I had only just published my last post when I received a text message from one of my best friends from uni. It turns out that he used to babysit Steve Cushing's children when he was a youth and has managed to connect me to him by e-mail. I am just a little surprised that the Dicky that I know, and love, used to top up his pocket money by being a babysitter...
This connection has grown my MDS network to three finishers. I am also going to try to get in touch with a few other runners I have met at the Ultras I have completed, as I want to avoid leaving anything to chance when it comes to planning and preparation. For example, it is through these networks I have managed to dodge a couple of bullets already: it had not registered in my mind to date that self-sufficiency also meant packing your own toilet paper and that a pillow would be a great comfort during the night. Hopefully any more gaps in my planning will be filled...
I feel obliged to write an abridged version of the blog. Partially because my training has started to nicely ramp up, partially to mark the fact that I have passed the 6 months to go point and partially because I have continued to make progress with my planning and preparation for the event.
If the phrase that every long journey begins with a single step then each step along the way must be important, regardless of its size. If that is the case I made one of the smallest steps this week but overcame something that has, quite frankly, been doing my head in. Where is that damned whistle on the Raidlight bag. Every blog mentions it, Steve Cushing refers to it...
It is quite ironic that when I managed to find it during today's training run I wasn't even wearing that Rucksack but the Inov8 one that I use in training. I quite simply love running. It allows my mind to wander, ponder things and let the stresses of life wash from me. During one such moment I was looking at my chest strap and suddenly wondered why one of the clasps is a different colour and managed to find the said whistle. Its not a very powerful one but none the less it meets the requirement of the MDS such that one essential bit of kit is obtained; and, for once, at zero cost
I also need to clear up something that might have been unclear from the last post, especially as it worried Paul H to such an extent that he e-mailed me in a bit of a tiswas. I just don't want any person who comes across this blog, whilst doing some research, to get the wrong end of the stick and come a cropper in the desert. The subject was bladders versus water bottles. Currently in training I am using my Inov8 rucksack as in contains a bladder and I don't want to start using my Raidlight combo yet.
I am definitely not using a bladder during the MDS and will be using the external pockets of my Raidlight combo to strap, probably 6, water bottles about my person. My decision was made at the Brecons Ultra last year. In the rush to get to the race briefing, I burst my bladder by being too rough hastily squeezing it in place. I won't have the luxury of replacing any faulty kit in the desert unlike at this race last year.
In addition, the bladder also became fiddly later in the race when I was tired, it was dark and conditions didn't really lend themselves to refilling the bladder. The water bottles will be easier to decant and will also reduce the risk of one faulty bit of kit eliminating me from the race as 1) not much goes wrong with water bottles but, more importantly, 2) if 1 breaks I still have the other 5 to full back on. I have always been lucky over to the years to find some guardian angels. Haynesy is proving an excellent sounding board and I look forward to sharing a beer with him in December.
As an aside, I would love to have entered the Brecons Ultra again year, but certain logistical problems couldn't be overcome. It is a tremendous race, is good preparation for anyone entered into the MDS and I would have loved to have improved on my performance from last year. Dulled by a full year training for the Ironman and Lands End to John O'Groats cycle my race disintegrated into a death march. However it was another race completed and was a good entry into the psychological well that I will probably have to drink from during the MDS...
I started my first tranch of procuring kit and essentials this last week. I bought two Raidlight bottle holders which affix to the shoulder straps of my backpack. I have four external pockets that are designed to fit bottles in and these two holders will increase the number to 6. They also each come with a 750ml bottle which have a screw top incorporating a flexible straw so you can drink hands free.
I also bought an array of socks and a pair of twin skin shorts to start testing them for the desert. Most of the advice on blogs and in books is get the decision of what shoes and socks you are going to wear done way in advance. They mention that a lot of the people that have really trashed feet have, amazingly, left deciding and buying socks and shoes to the last minute; sometimes even only weeks to spare.
I have bought three different grades of the Injinji inner toe socks and two different pairs of outers (Wigwam Trail Trax Pro RRP and Bridgedale X-Hale Trailhead). Also, as Likey's are having their end of season sale, I bought a nice Marmot fleece that will be perfect at night in and around the bivvie. Another reason for buying this bundle now is to test the speed and accuracy of delivery to the UAE so I know the drop dead date of ordering any last minute things to replace anything faulty or simply stuff forgotten.
The last item in my Likeys hamper was a sachet of Peronin High Tech Food. I have never used this on any of my previous Ultras or during the Ironman, so I wanted to get one to test in December on one of my long runs, before I go back to the UK. The product information and testimonials on their site are quite impressive as it claims, when mixed with water to make shake, that this lunch on the move passes through the stomach within 7 minutes and then absorbed almost immediately in the intestines providing almost a instant hit of energy.
I have also been munching a few things after training that I think I will be taking with me as treats. Things that are definitely going in the bag are Peparami, Beef Jerky, Super noodles and Lemon Tea powder. The star arrival this week has been the Lemon Tea powder as I think that will be quite nice drink to water to rehydrate myself after I have finished each stage; before making a brew.
