Christmas - horrendous for training

Christmas may well be a great time for religious people, children and Coca Cola, but for someone trying to stay in reasonable shape, it's an absolute nightmare.

Before Christmas I was training at least three or four times a week and barely drinking, but throw in a bit of festive cheer and all of a sudden I'm drinking three or four times a week and never training.

I've been so hungover I haven't made it out running for a while. The good news is round the corner, however. With the New Year comes a wave of fitness resolutions, and it's a wave I intend to surf - at least to get me back on track. I'm not going to go setting myself crazy targets, I'm just going to promise myself in the New Year I will start training again.

Around this time a lot of people set themselves unrealistic goals, attempt them on January 1st and then collapse from exhaustion. From speaking to the likes of Rich Roll and Dean Karnazes, I've realised you need to be organised, set achievable aims and build yourself up slowly, while remembering to enjoy the experience.

So January 2nd will see me re-enter the world of fitness following a pretty heavy festive season. Should anyone want to join me running on the 2nd, you are more than welcome. If you're in Dubai get in touch, if you're not, put on your trainers, get out the door and I'll be with you in spirit!

Pete
(Despite my apparent Grinch-like attitude, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a enjoys a brilliant New Year)

Bangkok - not ideal for training.

Things I've learnt so far:

• You can do some rudimentary strength exercises in your room if you pay 1,000+ Baht (12 quid uk?) or more. If you pay 400 Baht (as I did last night) then even sleeping is a trial given the size of the room.
• Bangkok is actually a really good city for walking around but locals see this as an affront to their multiple forms of transport.
• Running options are very low, however.
• Four days in and I still can't identify anything I've eaten. That means it's healthy, right?
• Drinking Chang Light a) makes me laugh and b) makes it feel more like it's good for you.

I'm about to jump on the coach to Koh Samui and spend a week down in the islands - hoping a bit more swimming and running/trekking can take place down there. Keep you posted.

Matt

Thai training scheme

Apologies to regular readers, adventure racers and endurance racing fans...

It has, admittedly, all gone a little quiet on the Desert Hacks blog of late. And understandably so, I think. After all the hype and build up to the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, there has been a bit of a lull as we all quietly return to normal training programmes and try to get work out the way so we can enjoy the Christmas holidays.

As we've said before, we have a new event in mind and we'll be revealing details of that in the New Year, as well as keeping you updated on how we go about training for that.

But the Desert Hacks blog has taken on a life of its own and become about much more than merely training and racing. And, for that reason, for the next couple of weeks at least, I'm hoping to use the blog as a way of keeping everyone updated on my Christmas and New Year spent in Thailand. It'll be my first time in Thailand, but also my first holiday as an endurance race-aholic! How will that affect my vacation?

Well, the plan is a few days in Bangkok, New Year on the islands and a week exploring. I'm hoping to find some decent hiking or at least a day's trekking and, while I'm sure excess will have a part to play, I'm going to see whether it's possible to enjoy a holiday without letting everything go to pot.

A few runs and swims should be easy enough (I hope) and seem like pretty decent ways of checking out the stunning surroundings, but I've also worked out a good couple of strength sets based on things I can do in a hotel room or on the beach. Tri dips, press-ups, jumps, squats, mountain climbers, chin-ups, core stuff...

I'm not actually a member at any gym at the moment as the vast majority of my workouts are swim/bike/run. However, I do try to do at least one strength session a week and two core sessions and it's amazing just how much you can achieve with some open space, a swiss ball and some elastic tubes. My workouts with those are every bit as rigorous as anything I ever did at the gym. A friend one told me that, no matter what machine or piece of apparatus you use, the best chest exercise out there is still the humble press-up. Good advice.

Let's just see if I can stick to it when lazing on the beach, sightseeing and some top-class partying are on the menu. Will keep you posted.

Matt

Interview with Rich Roll – endurance racing legend

We didn’t get around to posting this before the event, but as well as getting advice from Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes (see older posts) we were fortunate enough to speak to Rich Roll…an Ultraman competitor (it’s like Ironman but even tougher) who, having let himself go a little over the years, turned his life around to be named one of the 25 fittest men on the planet by Men’s Fitness magazine and did it all on an entirely plant-based diet!

