Training Plan 2007 Month 3 & updates

Here is my training plan for month 3 (4-weekly cycles) of 2007.


Now, how much of this I manage is another question..

It looks very much like I have had a flare up of Iliotibial Band Syndrome, which I got before the marathon last year; side-of-Knee pain when running. It even hurt walking for the last two days. I've been icing it and taking ibuprofen, and I have not done any activity since Sunday when it struck.

I had an hours sports massage (read: Torture) on it yesterday. Thanks to Mike for that. Something that hurts that much just has to be doing me some good. My entire IT band on the right side is chronically tight (the left is pretty tight as well). I can only assume the change in orthotics set it off, or maybe it was just coincidence, as the orthotics change is to combat these problems. Either way, I can't really run for a week or two, or a month if you follow advice to the letter. However, it's not as bad as last time, because I cut the route short on Sunday for fear of serious problems.

I took a week off training. I'll did gym session on Friday but that's it, apart from a 2.5 mile walk on Sunday just to see how it felt. It didn't feel too bad, but I could still feel an ache, so I knew it was better to keep it short. I'll do a short run on Tuesdsy, perhaps just a couple of miles (if I feel comfortable enough). I'm doing plenty of stretching and I've got another torture session on Tuesday this week too.


For more info on this common runners problem see here

As mentioned previously, the IT band issue has been preceded as always by weeks of hip discomfort. I went to see my doctor today, who frankly knew less than me about ITB, but did suggest that a cortisone injection into the hip could provide relief if not a permanent cure. He's finding out more information as "It's not an area I've injected before", he told me. I'll let him read up on it and let you know how I get on.

Other news this week: Three items have arrived form the States. I ordered them from eBay, but it's actually an American camping retailer behind it. All these items are considerably cheaper in the States than here, even after postage. Here is a free plug for his shop, as it's the cheapest place to load up on lightweight camping gear. Mickies place

I ordered a Thermarest Prolite 3 bed roll. It amazed me by self inflating when I unrolled it. It covers your torso only and weight 370 grams.



Next up is an MSR Titan titanium kettle. Incredibly lightweight at just 118 grams


Finally a Brunton Mu-Ti folding titanium Spork


The whole lot cost me about £75 including delivery from America. That's around a £50 saving versus the UK.

Finally, I’ve ordered, but not yet received my sleeping bag. I was always going to buy one from PHDesigns, who manufacture the lightest bag in the world incidentally. However, that's not the one I'm buying as I want a fighting chance of staying warm in the cold desert nights. They have a winter sale on right now, and I've ordered a Mimim 300 with drishell (water resistant, not waterproof) for £125. It's rates down to 0 degrees, better than the Minimus I was going to buy. This one is cheaper, warmer, but about 100 grams heavier at 570 grams; still incredibly light for a sleeping bag.

Well, that's it for now. Banished to the gym for a week...

Teggs Nose (...and my knee)

I took Monday off training as usual. On Tuesday I did an hour at the gym; a mixture of resistance weights, cross trainer and the Stairmaster. However, I had to use the 'cheap' Stairmaster that is chain driven, and not the deluxe model that has the never-ending fold away stairs. The cheap version really is rubbish. What wound me up more was that the 'deluxe' models were being used by two women who leaned so heavily on their arms on the grip bars that they may as well have not bothered getting on at all. I always thought the idea was to workout your legs. If you can't manage that, then either a) go slower b) get off when you feel tired c) not get on at all!

On Wednesday I did an hour off-road with my pack, about 2 kilos weight. My schedule was down for a little more than that, but my knee was feeling sore. I just put it down to the long walk at the weekend. So, I decided to play safe and just do an hour. I ran up to the Wedgwood monument in Red Street, near to me, before heading across the fields and into Apedale Country Park and then going home. I felt comfortable throughout, and was tempted to stay out longer, but good sense brought me home early. I didn't want to tempt injury. For that very reason I decided not to do Thursday intervals session and rest instead. I did my usually Gym session on Friday, although had to cut it a little short because I had some work to take care of.

