What a week!

Up and down as ever.  From feeling great to suffering from blood sugar crash.  Since Thursdays disaster run of approximately 2.5 miles then a blood sugar crash which ultimately left my legs feeling weak and heavy, slightly dizzy and just generally terrible and made me choose to go back rather than carry on.  This made me feel liked I'd failed, I'd looked forward to this so was a bit gutted.  So... spent the day trying to gee myself up again doing stretches and some weights so it didn't feel like too much of a right off.  The plan was to go big on Sunday with a 20 miler so prep was the key, making sure I had the food right before I went and then making sure I took easy access sweets and a few bits of more substantial stuff in the pack.  

I've just started on the Huel Daily Greens drink, which if I'm honest, doesn't taste that great but I'm pushing through and trying to be consistent. Have I noticed any difference yet, nope! but lets hope I'm getting healthier and my body is becoming more efficient!

 Back to feeling good again on Saturday so feeling a little excited again about my long run.  The plan was a route that takes me about 20 miles give or take which was enough for this.  I set the alarm for 4am and got up ready to go.  Making sure I had my porridge as normally then a piece of toast with peanut butter as my extra fuel! I needed this to work!  Got my kit ready and out the door for 4.45am with about 3.5-4 hours of running ahead of me.  I started off a bit nervous which made feel a bit off but I soon settled down by taking it steady and not pushing too hard.  I was just going to have to tough it out and work with it as my body needs to get used to the struggle.

Once I hit the 10 mile mark I was feeling more comfortable, sounds odd I know but you get settled and more of a rhythm. Legs were feeling good so no reason to be complaining as I'm not running at break neck speed or anything so its all about convincing the brain that there is absolutely no reason to stop or slow down.  Once I hit the last stage which is about 3.5 miles I was actually pushing on and feeling quite good.  Strangely I still had my head torch on my head even though the sun was up and daylight was upon us, but basically I didn't was to stop or change anything so it was staying put!

After I'd return to the house and did some stretching my plan was to get a bath which is my usually routine as makes me feel good and relaxed after, but first and foremost I need a cup of tea ha ha!  My planned breakfast, which I'd been deciding on for about 4 hours was going to be steak, bacon, 3 eggs maybe 4 lol, black pudding and a slice of sourdough bread (breakfast of champions)!!

No harm in eating well if training well!!

 The difference is incredible! One week ago I felt drained, exhausted and run down with heavy legs and motivation waning.

We had the weekend booked away in Filey for a family break.  This was just what I needed, a rest!  I had originally thought of using the weekend away to get some good training runs in along the coastal path but the decision was easy.  Rest was best, recharge and prepare to go again for the final stint before the HM55.  I was still fairly strict with what I was eating and drinking, kids had pizza on Friday night but I stuck to rice leftovers and a bit of meat.  On the Saturday we planned to have Fish and Chips so I again measured my days food to allow for this so I could just enjoy it as I'd been thinking about it all week.  My weight is still dropping, but had a little plateau last week resuming weight loss though now but just slightly slower which is fine.

How am I feeling at the moment?  Monday, I decided to just get out on the road and do my comfort run which was the route from my house being 6.85 miles.  The idea being, using this a confidence booster and a restart entry run.  Started off a little bit sluggish so I just took it steady dropping back as and when needed and just weighted for the feeling to push on.  It came after approximately 3 miles which was very welcome, nothing crazy but it gave me a chance to increase the pace and feel like I hadn't gone backwards at all.  Tuesday at work was long and steady but nothing too demanding, followed by a padel match in the evening.  I felt good until a little twist which I instantly felt in my groin and inner thigh.  I knew it wasn't serious so carried on.  Wednesday morning came and my glute and groin were very sore, I was struggling and felt a little down because of it but I persevered and stayed positive.  I decided I was still ok for the run I'd planned so stretched and took some paracetamol and went.  I was a bit tentative to begin with but as it eased I began to feel good so pushed on.  

This was it I was back in the game!  After doing some more stretches and light weights I took the dog for a walk carry a 10kg weighted pack.  Again I was feeling really good and the sense of I'm getting in the zone for first event was upon me.  This is it, we are on!

Its time to begin my Over the Line work!  This is mindset and mental toughness training.

