I thought it was about time for an update as I have let this section slip for a few weeks.  I had been doing some steady running on a daily basis.  The gym sesions to build up some upper body stamina was wroking quite well and everything was going according to plan.  But, things never stay that way do they.  In the same way as when I went to Galapagos fit and healthy in September and managed to come back with a couple of cracked ribs.  Still managed to drag myself around the Great North but it was painful.  Anyway with those repaired , like I said things were going ok and I managed a creditable 1 hour 20  the GRIM challenge which was not too bad and I felt fine after the run.  

So what happened.  The week before Christmas I took my kids skiing.  On day 2, I was digging out my insurance paperwork for another injury - yet another cracked rib!  Unbelievable!  So that meant another few weeks without training.  However, pleased to say that it is getting there.  Yesterday I went for a 5 miler with around 5kg in the pack, and this morning, yes New Years morning, I managed another 5 miles with the pack.  Also took the lightweight poles to try them out.  They are so light that you can just carry them and run.  The pack has made my lower back a bit sore - seems to rub somewhere, but need to get the adjustments right.  When I was in the Army we used to carry webbing and that fitted a treat - not really suitable for this event though.  Will post more as I go along.