39 Weeks to Go

Run Less Run Faster
Sounds odd but as the title of the book I thought it would turn out like one of those "loose weight in 1 week" types.
Anyway I have cut down my running and supplimented it with swimming and climbing. Now I do 3 hard days a week. 1 hour at just over race pace 1 hour sprints and a long run. This mornings long run was just over 22km with a big hill in the middle and it took me 1hr 41mins. I equate that to a sub 1hr 36min half marathon and I finished feeling great so went for a swim in the sea.

Admittingly the swimming is no easy day as it is 1200m in open water 2 times a week and the climbing is in the evenings of two of the running days. I should be cycling according to the book but I find that I need to do 2+ hours to get any sort of work out and finding that time mid week is not simple, so I confess to adding another running day most weeks 1 hour very easy pace but with hills.

Nice marathon on the 9th November will be the test hoping for sub 3hr 30min though going by todays performance 3hr 20min should be possible.

44 Weeks To Go

So thanks to all who sponsored me, 2875 GBP.

I have entered in next years race, sub 24hr's is the goal.
My first goal will be the Nice marathon in 12 weeks so holiday over and back to the training.

Brett

Video Clips

Thanks to Martin for the video clips, I'm sure I ran at some point but not on video it seems.

Sweat Success

By Friday afternoon my wife had to wrestle the phone of me as I was convinced it was pointless to start the race. Undefined pain in my right foot to the point I was limping and missing 4 weeks of training due to injury of the left foot in the Fling was not giving me the mental attitude prescribed by my Sports Psychologist. I was persuaded that it would be better to start and drop out than not to start. So with 133 other mentaly unsound individuals I registered at midnight and collected my pre-bought merchandise. I had told some of my crew to not bother coming as I was not confident of getting far: this turned out to be a blessing in disguise (although sadly not for Chris who stayed at home!)

When we started at 1am I felt sick, 32 weeks I had been training for this and I was already feeling tired and sore going over the start line. At the fling I had felt so strong and was having delusions of grandeur. Going through Mugdock country park I glanced behind me and saw the mist on the ground with a trail of headtorches behind and a nearly full moon with Mars off to the side. The view was spectacular and I was glad I had started.

The plan had been to go as slow as possible over the first sections of the course but the pain in my right foot was stopping me from clear thinking. 2Km before Drymen I decided I couldn't take the pain any further and was going to drop out. It was just at the first hill on a road and I started to walk. Within seconds the pain vanished from my foot, my first thought was that I must have done serious damage for the pain to go, then I thought that maybe it had been a trapped nerve and it had freed up. The last km into Drymen was pain free and I even dared to think that the fat lady had not sung.

Going through Drymen my crew notified me that I was too fast at 2hr 15mins. Next was Conic Hill and I took it at a leisurely pace with a spectacular view at the top. Balmaha and the first Food intake came next-here was the lesson learnt from the fling (If I'm going to expend 15000 Kcalories I need to eat!). Then onto Rowerdennan and the midges. Very short stop due to the small carniverous beasties. How the marshals do it is beyond me!

Inversnaid was bliss as our little biting friends appeared to not know about it. Martin was going to accompany me on to Bein Glas where the second support team would be starting.

Bein Glas and the second support team arrived. As I was conviced of failure I had told them not to start but this now meant that they were fresh from a night's sleep allowing the 1st team to take a break. Onto DerryDaroch the halfway point and I was starting to feel good about myself and still running. The attractive marshall at Derrydaroch was causing a stir with 2 of my support team but they still managed to get me rehydrated and on the move.

The steep hills after the road crossing which had caused me pain during the Fling were now ok as I was moving slower than the Fling pace. I even managed to run down them. Then over the main road and round to Auchentyre Farm where I noted I had lost 3Kg. Several cups of tea and a bowl of pasta and I was off again. Tyndrum meant new ground as I had never run between here and Kingshouse.

The Team at Tyndrum


Over the hill and under the railway and a beautifully runnable path - sadly I abused this by going too fast and reaching Bridge of Orchy (BoO) much faster than I should have done. Spent probably 20mins in BoO eating and rehydrating before moving on. The hill leaving BoO was at its worst on the down slope and I was unable to run.

