So, as 2009 draws to a close, a moment’s reflection on what progress I’ve made since signing up in April……..if I’m honest, not a lot on the fitness front. Things kind of got taken over by the building work which started at home in June and has literally only finished this week.
The limited blog entries thus far tell a tale of good intentions, one or two false starts and ultimately not many steps in the right direction. I’ve had a couple of notable additions with the Rat Race and Three Peaks, but the OMM never happened in October as Richard had confirmed man-flu and so we weren’t able to take part.
And as I sit at my computer today, in the run up to Christmas having been in the pub almost every night since last week, my body is bracing itself for another 8 days of gluttony and good living but rest assured, 2010 will see a marked shift in focus and attention with hopefully corresponding changes is fitness and lard levels.
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
Wednesday 23 December 2009
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Peaks & troughs
I must break out of my recent "training" programme of nothing at all and then a silly long event or session. After the Rat Race in August, a rather lazy summer was rudely interrupted by a trip to RIbblehead to tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks. It wasn't an organised event or anything but an informal trot around aas fast as we could manage, aiming to 1) beat some walkers we knew who were setting off ahead of us and 2) be as close to the cut off time of 5hours 10 for the official 3 Peaks fell race in April.
We achieved the first objective with ease, but coming in after 7 hours 30 mins wasn't exactly a storming result. The first hill (Whernside) was fine, and the descent off it was really good fun, but after only 2 and a half hours, on the way up Ingleborough, our legs were feeling it. A lot. Our strategy of walk uphill, run the rest, was amended to reflect the state of our fitness and so the day went on. Overall I think it was a fair performance given the lack of training we'd done for it, but I have liked to have done better - i.e. I should have trained more.
Following the Three Peaks, another period of mostly doing nothing (the odd mountain bike ride in the dark followed by the pub quiz isn't really training properly) this coming weekend is supposed to be the OMM in mid-Wales, following the pattern of just one massive training session per month which I've adopted recently. However, my training/racing partner Richard is currently popping Tamiflu instead of carbo loading and so our participation hangs by a thread and will need to be reassessed later in the week.
And after this weekend, no matter whether we race (I use the term in the sense that it is a race and we are participating - I don't think we'd be racing even if both of us were in perfect health) or not, I promise that I will be running more frequently as of next week.
We achieved the first objective with ease, but coming in after 7 hours 30 mins wasn't exactly a storming result. The first hill (Whernside) was fine, and the descent off it was really good fun, but after only 2 and a half hours, on the way up Ingleborough, our legs were feeling it. A lot. Our strategy of walk uphill, run the rest, was amended to reflect the state of our fitness and so the day went on. Overall I think it was a fair performance given the lack of training we'd done for it, but I have liked to have done better - i.e. I should have trained more.
Following the Three Peaks, another period of mostly doing nothing (the odd mountain bike ride in the dark followed by the pub quiz isn't really training properly) this coming weekend is supposed to be the OMM in mid-Wales, following the pattern of just one massive training session per month which I've adopted recently. However, my training/racing partner Richard is currently popping Tamiflu instead of carbo loading and so our participation hangs by a thread and will need to be reassessed later in the week.
And after this weekend, no matter whether we race (I use the term in the sense that it is a race and we are participating - I don't think we'd be racing even if both of us were in perfect health) or not, I promise that I will be running more frequently as of next week.
Tuesday 25 August 2009
Ratified
It's a fading memory already but the return to longer "endurance" events commenced back at the start of August with the Rat Race Urban Adventure Race in Sheffield. Competing with Richard who's also coming to MdS 2012, it was a harsh reminder of the need to eat whilst exercising for long periods. Apart from the length of time actually competing (8 hours on the Sunday) there wasn't too much direct correlation with the MdS. Any running in the Rat Race was fairly short and sharp, most of the event was on bikes and I can't see us doing too many 110 ft abseils in Morocco. But it was good fun, and despite a long time out of the adventure racing or even endurance scene, coming in the top third was promising.
