Yet another day off today - getting used to this lazy arse, no training lark! :)
However, no chance of resting up as there is plenty of other stuff to be getting on with. My daughter, Bella, is 16 on Monday and she is having a party tomorrow with about twenty of her friends. I have bought a patio canopy for the summer and she has talked me into putting it up ready for tomorrow. As usual these jobs that you think will take an hour end up taking three hours! My brother-in-law, Pete, came and gave me a hand to get it bolted to the wall but by the time we'd done that it was dark so I will have to finish it tomorrow before the party.
I still have loads to do for race weekend too, but what is most important in the last couple of weeks before a big race is sleep (getting enough) and nutrition. I eat pretty healthily all year round but have days where I allow myself to eat what I like, etc.
I was 12 stone at Christmas due to lack of training after my knee op, and also due to the amount of crap and alcohol consumed after H's accident.
However, this morning I was 11st 1lb - which is my "fighting weight" give or take a pound or two. The thing with ultra racing is that you are out there a long time so the more weight you have to carry, the harder it makes it - for a bloody long time!
The other thing I do is supplement my diet for 28 days before any big race. The way I look at it is that if I don't take supplements for most of the time (bloody expensive anyway) then when I do it is like a turbo boost.
The picture is my kitchen shelf, with my daily supply of all things good and beneficial to a guy who is planning on running 145 miles non-stop! At this point most people reading will have nodded off from boredom. however, for anybody wondering what I take - here goes:
SERRAPEPTASE - an enzyme which digests non-living tissue, blood clots, cysts, arterial plaque and all inflamed tissue, which is then dispersed. These substances are broken down into harmless amino acids and the body then treats them as normal waste products. The inflammatory tissue is literally digested by the enzyme.
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) - a nutritional supplement derived from natural organic sulphur.Sulphur is a vital constituent of the human body. It is necessary for making collagen, the primary constituent of cartilage and connective tissue. It enhances tissue pliability.
Clinical research has shown MSM to alleviate pain, reduce stiffness and swelling and improve the mobility of joints. MSM also promotes blood-flow, aiding the healing and recovery process after physical activity. Doctors report that MSM is so effective that they often are able to lower or even stop the dosages of medication they are prescribing for their patients.
VITAMIN E - has powerful antioxidant properties that make it one of the most important health requirements. It has numerous health benefits for the body, the prime being the protection of the cell membrane, healthy red blood cell count, heart health, health of the muscles and nerves and skin care.
VITAMIN C - helps to heal wounds, prevent cell damage, promote healthy gums and teeth, and strengthen the immune system. It also helps the body absorb iron. Recent research has indicated that vitamin C may be associated with delayed aging and disease prevention by destroying 'free radicals'-the molecules associated with aging and cell damage.
GLUCOSAMINE SULPHATE - a key building block of cartilage tissue found in joints. It exists naturally in all our joints and muscles and is a natural precursor of glycosaminoglycans, which form the major components of cartilage and connective tissue in our joints. Glucosamine renowned for helping build and maintain healthy tendons, muscle and cartilage.
COENZYME Q10 - plays an important role in the transfer of energy from food and is also known to improve the transport of oxygen into cells. Has also been demonstrated to have a positive effect by reducing blood pressure. Because of the positive effect on heart function, and ability to increase oxygen transport into cells, that has made it an increasingly popular supplement with endurance athletes.
BCAA - There are three branch chain amino acids, these are: isoleucine, leucine, and valine. BCAA’s are considered essential, as unlike other amino acids they cannot be manufactured in the human body, and they can only be obtained in our diet. In total there are nine essential amino acids, but, BCAAs account for 35% of all the essential amino acids found within muscle protein. They are needed for protein building and can be maetabolised and used as an energy source during aerobic exercise. The main benefits of BCAAs are - a reduction in the amount of muscle breakdown, improved preservation of muscle glycogen stores, improved immune health, and a possible improvement in endurance performance.
Now, with just over a week to go until the Grand Union I have also stopped drinking coffee (so that I will get more benefit from caffeine drinks during the race when fatigued), alcohol (more for weight than anything) and will ensure I drink plenty of fluids and eat very basically but healthily all week.
On Saturday night we are going to my sister Carol's for my nephew Alex's 18th Party, so that will be a challenge as she always makes great food - and I always enjoy a beer with Chris my brother in-law.
Still -plenty of time for that after next weekend!
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