I hope you'll forgive the title, no one reads my blog and I was struck by an idea as I wandered around Dymocks book store (Hong Kongs Borders, only solvent) earlier. It seems to me that nearly every book in the shop featured either vampires or some kind of hardcore stone-cold killer. I thought of changing the title of the blog itself to Vampire running, but then realised that I don't really want this to be read by a bunch of hormonal teenage girls. I love the fact that the story of the vampire seems to have become a teen romance genre. Now, I can appreciate the sexuality of the whole blood sucking thing, if you're a bit of a weirdo. By I'm not quite sure how vampires have become 'good guys'. I like my vampire to a bit more of a stone cold killer myself. The baddie. A bit more black ops.
So I thought about Black Ops Running, but thought this would either attract a bunch of hormonal guys, those who are looking for the latest computer game where they get to shoot hundreds of strangers. Or alternatively, it may attract those who genuinely like guns. Those who at some point will consider going on some sort of real rampage. Neither of which I am overly interested in becoming acquainted with. And then I realised that these black ops agent has also become the good guy. I killed loads of people... but it was necessary. And somehow, it's just... quite cool. I feel a little ashamed of myself for writing that, but it's true.
I'm definitely not a vampire for two reasons. 1. they don't exist 2. They are fast runners apparently. I prove week-in, week-out that I am not a vampire. Mostly I like to run very slowly in the sunshine. Occasionally I push myself up to a pace that we might call mediocre, but only when there's a race on. I am also not a special operations hard core killer. I'd always fancied myself as a stone cold killer, but then I stumbled across Human Resources and felt it might offer a more stable career. Less likely to be killed and all that. Sometimes, when ensuring the best person is selected for a role, my eyes narrow, my hand twitches towards my inner pocket and then I reveal my pen, which I use to take copious and detailed notes. But generally I never have to kill people with my bare hands. Well not very often anyway.
Anyway, ever though I'm neither a vampire or killer, I am running again. Which is lovely. Accepting that my life is a little more mundane I've been pretty excited to be out running again. I've managed my first proper weeks training this year and I am back to thinking that I may actually have some chance of getting half way round the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc in August. Don't get me wrong, I'm still bricking it, possibly more so since I remembered how hard a moderately hilly ten miles is, but at least I can take comfort in the fact I can run again. Over the last week I've managed:
- 3x7 miles
- 1x10miles
- 1 gym session of 25k on bike, 20 minutes run
Not enough to be thinking of doing any damage at the the UTMB, or even getting close to finishing. But enough to make me feel happy that I'm on the way. It also gets me out of the gym and more importantly the pubic boufing changing rooms. I have to confess, I'm not missing it at all.
I'm not sure if anyone has noticed it, but there seems to be a proliferation of very serious blogs on running over the last month. I seem to to have noticed a lot of blogs on subjects such as the environment (which is perfectly fine obviously), big shiny races (also perfectly fine) and the spirituality of running (not fine, go to yoga). My favourite though, is the number of people who keep writing that we need to 'remember why we run'. I'd have thought it is obvious why we all run, it's because we're not vampires or stone cold killers and life is a little mundane. Anyway, I'm off to have a nice cup of tea and read my CIA Blacks Ops Novel.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Up and running
Ok, so it induced a migraine but I am up and running and on my way to the 2011 UTMB. 20 minutes on a treadmill isn't exactly tough going but my foot felt fine, no pain during or after, which I am delighted about. I'll look to gradualy add more k's over the next few weeks before I hopefully get round to competing in one of the 5 races I enterred late last year. I am certainly carrying a few more pounds than I was at the beginning of the year so I'll need to do something about that as well. The ferrero rocher training plan that I have been on has been tough, but somebody had to do it, there were times when I didn't want another chocolate, but I manned up and took another down. Sometimes I had to have another cup of tea just to stomach its nutty goodness. Now however, it's time to look forwards at the training I have to gear up to over the next 6 months.
Next weekend is the Hong Kong island King of the Hills which may have come too soon for me (or too late some might argue, by about ten years), however, I should be able to dawdle around the half marathon and aim to complete the full one on the final race of the season, scheduled for the 6th March. It'll be tough but I had been doing plenty of exercise up until the new year when I fractured the foot, so hopefully there is at least some residual fitness there. I am also going to look for a 100k race around May/June time to help me focus on the training required to complete the hundred miler in late August, but I don't have any ideas as yet.
