Rob Mackay :: Notes from the edge

Yesterday I had a call from an old friend of mine. Six years ago we drifted away from each other but it wasn’t on purpose - I came to the island, he went overseas. Both of us were looking for a change or inspiration.

He is crazy and fun. We laugh constantly when we get together, even when we are talking below the surface.

A observations about the conversation:

1. We really haven’t changed that much in 20 years.

2. Our perspectives on our lives have evolved - possibly due to the stage we are at in our lives (married, settled, etc). This is a good thing.

3. We still need to be stroked (ego) at some level. This is a bad thing.

4. We are chasing success in the true sense of the word ‘a person who achieves his or her goals.’ He is focused on success in the entertainment business. Me…my goals lack a fame and financial excess element and change all the time but for now it’s running a 3:33 50km.

Today I am tired and running on 6 hours of interrupted sleep.

I am a  7 1/2 hour - 8 hour guy. I know there are some out there that can run on little rest (I read somewhere that Dean Karnazes goes on 4 hours per night). I used to know someone who betters DK by one hour - she was a single mom and trained her body to accept only 3 hours/night. That is crazy and probably a little unhealthy.

Without rest, your ability to physically recover is limited. (Ever wonder why corrupt Regimes use sleep deprivation as a form of torture?)

Maybe you knew… but this morning was the first time I saw iRun - a new Canadian Running Magazine. Nice to see that they have profiled Mr. Zahab on the front cover.

 The coolest feature is their celebrity marathon index - how do you stack up…?

‘David Lee Roth, 80s rock star
1987 New York City Marathon: 6:04:43
Jump? Might as well walk.’

Today was a tough day for training. I started the morning with a 12km, up-tempo run. I was wearing a pack but managed to keep it together fairly well.

 At lunch I had targeted a 4mile tempo workout. (1 mile warm up at 8:30, 4 miles at 6:00-5:56, 1 mile cool down). Unexpectedly I had a ‘coach’ join me in the last 14 minutes and frankly I worked harder than I have in a tempo run for about 6 months - almost to the point of puking. That session confirmed that I need a coach because, 1) I worked beyond my comfort zone for the last 14 minutes and 2) I was getting immediate feedback.

**Nice piecetoday in the TC on Jarheads’s upcoming 24 Hour run. I am really looking forward to seeing him at 1am.

Day 7. MDS 2005. All I can see are backs and arses ahead of me. All I can hear is the snort of a camel behind me.

Motivation to finish: I’m terrified that I’m going to be passed by the reeking camel.

Returning to MDS: Maybe 2009.

In one week I’ve spoken to two people I consider great athletes who are serious about heading to Transrockies this year. Green with envy, I am. T’is one of the races on my list.

So here’s the scoop: If anyone out there is heading to the race but has to pull out for any reason, my hand is in the air. If I don’t make it this year, good luck to RC and MN - if it all goes down as planned, you will have a great time (and I’ll be streaming in the video….)

I’ve had too much coffee today.

This weekend was quiet. Running some, relaxing some. I’ve managed to bruise my heal - time for new shoes.

Usually after people find out about the Gobi, they ask “what are you going to do next?” No doubt, M hates this question.

2008 is a year of local ultras, for sure. I’ve got two A races left (White River and god help me, Haney2Harrison) plus M told me that she wants to walk the Great Walk so I’ll end up running it for fun.

Here are 3 (BIG) races I am looking at next year:

Trans 333 (Africa) - This would be the ‘dream race’ if I can pull it off financially
Grand Raid de Reunion (Reunion Island, Indian Ocean) - I’m really curious about this race and it lays claim to the hardest single stage race

Western States - I’ll be throwing my name into the hat again

COACH WANTED - I’ve asked before but does anyone have suggestions for an ultra-coach who might be willing to work out a deal? I am in the hunt…

Mileage this week so far: 5 days/104km. I am running a 25km with 20 minute up-tempo tomorrow pending my achilles which would bring it up to 129km - my goal for the week.

Today it felt decent. I ran to Mt. Doug up and over and back to the U - no pain. I’ve had Achilles problems in the past but managed to overcome it by including eccentric stretching into my warm up.

The weather is amazing…