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...........................

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..................

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.........................

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!!

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..................

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"