As I mentioned briefly, I somehow managed to give myself a migraine with my little jog yesterday. I'm not sure if it was a result of the 4 large whiskeys I had on Friday night or the sheer delirium of being able to jog again, but it's always a rather unpleasant feeling when I pick one of these up. I lose sight in my right eye and then start to slur before failing completely to string together sentences. I'd met up with a mate of mine who comented; as I stumbled towards him, slurring my words, bumping into random objects, that he couldn't tell the difference. A little unfair I thought, but being as we spend most of our time accompanied by a decent bottle of vino or several pints of the ambar nectar, I could sort of see his point.
A side effect of the migraine yesterday was sober attendance at Dave the Vets BBQ this afternoon. I'm not one for excessive consumption on a Sunday, but I would normally have a few beers to oil the wheels. A social lubricant if you will. Today made me realise how little fun I am when sober. It's quite a tough realisation to have when you're 31, to realise that you're a little dull, but it is one I have to accept I guess. I am fortunate that a few of them are in full flow preparing for Ironman New Zealand. From what I read we shouldn't really speak with each other, let alone be friends; them with their shiny kit and shaved limbs, me with my smelly muddy kit and body hair (coiffed I might add). Two different breeds and yet there we were chatting merrily about our sporting differences. It's nice that people from such different cultures can get along...
Now that I can start to jog again I've decided to get a plan put together by a coach so I'll outline that in future blogs, but I'll ease myself back into the running. I intend to continue on the stationary bike a fair bit over the next few weeks so as not to over work the foot. I think I may have become slightly attached to the stationary bike. Peddalling along, never getting anywhere, there's something quite poetic about it all. But it's probably not going to get me around the alps in one piece, so I'll gradually incorporate more and more running into my schedule.
In anticipation of my running getting back into full swing, I bought myself some stupidly expensive trainers this week. I've decided to give the Newtons a go as they mimic the barefot motion whilst providing plenty of support. I've received mixed reviews as apparently they are really focused on making good runners better. We'll see what sort of impact they have on a crap runner. Hopefully they don't exaccerbate trends and make me 'crapper'. Not something I have ever needed help with. The Newtons have another downside that I am not sure I can overcome. They are the ugliest trainers I have ever seen. Some kind of psychedelic fluro green monstrocity. I have to be honest and say I kind of liked them. However, my girlfriend told me that if she had made the mistake of marrying me, she would rectify this, purely for me for wearing them in public. Let's just say I'll be going running very eary in the morning. So a quick warning, should any really slow UFO's be sighted over Hong Kong, it's just me, getting back into the swing.
For now I am just excited to be able to run again and start properly on my journey towards the Alps in August. It's going to be awesome.
Training summary:
February 6th- Run 20 minutes on a treadmill, 180k on the stationary bike.
I can hear the Apls shuddering in fear and anticipation at rumours I may be running... or should that be participating.
Next weekend is the Hong Kong island King of the Hills which may have come too soon for me (or too late some might argue, by about ten years), however, I should be able to dawdle around the half marathon and aim to complete the full one on the final race of the season, scheduled for the 6th March. It'll be tough but I had been doing plenty of exercise up until the new year when I fractured the foot, so hopefully there is at least some residual fitness there. I am also going to look for a 100k race around May/June time to help me focus on the training required to complete the hundred miler in late August, but I don't have any ideas as yet.
As I mentioned briefly, I somehow managed to give myself a migraine with my little jog yesterday. I'm not sure if it was a result of the 4 large whiskeys I had on Friday night or the sheer delirium of being able to jog again, but it's always a rather unpleasant feeling when I pick one of these up. I lose sight in my right eye and then start to slur before failing completely to string together sentences. I'd met up with a mate of mine who comented; as I stumbled towards him, slurring my words, bumping into random objects, that he couldn't tell the difference. A little unfair I thought, but being as we spend most of our time accompanied by a decent bottle of vino or several pints of the ambar nectar, I could sort of see his point.
A side effect of the migraine yesterday was sober attendance at Dave the Vets BBQ this afternoon. I'm not one for excessive consumption on a Sunday, but I would normally have a few beers to oil the wheels. A social lubricant if you will. Today made me realise how little fun I am when sober. It's quite a tough realisation to have when you're 31, to realise that you're a little dull, but it is one I have to accept I guess. I am fortunate that a few of them are in full flow preparing for Ironman New Zealand. From what I read we shouldn't really speak with each other, let alone be friends; them with their shiny kit and shaved limbs, me with my smelly muddy kit and body hair (coiffed I might add). Two different breeds and yet there we were chatting merrily about our sporting differences. It's nice that people from such different cultures can get along...
