Deep and crisp and uneven

The snow has arrived in Sheffield, making for slightly treacherous, though very beatiful running conditions. 

Lady Canning's Plantation, just up t'road from home

Since returning from the Brecons, the focus has shifted to getting used to running on consecutive days. And loading up the pack - standard weight is now around 7kg. It's going to be a long winter.

We've also been busy planning some fund raising for the Bluebell Wood Hopsice in Sheffield which supports families and children with life shortening ilnnesses, and Macmillan Cancer Support. We've set up a charity donation page at www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/ianandrichmds2012 which we'll be promoting more widely in the near future, as well as hosting and organising a range of fund raising events between now and April 2012.

As a result of conversations with a local Moroccan restaurant, we're now also officially sponsored athletes - courtesy of Otto and Theresa at Otto's Restaurant and The Mediterranean on Sharrow Vale Road in Sheffield. They'll be featuring on our race kit as our main (and only) sponsor of equipment. I'm very excited that someone has agreed to back us in this way.

Our next objective on that front is to get some media coverage and we've been talking to the Sheffield Star newspaper about running an article on us after we completed the Percy Pud, a popular local 10k race, in full MdS kit - there was even a camel running, but in a potentially bad omen, we failed to beat it!

We didn't beat the camel but still got the Christmas Pudding

Brecons Ultra

This post is a little out of date now, but a quick update on our performance at the Brecons Ultra back in November.  It was a long drive down to Brecon on Friday night but rewarded with a pre-race pint in a village pub, before settling down for a night in the campervan.

The race day was grey, but promised to be dry which was a bonus.  Around 120 or so people gathered together in the early morning, and then set off along the canal path for the first of two 23 mile laps - the race organisers weren't really sure how long each one was. What was certain was the massive hill that we had to climb early on the loop, made harder knowing that we'd have to do it again with another 23 miles in our legs.

Our aim for the day was to practice for the long day in the MdS, which meant a lot of walking with our new poles, and much to the amusement of a number of competitors who passed us, a stop for a hot meal to see if that strategy would pay dividends in the desert. Not overly helpful, as I found it worked really well, but Rich didn't seem to get on with the food 2/3rds of the way into the event.

Rich "enjoying" a de-hydrated chilli con carne at mile 29

The event overall was good - I felt pretty strong all the way round, although my right knee was pretty sore towards the end. Going through the day and into the darkness of a November evening was good practice and rather odd, as it felt a lot later than it was due to the dark which seemed to add to our tiredness. I was pleased with my performance though, and despite a mild dose of trenchfoot my feet held up with no blisters.

I'll definitely be taking poles to the desert, and have at last discovered some shorts which don't rub in all the wrong places so another piece of desert kit can be ticked off and packed ready for the race. Alright, so 12 hours+ isn't going to win any prizes (it didn't!), with the winner finishing in 6 hours 20 or thereabouts, but happy with the day out.

Slowing the pace

Not that my pace needs to be slowed at all really, but I figured I'm unlikely to be running all of the MdS so the last couple of weeks have involved some brisk walking, practicing with poles to help take some of the pressure off the legs. Both sessions proved pretty sucessful, not too much discomfort from the shoulder during the walks, though it's got a bit sore afterwards. Last weekend's outing was in perfect, glorious Autumnal weather - chilly, bright morning with excellent visibility.

Rich on the way back from Redmires

The other main focus since the Race Kit weekend has been pack carrying, aiming to gradually build the weight up to the full 11-12kg we're expecting at the start of the race. Joy. The fun part comes in gathering the goodies that will make up all that weight - shiny kit shopping. Currently I've working with a 6-7kg pack, so there's some way to go.

The pace will be picking up again this week (it's all relative!) as the Brecons Ultra is only 2 weeks away, which will be a great opportunity to try out our new kit and some anticipated strategies for the desert.

Other than that, things appear to be going well in training, with an increase in stretching, some strength work and avoiding injuries. Happy days.

All revved up

Just spent a fantastic weekend courtesy of the nice folks at Racekit.co.uk on an MdS training weekend in the Peak District. A great mix of running, trying kit, learning about all things MdS (including mental preparation, foot care, nutrition and tent etiquette - apparently "whacking off" is a no-no!). And of course the opportunity to meet up with, weigh up and have a jolly good laugh with some fellow competitors.

It's left me with a good few queries over pack choice, and other kit options, but at least I know where to turn to for advice and kit shopping. Three fantastic runs between Friday night (run round Ladybower Reservoir), Saturday am (Curbar and White Edges in the glorious sunshine) and Sunday (through my old favourite Burbage and across the back of Hathersage) allowed us to try many different variations of kit, poles and clothing.

