Back in the day when I was a lad it was important to know how to jump start a car because back then they weren't as reliable as they are today. Carrying a set of jump leads in the boot was always recommended. Today felt like someone had attached the jump leads to me and fired up their engine which got me revved up.
I've been ticking over my running training at Chatelherault during the holidays. Just getting used to some regular miles in my legs but promised in January I'd need to step up the miles as I'm entering the Great Glen Way (71 miles in under 22 hours - Fort William to Inverness) which is on 7 July - 185 days and counting.
Today instead of going on my normal run I headed out with some vastly experienced ultra runners and we ran the Dungavel trail. The weather was crap. Heavy rain which turned to sleet then snow was driven into our faces by the howling wind. The trail was wet, muddy and slippy and the start involves a 3km climb. It's a tough track and exactly the type of training I need. But that doesn't mean it was enjoyable - company excluded of course. I had to dig really deep to stay close to the other runners. I'm sure their encouragement stopped me from jacking it in early on and heading home - need to reprogram my "chimp" to realise this is the new norm. My system has been jump started and I need to reset my checks and balances.
As promised the gym was finished today and as if by magic my coach sent me through a core workout so I've no excuses now. It will be goodbye to winter fat and hello (in 3 months time) to a more toned body which will allow me to complete my "A race" for 2018. I've mentioned before my 2019 "A race" which is off the scale in difficulty. But I've come to the conclusion that I shouldn't mention it for 186 days as my focus needs to be on the GGW Ultra. It's a tough race and deserves my complete attention.
2018 has been jump started and I'm excited about the challenge set and the transformation that will be required to be in shape. But here goes. I'm looking forward to you accompanying me on this latest adventure. All the best for 2018 and remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish!
Tuesday, 2 January 2018
Wednesday, 27 December 2017
Festive excesses
I can't believe how long it has been since my last blog but life has been a bit crazy recently. Work has been extremely busy while I've been spinning a lot of plates, preparing for Christmas, social functions and fitting in some training while trying not to get injured by slipping on the ice.
The ice has been a regular feature recently and there have been some close ones. The other week at Chatelherault it was like an ice rink causing one of the runners to fall a couple of times. One slip could put you out of action for months and I want my physio budget to be significantly less in 2018!
Yesterday's run at Chatelherault was hellish. Normally it starts to get tough three quarters of the way round but I was feeling it before half way and knew I was in trouble. I was breathing through my bum and my heart rate was racing. It was probably the excess wine and food over the last few days and a lack of sleep. The proof of the pudding (literally) is that yesterday after my run I had an hours sleep and much less food and wine. I also had 10 hours sleep.
So today I headed out for the same run as the day before. I'd sorted my heart rate monitor which I haven't used for the last 5 months. I flew round the lap, breathing was good and I completed the lap 2 minutes quicker than the day before. Is it a coincidence?
I've been gradually regaining my weight since G2G but in December it has kept going north and I'm not happy. But I realise that it's just what happens at this time of year to me when I don't have an early season race planned. By 2nd January I'll have the gym build in my garage and the hard work will start. The miles will start building and I'll be back on the turbo and in the pool.
I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to a healthy and prosperous 2018. Set your goals high and go chase them. Have fun along they way.
The ice has been a regular feature recently and there have been some close ones. The other week at Chatelherault it was like an ice rink causing one of the runners to fall a couple of times. One slip could put you out of action for months and I want my physio budget to be significantly less in 2018!
Yesterday's run at Chatelherault was hellish. Normally it starts to get tough three quarters of the way round but I was feeling it before half way and knew I was in trouble. I was breathing through my bum and my heart rate was racing. It was probably the excess wine and food over the last few days and a lack of sleep. The proof of the pudding (literally) is that yesterday after my run I had an hours sleep and much less food and wine. I also had 10 hours sleep.
