Andy Wayland posted on facebook :
"Ross Phillips, Emma Phillips, Will Phillips sand I are now entered officially in the http://www.beastofballyhoura.com/. Any other teams fancy a trip to the emerald Isle?"
All I can say is, gulp!! It really is happening.
Just waiting for the spinning head to stop it's nonsense and William's infected roastie from his mountain bike accident to heal, right now he can hardly walk. My friend said to me that my life is a soap opera, today, it feels a bit like it is.
No more injuries please. We need to focus!
We got a mention on the Beast website. Click the link to see!
And so the training continues. Ross has set us up as a group on Endomondo.com so that we can see each other's progress and he is looking to programme in a few overnighters.
It's happening.
Tuesday, 29 April 2014
Training Interruptus: 24 April 2014-29 April 2014
No No No No No!
Car crash Thursday afternoon. Been shunted in my tiny car by a big 4 x4. Neck sprain, shoulder sprain and Mild Concussion. Feel dizzy and sick, stiff and sore.
I was taken in an ambulance to A and E. Doctor says no training. So that means I lose my long cycle this weekend.
Woke up in the night feeling dizzy and felt like I was going to vomit.
Friday passes in a blur. I feel so confused. I keep repeating myself. Tried to make dinner. It took 2 hours to make mac cheese. I kept looking at the pasta and not knowing quite what to do with it. This sucks.
Saturday. Stupid me. Made Ross take me grocery shopping. Mistake: headache, dizzy, tired and sore. I walked round Aldi with a bag of frozen sweetcorn on my shoulders and neck trying to ease the pain. I had to get him to bring me home and got back into bed. Slept for 5 hours. Then, while he was out on a training cycle with Andy, I had to get the dinner. It took me 2 1/2 hours to make a frittata. All I had to do was fry some bacon and onion, boil some chopped spuds, put them in a pan and pour egg over it, bake it and open a bag of salad. I am so slow. I shall regard this as training for the race when I have been without sleep for 24 hours and more. Meanwhile Ross feels off colour. He normally eats up the cycling and today felt like rubbish.
Sunday, really wanted to go to church. It was good to go but really should avoid loud noises with concussion... went home and made everyone a sandwich. Tried to correct my sister's theology degree essay. Had to sleep. When I woke up I had another dizzy spell. William did a 35 km training cycle after work. Unfortunately he came off his bike....nasty graze and stiff shoulder. What is going on with this family?!
Monday. I want to train. Too dizzy. I have had to pull out of the Randonee. Gutted.
Tuesday: Dizzy but I am really hoping and praying to run tomorrow. I have missed 3 training sessions now.
Determined to get back into it.
Car crash Thursday afternoon. Been shunted in my tiny car by a big 4 x4. Neck sprain, shoulder sprain and Mild Concussion. Feel dizzy and sick, stiff and sore.
I was taken in an ambulance to A and E. Doctor says no training. So that means I lose my long cycle this weekend.
Woke up in the night feeling dizzy and felt like I was going to vomit.
Friday passes in a blur. I feel so confused. I keep repeating myself. Tried to make dinner. It took 2 hours to make mac cheese. I kept looking at the pasta and not knowing quite what to do with it. This sucks.
Saturday. Stupid me. Made Ross take me grocery shopping. Mistake: headache, dizzy, tired and sore. I walked round Aldi with a bag of frozen sweetcorn on my shoulders and neck trying to ease the pain. I had to get him to bring me home and got back into bed. Slept for 5 hours. Then, while he was out on a training cycle with Andy, I had to get the dinner. It took me 2 1/2 hours to make a frittata. All I had to do was fry some bacon and onion, boil some chopped spuds, put them in a pan and pour egg over it, bake it and open a bag of salad. I am so slow. I shall regard this as training for the race when I have been without sleep for 24 hours and more. Meanwhile Ross feels off colour. He normally eats up the cycling and today felt like rubbish.
Sunday, really wanted to go to church. It was good to go but really should avoid loud noises with concussion... went home and made everyone a sandwich. Tried to correct my sister's theology degree essay. Had to sleep. When I woke up I had another dizzy spell. William did a 35 km training cycle after work. Unfortunately he came off his bike....nasty graze and stiff shoulder. What is going on with this family?!
Monday. I want to train. Too dizzy. I have had to pull out of the Randonee. Gutted.
Tuesday: Dizzy but I am really hoping and praying to run tomorrow. I have missed 3 training sessions now.
Determined to get back into it.
Why? ...and how? and who?...and really, Why? 21 April 2014
I took up running about 4 or 5 years ago. Why? To do a race for life. Before then you would have definitely said my hobbies were baking, craft projects and the avoidance of exercise at all costs. But, running and cycling have now become a huge part of my life and have released my inner tomboy (yay!) They have also improved my health and my quality of life and opened up whole new worlds to my family.
