Tour de Esporta

It's not been a good week for adhering to the training plan. What I thought was a little foot niggle, is still a niggle. I am no nearer to establishing the cause, though tonight I'm wondering if it may be my Peroneal Tendon which is taught as compound bow string.

I am getting pain on the outside (underneath and on top) of my mid-foot when I walk. Nothing when I stand, but as my foot flex's I get quite a lot of pain. I'm hobbling still, a week after the event. I'll explain more in a minute.

I took Monday off training as usual, and went (limped into) to the gym on Tuesday. I did 30 minutes on the bike instead of 30 mins v02 max run. I did a hard hill session, ensuring I worked almost as hard as if I had run. I then did an hour stability and strength too. I saw my Friday gym-trainer Clive in the gym and he suggest it could me my strap ligament (I think that's what he said). He suggested I book in to see a sports injury/massage therapist which I did the next day.

So, on Wednesday it did feel a little better, but I went to see a sports massage therapist, and in all honesty it hasn't helped at all. I did explain the issue and he did find plenty on tight areas on both legs but nothing definitive. I decided I would try and do my scheduled run, which on reflection was foolish. I had an 8.5 mile route penned in, and almost turned back within 500m because it was hurting. However, it faded off after about a mile, so I continued. I had gone past a point on no return when the pain came back about 3 miles into the route. I took the best short cut I could and ended up doing 7 miles. On Thursday I paid the price, as I was hobbling worse than before. There was no question of me doing a 75 minute run, so I did 75 minutes in the gym on the bike. I did 50 minutes on the normal bike, level 12, random hill profile, then 25 minutes on the bike that seats you in a go-kart position. This was just to break up the boredom really. I can't remember how far I cycled, but it was over 20 miles.

On Friday I did my normal gym session, with emphasis on ankle strengthening again. On Saturday I decided to rest it totally, the foot still no better. Today, it's perhaps a little better, but certainly I can only walk short distances, so no running. I went to the gym at 6pm and did a 70km bike ride in 2 hours, random hill profile, varying levels 10-14. I felt this was suitable replacement for a 18 mile run, well, as near as I could get.

I did try and massage what I now know to be my Peroneal tendon this week, but all I ended up doing was giving myself a very sore foot and leg! I've looked up my leg anatomy tonight, and this is how I have identified that tendon. The red spots are where I get pain when I walk/run. It's all one tendon, so I think that must be the problem. I read that Peroneal Tendonitis is quite common.



I have a bottle of olive oil sitting next to me now, ready for another self torture session on that tendon when I have finished writing this. I've had done and am doing all the right things though. I should not have run in the week, but I have rested, taken ibuprofen and am working on ankle strengthening too.

Using the bike in the gym has been mind-numbingly boring this week. I've clocked up well over 100km, so this should ensure that I retain my cardio fitness, but there is no substitution for running really. I hope it gets better soon this week, or I could end up with another trip to see my Chiropractor uncle. I suspect I could well be doing more bike work though. I can't even use the cross trainer with my foot as it is, so it's bike or nothing.

I totted up my mileage on my current trainers to 325 miles. So, I am happy that worn shoes are not the cause, but I have ordered a couple more pairs to wear in as the current pair wear out. I have ordered the New Balance M1100MDS as usual, but also a pair of RX1441AT to trial. I'm interested in the design, with the ankle gaiter. They may be useless as far as keeping out sand is concerned, but they warrant a look.



I'll post up a full review of course. Have good week.

October - November Training Plan

This is my next 4 weeks training plan. Just one major event; The Six Dales Circuit, in a couple of weeks time. I have also added in a rough weekly mileage figure onto the bottom of the plan. I should be averaging 70 - 80 miles for a couple of peak weeks in January/February before tapering for the big event in March.

Note to self: 335 miles on this pair of trainers

John Knox Challenge event

The week started with my right ankle feeling pretty good, but instead of doing Tuesday’s V02 max run on the road I did it on the treadmill at the gym; the logic being it’s flat, level and has better shock absorption. Still, I didn’t go crazy with it and did just 3 miles at an average of just less than 8 minute miles. I walked the first .5k warm up, so I did have to pick the pace up to pull the average back to 8mm though. I may well stick to doing this session on the treadmill on Tuesdays, because I am at the gym doing a strength and stability session anyway, so it would save me doing a road/trail run before or afterwards. I completed the run, and then concentrated on a lot of ankle work in the gym stability session.