During the last week I increased my mileage to 32 miles, slightly above my target of 30 miles. Monday was a 7 mile run which took be to the much heralded Safa Park. Regular readers will note this name from previous posts and sense my 'Cities of Gold'-esque obsession with getting there.
Most will not be too surprised to note, aside from the mileage covered, that I was disappointed, especially as things never really turn out as you expected them. Safa park is the antithesis of an English Park. Not only do you have to pay to get it, it has 6 foot high railings around the outside so you never really feel you are at a park, there are only 3 gates to enter and the running track is around the outside. In addition the logic deifying contradiction between the advice signs and distance markers on the running track summed it up. The sign recommends running counterclockwise yet the distance markers are measured in a clockwise direction.
Tuesday was spent doing a 6 mile run down to Jumeirah beach and back. Whilst not a picturesque beach, it will be a useful spot to do some of my sand running as the public section of the beach must be 3 miles long and contains a concrete running track that separates two different grades of sand. The gulf side seems to be the more softer type of sand whereas the city side of the track seems to be more courser and rockier. I just need to find some dunes now.
The rest of the this week contained two 8 mile runs and finally a shorter 2 mile tempo run. I also weaved in some sessions in the gym concentrating on core strength. With the two rest days I was quite pleased as I built the mileage and felt fresh yet the runs were turning from walk/runs into more run/walks.
I suppose the final thing to mention in this, now quite long, abridge to the blog is that to mark passing the 6 month to go point I watched James Craknell's 'Toughest Race on Earth' DVD. This guy is quite simply a legend. Some would say mad, and I would partially agree, but his dedication and ability to push his body not only to the brink but recover quickly to push again the next day, and the next is outstanding.
It made me quite emotional to think that within 6 months I will, hopefully, facing some of my finest days and finding more out about my ability to survive under pressure, in extreme conditions. Despite the fact that my ambition is at the opposite end to the spectrum that James operated within (he wanted to finish in the top 50 whereas I just want to finish) I am not ashamed to say it also made me nervous. I think this is a good sign as all challenges are things that need to be respected. You can't leave any stone unturned during training and preparation so that you line up at the start 100% prepared to give it your best showing.
The next time I expect to post will now probably be the beginning of December. This should be the end of my recovery week, which I am now going to spend in Australia visiting one of my best mates and introducing myself to his gorgeous little boy. This post will also be at the start of my first dress rehearsal as I am running the Dubai Half-Marathon on the 7th December and planning to run a 1/4 MDS that week.
MasaAalama...
This connection has grown my MDS network to three finishers. I am also going to try to get in touch with a few other runners I have met at the Ultras I have completed, as I want to avoid leaving anything to chance when it comes to planning and preparation. For example, it is through these networks I have managed to dodge a couple of bullets already: it had not registered in my mind to date that self-sufficiency also meant packing your own toilet paper and that a pillow would be a great comfort during the night. Hopefully any more gaps in my planning will be filled...
I feel obliged to write an abridged version of the blog. Partially because my training has started to nicely ramp up, partially to mark the fact that I have passed the 6 months to go point and partially because I have continued to make progress with my planning and preparation for the event.
If the phrase that every long journey begins with a single step then each step along the way must be important, regardless of its size. If that is the case I made one of the smallest steps this week but overcame something that has, quite frankly, been doing my head in. Where is that damned whistle on the Raidlight bag. Every blog mentions it, Steve Cushing refers to it...
It is quite ironic that when I managed to find it during today's training run I wasn't even wearing that Rucksack but the Inov8 one that I use in training. I quite simply love running. It allows my mind to wander, ponder things and let the stresses of life wash from me. During one such moment I was looking at my chest strap and suddenly wondered why one of the clasps is a different colour and managed to find the said whistle. Its not a very powerful one but none the less it meets the requirement of the MDS such that one essential bit of kit is obtained; and, for once, at zero cost
I also need to clear up something that might have been unclear from the last post, especially as it worried Paul H to such an extent that he e-mailed me in a bit of a tiswas. I just don't want any person who comes across this blog, whilst doing some research, to get the wrong end of the stick and come a cropper in the desert. The subject was bladders versus water bottles. Currently in training I am using my Inov8 rucksack as in contains a bladder and I don't want to start using my Raidlight combo yet.
I am definitely not using a bladder during the MDS and will be using the external pockets of my Raidlight combo to strap, probably 6, water bottles about my person. My decision was made at the Brecons Ultra last year. In the rush to get to the race briefing, I burst my bladder by being too rough hastily squeezing it in place. I won't have the luxury of replacing any faulty kit in the desert unlike at this race last year.