Hope you enjoy…

After you had your 'eureka' moment, how did you go about getting fit again?

My journey began with a decision to first address my eating habits. When I turned 40, I weighed in at about 205 pounds. As a former world-class competitive swimmer, I was far from fighting shape and knew I needed a serious change. I began with a seven-day supervised herb, fruit and vegetable juice cleanse and subsequently embarked on a vegetarian regime. However, after about 6 months on this routine, I was not experiencing any significant changes in either my weight or energy levels. I was close to abandoning vegetarianism altogether, but decided instead to give a vegan/100% plant-based diet a try first, given that I was already halfway there. After giving up dairy products, eggs and everything animal-based, I experienced a tremendous spike in vigor almost immediately and knew that I had discovered something that was working for me. It was only after establishing this nutritional program that I began to even think about returning to competitive athletics.

What roadblocks did you meet along the way? How did you overcome these?

I can’t say I experienced any 'roadblocks' per sey, but there have certainly been obstacles. There are always the naysayers and negative people who attempted to dissuade me from not only my plant-based diet but also from attempting to tackle such an endurance challenge as onerous as Ultraman. But the biggest challenge by far is balancing my professional life as a full-time entertainment attorney, husband and father of four children with a training program that averages about 20-25 hours per week. My solution for addressing this was to eviscerate everything from my life that was non-essential in order to find the time to meet all my obligations, including carefully choosing my company, to surround myself with a supportive network of influences.

What nutritional advice would you offer a budding endurance athlete?

I realize that not everyone is ready to go entirely plant-based. But I would encourage anyone who is interested in this to give it a try. If, after 30 days, you don’t feel better or experience an increase in your vigor, you can always go back. But don’t take my word for it. Do your own research. Books I found helpful were THE CHINA STUDY by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, THRIVE, by Brendan Brazier, THE ENGINE 2 DIET by Rip Esselstyn and HOW TO PREVENT AND REVERSE HEART DISEASE by Rip’s father Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. At a minimum, I would encourage people to increase the percentage of organic fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains into their diet and eliminate processed foods and soft drinks.

What does your training schedule look like right now? How much is gym-based and how much outdoors?

Right now, I am taking a much needed break after Ultraman to allow my body, mind and soul to recover from what was an incredibly rigorous and challenging training season. In January, I will begin strength training with a  focus on core work and begin my return to cycling and trail running. Once Spring arrives, I will return to the pool and reduce my gym time considerably. Although I hate the gym and always prefer to be outdoors, strength training is important, especially for the older athlete. But by summer all of my workouts will be swim/bike/run.

What has been the best piece of advice you have received in your quest for fitness?

Follow your heart! Find something fitness-based that you genuinely enjoy. It shouldn’t be a fad or a phase. Its about a lifestyle choice - a journey, not a destination.

How happy were you with your performance in Hawaii (RR finished 6th in Ultraman 2009)?

Very happy. Winning the 6.2 mile swim and going on to win Day 1 by 10 minutes was a dream come true. And, although I suffered a serious bike crash on the Day 2 170-mile bike leg that ultimately dropped me down to 6th after a 7:51 double marathon on Day 3 with an injured knee and immobile shoulder, I wouldn’t change a thing. 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th – it doesn’t really matter to me. What matters is that I went on a journey. That along the way I was faced with some unexpected demons. That I was able to face them and persevere. That is what Ultraman is all about. It's what sport is all about. It's what life is all about. Of course, I would like to return to the race and put together a complete three-day race, but I would honestly say that my 2009 experience was perfect and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

Have you ever raced in the Middle East? Is this something you would be interested in doing?

Not only have I never raced in the Middle East, I have never been to the Middle East. I would absolutely love to find a race, make the trip and experience that part of the world. I understand that there is quite a robust multisport community in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as an array of interesting races. Given the opportunity, I would definitely relish the adventure of travelling east.

What advice would you give to someone who is looking to change their life and become more healthy?