On Wednesday I did a 9 mile endurance pace trail route around Apedale. I did have one scary moment when I stepped down off a stile only to invert the problem ankle. I clutched it for a few seconds fearing the worst, but this time I got away with it. I made extra effort to watch my feet for the rest of the run. I had no other problems and was happy with the session. On Thursday I did a 6.5 mile interval session; mostly trail, but with approx 1 mile of unavoidable road. The session was quite tough as usual, but especially so due to me trying out a new route with more climbing involved. On Friday I returned to the gym for my usual session, once again doing plenty on my ankles. I realise that at the moment this is a weak spot and it is prone to inversion, so it’s important I work on building the strength back up.

I packed a 6kg rucksack and made all my preparations for the following day. I got up at 7:30am and drove to Hollinsclough in the Peak District. It’s just a small village about 25 miles away down the most narrow single lane carriageway you can imagine. I’m glad I didn’t meet any cars coming the other way, as one of us would have been reversing quite some distance. I registered, and was surprised to find that there were more competitors than expected; about 60 in total. 50 were walkers and had set off at 8am, and then there were 10 or 11 runners who set off at 9am. The route was billed at 22 miles, but I had measured it on Memory Map at 20.5 miles. The route is shown below, along with the hill profile and my speed profile.

It was a very cold, but beautiful sunny morning. There was a ground frost as we set off, and for the first 15 minutes my un-gloved hands were like icicles. I set off at the back, as usual ‘faffing around’ with bits of kit, and taking a photo below (see the sacrifices I make for to ensure this blog is more interested!). Great picture huh? I wish it was like this every morning when I run!



I lost sight of the other runners in the light mist, except one chap running slower who I basically followed, until I suspect he was going the wrong way. I established that we were indeed slightly off-route and guided him and I back on route albeit adding a little distance onto the route. Serves me right for blindly following, but it was only a mile or two into the route, and we didn’t add too much onto the route. I overtook him, and in fact it wasn’t long before I caught up and passed two more runners on the first serious ascent. The view was stunning as we climbed. I took this shot looking forward, where you can clearly see the ground frost.



This shot looking back. I love the line of shadow where the ground frost gives way to melting as the sun has risen. I have got a new camera phone and the pictures are a considerable improvement on my old one.

More great morning views below as I neared the summit of the first climb. which was in fact the highest peak of the day at 1350ft.


There was then a welcome descent for almost 3 miles, briefly joining the High Peak trail. I passed another runner who looked to be struggling soon after. This was only 5 miles into the route. I'm not sure if he went off to fast trying to keep with the really quick runners, or he had a problem. He just looked a little heavy-legged for so early in the route. Anyway, I passed and caught sight of two others in the distance ahead. I reached the first checkpoint on the outskirts of the village of Flagg. I barely stopped, just topping up my water with some orange juice. That's all they had on tap! I left the checkpoint and started to catch up with walkers; mostly travelling in small groups. I would catch up most before 10 miles has passed, but a few I didn't catch up until 15 miles, and I believe one or two even finished the event a few mins before me, so they must have really been marching hard from their 8am start!

Soon after CP1 we joined a mile long 'green lane' where I still kept a couple of other runners just in view. I'm not sure if they eventually became mixed in with walkers, increased their pace, or got lost, because I seemed to lose sight of them shortly afterwards.
At the end of the lane I crossed the busy (and speedy) A515 and once more joined the High Peak trail, soon after reaching CP2. I filled up with water, but refused the food. Much as I would have loved to have the cakes, scones and biscuits, I have banned myself. I solely rely on the food I have brought with me, which today consisted of 100g of cashew nuts (approx 500 calories, good carb ratio too), and also a SIS Go electrolyte -enough to fill my 800ml shoulder mounted drinks bottle once. I ate about half of the nuts at around the 10 mile mark, trying to keep my sugar levels up to avoid hitting the wall. I had averaged a reasonable pace, only walking when facing the steep ascents.

