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!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
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.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Time to get a coach
It's been a while since I blogged on my not so extensive training for the races in June and August. Since the vet highlighted my distinct lack of fitness I would like to say I've been hard at training. However, the reality is that I just got back from 9 booze and food filled days in the UK, visiting friends and the family. It was a great break, the weather was amazing, not a cloud in the sky and between 25-27 degrees the whole time. However, as much as I enjoyed it, the good times are over and I really need to focus on getting some quality training in and perhaps more importantly, watching my diet and cutting out... ok down, on the drink. I've developed a real taste for red wine over the last 6 months and have managed to convince myself that because it is better for me than beer, it's ok. Well I guess it's time to acknowledge that not many endurance athletes fuel themselves on Steak and Red wine. Ok none. So it's whole grains, salads and less 'treats' for me from now on. In fact, they are genuinely going to become treats again, as opposed to regulars. I've been a little too heavy on the cakes this last few months.
So with my resolutions set, I need to get properly training. Hong Kong is noticeably warmer and humid again which means the sweat fest is back on. I've had to start carryng water for anything over 45 minutes and where I have been doing longer runs with a hand held and one more on the belt, I'll now take the camelback with a few litres. I've started to have a think about what electrolytes work for me and don't upset my stomach (none so far!). I'm actually leaning towards a diluted gatorade or pocari (asian equivalent) as my preferred drink, I struggle to eat in the heat, so tend to lean towards getting extra calories from my fluids.
I'm still weaving in a little stationary bike into the mix, intervals 2 times a week followed by the treadmill (adding an extra 1 minute interval each week) and I am attempting to up the speed on the run afterwards. I am now only slightlky slower than a tortoise.
The UTMB requires that I submit a medical certificate stating that I am fit enough to take part and won't keel over during the race. I'm searching for a dishonest doctor who'll sign such an attestation. I'm more a fan of the disclaimer myself, the approach of some other well known races that I've taken part in. I refer to is as the 'you may die but it's not our fault' approach which I am totally comfortable with. As I may die, but only have myself and my penchant for cakes to blame. Even more likely as an asthmatic training in the Hong Kong air, whose run out of becotide and low on ventolin. Hey ho, let's see what a couple of months of dedication to exercise rather than pies does for me.
We have a couple more long weekends in a row in HK due to a number of unique public holidays. In total we have 4 in a row and one more in early June to ease us back into a full working week. I'm hoping to use these days off to get myself into the sort of shape where a doctir will happily sign my attestation withough questioning his/ her oath and ethics.
So with my resolutions set, I need to get properly training. Hong Kong is noticeably warmer and humid again which means the sweat fest is back on. I've had to start carryng water for anything over 45 minutes and where I have been doing longer runs with a hand held and one more on the belt, I'll now take the camelback with a few litres. I've started to have a think about what electrolytes work for me and don't upset my stomach (none so far!). I'm actually leaning towards a diluted gatorade or pocari (asian equivalent) as my preferred drink, I struggle to eat in the heat, so tend to lean towards getting extra calories from my fluids.
I'm still weaving in a little stationary bike into the mix, intervals 2 times a week followed by the treadmill (adding an extra 1 minute interval each week) and I am attempting to up the speed on the run afterwards. I am now only slightlky slower than a tortoise.
The UTMB requires that I submit a medical certificate stating that I am fit enough to take part and won't keel over during the race. I'm searching for a dishonest doctor who'll sign such an attestation. I'm more a fan of the disclaimer myself, the approach of some other well known races that I've taken part in. I refer to is as the 'you may die but it's not our fault' approach which I am totally comfortable with. As I may die, but only have myself and my penchant for cakes to blame. Even more likely as an asthmatic training in the Hong Kong air, whose run out of becotide and low on ventolin. Hey ho, let's see what a couple of months of dedication to exercise rather than pies does for me.