We also got confirmation of our entry into the OMM in October in Wales. This is much more akin to MdS - self sufficient, orienteering, long distance and carrying food and a pack. Just the temperature and terrain will differ - expecting bogs and rain/cold in October in Wales, and heat and sand in Morocco in March.
Not much else by way of training of late although I have invested in a pair of Vibram Five Finger shoes and been out running in them for that barefoot feeling. It was very comfortable and felt refreshingly light on my feet, although they are a peculiar sight and solicited many laughs from my friends. I'll be laughing when they're all laid up with injuries and I have uber strong feet and a perfect running gait. Hopefully.
We also got confirmation of our entry into the OMM in October in Wales. This is much more akin to MdS - self sufficient, orienteering, long distance and carrying food and a pack. Just the temperature and terrain will differ - expecting bogs and rain/cold in October in Wales, and heat and sand in Morocco in March.
Not much else by way of training of late although I have invested in a pair of Vibram Five Finger shoes and been out running in them for that barefoot feeling. It was very comfortable and felt refreshingly light on my feet, although they are a peculiar sight and solicited many laughs from my friends. I'll be laughing when they're all laid up with injuries and I have uber strong feet and a perfect running gait. Hopefully.
Friday 26 June 2009
Fresh inspiration
The last few weeks have been a little slack on the running front - preparing for the builders arriving at home, work getting hectic and a holiday away with friends haven't helped my training. Excuses, excuses I know, it's something I need to re-learn in terms of prioritising those things that are important.
One advantage of the holiday in particular was the opportunity to relax and read - not a common occurence with the kids running around at home. My brother gave me a book for my birthday called Born to Run by Chris McDougall, which I devoured whilst away. Inspirational. A truly brilliant read. I'll not go into the details here as that's what Google was built for, but it's re-kindled my desire to run ultra-distance events, and has sparked an interest in moving towards "barefoot running" - not sure I'm prepared to go the whole hog just yet, but the principle is that we have evolved with an almost perfectly engineered foot for running long distances and modern running shoes simply interfere with our bio-mechanics and leads to a greater risk of injury. Given injury is something I'm keen to avoid I've decided to give it a go and will see how we get on.
That said, the book is also inspirational in terms of nutrition and body fuelling, and yet I'm sat here with a beer next to my keyboard. Small steps. Or is it selective rationalisation? Less money spent on running shoes = more money for beer!
One advantage of the holiday in particular was the opportunity to relax and read - not a common occurence with the kids running around at home. My brother gave me a book for my birthday called Born to Run by Chris McDougall, which I devoured whilst away. Inspirational. A truly brilliant read. I'll not go into the details here as that's what Google was built for, but it's re-kindled my desire to run ultra-distance events, and has sparked an interest in moving towards "barefoot running" - not sure I'm prepared to go the whole hog just yet, but the principle is that we have evolved with an almost perfectly engineered foot for running long distances and modern running shoes simply interfere with our bio-mechanics and leads to a greater risk of injury. Given injury is something I'm keen to avoid I've decided to give it a go and will see how we get on.
That said, the book is also inspirational in terms of nutrition and body fuelling, and yet I'm sat here with a beer next to my keyboard. Small steps. Or is it selective rationalisation? Less money spent on running shoes = more money for beer!
Wednesday 29 April 2009
It's a long, long road
I've been doing a bit of running, proper running I mean, not just a trot out once in a blue moon, since January this year. I'm now realising that I've got a lot of work to do to get into "ultra" shape. The mainstay of my training currently is a 5km run to and/or from work. On the way there it's more or less all downhill. Which of course means the way home is up up up. I've seen some great improvements since the start of the year - I've taken 3 mins 30 secs off my time in both directions - I'm now clocking in regular 22 mins 30 secs in and 26 mins and a bit home (that may give you some idea of the hill involved in getting home!).