Between CP2 and CP3, in a strange twist, I started to get left foot pain. Remember it is my right foot that has been causing me problems. Initially I welcomed it, as it was something to take my mind off my right foot, but when it didn't go away it became more of a concern. I was caught slowly by another runner, who had started a few minutes after everyone else. I made a bit of a navigational error whilst I was ahead of him, but it was he who called me back to the right path. So, he ran off ahead at that point, but I kept him in sight virtually all the way down to CP3. I filled up my water at added my electrolyte at CP3. I felt guilty refusing the lovely food they offered, but set off straight away joined by the other runner who had paused briefly too. The last 8 mile section was predominantly ascent, which clearly shows in my speed profile. You can see I keep a really good average pace (5mph) to around the 13 mile mark. After that it jumps up and down with the climbs and descents. I caught the other runner up again, and we struck up a conversation for about the next 5 miles, into and just beyond the last checkpoint; CP4. Soon after we caught up and passed more walkers and then started more ascents around the 18 mile mark. I slipped back and took this last photo, leaving the other runner to carry on (he was running a little quicker than me anyway).

I also took the opportunity to walk briefly, to eat the remaining cashew nuts. I had also eaten a few just before CP4 too.

My left foot was really quite painful when I ran now. I resorted to running on my toe for the last 3 or 4 miles, which wasn't pleasant, but certainly less painful. Walking hurt less too, but I didn't want to do any walking! I lost sight of the other runner and got a little lost coming into a farm. The direction arrow for the footpath had worn off and I was not sure I was allowed to walk through the farmyard, so I followed what looked to be a worn path around the building. As this eventually lead down to a shallow river it became apparent it was the wrong way, but travelling back would have lost me too much time. So, adventure-racer-in-training that I am, I jumped into the river and waded ankle/knee deep, following the river under a road bridge and then climbed out to join the road again. I got myself back on course, though I had added more distance onto the route again! If nothing else the dip cleaned off my trainers and soothed the foot! There was a real killer hill at around the 19 mile mark. It was on the road, rather than footpath, but at this stage it really burned my muscles. I could not consider running up, so just dug in with a 2x2 breathing pattern and fast-marched up (about 3.5mph). The route went back onto footpath for the final 1.5 miles, but deteriorated into a terrible boulder strewn descent in the last 800m, making it virtually impossible to run. If I would have slipped I would have cracked my head open. The route description warned that it was dangerous, and to take care. My foot really was hurting anyway, so my run was a bit of a hobble anyway.

I finish came into view and I completed in 4 hours and 28 minutes. I had done 21.2 miles and 2500ft of ascent. That was an average of 4.7mph. I was really happy with my performance. I had not taken any conscious 'walking breaks'. I had only walked when the terrain dictated.

Thanks to the organisers (Keith Bailey of Staffs LDWA) for the meal at the end, as well as organising such as great event. The weather was perfect as well, all of which added to an enjoyable day.

I travelled home, had a bath and took some ibuprofen. My foot isn't painful to weight bear as I stand still, but the action of walking causes pain. It is bruised on the left had side on the top of my foot. I have absolutely no idea why? I didn't sprain it (that I remember?) or impact it at all. If you're a chiropodist, then I'd love to hear probable causes?!

It was a friends 30th birthday that evening, so I had to do more walking around bars in the town etc. This won't have helped I don't think. I did some massage on it, and was hoping that a night’s sleep would see it cured. However, this morning (Sunday) it has not improved, so my planned 12-15 mile run was out of the question. Instead I went to the gym and did 20 miles on the bike. I set it on a random hill profile and ran it between level 12 and 14 (out of 20), so as not to make it too easy. This caused my foot no problems, and I feel was a good enough substitute for the run under the circumstances. I wonder if maybe I was running on an odd camber for a few miles on a hillside, or a slight sprain caused it. Anyway, it's not serious at all, and I hope my Tuesday it will be fine for me to run. If not, there is always the cross trainer again.

I seem to be plagued by foot problems at the moment? Maybe I'm paying the price for the hilly and uneven terrain I run on, coupled with a weekly mileage average of around 50 miles at the moment. I don't know, but I'd much rather run 50 miles on trail, than on the road, that's for sure.

