What an amazing weekend of training. It’s been a hard week of training and on Saturday ATHelite had 3 teams in the John Lucas Ultra Relay race. This was the inaugural race and it started 2 minutes from my house so I had to do it. It was an exciting day with lots of banter between the teams as we wound each other up.
I was running the second leg and ran the leg last weekend to make sure I knew it. I’m so glad I did as you can easily mistake a building 3.5km from the end as the finish, and that would be a “ball breaker” in the race as it turned out to be for some of the runners. My team runner Dan smashed the first leg. Fortunately I’d turned up 2 minutes before he did, which should have been a warning for what was to come. This meant I could chase down Michael Martin who had a 2 min head start. I knew he was aiming for a 1 hr 28 mins which was faster than my estimate. I also knew he was strong on the hills and there are plenty of them so I had my work cut out. But I felt strong and before I knew it I was right behind him. I ran past him, gave him a high 5 and never looked back - I just pressed on.
I dug really deep and finished in 1 hr 24 mins which was 8 mins ahead of my estimate and 5 mins ahead of my coaches earimate. I was bust but happy.
Our next runner Stuart smashed his leg and this is where the learning started. His team weren’t there as we’d screwed up on our timetable and were 20minutes late! Unforgivable. Geoff who ran next did an amazing time, absolutely incredible, but got lost! You couldn’t make it up. He was gutted. Beth took on the last leg knowing we were possibly disqualified but put in a great effort. In the end we all had a good laugh about it but lessons were learned.
Today Stuart and I headed out on a long hill run. It was a new one to both of us and unsurprisingly we got lost! We managed 85% of the route and it was a toughie. Stuart ran out of water and that wasn’t a good position to be in, but another valuable lesson.
I felt strong throughout the run and after the last week of hard training, I was pleased. I’ve just received a note from my coach telling me just how fit I currently am which is a real boost to my confidence. The hard work is paying off.
I’ve 60 days left till Tahoe. There’s a lot of hard work to be done between now and them and I’m going to build on this fitness because Tahoe is a “ whole new rodeo”. 15-20 hours a day with 3 hours sleep a day is going to be brutal - but that’s what will make it worthwhile.
I’m doing this for a reason and it’s personal. A year ago today my wife and I was celebrating in Philadelphia with our great friends, Carol and John. It was the wedding of their daughter and it was a fantastic day. Sadly Carol was diagnosed with cancer, stage 4, when she returned home. She’s no longer with us but I know she’ll be with me, pushing me every step of the way in Tahoe. I’m raising funds in her honour for Maggies Cancer Caring Centres and if you’d like to support me then please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/derek-stewart8 .
Sunday, 14 July 2019
Sunday, 7 July 2019
Scottish Mountains rock!
I am so lucky to live in a beautiful country and have amazing mountains within 60- 90 minutes of my house. Last week was an important week in my build up. From the Friday through to Tuesday I had a really heavy training schedule as I needed two days off as I was going to Wimbledon for a day and then Belfast. I had four very early starts that week so come this weekend I knew I was going to have to dig deep. My quads were shredded from my 5 day schedule before my two days off, and walking, never mind running or squatting in the gym was painful. But I knew more mountain running would make me stronger.
Saturday was amazing. My friend Michael had planned an hour route in the mountains - only 1 hour from my house. It involved three summits with a total of 5,000 ft of climbing over 20 km. I got some good practice in with my poles in varying terrain. As we were approaching the top of one mountain it got technical. I was squeezing in between rocks and didn’t dare look back as I don’t have a head for edges - glad I didn’t have to go back down that route as I don’t think I could have done it. We ran down the mountains and this is to prepare my legs for the Tahoe 200. We finished the run by bathing in a cold Loch to help our legs recover. The views from the tops of the mountain were amazing. We bumped into two people and a dog on the top and I consider it a privilege to be in these places and to listen to the sound of silence - blessed.
Today I went a rece of the leg of the relay race I’m doing next Saturday. It was a beautiful sunny day and I’m glad I took the time to refresh my memories of the lumpy 18km route. My legs felt great which is a sign I’m getting stronger and used to running down hills at pace. Tomorrow will be a real test as I have a 5 hour mountain run planned. Again Michael has set me a beautiful route with plenty of climbing but nothing technical as I’ll be on my own. As I get closer to Tahoe, 67 days to go, there will be more back to back mountain runs but with so many mountains on my door step, it’s going to be fun especially if I have my pals to keep me company.
