I get the feeling a lot of my kit was on its last legs, over the last 4 weeks; 4 pairs of socks, 1 top, 1 pair of running tights and a pair of trainers have had to be committed to the bin! Very thankful to our sponsors for some replacements (see www.team-hope.co.uk for a full listing of sponsors)!
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Gettin' back in the swing!
Well I'd like to say its like riding a bike, get straight back in the saddle. Put your runners on and head out the door.
I suppose technically, it is, although I've learnt there's also a lot more to it. The books magazines and advertising tell you it's all about the right gear, the right nutrition, the right mental attitude (whatever the hell that is?!).
What about the many tips like;
1) When crossing styles on a long run and with tired legs don't forget to lift your trailing leg extra high to avoid being pitched into a bunch of nettles....
2) If using a elasticated lead for your best, 4 legged running partner, ensure it is securely fastened to said beasts collar to avoid injuries from unwanted recoil.....
3) When using older stock running gear make sure you wear suitable under garments to avoid scaring innocent passers by when the inevitable happens......seams fail!
Obviously, I've always pre-planned for these situations and none of the above has ever actually happened to me ;0)
I suppose technically, it is, although I've learnt there's also a lot more to it. The books magazines and advertising tell you it's all about the right gear, the right nutrition, the right mental attitude (whatever the hell that is?!).
What about the many tips like;
1) When crossing styles on a long run and with tired legs don't forget to lift your trailing leg extra high to avoid being pitched into a bunch of nettles....
2) If using a elasticated lead for your best, 4 legged running partner, ensure it is securely fastened to said beasts collar to avoid injuries from unwanted recoil.....
3) When using older stock running gear make sure you wear suitable under garments to avoid scaring innocent passers by when the inevitable happens......seams fail!
Obviously, I've always pre-planned for these situations and none of the above has ever actually happened to me ;0)
Friday, September 21, 2012
What....? Again..?!
Eh, what........do it again? Never, no, been there done that.........sh*t man, what a difference 24 months make.
Yeah, that's right I've just signed up for the Marathon des Sables again. A big part of me keeps asking 'what am I doing?' and yet I've come to realise the experience has had a bigger impact on me than I ever really thought. Colleagues, friends and family regularly groan as I relate another desert 'experience' to a current situation and I would probably do the same, but I'm now in the mind that if I'm ever gonna be able to boast about anything then, completing the 'Worlds Toughest Foot Race' is one of them, and hell why not be able to say 'yeah, I did it..........twice!'. Ever since I returned from the Sahara I've been longing for the wide open places and simplicities of the event..........get up, run, eat sleep and do it again. Every body in the same boat, everybody watching out for each other, pulling together.
So lets see how it goes, MDS 2014 here we come!
Yeah, that's right I've just signed up for the Marathon des Sables again. A big part of me keeps asking 'what am I doing?' and yet I've come to realise the experience has had a bigger impact on me than I ever really thought. Colleagues, friends and family regularly groan as I relate another desert 'experience' to a current situation and I would probably do the same, but I'm now in the mind that if I'm ever gonna be able to boast about anything then, completing the 'Worlds Toughest Foot Race' is one of them, and hell why not be able to say 'yeah, I did it..........twice!'. Ever since I returned from the Sahara I've been longing for the wide open places and simplicities of the event..........get up, run, eat sleep and do it again. Every body in the same boat, everybody watching out for each other, pulling together.
So lets see how it goes, MDS 2014 here we come!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Run away train!
Hi again, I'm currently sat at the kitchen table drinking a strong coffee and suffering from the effects of lack of sleep due to just finishing my night shift, one hour lost due to the clocks changing and too much to do!
I'm out on the streets again today shaking that collecting bucket and then on for my final night shift before I head out to the Sahara on Thursday. I'm hoping the people on the streets aren't fed up of me yet! The fundraising seems to be picking up speed now, it's beginning to feel a bit like a runaway train! I had a live radio interview the other day. That was an experience. I was on immediately after Gordon Brown (yes, the real G.B. our PM) apparently I'd taken David Camerons spot because he couldn't make it. I like to think he was dropped because what I had to say was more important! A word of advice, if you're invited to do something similar make sure you have a list of what you want to say. Because it was a fairly last minute confirmation, I didn't have this and struggled to get my justgiving page mentioned. Apart from that it was a good interview (I'm told!). I've got another photo shoot on Tuesday for some more local media coverage with some of my corporate sponsors. So that side of things is going well.
Anyway, after tonights shift, thats it I'm done. Just a couple of days to get my bags pack and labelled. I wish I'd had chance to get that done earlier so I had more lea way if I need to alter anything............ah well can't do everything!
I'm out on the streets again today shaking that collecting bucket and then on for my final night shift before I head out to the Sahara on Thursday. I'm hoping the people on the streets aren't fed up of me yet! The fundraising seems to be picking up speed now, it's beginning to feel a bit like a runaway train! I had a live radio interview the other day. That was an experience. I was on immediately after Gordon Brown (yes, the real G.B. our PM) apparently I'd taken David Camerons spot because he couldn't make it. I like to think he was dropped because what I had to say was more important! A word of advice, if you're invited to do something similar make sure you have a list of what you want to say. Because it was a fairly last minute confirmation, I didn't have this and struggled to get my justgiving page mentioned. Apart from that it was a good interview (I'm told!). I've got another photo shoot on Tuesday for some more local media coverage with some of my corporate sponsors. So that side of things is going well.
