2014 Plans Mk3

Another change of plans for 2014. laura was, rightly, not overly impressed that I had booked the Joust 24HR race the weekend of her 40th Birthday. I't wasn't intentional you know, I don't think of these sort of things, one look and I soon realised my error though :-) So it will be a nice relaxing time away that weekend in September instead. I did suggest we could do the Joust together but, err well, no! In its place I have booked for me and Joint Ear Knee to run as a pair at Endure24 in June instead. Is only 2 months after VLM so decided against taking the solo plunge then, just don't think I would do myself justice regards what I would hope to get out od such an event and the preparation I would require. In addition to these still plan to enter Likey's Beacons Ultra next November too. Looking forward to tomorrows run with club which will be a recce of the MT10 course I am going to attempt to run three times in a row in 4 weeks time. Hopefully along with helping to mark out the course the day before the race this will get me over my concern of going off course. Trip to the flicks last night to see Sunshine on Leith, thoroughly enjoyed, can think of a million and one worse ways to spend two hours of my life. Catch it if you can, good entertainment.

The old dog bares his teeth!

Well well well. Let me talk you through my day. Was supposed to be up at 6 this morning to get ready to leave at 7 as was supposed to be taking the students to an educational visit to Bristol Zoo, workbooks to complete and everything. Actually woke at 0650 out of routine as I had set my alarm wrong. One huge rush later I was on my way to meet the students in the pouring rain. By the time the coach was half way to Bristol I had made the executive decision that a day in the zoo was not going to work so after a bit of sweet talking the students were happy as they had £17 in their pockets that would have gone on entry and the driver was persuaded to take us to Cribbs causeway for some retail therapy instead. It was clearly the right decision as we were all soaked through just walking the 150 metres from the bus park to 'The Mall' (there words not mine.) So first things first me and my two colleagues decided it was time to find a cafe and have a pot of tea and a slice of cake which actually turned into a beautiful warm scone, clotted cream and strawberry jam. At 10AM it was pure decadence I know :-) Anyway it was at this point that my little voice started saying 'you will be home earlier than usual maybe you shouldn't have a rest day after all?' After a walk around the shops and the identification of the new Tim Burgess, The Streets and Neil Young autobiographys and Stone Roses: War and Peace book to add to my list for Santa it was time for a Nandos for lunch. Halloumi cheese and portobello mushroom pitta with spicy rice and side salad consumed with pleasure and I was certain I was going out when I got home. However then I had the two hour coach journey back to contend with which, as I am sure you will appreciate, was extremely tiring so was not really feeling it when I got home. I am too old, ugly and experienced to let that stop me though, I knew it was just a case f get home, don't sit down, get changed, get out and have a plod safe in the knowledge that by the time I got home from 6 miles tea would nearly be ready. Yes my life revolves around food, really whose doesn't? I was not execting much from the run though, 6 miles and I would be back within an hour was all I could be sure of and with that I was out of the door. And that was it I just ran without concern for pace as I find myself doing more and more. When the garmin beeped for mile three though I glanced at the time and thought ooh I must be going at a fair (for me) pace and before I knew it the 6 miles were over and I had actually done 6.2 as I knew I was shifting (again for me) and wanted to measure my 10k time. Well it turns out I came in at 49.11 minutes with each mile progressively faster. Wasn't even that hard, yes I worked harder than I have been but it has given me a huge boost as I start look forward to December and the start of my VLM plan and what will be my first speed work since last summer. If I can get within 5 mins of my 10k pb with minimal effort off absolutely no speed work at all maybe just maybe there really is life in the old dog yet?

Is it too early?

Is it too early to talk about plans for 2014 that is? Saying that I am only writing this as I just realised it is only quarter to eight which may be a little too early for bed. Not much mind... Anyway most of my plans are in place for 2014 but first I feel I should fill everyone in on what has been happening in the last month or two and what I have on the agenda for the rest of 2013. The base training has obviously served me well since the wheels fell off on the Pennines back in April and am now back up to around 50 miles a week which meant that last week I reached one of my initial targets for the year which was to break the 1500 mile barrier. That is the 4th year in a row I have made it to 1500 and the quickest by two weeks so the race is on now to try and break 2000 for the first time. With the plan as it stands it is possible but could well see me scratching around for miles on New Years Eve. So what are the plans, well currently I am preparing for the triple Sospan MT10 in November which could be a really tough 30 miles, especially if the weather doesn't play game. Of course 30 miles is always hard but will be even harder when I begin my third 10 mile lap when everyone else is completing their first and only lap. Not quite sure why I said I would do it now but once you have put it out there you are committed isn't it. I am looking forward to it anyway but will be nice next year to actually do an official ultra for the first time. After that 30 miler I will have a 3 week 'break' before beginning an 18 week P&D training plan for VLM. This is where my plans for next year, which regular readers (oxymoron?) will realise, have begun to change. I was signed up to do the Multi Stage Severn Challenge at the end of May/start of June but after much procrastination and deliberation have realised I have to do the right thing and leave it for another time. Mrs T is taking the youngest to Manchester for three days to see One Direction at the same time and although I could probably find places for the elder two to stay I can't leave my daughter in the middle of her GCSEs, well I oculd but ownt. Not really a hard decision to make? Anyway with the Severn Challenge off I have also scrapped the plan to do a double VLM, which was to be part of the training, and just give everything I have got to try and get a PB instead. Sub 3.20 is the goal. There we are I have put it out there again :-) Think is possible, especially if I continue the good work on the healthy eating front which has seen me lose 11lb since the end of August which is what I put on post injury and then some. My lightest in about two years I think and I hope to lose another stone. After VLM I am fully signed up to Ultra Running Limited's 'The Joust 24HR' as a solo participant so that will clearly be my main focus after London, need to try and find a 12 hour/50 mile event at some stage around end of June or start of July ideally. Any ideas please let me know (waits for Mrs S to make a Scotland suggestion). Am also planning to do a little more on the bike over the Summer and have already tentatively arranged two or three Summer days in the Lakes with my brother, brother in law, families and others. V'rap, El Bee put the kettle on x Apart from that am intent on doing the Likeys Beacons Ultra next November and then it will be 2015 and....... Will start/continue to shake the charity bucket too, would love to reach £5000 for the year. So what are your plans?