Infinitely Crazy?!?!

Well things got a bit busy after London and I have since completed Outlaw Half, Endure 24, the Great East Swim and Outlaw which probably explains the lack of chapter 4, 5, 6 &7 ... so lets rectify that shall we!!
Things are gonna take a bit of a new approach at Ultra-Crazy HQ (www.fb.com/AnotherUltraCrazyYear) and it seems only right to write about it here to keep you all up to date with what is going on.

In the build up to Outlaw, one of the questions that people asked me more than any other was:
"How on earth do you fit the training in??!!?!?"
And the question that seems to be on everyone's lips since Outlaw is:

"Soooooo ... what's next??"  

This gave me an idea!!!! 

For 5 years now I have been writing about my training and events but not really about how I balance this with work/family life and so I have decided to be a bit more open about that side of things ... good AND bad so that people get a bit more understanding about what I do, how I do it and ultimately know the answers to these two questions.

I spent a good chunk of time on my bike last Sunday thinking about how I could build this into a year long challenge but I found that quite tricky as some of the ideas that I want to talk about aren't really challenges at all.  I realised that the things I want to address are actually things that I just want to focus on a bit more ... and that's when it hit me: 

I needed an Ultra-Crazy Bucket List to make sure I did all the things I want to do!!!   To focus more on home life, work life and the people that are important to me.

Now I'm not really a big fan of the term 'Bucket List' so I then spent a stupid amount of time trying to come up with my own title and I'd love to tell you what it is, but I am still thinking (feel free to jump in with a suggestion at any point).  I am sure it will come to me soon!!   

The other thing that I struggled with when I thought about this list is "What happens when I have achieved all the things I set out to achieve??" Simple ... the list never ends!!  There will always be 10 things on the list and as soon as one is ticked off ... it will be replaced by another!!

Ideas will be linked to events, family & work and I will do monthly updates (here and on my facebook page) to let people know what (if anything) has been achieved and what (if any) new targets have been added ... I will also give little insights along the way to give an idea of how they have been achieved which should address that "How on earth do you fit it all in" question.

Every 12 month challenge I have done so far has started on January 1st and finishes on December 31st but I can't actually think of a single reason not to start this one now and so that's exactly what I am going to do.  All my remaining events for 2015 will be incorporated in the initial list of 10 ideas so hopefully there will be a fair few changes in the list over the next few months.

And that's it!! New challenge ... LAUNCHED!!!  

I'm excited by this one because it's different to anything I have done before but will hopefully allow for a bit more me time and a bit more family time in between the events that I love taking part in. 

I guess all that is left to do is publish the first Infinitely Crazy list (ooooh, could that be the challenge title perhaps??!) ... It would be great to hear your thoughts and maybe even suggestions of what could come next!! 

1)  To complete September's London to Brighton night ride without stopping

2)  To go through with my skydive in August!!!!! 

3)  To start and finish 2016 with a swim/bike/run

4)  To organise a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Now (http://breastcancernow.org/)

5)  To have one family day out a month ... with NO training involved!!

6)  To get my dad to join me for a ride on the road bikes and a swim in the sea ... a few years ago this

      wouldn't have been a challenge but since his knee replacements and open heart surgery he is 

      terrified and so this may not be as easy as it first seems!!

7)  To complete 10 laps at Endure 24 and NOT fall asleep in the middle of the night!!

8)  To run at Parkrun in at least 5 different locations and for at least one of them to be with son no.1 

9)  To get to the start line of Outlaw without the stress I experienced this year ... and for my finish 

      time to say '14 ... something!!'

10) To volunteer at a big event

Stay connected to keep updated ... it's always good to have the support of others and please keep list ideas coming!!! Who knows ... I may be attempting one of your suggestions in the very near future!!

That's it for now but if you want more regular updates please take a look at www.fb.com/AnotherUltraCrazyYear as I post there almost daily! If blog reading is more your thing though ... I shall see you all at the end of August. 

www.justgiving.com/McUltra-Crazy

Chapter Three ... London Marathon!