It's been a very successful week, and I'm happy, despite the foot niggle. I'll post up the next 4 weeks training plan in the week. I've actually mapped out everything into January 08 already; just wanted to see what kind of mileage I will be covering each month come that time. My next major event isn't for three weeks, but I won't be slacking off in that time. It's all week on week steady build (except my consolidation week. week 4 in the 4 week cycle) right up to the time when I begin to taper in February.

All comments welcome of course, have a great week!

Gym Bunny & current months training plan.

I forgot to post this months Schedule a couple of weeks ago. It's above. Obviously my little injury niggles have meant that it has not been followed to the letter!

After last weekends inversion sprain of my right ankle I knew there would be no running this week. I was hobbling around Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I used good old RICE method.

Rest - certainly didn't do any exercise and tried to stay off my feet
Ice - Several icepacks a day until Tuesday
Compression - I wore a compression sock until Tuesday
Elevation - I sat with my foot raised whenever possible.

I also took ibuprofen until Monday too. Seemed to do the trick because I was back to walking 'almost' normally by Tuesday. Thank you for the suggestions in the comments last week about using the elliptical cross trainer at the gym.

By Wednesday I was walking normally, with just a twinge of pain now and again. I went to the gym and did an hour endurance pace on the cross trainer, on random setting on Wednesday. My ankle did ache when I first started, but happily it wore off quite quickly.

On Thursday I did an hour on the cross trainer doing a hill interval session. No problems with the ankle at all but thoroughly wore me out with that session. I was sweating buckets. I think I probably cranked up the machine too high, but I completed it. I did go and sink a full bottle of Lucozade sport from the gyms cafe afterwards though to top the sugar back up, in order to face the tougher evening challenge; 'the Tesco shop'. I completed the shopping in good form and slept well that evening.

On Friday I did my usual gym session, but with a little more care paid to my ankle, so missed out some squat exercises. I did however do some single leg raised weights to try and promote building that ankle back up.

On Saturday I went back to the gym for an 1.5 hour session. I did 45 minutes on the cross trainer; another tough interval session, followed by 45 minutes on the bike doing HR intervals again. I really sent my HR high and spent as many calories mopping my brow as I did pedalling on the bike I think!

Today I decided that I would try a run. It had been 8 days, not enough I'm sure most would say, but it was not like I was crippled last week. I know I made the right decision to stop when I did after 10 miles, otherwise this would have been a short sharp post saying I did nothing this week except nurse my mangled ankle.

I am however, not stupid enough to do the scheduled 3 hour session with a heavy backpack on a tricky trail. I simply set out on the road, as flatter terrain as I could manage, and would see how it felt but cap it after an hour regardless. Despite the odd twinge it felt OK. I ran for an hour and 5 minutes and did 7.5 miles as it turned out. OK, nowhere near a typical weekend 15-20 mile route, but what mattered was that I finished with my ankle in good condition.

It still doesn't feel quite right, almost as if something hasn't clicked back into place in the ankle joint, but well enough I think. I may still swap out some or all of my short runs this week for gym session, but I am still hoping to take part in the 23 mile hill event on Saturday near Leek. Of course If I feel that would be a bad decision as the week progresses, i'll change my plans. I'm still not 100% I am supposed to run this event anyway. It is part of a walking festival, so I'm trying to get hold of the organiser to clear it with them. If I do enter I will just have to be especially careful of my footing, even sacrificing some speed for caution. Even if I did have to walk the whole way, it may not be a bad thing.

Some of my new kit arrived this week from Raidlight in France; some of it for the MDS. Some boring stuff like signalling mirror and emergency foil blanket, which must be carried, but also a Tyvek shirt and Tyvek trousers. The Raidlight version is better than the one I took to France for La Trans Aq. It has a more plastic feel, definitely more windproof and doubtless warmer; both incredibly lightweight of course. A new improved pair of Raidlight’s gaiters arrived. The design has been changed so that the material across the whole front of the foot is more hard wearing (and not Lycra like the rest of the gaiter), and thus will not tear so easily if you scuff a rock or branch with your toe. The new Raidlight Evolution 2 backpack I ordered is going to be delivered in about a month, I hope in time to trial on the Round Rotherham 50 event on December 8th, which I have entered officially this week. There are lots of nice features on this pack, and I'm hoping it will be perfect for the MDS, assuming I can cram all my kit in (it's 5l smaller than my current pack). If not, I'm more than happy with the current Raidlight pack, even though it has picked up a lot of tears and holes now. Some I have patched up, but not all. It would need to be fully repaired if I were to take it to the MDS.

