Now I understand
The opportunity to run abroad in 30o+ conditions proved to be a bit of an eye-opener. I didn’t run for much more than an hour at a time, but it really was much more difficult, with my heart rate also flying off the scale
The opportunity to run abroad in 30o+ conditions proved to be a bit of an eye-opener. I didn’t run for much more than an hour at a time, but it really was much more difficult, with my heart rate also flying off the scale compared to normal. In my second week on holiday, things were better as I became accustomed to the heat, but there won’t be any acclimatisation before the MdS itself. Excellent!! August mileage came in at around 90 miles again.

I’ve now started to look at equipment with a bit more vigour. Latest reading includes ‘Ultramarathon, breaking through the wall’, a collection of accounts from a variety of ultra runners. Somehow this seems to provide some confidence that December’s 50 mile run isn’t ridiculous. ‘Fixing your feet’, a must-read book on treating and avoiding blisters arrived on the same day my new work shoes shredded my feet, providing useful practical experience on foot binding!

The quest for the perfect running shoes for the event has led me to Montrail’s Continental Divide, a trail shoe that provides the support/pronation features that aren’t normally available in a stripped down trail shoe – I’m not a natural runner, with style and grace of a three-legged rhino, and need some support. These shoes initially feel more comfortable than my favourite New Balance, I’ll get to try them out at in a week or two at the Yorkshireman marathon.

My long run, now pushing 3 hours, is with a rucksack weighing c.6kg including 2kg of liquids. Staying within my heart rate bands, my pace has slowed down to 10-11 minute miles, but I’m able to cope with the distance (16 miles) and load well.