First Back-to-back Run

Instead of finding and writing to sponsors I spent the weekend training and recovering! I managed to complete back-to-back sessions for the first time, after suffering some quite uncomfortable aches and pains after the longer runs. I did a half marathon with sprints on Thursday around the compound, followed by a 10k trot on Friday around the Diplomatic Quarter.

Interestingly; I naturally ran in a barefoot style for most of the half marathon distance. I think the inspiration from reading ‘Born to Run’ (by Christopher McDougall) over the last few weeks has rekindled my respect for the technique. I did experiment with running in Vibram ‘5 finger’ running shoes, but could not resist running longer than was recommended and ended up with calf strains after every attempt. I am now running in Asics Gel Cumulus 13 for my road training, but trying to keep light on my feet using the techniques as described by McDougall. He tells some interesting stories in his book, I have not been ‘sold’ entirely on all of them, but a lot makes sense and is in-keeping with my own experiences of injury and performance.

I have begun the process of engaging with forces’ bodies such as the Army Sports Board and Army Sports Lottery to raise funds for the race to take the onus off of any sponsorship money I might receive, so that more may go to charity. This is not the most simple of processes, particularly as a member of a team that does not have at PRI fund (non-public unit welfare fund) and is likely to take a bit of decision tennis to resolve. At the moment it looks likely that the only contribution I may be eligible for is travel, as funding towards an entry fee is not permitted. So it may be, monetarily, fruitless if I manage to get a donation in kind from one of the airlines. Registering with the Sports Board will however provide me with essential insurance cover, as it will be equivalent to posting the commanding officer’s permission on part one orders which, for non-military readers, means that one your boss officially gives you permission; you are covered by company insurance.

Confirmed!

After two weeks back in the UK, where I only went for 2 runs (21km and 33.4km) and ate and drank like it was Christmas, I find myself back in Riyadh with a minor chest infection and not training for a few days to come.

A major step has been reached tonight though; I finally got my deposit paid and confirmation of entry into MDS 2012. I spoke to Sarah at ‘Real Morocco’ who took my payment over the phone and answered my questions regarding the likelihood that my knee would pass the medical and the flight options to get to Ouarzazate.

Today I also made contact by email with an acquaintance from Colchester who I saw a photograph of in Mark Hines’ MDS book. He replied this afternoon with some encouraging comments.

Now the work really begins – I have approached the charity that I wish to represent and have written to my first potential corporate sponsor. I plan to spend most of the weekend researching points of contact and addresses, and writing letters to potential sponsors. This will have to be balanced against my continued online degree studies and organising the Team’s Half Marathon.