You do have a family, you know?!

Jonathon Ross...

KNACKERED is not a big enough word to describe how I felt after completing 26 miles on Sunday. I planned a great route through Bournemouth, along the seafront through the pleasure gardens, over some quite impressive hills then finishing via a lovely forest. I taped my feet up and set off at around 9am.

All was fine – except for some maniac who nearly ran me over at some traffic lights. I couldn’t get my two fingers up in time to let him know my displeasure before he had disappeared!

It was around the 23 mile point that I got severe stomach cramps and had to walk for a while. I finished the run but was still in some discomfort. After reading our Silver Surfers quality advice on nutrient intake I think I should watch exactly what I am eating and drinking more carefully. The good thing is that this is the reason we train, so we can eliminate all these problems and not suffer them on the actual event.

There are of course physical dangers when running. Just last week I was rounding the last bend to my home. I noticed a car starting to reverse out of a driveway. I slowed slightly, ready to take evasive action but actually thought he would stop. Well, he didn’t stop and I ended up trying to run round the back of his car. The trouble is he then accelerated and I ended up sprawled all over his boot lid. I had to bang on his rear window for him to stop. Needless to say I let him know where, in my opinion, he had gone wrong!

On a more domestic front, my wife Sarah has been fantastic in her support for the cause. She even let me purchase some very exotic looking trainers which almost required a second mortgage. She also let me buy a set of ‘Skins’. I have no idea if they do what they are supposed to but I find them great to run in. There is, however, a slightly strange feeling you get from wearing them, which is probably best not discussed.

Sarah did mention that. 'This 65 mile run thing you are doing is taking over your life, you do have a family, you know?!' So, I now have to pretend it hasn’t taken over my life and think more of my 18 and 20 year old sons, who quite frankly wouldn’t notice if I was thinking about them more or not. Unless of course they want more money or a lift to the pub. (Cynic! Of course they would! - Ed)

It is very difficult not to let this event take over your life especially as I can actually see Tarrant Rushton airfield from my office window!

Best regards to you all – stay fit.

Project 65 - now being advised by the science team at Lucozade!!

Matt Furber, a sports scientist who works for the Lucozade Sports Science Academy, offers some practical advice on how to run 65 miles.

Upon hearing about Project 65 I was so inspired by the challenge that you guys are taking on, I thought I would like to help in anyway possible! Some may say that running it would do that, but 65 miles is to0 far for me - I am a track runner and 800m is about the furthest distance I race. Therefore I am going to follow your journeys through this blog offering nuggets of advice on training and nutrition for the challenge itself. I will also be there on the day for any last minute advice/to wish you luck! Along the way if you have got any questions regarding the above, I will be more than happy to answer - just add your comments below each of my blogs!

For this first blog, I will start with 'An Ultra Endurance Run - Dietary Carbohydrate Consumption'.

Ultra endurance, now that is a challenge! In terms of general dietary consumption it is essential that you get enough calories into your body to be able to maintain your training status. If you are not eating enough, each training session will deplete you energy stores a little bit more until you are running on empty. This results in a greater chance of injury, illness and demotivation - clearly none of which are good. Carbohydrate is the main choice of fuel for you brain, muscles and central nervous system, and without which your body is unable to function efficiently, and so simply put, the consumption of enough carbohydrate is essential for your success.

You should look at eating Low Glycemic Index (slow release) carbohydrates throughout your daily diet and they will give you a slow constant release of energy throughout the day. Thing like Basmati rice, pulses (lentils), spaghetti, porridge are all good carbs to eat. Your diet wants to consist of 60-65% carbohydrate, 15% Protein and 20-25% Fat. Try and ensure that you are getting in enough fruit and veg each day at these provide the body with the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which help remove free radicals (the bad by-products of exercise).
With the amount of training that you will be doing, it is important that you do not starve yourself. If you are hungry then make sure you eat!

I will upload more blogs in the coming weeks but once again, any questions, just ask!

In the meantime, keep up the outstanding work!

Matt