I am going to start thinking about my pack contents now too. I know I have been thinking about it for almost 2 years, and already have a good idea, but I am going to plan it down to the smallest detail and with all weights now. Time is ticking by and I want to know what weight I will be carrying in the desert, so I can ensure I am prepared. My rough guess is that with the distress flare and other kit given on the start line, it will weight in between 9 and 10kg. If I have my way it will be between 8 and 9kg, but we'll just have to see. I'll keep you posted on that front.

Have a good week; fingers crossed for my continued speedy recovery!

Failed to finish

The week started well. I visited my Uncle, the chiropractor, for some treatment on Tuesday night. He sorted out my back, and also managed to further sort out my right foot which was still troubling me since the injury a few weeks ago. Additionally, he freed my ankle joint further. For the first time in as long as I can remember my foot and ankle felt good afterwards.

On Wednesday I did a 9 mile endurance-pace trail route, using my head torch for the first time this year. The nights are drawing in, so a head torch is essential for the routes that I am running on.

On Thursday I did an 8 mile interval session, also incorporating hill intervals. This was a tough session, but one you finish, knowing that it will do you good in the long run. I didn't finish until 8pm, so once again I had to use my head torch. There are a few sections in woodland where it really would be too dark to run without one. Footing is treacherous as the best of times on these routes, but in darkness even more so.

I did my usual gym session on Friday, no problems there. On Friday night I packed a 6.5kg pack and made my preparations for the 23 mile Grin and Bear it event near Sheffield the following day.



Only half the map is shown you notice.

I have recently wiped my computer and reinstalled everything, so I had to reinstall my memory map program on my PC. I transferred the 23 mile route onto my main PDA, and my backup PDA and made sure all batteries were charged. I loaded the application on the PDA and checked the map was ready to go. I decided not to test the GPS (a separate Bluetooth unit) connectivity as I took it for granted this would be fine. You know how this story unfolds already don't you?

I set off at around 8:30am arriving only 10 minutes before the start of the race. This was bad planning on my part and contributed to the rest of the days failings. I quickly registered because everyone was lining up for the start. I reached for my PDA and realised I'd left it at the car. It was about a 1/4 mile return journey. I found my PDA on balanced on the boot outside my car. I was lucky it was still there!
I ran back, pulling on my backpack, juggling straps, switching PDA's, GPS, resetting my wristwatch etc. In other words, I was hassled and a little stressed. I got back and everyone was disappearing into the distance. Initially I just kept people in sight and they seemed to be following orange tape markers at junctions, so when I lost sight of them totally I continued to follow the orange tape. I was travelling slowly because I was struggling with my PDA. I could not get a satellite lock. I slowed to a walk, undid my pack, reset my GPS, and put it all back on; still nothing. I then tried my backup PDA, same problem. So far I had wasted 10 minutes, and now realised to my horror that the orange tape markers were going in the wrong direction. (I later found out they marked the walkers short course!)

I almost just threw in the towel at this point. I was barely 10 minutes in, already lost and with no satellite navigation. I took off my pack, turned off all the electronics and took out my compass and the route description, and small map. I started to feel better at that point. Ok, so I had no GPS, and this was apparently a tricky route, with 10 miles of open moor crossing. However, the route looked straightforward enough. It travelled in more or less straight lines between checkpoints, and I had seen a satellite image and knew there was a rough path at least.

However, first I had to get back to the route. I turned 180 degrees and used my sense of direction to try and guide me back to where I should be going. I was studying the map, and not paying enough attention to where my feet were going. I caught a stone, or a ditch, I'm not sure which and my foot rolled outwards with an audible crack and sharp pain. An inversion sprain in other words. The loudness of the crack worried me, but after a few tentative steps it didn't feel too bad. Maybe I’d got away with it?

A few minutes later, after some trans-forest guesswork I found the path which led up onto the moors. There was no one in sight now in any direction; they were all 10 or 15 minutes ahead of me. Initially the terrain was good, as shown below.




I followed the route description, and even proved myself competent with a compass. I always assume I'm navigationally challenged, but really when forced to, I guess I can at least follow a bearing!