I have participated in a few short adventure races over the last few years. I have been part of the Beacon Adventure Racing Pink Ladies teams for 3 different Questars events. My first one was a 5 hour, the other two were the weekend events, 10 hours over two days. Then I did a Gorrick orienteering cycle thing near Basingstoke about 2 years ago and a Tri-adventure 4 hour adventure race in about 2012. Last year I ran 2 half marathons,, they were organised by our little adventure racing club, Beacon AR. And, I cycled around the Isle of Wight in the Randonee. I got lost (navigation is not a great skill) but I did do 100km. And didn't my bum know about it!!
I am by no means a seasoned adventure racer. I think right now, I am an enthusiastic novice. I am fairly fit, former teacher, stay at home mother to 4 sons and aspiring writer. I also have asthma, but that didn't stop Robin Benincasa (expedition racer) so I don't want it to stop me. It's under control now anyway. My inexpereince hasn't stopped the idea festering in my head that I want to this adventure race. I thought I had taken a big step agreeing to train to participate in the 12 labours of Hercules with my husband, Ross and our 2 oldest sons, William and Jack. That is a 24 hour race in Shropshire.
I know what level of commitment this is going to take to meet the Beast of Ballyhoura. I've watched my husband train for a couple of these bigger adventure races. In fact I do remember that I got absolutely fed up with his pre-race focus and lack of availability due to training. Then I watched his little GPS tracker thingy on the screen for both the 50 hour Slovnenia Adventure Race and for the Bimbache Raid - an ARWS race held in Spain last year with pride and excitement. And even though I was a bit worried about him on and off the whole time he did the races, it doesn't seem to have put me off. I have got this idea in my head and I don't want to let it go and this is after I told Ross he wasn't allowed to do any big expensive event this year. Oops!
So by 9 o' clock of 20 April 2014 I had found the event online and decided I would like to have a go. Ross had said he thought it would be feasible and was really up for taking part. Of course I want to do it with him and so he's got dispensation from the not doing a big race embargo I had placed on him after Spain! If this works out it will be the first time that Beacon AR will field a mixed gender team in a big adventure race. That means we would have official status in the race. I am effectively going to be the 'mandatory equipment' on the team.
Two team members down but who else would be willing to commit? We secured our third team member before breakfast, as our oldest son, William, who would be 19 shortly, leapt at the chance and was happy to commit financially to the event despite writing his final A levels during training. So by the time we had the hot cross buns and crumpets in the toaster we had three team members.
As church plays a hugely important part in our lives, the rest of the day was taken up with Easter Celebrations.
On Easter Monday, I was too full of Chinese lunchtime buffet to be of any use to anyone and besides none of the other ladies from Beacon AR were running, so I decided to give it a miss but Ross went out for a run. I thought that was very committed of him because he was feeling sluggish from the lunch. The club, which started in our church, meets outside our house every Monday night. Like many bank holiday Mondays, there was a very low turn out but that didn't stop the wheels of this juggernaut I set in motion the previous day from turning!
I was lying in a sweet and sour and soy sauce induced fug on the settee, gawping at the television when Ross came in, reeking of the outside and full of good news. We had our fourth team member, Andy. He and Ross had raced together previously in Slovenia and Spain. Ross reported that he was very excited about the race and the team.
It would mean that that had to be the last Monday run I could miss.
It really seems to be happening. Why am I doing this? I really want to, that is why!
I have participated in a few short adventure races over the last few years. I have been part of the Beacon Adventure Racing Pink Ladies teams for 3 different Questars events. My first one was a 5 hour, the other two were the weekend events, 10 hours over two days. Then I did a Gorrick orienteering cycle thing near Basingstoke about 2 years ago and a Tri-adventure 4 hour adventure race in about 2012. Last year I ran 2 half marathons,, they were organised by our little adventure racing club, Beacon AR. And, I cycled around the Isle of Wight in the Randonee. I got lost (navigation is not a great skill) but I did do 100km. And didn't my bum know about it!!
I am by no means a seasoned adventure racer. I think right now, I am an enthusiastic novice. I am fairly fit, former teacher, stay at home mother to 4 sons and aspiring writer. I also have asthma, but that didn't stop Robin Benincasa (expedition racer) so I don't want it to stop me. It's under control now anyway. My inexpereince hasn't stopped the idea festering in my head that I want to this adventure race. I thought I had taken a big step agreeing to train to participate in the 12 labours of Hercules with my husband, Ross and our 2 oldest sons, William and Jack. That is a 24 hour race in Shropshire.
