It’s been a week of ups and downs. The highlight was Mondays 33 km run before work. I was meant to have company but ended up on my own. Running with the backing track of the dawn chorus is such a privilege and the rain held off which was a bonus. All the stats looked great and show that I am in great condition for Tahoe which is now in touching distance - 18 days time.
Being in the “final straight” feels a bit strange. Every waking moment is referenced to the race and the worst is when trying to get to sleep or when you wake up in the middle of the night with your head full of Tahoe thoughts.
My back played up during the week and that resulted in me cancelling Saturday which was a 6 hour run with pals in Glencoe. It was a difficult decision to take as I might have been able to complete it however the downside would have been making it worse and affecting my race preparation. Of course the weather was perfect and my pals had a brilliant time although it took them over 7 hours and it looked a brutal course - I live to fight another day. I used the time to go over, again, the logistics for the race and double check I have all the gear/equipment required - time well spent.
I was also advised to skip the big run today but to go a short and gentle run just to see how my niggle was. Again a blisteringly sunny day which I would have enjoyed a long run on but I made do with a 37 minute run. No issues which is great so the rest has been good for me.
With my coaches direction we will adapt the training to make sure I get to the start line in the best possible condition taking account of any niggles. If I have to rest or run shorter than normal distances then so be it. I have to keep my eye on the prize. It’s been an amazing journey over the last two years to get here and I’ve loved watching the transformation of my body, my fitness and the expansion of my mind. I know I am capable of whatever I turn my mind to and if that raises money for Maggie’s then that’s a win win www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Derek-stewart8. The race will be the “cherry on the top” and I can’t wait to be standing at the start line.
Sunday, 25 August 2019
Sunday, 18 August 2019
Where did our summer go?
The week started with three planned days off training. It was delicious. I loved every moment of it and ate like a king while I rested my body. The sad thing is the weather was good but as soon as I was due back to train, it turned! The rest was in preparation for a tough weekend.
My trusted guide Michael Martin and I headed out early on Saturday to tackle 9 Munro’s in the Glenshee area. We’d chosen to head further east as the weather forecast was shocking! The first two hours were fab. Windy but dry and the first climb was steep - ideal. It was shaping up for a special day when after 2 hours the rain started. It came tipping down and unfortunately it led to a map reading error - difficult reading a map off your phone when it’s pissing down. This led to us spending the next hour and 45 minutes tramping round a bog and ultimately meant we only managed 6 Munro’s. Bog walking is like a non stop leg session in the gym! At one stage it was so cold I had to put my poles away as I couldn’t feel my hands. But Michael got us back on track and back to the car. A tough 5 hours 30 minutes.
Today I was out on my own. The weather was meant to be better but it was atrocious. I felt for my team mates who were taking part in the Aberfeldy 70.3 triathlon and whilst I was getting soaked they were swimming in Loch Tay and cycling 90k before the run - I thought about them and felt I had the better, shorter suffering!
I was given a low level route by another great guide, Graham Kelly. Once I’d found the beginning, easier said that done when the visitors centre actually doesn’t have a sign saying that, I headed off through forest trails. There was some good ascending and I got to test my full waterproof gear as it never stopped raining. I ventured off the main trail but was then back to walking in a bog. The tops of the hills were in cloud base so they were out especially as I was on my own. Being forest trails I was able to get a decent run downhill and my legs felt great despite yesterday. I stopped at 2.5 hours which was under half what I was scheduled for but the conditions were shocking. Every path was a river.
Tomorrow I have a 5.30am start tomorrow and am running 33km. I’ll be meeting my coach around 15km so it will be a great run, no matter what the weather is doing.
On Friday I got a check up from my amazing chiropractor Gill and I’m glad to report after she’d adjusted my spine, neck and shoulder she was happy. She’s given me an exercise to help stretch out my lats which I’ll build in with my other exercises.
This adventure started 2 years ago after Grand 2 Grand finished and I can’t believe we’re almost here. I head off on the 9th with my crew, Fiona, and before I know it I’ll be toeing the start line wondering what lies ahead. Despite training in sub optimal conditions, I don’t think my coach could have delivered me in better condition. There’s still a few weeks of training left and she’s still cracking the whip as she wants me even fitter than I already am. You can’t set a high bar and then slack off as the start draws near. She, like me, is expecting 100% before, during and even after when the active recovery starts. Nothing is being left to chance.
