2 1/2 weeks out from Malvern Hills Ultra. Yes, it's mainly a training race but I'd like to do well. Ideally I'd like to run some of the course but that's not going to happen.

Week two of being back on the horse is going well. A 15 and 13 pushing the Chariot at a solid pace so far this week. The 13 followed up by another 7 at night for a solid 20. The 7 was tough as I was really tired from lack of sleep and my "job." Physically I felt good though. Hoping to finish off the week with at least 50 miles. Then next week hopefully the same, after that a short taper.

River Severn, Stourport

I need to keep tabs on my recovery. That's the weak point in this process. I can find time to train but sleep is inconsistent. I usually get about 6 hours solid sleep. Kid noises at night wake me and of course the on going early rising of my son. If I wasn't running 50 mile weeks I'd probably be fine. 

I'm playing around with the little guy's nap time. The wife thought maybe nap him in the morning and hopefully he'll be more tired at night and sleep in.  Seems to make sense so we're going for it. This morning he actually was asleep until his sister woke at 5am and needed to pee! "Daddy! Daddy! I need a pee pee! And of course he woke and didn't go back to sleep. All I need is 60 minutes more so I can naturally wake. 

River Severn, Stourport

Sleep and child management fascinate me. Less sleep, everyone is pissed off all the time and positive motivation lacks. Why haven't we evolved to sleep more efficiently in order for everyone to be happy, growing stronger and gaining from everyone's positivity? 

I'd like to think I'm on a roll again. Having a solid week so far with a twenty mile day yesterday. Today I feel decent too so I must be doing ok.

Severn Way towards Bewdley

The little guy must be growing more teeth and is relentless in his effort to minimize my recovery. Sometimes I like to think that if I can weather this stint of being tied to a kid or two for 12-15 hours a day when I actually get the time I'll be golden! 

Had a beautiful sunny day on the Wyre Forest yesterday. Sun's out, guns out as they say! Nothing better than running in just shorts and shoes in the warm sun! Managed to eek out 13 miles pushing the buggy before the little guy got grumpy and woke. Was hoping for at least one more mile but I'll take what I can get. 

The night before got out for an easy 5 and for the first time in a while got some nice sunset photos and tried to video the incoming lightening storm. I haven't played with the photos on Instagram yet but soon will. 

Sunset over Stagborough Hill

So on we go with a bit more motivation.  

Oh and a final note. Really disappointed in the Brooks PureGrit4. Already have worn holes in them with ONLY 120 miles on them! 

Brooks PureGrit 4 fail

Brooks PureGrit 4 fail

Lame! But with my job soon to carry Altra maybe I'll be switching brands, have really been intrigued by them but never had the opportunity to try them on. 

"Sometimes you're the hammer, sometimes you're the nail," Bobby Maximus

Well life kicks me down again. I need to get back on the horse. I have five weeks until Malvern Hills Ultra, a local 50 miler. I don't feel ready for it but I believe I do have time to get ready. I had a 16 mile day last week and felt really good. I need more like that. 

Preferably I'd like to do at least one twenty plus miler each week for the next four. It's doable, especially if I'm out with the buggy during the day, then run at night to get more miles in. I've been researching minimalist training routines and outcomes and it seems like a good option for now. Get a hard long run in once a week, then two other shorter but fast paced runs in the rest of the week. The other days rather than running I'll do JKD and/or calisthenics. 

The time change is helping giving more light at night which is motivating however in general I've seemed to have lost interest. Plus as always family obligations trump all and wreck me leaving no energy at night. I get out and I feel good but getting out is the obstacle. 

Still no signs of the little guy shifting his sleep pattern other than the light at night keeps him awake at night longer. Maybe it will help but he's still waking before 6am. It's like something is waking him everyday. We've turned off the radiator in his room as it may be noisy but I don't think that's it. So I keep my fingers crossed because right now I feel as if I'm barely hanging on to being a runner. The biggest motivator I have are the people at my job. They understand how difficult it can be in my situation and they are always trying to help get me going. 

Time refocus and become the hammer.