So, my first DNF in my first 100 miler. It'll get to my excuses momentarily with a full race report, but I thought I would start with a quick thank you to all my friends and family for your sponsorship and kind words both before and since the day of the race. The grand total sits at 2898 pounds, it's a solid total for a cause that means a lot to the family so thanks once more.
So the race. I failed it, which is a complete bugger as it means I'll have to come back and try it again, sponsorship free to make it up to all those who supported my efforts. Chamonix itself was like nothing I've ever experienced before, the race itself likewise. UTMB was meant to kick off at 6.30pm but on the day of the event the start was postponed until 11.30pm. An odd and slightly unnerving time to head into the forbidding unknown of the mountains, but as I would be with two thousand or so other hardy fools I figured it should be ok. And so at 11pm I arrived at the start line to mill around with the other runners until kick off. In typical style the weather that had been so fine all week had turned to a fairly consistent rain and reportedly snow and freezing temperatures in the high passes. Something my training in 35 degrees and 95% humidity had not really prepared me for, so I found myself dressed in all of my cold weather gear on the start line, what would have been a preposterous idea in the warm weather just a few days before.
So, dressed in similar fashion and with similar athletic ability to the Michelin man, we counted down from ten in grandiose fashion to some even more grandiose music, the gun went off and we were off!! And then nothing happened. For us slow back of the packers, honestly we just stood there. It took 5 minutes for me to cross the start line, slow even by my standards. After much milling around it became apparent that the streets were only wide enough for 5-10 people, so with 2500 starting it understandably took a long while to get moving. and it was still cold, and still raining. Anticlimax doesn't quite cover it.
Anyway, we eventually started to move forward at a walk, then a shuffle and then, about 500 metres in I broke into a very relaxed jog aware, I thought, of what lay ahead and desperate to conserve energy. The start was quite fun until I started to be victimised by the crowd. I was wearing a pair of clear oakleys which apparently give me the appearance of Ali G. As pointed out by a couple of drunk brits 'It's Ali G!' they called out with great Wit. Very proud of themselves. Fuck off, I thought, whilst smiling and pretending to think it was all a great joke. A few hundred metres on and about 1.5k into the race, yet another English person called me Ali G. Right this is getting annoying I thought. And then, to compound the impact upon my fragile ego, every bloody French person on the way joined in. 'Ali' they called, mocking my appearance. Where's the support this race is famous for I thought They all looked very happy as they stand there mocking me. A couple of them even waving and shouting 'Ali Nicholas'. I was a couple of Ali's from snapping, when I realised that the French supporters were in fact shouting 'Allez', or 'go!'. I felt a little silly and regretted a few of my more choice responses to the supporters, so head down, a little embarrassed, I pushed on.
The first 10k to Les Houches was relatively flat road and trail so after adopting my customary position at the back of the field I drifted along quite happily at a jog. The first uphill was a steady winding road, back and forth, up and up and quite pleasant. I passed a lot of people on this uphill as I walked at a steady, driving pace. My HK hill walking and running kicking in quite nicely to push me up to Delevret at 14k. The downhill was another matter.
As we started to descend it became apparent that heavy rainfall and 2499 other runner passing before me did not create good conditions for walking down mountains. I attacked the downhill with all the elegance of Kung Fu Panda. My shiny red Salomon SLABS are not mud shoes. The comfort and grip I had experienced on the Mac in Hong Kong summer time deserted me pretty fast in the muddy rainy alps and I managed 3 pretty rough falls going down this first hill. At one point I managed to do something like the splits, pivoting onto my right shoulder, hitting a bump before gliding elegantly down the mountainside on my head. To say it wasn't pretty is an understatement. The other two falls were less dramatic and involved me gliding down calmly on my back, on one occasion I overtook my poles and had a few anxious moments trying to dig them out of the mud on the hillside. Normally I would laugh off the odd fall, it's part and parcel of long distance events off road that when you're tired you have trouble keeping your footing, but these conditions were treacherous and I was a tad worried about what was to come. Anyway, onwards and upwards I thought, 'Allez Kung Fu Panda'.
I arrived at the first at the first checkpoint in Saint Gervais in good order other than my 50% mud coating and I was really surprised to see people queueing at the desk to drop out. I knew I would struggle with this race, but 21k in was not a challenge other than the conditions. Perhaps the organisers were on to something with all of the mandatory gear. I don't think everyone was prepared for his event.
I had decided on a strategy to push through aid stations for the first half of the race, generally it's nice to have the support but I have always found it too big a temptation to stay in the warm with a nice cup of tea and biscuit rather than the horrible cold darkness of the mountains. So I manned up a little bit and pushed on. The next 10k to Notre Dame Gorge was a nice mix of walking the uphills and running the flats and downs and I really started to enjoy the race. My only issue at this stage was the cold, I'd got pretty wet with my falls and sweaty with my michelin layers, so every time I stopped the damp conditions had me shaking uncontrollably. I was pretty worried but decided that as I was warm when moving that was the best strategy and if I could get through until morning I should be ok in the sun. So on I went up the climb to Croix Du Bonhomme and bugger me was it a big one.
I walked up and up, sometimes in single file for two hours. It just went on and on, but I felt good and started to pass people. Not one of two people but hundreds of them. There were a lot of strugglers on this one and there was a steady stream of people passing the other way, decided for their own reasons and because of their own demons that enough was enough. I think the late start and the weather had more of an impact on this race than even the hills, but that's my opinion. The psychological impact of such changes cannot be underestimated in a mountain hundred miler. Although I was passing many people at this stage at will, I develop a battle against my own nemesis. A 65 year old man, perhaps older, much older who walked and ran carrying two big wooden poles. We yo, yo'd for about an hour passing one another until the station at La Balme where I left him for good, sitting, looking relaxed with a cup of tea. Bloody impressive effort.
The descent to Les Chapieux was equally treacherous but I Ku Fung Panda'd down the hill, somehow avoiding any more heavy falls and keeping a modicum of pride in tact. I'm not sure I could have handled anyone asking me if I was ok again as I lay looking at the skies. I cracked in a few glasses of coke and a couple of energy gels and moved on. It was now day time and the warm weather I had hoped for had not materialised. I'd passed a good few hundred people now according to my twitter feeds that I checked later. A pleasing effort and I felt good as I walked strongly towards the summit of Col De La Seigne, through the snow fields. It went on, and on and on some more. I'd always thought the hills in HK would be good preparation for any race but I realised at this stage that these mountains were really somewhere else. As was the weather.
On the way down Col De La Seigne it started to warm up a bit and the footing was much more secure, the gradient a little lighter. I started to feel much better about the descents but I was still a little chilly and shivering each time. I passed by Lac Combal aid station and headed up the next big hill, the Arete Du Mont Favre, a beautiful hill that looked a little like Telly Tubby land, green mounds and a lovely little alpine stream trickling down. I have to say, some of the views and experiences of this race were up there with the best I have ever seen.
