Winter wonderland

It's a busy day today which meant an early morning run. I headed out at 7am into a winter wonderland. Not a sole in sight. The crunch every time my foot landed was reasuring as I was worried about ice. It was as much a mental exercise as anything. Running on your own in freezing conditions when you'd rather be having a long lie is the type of sacrifice you have to make on a regular basis if you want to succeed in the Marathon des Sables. I ran 16 miles at a reasonable pace aad it felt good. This is my last long run and that was another important factor especially as I missed my run yesterday. So now my taperring starts. My mileage will reduce as I let my body repaid and I'll have to get the niggle in my back checked out. I still haven't finalised my food for the race although am having a few different types delivered next week. These final preparations can make the difference between success and failure so it will have my full attention. I am speaking at Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre at Gartnavel Hospital on Wednesday evening this week starting at 7pm. I would love it if you could join me and a whol load of supporters, friends and family as we raise awareness of the amazing work Maggie's does and hopefully some money along the way. Now off to the footie with Ali - busy day.

Frozen balls!

Today I played my first game of golf of the season - this is two months earlier than normal but I'd been invited to play in a competition. It didn't start well as we headed out in the snow. It fell lightly at first but as time went on it started to lie so much so that the golf ball almost doubled in size as it rolled on the ground. Picking it up made me realise that the ball was frozen which transferred to my hands. After 12 holes I couldn't feel my hands and almost couldn't hold onto the club. But it was fun not being dressed in lycra and breathing heavily - I still had a heavy object on my back! I was due to head off to the beach for some sand running but the snow got heavier and I decided to bail out. It was not a great idea to be out in a blizzard and freezing conditions, especially twice on the same day. So I went to another extreme. I watched the rugby with the fire on while working out on my turbo trainer -it was a sweat fest. Turbo training is tough but it involves no impact and I got the chance to train in heat rather than the freezing cold. Result. Hopefully tomorrow will be better as I need a long run. Fingers crossed.

Long shadows

After a busy week at work I headed out for a 10 mile run. The sun was starting to retreat and my shadow looked long on the road as I ran along. I was running with my rucksack weighing 6k and kept the pace nice and easy. It was a beautiful night and I felt so priviledged to be running pain free in stunning countryside. We take our health for granted until something happens. So my message tonight is try and appreciate the current moment when you can walk, run, breath and enjoy your life. It can change or even end all to soon. In 3 weeks time my long shadowns will be in a completely different environment. Something I've spent 2 years preparing for. It has tought me loads of lessons and I am so greatful to have taken this journey. Thanks to everyone who has supported Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres on my behalf and supported me in my challenges. As I keep getting told, I'm MAD - Making A Difference. Last couple of days with tough miles before my tapering starts. Looking forward to a little bit more rest and recovery in the next three weeks before the adventure comes into it's final chapter.

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.