I thought I'd had a pretty decent January...and I think I probably shouldn't discredit what I've done....I only felt bad when I compared it to last January and I'm about 20 miles and a few hundred meters of climb short.
However, I should try and hang onto the positive vibes I did have and believe that my perception is the reality!
So the stats look a little like (an extra week of 'work'!):
Running = 131 miles and 5,700m of ascent (28.5 hours)
Strength & Conditioning = 7 sessions (4.5 hours)
Versaclimber = 8 sessions and 12,000 ft of climb (2 hours)
Pilates = 2 sessions
I focused more on my eating for most of the month (have relapsed this week somewhat), and was seeing the benefits of that with a decent early weight loss (Christmas holidays have a lot to be accountable for), and decrease in body fat percentage.
The plan for 2016 was thrown into disarray also mid-month, with the disappointing news that I had failed to get through the ballot for this year's CCC revenge run in Chamonix. And while I am totally gutted about this, as it means some plans for this year and next will need re-thought, it also gives me a chance to focus on some different events this year.
The plans so far include:
- Forfar Multi-terrain half marathon
- Glentress Marathon
- D33
- Highland Fling
- Strathearn Marathon
- Great Glen Ultra
- Devil O' the Highlands (where my ultra running began)
And some 'payback' being crew at WHW for John Munro who helped me across Lairig on my first completion.
And a few ideas on some other events, depending how the next month or so goes....
Finished the month with a smashing weekend at the WHW training weekend at Balmaha this weekend. I got a decent 20 miler under my belt and a good 30 minutes faster than the same route last year. Great to catch up with everyone and share a (few) vinos, pizza, gin, malts, stories over a night in the pub. Definitely a must do on the annual calendar now!
Somewhat behind schedule but a wee final round up of my Marcothon running and rhyming. Despite some challenges this December, I really enjoyed the focus of the daily Marcothon and it definitely helped give me back my mojo for running and training, and seemed to suggest (touch wood) that my knee injury might be taking a back seat.
32 activities and 145 miles (about 8 miles further than in 2014).
Day 23
I wasn't going to go this morning
The wind was howling as I lay in bed yawning
Bu what plan if I didn't go
The motivation later on? I just don't know
So off I went in semi-daylight
In my purple jacket, so I didn't look a sight
Started off dry then down came the rain
Another three miles sploshing thru the puddles once again!
Day 24
Christmas Eve there's still work to be done
Time for another early Marcothon run
Today was one of those special ones
That makes you feel awesome when it is done
Dark and dry, not too long
My head was full of Christmas song
Round and round they went in my head
So I started to sing them out loud instead
No-one around to hear my sound
Just my faithful Cori hound
Another 5 miles on his paws
I think he'll manage another week more
Christmas Day
Eight miles under the snowy hills
Made for Christmas morning thrills
Happy plod from Kilmahog
With the boy on his bike, and Cori dog
Day 26
Today would be the hangover run
Or was I still drunk? Well it had to be done
Cold and wet, it wasn't pretty
Came back feeling a little less shitty
Cori dog a bit sluggish too
But had to go out as he needed the loo
5 miles done, it could've been worse
I didn't finish needing a hearse!
Day 27
A belly still full of Christmas food
Would I go running, of course I should
A sunny day, on boggy trails
Put the wind right in my sails
The mind was willing, the legs less so
It may have been a little slow
With little care I trotted on
And that's another ten miles gone
Day 28
Woke up feeling a bit snotty
And the weather looking pretty grotty
I certainly wasn't feeling the love
So Clark kindly gave me a motivational shove
A 4 mile stint I had in mind
One of the steady ploddy kind
Turned out to be a faster pace
Huffing and puffing like I was in a race
Cori dog ran wild and free
I think he was taking the piss out of me
I wonder his feelings in January
When there's no running every day with me?
Day 29
Day 29 and full of snot
Whose bloody head cold have I caught?
Three runs left I won't be beat
This final challenge I will complete!
Work today, and out in store
Had to get the run in while many still snore
T-shirt weather, nice moon, clear sky
Made for less reasons to sigh
Just over three miles by the river
Trying to shake off this wee shiver
No need to show off, or over cook
Still playing by the rules in the book!
Day 30
Took the fenix for its first run
Playing with the buttons meant lots of fun
Wondering if I'd set it up right
To capture all the data would be such a delight!
A short shuffle in the calm of the storm
Staying dry no longer the norm
Still full of snuffles with two days to go
How many snot rockets could I blow?
Day 31
I sucked it up and took man pills
Set off down the Darn Walk for muddy wet thrills
The water deep, my knees got wet
But my last three Marcothon miles I had to get!
Continued on a steeplechase
Even getting lost at a familiar place
So that's it, we've all had another go
And Marcothon has given me back my mojo!