Anyway, after tonights shift, thats it I'm done. Just a couple of days to get my bags pack and labelled. I wish I'd had chance to get that done earlier so I had more lea way if I need to alter anything............ah well can't do everything!
Friday, March 26, 2010
The fund raising experience........
Thought I would let you all know a bit about my fundraising experience. Why? Well, ever since I started down this route so many people have said "it's such hard work" and "it's such a thankless task". So I thought I'd set the record straight, at least from my point of view anyway.
Yes it is hard work however, I have been amazed at peoples kindness and generousity of both the people I have met on the street and the companies I have dealt with. I've really enjoyed meeting folk, some of whom I really didn't think would be interested and speaking to so many people with great tips, advice and stories of their own adventures. It really has been a great experience.
I'd especially like to thank Phil at 'Running Form' Pete at 'New Balance' David at DJ and Ward and of course a big thank you to the continuing support from the people of Burton and surrounding areas! Please keep supporting and donating!
Yes it is hard work however, I have been amazed at peoples kindness and generousity of both the people I have met on the street and the companies I have dealt with. I've really enjoyed meeting folk, some of whom I really didn't think would be interested and speaking to so many people with great tips, advice and stories of their own adventures. It really has been a great experience.
I'd especially like to thank Phil at 'Running Form' Pete at 'New Balance' David at DJ and Ward and of course a big thank you to the continuing support from the people of Burton and surrounding areas! Please keep supporting and donating!
It's the final countdown....do,do,doo,do......do,do,do,do,doo.........!
Sh**e, not long now!
For those of you that don't know in T-minus 5 days I'm heading off to the desert to run in the Marathon des Sables. 155 miles of pure torture across the Sahara desert (perparing myself for the worst!!).
Everybody is asking me the same question "Do you think that you are ready?" well, I don't know if anybody would ever feel completely ready for a challenge like this, but I think I've researched and tested my equipment thoroughly and feel fairly happy with my fitness. I have had a couple of injury set backs so I'm not as far along my training plan as I wanted to be, but I have tested myself on a number of other ultras and coped well, so I guess it's a case of 'suck it and see'!
In summary, I'm feeling apprehensive but keen to get out there!
For those of you that don't know in T-minus 5 days I'm heading off to the desert to run in the Marathon des Sables. 155 miles of pure torture across the Sahara desert (perparing myself for the worst!!).
Everybody is asking me the same question "Do you think that you are ready?" well, I don't know if anybody would ever feel completely ready for a challenge like this, but I think I've researched and tested my equipment thoroughly and feel fairly happy with my fitness. I have had a couple of injury set backs so I'm not as far along my training plan as I wanted to be, but I have tested myself on a number of other ultras and coped well, so I guess it's a case of 'suck it and see'!
In summary, I'm feeling apprehensive but keen to get out there!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Ah, there you are! Been offline for a wee while due to catastrophic failure of my old computer, R.I.P laptop. However got myself a new one and now very much more mobile!
Since the last time I blogged I've managed to keep building on my base fitness with a view to knuckling down on my Sahara specific training after completeing the OMM (class B) unfortunately, thanks to the b*****d grass in the Elan Valley, came away with a suspected torn calf, tendonitis and a 4 week ban on running. Not a great start to my training! Five weeks on and I'm back running again, trying not to push to hard and risk injury again. My longest run so far has been a steady 12 miles but felt great, no niggles. I'm gonna continue with the cross training and easy pacing but steadily increase the weekly mileage.
I'll let you know how things go!
Since the last time I blogged I've managed to keep building on my base fitness with a view to knuckling down on my Sahara specific training after completeing the OMM (class B) unfortunately, thanks to the b*****d grass in the Elan Valley, came away with a suspected torn calf, tendonitis and a 4 week ban on running. Not a great start to my training! Five weeks on and I'm back running again, trying not to push to hard and risk injury again. My longest run so far has been a steady 12 miles but felt great, no niggles. I'm gonna continue with the cross training and easy pacing but steadily increase the weekly mileage.
I'll let you know how things go!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Me
- Run Ryan Run
- I’ve never been one to turn down the chance for adventure, the biggest and most rewarding one so far was starting a family with my (very understanding) wife! We have three kids, George, Gracie and Evie. All of whom put me to shame with their energy and enthusiasm! I've always preferred the chill of the mountains, either climbing up them or snowboarding down them, until I took up running, after a serious on-duty injury, to disprove the ‘shouldn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t’ attitudes I found many people have. Discovering the fun in exploring places and getting to know them by traveling through them on foot has got me into some interesting events in the past; multi-day mountain marathons and ultras, long distance paths and national trail traverses, 84 miles of Hadrian’s Wall, Welsh 3000 and completing the MDS in 2010. Next up Beacons Ultra and a return to the MDS.