No Word of a Lie........

So, although I live in a slightly hotter climate to here in the UK (how cold is it??) I have been told of another way to acclimatize to the hot temperatures of the desert....

Apparently if I sit in a steam room for 1 hour a day - every day for the 4 weeks leading up to the MdS I will raise my core temperature by 0,5 of a degree and this is a good start to feeling OK when we hit the hot 30 degrees of heat we will experience in the desert....

So, being as I wanted to get some practice in at this whole sauna thing I thought I would skip today’s run and have a steam / stretch instead... Marvellous idea I hear you say.... Unfortunately these 2 chicks were not in the steam room with me but it did make you more interested in reading this paragraph didn't it??...

Happy Training
Charlie

Cycle Heaven - Weekend 15 & 16 NOVEMBER

Both bikes hit the tarmac this weekend... I kicked the weekend off with the racer as I had been doing quitea lot of running in recent weeks... I was meant to be heading to the mountains with John but he decided to have a big night Friday so wasn't up for it... So, I set off on the racer - covered the ciclo vede 65km plus around 15 km of the ciclo colmenar (a route that heads North to the montains). I averaged a speed of 24km/h for the full 80km taking 3hrs 20mins for the full loop.. Legs were burning when I got back back thats th BEAUTY OF IT!!!

And then on the Sunday we (John) took the train to El Escorial with the mountain bikes for a 7 hour cycle... It was truly breathtaking, so much natural beauty...

We cycled from the old El Escorial Monestry which is in itself is fantastic down to the lakes... After nearly 5 hours of circumnavigating this lake - nearly fainting of lack of food we headed to a nearby restaurant for some food and on anothr 45 mins to the nearest train station before dark fell.... It was an amazing day but one that saw me get a 24hr flu that put me in bed for 24hrs - Nice...

Stay Healthy and safe,
Charlie

Hot Hot Hot - Loving Spain!!!

Hi, I am really sorry but the last 3 or 4 entries are in no order... I thought you could write in the Blog and then change the order the order they appear but you can't...
BARCELONA - This was only a small 1hr 15min run but it was on the sandy beaches of Barceona which was amazing!!!!!! I went to see Eva for the weekend and was able to enjoy a run in just my shorts in 22º degof PURE SUNSHINE on the 6th of December... How cool is that?!!?!?

So, soft sand running for 75 mins, sunbathers, bikinis, people swimming ON THE 6th of DECEMBER!!!! HA HA HA, LOVE SPAIN!!! I am not totally sure as I was more having fun in this run than anything else but reckon I covered in the region of 8-10km... Damn good fun though....

Happy Training!!

Charlie

Northern 30km Loop - Ciclo Verde

December 1 - December 23 - 2008

Its been a big month with some big runs and lots of days off..... My week days usually involve a small run - 20 - 30 minutes with something else thrown in as well... Hardly a structured training plan you might say but I have to support all that I am working towards with Fitness Fist. In the New Year this will have to change with more of my efforts going into the running and long distance training but its been 1 - 2 hours of good exercise a day and I feel fantastic for it!!!!!

Unfortunatly, as ever, work is really busy and I am finding it very difficult to find the time for my long runs... This is obviously a problem when you need to find 3 hours or so... I have for the last 2 weeks completed the Northern Loop of the Ciclo Verde Cycle route however which is FANTASTIC!!!!



The route as I have mentioned before is a 65km Cycle Route / Path that circles Madrid but the best part is, it is ONLY for runners and cyclists (oh, and of course walkers). I moved house last month into a place that is right next to the course so training although a little monotonous is fantastic... The views from the route are also fantastic getting some great shots of Madrid from all angles..... Here are my stats of the x 2 runs....

Map My Run Statistics
14/12/2008
28.57km = 02:42 = 05:40 mins/km = 10.58km/h (plus a water stop and WC stop).
21/12/2008
28.57km = 02:26 = 05:07 mins/km = 11.74km/h

Question of the day:

Who has decided to include 30 minutes of regular exercise per day as a New Years Resolution???

Happy training,
Charlie

Cold Cold Cold - 30km in the COLD!!!!

December 27th 2008
Completed a 30km loop of Buckinghamshire yesterday before going to Twickenham to watch Harlequins v Leicester Tigers... You could say I was cold for the entirety of the day... Feeeezing in fact!!!! I wore my Nike 2nd skins, wooly hat, gloves and neck warmer but none the less - FROZE!!!

Black park however was fairly beautiful but the pace was decidedly slow....



Happy Training!!!!
Charlie

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!!

Hi Everyone,

Well, today (Christmas Day) I completed 30km in 2 days which is more than I have done in a long time.....

I have not been on the Blog mainly because work is crazy and I stiiiill do not have internet at my new house in Madrid.... Pero bueno, I am very well training hard and working even harder so being back in Denham is amzing as I have done nothing and plan on doing nothing, ha ha ha...

Training has been going well and now that I am in Denham with lots of time on my hands I will bring the last 2 months up to date and add some pics of the events I been involved in..... Have entered into some cool wee events in the New Year so looking forward to all of that before the 26th March 2009 when we fly out to Morocco - 91 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!!!

So, HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE AND I WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST IN 2009. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND KIND MESSAGES THAT I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING IN TOUCH IN THE NEW YEAR..