This was when the wheels came off. I felt fine going over the top of A Du MF but as I headed down the other side, what should have been a beautiful downhill became one of the most painful experiences of my running life. My right knee simply gave out and for the next two hours I hobbled my way down to Courmayeur, feeling a deep sense of despair as I saw the race going away from me. The final descent to Courmayeur was incredibly steep and I must have been passed by a couple hundred runners, all filled with the urgency and energy I once felt as they headed on down to town, desperate to beat the cut offs. It's the experience of the back of the packer, the race is against yourself and lack of ability, whether you can beat the time limit as opposed to the other competitors.
It's always been a personal battle that I have won, I've never failed to finish a race before and I've always pushed on, but this time I could feel it slipping. So I dropped a load of drugs. That's always helped, but even my monster 75mg diclofenics had no impact and I couldn' walk. I sat down on a bench, overlooking courmayeur and with tears in my eyes I texted the girlfriend who I knew was waiting to see me there. 'C'est finis'. The 6 month dream was over.
So I hobbled down to Courmayeur
I collected by belongings, had my wrist band cut off, had my race number cut up and got the bus back to Chamonix.
My knee has cleared up really well since the race so I am assuming it was my quads that blew up, but my lungs have been more problematic. I was having some breathing difficulty during the race that I had put down to raw fear and cowardice, but it seems that it could have been something more. I developed a mighty chest infection which some horse drug sized tablets are helping with and also some drugs to deal with an infection in my big toe, developed after all of the tough descents drove the nail into the toe itself. In fact, the ordeal in an Italian A&E one evening was probably more scarring than the UTMB. Or the UT, which was what I completed. So until next year, I'll be Not the UTMB Man.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Ze twenty euro's of caution...
This week, the majority of the worlds best trail runners, hikers, explorers and me descend on Chamonix to attempt the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. I've had a wrist band attached that can only be cut off that proudly says UTMB. It's red. Bright. and a little embarrassing. I'd rather not have something announcing to the world what I am attempting. I prefer the relative annonymity of blogging rather than people looking at me, obviously thinking 'he'll never finish'.
It started early in the week when I was in a trail running store buying loads of kit I didn't know I needed. When I arrived at the checkout the lady looked before we had a slightly awkward and short conversation:
"aaaah (in a French way) CCC!!".
"Um, no, UTMB"
"Oh"
Not exactly confidence inspiring I have to admit. I must still be bloated after the loing haul flight. Also not inspiring confidence is the sheer number of ultra fit looking types floating around town. With approximately 5000 runners taking part in four different events over the course of the week the town is alive with runners of all nationalities milling around the various outdoor stores as well as a small town of wooden huts that has been erected to host a kind of outdoor wear expo. The energy of the town is like nothing I've experienced before and I have to say I love it.
It's funny to observe the different styles of the he various nationalities in attendance. The top US ultra guys seem to have a very laid back style that they bring, a little more of a hippy, chilled vibe. I saw Geoff Roes, Dakota Jones and the i-run far guy, Bryon, milling around having a laugh yesterday, looking very relaxed. A bit of a checked shirt and shorts thing going on. Then you get the southern euro's, the Italians, Spanish and Southern French who are all in what can only be described as 'Salomon Chic'. Even when off duty they seem to stick to their tight bright and shiny Salomon running wear and garish colours. Quite a lot of strutting and preening going on here. I've even seen a few all in one tri suits on display for a wander around town. For a moment I thought it was fancy dress. The british contingent seem to fall somewhere between the Americans and the Southern Europeans. Casual clothes with a hint of Salomon. Just to let the casual observer know that although they are dressed in normal clothes, we're here to get stuck in. Enough Sex and the Chamonix.
As mentioned, yesterday it has all become a little more obvious as to what we're here for as we've been officially branded with wrist straps that cannot be removed. Mine's bright red and branded UTMB. My first thought was that it went well with my Salomon SLABS and red cap. My second thought was that it is really going to happen and ever since then I have had 'the fear', gnawing away at my stomach. This is really going to hurt! Can I even do this? Do I have enough pain killers? Will a local doctor give me opiates? Shall I just get drunk, eat cheese and miss the start? All the usual thoughts before doing something so fool hardy.
Before official registration yesterday Amy the Korean and I spent a buit of quality tourist time together. Best event of the week by far way the cable car trip up form Chamonix (1000m) up to L'Aiguille du Midi (3800m) and across to Italy (3400m). The trip acroos to Italy was in a tiny 4 seater car, with stunning panoramic views of the bloody massive drop onto the glacier that could occur at any moment should there be a stiff gust of wind. Not that I was scared of course, I just don't like the thought of imminent crushed-on-ice-in-a-tiny-cable-car death. The journey back across the glacier was particularly traumatic as we were with an italian couple who insisted on jerking from left to right, opening the windows to take pictures (just to really catch the gust of wind!) abnd generally causing the thing to rick back and forth. Of course as mentioned, I wasn't scared one lkittle bit of being 500 meteres above a glacier in an egg carton, it was great fun. My legs weren't shaking and I didn't wee a little bit. I'm too macho for that. I'd highly recommend it to all!
So yesterday tourism came to a close and the race started to become a reality. Registration was efficient and quick and at times felt a little like stepping into the Lord of the Rings. We had to put down a deposit for the race chip that is contained in the aformentioned red salomon matching wrist strap. I believe something must have been lost in translation, or it was another slip of tongue when observing my obvious lack of fitness, but the very French lady on the reception desk looked me up and down before asking:
"Do you av ze twenty euros of caution?"
"Bloody hell", I though. It sounded a little like I should have been on a quest beforehand, rather that withdrawing it from the BNP Paribas brand on the corner.
"Yes", I replied solemnly, hoping I looked grave and serious enough, "I have the twenty euros of caution". As I held it aloft triumphantly.
With tension building she replied "Merci", and showed me on my way. I was a bit let down. No crack of thuinder, flash of lightening. I just rejioned my friend Tom in the queue feeling a little like this challenge might be beyond me.
As well as my quest for the twenty euro's of caution I have faced other challenges this week. Trying to find food that wasn't shit in geneva, trying not to spend my monthly salary a day in geneva, trying to convince the girlfriend that there wasn't a remote chance of death during this race, trying not to cry on the cable car. However, the toughest test of willpower to date was definitely being in France and not gorging myself on cheese and red wine. It's been a real struggle. I started off strong, but as is always the case as the week went on I felt more and more tested, I started to lose my focus, my body became weaker and weaker, even moving forward was a struggle... ok I'm exaggerating a little, but there are cheese shops everywhere, with their wonderful stinky aroma's clogging up the warm air. If/ when I finish this thing my first words will likely be 'Red wine and cheese', I may throw a merci in there, but cannot make any promises. As noted in past blogs, I'm not exactly a profound individual.