It's time to draw a line under London, move on and focus on the next challenge ... but before I do I thought I would write a few words! 
As with my Brighton blog ... I'm not going to write a mile by mile account of what happened but neither am I going to chunk it up and tell you about the roller coaster of emotions that I went through on my 26.2 mile journey through the streets of London with 38,000 other runners because quite simply ... there was was no such roller coaster.  There was no down time, no emotional struggle and most importantly (and much to my relief ...) there was no wall!!!!!
That's not to say I found it easy, 26.2 miles is still a very long way even if you are feeling happy, but running a positive run certainly makes for a more enjoyable experience.
After the nightmare of Brighton 2 weeks prior to London, my prep for this event started much earlier than usual.  Calorie intake was upped from the Monday before, discussions with Mr Osteo happened on an almost daily basis, nutritional advice was sought from numerous sources and I gave myself some serious lectures on positive mental attitude and how London was NOT going to be a repeat of Brighton! Time targets, peer pressure and self expectation went out the window and all that was left on my list of aims was to run every step and enjoy it from start to finish! 
I kept wondering when the nerves would kick in and I would be lying if I said they didn't feature in my pre-marathon week but they really weren't as bad as I was expecting.  I spent the week seeing pictures of people proudly holding their running numbers at ExCeL but it still didn't feel very real to me and I've no doubt that probably helped me to stay calm.  Denial is clearly the way to. 
I wasn't able to get to ExCeL to collect my own running number until the day before the event which felt really late to me but looking back, this probably helped to keep the reality of the event at bay.  The added bonus of not collecting your number until the day before is that it's so ridiculously busy you just want to get in and out as quickly as possible and so you avoid the nerves, excitement and hype of the other runners.  I stayed just long enough to meet and chat to some facebook friends, catch up with the very lovely (and ever patient) Gavin from Breakthrough Breast Cancer (my chosen charity) and to listen to Martin Yelling's annual motivational, hilarious, uplifting and honest talk (whilst I ate my own body weight in rice cakes) and then I left. 

The evening before felt as calm as the week leading up to the marathon but I could feel the emotions bubbling under the surface ... bursting into tears because you have to say goodbye to your dog (who was going for a sleepover) is always a sure sign that heightened emotions are not too far away but I still felt in control of what I was about to do and that gave me a real boost.  
Mr McB took me for a glass of wine (it's ok, it's tradition) ... we ate dinner and we went to bed where I had a surprisingly peaceful night's sleep!!!
Then it arrived ... the morning of the London Marathon.  I got up, got dressed, drank tea, ate toast (don't worry, that's not all I had!!) and then we were on our way to Stansted, to get course 2 of my pre-marathon breakfast: a sausage and egg McMuffin and a hash brown washed down with coconut water!!! I very much doubt it was what Paula Radcliffe was eating/drinking at that moment in time but it seemed to be working for me!!


 

Once parked at Stratford, everything seemed to speed up ... almost like somebody had pressed the x2 button on the remote.  Trains were caught, more friends were found, hugs were given, legs/hands were written on, goodbyes were said, tears fell, toes were taped, bags were stored, portaloos were visited (as were female urinals but that experience is a whole other blog in itself!!!!) and then I was on the start line of the 2015 London marathon ... my 9th London ... the one I WAS going to run ... the WHOLE way!!!!! 



My first worry was my foot and although there was some foot pain, it was nothing like the pain I experienced 2 weeks before so I instantly relaxed and allowed myself a smile.  I also warmed up pretty quickly; a double layer of plastic sheeting is good for that, so I tore one of the layers off and kept smiling.  Soon enough, the second layer of plastic came off, as did the socks that I had put on my hands, and I was running a very safe, very comfortable, very enjoyable pace ... and yes, I was still smiling! 
I got through mile 3 (where the 3 different start zones merge) without any issues and then headed on to mile 6 ... where I launched myself at my boss and his wife for a very happy and possibly slightly sweaty hug!! Sorry Mr/Mrs Jones!! 
On past mile 7, 8, 9 ... with a a quick stop to put the world's biggest dollop of Vaseline on my left foot to ease the pain of a growing blister, but even this didn't stop the smile!!!