We have a couple more long weekends in a row in HK due to a number of unique public holidays. In total we have 4 in a row and one more in early June to ease us back into a full working week. I'm hoping to use these days off to get myself into the sort of shape where a doctir will happily sign my attestation withough questioning his/ her oath and ethics.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Ironman v's Ultra runner. Epic Fail
I am sure most people have seen the ironman v's ultra runner video that has been doing the rounds on you tube for the last couple of months. It goes something like:
'I am an ultra runner, all of my clothes come from TK max with enough storage for 3 flapjacks'
'You need to be earning six figures to buy a bike that weighs as much as my breakfast'
'I like ultra running because it takes me to places I have never been to before'
'In my most recent triathlon I was ranked 11th placed left handed Male aged 33-37 and a half who live in the thames valley region'
It's genius. But I have to say on my long run this Sunday my mate, Dave the Vet, gave me a lesson in running. To be fair he is coming off the back of a 10.40 ironman and I am coming off the back of two months of injury, too many steaks and more than a little pinot noir, so I should have known what was coming. Last week was also my biggest training week in some time, so I started sore, Anyway, even making my excuses I realise I have a long way to go and my fitness is not where it needs to be considering my 100k is two months away. Time to get serious about training, well, after a 9 day break in the UK anyway!
The last week of training was pretty strong, I managed:
Monday 7 miles (11k)
Tuesday 11 miles (17k)
Wednesday 11 miles (17k)
Thursday 7 miles (11k)
Friday 1 hour bike (34k)
Saturday 2 hour hike with the girlfriend
Sunday approx 16.5/17miles I think, wasted and a slightly embarrassing injury
I actually had to walk the last 5k or so as I seem to have strained my right buttock. Nothing to do with the triathlete and his Lycra I can assure you. I have a strange shooting pain in what feels like the joint of my hip and leg. Either way, I am walking funny this week. Maybe it was too big a jump in training in the space of a few weeks, maybe too many big hills, anyway I have made the decision to get myself a coach. I'm going to get one of those online ones, mainly because that's what my friend did and he is now considerably faster than me. A couple of trips to Chin-Zilla my favourite, surprisingly strong, massage lady should sort it out. When I was training for other events I found a weekly massage works great guns for minor strains, particularly those linked to a heavy training schedule.
On a positive note I have continued my run of having toilets in the right place at the right time, so I've not had to participate in the other ultrarunners past time of crapping in the great outdoors. It may sound odd to non runners but the effect of a diet of sports drinks and gels has some startling effects. Few of which are pleasant.
In future weeks I shall post my new training plan and progress against it so that hopefully in future we'll see fails on a less epic scale than on Sunday.
'I am an ultra runner, all of my clothes come from TK max with enough storage for 3 flapjacks'
'You need to be earning six figures to buy a bike that weighs as much as my breakfast'
'I like ultra running because it takes me to places I have never been to before'
'In my most recent triathlon I was ranked 11th placed left handed Male aged 33-37 and a half who live in the thames valley region'
It's genius. But I have to say on my long run this Sunday my mate, Dave the Vet, gave me a lesson in running. To be fair he is coming off the back of a 10.40 ironman and I am coming off the back of two months of injury, too many steaks and more than a little pinot noir, so I should have known what was coming. Last week was also my biggest training week in some time, so I started sore, Anyway, even making my excuses I realise I have a long way to go and my fitness is not where it needs to be considering my 100k is two months away. Time to get serious about training, well, after a 9 day break in the UK anyway!
The last week of training was pretty strong, I managed:
Monday 7 miles (11k)
Tuesday 11 miles (17k)
Wednesday 11 miles (17k)
Thursday 7 miles (11k)
Friday 1 hour bike (34k)
Saturday 2 hour hike with the girlfriend
Sunday approx 16.5/17miles I think, wasted and a slightly embarrassing injury
I actually had to walk the last 5k or so as I seem to have strained my right buttock. Nothing to do with the triathlete and his Lycra I can assure you. I have a strange shooting pain in what feels like the joint of my hip and leg. Either way, I am walking funny this week. Maybe it was too big a jump in training in the space of a few weeks, maybe too many big hills, anyway I have made the decision to get myself a coach. I'm going to get one of those online ones, mainly because that's what my friend did and he is now considerably faster than me. A couple of trips to Chin-Zilla my favourite, surprisingly strong, massage lady should sort it out. When I was training for other events I found a weekly massage works great guns for minor strains, particularly those linked to a heavy training schedule.
