2018 was the beginning, 2019 will see the conclusion… time to get more serious!

Recently, whilst out doing my thing, I’ve had time to properly monitor what’s going on with me physically and there’s so many unanswered questions. So, me being me, decided to localise them and then find out why stuff’s happening. No point in keeping my findings to myself so I’ll post them. You never know, it may help others. So here’s the first:

Running Fact #1
I’ve noticed over the years that when I do a longer distance my core gets really cold. Even in the summer, not only is it noticeable whilst running but it’s really cold to the touch. I’ve always taken it as a sign that I’m not fuelled properly OR that I’m close to hurling but here’s the answer why…

Apparently your cardiovascular system is dynamic, meaning it can change based on the needs of the body. When you exercise, the working muscles call for an increase in blood flow. Obviously oxygen is essential to energy production and obviously blood supplies it.

To facilitate the need, your blood vessels to your muscles dilate. Blood is then shunted away from the organs that are not working because they are not in need of a large amount of oxygen. During running your body is not focusing on digestion, urination or reproduction, so blood is diverted from the stomach area, which causes a cold stomach while running.

I’ll let you have more facts as I find them but hope this one’s a good ‘un.

So, the Xmas period was a time to eat, drink, party, chill & recover from the last 4 months efforts, however, it didn’t mean a complete stop (mostly for fear that I’d have to start all over again).

My anticipated training during the Xmas period lived up to expectations with predominantly shorter runs.

Although totalling out at around 28 miles they were sooo enjoyable. On top of that, I received some awesome gifts that’ll make up some essential kit needed for the Amazon.

The Gurney Goo will hopefully increase skin water resistance and help prevent the dreaded trench foot risk and should also protect against chafe and blisters. Expandable wipes was another cracker (not literally). These look like extra-large tablets. Apparently you add water and they become a wet wipe (remember, it’s all about the weight AND recycling everything possible. So plan is to add water, wash and then bag them for “other” activities). 

On top of that, I’ve finally managed to sort out the inoculations I need. Not as many as anticipated tbh. Tetanus, Hep A, Hep B, Rabies, TB, Typhoid, Yellow fever & Diphtheria. Gonna look like a bloody pin cushion!!

Onto the training progress: Running with my puppies (who actually aren’t so young as you’d think) was amazing on our first run.

Normally their exercise routine involves long walks where they belt off like a couple of complete mentalists.

I was curious how far they ran on a topical one hour walk so I GPS tracked them and, in a normal walk they were actually doing ~6 miles+!!
That kinda made my decision to take them out with me (you have to be a little careful with running under one year olds apparently) more often.

For our first one run out since their “taster”, I clipped them to a 6 foot lead with a splitter so in essence I had both on one lead.Hit the seafront and basically shouted “mush”! OMG it was as if we’d rehearsed it.

Both ran as if they were one. Same pace, same focus, same pull and ignored usual people, other dog etc distractions. It was as if they knew the destination point and just went for it.

The only downside was the speed. The first three miles were horrifically quick at around 7 min miles but you know what, despite everything it was unbelievably good fun.

6 miles was over in the blink of an eye and the furry ones hardly seems to notice.

This time tho’ the dogs absolutely slaughtered my legs. I’ve put it down the lightning pace which I had no way of governing. Sprinting lengthens stride / gait and posture but jeez, did I feel it for the next two days. The subsequent day’s post run saw me wearing  compression socks to help reduce the lactic build up. Nothing worse than walking down stairs like a one year old!

Took in an Xmas day morning 10 miler which I was sure would be a quiet one. Bizarrely, it seems the entire South Coast was out walking or running. 

Just the simple route along the cliff top and back was a crackin’ way to start the day. Met some absolutely lovely people en route and probably spent too long chatting tbh but at the end of the day, it’s humbling to know that people want to know more about what I’m doing as well as the Charity all donations will be going to.

 

Boxing day was a simple 3 miles (had to collect my car from where I left it the night before!). Was a great opportunity to clear my head as well as give the dogs a sprint.

I really have to slow them down a wee bit. That said, where they pull so much, it does make me run more upright.

 

Tackled a two part back to back with a friend on the 28th (thanks Honor) that consisted of a 5.5 mile hill session and then a flat 5 miler.

Still not a fan of the ups but that’ll change during the coming months. From what I’ve been told by the veterans is it’s an essential part of the Jungle terrain and there’s no way I’m going out there being unable to take on the hills.

 

Now we’ve hit the new year, the intention is to get my butt up to Butser Hill and begin the hill running in earnest. If I’m honest, I’m not looking forward to the whole experience since, as you know, I HATE ups!