Now that I can start to jog again I've decided to get a plan put together by a coach so I'll outline that in future blogs, but I'll ease myself back into the running. I intend to continue on the stationary bike a fair bit over the next few weeks so as not to over work the foot. I think I may have become slightly attached to the stationary bike. Peddalling along, never getting anywhere, there's something quite poetic about it all. But it's probably not going to get me around the alps in one piece, so I'll gradually incorporate more and more running into my schedule.
In anticipation of my running getting back into full swing, I bought myself some stupidly expensive trainers this week. I've decided to give the Newtons a go as they mimic the barefot motion whilst providing plenty of support. I've received mixed reviews as apparently they are really focused on making good runners better. We'll see what sort of impact they have on a crap runner. Hopefully they don't exaccerbate trends and make me 'crapper'. Not something I have ever needed help with. The Newtons have another downside that I am not sure I can overcome. They are the ugliest trainers I have ever seen. Some kind of psychedelic fluro green monstrocity. I have to be honest and say I kind of liked them. However, my girlfriend told me that if she had made the mistake of marrying me, she would rectify this, purely for me for wearing them in public. Let's just say I'll be going running very eary in the morning. So a quick warning, should any really slow UFO's be sighted over Hong Kong, it's just me, getting back into the swing.
For now I am just excited to be able to run again and start properly on my journey towards the Alps in August. It's going to be awesome.
Training summary:
February 6th- Run 20 minutes on a treadmill, 180k on the stationary bike.
I can hear the Apls shuddering in fear and anticipation at rumours I may be running... or should that be participating.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
January Summary- Sods Law 1- Nick Running 0
I've worked incredibly hard this month at being both injured and ill. My body has fought for a healthy balance between being broken and infected and has really done rather well. I rounded off January with a nasty bout of flu. Not the recurring man flu that I have been unable to shift for the past two months but a proper bout of my-body-and-mind-hurt-so much-i-cannot-move-an-inch type of flu. For the last couple of days I have laid prone in bed or on the sofa, so ill that I couldn't even read the text on my blackberry, let alone get out and exercise. It has rounded off what has been, without a doubt, the worst month of training I have had since I developed a Mars Bar addiction age 14. Not like that, just eating them. And all this since the idea crossed my mind to enter, and subsequently qualify for, the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc. It wasn't really what I had in mind when I enterred the race. Well, to be honest I was drunk when I decided to enter the race, so really all I had on my mind, other than trying to run 100 miles in one go, was a large mixed Ebineezers Kebab.
I mentioned I had enterred a whole host of local races to kickstart my build up to the big one and this weekend I missed yet another of those. Hong Kong's 50k Greenpower Hike. The Hong Kong trail is 50k long and winds from Victoria Peak around the contours of the island, finishing at a pleasant little beach towards the far east of the island. Due to its convenience it has become a home from home to me over the last couple of years and I was really disappointed not to be able to take part. As well as my knowledge of the trail, another reason I like the race is the name they give to anyone who finishes under 6 hours. This was to be my first year as a 'great hiker'. I've never been called a great anything before when it come to running, (well I have, but great plonker just isn't the same), so I'll have to requalify next year in order to race my first Greenpower as a great hiker in 2013.
I've decided that after this ordeal I may pursue a new career as an unofficial pharmacist. No, not a drug dealer, but maybe I'll start some sort of herbalist cult. I am now taking, in no particular order: Effervescent Vitamin C 1000mg 3 x day. Eccinacea 2x Day, Ventolin, Becotide, Hammer Tissue Rejuvinate, Omega 3 x 2, Panadol Cold and Flu every 4 hours. So far all its achieved is to give me a hair trigger stomach, but I am remaining positive. As always. Can't you tell. It is taking me 15 mnutes just to take all my pills in the morning and it's bankrupting me, but if I can shift this flu and get back in the gym by tomorrow, it'll have been worth it.
I am hoping that this is the week I get back out and do a little hiking. This week is Chinese New Year, we're enterring the year of the rabbit (which sounds promising), so we get public holidays this Thursday and Friday. I am hoping it is to be my first weekend of hiking since the fracture. Nothing too tough, but having some fun exploring some of Hong Kongs further reaches and islands. I'll write a bit about the trails I go and explore next weekend. I think people who don't know Hong Kong are always surprised that there is more here than just the famous harbour front skyline.
