Another break, after a little break in running as well. That cold was quite a crappy one to shake off and running the London Ultra probably didn’t really help, followed with a few tentative runs, I pretty much helped the cold to really settle in and stay. So I missed a few runs, including one long one and tried to rest. Luckily this did the job and the cold was gone. My body still didn’t forgive me for another week though and each run was like going through mud.
Just to make things more interesting, my first run back was on the Dune de Pyla, the largest sand dune in Europe, just to get a taste on running in the sand. Another interesting shocker as it took me 3 hours to run a half marathon distance and put me firmly in my place as to similar conditions under my foot for the Sahara. Tiring. Still wondering about poles though as I can definitely see the use up and down dunes, but not convinced that the extra weight is worth it.
Anyway since that fun run, I’ve been up and down mountains, La Montagne Noire, in the south of France, and did my first back to back of over 20 miles and 24 miles respectively, last weekend. The second day 24 miler was very tiring, completely got me, but then I felt even more sprightly the following day and am back in the groove. Just praying to not get another cold now. I’m going to hide indoors and not go anywhere.
On the kit front, still a few things left to get including the sleeping bag and (possibly) mat. I’ve decided to go and try the Decathlon dried food which is supposed to be nicer than the Expedition food and better packed. It’ll be good if only for variety anyway. My snacks are pretty much decided now too – slated cashews, mini saucissons, these lovely powerbar gel blasts things, a bit of beef jerky, and some hemp 9bars. I also need to get some REGO recovery powder to take after each stage, and maybe a recovery bar.
An interesting aside… I won a pair of UK Gear PT-03 Desert shoes and finally got them this week, a half size larger than normal. Decided to go for a run around London with them on Tuesday, and I got my first bloody blister ever. They also felt heavy and quite unwieldy compared to the Brooks Adrenaline ASRs. I know they are supposedly excellent and specific for the desert, but that one blister has made me wary and I don’t want to take anything I’m not 100% sure about. So, they are back in their box. I’ve also decided to stop being anal over socks and will be taking a couple of Injii toe socks for the first half and then using X-socks for the second half (assuming my feet may need a bit more space).
I’ve also the final hurdle tomorrow – the infamous ECG and medical certificate for the race. Hopefully all will be smooth, and then I’m going to book in an acclimation and sweat check session with the Porsche Human Performance centre in Silverstone. Sounds flash.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I was a little nervous as the time now approaches, but mostly I will be extremely glad just to get there and get on with it. And then afterwards, I can return a more normal, calmer training schedule (until the next challenge, naturally…).