The terrain was pretty reasonable, with a steady climb up to the first checkpoint on Margery Hill. On the way up, I inverted my ankle again. No crack this time, but it hurt more.

At the CP, they pointed me onto checkpoint 2. The terrain deteriorated at this point. Initially there was just odd shallow muddy patches.




Then bigger patches, followed by deeper mud and full on bogs.




Twice more I went over on the same ankle in the next couple of miles incidentally. Each time it got worse. Why did it keep happening?

About half a mile after CP2 though, there was a guy standing in the middle of the moors shouting something to me. I could not hear until I got closer. He pointed me at his rucksack 100M off the main path ahead. He said to run to his rucksack before going back to the path, because they had already had to haul out some people who had gone in up to their chest, and got stuck!

I thanked him, and skirted around the deep bog before re-joining the path and following the well marked path. The event was being run by Woodhead Mountain Rescue team, and they had clearly marked 'the path' with flags every few hundred metres. A quick mention to say what a well run event this was, and judging by the amount of cars on the car park, I'd guess at a couple of hundred competitors all doing various length-events that day.

I reached the high point and took these last couple of photos. Not a bad view on the second one. It would have looked nice on a clear day. As it was, the weather was dry and not too cold. Good conditions in fact.




The terrain was pretty rough, despite the well marked path; lots of leaping and skirting around areas, with streams to cross too. However, I foolishly followed someone’s footsteps into a muddy area and immediately sank up to both knees. The mud sucked me in tight and I was dead stuck! I was only on the edge of the bog so I sat backwards on the edge, but just could not get my feet out; at least not without losing my shoes. I had to cup my hands and dig my own feet out! After a couple of minutes I managed it, and made a mental note to be more careful. However, despite my best efforts over I went on my ankle again before CP2 again. Something clearly wasn't right.

My ankle was painful but I could still run when I set off on the 1.5 mile section to CP3. The terrain improved, but I inverted my ankle for a 6th time just before joining a green lane (a better path) on the run up to the CP. Now, if my foot landed flat and level it felt ok, but as soon as it landed on any kind of angle it hurt like hell. I was obviously not running correctly because at the CP they asked what was wrong as I approached. They could see I was half-hobbling. I told them that it was just inverting all the time. I could only assume after the first big one, a weakness had developed and my ankle could no longer support me properly. They said do I want to continue? I sat down, took off my shoe and sock. There wasn't a lot to see. It looked a little red in the ankle joint but that was all. I stood up. I could still bear weight on it. I could still run on it. Should I give up?

I had never had to retire from an event before, but I was only at the 9.5 mile mark; although I had probably covered an additional mile at the beginning, at least, through getting lost. I knew I could carry on if it got no worse, but the fact that it kept on inverting meant that I could, by the law of averages, expect it to happen at least another half-dozen times more in the remaining 13 miles (possibly more). Any one of those could be 'the big one' - snap - end of MDS! I could make it round the course and be brave, then return home with a foot like a pineapple and be out for weeks or a couple of months, or worse. I took the much harder decision, and said I would retire.

As it was, I could still walk, so maybe the damage was not too bad. They gave me a lift back to the car and I drove home. It felt ok as I drove. Was I just being a big baby? When I got out of the car at home, it was apparent I was not. It had seized up during the 1.5hour return drive and weight bearing was painful. I hobbled inside, took ibuprofen and put an ice pack on it. I took that photo, the one in the previous blog post, and then got into a hot path to clean up and soothe the joint. All of the above helped, but I was, and still am hobbling now.

This morning the ankle was swelled. Not to mythic proportion, but it is noticeably larger, red and bruised. I know I took the right decision to retire as I now hobble painfully around the house. I could have done terrible damage by running through it with bravado. I've kept on top of the ibuprofen, and I'm now due another ice pack.

I won't be running this week. I don't know how many days it will take to improve. I have next weekend as a hopeful possibility at the moment, but of course won't risk it if it's not right.

I am annoyed at myself. It was my bad preparation that caused it. If I had tested my PDA properly I would not have even been on the path where it happened. That said, you can always say 'What if'? Maybe it would have happened anyway, I don't know. I've said it before, but with trail running you have to have 100% concentration on every footfall. The slightest lapse or daydream and you would be punished.