 Interesting week so far.  I feel mentally focused and on point, even researching all sorts of foods, training and races.  Physically I feel a bit drained and heavy legged.  I feel zoned in on what I'm trying to achieve but I'm running through treacle constantly or dragging a heavy tyre like sled pulling.  So, how do I get back at it? Keep the focus, keep eating well and re-creating the menu and rest a bit or change it up.  What I find when I'm engrossed in the training like at the moment is how deep mentally I get involved lol!  I'm now exploring 'Mindset', mental strength conditioning.  I already feel this is one of my strengths but how do I tap into it even more to give me what I need to achieve my goal.  Process.....this is the key!  Setting out small individual targets and challenges that are going to build towards the bigger goal.  Look for the key elements I need to succeed, then develop or focus on them separately before fitting them together.

Progress report on weight loss - currently I've plateaued at a good low weight for me and approximately half a stone or 3Kg off my target weight.  This is fine I am happy with where I currently am as my body adjusts.  I will have another push starting next Monday to hit another benchmark.  My mindset on this is very clear, I've done the initial hard work I now have to refocus my efforts on going the extra mile.  I need the calories and energy to be able to keep pushing my training to the next level but I also need to keep dropping the excess weight.  What do I do to get this working, I still need a calorie deficit but I need to be able to train harder.  So,  I've kept up the increased protein level, introducing Whey protein, I have also ordered some Creatine which will help muscle growth after training, help recovery through the increased growth which should allow the muscles to cope with a greater training load.  

Remember - Growth Mindset, don't get stuck doing only what you know.  Look to learn more, new things and add something more to help get the best you.  I feel like I'm really out of my comfort zone with nutrition, supplements and different styles of training.  My desire to succeed allows me to want to learn anything that's going to help me.

The greatest ingredient is still - HARDWORK!!!

 Just as I thought I was getting somewhere, boom! oh no....

So yet again I was all up for a long run on Thursday and it didn't go quite as planned, not through any physical issues but more through tiredness and exhaustion.  So my intention was, after our weekend away in the van to head out on Monday morning and smash 18 miles. Yet again I was getting excited about getting out for a long run as this is what I always crave and why I do the other stuff.  The weekend adventure in the van just to the coast was our first trip out in it.  More on that in a bit, but I think the bed makeup didn't suit my back because on Sunday morning I could barely walk or stand up straight.  I felt like I had 6 months ago, I was mega scared that it I'd reversed all the hard work I'd done. We'd set off on our walk from Boggle Hole heading towards Robin Hoods Bay initially then on a bit more which turned out to be as far as Bay Ness along the Cinder Track and then back on the Cleveland Way.  It took what felt like forever before my back eased and hip flexors stretched out, it had been awful, the pain brought back the months of agony I'd already been through.  I thought that was going to be it and it would be fine Monday morning again.  Oh no how wrong could I be, back to square is it? I hope not.  Plans for long run put on hold again till Thursday.  Straight back to my stretches and off I went on a dog walk to see how bad.  Just like before I could barely move down the street but again it eased and felt better.  I decided after the food shop I was going to head out for what was on my schedule which was an 8 mile run.  More stretching and thorough warm up first though!

The Van!  Or should I say the BW Van (not VW), this was going to be our future adventures away together.  We'd opted for a basic shell of a van so we could renovate it as we go, learning what we wanted and needed.  Off we went on Saturday afternoon after packing everything we needed and more, Sarah packing for an artic adventure with blankets, duvets and yes hot water bottles. I packed my shorts lol!  We headed off to 'Falling Foss' a carpark that was known as a campervan overnight parking spot.  We arrived and got set up and took the dog for a walk down the stream to the falls and back.  Wow this was awesome, we'd finally done it. The adventure has now begun and we are now writing our own future. The places we'll go, the times we'll have, the memories we'll make together are just beginning.

Ok so back the job in hand.  The training!  What areas do I need to improve?  I'm looking at working on my upper body strength including core and arms. Overall body strength is key to the endurance factor.  I'm also looking into better nutrition during training and during the event.  More research required.  I feel my weight has stabilised or plateaued at the moment but I feel I've only just got myself to a weight that I should be at anyway so the next phase is to get under this and start edging towards to my race weight but no rush as I need the calories with the training I'm doing.  Keeping it steady and not gaining any is the key now.  I've just ordered a new book on Hill running which shall be interesting and I hope very helpful.

Relentless Forward Progress!!

STRONG MIND STRONG BODY

 After Sundays entertainment I decided I needed to get back out on the road so I don't lose the advantage of hard work.  So Monday morning came, nice early alarm but I still wasn't feeling confident of getting a decent run in without interruption so my plan was, take the kids to school and do the food shop and then see where I'm at.  This is all worked out fine and I headed out the door feeling good and up for it.  I can always tell when I've had a long period without drinking alcohol because my legs just feel indestructible.  My intention was to not get carried away and to maintain a consistent pace and include 5x1k interval efforts. It felt great now with my weight getting nearer and nearer to my goal, a bounce reappearing in my step that I briefly once had a long time ago.  

