Owner: Marathon Des Sables URL:mds2008.blogspot.com Join Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 11:51:10 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Marathon Des Sables 2008 training diary. MDS MDS2008. Ultramarathon Site statistics:Click here
Midweek update and the weekend plans 2007-03-15 00:30:00 A definite improvement with my injury over the last few days. I've continued doing a lot of stretching. My hip is fairly uncomfortable, but that doesn't bother me when I run. It's the other end of my IT band, the knee that I'm being protective of.On Tuesday I did a 5 mile interval session. I'm deliberately doing intervals at the moment so I fully stretch out the muscles. That went well with no knee pain at all. I was due to go to the gym today, but being short of time I did another run. I did a slightly shorter route, at 4 miles, but fairly 'hilly' all off road and rough terrain. It was probably a little too ambitious as my knee did ache a little. You should really avoid routes with hills when recovering from IT Band syndrome. During both routes I stopped a few times to stretch out my IT Band. My time was unimportant; I didn't even take a watch. I just concerned about getting back on schedule now. Doing little runs like this, 4 and 5 miles, almost feels like starti Read more:Midweek
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Stretch 2007-03-11 23:51:00 That's been this weeks main activity, stretching.I did an hour in the gym on Tuesday; a resistance circuit, followed by half an hours cardio on the cross trainer and stair climber. I was working away on Wednesday, and on Thursday decided to see if I was capable of running. I picked a short route (just over 2 miles). The route was virtually all road, even paths, nothing that could upset my ITB. I also ran it at a fairly quick pace, to help stretch out my ITB and ensure I was putting my legs through a full range of movement, and not just an off-road shuffle that I guess I do most of my training at these days. I stopped to stretch about half way round. I spent a good few minutes really concentrating on my ITB. After that I continued, and despite a few little niggles, finished without any knee pain. Good news!I did my usual gym session on Friday, pretty much all resistance and free weights work.Today, Sunday, I was in two mins as to whether to do another short run, or slightly lo Read more:Stretch
Training Plan 2007 Month 3 & updates 2007-02-28 21:18:00 Here is my training plan for month 3 (4-weekly cycles) of 2007.Now, how much of this I manage is another question..It looks very much like I have had a flare up of Iliotibial Band Syndrome, which I got before the marathon last year; side-of-Knee pain when running. It even hurt walking for the last two days. I've been icing it and taking ibuprofen, and I have not done any activity since Sunday when it struck.I had an hours sports massage (read: Torture) on it yesterday. Thanks to Mike for that. Something that hurts that much just has to be doing me some good. My entire IT band on the right side is chronically tight (the left is pretty tight as well). I can only assume the change in orthotics set it off, or maybe it was just coincidence, as the orthotics change is to combat these problems. Either way, I can't really run for a week or two, or a month if you follow advice to the letter. However, it's not as bad as last time, because I cut the route short on Sunday for fear of se Read more:Training
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Teggs Nose (...and my knee) 2007-02-25 23:29:00 I took Monday off training as usual. On Tuesday I did an hour at the gym; a mixture of resistance weights, cross trainer and the Stairmaster. However, I had to use the 'cheap' Stairmaster that is chain driven, and not the deluxe model that has the never-ending fold away stairs. The cheap version really is rubbish. What wound me up more was that the 'deluxe' models were being used by two women who leaned so heavily on their arms on the grip bars that they may as well have not bothered getting on at all. I always thought the idea was to workout your legs. If you can't manage that, then either a) go slower b) get off when you feel tired c) not get on at all! On Wednesday I did an hour off-road with my pack, about 2 kilos weight. My schedule was down for a little more than that, but my knee was feeling sore. I just put it down to the long walk at the weekend. So, I decided to play safe and just do an hour. I ran up to the Wedgwood monument in Red Street, near to me, before
Beacon Bash 2007-02-19 06:27:00 On Sunday I took part in my planned LDWA (Long Distance Walkers Association) event, The Beacon
Bash, near Wigan. It is a 21 mile event with approximately 2200ft of ascent. I had entered as a runner, but the day before I got an email from Alan Silcock. Alan entered the 2006 Marathon des Sables but had to retire through injury on day 2. He is going back for the 2007 MDS in 5 weeks. He is very busy cramming in a lot of last minute training as he had to take 2 months off around Christmas after having an operation to remove his appendix. He is also walking this years’ MDS, and not running at all. He decided to come along to the Beacon Bash, so I said I'd walk with him instead of running.We arrived to the event late, as Alan’s alarm clock hadn't gone off, so we set off about half an hour after everyone else. I was carrying my Raidlight rucksack, but this time I had the front pack attachment on too. This I filled with nibbles, some cashew nuts, dried bananas, dried cranberries,