So today I headed out for the same run as the day before. I'd sorted my heart rate monitor which I haven't used for the last 5 months. I flew round the lap, breathing was good and I completed the lap 2 minutes quicker than the day before. Is it a coincidence?
I've been gradually regaining my weight since G2G but in December it has kept going north and I'm not happy. But I realise that it's just what happens at this time of year to me when I don't have an early season race planned. By 2nd January I'll have the gym build in my garage and the hard work will start. The miles will start building and I'll be back on the turbo and in the pool.
I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to a healthy and prosperous 2018. Set your goals high and go chase them. Have fun along they way.
Sunday, 3 December 2017
Winter gear
One of the things I like about this time of year is buying new winter gear. And as it was my birthday I had the perfect excuse. The boxes arrived and I was excited to try on my new high viz running jacket along with my new tights - but the weather turned mild and they were too warm! The same happened today so I'll just have to wait till the rain, snow or frost arrives as it did the week before.
I added 2 additional shorter runs this week where I pushed the pace. I don't enjoy doing that when I'm not back to fitness but it gets me there. Both longer runs this weekend were quicker than last and I'll take that as a sign of progress.
I'm threatening to get back in the pool but have decided to use a pool boy so I can build my upper body while working on breathing exercises. This in turn will improve my core and my running. Still haven't made it onto the turbo trainer but there will be plenty of time for that over the holidays.
My aim in December is to get more training sessions in per week and to avoid the excesses where possible. The real hard word starts in January and by then I will have confirmed by race schedule for 2018. I'm excited just thinking about it.
I added 2 additional shorter runs this week where I pushed the pace. I don't enjoy doing that when I'm not back to fitness but it gets me there. Both longer runs this weekend were quicker than last and I'll take that as a sign of progress.
I'm threatening to get back in the pool but have decided to use a pool boy so I can build my upper body while working on breathing exercises. This in turn will improve my core and my running. Still haven't made it onto the turbo trainer but there will be plenty of time for that over the holidays.
My aim in December is to get more training sessions in per week and to avoid the excesses where possible. The real hard word starts in January and by then I will have confirmed by race schedule for 2018. I'm excited just thinking about it.
Sunday, 26 November 2017
Extreme training
The title of this post may be slightly misleading but you'll get the point quickly. It feels like the season "to be jolly" but that's like Black Friday, a bit early. This week has been really busy from a work point of view and I've had 5 days (well 4 but the fifth is just about to start) of socialising!
On Wednesday I was at a conference in Harrogate which involved a long day and too many liquid carbs. Early train to London and a dinner with clients and those liquid carbs reappeared. Early start to fly back hope and dinner with friends, and you guessed it, excessive liquid carbs.
Early start on Saturday then off to Chatelherault for the usual run with my pals. I may have improved my time by 50 secs to complete the lap in 45 min dead, but I was in no fit state to hold a conversation for at least 5 minutes. I had to dig really hard and that's the point of this extreme training. An 8k run can feel like an ultra marathon because my body was wrecked from the previous three days.
You'd think I'd learn.
I cooked a delicious rib eye steak on Saturday night so that had to be accompanied by some red wine - it would have been a waste of a steak if there was no wine! This morning I had a wee bit of a lie in, I needed it, but then headed out in a crispy cold morning for a 10k run. My time was down on last week and in part this was down to the icy conditions - I was like bambie on ice and couldn't push off too hard without slipping. But my physical condition also slowed me down but I battled through it. Feeling crap and out of breath is something that normally happens on longer runs but I got to deal with this on a short run.
It's not a training schedule I'd recommend but at this time of year the social events can mount up. I'm now just heading out for what will probably turn into another carb loading session with some pals. But after this one I'll behave more like an athlete and limit the carb loading on consecutive days (5 in a row!). Just goes to show I'm not always well behaved although as I've tried to justify above, I was only trying to improve my endurance!
On Wednesday I was at a conference in Harrogate which involved a long day and too many liquid carbs. Early train to London and a dinner with clients and those liquid carbs reappeared. Early start to fly back hope and dinner with friends, and you guessed it, excessive liquid carbs.