My training, what am I going to do to achieve running a 160 miles?

I've spent the last few months basically starting again, which is never a negative, its a realistic approach to achieving great things.  My injuries have held me back and hampered my training over the past two years really.  I am now really getting myself into a strong position to be able to do this thing.  I know it might seem I'm obsessed with my weight but it such a big catalyst to being able to go harder and further. My theory this time is to get the weight off as quickly as possible whilst still training but have that as the main focus, once its down to within a few KG like it is now then I can start adding the load and intensity.  If I weigh less, its easier on my body all round, its not like I'm popping out to do a 10k its a long long way!  I now feel my base level is in a good solid place so I can start not just increase the running load but I can work on my overall fitness too.  I need my whole body strength improving to cope with the event.

So what am I going to do to make me the greater than the 1%?

I'm going to need endurance skills that you don't just get from a bit of running or popping in the gym.  No ,no, I'm going to be going out in weather that looks horrendous, I'm going to carry big heavy packs, I'm going to train my legs and then try go for a run.  Weighted vest stair training is a really good one you can learn to love. What I'm basically doing is looking how to make it as uncomfortable as possible to make it as realistic as possible! I will start some hill work, trudging up and down the moors with weighted packs.

How do we achieve great things?

Discipline, hardwork, and relentless forward progress!

 Not sure where to start with this one lol!  I think this weekend gone I've discovered what happens when you increase protein into your diet.  Oh yeah! You know what's coming ha ha!  Sunday was meant to be a 16 miler, that was on my programme for Thursday but I switched it due to be being at the vets with Bertie the dogs for his 'not so fun day out'.  I planned it so I was to get up at 4.30am and be out the door for 5am with knowledge of my route getting me a finish before 8am when the kids will be up and breakfast service required.  I was actually looking forward to this run, weight is down, fitness is up, spirits are high and I was ready.  I knew something wasn't right but I just wasn't sure, I went to the toilet before I left as usual so as to avoid any trips into fields or trees and get myself sorted for a good trek out.  Nothing happened even though I knew I actually needed to go but I thought I'd just better get going and take some paper with me in case.  Typically half a mile down the road I thought I was going to have a bit of a mishap. I ran off route to find a nice quiet hidden location in which to get myself sorted.  Oh no, it still wasn't happening  but was now feeling a bit painful and awkward.  Sorry for the detail but best shared lol! So my dilemma was do I risk it and carry on or just head back to safety.  I actually decided I had to head back it was no use carrying on, I'd used up my supply of paper thinking I'd been clever for actually putting some in my bag but daft not to put the whole roll in!  I went home and started researching the solution to my worsening problem.  

Several hours later and many unproductive visits to the loo with some different attempts to get my guts sorted, things started happening.  The problem now was, I was in quite a bit of pain and any thoughts of going for a run at any point that day had gone down the lav. I actually started feeling a bit washed and weak so nothing was really happening for the rest of the day and it was just time to move forward and plan the week ahead.  What a day! I've never been through that before and never wish to again.  Today was similar but no where near as bad and I managed to get for an 8 miler even with struggling towards the end with the opposite problem which was also terrifying whilst out running and nowhere to hide eeeekkkk!!!!

The path we choose determines the outcome.  If you want the results and success then it has to be the tough path.  It just has to be!  If you want to become resilient and mentally strong then you need to have been pushed, tested and even broken.  There is no one who can do it for you, you are on your own.  Again, it has be this way to build your inner strength, we can have people help us, guide us, support us but they can't do the 'hard yards' they won't be there at 4.30am saying get up we need to run, they won't be there with their hand on the fridge saying 'no more food you've had enough calories today', they won't be there!!!  You can do it, but its choosing isn't it, its choosing to have a few uncomfortable months to achieve something very few others can do.

Remember your mind is trying to trick you!!! It wants you to fail and give up, it wants an easy life.  Don't listen to it, its lying!!!! 

It's YOU versus YOU!!! Beat the negativity, win the battle :)

 Wow!

10kg lighter and back training well.  What a turn around!!! So So pleased with where I've got myself through sheer relentless discipline, hard work and believing that it will make a difference.  My weight is such a big thing as you may have guessed by now.  Its the psychological impact it has on my drive, resilience and attitude to the training.  I need to see those results and then, I buy in and I'm full on 110%!!