However, despite these improvements, I'm still battered at the end of the 5km run. Now I've done enough running to know that I will always pace according to the distance to be covered - it's no use running a 10km and finishing thinking "I could do that all again", you should be tired. That's not to say you couldn't run another 10km and complete a half marathon, you just couldn't do it at that pace. I'm trying to introduce some longer runs - very steady ones, no heroics and doubling up a run in and home on a couple of days a week. I'm really going to stick with this pattern for the next 2-3 months until I feel ready to build things up a bit more. I've also done enough running to know that too much too soon leads to fatigue, loss of motivation and often injury - all of which I expect to encounter in the next 3 years, but I'm trying to minimise the risk of any of them.
Running 5km uphill has also made me realise that I'm carrying a bit too much weight - and I'm not talking about the pack on my back. Rather the tyres around my waist. A few kgs off my belly will mean a lot less energy expenditure over 150 miles on the MdS. Shedding a bit of excess baggage may prove as difficult as the running as I do love my food. Currently clocking in at a "stocky" 80kg (12 stone 7lb if you're that way inclined) I'm a good 6kg heavier than when I did the London to Brighton 55 mile race - 10 years ago (makes me feel old - and fat!) so there's definite room for improvement.
Thankfully I have 3 years - around 1,065 days currently to get ready for the desert so I'm not too concerned just yet. I'm looking forward to all those miles. Well, most of them.
However, despite these improvements, I'm still battered at the end of the 5km run. Now I've done enough running to know that I will always pace according to the distance to be covered - it's no use running a 10km and finishing thinking "I could do that all again", you should be tired. That's not to say you couldn't run another 10km and complete a half marathon, you just couldn't do it at that pace. I'm trying to introduce some longer runs - very steady ones, no heroics and doubling up a run in and home on a couple of days a week. I'm really going to stick with this pattern for the next 2-3 months until I feel ready to build things up a bit more. I've also done enough running to know that too much too soon leads to fatigue, loss of motivation and often injury - all of which I expect to encounter in the next 3 years, but I'm trying to minimise the risk of any of them.
Running 5km uphill has also made me realise that I'm carrying a bit too much weight - and I'm not talking about the pack on my back. Rather the tyres around my waist. A few kgs off my belly will mean a lot less energy expenditure over 150 miles on the MdS. Shedding a bit of excess baggage may prove as difficult as the running as I do love my food. Currently clocking in at a "stocky" 80kg (12 stone 7lb if you're that way inclined) I'm a good 6kg heavier than when I did the London to Brighton 55 mile race - 10 years ago (makes me feel old - and fat!) so there's definite room for improvement.
Thankfully I have 3 years - around 1,065 days currently to get ready for the desert so I'm not too concerned just yet. I'm looking forward to all those miles. Well, most of them.
Friday 17 April 2009
Who are you then?
For those of you that don't know me, I'm a recovering lardoholic. I used to be fat and lazy, but after a beer induced epiphany in 1997 I started running. Now I'm fat and not so lazy. It's an amazing transformation!
Not long after I started running I realised I'm no racing snake. I'm very much your 'middle-of-the-pack' kind of athlete (term used loosely). Undeterred by the fact that I was unlikely to ever win anything, I soon found that in most races you don't have to be on the podium to get a medal - you just have to finish. I've just tended to err towards those events where the finish is quite a long way away.
I'm now a veteran of over 25 marathons, probably more half marathons, and the odd excursion into ultra-distance running - the London to Brighton (55 miles) and High Peak 40 (40 miles - obviously).
I've branched out a little over the years into adventure racing and latterly triathlons, completing, amongst others, the 5-day non-stop 'Adrenalin Rush' adventure race, the OMM and Ironman UK.
All of that seems a long way in the past however, as I've been focusing my energies on my kids since they first arrived on the scene in mid-2006 and training has taken a back seat somewhat. With the MdS, I'm returning to my roots as it were and will be focusing on running for the next 3 years. As well as my wife and kids, obviously.
Not long after I started running I realised I'm no racing snake. I'm very much your 'middle-of-the-pack' kind of athlete (term used loosely). Undeterred by the fact that I was unlikely to ever win anything, I soon found that in most races you don't have to be on the podium to get a medal - you just have to finish. I've just tended to err towards those events where the finish is quite a long way away.
