I’m sat here with a fat face courtesy of a good doctor who removed my wisdom tooth. I should be training. However, in this case rest is not an option but a requirement and I will just have to wait until next week when I look and feel a bit more human. So what’s been happening?
I have to admit that I have had a bit of writers block caused mainly by being incredibly busy trying to organise a 1521 mile run across Europe. In addition to this I had arrived back from Bavaria (huge thanks to my support team of Dave Clamp and John Saunders for keeping me alive!) with a hugely swollen left leg preventing me from undertaking any exercise for a number of weeks. This left me time to reflect upon the Europe 135, my training, my Parkinson’s and the years ahead. The Europe 135 was a tough race and if you read the article in Running Fitness magazine you will already be aware that the route followed the river, which at the time had a considerable amount of water flowing due to the rains. This caused flooding and parts of the course became impassable. Coupling this with course markers that were sometimes difficult to see and not being allowed to climb the mountain at the end I was a bit disenchanted. I did make some good friends though and in particular all the competitors (there were five of us who ran the race) were fantastic, hugely supportive and generously put up with a guy with Parkinson’s who at times was a little shaky. Thank you.
So having time on my hands I decided to make myself busy and to that end I have planned my race calendar all the way through to 2014. So what is on the cards for next year? First stop is the Dubai Marathon. I’m really looking forward to this race. It’ll be a good chance to catch up with my friend Bryan Garrett and also run a really good course. It will be a timely incorporation into the training program leading up to the 1521 mile run. Speaking of which, it’s quite a distance isn’t it? Hopefully, I will be able to continue the pace of 50 miles per day for around 30 days. The run should take me and my support team right across Europe but the route is currently being finalised and remains a secret for now. If you’ve been following my exploits you will know that 1521 miles is well above and beyond anything that I have done previously. It’s really quite daunting and I’m feeling slightly nervous; which is a good thing as far as I’m concerned. I, say this, as I firmly subscribe to the idea that if you set your mind to something and you have faith in your abilities to succeed and you’ve trained well and have a good support team, then anything is possible. Keep your eyes here for further developments as I get back to training next week at LA Fitness who have kindly sponsored my gym time.
On my 10 million metres page on Facebook I had been asking around to find a 100 mile single stage qualifier for the Badwater 135. Some notable suggestions (thanks Mimi) were received but, unfortunately, it seems that the only qualifying 100 mile races are just too close to the trans-Europe run. So I’ve decided to move the timing of the hundred mile qualifier to the beginning of 2012. Hopefully, this will be good training for my 3000 mile trans-USA run later that year.
I haven’t forgotten about my triathlon hopes. After some consideration and a couple of telephone calls I entered the challenge Henley Ironman distance triathlon for September 2011. This is a distance that I am slightly concerned about, as it’s quite a step up. In addition, to add a new edge to the distance I made a new discovery. This was the realisation that my mastery over my fear of water that I gained, after doing the London triathlon, has dissipated to a large extent. In fact, I got in the pool the other day and freaked out! Strangely it feels better swimming in a lake! I need some help with my technique and form in the pool though, so I contacted Russell Cox, who has agreed to assist me. Russell recently came back from Kona where he took part in the world triathlon Ironman Championships. I am confident that with Russell’s help I will be able to give a good account of myself in the race. Fingers crossed!
Speaking of races has anyone been watching the world Deca-Ironman Championships held in Monterey, Mexico? My co-runner from Europe 135, Dave Clamp is, at the time of writing, in the lead and doing a sterling job!! Dave hopes to set a new world record by completing the deca in under eight days and raise vital donations for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust through my justgiving site at www.justgiving.com/alex-flynn. The man truly deserves your support and encouragement. If you have a moment, please go to his website at www.daveclamp.com and perhaps send a message.
If you have any questions, queries or suggestions, I can be contacted via my website at www.alexflynn.co.uk
Until the next instalment, make change happen and keep moving!
Alex