Saturday was amazing. My friend Michael had planned an hour route in the mountains - only 1 hour from my house. It involved three summits with a total of 5,000 ft of climbing over 20 km. I got some good practice in with my poles in varying terrain. As we were approaching the top of one mountain it got technical. I was squeezing in between rocks and didn’t dare look back as I don’t have a head for edges - glad I didn’t have to go back down that route as I don’t think I could have done it. We ran down the mountains and this is to prepare my legs for the Tahoe 200. We finished the run by bathing in a cold Loch to help our legs recover. The views from the tops of the mountain were amazing. We bumped into two people and a dog on the top and I consider it a privilege to be in these places and to listen to the sound of silence - blessed.
Today I went a rece of the leg of the relay race I’m doing next Saturday. It was a beautiful sunny day and I’m glad I took the time to refresh my memories of the lumpy 18km route. My legs felt great which is a sign I’m getting stronger and used to running down hills at pace. Tomorrow will be a real test as I have a 5 hour mountain run planned. Again Michael has set me a beautiful route with plenty of climbing but nothing technical as I’ll be on my own. As I get closer to Tahoe, 67 days to go, there will be more back to back mountain runs but with so many mountains on my door step, it’s going to be fun especially if I have my pals to keep me company.
Sunday, 30 June 2019
I love running
This mornings run was humid and breezy. Then it turned to light rain which was welcome to cool me down. The thought occurred to me, I love running. How lucky am I to be healthy enough to be out in a running vest and shorts enjoying the beautiful scenery. Today’s run was building on yesterday’s 20km mountain run. With tired legs I had to maintain a reasonable pace and keep my heart rate below 155 bpm. All targets were hit.
Yesterday Michael led Stuart and I up the “Arrochar Alps” for 3hrs and 15mins of tough running / power walking with 4,000 ft of climbing. I was wearing my rucksack with a 4.5kg load and that certainly made a difference. While we started the run in blue skies, by the time we’d reached the summit it was in cloud base. Despite my gym work my legs were working very hard. When we finished we walked straight into the Loch to cool our legs down - felt great. There will be much more mountain running in the next 74 days.
On Wednesday I had an early morning run with my coach Genevieve and it was a fantastic run. Low heart rate and fast pace is a good combination. It shows that consistent quality training pays off. I’ve run over 300km so far this month on top of my swimming and gym work and that’s including a weeks holiday. But there’s a lot of work to be done, especially in the mountains so hears hoping the weather holds up.
I’m also addressing the logistics. We’ve got a group together for Tahoe and are sharing info and asking questions. One of my French friends had posed the question, what’s your bear strategy? Good question. Mine is to outsprint the person next to me but his was to play Celine Dion music! Top tip so far.
But I’ll finish where I started. I love running. We were designed to run and it’s so simple. Just place one foot in front of the other. And it doesn’t need to be long distances. Find yourself a Jog Scotland group and do their couch to 5k programme if you are a beginner or someone returning to running after a while. Get outdoors and get fit. There is no better feeling.
Yesterday Michael led Stuart and I up the “Arrochar Alps” for 3hrs and 15mins of tough running / power walking with 4,000 ft of climbing. I was wearing my rucksack with a 4.5kg load and that certainly made a difference. While we started the run in blue skies, by the time we’d reached the summit it was in cloud base. Despite my gym work my legs were working very hard. When we finished we walked straight into the Loch to cool our legs down - felt great. There will be much more mountain running in the next 74 days.
On Wednesday I had an early morning run with my coach Genevieve and it was a fantastic run. Low heart rate and fast pace is a good combination. It shows that consistent quality training pays off. I’ve run over 300km so far this month on top of my swimming and gym work and that’s including a weeks holiday. But there’s a lot of work to be done, especially in the mountains so hears hoping the weather holds up.
I’m also addressing the logistics. We’ve got a group together for Tahoe and are sharing info and asking questions. One of my French friends had posed the question, what’s your bear strategy? Good question. Mine is to outsprint the person next to me but his was to play Celine Dion music! Top tip so far.
But I’ll finish where I started. I love running. We were designed to run and it’s so simple. Just place one foot in front of the other. And it doesn’t need to be long distances. Find yourself a Jog Scotland group and do their couch to 5k programme if you are a beginner or someone returning to running after a while. Get outdoors and get fit. There is no better feeling.
Sunday, 23 June 2019
Inspiring week
Your first week back from a holiday is never easy but I also had to step up the training as with 81 days to go, there is no room for slacking. Swim gym and run, even double runs on Wednesday, got me back into the swing of it.