On a positive note I have continued my run of having toilets in the right place at the right time, so I've not had to participate in the other ultrarunners past time of crapping in the great outdoors. It may sound odd to non runners but the effect of a diet of sports drinks and gels has some startling effects. Few of which are pleasant.
In future weeks I shall post my new training plan and progress against it so that hopefully in future we'll see fails on a less epic scale than on Sunday.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Sundown, signed up!
My training is looking pretty rosy for the week so far. I'm really getting into the running thing again and my foot is responding quite well to the instruction it now faces, to bear my weight again. I can't blame the foot for complaining a little, it's more weight than most have to carry, but in general, apart from a few 'twangs' it feels almost as good as before.
Although I have loads of friends, honestly... ok 3, who say they will comment on the blog, they never do. So I am inviting any lost physios or previously broken footed runners to tell me what the hell is going on with this 'twang'. It's a weird feeling, it doesn't hurt but literally feels like someone is pinging a double base along the side of my foot. Assuming it is ligament related and hopefully not permanently damaging, I decided to keep running on it like any sensible educated young man would.
So the week so far. I managed 2.15 on Saturday which is the longest single run I have done since I broke the foot. Not much in time or distance, but I did manage to run to the peak up old peak road. Anyone who has walked up it knows it's pretty steep, so to get 16 stone running up it pleased me no end.
This week I signed up for the Sundown Marathon in Singapore, 100k overnight. For anyone who hasn't been before, Singapore is bloody hot and humid so I imagine it would have to be overnight. There are no seasons in Singapore, it's either bloody hot and raining or bloody hot and sunny. Sometimes it is bloody hot and about to rain. Suffice to say seasonal variety in the weather is lacking. Or, once a day for about 10 hours, it's night time. So we run at night. Should be tough, but a good motivator to get in shape before UTMB.
I signed up for the Sundown Marathon with a great friend of mine, John 'Panda' Key. We did Atacama together last year, which was tough, but a one dayer should be more of a laugh. I say we did Atacama together, John was actually about 10 hours faster than me, but we did at least sleep in the same tent. His training had been much more committed than mine, but I am hoping his commitment to steak and red means I won't be humiliated too badly this time around. Surely it's impossible to be beaten by 10 hours on a 100k, so I am hoping to see improvement!
As a prelude to the race we entered into a massive endurance effort on Sunday. We set off around midday and I wrapped up around 6pm, John carried on until 7.45 apparently. I believe the stats of this particular session were somewhere around several bottles of red each, lamb, steak and a couple of beers. To test myself, I ate nothing green. I did it! We really but the pedal down, pushed on past our limits and when the going got tough, we put our heads down and just carried on. Sterling stuff eh? (sorry for the panda bit, the Korean thought John looked just like a big panda on Christmas day, post lunch, I need to get my own back for getting whupped every race somehow!)
So, 2 and a half months, inclusive of the rugby 7's, to prepare for my first 100k race since last July. I'm looking forward to it already. The week so far:
Saturday- 13 hilly miles
Sunday- um... 7000 calories
Monday- 7 miles and a little groggy
Tuesday- 5.3 miles, including 6x30 second hill sprints
Wednesday- 7 miles (felt shockingly awful after sprint session on Tuesday, is this normal?)
Thursday- worked late, burger and 2 glasses or pinot noir, 1 Cab Sav. At least it's not beer right? Antioxidants? No, ok.
Friday- planned 13 miles
Funnily enough, Krupicka's blog is entitled 'infirm' and he has run further than me. You've got to laugh, I felt quite proud!
In current affairs I saw the Dalai Lama retired from politics today. A real shame as I thought he stood a real chance against the con dems by the next general election.