Tony now started his mammoth task of cajolling me to the finish from Victoria bridge - still 50km but I knew if it came to it I could walk the rest of the way in the alloted time if only I could keep going. I was now favouring a run walk strategy my legs favoured the walk while my head favoured the run.

The section from Victoria Bridge was hard as you can see just how far you have to cover and it's a lot! Thankfully it past quickly - mainly due to me counting the deer that didn't exist.

Kingshouse and again both support crews were there some more food and tea, while watching the Kingshouse chimney go up in flames. I did spot one deer at Kingshouse but Tony reckons it was a goat. Then on to the Devil's Staircase where thankfully the crews were waiting at the bottom as I had forgotten to vaseline myself after leaving the checkpoint.

The slog up the Devil's Staircase is thankfully shorter than the name suggests and we were soon on the path down but the weather was not helpful. I was running less and walking more by this time.

Kinlochleven (130km) was by far the most comfortable checkpoint but I was surprised to see I had now lost 5Kg so we stayed longer than intended while I gulped down several flasks of Tea. Some of my support team made their only mistake by attempting to eat fish suppers in front of starving debilitated runners - thankfully nobody was strong enough to start a fight and they quickly noticed the drool and zombied looks so they retreated to their cars to eat their hard earned meals.

Leaving Kinlochleven was one of the hardest things I did that night. It would have been very easy to find an excuse to stay but thankfully my support crew were not going to listen and I was booted out and sent on my way. Up onto Lairig mor and the weather turned vicious with howling wind and horizontal sleet. Slowing slightly caused our core temperatures to drop and so we moved as fast as I could (which was sadly not fast enough to keep Tony warm but he stuck by me' if a little quieter than usual). At Lundavra, again the support crews were waiting in the same vicous conditions, standing dangerously close to a large fire trying to stay warm. Here was probably my shortest stop. While Tony pulled on an extra layer, I drank 2 more cups of tea and we moved on. I ran very little of this last section and certainly none of the main road to the Sports centre. At 04:27 on the Sunday morning I finished - 27hours 27mins after leaving Milingavie. All along that road I swore "never again". Amazingly the first thing I was offered after crossing the finish line was a drink of whiskey.

First and foremost I would like to thank my Support Crew, Karen, Al, Martin and Tony who selflessly gave up their time to help me. Without any of them I would not have made it. I would also like to thank the missing man Chris who I told not to come as I didn't want him driving from London to watch me drop out after 10km. I would also like to thank both my parents for looking after the kids and Karen's parents for looking after me before and after the race.

And finally to all my sponsors - thank you very much. Admittedly I did not raise the 10,000 GBP target but I will continue raising until the 21st August. Which is about the time when the registration opens for next year ..... 52 Weeks

Live Update

Registered :12:00,goodie bag collected
Start 1am :On my way!
Drymen 20.3Km :Left @ 3.15am
Balmaha 32Km :Left at 5.02am after some rice pudding
Rowardennan 43Km :Left at 6.45am
Inversnaid 55Km :Left at 8.35 with Martin
Bein Glas 65Km :Left at 10.35
Derrydarroch 71Km :Left at 11.55
A82 Crossing 79Km :Left at 13.05
Auchentyre Farm 81Km :Left at 13.55
Tyndrum 86Km :Left at 14.35
Bridge of Orchy 96Km :left at 4.35
Victoria Bridge 100.4Km :left at 5.15
Blackrock Cottage 113.3Km :left at 7.20
Kingshouse 116Km :Left at 8.07
Altnafeadh 120Km :Bottom of Devil's Staircase left 8.50
Kinlochleven 130Km :Left 11.30, raining & windy
Lundavra 141Km :Left at 2.08am - weather appalling but very very close!
Fort William The Finish 153Km :Finished at 4.27am!