Early start on Saturday then off to Chatelherault for the usual run with my pals. I may have improved my time by 50 secs to complete the lap in 45 min dead, but I was in no fit state to hold a conversation for at least 5 minutes. I had to dig really hard and that's the point of this extreme training. An 8k run can feel like an ultra marathon because my body was wrecked from the previous three days.
You'd think I'd learn.
I cooked a delicious rib eye steak on Saturday night so that had to be accompanied by some red wine - it would have been a waste of a steak if there was no wine! This morning I had a wee bit of a lie in, I needed it, but then headed out in a crispy cold morning for a 10k run. My time was down on last week and in part this was down to the icy conditions - I was like bambie on ice and couldn't push off too hard without slipping. But my physical condition also slowed me down but I battled through it. Feeling crap and out of breath is something that normally happens on longer runs but I got to deal with this on a short run.
It's not a training schedule I'd recommend but at this time of year the social events can mount up. I'm now just heading out for what will probably turn into another carb loading session with some pals. But after this one I'll behave more like an athlete and limit the carb loading on consecutive days (5 in a row!). Just goes to show I'm not always well behaved although as I've tried to justify above, I was only trying to improve my endurance!
Sunday, 19 November 2017
Life after grand 2 grand
I'm still trying to get over that something I'd planned for 2 years is over - but the "shockwaves continue". I've never entered a major event before and managed to avoid the "after event blues" which you plummet into once the uphoria is over. But G2G isn't your average event.
I crossed the finishline on 30th September and am still buzzing. Facebook is a wonderful thing as the "family" are in touch on a regular basis. Sharing the stories of what they have been up to and what the future holds. 2019 I hope to hook up with some of my running mates for another adventure.
But life back in the Scotland gets back to normal and having had my recovery period, training is starting. But this is an interesting psychological phase. Daylight hours are short. The temperature has dropped and early morning is zero degrees at best so getting out of bed has proved difficult other than going to work. My core strength is non-existent and I'm starting to put weight back on which was much needed - 5lbs on but the wrong type of weight. I'll sort that over the next couple of months.
I've just started my core training and I can honestly say, my core is AWOL. I'm being careful as my back gets twitchy - it really doesn't like core workouts! But this is critical to my training and once I have a few sessions under my belt, I'll be ok. Starting training is always a "ball ache" but I know that when I look back in three months time I'll be feeling the benefit of the core training.
On 2nd Dec I start back with my amazing coach Genevieve and she's already getting her ideas together. We ran together on Saturday but with 3 km to go she dropped me and I had to dig in deep to finish. My time was bang on target so I was happy although I'd had to work hard.
Today I went out for a 10km run in zero degrees and enjoyed every minute of it. The pace was ok and I felt good after it. I showered and then headed out to join some work colleagues in a 6 KM Santa Dash which was a laugh. But the body and mind is holding up.
I've decided that the only way I am going to run in the morning is to drive into work early and then head out from the office for a run. At least there are street lights so I don't have the problem of running in the dark and I have a shower back in the office before I start work. A few weeks of that and I'll be back in the grove.
But what amazes me is that I have no post race blues and that is down to the fact I'm part of the G2G family and the feel good factor continues. I'm happy to miss out the post race blues however am looking.forward to getting back in shape. There is life after G2G but it's changed me, for the better.
I crossed the finishline on 30th September and am still buzzing. Facebook is a wonderful thing as the "family" are in touch on a regular basis. Sharing the stories of what they have been up to and what the future holds. 2019 I hope to hook up with some of my running mates for another adventure.
But life back in the Scotland gets back to normal and having had my recovery period, training is starting. But this is an interesting psychological phase. Daylight hours are short. The temperature has dropped and early morning is zero degrees at best so getting out of bed has proved difficult other than going to work. My core strength is non-existent and I'm starting to put weight back on which was much needed - 5lbs on but the wrong type of weight. I'll sort that over the next couple of months.
