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2nd Mountain Marathon of the year
We made it back from the Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon. What happened to England whilst we were away?
Stephen and I got back from the Lake District late last night. Safe and well. Just a few tick bites, cuts, bruises and the odd bit of cramp.
Based out of Grasmere we managed 8.5 hours on day 1 and 5.5 hours on day 2. In total 14 hours. I guess we climbed 6,000 feet in total.
Day 1 was something of a minor disaster in terms of being competitive. Poor control placement and tiredness saw us wander over the finish line in a poor state of mental and physical health. Day 2 saw us stronger, more focused and more in tune with the terrain. A much more competitive day, we kept pace with many of the other pairs around us.
Strangest thing to happen was meeting cousin Andy at the finish. No idea how we managed to miss each other for the whole weekend. We camped 10 tents apart at the overnight camp. Great to see him in any case.
The sun was very severe on day 2 but somehow it did not seem to affect us. I guess extreme discomfort is extreme discomfort no matter which type is being thrown at you at that time. You kind of accept you are going to be on the edge so who cares what the latest challenge is.
We travelled over some stunning mountains. Great Langdale and the like have to be some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
Ok, so we did not set the world alight with our times but this is our first season of Mountain Marathons and we are learning fast. We still have to work out the best footwear for the variable terrain and we have to work out how to carry water more effectively. Filling a bladder every 30 minutes just does not work.
Doing the MM brings out strange emotions in me. Prior to the race I am excited, during the race I have emotional highs and lows and after I am exhilarated. There are times during the race where I swear to myself that I will not put myself through this again. The next morning I am now planning a full year of training to be even more competitive (and therefore more discomfort) for next year. Why do we do it?
It is interesting that I take heart form hearing that much stronger runners have similar if not worse issues than I have. It is kind of good to know that those that I aspire to have the same extreme discomfort and difficulty travelling over the terrain. I suffer from a deep sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, cousin Andy suffers the same. I came across many other similar tales of woe from some excellent athletes.
Having now experienced this twice in two weeks; I can see that mental toughness has a major impact on your performance. You nearly have to crave the pain, tiredness and discomfort. True grit in the John Wayne style. Interestingly; I believe I do not have true grit but do it anyway. Not sure why?
Anyway, we do it again in three weeks. This time the Capricorn. Think this is becoming addictive!
Recovery
OK, so it has been two days since we finished the mountain marathon.
There are no major injuries other than a little stiffness. Stephen is the same apart from a little cramp.
I have put back on 2 of the three pounds I lost in weight. I guess dehydration was the cause of most of the weight loss. Stephen is planning to lose a further stone in weight. This will put him at around 10.5 stone. I guess this will put him at perfect running weight for him.
The weather was gorgeous yesterday evening so Trees and I decided a BBQ was on order. We needed an excuse to ensure the BBQ was in working order so we went for it.
Popped over to Tesco's to organise get the BBQ food. We both fell for the Tesco strategic positioning of seasonal goods. Came away with a pink tent, 2 pink funky sleeping bags, an exercise mat, 2 CD's and other non urgent goods. Hook, line and sinker. Have to say that Tesco know their stuff.
Looks like the Sparrows have fledged. It is very quiet in the nest. Does that make us proud parents?
The Sunflowers stood proud for a few days outside. Looks like they cannot take the heat and wind though. Now kind of looking dispirited. They reached 8 feet high in the end.
Trees is suffering from bad hay fever at the moment. Trees is going in to work late this morning. The air conditioning unit in the bedroom helps and the relief from the heat is great. Many people at work did not sleep with the heat last night. I slept like a baby for 7 hours.
Tuesday
Managed to pop out for a run at lunch. First time I have done this from work. Managed a steady 4k (ish) run along the canal to the Tunnel Top. Strangely it is my shoulders and arms that feel the most tired after the Mountain Marathon. Also probably the warmest day of the year to date. I an kind of running well in the heat this year. Historically I would have really struggled. Must be the general fitness that gets me through. Met with Kwai after work to catch up on opportunities. He has many ideas on the go; solar, brollies, leadership, sell by date reminders and others. Will be interesting to see if he succeeds with these over the next 12 months. Managed to catch the end of the Italy vs. Germany World Cup semi final. Italy sneaked it in the last 2 minutes of extra time. Glad the Germans lost but I had them in the office sweepstake. Managed to get 7 hours sleep each of the last 2 nights. Helps with general tiredness I feel after the Mountain marathon.
Wednesday
Good day.
Tiredness starting to lift after the MM. Although I did feel very heavy legged during a run around Sale Water Park whilst waiting for Lauren. The heavens opened to cool me down during this heat wave.
Went to see "Just My Luck" with Lauren at the Odeon Filmworks Manchester. Only a few people in the audience. Very funny film. Only just stopped myself from laughing too loud and embarrassing Lauren.
Another good night for sleep. Another 7 hours. I am on a roll.
Squash
Trees decided that a game of squash was in order for last night. So we duly proceeded to Wrexham Total Fitness.
It is some years, if not decades, since I played squash and this was a first time for Trees.
I guess we were quite amateurish but we had great fun in any case. Quite a shock to our body for both of us. I twisted my wrist and elbow, cricked my neck and pulled my lower back. Trees had similar issues along with a few bruises where she collided with the wall.
It is amazing how much speed and agility you lose as you get old.
Having said that, we sometimes could not play for laughing. It was a hoot. In fact, Trees is talking about doing this weekly.
I guess it is great speed and agility training and can be counted as easy or cross training when considering my 12 month Mountain marathon training plan.
Trees is stiff all over whereas I am fine this morning.
Also did dome stretching last night and popped over to Pats. Jodie is getting so old (the dog). Can hardly stand up, see and is basically deaf. That might be me in a few years!
What a long weekend. Feel like I have been away for a week. Friday night picked up Lauren and went over to Cheshire Oaks. Had a great Mexican meal with Lauren whilst we waited for Trees to arrive. First Mexican for both of us. Not sure why but we have been missing out on some great grub. By the time Trees arrived we were both stuffed solid. Not sure how we got our ice cream down during the film. Watched the next Pirates of the Caribbean (Dead Man's Chest?). Trees and Lauren loved it but I was surprisingly disappointed. I kind of lost the plot a number of times during the film. Must be old age. I guess I might enjoy it more second time around. Saturday morning I went over to Oswestry for a "hair do". Nick is having a boob job next week Saturday in Brussels and cannot wait. Dropped in to Wrexham to get my spectacles changed on the way back home. Spent the rest of the day preparing for the BBQ next week. Managed to get a load of rubbish to the tip and even more rubbish in to the garage loft. Sunday morning I went over to the NEC to the Premier Kids exhibition. A great deal of baby clothes but one or two other interesting things. I was back home by 14:00. Again, spent most of the afternoon getting ready for the BBQ. Hung the new wardrobe from the garage ceiling. Let's see if it keeps the spiders out. Julie could not come across and get Lauren so she stayed another night Took the opportunity to have a run round the local farm fields the other side of the Kiln Inn. Highlight of the run had to be being chased by a bunch of young bulls. I have never seen Lauren run or scream so much at the same time. Watched the France Italy World Cup final later in the evening. Italy won on penalties after Zidane head butted an opposition player to be sent off in the final match of his career. Bet he regrets it this morning. Took 2 hours to get Lauren home in the traffic this morning. Hope she was not too late for school. Lauren was on top form all weekend. She was over the moon when she could stay an extra night. Some times it is great being a dad.