1 Week to Go

As I have been writing my blog post week training then the next blog will be the race. I will only run once or twice this week and both will be easy runs. Max 1 hour. The race starts on Saturday 1am so I fly back Thursday and will try to put my feet up on the Friday and not get myself into a total panic. Karen will remove my passport to stop me fleeing the country.
5 weeks ago I thought it was game over after my foot was diagnosed with bone issues but now I think my foot will make it my only concern is the lost training 4 weeks just when I should have been putting down the hardest training. Speaking to people who have a lot more experience has helped and the thought is all is not lost
Race strategy will be:
1) Get to start Line
2) Go as slowly as possible at the start without letting the back sweeper pass me
3) Eat at least 2 meals before Bridge of Orchy rough calculation says I will burn at least 15000 KCalories. Thats a lot of mars bars!
4) Keep Going
5) Stop at the finish line
I would love to do this in 24 hours which I'm sure is possible but the main goal is to finish.

My support team will try and do a live update publishing my times as I get into each checkpoint for which I will create a template.
Hard to believe that I have been training for this for the past 32 weeks its gone very quickly.

2 Weeks to Go

Monday 45 mins
Tuesday 1hour
Wednesday 40 mins Hard
Thursday Rest
Friday 40 mins
Saturday Rest
Sunday 50 mins Slow

Feels wrong tapering after what feels like 2 weeks running.

3 Weeks to Go

Monday 50 mins
Tuesday Rest
Wednesday 50 mins
Thursday 1 hour
Friday 1hr 20mins
Saturday 3hrs 15mins 30km very Hilly
Sunday Rest

The idea was to find out where my fitness level was without stressing my foot or overdoing it. So 30km in hills at an easy pace but with 26 deg C it felt tough but Im sure I could have done another lap. I think 8 weeks ago I would have found this much easier. So its now a 2 week taper to the race.
3 years living in the sun and I have still not learnt to apply sun cream, stupidly took of my shirt for the last 2 hours and my back looks like an embarassed lobster.

4 Weeks To Go

Monday 45 Mins
Tuesday 1 hour
Wednesday Missed
Thursday Missed
Friday 1 hour
Saturday 45 Mins
Sunday 1 hour 20mins Hills

Still not shifted the cold so started to run anyway and on the Tuesday night I felt terrible and was hacking up crud out my lungs so I missed the Wednesday and Thursday sessions. Foot is starting to feel like it will hold together. Spoke to a friend who is a serious runner and got some good advice on getting back into the swing without doing too much.

5 Weeks to go

Bloody hell foot starting to feel better and I get a cold.
Spent the week cursing and swearing on the frailty of the human body.
Finaly went out for a run this morning 4 weeks since my last run, then when I got back used the Aqua jacket in the pool it was raining and I was soaked anyway. Only lasted another 15 mins before I got cold. So a 45 min run and 15 mins in the pool which was harder than I thought it would be and I was knackered. This afternoon I had to go for a sleep!

6 Weeks to Go

Still not done any running other than a 5 min jog to the end of the road.
Waiting on the orthosis to arrive and an aqua jog jacket.
Driving everybody up the wall as I am like a caged animal looking to get out. Starting to let doubt creep in as 3 weeks missed is not funny. As soon as the insoles arrive I will try a short easy run, as soon as the aqua jacket arrives I will be in the pool for a couple of hours.

7 Weeks to Go

So I have inflammed the extendor tendon for my left foot and to cap it the Arch has dropped. Seen the Podologue who is creating orthosis for my feet. Thats 3 weeks with no running so starting to get concerned that all the good work will be undone. I invested in an Agua Jog jacket so that I can try and keep some fitness in the pool hopefully it will turn up in a day or so.

Will probably not be running for another week at least as it is still sore to walk on it.

Naked Pic

Not even wearing the flesh. So does anybody see an issue? Obviously if you do see an issue I would love to hear it. Love the health service here they don't need waiting rooms.

Here is the ultra sound scan.

8 Weeks to Go

• Monday Rest
• Tuesday 30 mins easy
  
• Wednesday 40 mins
• Thursday Rest
• Friday Rest
• Saturday Rest
• Sunday Col de Vence Hill Race Took it easy and paced Philip to the top then we jogged back down again. Hill runs here are done on the road even though there is a perfectly good track, they also only race to the top. Total 24 Km with 600m ascent

Foot had been okay so on the Monday I went out for a harder run only to be stopped dead after 30 mins with sharp pain in my foot. We will see.......