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE this Christmas and in 2009,









All the best,
Charlie

Loving Spain

So, it is the 26th October and this weekend could have been July... Went out on the mountain bike yesterday for 5 houirs North of Madrd, absolutly gorgeous Sun Sun Sun.... Had a blast!!! After getting lost in very rich part of N Madrid we found the off track lakes, rivers and grasslande we had been looking for... It was awesome... After been chased out of the park by a crazed guard we made our way to Alcobendas before getting the Metro home..... Out for a run and kettlebells today, superb... This week I move house and have to finalise the Fitness Launch.... My mate Steve Kouma ran a 3,46 hrs in the Frankfurt Marathon today - top job buddy, sorry I wasn't there running it with you.... Congrats though on a great time... Have a great week all... Charlie

£ 3,720.00

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED ME GET TO THIS INCREDIBLE AMOUNT. WE ARE SO CLOSE THE BIG 5,000 SO STAY IN TOUCH AND AS SOON AS WE HIT THE BIG GRAND TOTAL I WILL LET YOU KNOW....
EXCELLENT!!!!!!!

CS

Long Overdue Update!!

Well, its been a while.... Same old story, busy busy busy - work work work!!! ha ha ha... Ran the Zaragoza Marathon 2 or 3 weeks ago - 3,36 hours so pretty pleased, really wanted to break the 3 hours but I think the weeks leading up to it were pretty much to blame.. 1st hour was really difficult, usually the hard part lasts no longer than 30 minutes but it took ages to get into it.... After that, all went OK, sooo never running a Marathon without anyone at the Finish Line again.... The scenery was pretty cool, really beautiful day and saw heaps of Zaragoza that I obviously had never seen from the 6 or 7 business trips.... Meant to be running the Frankfurt next weekend also but have to canx as moving house the following week and have a Fitness Launch in 3 weeks which is going to be huge.... Not much else to report, will write more when my Fitness Launch has finished, I am living in a New Big Duplex Apt and have time and space to plan the next 5 months....
November - 5 Months
December - 4 Months
January - 3 Months
Febuary - 2 Months
March - 1 Month
Fly March March 26 - Aaaaagghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Caio, have a Great Week!!!!!!!
Charlie S

Marathon des Sables - 2nd Payment & Registartion Complete

Well, I have done absolutly nothing since returning from Paris and therefor I thought I would add some pictures of the Marathon des Sables and a You Tube link for the MdS 2009...... We have paid our 2nd instalment of the Marathon des Sables however this week and completed registration. I did do a Body Pump class but I am soo sore because of it I couldn't run this weekend, ha ha!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUexdN6rBgE&feature=related

Have a great week!!!!!

CS

A MASSIVE THANK YOU!!

I would like to make a Special mention for those that have sponsored me via my parents whose names are not on the Just Giving site.

Sally & Tim Dawson, Louise Dawson, David & Gill Stockford, Jennie & Vyv Hardless, Gill Clegg, June Gilmore, David Griffiths, Shirley & Tony Stricklen and Fitness First (my employer). Together you have raised £1610 which is simply incredible, thank you!!

On my birthday many of my friends and family left money in the shoe box so Thank you to you (including Fiona's taxi service money - Thanks Fi (my favourite God-mother xx)

I also want to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to everyone that has so generously sponsored me so far through my Just Giving site for 'Get Kids Going.' Thank you so much, it means a lot to me and so far we have raised £1905 which absolutely fantastic. I would also like to add that I have had a personal email from ‘Get Kids Going’ thanking me when we reached the £1,500 and wishing me all the best for the following 7 months before the race.

THE MARATHON des SABLES is organised by 'The Best of Morocco' who donate some of our entry fee to an African charity called - Noma, a disease that eats away the cheeks of (usually) young children. This is a terrible disease and one that with more research and funding will hopefully be treated.

Muchísimas gracias de mí.
Charlie

UP AND COMING FOR REST OF 2008!!!

• SEPTEMBER 28 - ZARAGOZA MARATHON - SPAIN
• OCTOBER 26 - FRANKFURT MARATHON - GERMANY
• NOVEMBER 30 - SAN SEBASTIAN MARATHON - SPAIN
• DECEMBER - TRAINING WEEK ON SAND AND IN HEAT WITH BRUCE WRIGHT

Remember if you want to Sponsor me or Bruce Wright on any of the events we are taking part in just check out our Just Giving sites or contact me.

http://www.justgiving.com/charliestockford1

Thank you, Charlie

5 WEEK SUMMARY

Its been a big month!!

I have run a total of total of 290km in August (around 70km / week) although the last week in Aug I had a stomach bug which kept me from doing anything. The London to Paris, Sleepless in the Saddle and some week day cycling made up a total of around 700km on the bike. Need to do more and keen to plan some winter heat for both of us. think this our biggest hurdle...

Feeling good now, the weather back here in Madrid is very muggy and close with little sun but need to get out there soon.... Have so much work on with Fitness First so going to have to be very very time strict or things could drop off!!! Soo much to do with soo litle time, such a shame that training for endurance events and work need soo much time....