One day to go. I've never been so scared (discounting the cable car).
It started early in the week when I was in a trail running store buying loads of kit I didn't know I needed. When I arrived at the checkout the lady looked before we had a slightly awkward and short conversation:
"aaaah (in a French way) CCC!!".
"Um, no, UTMB"
"Oh"
Not exactly confidence inspiring I have to admit. I must still be bloated after the loing haul flight. Also not inspiring confidence is the sheer number of ultra fit looking types floating around town. With approximately 5000 runners taking part in four different events over the course of the week the town is alive with runners of all nationalities milling around the various outdoor stores as well as a small town of wooden huts that has been erected to host a kind of outdoor wear expo. The energy of the town is like nothing I've experienced before and I have to say I love it.
It's funny to observe the different styles of the he various nationalities in attendance. The top US ultra guys seem to have a very laid back style that they bring, a little more of a hippy, chilled vibe. I saw Geoff Roes, Dakota Jones and the i-run far guy, Bryon, milling around having a laugh yesterday, looking very relaxed. A bit of a checked shirt and shorts thing going on. Then you get the southern euro's, the Italians, Spanish and Southern French who are all in what can only be described as 'Salomon Chic'. Even when off duty they seem to stick to their tight bright and shiny Salomon running wear and garish colours. Quite a lot of strutting and preening going on here. I've even seen a few all in one tri suits on display for a wander around town. For a moment I thought it was fancy dress. The british contingent seem to fall somewhere between the Americans and the Southern Europeans. Casual clothes with a hint of Salomon. Just to let the casual observer know that although they are dressed in normal clothes, we're here to get stuck in. Enough Sex and the Chamonix.
As mentioned, yesterday it has all become a little more obvious as to what we're here for as we've been officially branded with wrist straps that cannot be removed. Mine's bright red and branded UTMB. My first thought was that it went well with my Salomon SLABS and red cap. My second thought was that it is really going to happen and ever since then I have had 'the fear', gnawing away at my stomach. This is really going to hurt! Can I even do this? Do I have enough pain killers? Will a local doctor give me opiates? Shall I just get drunk, eat cheese and miss the start? All the usual thoughts before doing something so fool hardy.
Before official registration yesterday Amy the Korean and I spent a buit of quality tourist time together. Best event of the week by far way the cable car trip up form Chamonix (1000m) up to L'Aiguille du Midi (3800m) and across to Italy (3400m). The trip acroos to Italy was in a tiny 4 seater car, with stunning panoramic views of the bloody massive drop onto the glacier that could occur at any moment should there be a stiff gust of wind. Not that I was scared of course, I just don't like the thought of imminent crushed-on-ice-in-a-tiny-cable-car death. The journey back across the glacier was particularly traumatic as we were with an italian couple who insisted on jerking from left to right, opening the windows to take pictures (just to really catch the gust of wind!) abnd generally causing the thing to rick back and forth. Of course as mentioned, I wasn't scared one lkittle bit of being 500 meteres above a glacier in an egg carton, it was great fun. My legs weren't shaking and I didn't wee a little bit. I'm too macho for that. I'd highly recommend it to all!
So yesterday tourism came to a close and the race started to become a reality. Registration was efficient and quick and at times felt a little like stepping into the Lord of the Rings. We had to put down a deposit for the race chip that is contained in the aformentioned red salomon matching wrist strap. I believe something must have been lost in translation, or it was another slip of tongue when observing my obvious lack of fitness, but the very French lady on the reception desk looked me up and down before asking:
"Do you av ze twenty euros of caution?"
"Bloody hell", I though. It sounded a little like I should have been on a quest beforehand, rather that withdrawing it from the BNP Paribas brand on the corner.
"Yes", I replied solemnly, hoping I looked grave and serious enough, "I have the twenty euros of caution". As I held it aloft triumphantly.
With tension building she replied "Merci", and showed me on my way. I was a bit let down. No crack of thuinder, flash of lightening. I just rejioned my friend Tom in the queue feeling a little like this challenge might be beyond me.
As well as my quest for the twenty euro's of caution I have faced other challenges this week. Trying to find food that wasn't shit in geneva, trying not to spend my monthly salary a day in geneva, trying to convince the girlfriend that there wasn't a remote chance of death during this race, trying not to cry on the cable car. However, the toughest test of willpower to date was definitely being in France and not gorging myself on cheese and red wine. It's been a real struggle. I started off strong, but as is always the case as the week went on I felt more and more tested, I started to lose my focus, my body became weaker and weaker, even moving forward was a struggle... ok I'm exaggerating a little, but there are cheese shops everywhere, with their wonderful stinky aroma's clogging up the warm air. If/ when I finish this thing my first words will likely be 'Red wine and cheese', I may throw a merci in there, but cannot make any promises. As noted in past blogs, I'm not exactly a profound individual.
One day to go. I've never been so scared (discounting the cable car).
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
For the love of speedos
I've ramped the long runs up in distance over the last month and a half to make sure I'm spending 6-8 hours on my feet and I can feel myself getting stronger. With UTMB only 11 days off I am starting to get pretty excited (see 'Scared' in the Oxford Dictionary, alternatively 'terrified') about the whole idea. One hundred and sixty sixty kilometers. One hundred and sixty six kilometers. One hundred and sixty six kilometers. Yep, doesn't matter how many times I say it, whether I whisper or shout. It still sounds like a bloody long way. As I've said repeatedly before, the furthest I've travelled in one go was 100k. So I'll need to travel two thirds of that again. It's terrifying actually. Bloody terrifiying. I have a confession to make about my long runs. I have not been finishing these runs in good shape. Admittedly Hong Kong is bloody hot with high humidity and this does make a difference to what you can manage, but 6 hours on my feet feels easily enough. I loose so much fluid that it takes me until Wednesday to recover. A few weeks back I drank 6 litres following the run and still didn't pee that day. It really cannot be healthy. So I'm thinking more and more that I have massively overstretched myself. Not good with only 11 days of rigorous taper to go.
So I am scared. But not as scared as I was when I passed a guy in speedo's hiking the dragons back (that isn't slang of any kind). Now you do see some sights in Hong Kong out on the trails. But the guy in Montrails, white socks and speedos, nothing else, was a step above the norm and had me reeling in shock and awe. But true humiliation came when he overtook me. In my defence I completely blew up, 44k into a 58k long run/ hike (My longest effort in preparation for UTMB). I tend to get beaten by most people when racing trails, but I think being overtaken by a guy only wearing speedos was a new low. I'm not sure it will ever be beaten. It was such an assault on the senses I think it contributed towards a minor breakdown. Even more surprising was that speedo guy was accompanied by his wife. More surprising still was that he had a wife! Clearly she is not regulating his behaviour, and didn't seem embarrassed in the slightest by his wares. Despite dressing in a normal manner herself.
