30/04/2008 by 50milechallenge.

My new Alt-berg desert boots have arrived so I’ve got about 8 weeks to break them in. If they’re half as good as the Jungle boots they’ll be excellent! I’ve done 2  x 8 milers in them already and they feel very comfy. I’m just waiting for my customised webbing to arrive and then I’m all set to go. The webbing is being made up by Dragon Supplies in Colchester who specialise in customising gear for squaddies. I’ve got some ultra light airborne stuff which is being made up to my own design so I’m pretty sure that it will do the job for me in the Gobi - and beyond. Thanks to the improvements in technology with things like Expedition Foods and LED torches, sleeping mats etc I think I can get my kit weight down to about 7kgs (without water) for the week. That includes 2400 cals per day for 7 days, Thermarest, sleeping bag, medical and safety bits, spare clothing and toiletries etc. That compares very well to the 11kgs I had the first time I went to the MdS.

I’m working on organising an Adventure Race Training weekend in September for those who may be interseted in having a go at one in the future so if anyone ever reads any of these, keep an eye on the website for more information.

It’s pouring with rain and howling a gale and I’m planning to do a 12 miler later so it’s not exactly Gobi like conditions but it’ll have to do!

 Mike 

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02/04/2008 by 50milechallenge.

About 25 years ago my doctor advised me to stop doing so much running. After two weeks I started agin because he didn’t tell me how long to stop for. Now he doesn’t bother to tell me he just says “what do you expect after the things you’ve done to your body?”

Why do I tell you this? Because my training for the Gobi Challenge has been going really well and I’ve been very careful about my regime to get myself prepared for it. However, for the last four days I haven’t felt like doing anything and it feels like my body has come to a grinding halt.

I use the tabbing method for my training as I find that if I actually run for more than 20 minutes at a time my joints sieze up the next day. If I stick to running 15 and walking 5/10 I can keep going for ever and feel absolutely fine the next day. I manage to do 5 MPH comfortably and considering that my average pace for the MdS, jungle etc is less than 4 MPH, I’m happy with that and the system allows me to keep doing these type of events. I don’t care about being last - and I’m usually somewhere near that position - I just enjoy the challenge of trying to finish the course.

I’m determined to shake of the lethargy and get out there again tomorrow. Only three months left for training but I’m pretty confident I’ll be in good form when the time comes.

Mike

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