Hmmmmmm, it seems I am giving you a mile by mile account after all, apologies!! Stick with it though, it has a very happy ending!!! 

My next focus was to get to mile 13 ... not because it was the half way point that most marathon runners focus on, but because that's where my parents were with my first bag of food.  I have come to realise that I do not store energy all that well so I had asked my family for goody bags at crucial points on the run and once over Tower Bridge (always a highlight and ALWAYS tear jerker) I was able to top up my energy stores with half a banana, a few jelly babies and a bite of a cereal bar ... and a hug!!! 



 



Next target (and next bag) ... mile 15!! Here I had a few mouthfuls of ready salted crisps (thanks for that suggestion Mike) ... a couple of bites of a sausage roll and a gulp or two of coke!!! 







Next target ... Mile 17!!! 
There was no food (or loved ones) here but it's where I stopped running/started walking in 1998 and 1999 and I was determined to get beyond this point ... and I did!! I'm not sure I have ever smiled a smile that was bigger than the smile that I smiled when I ran under those balloons at mile 17.  It was beginning to hurt now but I was also starting to believe I could actually do the whole distance so the smile continued.  The other boost that comes to getting to mile 17 is that you only have 9 miles to go ... single figures ... less than 2 hands worth of fingers and thumbs!!  From here on in I was counting down, not up!!  I had this!!!!
Mile 20 ... still running ... still smiling ... still doing this!! 6 miles to go ... 10k ... 2 parkruns ... I got this!!!
Getting back the Tower is always a bit of a tough section of this iconic marathon and I really started to feel it.  My legs were heavy, the blister on my toe was now making me limp and I knew I was getting slower (even though I hadn't looked at my Garmin for the entire run).   BUT, I was still feeling positive and could deal with the discomfort for a little bit longer ... less that an hour, that's all I had left.  Then ... POP!!! The blister on my toe was a blister no more, the pain had doubled and I actually yelped! Raw skin was now being exposed to my socks and I was in agony!!!! Cue Caroline to come into my thoughts.  More specifically, Caroline and all treatment she had to have, the hours and hours of attempts to get needles into her useless veins and the pain she went through every time thought about what was going to happen to her.  Suddenly my toe seemed very insignificant!!  
Smile back in place .. on I went! 
Next target ... mile 24 and food bag (and hug) no.3! I couldn't face eating anything here but I did have some big gulps coke.  Knowing that I usually have a bit of a 'wobble' when I cross a finish line (dizziness, sickness blah blah blah) these gulps of sugar were all about ensuring that I stayed 'with it' long enough to find Chris at the end! 
Mum was grinning as much as I was and my dad, well, my dad looked as proud as punch!! Never one to go overboard with emotions, he simply put his hand on the back of my neck, looked me in the eye and calmly said "you are looking great, keep going"  I nearly lost it there and then but took a deep breath and got back to it ... I'd see him for a proper hug in less that half an hour!!! 
Big Ben ... Birdcage Walk ... A quick shout of "I'M GONNA DO IT" to Chris (whilst leaping over someone who collapsed right in front of me) then up to Buckingham Palace ... Turn the corner and there it was .. the finish gantry of the Virgin London Marathon 2015 and I was still running!!! 

On to that famous red tarmac and I had done it ... I had finally run the London Marathon!! Something I had said I would do when I watched the very first one 35 years ago.  Something I had attempted to do (but failed) twice.  Something that always seemed so impossible for me to even consider ... but I guess nothing is ever really impossible and dreams are there to be realised!!! 

I had played it safe and run a very sensible run.  I had stayed focused and controlled from mile 1 to mile 26.  I was even focused and controlled whilst collecting my medal and bag at the end and didn't even lose it whilst being wrapped in foil by the most wonderfully warm-hearted volunteer or when I met up with Chris at the runner's exit.  
I may have had a bit of a moment when I saw my dad and he calmly looked at me again and said "You looked amazing" before giving me the biggest and tightest of hugs ... but I kinda knew that would happen so that's allowed ... right??!?!!?!!