It's not just been speedo based challenges of late either. I've been spending my long runs out in the new territories along the Macclehose trail. Famous for the Hong Kong Trailwalker race each November, the macclehose has some great hills to train on. Traditionally Stage 6 has a big tribe? school? group? party? troupe (?) of monkeys.Actually a group of monkeys is referred to as a mission or a tribe. And there are a lot of the little buggers in Hong Kong. Long and short tail macaques apparently. All I know is that the big males do not appreciate my trail style and seem to take great offence at my presence. They were more upset than 'the Feet' when he first saw my running style. Perhaps I got them wrong and actually they were just concerned that my left hand was still rigid and my right foot was slapping down, They were most likely just taking the piss monkey style. Actually it was quite scary and I had planet of the apes style visions running through my mind of being pulled apart limb from limb. But after a little backing down on my part they let me pass. Well... I say backing down, but actually Black Diamond Z Poles have more than one use. I would imagine the lead monkey is still having trouble sitting without a rubber ring. Although if the park authority were to question me it would be full denial.
So, this final week before the girlfriend and I depart for Europe has seen the usual frenzy of gear buying that I always find so comforting before a major race. A couple of weeks before the start I always develop a genuine belief that somehow buying the latest gadgets makes up for me being a crap runner of limited athletic ability. Somehow the latest compression gear will make up for being 10kg's over weight. The lightest waterproofs will stop me from feeling the ill effects of the big mac I just ate. The fact I now have 2 pairs of Salomon S Lab 4's will somehow mean I won't develop blisters over the course of 100 miles. It's all nonsense. I know that. But somehow I feel better. it's the racing equivalence of comfort food. That somehow if I can't be 15kgs lighter, being 500 US dollars lighter makes up for it.
So it's the story of my racing life repeating itself. Moderate to shite training. All the gear. Very little in the way of idea. The good thing is you'll be able to follow the race through live updates on facebook and twitter. I think they only go in to time and race position. So it should be pretty easy to follow. 'Slow and last' should just about do it. But hopefully I'll get to the finish because I am running for Charideeeee.
On a more serious and emotive note, I am doing this race for charity. You can find the link below. My dad died of cancer in 2010, almost a year to the day when I start UTMB (4 days later i.e. sometime around when search and rescue finds me in the alps blowing on my little whistle). And I would like to make an impact on the cancer ward where he was treated before his death. The charidee e-mail goes out to friends , family and coworkers tomorrow but if anyone would like to contribute or indeed hear a bit more:
http://www.justgiving.com/tom-anderson-dad-/
I'll never get over the loss, but hopefully in my own way, I will make a small difference and through doing something that I love (at least for the first 60k) will remember him in a way that feels fitting. I'll also be doing that with a bottle of wine after the event, but more of that later. For now the training is finished.
Race report to follow.
So I am scared. But not as scared as I was when I passed a guy in speedo's hiking the dragons back (that isn't slang of any kind). Now you do see some sights in Hong Kong out on the trails. But the guy in Montrails, white socks and speedos, nothing else, was a step above the norm and had me reeling in shock and awe. But true humiliation came when he overtook me. In my defence I completely blew up, 44k into a 58k long run/ hike (My longest effort in preparation for UTMB). I tend to get beaten by most people when racing trails, but I think being overtaken by a guy only wearing speedos was a new low. I'm not sure it will ever be beaten. It was such an assault on the senses I think it contributed towards a minor breakdown. Even more surprising was that speedo guy was accompanied by his wife. More surprising still was that he had a wife! Clearly she is not regulating his behaviour, and didn't seem embarrassed in the slightest by his wares. Despite dressing in a normal manner herself.
It's not just been speedo based challenges of late either. I've been spending my long runs out in the new territories along the Macclehose trail. Famous for the Hong Kong Trailwalker race each November, the macclehose has some great hills to train on. Traditionally Stage 6 has a big tribe? school? group? party? troupe (?) of monkeys.Actually a group of monkeys is referred to as a mission or a tribe. And there are a lot of the little buggers in Hong Kong. Long and short tail macaques apparently. All I know is that the big males do not appreciate my trail style and seem to take great offence at my presence. They were more upset than 'the Feet' when he first saw my running style. Perhaps I got them wrong and actually they were just concerned that my left hand was still rigid and my right foot was slapping down, They were most likely just taking the piss monkey style. Actually it was quite scary and I had planet of the apes style visions running through my mind of being pulled apart limb from limb. But after a little backing down on my part they let me pass. Well... I say backing down, but actually Black Diamond Z Poles have more than one use. I would imagine the lead monkey is still having trouble sitting without a rubber ring. Although if the park authority were to question me it would be full denial.
So, this final week before the girlfriend and I depart for Europe has seen the usual frenzy of gear buying that I always find so comforting before a major race. A couple of weeks before the start I always develop a genuine belief that somehow buying the latest gadgets makes up for me being a crap runner of limited athletic ability. Somehow the latest compression gear will make up for being 10kg's over weight. The lightest waterproofs will stop me from feeling the ill effects of the big mac I just ate. The fact I now have 2 pairs of Salomon S Lab 4's will somehow mean I won't develop blisters over the course of 100 miles. It's all nonsense. I know that. But somehow I feel better. it's the racing equivalence of comfort food. That somehow if I can't be 15kgs lighter, being 500 US dollars lighter makes up for it.
So it's the story of my racing life repeating itself. Moderate to shite training. All the gear. Very little in the way of idea. The good thing is you'll be able to follow the race through live updates on facebook and twitter. I think they only go in to time and race position. So it should be pretty easy to follow. 'Slow and last' should just about do it. But hopefully I'll get to the finish because I am running for Charideeeee.
On a more serious and emotive note, I am doing this race for charity. You can find the link below. My dad died of cancer in 2010, almost a year to the day when I start UTMB (4 days later i.e. sometime around when search and rescue finds me in the alps blowing on my little whistle). And I would like to make an impact on the cancer ward where he was treated before his death. The charidee e-mail goes out to friends , family and coworkers tomorrow but if anyone would like to contribute or indeed hear a bit more:
http://www.justgiving.com/tom-anderson-dad-/
I'll never get over the loss, but hopefully in my own way, I will make a small difference and through doing something that I love (at least for the first 60k) will remember him in a way that feels fitting. I'll also be doing that with a bottle of wine after the event, but more of that later. For now the training is finished.