Although I have loads of friends, honestly... ok 3, who say they will comment on the blog, they never do. So I am inviting any lost physios or previously broken footed runners to tell me what the hell is going on with this 'twang'. It's a weird feeling, it doesn't hurt but literally feels like someone is pinging a double base along the side of my foot. Assuming it is ligament related and hopefully not permanently damaging, I decided to keep running on it like any sensible educated young man would.
So the week so far. I managed 2.15 on Saturday which is the longest single run I have done since I broke the foot. Not much in time or distance, but I did manage to run to the peak up old peak road. Anyone who has walked up it knows it's pretty steep, so to get 16 stone running up it pleased me no end.
This week I signed up for the Sundown Marathon in Singapore, 100k overnight. For anyone who hasn't been before, Singapore is bloody hot and humid so I imagine it would have to be overnight. There are no seasons in Singapore, it's either bloody hot and raining or bloody hot and sunny. Sometimes it is bloody hot and about to rain. Suffice to say seasonal variety in the weather is lacking. Or, once a day for about 10 hours, it's night time. So we run at night. Should be tough, but a good motivator to get in shape before UTMB.
I signed up for the Sundown Marathon with a great friend of mine, John 'Panda' Key. We did Atacama together last year, which was tough, but a one dayer should be more of a laugh. I say we did Atacama together, John was actually about 10 hours faster than me, but we did at least sleep in the same tent. His training had been much more committed than mine, but I am hoping his commitment to steak and red means I won't be humiliated too badly this time around. Surely it's impossible to be beaten by 10 hours on a 100k, so I am hoping to see improvement!
As a prelude to the race we entered into a massive endurance effort on Sunday. We set off around midday and I wrapped up around 6pm, John carried on until 7.45 apparently. I believe the stats of this particular session were somewhere around several bottles of red each, lamb, steak and a couple of beers. To test myself, I ate nothing green. I did it! We really but the pedal down, pushed on past our limits and when the going got tough, we put our heads down and just carried on. Sterling stuff eh? (sorry for the panda bit, the Korean thought John looked just like a big panda on Christmas day, post lunch, I need to get my own back for getting whupped every race somehow!)
So, 2 and a half months, inclusive of the rugby 7's, to prepare for my first 100k race since last July. I'm looking forward to it already. The week so far:
Saturday- 13 hilly miles
Sunday- um... 7000 calories
Monday- 7 miles and a little groggy
Tuesday- 5.3 miles, including 6x30 second hill sprints
Wednesday- 7 miles (felt shockingly awful after sprint session on Tuesday, is this normal?)
Thursday- worked late, burger and 2 glasses or pinot noir, 1 Cab Sav. At least it's not beer right? Antioxidants? No, ok.
Friday- planned 13 miles
Funnily enough, Krupicka's blog is entitled 'infirm' and he has run further than me. You've got to laugh, I felt quite proud!
In current affairs I saw the Dalai Lama retired from politics today. A real shame as I thought he stood a real chance against the con dems by the next general election.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Let the training commence
The injury finally seems to be passing, like the wind, and I'm going to start getting into some proper training again. Since fracturing my foot in an innocuous 'talking to the girlfriend whilst hiking' incident on New Years Day I've not been able to run consistently. 5 weeks off completely sat on my already ample arse contemplating throwing a stationary bike out of the window, have now been replaced with five times weekly runs and a couple of bike sessions.
