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!!!
