Great Expectations

So with a little over 24 hrs until I head over to Holland to participate in the OCR European Championship this Friday  and being mindful of my expectations and of my team mates and ultimately the course. 

It's time to take stock and focus my full gaze on the upcoming challenges that lie ahead..

Been searching for the right questions about my preparations, physically, mentally, spiritually some often skip the latter but for me OCR would be incomplete without this. 

Each time I race is like communion and my chance to connect to something greater and escape from self, the many nuances that encumber us  in our modern

Society .

As I run and embrace the moment pain and effort cease, the mind slows down,the world slows down ..

In the Zone .

Lost in the burn

Breathing automatically 

I am 

 ..Totally at Peace..

Perhaps this is a slight form of insanity and if you could listen to my complaints over the first 2 kilometres of every race Ive ever did , sometimes longer ..You would say how is that enjoyable ..

But runners know as you push you suddenly  catch the up draft and your in flight , adrenaline surges and there is no greater feeling in the world. 

I even put it on a par with sex or perhaps I need to get out more.

My first of four races begins on Friday. 1 race  Saturday . 2 races Sunday .

In total roughly around 30 plus km of assault course around 20 mile with all manner of obstacle and terrain designed to break you on every level.

Bands and hearts will be broken friendships tested, alliances formed victims and victory, blood sweat and the tears off both defeat and  pride.

This applies to us all cause if I've learned one thing in life nothing is certain and anything can happen.

Perhaps I'm lucky and blessed with Mancunian blood and an attitude of never surrender , play to whistle , forget your plans and play with your heart then let God decide. 

Apt or not , fortune favoured;

 preparations have been?  Different than usual as I've been nursing two badly sprained ankles and ligament damage a few weekends back which rhetorically took the legs from under me after being at my fastest ever this year approaching the OCREC championships in Germany. and while I stubbornly some might say foolishly hobbled round there I did myself some justice by keeping my band and not finishing last in my first elite race.

Though I was unable to embrace the run and the sense of freedom of trail at full tilt as you bounce headlong after each obstacle the crunch underfoot the smell of the forest as your senses detect every little detail..

Not racing was never an option. 

Looking forward to seeing like minded spirits and competitors from across Europe. 

Very special people, special community.  43 Years of age now and never felt better, for sure I don't have the reflexes of 20 years ago but I have experience and I use it well now .

Competing in age category in Holland and there's no slackers there either. Was looking at my team UK compatriots and there is some quality athletes with a wealth of experience between us .

I think we could do well this year and many of us have scores to settle from our first European outing last year.

My left ankle and tendons are fully healed now and thanks to Edgeway Physiotherapy in Morecambe my right is about 70 percent but I ain't going to win any ballet dancing tournaments. 

I've basically just had to keep adaptable and training has been mostly on the WATT Bike and a couple of short distance runs to protect my left achilles tendon,which will be fully supported all weekend by Rock tape technology. 

Feeling a million miles better than both the Great Manchester run and OCREC Germany so I'm hopeful that good things will commence. 

I'm certainly well rested that's for sure and as for nutrition were good , been eating well and we have a new batch of mountain fuel to keep me topped up all weekend. 

Failing all the above preparations  we have the trusty Nike air Huaraches and some Hokas for back up incase the zero cushioning in my Adidas terrex  X king prove to much for my tendons. .

I mean let's not get silly ; Realistically I'm not going to be in contention but if I can play the long game , smash all the obstacles first time and most importantly enjoy the thrill of the competition in our wonderful community.

Then we're all winners in my eyes.

Now before I head of in the direction of some vomit filled expose akin to the latest Farty mcchampion adventures in fitness and OCR. 

Yes you all know we all hate those bullshit fitness muppets.

Just real people here and guess what I won't charge you 5 dollars to read this latest blog entry this though for some my spiritual mentionings and the God word will already have you heading for the hills..

Don't believe in God? then go and do an Ultra ..Trust me after mile 45 you will have many conversations as you trudge the happy road to destiny ..

So to end I'll do it on a note of faith, as I've often heard hope referenced as a beggar and faith requires action. The best laid plans often fall short  and learning to adapt successfully and apply the best attitudes towards everything is the key even if at times it may be blind .

For it is then that we truly see.

Stuart Nevin 

Lead PT 

@Northernangelz