CS

LONDON to PARIS BIKE RIDE

It’s a Raining on us, hallelujah; it’s a Raining on us!!!!!!!
Note to self: Stop entering Cycle races in the UK - It rains heaps there OK!!!
Just kidding, although it did rain pretty much non stop (or at least while we were on the bike) it was an amazing experience. We set off from Crystal Palace on Thursday morning - 24 Fitness First employees or suppliers en-route to Paris!! Nice. About 2 hours in and the rain came down, and it didn't stop till pretty much Friday night.. We cycled all the way down to Newhaven through Turners Hill, Ditchling and other English villages before boarding a ferry to Dieppe. Friday the rain was constant but thin... On we went for a smaller day heading to Gournay en Bray via Torcy le Petit, Mathonville and arrived after another 85km.... The last day was big one!! 120km to Paris.. Steve Kouma and myself had well and truly taken the leaders Yellow Jersey (not that it was a race, yeah right!!). We were cycling head onto a strong Southerly wind which pretty much stopped us if we stopped peddling!!! Good team work on the last day with most of the hard work from Steve - cheers buddy... So arrived in Paris at 16,00 on Saturday after cycling around 325km over 3 days and absolutly loved it!!!!
WE WERE CYCLING FOR - BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION and the Just Giving site for this event is:

• http://www.justgiving.com/FFLondonToParis08

We have so far raised around £30,000 so please help us raise the desired 35,000 - Thank you.
I want to say a special thanks to a fellow rider - Mr Rob Barker it was a pleasure to meet you and I have to say you have truly inspired me to do a Half Ironman next year.... For anybody interested I have decided to train for the Zurich Half Ironman next August... See you there!!
Charlie

VALENCIA Training Week with BW

So, 2 weeks ago Bruce and myself flew to Valencia for a bit of a training week (on sand). The grand plan was to test our running equipment like Backpack, Gaiters etc but we have not gotten around to buying any of the specialist gear yet.. Arrived Saturday and warmed the legs after the travel with a quick 45 minutes. Sunday morning we woke from our 5* luxury accomodation at a Parador and headed out. We left at 08,30 for a 4 hour run, soft sand, hard sand - the lot. We managed around 31km (which on sand is pretty good) and only the sun caused a worry. Thinking it got up to 30º at 12,00 ish and seriously slowed us down. Great run though, beautiful beaches, women, sun, women ;-)
Here is the 1st run:



The rest of the week was awesome also taking in the sights of the Valencia street circuit, La Tomatina - the Tomato throwing festival in Buñol, and around (in total) 80 - 90km running. On the last day we ran for 3hrs with the final 2km finished with a bit Fartlek across soft sand (sprint / jog / sprint / jog etc). Amazing training and seriously hard, could have done a bit more this!!!! Should have really done more running but a surprise Foam Party for children aged between 3 to 12 (and Bruce and Charlie) kept us up drinking untill 6am so wiped out 1 whole day - Oops, nobody is perfect!!
HAD AN AWESOME HOLIDAY THOUGH, WE NEED TO TRAIN HARDER AND TRAIN LONGER IN THE HEAT!!! I AM HOPING I AM GETTING USED TO THE HEAT, BUT WITH THE MdS AT THE END OF WINTER WE ARE BOTH GOING TO NEED TO TRAIN AGAIN IN HOT WEATHER SO 2-3 TRIPS TO A MEGA HOT COUNTRY ARE NEEDED IN DEC, JAN AND FEB I RECKON!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK BRUCE???
CS

40km Training Run

This week has been a gooood week... Ran Tues, Thurs, Friday and managed a 40km run today... I am soooo burnt again!!! So 5km, 5km, 15km, and 40km = 65km week to date with Sunday left and going to try for a 10km run tomorrow, see how we go eh!?!? The run today was OK, I took the Camel pack and tried running on Gels (Isotonic carbohydrate energy). Pretty good though I got lost several times which really p*ssed me off and I lost all enthusiasm at one stage... 3 x gels though, good energy release and didn't feel sick but need heaps of water with them. (photo is me passing time with shadow photo's whilst running - don't ask).
Charlie S

Sleepless in the Saddle - 24Hr MountainBike Race

So, one of the BIG events of the year has come and gone. Last weekend was Sleepless in the Saddle, the 24 hour Mountain Bike Race in Staffordshire. My esteemed colleagues Bruce Wright & Adam George met me at Luton Airport for the trip to the venue of Catton Park. Upon arrival we pitched our 3 x 1 man tents and off to the supermarket for as much Energy Foods we could possible buy….. Bananas, Chicken, Bread, Pasta, Gels, Energy Drinks, Malt Loaf, 40 Ltrs of water and more….. The venue was pumping with music, a sh*t DJ that wouldn’t shut up and thousands of people (far more nut cases than I thought there would be). Our pitch was awesome, in between the start line straight and another aspect of the course.
Friday night we did a practice lap, 8 miles of hills, woods, fields and wee obstacle courses. Some of the route was 2 car lanes thick down to single bike width in the woods. Slept very averagely after a massive Sardine + Pasta dinner cooked to perfection by Brucey…. Nice!!!!
So, Saturday morning involved relaxation, eating, and stressing about our bike set up (night lights, mud guards, tyre type etc) & clothing during the race (weather was going to be wet (but cooold as well)). Had another whole wheat pasta and readied ourselves for the 14,00 Gun!!!!!!!!
Team ROCKY BALBOA – Off at the gun for a 800 yard run round to pick up the bikes and off…… 1,300 riders pushing and shoving, was a little tricky the initial mile with some heroes pushing through the pack hard and fast. Within an hour the downward vertical drops came – RAIN. I was ending the first 8mile lap when it came and it came heavily…. The ground slowly turned to a chocolate mouse with the consistency of tar… I must have gone over my handlebars 6 times and came off a further 20 times… BROWN FROM HEAD to FOOT…. NICE!!!! Muc Off – Savours of the day with 3 x power hoses allowed us to clean the Mud Goo out of the de-railers and wheels… At the 3 lap moment I met with Bruce and Adam for the 1st time in 7 hours. After a long discussion with rain still coming down we decided we were not actually enjoying pushing our light framed, expensive bikes now similar in weight and colour to heavy, brown mahogany chest of drawers through the thick clay mud so each bought an amazing steak sandwich. We managed 3 more laps and towards the end of Sunday the sun was shining and it was getting good cycling. We will prevail, we are not beaten and WE WILL COMPLETE A 24 HOUR MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE SOON…. The British weather may have kept us at bay this time…. NEXT TIME BW – NEXT TIME!!!!!!!!!!
* 4 WEEKS TILL THE 165km ULTRA MARATHON – YIKES…..
* 3 WEEKS TILL THE SPONSORED LONDON TO PARIS BIKE RIDE…
* 1 WEEK TILL BW and MYSELF HAVE A TRAINING HOLIDAY IN VALENCIA
CS

