RAIN, WIND , MUD AND MORE MUD

Another high mileage week completed in horrible weather. Really pleased with progress as started with a 20 mile run on Sunday and finished with 25.5 on Saturday, and both runs carrying my back pack which I will be using in the MdS, with about 9 or 10 lbs of weight.

In between I had a rest day on Monday, 6miles on Tuesday and 11.5 on each of Wednesday and Thursday, before a further rest day on Friday. Total distance was 74 miles - and now looking forward to a rest week, relatively speaking!

For those who know the Fylde Coast my run on Sunday set off from home, out to the path around De Vere and across Marton Mere and out to the motorway. Then ran to Ballam and ended up on the sea front at Lytham. Ran through St Annes and bought some more water to top up my supplies before running along the beach to Squires Gate. Then made my way back via Highfied Road, Cherry Tree Road and Preston Old Road, finishing with the track round De Vere and then to home.

Yesterday I took part in the Long Distance Walking Association 23 miles "Bottoms Up", taking in Hoghton Bottoms, Salmesbury Bottoms and the surrounding fells. The weather was awful - strong winds, heavy rain for a lot of the run and as most of it was off road a lot of mud, and then some more. I don't want to see a field or a stile for a long time. Initially tried to pick my way through the worst areas but eventually realised it was a waste of time and so just ran through whatever was in front of me - coming up over shoes and ankles in cold water and mud (the photo is of my sand coloured shoes at the end). Had instructions for the route but still managed to get lost on a few occasions so the 23 miles ended up as 25.5. Nearly ended up without instructions as had forgotten to take anything to protect my map etc from the rain and by 14 miles was rapidly deteriorating to pulp! Will be forever grateful to the walker who gave me his protected copy or I might still be out on the fells.

The main item on the news last night was about runners stranded on fells in Lake District taking part in marathon up there. Think they must have had worse weather but can imagine what it must have been like having run on the fells yesterday and just hope everyone is OK.

HAPPY HOME BUILDING PROGRESS

It is good to see the progress that is already being made with building the Happy Home for the Children of Watamu. If it was in England, and particularly if it was the NHS, we would still be arranging a meeting to discuss our Mission Statement!

Seeing the progress is encouraging me to keep going with my training as I want to make certain I complete the MdS and raise as much money as possible. Certainly needed something to motivate me today when I set off with a howling wind and pouring down with rain for a 12 mile run!

BACK TO THE RAIN

What a difference a day makes! On Friday despite only running 7 miles I had to carry water with me. Despite setting off early the temperature had reached the high 20s by the time I got back and I was covered in sweat which was washing the very essential sun cream down my face and into my eyes - very sore and irritating. Yesterday it was windy and the temperature struggled to get into double figures. My face was again covered in water - but this time pure rain water as no need for sun cream. On Friday I was running on dry dusty sand with tracks strewn with volcanic rocks. Yesterday I was splashing my way along muddy footpaths.

Managed another high mileage week (68 miles) although not quite what I had had in mind initially. I had hoped to have a similar week to the previous one with perhaps a slight increase in mileage. Ran 9 miles on Sunday and 12 miles on Monday but felt completely drained. Decided to bring my rest day forward to Tuesday - it was nice to have a lie in rather than getting up to run before it was too hot; the rest did me good. Felt back to normal by Wednesday and so ran 15 miles, followed by 13 on Thursday and a final run in Tenerife of 7 on Friday. My first run back yesterday was just over 11 to complete the week.

I probably shouldn't say it and will regret it after a few runs in the cold, dark and rain - but I actually enjoyed yesterday's run in the rain more than my other runs last week in the sun! I think I just needed a change from the intense heat which is so very sapping of energy. Anyway whether I like it or not it's down to some British training in autumn(!) weather for a while, although hoping to get back to Tenerife for a week and a bit more hot weather training before the end of the year.

Tenerife Week 1 and half " a marathon des sables"

Good training week in Tenerife with excellent weather. Deliberately ran a "half marathon des sables" - not just the total distance but each day was half the equivalent day in the MdeS with a rest day after the long run.

75 miles in total, divided up as 8 miles, 10 miles, 12 miles, 25 miles, rest day, 13 miles and 7 miles. The big one was on Wednesday when I did 25 miles. Planned to get up early and head up to Teide National Park which is about an hour away. Left at 7 - for "warm weather training", but the closer I got and the higher I went the lower the temperature. Started dropping into single figures and before I parked up ice warning light had come on and temperature was 2deg C! Had risen to 7 by the time I set off - wearing 2 shirts and a hat which I thought was too protect me from sun!

However great run in beautiful scenery though still in shade for 7 miles and desperate for sun to shine where I was actually running. Didn't see anyone for 10 miles from Parador running along tracks by side of volcanic mountains until I reached turn round point at El Portillo and got further water supply at the visitor's centre. Another 7 miles back along the same track before I saw anyone else. Got back to car after 20 miles. Did a quick inspection of my feet and as no sign of any blisters did another section of just under 5 miles to make the 25. Temperature in car on return was 30 deg C!

