Tuesday, January 31, 2012

First Ultra Run Approaches

Saturday is the start of the build up to DECA. The first ultra distance run 33 cross country miles racing through the night. The lap race starts at 6pm and finishes when you complete 5 laps of the course. I am hoping that the conditions will be bad and that I will be tested to the max. I want nothing to be easy this year as I prepare for the most testing race on the planet. Train tough and race tough! The only way to succeed!!!
DECA is coming...........................

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Riding In The Dark...........

Up early and out on the road in complete darkness and light drizzle. Perfect conditions for a nice quiet session before work. Then post work back out on the road and the return journey, quicker with an increased tempo riding twice in a day and a round trip of 40 miles is pure enjoyment. Tomorrow it is tempo run time followed by a nice endurance swim.....Mixing it up..................

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Short Run Sunday.....................

Don't you just love going out on the open road and running free and easy. Today it was windy and slightly cold but ideal for an easy endurance 10 miles. To put things into perspective this is the shortest run I will do between now and November with the longest being 24 Hours in May! I look at the 10 as a short training day. Average Heart Rate sitting at 142 BPM at the top end of my endurance window it was a delight to run relaxed and free. Truly enjoyable................

Swim/Bike/Run

Over the last few days it has been a mixture of all 3 disciplines and how good did it feel to be back in the pool. First session for a while and its great to be back, I will definitely squeeze in the odd session before I get to it big time in May. The bike has been all about hill reps and building up some strength. Pushing the heart rate towards 90% of maximum and feeling the burn. Today is all about running and a tempo 10 mile effort to apply some pressure. Things are gradually building and it is only 2 weeks away from my first ultra of the year. A 33 mile run through the night. Love it.........................

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Bike All Night!!

After a nice steady run yesterday there is only 1 way to warm down. It was time to get the bike out and so after an hour's nap it was back to it. Hours spent on the bike with the odd coffee break saw me out amongst it until 3am this morning. When I eventually got into bed at 0430 hours it has been a good day. Running alongside like minded people and friends takes some beating, cycling through the night simply can't......................Live it every single day!!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Three Men & A Moped..............

Well to be honest there is no baby so a moped will have to do! The 1st Commander's run led out by "Red Leader" who controlled the route well, amid the ramblings of "The Mad Professor" and taking up the rear was the "Ginger Guinea Pig". Three wise men I think not but run we did. A fresh morning saw us out on the road and tranquil Suffolk Countryside, basking in the morning sun it was a runners paradise. Some 25 - 30 miles later it was over and soon a distant memory. At around 20 miles the Mad Professor disappeared into the distance mumbling something about work? He will return another day I am sure. Red Leader picked a hum dinger of a route, one to be savoured!! Later it is time for work and a nice rest........................Chaper 2 coming soon..................

Monday, January 16, 2012

Running Long Running Cold.....................

It was minus 4 outside last night and it isn't much warmer now! As I sit waiting to run a training full marathon I feel a quiet sense of excitement. It will be long, it will be cold and at times I am sure that it will be emotional. "NEVER STOP" is my mental approach adopted over time to push through the tough moments. Once you reach the other side it is only a memory. Something sent to remind us that "exhaustion" is simply a state of mind. "When your going through hell, keep going" "Winston Churchill"

Sunday, January 15, 2012

An Interesting Week............

Cycling, a 24 hour illness on thursday and then a short fast 5 mile run to round the week off nicely. Wednesday was a very easy 20 mile ride at 17 mph average so a low average heart rate. Thursday I was completely polaxed by a stomach problem so on friday it was nice to run a steady 5 miles in 36 minutes. Felt nice and relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed it......................Next week it is back to pure endurance and a nice volume overload week............It will be interesting starting tomorrow..................

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Day 8 & 9................More Riding......................

The weekend has been filled with low level riding to keep stock piling the miles in the legs while spending time in the saddle. This is designed to keep the same muscle groups working at low intensity so that the base foundation remains in place ready for a step up in both distance and intensity. Today is all about running and a nice staedy hour before another big ride tomorrow. Up at 4am for another mammoth ride.............................details to follow post ride.................

Friday, January 6, 2012

Day 7 - All About Riding..................

It has to be said that riding steady and riding through the night until 3am is just so enjoyable. It will be the same again tonight and through to Sunday morning! There will also be a run involved albeit a shorter faster one. Fitness and endurance this year are the key to everything. There are no limits this year and how you train for Decaman? Nobody knows........................

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Day 5 - Time To Reflect On Yesterday...............

It was a fine endurance run but already I want more. Today was a relaxed bit of riding just to ease the legs back to normality. I am already planning extending the weekly run to 25 - 30 miles next week. Some long rides over the weekend will be ideal preparation so its now time to get back on the bike! Decaman is always in my thoughts every single day...................

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Day 4 - Going The Distance Run 1........

Having finished work it was an ambitious move to run home but if you remove the option then the show must go on! A cross country start then a fantastic run on quiet rural roads in complete darkness. My favourite conditions with a mixture of cold, a tail wind and patches of fine rain. 23 miles later and I arrived home having got it right. Almost a marathon with a low average HR of 139 BPM I steered well clear of the infamous wall and cruised all the way. Its easy to fall in love with ultra running, solitude and a mind free of everything else. The running journey has begun............................

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Day 3 - Rest Day Early

Today is a rest day in preparation for tomorrow that will prove to be emotional! After a good fast session on the bike yesterday tomorrow will be a 22 mile run back from Haverhill after work. The route is on quiet country roads and pretty undulating. This run is all about pure endurance and time on my feet. I will think about my favourite phrase by Winston Churchill "When your going through HELL keep going" Details to follow tomorrow post run................................I anticipate pain and suffering.......

Monday, January 2, 2012

Day 2 - Red Line Fever..........

On the bike and the comfort blanket has been thrown away. Interval training at 90% of maximum heart rate. The red line is that target area where life becomes slightly uncomfortable and distinctly unpleasant. Riding under pressure where the lungs are burning and the brain repeatedly crying out to ease up. I made a conscious decision  that 2012 was not going to be easy! Believe me it won't be. February 4th brings the first ultra run to start the year. 32.5 cross country miles..............."Pain is inevitable" "Suffering is optional..............Live it............

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Day 1 - A New Year Riding On Dark Roads

It has to be said that getting up at 4am was not an easy thing to do but boy was it worth it. Off to Harlow for a 5.30am drop off ready to ride my favourite route. The roads were dark, silent and empty. Riding the central white line in warm conditions it was pretty much perfect. As I approached Haverhill the sky the first day of the year was just beginning. A delightful 50 mile ride where the mind is free to think about the mlong and tough journey to Mexico later in the year!! DECA is coming..............