Thursday

Today I felt a lot stronger as in terms of being ill, I still have a slight cough so trying to get hold of some more antibiotics from doctor but waiting for a repeat prescription as really need to nip this in the bud for Vermont. Today I ran 10k at lunch in 44.55, I ripped it for first 5k then jogged the other 5k...perfect training for a 100 mile race...haha!!!not!!!!!then after work I ran 3.1 miles to the station. So 9.3 miles today, starting to feel better and fitter. Rest tomorrow then big one Sat and Sun.

Wednesday

Tuesday - I was sick all day. I woke up at 5am and was sick for 6 hours. Not sure what it was, it could have been food poisoning or running in the heat. Today I still felt weak but ran a slow 4.5 miles tonight and felt pretty bad. Will see how I feel tomorrow before deciding on if I run and how much.

Monday

Today I felt pretty tired and was it hot again. As it was so hot I decided not to run in the gym at lunch as would have been like a sweat box. I decided to run after work, I ran a couple of laps of Hyde park and then back to Fen street. Was pretty tough in the heat and with a back pack on, plus having no energy as in gels or food but got through it in the end. At the end of the day it's another 10.5 miles in the legs pre Vermont.

Sunday

Today I ran 9.9 miles in the heat and nearly died...haha. I was in bits, was very tough but was good training. Elson finished Western States in 28.25 - big up to him, that was a great effort. He also just confirmed to that he will becoming to Vermont so the game is now on. This week I have managed just under 56 miles so not bad. This week I am going to try and put in a big week to give myself best chance as possible for Vermont, the race is 2 weeks on Saturday and I haven't been training hard at all with boozing and chest infections but I am up for this race now. It will be a massive challenge but life is all about measuring yourself, experiences, you're only on this earth once.

Saturday

16.2 miles today in 2.09. I woke up today early played golf and I had a migraine and my eye went funny during the round but after 20 mins was okay. I came home after golf and had a 2 hour nap then decided to go out for a run. It was pretty hot, I ran with my t-shirt off for most of the way and had to stop a couple of times to get water, I struggled as didn't have any supplements or salt. I finished in 2.09, was good to run in the heat. I am up for running tomorrow as well, I am thinking of getting out early as looking to be 30 degrees. Elson is doing okay ....38 miles in 8.30, fingers crossed for him to finish and start Vermont in 3 weeks.

Thursday

Today I ran 6.2 miles at lunch in 44 and half minutes...so getting fitter.Rest on Friday then run on Saturday and Sunday.

Wednesday

Today I ran a slow 9.3 miles with a friend. It was good training for a 100 mile race as took an hour and 33 mins with a lot of stopping at traffic lights. I am still unfit but getting there. Good luck James!!!

Tuesday

Today I ran 6.2 miles at lunch in the gym in 47 and half minutes. I really struggled but finished and was dripping with sweat, I came out of the shower and was still sweating and looked like a tomato. My p.b for 10k is 38 mins even though training for a 100 miler isn't about how quick you can run a 10k, it's more about how long you can keep running for without stopping I have a long way to go to get fitness back. I like working to get it back, it's a bit of a challenge and when you do get it back it feels good. I ran 3.1 miles to the train station after work as well, just took it easy and this felt pretty comfortable. I still have a gentle cough so need to be careful and I am still finishing my antibiotics. So I am currently sitting on 14.1 miles for the week. James flies off tomorrow morning at 11.25 for the Western States 100, probably the most famous 100 mile race. I am hoping to wake up on Sunday morning to see on my Facebook that he has finished the race is up for Vermont. He said he will let me know on Tuesday so all I can do is keep running and await his decision.

Today

I ran 5 miles today in the gym. Felt as though I had lost a lot of fitness and was sweating booze. It's going to be a long road back to good condition but I'll give it a go.

Dilemma

I haven't blogged in a while, mainly because I haven't had the internet in my new flat and I haven't really been running. I put in a 65 mile week 2 weeks ago. Since then I have gone off the rails a bit, I have been out 6 nights in the last 2 weeks, all very good fun but I have had a chest infection as well. Last Sunday I started the Southend Half marathon and I knew I shouldn't have as was coughing heavily pre race and during. I ended up running 6 miles and pulling out - my first ever DNF in a half marathon, very demoralising. This week I have been coughing heavily and decided to go the doctors on Thursday and he said I have a chest infection so I am now on antibiotics. Vermont 100 is 4 weeks today, I wont be running for another 3-4 days until this cough has gone. I am suppose to be running Vermont with my friend James Elson who is attempting the Grand Slam. James has been injured all year with a stress fracture and is attempting the Western States 100 next Saturday with his longest run being 16 miles in the last 3 months. I am praying that he runs and finishes Western States then we can go and do Vermont in 4 weeks. He is going to let me know on the Monday after the race if he will be doing Vermont so a week on Monday which will give me just under 3 weeks to put some training in for Vermont. This is a massive ask I know but I will give it my best shot and I think if I can do one x 100 and I can do another even though I wont be anywhere near the same level of fitness, plus this race will be hotter and have climbs of 14,000 ft compared to Umstead of 8000 ft. I have decided that if James pulls out of Vermont,I will do the same, I am not going to go out to America on my own to do this one as it's a 3 hour drive from the airport to race as well and I am not up for that on my own. I spoke to British Airways and they said I can transfer my flight to another destination so that's what I will do. So for me at the moment, I am trying to get better and await James' performance at Western States. You may say I am being a coward but that's my decision....so lets see what happens over the next week.I will be following James at Western States, it looks to be a massive race again this year with the likes of Roes, Jornet and Sharman, Anton misses out with a broken leg. Peace Out.

This week

This week I have managed to run 65 miles with 2 days off so doing okay. With only 6 weeks to go until Vermont I need to get some big weeks in. The alcohol and various events has affected training. I have really enjoyed being out and about recently but need to get back to moderation drinking and get some big mileage weeks in or I could be in trouble. Hopefully I will be okay......

This video is very inspirational from the WS100 last year

http://www.ws100film.com/