2 Month Summary

I read my training diary last night - and have to say I was fairly impressed...... I have been fairly consistant with my training minus a couple of poor weeks Monday to Thursday..... I have a run a total 390 odd km's and cycled around 260km...... mas o menos..... This equates (not sure if that is spelt correctly) to around 49km's per week running and around 33km's per week cycling. I have been Periodising my training by trying to have hills, speed, distance and variety to ensure no injuries. The planta fasciatus I picked up on the sprint training session back at the Nike HQ in Hilversum does rear its ugly head very slightly when i really push myself but massage and myofascial release are doing the job. In terms of strength work I am still using the Kettlebells which are great for spiking that posterior train and functional movement patterns.... Gets me out of sagital if you know what I mean.... We have the 24 hr cycle race in 10 days and the 105mile footrace in 5 weeks so best keep it up and step it up eh.... Though am going to let the Domestic Onset og Muscle Soreness (DOM's from Sunday) go before we crack on... Strong like Torro Stockford, Strong like Torro (Bull in Español)!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CS

BEST HALF MARATHON IN THE WORLD!!

WOW; BEST HALF MARATHON EVER COMPLETED AT THE WEEKEND, MEDIA MARATON DE SEGOVIA... UNBELIIIIIIIIIIEEEEVVABLE!!!!!!!!!!! The race started at LA GRANJA DE SAN ILDEFONSO, a small village just outside Segovia... Stunning wee place, old houses and steep winding streets, small cathedrals and a Royal Palace. Very cute... The race kicked off at 09,30 with a steady run up to through a Pine Forest with streams, waterfalls and that gorgeous pine aroma.... Then after about an hour we came out onto this grassy plain, huge bulls and horses grazing and leading straight up to a near vertical rocky cliff and the top of the 1,4km hike in altitude.... I reached the top in around 2hrs (bearing in mind my best half marathon time is 1hr 25min) and the views were out of this world!!!!!!! So, 11km up in 2hrs and I was rooted, luckily there were organisers at the top with sugar, fruit and water... Much needed I can tell you as we were well within 30º temperature..... The route up was straight up, but funnily enough very similar terrain to Kilimanjaro...... Reminded me of Brucey W with his catchphrase of the Kili ascent - 'I say, this reminds me of my Kilimanjaro days' in his royal English.... Brought a chuckle to my agony.... From the top, was an obvious photo and then the run down, careful feet and scree sliding the knees were about to get a pounding. It took me exactly 50mins to run the last 11km which is fast, very fast considering it was the 2nd 11km. I overtook around 30 people in this time and on the flats was absolutly gunning along. My knees were really starting to hurt due to the impact but at 2hrs 50mins I finished.... Best run ever, loved it, can't wait for the next one!!!!!!!!!
Charlie

HILL RUNNING IN MAJORCA

WOW.... An amazing week last week, did very little during the week but kicked some Hill Butt on Saturday and Sunday!!!! I was lucky enough to be in Majorca for the weekend and lucky enough to be staying in Puerto Soller for 3 nights which meant I could easily tackle a 1.8km hill on the outside of the port. Niiiice!!!!! I was originally going to tackle another Marathon attempt but the reality of the Majorca roads is very different and I quickly got stopped kin my tracks by dead ends and rocky cross country trails which wasn’t what I was after. So, after a couple of dead ends I ended up at the bottom of a 1.8 km hill (1.8 up and 1.8 down). So, off I went… It was getting hot, very hot and this made it all the more realistic for the MdS so pushed me on more, that, and I had the added excitement of racing other cyclists and runners who had the same idea as myself. 1st 1.8km took 9mins (up) and the following 7 ascents took anywhere from 10 to 15mins. Total ascents = 8 and obviously total descents = 8. Running Time = 3hrs spot on (mas o menos) and total distance covered = 33km (including the starting run). Man I was buggered and sore after it though, but having other runners and cyclists (this is how I know it was 1.8km) pushed me on more and more, it was an awesome morning. Only worrying aspect was (as it was soo hot, I got heat rash all over my back and arms which again like the rubbing the other week opened my eyes to possible other problems of training in the heat….. Pero bueno, el día de sabado era INCREÍBLE…… ME ENCANTA!!!!

Week Summary:
Monday 14 – 10km run
Tuesday – nada
Wednesday – nada (training Fitness First Europe)
Thursday – nada (small run, cycle)
Friday – nada – too hot!!!
Saturday – 33km Hill Training – Majorca – Spain – Niiiiiiiiiiiice!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday – 7.2km Hills (slightly hung over so gave up at this point....