As I have no training to write up on, I'm off back to my DVD boxset of series 2 of Mad Men. It's awesome, I cannot believe I have missed it up until now. Unfortunately it seems to come with a minimum of 4 Ferrero Rocher, and not an ambassador in sight. No one is spoiling me. I have no idea whether a ship went off course back in September, or whether the chinese are famous for their love of nutty chocolate, or perhaps parties at the embassy, or maybe they are 'Made in China'; but Ferrero Rocher are absolutely everywhere at the moment. Mountains of the buggers, just sitting there in their golden splendour, taunting me about my lack of running and how Mad Men just won't be as good without their chocolatey creamy goodness. I admit it, I have no willpower and with these Ferrero Rocher I am really spoiling myself. In more ways than one.
I'm not going to bother with the ometers until I can go a couple of weeks without being ill. I feel my potential victory in 2011's stationary bike world championships slipping away with every day I am flu bound at home, let alone completing the UTMB. So, in summary for January, in my quest to be an ultra king:
- Run 0 Kilometers
- Developed some nasty saddle sores
- 0 elevation gain, several pounds Ferrero Rocher gain
- Man flu
- The flu
- I have learned how to coiff my bush rather effectively.
So not all bad.
I mentioned I had enterred a whole host of local races to kickstart my build up to the big one and this weekend I missed yet another of those. Hong Kong's 50k Greenpower Hike. The Hong Kong trail is 50k long and winds from Victoria Peak around the contours of the island, finishing at a pleasant little beach towards the far east of the island. Due to its convenience it has become a home from home to me over the last couple of years and I was really disappointed not to be able to take part. As well as my knowledge of the trail, another reason I like the race is the name they give to anyone who finishes under 6 hours. This was to be my first year as a 'great hiker'. I've never been called a great anything before when it come to running, (well I have, but great plonker just isn't the same), so I'll have to requalify next year in order to race my first Greenpower as a great hiker in 2013.
I've decided that after this ordeal I may pursue a new career as an unofficial pharmacist. No, not a drug dealer, but maybe I'll start some sort of herbalist cult. I am now taking, in no particular order: Effervescent Vitamin C 1000mg 3 x day. Eccinacea 2x Day, Ventolin, Becotide, Hammer Tissue Rejuvinate, Omega 3 x 2, Panadol Cold and Flu every 4 hours. So far all its achieved is to give me a hair trigger stomach, but I am remaining positive. As always. Can't you tell. It is taking me 15 mnutes just to take all my pills in the morning and it's bankrupting me, but if I can shift this flu and get back in the gym by tomorrow, it'll have been worth it.
I am hoping that this is the week I get back out and do a little hiking. This week is Chinese New Year, we're enterring the year of the rabbit (which sounds promising), so we get public holidays this Thursday and Friday. I am hoping it is to be my first weekend of hiking since the fracture. Nothing too tough, but having some fun exploring some of Hong Kongs further reaches and islands. I'll write a bit about the trails I go and explore next weekend. I think people who don't know Hong Kong are always surprised that there is more here than just the famous harbour front skyline.
As I have no training to write up on, I'm off back to my DVD boxset of series 2 of Mad Men. It's awesome, I cannot believe I have missed it up until now. Unfortunately it seems to come with a minimum of 4 Ferrero Rocher, and not an ambassador in sight. No one is spoiling me. I have no idea whether a ship went off course back in September, or whether the chinese are famous for their love of nutty chocolate, or perhaps parties at the embassy, or maybe they are 'Made in China'; but Ferrero Rocher are absolutely everywhere at the moment. Mountains of the buggers, just sitting there in their golden splendour, taunting me about my lack of running and how Mad Men just won't be as good without their chocolatey creamy goodness. I admit it, I have no willpower and with these Ferrero Rocher I am really spoiling myself. In more ways than one.
I'm not going to bother with the ometers until I can go a couple of weeks without being ill. I feel my potential victory in 2011's stationary bike world championships slipping away with every day I am flu bound at home, let alone completing the UTMB. So, in summary for January, in my quest to be an ultra king:
- Run 0 Kilometers
- Developed some nasty saddle sores
- 0 elevation gain, several pounds Ferrero Rocher gain
- Man flu
- The flu
- I have learned how to coiff my bush rather effectively.
So not all bad.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Fluffing the bush
19th January- Running in 2011- 0 Kilometres
Not really the figure I ws hoping for as I started out on the journey to my first hundred miler. I was sort of hoping I would be well on my way to being a leaner meaner trail running machiner by now, but instead the only exercise I am getting is through a combination of climbing the walls in frustration and my quest to become the fastest stationary cyclist in Hong Kong. I coverred 180k on the bike last week which is ok but nothing special.