I was working all day on Saturday, in Stockport, so no training. When I got home I planned my Sunday run/walk. I planned a 12.5 mile route that would have been 2700ft of climbing. I have a 25 mile route marked for next weekend, so I thought 12 miles this weekend would be sufficient. On Sunday morning I was working again, but finished at 2pm, and went straight out with my pre-prepared pack. My pack was 4 kilos, and I was in wet weather gear as you will see from the photo's it was a cloudy, rainy day.



I set off running, but knew within a few hundred metres that my knee didn't feel right. I ran the first mile to the foot of 'Teggs Nose', a 1200ft hill and former quarry. I decided to get some use out of my Leki poles and used them to the top of the hill. The photos below are first looking up to Teggs nose, next the Reservoir at it's foot (you can se the low cloud in the hills above), and finally the view form the top. The first picture was actually taken from in front of the row of little white houses you can see in the centre of the third picture.








As I began to run along the top of Teggs Nose, my knee started to hurt again. The ache is a familiar one. The same as I got 6 weeks before the New York Marathon last year. Just like last time, for the last few weeks I have suffered from hip pain after a run, and now the knee pain has developed. I was forced to walk with my poles from there onwards, not wanting to destroy my knee for weeks like last time where I ran for 15 miles in pain (back in September). I was glad to have my poles to take some of the strain. However, usually when I walked last time, I got no pain; this time it still hurt a little, although not as acute as when running. A couple of miles later I had already made the decision that I was going to cut the route short and choose a shorter way back to the car. I made a few calculations and cut across to join what would have been my return route anyway, but I was knocking off 4.5 miles, so I ended up totalling just less than 8 miles; for 1500ft of ascent.

Just testing, a tried to run a little, and was hit with more serious pain straight away. Running was definitely out of the question. Even walking eventually aggravated the pain, especially on downhill sections where more force is applied. It was a little more acute as I finished. I certainly made the right decision not to soldier on for the full 12.5 miles though.

Now, this pain first happened last week on the 21 mile run. This must be down to the change in my orthotics. There is more raise on my left foot, and some taken off my right. I am guessing that this extra pressure on my right hip could be to blame. Then again, I have had the hip pain (but no knee pain) for some weeks, so it could just be a coincidence. Either way, I think I need a medical diagnosis, possibly a hip specialist. Even if I have to fork out for an MRI to identify what is going on, I think I am at the point where I will have to. I have had hip pain since at least August last year, and it's never really gone away totally. Nothing I have tried has worked. Every time I run, I suffer with a sore hip for a couple of days. I don't really think my knee has a problem, I think it is hip pain manifesting itself at the next weakest joint in the chain. That said, I'm no doctor! This is very frustrating. Every time I write in my blog I am complaining about one niggle / injury or another. I just want to experience pain (injury) free training for once.

One only plus-point from today is that my pole technique felt better again. It may have even been the speed at which I was walking that contributed to my knee pain. Perhaps a slower walk would have been fine? Also, I am totally comfortable with 4 kilos. One minor issue is that I need to address where I put my drinks bottle on my shoulder. It is fine when I walk, but when I run it moves about too much. I did complain about this last year, but I didn't look into a solution. This time I will.

If I have any news later this week I will post it. I will also post up 2007 Month 3 training plan on Tuesday or Wednesday too.

Beacon Bash

On Sunday I took part in my planned LDWA (Long Distance Walkers Association) event, The Beacon Bash, near Wigan. It is a 21 mile event with approximately 2200ft of ascent. I had entered as a runner, but the day before I got an email from Alan Silcock. Alan entered the 2006 Marathon des Sables but had to retire through injury on day 2. He is going back for the 2007 MDS in 5 weeks. He is very busy cramming in a lot of last minute training as he had to take 2 months off around Christmas after having an operation to remove his appendix. He is also walking this years’ MDS, and not running at all. He decided to come along to the Beacon Bash, so I said I'd walk with him instead of running.