I know what level of commitment this is going to take to meet the Beast of Ballyhoura. I've watched my husband train for a couple of these bigger adventure races. In fact I do remember that I got absolutely fed up with his pre-race focus and lack of availability due to training. Then I watched his little GPS tracker thingy on the screen for both the 50 hour Slovnenia Adventure Race and for the Bimbache Raid - an ARWS race held in Spain last year with pride and excitement. And even though I was a bit worried about him on and off the whole time he did the races, it doesn't seem to have put me off. I have got this idea in my head and I don't want to let it go and this is after I told Ross he wasn't allowed to do any big expensive event this year. Oops!
So by 9 o' clock of 20 April 2014 I had found the event online and decided I would like to have a go. Ross had said he thought it would be feasible and was really up for taking part. Of course I want to do it with him and so he's got dispensation from the not doing a big race embargo I had placed on him after Spain! If this works out it will be the first time that Beacon AR will field a mixed gender team in a big adventure race. That means we would have official status in the race. I am effectively going to be the 'mandatory equipment' on the team.
Two team members down but who else would be willing to commit? We secured our third team member before breakfast, as our oldest son, William, who would be 19 shortly, leapt at the chance and was happy to commit financially to the event despite writing his final A levels during training. So by the time we had the hot cross buns and crumpets in the toaster we had three team members.
As church plays a hugely important part in our lives, the rest of the day was taken up with Easter Celebrations.
On Easter Monday, I was too full of Chinese lunchtime buffet to be of any use to anyone and besides none of the other ladies from Beacon AR were running, so I decided to give it a miss but Ross went out for a run. I thought that was very committed of him because he was feeling sluggish from the lunch. The club, which started in our church, meets outside our house every Monday night. Like many bank holiday Mondays, there was a very low turn out but that didn't stop the wheels of this juggernaut I set in motion the previous day from turning!
I was lying in a sweet and sour and soy sauce induced fug on the settee, gawping at the television when Ross came in, reeking of the outside and full of good news. We had our fourth team member, Andy. He and Ross had raced together previously in Slovenia and Spain. Ross reported that he was very excited about the race and the team.
It would mean that that had to be the last Monday run I could miss.
It really seems to be happening. Why am I doing this? I really want to, that is why!
Great cycle 24 April 2014
I am feeling on top of the world. Feeling strong. Had a fantastic cycle on today.
This is good news because I woke up with a stinking headache in the middle of the night but with judicious application of deep heat and tablets I decided that the tiredness induced by the headache could be overcome. Instead of hiding under the duvet I would use a fresh air cure and it would be good practise for enduring tiredness. I needed to get out on my bike.
I am so glad that I did. For the first time ever I listened to music through one earphone while I cycled and had the endomondo coach talking to me telling me my lap times. It helped keep my speed up, my average pace was 4.04 minutes per kilometre, off road. I managed to keep it up for 19 km. Blackwater Valley and Basingstoke canal are really useful for building speed. When I phoned Ross he said that is what I have to do the whole time on the Beast of Ballyhoura. Gulp! But, I am beginning to believe I can do it.
Apparently more than half the battle is in our heads.
I can imagine myself doing the race. My body has just got to catch up with my imagination.!
This is good news because I woke up with a stinking headache in the middle of the night but with judicious application of deep heat and tablets I decided that the tiredness induced by the headache could be overcome. Instead of hiding under the duvet I would use a fresh air cure and it would be good practise for enduring tiredness. I needed to get out on my bike.
I am so glad that I did. For the first time ever I listened to music through one earphone while I cycled and had the endomondo coach talking to me telling me my lap times. It helped keep my speed up, my average pace was 4.04 minutes per kilometre, off road. I managed to keep it up for 19 km. Blackwater Valley and Basingstoke canal are really useful for building speed. When I phoned Ross he said that is what I have to do the whole time on the Beast of Ballyhoura. Gulp! But, I am beginning to believe I can do it.
Apparently more than half the battle is in our heads.
I can imagine myself doing the race. My body has just got to catch up with my imagination.!
I hate early mornings 22April 2014
The news that Andy had committed and that we now had a full team made me realise I had better start training for the Beast of Ballyhoura.
So on Easter Monday night I set my alarm for 6.30 on Tuesday morning, so I could get a 6km run in before getting everybody off to school. Because I had already committed to train for the labour of Hercules and was intending to reprise the Isle of Wight Randonee, I had already got a smallish training schedule in place. I suggested to my 17 year old son, Jack that he accompany me at this unearthly sparrow fart hour run. (F.Y.I. early hours in our house are referred to as sparrow fart)
He was up for it. I cannot tell you how much I loath and resent that flipping alarm. Chirping its cheery little greeting to the morning. What is wrong with the thing? It is unnatural to be that chipper in the morning!