I really cannot wait to be back outside but I don't want to risk the foot on the roads just yet. I think I could comfortably double the time I am cycling each week but I cannot get over the sheer boredom of sitting in a such a sterile environment for hours on end. I sit, legs a spinning, staring out the window at the trees (all 3 of them in central Hong Kong) shimmering in the yellow poluted haze. Ah, what I would give to be breathing the sweet soupy carbon monoxide again. The trees have to be nearby as visibility in Hong Kong is actually less than 8k for 30% of the time and they estimate that polution responsible for 90000 hospital admissions a year, and not a small number of premature deaths. And yet I'd give anything to be back out there in it. Odd. Maybe it's because I believe big Donald T (Tsang not Trump) who, in his efforts to sell Hong Kong to investors, tells us that as people live a long time in Hong Kong, we must have the best environment. Sod the scientific research, Don says it's ok! Whoo! Genius. I'm on Don's bus.
I think one of the major drivers to get my ass back outside is my failure to deal with what I can only describe as a culture clash that is starting to cause me a bit of anxiety. The local out and proud approach to nudity in the changing rooms is causing me some minor issues. Not because you don't get naked folks in the changing rooms back in Blightey. But rarely have I seen anyone stand naked, fluffing up their bush with a hairdryer at home. Here in Hong Kong it the standard practice. I can't get over how overwhelmingly proud some of the guys look when they see the volume they have created. And to be fair, there are some impressive bushes down there, I can attest, truly impressive feats of bushdome. I don't know if it is jealousy that generates this feling, my bush just doesn't compare, but it just seems so wrong. I've used those hairdryers for my head, the one sat on my neck. The thought that only moments before it could have been volumising another mans pubes just makes me feel uncomfortable. Even a little quesy.
I'd like to start a mini campaign to stop this practice. There's just no need. Keep it to the privacy of your own home, the unique bond between husband and wife, that's the place for such things. Not the hairdryer that I have to hold alarmingly close to my nose (which is not small). Please, I implore you old dudes of Hong Kong, it's not a sign of wealth and prosperity.
Anyway, I believe the draw for the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc (one of the qualifying criteria was a massive bush) took place on the 18th and I've not heard anything, This could certainly be simplifying my decision making on which hundred miler I'll be training for. Fingers crossed!!
So the ometers:
Likelihoodofpassingoutby60milesonamountainandcallingmymumintears-ometer- I'll have used up all my credit by 50 miles
Likelihoodofrunning50percentofthedistancesofotherpeoplewhoblogaboutultratraining-ometer- January 19th- Run 0 miles so far (I checked out Krupicka again, 180 miles... last week. Bloody hell. I have enterred the stationary bike world championships and am confident of placing.
Mondrian was a minimalist. Keep it in art.
Not really the figure I ws hoping for as I started out on the journey to my first hundred miler. I was sort of hoping I would be well on my way to being a leaner meaner trail running machiner by now, but instead the only exercise I am getting is through a combination of climbing the walls in frustration and my quest to become the fastest stationary cyclist in Hong Kong. I coverred 180k on the bike last week which is ok but nothing special.
I really cannot wait to be back outside but I don't want to risk the foot on the roads just yet. I think I could comfortably double the time I am cycling each week but I cannot get over the sheer boredom of sitting in a such a sterile environment for hours on end. I sit, legs a spinning, staring out the window at the trees (all 3 of them in central Hong Kong) shimmering in the yellow poluted haze. Ah, what I would give to be breathing the sweet soupy carbon monoxide again. The trees have to be nearby as visibility in Hong Kong is actually less than 8k for 30% of the time and they estimate that polution responsible for 90000 hospital admissions a year, and not a small number of premature deaths. And yet I'd give anything to be back out there in it. Odd. Maybe it's because I believe big Donald T (Tsang not Trump) who, in his efforts to sell Hong Kong to investors, tells us that as people live a long time in Hong Kong, we must have the best environment. Sod the scientific research, Don says it's ok! Whoo! Genius. I'm on Don's bus.
I think one of the major drivers to get my ass back outside is my failure to deal with what I can only describe as a culture clash that is starting to cause me a bit of anxiety. The local out and proud approach to nudity in the changing rooms is causing me some minor issues. Not because you don't get naked folks in the changing rooms back in Blightey. But rarely have I seen anyone stand naked, fluffing up their bush with a hairdryer at home. Here in Hong Kong it the standard practice. I can't get over how overwhelmingly proud some of the guys look when they see the volume they have created. And to be fair, there are some impressive bushes down there, I can attest, truly impressive feats of bushdome. I don't know if it is jealousy that generates this feling, my bush just doesn't compare, but it just seems so wrong. I've used those hairdryers for my head, the one sat on my neck. The thought that only moments before it could have been volumising another mans pubes just makes me feel uncomfortable. Even a little quesy.