I'm now a veteran of over 25 marathons, probably more half marathons, and the odd excursion into ultra-distance running - the London to Brighton (55 miles) and High Peak 40 (40 miles - obviously).
I've branched out a little over the years into adventure racing and latterly triathlons, completing, amongst others, the 5-day non-stop 'Adrenalin Rush' adventure race, the OMM and Ironman UK.
All of that seems a long way in the past however, as I've been focusing my energies on my kids since they first arrived on the scene in mid-2006 and training has taken a back seat somewhat. With the MdS, I'm returning to my roots as it were and will be focusing on running for the next 3 years. As well as my wife and kids, obviously.
Thursday 9 April 2009
What's it all about then?
Well then, what is this event I’ve entered? All sounds a bit foreign. And it is. It’s the creation of a Frenchman, Patrick Bauer, an ex-French Foreign Legionnaire who developed a seemingly unhealthy love of the desert and exercise. Whether this was what caused him to join the French Foreign Legion, or was as a result of being in it, I’m not sure. It’s probably not that important either. I'm still confused over how a frenchman can be in the French Foreign Legion - if he's French, wouldn't he join the French Legion and leave the other one to the foreigners?
Anyway some 24 years ago he organised the first Marathon des Sables (Marathon of the Sands for the linguistically challenged amongst us) in Morocco. And it appears he’s done little else since then as every year he’s back there doing it again.
All very well I suspect you’re thinking, but what actually IS the Marathon des Sables? Well if you believe Mr Bauer, it’s “the toughest footrace on earth”. It covers about 250km (150miles) across the Moroccan Sahara on foot carrying a pack with all your personal items including food, sleeping gear and emergency first aid type stuff. Everything you need to survive in the desert with the exception of a tent and the 10 or so litres of water you’re likely to drink each day. It is a staged event held over 7 days with 6 stages. It varies each year, but generally those stages are around 25km, 35km, 40km, 80km, 42.2km (this stage is always a proper measured marathon) and 25km. At night you sleep in the desert in basic bedouin bivouac tents - big black shelters made out of sack cloth.
It’s in the desert so it will be hot. This is not totally ideal for me as I’m not too great in the heat. It will also be quite sandy. This is not totally ideal for me as I have been prone to blisters in the past.
Other than that, it’ll be great.
Anyway some 24 years ago he organised the first Marathon des Sables (Marathon of the Sands for the linguistically challenged amongst us) in Morocco. And it appears he’s done little else since then as every year he’s back there doing it again.
All very well I suspect you’re thinking, but what actually IS the Marathon des Sables? Well if you believe Mr Bauer, it’s “the toughest footrace on earth”. It covers about 250km (150miles) across the Moroccan Sahara on foot carrying a pack with all your personal items including food, sleeping gear and emergency first aid type stuff. Everything you need to survive in the desert with the exception of a tent and the 10 or so litres of water you’re likely to drink each day. It is a staged event held over 7 days with 6 stages. It varies each year, but generally those stages are around 25km, 35km, 40km, 80km, 42.2km (this stage is always a proper measured marathon) and 25km. At night you sleep in the desert in basic bedouin bivouac tents - big black shelters made out of sack cloth.
It’s in the desert so it will be hot. This is not totally ideal for me as I’m not too great in the heat. It will also be quite sandy. This is not totally ideal for me as I have been prone to blisters in the past.
Other than that, it’ll be great.
Friday 3 April 2009
3 years and counting....
So, as another Marathon des Sables comes to an end, my journey begins. In 3 years' time I hope to be one of those exhausted but jubilant finishers crossing the line and looking forward to a nice cool beer. It's a long way off (the finish line, not the beer) but I hope to keep a record of my journey to the desert, as well as a record of my time there.
It's been a long term ambition of mine to enter the race and after a few years of relative inactivity thanks to the arrival of my kids, I'm glad I've got a few years to get into shape for what promises to be a pretty tough challenge.
It's been a long term ambition of mine to enter the race and after a few years of relative inactivity thanks to the arrival of my kids, I'm glad I've got a few years to get into shape for what promises to be a pretty tough challenge.
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