Within everyone exists the power to change. I don’t care how busy you are, how old you are, how overweight or out of shape you are...change is possible. It starts with a decision followed by a commitment along a trajectory of baby steps that, with consistency over time, will generate results. There are no easy fixes and it's not always comfortable. But its always possible. Search deep within. Identify what you want to change. Create a real plan that will work over time within the constraints of your life circumstances. Assemble a support network and begin the journey. You might just be amazed at what you are truly capable of. I certainly am. If you had told me two years ago that I would be where I am now I would have told you you were insane!

The big Three-Oh!!!

My birthday today, guys and gals...and not just any old birthday but my 30th.

So, how have I celebrated? Well, last night I nailed a pretty good 3,500 yard session in the pool. I know - Rock and, indeed, Roll. As a young whippersnapper I swam pretty seriously (every day and often twice a day) up to a national standard and I'm really enjoying getting into my swimming again. I'm now starting to step up the sessions a little too. I've a list of around 15 hour-long (3500-4000 yard) sets and work my way through those one by one. Some are just standard sets, others are aimed a little more at building good distances - essential for triathlons.

This morning, I was up at 6am and did a 30km cycle on my mountain bike - felt pretty good too. We've a long weekend here in Dubai (it's Islamic New Year) and I'll look to get one circuit session in and one BRICK (transition practice - probably 500m swim along the shore in the sea, run back to starting point - repeated three times - great for getting used to that 'jelly legs' feeling you get when coming out of the swim and heading into the cycle but also a really good cross-train experience) over the course of the three-day weekend.

The point of this is...well?

Firstly, it may be useful info for anyone else at the early stages of training for triathlon. More significantly, I remember when I was swimming competitively just how unmotivated I often was - and how much I tried to avoid morning training.

It's funny that, now 30-years-old, I have more determination, motivation and even competitiveness than I did back then. I can't wait to train this weekend and almost jump out of bed on those early mornings, coz of all the energy I have.

I recently saw a photo on Facebook from my 28th birthday and, from a vanity point of view, two things occurred: 1) I looked older then than now; 2) It looked like some fat kid had eaten Matt! From a non-vain point of view, exercise has brought so much back to my life. I feel younger and better than I have for years, I have tonnes more energy and I just enjoy the variety of things I have to do.

Sure, I can tell you that beers, vodka cranberries, junk food, late nights and some truly embarrassing dancing are all likely to feature over the course of this birthday weekend, but that's not all there is - that's not all I am.

After all, what better way to crack through a hangover than a beach BRICK session?

Matt

Time for reflection...

I have to admit it: the last couple of days of the Adventure Challenge were tinged with disappointment for me.

The very first morning - competitors prepare their boats on the Abu Dhabi corniche

Maybe I was too close to the whole thing but we'd set ourselves the aim of completing all the events and, well, that didn't happen. We put a valiant stint in, no doubt. Maybe a little of the personal disappointment came from the fact that I knew I had a little more to give (except in the kayaking - I gave my all including, it would seem, a life without chronic back pain, in that). But on the last day and ever since, I've become a little cheerier and more positive.

Pre-dawn alterations are made

Almost all the other competitors were either professional athletes or came from a background that included a long history of triathlon, Ironman or endurance racing events. We didn't. Most had been training specifically for this event for six months. We had eight weeks.

Jeff and Pete put up their tent on the first evening in the desert.

In hindsight, our goals were probably a little unrealistic and what we did achieve was fairly monumental. We were woefully under-prepared - physically, mentally and in terms of experience of such events. Hats were forgotten, food was lost, water was wasted...we made mistakes that, I'm fairly certain, other teams did not make - but that's what your debut is for.

Stunning scenery on the first mountain biking leg.


We still put a real effort in and I think everyone was surprised by how much we did manage.

A word here for our fellow competitors: wonderful, beautiful, genial, helpful, encouraging, motivating heroes each and every one of them. Inspirational in the way that only truly exceptional people can be.

One competitor finishes the stage and checks in with her electronic timing plug.

I won't tell you all the ways in which we hurt or were uncomfortable during those six days - Jeff has already done a marvelous job of that in his last post - and the 30-minute shower I treated myself to afterwards was one of life's greatest ever feelings.

