Training Diary of Graham Nicoll who is competing in the Marathon Des Sables 2013...the hardest footrace on earth...6 marathons in 6 days across the Sahara!
Friday 25 January 2013
Rest week...well kind of!
Monday was a rest day, then Tuesday was back to running. This week is designed as a rest week to allow the body a bit of recovery so the run was a mere 6miles around the docklands...a bit cold and a bit boring but a few miles around the streets.
On Wednesday I went to the gym at our office in Canary Wharf and did a little stepper session then went in to do a 45 min spin class. The great thing about a spin class is the variety, which adds a bit of a change to the general long, slow paced training required for MDS.
Yesterday I was up early in Leamington and went for a run round Newbold, then through town and back home. The run felt pretty tough, not sure if this was due to a lack of sleep or just because the body needed a bit of rest.
Today I popped onto the turbo trainer for a short 1.5hr session. The first 30 mins was a steady session followed by 5 min high resistance (kind of like a hill climbing session) with a 5 min in between for a stead bit of restful cycling. 1 hour of this gave the legs a good bit of challenge with a little rest in between.
Tomorrow is back t the running and he to do a nice cross country session across to and round the Warwickshire...
Saturday 19 January 2013
Two different but really good session...
The mixed bit was that my flight from Glasgow back to Birmingham was cancelled due to the snow, although the train journey I opted for was pretty relaxed, if a little long.
Today was a tough, but great run in the snow...I took the boys sledging first thing at the Warwickshire so warmed the legs up running up and down the hills! I then ran a full circuit of the Earls Course and then the Kings course in the snow with my MDS Ultra pack on with a couple of kilos to start getting used to it! This run was tough in the snow, but great conditioning for the legs as it is kind of like running in sand (although a little cooler!). So roughly 11 - 12 miles through the snow!
A cycle session on the spin bike tomorrow before a welcome rest day on Monday.
Thursday 17 January 2013
Another week...more miles...more gym work
I have kept up the routine up over the last week:
A hour an half on the Turbo Trainer on Friday last week (watching 24 helps pass the time!) then on Saturday after my son's football team won 6-2, I went for a nice 10 mile cross country run around the Warwickshire. The mud helped build some good leg endurance and gave a taste of running in sand. I ended the week with a double spin session at the Warwickshire to put 1hr 45 on the legs.
Monday's rest day felt good - a welcome rest!
This week I have been travelling again up to Scotland for the week, although strange as it may seem there has been no snow here...when down South the snow seems to be piling up.
On Tuesday and this morning (Thursday) I went for an 8 mile run from the Hilton, down to Glasgow Green, three laps of the park and back...felt good, if a little chilly! To break up the running yesterday I did 1 our cycle in the gym. A day on a day off running is working at the moment to minimise the risk of injuries!
I received an email today from Sandbaggers saying I won a pair of gaiters...awesome! Saves me a bit of money!
Thursday 10 January 2013
Training on the move...
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Sunday 6 January 2013
Gym session to tire the legs.
Body felt good throughout, although my calves are starting to feel the increased training workload and are getting pretty tight with a few knots. I am taking plenty of time during and after training to stretch them out but definitely need to get a deep sports massage on the legs to help loosen them up a bit.
I am very much looking forward to a rest day tomorrow. The week ahead is going to be a shock as I am back to my weekly travels with Monday and Tuesday in London and then head to Glasgow for Wednesday and Thursday and working in Birmingham on Friday. Need to remain focused to ensure I slot training in each day.
Saturday 5 January 2013
Tested the MDS Ultrabag today...
I went for a gentle 1 hour run today with my new MDS Ultra bag...
Friday 4 January 2013
On the turbo trainer...and my MDS ultrabag arrives!!!
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Thursday 3 January 2013
Canalside run in Birmingham
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Wednesday 2 January 2013
Gentle gym session today...
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Tuesday 1 January 2013
Fundraising page all set up...
13 Weeks, 4 Days, 9 Hours, 42 Minutes to Marathon Des Sables 2013...toughest footrace on earth
I have signed up to do this event to: 1. complete this amazing personal challenge and 2. to raise money for the great work Mencap does in supporting individuals with learning disabilities to live the lives they want to live.
Over the coming weeks and months I will share my training experiences - both good and bad...the highs and the lows! Today was the first days of 2013 training, which started with a great 4 mile muddy hike with the kids - fighting through brambles to collect golf balls from the local course to add to their collection. This was followed by a steady 6 mile run down to and round Newbold Comyn in in Leamington Spa.
The body feels good following some Christmas overindulgence...bring on 2013...family...work...and training for the greatest footrace on earth - MDS 2013!
Marathon Des Sables