We arrived to the event late, as Alan’s alarm clock hadn't gone off, so we set off about half an hour after everyone else. I was carrying my Raidlight rucksack, but this time I had the front pack attachment on too. This I filled with nibbles, some cashew nuts, dried bananas, dried cranberries, and M&M peanuts. I also carried 1 x 800 ml bottle of SIS Go electrolyte on the front shoulder strap. The pack weighed in at 4kg. I also packed my new Leki carbon trekking poles. They are considerably lighter than the poles I borrowed over the last 6 weeks. Alan was carrying about 9kg in his training pack. He's been training with 12kg but is tapering off the weight to avoid injury in the last few weeks.

We set off at about 3.8 mph for the first couple of miles, mostly along flat paths and canal towpaths. Soon after, and at various points in the route, the terrain was very muddy indeed. This slowed us down and we averaged 3.2mph average, but that does include the checkpoint pauses.

We reached CP1 just before 4 miles, and then descended into the village of Parbold before climbing back up to CP2 and to the top of Harrock Hill. I had an adjustment to my orthotics last week, and at around 6-8 mile stage my right knee and shin was a little sore. I knew this was due to the orthotic change. However, despite being a dull ache it didn't really bother me too much for the remainder of the event. We reached the Appley Bridge CP3, which was housed at a community centre, and took 10 minutes out for a toilet stop, and a bit of refuelling. As always at LDWA events, the catering was excellent with tea, coffee, and snacks available at most CPs. I had finished almost over 800ml of my electrolyte by this point, and had just topped it up with water at CP2, so I opened a new packet of SIS go and made up another 800ml.

I took the decision at this point to use my trekking poles for the remaining 10 miles, as I wanted to get some practice in as well as give myself a more thorough workout. I had found it easy going up to this point, as there had been less ascent that on previous events I had attended in the last few weeks, plus I was walking of course. We set off from CP3, and then ascended through some incredibly muddy terrain to CP4. I forgot to mention that is was a lovely day, bright blue skies and sunshine. We could not have asked for better conditions.




After CP4, we descent a few hundred feet and then ascended again into Beacon Country park to CP5. We completed the ascent, just after CP5, to Ashurst Beacon (hence the name of the event).



I took this short video from the top to show off the panoramic views.



I really enjoyed using the walking poles on this event. I was using them Nordic Walking style; angling them backwards and using them to push off. These types are poles are not really designed for it, but you can do it just not as effectively. Alan said I was walking faster with them, so I slowed down a little as Alan was carrying more weight than me and would be going at a more steady pace in the MDS and furnace climate in 5 weeks time. We completed the last 3 miles and enjoyed some hot food and drink at the end. I can’t stress enough what excellent hospitality and great value for money at all LDWA events.

As mentioned, my right shin and knee was a little sore, but apart from that I was fine. No blisters, so the x-socks I am trialing performed well. Oh, I forgot to mention I was using my road running shoes as my trail shoes are heading to the rubbish bin, new ones arrive on Wednesday. I had slipped and ‘slided’ around a little, but they performed OK all in all. Alan was a little tired towards the end, understandable after having carried 9kg all the way round, plus it had been a while since he had done a 20 miler he said. After the food we were both feeling fine. Alan has got a 24 miler and a 26 miler in the next 2 weeks! His backpack had rubbed as well, but this was his training pack. Hopefully he'll get fewer problems with that when he switches to his Raidlight pack next week. We'd chatted about the MDS for much of the course, and I picked up plenty of tips and good advice for the desert next year. I dropped Alan home on the way back, and had an early night (8pm) after my dinner and Rego Nocte recovery drink. However, I'm writing this at 6am, after waking up at 4am bright as a button! I'll have to wear myself out today, and stay up later to get myself back in synch.

So, the Beacon Bash was a success. I found it too easy to be honest. This was of course because I walked and also because it only had a couple of thousand feet of ascent. Still, I am pleasantly surprised that I can take 20 miles in my stride now. We averaged 3.2 mph, and the course took us about 6:47.