Last week was my first week of solid training and I incorporated a really good session of hill sprints into my training for the first time. I've been diligently reading up on proper ultra training and everyone seems to do one or two speed sessions a week so I am following suit. Next week I am going to venture on to the track for my first ever track session with some local ironman types. Can't say I am looking forward to it, but it probably has to be done. However, the session last week consisted of 10 x 30 second hill sprints. Ok I am exaggerating. It was 'going' to consist of 10 x 30 second hill sprints until I realised exactly how sick that makes you feel. I was on number 6 when I thought I was going to vomit, so declined the last 4 and jogged off home. I'm heading back to the hill to tackle the full ten this week so I'll let you know how it goes. The other thing to note about hill sprints is that you look many times more stupid than you do jogging. They made me feel very self conscious. I'd be sprinting (I use this term loosely, probably club runner marathon pace) up the hill and taxis kept slowing down to offer me assistance. I'm not making this up, it happened twice. As they were Cantonese and I am not, I', still not sure why. Maybe they were concerned about my health (I did feel like I was dying) or if they thought I was being chased by a big, fat and slow predator, but twice they tried to usher me into the safety of their cab! I had awful images of them heading straight to the St Mary's hospital up the road and depositing me in casualty thinking I was having a heart attack. The doctors would quickly realise that I just have a low VO2 Max and give me some ventolin.
It got me thinking about how bloody stupid the whole thing is. I keep reading about the need to set goals, push ourselves to the edge etc. I think we're all just a little insane. I am a young man (relatively) in my early thirties and I chose to spend my time running as fast as I can up a small hill. It's pretty weird behaviour, and brings me to question what is normal. Can't answer that one, but it clearly isn't me. Sad as it is, I'll be buggered if I am not to be found on the same little hill tomorrow night, running my little (too little cardiovascular capacity that's for sure) heart out.
I mentioned last week that many ultra runners blogs had gone a little serious, dealing with 'issues' in the sport. Issues that at least 100 other people globally care deeply about. Well there has been progress. I am now noting a little hypocrisy in some of the blogging going on. The previously spiritual types, all caught up in meaning, seem to be showing a little commercial side. I'm enjoying it, but some of the other spiritual types are not happy. I sense division in the ranks of the ultras. The spiritualists v's those who will only turn up if they are paid goddamn it. They want cashola, the sweet green... sorry I mean to run against the best... cough. It looks like there will be a split between those who want to compete and others who want to hug each other on the way round. I'd like to add my two cents to this debate. I don't care and judging by the fact I only get a couple of hundred readers a month, neither does anyone else. Although to be fair that is probably just that no one cares about me. Sob. A quick note to the 50 or so people avidly discussing this, most of these races have about 100 people taking part. I love them, it's my hobby and although I am rubbish at it, I just enjoy run/walking. However, the fact is, no one else gives a shit. Not even my mum as long as I don't hurt myself. But it doesn't matter, it's all cool. I'll go for a run and forget about it.
I'm going to finish by raising an issue of my own and a cheery little anecdote that'll bring a warm fuzzy feeling to your heart and a tear to your eye. Most runners blogs touch on it (not literally, although I have been known to get a bit on my leg every now and again), but won't seem to embrace the fact that we all encounter them at one time or another. The shits. Joggers Tummy. They got me on my mid week run last week. I am sure most runners have experienced that awful sinking feeling when you're running on roads, surrounded by cars, no where to go (literally) and yet you just have to. It's happened to be before and it'll happen again no doubt. But this time, just when I thought all was lost and I was going to have to moon several passing people carriers, scarring people for life. I stumbled across a toilet. I kid you not. I run this route several times a week and I had never in my life noticed these toilets. And on this night, at my time of need, the clouds parted, the moon shone (not mine) and some public toilets appeared. I couldn't believe it, I half expected that serene music to start, you know the stuff, when they show Heaven in films. Ahhhh ahhh ahhh. And they were clean. The toilets that is, not the films, although they were too. And... they had toilet roll. I've never been so happy on a run. They talk of endorphins, but they are nothing compared to the happinness that Kleenex brings when you're about to cack yourself. So there you have it, I can see it as the next advertising campaign. Silky soft, there for you when you're about to poo yourself. I should work in advertising, no need for a cute puppy with me on the scene. Anyway.