All in all a Rubbish weeks performance finished off with TOP Draw Training – I guess you win some – You lose Some!!!!!!!!!!

The Bike is being thrashed this week to get me ready for the Sleepless in the Saddle Race in 3 weeks…. Its still far too new looking!!!!!!!!
CS

SIGMA HEADLIGHTS for the TREK FUEL EX 5.5

THE LAWS OF ATTRACTION....

I WAS WONDERING THE OTHER DAY WHY I AM SINGLE.... REALIZED LAST NIGHT ITS BECAUSE (among other reasons) I DO NOT GO OUT SOCIALIZING ON A SATURDAY NIGHT BUT TAKE MY NEW BIKE OUT FOR A SPIN AND CHECK OUT THE NEW LIGHTS..... RIDUCULOUS BUT TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!! ha ha ha ha ha.....

The new lights are incredible and I feel I am sounding more and more like B Wright its Scary!!!!!!!! ha ha ha ha, ho ho ho, hee hee hee


http://www.sigmasport.de/en/produkte/beleuchtung/powerlights/powerled_black/
CS (they are incredible lights though)..........

The Laws of Attraction....... Need to discuss this more, its kinda taken over my life recently... I am easily Brainwashed.. More to come but for a sneak preview here is the You Tube link to watch the 1st 20 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* FOR THE ACTUAL WEBSITE:

http://thesecret.tv/index.html


YOU TUBE 1st 20 MINUTES:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b1GKGWJbE8

WATCH IT, IT OPENS YOUR EYES TO MANY MANY THINGS, MINIMISES NEGATIVE THOUGHTS, PUTS LIFE IN PERPECTIVE AND IF YOU ARE A RUNNER, DOWNLOAD IT TO YOUR Ipod AND LISTEN TO IT WHILE RUNNING.... ITS TOTALLY MOTIVATIONAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE It!!!!

CS - (Jo is also reading the book, a comment on the book Jo would be Great).

WEEK SUMMARY

Monday 07 - 90 min run - 16km
Tuesday - 45 min run - 8km
Wednesday - OPERACIÓN SHAPE UP - SPRINT SESSION - 20 min run = 5.03km = 15.09 kmh (average).
Thursday - Hills - 5 x sets of 75m Hills + 25minute run
Friday - Nothing
Saturday - HALF MARATHON - 22.71 / 10.10kmh



Sunday - 10 km + KETTLEBELLS (20mins) - THANKS DC

TOTAL WEEKS KM's = 67.74 KM (mas o menos)

I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH MY TARINING RUNS DURING THE WEEK..... I AM WORKING VERY LONG HOURS AND FINDING THE TIME FOR A REASONABLE RUN DURING THE WEEK IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE UNLESS I CUT OUT SLEEPING FOR EXAMPLE.... THIS WEEK IN AMSTERDAY FOR 2 DAYS SO AGAIN, NEAR IMPOSSIBLE.... NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE STOCKFORD - ONLY POSSIBILITIES.... NEED TO PLAN BETTER AND BE STRICTER ON MY SLEEPING...
CS

TREK FUEL EX 5.5 - I LOVE IT!!!!!!

MY NEW TOY......

HALF MARATHON - 2 WEEKS!!

HEY, SO HERE IT IS THE HARDEST 1/2 MARATHON IN SPAIN... HE HA HA HA!!!

WHAT:
VII MEDIA MARATON DE MONTAÑA
SIERRA DE SEGOVIA
LA GRANJA - PICO DE PEÑALARA - LA GRANJA

WHEN:
FECHA: 27 DE JULIO DE 2008
HORA: 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA
LUGAR: LA GRANJA DE SAN ILDEFONSO
WHY IS IT SO HARD; BECAUSE IT IS A NORMAL 22km RUN BUT THE FIRST 15km CLIMBS FROM 1150m ABOVE SEA LEVEL to 2450m ABOVE SEA LEVEL, THAT'S A 1300 METER CLIMB, HA HA HA....


NOW; A PREGUNTA!?!?!

TODAY I SUFFERED (for the 1st time ever) RUBBING BETWEEN THE TOPS OF LEGS TO THE POINT THAT I BROKE THE SKIN.... THIS AS I SAID IS A FIRST AND A SLIGHT WORRY AS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE... RECKON ITS CAUSE MY LEGS ARE FATTER THAN THEY WERE, GOING TO DO SOME HYPERTROPHY WORK ON THEM AND - ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS? IT BE REALLY SORE NOW!!
ANYWAY, THIS RACE --- CAN'T WAIT... WISH ME LUCK!!!
CS

MARATHON DISTANCE ATTEMPT!!!

MARATHON ATTEMPT TODAY!!!!

I HAVE MAPPED MY RUN BUT WILL TALK YOU THROUGH IT... OR SHOULD I SAY TALK ME THROUGN IT AS I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO READS THIS!!!! HA HA HA!! WANTED IT HOT AND BOY OH BOY IT WAS HOT... SET OFF AT 11,20am AND HAD A PLANNED RUN AROUND CASA DE CAMPO IN MADRID. BREAKFAST AT 8am OF 4 PIECES OF CHUNKY BROWN SEEDED TOAST, Ummmmm.... FRESHLY JUICED ORANGE J AND 2 BANANAS... WENT DOWN TO CALLE DE BRAVO MURILLO AT THE END OF MY ROAD TO WATCH A PRO CYCLE EVENT BEFORE I WENT......