The last few weeks I've really felt the difference, yes my weights come down and my training is feeling really good but fatigue keeps hitting me with the reduction in calories.  There are two ways to deal with this, give in and start eating more to cope with the training and work load or accept it as part of the process and my journey.  Don't get me wrong I understand the need for calories and get the right food in so I'm still careful with what I'm having.

What I'm loving though is that great feeling when I'm running. It's definitely not easy but I'm moving better, it doesn't hurt, and my range of movement is so much greater so I feel I can stride out and put in a good effort. The Yoga is paying off, my ability to move greater as my range of motion is improving.  I'm now back to looking forward to my long runs, and enjoying the suffering again because I know I can cope with it better.  

Getting up in the morning used to be hell, its improved dramatically!! My back is as good as new again as long as I keep up with my exercises and stretches.  My heel get sore now and again but that's a good little reminder not to get complacent and to remember the need to do the basics.  

I truly feel I am getting there, back in to the best shape I've ever been in but there's still some way to go yet.  I'm looking at races I want to enter again that are further or tougher and can only be achieved if I become the best version of me.  Last time I was like this was just after lockdown, I know because I did my best attempt on the 160 that year and felt great and then went on to finish the Lakeland 100.  If, the million dollar question, if, I can get my weight lower and get a bit stronger and keep improving my pace I'll be ok to enter the Hardmoors 200 again.  It is all mindset though, I can't emphasise this enough, yes I have to train hard and do the work others won't do but really its what's going on in your head.  For me personally, as a not so natural runner, I have to believe I can do it.  I accept it's hard only a faint chance I might actually complete it but that's enough to tease me in to the training and becoming able to even have a go.  Then, I have to want it more than all the other things that are associated with comfortable living.  This means, what I eat, am I drinking alcohol, sleeping in (not that I do anyway) and how committed am I to the training, what am I giving up and missing out on to do the necessary things for this event. I get it, most people wouldn't be interested, they might seem keen but not enough to put themselves through months of suffering and staying committed to the goal.  That's the tough bit, and you haven't even started the race at this point!!

I'm finally getting back to giving myself a chance, now its up to me to push on and be in the best physical and mental state I can.  I'm not finishing this race, wherever that might be whether 70 miles, 100 miles or 150 miles without knowing I gave it everything, that I pushed myself beyond, and I tested my resilience to the max.  If I give in now to the small things then I'll be susceptible to giving in before the job is done, and that is unacceptable. The race doesn't start until you want to quit, then its game on!!!

I'm not quite there yet, but I'm in touching distance of achieving my goal! 

I can,

I will!

Doing the hard yards!

 Doing the hard yards!

So this isn't just about getting the miles in on mornings when its lashing down, freezing cold and icy or just simply when I'm tired from the day to day regime of life itself, oh no, its about stretching constantly to keep on top of recent injuries and to help prevent new ones.  For me this is a biggie, I seem to have acquired quite bad flexibility over the years and now having to work hard at overcoming this.  So apart from ritual-like stretching I have yoga booked in my diary every week on a Friday.  I am completely and utterly useless at this but it gives me an hour of stretching and working areas that I would probably ignore.  I spend most of the session chuckling to myself as I'm flexing a leg here or bending my body there or just simply balancing on one leg like the leaning tower of Pisa ha ha!!!  What else, oh yeah food and drink consumption, ugh!!  So to achieve any kind of success in weight loss my first step is 'Dry January' or as its turns in to, 'Dry January, February, March and April' lol.  One month wasn't enough unfortunately so I have to keep going and now this is something I go through every year.  So, no booze, rule number 1.  Next I have cut out crisps and chocolate, not that I think I have too much of this stuff but to get the weight off that I need then I have to cut it out altogether ugh!! Once I've done that another biggie is bread which I probably find even harder than beer, I'm on track to achieve my goals but I still have to count calories and be careful.  I'm focusing on getting a good level of protein, reduced salt intake and no sweet stuff. UUUGGGHHH!!!

These are the hard yards!

As Alex Ferguson once said "You can't have success without sacrifice!"

The 160 has been a target for a few years now and I've been close to achieving it once before but I've not really been in a good place physically for the past 18 months so I'm really trying hard to 'control the controllables' as my wife would say.  So for me this means, weight, training, self-care and sleep.  So, as you may gather by now one of my main hold ups is my weight, but really this is a 'controllable', I can do something about it, its in my own hands (head) to whether I do it or not so like I've said recently its mindset.  I have to focus on it, fight one day at a time and achieve small targets. Again, with regards to actually training, I have to get into good habits, routines and stick to the plan, build and grow! Self-care, for me this about looking after myself so little things like eating well, getting the protein I need to help recover, stretching, massages, foam roller, a bit of swimming (I'm not a fan but it helps!) and a bit of time in the jacuzzi for my back. Sorting my feet and looking after them as they can be come an issue if I let them, and if you've seen them then you know what I'm talking about ha ha! I've even got in the ice bath a few times to help with recover after runs.  Now that I'm not drinking my sleep has improved as it always does, but I'm trying to not always go out running as early as I can all the time, even though I like this I'm trying to allow a little bit of rest to help recovery.  I'm currently feeling good, but the problem is once I'm like this I'm not as tired when I go to bed and I can't help getting up early doh!