Midweek foot update and this weekends plans 2007-02-15 21:46:00 It's Wednesday night. I had Monday off as usual, and went to the Gym on Tuesday. I did 20 minutes on the cross trainer, level 12, on Random profile. I also set it to run 5 mins forward, then 2 mins reverse, to make sure I work out my calves too.I then did half an hour resistance weights, followed by 20 minutes on the Stairmaster; level 10, steady hills. I did 105 floors this time. This is the only machine in the gym that sweat is literally dripping off me during the session. I'd normally go to the gym this evening, but I had a pre-booked appointment with the place that makes my shoe orthotics. It was basically a review to see if the orthotics were working for me. I had the orthotics built about 15 months ago. At the time they pushed and prodded me, measured everything, pressure plate analysis, gait analysis etc. They did the same again today. I've printed off one of the sheets, a before and after if you like, 15 months ago at the top and today at the bottom.The first pict Read more:Midweek
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Training update, and new equipment. 2007-02-11 20:12:00 The title just about sums it up this week. I made a pledge last week that I would not run until my foot was better. Well, it's not better. Even a walk around the local city centre this afternoon (a week since my last post) started to hurt after about half an hour. I'm even wondering if leaving it another week will not be enough. I have the 21 mile Beacon Bash run next Sunday you see.In place of running I went to the gym 3 times. On Tuesday I did an hours swimming. I certainly improved this week. My breathing was better, and my front crawl too. I did about 28 lengths. However, I did have to take 30 seconds/1 min break between each one! Swimming is obviously a far more technical sport that running, and I am not very efficient at all it appears. However, towards the end of the swim my foot was beginning to hurt as well.On Wednesday I did an hour in the gym. I did a mixture of cross training, resistance weight machines, and 15 minutes on the Stairmaster. This is my new disc Read more:Training
Big news - a new challenge - In June! 2007-02-04 23:16:00 Before I get onto that though, a quick update on this weeks training.My foot/ankle hasn't been too good. I couldn't run, so I just did a couple of gym sessions. Even an hour on the ski machine aggravated my foot in all honesty.On Sunday I tried out some Nordic Walking at Cannock chase. Google it for more details, but basically it's walking using slightly modified trekking poles, but using a totally different walking style. Instead of placing the poles vertical, you angle them backwards and push off with them, boosting your speed and really working out your upper body and back.I struggled for about at hour with the technique, and then it clicked I was struggling because I was walking too slowly. I speeded up to my usual walking speed and it all fell into place. I finally felt as though I was being 'worked-out' and was getting a benefit from the poles. I'm going to email Leki and ask their advice on which type of poles are best for my activity.I really like the Nordic style Read more:new challenge
2007 Training Plan Month 2 2007-01-31 13:08:00 Below is my month 2 training plan for 2007. Month
1 went mostly to plan. I missed a few sessions due to work, and some slight injury. You'll be pleased to hear my ankle is better than expected after the 24 mile event at the weekend, when it really caused me problems. I didn't run on Tuesday, but did an hour on the ski machine/cross on Wednesday. Less impact that risking a run at the moment. Walking more than a few hundred metres it's still painful. I'll have to be careful with what I do this weekend, to allow it sufficient healing time.My pack weight increases every couple of weeks now. I may have to review that if I think it's increasing too much too soon. I don't want to risk injury.The milestone for this month is the Beacon Bash ,a 21 mile LDWA event near Wigan. I have entered as a runner again, and should hopefully be fully fit and improve on my performance last Sunday. Although as I am increasing weight every few weeks, I wonder if I will every really improve my t Read more:Training
, Training Plan
That's Lyth 2007-01-28 23:50:00 Last week I mentioned my right foot was painful, I suspected an inversion sprain picked up on the Cannock Trig race, and aggravated by last weeks hill walk in near Macclesfield. Well, by Monday it had got significantly worse. I could just about bear weight on it, but only if I stood on my tip toe on that foot. I spent Monday and Tuesday with my foot elevated, and when on my feet I more or less hopped around trying to keep all weight off it, in an attempt to get it right for this weekend’s big event.At the same time I was telling myself "Under no circumstances should you take part in this race with an ankle and foot in this condition. It could damage it further and put you out for weeks or months". Obviously I was incapable of training, so I just concentrated on resting it. I had to work in Swansea from Thursday to Saturday night, so I had no choice but to walk around. By Thursday I was walking on the flat of my foot again, but every step was painful. Closer inspection showed