9 Weeks to Go

Travelled back to Scotland for The Fling. Rested all week apart from Wednesday when I ran for 40 mins in the rain.
The Fling
First let me thank the Team - Al, Sprocket and Tony as without them I would never have crossed the finish line(or the start line!)
Was awake at 2am and could not get back to sleep. After 3 hours sleep, this did not give me a lot of confidence. At 4am when the alarm went off I had 2 poached eggs, some toast and a double espresso and I was feeling more up to the job. Met the team in Milngavie car park. The weather appeared to be holding but the forecast was for rain. At 6am the whistle went and we were off. Within a few mins the rain was pouring down. The team met me at each of the road crossings all the way up to Balmaha. Tony was standing at the top of Conic hill and followed me down into the car park. The steep grassy and worn stones were treacherous with the asic road shoes - next time it's something more grippy. A refill of juice at the carpark and off to Rowardennan. Was starting to get the beginnings of cramp just before Rowardennan and even 'though Chef Sprocket had created some rice dish I only managed a few fork fulls.
Then it was on to Inversnaid. The weather was giving the false impression it might clear up. Cramp really started to take hold of my legs on this section but I still didn't realise that I had not eaten enough. After Sprocket and Al had extricated themselves from the warm hotel tea and scones, I ate a banana and headed off to Inverarnan. After 10 mins I met Tony coming down the path - he had run down from Inverarnan. We managed to get to Inverarnan before Al and Sprocket had driven from Inversnaid - they claim that they drove straight there. Thankfully Tony had spare juice and I headed on to Derrydaroch. This is the halfway point for the full race and where I had to get to in 12 hours (to get into the WHW race). It was now 9 hours 30mins. I was really starting to feel the pinch and was not moving well. The path had been abused by a herd of cattle and was more like a swamp for long sections then the hill over the back of Crianlarich nearly finished me - not so much the up but the down was playing havoc with my cramping legs. Thankfully I met the team again crossing the road and got another banana. After 10mins this appeared to do the trick and I started running again. The finish line at Tyndrum was a welcome sight and I crossed the line in 11 hours 39mins.


Lessons Learnt

• Team photo Start and Finish!
• Change out of wet clothes at the pit stops and get warm kit on
• Eat more a lot more - I have to learn to force down food on at least 3 pit stops.
• Having kit made up in prepacked bags for each stop will save time and patience
• Need a grippier trainer for the wet grassy sections.
• Tony meeting me and running short sections with me was fantastic.

Injury
I have a suspected digital extensor tendon sheath inflammation that is painful so will have to be careful this week. I already irritated it further today by running on it.

10 Weeks to go

• Monday Rest
• Tuesday 1 hour 10mins easy
• Wednesday Missed
• Thursday
  
• Morning 1 hour hard
• Afternoon 1 hour easy
• Friday 35mins Flat out
• Saturday 1 hour 30mins Hills
• Sunday Rest

This weekend is the Highland Fling so I will be taking it easy and hoping that I have done enough. Then its only 9 weeks to the full buna. Where did all the time go? Still concerned about the weather in Scotland it looks cold and wet.

11 Weeks to Go

• Monday Rest
• Tuesday 1 hour hard
• Wednesday 4 * 800m
• Thursday 1 hour hard
• Friday 1 hour Easy
• Saturday 50 mins easy hills
• Sunday 3 hours 15 mins Hills

2 Weeks until the highland fling and the nerves are starting to jingle. The fact that it was 8 weeks since my last really big run might have something to do with it. That and reading that everybody else doing the race seems to be doing 7 hours +. The next few days will be an exercise of staying calm and not trying to do all the training I think I should have done before the race.

Will opt for conservitism and ramp down to the race then pick it back up for the main event providing I get past the fling in one piece.