I had done it ... I had done what I set out to do ... I ran London and if I never get to do London again, I will die happy!! Having said that, I absolutely will be applying again and I will be disappointed when I get my rejection magazine but the memories from the 2015 London Marathon will stay with me (and make me grin like a loon) forever!! 




 
So that's it ... I am drawing a line under London now and my focus is now shifting to event #4 ... which is worrying me a little as I can't run at all at the moment thanks to a bit of a problem with my right Achilles!  It's gonna be interesting to see if this year's challenge actually gets beyond event #3!!!

Watch this space! 

 

And that's if for now, but if you want more regular updates, please take a look at www.fb.com/AnotherUltraCrazyYear as I post there very regularly.  If blog reading is more your thing ... I will see you at the end of #4!! 

If you feel the urge to support this latest Ultra-Crazy challenge with a donation .. please head to www.justgiving.com/McUltra-Crazy/ and give what you can.  Thank you so much

      

Chapter Two ... Brighton Marathon

But first a Chapter One catch up:
Don't worry, you haven't missed Chapter One .. I didn't write one!! 
Paddock Wood was event #1 of 2015 and the aim was to use it as a training run for Brighton.  It was wet, it was windy, it was cold but I got the job done and managed to get a course PB.  It was a lovely feeling to know I was fitter and faster than my 25 year old self!!  

So, onto Chapter Two
I'm not going to write a mile by mile account of what happened, that would take far too long and I want you to stick with this long enough to get to the good bit .. it all gets a bit dramatic at the end! Instead I'm gonna chop it up into chunks, so grab a cuppa, strap yourself in .. because you are about to get inside my head and ride something of an emotional roller coaster!! 

Sunday 5th
10 miles - DONE!!  Had foot pain for most of it but nothing serious.

Monday 6th
Foot pain is worse.  Time to start stretching my calf.

Tuesday 7th 
Fell over when I stood up getting out of bed due to an intense pain in my calf. This isn't good!!!! I make an appointment to see a sports physio and get some treatment!!! OUCH!!!!!!!!!   

Friday 10th 
Calf has eased and after a follow up treatment with Mr Osteo, I am beginning to think Brighton might be possible after all.  Apparently, the pain has been caused by a bad cramp so I have been advised to take magnesium.  

Saturday 11th ... Seaside bound!!!! 
I can now only feel the pain in my calf if I press it (probably should stop doing that) and I 'm feeling good.  All I am having to deal with now are pre-race nerves but I'm used to those, so it all feels pretty normal.  
On the way to Brighton we take a detour to Ditchling to drive the epic hill that I rode as part of last year's London to Brighton night ride.  It was quite an eye opener seeing it in daylight (couldn't see a damn thing when I rode it in the middle of the night last September) and I was quite surprised that I did it on my bike!! A very clever strategy by Mr McB as this little detour gave my dwindling confidence a much needed boost! 
So we are in Brighton and I have my number!!  I have waited a long time to pick up this number ... having to withdraw from events the previous year always makes number collection seem just a little bit more special. 

Sunday 12 ... Marathon day!! 
I slept well so I'm feeling pretty fresh.  I drink some tea, eat some toast (I now know I should have had a LOT more than this) and get ready! The bonus of staying with family means you get driven right to the start (thanks Sue) and we are in a very sunny Preston Park by 8am.  
More tea and a pain au chocolat (still not enough) 
Loo stop #1
Bag store
Loo (bush) stop #2
Write on legs (C'MON/#IGotThis)
Loo (bush) stop #3 (that's enough now)
Fire up Garmin
Count down
GO!!!!!! 
A quick hi-5 with Jo Pavey (she's a mother of 2 don't you know!!) and I'm running!!!  
$@£%, There's that foot pain again .. and it's hurting .. a lot!!! 
Don't say anything about it, if you say it out loud it will make it real and this pain ISN'T real, it's in your head!!  Keep moving .. it'll pass.  You haven't even done 1 mile yet .. it's not allowed to hurt this much yet!!!! Keep running!! 