Scott of the Antartic 2007-01-22 13:56:00 I was unable to train Tues - Thurs and Saturday due to late working. I arrived back at 10 and 11pm on Tues and Weds due to being stuck in traffic jams. Road chaos ensued from the storms that hit the UK. Lorries blown over and trees blocking roads, all added to the many miserable hours I sat in traffic jams up and down the country.My Gym session on Friday was cancelled too, so I did a run in the evening. I did a 10k off road run around Apedale Country Park. I picked an undulating route, rising the highest local point before returning home. I used my new Petzl LED head torch (A Christmas gift) which worked well. I also added a kilo of weight to my backpack. It's from this week onwards that I slowly start to add weight for every training session. I found the 10k quite tough. I don't think I was fully recovered from last weekend. Still, I completed it, although with some discomfort down the length of my right foot on top. Last Sunday, during that disastrous Cannock run I turn Read more:Scott
Just what I needed - a disastrous day 2007-01-15 12:32:00 More of the disaster in a minute.Firstly, the week’s sessions: I was very busy with work this week. 10pm finishes most nights. I went to the gym on Tuesday at 8:30pm and did a gym/swim session again. My front crawl was a little better this week, still a long way to go though.I was working so late on Wed and got back at 10:30pm on Thur, so no training on the Wednesday. On Friday I completed my usual gym session though I tweaked a muscle in my right quad which played up a little on Sunday, but it was small fry to the rest of the problems. Saturday I decided to take it easy for Sunday...I really decided to do this event on the spur of the moment, after being given the leaflet about it a week or so ago. It is called the Cannock Chase Trig point run. Before even going I didn't think I really should. I've not even run 7 miles in distance since the Marathon, let alone 15. I've also only run half a dozen times since then. All sense should have said "No", but I figured "Hey I’ve
New year week training. 2007-01-08 00:53:00 Kicked off 2007 training with a session at the Gym on Tuesday. Half an hour on weights, followed by half an hour in the pool. I spent the whole half an hour trying to improve my terrible front crawl. I can run a marathon but a length of a pool shatters me. I read some hints and tips and realise it's my awful technique. I bring my arms out of the water too high, I don't turn my body enough, I don't breathe right. It's an endless list. It will take me a long time to fix these things I suspect. I did a series of exercies with various floats to concentrate on various parts of the stroke. I'll keep repeating this each week to see if I can get some improvement.On Wednesday I did my first run in a month. Only 4 miles, but I picked a tough route to bring in the new year. I found it tough, but not as tough as I had expected. I forgot to warm my muscles up first, and felt a lot of tight tendons snapping accross as I ran. The route was only 4 miles, but I didn't want to push it
Training Plan 2007 2007-01-01 01:40:00 Happy New Year!Well it's almost a year since I started training for this. I was accepted into the MDS 2008 at the end of January 2006, starting my blog on the 25th Jan.Last year I took part in long distance walks, ran 10K's, a half marathon and of course I achieved my main objective, which was to complete a marathon. Despite injury (which is still plauging me today) I finished the New York Marathon in 4:10. If I had been fully fit I would have knocked at least 20 minutes off that.So all my milestones reached for last year. Where now?I've built my next years plan. Well, 8 months of it to be precise, as I want to see where I am in August before deciding on the rest.This year is all about tailoring my training to prepare for the multi day event in the desert in 15 months. Firstly, I have added an extra gym session in, instead of a run. I will use that session to cross train. I need to built up my strength, especially my back and stomach so that I am able to run 6 marathons with Read more:Training
, Training Plan
The last month 2006-12-05 13:14:00 It has been a month since the NY marathon. I returned home and didn't run at all for almost 3 weeks, hoping to cure the ITBS.I ran a short 3 mile circuit in a relatively quick time, perhaps 20 sconds slower than normal. However, afterwards and for the next few days I had hip pain with every step, as the leg compresses into the hip.I waited 5 days and tried a 5 miles route. Same again, more hip pain.This Sunday just gone I decided to take part in a 10k off road race that I have entered for the last 2 years running. Each time in the last 2 years I have had to stop many times due to my leg going totally numb from the knee down several miles into the run. This was sciatica I was told afterwards; it was the reason I got orthotics in my shoes in January this year. Since then I have had no more numbness. So despite not really running at all for a month, and still have this hip pain, I decided to try and do the event more justice. The event is the Newcastle Dales 10k, in Apedale count