12 Weeks to Go

• Monday Rest
• Tuesday
• Morning 40 mins
• Afternoon 1 hour
• Wednesday
  
• Morning 45 mins
• Afternoon 4 * 1km plus hill session
• Thursday MAN FLU again!
• Friday Still suffering
• Saturday Feeling better but not risking it
• Sunday 2 hours 30 mins Hills (Felt great)
  

Got a bit stressed when I came down with another cold On Wednesday night, I'm not drinking alcohol, Im eating lots of fruit and drinking copious amounts of water so why am I getting colds?
Yes I know between work and running, my body is under more than usual stress but still.
3 Weeks until the half race in Scotland and the weather there is still Snow? The organisers have asked if I will run for the French team (A bit of a laugh) Though I am worried my support team will take this to heart and go on Strike or worse feed me nothing but cheese and baguettes, the water stops will be nothing but espressos.

13 Weeks To Go

• Monday 30 light jog
• Tuesday 1hr 10 mins hard
• Wednesday 12 * 200m (Was almost puking at the 8th and 9th)
• Thursday 1 hour hard
• Friday 1hour easy
• Saturday 40 mins easy
• Sunday 1hr 30 mins hills

Late writing this week up as I must have forgotten to do it last week

14 Weeks to Go

• Monday Rest
• Tuesday
  
• Morning 1 hour
• Afternoon 1 hour
• Wednseday
  
• Morning 1 hour
  
• Afternoon 8 * 400m sprints
• Thursday Missed
• Friday Missed
• Saturday
• Night 1 hour hill session
• Sunday
  
• Morning 4 hours 15 mins 44km

Other commitments meant that I missed Thursday and Friday but Im sure I could have got out if I really wanted to but there was no way I was getting up at 5 to do a run.
The weather here is getting hot 20+ degrees by the afternoon so its a concern that it is snowing in Scotland it will be a shock to the system to run in the cold and wet.

15 Weeks to Go

• Monday Another days rest to be sure
• Tuesday
  
• Morning 50 mins
  
• Afternoon 1 hour
• Wednesday
  
• Morning 50 mins
• Afternoon 4 * 800m sprints
• Thursday Morning 1 hour hills
• Friday
• Morning 1 hour hard
  
• Afternoon 1 hour hard
• Saturday 40 mins hills
• Sunday 3 hours 31km

After last week not feeling well I was very keen to get started again. Its proving difficult to get the time to do all my running so splitting the milage into two runs is easier especially as I am busy at work. Only problem is the quantity of laundry. Approx 100km in total this week. Its now only 5 weeks until the half race the highland fling. Will do a couple more high milage runs before then.

16 Weeks to Go

• Monday 45 mins easy
• Tuesday
  
• Morning 45 mins easy
• Afternoon 1 hour hard
• Wednesday Ill
• Thursday Ill
• Friday Ill
• Saturday Ill
• Sunday Feeling better but took the day off

Came down with one of the kids colds (Man Flu). Felt awfull and had a temprature on the Wednesday so a few days off is preferrable to long term damage.
Also a bad week as Basil (My dog) one of my few running companons died on the Sunday after collapsing on one of our morning runs a week ago. He was diagnosed with some sort of sarcoma in his chest (Cancer) It was shocking just how quickly he went down hill. He passed away peacefully at home on the Sunday afternoon. We will all miss him especially his sister BT who will continue to keep me company on the morning runs.

17 Weeks to Go

• Monday 1 hour easy
• Tuesday
  
• Morning 50 mins hard
• Evening 1 hour
• Wednesday
• Morning 50 mins Hard
• Afternoon 12 * 200 meters
• Thursday 1 hour
• Friday Trek round Gorges Verdon
• Saturday 50 mins
  
• Sunday 50 mins

A combination of friends staying and work piling up kept the milage low.

18 Weeks to Go

• Monday Rest (Come on I did 60km yesterday!)
• Tuesday 1 hour hard
• Wednesday Missed (Car Blew up! No seriously the car blew up. Wife driving!!)
• Thursday 1 hour easy
  
• Friday
• 40 Mins hard
• 30 mins hill sessions
• Saturday Rest
• Sunday Cannes Semi Marathon was looking to beat my PB but after last Sunday was not expecting to. At the 10Km mark I was just under 45 mins and feeling good. Managed to hold it together for a 1hr 34 mins 38s. Very happy - that's 8 mins off my previous best and I'm sure I could find another four mins.
  