THE FIRST 20km WAS EASY PEASY, I MEAN THAT IN THE SENSE THAT I WAS CRUISING AT AROUND 10 - 11 kmh AND NOTHING FELT TOO TRICKY... THE SUN WAS HOT, VERY HOT... LUCKILY OUT OF THE CITY WAS BETTER BUT STILL FAIRLY UNCOMFORTABLE.. AT THE 25KM STAGE I STARTED TO TIRE, I THINK DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS VERY TIRED AND NOT VERY WELL PREPARED NUTRITION WISE. I BOUGHT AN AQUARIUS (SUGAR DRINK) AT THIS STAGE IN THE RUN BUT WASN'T HELPING TOO MUCH.
THOUGHTS!!
MANY PEOPLE ASK ME WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN OUT THERE TREADING THE TARMAC FOR 2 - 3 HOURS AT A TIME? DON'T YOU GET BORED.... WELL, I AM NEVER TOO SURE OF THE ANSWER SO TODAY I WHILE THINKING I TRIED TO REMEMBER.... TO BE HONEST, WORK IS CONTENDER BUT THE MAIN THOUGHT EVOLVES FROM THE IMMEDIATE SURROUNDING OR SIGHTS I COME ACROSS. OTHER RUNNERS, POINTS OF INTEREST, SHOPS, AM I LOST OR ON THE RIGHT TRACK, CHICKS (usually ones I see while out), AND RUNNING - USUALLY ABOUT HOW THIS RUN IS IMPROVING ME OR OF COURSE NOT!!

NEXT WEEKEND I HAVE A FREE WEEKEND ALSO AND THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND I AM IN PALMA DE MALLORCA AND FOLLOWING WEEKEND AFTER THAT I HAVE A MOUNTAIN 1/2 MARATHON IN SEGOVIA SO WILL DEFFINATLY ACHIEVE THE FULL MARATHON DISTANCE IN THE NEXT 4 WEEKS...

NIIIIIIIIICCCEEEEEEELLYLYYYYY!!
CS

2 Week Summary

Well, since returning from Lake Como I have been a tad budy for any real big training so feeling pretty bad.... I have run most days but only to a maximum of an hour and a couple of Kettlebell sessions but thats about it. Ruuuuubbbbbbsssshhh!!!!

Monday 23 June - 60 min run - 10km
Tuesday - 45 min run - 8km
Wednesday - Rest Day
Thursday - Kettlebells 1 hour
Friday - Nothing
Saturday - 12km run - Salamanca
Sunday - Rest Day

TOTAL WEEK KM's = 30 KM's

Monday 30 June - 45 min run - 8km
Tuesday - Nothing - New Boss and lots of work
Wednesday - Nothing
Thursday - Kettlebells
Friday - Spin
Saturday - 60 minute run - 12km
Sunday - MARATHON ATTEMPT - 36km

TOTAL WEEK KM's = 56 KM

I WILL ADD A NEW COMMENT NOW FOR THE MARATHON DISTANCE ATTEMPT.
Caio one and all....
CS

The Ultimate Week.. Training Partners!!

I need to dedicate this article to Training Partners... This last week I ran over 75km and cycled well over 100km but have to say this evening was horrible heavy legs sydrome.. Not good and very slow... I would never have done it if it wasn't for the several training partners that helped me get there... Last Sat I ran 31km in Retiro Park and owe the distance and time to Iván Monzon. Monday, Tues and Wed I managed to squeeze out an 10km run on each morning before work which I have to say was pushed into by Sarah (even thougn she didn't run with me - simply a wake up phonecall (thanks :-). Then on Thursday with 4.84km in 20mins and finishing off with a 15km on Saturday in Lake Como... (Including Hills (see photo)) with as you can see with Steve Kouma & Dave Cooke in Lake Como... So all in all, a massive week and reckon I wouldn't have done it with ouy them.... What else is new.? Sleepless in the Saddle is 7 weeks away and after a 15km cycle on Saturday I need to get fit for this... So, what is the plan...

Operation Shape up is a Fitness First Global Initiative aimed to get the staff of FF back on track and fit as a fiddle.... I am heading the program for España so training hard now for that also... Whats involved:

20 minute run, 500m row, chin ups, push ups, crunches, flexibility... Its out of 36 and so far I am on 28 (1st attempt) - 29 (2nd attempt) - 30 points (3rd attempt). So, I am getting better....

Lake Como..

The weekend was spent on Lake Como in Italy so had to add a photo.. A truly incredible place.. We ran, cycled, swam, ate amazing food... Honestly felt a million dollars today..... Great photo of Steve Kouma & myself swimming in Lake Como (its a big deal as Every Single Person we met said that we can't and no one actually swims........... proved them wrong eh Booma).

Hasta ahora,

CS

FITNESS FIRST - THANK YOU

HOW COULD I HAVE NOT HAVE WRITTEN A QUICK EXTRACT FOR MY EMPLOYER FITNESS FIRST WHO LAST WEEK CAME FORWARD AND AGREED TO SPONSOR ME £1.000,00 - HOW UNBELIEVABLE IS THAT!! FOR ALL WHO WERE BEHIND THAT DECISION I WANT TO THANK YOU HEAPS AND HEAPS - I WILL OF COURSE NOW BE TRAINING EVEN HARDER AS THE LAST THING WE WANT IS A COMPETITOR BEING DRAGGED OFF THE DUNES WRAPPED IN A FITNESS FIRST CAPE DO WE.... THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FITNESS FIRST - I WON'T LET YOU DOWN..

