I'm a celebrity get me out of here!

The contestants in "I'm a celebrity...." are struggling. But it's not a physical pressure it's a mental pressure that's causing the biggest problem. In Marathon des Sables it's both but everything I have read or heard from people that have completed it leads me to conclude it's the mental side you have to conquere. That was until 6.15 pm today when I visited my physio. Having had 2 and a half weeks off due to "man flu" I was surprised I had a sore foot. It turns out I have some mechanical problems with both feet and going by the expression on my physio's face, he's concerned. It could be any number if things that have caused it but the likely cause is my yoga! It has improved my ankle flexibility which has caused instability when running on trails! So no running for a week. At the weekend I'll start some turbo training to regain my cardio vascular fitness while not loading my feet or ankles. Massage my feet, ankles and achilles and use cold walter and anti-inflamitory tablets to aid the recovery. Until tonight I thought the mental side would be the challenge, as it is in "I'm a celebrity..." but I was up for that. I never thought for a minute that I may have a physical issue that would make 5.5 marathons in 7 days almost impossible. Fingers crossed but I'm now off to see my podiotrist to see what's changed mechanically in my feet and if I need new orthotics.

2 steps forward...and 1 back!

It was a busy day yesterday and I managed another 30 minutes on the turbo trainer. I did the same routing so I could compare my heart rate against effort and it had improved. It was much more consistent alough probably still too high for the effort. I felt great afterwards and did 5 sun salutations - hardly a workout but I was sweating plenty. I am not sure if it was this workout or the busy day I've had or the fact I gave up caffeine three days ago (going cold turkey)but I am currently feeling crap and am about to head home to bed. Hopefully I will get back to normal soon but all the advice is don't push it so on this occassion I won't. Catch up soon.

Gently does it

Gently does it was my motto this morning. I'm desperate to get back into training after 13 days off but I dont want to cause a set back by going at it too hard. It was a beautiful morning and there was a group ride going out but much as I wanted to join in, that could have finished me off. I have a niggling pain in my foot which is causing me to limp occasionally so I'm seeing the Physio on Wednesday to have it checked out. So I went for an indoor turbo session where I could control all the elements. I cycled steadily for 30 minutes and if my Garmin is to be believed my heart rate was all over the place. Half way through it settled down but now I'm resting and monitoring it to see how my recovery is. Not great is the answer. My resting heart rate is normally 52. If I'm sitting watching TV it might be 60. As I write this blog it's 78 so that's telling me to gradually introduce exercise over the coming week. Based on what's flowing out my nose, sorry about that detail, I won't be risking any exercise outdoors or in a pool. So I'll just need to fall in love with my turbo and get back to the yoga.

The plan begins

I may be out of action in that I am recovering from man flu, did I mention that before, but tonight I sat down with a two time MDS veteran and discussed my training plan detail. I was delighted to hear that what I've been doing to date has me on track. He has informed me of the mileage I will need to be running in Dec, Jan, Feb & March and the hard work is about to begin. We went over the core work in addition to my yoga as I need to have the strength to carry and run with 20 kilos on my back. I was given a great insight to the nutrition required and tips on hygene which are essential seen as there are no washing facilities or water, over and above your 9 litres a day. Now I've been armed with this info I will build my training plan. In two weeks time I am going to a workshop on MDS and then I will decide on my equipment as it will need to be tried and tested before I step into the "sandpit". Thanks Tony for imparting your knowledge.

Supporting role

One week into my "man flu" and still not well enough to train. So today i decided to support my team mates who were running in a local 10k race. I picked the half way point because that is where a tough climb comes in and there is nobody out there supporting in the wilderness. I always liked getting support from the croud and remember the boost you get by a call out from a friend. It was inspiring watching runners of all standards, shapes and diverse running styles giving their best. No matter what time the athletes took, as they crossed the 5k mark they all looked at their watches. They needed to know how they were doing in relatation to the target they had set themselves. There was a pace maker for anyone wanting to get in in 58 minutes and there were a large group of runners in that group. By the time they reached the finishline they had spread out but I think their real target was to get under 1 hour - many did. Afterwards I talked to the athletes about their training, their journey, the race and how they felt. There was a great deal of pride in their accomplishment whether they managed it in sub 35 mins or sub 1hr. The target is relative. I felt inspired watching and listening to the athletes and am looking forward to getting my running shoes back on but I will need to be careful as to when and how I come back.

160 days and counting

When I applied to enter the MDS in May 2011, it seemed a long way away. There are now only 160 days to go and I have spent the last 5 recovering from "man flu" - I'm not happy about that. But worry about what you can control and not what you can't has always been my motto. So I've taken the opportunity to rest although I don't feel very rested. Over the weekend I hope, depending on my ability to breath, to start my yoga again. I'll take it easy just gently getting my body used to some exercise and my lungs used to filling with oxeygen. I'd like to think I could run but it's probably too big a risk. At best i might manage to spin my legs on the turbo trainer. It's only when you are forced not to exercise that you realise the benefit of it. Other than the "man flu" I feel sluggish, still and lathargic. Roll on next week when hopefully I will return to my old self and back in my lycra pounding the streets and the trail around Scotland. Have a good weekend folks.

Time out

When you are well you generally don't realise it. Life goes on and you take it for granted. This was how I felt until a few days ago and then was "struck down" with "man flu". I know, it's pathetic but when you are swallowing broken glass all day, popping pills, sipping lemslips by the dozen, gargling salt, sucking stepsils, drinking lemon tea ginger and honey.... you get the message. I have swollen glands in my kneck and a viral infection according to the doctor. As a result I can't train and have had to pull out of a 16 mile race I had lined up on Sunday - it would be unwise to race with a virus. I'll have to take the rest and make the best use I can of the time. I'll pick up the training when I recover. I also reflect on people who are really ill and have months or years of discomfort and realise how luck I am - man flu or no man flu! So I'll just have to accept "rule 5" as they say in cycling - man the frig up!