Next months (March 18th) 'Spring in Lakeland' event will be a different kettle of fish. It is a 22 mile event but with 5300ft of ascent, and I running again this time! I have seen some 3D profiles of the terrain and it's much steeper that anything I have done before. It will certainly prove a considerable challenge.

What did I learn today? My refuelling with SIS Go electrolyte and constant nibbling on those snacks meant I didn't feel tired, or get any muscle cramps at all. The x-socks performed well, but more testing is needed with my proper trail shoes. The walking poles performed very well and provided a more total workout for my arms and back; I really think they will boost my fitness further. I think it will take my body a few weeks to adjust to the orthotics change, and then the new aches and pains should hopefully go away. I can always have a further adjustment made if not.

Finally, the best news: no problems whatsoever from my foot or ankle, so normal service is resumed this week. I am back on track with my training schedule, although I may not jump right back into the middle of it. I may do some slightly shorter routes for a week or two as I don't want to tempt injury again.

Catch up with you next week.

Midweek foot update and this weekends plans

It's Wednesday night. I had Monday off as usual, and went to the Gym on Tuesday. I did 20 minutes on the cross trainer, level 12, on Random profile. I also set it to run 5 mins forward, then 2 mins reverse, to make sure I work out my calves too.

I then did half an hour resistance weights, followed by 20 minutes on the Stairmaster; level 10, steady hills. I did 105 floors this time. This is the only machine in the gym that sweat is literally dripping off me during the session.

I'd normally go to the gym this evening, but I had a pre-booked appointment with the place that makes my shoe orthotics. It was basically a review to see if the orthotics were working for me. I had the orthotics built about 15 months ago. At the time they pushed and prodded me, measured everything, pressure plate analysis, gait analysis etc. They did the same again today. I've printed off one of the sheets, a before and after if you like, 15 months ago at the top and today at the bottom.

The first picture is my foot strike as I walk over a pressure plate; it shows the areas of my foot that make contact with the ground. The second is simply a static analysis showing how your weight is distributed.



You can see how my stance has altered. I was very surprised actually. My left foot now makes much better contact with the floor. On the original print you see part of my left foot never even made contact with the floor. This was my foot arching to try and make my left leg (the 8mm shorter one) longer. Now after 15 months of orthotics I am leaving a much more normal footprint. Also on the second diagram, my weight is more evenly distributed.

My original problem of 2 years ago; left knee and left hip pain has totally gone, and has been for over a year. I've had issues with my right hip more recently, which may well have been as a consequence of this orthotic correction to some degree. Today I have had another slight change to my left orthotic. Additional support and height has been added to the area beneath my left arch. Before, just my heal had the 8mm lift, now my mid-foot will get almost as much, so my pelvis (which is tilted without a lift) stays level during almost the whole stride. I am hoping that this will eliminate all of my hip pain once and for all. I'll let you know how it goes, but Orthotics do work!

As part of today’s examination I did some running on a treadmill. I was a little nervous about this, because of my injured foot. However, it felt fine. I did only run a half a mile though! It has felt much better over the last few days, especially after some ultrasound on it on Tuesday.

I think I should be OK for this Sundays 21 mile Beacon Bash near Wigan. I've deciphered the written instructions provided and created myself a map of the route in Memory Map as usual. Amusingly, I had to phone up the race organiser and tell them they had two grid references wrong. They said no one had pointed that out before, in 6 years! I was right as well! Just goes to show you how much attention the people pay to the grid references. They were all just following the text (i.e. Turn left over Stile, ahead 400yrds, bear left to follow stone wall up to top of hill etc). Now, I don't use the route description at all. I use it at home and transfer it onto Memory Map, and then use Satellite Navigation to follow it on the day. I'm not sure who is worse, the 'readers' or the 'gadget runner'.