The only positive I can take from yesterday was that I felt fresh as a daisy after 10 miles of very hard terrain. Let’s hope I heal quickly and can get back to it soon.

Retirement DNF

Just back from the fell running event. Had to retire at 10 miles:



I'll post up about it tomorrow.

My New Website and Fundraiser launched

My usual weekly update is one post below, as this is an additional special one this week. Firstly I've opened the comments, so you can post here too. I will set it to anyone can post, but I will set it so I can check them before they get posted live, otherwise the pages get flooded with adverts for all sorts!

This week marks a countdown to the MDS; less than 6 months to go. I've come a long way in 18 months and the time is right to get my fundraiser going.

I have launched a new website this week, designed to raise funds for my chosen charity Blackfriars Special School in Newcastle-under-Lyme. It's a school for 200 physically and mentally disabled children. My mother has devoted the last 30 years of her life as a welfare assistant there, inspired to enriching the lives of these children. So, it's a charity close to my own heart as well as a truly deserving cause. I am launching the fund raising effort now because I have a big target to hit, and the next few months will pass by in the blink of an eye.

I am hoping to get local media interest in this after Christmas, which I'm sure I will get. The MDS is not something you see people doing every day after all!

The new website is www.desertrace.co.uk

It's still work in progress to some extent, and I'll add to it as time goes by. You can learn a little more about me and Blackfriars, as well as find links and photos for the MDS. I have filled in my major events training calendar until February on there too.

Everyone please forward the link onto everyone you know now who might be amazed, shocked, inspired, or just think I'm a lunatic.

I've set a big target to raise, so every pound helps. If my blog has entertained or helped you at all, and you would consider donating, myself and Blackfriars would be truly indebted. So please everyone dig deep and help me reach my target for Blackfriars.

There is a 'sponsor me' link from my website on www.desertrace.co.uk or you can go direct to the fundraising page at

www.justgiving.com/desertrace

You will notice the little widget at the side of this blog which is a live link to the site, and shows the fundraising progress.

Thank you for your support everyone!

Light mileage, good performance

Due to a family commitment this week my training was severely impacted. I only managed to train on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. I ran a 10k trail on Tuesday, as an interval session. Intervals are always tough, but I do believe they really help fitness and pace.

On Friday I did my usual gym session.



On Sunday I planned a 16 mile route from my own house to my parents house. I ate a little more for breakfast this time but I forgot to buy porridge so it was still light on calories. I packed a 5kg rucksack, including 800ml of electrolyte. The session went really well. I ran a 5.3mph average for the first 5 miles, then increased my pace to bring the average up to 5.5mph over 10 miles. I knew the last 6 would be the toughest. The route had 1300ft of ascent and almost 1500ft of descent, however from 11 to 14 miles is all uphill, before a 2 mile gradual descent, but a fairly challenging climb in the last mile.

Last week I hit the wall around 11 miles, just simply out of calories. This time I started to feel hungry around then. I drank the last of my electrolyte around the 13 mile mark, knowing it would leave me with no liquid or calories to make it to the end. I knew I should have eaten more, or at least packed some snacks, but strangely this time I was welcoming 'the wall'. I had already decided to add an extra mile onto my planned route making it 17 in total, no matter how I felt, and sure enough as I climbed the last hill I made it to the top and hit empty. I had pushed hard for the last 5 miles in an effort to maintain 5.5mph despite all the ascent. My breathing and pulse quickened, and I began to feel rough. I knew what to expect this time and just pushed on anyway. I turned the corner at the top of the hill, and managed to increase my pace back up to 6mph for the last 1/2 mile. I managed to maintain 5.5mph, but crashed out on the front lawn of my parents house shattered. Once again I raised their cupboard for a Mars Bar and a large glass of juice, before tucking into some pasta after a shower.

I was really pleased with the performance. 5.5mph is very respectable. What you don't see on the map are the countless stiles I have to cross on the route, all of which take time off you. I ran the whole route so I was very happy. My knee and hip started to hurt a little, but only at 14 miles. I'm going over to my uncle, the chiropractor, to sort that out tomorrow night.

I plan a full week of training and the 23 mile fell run on Saturday.

Enjoy your week.