The American team uses some unique yoga poses to stretch out after the cycling.

But that shower also gave me time to reflect and what I realised - much like Pete - was how much I had enjoyed the past few days...the 3am starts, the uncomfortable nights' sleep, the Army-grade food...the competition, the stunning scenery, the great outdoors, taking on nature and not having to worry about a mobile phone, car keys, email or my wallet for almost a week. Just about everything.

The teams line up outside the beautiful Qasr Al Sarab resort.

In that way, I guess you could say that the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge was genuinely life-changing for me and, from the impression I get when we sat down for that beer after the final day's competition, I think Pete and Jeff would agree.

So, life-changing how exactly?

Basically, I have realised just how much I like being fit and around fit, healthy people. So, I've finally done something I've been promising myself to do for ages and signed up for a beginner's climbing course. I've also recommenced the once or twice weekly pre-work games of tennis with my housemate.

It's been a long, hard day.

But the experience has also made me a lot more serious about my training. Yes, I want to have a life, socialise and not just be one of those boring people who can only talk about gaiters, aerobars, negative splits and rehydration supplements...but I also love competition and I intend to train towards taking on a few more duathlon/triathlon/running events. My ultimate goal would be to make it up to Olympic distance and then try a few 70.2s - basically, the half Ironman distance.

The early morning ascent of Jebel Hafeet.

I've set myself a new, fairly flexible programme with an emphasis on pushing hard and training smart across swimming, cycling, running and strength circuits. I can't wait to get going on it with a 3500m swim this evening.

The (worthy) winners cross the finishing line in Al Ain.

An extremely painful back problem has also taught me that looking after and listening to your body involves more than just being fit. Yoga and massages (between the road bike I'm about to order, wetsuits, running/cycling shoes, helmets, gloves, tri-suit and yoga, stretching and massage sessions etc etc I seem to have chosen just about the most expensive hobby in existence!) are going to play a significant role going forward - especially as it appears that the muscular back problem is one I'll have to manage rather than one that can be solved.

So, all in all, one hell of an experience and one that could have even shaped the rest of my adult life.

The big question though, the one that everyone really wants to ask - would I do the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge again?

The Desert Hacks/Xtreme Journos celebrate the end of the Adventure Challenge.

I'd need to start training - kayak especially - with at least six months to go and, given what the rest of the Desert Hacks have said so far, I'd need to find three new team members but I think that maybe, perhaps, possibly, in the right circumstances, I  might consider...oh, who am I kidding??? I'm going to be booking six days off at the beginning of December every year until I get a media team through the whole of that race if it's the last thing I do. Which, admittedly, it could well be.



So, if you're a mental (sorry: fit and healthy) media professional that is crazy (erm: willing) to put in some heavy training and endure (whoops: enjoy) the toughest six days of your life next December, do leave a comment here or email mattalfie@gmail.com. Ideally, based in the UAE but, to be honest, I'll accept all-comers.

Home sweet home?

Well, we are back. Back to hot showers, warm food, comfortable beds and beer. When I got into my apartment I felt like a fat kid in a sweet shop, I really didn't know what to do first. Jump in a relaxing bath? Order a takeaway? Crack open a beer? For a while there was a danger I could have tried all three simultaneously, which would probably have resulted in me drowning in a giant vat of Burger King Carlsberg soup.

But now I am clean, refreshed and a little hungover - and I may have to whisper this part - I miss the adventure challenge slightly. I miss the buzz of the camp, the shovelling down of food, the aching legs, the never ending encouragement, the constant banter. I miss being in the presence of some stupendously fit atheletes, witnessing some superhuman achievements. But most of all I miss the competition. Not that we were competing with the other teams; they were far beyond our level. But we battled against our own limitations every single day, and if you think about it, how often can you say you do that?

I have already started training for the next event and I cannot wait for it to come around. Nothing is set in stone yet but we are hoping to compete again in the New Year. In the mean time I will be relishing some truly inspirational memories from an absolutely breathtaking six days.

Pete