Month: September 2014

WOW!  What a piece of kit!  The Garmin Fenix 2 is the most comprehensive sports aid I have come across.  I was initially after a wrist-worn device which would enable me to navigate my way out of Paris.  If there was any other functionality going, it would be a plus.  So, I contacted Garmin to seek their advice and they pointed me in the direction of the Fenix 2.  I am staggered by the quantity of high-precision technology within the device. It does: Navigation to pre-defined routes (using the PC software) Heart Rate Monitoring / VO2 max calcs Tracks all of my Swims Tracks all of my running Tells me my training efficiency of each workout IT IS EASY TO USE!!! Provides a fantastic dashboard with the online software that enables me to take a close look at all of my training As you can tell, I am really impressed with the kit.  It seems to be absolutely bullet-proof too!  I can’t recommend this kit enough to anyone who is keen to analyse their training performance whilst at the same time wish to navigate on / off road.

  The fantastic team at the Marriott County Hall have today announced their help for the challenge.  The Marriott will be providing valuable accommodation for myself and the team next April!!!! The true luxury of the Marriott bed will be HUGELY welcome after the UK marathon legs and we get to stay in one of London’s most prestigious locations!  London’s County Hall. Many thanks to all at County Hall!!!!

I had a number of sponsorship pledges overnight. Made for an inspired 7 mile run this morning and felt just GREAT!!

“only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go” Wise words T S Eliot!

With training now up to 6 days per week, I am finding that by day 6 I am zonked!  I had read an article by Bernie Shrosbree (ex-SBS special forces) many moons ago about the benefits of sustained rest during hard training regimes and once again embraced this approach. I have just had 6 days off training and feel completely refreshed.  It enabled me to run my fastest 10km run and 4km swim yet, upon resumption of training this week and I still feel great. I will no adopt an easy week every 7-8 weeks I think to see if I get sustained benefit from this approach.

A 3.5km swim this morning and I feel great. I have found that pushing hard in the pool makes a MASSIVE difference to my runs. The increase in lung strength pays dividends on my long runs. Last week I found that my legs were tiring at 10miles, but I actually wasn’t even out if breath. Note to self…… Adjust the training the month before the challenge to have plenty of swims and less runs in order to allow legs to recover from training whilst still being able to train.

So, August complete and I amassed 12km swimming and 78 miles running.  My long run is now up to 14 miles and I have started work on the official training plan….. Essentially I am aiming for marathon running each weekend from December onwards and then focus the early part of 2015 on ‘doubling-up’ the runs.  This will then see me have 2 back-to-back long runs per week.  I will publish the training plan once complete. For now however, I have picked up a sore throat and not slept well for a few nights, so I am having 4 days of rest from training!  Ahhhh bliss. Weight now down to 16.5 stone.  Can start to feel the difference already!