19 Weeks to go

• Monday 1 hour hard run
  
• Tuesday
  
• Morning Easy 40 mins
• Afternoon 1 hour hard
• Wednesday 4 * 800m each sub 3 mins (It's fast for me!)
• Thursday
  
• Morning 40 mins with hill climb
• Afternoon 1 hour hard
• Friday 1 hour hard
• Saturday Rest
• Sunday 6 hours 0 mins 24s 62Km
  

Total km this week will be about 122km which means there would be another 31km to go in one day. !
I had been dreading the Sunday run all week as I intended to run for 6 hours. Didn't get started until just after 10am so it meant a wasted day and my headphones on the ipod failed so was starting to think about excuses. Thankfully my stubborn streak won out and I did the run. I went through the 42km mark in sub 4 hours but felt fine; after 5 hours the felt fine feeling was long forgotton and I was glad it was only another hour to go, physcologically, how do you tell yourself to keep going when there is another 19 + hours to go? Will need to find an answer for this one.

20 Weeks to go

• Monday 1 hour hard run
• Tuesday
  
• Morning 45 mins hill trails
• Afternoon 30 hard run
• Wednesday 4 * 1km each one 3mins 45s 1km warm up 1km warm down
• Thursday 45 mins
  
• Friday
• Morning 45 mins
• Afternoon 45 mins
• Saturday 31km easy
• Sunday Full day skiing (legs like jelly) then night run 1 hour

My right Achilles is sore after something aggravated on Friday hopefully it will recover through the week.

21 Weeks to Go

• Monday 40 min light run
• Tuesday
  
• Afternoon 1 hour hard
• Night 40 mins Easy
• Wednesday
• Morning 30 mins
• Afternoon Sprints 12 * 200m
  
• Thursday1 hour 15mins
• Friday 1hr 10mins Easy
• Saturday Hills (Pulling Calvin to the top on his sledge) Too Many
• Not enough according to Calvin
• Sunday Long trail run with 3 'technical sections' Put through the gps it comes out like the picture below.

22 Weeks to go

• Monday 40min light run
• Tuesday
  
• Morning 30 Min light run
• Afternoon 12.5km 58 min
• Wednesday 30 min light run
• Thursday
• Afternoon 18km
• Night 40 min light run
  
• Friday 12.5km 1 hour
• Saturday Skiing all morning
  
• Sunday Missed

Missed the long run on Sunday as I finaly succumbed to the cold that had start last Wednesday.
Opted for the day off rather than make things worse.

23 Weeks to go

• Monday Rest
• Tuesday 15km
• Wednesday 4 * 800m each sub 3 mins
• Thursday Missed
• Friday 15Km
• Saturday 8km
• Sunday 50Km in 4hrs 59min 7s

Reading 'Feet in the clouds' by Richard Askwith again, very inspirational stuff.
Felt fine after the 50km run was very flat and the slight incline there was in it I walked up.
Will look this week for better training run that has more hills for better training without reverting to the Alps.

24 Weeks to Go

• Monday Rest
• Tuesday 1 hr run
• Wednesday Hill Sprints (Over did it legs were like lead after it)
• Thursday 1 hr night run
• Friday 1hr 30mins in torrential rain (like a drowned rat after it)
• Saturday (Missed my run)
• Sunday 42km 4hrs 7 mins (7 laps round the park tracks with small hills)
• Should have run further but ran out of juice (not metaphorically)
  

Walked into the pool after the Sunday run the temp gauge read 7 deg C but it felt more like -7.
Legs feel fine after the run possibly helped by the immersion in cold water but I dont think I will do it again as it was bloody cold!

25 Weeks to Go

• Monday Rest (Well roller blading [Attempting] on the Prom)
• Tuesday 1 hour track through the woods
  
• Wednesday Hill Runs
• Thursday 2 hours 24.8km
• Friday 1 Hour track through the Woods
• Saturday 30 mins of sprints
• Sunday 10km Race (Nice Prom Classic) Current official time 43:59 though I think it still has to take in the start time as I have 43:03 on my watch.
• Also did further 1 hour through the woods at night (Just back)

Quite pleased with the 10k time as I know I could have lost another min if it had not been for the congestion and bottle necks Why they thought it necessary to put all women out 5 mins ahead and to bring 2 roads into one is beyond me.