New York Marathon Result 2006-11-08 18:19:00 I arrived in NY and spent Friday afternoon and Saturday doing tourist things, and being careful what I ate and drank. Sunday morning I got up just before 5am, spent 30 minutes taping up my toes and applying bodyglide, and cooking porrige in the coffee machine in the bathroom. I met up with the other runners from the 2:09 events ltd group at 6am in the lobby, and we walked to NY public library to catch a bus to the start. We queued for about 40 minutes and then took about an hour long bus ride to the start at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island.I ate a Go energy bar on the bus, and a half of one an hour before the start. I drank 400ml of PSP22 carb drink half an hour before the start, and had a Go gel minutes before the start. I wore my Pattstrap for the ITB and I had a gel belt on with 8 gels, one to have on each half hour. I also had a pouch to carry my gloves and hat when I got warm. I chatted to an American Tom Davies from Texas in the queue for the bus and stayed with him until the Read more:Marathon
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1 Week to go 2006-10-29 20:21:00 A week today I will hopefully be nearing the finish line in Central Park NY.For those interested here is the course description and the elevation profile. I notice it's all hills and more hills!http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/training/coursepreview.phphttp://www.ingnycmarathon.org/entrantinfo/elevation.pdfIt's a 10:10am start, they are 5 hours behind UK time.This week I trained on Wednesday and Thursday, running 3 and 5 miles. Wednesday was thoroughly miserable. I got out of the car after being in traffic jams for 5 hours. I got changed and went straight out. It was pitch black, very cold and throwing it down with rain. Not a very nice session at all. The roads were flooded and I was running up to my ankles in water at times. I looked like a drowned rat when I got back.Thursday I can't recall the weather, but it was certainly better. Both sessions I completed at pace, and without any pain. I was wearing the Pattstap both times, however 5 miles is hardly marathon distance is
3 targets 2006-10-23 01:41:00 Just been reading daily tip 18 on the ING NY marathon website.http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/training/dtip18.phpBasically saying, set 3 targets
: An ideal sceanrio, plus two others.The tip 18 says that in an ideal scenario you would finish in double your 1/2 marathon time + 15-20 minutes. My 1/2 marathon time was 1:52That would make my ideal scenario finish of 3:59 - 4:04 hours. That scenario would be me in peak form, no injuries and no unforseen circumstances on the day.I'm going to be realistic, and say that my chances of meeting scenario 1 have long long gone.So, I need to set two more realistic goals.Scenario 2: I've not trained any further than 15 miles (and that will have been 8 weeks before the marathon), before all the injury problems. So, I've not got the endurance training I needed. In this scenario though,I don't get an injury issues on the day, or none that affect my performance. In this scenario I'm estimating a finish of 4:30.Scenario 3: I've not had enough end
Bad Day 2006-10-23 00:39:00 When I started running today it was raining heavily. It didn't stop raining hard at all. My 'waterproof' jacket turned out to have all the waterproof properties of a string vest. It was also a chilly day. So within minutes I was very wet, very miserable and very cold.A couple of minutes later my GPS unit failed. The repair I made on it a few months ago has been good until now, but I'm going to have to replace it before the marathon. The only advantage is that the replacement model is much smaller than the original. You can see the units below, pictured with the heart rate strap and the watch.The newer unit only takes one AAA battery instead of 3.Anyway...I'm now cold, wet, miserable and I have no GPS. My route takes me off road, hopefully to ease the load on my knee which I strapped up before starting out. The offroad path is pretty waterlogged though.So, a few short minutes later my trainers have soaked up twice their weight in water and it feels like I'm wearing concre
Some Improvement 2006-10-19 20:05:00 I received the Reebok Foam Roller I'd ordere on Tuesday. I got straight to work on it, doing a variety of strecthes, but making sure I paid plenty of attention to my ITB. 'Foam' Roller makes it sound as though it's a soft squishy little sponge. It's not. It is 1 metre long and it is about 6 inches in diameter, and it's hard foam. You lie on top of the roller and work your way down over your various muscle groups. When you feel a tender spot, you stop and hold it there for 30-45 seconds until the muscle releases. It can really hurt, just like a sports massage. I used it several times Tuesday and on Wednesday morning before my physio appointment.Mike, the Physio, commented that my muslces appeared to be much looser than normal! Also when he was deep tissue massaging my knee and ITB it hurt far less, hardly at all this week. The only area which still caused me a lot of pain (as he digs his elblow in) was my hip. That is still very tender.Later on Wednesday I went out for a Read more:Improvement