Mile 1-4 
This feels ok, bloody foot still hurts but I think it's easing, yes, it's easing .. it HAS to!!! Wow, these crowds are fab .. and SO loud! Glad I put my name on my vest .. I feel like a celeb! Sun is out ... this is gonna be a good day! Feeling a bit emotional though ... and it's a bit draining, I need to get a grip!
Ooooooh, this bit's new, where are we going??  They must have shortened a bit of the course somewhere else if we are going up here!! I wonder where .. I hope it's that hill in Ovingdean!  Ooh, there is a hill here too, a sharp one too, just take it steady .. You Got This! 

Mile 5-13  
We are seafront bound now.  Will it be windy??  What is that hill up to Roedean feel like?? Will my foot keep hurting like this?? OMG, stop analysing Zoe .. just switch off and run! Music goes up a notch.  Oh good, another hill .. a longer one this time .. but I feel strong and it doesn't actually feel too bad at all.  This is great, loving it!!  There's the sea!!!! It's breezy but it's getting hot now so the cool air is a welcome relief.  The road ahead is going up, for as far as I can see .. you've trained for this bit .. dig in .. you got this!
7 miles and there is Sue, Jen and Amy .. hugs, kisses and encouragement and a "See you at mile 11" and off we go again! I can see Ovingdean and RESULT, we don't have to do the hilly bit after all!!  Eyes are now pealed .. I'm looking for Crispy .. she's gotta be close ... pink visor, pink socks, Royal Marsden vest .. that's her "CRIPSY"!!!!!! WOW, she looks strong!!
Short rise up from mile 10, the last one of the course so I don't mind.  There's Sue, Jen and Amy again ... mile 11??!?!!  Are we at mile 11 already?? Goodness, that has gone quick! "SEE YOU AT THE FINISH" ... Keep moving!!
Waving .. who's that waving? There's Christina .. happiest looking marathon runner for sure!!
Brighton is looking beautiful from up here, the pier is getting closer, half way is just beyond that.  Keep moving.  DON'T LOOK AT YOUR WATCH .. DON'T DO IT!! You had to look didn't you, now you know you could get that elusive 4:20 you have always wanted.  But the second half is always so much harder .. I can't keep this up .. Can I?? 
For the love of God Zoe .. STOP ANALYSING!!!!!!!!  

Mile14-18
I can't breathe.  Seriously, can't breathe. I wonder if anyone around me has an inhaler??? Do I say anything .. if I do, it makes it real and it's not real .. it can't be .. keep moving.  There's a first aid tent round the next corner, you can stop there if you need to.  But they won't let me carry on if I say "I can't breathe properly" so suck it up .. keep moving .. relax .. slow down a bit but just keep moving! Chris knows.  I know he knows because he is telling me to slow my breathing!! Dammit, if he knows then it must be real!!  THIS ISN'T GOOD!! 
Hove really is lovely so why does this bit always feel like such a slog .. Look at the houses Zo, they are beautiful, focus on that .. focus on the crowds, they are amazing and they are telling you that you are looking strong so it can't be that bad!!  Keep drinking, it's hot .. stay hydrated .. My god, my chest feels so tight .. I can't breathe!!  Lose a layer, don't over heat!! The vest is off!! Ooooh I say, I'm running in a bra!!!!
3 miles and you are out of Hove .. that's a Park Run and you do those all the time .. keep moving!   
 OK .. Hove done, calculate!!! 8 miles to go .. that's just over 2 park runs!!  You could do 2 park runs if you had to .. Yeah, but not after 18 miles .. Yes you could!!! FOCUS .. STOP ARGUING WITH YOURSELF!!!!!