What was particularly pleasing was I was running not only on rough terrain and in the heat but at an altitude of about 7000 feet for my long run. Also all my runs were with a pack on my back - even if only about 3 kgs at this stage.

So half a Marathon des Sables in heat and with a pack - and 6 months to go, so well on schedule. Hoping for another high mileage week starting tomorrow before heading back to UK.

And England managed to win 5 -1 !!

Easy week and now for warm weather training

After my two hard runs and nearly 80 miles in a week, I decided to have a really easy recovery week and did no running. Plenty of walking instead - much to the delight of Della and BB (my boxer dogs). Did about 30 miles of walking and most of that with a rucksac weighing about 8 kgs to get me used to carrying my equipment.

This week have done some more running - despite the awful weather. Wednesday was a bad run and only did 4 miles and it was a real effort; just one of those days which happen from time to time. Thursday saw Cherith and me flying out to our apartment in Tenerife. Did 4 miles this morning and was back by 9a.m. but already getting very warm with clear blue skies. Looks like a really promising day. It was good to run out to the lighthouse and back and to be wearing shorts and vest only after the last few days at home. Will do another short run tomorrow and then planning two weeks of high mileage training in hot weather - although nothing like as hot as next March / April!

Blackpool Gazette ran an article about my run last week so hoping that will raise more awareness and hopefully more sponsorship.

Time to recover with a session of sunbathing by the pool with my iPod and book!

WEATHER - AND BT - DELAY BLOG !!

Have not posted a blog for 3 weeks as have not had a phone at home. A thunderstorm took out my phone line. Despite numerous promises BT has failed to reconnect - 5 scheduled visits have not materialised.

The weather also made me alter my running plans. I was planning to run the 40 mile Coventry Way on 7th September. The weather was so bad with flood warnings in the Midlands that I decided to stay at home. My plan had been to run in the Great Langdale Marathon the following Sunday but to just do the half marathon distance. So as I hadn't done the 40 mile run I decided to give the marathon a go. Nearly didn't even make the start due to the traffic in Windermere!

The marathon is described as the "world's toughest road marathon" and after about 1 mile I realised why. A 1 in 3 incline for about a mile made me decide very rapidly to walk the uphills and run the level stretches and downhill. My intention was to take it nice and steady and see how I felt after the first half and to decide if to continue (the marathon is 2 laps). Despite the hills I felt really good at the half way point, and felt it had not taken anythinfg out of me. I did the second half at a quicker pace (2hrs 20 compared with 2 hours 27), overtook 18 people and was not overtaken by anyone. I felt really good at the end and felt I could have run further.

I had not intended to take part but was aware of the High Peak 40 (www.highpeak40.com) the following Sunday (21st September). As its name implies the run / walk is a 40 miler in the Peak District taking in Mam Tor. As I felt so good after the Great Langdale marathon and recovered very quickly I decided to give it a go. Set off from Buxton at 8a.m, having bumped into Wendy who was running and who I last saw in Antarctica. What a beautiful run - and a good job, because it was incredibly tough. I would think the toughest run I have ever done. My GPS watch showed approximately 7500 feet of ascent - that's like climbing Snowdon twice!.

Managed to get lost after about 23 miles due to a missing road sign. This added about 1.5 miles to the total distance and almost made me give up. Was about to phone Cherith who was supporting me, when bumped into another runner's wife, who kindly gave me a lift back to where I had gone wrong. Got to Tideswell which was the marathon distance and told Cherith I was going to carry on a bit further, but didn't think I would finish. However, got my second wind and by the next checkpoint at 29 miles I was determined to finish. Another lesson learned - keep going through the bad patches and you will get your second wind - hopefully!

As I say probably the toughest thing I have done! Some of the hills were incredibly steep and long and it was impossible (for me) to run the whole way. At about 36 miles there was a horrible ravine which it was difficult to pick my way down - and then back up the other side. This was followed by a series of stiles. Felt at times I could only just about pick my legs up high enough to get over. Wasn't helped by a large blister on my heel - initially started at Great Langdale and became much larger and painful on this run.

Managed to get to the end - and actually was running quite strongly at the finish in a total time of 10 hours and 50 minutes. A great experience as time on my feet is so important and a big psychological boost to manage a very tough marathon and then 6 days later a hilly 40 miler (which turned out to be nearer 42), the furthest distance I have ever done. Encouraged by the way my training is going and still have 6 months to go.

First sponsorship

My first sponsorship has just been made (through the link on the left to justgiving.com.) - and can't believe how generous - £500 which with gift aid etc. comes out at £641-03. Many, many thanks for such a generous donation. It makes a huge difference, not just to the charity but to me personally. It made tonight's training run so much more worthwhile, and easier(!), and gives me extra motivation to pound out the miles in preparation.

Hopefully it will set a standard for others to follow. It wont need many more sponsors at this level to reach my target. I appreciate, however, that most people can't offer an amount like this and want to emphasise that every donation, no matter how much is really appreciated by me, and helps to encourage me, as well as by the children of Watamu, for whom any sponsorship, even £1, will make such a difference. Please dig deep.