My trusted guide Michael Martin and I headed out early on Saturday to tackle 9 Munro’s in the Glenshee area. We’d chosen to head further east as the weather forecast was shocking! The first two hours were fab. Windy but dry and the first climb was steep - ideal. It was shaping up for a special day when after 2 hours the rain started. It came tipping down and unfortunately it led to a map reading error - difficult reading a map off your phone when it’s pissing down. This led to us spending the next hour and 45 minutes tramping round a bog and ultimately meant we only managed 6 Munro’s. Bog walking is like a non stop leg session in the gym! At one stage it was so cold I had to put my poles away as I couldn’t feel my hands. But Michael got us back on track and back to the car. A tough 5 hours 30 minutes.
Today I was out on my own. The weather was meant to be better but it was atrocious. I felt for my team mates who were taking part in the Aberfeldy 70.3 triathlon and whilst I was getting soaked they were swimming in Loch Tay and cycling 90k before the run - I thought about them and felt I had the better, shorter suffering!
I was given a low level route by another great guide, Graham Kelly. Once I’d found the beginning, easier said that done when the visitors centre actually doesn’t have a sign saying that, I headed off through forest trails. There was some good ascending and I got to test my full waterproof gear as it never stopped raining. I ventured off the main trail but was then back to walking in a bog. The tops of the hills were in cloud base so they were out especially as I was on my own. Being forest trails I was able to get a decent run downhill and my legs felt great despite yesterday. I stopped at 2.5 hours which was under half what I was scheduled for but the conditions were shocking. Every path was a river.
Tomorrow I have a 5.30am start tomorrow and am running 33km. I’ll be meeting my coach around 15km so it will be a great run, no matter what the weather is doing.
On Friday I got a check up from my amazing chiropractor Gill and I’m glad to report after she’d adjusted my spine, neck and shoulder she was happy. She’s given me an exercise to help stretch out my lats which I’ll build in with my other exercises.
This adventure started 2 years ago after Grand 2 Grand finished and I can’t believe we’re almost here. I head off on the 9th with my crew, Fiona, and before I know it I’ll be toeing the start line wondering what lies ahead. Despite training in sub optimal conditions, I don’t think my coach could have delivered me in better condition. There’s still a few weeks of training left and she’s still cracking the whip as she wants me even fitter than I already am. You can’t set a high bar and then slack off as the start draws near. She, like me, is expecting 100% before, during and even after when the active recovery starts. Nothing is being left to chance.
Sunday, 11 August 2019
Sensible head
With 32 days till I’ll be standing on the start line in Lake Tahoe, my focus is sharpening. Training has been going well and in July I ran 380km which included 14,000 metres of ascending. But now the clock is really counting down and every training session critical. Hard to image that I’ll be running 328 km with 13,000 metres of climbing in 4 days! Elephant eating will be required - small pieces!
This week has involve long runs, a sport therapy treatment and a 1.5 hour leg massage. My quads were like concrete so they took a pounding and it wasn’t enjoyable. But I need to keep my body in good working order.
My Monday morning run to the office was made more pleasurable as my coach joined me after I’d completed 15km, only 18 to go. But I left 5 mins late (toilet issues) so had to run faster than planned. I got there early. I’ve said this all along but having someone to run with makes it easier so it’s no surprise that my pace for 33km was faster than the day before despite the fatigue and the elevation in this run versus a flat run the day before - result.
Yesterday was a 3hour 20 min run but it came on the back of a night out. I suffered. Self inflicted but I completed the run. Can’t afford to do that again before Tahoe!
Today was meant to be a 6 hour hill run. The weather forecast was vile so I headed up north to where it was meant to be better. I was on my own on a hill I hadn’t climbed before, Ben More, and the climb was described as relentless- it’s an accurate description. I couldn’t see the summit from the bottom due to clouds. The terrain was boggy, wet, slippery and rocky. I made it 3/4 of the way up before my sensible head took over. The wind was picking up, I was just below cloud base and rain would be arriving at some stage so I decided to call it a day. The way down was treacherous but I managed to stay upright. Don’t know how I’d have managed had it been raining as it was tricky getting down. I’ve got a niggle on my ankle which has a little bit of swelling but with the next threee days off hopefully it will settle down. Next weekend is 2 X 6 hours so I’ll need all the rest I can get. Tick tick. As you know I’m raising money for Maggie,s Cancer Caring Centres in memory of my good friend Carol O’Docherty. If you can help the link is www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Derek-stewart8 - thanks.
This week has involve long runs, a sport therapy treatment and a 1.5 hour leg massage. My quads were like concrete so they took a pounding and it wasn’t enjoyable. But I need to keep my body in good working order.