Mile 19-21
Ooooh, I just overtook someone!! I must be doing ok .. I wonder if I can overtake that person up there .. YESSS, I can! I'm still doing ok and I'm still moving, actually .. I'm not just moving, I'm still running .. I'm doing this!!  Focus on that chimney now, that's the turning point, that's your target!!!! Scrap that, the damn chimney isn't getting ANY closer .. focus on picking people off instead .. who you gonna over take next .. that's better, far more satisfying!!! 
Powerstation .. fish .. petrol .. not the sorts of smells you want to deal with when feeling nauseous .. all the more incentive to get out of this God forsaken place!! 
Pink visor, pink socks, Royal Marsden vest .. It's Crispy, she's passing me .. She's looking strong, how is she doing that, why can't I do that .. I can't even answer her .. She must think I'm so bloody rude!!  I'm not rude .. I'm actually so proud of her .. it's just that I literally CAN'T speak!!! For the record .. "GO CRISPY!!!!!" is what I wanted to yell at her as she powered away!!! 
Turning point .. water .. BANG .. I'm doubled over .. was that the wall??  Why do I feel so sick??  What's happening?? Chris, come back .. I can't shout!!!!!!!!!!! Come back!!!
I've gotta keep moving .. stop looking at your watch, it's not about that any more, FOCUS!  You're not going to be sick so stand up, get moving and run! Jeeeeez, I'm strict!! Why can't I tell myself to sit down and have a rest instead, that would make so much more sense to me right now!!!! 
1 more mile and you will be back on the seafront and you will see the finish.  Ok, so it will be 3 miles away but you will see it!!!! You got this!!  
More water .. feel sick again .. need to stop .. DON'T .. keep moving!!! 

Mile 23-25
Seafront .. you can do this.  Just get to the end of those beach huts.  Good!!!!  Now get to the end of that next row of huts.  Fantastic!!! See those people leaning of the railings over there, you are doing better than them! 
BOSH .. there's the BOSH crowd!! Get your arm up Zoe, show them you are a BOSHer, they will see your band and give you a cheer .. you need it .. get some help .. soak it up!!!! A shameless plea but it worked .. I'm still running!
Now, use that boost to get you to that big building up there.  Oooooh, it's a pub .. so many people .. every single one of them is helping every single one of us .. what an amazing crowd!!!  They are saying we are amazing ... but in all honesty, it's them .. they are the amazing ones and they have no idea just how much they are helping!!! I wish I could thank them .. but I can't .. I just about manage a thumbs up and keep moving!!  
WHY ISN'T THAT PIER GETTING ANY CLOSER!!!!!!!! Stop it, don't look at it .. look down and see what's on your leg .. C'mon!!  Now get to the end of those beach huts and get your vest back on .. let people shout your name, It'll help you to keep moving forwards!!!!

Mile 25-26.2 
Left turn, back on the road .. you are now level with the West Pier .. remember, that's the pier you thought was so far away .. well you just reached it!! Just 1 mile to go now, that's 4 laps of a track, one school run with Luke .. break it down how you like, you know you can do a mile!!!!
It's gone quiet .. the crowds have stopped cheering .. Why??  I'm down again, hands on knees, I can't move .. I'm going be be sick!! 
NO YOU'RE NOT, GET UP AND GET MOVING!!!!!! 
I'm up, I'm moving, I'm running, the crowds cheer .. normal service has resumed!!!  
Oh dear God .. there it is .. there's the finish I'm gonna do it!!! 
LOOK AROUND YOU Zo-Zo .. TAKE IT IN ... YOU HAVE JUST RUN A MARATHON!!!! 
Stop the Garmin (priorities) .. now you can sit down!!!
What on earth is that noise .. Oh Lord, it's me!!!! Feel so sick, I have 2 paramedics next to me asking if I'm ok.  They give me water but I need sugar but coke clearly isn't regulation NHS medicine but trust me, it should be at times like this!!! 

And then ...
Now to get up and move again but this time I know it's ok to walk. Medal, T-shirt, banana, kit bag, beach ... and I'm down again!!!!! If I don't get sugar in me soon I'm gonna lose it!! Cue the appearance of my coke dealing angel who literally appeared from nowhere, asked if I was ok then went off to get supplies.  I thought she would be gone for hours as there were no shops/bars ANYWHERE but she reappeared about 2 minutes later with 2 cans of coke a 4 chocolate bars!! Now you try telling me that someone wasn't looking over me at that very moment!!!!   


