You'd think that week one of the #runsub17 campaign would get underway with an actual run. Well, given my current weight and lack of running confidence I opted for a short hilly session on a static Bike on Monday. I wrote on the Run Geordie Run Facebook page "The #runsub17 campaign has started on a Wattbike connected to Zwift. I really stuck in tonight to knock 90 seconds off yesterday’s time for the “hilly loop” route.
I’ve always been a fan of the Watt Bike since being introduced to it at David Fairlamb Fitness gym.".
I enjoyed the session and most importantly of all, it reminded me just how short I am of fitness. I intend to fill in the week with more of these low impact types sessions until I build the running mileage up and drop some weight.
One thing I will say about the Watt Bike Atom and Zwift is that I never feel that I'm simply pedalling away on a static bike. There is plenty to keep my mind focussed on these shorter rides. There's the regular gear changes to think about just like a real bike on various inclines. Every so often there are sprint sections and the temptation to try and beat my last time is always there. There are also many other riders in the same virtual world to try and pass. So far, all that has happened is that they've passed me time after time.
On Thursday I wrote "I did a short run in Monument Valley last month. I really can’t remember the last time I ran prior to that! That long break from running has been much needed after many years of major trans continental campaigns.
It’s a case of back to basics today. I’m going to see how I get in with a 3 mile run which will give me something to work on over the next 12 months.".
The run went well and I reported "The longest journeys start with one step blah blah blah. That was certainly how tonight's first run of the #runsub17 campaign felt.
There's no doubting that I'm physically in poor shape right now. Running "uphill" out of Bedlington into Nedderton felt like being in the Alps again! The pleasing thing was that I never felt like stopping to walk. I don't feel that I could have gone faster at any point either. There is so much work to do if I'm to have a chance of getting under 17 minutes for 3 miles.
From a mental point of view, I'm exactly where I need to be. After so much time away from running I'm ready for the challenge again.
Back to tonight and I felt well up for the "out and back" 3 mile effort.
I absolutely tried to run as quick as I could. Speed isn't that important right now, of course, but I did want to put a marker down with a maximum effort session.
I'm pleased to report that I managed to run 3 miles in 00:35:48. It's a start!".
And a start is all it was. I've got to follow this first week up with more running sessions, more cycle work, underpinned with some routine and structure next week.
On Saturday morning I received a message from an old ally from the run across Australia days. Darren Miller, who is an exiled Geordie living in Perth, was at the start of the run back in October 2013. He was one of two "locals" who ran the first 13 miles with me out of Perth. Darren is pictured below with me as I prepared to set off from Cottesloe Beach. As well as that company on day one in Oz, Darren has been a key supporter with repeated charitable donations over the previous stages around the world.
Back to Saturday and Darren's message read "Love your new challenge. I can’t wait to see how you get on! Seems impossible at the moment but you have got some willpower so I won’t put it past you. I will donate 5 Aussie dollars for every second you get under 20 minutes, and $1000 bonus if you get under 17:00".
I must admit that I was already formulating plans and schemes to absolutely guarantee getting under 20 minutes when I read the offer of 5 Aussie dollars per second under 20 minutes. When I read on, I soon responded on the Run Geordie Run Facebook page with "The #runsub17 stakes just got raised this morning! I didn’t intend for this near impossible challenge to be a fundraiser. The main aim is to help me get in peak condition for stage 6 of the run around the world. That all changed when I got a message saying that should I beat this challenge (i.e. run a sub 17 minute 3 mile time next August) then £500 would be winging its way to St. Benedict's Hospice.
I was gobsmacked and totally surprised when I read the message another few times. I didn’t think that I could feel any more motivated right now. How wrong I was. Given that there is charity money at stake, the complexion of #runsub17 has totally changed for me.
I always knew that there would be little room for error over the next 12 months. Now I know that I’m going to have to excel in everything I do and then some. I was always going to give this challenge 100% effort. Now I’m going to have to do that and find a bit extra from somewhere.
Regular followers will know that I’m all about the charity money. Therefore, many people will be able to understand exactly what is at stake for me. I’m going to have to do what I reckon very few people have ever done.
I still think the chances of success are very slim but I absolutely won’t be standing on the start line next August knowing that I couldn’t have done any more in preparation. Thank you to Darren, an exiled Geordie in Perth, for the kind pledge.".
I'll finish the week one update with some stats and a recent front and side profile. Apologies, if you're having your dinner looking at this! I last stood on the body composition scales two weeks ago (04/08/2019) for comparison with today.
Weight: 120.4 kg (-2.3 kg)
Body Water: 46% (+0.5%)
Body Fat: 31.3% (-1%)
Visceral Fat: 16.5 (-0.5)
Muscle Mass: 78.7 kg (-0.3 kg)
Metabolic Age: 63 (-)
To say there is a lot of work to be done is an understatement. Watch out for further updates on the blog next week. Next up, I've managed to get the opinion of someone who has been there and done that in the world of running. They will be giving me a total reality check in terms of the task ahead and what will need to be done to even stand a remote chance of being successful.