My Monday morning run to the office was made more pleasurable as my coach joined me after I’d completed 15km, only 18 to go. But I left 5 mins late (toilet issues) so had to run faster than planned. I got there early. I’ve said this all along but having someone to run with makes it easier so it’s no surprise that my pace for 33km was faster than the day before despite the fatigue and the elevation in this run versus a flat run the day before - result.
Yesterday was a 3hour 20 min run but it came on the back of a night out. I suffered. Self inflicted but I completed the run. Can’t afford to do that again before Tahoe!
Today was meant to be a 6 hour hill run. The weather forecast was vile so I headed up north to where it was meant to be better. I was on my own on a hill I hadn’t climbed before, Ben More, and the climb was described as relentless- it’s an accurate description. I couldn’t see the summit from the bottom due to clouds. The terrain was boggy, wet, slippery and rocky. I made it 3/4 of the way up before my sensible head took over. The wind was picking up, I was just below cloud base and rain would be arriving at some stage so I decided to call it a day. The way down was treacherous but I managed to stay upright. Don’t know how I’d have managed had it been raining as it was tricky getting down. I’ve got a niggle on my ankle which has a little bit of swelling but with the next threee days off hopefully it will settle down. Next weekend is 2 X 6 hours so I’ll need all the rest I can get. Tick tick. As you know I’m raising money for Maggie,s Cancer Caring Centres in memory of my good friend Carol O’Docherty. If you can help the link is www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Derek-stewart8 - thanks.
Sunday, 4 August 2019
It’s where you set the bar,
As my training hours and intensity builds, my body and mind are “going through the ringer” as they say. It’s like tenderising a piece of meat , you just keep hammering it. I’ve never set the bar as high before and the great thing is having a bunch of likeminded people supporting me through this journey. Nobody in that group is questioning the height of the bar, or the reason it’s set so high. They are all just playing their part in supporting me which is helping me work outside my comfort zone.
On Monday I set off at 5.30am and ran 33km to the office - remember that was on the back of a lot of KMs in the previous 3 days. Tuesday was gym and swim, Wed was a day off, Thursday a 1 hour run with hill reps. Friday was a gym, swim and 3 hour run. Yesterday I spent 5 hrs 15 mins in the mountains expertly guided by my friend Alan Stirling. There was over 4,500 ft of ascending and the conditions underfoot made it almost impossible to run. Today I ran for 2 hours 40 mins and was grateful for Beth’s support for the last hour and 20 minutes. My body was tired and yesterday’s blisters didn’t help but the session was done.
Tomorrow is a 5.30 am start with a run to the office - 3 hours. Now you know what I mean about tenderising meat! But surprisingly my legs feel ok. They might not tomorrow night!
Everyone sets a bar. The worst thing you can do is set it too low and accomplish it. But if you have a support network of likeminded people around you then you really can set that bar high. Go on, edge your bar up a few notches. We are all capable of so much more and it’s great fun pushing the boundaries. How else will we find out what we are capable of?
On Monday I set off at 5.30am and ran 33km to the office - remember that was on the back of a lot of KMs in the previous 3 days. Tuesday was gym and swim, Wed was a day off, Thursday a 1 hour run with hill reps. Friday was a gym, swim and 3 hour run. Yesterday I spent 5 hrs 15 mins in the mountains expertly guided by my friend Alan Stirling. There was over 4,500 ft of ascending and the conditions underfoot made it almost impossible to run. Today I ran for 2 hours 40 mins and was grateful for Beth’s support for the last hour and 20 minutes. My body was tired and yesterday’s blisters didn’t help but the session was done.
Tomorrow is a 5.30 am start with a run to the office - 3 hours. Now you know what I mean about tenderising meat! But surprisingly my legs feel ok. They might not tomorrow night!
Everyone sets a bar. The worst thing you can do is set it too low and accomplish it. But if you have a support network of likeminded people around you then you really can set that bar high. Go on, edge your bar up a few notches. We are all capable of so much more and it’s great fun pushing the boundaries. How else will we find out what we are capable of?
Sunday, 28 July 2019
It’s getting serious
What a week it’s been. Some great training sessions and as the clock ticks down, 47 days to go, the mileage begins to build. On Friday I headed off to Ben Lawyers with my friend and guide Michael Martin. With a weather front coming in for the weekend I rescheduled my training so that we got the best weather for the mountains.
In the morning the mountain was clagged in and no view available - nothing new there for me! It was very windy on the summits and having had my cap blown off 3 times, I put it away. 1,800 metres of climbing and 28km covered in 5 hours 15 mins. We spend a considerable time either traversing the mountains or cutting through boggy ground which sapped the strength from our legs and twisted our ankles while our quads were grumbling with the pressure of heading down hill.