CHARLIE STOCKFORD
NATIONAL PM
SPAIN

KETTLEBELL TRAINING

I have just realised that I have not been updating weeks as a summary... Just read Bruces and he obviously is so here goes...

Well, I can safely say that my training has not reached a level where I track what I am doing and note times etc.... But, this is 2 days of my week:

• 2 x Week I complete 1 hour of Kettlebell Training

A kettlebell looks like a solid cast iron kettle without a spout. Today it is regarded by fitness experts as the ultimate training tool for all-round fitness and physical development. Unlike a conventional dumbbell or barbell, the Kettlebell’s centre of mass is displaced from the handle. This means the weight constantly pulls against your hand and requires not only strength and co-ordination when exercising with it, but also the recruitment of other muscles through your arms, shoulders and trunk. The kettlebell is very user-friendly. You can start off by simply carrying a kettlebell around for a period everyday, lifting it, swinging it, passing it from hand to hand. As strength and co-ordination develop move on to routines, exercises and heavier weights.

I have completed the 2 day Extreme Kettlebell Instructor Course with The Optimal Life Fitness Group who work out of the UK and Europe. For more information see:

http://www.optimallifefitness.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bz3Iw9-LhY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7C836zQp-o

I AM SERIOUSLY LOOKING AT GETTING THIS COURSE FOR YOU BRUCE AS YOU TRAIN AT HOME AND A COUPLE OF KETTLEBELLS WOULD BE AWESOME FOR YOU!!!!

Tommy Mathews and BJ from Extreme Kettlebells - Thank You for opening my eyes to Kettlebells - LOVE EM!!!!

CS

• On 2 other days I:

Well, I go for a run actually.... Usually only in the region of 45mins to 85mins depending on time and lazyness but as a general rule... (see how specific the training is?¿?¿). These 2 runs always have a focus - speed, hills, intervals, circuits sometimes (leg endurance), grass/gravel/tarmac etc..... Seriously I should start to plan lengths and speed etc but not quite onto it yet.... BRUCEE - CAN YOU HELP ME?

• On the Weekend Days:

ENDURANCE WORK.....

On these 2 days I have to run more than 20km (golden rule on day 1) and ensure I train on both days... Last weekend, for example was 31km running on Sat and 89km cycling on Sunday... Niiiiice!!!! Back it up as they say... All these lazy goats in the world that do a bit or exercise and then spend the next 6 weeks talking about what they did.. Sorry, negative energy - OUT!!!!!

Thats it... Sorry, I am tired and off to bed.... Cheers..

CS

CHARLIE STOCKFORD - www.mapmyrun.com

I am in love with www.mapmyrun.com - How good is it, although I am only going to cycle this tomorrow, awesome stuff!!! Off out for some well earned early beers and then (unfortunatly) an early night...
... sleep ...
Had 2 more beers than I should have last night so only managed to get out of bed for 10,00 but was on the road for 12,00 and busting for good weather... The cycle is around 65km so was banking on 3 hours, so looking forward to some fartlek type cycling. The legs were sore from yesterdays run but cracked on and soon were back to normal. Hit Casa de Campo on the West of Madrid which has loads of free paths. Started the hard/soft trainig for around 30mins - 2mins hard, 2mins soft - for 30 mins was awesome - top speed of 56km/hr - and by the end of the cycle had cycled 88.17km AND since buying my speedo I have now cycled more than 4,000km (thats LONDON to MADRID, MADRID BACK TO LONDON AND BACK TO MADRID AGAIN WITH 205km TO SPARE) not bad eh.... So back to the race, after 4 hours I started to get really burnt, my shoulders and neck are soo red... After 5 hours I got near to the full circuit and me crutch was a little sore... What I don't understand is I didn't go too far off the trail ever yet my speedo at the end said 88.17km yet the circuit is meant to be around 64km - very strange... The picture is taken from the top of a hill in the south - the 4 towers are in the North of Madrid - around 40km from my position.. Cool eh!?!?!
CS

31.45km and Sleep!! CHARLIE STOCKFORD

WELL, HAD A GOOD RUN TODAY - RAN FOR 2 HOURS 20 MINS + AT A CRACKING PACE AS HAD A MATE RUNNING WITH ME FOR THE 2ND HOUR (ie - he was fresh). DID 5 LAPS OF RETIRO PARK (6.29KM LAPS) IN THE CITY CENTRE OF MADRID - THATS 31.45km in 140mins WHICH = 13.48 km / hour AVERAGE OVER THE RUN.... NIIIIIIIICELY!!!

THE ROUTE IS ENTIRELY FLAT WITH SOME FANTASTIC SCENERY (if you know what i mean) and no way feels like a 27 minute lap... Time just flies by which is great..... I set off at 09.00 and my mate joined me half way through the 2nd lap. I was busting along at a cracking pace and he was clearly struggling for the 1st few minutes, but soon got the flow of things... I then made a school boy error and thought I would run home, another 3 or 4km... Bad move, as soon as me legs knew I was allowed to walk no matter what I said or did to them I was a walking man.... Still, gorgeous weather and a nice hour cool down... I got home, no shower.. Laid a couple of cushions on the carpet and fell into a deep Sleep for 2 hours, HOW GOOD IS THAT FOR A DAY - ALL BEFORE 14.00 - CYCLING 70KM TOMORROW STARTING AT 08.00 SO HAVING A FEW EARLY BEERS, AND BED.... THIS TRAINING LARK ALTHOUGH I FEEL INCREDIBLE, CAN BE A LITTLE BORING WITH NOT DRINKING... I JUST WISH I WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT COULD GO TO A PUB AND NOT DRINK... IMPOSSIBLE, MAYBE I SHOULD BUY A CAR OR ARE PETROL PRICES TOO HIGH FOR THAT BRUCE?? MATE - MY OPINION, DON'T PUT ANY NEGATIVE, POLITICAL, NON TRAINING SHITE ON YOUR BLOG, THE REST OF THE LAZY POPULATION MAY NOT BE READING, BUT I AM YOUR No 1 READER - YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE ME TOO DO YOU!!!
CS