I'm making the experience more real this weekend. I'll be running with 1 x 800ml drinks bottle on the front of my rucksack shoulder strap, instead of the 1.5l camel back I have been using. Ultimately I will use 2 x 800ml, but that's too much for this event. Its winter and the checkpoints are only about 4 miles apart. I'll be using SIS Go electrolyte this time, instead of the Vitargo I have been using. That's not the say I don't like the Vitargo, I'm just trying something new. I've got time to experiment at the moment. I may also try some of the snacks I plan to use; M&M's and cashew nuts to see how they agree with me.

I'm going to have to run in my road shoes (New Balance 1060s) as I think my 1100 trail shoes are a possible contributor to my foot problems. I looked back in my blog and I bought them in May last year. I had no idea it was that long ago. I must have done many many hundreds of miles in them, so the cushioning will have run out. I have ordered some replacement 1100's but they won't arrive until next week.
This route looks to have less climbing, perhaps around 2200ft, so I hope the shoes won't let me down. I'm not sure if I will take my trekking poles yet. I might do, just in case my foot has a relapse.

I'll write up a full report on Sunday night.

Training update, and new equipment.

The title just about sums it up this week. I made a pledge last week that I would not run until my foot was better. Well, it's not better. Even a walk around the local city centre this afternoon (a week since my last post) started to hurt after about half an hour. I'm even wondering if leaving it another week will not be enough. I have the 21 mile Beacon Bash run next Sunday you see.

In place of running I went to the gym 3 times. On Tuesday I did an hours swimming. I certainly improved this week. My breathing was better, and my front crawl too. I did about 28 lengths. However, I did have to take 30 seconds/1 min break between each one! Swimming is obviously a far more technical sport that running, and I am not very efficient at all it appears. However, towards the end of the swim my foot was beginning to hurt as well.

On Wednesday I did an hour in the gym. I did a mixture of cross training, resistance weight machines, and 15 minutes on the Stairmaster. This is my new discovery, the Stairmaster. I've always just ignored it, and figured it's one of those machines than women go on. I've been looking for an exercise to work my calves. They really burn when you walk for miles up hills, so I want to improve their strength. This machine really does that, and wears you out too. I set it to 'rolling hills' and intensity level 8, and later changed to 9. After 15 minutes I could really feel the burn on the calves, so it works.

The rest of the week I was working in Scotland. A lengthy drive there and back with my ‘poorly’ foot on the accelerator did nothing to aid the healing process at all, as you can imagine. I was hoping the rental car they dropped off would have had cruise control. Sadly, no! I got back on Saturday night, and woke up to a lovely sunny day on Sunday. I can't tell you how hard it was to resist the urge to go walking, but I knew it would do my foot no good at all. Instead I went to the gym again. I only did 20 minutes in the pool, before my foot started to twinge again. I did a couple more lengths (kicking more gently) and got out, not wanting to irritate it. I had not brought my gym kit, as I was planning an hour in the pool. However, I improvised. I dried off my swimming shorts, which are actually running shorts anyway, in the little swimwear dryer there and used my towel for a hand towel. I did 20 minutes on the Stairmaster on 'steady' at level 10. I did 103 floors (3.5km), versus the 47 floors I did on Wednesday. I'm going to use the Stairmaster every week now. Interesting that it didn't irritate my foot at all?

What else can I tell you? Well, I have just booked my flights to Bordeaux and back in June, for La Trans Aqu. I also have had some equipment arrive this week that I'll need for La Trans Aqu as well as the MDS.

Firstly, some Raidlight ankle-gaiters - they are blue, make of lycra and fit over your whole shoe. You have to glue Velcro strips onto your shoes so they attach. If you browse pictures from the MDS or La Trans Aqu on the internet you will see lots of competitors using them.

This is the manufacturer’s link. They don't look much like the rubbish drawing, but you get the idea.

Gaiters

Next up is a Sahara cap, like the one below. Pretty obvious what that is for.



Next item was an Aspivenin - an anti-venom pump. It is a compulsory item on both events. It's basically a large syringe that you attach to your wound (snakebite) and pump to draw out liquid poison. It's debatable as to how effective these are, with certain poisons actually ending up being more dangerous by using one apparently. I read bits about them on the internet, but it was scaring me too much so I stopped. I'd rather not get bitten by anything venomous, especially not in Morocco where if you get bitten by certain snakes you can kiss your ass goodbye within minutes. I doubt i'll even see a snake anyway (all fingers crossed).

