Training marathon

This weekend I attended Rory Colemans training day for the marathon des sables. It started with a 5.30 am wake up not really recommended but the it was the only way of making the 9am start time. I finally met up with him despite the snow and a train cancellation trying to stop the session happening to discuss all the kit I will need to take and advice on keeping my feet in good condition during the marathon des sables. As ever it was incredibly useful and I learnt even more about what I should and more importantly shouldn't be doing. The aim is to get a weeks worth of food and equipment down to the very limit of 6.5kg which will make a huge difference in the heat of the event. Then it was on for a quick 26 or so miler through the snow and ice. I don't think we could of asked for a better day despite the sub zero temperatures the day was beautiful the sun was out and when there wasn't a breeze it was pretty warm. I also tasted my first gel that was reasonably edible. The day finished with heading back to a house where the boiler had packed up due to the cold weather. The ice bath wasn't really required because of this and may explain why the next day I felt great apart from slightly tight hips.

Check out rorys comments

http://ultraracers.blogspot.com/2010/11/zero-7-destiny.html?spref=fb

Row to the Pole

On Saturday I participated in the first round of selections to become the last crew member for an attempt to row to the magnetic north pole. If I make it (I really hope I do) I will be joining a top team of athletes, explorers and adventurers attempting to make history in what is described as one of the last remaining firsts. Around 48 of us turned up on the day to take part in a gruelling two and a half hour rowing erg followed by mental testing, a group exercise and an interview. The rowing in many ways was the easy bit putting my head down and digging deep I manage 35,097m, which is roughly a split time of 2.13 min/ 500m. I was pretty happy with this as the first time I had been on a rowing machine for a good number of years was the wednesday before the event. I should hear the results in a few weeks time and all going well I will become the final team member.

Pictures/ videos are coming soon hopefully.

Druid Challenge

I completed my first ultra marathon, kind of the first stage in my build up to completing "The Worlds Toughest Footrace". It was 1 of the 3 days of the Druid Challenge organised by XNRG extreme energy covering 28 miles along the ridgeway in Oxfordshire. I manage to complete it in 4 hours 58 mins. Definitely a time which can be improved on.