Hey hey I've made it at last.. I'm definitely living the life is what happens to you whilst your making plans. As always trying to cram as much in to life as always. Traingin has been going really well. Darren hasnt mentioned we started at the end of August on Sunday the 31st mine and Darrens first outing on the moor together, 7 km later and a couple of hours we felt slightly happier and more sure that this was really going to happen.

Sunday the 7th another visit to Dartmoor 9km and all in less than 2 hours our confidence was definately growing.

Sunday the 14th Dartmoor calling just shy of 15 km a good session however slightly off plan and one very sore set of feet for Darren hence his change of boots.

Sunday 21st Darren had a rough week so we altered our training to ensure we still managed to gain some benefit from being out on the moor 3.4km only but third that was a set of hill sprints.

Slight bump in the training plan I'm off too a wedding this weekend (27/28th), and next weekend I'm running the Great North Run as Mr Tickle. Plans already afoot for the next training session Weekend of the 12th Oct.

feeling the need to make contact with charitys, suppliers, supporters etc... oh so much to do!!

Bryn

Another lesson

This last week has been another of those bendy and blurred learning curves. I'm now on my 3rd and 4th pairs of boots, in only 5 weeks.

 

Two weeks ago Bryn and myself did about 12k on a Sunday, with myself doing about 6k the day before, all in the wrong footwear. Obviously my feet are going to have to get me around the route planned for the main UK challenge, and I have relented and bought two decent sets of boots. 

A pair of lightweights non-water proof and one set of heavier Gortex mix hiking boots. I have also realized that a quality set of gel insoles and better socks have improved the comfort. While I understand my feet really need to toughen up, I was surprised at the mess my feet got in two sort weeks.  One of the results of my poor footwear choices can be seen in the picture above, I've several blisters that are slowly healing.

Another lesson learnt. - Darren

The going got a little tough...

It's easy to run in a straight line or casually walk around on the moor, but when you run, jog, scramble and fall off things life gets slightly more complicated. I'm 36, and up until I was 34 I was fit, active and always on the go. Now I'm just always on the go, a stint in retail management took over my life in 2005 and within 12 months of the job role I found 60, 70 and at times 80 hour weeks were becoming the norm, my time for fitness rapidly vanished. 

This challenge and the training, over the last few weeks has been a shock to my system. Dartmoor is a great training ground and really what you make of it. It's been difficult to accept that in two years or so how quickly you can lose your fitness levels. The old saying really is true "use it or lose it!" My problem now is simply finding it again. - Darren