New goals, new targets and fresh idea's!  This is how to keep yourself motivated during a lul, which is where I am at as finished my first main challenge and in a rest period really before two major challenges next year.

My training does need to increase but the rest has been good.  To make sure I haven't completely stopped and gone off the rails, I have given myself some shorter distance challenges that are making me train and get in the gym and keep an eye on my weight not allowing to escalate.

I have begun picking up bits and bobs of kit ready for the Sahara, its exciting and scary.  The fitness I can control to a certain degree but managing my feet and hydration is going to be a fast learning curve or I will suffer so practice and understanding my body is going to be important.  I am currently enjoying and injury free period at the moment apart from a little niggle in my back but that I am dealing with.  Upper body strength, core work and stamina with some speed work that is where my focus is at the moment.

This journey is moving on swiftly, after completing my original target of 100 miles I am now thoroughly hooked on the concept.  All I can keep thinking about is when can I enter my next one!  With the Spine Challenger in January and then the MdS in April I am not booking any more major runs in, I am however looking at a few Ultra's before this and I have the York Marathon.  So to challenge myself and give me some good training ammunition I have set myself some goals which in  my opinion is the best way to train as it keeps you motivated.  I have set my targets at for 5k 20 mins, 10k sub 50 mins, 13.1 miles 1hr 45/50 and therefore my ultimate goal of getting a sub 4 hour marathon.  Whether I achieve these or not isn't really what's important to me, what I gain from this is a quicker short run and the desire to train hard to get as near to those goals as possible.

Next part of my training will be to start running with weight and to get in the hills more.  I love this phase of a challenge where I set out what I need to work at where my strengths and weakness's lie.  I need to start learning how to look after my feet, and then I need to start learning about multi-day events as this will prove essential learning.

Next event is the Railway Ultra in August then Race to the Castle which I am really looking forward to.  Training wise, the Key at the moment is base level fitness, strength and conditioning in the gym and to work on the weak areas that have been high lighted in past events.  Physio work, and deep tissue massage will prove valuable at this stage whilst training keeps to low mileage.  Keeping fit, disciplined diet and slight weight loss would help at this stage to keep the focus and to not slip into bad habits.  I need to shift about 10 lbs so got a bit of work to do and attention to dietary needs.