So there you have it .. a little journey inside my head through event #2 and possibly the worst marathon experience of my life! Over 30 marathons and that was the worst ever?? Was it?? Really?? This claim has got me thinking!!  Yes, I have done a LOT of events ... So they can't ALL have been special, fun and enjoyable packed full of pain-free giggles and smiles, surely??  I'm sat writing this with the medals from these 'happy times' hanging on the wall next to me and I'm looking at each of them in turn trying to remember what REALLY happened during the event rather than the feeling it left me with once it was all over. 
This is just a selection of my findings:
London Marathon 1998 - had to walk from mile 17
London Marathon 1999 - had to walk from mile 17 and was in tears from about mile 23
London MoonWalk 2004 - Sat down at about mile 21 and cried
Run to the Beat Half 2010 - Panicked and couldn't breathe properly for the last 2 miles
London Marathon 2011 - Struggled to breathe from mile 7 and collapsed at the end
Ultra-Moon 2012 - Collapsed at the end of 52.4 miles and was put on a drip! 
Beachy Head Marathon 2012 - Sat down with about 2 miles to go and refused to get up
Thames Path 100k 2013 - Lost the ability to speak with 10k to go, could barely put one foot in front of the other and was almost hypothermic
Vitruvian Tri 2013 - Sat and cried at most of the feed stations on the run
Outlaw 2013 - Needed a serious talking to at a feed station on the last run lap to keep me going!

So you see, it's not all smiles and instant positivity.  Bad times happen, they happen all the time to all sorts of people but those bad memories fade along with the muscle soreness and tiredness and what gets left behind are positive thoughts and pride.  The tough bit about all of this is that before we get that wonderful feeling of pride, we will often beat ourselves up far more than we should ... well, I know that I do anyway!!  And that's what this blog is all about really.  It's good to get it all out there and show what it can really be like with no filters, no fluffiness and no pretending ... just honesty!!
Yesterday was not a good day for me ... but it was a blip.  There were some very dark times and I made some big mistakes but as my very wise osteopath said to me "A mistake is only a mistake is it's not learned from".  
Which begs the question, what have I learned:
I need to eat more for breakfast before I do big miles
Take real food with me to have on the way because gels just don't work for me
I need to monitor my salt/electrolyte levels
I need to give myself a break and not beat myself up if things don't quite go to plan
I need to learn to stop over analysing EVERYTHING when I'm finding things hard

To say I'm nervous about having to do this distance all over again at The London Marathon in just 2 weeks time would be a huge understatement ... I'm terrified.  But if I can put all of these new strategies in place, and soon, I should be able to avoid a repeat of what happened yesterday when I take on event #3!! 

Watch this space! 

And that's if for now, but if you want more regular updates, please take a look at www.fb.com/AnotherUltraCrazyYear as I post there very regularly.  If blog reading is more your thing ... I will see you at the end of #3!! 

If you feel the urge to support this latest Ultra-Crazy challenge with a donation .. please head to www.justgiving.com/McUltra-Crazy/ and give what you can.  Thank you so much

      

 

The M(a)c has returned!!

Well it's been quite a while since I sat down to write a blog ... but with 2015 set to be my last Ultra-Crazy Year (yes, I know I have said that before) I thought it would be good to get it all written down and recorded somewhere.  So, my aim is to write a review (of sorts) at the end of each month to keep you all updated with what has been going on!! 

Before I kick off with January though, I though it would make sense to tell you about 2015's challenge ...  as there may be some of you out there who don't know what it's all about.

SO, thanks to a twisted pelvis, horrible leg injury and a toe operation ... 2014 was a bit of a nightmare in terms of events and training!! I had to pull out of 5 events in the first 6 months of the year and the events that I did manage to do (in the second half of the year) were cautious to say the least!!  To say I have "unfinished business" is putting it mildly!!! 

It's because of (and thanks to) all these problems that I have come up with my challenge for 2015 ... but first, here's a bit of history!!! 

