Here we go again!

So I'm finally back at it after a summer of disappointing finishes starting with the Hardmoors 110 where I had to stop at 95 miles after getting timed out at Square corner just after Osmotherly and the Lakeland 100 where I only managed 33 miles before being timed out.  The simple fact is I am not good enough and have found temporary limitations to my running.  The question is, what am I going to do about it and can I learn from past experiences.

Last week I started the process of training again.  This began with weighing myself and having a minor shock or reality check whatever you want to call it but basically I haven't done myself any favours over the last 6 weeks of summer. Urrrgghhh!!!  This means I'm half a stone over my base level weight and a stone over where I want to be so weight is on my priority list to get lower.  In theory this should happen with training again and getting off the booze, AGAIN!!!

My entry is in for The Lakeland 100 next year and I will be entering the Hardmoors 160 again.  This means hard work over 8/9 months with doing more specific training and more mileage and losing the additional pounds to get where I want to be.  I have about 9 weeks till the Hardmoors 80 which will give me a good base before Christmas and a good focus for training over the next month or so.  It will also be at a good point to see how I'm fairing also to decide whether I need up my game or keep going and maintain.  Hill work, cardio, leg strength and weight!! These are my main focus points over the next 8 months.  Distance runs will also be very important but I have the 80 then the 55 so just need a couple of 30's in between.

Over the last week I have managed to get back out and running, which to be honest was a bit difficult as motivation was low and my mind wasn't really on it.  Once I got out there it felt great, I suddenly remembered why I liked it and that I definitely need to keep this up. My plan was to try and be consistent over the first couple of weeks just to rebuild some muscle memory and to not shock my body too much and end up injured straight away.  I not only soon realised how much I needed my running but I also quickly remembered how tough it was when you don't do it regular and like in my case have to carry too much excess weight.  Its time to stop the rot, and get back in the game!!!

The Hardmoors 160 is going to be really really tough and possibly out of my reach yet again but I'm going to give it my best shot even if it takes me another 2 or 3 attempts!