Things can only get better - D:ream

My Marathon des Sables shoes came back from the cobblers today after having the Velcro sewn and glued on to them. It's another reminder that The Sahara Experience is beckoning... there's less than four weeks now till we hit the heat and the sand.

I must say that I wish my training was a bit better as I ran 6.5 miles yesterday and hated every single step... the weekend's event has sapped all my energy I think. I hope it comes back soon...as I still have the Celtic Plate 50km to have a trot on and an ULTRA-marathon with 66 Ultra, Andy McMenemy to do before hitting Quarzazate.

Yesterday was just one of those bad Mondays... amongst other things my laptop hard drive broke, my Garmin froze and I got done for doing 35mph in a 30mph zone... Hey ho - things can only get better eh?

More tomorrow...

Champion - Chipmunk Featuring Chris Brown

Well what a champion weekend that was... nothing short of extremely hard work and my legs feel like they also ran a Double ULTRA-marathon too. ULTRArace Grantham is always a great way of getting pre-Marathon des Sables runners together and get them sharing to make new friendships and ask all their last minute questions at our Saturday night gathering.

The only drawback for us at ULTRArace is that we don't get to run! So today will be a bit of a catch-up on that front when we are re-stocked in ULTRAstore later.

With these first five races now complete we can now focus on our own Marathon des Sables preparation and get in some good last minute training for the Celtic Plate in two weeks.

More later... and we hope you had a great weekend with us too...http://www.ultrarace.co.uk/

Heartsong - Gordon Giltrap

It's been a great old day out on ULTRArace Grantham and yet again we've had a wonderful time seeing people reach and surpass their goals and dreams... we saw a course record of 3hrs 16mins and 13 seconds by Irish International, Dan Doherty and a barefoot ultra by James Blissett.

Our evening talk was full of people lapping up MdeS info and getting their last minute purchases from out ULTRAstore... the room was just buzzing!

And now my feet are! It's time to relax and get ready for tomorrow's return journey...

More tomorrow... today's results are here...

http://www.ultrarace.co.uk/events/results/

The Fat Song - FIREFLIES PARODY

I must admit to standing in the local Co-op (of Suuu Guuud with Fuuud Fame) tonight with a family bag of Salted Peanuts in my hand...

I had the cash, the hunger and the inclination I can tell you! How on earth I got out of the shop I don't know but it was a real, real challenge.

Now I know it's daft to go shopping when you are hungry, especially post run but I had a few items to buy for our weekend away on ULTRArace Grantham but the temptation for the Peanuts seemed worse than any alcohol or crisp fetish that I have had in the past...

I just love 'em even though they make me feel really sluggish the following day.

It's bloody hard living like a monk an following your own dream. But hey, maybe it's worth it on the long run.

I'll have the weekend on the towpath to consider it and maybe you have your demon food and drink too?

Kings and Queens - 30 Seconds to Mars

Now can anyone help me out? If you know me well you know I am rubbish at finding my keys but I have now also lost the first part of 2011. Where the hell has it gone?... I did have the end of 2010 yesterday but January and February have simply disappeared.

And now it's March!

How does that happen? The days just segway together it seems and just speed by in a blur. It's MdeS in 30 days now and it's coming at us like a Juggernaut right now let alone the 1000 other runners lining up for 'The World's Toughest Footrace', I bet.

Most of them are coming to our ULTRArace Grantham race at the weekend and a couple of 29.3 milers will hopefully put them in  a positive place to go and attack the Western Sahara. Reports and photos from our race will be online over the weekend.

More later...

Black and White Town - The Doves

Great running song this one... I used it a lot on the Flora 1000 mile Challenge back in 2003. Music really helps... although getting together a collection of tunes that will drive you on and inspire you when things are tough and tougher by the minute is quite a challenge in itself.

There are songs like 'Scream' by Geri Haliwell and 'Close to Love' by Girls Aloud... which you know you shouldn't like that actually do the trick. And from this blog you will know roughly where my musical taste is coming from (mostly Floyd) but there are so many great songs to chose from outside of my world that it makes you wonder just what I could be missing...

So this is where I am asking you what your favourite track is and why it helps you get thru the dark times of running or life in general... surprise me!

More tomorrow... now where's that Alvin Stardust Album?

The Month Song - Susan Salidor

And it is just a month until the 26th Sultan Marathon des Sables... and the race is looming quick and fast not only for me it seems but for all taking part.

We are picking and packing boxes like there's no tomorrow and there are plenty of people out there asking for extra help and extended shopping hours. It's great!

What is slightly worrying is that Jenny and I must plan our own paths to the Sahara and make sure we are in the right place to undertake, 'The World's Toughest Footrace'.

I am hoping to get running again tomorrow as I need to get back in the groove... The Marathon in Barry has taken a swipe out of my legs I can tell you and I have a few kilos to shake in preparation... more tomorrow...

PS Hope you got your ULTRArace Newsletter today!