Saturday was always going to be a mental day. It wouldn’t have been safe in the mountains on my own with wet weather forecast so I stayed local. I ran up and down Tinto four times - mind numbing but that’s part of the preparation. It’s slightly higher elevation in total than the day before but the distance is similar.
This morning was 3 laps of Chatelherault which was tough having put my legs through a lot in the previous two days. I was starting to flag when I met a runner on the final lap. We finished the last lap together and when I checked my stats afterwards it was my quickest lap! It’s always good to have someone to push you when you’re tiring - thanks Lorna!
My coach has been busy and since I’ve got home and got cleaned up and fed, she’s been sending me my schedule for the next few weeks. It’s going to be tough for the next two weeks, very tough. Major miles to be run and tomorrow morning I have 3 hours to complete before work. My legs have held up well which shows the gym work is paying off.
I’ve also been deciding on equipment based on how my kit has been performing in my long runs. This weekend decided my top and shorts. These are important decisions and I have to take into account the conditions I’ll be running in. It’s getting close but I still have to put the miles in so the next two- three weeks will be brutal and critical. After that my body will start to recover and feel amazing, but I’ll need to get their first. What a journey!
In the morning the mountain was clagged in and no view available - nothing new there for me! It was very windy on the summits and having had my cap blown off 3 times, I put it away. 1,800 metres of climbing and 28km covered in 5 hours 15 mins. We spend a considerable time either traversing the mountains or cutting through boggy ground which sapped the strength from our legs and twisted our ankles while our quads were grumbling with the pressure of heading down hill.
Saturday was always going to be a mental day. It wouldn’t have been safe in the mountains on my own with wet weather forecast so I stayed local. I ran up and down Tinto four times - mind numbing but that’s part of the preparation. It’s slightly higher elevation in total than the day before but the distance is similar.
This morning was 3 laps of Chatelherault which was tough having put my legs through a lot in the previous two days. I was starting to flag when I met a runner on the final lap. We finished the last lap together and when I checked my stats afterwards it was my quickest lap! It’s always good to have someone to push you when you’re tiring - thanks Lorna!
My coach has been busy and since I’ve got home and got cleaned up and fed, she’s been sending me my schedule for the next few weeks. It’s going to be tough for the next two weeks, very tough. Major miles to be run and tomorrow morning I have 3 hours to complete before work. My legs have held up well which shows the gym work is paying off.
I’ve also been deciding on equipment based on how my kit has been performing in my long runs. This weekend decided my top and shorts. These are important decisions and I have to take into account the conditions I’ll be running in. It’s getting close but I still have to put the miles in so the next two- three weeks will be brutal and critical. After that my body will start to recover and feel amazing, but I’ll need to get their first. What a journey!
Sunday, 21 July 2019
Tahoe - the logistics
This was planned as a light weeks training but the last two days were tough. A number of hours were also spent on the logistics of my Tahoe 200 race which is only 53 days away.
Yesterday and today were on a local hill, Tinto. It’s not the biggest hill but it has steep sections that makes it ideal to practice ascending and descending. Going up and down twice is a good workout and repeating it two days in a row means you’re working on tired legs. The second ascent today was particularly tough and it made me think about the challenge ahead.
Tahoe has to be completed in 100 hours which doesn’t seem like a long time when you actually look at the route. The “sleep stations” mean I’ll be sleeping during daylight rather than at night - 3 hours max. Sunset is at 9pm and sunrise at 8am so I’ll be covering a lot of miles in the dark which will be challenging. I could sleep rough but the bears in the woods might put me off that strategy.
The plan so far is to take two 30 minute breaks and a 3 hour sleep every day - that’s moving 20hours a day for 4 days! Depending on how I adapt to the condions, heat, altitude, fatigue the plan may need to be altered during the race but you need a structure to work around. My wife will be meeting me at the check points after the first 63 miles where there is no contact allowed due to restricted access roads/trails. Check points can be 20 miles apart so one of the challenges is carrying enough water and water is heavy!
Navigation will be a real challenge as regular readers of the blog know I could get lost in a car park! I’m going to get some map reading instruction and will be checking out the use of GPS but then you need a power supply. My drop bag strategy will be important so lots to do in the coming weeks.
But back to Tinto. As my heart rate raced and I was short of breath wanting to take a break today, I thought about the conditions I’ll be facing in Tahoe. Man up was the message so I did. More miles, hills and planning to be done thanks for all your support it makes it easier.
Sunday, 14 July 2019
Every day is a learning day
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 .
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 .
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