Run longer, sleep less!

David Hands, self titled 'Old and Gray' muses on the undertaking of 65 miles...

Not quite sure how to start this. Maybe a bit about why -

Just had a thought. Has anybody approached the French and German veterans organisations about participating? Yes, I know, it's daft but I'm known for my wacky ideas. There is one SS tank commander I would like to meet but I suppose the chances of that actually happening are zero. (Yes, we have, but no promises... Ed)

Anyway about running.

David Hands from Aylesbury here. Running for me is something of a religion. I'd rather do it than anything else. Talking or writing about it is a good second and it was talking to a Captain Vickery RAEC that got me interested.

Vickery was attached to 22 SAS in Hereford (in about 1968) and came once a week to Long Marston near Stratford on Avon on a little motorcyle. There were also occasionally young SAS soldiers at Long Marston for education courses but they didn't mix with us ordinary 'pongoes'.

Vickery encouraged me to run and eventually I joined 59 Commando Squadron RE when they came back from Singapore. Sadly I failed the commando course because I was afraid of an obstacle on the Tarzan course. I'd like to give credit to John Howell because he believed in me enough to put his neck on the line and got the Marines to accept me back for a second attempt. I was told that had never happened before. I still failed but not as badly as before. Thanks though, John.

Running at a track meet in Watford in June 1991 some unfortunate woman, acting as lap counter for the 5K race made us run an extra lap because she lost count through talking to other people. I was furious. I swore I'd never run there again.

August 1991 in Swansea I was running on the sea front looking forward to a long slow run of about 12 miles. Suddenly there's this sharp pain down the back of one thigh. It hurt so badly I was nearly in tears. I hobbled until it wore off but found it impossible to run again.

Several attempts to restart running resulted in back and leg pain. My GP said it was sciatica and there was very little that could be done. I was a psychiatric nurse at the time and I don't willingly accept the idea of "CAN'T" in most of what I do.

After some years of research I found glucosamine but the results I got from it were sporadic and painful. Some brands worked but all gave me horrendous calf cramps especially at night. Magnesium tissue salts solved that problem but the supply dried up when the local health shop shut down.

Back about 1989 I'd developed a severe quad strain because I hadn't understood stretching exercises and the need for them. Physiotherapy early in 1991 allowed me to continue in good condition but one physio did say that he thought I'd never run long distances again.

I'm about to prove him wrong! The quad strain has made its presence known the day after every time I've run. When I saw what the Pegasus Bridge crew were doing I said to myself, "I want that".

For two months I did nothing. One day, just before Christmas I bought a massage hammer from a local shop because I knew I couldn't afford physiotherapy. It didn't do any good until mid February when I used it standing up.

I can now run, albeit only at 10 minute miles. Yesterday I was at 3 and half miles, slight back pain but no muscle ache and no quad strain. I do have to use the massage hammer several times a day as most of my time is spent sitting writing.

The big question is "Can I get myself fit enough to make 65 miles in early June?"

I think I can. The Across Wales Walk at 45 miles, the Long Mynd Hike at 50 miles and the Marine 30 mile all tell me that I can, if I put in the training, even though they were a long time ago.

It's alright, it's ok -
Doesn't really matter if you're old and gray

Run Longer, Sleep Less!

David Hands

The Silver Surfer rides into week two...

Dr Iain Chalmers:

Charging into the second week of training and I've had my first 'gel' fix of the season while running. God it brings back memories - all this hypertonic/isotonic strength, variety flavours, with or without caffeine etc! Bring back the good old simple days of “flat coke,” plimsolls and moustaches like the 118 chaps! Better still do like they did in the marathon at the first modern Olympics in Greece; the winner used a glass of red wine every mile as nutrition/hydration!!

I would not recommend this behaviour however as the winning time then (in the 1890’s) isn’t even good enough for an “elite” slot in today’s marathon. If it does appeal to you, I seem to remember that a similar event occurs in France: drinking every mile and trotting between vineyards, what more could one want! I think we'd better forget discussing the first marathon as the poor chap died after blurting out his message!

For those real anoraks amongst us who like trivial snippets, the accepted length of a modern marathon was decided at the London Olympics in 1908, the distance from Windsor castle to the finish line opposite the royal box at White City stadium!

That aside I got a new toy - a running headlamp! I’m afraid the local villager walking his dog who spotted me hasn’t been the same psychologically! Technically, they are really good but must remember to avoid the 'Radcliffe' method of head bobbing while running as I may make myself sick. Short and sweet this time as off to the pool followed by a nice quick 10k with my local club...

My continued best wishes!

Running against time through thin air.

Rob Starbuck would like everyone to read this article in The International Herald Tribune.

Manitou Springs, Colorado: The course follows old Ute tribe trails 20 miles up, down and around Pikes Peak, a narrow, gravely passage rising 7,815 feet to crest 14,110 feet above sea level. Tourists with respiratory ailments are cautioned against making such an ascent, even by car. Motorists on nearby roads are advised to employ manual transmission. Promotional materials for the summit warn of altitude sickness, lightning, hypothermia, rattlesnakes and wild animals carrying bubonic plague. Matt Carpenter expected to run it in about three hours.

