#thames100

Back picking up and putting stuff down in the gym. And today, with 39 days to go until race day, we had a breakthrough. It's a small gain from a conditioning perspective but a massive one psychologically because today I did 5 x 5 sets of full hang body weight chin ups for the first time since directly before I ran the Marathon des Sables aka the fittest I've ever been. So obviously I'm taking that to mean I'm back in kick ass shape (even though that might not be true). But every day another cog clicks into place and makes me believe the #100MileMachine is nearly ready. #running #thames100 #ultratraining (at Virgin Active - Chiswick Park)

7am start, 40 min drive on an empty M4 and then 18 miles with @techadventurez starting from Fat Duck Bray and following the winding Thames up towards Henley. My first reconnaissance mission to see what's in store in the second 50 miles of the #Thames100. The answer is mixture of mud, tarmac, river paths, puddles and beautiful views. Pancake flat and plenty of sights to feed the ultra spirit. Nice easy pace the whole way and a couple of minutes per mile faster than I'll be aiming for on race day but feeling stronger with each session. Body fat percentage is still too high for my liking but will continue to work on that. 75 days to go. #iwillbeready #100MileMachine #running (at Bray, Berkshire)

Saturday = speed session. Although there wasn't much speed in my legs. Took the intervals to the trails again and it was more pain than pace. But every run makes you stronger right? #100MileMachine #running #Thames100 (at New Forest)

Phase 2 of the #Thames100 training plan sorted. Time to introduce a few hills into the mix. Starting today. Can't say I'm looking forward to bringing back that pain session but an hour of pounding up a 400m incline carrying 4-8kg on my back was what got me ready for the Marathon Des Sables. So I figure I've got to go back there. 76 days to go... #iwillbeready #100MileMachine

So that's January done. Fairly happy to have clocked 22 out of 31 training days. Finally found some consistency and built a solid base. Lifting heavier, running faster and more freely than I have for a long while. Still a lot of hard work to be done in the 87 days to #Thames100 race day, not least in the kitchen where my nutrition still needs improvement. But so far so good. #iwillbeready #running #100MileMachine #manvmiles

Today was one of those days where you look out of the window and think twice about going out into the cold and rain. Then you get out there and you feel like you could run for hours. Good time on the feet, a little bit of intervals dodging golf balls after a wrong turn into Richmond Park golf course and a decent mileage. 103 days to go. #Thames100 #iwillbeready #100MileMachine (at Richmond, London)

Today I asked the machine what it thought of me. Answer: Stantard. If anyone needs me I'll be over here in the middle of the road on Vanilla Street with my best mates Mr Average and the Grand Old Duke of York's neither up nor down army. That said I have just busted out another leg session. And Standard feels better than my post Christmas impersonation of Puddington bear. #100MileMachine #iwillbeready #Thames100 (at Virgin Active - Chiswick Park)

Back logging the Sunday miles in my favourite London spot along the Thames path Kew to Richmond. My switchback point on today's 10 miles is where the @centurionrunning Thames 100 will kick off in 110 days. Ten sets of what I did today. Easy right? #Thames100 #iwillbeready #100MileMachine (at Richmond Thames Riverfront)