...and breathe

I've been very tired and sore for the last few days. So much so I went to bed very early last night not sure if I'd make my yoga in the morning. 5.45am and the alarm went off, I was surprised how awake I felt. However half way through my intense yoga workout my teacher could tell I was struggling. So she adapted the session and I spent the rest of it focusing on my breathing. Wow - I walked out the door like a "new man"! Incredible the benefit I felt from that session and she has recommended we do more of it next week as I need it. The theory is I am concentrating all my efforts and energy on the physical being and not enough on my internal being. Don't worry I'm not going all "hippy" on you but the results were proof enough for me. I'm taking the rest of the day off training but will be back on the road tomorrow building up the miles before the weekend push. Why not take 10 minutes out of your day and concentrate on your breath - enjoy.

Boxing memories

I feel like I've just gone 3 rounds of boxing. Tired and sore. If you've followed my journey over the last 4 years you may remember it started in a boxing ring raising money in a white collar boxing event. 3 x 1.5 minutes was extremely tough despite having trained 10 hours a week for 3 months. I remember the feeling a couple of days later of the punches I hadn't felt at the time - well I felt them that day. On Friday I had my sports massage and Grant gave my back a good going over. He said I might feel it for the next couple of days and he's usually right. Add to that to runs both involving 1,000ft of climbing and a rucksack and my back brings back memories of 4 years ago! So today was a rest day except for the fact I was working. Tomorrow is a 5.45am start for my 1:1 yoga session. I know I'll feel amazing afterwards but she'll need to work miracles to get this body bending! So tonight a nice pasta meal is in order and whilst I'd like to enjoy a couple glasses of red to help with the digestion, it's not an option. Well, perhaps one for been a good boy!

Hills, hills and more hills

Yesterdays feedback from my Garmin showed I had climed over 1,000 ft in 11 miles so today I went 16 miles with another 1,00ft climb. The hills are important in preparation for MdS. All the feedback I have had is that you can't climb enough hills before you go to the desert. Obviously it's not the same, running on tarmac and in 10 degrees but in the UK there aren't any other options. My main focus is on running 2 back to back ultra marathons in 3 weeks time but staying injury free in the meantime. The following month I will be in Morocco for 4 days training which will give me some heat exposure but come April it will be a lot warmer. So more hills on the horizon but a couple of days off running to let my legs recover.

Soaring with the eagles

Today I was soaring with eagles. Let me explain. Brian Tracey is a motivational speaker who coined the phrase "would you rather scratch with the turkeys or soar with the eagles". I'm sure you get the point and today I was out with three elite ultra runners for an 11 mile trail run. Not a huge distance however when the first 2.2 miles is straight up hill it takes your breath away. Literally. Two of the runners increased their speed on the inclines and the third one kept going despite suffering from a cold. I hung on. These guys set very high standards which always pushes me on. They impart their knowledge and are always encouraging. They discuss "mental" challenges that they are taking on which makes me think the MdS is almost normal! Soaring with eagles certainly lifts my horizon. You should try it some time. Now off for a big lunch with my wife so we can catch up on normal life plus replacing the lost calories, and a few more! Big run tomorrow.

Avoiding injury

When I started getting into endurance events 4 years ago I was advised that the first objective was to get to the start line, fit and injury free. Throughout ironman training I went for a sports massage every month and more regular as the training built up and this got me to the start line. However the MdS training is different. The one aspect that will get you injured is running and I am piling on the miles. So I need to be careful. Tonight I went for an overdue sports massage which involved my legs and back. I hadn't run for three days and deliberately had a spin / turbo session followed by yoga this morning to ease my legs but aaaaahhhhhh did it hurt! My glutes felt like a red hot poker was being stuck into me. Afterwards I felt great and I immediately booked in for the same again every 2 weeks until I head off to the Sahara Desert. I realised I had neglected an important part of my training regime and as the mileage increases, it becomes even more important. So if my 51 year old legs are going to manage The Great Glen (79 miles) in 3 weeks time, I'd better stay injury free!

13 weeks and counting

Yesterday there was a window of good weather for a few hours so although it was going to be a rest day, I pulled on my running kit and went out for 13 miles. It was brilliant to run in the dry for a change but the temperature was certainly cooler and I was glad I'd wrapped up. I met loads of people on their "hangover walk" following the festivities and I am sure like lots of people they will have made a New Year resolution. I've not made one but I have a number of goals in place for the next 13 weeks. Every week I have targets set which will get me closer to being ready for MdS. It's going to be busy and tough. In 3 weeks time I am taking on the biggest run of my life and then repeating it the following day. Mentally I am prepared for it and if I get the pace right then I should be physically ready however there is a lot of planning to do before then. Exciting stuff and I hope you will follow my journey.

Goodbye 2012

2012 is going out with a woosh as the wind continues to bater us. So much so that todays training was moved indoors; a 1 hour turbo session followed by yoga and then a core workout. Most people find the turbo excellent for their fitness but boring however I try and deflect from the boredom by using the time to think (between breaths!). So I reflected on the year that has just been. It was a good year for the family with health, exams, sporting achievements, a job and the eldest passing his car test. We had an unbelievable holiday in the Caribbean and business has done well. I achieved a great result in Ironman Lanzarotte (considering a year earlier I almost came home from a training camp 'cause I couldn't hack the cycling in the wind and the hills) and am now well into my training for MdS. So as the sweat poured off me I was smiling contently thinking 2012 was a good year all round and tomorrow I will welcome 2013 with the biggest challenge of my life - the Marathon des Sables. In 27 days time I will be taking part in the longest run of my life, The Great Glen which involves running from Investness to Fort William in 2 days - 79 miles. That is 2 back to back Ultra Marathons and this will give me a good insight as to how tough running long distances day after day will be. I'll get a taste of the real thing in a 4 day training camp in the Sahara in February and finalise my training in march before heading off in April. I hope you all get time to reflect on 2012 and put down some markers for 2013 and beyond. Have a happy, healthy and successful 2013 and please keep following my journey and spreading the word about Mission Ironman. Cheers!