So, what’s new in the Ultra Challenge world for me then? Well, training for Afghanistan once again. This time I’ll be deploying to Helmand, recently I had two weeks away with the 3rd Bn Royal Welsh to the Brecon Beacons attending our Battle Camp. Two weeks of training to get us up to the basic standard, ready for integration with our regular counterparts.
It was a good camp, one that attracted much media attention with BBC Radio Wales coming as well as ITV news.
At the moment I am training to run, however this is not for anything in specific but to ensure that while I have the time, I am building up from the basics to get my mechanics of running correct. Through doing this I am hoping to ensure success in the 2013 Yukon race, I know that seems like a long way off, but seeing as I’m going out to Afghanistan the training for this starts now. I am attending the Cardiff Running School where I’m put through my paces on the running machine and taught new techniques to ensure that I am running with the best efficiency as well as without the things that will cause me injury in the long run. In addition I am given stretches and ‘home work’ to practice to strengthen my core and stability. In the long run this will mean that I should minimise the chance of injury through bad technique.
It does seem very strange running in this new way, but I’m assured that it will start to come naturally the more I do it.