Sunday Run. Last chance at a long one before NY. 2006-10-15 22:49:00 Today was my last opportunity to attempt anything like a 'long run'. All the advice says that in the last 3 weeks before a marathon you can't add to your fitness, just maintain it. The daily tips on the ING NY Marathon website confirm this.Given my record has been about 4 miles pain free, for the last month, I wasn't hopeful.I decided to run at a faster pace, and also to put a strip of tape around my thigh about 3-4 inches above my kneecap. I've ordered something called a Pattstrap from the States, which i've pictured. All of the testimonials say that it really helps and reduces or elimates ITB pain. I don't think it's something you can use longterm, but if it can get me through the marathon... Anyway, I tried to simulate one of these with a piece of tape. Not a very hi-tech solution and I had to tighten it up after 2 miles, as I don't believe I had sufficient pressure applied. I'm not really sure that a piece of tape worked that well, but I did manage a better distanc Read more:Sunday
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Pain Free II 2006-10-12 18:24:00 I had physio yesterday. 45 minutes working just my ITB, and knee area. I was tempted to ask for an anasthetic as he was working it. Sports therapy is painful!Just when I thought it could not get any more unpleasant I was turned on my side so he could push his elbow into my hip and work the top of the ITB. I completely lost the power to speak at all at this point. Just a series of high pitched whines emerged. Anything hurting this much, must REALLY be doing be good. Mike (Physio) reckons I might just make the start line pain free, but given it's just 3 weeks away, it is touch and go.I've continued with the stretching and strengthening routing as described previously. I can manage more of those special leg raises now, about 30 at once. Good progress there.Tried a slightly longer run today. Same strategy as Tuesday; fast not long. I picked another undulating route as you can see above. Nice downhill to start, nasty climbs to finish.I had no knee pain whatsoever which is enco Read more:Pain Free
Pain Free Run. 2006-10-11 00:08:00 Don't get too excited. It was only 3 miles. I've been reading all the articles on ITBS and as well as all the stretching and strengthening, some also suggest running "fast not long". My knee went at just over 3 miles in the last run, so today I decided to run just under 3 (2.9), but to run it quickly.I ran a local route, starts on quite a steep hill, levels off and comes back down. Then it undulates back home. See the route above.I ran it at 7:35 minute miles, which I was happy with, and pain free. I've been strictly keeping with my exercises and have another physio tomorrow.I'll try another run on Thursday, perhaps a little further, not quite as fast, but still at a good pace. Read more:Pain Free
Todays run...walk 2006-10-09 00:35:00 I did a 6 mile run today, although I walked probably a mile of it. I was perfectly fine up to just over 3 miles. At that point my knee starting aching. By 4 miles it was uncumfortable. By 5 miles I had already had to walk a couple of sections (hills). I struggled onto the end with a mixture of running and walking. As soon as I hit a hill I had to walk. It's amazing that as soon as I start walking, the pain subsides imediately. As soon as I got in I iced it for 15 minutes, as I did a few times today.I also did my stretching and strengthening routing as below:3 times a day20 x Quad Muscle strengthen. Sitting on floor, one knee up. Other foot - toes pulled towards body, foot turned out to the right as far as possible. Leg raises20 x Short Squat to Quad strengthen5 x Short Squat towel Squeeze2 x Standard Quad Stretch5 x Classic ITBS Stretch2 x Stepped ITBS Stretch2 x Sitting, one leg straight, one bent leg over the other, grip leg and twist away10 x 10 secs Glut medius strengthe
Knee Injuries identified. 2006-10-06 17:34:00 I had a physio session today to work specifically on my problem knee. I explained the pain and he did a few tests to identify the problem.I'll post a couple of descriptions I've found. Firstly he showed me I had muscle wastage on my right VMO (Medial muscle just above knee cap on the inside. He measured the circumference of both legs above the knee and the right one was 1cm less. It's also really obvious when you look at it. My lef leg has a distinct bump where the muscle is developed, the right one has lost it's bump totally. Apparently this muscle wastes away very quickly when you have a knee injury.Anyway, after a further test he diagnosed the following.Runner's Knee (Chondromalacia of the patella)Description:Pain around and sometimes behind the kneecap. One of the most common injuries among runners, runner's knee most often strikes as runners approach forty miles per week for the first time. Even after taking a few days off, the pain seems to come right back, sometimes Read more:Injuries
