Saturday 21st November 2020
I’d like to use the testing day of a sport’s car when the mechanics are fine tuning - analogy.
As the driver drives the car to its limits, when the driver identifies something that’s not right, he signals into the cockpit team and comes back in so they can adjust and go back out. Usually with great results although sometimes the driver takes it back into the cockpit as it’s not right. They keep trying and testing until they get it right.
Today for me is a similar scenario. I’m not a race car but I’m me and I’m pushing to be very best I can be.
The day got off to a steady start, albeit a reasonable pace. That said I noticed my right calf muscle was tighter than usual and doesn’t want to play along!
I complete the first 10mile lap at a respectable 2 hours 15mins 34 seconds. I knew I could achieve the sub 6hour target if I manage the pace.
Hydration is good, fuel intake spot on, mindset as usual flawlessly driving me as I enjoy my journey of the day!
The first 10 kilometres Is mainly uphill with only a few sections where I can increase my pace. It zaps the life out of my legs I can tell you! Just past the 18.5 kilometres, my right leg locks up. I have severe cramp in both front and back and I drop my sticks to deal with it. Just as I began to set off, my leg kept locking up. Not good!
The last time I got cramp like this and continued, was 16 miles into the Wolverhampton marathon. I persevered and paid the price by struggling to walk for 3 days after although completing the marathon in 3hours 43minutes.
So, I knew today was no day for a PB, but merely get 20 miles completed get home (pit stop at the cockpit analogy) and sort my leg out ready for another hard training session tomorrow.
17 miles done and 3 miles to go. As I continued, my rear muscles in my left leg began to cramp as well. So it became a game of stop stretch go and repeat.
I knew if I lowered my pace, kept my heart rate at around 115-120, I could see the next 3 miles through even though I was still in some parts fighting with myself to try and increase my pace against the cramps.
That said I reached the car just short of 20 miles in 5 hours 5 minutes 54 seconds.
This is promising signs! Why, because even though I couldn’t push the level I wanted I’m seeing the times evidently show I’m getting faster and stronger whilst pulling the tyre.
I could have pushed on and pushed 30 miles for the day, but with too much risk taking me out for tomorrow. A great positive experience for me. Why? In the sub-zero conditions, my ego/mind needs to know when to take a step back so that I can go 10 steps forward etc.
Whilst I know confidently, I can manage and control my mindset, it’s always good to apply in training so your mind is ready and can act automatically when needed.
At home I rested, stretched and consumed lots of lovely food, as well as maintaining my hydration. Early bed ready for getting myself out of the bed for 4.30am. with expectations my legs will be fine for the morning.
A day full of intentions to push and see if a PB could be achieved with the tyre. I woke up feeling relatively OK, but if being honest the thought of going back to sleep at 4.30am was very tempting! That said I got my lazy butt out of bed and began the process of prepping myself for a long day with intentions of rattling off 40-50 miles.
The weather forecast was said to be cool but dry. Not sure they were completely right!
As I set off, head lamp on as it was still dark, my energy is great, mindset as always solid, but in the back of my mind is the concern about the muscles, bands/tendants/ligaments in the right leg after yesterday’s episode.
So my decision was to not jog for the first hour once I’d past the incline sections, at which point my legs would be relatively loosened off.
Things seemed to be going OK, with a good walking pace of approximately 6kmh.
I found myself continuously being distracted by the beautiful reflections in the reservoirs.
It’s not often you get to see things so calm and I took time out to enjoy the journey.
I made a conscious choice very early in the journey today, and that was to enjoy the stunning scenery. Yes, I could have pushed for a PB, but to be honest, the scenery was more important.
I feel we can sometimes miss what’s around us when we get too focused and channelled in our vision. Simply, we can miss so much, so I chose to enjoy the day and I don’t have an issue with the decision I made.
I see and hear it sometimes when people wish they had spent more time with their loved ones, kids etc when they are transitioning for retirement and reflect on their past.
As I reached the stone bridge around 9 kilometres, I noticed my pace was holding well and figured I’d make up more time on the second lap.
1st lap completed and my time wasn’t too bad considering the stops, but something was still not right. Whatever happened yesterday when my right leg locked up, it had clearly disturbed something, and my glute was twitching with an urge to cause problems. I eased of slightly and kept a reasonable pace.
From about 20 kilometres onwards, although I tried to jog a few sections, whenever I stepped it up a gear, my right leg agitated by my glute, giving me the impression it was ready for locking again. This continued for the remaining 12 kilometres. It was clear no PB was being achieved.
Me being me, I pushed on but with an increased sense of awareness and a steady pace to manage my condition.
Whilst I had intentions to complete 40 miles on the Sunday giving a total of 60 for the weekend, it was clear had I pushed for the mileage, whilst my energy nor fitness wasn’t an issue, something wasn’t right with my right leg firing order.
The night before, I realised what I had been doing over the last 2 weeks differently which had contributed to my leg locking up on the Saturday, and I knew this was the cause.
I know with my healing ability/recovery rate, if I didn’t push the 40 miles today, I would have every chance for a potential PB next Saturday.
So I took the decision to enjoy a steady 20 miles and enjoy the scenery and the aspiration to achieve a sub 6 hour tyre pulling marathon continues.
On the basis international travel restrictions are relaxed by mid to late January 2021, and I am allowed to enter the Yukon and Alaska to complete my 1,000 mile unsupported arctic expedition trek, my training plan has 6 weeks remaining before I ease off.
My aim, to achieve the sub 6 hour trye pulling marathon and complete a 200 mile tyre pull over 4 days by Christmas 2020.
I hope you enjoy the pictures I’ve shared, and thank you to everyone who has been following my journey so far.
Warmest wishes
Jonathan