...it all eventually falls into place.
I can't quite believe that the MDS is only three weeks away. I have survived my training schedule and arrive at the taper period in one piece feeling prepared for battle.
Like all big events, whether they are races, weddings or exams there are times that its human nature that doubt creeps in and then, after usually some crisis in confidence Adrenalin kicks in, you make some good decisions and get a big sprinkling of luck such that it all comes together.
That's how the last three weeks seem to have felt like for yours truly. My last week in Dubai was the longest running week of my life, to date. I clocked 85 miles that week running varying distances on one out and back route. It was truly brain numbing.
I was 'saved' from hitting the magic 100 mark as the brother of one of my university mates was out in Dubai visiting friends. We had one messy night watching football. I always feel that losing your shoes in a midnight game of pool doesn't bode well for the following days run. Still I got out, which was a mini victory, and completed a 14 miler; but still short of what I needed that day to get to 100 miles. On the plus side, not only did I probably dodge an injury bullet, the beer meant I could celebrate the end of the training phase in style.
I flew back to the UK a few weeks earlier than planned. The Mencap MDS team fly to Morocco from Gatwick on the 4th April so I envisaged getting back to the London late March, but I decided to come back earlier to get my medical and ECG done.
I was starting to get quite nervous about my medical. Aside from the fear of wasting a years training if I failed the medical I was putting all my faith in my wife's company and the Dubai medical system to understand what was required and get it scheduled before I flew back to the UK. The daily 'no ECG/medical no race e-mails' from the race organisers didn't help quel my fears.
In the end I booked to attend a seminar hosted by Sandbaggers, a company specialising in exotic ultra races, which included the option of a medical. Apart from the location, Stevenage isn't one of those places that looks lovely on a rainy winter day, it was a very productive day. I couldn't recommend it highly enough for any future MDS competitors, or even anyone that is even considering entering the event.
The day consisted of a series of talks about kit, desert hygiene, foot maintenance, hydration and nutrition. It also enabled me to purchase the last bits of my kit. After months of deliberating I even finally bought some walking poles. The logic that they could come in handy if you turned one of your ankles eventually won the day. It didn't take much hard work to blow another £150 on these poles and some other bits of kit.
I can't quite believe that the MDS is only three weeks away. I have survived my training schedule and arrive at the taper period in one piece feeling prepared for battle.
Like all big events, whether they are races, weddings or exams there are times that its human nature that doubt creeps in and then, after usually some crisis in confidence Adrenalin kicks in, you make some good decisions and get a big sprinkling of luck such that it all comes together.
That's how the last three weeks seem to have felt like for yours truly. My last week in Dubai was the longest running week of my life, to date. I clocked 85 miles that week running varying distances on one out and back route. It was truly brain numbing.
I was 'saved' from hitting the magic 100 mark as the brother of one of my university mates was out in Dubai visiting friends. We had one messy night watching football. I always feel that losing your shoes in a midnight game of pool doesn't bode well for the following days run. Still I got out, which was a mini victory, and completed a 14 miler; but still short of what I needed that day to get to 100 miles. On the plus side, not only did I probably dodge an injury bullet, the beer meant I could celebrate the end of the training phase in style.
I flew back to the UK a few weeks earlier than planned. The Mencap MDS team fly to Morocco from Gatwick on the 4th April so I envisaged getting back to the London late March, but I decided to come back earlier to get my medical and ECG done.
I was starting to get quite nervous about my medical. Aside from the fear of wasting a years training if I failed the medical I was putting all my faith in my wife's company and the Dubai medical system to understand what was required and get it scheduled before I flew back to the UK. The daily 'no ECG/medical no race e-mails' from the race organisers didn't help quel my fears.
In the end I booked to attend a seminar hosted by Sandbaggers, a company specialising in exotic ultra races, which included the option of a medical. Apart from the location, Stevenage isn't one of those places that looks lovely on a rainy winter day, it was a very productive day. I couldn't recommend it highly enough for any future MDS competitors, or even anyone that is even considering entering the event.
The day consisted of a series of talks about kit, desert hygiene, foot maintenance, hydration and nutrition. It also enabled me to purchase the last bits of my kit. After months of deliberating I even finally bought some walking poles. The logic that they could come in handy if you turned one of your ankles eventually won the day. It didn't take much hard work to blow another £150 on these poles and some other bits of kit.
I also handed my trail shoes to the organiser as he took them back to Scotland for their Glasgow based cobbler to attach their patented gaiters to them. I received them yesterday via courier so a 5 day turn around was quite quick and I am really impressed with the gaiters and the fitting service.