A long 1 - CHARLIE STOCKFORD

Forced myself round today for a 120 minutes, reckon in the region of 25km as was starting to hurt and get very bored.... have found the 'Shuffle' option on my Ipod which allows me to listen to songs I never knew I had on my Ipod, ha ha, technology eh?!?! The streets were quiet as ever for a Spanish Sunday morning and I missed the downpours that have set in all afternoon, have to be careful at the moment, weather is all over the place.... Casa de Campo on the West of Madrid is my new playground, its huge and loads of interesting viewpoints (the odd pro walking around also). Niiiice!! Going to do another 10 or 15 in the morning and see how much of a bad idea this 100km race is going to be..... Also good to hear that my partner in crima also got back from a 100 minute effort.... Nice!! CS

Charlie Stockford - 31.05.2008

The last week has been a little lax to say the least, 3 runs and a total of 40km but in some awesome locations none the less... Had a weeks holiday from work and completed a Road Trip through Extremadura through some of the most beautiful scenery ever. The sun rises were incredible and the running terrain vast. Surrounded by Torres (Fighting Bulls) and running speeds of a fairly comfortable 15/16km / hr during the week and on my weekend big run the same speed (poco menos perhaps) for the first 1hr then I seem to get stronger for a good 45mins and then unfortunatly the tiredness kicks in and I draw to a stop... ha ha ha!!! Today I dragged my sorry arse out for 45mins and tomorrow I plan to kick June off with a 30km run somewhere, I just hope the sun is shining....

Hashing

The last 5 months or so I have done a fair bit of Hashing with the Madrid Hash House Harriers. Great buch of guys and girls and decided to get some photos on the Blog for memories more than anything. We go to some incredible locations and the runs are always organised really well, bit short for my liking but great none the less. Here are a couple of photoes of last weeks 8km or near in the rain. Certainly NOT a sunny Spanish day in Madrid..... Horrible!!! I reckon I have now run about 15 over the months, make the runs longer though Hashers!!!

Last week I was Sh*t. Had a great run on the Monday night and Tuesday night, but thats where it all went down hill.... (alcohol obviously). Saturday I managed a 25km run but it was slow, sluggish, horrible, wet and quite honestly annoying. Sunday onto the Hash and here we are...... Birthday this weekend but plan on some big runs on my weeks HOLIDAYS Next Week.....

Bruce and Charlie - All Over The Marathon des Sables 2009 like a Jellyfish

This is a direct cut and paste............

Yeeeaa Haa Baaby!!!

Dear Charlie
The dates for the 2009 Marathon des Sables have been announced and will be Thursday 26 March 2009 to Monday 6 April 2009
Regards
Sarah

Sprints

Sprints - A killer

Great week last week, 3 x 15km runs and sprint session at the European Nike HQ in Hilversam, Holland. Had business conference in the town and managed to get onto the Incredible site and use the 400 meter track. 12 laps to kick things off followed by:

• 3 x 30m sprints
• 3 x 50m sprints
• 3 x 100m sprints
• 3 x 400m sprints... Awesome!!!

Organised (almost) 2 more events for the year also.... A Fitness First London to Paris Bike Ride on the 4th to 7th September - Can't wait for that one, All in Aid of the National Heart Foundation.... Lake Como - Italy - August / September - Adventure Racing here we go.... Also started planning some Fund Raisers for the Fund... Spinning, Gym Based Marathons and the like - will post more when I know.

Out for now - Charlie

EL DÍA DE EJERCISIO PARA CHARLIE

72.2 km today on the bike today, pretty awesome eh!??! But I can hear your thoughts of why not do a little more Stocko and make it a round 100km?!? Set off on the ANILLO VERDE COMUNIDAD DE MADRID (40.73 miles / 65.6 km) gorgeous day, must have topped 30 degrees, 10am start and was loving the route, hills, through parcs and forests, smooth path, awesome scenery, perfic!!!

Madrid Marathon was on also so wanted to see them gutsing it out on the roads and give some English support. VAMOS CHICOS, FUERTE!!!
Through Casa de Campo, passed the Royal Palace, passed Plaza Mayor (all in the distance). At the 45km stage properly stacked it!! Hand has swolen up like a melon, praying I havn't done me scaphoid again, shoulder, knee, bent handle bars, the lot.

26km on and now back in the NE quarter of Madrid, decided to put a bit more air in the front tyre as I reckon it took a battering in the crash, only problem is I totally snapped the valve on my front wheel, sooo annoyed..... If it aint broken don't fix it eh Stockers!! So, on the metro I went, speedo on me bike stuck fast on 72.2 km.... 45 minutes on the metro and home!!
Went for a 15km run as felt a little hard done by!!!

Amazing day, 4.5 hours on the bike, top speed of 56kmh & 85 mins running, Nice!!
Caio for now!!
CS