At 44, Carpenter is known as the grand paladin of high-altitude distance running. In 1993, he set record times - still standing - for the 13.3-mile, or 21.3-kilometer, Pikes Peak Ascent and the Pikes Peak Marathon, races he won again in 2001 and 2007, both times on consecutive days. He has also set speed marks in a high-altitude flat-surface marathon, a 50-mile race and a 100-mile race.

"Somebody told me you don't know who you are until you do a 100-miler," Carpenter said. "I said, 'Damned if I'm going to die and not know who I am."'

Rob comments, "We will all know a lot more about ourselves after 65 miles and I for one will come away knowing who I am."

Go the link above for the rest of the article...

Veteran Marathon Runner joins the Project 65 Community.

Rory Coleman, a marathon runner of some distinction, exhorts all Project 65 runners to knuckle down to some serious training!

I must say that I am excited by the thought of running 65 miles for Project 65. The part I am looking forward to the most is learning more about the history behind the run and the camaraderie that this type of event brings. People bond together when times get tough and the unity that the 200 runners will share will be an amazing thing to be part of.

I feel that my task is to make sure that everyone gets to the finish… a sort of Project 65 'Mr. Motivator'! There will be times when it will be too easy to give up or give in and that’s where I think my experience will be vital in getting the other 199 runners to Pegasus Bridge! Please get in touch if you want any help or advice with your training.

My focus now is on getting the runners together for a long training run so they get some idea of how to undertake the massive challenge ahead of them…

Rory's own website with plenty of tips and encouragement can be found at http://www.rorycoleman.co.uk/

Capt Wonder Pants is well on the way now.

Spencer Rolls (aka Capt Wonder Pants) gives the Project 65 Blog his take on where he is in the training cycle.

How can you train for 65 miles? It’s difficult and to be honest daunting. Most people never manage to run to the end of the road let alone run a Marathon. But this isn’t classed as a Marathon, this is an ULTRA. A word that inspires those who want to push further and further into the madness of running.

So back to the question.... HOW?

The answer is actually pretty straightforward; the best way is to be able to run more than 65 miles. After all if you can run 70 miles, then you can run 65 but getting to that level is the problem.

It takes a gradual increase in training and events to get to a level where you know you can do this. It’s not all about the physical side either, the mental side in my opinion takes up more than 50% of the effort. If you believe you can do it, then there is more chance of success.

My training is simple... 3 times a week (2 at the club because after all it takes a lot to get out on your own) and 2 – 3 times at the gym to build up the core and the other muscle groups, and rest as well.

This week is going to be interesting. I have an event this weekend, 'the Steyning Stinger'. 26.2 ish miles of the South Downs countryside, all off road and hilly. Probably very cold and very muddy. GREAT. As I’m doing this I like to take it easy the week before, but not too easy mind you. The club run is on a Tuesday. Normally hill or speed work. Hate doing it, but this weekend will see if it is starting to improve my running. Thursday is the club run. Normally a pleasant run around the local area which is between 5 and 7 miles.
Should be fun.... I’ll keep you updated next week on the RUN!

Capt Wonder Pants!

The 'Silver Surfer' joins the Project 65 blog...

Dr Iain Chalmers, an ageing (by his own admission!) GP from Grimsby, adds his own views on Project 65 as he continues his training for the big day:

The options for 2009 were an Ironman or an Ultra-marathon. Since I DNF’d [did not finish - Ed] the Ironman in September due to a dreadful swim and vomiting on the bike section, my wife clearly said it was divorce or behave!

Being a sensible triathlete it was an “ultra” instead - it’s so logical! So here I am on a 16 week programme for an ultra race. Done some fundraising before for some marathons but nothing in this league and I’ve no claim to fame other than meeting Jane Tomlinson at Great North Run (everyone went running round her but I just piled up alongside and said hello!)!

I’m trying to get on TV as we have a local health TV channel broadcast in all the local GP surgeries, but we'll have to wait and see. As for sponsoring me, you can find me at http://www.justgiving.com/iaindschalmers.

Best wishes to all...!

Welcome to the PROJECT 65 Blog!

Danny Greeno, Chairman of Project 65, adds his very best wishes:

2009 marks a very big year for everyone at Project 65 with several very large scale events, the main one being our 65 mile ‘Run to Pegasus’. This blog has been designed to allow members of the running community and the thousands of supporters of Project 65 to communicate with each other and share stories, successes, recipes and ideas.

Many of the people running the momentous 'Run to Pegasus' will be posting weekly updates of their training for the big run and I would encourage you all to share your stories with us. My sincerest thanks to everyone who is supporting us by either running, donating or volunteering to assist with the many tasks that need to be covered to ensure that the Run to Pegasus is as special as it promises to be.

I wish everyone the very best of luck in their training, and look forward to seeing you at the start line... if not before!

65 miles start here..!

Rob Starbuck, London, writes the first blog for Project 65:

The world of a long distance runner is normally quite lonely – with Project65 it is very different – since joining the Project65 community has developed and will continue to do so as the event in June draws closer.

I would normally be training for London [Marathon-sic] right now – but forget that - 65 miles is the new target ….but the way to complete it is no different - the miles must be done there is no getting around that – the right food must be eaten fish, chicken and pasta by the bucket load – behind all this is the Project 65 team who apart from seeking to raise funds for such a great cause certainly want it to be a fun few days in June…..the objective is to get all 200 or so runners across the Bridge in Normandy - no one will be left behind…..the D-Day spirit lives on!