Race report to follow.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
The bells, the bells
Right, my blogging seems to have suffered in recent months due to excessive workload and a bit of running thrown in for good measure. Apart from my continuing fear of snakes and general overweight bearing the training has been progressing nicely.
I finally got myself a coach for the running, one of HK's better trail runners, to be known as 'the feet' from here on in. We've had 4 sessions so far and it's been an interesting revelation just how easy I've previously been training. Either that or the feet is actually trying to kill me. I thought we were friends. Our first session was a nice 25k jaunt along half of the Hong Kong trail. Generally downhill in elevation but with a couple of nice little hills along the way. As we set off, the Feet dropped in behind me to observe my (lack of) style. His first observations 'why is your right foot slapping?' and 'your left arm sort of sticks out like this'. He then preceded to run down the trail in front of me, looking a little like the hunch back of notre dam. Now I know I'm not a silky smooth runner, more hippo in style than wolf, but frankly I was a little offended. However, I decided to man up and Quasi Mo Do'd off down the trail after the feet. Ego in tatters.
The next two sessions were fantastic, minus the constant calls of 'stop slapping your feet down, run like you're on rice paper grasshopper!' or 'relax the shoulders, what are your arms doing now?!'. But again I manned up and took it all in. There's a surprising amount of technique involved in running, of which I have mastered next to none, so it's nice to get an ongoing commentary on how to improve. However hurtful. Sensei Feet's theory that us trail runners are donkeys compared to the tracks race horses fits kind of well with me, although Donkeys everywhere may be mildly offended at the comparison. I'd started to feel that this donkey has been making real progress, despite the heat and humidity here. Until Thursday's session.
Essentially it was a mix of running, burpees, squats, hil sprints, stairs, plyometrics and other exercises that my body did not recognise and could not cope with. From about 20 minutes into the session I couldn't feel my legs and as we progressed onto pull up type things my arms quickly followed suit. By the end of the session, one and a half hours later I felt a little like someone had attached my head to a pile of jelly. I have to admit I no longer see the feet as a friend. In fact I could hardly see at all, the tears were really hampering my vision! I need to confess here that he's got a few years on me, but it helped me to recognise my genetic ability as I slogged up a 10 minute stair climb, muttering under my breath and he danced alongside me looking slightly bored by my lack of progress, merrily chatting away. 'One of my clients once called me a w**nker when I made them walk up here, but you'd never do that would you mate'... 'Sorry w**nker?' I thought, whilst shouting brightly 'of course not coach!'. It was truly one of the hardest sessions I've done (not helped by a 19k run around the peak the night before- coach has also trained me that the first rule of ultras it to get your excuses in early. In some areas I am a fast learner). It's the first time I've wanted to vomit since my last 6am finish in Wan Chai and has taken 2 days for me to recover. But it'll all be worth it in the end I am sure. I have to say having a coach is making a real difference so for anyone starting out, I recommend the feet, as long as you don't mind simulating death whilst being talked to in a rather chirpy manner.
Distance wise, I've been getting in 80-100k a week so feeling ok, but I'm now very aware how slow I am compared to the 'proper runners' as I like to call them. Very, very slow.
One real positive is that I have found some effective trail shoes for the big lads. I'll be mincing around the Alps in my sparkly red Salomon S Lab 4's this August and I've bought some Black Diamond Ultra Z Poles, which are amazingly light. Not sure how long they'll last with 100kg of altitude induced asthma attack leaning on them, but they are also very shiny so I like them a lot. I'm pretty much a trail crow when it comes to kit. The brighter and shinier the better. And the happier I become, I think I'm pretty much a triathlete when it comes to kit. It makes me a bit ashamed. I'm still thinking what t-shirt to wear as I continue to have nipple related issues on my longest runs, even with liberal amounts of body glide applied. I'm looking for the silkiest t-shirt available for the hundred miler. Nothing to do with the nips. I just like silky shirts. Probably go for a bit of North Face action. Combined with the SLABS, I'll pretty much be an ultra pimp. I'm kind of hoping the Salomon effect may help me out a little as their runners seem to be cleaning up the big 100's so far this year. They may look slightly wrong in their white n tight suits, but they sure are fast. I just look wrong. Hey ho, onwards and upwards.
I finally got myself a coach for the running, one of HK's better trail runners, to be known as 'the feet' from here on in. We've had 4 sessions so far and it's been an interesting revelation just how easy I've previously been training. Either that or the feet is actually trying to kill me. I thought we were friends. Our first session was a nice 25k jaunt along half of the Hong Kong trail. Generally downhill in elevation but with a couple of nice little hills along the way. As we set off, the Feet dropped in behind me to observe my (lack of) style. His first observations 'why is your right foot slapping?' and 'your left arm sort of sticks out like this'. He then preceded to run down the trail in front of me, looking a little like the hunch back of notre dam. Now I know I'm not a silky smooth runner, more hippo in style than wolf, but frankly I was a little offended. However, I decided to man up and Quasi Mo Do'd off down the trail after the feet. Ego in tatters.
The next two sessions were fantastic, minus the constant calls of 'stop slapping your feet down, run like you're on rice paper grasshopper!' or 'relax the shoulders, what are your arms doing now?!'. But again I manned up and took it all in. There's a surprising amount of technique involved in running, of which I have mastered next to none, so it's nice to get an ongoing commentary on how to improve. However hurtful. Sensei Feet's theory that us trail runners are donkeys compared to the tracks race horses fits kind of well with me, although Donkeys everywhere may be mildly offended at the comparison. I'd started to feel that this donkey has been making real progress, despite the heat and humidity here. Until Thursday's session.
Essentially it was a mix of running, burpees, squats, hil sprints, stairs, plyometrics and other exercises that my body did not recognise and could not cope with. From about 20 minutes into the session I couldn't feel my legs and as we progressed onto pull up type things my arms quickly followed suit. By the end of the session, one and a half hours later I felt a little like someone had attached my head to a pile of jelly. I have to admit I no longer see the feet as a friend. In fact I could hardly see at all, the tears were really hampering my vision! I need to confess here that he's got a few years on me, but it helped me to recognise my genetic ability as I slogged up a 10 minute stair climb, muttering under my breath and he danced alongside me looking slightly bored by my lack of progress, merrily chatting away. 'One of my clients once called me a w**nker when I made them walk up here, but you'd never do that would you mate'... 'Sorry w**nker?' I thought, whilst shouting brightly 'of course not coach!'. It was truly one of the hardest sessions I've done (not helped by a 19k run around the peak the night before- coach has also trained me that the first rule of ultras it to get your excuses in early. In some areas I am a fast learner). It's the first time I've wanted to vomit since my last 6am finish in Wan Chai and has taken 2 days for me to recover. But it'll all be worth it in the end I am sure. I have to say having a coach is making a real difference so for anyone starting out, I recommend the feet, as long as you don't mind simulating death whilst being talked to in a rather chirpy manner.
