My secret weapon

In the last 4 years of endurance training I have found a secret weapon that keeps me moving - a sports massage. The punishment my legs have taken over those years has been severe. They changed shape by gaining muscle for the Ironman bike courses but now I've dropped the cycling for MdS they have changed again gaining more muscle. But you can't have these changes without requiring maintenance on a regular basis and Grant at The Treatment Hub is first class. Today he worked on my legs as usual but also treated my niggly back. There were two pressure points that needed some attention and while it wasn't nice it should mean that I don't suffer to much this weekend while running with the rucksack. Unfortunately my 1:1 yoga session tomorrow had to be cancelled due to my work commitments, sorry Pam, but this will also give my back a wee rest. I'll still do my own practice before I leave for work and another fast run on Friday night. This keeps my legs "expecting" exercise rather than shutting down. Some big miles over the weekend and then training will reduce in the lead up to my departure to the desert. On Wednesday 20th March I am hosting a party at Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre at Gartnavel Hospital, next to the Beatson. It starts at 7pm through to 8.30pm. I have a special band playing four tracks, someone from Maggie's giving a quick presentation followed by my presentation on the journey to MdS and what I am expecting in the Sahara Desert. My daughter will also be making a short video of the event to capture this special event. Other than raising money for Maggie's I hope everyone who turns up tells 10 people about what they thought of the centre. It's a really special place and I hope it spreads the word that if you or somone you know has caner, get them along to Maggie's for support and help. In a way Maggie's is my other secret weapon as it makes me keep on going knowing that they are benefiting from the funds raised.

More of the same

Another night time training session before the light disappeared. The snow was almost gone as I climbed the hills and as the sun went down the snow on the hills seemed to stand out. It was cold but fresh. Again a fast run, even faster than yesterday, with no rucksack but I'm feeling fit. Tomorrow morning I will be on my yoga mat at 6am and then on for a sports massage. My back has a wee niggle so I expect that this will let me know whether I have a problem to be worried about or not. I'll rest after that with no more training. Friday will involve my 1:1 yoga lesson (the hardest session of the week) and another late run subject to the weather.

Fast hill training

I had to travel through to Edinburgh this morning so it wasn't possible to train before I went. This meant I had the dread of training when I got home when all I wanted to do was rest. As I approached home I saw the pavements still had snow on them which would make running difficult so I decided to turbo train instead. However when I got in the room my bike is in was occupied so back to running again. I really couldn't be bothered but I knew I had to go out. Gear on and out the door for a fast route around four hill climbs. I'm so glad I did it. I felt great and was running fast. Not having the rucksack on makes a difference but I kept the fast pace up for 11.4km at 4:53 min per km. Being able to run at this pace gives me an indication of my fitness and I was pleased with the result. Back home, showered and straight into a protein and carbohydrate loaded dinner - perfection. My runs for the rest of the week will be up to 10 miles and without the rucksack. I hope to get a sports massage on my back as it's still niggling a bit but am sure it will be fine. This will be the last weekend of long training runs before the tapering starts.

Taking precautions

Today was a day off which was just as well. 4 inches of snow fell last night so I had an unscheduled workout of clearing the driveway - certainly got my heart rate up! But today was a rest day after some tough miles at the weekend - I was feeling tired. Later on in the day I visited the doctors to get two vacanations to protect against infection from food or water. Hygene is extremely important when you have 800 people in 100 tents and the toilet facilities are minimal - you are given a bag for your "no. 2's"! Your water is rationed to 9 litres a day and if you choose to wash with it, then that's up to you. To keep the weight down I will be wearing the same clothes for the full race but will make every effort to wash the salt off them every day. You must always use hand sanitising liquid to minimise the risk so getting the injections was important. My back is ok but I will be arranging a sports massage to see how it is holding up. Hopefully it will just be muscle strain and with reduction in my training starting next week it will be fine for April. Tomorrow if the snow is still lying then my training will switch to the turbo trainer to keep up my fitness levels.

Blizzard conditions

Building on yesterdays 15 mile trail run I headed out today for another 14 miles but this would be on the roads. What I wasn't expecting was the blizzard conditions I found myself in. Fortunately I had company with ultra runner (and West Highland Way winner) Rosie Bell. The first hour was faster than I had budgeted for but we were joined by 2 other runners after an hour and things settled down. The snow however was horrendous. I just imagined it was a sandstorm and pressed on. The snow got thick on the ground so again I imagined it was snow. My rucksack did hurt my back a little so I'll be icing it this afternoon. My yoga teacher pointed out some swelling on my back on Friday so I'll need to get this checked out. This week I'll skip the rucksack and do some fast interval training instead. At this stage it's about keeping my fitness without getting injured. So an afternoon of recovery ahead (watching the footie)and I'll take tomorrow off.

Wind, rain & sleet

In less than 4 weeks time I will be taking part in the "toughest footrace on the planet" - the Marathon Des Sables. I have to keep repeating this as it's been a dream for the last 2 years while I have been preparing for it and now it is just around the corner. So when running with my friend on the trails of Chatelherault Country Park, I gave some thought to the contrast in conditions. It was 3 degrees, windy, rainy and by the time the end was approaching it had turned to sleet! In 4 weeks it will be 40 degrees - like stepping into a furnace, and then running in it with 10kg on my back. I'll need to spend more time in the sauna to see if I can extend the time beyond 15 minutes. I've layered up with clothing but nothing can really prepare me for what I am about to go through. So a few long runs interupted by shorter runs to keep me ticking over as MDS is just around the corner. This afternoon I am going food shopping with my wife to see if I can finally get the food I want for the desert. Watch this space.

Sweat fest

It's Friday. It's been a long week but the training goes on. At 6.15am I was on my yoga mat going through my paces with my yoga teacher Pamela Young (www.pamelayoung.co.uk). She pushes me beyond what I think is possible. I'm usually a "can do" person but sometimes the yoga is scary, especially when I can't breath or I'm upside down and canto't work out what's going on. But she pushes, gently, and pushes and tries to get my brain to let go of it's thoughts and to keep breathing - when you do this amazing things happen. After an hour I was drowning in a pool of sweat which I lay in to recover. Great start to the day. Then for a full on day at the office. When I got home I needed to go for a run but I knew from this morning that I still has some swelling in my back from the previous weekend and as I was going on a big run on Saturday I should give it a rest. So I jumped on my turbo trainer - sweat fest no. 2. It's been a while and it felt like it but in such a short period of time you can get a great workout, and another pool of sweat. Now I'm relaxing. Tomorrow is another, training, day. Have a great weekend.