If Carlsberg made night runs.....Ladybower in the clear dark night

A few days afterwards and I'm still very very excited about the race now. So much to do, so many things to think about and prepare and so much to look forward to. Given it's 6 months away, there's still time to get things sorted, but not much time to waste so from here on in it's focus, focus, focus.

Less sunny at Burbage

A few pics of the weekend courtesy of Andrew & Amanda at RaceKit (www.racekit.co.uk) - thanks guys for a fantastic weekend.

Somewhere near Curbar Edge in the sunshine

6 months and counting

That's less than 26 weeks to go until we fly to Morocco. A quick summary of where I'm up to: lots of long, slow plodding - tick; avoided running injuries so far - tick; confident of running 150 miles in ridiculous heat with a stupidly heavy pack and sand in my shoes - work in progress!

Still much work to do in the next 6 months, or 26 weeks, or 182 days. Getting kit, sorting out some charity sponsorship, ramping up the training and probably a million and one other things I'll be thinking I should have done come the 5th April next year.

This week's change from summer to winter, including 10 very soggy, windy, cold miles on Thursday morning does not signal ideal preparation for 40 degree heat but the miles all count. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

Now, best get on with that training plan......

Just like in the desert.....

A fantastic day out on Tryfan, passing itself off as a training event. Well worth the sore quads the next day. This is Rich climbing up, a long way from the summit.

Summer's over

So, that was the summer. Hardly a great year for getting used to running in the heat but all things considered, I'm not too upset with where things are currently.
After my last post I spent a week in Devon on holiday with the family and friends and only managed 1 run, but spent a lot of time stretching my leg muscles which was good. I came back not so much refreshed, but certainly not over trained like I was at the end of August last year.
On returning home, things have gone manic at work. This has put some pressure on the running, but so far I've been pretty disciplined and kept more or less to the schedule. The next big target was the High Peak 40 on 17 September. A few long runs of up to 20 miles were all I had time for in the build up, though frankly there's not much point running lots of much longer stuff. I bonked completely on the 2nd loop of Fairholmes a week before the HP40, which did my confidence no good at all.
On race day, I felt a bit lacking in oomph but ok for the first 14 miles, then it all started to unravel. I had a bad day. The next 24 miles were pretty abysmal really. No energy, sore knees and hip, and I had to really struggle to keep going. But keep going I did, cajoled on by an uncharacteristically spritely Rich. The last 2 or 3 miles were much better and I seemed to find enough to run pretty strongly home. Not enough to beat 9hours 30, but only 22 seconds outside it, and a full 1hour 15 quicker than last year so was pleased with the end result.
I was pretty sore after that, but managed a couple of mid-length runs the following week. Then track sessions with Sheffield Tri Club started up again on 27 Sept - an easy week to start us back into it (I haven't been track running for about 4 years) before getting serious in October. The aim is to try to inject a bit of speed into my running as I've kind of been training myself to plod. I'm pretty good at plodding now, but could do with an extra kick.
Last weekend was a sort of training weekend in Snowdonia with the Hammer & Pincers quiz team. A fantastic scramble up Tryfan and across the Glyders on Saturday, followed by a quick jaunt up Snowdon on Sunday. Interspersed with one or two beers, a curry, a poker night and much hilarity. My legs are actually pretty beaten up after that, I think from the downhill section on Saturday which saw us drop 900m in about 3km. So I'm resting up before getting on the turbo tomorrow and running again on Thursday.

....and relax.

A flurry of activity to report on since early June when I last posted. Training has been going pretty well really, and as it's summer holiday period I'm booking in for a couple of weeks off from running, mainly to avoid injury and give my ageing body a chance to recover but partly also because I'm trying to juggle looking after the kids through the summer, going to work and being on holiday and it's just too much to juggle sensibly.

Since my operation I've been receiving plenty of physio help and according to the experts, all is progressing very well. From my point of view it's slow going though and my shoulder still gives me considerable pain at times. The first big test of it was the Coniston Trail Marathon on 3 July, just 4 weeks after the op. The physios had a long debate over whether or not I should do it, then realised whatever they said I was likely to try it anyway so they showed me a strapping and sent me on my way. As it turned out the shoulder was fine. I carried a bum bag instead of a rucsac and that obviously kept any weight off the injury. The race itself was pretty tough though. Roasting hot, very exposed and far hillier than I'd anticipated. Combine that with some random mile markers around the course to confuse us all, and it proved a serious challenge. Richard, my training partner had a shocker of a day and so, combined with the topographical and atmospheric issues we jointly finished in 5 hours 25 mins. Not my fastest marathon, but a good test.