Distance wise, I've been getting in 80-100k a week so feeling ok, but I'm now very aware how slow I am compared to the 'proper runners' as I like to call them. Very, very slow.
One real positive is that I have found some effective trail shoes for the big lads. I'll be mincing around the Alps in my sparkly red Salomon S Lab 4's this August and I've bought some Black Diamond Ultra Z Poles, which are amazingly light. Not sure how long they'll last with 100kg of altitude induced asthma attack leaning on them, but they are also very shiny so I like them a lot. I'm pretty much a trail crow when it comes to kit. The brighter and shinier the better. And the happier I become, I think I'm pretty much a triathlete when it comes to kit. It makes me a bit ashamed. I'm still thinking what t-shirt to wear as I continue to have nipple related issues on my longest runs, even with liberal amounts of body glide applied. I'm looking for the silkiest t-shirt available for the hundred miler. Nothing to do with the nips. I just like silky shirts. Probably go for a bit of North Face action. Combined with the SLABS, I'll pretty much be an ultra pimp. I'm kind of hoping the Salomon effect may help me out a little as their runners seem to be cleaning up the big 100's so far this year. They may look slightly wrong in their white n tight suits, but they sure are fast. I just look wrong. Hey ho, onwards and upwards.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Been a while
It's been a while since I mustered a blog, between work and getting out running I don't seem to have had the time to sit down and crack one out. A blog that is. The training is going remarkably well, I've managed back to back longer runs for the last 4 weekends, despite some cracking thunderstorms doing their best to disrupt my progress and each week I've managed at least 4 runs during the week. I'm up to between 80 and 100k most weeks at the moment and I've got one eye on my diet in order to make defying gravity around the alps a tad easier. Apparently for every kilo you lose you save minutes from your Marathon time. As a former fat lad if this is true I'll be in deficit by the time UTMB comes around. Completing it in minus half an hour. Beat that Jornet.
As the heat and humidity have truly landed for the Summerr I've been experimenting with a variety of kit and hydration/ food combos as I start to think about the event in August. I tried Newton shoes, which are crap when wet and humid. The nature of the design means the shoe rocks you forward, and as it gets wetter and you hit steep down hills, the inner sole slides right down to the front of the shoe crushing your toes. A design fault if ever there was one for a trail shoe. There aren't that many flat dry trail races that I can think of. Also, the forefoot features their patented lugs to aid a more natural running style. Except on trails again. I found that the lugs feel unbalanced and when I hit roots of rocks tended to be unstable. Finally, the last point of my 'big fat sweaty lads can't wear Newton trail shoes' analysis. The lugs actually make the really steep up hills steeper. Weird, but unless you're running, which I cannot manage on HK's biggest hills (think 500-1000 steps), you actually have to overcome the lugs as well as the gradient. Sod that.
I think I've settled on 2XU shorts for the race but nothing else. They are a bit of a tri brand which is slightly against my religion, but they do seem to help me avoid the dreaded chaffing. As for socks and t-shirts etc I haven't found anything that works yet. Every shirt I try turns into a cheese grater when wet leaving me with nips like minced beef. I used to have a nice silky thin North Face one that worked so going to see if I can track one down. I'm also still looking for a decent small pack that has accessible side pockets for my gels, although I'm considering a strategy I've read about and dissolving them in my drink instead, we'll see. Anyway, however much I read there doesn't seem to be any holy grail of kit. Only of training, do a lot.
I'm also not quite sure what to do about my glasses. I got caught in one of Hong Kong's 'Amber' rain storms at the weekend. It warrants a warning on the local Observatory website that low lands are prone to flooding, there may be landslides and a bit of thunder etc. They need to add a new sentence to their warning that for those who wear glasses you can't see your own nose. Seriously, between the fogging effect of the humidity and the heaviness of the rain I couldn't see a thing. I think it may warrant registering as a disability, maybe I'll get free parking. I was splashing down the trail just waiting to hit a root and go over the edge. And yet I loved it. Running in the rain is so much more pleasurable than running in the humidity.
I know I bang on about it, but I'm getting through 4.5 litres every 25 or so K. It's impossible to stay hydrated but the drinks that seem to work best are those with the 4:1 ratio. Some protein as well as Carb. I'm settling on the accelerade at the moment. The pure carb drinks seem to give me a bit of tummy trouble. Does a Nottheultramarathon man sh1t on the trail. It appears so, especially when fueling on gatorade and gels. Suddenly. Violently. On occassion without warning. How is it that whenever you take a dump in the open that there is always, without fail, a full family and dog coming around the corner. Honestly, you can go ages without seeing people when the weather is bad, but take a dump and several families will appear at once as if from nowhere. I think they coordinate somehow. It makes you feel surprisingly vulnerable when you've got your arse hanging out.
The other issue that continues to freak me out is that the heat brings out the snakes. I mentioned how bravely I tend to deal with snakes in a previous blog i.e. not at all. But last week I stumbled across snakus maximus. Father to a massive baby snake, husband to a.... You get the picture. Luckily I'd switched to my 4:1 drink formula or no doubt several families of hikers would have appeared. I'm not sure what kind of snake it was, but it had a head the size of a farm animal. It was definitely viewing me as a food item. Luckily it appeared to have just eaten a small child so it wasn't up for any more. I was thankful for the kids sacrifice and carried on my way.
So, my weeks training last week hit 100k. A lot less than good runners, but building up to being respectable. I've subbed in some tempo runs, hill repeats and this week am training twice a day Tues, Weds and Thurs. Hoping to get myself up to 110 and keep increasing right up to 3 weeks before UTMB (with a dip every fourth week for recovery/ beer). I'm still no more confident I can finish this thing, doing 100 miles training in a week seems well beyond me at present, let alone in one go at altitude. Hey ho, I'm not in it to win it, just to have a bit of an adventure and raise some money in memory of my dad. More on that one in the next post as I sort out my charidee piece. For some reason, even when it's for a worthy cause, I always feel a bit of a prat raising money for charity. I don't like to ask people for their hard earner cash when I am actually doing something that makes me so happy, but then I remember that after 50k I always have a slow dawning realisation that I am too big, too slow and going to suffer massively, so please donate once I get it up and running.
This sunday is my first UK fathers day without one, so it's going to be a tough day. One to get through. I plan to have a pint of guinness, think of the good times and get the charity page launched in his memory. I won't need any more motivation to get round the UTMB course, even if I have to crawl on my hands and knees. Which isn't beyond the realms of possibility!