Also arrived this week were some Leki Trekking Poles. I've bought the lightest poles that Leki sell for trekking. I bought them for about £20 less than anywhere else in the UK was selling them, and with free delivery. Result!

Manufactuers site


These are designed to ease the burden on your legs, by spreading your weight, and that of your backpack, making your upper body do more work. You expend more energy/calories, but you heal strike with about 20% less force overall apparently. They are also very useful on hills!

I emailed Leki this week and asked should I use Trekking or Nordic poles, explaining my goals. They forwarded my email onto Leki's UK importer, Ardblair Sports. They are not a retailer, rather a distributor to the likes of wiggle (online sports), and all the sports shops all over the country. They import many brands and types of equipment, not just Leki poles. Now, I had already ordered the trekking poles in the few days it took to get the email from them, but they suggested maybe I should use a new Nordic Walking pole - the Carbon Traveller.



You can see it's similar to the trekking pole, in that it collapses down in 3 parts for storage in a backpack. It also has quick release grips, so you are left wearing those half-gloves when you release (very useful for keeping your hands free to eat and drink). I quizzed them some more, and the downside is that the grip on the Nordic poles are slimmer, and not 'shaped' like the trekking pole. They are designed like that because you release your grip on the pole on the backswing as you 'push off'. As a result, after long periods your hand will tire faster than the trekking pole. Turns out the importer are supporting a Team Leki trainer at a trial Nordic Walking event on the 24th Feb at Trentham Gardens near to my home. They have arranged for the trainer to lend me the Carbon traveller for the day and see what I think. If I like them, I can get a special rate from Ardblair sports in return for a report on them for their website.

I also read about, and emailed the manager of an outdoor sports company who completes the LAMM (Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon) this year. Read his story here.
LAMM Story

As you can see, he was sceptic - like me really. Would poles really make a difference? Well it appears so.

It looks like the Nordic variety excels at improving your fitness by providing a more total body workout because of that arm action. Many places cite big improvements in muscle tone of the back as well.

I think I'm going to look into training with Nordic poles to boost fitness and build back muscle, but I suspect I will ultimately use the trekking pole for the comfort and weight-support benefit.

So that is all that arrived this week. When I get paid again, and I'd just like to say thanks to Mr Visa for buying me all that kit, I need to buy a sleeping bag and a bed roll - both ultralite. I'm looking to buy a PHD minimus sleepin bag, just 465 grams, and a Thermarest Prolite 3 to lie on, and hopefully get a goods nights sleep between stages.

Oh, almost forgot, I also bought a knife this week. Well, I won it on an ebay auction. It's an ultralite folding knife, only 17grams and cost me £8 - a Gerber Ultralite LST. Again, this is required equipment for both events.

The sooner I buy all this equipment, the sooner I can get used to carrying and packing it.

The Ardblair Sports company also said they sold 'x-socks' and said a previous MDS competitor had used them and written a report for their website. You can read it, amoungst others, here. Anyway, I'd heard of these and was thinking of trying them but they cost £11 or £12 each! She mentioned the price in the email, but said I could get a discount if I wrote a similar report for their website. I agreed, and have ordered several pairs of the 'Sky Run' socks. I'll let you know how they perform.

I have also been planning my La Trans Aqu food and backpack weight this week, but I'll save that for another week as this post is already much longer than I intended. I have sore fingers as well as a sore foot now.

Until next time...

Big news - a new challenge - In June!

Before I get onto that though, a quick update on this weeks training.

My foot/ankle hasn't been too good. I couldn't run, so I just did a couple of gym sessions. Even an hour on the ski machine aggravated my foot in all honesty.

