The Final Countdown

It is now just over a month short of 3 years since I got my entry to MdS, a timespan that has seemingly zoomd by this significant point in time. Today it is now a mere 100 days until Steph and I line up at the start. I can now officially start bricking it!!

In all seriousness, there is no fear of what is to come just a great deal of nervous excitement. All that needs to be considered has been and other than a couple of final purchases, all kit has been procured and is ready to go. Foot strategy, which has needed the greatest consideration has been decided on and there is to be no deviation on this now, no matter how many "experts" come along to steer me otherwise.

Mental fortitude has been the element that has been tested the most in the last year, sometimes I have been found wanting and other times I have risen to the challenge. Deciding to put this to the test once more, I entered the annual Llandudno Boxing Day Dip. I had always thought that this consisted of half a dozen nutty pensioners dipping their toes in the water but after a spot of internet study realised this was quite a big affair with more than a smattering of fancy dress around http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91xeU2E09Qw. Surrounded by men in mankinis, santas, elves and even a Bactrian camel (!) I legged it into the water, which the guy on the PA reckoned was minus 11 degrees! I reckon this was for the benefit of sensationalising the event a bit more than the actual water temperature but it was still pretty cold. 



Soggy but strangely warm!



The view from afar!



Most of the entrants were out of the water as soon as they were in but a few of us foolhardy souls stayed in for a while and actually had a swim, which after the initial shock was quite nice. Even better was getting out of the water to be greeted by a better ambient temperature than when I went in.

So now mental fortitude is not in any doubt the 100 day countdown can begin in earnest. Off out in a short while to do extreme shopping - a run down to Tesco with empty daysack and return with one laden with goodies for the next round of Christmas related shenanigans. Ah yes, Christmas. Well I'm happy to say that my body has not been a temple over the last couple of days, especially with an offer on Leffe that I couldn't refuse. In fact the photo above left lends a bit of testimony to that. Not unduly fussed though!

On a totally random note, watched the Inbetweeners movie last night, which was brilliant! Thanks Santa.

Take Me Down to the Paradox City

Apologies for lateness of entry; I typed this at work and then kept forgetting to send it home. The following is an account of training day 27th Nov,

As I woke to the strains of Homer Simpson singing Spiderpig, a more ominous sound was threatening to drown him out. The wind was howling down Moel Y Ci and the rain was lashing against the patio doors (I had slept in the lounge so as not to disturb Emma and the kids when getting up). I was filled with an overwhelming desire to snuggle further down inside my sleeping bag and wait it out, probably 'til about June! I couldn't think of conditions so far removed from those I am expecting come April. I am training for a desert multi stage event in hot dry conditions and here I was planning to go out in cold, wet and windy! Go figure. Fortunately the mental fortitude so sadly lacking last Saturday had returned and I hauled myself to an upright position.

A peculiar breakfast of a Complan chocolate shake and a carefully weighed portion of instant noodles was readily scoffed and I set off to my start point at Llanfairpwll. The trepidation of setting out was still simmering as I switched off the engine but after a dose of MTFU I jumped out of the car, threw on my pack and set off in the rain towards Newborough. I had come up with this route plan a couple of days ago as I really want and need to train in Newborough but no way am I doing it in the dark again. So I thought of using the dark hours to get there, spend a good session on the trails, dunes and beach and then run back to the car. A cursory look on Google maps told me the distance to Newborough was just over 9 miles plus I’d estimated that a circuit of the beach and forest was probably about 6 miles giving a total of 24 miles or in other words a good long run. As it turned out, Google was pretty accurate but Crookesie was way off as, by the time I’d got back to the car, I’d covered 27 miles.

The extra miles in and around the forest were certainly welcome training albeit tough on the pins. As the tide was in I was forced to spend more time in the dunes than on the beach but, again this was all good conditioning and not something to be shied away from. The only downer was that I didn’t really know a path through the dunes and spent a lot of time meandering in a vague direction.

The wind was harsh in exposed areas and I found myself wiping sand as well as sweat from my brow but even with all this hardship, I found myself running with a smile on my face. The backdrop provided by the waves surging towards the beach and crashing on the shore was worth the admission alone.

As I headed away from Newborough back to the car, the sun decided to appear and I had the previously cursed wind to my rear so, although my legs were feeling the effects of sand related exertions, I was feeling pretty good about myself and got back to the car mainly in one piece. As I sit typing these words there are no significant aches and pains and have decided that this run will be a regular event. I may park nearer on the next one and get more sand time under my belt but I’m certainly going back again and again.