But the highlight of the week was speaking to 800 staff at the annual conference of Glasgow Clyde College about “Everyday Superheroes”. I had spent time preparing with the Principal & Chief Executive Jon Vincent who himself is an inspirational character. On the day I was blown away by a video about the students and the difference they make in the communities they live in. Before I spoke, they had three students put on a musical/ theatrical performance that had me “choking up” - absolutely first class. It was then my turn to speak.
I’d been asked to nurture and inspire the audience and I did my best to use my story to get them there. It’s a story of continually raising the bar and not listening to the “voice in my head” which is the health and safety officer. Your brain has a factory setting that is set too low. You need to over ride it and push the boundaries. If you’re in your comfort zone your dying. Life begins outside the comfort zone.
If you are too worried about failing then you won’t make any progress. Chinese proverb; success is falling down seven times and getting up eight. I was so inspired by the students stories and what the staff at the college did for them.
With those thoughts ringing round my head I headed out for a 30km run on Saturday with my pal Mark. Due to bad planning on my part (7 P’s - piss poor preparation precipitates piss poor performance) I didn’t have enough fuel with me - amateur! I had 1 gel and 1bar. The latter stages were extra hard but in the end it was a good run. Today 14km even faster run. It’s a full on training week but on Saturday I head for the hills. This is essential training for me. I have to get used to long hours in the hills and “shredding”my quads running down the hills.
I also got news that my friend from G2G who had suggested the Tahoe race had pulled out. This gives a few logistical problems but I’ll sort that over the next couple of weeks - there are at least another 8 runners that I’ll know but the key is coordinating it so we can help each other. I do need to get my kit together and that will take some research and planning.
Yesterday was also a special day in that it was the annual West Highland Way race. 95 miles of tough trail with climbing and it takes a special kind of person to complete it. I had a number of friends running the race and am in awe of their achievement. I’m sure their mind chatter was loud by they blocked it out!
I finished my talk to the college staff by asking the “killer question”: how bad do you want it? That’s all that matters and I want Tahoe BAD. So game on. #Tahoetough
But the highlight of the week was speaking to 800 staff at the annual conference of Glasgow Clyde College about “Everyday Superheroes”. I had spent time preparing with the Principal & Chief Executive Jon Vincent who himself is an inspirational character. On the day I was blown away by a video about the students and the difference they make in the communities they live in. Before I spoke, they had three students put on a musical/ theatrical performance that had me “choking up” - absolutely first class. It was then my turn to speak.
I’d been asked to nurture and inspire the audience and I did my best to use my story to get them there. It’s a story of continually raising the bar and not listening to the “voice in my head” which is the health and safety officer. Your brain has a factory setting that is set too low. You need to over ride it and push the boundaries. If you’re in your comfort zone your dying. Life begins outside the comfort zone.
If you are too worried about failing then you won’t make any progress. Chinese proverb; success is falling down seven times and getting up eight. I was so inspired by the students stories and what the staff at the college did for them.
With those thoughts ringing round my head I headed out for a 30km run on Saturday with my pal Mark. Due to bad planning on my part (7 P’s - piss poor preparation precipitates piss poor performance) I didn’t have enough fuel with me - amateur! I had 1 gel and 1bar. The latter stages were extra hard but in the end it was a good run. Today 14km even faster run. It’s a full on training week but on Saturday I head for the hills. This is essential training for me. I have to get used to long hours in the hills and “shredding”my quads running down the hills.
I also got news that my friend from G2G who had suggested the Tahoe race had pulled out. This gives a few logistical problems but I’ll sort that over the next couple of weeks - there are at least another 8 runners that I’ll know but the key is coordinating it so we can help each other. I do need to get my kit together and that will take some research and planning.
Yesterday was also a special day in that it was the annual West Highland Way race. 95 miles of tough trail with climbing and it takes a special kind of person to complete it. I had a number of friends running the race and am in awe of their achievement. I’m sure their mind chatter was loud by they blocked it out!
I finished my talk to the college staff by asking the “killer question”: how bad do you want it? That’s all that matters and I want Tahoe BAD. So game on. #Tahoetough
Monday, 17 June 2019
Time for the gym
Did you miss me? Sorry I ran out of time to post my blog before I went on holiday and I only got back on Sunday so this is a catch up.
Another good weeks training behind me with loads of running and a couple of swims. Again it was a case of juggling schedules and with a 9.55 flight to Belfast, it was a 5.25am run for 16km.