The medical was actually quite straight forward in the end. The doctor was the inspirational Dr Andrew Murray; the nutters' nutter. This guy eats ultra marathons for breakfast and combines being the quack for British elite athletes with completing mad challenges like doing seven ultras in seven days and a bonkers run from John O'Groats to the Sahara. A very humble dry witted guy but more importantly he stamped and signed my medical and ECG.
The biggest headache of the whole medical was finding out my blood group. Despite being assured by Sandbaggers that either my doctor would know my blood group or that as a final resort most chemists should stock a home testing kit neither proved fruitful.
My doctor wouldn't refer me to a walk in centre. A&E told me to do one when I said I wasn't sick. Even the blood donation refused to take my blood after some questioning as they were concerned that I wouldn't recover my oxygen carrying capacity in time. In the end I had to buy a home testing kit of Amazon and reassure Dr Murray that I would complete that section of the medical before I went to the Sahara.
The medical was actually quite straight forward in the end. The doctor was the inspirational Dr Andrew Murray; the nutters' nutter. This guy eats ultra marathons for breakfast and combines being the quack for British elite athletes with completing mad challenges like doing seven ultras in seven days and a bonkers run from John O'Groats to the Sahara. A very humble dry witted guy but more importantly he stamped and signed my medical and ECG.
The biggest headache of the whole medical was finding out my blood group. Despite being assured by Sandbaggers that either my doctor would know my blood group or that as a final resort most chemists should stock a home testing kit neither proved fruitful.
My doctor wouldn't refer me to a walk in centre. A&E told me to do one when I said I wasn't sick. Even the blood donation refused to take my blood after some questioning as they were concerned that I wouldn't recover my oxygen carrying capacity in time. In the end I had to buy a home testing kit of Amazon and reassure Dr Murray that I would complete that section of the medical before I went to the Sahara.
The final good bit about the seminar was it allowed a bit of silent self gloating as there were quite a few competitors that were still researching socks and food. One guy was even debating the benefits of injecting blisters with Super Glue...
This last week I even met up with 'TheTwo Pauls', my trusty race advisers. Going through some last minute advice aside, it also meant I could get my hands on the two last bits of kit that I was borrowing. From Paul G I got loaned his trusty Garmin Forerunner 101 watch that runs on AAA batteries so, unlike others, who will have to pack bulky solar chargers I can squeeze in a few batteries. From Paul H I got my cooking stove, cooking pot and windshield. These have been to the Sahara for the last two years MDS so i am looking forward to completing the hat trick.
I also popped into a Pharmacy and got my first aid kit together. I am amazed that some people can afford to be ill as I left the pharmacy minus £50 lighter than when I entered.
This last week I even met up with 'TheTwo Pauls', my trusty race advisers. Going through some last minute advice aside, it also meant I could get my hands on the two last bits of kit that I was borrowing. From Paul G I got loaned his trusty Garmin Forerunner 101 watch that runs on AAA batteries so, unlike others, who will have to pack bulky solar chargers I can squeeze in a few batteries. From Paul H I got my cooking stove, cooking pot and windshield. These have been to the Sahara for the last two years MDS so i am looking forward to completing the hat trick.
I also popped into a Pharmacy and got my first aid kit together. I am amazed that some people can afford to be ill as I left the pharmacy minus £50 lighter than when I entered.
Completed Kit List
Everything is sitting in a pile on the bedroom floor and I just need to satisfy myself that it all goes into my rucksacs and sits comfortable on my back. This next week I will be decanting my food from their bulky and heavy foil containers into the 'Store and Pour' bags I bought from Amazon. Not only saving space and weight it should help me pack the back so it sits nicely on my back. I will probably have a few goes getting it right this week and have a few walks around the block to see how it all feels.
On the running side, since returning from Dubai I have reduced my week mileage considerably. I have been totalling 40-50 miles with most runs being nice little 8 milers. These next, last two weeks, before leaving on the 4th April, I will be doing my tapering. The first week will probably be four 8 mile runs and the last week a couple of four mile runs.
I will also be checking out a couple of websites so that I know how to use my compass, even though I have been reliably informed that only an idiot could get lost in the desert on this race...
After thinking for months about this race and expecting to be quite nervous by now I am actually very excited and looking forward to the off. I suppose the nerves can wait for another day... :-)
MasaAlama...
After thinking for months about this race and expecting to be quite nervous by now I am actually very excited and looking forward to the off. I suppose the nerves can wait for another day... :-)
MasaAlama...
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