I'd like to start a mini campaign to stop this practice. There's just no need. Keep it to the privacy of your own home, the unique bond between husband and wife, that's the place for such things. Not the hairdryer that I have to hold alarmingly close to my nose (which is not small). Please, I implore you old dudes of Hong Kong, it's not a sign of wealth and prosperity.
Anyway, I believe the draw for the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc (one of the qualifying criteria was a massive bush) took place on the 18th and I've not heard anything, This could certainly be simplifying my decision making on which hundred miler I'll be training for. Fingers crossed!!
So the ometers:
Likelihoodofpassingoutby60milesonamountainandcallingmymumintears-ometer- I'll have used up all my credit by 50 miles
Likelihoodofrunning50percentofthedistancesofotherpeoplewhoblogaboutultratraining-ometer- January 19th- Run 0 miles so far (I checked out Krupicka again, 180 miles... last week. Bloody hell. I have enterred the stationary bike world championships and am confident of placing.
Mondrian was a minimalist. Keep it in art.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Ever so slightly faster than average healing- call me wolverine
I imagined the following post:
"It's January the 13th, unlucky for some. But not me it would appear. Today was the day I confirmed that I am in fact Wolverine from the X-Men. Last Friday I had my fracture confirmed by the GP, today when the fracture doc phoned he says he can't find one. I'd always wanted super powers, but I can't say that 'slightly faster healer than average' was top of the list. I'd always hoped for amazing speed, strength or the men's favourite x-ray vision. But I guess I'll have to settle for healing quickly and at least it won't get me arrested".
Instead I had a fracture specialist telling me I couldn't run for another couple of weeks. The good new was that the fracture was minor, the bad news was I had no super powers. 'Are you sure', I said. 'Yes' he said. 'I am not wolverine then?', I said. 'No' he said. 'Whatever', I said.
It'll be a while before I can run but I can at least start to turn the legs over again on the bike in the gym (which I sort of started a few days ago, but would deny if the doctor asked). Lucky she is very accommodating. The doctor, not the bike. I am currently settled on 0 of 2 races that I have signed up for in Hong Kong this year in my preparation for the biggies in August. It's more than a little frustrating, but I have friends making their way through far worse injuries so I shouldn't complain. But I will most probably.
Last Sunday it was the second of this years North Face King of the Hills Series which I was really looking forward to trying out. I guess it's Hong Kong's most genuine 'mountain Marathon series' and for one reason or another I have never got round to entering. This year has been disrupted by the foot injury and also a bout of very severe man flu which meant I missed the first one. Man flu is regarded with a great deal of contempt by most women as they have never experienced it. Often they refer to it as the common cold. However, it is far more severe, possibly life threatening. I did actually die from it a couple of times, but being wolverine (the GP and specialist are in denial), I recovered well.
The King of the Hills races take in some of Hong Kong's more remote areas and lesser used paths. A lot of my friends whom I might call 'proper runners' rave about them. The series seems really popular this year with over a hundred doing the longer races and nearly 300 on the half. Great to see and really hoping I make it to at least one of them. We also have the Greenpower 50k Hike at the end of January, which of course has been adopted by the local runners to see who gets around quickest. Today's news means I can't take part so I'll probably go away for the weekend with the girlfriend (aka Korean Amy) as the following week is Chinese New year, every cloud and all that.
Good luck to all those doing the HK 100 this weekend, I'm thinking of popping over to see some of the runners pass by. Rumour has it that a couple of top ultra runners from far away lands are taking part so it'll be great to see.
So my weeks (well 2011's!) training so far:
January 1st-14th- An assortment of drugs that could take down an elephant, mainly anti inflammatory from the doctors, Hong Kong doctors love a drug or eight as a solution to most problems. So three times a day I am taking down a diclofenac, omega 3's, Hammer Tissue Rejuvenate, Vitamin C (for the man flu) and icing 3 times a day. I'm also trying to smash in as many veggies as possible, especially broccoli because that's what Lance did. And you can't argue with Lance.
The weeks training:
Monday- 30k very light resistance on the bike
Tuesday- 2 pinot noirs, 3 Cabernet sauvignons and a burger. Delicious. I was first to finish.
Wednesday- 40k very light resistance, resistance setting was lighter than tiger when a waitress knocks.
Thursday- 30k light. Lighter than a really light thing at midday on the lightest... whatever.
