Rest Day Over...
Woke up this morning and after thinking about the overwhelming support on FB for me to keep the blog going, my thoughts were pretty much turned straight to the run later.
Don't worry, I'm not turning into a weird obsessive but planning is everything I think. So, working out when to fit it in and what temperature will be should help get me into the right mindset habit.
Legs feel OK but my back is a wee bit sore from Tuesday's run. I'm sure it just acclimatising to the pack and it'll get stronger. Fortunately the forecast says we're looking at 24 degrees so should be reasonable - appreciative that we'll be running in the Amazon heat of well in excess of 32 degrees I can't afford to attempt that heat with a heavy pack just yet so it's made me feel less wimpy & more realistic.
So, the plan's to get out and do the 6 miles with 4kg straight after work but focus on taking a slightly diverted route and adding in 1.5 more onto it.
It makes me inwardly chuckle when I think that it was only 8 weeks ago that we set off for the IoW 66 mile ultra and here I am focusing on a measly 6-7.5 jog, but believe me, the weight makes an immense much difference.
That said, you simply have to admire larger people for making that decision in life
to get fitter by running. By definition they carry extra weight and still get out there and make changes whilst being up against it right from the off.
Personally, I've always ha huge respect for people I see jogging when overweight .Not only because society is easy to mock but the reality is, they're bloomin' heros in my opinion.
If you think it's easy, plonk 14lb of weight (that's 1 x stone / 6.5Kg) into a bag and try it!! Bloody hard graft I can tell ya. Increase that to 2,3,4 stones you'd fricken die (I know I would)!
Anyway, I digress... recommendations from various experienced Jungle runners have advised running in soaked shoes so that feet get accustomed to what's coming but tbh, I think the UK weather will deliver that in the Autumn & Winter :o/
Clearly the 4kg bladder rucksack was too small to get anything more than 4kg in so placed an order for an Ultimate Direction Fastpack 25. Not cheap but it was recommended and should be OK to use for the event next year. It could be here tomorrow so planning to try 6kg + 6 miles eeeeeek!! It's due for delivery today / tomorrow so assuming it does, the next run will go from 4Kg to 6kg.
Trepidation is the only word to describe how bad that's going to be but hey, stick to the plan:
2kg to 4kg to 6kg to 8kg, get 6-7 milers done repeatedly and then work on extending the distance. It's sounds like a good plan, now just gotta stick to it.
The bigger worry is that in the coming months I still have, nutrition, clothing, tactics, mandated kit, travel logistics, hydration, chamber training & sponsorship to figure out but hey, flights are booked and race place is secured (I think there's only 50 entrants per year) so the rest'll be easy right?
Interestingly, saw someone yesterday who'd read the blog :o)
She asked why I was putting myself through something so physically & mentally challenging so here we go with the honesty stuff..
I think the main attraction is to do shit that nobody else is likely to do in their life.
That said, it has other benefits (despite the whole "distraction" / void filling" thing) it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and a superb way to raise a little much needed support for an amazing local charity that helps kids through some pretty hard medical times with their families. Do ya need any more reasons than that?
Sure, it's a crazy thing to do but we're only here once, I know I'm mentally strong (stubborn even) and right now I'm blessed enough to have a body to do this. I guess we shouldn't bank on our health always being good so make the most of every opportunity eh?
More to follow soon folks but feel free to leave comments / encouragement / questions in the comments x
Woke up this morning and after thinking about the overwhelming support on FB for me to keep the blog going, my thoughts were pretty much turned straight to the run later.
Don't worry, I'm not turning into a weird obsessive but planning is everything I think. So, working out when to fit it in and what temperature will be should help get me into the right mindset habit.
Legs feel OK but my back is a wee bit sore from Tuesday's run. I'm sure it just acclimatising to the pack and it'll get stronger. Fortunately the forecast says we're looking at 24 degrees so should be reasonable - appreciative that we'll be running in the Amazon heat of well in excess of 32 degrees I can't afford to attempt that heat with a heavy pack just yet so it's made me feel less wimpy & more realistic.
So, the plan's to get out and do the 6 miles with 4kg straight after work but focus on taking a slightly diverted route and adding in 1.5 more onto it.
It makes me inwardly chuckle when I think that it was only 8 weeks ago that we set off for the IoW 66 mile ultra and here I am focusing on a measly 6-7.5 jog, but believe me, the weight makes an immense much difference.
That said, you simply have to admire larger people for making that decision in life
to get fitter by running. By definition they carry extra weight and still get out there and make changes whilst being up against it right from the off.
Personally, I've always ha huge respect for people I see jogging when overweight .Not only because society is easy to mock but the reality is, they're bloomin' heros in my opinion.
If you think it's easy, plonk 14lb of weight (that's 1 x stone / 6.5Kg) into a bag and try it!! Bloody hard graft I can tell ya. Increase that to 2,3,4 stones you'd fricken die (I know I would)!
Anyway, I digress... recommendations from various experienced Jungle runners have advised running in soaked shoes so that feet get accustomed to what's coming but tbh, I think the UK weather will deliver that in the Autumn & Winter :o/
Clearly the 4kg bladder rucksack was too small to get anything more than 4kg in so placed an order for an Ultimate Direction Fastpack 25. Not cheap but it was recommended and should be OK to use for the event next year. It could be here tomorrow so planning to try 6kg + 6 miles eeeeeek!! It's due for delivery today / tomorrow so assuming it does, the next run will go from 4Kg to 6kg.
Trepidation is the only word to describe how bad that's going to be but hey, stick to the plan:
2kg to 4kg to 6kg to 8kg, get 6-7 milers done repeatedly and then work on extending the distance. It's sounds like a good plan, now just gotta stick to it.
The bigger worry is that in the coming months I still have, nutrition, clothing, tactics, mandated kit, travel logistics, hydration, chamber training & sponsorship to figure out but hey, flights are booked and race place is secured (I think there's only 50 entrants per year) so the rest'll be easy right?
Interestingly, saw someone yesterday who'd read the blog :o)
She asked why I was putting myself through something so physically & mentally challenging so here we go with the honesty stuff..
I think the main attraction is to do shit that nobody else is likely to do in their life.
That said, it has other benefits (despite the whole "distraction" / void filling" thing) it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and a superb way to raise a little much needed support for an amazing local charity that helps kids through some pretty hard medical times with their families. Do ya need any more reasons than that?
Sure, it's a crazy thing to do but we're only here once, I know I'm mentally strong (stubborn even) and right now I'm blessed enough to have a body to do this. I guess we shouldn't bank on our health always being good so make the most of every opportunity eh?
More to follow soon folks but feel free to leave comments / encouragement / questions in the comments x
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