Spring in Lakeland and 2007 Marathon Des Sables 2007-03-20 22:06:00 First off, apologies for not getting this weeks update up until Tuesday night. After the event on Sunday, I got back and had to pack for a business trip to South Wales early on Monday morning from where I have just returned.So, the event was a Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA) event called Spring
in Lakeland. Whoever named the event clearly had no idea what the weather would hold. Winter in Lakeland would have been far more appropriate! The designated route was for 22 miles and 5340ft of ascent. As I arrived in Ambleside in the Lake District the hail started. The organisers gave us instruction to avoid one section of the planned route and take lower ground instead. This, plus an additional short cut (more detail later) meant that the event was 20.6 miles, and 4225ft of ascent. Still fairly substantial, but the main ascent to the highest point in the climb was wisely removed.Both routes are posted below; the original route, then the actual route taken. The main difference Read more:Marathon
Climate Training 2007-03-24 09:38:00 I'm going away for a week this afternoon to visit my sister who lives in Tenerife. It's her birthday, and the whole family is going out. I'm also going to take the opportunity to do some warm weather training, and do a few of Tenerife's many walks. Being a volcanic island it has plenty of mountains to tackle, including the actual volcano Mount Teide which is 3700 (12,000ft) the highest peak in all of Spain. Even the mountains in my sisters back garden are bigger than any in the UK. I get back next Saturday, so expect some pics and video from Tenerife after that.In the meantime, keep an eye on proceedings at this years Marathon Des Sables which starts tomorrow (Sunday) morning.http://www.darbaroud.com/index_uk.phpIt gets updated daily with event and weather updates Keep an eye on Competitor number 543, Silcock.I'm sure he'll appreciate words of support from anyone, if you 'write to a competitor' on that website.Speak to you in a week. Read more:Climate
, Training
Tenerife Training: Climbing Mount Teide 2007-04-01 21:34:00 I decided before I got to Tenerife that I wanted to climb mount Teide. Mount Teide is the highest mountain in the whole of Spain and the third highest volcano on earth, at over 3700 Metres, oxygen at only 50% of sea level at the summit. The basin from where you begin your ascent is already at almost 2300 Metres, and you are not allowed to climb the last 163 metres without a permit. So, that leaves just over 1200 Metres to play with. As I was preparing my Father decided that he wanted to join me. I did try to put him off with scare stories of altitude sickness, and being harder that climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland, and that it was only suitable for fit experienced hill walkers. Here is a 3D image grabbed from Google Earth.However, he was not deterred and came along. It's a 60km drive gaining 2000 Metres to the basin. I had packed for both of us, knowing full well my father would not be prepared! I carried more weight than I ever had before. I didn't have my scales but it felt Read more:Training
Death on the Marathon Des Sables 2007-04-01 20:12:00 Well, I'm back from Tenerife. I survived my training, but only just. I'll create a whole post about Tenerife, separate to this one as I have plenty to say and lots of pictures to see.If you have been following this years MDS using the links I posted then you will know this already. If not, then the 2007 Marathon
Des Sables has just finished. Overall it looks like the conditions were more favourable this year. The humidity was back to normal. Last year about 150 people retired, this year it's looks to be just 30. The humidity looks to have averaged around 15%, and not the 30-40% of last year. The one day the humidity made it to 18% the temperature mercifully dropped to 33C. This was the long day (double marathon) stage, so I bet the competitors were thankful for that! However, for one competitor the long day was his last. Very sadly, a French competitor, Bernard Julé, died in his sleep after completing the long day stage successfully; he was just 49 years old.The full pre
Tenerife Training II : Cliffhanger 2007-04-03 11:22:00 Two days after scaling Mount Teide I wanted to do a harder training session. I had purchased a book called Walk Tenerife, and the accompanying hiking map. None of the routes were suitably long for what I had in mind. So, I strung together 3 different routes from the book. Well, that's what I planned, but I ended up doing 4 routes. The map below shows my route, starting from the left had side in Adeje and heading north, following the green dots I have placed on the map, right around in a circle to the red dot. The route ended up being 19 miles. The first hour and the last 2 hours were hot and cloudless, around 24C. In between it was still warm, but clouded over. I carried 2 litres of water in a backpack that weight approx 5 kilos. I'm sure you have gathered this by now, but you can click on the pictures for a full screen image.The route began at the top of Adeje next to a National Park called Barranca Del Inferno (Hells Ravine). This is the most popular walk in Tenerife fol Read more:Training
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