Planning for planning...
The planning for planning stage has begun. Basically I'm trying to get my head around the task that I have created for myself this coming December. Throwing away all the 'impossibilities' about the task and working systematically through everything on my mind.
Training for an event like this is completely foreign to me. It's not a common task running 3,274km in 30days. I've read many books about Ultra marathons, long distance events and feel I have a pretty good understanding of what goes into the preparation, nutrition and all other areas involved. 30 days consecutive is another level all together, however there are some similarities to all other ultra events and I will need to draw from these as much as I can. Along the way I will have hurdles and unexpected, unplanned challenges but that's what life's about. Flexibility to cope with these obstacles, and resourcefulness to grow and adapt will be crucial.
My training is in full flight and I'm feeling great. My first training challenge 'The training run from hell' will be a 300km round trip from Upper Beaconsfield to Foster, sleep and home again. Last year in May I attempted to run from Foster to Upper Beaconsfield with my mate Darren Cordy in hope of raising money for CARE Australia and their rebuild Nepal campaign. It was both an amazingly positive event and a real disappointment. 6 weeks earlier I was knocked of my bike out of the transition area in the Melbourne Ironman and I landed on my hip. I got through the Ironman but only just. We did raise $4,000 though, so it certainly wasn't all bad!
My hip seemed ok pre Foster run and it was great till the 42-43km mark. Then what followed was 8kms of running on one leg. It was devastating. This training run will be on the same course, similar time of year and as I'm preparing much better, injury free, it is time to make it happen!
As daunting as the overall challenge ahead is, it's not consuming my thoughts, it inspires me to be a better person. More conscious of my nutrition choices, more conscious of late nights, more conscious of my time management and I think the coolest thing, more aware of myself. I'm listening to my body more, my thoughts more and giving myself a little more time and care. I know that my actions now (40weeks pre event) are just as important as each step during the event. Like Muhammad Ali said;
'The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights'
I'm behind the lines now and out there on the road, the battle is coming.
