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With the plan in place, the kit list finalised and the weekly mileage decided, all that’s left is to start training in earnest. One slight problem…I’m injured!

Yes, for the last week I’ve been trying to ignore a sore heel that I picked up during last week’s beach runs. I had hoped it would disappear after a few days but now I suspect it is Achilles Tendon Bursitis which is basically inflammation of the bursa which is is a small sack of fluid that goes between a tendon and a bone in the feet to help the tendon move smoothly over the bone.

I have applied ice over the last few days and managed to ‘burn’ the heel by applying it directly to the skin – tut tut. I’m still pretty confident that it will have disappeared in a few days but having not had the chance to run this weekend, I’m frustrated. Still better to have a slow start than persist and make things worse further down the line.

Went round to Mike’s tonight to work out a training plan for the big day (78 days from now!). Both admitted to being slightly worried about the scale of the challenge we have set ourselves. Even more worrying when you consider how little long distance running either of us have completed recently.

Still, we’ve entered now and have to make the best of it. We agreed that we would both give it our absolute best shot and compete to the best of our abilities – which, in my case, leaves me well behind Mike in terms of fitness but 3 months should be long enough to get a lot closer.

Have put together a rough plan which involves 1 long run and 2 shorter runs every week. Our totals range between 55 and 80 kilometers a week, depending on whether it’s an ‘easy’ or a ‘hard’ week. Should be interesting to see if my old bones can put up with that level of training – I’ve already picked up a niggly heel injury and that was for an hour’s run along Par Beach – doesn’t bode well!

No, come on, be positive. This will be one of the biggest and most enjoyable challenges of my life and I need to start being more positive. No more talk of being weaker or less fit than Mike. I should remind myself I’m 14 years older and still hope to get fit enough to be competitive.

So the real work starts this weekend. All being well I will get a longish run in on Sunday which will count towards my first week total of 55k. It will be the first run out for the new rucksack so that will give me something to report. Already worried about the final weight as it is coming in at 8.5k already!!

Spoke to Mike and we reckon we can lose some of it by shedding some water (1k) and some wet food (500g). I think I can slim the clothing down another 500g at least so hoping to have a bag weighing 6 – 6.5k on the day. Will start to hone and perfect the exact contents over the forthcoming weeks so will report on how that’s going too. I think our ultimate success will depend on 3 factors:

• Fitness
• Bag Weight
• Luck

The first 2 we can plan for, the last is down to the weather and how quickly we find the control points. Gotta go, one thing I definitely need more of is rest, rest and more rest. Oh, it’s Phoebe’s birthday tomorrow so I will be getting woken early – aargh!

Goodnight

We’re in!

Found out yesterday that we are officially entered into this year’s OMM in Wales. Now the hard work really starts. According to the planner as of today there are 81 days until race day – that’s less than 3 months!

I promised myself I would buy some ‘proper’ kit if our entry succeeded so last night I splashed out on a OMM Classic 32L rucksack and chest pouch, allowing an extra 4L to be carried. I also bought a 2L bladder and a guide to running mountain marathons. Next purchase, and probably my most expensive, will be a decent sleeping bag. I can get through just about anything if I know at the end of the day I’ll be warm and toasty in a dry, comfy sleeping bag!

Going over to Mike’s tonight to discuss training and kit. Exciting times!