Amazing new diet

I am very fortunate never to have had a weight problem. However the drawback would be if I ever fell over board I wouldn't last long in the water as I have little body fat. But if there is one thing I don't want to be it's the skinny guy with a pot belly! So what am I on about a diet for? A strange thing happened to me this morning when I finished my training. My stomach requested a change in my diet. It's happened before when training for Ironman events and I can only assume it's like the cravings pregnant women get. When training for an endurance event you need more calories than normal, but the right type. Recently I have been overdosing on chocolate which isn't really a problem but you do feel sluggish. After a breakfast of porridge (my norm) and a fresh green smoothie I was off to the supermarket for my greek yoghurt, bananas, grapes, mixed nuts & raisins (1,000 calories in that pack alone), tuna and wholegrain rice. I've snacked during the day and my energy levels are through the roof. My stomach is now quiet and I think happy. So I'll be piling on the veg tonight or salad with my meal. It seems that my body is guiding me as to what I need for the sharp increase in exercise - feels great!

Sore, tired but feeling good!

It's nice to be feeling almost back to normal. As I woke for my 6am turbo session I took stock; slightly dehydrated from 3 glasses of wine late last night (they were required after a seriously crap day), sore muscles either from some weight training with my son 2 days before or the yoga session yesterday or the fall in the shower! So generally ok. I did an efforts session on the turbo parked next to a radiator to get me used to working out in the heat. The sweat poured out of me and I consumed double the amount of water - note to self, lay off the wine when training at 6am! But it's great to almost be back to normal - I'll say normal once I have a few runs under my feet and the injuries don't flair up. You forget what it's like to feel healthy when your a shivering snot factory so I'm going to enjoy this feeling. The aches and pains are just a result of my body getting used to regular training again - bring it on!

Rule 5 - MTFU

My cycling pals will all understand rule 5 - man the @@@@ up. It was often shouted as encouragement as I was dying on the bike and biting the handlebars as I tried to claw my way up another yet hill. But I never thought I'd be saying it to myself in my yoga lesson! It's been 4 weeks and today at 6.30am I was on the mat while Pam (my wonderful yoga teacher) was getting me back into positions my brain was telling me were impossible. Sweat and almost tears were steaming down my face as she tried to get my "core re-engaged" but any muscle memory was long gone. But it's more the mental side that was holding me back so by the end we had made some progress. As always I felt great afterwards but almost ruined everything by slipping in the shower. I caught the shower pole with my head 6 inches from the deck - that was close as it could have been a nasty injury. I think the fall may have engaged my core so tomorrow morning may be a bit tentative! I promise from here on in, no more winging at the yoga session (ok Pam?). I'll just apply rule 5!

Christmas is cancelled!

Normally at this time of year, I'd be looking forward to the odd Xmas party, a few extra beers and some time off training. Even last year with Lanza Ironman in May I enjoyed a few days break but MdS is 6 weeks earlier and I've had 4 weeks off running so I'm way behind. Therefore Xmas is cancelled, well sort of! I am going out for my first run on Friday and hopefully the foot and ankle injury should cope with the strain - if not then Xmas is back on and the Mds is cancelled! But that can't happen. Every effort will be made and I'm heading home for another turbo training session to get the base level fitness back. At least my heart rate is back to normal now I'm over my cold. I've got a target of running the Great Glen, 79 miles, over 2 days at the end of January and as long as the pace is right then I should make it. Then I've got an Mds training camp in Morocco at the end of Feb and before I know it I'll be standing at the start line for the biggest adventure of my life (so far!). Fingers crossed!

Ice station zebra

Last night the temperature plummeted and when I dropped my daughter off at dancing in the morning the roads were glistening with ice. Although it was a sunny day I decided on the turbo trainer indoors rather than risk it on the roads. It turns out to be a wise choice as several of my club mates ended up kissing the tarmac by the time they reached the end of the road. So 75 minutes of turbo torture. Music blaring and the TV on, with the sound down, anything really to take my mind of the boredom. Being indoors the temperature quickly rose and the sweat started dripping off me. As I am coming back from a layoff and being unwell I paid close attention to my heart rate. I made sure that it was steady but at the same time increased the intensity slightly. I followed this with a short yoga session and it's going to take me some time to get my breathing in order. I need to be patient and ignore the other athletes who are at a different stage in their training cycle.

Early visit to Morocco!

Xmas has come early for me. I have been looking at going abroad to train in heat and desert conditions but didn't fancy going out on my own. The challenge is not just the heat and the sand but hydration in the desert when you don't have any support. Perhaps been captured and held for ramsom might be another but that would be unlikely. So yesterday I received an invitation to train with a three time MDS winner in Morroco for four days at the end of February. It covers all the preparation I'd require including night running and obviously there will be a support team. This is where the family support comes in because permission was given as it will end up a six day trip and a month later I will be away for the best part of 2 weeks. I got their blessing as they know how much preparation is required to be ready for this challenge and having laid out a small fortune, I don't want to mess it up through either lack of training or knowledge. Remember I live my life by the 7 P's (piss poor preparation precipitates piss poor performance)! I think this 4 day excursion will be a fabulous opportunity to learn from the experts. Can't wait.

Getting there

This morning I increased my turbo time by 50% to 45 minutes and although I felt a bit sluggish a the beginning I soon got into the rhythm. My garmin gave me a few scary readings on heart rate jumping from 145 to 155 up to 175 within a matter of seconds but I ignored that as I was still breathing easily. Time on the turbo allowed me to reflect on last nights MdS lecture and how Martin had given himself a whole year to get ready whereas I won't be. His first pair of running shoes were bought was after he entered the race - there was a 3 year waiting list back in 2008. So were starting in a different place. He talked of sub 3 hour marathon runners and ironman bringing up the rear and said that was down to their lack of appropriate training. In particular hill training, hill walking (time on feet) and back to back long runs (20 mile plus - each!). Good advice and as soon as I'm back to base level fitness and injury free I'll be putting it into practise. Have a great day!