In addition, the bladder also became fiddly later in the race when I was tired, it was dark and conditions didn't really lend themselves to refilling the bladder. The water bottles will be easier to decant and will also reduce the risk of one faulty bit of kit eliminating me from the race as 1) not much goes wrong with water bottles but, more importantly, 2) if 1 breaks I still have the other 5 to full back on. I have always been lucky over to the years to find some guardian angels. Haynesy is proving an excellent sounding board and I look forward to sharing a beer with him in December.
As an aside, I would love to have entered the Brecons Ultra again year, but certain logistical problems couldn't be overcome. It is a tremendous race, is good preparation for anyone entered into the MDS and I would have loved to have improved on my performance from last year. Dulled by a full year training for the Ironman and Lands End to John O'Groats cycle my race disintegrated into a death march. However it was another race completed and was a good entry into the psychological well that I will probably have to drink from during the MDS...
I started my first tranch of procuring kit and essentials this last week. I bought two Raidlight bottle holders which affix to the shoulder straps of my backpack. I have four external pockets that are designed to fit bottles in and these two holders will increase the number to 6. They also each come with a 750ml bottle which have a screw top incorporating a flexible straw so you can drink hands free.
I also bought an array of socks and a pair of twin skin shorts to start testing them for the desert. Most of the advice on blogs and in books is get the decision of what shoes and socks you are going to wear done way in advance. They mention that a lot of the people that have really trashed feet have, amazingly, left deciding and buying socks and shoes to the last minute; sometimes even only weeks to spare.
I have bought three different grades of the Injinji inner toe socks and two different pairs of outers (Wigwam Trail Trax Pro RRP and Bridgedale X-Hale Trailhead). Also, as Likey's are having their end of season sale, I bought a nice Marmot fleece that will be perfect at night in and around the bivvie. Another reason for buying this bundle now is to test the speed and accuracy of delivery to the UAE so I know the drop dead date of ordering any last minute things to replace anything faulty or simply stuff forgotten.
The last item in my Likeys hamper was a sachet of Peronin High Tech Food. I have never used this on any of my previous Ultras or during the Ironman, so I wanted to get one to test in December on one of my long runs, before I go back to the UK. The product information and testimonials on their site are quite impressive as it claims, when mixed with water to make shake, that this lunch on the move passes through the stomach within 7 minutes and then absorbed almost immediately in the intestines providing almost a instant hit of energy.
I have also been munching a few things after training that I think I will be taking with me as treats. Things that are definitely going in the bag are Peparami, Beef Jerky, Super noodles and Lemon Tea powder. The star arrival this week has been the Lemon Tea powder as I think that will be quite nice drink to water to rehydrate myself after I have finished each stage; before making a brew.
During the last week I increased my mileage to 32 miles, slightly above my target of 30 miles. Monday was a 7 mile run which took be to the much heralded Safa Park. Regular readers will note this name from previous posts and sense my 'Cities of Gold'-esque obsession with getting there.
Most will not be too surprised to note, aside from the mileage covered, that I was disappointed, especially as things never really turn out as you expected them. Safa park is the antithesis of an English Park. Not only do you have to pay to get it, it has 6 foot high railings around the outside so you never really feel you are at a park, there are only 3 gates to enter and the running track is around the outside. In addition the logic deifying contradiction between the advice signs and distance markers on the running track summed it up. The sign recommends running counterclockwise yet the distance markers are measured in a clockwise direction.
Tuesday was spent doing a 6 mile run down to Jumeirah beach and back. Whilst not a picturesque beach, it will be a useful spot to do some of my sand running as the public section of the beach must be 3 miles long and contains a concrete running track that separates two different grades of sand. The gulf side seems to be the more softer type of sand whereas the city side of the track seems to be more courser and rockier. I just need to find some dunes now.
The rest of the this week contained two 8 mile runs and finally a shorter 2 mile tempo run. I also weaved in some sessions in the gym concentrating on core strength. With the two rest days I was quite pleased as I built the mileage and felt fresh yet the runs were turning from walk/runs into more run/walks.
I suppose the final thing to mention in this, now quite long, abridge to the blog is that to mark passing the 6 month to go point I watched James Craknell's 'Toughest Race on Earth' DVD. This guy is quite simply a legend. Some would say mad, and I would partially agree, but his dedication and ability to push his body not only to the brink but recover quickly to push again the next day, and the next is outstanding.
It made me quite emotional to think that within 6 months I will, hopefully, facing some of my finest days and finding more out about my ability to survive under pressure, in extreme conditions. Despite the fact that my ambition is at the opposite end to the spectrum that James operated within (he wanted to finish in the top 50 whereas I just want to finish) I am not ashamed to say it also made me nervous. I think this is a good sign as all challenges are things that need to be respected. You can't leave any stone unturned during training and preparation so that you line up at the start 100% prepared to give it your best showing.
The next time I expect to post will now probably be the beginning of December. This should be the end of my recovery week, which I am now going to spend in Australia visiting one of my best mates and introducing myself to his gorgeous little boy. This post will also be at the start of my first dress rehearsal as I am running the Dubai Half-Marathon on the 7th December and planning to run a 1/4 MDS that week.
MasaAalama...
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