me in better condition. There’s still a few weeks of training left and she’s still cracking the whip as she wants me even fitter than I already am. You can’t set a high bar and then slack off as the start draws near. She, like me, is expecting 100% before, during and even after when the active recovery starts. Nothing is being left to chance.
Sunday 11 August 2019
Sensible head
With 32 days till I’ll be standing on the start line in Lake Tahoe, my focus is sharpening. Training has been going well and in July I ran 380km which included 14,000 metres of ascending. But now the clock is really counting down and every training session critical. Hard to image that I’ll be running 328 km with 13,000 metres of climbing in 4 days! Elephant eating will be required - small pieces!
This week has involve long runs, a sport therapy treatment and a 1.5 hour leg massage. My quads were like concrete so they took a pounding and it wasn’t enjoyable. But I need to keep my body in good working order.
My Monday morning run to the office was made more pleasurable as my coach joined me after I’d completed 15km, only 18 to go. But I left 5 mins late (toilet issues) so had to run faster than planned. I got there early. I’ve said this all along but having someone to run with makes it easier so it’s no surprise that my pace for 33km was faster than the day before despite the fatigue and the elevation in this run versus a flat run the day before - result.
Yesterday was a 3hour 20 min run but it came on the back of a night out. I suffered. Self inflicted but I completed the run. Can’t afford to do that again before Tahoe!
Today was meant to be a 6 hour hill run. The weather forecast was vile so I headed up north to where it was meant to be better. I was on my own on a hill I hadn’t climbed before, Ben More, and the climb was described as relentless- it’s an accurate description. I couldn’t see the summit from the bottom due to clouds. The terrain was boggy, wet, slippery and rocky. I made it 3/4 of the way up before my sensible head took over. The wind was picking up, I was just below cloud base and rain would be arriving at some stage so I decided to call it a day. The way down was treacherous but I managed to stay upright. Don’t know how I’d have managed had it been raining as it was tricky getting down. I’ve got a niggle on my ankle which has a little bit of swelling but with the next threee days off hopefully it will settle down. Next weekend is 2 X 6 hours so I’ll need all the rest I can get. Tick tick. As you know I’m raising money for Maggie,s Cancer Caring Centres in memory of my good friend Carol O’Docherty. If you can help the link is www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Derek-stewart8 - thanks.
This week has involve long runs, a sport therapy treatment and a 1.5 hour leg massage. My quads were like concrete so they took a pounding and it wasn’t enjoyable. But I need to keep my body in good working order.
My Monday morning run to the office was made more pleasurable as my coach joined me after I’d completed 15km, only 18 to go. But I left 5 mins late (toilet issues) so had to run faster than planned. I got there early. I’ve said this all along but having someone to run with makes it easier so it’s no surprise that my pace for 33km was faster than the day before despite the fatigue and the elevation in this run versus a flat run the day before - result.
Yesterday was a 3hour 20 min run but it came on the back of a night out. I suffered. Self inflicted but I completed the run. Can’t afford to do that again before Tahoe!
Today was meant to be a 6 hour hill run. The weather forecast was vile so I headed up north to where it was meant to be better. I was on my own on a hill I hadn’t climbed before, Ben More, and the climb was described as relentless- it’s an accurate description. I couldn’t see the summit from the bottom due to clouds. The terrain was boggy, wet, slippery and rocky. I made it 3/4 of the way up before my sensible head took over. The wind was picking up, I was just below cloud base and rain would be arriving at some stage so I decided to call it a day. The way down was treacherous but I managed to stay upright. Don’t know how I’d have managed had it been raining as it was tricky getting down. I’ve got a niggle on my ankle which has a little bit of swelling but with the next threee days off hopefully it will settle down. Next weekend is 2 X 6 hours so I’ll need all the rest I can get. Tick tick. As you know I’m raising money for Maggie,s Cancer Caring Centres in memory of my good friend Carol O’Docherty. If you can help the link is www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Derek-stewart8 - thanks.
Sunday 4 August 2019
It’s where you set the bar,
As my training hours and intensity builds, my body and mind are “going through the ringer” as they say. It’s like tenderising a piece of meat , you just keep hammering it. I’ve never set the bar as high before and the great thing is having a bunch of likeminded people supporting me through this journey. Nobody in that group is questioning the height of the bar, or the reason it’s set so high. They are all just playing their part in supporting me which is helping me work outside my comfort zone.
On Monday I set off at 5.30am and ran 33km to the office - remember that was on the back of a lot of KMs in the previous 3 days. Tuesday was gym and swim, Wed was a day off, Thursday a 1 hour run with hill reps. Friday was a gym, swim and 3 hour run. Yesterday I spent 5 hrs 15 mins in the mountains expertly guided by my friend Alan Stirling. There was over 4,500 ft of ascending and the conditions underfoot made it almost impossible to run. Today I ran for 2 hours 40 mins and was grateful for Beth’s support for the last hour and 20 minutes. My body was tired and yesterday’s blisters didn’t help but the session was done.
Tomorrow is a 5.30 am start with a run to the office - 3 hours. Now you know what I mean about tenderising meat! But surprisingly my legs feel ok. They might not tomorrow night!
Everyone sets a bar. The worst thing you can do is set it too low and accomplish it. But if you have a support network of likeminded people around you then you really can set that bar high. Go on, edge your bar up a few notches. We are all capable of so much more and it’s great fun pushing the boundaries. How else will we find out what we are capable of?
On Monday I set off at 5.30am and ran 33km to the office - remember that was on the back of a lot of KMs in the previous 3 days. Tuesday was gym and swim, Wed was a day off, Thursday a 1 hour run with hill reps. Friday was a gym, swim and 3 hour run. Yesterday I spent 5 hrs 15 mins in the mountains expertly guided by my friend Alan Stirling. There was over 4,500 ft of ascending and the conditions underfoot made it almost impossible to run. Today I ran for 2 hours 40 mins and was grateful for Beth’s support for the last hour and 20 minutes. My body was tired and yesterday’s blisters didn’t help but the session was done.
Tomorrow is a 5.30 am start with a run to the office - 3 hours. Now you know what I mean about tenderising meat! But surprisingly my legs feel ok. They might not tomorrow night!
Everyone sets a bar. The worst thing you can do is set it too low and accomplish it. But if you have a support network of likeminded people around you then you really can set that bar high. Go on, edge your bar up a few notches. We are all capable of so much more and it’s great fun pushing the boundaries. How else will we find out what we are capable of?
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