I've just started my core training and I can honestly say, my core is AWOL. I'm being careful as my back gets twitchy - it really doesn't like core workouts! But this is critical to my training and once I have a few sessions under my belt, I'll be ok. Starting training is always a "ball ache" but I know that when I look back in three months time I'll be feeling the benefit of the core training.
On 2nd Dec I start back with my amazing coach Genevieve and she's already getting her ideas together. We ran together on Saturday but with 3 km to go she dropped me and I had to dig in deep to finish. My time was bang on target so I was happy although I'd had to work hard.
Today I went out for a 10km run in zero degrees and enjoyed every minute of it. The pace was ok and I felt good after it. I showered and then headed out to join some work colleagues in a 6 KM Santa Dash which was a laugh. But the body and mind is holding up.
I've decided that the only way I am going to run in the morning is to drive into work early and then head out from the office for a run. At least there are street lights so I don't have the problem of running in the dark and I have a shower back in the office before I start work. A few weeks of that and I'll be back in the grove.
But what amazes me is that I have no post race blues and that is down to the fact I'm part of the G2G family and the feel good factor continues. I'm happy to miss out the post race blues however am looking.forward to getting back in shape. There is life after G2G but it's changed me, for the better.
Sunday, 12 November 2017
Treading on thin ice
The biggest change in the last two weeks since my last report has been the weather. Autumn/winter has definitely set in. I was going to do some turbo training in the last two weeks but couldn't muster the mental strength to go outside into my "man cave" where it would be freezing and start spinning my legs. There was also a slightly delicate part of my anatomy, a result of G2G, which wouldn't have appreciated it but I'm glad to say that has cleared up so I've no excuses now!
My back is still getting treated although it is getting better. I've managed 3 runs in the last 2 weeks. Last weekend I ran 4.5km with a stop at half way for a cup of tea and a scone, jam and cream - my coach did say to break myself in gently.
Yesterday I went back to my favourite winter training ground, Chatelherault. I ran around on a brilliant autumn day but kept it to one lap. I was a couple of minutes behind my friends but my lungs were struggling towards the end of the 8k. I had no aches and pains when I woke up today so I went out for a 7km run around my local streets. It was freezing and the roads and pavements were covered in ice so I considered myself luck no to end up on my bum. A good reminder to be careful out there and also to wear gloves!
I'm hoping this will be my last visit to the physio for my back and I will be starting my swimming, core training and turbo training - honest. Just knowing that I will be reporting back in 2 weeks on this blog means I can't be lazy. The clock is ticking and my "A race" next year gets closer as each day passes.
My back is still getting treated although it is getting better. I've managed 3 runs in the last 2 weeks. Last weekend I ran 4.5km with a stop at half way for a cup of tea and a scone, jam and cream - my coach did say to break myself in gently.
Yesterday I went back to my favourite winter training ground, Chatelherault. I ran around on a brilliant autumn day but kept it to one lap. I was a couple of minutes behind my friends but my lungs were struggling towards the end of the 8k. I had no aches and pains when I woke up today so I went out for a 7km run around my local streets. It was freezing and the roads and pavements were covered in ice so I considered myself luck no to end up on my bum. A good reminder to be careful out there and also to wear gloves!
I'm hoping this will be my last visit to the physio for my back and I will be starting my swimming, core training and turbo training - honest. Just knowing that I will be reporting back in 2 weeks on this blog means I can't be lazy. The clock is ticking and my "A race" next year gets closer as each day passes.
Sunday, 29 October 2017
What's next?
A month has passed since I crossed the line of the best staged race ever - Grand 2 Grand. A day doesn't pass without me thinking about the race, the conditions, the daily challenges and the friends I made with the amazing volunteers and the competitors. I've followed my coaches advice of no training for a month and during that time I've been to the chiropractor, physio and sports massage therapist. My back has a couple of niggles but I expected that due to the weight of my rucksack (25lbs + 1.5 litres of water) and the fact I couldn't load my rucksack in training due to my foot injury.