As the heat and humidity have truly landed for the Summerr I've been experimenting with a variety of kit and hydration/ food combos as I start to think about the event in August. I tried Newton shoes, which are crap when wet and humid. The nature of the design means the shoe rocks you forward, and as it gets wetter and you hit steep down hills, the inner sole slides right down to the front of the shoe crushing your toes. A design fault if ever there was one for a trail shoe. There aren't that many flat dry trail races that I can think of. Also, the forefoot features their patented lugs to aid a more natural running style. Except on trails again. I found that the lugs feel unbalanced and when I hit roots of rocks tended to be unstable. Finally, the last point of my 'big fat sweaty lads can't wear Newton trail shoes' analysis. The lugs actually make the really steep up hills steeper. Weird, but unless you're running, which I cannot manage on HK's biggest hills (think 500-1000 steps), you actually have to overcome the lugs as well as the gradient. Sod that.
I think I've settled on 2XU shorts for the race but nothing else. They are a bit of a tri brand which is slightly against my religion, but they do seem to help me avoid the dreaded chaffing. As for socks and t-shirts etc I haven't found anything that works yet. Every shirt I try turns into a cheese grater when wet leaving me with nips like minced beef. I used to have a nice silky thin North Face one that worked so going to see if I can track one down. I'm also still looking for a decent small pack that has accessible side pockets for my gels, although I'm considering a strategy I've read about and dissolving them in my drink instead, we'll see. Anyway, however much I read there doesn't seem to be any holy grail of kit. Only of training, do a lot.
I'm also not quite sure what to do about my glasses. I got caught in one of Hong Kong's 'Amber' rain storms at the weekend. It warrants a warning on the local Observatory website that low lands are prone to flooding, there may be landslides and a bit of thunder etc. They need to add a new sentence to their warning that for those who wear glasses you can't see your own nose. Seriously, between the fogging effect of the humidity and the heaviness of the rain I couldn't see a thing. I think it may warrant registering as a disability, maybe I'll get free parking. I was splashing down the trail just waiting to hit a root and go over the edge. And yet I loved it. Running in the rain is so much more pleasurable than running in the humidity.
I know I bang on about it, but I'm getting through 4.5 litres every 25 or so K. It's impossible to stay hydrated but the drinks that seem to work best are those with the 4:1 ratio. Some protein as well as Carb. I'm settling on the accelerade at the moment. The pure carb drinks seem to give me a bit of tummy trouble. Does a Nottheultramarathon man sh1t on the trail. It appears so, especially when fueling on gatorade and gels. Suddenly. Violently. On occassion without warning. How is it that whenever you take a dump in the open that there is always, without fail, a full family and dog coming around the corner. Honestly, you can go ages without seeing people when the weather is bad, but take a dump and several families will appear at once as if from nowhere. I think they coordinate somehow. It makes you feel surprisingly vulnerable when you've got your arse hanging out.
The other issue that continues to freak me out is that the heat brings out the snakes. I mentioned how bravely I tend to deal with snakes in a previous blog i.e. not at all. But last week I stumbled across snakus maximus. Father to a massive baby snake, husband to a.... You get the picture. Luckily I'd switched to my 4:1 drink formula or no doubt several families of hikers would have appeared. I'm not sure what kind of snake it was, but it had a head the size of a farm animal. It was definitely viewing me as a food item. Luckily it appeared to have just eaten a small child so it wasn't up for any more. I was thankful for the kids sacrifice and carried on my way.
So, my weeks training last week hit 100k. A lot less than good runners, but building up to being respectable. I've subbed in some tempo runs, hill repeats and this week am training twice a day Tues, Weds and Thurs. Hoping to get myself up to 110 and keep increasing right up to 3 weeks before UTMB (with a dip every fourth week for recovery/ beer). I'm still no more confident I can finish this thing, doing 100 miles training in a week seems well beyond me at present, let alone in one go at altitude. Hey ho, I'm not in it to win it, just to have a bit of an adventure and raise some money in memory of my dad. More on that one in the next post as I sort out my charidee piece. For some reason, even when it's for a worthy cause, I always feel a bit of a prat raising money for charity. I don't like to ask people for their hard earner cash when I am actually doing something that makes me so happy, but then I remember that after 50k I always have a slow dawning realisation that I am too big, too slow and going to suffer massively, so please donate once I get it up and running.
This sunday is my first UK fathers day without one, so it's going to be a tough day. One to get through. I plan to have a pint of guinness, think of the good times and get the charity page launched in his memory. I won't need any more motivation to get round the UTMB course, even if I have to crawl on my hands and knees. Which isn't beyond the realms of possibility!
Monday, May 16, 2011
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
A better week of training for me last week. I decided that with the heat and humidity ramping up I'd only do one long run outside this weekend so I started my Sunday run feeling fresher than usual. The weather was more forgiving this weekend, low twenties, but the humidity was something else. I drank around 6 litres of fluid in five and a half hours of running and walking (it's hot and I am fat!) and I still ran out 45 minute before the end. I'm developing what I like to call 'The fear' about the UTMB in August. The more I think of it, the little matter of166k and 9.6k of elevation gain, the more I think I've over stretched myself. I'm not sure if it's a race for mortals, more suited to the ultra gods. My 40k effort on Sunday felt tough enough and it only had an elevation gain of around 500 metres or so, pretty puny when compared to the Alps, but I guess I have another 3 months to get my hill legs, shift gears and also about 20 pounds before I think about tackling the race.
I'm giving serious thoughts to kit and nutrition now and I would like it noted here that I will be wearing shorts. It may not seem like a serious revelation, however, I have to make a comment about TNF 100 in Australia this past weekend. A few friends from Racing the Planet events took part so I've seen a few of the photos pop up on facebook. Can anyone explain what's going on with the Salomon runners and their white Lycra? Is this now de riguer in ultra running? What's wrong with a nice pair of shorts and a tub of vaseline? I know they are all very serious and fast, there's no need for white Lycra. Let's leave a little to the imagination. Leave the ladies wanting a little more if you know what I am saying.
On the nutrition front I tried some new gels this weekend called stingers or something similar. Honey with some vitamins and I found them much more palatable than the usual gels. They would have been lovely with some hot water and lemon. Not sure I am cut out for this ultra malarkey.
My other thought at the moment is to pole or not to pole. I think I'll pole. I'm not expecting quite the foot disasters I have had in multi-day races. I'm hoping my new lighter weight infrastructure (that weight loss thing again), no heavy rucksack, no sand and less swollen feet mean that the tootsies will be ok. However, I reckon this one will be tough on the knees and ankles so I'll probably take poles to keep the pressure off the knees.
