The Walker With Heart

An 100 mile adventure... Yup, the taper is here and annoying... the carboloading has reached the point where I quite frankly just want to have a simple chicken salad... I feel fat, and unfit... Which is cobblers... Yes, I'm maxed on the weight, but a lot of that is bloat and will come off as I use it.  The fitness thing is that bizarre confidence thing I have - I feel more confident when I'm doing things, which can mean I undertaper and don't go into events completely injury free. So shake the head, dust off the confidence generator and run through the adventures to come... Last day in the office tomorrow, light food (to avoid the bloat still being here on Friday), gentle 3-dimensional yoga (climb) and then finish the packing. The guys organising this madness are transporting my heavy gear between runners villages - so my tent, mat, sleeping bag and normal crap is in my duffle sack.  All I'll be carrying during the day is my clothes (you'll be pleased to...

Where to start? It's been a crap week - Two of the GUCHs I've met through the various conferences died within 3 days of each other. Neither was expected. My impotent rage at not being able to do anything, even being separated by many miles from those who I could at least hug, always drives me batty.  I can't wave a magic wand, I just hope those who need some love know there are waves of it coming from the UK. I said most of what I can at these times before This Game of Ghosts Anything, and everything, else pales to insignificance against that backdrop. However, life goes on and that, for me, means another taper and more carboloading. It's one of those bizarre things about the level of activity that I do I need to eat a lot, and may put weight on the week and a bit before an event.  It's not like a half marathon, I can't fudge it on a bowl of porridge and sneaky gel every 45 min.  I'm going to be pushing myself for the best part of 4 days, I should be...

Hottest day of the year - check 30 miles planned - check Hard climbs at the hottest parts of the day - check... That was possibly the toughest event I have ever done, physically and mentally. Physically, it was about balance - knowing that by going slow I would keep going and that if I went at anything like a pace I'd burn out long before the end.  Balance against that was my desire to do a good time for me (GTFM), GTFM is different than a PB - its just that feel runner get about what should be do-able and you'll be happy with. Mentally, it was best part of 13 hours on my own. Occasionally, chatting with the other back of the pack people as we leapfrogged each other for much of the day and talking to the marshals at the manned checkpoints.  Other than those moments and the arse-hole of a mountain biker... I'll explain in a bit... very little conversation apart from that in my head.  13h in my head - not recommended! The first 21km were good, enjoyable, a known...

I'm worried... I shouldn't be    It's 30 miles...   And, I've done it before   It's going to be hot...   Remember Edinburgh - I was a stone heavier, less fit and less experienced     I've not trained consistently...    Last year you were a freak, this year you're normal   I've not run well all year...     Now I'm being an idiot - 5 mile pb, 2nd fastest half marathon, 2nd fastest 10km      I've not done much endurance work...     Now I'm being annoying - 75 miles in 3 and a half days, single walks of 22 miles in 8:31     I'm carrying post-injury twinges   Yep, I need to get used to it I'm over 40...       Welcome to the inside of my head - don't worry its nice in here!   TTFN   Paul