The question I keep getting asked is what next? Before the race I had deliberately not given any thought to the next race because with my foot injury, this could have been my last race! However my foot was fine during the race and it obviously likes the heat - it's been grumbling since coming home.
But a competitor planted an idea in my head before leaving the USA. He suggested a race in 2019, the Tahoe 200 (www.tahoe200.com). 205.5 miles in the mountains around Lake Tahoe. 35,117 ft of climbing and the same in descent. The cut off is 100 hours which means very little sleep during the race which will be completely new to me both physically and mentally. Registration isn't for a year and is limited to 250 competitors. My training for this started today and once again it's about getting to the startline in the best shape possible for a race completely different to any I've done before.
Today I started my training with a light session in the pool. 1,100m was enough for me and I've got the physio tomorrow who will sort out the muscular discomfort in my back. To help with my swimming I am going on a full day course on Saturday. Robert Hamilton is running a Total Immersion course and I really want to become a more effecient swimmer as this will help me enjoy it more. The strength and breathing benefit I get from swimming makes it an important part of my training. It also takes some of the pressure off my body from my running.
As far as the 2018 season I've decided my "A race" will be the Great Glen Ultra which is a 71 mile ultra to be completed in 22 hours or less. It's on 7 July and my training schedule will be designed around it. 71 miles will be my longest run in a single stage and ideal preparation for the Tahoe 200. I'm looking for at least one 70.3 IM to encourage my cross training but will discuss the timing of it with my coach.
Looking forward to reintroducing my bum to the bike saddle as I will be starting some light turbo training. I'll leave my running until my back is ok.
I have TRX bands arriving at the house tomorrow so that will be a key part to building my core strength. I'm back and looking forward to some different training over the winter to set me up for 2018. Remember a goal without a plan is just a wish. I'm back and will be blogging on a fortnightly basis if you want to follow my journey.
The question I keep getting asked is what next? Before the race I had deliberately not given any thought to the next race because with my foot injury, this could have been my last race! However my foot was fine during the race and it obviously likes the heat - it's been grumbling since coming home.
But a competitor planted an idea in my head before leaving the USA. He suggested a race in 2019, the Tahoe 200 (www.tahoe200.com). 205.5 miles in the mountains around Lake Tahoe. 35,117 ft of climbing and the same in descent. The cut off is 100 hours which means very little sleep during the race which will be completely new to me both physically and mentally. Registration isn't for a year and is limited to 250 competitors. My training for this started today and once again it's about getting to the startline in the best shape possible for a race completely different to any I've done before.
Today I started my training with a light session in the pool. 1,100m was enough for me and I've got the physio tomorrow who will sort out the muscular discomfort in my back. To help with my swimming I am going on a full day course on Saturday. Robert Hamilton is running a Total Immersion course and I really want to become a more effecient swimmer as this will help me enjoy it more. The strength and breathing benefit I get from swimming makes it an important part of my training. It also takes some of the pressure off my body from my running.
As far as the 2018 season I've decided my "A race" will be the Great Glen Ultra which is a 71 mile ultra to be completed in 22 hours or less. It's on 7 July and my training schedule will be designed around it. 71 miles will be my longest run in a single stage and ideal preparation for the Tahoe 200. I'm looking for at least one 70.3 IM to encourage my cross training but will discuss the timing of it with my coach.
Looking forward to reintroducing my bum to the bike saddle as I will be starting some light turbo training. I'll leave my running until my back is ok.
I have TRX bands arriving at the house tomorrow so that will be a key part to building my core strength. I'm back and looking forward to some different training over the winter to set me up for 2018. Remember a goal without a plan is just a wish. I'm back and will be blogging on a fortnightly basis if you want to follow my journey.
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