That said, I’ve chatted to people I’ve seen running Butser and, although I spent a fair bit of time in early 2018 doing it, the general consensus was that it’s a perfect training ground if you’re anticipating inclinations of epic proportions during an event.
Sadly, although it’s on my doorstep it’s still a good 30 min drive so it’s gonna needed to be carefully fitted into the regime.

New Year’s Eve: Ending the year with a slow 10.5 miles along the usual route. Once again, it seemed the entire south coast was out for walks but I met some lovely folk. Steve & his wife from Surrey chatted for ages about the challenge, the charity and their plan for doing more charity work once they retired & Lisa who was out for a run session too and who I ended up running with for a short time nattering about goals.

 

New Year’s Day 2019: Up and at it. Although it wasn’t a planned outing but far more spur of the moment then decided to load up the backpack and head off for some hill hiking. Took the dogs so I could kill two birds with one stone (dog walk & Jungle training).

Hit Butser Hill with the intention of finding the “halfpipe” and seeing how hard it’d be to run it in the future.

Walked the main slope chatting to a great bloke (Shaun) who was out running the incline. We swapped notes on events we had coming up along with experiences and tips. I dare say we’ll end up bumping into each other at some point or other the more I get training in the area.  

My sense of navigation around the Buster area is monumentally poor and on epic proportions so having Shaun point the direction to the halfpipe was really welcome.

Trekked to the area and thought we’d give it a bash going from top to bottom and back up again.

To say it’s steep is an understatement. It borders on being a hands and knees incline and the leg burn was intense and goes on for what seems like eternity but hey, we made it.

I’d contemplated having a second crack at it but figured that it was best left until I was dressed in the right attire (preferably some sort of harness & winch would be the sensible kit).

Headed back over the summit to the opposite side of the main hill before returning the way we’d come. Still a steep incline but nowhere near as bad as the previous one in comparison.

Adding on the missing distance from not starting the run app, it came in at a total of 5 miles but was enjoyable nonetheless and something I’ll be embracing weekly if possible.

 

2^nd Jan: Needed to get back to banging out a longer run having skipped out on the 15+ milers in the Xmas hols.

Although I’ve missed them, having done only shorter runs for the last 10 days, it was the right decision. Felt loads more refreshed.

Again, killing two birds with that proverbial stone, I took the first 11 miles alone then collected the dogs for the last 4 miles.

Having not run in the dark during the holidays it was a bit weird. Back to lugging all the extra kit needed to be able to see with without inflicting unnecessary injury , extra fluid etc all adds to weight. Not grumbling, but it’s strange how quickly you adapt to environment conditions and when it changes it’s a real shock.

Managed to stretch the distance out to the planned 15 miles so quite happy with the end result despite the dogs making me run quicker than my comfort rate by 15 mins. Looking forward to rest day tomorrow.

5^th Jan:
Intentions were to do a Park Run + 10 comfortables ones however, poorly puppy meant a vet visit just as Park Run started. Ended up stepping out the door later than planned with the 10 miles in mind.
Met a couple of ladies out for their training routine. Sadly I forgot to get names (apologies), but one of them has been accepted for the London Marathon in April so she was preparing for that.
Cracked on to the cliff top stage and met a lovely couple (Ems & her husband). I first met Ems when out running the trail about a month ago so it was really nice to be asked how the training was going. Chatted for a wee while before detouring slightly adding on a bigger loop.
Session concluded with another 12.5 miles banked.
Could'vr done more but I have a back-to-back (B2B) of another 10 miles tomorrow around the South Downs (which means HILLS and technically speaking Monday's run will be a B2B2B).

6^th Jan:
Started the session at QE Country Park knowing that it was A)going to be hilly & B) it was going to parts of the South Downs I'd never been.
Tbh, although I've run laps of the circumference of the park (which is 5 miles dead), I had absolutley no idea where I was being led. Ran with the ever experienced Paula Williams who's like a long-life battery when she's running.
Intention was to squish in an ~12 miler and hopefully try and get some gravity on the surrounding area whilst building the stamina for inclines.
Long winding hills were rewarded with the equally similar downhills although they're over in the blink of an eye. Kinda makes you wonder if the slog getting to the top is adequate reward for such a megre time going back down.

After yesterday's 12.5 miles, legs felt OK, just a little heavy and sure, they burned at times but got through it in the end.

Week Ahead Accountability Plan:

Monday will be a flat 10-15 miler along the cliffs Tuesday & Wednesday dojo teaching / training

Thursday will be 11 flat miles back along the cliffs

Friday short 5 miles
Saturday will be running Butser Hill with at least one Halfpipe circuit.
Sunday is Stubbington 10k race (i'm using it as a training sesh and running with friends)

If you're reading this, thank you, if you're reading this and want to hook up for a full / part run, then hey, get in touch and we'll sort something.

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