16 weeks to go

OK, so today is 16 weeks until the Amsterdam marathon. It's time to get in shape!
I did the 4 miles with my mam this morning. She was moaning that I didn't even break out in a sweat when it must have been around 26 degrees, but I think she felt better when I reminded her I have been running since May 2008... 3 years! She did well, and I'm sure she will cope great with next weeks Run for Life.

After dinner (where my mam and dad seemed offended that I left the roast potatoes!) I came home and went straight up to do my deadlifts and upper body weights. I walked into the gym and almost fainted... it was 31 degrees in there. Oh well... all this helps, I thought to myself! I have heard many a time that "Pain is weakness leaving the body". For me, because I'm so terrible in the heat, I see every bead of sweat as my main weakness leaving my body.

I began with 10 minutes on the rebounder. I chose to wear shoes on it today with a double footed landing. Hopefully my foot will take well to this easier approach. I was sweating buckets after doing that.
The deadlift session didn't go well. My hands were so wet and sweaty, I couldn't hold onto the bar properly without it slipping from my grip. So, I didn't go above 105KG today. The upper body weights went OK, although I was sweating profusely during the whole session and then the sauna was ditched after only 9 minutes because I felt like I was showering in my own sweat and I couldn't handle it anymore.

I tasted a 9 Bar today. I'm trying to find what will suit me by way of refuelling, and trying to imagine if I can handle such foods during an ultra. I am quite fortunate to be able to eat a huge meal and then exercise straight after without any nasty after effects, however I find that eating once I have started running to be quite a different kettle of fish! The 9 Bar looked very appetising, however the carob topping was absolutely vile. Luckily after 2 or 3 mouthfuls of it, the taste didn't seem quite so bad, although even in todays heat it was melting all over the place. I should maybe have a look and see if they do one without the topping.

I've worked out a route for tomorrows 1 hour run. It is quite nasty by way of elevation and probably way more than the accumulative elevation per loop of Bangalore, however, if I can do this every week when I'm at my most tired it will be great practice and confidence boosting for when I'm feeling tired during the ultra. I have no illusions about my first attempt at it tomorrow though... it's going to be horrendous!