The ometers (or is it ometres) are back to monitor my weekly progress towards the big race (whichever that may be):
Likelihoodofpassingoutby60milesonamountainandcallingmymumintears-ometer- I'm entering her number in my phone as we speak. Mummy!
Likelihoodofrunning50percentofthedistancesofotherpeoplewhoblogaboutultratraining-ometer- January 14th- Run 0 miles so far. I have to pray that the organisers are ok with me trying to get round on a stationary bike.
Minimalism shiminalism. 5th metatarsals suck.
Vote on my survey. If you think this blog will save the world I'm with you. Like Bill and Ted.
"It's January the 13th, unlucky for some. But not me it would appear. Today was the day I confirmed that I am in fact Wolverine from the X-Men. Last Friday I had my fracture confirmed by the GP, today when the fracture doc phoned he says he can't find one. I'd always wanted super powers, but I can't say that 'slightly faster healer than average' was top of the list. I'd always hoped for amazing speed, strength or the men's favourite x-ray vision. But I guess I'll have to settle for healing quickly and at least it won't get me arrested".
Instead I had a fracture specialist telling me I couldn't run for another couple of weeks. The good new was that the fracture was minor, the bad news was I had no super powers. 'Are you sure', I said. 'Yes' he said. 'I am not wolverine then?', I said. 'No' he said. 'Whatever', I said.
It'll be a while before I can run but I can at least start to turn the legs over again on the bike in the gym (which I sort of started a few days ago, but would deny if the doctor asked). Lucky she is very accommodating. The doctor, not the bike. I am currently settled on 0 of 2 races that I have signed up for in Hong Kong this year in my preparation for the biggies in August. It's more than a little frustrating, but I have friends making their way through far worse injuries so I shouldn't complain. But I will most probably.
Last Sunday it was the second of this years North Face King of the Hills Series which I was really looking forward to trying out. I guess it's Hong Kong's most genuine 'mountain Marathon series' and for one reason or another I have never got round to entering. This year has been disrupted by the foot injury and also a bout of very severe man flu which meant I missed the first one. Man flu is regarded with a great deal of contempt by most women as they have never experienced it. Often they refer to it as the common cold. However, it is far more severe, possibly life threatening. I did actually die from it a couple of times, but being wolverine (the GP and specialist are in denial), I recovered well.
The King of the Hills races take in some of Hong Kong's more remote areas and lesser used paths. A lot of my friends whom I might call 'proper runners' rave about them. The series seems really popular this year with over a hundred doing the longer races and nearly 300 on the half. Great to see and really hoping I make it to at least one of them. We also have the Greenpower 50k Hike at the end of January, which of course has been adopted by the local runners to see who gets around quickest. Today's news means I can't take part so I'll probably go away for the weekend with the girlfriend (aka Korean Amy) as the following week is Chinese New year, every cloud and all that.
Good luck to all those doing the HK 100 this weekend, I'm thinking of popping over to see some of the runners pass by. Rumour has it that a couple of top ultra runners from far away lands are taking part so it'll be great to see.
So my weeks (well 2011's!) training so far:
January 1st-14th- An assortment of drugs that could take down an elephant, mainly anti inflammatory from the doctors, Hong Kong doctors love a drug or eight as a solution to most problems. So three times a day I am taking down a diclofenac, omega 3's, Hammer Tissue Rejuvenate, Vitamin C (for the man flu) and icing 3 times a day. I'm also trying to smash in as many veggies as possible, especially broccoli because that's what Lance did. And you can't argue with Lance.
The weeks training:
Monday- 30k very light resistance on the bike
Tuesday- 2 pinot noirs, 3 Cabernet sauvignons and a burger. Delicious. I was first to finish.
Wednesday- 40k very light resistance, resistance setting was lighter than tiger when a waitress knocks.
Thursday- 30k light. Lighter than a really light thing at midday on the lightest... whatever.
The ometers (or is it ometres) are back to monitor my weekly progress towards the big race (whichever that may be):
Likelihoodofpassingoutby60milesonamountainandcallingmymumintears-ometer- I'm entering her number in my phone as we speak. Mummy!
Likelihoodofrunning50percentofthedistancesofotherpeoplewhoblogaboutultratraining-ometer- January 14th- Run 0 miles so far. I have to pray that the organisers are ok with me trying to get round on a stationary bike.
Minimalism shiminalism. 5th metatarsals suck.
Vote on my survey. If you think this blog will save the world I'm with you. Like Bill and Ted.
