MdS Training 2017 well on the way now!  After a good weeks training last week I was signed up to the MdS Expo in London.  This was brilliant, if you are ever thinking of entering it is a must!  I travelled down on Friday evening straight from work, stopping at the station bar (of course) for a cheeky pint of Amstel, or two!  I was visiting my cousin on the Fri eve and staying at his before he frog marched me to the venue.  This was necessary due to the number of catch up beers we had and the time of night/morning that I went to bed!  After rising to the shock of it being nearly 8am I got up fast and got on my way.

From the moment I walked in to reception I felt at ease, 'I am meant to be here!' Not being an obvious runner I probably stood out as one that may struggle, but if you've been reading this blog upto now you'll know I will stand a good chance if I plan it right.  I loved the expo, it was like a massive room full of clinically insane people that I felt part of.  It was a great feeling, we all had the same thing in common, we were running the Sahara!

So today I managed to finish work early and I decided I wanted to get out on a run and test my all new singing and dancing MdS pack.  I was actually quietly excited about this, new bit of kit and all!  I decided on my route, a nice 8 miler from work and back again.  My idea was to try the pack with a bit of weight in to start really experiencing it properly.  I wanted to know how it functioned, its strengths, weaknesses and any areas I could improve on it.  I wrapped 3x1kg sand bags in a towel and added 2x1 litre drink bottles to the back of the pack, this made it about 5kg.

I put the pack over my shoulders and to be honest my first reaction was 'mmm that's not bad, it doesn't feel that heavy!'  The watch set, strava on go, warm up complete, off I go or waddle should I say lol!  At first the weight was fine, no pace to my running mind you but weight ok.  The main issue was the side to side swinging of the pack at the base, this started rubbing almost immediately.  I was going to need to re-think this and most definitely learn something.  The weights had collated at the base of the pack which I guess caused the swinging motion and in toe caused the rubbing.  Note to self, learn how to pack your bag! The run all in all went well my mental notes were:

1 - upper body strength needs more work/ongoing
2 - core and lower back needs more work
3 - legs felt strong but noticeable difference with pack (strength and conditioning)
4 - feet being effected by the additional weight (soreness, impact)
5 - actually felt comfortable to run apart from moving pack

I have a new song title for The Kings of Leon, 'These legs are on fire!'

With the completion of York marathon I have been mulling over whats next.  Quiet week for recovery then begin again with core and upper body.  My running will begin short and every other run will be with a pack gradually increasing in weight.  I want to continue with doing the interval training as really felt the benefit from this and think it will serve me well to continue.  I will also be including trail runs to start getting the ankles strong.

What did I learn from the marathon?  Fisrtly, the main thing that became obvious was my socks, when my feet or toes swelled they became very uncomfortable so I need to address this quickly. My second main observation was my recovery rate, since I ran pretty much in my comfort zone, my recovery has been quick and fairly unrestrictive so very pleased with that.  Thirdly, no chaffing what-so-ever this time so lubricating well at the start paid off.  Stomach muscles began to get sore after 20 miles or so which seems to be the norm so more core work needed, legs felt strong the whole time just tightened up and began to get sore near the end.  Lastly, shoulders, these are aching now two days after as forgot to do any sort of stretching for the upper body.

Whats in the pipeline? How am I planning the next few months?  Well with just under 6 months to go till the marathon de sables and less than 3 months till The Spine Challenger it is important to begin training out on the trails and with a pack.  The plan is to select about 5 dates to get some time out on the Penine way for the spine and try to cover the distance that will be either in darkness or towards the end when exhausted.  My gym work as mentioned earlier will be based around core and upper body strength whilst continuing with short runs doing intervals and speed.

I have signed up for an mds training run in December which is 20 miles with kit which I am looking forward to for a number of reasons.  Meeting up with Lynton my mds buddy, meeting other runners and getting some kit advice.  I am also looking at the White Rose 60 end of October to have something to train towards and keep the mentality right, its a mind game aswell as a physical game!

So far I am really pleased with my progress, positive thinking and planning prove to be the key!

Here's today psychological conumdrum.  When I tell people I am running the York marathon this Sunday most people reply with 'oh wow, that's great have you done much training?' to which my response has been 'yes but with a few interuptions but feeling good', they then follow on with 'well you'll find a marathon a doddle after what you've done!' to which my reply is 'nope, there all as difficult as one another you just know whats coming!'  This is honestly how it feels, whether I run 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon or a 100 miles.  My experience has shown me that they're all difficult its just how you decide to mentally prepare yourself for each accomplishment.  They all hurt, they all make me tired and they all need to be trained for, just some more than others.  Now being someone who just try's to finish and not really motivated by time and PB's its just about getting out there and doing it.  So, even though I've done the Hardmoors 110 a mere marathon is still a long way and will still hurt plenty! No easy runs, just less hard!

Not long now till York Marathon just over 5 days.  Training has resumed to a good level but tapering is in progress.  I feel good, legs feel strong and bursting with energy, although a slightly sore ankle but this wont bother me too much as long as squash doesn't make it worse.  I am ready I feel to push myself, to push my body beyond what I have known so far in endurance and running.  Up till now I have only ever run to finish or run in my comfort zone which I like I feel I can run all day like this and that I have proved.  Now I feel I am equipped with the tools and fitness to push beyond comfort so I will be running harder than I have before to achieve my best time yet!

As far as my training for the Marathon de Sables or The Spine goes my fitness levels are at there best but I still have plenty to do, I feel stronger and leaner and my running is quicker.  Where I feel I really want to improve more is in my VO2 max.  This I will be concentrating on in October and November, with strength training but mainly on interval training and High Intensity Training.

My learning is growing every day and my knowledge is becoming a weapon.  Next, start researching kit! and train like a beast ha ha!