I know its a few months away but I'm actually already getting excited for this race as I know I'm doing the right things and getting myself in to a good place for it.  I keep thinking about the areas on the route that I know will be key so I'm thinking of getting out on the course and covering some miles over these sections.  Getting comfortable with the uncomfortable, thats what Goggins says, so I need to become comfortable with certain sections that I know will push me to my limits.  I'm certainly not going to go and run 100 miles and then get to the sections just so I can experience the suffering but if you go run them with confidence and set little markers as goals to hit then it becomes easier on the day.

So just remember...

The long road back!

 Off we go again!!!

Hardmoors 160 entered, 3 months of graft in the bag, half a stone off, and a long long way to go!!  The thing is, as my wife now knows only too well, its almost like the bigger challenge the more I love it.  The challenge isn't just the 160 miles of running around the North Yorkshire Moors for 3 days non-stop barely eating or drinking without sleep or stopping, no no I think its the preparation phase I relish the most.  Its the changes I've got to make that most people wouldn't even dream of doing especially now I'm nearing a magical age of 50 (not just yet!!).  I have to increase training volume, decrease consumption of food and alcohol, stay away from the snacks and treats, get less sleep, get up and train basically in the middle of the night to some people.  I love this challenge because its mindset, strength of mind, will, desire to do what it takes and prove to myself I'm in control of my own body not giving in to habits, cravings, bad treats and lack of self control.  This is just me, its fine whatever anyone else likes or wants to do but this is me, I'll do my way like Frank once said!

This all began back in October once my problems with my back started improving, after nearly 18 months of not being able to stand up straight and long periods of that in considerable pain.  As a family we headed to Centre Parcs for our annual trip to the cabin in the forest and waterslides.  This I had decided was where it was going to begin!  I'd started attending yoga once a week again but had only been a couple of times by this point but I was already starting to feel the benefit and it gave me a lift, a sense that I will still be able to do things I'm striving for and to not quite throw in the towel just yet.  So I was going to use Centre Parcs as a retreat and an opportunity to reset and provide myself with the starting point to go on from.  I was wanting to fit in a few short runs, my stretching routine (yoga) and a little bit of strength work to compliment the other two things.  I made it a priority to do the stretch routine in the mornings, and then  again after we'd been in the pool and again in the evening.  This worked well and I came away with a mini win, a sense I'd stuck to my guns and achieved something, even if it was only a small win it was progress.  My hips were still bad and causing problems but I knew they were improving and would just take time.  Back I went to the yoga sessions and short steady runs looking to increase distance once things improved further.  

The day soon came round for the Hardwolds 80.  I knew I wasn't in great shape phyically or weight wise but I was going to get out there and do what I could because its the only way I know and its my way of doing things.  I had to know where I was at good or bad but its the brutal reality of long distance running.  It turns out I was in a bad way, pulling out after only 20 ish miles my hip flexors were bad and my back, but the positives were I'd put 20 miles in the bank and not made myself any more injured, I listened to my body.  Running on the ice was just not good for me I was strong enough to hold my posture and balance which was what started causing the problems in my back.  This was fine, I knew it was going to be on a wing and prayer but now I knew.  Its time to get down to work!

Christmas is only just around the corner at this point at my weight wasn't change but my mentality had.  I wanted to do this and have another go but it wasn't going to really start until January when the diet begins and I'm not drinking.  Inadvertently a payment went to my running coach Ronnie Staton and rather than ask for a refund I said lets get started now rather than in Jan.  It was the end of November heading into December, so I made the decision, I was going to start putting the effort in earlier than normal to get a head for the January regimne.  It made for a tough Christmas period as I was very reluctant to participate in certain aspects such as chocolates etc but I still had a good time and had most things, I just held back a little and tried to restrain myself.  Training was picking up we'd decided on a back to basics month so low mileage but gaining consistency overall.  This with the yoga started working a treat, I really felt the benefits and improvement was happening, it was game on!  I knew i was in a good place and started really looking forward to getting some weight off, this was going to be the next major hurdle.  

Strong mind-Strong body!!!