Almost 17 years ago I took part in my first ever half marathon. Since then I have completed twelve 5k's, twelve 10k's, two 10 milers, thirteen half marathons, twenty-two full marathons, 5 ultramarathons, two survival races, four open water swim events, one 100 mile bike sportive, two sprint tri's, three Olympic tri's, two 70.3 tri's and one full iron distance tri and in recent years, the challenges have become more and more ambitious:

2010's challenge was to complete 3 marathons in 8 weeks

2011's aim was to do 1,000 run/walk miles within 1 year

In 2012 I did 2012 miles in 2012 ... AND the first ever back to back MoonWalk

In 2013 I attempted and achieved one of every run distance (from 5k to ultramarathon) and one of every triathlon distance (from sprint to ironman)

In 2014 all plans were messed up because of the fall that left me with a twisted pelvis and in a whole world of pain - I still managed to sneak in a cheeky 24 hour event, a 70.3 tri, a 5k swim and a 50k run and a 100k night ride though ... much to my osteopath's annoyance!!! 

Which brings us back to 2015 and the new challenge ... 'Return of the M(a)c'.  

This year long challenge will see me revisiting as many of my past events as possible and trying to complete them with a PB!! I will also be including events that I had to withdraw from in 2014 due to injury and so far, the list is looking like this:

Paddock Wood Half (29/3)
The Brighton Marathon (12/4)
The London Marathon (26/4)
Outlaw 70.3 (31/5)
Endure 24 (13-14/6)
Great East (2 mile) Swim (20/6)
Outlaw Full (26/7)
Mill to Mill River Swim (16/8)
Royal Parks Half (11/9)
London to Brighton Night Ride (26/9)
Beachy Head Marathon (24/10)

And possibly Great South Run (25/10) ... but I'm still trying to work out if that is a little TOO crazy the day after Beachy!!! 

I am not a pro, just a very ordinary 40 (something) working mum of two who is determined to prove that if you set your mind to something and believe ... ANYTHING is possible!! 

Throughout this challenge, I will continue to support Breakthrough Breast Cancer (http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/) and any donations will go directly to this wonderful charity. This year I will also be taking on the role of a Team SOAS Ambassador (http://www.soasracing.com/) and I cannot recommend their kit enough ... particularly if you are one of those kinda girls who hates the whole 'pink it and shrink it' approach to female training apparel!! 

Well that's the background ... so what has happened so far?? 

Although I am keeping track of my swim/bike/run miles for 2015, I actually started training for my return to Outlaw on October the 27th - with a rest day ... RESULT!!  Since then, I have been managing 5-6 training sessions a week and sleeping like a baby because of it - The fact I have given up alcohol during the week may have something to do with this too!!

The weather through January really hasn't been very kind to those of us who are training for big events but I have managed to hit all but one training sessions and have only had to resort to the dreaded turbo trainer once.  I really am trying to love this piece of equipment  ... but I fear that it is a love affair that is destined for failure!!  

Balancing family life, work life, marathon training and IM training has really pushed my organisational skills to the limit this month and I have lists and notebooks everywhere to keep me on track.  I do worry that I might have become a little bit obsessive about it all but having said that, I have never felt more focused or determined so early in the year ... so I must be doing something right.  I just hope it continues through until at least July 26th!

So .. Long story short:
The weather has been rubbish
My long runs are getting longer ... but slower
My short runs are also getting longer ... and faster
My legs are getting stronger and my ass is getting bigger (I blame the bike)
I still hate the turbo
My swim times might just allow for a sub 1:30 swim in July

And the stats (since Oct 27th) for all you number crunchers:
9.02 miles (5:50:43 hrs) of swimming
713.89 miles (49:11:59 hrs) of biking
236.24 miles (37:42:36 hrs) of running
Which is a total mileage of 959.08 and a total time of 97:45:19 hrs spent training!! 

And in terms of 2015:
I have swum 6.65 miles ...
ridden 160.79 miles ...
and run 11.27 miles ... 
giving a total mileage of 267.72 for the year ... so far! 

And that's if for now, but if you want more regular updates, please take a look at www.fb.com/AnotherUltraCrazyYear as I post there very regularly.  If blog reading is more your thing ... I will see you at the end of February!! 

If you feel the urge to support this latest Ultra-Crazy challenge with a donation .. please head to www.justgiving.com/McUltra-Crazy/ and give what you can.  Thank you so much