On track for the 208 mile Tor Des Geants

Sorry folks, it's been quite a while since I last posted !

Where to start...... well I'm on track fitness and training wise for the Tor des Geants in Italy in September.

So far this year in the build up to the Tor Des Geants I've completed the following races;

19th March 2011, The D33, 33 miles in 5hr 15mins

30th April 2011,   The Highland Fling, 53 miles in 12hrs 24mins, 

21st May 2011,    The Cateran Trail,  55miles in 10hrs 58mins, 16th place overall.

11th June 2011,   The Roparun,  530 Kilometre Relay race from Paris to Rotterdam in aid of Cancer Charity.

18th June 2011,  The West Highland Way Race,  95 miles in 23hrs 46mins, 43rd place overall.

So since March an Ultra every month as training !
In between Ultra races I've been mixing up my training with a combination of road biking, running and core strength conditioning.
I use my 2 x road bikes, 1 x geared, the other a single speed track bike, to commute to and from work at a total of 14 miles per day, using the various traffic lights and roundabouts for sprint intervals.
For running I've been doing a combination of hill rep sessions, long slow runs, fartleck sessions and intervals, total mileage is variable from 30 to 70 miles per week. I tend to listen to my body and if I feel tired or sore I'll ease off the training. I think this policy has kept me free of injury so far, touch wood !
For core strengthening I have joined British Military Fitness, and have been attending 1 to 2 x  1 hour sessions per week. I'm enjoying it because I've been getting lazy and it gives me the push I need to improve my core strength,  I've been finding it too easy to just 'tick' along with my running. For the Tor Des Geants I am going to need to dig deep into untapped reserves just to complete the race.
Other training preparations have involved running up and down Lochnagar, and trying out running poles to see if they will assist me on some of the steep climbs and descents, all this without stabbing myself !

Friday 29th July I'm heading down to the Lake District to help out and  marshall at the Lakeland 100 Ultra Race, manning Checkpoint 7, Dockray, with 2 other fellow runners. I'm really looking forward to it as it gives me an opportunity to give something back, as last year when I ran the Lakeland 100 the marshalls really kept me going!  Whilst down there hopefully I'll get in some fell running.

Following on from the lakes, Vicky and I will be spending the week touring Wales, where Vicky has organised an early birthday treat / activity for me, god knows what she's planned !!

TOR DES GEANTS 2011

I have a starting place in the 2011 Tor Des Geants, 1 of 4 British runners in an international field of 500.
http://www.tordesgeants.it/
330 Km ( 200 miles ) of alpine trails in the Val d'Aosta, Italy, with 24,000 metres of ascent in one single stage and a 150 hour time limit, starting and finishing in Courmayeur. I think it's a gross understatement when I say it's going to be tough ! But I can't wait, it's going to be an incredible adventure.
So preparation is underway.
I've been ticking over with training through the past snowy winter months, averaging 50 to 60 miles per week on roads and trails, although not as much hill work as I would have liked due to conditions. When possible I've been cross training on my single speed road bike, keeps the muscles working without the concussion of running. Now the weather is improving I can start to vary my run training more by including some long hill sessions. I will keep you posted on the training.
I've also introduced some 'core' training, core muscle groups, abs etc. I'm using an exercise dvd at home along with some dumbbells, so will let you know the outcome. I'm loathe to spend out on a gym membership due to 1) the monthly cost and contract, 2) the relatively little time I would use it, I prefer to run/train outdoors and 3) I don't like posers, the ones who are always admiring themselves in the gym mirrors!
As well as training I'm also testing out kit.
I have just invested in a Salomon Advanced Skin 5 S-Lab Back pack. First impressions are that this is one cool piece of kit. I've done a few short runs, ( 6 to 7 milers ), and it is very comfortable, giving a lot of freedom of movement, however I have a lot more testing to do with regards to packing in the required kit etc, so I will give a full kit review in the coming weeks.
Other recent kit investments include; Salomon XT Wings 2 Trail shoes ( December 2010) and Salomon S-Lab 3 Trail Shoes (November 2010), so again I'll keep you posted on how these items stand up to the terrain and training load.
So all the best everyone,

Gary M

Angus exploration

This weekend we celebrated our wedding anniversary by nipping down to Angus for a relaxing mini-break. The Spittal of Glenshee is a favourite haunt of ours. The views are spectacular and the hotel is so cheap and cheerful that it's positively sublime! Bed and breakfast for the pair of us was only £20!

After breakfast this morning we headed off into the wilds of Angus in search of adventure and daring-do. Just a few miles south of Glenshee is Reekie Linn, near Alyth. It's a gem of a waterfall. The walk to the falls can be a little hazardous (150 ft sheer drop along the path) but the views are impressive.

The falls are also just a two minute drive away from Peel Farm, if you're in need of a wee fancy piece and a cuppa. Oh, and there's a gift shop there too - fatal for those of us who can't help having a wee browse. Don't ask why I came away with a kilo bag of cinammon sticks and a walnut clock............all will be revealed nearer to Christmas.

Welcome to our new Blog.

Hi All,

Welcome to our Blog.
Over the coming while we'll be posting various news items. Myself mainly about running,  including Ultras, Mountain Marathons, Orienteering etc and Kit reviews. I'm known as the 'Imelda Marcos' of running shoes! There might also be reviews of the numerous Coffee & Tea Shops that myself and Vicky visit on our travels, along with news of our Diving adventures.
Vicky will be blogging mainly from the perspective of a long suffering, non-running partner, support crew, and if I'm honest....BOSS !!

Cheers,

Gary Morrison