The big difference this week was my gym work has started. Thursday night my coach showed me the routine I was to start including plyometrics - standing jumps onto boxes for explosive power. My routine has been designed to build my core strength and to build the power in my legs and glutes. With 40,000 ft of ascent and the harder 40,000 ft of descent I really need to build my strength.
In Grand 2 Grand in 2017 my back suffered from day 1 carrying 25lbs. My back pack will be lighter for the Tahoe 200 but I do not want a repeat of trying to block out that pain for the whole race again.
My amazing sports therapist Pamela has been working on my back and today she said the rest on holiday and not leaning over a laptop or driving had made a big difference!
I have just come back from a week in Tenerife where I got in 5 runs. All early morning when it was 22-24 degrees and it took at least three runs to start to get acclimatised. I did some hill work but the local mountains didn’t have any established tracks and were too dangerous with loose scree and cacti everywhere. I did venture up one hill but the journey down was too dangerous so I stuck to the roads. My longest run was just over 13 miles. I headed straight to breakfast with the family and then my son challenged me to a game of tennis! He thought as I hadn’t played in over 10 years and was slightly tired that he’d have a chance - think again young man! He’s looking for a rematch but I’ve told him only after he’s run 13 miles first. By the end of the holiday my heart rate was behaving and my speed improving - result.
I also managed 3 gym sessions but there were some real “bears” in the gym hogging the weights for squatting and I didn’t want to mix it with them with the “diddy” weights I’d be using. It was fantastic having quality time with the family and as my training was early in the morning, it didn’t interfere.
My first run on returning was today and I was delighted with my pace and heart rate so the over indulgence in food and wine don’t seem to have done me any harm - I needed to put a few pounds on anyway. Tomorrow it’s 6.15am in the gym and 7am in the pool. The miles are building up again and soon I’ll be in the mountains- can’t wait but some decent weather would help.
Another good weeks training behind me with loads of running and a couple of swims. Again it was a case of juggling schedules and with a 9.55 flight to Belfast, it was a 5.25am run for 16km.
The big difference this week was my gym work has started. Thursday night my coach showed me the routine I was to start including plyometrics - standing jumps onto boxes for explosive power. My routine has been designed to build my core strength and to build the power in my legs and glutes. With 40,000 ft of ascent and the harder 40,000 ft of descent I really need to build my strength.
In Grand 2 Grand in 2017 my back suffered from day 1 carrying 25lbs. My back pack will be lighter for the Tahoe 200 but I do not want a repeat of trying to block out that pain for the whole race again.
My amazing sports therapist Pamela has been working on my back and today she said the rest on holiday and not leaning over a laptop or driving had made a big difference!
I have just come back from a week in Tenerife where I got in 5 runs. All early morning when it was 22-24 degrees and it took at least three runs to start to get acclimatised. I did some hill work but the local mountains didn’t have any established tracks and were too dangerous with loose scree and cacti everywhere. I did venture up one hill but the journey down was too dangerous so I stuck to the roads. My longest run was just over 13 miles. I headed straight to breakfast with the family and then my son challenged me to a game of tennis! He thought as I hadn’t played in over 10 years and was slightly tired that he’d have a chance - think again young man! He’s looking for a rematch but I’ve told him only after he’s run 13 miles first. By the end of the holiday my heart rate was behaving and my speed improving - result.
I also managed 3 gym sessions but there were some real “bears” in the gym hogging the weights for squatting and I didn’t want to mix it with them with the “diddy” weights I’d be using. It was fantastic having quality time with the family and as my training was early in the morning, it didn’t interfere.
My first run on returning was today and I was delighted with my pace and heart rate so the over indulgence in food and wine don’t seem to have done me any harm - I needed to put a few pounds on anyway. Tomorrow it’s 6.15am in the gym and 7am in the pool. The miles are building up again and soon I’ll be in the mountains- can’t wait but some decent weather would help.
Sunday, 2 June 2019
Looking awful, feeling great!
This was a lite weeks training to help recover from the previous week. Only 63km of running over 5 runs and 4.2km of swimming. As usual the runs sessions were varied but because they were shorter I felt strong through the week, although a couple of disrupted sleeps didn’t help with my rest. I’m very conscious that my weight has dropped back to the post Fling race and that’s not good. I met with my coach today and we discussed the challenges of eating while training hard and working. She’s totally right that a car with no fuel grinds to a halt so I headed off to the shops and stocked up with food that I can eat while at work. It’s funny that as you get closer to an event you start to look gaunt and people think you’re ill when actually you’re in great shape. Maybe the shape of a pencil but it’s too far away from the race to be this thing so I’ll be on the cake diet again!