I dragged myself out of bed. I hauled on my running kit and stuffed my feet into my trainers. I really mean stuffed because I never undo the laces. I hate my trainers to be too tight because that sets off the fasciitis... (another story) So I have got them a the perfect level of looseness and don't want to risk undoing them. I wear scotts ladies running shoes that have a road running sole with a trail running grip. The other trail shoes and plain road shoes I have worn started off a bit of Achilles tendonitis. Anyhoo.... I slurped a bit of black tea down. Shoved my ventolin inhaler (I have asthma) and phone into my waterproof running pouch and headed out of the door.
It may have been a lovely morning. I couldn't tell you. For me it was, quite frankly, one of the worst runs I have had, in a long time. Jack blocked the world out with his headphones before I had even switched Endomondo on and said, "Let's go." I had explained we were doing a gentle 6k together. He shot of like a rocket within 400m and that was the last I saw of him until he stepped out of his bedroom in his school uniform about 1 1/2 hours later.
I was so excited I was actually starting my training. My heart was there. Unfortunately my body and mind were not. I slogged my way through the first 1/2 km and then had a lousy asthma attack. I sucked on that Ventolin like it was a final cigarette before execution! I couldn't understand why suddenly my asthma decided to rear its ugly head. "Right," I thought, "I will walk." And walk I did for the first 3km and then, I woke up and my body said, "Yes!" and I was away happily running through the mud and puddles, enjoying the fact that I was finally out there training for a goal, heading towards Ballyhoura.
So on Easter Monday night I set my alarm for 6.30 on Tuesday morning, so I could get a 6km run in before getting everybody off to school. Because I had already committed to train for the labour of Hercules and was intending to reprise the Isle of Wight Randonee, I had already got a smallish training schedule in place. I suggested to my 17 year old son, Jack that he accompany me at this unearthly sparrow fart hour run. (F.Y.I. early hours in our house are referred to as sparrow fart)
He was up for it. I cannot tell you how much I loath and resent that flipping alarm. Chirping its cheery little greeting to the morning. What is wrong with the thing? It is unnatural to be that chipper in the morning!
I dragged myself out of bed. I hauled on my running kit and stuffed my feet into my trainers. I really mean stuffed because I never undo the laces. I hate my trainers to be too tight because that sets off the fasciitis... (another story) So I have got them a the perfect level of looseness and don't want to risk undoing them. I wear scotts ladies running shoes that have a road running sole with a trail running grip. The other trail shoes and plain road shoes I have worn started off a bit of Achilles tendonitis. Anyhoo.... I slurped a bit of black tea down. Shoved my ventolin inhaler (I have asthma) and phone into my waterproof running pouch and headed out of the door.
It may have been a lovely morning. I couldn't tell you. For me it was, quite frankly, one of the worst runs I have had, in a long time. Jack blocked the world out with his headphones before I had even switched Endomondo on and said, "Let's go." I had explained we were doing a gentle 6k together. He shot of like a rocket within 400m and that was the last I saw of him until he stepped out of his bedroom in his school uniform about 1 1/2 hours later.
I was so excited I was actually starting my training. My heart was there. Unfortunately my body and mind were not. I slogged my way through the first 1/2 km and then had a lousy asthma attack. I sucked on that Ventolin like it was a final cigarette before execution! I couldn't understand why suddenly my asthma decided to rear its ugly head. "Right," I thought, "I will walk." And walk I did for the first 3km and then, I woke up and my body said, "Yes!" and I was away happily running through the mud and puddles, enjoying the fact that I was finally out there training for a goal, heading towards Ballyhoura.
Once upon a time.... 20 April 2014
Once upon a time there was a mother of 4, lying in bed next to her husband one Easter Sunday morning. She had spent most of Easter weekend watching old series of The Eco-Challenge online and was feeling inspired. As was her daily habit, before she got out of bed, she logged onto check her Facebook feed on her phone. Up popped the latest post from the adventure racing website, Sleep Monsters. She clicked on the link to the site and there it was, an advert for the Beast of Ballyhoura, a 40 hour adventure race in Ireland. Our heroine clicked on the link....
"Have you heard of this?" she asked her husband and showed him the link. What followed seemed like a dream to her later but basically before she knew what she had done, she suggested that she be part of a team that would attempt the race.
What will the future hold for our modern-day fairy tale princess?
Only time will tell.
I hope it's nice though because I'm the princess in this story :-D
"Have you heard of this?" she asked her husband and showed him the link. What followed seemed like a dream to her later but basically before she knew what she had done, she suggested that she be part of a team that would attempt the race.
What will the future hold for our modern-day fairy tale princess?
Only time will tell.
I hope it's nice though because I'm the princess in this story :-D
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