Last week was my first week of solid training and I incorporated a really good session of hill sprints into my training for the first time. I've been diligently reading up on proper ultra training and everyone seems to do one or two speed sessions a week so I am following suit. Next week I am going to venture on to the track for my first ever track session with some local ironman types. Can't say I am looking forward to it, but it probably has to be done. However, the session last week consisted of 10 x 30 second hill sprints. Ok I am exaggerating. It was 'going' to consist of 10 x 30 second hill sprints until I realised exactly how sick that makes you feel. I was on number 6 when I thought I was going to vomit, so declined the last 4 and jogged off home. I'm heading back to the hill to tackle the full ten this week so I'll let you know how it goes. The other thing to note about hill sprints is that you look many times more stupid than you do jogging. They made me feel very self conscious. I'd be sprinting (I use this term loosely, probably club runner marathon pace) up the hill and taxis kept slowing down to offer me assistance. I'm not making this up, it happened twice. As they were Cantonese and I am not, I', still not sure why. Maybe they were concerned about my health (I did feel like I was dying) or if they thought I was being chased by a big, fat and slow predator, but twice they tried to usher me into the safety of their cab! I had awful images of them heading straight to the St Mary's hospital up the road and depositing me in casualty thinking I was having a heart attack. The doctors would quickly realise that I just have a low VO2 Max and give me some ventolin.
It got me thinking about how bloody stupid the whole thing is. I keep reading about the need to set goals, push ourselves to the edge etc. I think we're all just a little insane. I am a young man (relatively) in my early thirties and I chose to spend my time running as fast as I can up a small hill. It's pretty weird behaviour, and brings me to question what is normal. Can't answer that one, but it clearly isn't me. Sad as it is, I'll be buggered if I am not to be found on the same little hill tomorrow night, running my little (too little cardiovascular capacity that's for sure) heart out.
I mentioned last week that many ultra runners blogs had gone a little serious, dealing with 'issues' in the sport. Issues that at least 100 other people globally care deeply about. Well there has been progress. I am now noting a little hypocrisy in some of the blogging going on. The previously spiritual types, all caught up in meaning, seem to be showing a little commercial side. I'm enjoying it, but some of the other spiritual types are not happy. I sense division in the ranks of the ultras. The spiritualists v's those who will only turn up if they are paid goddamn it. They want cashola, the sweet green... sorry I mean to run against the best... cough. It looks like there will be a split between those who want to compete and others who want to hug each other on the way round. I'd like to add my two cents to this debate. I don't care and judging by the fact I only get a couple of hundred readers a month, neither does anyone else. Although to be fair that is probably just that no one cares about me. Sob. A quick note to the 50 or so people avidly discussing this, most of these races have about 100 people taking part. I love them, it's my hobby and although I am rubbish at it, I just enjoy run/walking. However, the fact is, no one else gives a shit. Not even my mum as long as I don't hurt myself. But it doesn't matter, it's all cool. I'll go for a run and forget about it.
I'm going to finish by raising an issue of my own and a cheery little anecdote that'll bring a warm fuzzy feeling to your heart and a tear to your eye. Most runners blogs touch on it (not literally, although I have been known to get a bit on my leg every now and again), but won't seem to embrace the fact that we all encounter them at one time or another. The shits. Joggers Tummy. They got me on my mid week run last week. I am sure most runners have experienced that awful sinking feeling when you're running on roads, surrounded by cars, no where to go (literally) and yet you just have to. It's happened to be before and it'll happen again no doubt. But this time, just when I thought all was lost and I was going to have to moon several passing people carriers, scarring people for life. I stumbled across a toilet. I kid you not. I run this route several times a week and I had never in my life noticed these toilets. And on this night, at my time of need, the clouds parted, the moon shone (not mine) and some public toilets appeared. I couldn't believe it, I half expected that serene music to start, you know the stuff, when they show Heaven in films. Ahhhh ahhh ahhh. And they were clean. The toilets that is, not the films, although they were too. And... they had toilet roll. I've never been so happy on a run. They talk of endorphins, but they are nothing compared to the happinness that Kleenex brings when you're about to cack yourself. So there you have it, I can see it as the next advertising campaign. Silky soft, there for you when you're about to poo yourself. I should work in advertising, no need for a cute puppy with me on the scene. Anyway.
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