I think it has to be said that I’m motivated by a challenge and trying something different. I’m signed up to a Spartan race in September but that did seem a long way off so I have signed up for something potentially much harder a lot sooner…….
When I was much younger I was in the TA for a time; it is something I really enjoyed especially the assault courses and the orienteering that we did. The race I’ve signed up for is described as “a gruelling 24km non-navigational race over two sides of Pen Y Fan, the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons. This infamous route has long been a part of SAS (Special Air Service) and SBS (Special Boat Service) Selection and is considered the yardstick of a candidate’s potential to perform well on Test Week and ultimately pass the Special Forces Selection programme.” – so, no pressure then !
The peak of Pen Y Fan is over 2,900ft and the route is basically up and over the top, down the over side to a turn round point and then back and up and over the top again ! 24km equates to 15 miles and whilst I’m confident the distance isn’t an issue I do think both the uphill and downhill sections will be challenging…. and I don’t think there is any flat in the route 🙂
I have been sent a compulsory kit list that includes 3 litres of water, food, waterproof jacket, warm jacket, survival bag, compass, whistle etc…. The water is the one thing that weighs more than anything and my existing running back pack isn’t capable of holding that much water so I have a new one on order that has a 2 litre reservoir on the back and then two 500ml soft pouches on the front. I was hoping it would arrive before this weekends half marathon but it isn’t here yet so I won’t be able to test it for a few more days.
I’m still having achilles problems after the Stinger so I’m off to see a physio this week. I do think the problems have been caused by the trainers I ran in (rookie mistake of new trainers a week before a marathon !) so they may have to be relegated to dog walking and a new pair or two purchased before July’s race.. I’ve still been running approx 30 miles a week as well as circuit training but I would like it to start getting better !
To help with my overall strength (especially upper body strength) I’ve started swimming once a week. This has proved a bit of a challenge on several fronts 1) I have a real fear of putting my face in water 2) A lack of co-ordination. It takes me right back to when I first started running and none of it felt easy. What I do know now is that if I persevere with it I WILL make progress and it really will help with my running. I also have my sights set on a certain swimming race next year, I may very well come last but just completing it would be amazing.
So, I have plenty to keep me busy and work towards ! This was taken on one of my regular early morning runs….