I spend 1.5 hours on the massage table on Friday (not pleasant) and felt the better for it but I’m seeing my sports therapist on Monday as I really need to get my back sorted. I spend so much time sitting at a desk that every so often in tweaks and I can’t afford that in Tahoe. In the G2G race my back ached for the whole week, but I was carrying 24lbs. At Tahoe my weight in my rucksack will be less, in fact that’s my next task - researching what I need to carry. It also means I’m heading off to the gym this week with my coach to start strength work.
The hills are calling and in a weeks time I’m heading for some special training in the hills. We’ve also been talking about tackling Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain at 1,345m. Small by comparison of the mountains around Lake Tahoe but I’m sure there will be enough pain in the training to get my legs ready and more importantly my mind. Barring physical injury, the success of The Tahoe 200 will be decided in my mind so it also needs to be put through its paces. 102 days to go!
I spend 1.5 hours on the massage table on Friday (not pleasant) and felt the better for it but I’m seeing my sports therapist on Monday as I really need to get my back sorted. I spend so much time sitting at a desk that every so often in tweaks and I can’t afford that in Tahoe. In the G2G race my back ached for the whole week, but I was carrying 24lbs. At Tahoe my weight in my rucksack will be less, in fact that’s my next task - researching what I need to carry. It also means I’m heading off to the gym this week with my coach to start strength work.
The hills are calling and in a weeks time I’m heading for some special training in the hills. We’ve also been talking about tackling Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain at 1,345m. Small by comparison of the mountains around Lake Tahoe but I’m sure there will be enough pain in the training to get my legs ready and more importantly my mind. Barring physical injury, the success of The Tahoe 200 will be decided in my mind so it also needs to be put through its paces. 102 days to go!
Sunday, 26 May 2019
Back on it
After a major race you need to rest and recover before getting “back on it”. Just over a week ago my coach asked me if I was ready to get back on it. By that she meant ramping up the training as there are only 109 days to go to Tahoe and we’ve got some serious work to do. When I looked at this weeks plan I had to remember that while this was a significant hike in my recent training, it was just getting back to where I was before The Fling.
This week I have ran 93km and swam 4.5km. This is only going to increase although it will involve a lot of power walking up hills and then running down them at speed. Back to back runs are our favoured approach to getting me ready for my Tahoe adventure so on Saturday I headed out with Stuart for 35km, part road and part trail. We managed a reasonable pace but it was a tough 3 hrs 15 mins. I practiced my nutrition and hydration strategy and had no issues. I then drove straight to Aberdeen with my wife for my daughter’s birthday - getting out the car wasn’t much fun. A nice dinner, a few glasses of wine and after breakfast we headed back down the road. A three hour drive is not the ideal way to prepare for a 25km run and the weather wasn’t looking good with the wind picking up to the forecast 45mph.
I really wasn’t looking forward to the run and with no company, I plugged in my headphones. My legs felt stiff to start with but soon warmed up. The music helped pass the time and my heart rate behaved which was the sign that the hard weeks training had paid off. Next week should be an easier week before it steps up again. Tomorrow is a day off and I am looking forward to the rest. But it was good to be “back on it” and I’m looking forward to getting into the mountains and soon the gym. I’ve work to do to get this body stronger to cope with the stresses of the training and Tahoe. I hope you are enjoying following me on this adventure?
This week I have ran 93km and swam 4.5km. This is only going to increase although it will involve a lot of power walking up hills and then running down them at speed. Back to back runs are our favoured approach to getting me ready for my Tahoe adventure so on Saturday I headed out with Stuart for 35km, part road and part trail. We managed a reasonable pace but it was a tough 3 hrs 15 mins. I practiced my nutrition and hydration strategy and had no issues. I then drove straight to Aberdeen with my wife for my daughter’s birthday - getting out the car wasn’t much fun. A nice dinner, a few glasses of wine and after breakfast we headed back down the road. A three hour drive is not the ideal way to prepare for a 25km run and the weather wasn’t looking good with the wind picking up to the forecast 45mph.
I really wasn’t looking forward to the run and with no company, I plugged in my headphones. My legs felt stiff to start with but soon warmed up. The music helped pass the time and my heart rate behaved which was the sign that the hard weeks training had paid off. Next week should be an easier week before it steps up again. Tomorrow is a day off and I am looking forward to the rest. But it was good to be “back on it” and I’m looking forward to getting into the mountains and soon the gym. I’ve work to do to get this body stronger to cope with the stresses of the training and Tahoe. I hope you are enjoying following me on this adventure?
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