After a bit of recovery including some cycling, which was great for a change, our minds focused on the Long Tour of Bradwell in early August. In the lead up to that I did what is probably my daftest training run to date - 20 miles on a Monday morning with a deadline to end by 7.30am so my wife could get to work and I could take the kids to school. 3.30am saw me heading out into the dark, without a headtorch (I assumed being summer it would be light at that time - it wasn't). I slipped and slid down some very rocky and tree covered trails without being able to see my feet, and it wasn't until best part of an hour into the run that I was able to see fully. The route I had planned was a familiar 10 mile loop done twice. First loop was ok, on the 2nd loop however my energy just seemed to evaporate and every incline became a serious problem. I limped home at 7.15am just in time to start my day!

Finishing the Long Tour of Bradwell

On to the Long Tour of Bradwell on 6 August - a 31 mile jaunt around the Peak District, with 6,500 ft of ascent thrown in for good measure. Brutal. Absolutely brutal. I felt good (as good as could be expected) for all bar the last 3 miles by which time I'd kind of switched off, but it was tough. Unfortunately Rich wasn't feeling great again so struggled for much of the way round. Low points for me included falling into a quarry and struggling to uncramp my left calf as it seized up, and coming in joint 2nd from last. But at least we finished - if you look closely, we're almost smiling! I kept well hydrated and fuelled well throughout, which for an event which took us 9 hours 31 minutes to complete (I said it was brutal!) was good going.  

And since then I've been concentrating on recovery - sports massage (incredibly painful but allegedly good for me), and trying to stretch out my legs which are currently causing stiff lower back (hamstrings too tight) and tender right achilles tendon (calf muscles too tight). I've been in and out of work looking after the kids during school holidays for much of August, and I'm off on my jollies to Devon tomorrow for a week. Hoping to get some running in whilst away, but very steady stuff and not too tough I hope. When we get back there will be 32 weeks to go to the big race as the date has been set - we fly out on 5 April 2012. It's time to get serious I think, and really put my mind to getting fit and staying healthy, and I'm looking forward to all the shiny new kit I've got to get........

Chop chop

After a couple of weeks of good solid running I'm now recuperating after my long awaited operation to sort out my shoulder.

A 17.5 mile run followed by a 19.5 mile run 4 days later was necessary to get some key long runs in in preparation for the Lakeland Trails Marathon on 3rd July before the operation as I'm not sure how long it's going to put me out of action for. The long runs were successful - ended feeling pretty good, having succumbed to the delights of energy gels on each run. Following each of them with a full day at work was a challenge, but something I'll have to get used to as the distances increase and the time available to train diminishes.

I had some bone removed from my shoulder last Wednesday in an attempt to sort out the niggly pain which has persisted since last August. The operation went well apparently and I was out of hospital 6 hours after the operation. Once the anaesthetic wore off it was certainly sore, but I've got some very strong pain killers that seem to just send me to sleep all the time so it's manageable. I started the physio exercises as soon as possible to ensure I don't lose mobility and that has been by far the most painful part of the process so far. I'm no longer using the sling and am hoping that I will be able to get back running asap. The bike is set up in the garage on the turbo trianer just in case however. Only 4 weeks to the marathon so I could do with a speedy recovery ideally.

Just a quickie....

...the update that is, not the run. This morning was a belter - almost 15 miles on the way to work, gloriously sunny, varied terrain and, although pretty hard work, was stunning.

The picture is about 6 miles into the run, about 7.30am on Stanage Edge in the Peak District and it's all on my doorstep.

Marvellous!

The date is set

Confirmation came through today of the race dates - fly out on 5 April 2012 and return on 16 April 2012 with the actual race taking place from 8-14 April. That's 324 days away. That's not very long.

Luckily I have at least a vague plan of action as outlined in my races for 2011 shown on the right. Next up is the Lakeland Trails Marathon around Coniston less than 7 weeks away. I have some shoulder surgery to contend with in the meantime (it was postponed from this week to 1 June) so I'll have to see how that works out and fits in with my training.

Tomorrow morning brings with it a delightful 14 mile trip out into the Peak District on my way to work, and it's forecast to be sunny. Should be good. Having said that, based on how I looked at the end of the Sheffield Half Marathon, I may be struggling at work later on.......

Sheffield Half Marathon ticked off.

Sunday saw the first of the final year's preparation races ticked off - the Sheffield Half Marathon. 13.1miles through the scenic, and not so scenic streets of the Steel City. It wasn't the ideal preparation, going out until 2am on Saturday morning, followed by an alcohol induced chunder in the wee small hours, but by Sunday morning I was at the start line almost raring to go.

The race was quite warm and humid, but reasonably comfortable for most of it. I struggled a little from 11 miles and had to concede defeat to Rich (fellow MdS 2012 competitor and main training partner) in the last mile as my dehydrated state slowed my pace. Clocked a 1 hour 51 mins and 37 secs and was aiming at 1hour 50 so not too shabby all things considered.

