I’m not a fan of the bugs that get spread around the office in winter. It’s making me very conscious of keeping a healthy nutritious diet, plenty of sleep, listening to my body when I need rest and avoiding people who look like extras from zombie films!
Last weekend was good – I helped set up HQ for the Tatton Yule Yomp on Saturday and got a 10 mile trail run in at an easy pace. On Sunday I raced in the Tatton Yule Yomp, knocking over a minute off my course PB, thanks to increased fitness, mild weather and lighter shoes (my Inov-8 X-Talons). It was my last race of the year… Oh wait, I actually went straight on to do the 3k fun run with a friend as a three-legged race!
Tatton Yule Yomp silverware
So, Sunday was my last day of racing for this year and I now have my sights set for January’s races.
Trigger Fell Race, mid January 2014: I’ll start recceing the course this weekend. I have also purchased some Kahtoola MICROspikes in case there’s significant snow and ice in the Peak District by then, like there was last January.
Marmot Dark Peaks Mountain Marathon, late January 2014: No chance to recce this course as the location doesn’t get announced till the week of the race! It’s an overnight race so I’ll be sleep-deprived, cold and disorientated. Fun!
So, between Christmas shopping, office parties, Crimbo itself and NYE, it’s time to train train train. My running shoes (and perhaps even wetsuit) will be packed for Christmas and my new year will be a generally healthy skiing/running/mountaineering combination. As a good friend once reminded me “champions are made in winter”.
Keep running
GeekintheHills
PS – Just checked the forecast for the Peak District tomorrow where I’ll be doing a recce. 90mph gusts??
Geek in the Hills 