Monday, January 3, 2011
2011 races and a fractured foot
My 2011 new years resolution is to dominate the global ultra scene, so I have created this blog to chart my training progress over the next seven months as I aim for my first 100 miler. I'll be aiming to complete one of either the ultra trail du mont blanc (UTMB to all of us in the know) or the Leadville Trail 100 in the Colorado Rockies.
Should anyone actually read this, you'll understand from the title of this blog that it is not 100% serious, for my quest is to be the greatest blogger in the ultra world as opposed to runner. As talent is absent, humour has to be in abundance. If I don't laugh at myself, others will do it for me. The title of this blog is in reference to two of the greatest ultramarathoners in the world, Dean Karnazes (for promoting the sport) and Tony Krupicka (for being my hero in the sport). Check out their blogs if you want an understanding of the level of training required to be at the top. Keep reading if you want to understand the level of training required to be at the bottom.
The facts of the matter are that I am a bit shit at running. I spent the majority of the last race I did (2010's Atacama Crossing) residing in the medical tent each evening, struggling to rehydrate after a serious bout of the runs (depositing on the desert as opposed to traversing across it unfortunately). It was passing through the eye of a needle. Despite this, I am back for more. My dad pased away three months ago and to help myself keep on keeping on, and to support a couple of chariddies I've decided to tackle one of the toughest ultra experiences, the 100 miler. Not only that, I am determined to run the bugger, even if it kills me. Which it might.
2011 started brilliantly, a bloody great hangover, a 20k hike with the girlfriend and then I fractured my ankle. Forgetting I am a bit fat and that I am in fact not Tony Krupicka or a tarahumarra indian, I bough a pair of New Balance MT101's as a nod towards the minimalist movement sweeping the globe. Essentially the argument is that modern trainers were created by the devil himself and you will go to hell if you wear them, as well as possibly destroy the world. At least I think that is what I read in 'born to run'. Great book, but perhaps a little sensationalist. Anyway, I went on a hike to test them out. I have to say, very comfortable until I hit a rock and fractured my ankle. Very comfortable. Lesson number one learned. I am not an ultrarunner, in fact, technically, by body weight I am two. So I shall go back to chunky supported trainers and accept that I am going to hell.
As I train for the run and generally live the life in Hong Kong, I'll aim to post on here fairly often. The focus will be broad and varied, the training will be limited, the fun will be had and most importantly of all, the humour will never be lost.
Happy New Year, good will to all men (Down with the minimalist movement, bring me padding and support).
Should anyone actually read this, you'll understand from the title of this blog that it is not 100% serious, for my quest is to be the greatest blogger in the ultra world as opposed to runner. As talent is absent, humour has to be in abundance. If I don't laugh at myself, others will do it for me. The title of this blog is in reference to two of the greatest ultramarathoners in the world, Dean Karnazes (for promoting the sport) and Tony Krupicka (for being my hero in the sport). Check out their blogs if you want an understanding of the level of training required to be at the top. Keep reading if you want to understand the level of training required to be at the bottom.
The facts of the matter are that I am a bit shit at running. I spent the majority of the last race I did (2010's Atacama Crossing) residing in the medical tent each evening, struggling to rehydrate after a serious bout of the runs (depositing on the desert as opposed to traversing across it unfortunately). It was passing through the eye of a needle. Despite this, I am back for more. My dad pased away three months ago and to help myself keep on keeping on, and to support a couple of chariddies I've decided to tackle one of the toughest ultra experiences, the 100 miler. Not only that, I am determined to run the bugger, even if it kills me. Which it might.
2011 started brilliantly, a bloody great hangover, a 20k hike with the girlfriend and then I fractured my ankle. Forgetting I am a bit fat and that I am in fact not Tony Krupicka or a tarahumarra indian, I bough a pair of New Balance MT101's as a nod towards the minimalist movement sweeping the globe. Essentially the argument is that modern trainers were created by the devil himself and you will go to hell if you wear them, as well as possibly destroy the world. At least I think that is what I read in 'born to run'. Great book, but perhaps a little sensationalist. Anyway, I went on a hike to test them out. I have to say, very comfortable until I hit a rock and fractured my ankle. Very comfortable. Lesson number one learned. I am not an ultrarunner, in fact, technically, by body weight I am two. So I shall go back to chunky supported trainers and accept that I am going to hell.
As I train for the run and generally live the life in Hong Kong, I'll aim to post on here fairly often. The focus will be broad and varied, the training will be limited, the fun will be had and most importantly of all, the humour will never be lost.
Happy New Year, good will to all men (Down with the minimalist movement, bring me padding and support).
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