Training since the last blog post has been steady - not all going to plan, but got some decent longish runs in - a brutal 66 minute return trip from Horton-in-Ribblesdale up to the top of Pen-y-Ghent and back in the Yorkshire Dales; a 2hours sweat-a-thon through the Peaks and a 10 miler round Fairholmes/Derwent Reservoir which I enjoyed a lot less than the night time run of the previous month.

Next step is to focus on the Lakeland Marathon round Coniston in July in 8 weeks' time. Only problem is I have to have an operation on my shoulder next week and I'm not sure how long it will prevent me from running. The bike is set up on the turbo trainer in the garage in case I can't run for a few weeks but it's not ideal. On the plus side, it should mean I can carry my pack in Morocco a little more comfortably than I can now. The downside to that is that distances don't really get any easier now until April 2012.

I've now booked in all the prep races I think I can handle between now and getting to the MdS so I have a good looking set of target training events to work towards.

This time next year.......

.....I'll either have massive blisters and a big grin or will still be on a drip in a Moroccan hospital somewhere feeling a bit down. Either way, the race will have been run! That's quite scary.

The 2011 MdS has just finished meaning next time round it's my turn. But first there's a whole shed load of training and planning to do. Plenty of shiny new kit to buy too, all of it of course will make me much much faster. Due to work going a bit nuts recently I've not been able to follow any of the race but I'm hoping to review the web for info on it.

The last few weeks' training have been fair to middling I'd say. Did a couple of longish runs, including back to back 10 milers on successive days. The second of those was round the Derwent Reservoir at night - an awesome run and one I'd be keen to repeat.

I've had a minor bout of plantar fasciitis in my left heel so have refrained from too much running, but it was tested last weekend with a cheeky 8.5 miler in the sunshine and seems to have held up since. Still no news on the shoulder, but it's troubling me a lot less currently so am not too worried - I have another appointment with the consultant at the end of April.

All in all, a fairly low key beginning to the final countdown.

14-20 February 2011 (58 weeks to go) – Here we go again…….

Hello again. Remember me? A somewhat extended break from blogging, not least because there’s not been a lot to blog about.

Notable highlights since August 2010 include the High Peak 40 mile Challenge in September – not a fast event but we completed it in 10 hours 47 mins and in pretty good shape, all things considered. Also my knee and hip problems seem to have been resolved without the need for invasive surgery, plenty of rest has allowed them to settle and as yet they haven’t flared up again, which is good.

Low points included getting yet another injury, this time in my left shoulder after a day of voluntary work organised by the University. Helping to clear out some streams of oversized oil drums in mid-August 2010 proved too much for my ageing body and I’m still suffering the effects of it now despite numerous scans, 3 months’ of very strong anti-inflammatory drugs, a cortisone injection, and 3 months’ of physio. I’m back to the shoulder specialist this week for a further assessment. Also, not running for many weeks in the latter part of 2010 hasn’t helped my fitness or mood much, but as highlighted above it has allowed my previous injuries to settle.

Into 2011, and yet another concerted effort to get into shape. Trying to learn from last year’s aborted attempt to get going, my view is that despite believing that I was taking it easy and breaking myself in gently, I actually started out with too much distance too soon and as a result simply ended up breaking myself. I am very, very keen to avoid that time round with only just over a year to go.

So the master plan is to build up to the Sheffield Half Marathon from Jan to April 2011, then increase the distance to marathon level, aiming at a yet to be decided marathon in August 2011. After that I’m hoping to focus on maintaining that workload and starting to swap over some of the shorter faster (it’s all relative) running to more longer distance ones and so build up endurance/stamina. Will need to be training with a pack at least by the time the summer marathon is done and dusted (hopefully the shoulder will be better by then). Events to focus on towards the end of 2011 will be a return to the High Peak 40 in September – hoping to wipe off a chunk of time on the 2010 event (I previously did it in 1999 in 8 hours 20!), and possibly the Brecon Beacons Ultra (45 miles) in November. This is an MdS preparation “classic” organised by people who are big into ultra distance racing and who conveniently own a shop full of shiny kit for such adventures.

2012 will be about consolidating the ability to run considerable distances back to back, with a pack, and fine tuning gear and strategy. That’s assuming I don’t fall apart like in 2010, and am able to keep going that long.

So far in 2011, I’ve been working to a 3-day-a-week programme of running based around completing the half marathon – won’t be expecting a PB, but something more respectable than last year’s 1 hour 56 should be on the cards. I’ve yet to exceed 20 miles per week so far this year. Compare that with 2010 when I started off the programme on 20+ miles and built up from there. I’m hoping therefore that my weary old body will be able to cope a bit better with the new, less brutal regime. Only time will tell……