On Sunday I tried out some Nordic Walking at Cannock chase. Google it for more details, but basically it's walking using slightly modified trekking poles, but using a totally different walking style. Instead of placing the poles vertical, you angle them backwards and push off with them, boosting your speed and really working out your upper body and back.

I struggled for about at hour with the technique, and then it clicked I was struggling because I was walking too slowly. I speeded up to my usual walking speed and it all fell into place. I finally felt as though I was being 'worked-out' and was getting a benefit from the poles. I'm going to email Leki and ask their advice on which type of poles are best for my activity.

I really like the Nordic style poles, as they have a small glove that clips into the pole and has a quick release. This means that it is easy to free your hands and eat/drink etc. Standard trekking poles just have a strap you have to thread you hand into. They really tie up your hands, and I'd be concerned that I would find it a pain to keep stopping to eat and drink. That could prove to be my downfall in 120F heat. However, I believe that normal trekking pole use could be more beneficial to weight distribution, especially of a heavy pack. So I want to know if there is any barrier to using Nordic poles, but using them in a standard trekking style. I'll let you know what Leki say.

So, I did about a 4 mile walk with the poles over Cannock chase. It was a lovely sunny day, and Cannock chase (a local beauty spot, popular with walkers) was very busy. I was pleasantly surprised that no jokers stopped me to ask where the snow was, as I trundled along with the poles.

I got back and strapped on my pack and decided to try a run. My ankle didn't feet too good a couple of miles into the run, so I decided to cut it short and it only ended up being a little over 4 miles. It felt much better on the soft ground, so there is obviously some healing to do still. The route I chose was nevertheless quite hilly as you can see, so I feel I got a good workout.



My foot has been sore all evening since, so I know that this week will be cross training only. I will just stick to swimming and gym work. I've not given the foot time to heal properly this week, ignoring my own advice again. I've learned my lesson. It's not terrible pain or anything, but unless it heals totally, it will come back and haunt me on a long run sometime soon.

Now, onto the big news: I've sent off the registration form, and assuming my bank transfer goes ok tomorrow then I've got a place in an event in June in France.

It's called La Trans Aqu. You can read about it in detail on their website, but in short it is very similar to the Marathon des Sables in format.

It's a 230km self sufficient 6 day event; 6 stages between 25 km and 60 km long each day. 75% of the tracks are on sand through pine forest that borders the beach. It's a costal path route basically, that also takes in the largest sand dune in Europe; the Dune of Pyla (300 feet high). That's also a night stage to make life interesting. There is plenty of running on sand I believe. You carry all of your food clothes, sleeping bag etc.

Now, where it differs from the Marathon des Sables is that it is about 20km shorter (ok that's neither here or there!). You can also hand in to the organiser a bag of no more than 2kg containing whatever you like (food probably) for day 3 onwards. So when you reach the end of stage 3, they hand you the bag to top-up your rations. It is a way of keeping your rucksack weight down. You are not allowed a pack that weighs more than 8kg at any time. It is mercifully cheaper than the MDS; La Trans Aqu costs 650 euros to enter. The temperature should be lower than the MDS. But, and it is a big But.... the humidity is considerably higher, usually 40% versus about 6% in the Sahara. This makes staying cool through sweating more difficult, and the high humidity was the reason that 25% of the field failed to finish in last years MDS... and it was only 20% there!

The event is only in its 3rd year, and will have a maximum of 250 competitors. Lots of superb athletes by the sounds of it, including someone who has come 5th in the MDS!

I've talked to past competitor from England, and given him my background. He said I should enter. I wondered if taking on this might be too much too soon, but I'm going to train hard and do it (notice I said do? "Do, or do not. There is no 'try.'" - spot the tongue in cheek quote anyone?). It will be invaluable experience for the MDS next year, and my first taste of a multi-day event. I'm not going to significantly modify my training plan at all, as I am already doing the right training. I may put a little more weight in my pack sooner and try and train with 6kg. I'll also aim to complete a 36-40 mile event or training session at the beginning of May; one month before the event on the 3rd June.

I'll post more details and information as I get it, as well as my early preparation of course. More next week.