Friday, March 5, 2010

What is a typical training week?
Some weeks I run hours and hours; 80 miles or so and other weeks I run...ok hours and hours but it might only be a short 5k on Tuesday, some speedwork for 30 minutes on Wednesday, then 8 miles on Thursday and 20 miles on Saturday and 20 miles on Sunday.
Some training is done with a 20 lb pack and some training is completed on the beach. Truthfully though, the hardest training is in your head where you struggle to break through the mental barriers.
If anyone really wants to know the details I have some spreadsheets tracking my workouts. Average mileage is just under 200 miles per month the last while. As much of my training as possible begins around 5 AM. I find that my desire to run decreases throughout the day, and I enjoy the quiet of early morning (plus my brain hasn't yet turned on so it's easier to just go with the flow and not worry about aches and pains or that you would rather be watching TV).
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1 comment:

  1. RobertaMarch 31, 2010 at 8:38 AM

    Hey Grant,
    It all sounds fantastic! I'm so jealous. Would love to chat about some of your mental training next time you're in town. I also want to hit your up for some more running info as I took some of your advice to heart and surprise! My knees are better.
    Best of luck!
    Roberta

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Rocky Pass

Rocky Pass
Typical Nasty Terrain

A few facts about the Sand Marathon (Marathon des Sables)

The route for 2010 is 155 miles or 250 Km long, making it the longest ever in the history of the Marathon Des Sables. The race will be challenging from day one - and continue that way - offering all the variety of the Sahara. The course will take runners over ergs (dune zones), seriously steep jebels (up to 25% slope factor) and rocky plateaus. Competitors have to cross hard as iron salt-flats and the driest of wadis (dry river-beds). The backdrop to all of this a beautiful austere landscape with vistas accessible only to those on foot. In its 25-year history since it was set up in 1986, the Marathon des Sables has brought together some 10,000 competitors in the Moroccan Sahara. Whether running individually or in teams, competitors are self-sufficient in food and must carry all their own equipment (food and compulsory kit) during the entire race. Marathon runners and trail runners worldwide consider the race to be the “Holy Grail” of footraces. It’s one of the most difficult in the world: this year its 250km of freestyle will be run in 6 stages, normally varying from 20 to 90km each day - the exact course is not known until the first day of the race - but one thing is known - the French National Opera is flown in after the long stage and competitors are treated to an evening of unique entertainment. With average speeds from a minimum of 3 Km/h to maximum 14 Km/h, the Marathon des Sables is an extraordinary course, taking in this particularly beautiful part of Morocco. For this 25th edition, around 1,000 competitors will be setting off to conquer the Moroccan sands on April 2, 2010. Roughly 40% are French, the other 60% made up of 43 nationalities. Sportsmanship, solidarity, personal achievement and respect for the environment: these are the event's key themes.



MDS 25th Anniversary

MDS 25th Anniversary

About Me

My photo
Bermuda
I'm a 41 year Chartered Accountant working in Bermuda as a Vice President at a medium sized bank. This is my first foray into ultra distance or extreme events. My motivation for doing this is mostly for adventure and fun but I’m also taking this opportunity to raise funds for and awareness of animal rescue organizations. I guess I just got tired of hearing about the plight of so many abandoned pets around the world and felt that they needed a voice to help represent them.

Sandmarathon scenery

Sandmarathon scenery