There are only 10 more
days until my ultra so every run counts, every run finishes the job
and completes the miles Id laid down on paper, seemingly so long ago.
The end is near, at least for this chapter anyway. Ive got a little
100 miler to do next summer and Ive decided Im going to continue my
blog for that too! The blogs really been helping me, its been a good
tool to look back at my sessions, to offload any pressures and has
made all this journey seem so much more real and added a validity to
it. I cant wait for the race.
I completed my run, got
home and had a gentle stretch. I made some scrambled eggs for my
breakfast, made a pork casserole and shoved it in the slow cooker,
sorted my lunch, tidied up and got my self ready for work. Not a bad
mornings work if I dont say so myself. I was on a Project Management
course at work today and I found the first day quite interesting as
its something that applies to my job really well. I went home and got
changed for Bootcamp! Yes it was back for a once a month special.
After Bootcamp I showered, had some lovely Pork and Apple Casserole
with rice, tidied up, put the boy to bed and wrote this blog.
Running: 7.14miles 8.45/mi 1 hour
I was stiff when I set
out into the dark morning. The waxing super moon glowed silvery and
bright in the morning haze as I made my way on my regular route
around the island. I had a flashing arm band on as it was still pitch
black, its red LEDs flashing, seemingly in time with my footsteps. I
tried to clear my mind but it was, as usual, full of crap, so I just
ran. The sun started its slow arc into the sky half way through my
run, flooding the dark with pastel shades of purple and pink. Above
me the sky was clear but a little fuzzy around the edges as the
morning mist started to rise along the channel. It is a very peaceful
time of day and fills me with so much energy for the coming day.
I turned off the coast
and ran the 2 miles back to home, soaking in the uplifting, bright
and colourful sunrise. The clouds on the horizon had created what
looked like a mountain range high above the land, the sun lit
them from behind, giving them an edge and shape. My run came to a
gentle end and I slowed to a jog, warming down. Im still quite low
after the weekend and with so much going around in my head Ive
decided to talk to someone about it.
It had been a lovely
mornings run but my head was still full of feelings and thoughts I
dont need or want so I will have to get that sorted and soon!
The Return of GB BOOTCAMPS!!
It seems like an
eternity since I had my last bootcamp session. If you didnt know its
what started me on this crazy ass journey and the main man, Gareth
has become such a close friend, coach and mentor to me over the
last 2 and a half years giving me amazing advice and pushing me hard
whenever we train. It was so good to see many of the old faces there
tonight and although a few regulars were missing we still had a good
craic and a right laugh as we always do. Id not thought about how
much I miss the camaraderie because of my recent training, but it all
came flooding back tonight as we enjoyed catching up with each other.
 |
| The Bootcamp Posse |
Gareth called us
together to get started and we did some mobility exercises to get the
blood flowing ready for a hard workout. As always happens at his
point, before it gets hard work the double entendres start to flow
and it soon degrades into laughter. Its more like “Carry on
Bootcamp” at the start and its one of the many reasons we all come
back, the laughter, mixed with the hard work and friendships makes an
addictive cocktail.
Because of the once a
month format, Gareth had decided to do a base line fitness test that
we could use to compare our progress with next time we met. It was a
lap of the block (about 500m) then straight into 20 press ups, 20
squats, 20 sit ups and finally 10 Burpees (If you've never met a
Burpee, google it then try one - they aren't easy). I had already
decided to push hard tonight, I needed the release for one, but I
also wanted to see how my fitness was after all the hard work Id been
putting in. We all gathered in a line and set off. I bolted from the
off, letting my quick pace push me along. I was breathing hard but it
was only a short distance, so I let myself push harder. I was first
one back and launched straight into to the press up, pushing the
floor away and quickly returning as I breathed deep, keeping my core
tight and my back straight. Next were the squats and situps which I
completed with no trouble.
My breathing was now
slowing down from the run and I threw myself to the floor for the
Burpees. The full body exercise used to be my nemesis. Because of the
problems I had with my back, I could only ever do 1 or two, but with
perseverance and the mentality to work on what your weaknesses are,
Ive mastered them. I squatted down, my hands on the freshly cut grass
and with arms straight, I kicked my legs out to land in a press up
position. Then the powerful muscles in my hips thrust upwards and I
pulled my legs under my torso landing on my feet. Continuing the move
I extended quickly, jumping my weight from the floor in one movement.
On my return to earth (after jumping 60 feet high!! ;) ) I bounced gently
and bent straight into a squat again keeping the momentum high for
the next rep. I finished the test and cooled down, Id pushed myself
hard but my recovery was quick ready for the main workouts.
 |
| Thruster - Squat with a 20kg sandbag shoulder press |
Food Diary:
Breakfast:
4 Scrambled eggs with 2
slices of GF Bread
Lunch:
Mackerel, avocado and
rice salad.
Dinner:
Homemade Pork and Apple
Casserole with vegetables and wholegrain rice.
Snacks:
Banana, Apple, nuts and
seeds, flapjack, Seed 9bar, oatcakes with humus.
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