I also need a new day sack for the race. I've been using the OMM 'the last drop' 10L for long training efforts, but it doesn't have side pockets which makes it bloody frustrating when you're trying to fish out a gel every half hour. Any recommendations for a decent small bag, greatly appreciated preferably with side pockets for bottles and pouches for gels, enduralytes, cocaine, methadone etc. On the kit theme, I have a bit of a shoe problem as well. My Asics aren't working for me, too hard and not stable enough, I can't wear the Newtons for more than 30 minutes before I lose all form and they throw me off balance. I was thinking off the Salomon S Labs, but I would probably be arrested if I went with the white lycra.
Saying all of this, none of it may matter after this week. I've got my medical booked for the doctor to sign the health certificate that this race insists upon. I'm still hoping that they'll let me enter the race if my doctor writes that there is a high risk of death. Slightly fat asthmatic intends to run 100 miles over mountains, at altitude. I'm a little worried that the doctor might just leave a smiley. Fingers crossed for a signature.
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there.
I'm giving serious thoughts to kit and nutrition now and I would like it noted here that I will be wearing shorts. It may not seem like a serious revelation, however, I have to make a comment about TNF 100 in Australia this past weekend. A few friends from Racing the Planet events took part so I've seen a few of the photos pop up on facebook. Can anyone explain what's going on with the Salomon runners and their white Lycra? Is this now de riguer in ultra running? What's wrong with a nice pair of shorts and a tub of vaseline? I know they are all very serious and fast, there's no need for white Lycra. Let's leave a little to the imagination. Leave the ladies wanting a little more if you know what I am saying.
On the nutrition front I tried some new gels this weekend called stingers or something similar. Honey with some vitamins and I found them much more palatable than the usual gels. They would have been lovely with some hot water and lemon. Not sure I am cut out for this ultra malarkey.
My other thought at the moment is to pole or not to pole. I think I'll pole. I'm not expecting quite the foot disasters I have had in multi-day races. I'm hoping my new lighter weight infrastructure (that weight loss thing again), no heavy rucksack, no sand and less swollen feet mean that the tootsies will be ok. However, I reckon this one will be tough on the knees and ankles so I'll probably take poles to keep the pressure off the knees.
I also need a new day sack for the race. I've been using the OMM 'the last drop' 10L for long training efforts, but it doesn't have side pockets which makes it bloody frustrating when you're trying to fish out a gel every half hour. Any recommendations for a decent small bag, greatly appreciated preferably with side pockets for bottles and pouches for gels, enduralytes, cocaine, methadone etc. On the kit theme, I have a bit of a shoe problem as well. My Asics aren't working for me, too hard and not stable enough, I can't wear the Newtons for more than 30 minutes before I lose all form and they throw me off balance. I was thinking off the Salomon S Labs, but I would probably be arrested if I went with the white lycra.
Saying all of this, none of it may matter after this week. I've got my medical booked for the doctor to sign the health certificate that this race insists upon. I'm still hoping that they'll let me enter the race if my doctor writes that there is a high risk of death. Slightly fat asthmatic intends to run 100 miles over mountains, at altitude. I'm a little worried that the doctor might just leave a smiley. Fingers crossed for a signature.
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Summer is all over me
I'm resigning myself to the fact that the Hong Kong summer is upon us. For the last 5 days of so it's been hovering between 29 and 32 degrees and between 80-95% humidity. I've resigned myself to the fact that I will now be sweating continuously until October, unless I stay inside. I'm a fairly hazardous environment to be around in the summer months in Hong Kong. I seem to create my own micro climate and am prone to flash floods. I am a sweaty man at the best of times but I now move into territory previously uncharterred, untouched and generally unwanted. It's a sad life. Normally by about August I am ready to end it all, just to be able to stop sweating so it'll be good to head off to France for this race.
On the down side it makes Long runs really tough as I found at the weekend. I think I'll be spending a lot of my longest sessions now doing even more walking than normal. I seem to blow up after about 3 hours as a rule. On my long run this Sunday, I did 35k and managed to drink 6 litres of sports drink. I know that sounds ridiculous and most literature says that the body can only process around a litre an hour but it has taken me at least another 24 hours to rehydrate.
Also, the heat has really brought the snakes out. I am no expert, but I always think it is safe to assume that snakes in tropical climates can kill you. At elast twice. So I prefer to stay away from them. However, they always seem to be sat in places where you can't actually see them until you're nearly stood on top of the little (or very big) buggers. It happenned to me twice on Sunday, the first time I rounded a sharp bend and although moving slightly slower than sloth, I very nearly trod on it. A quick change of shorts, a dab of lube and I was back on my way. 10k and masive heat exhaustion later I was meandering up a flight of stairs to the dragons back on the Hong Kong trail and nearly trod a grey one (scientific name). I didn't have another change of shorts in my bag so once I had climbed down from the tree I found myself in, it was a quick dab of body glide and on my way again.
Anyway, apart from snakes and humidity it was a fairly strong week of training:
Monday- 7 miles
Tuesday- 7Miles
Wednesday- Gym Bike 35k
Thursday- rest
Friday- Gym Bike 10 x 1 minute full effortm 1 minute rest, plus 10 minutes hard either side
Saturday- Run 2.45
Sunday- Run 4.45, a change of shorts and 2 snakes.
On the down side it makes Long runs really tough as I found at the weekend. I think I'll be spending a lot of my longest sessions now doing even more walking than normal. I seem to blow up after about 3 hours as a rule. On my long run this Sunday, I did 35k and managed to drink 6 litres of sports drink. I know that sounds ridiculous and most literature says that the body can only process around a litre an hour but it has taken me at least another 24 hours to rehydrate.
Also, the heat has really brought the snakes out. I am no expert, but I always think it is safe to assume that snakes in tropical climates can kill you. At elast twice. So I prefer to stay away from them. However, they always seem to be sat in places where you can't actually see them until you're nearly stood on top of the little (or very big) buggers. It happenned to me twice on Sunday, the first time I rounded a sharp bend and although moving slightly slower than sloth, I very nearly trod on it. A quick change of shorts, a dab of lube and I was back on my way. 10k and masive heat exhaustion later I was meandering up a flight of stairs to the dragons back on the Hong Kong trail and nearly trod a grey one (scientific name). I didn't have another change of shorts in my bag so once I had climbed down from the tree I found myself in, it was a quick dab of body glide and on my way again.
Anyway, apart from snakes and humidity it was a fairly strong week of training:
Monday- 7 miles
Tuesday- 7Miles
Wednesday- Gym Bike 35k
Thursday- rest
Friday- Gym Bike 10 x 1 minute full effortm 1 minute rest, plus 10 minutes hard either side
Saturday- Run 2.45
Sunday- Run 4.45, a change of shorts and 2 snakes.
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