CLOTHING

Wello lovely world

Herewith this posting is for clothing, please see further blogs about, Kit, Essentials, Food and The Extra Kitchen Sink.

A lot of friends have asked what does one wear to train in and run in and especially in the desert; well as I am a virgin to Desert Running #UltraMarathonVirgin, I have had to do a lot of research and asking around, reading blogs and speaking to professional hardened desert running experts, there are a lot of desert marathons and one of the most famous is the MDS, so speaking to those runners first have helped form my clothing and kit list and of course following #FATFEET and the event organisers Critical Must Have List.  Please SHOP AROUND - use the links on my blog right hand side to visit these websites.  Clothing and Kit is not cheap, you do not want to cut corners when doing a marathon of this magnitude, cutting corners - come at a price...... either you get good kit or your pay the price in health and wellbeing.

I will detail in no particular order my clothing including shoes:



My sock of choice so far is the 'Elite Light Cushion  Low Cut' -  Socks are the most most most most important, part of your kit, without socks your expensive trail shoes may as well be used as fuel to keep you warm whilst stuck in the middle of the desert floor, alone and unable to walk due to blisters and what ever else happens when you don't have the correct protection. NEVER EVER COMPROMISE ON FOOT WEAR...... NEVER EVER! Nothing beats #Feetures Socks which are made to withstand even the worst of the worst.

A massive and humongous thank you to Barry and #Feetures for my amazing sponsorship.

Please visit Barry and his website and see Feetures for there range of socks.  

 

http://www.feeturesbrand.com/index.php

http://www.9point9.co.uk/

 



 Patagonia Women's Thermal and Insulating Pull over - I swear by the power of this pullover it keeps me warm in the UK's freezing temps.

 

 Raidlight Thermal Hat and Haglofs Gloves for Night Time Running.

 

 Nike Simple Gym Grip Gloves "sweat prevention" if and when using Walking Poles.

 

 A UV Buff Original Headwear can be used for a multitude of activities from scarf to visor to hat to neck protection and of course a UV reflective Imperative Head Protection Hat - #RaceKit have an amazing full neck and head protective hat. 

Race Kit have provided most of my kit and invaluable advice - A massive thanks goes to Elisabet & Colin for listening to my ongoing never ending questions and total lack of knowledge  and blissful ignorance :) Please contact Elisabet and or Colin for your kit and or advise.

 

Click here for info:

http://www.racekit.co.uk/

 

 FLOPS - do not forget flops - anything to let your feet breath and swell to double their size ;) 

 

 TRAIL SHOES ARE WHAT WILL ENABLE YOU TO EITHER COMPLETE THE EVENT OR STOP AT THE FIRST HURDEL - DO NOT COMPROMISE ON SHOES!

I AM USING THE HOKA ONE ONE LONG DISTANCE TRAIL SHOE.

 

 In the Desert you will need #gaiters, to prevent sand from getting into socks and shoes, as trail shoes don't come with pre-sticked in Velcro for gaiters, please get a professional to do it, again your should not compromise on this,  here is a link to the Shoe Healer who will do it for you.

https://www.shoehealer.co.uk/

 

 A good pair of all ground running trainer - good firm support and have your trainers tested regularly. They wear fast! 

 

 OMM Wind Breaker - ultra light weight and excellent protection from sandstorms and a good all round protection.

 

 A running vest - again up to you, but you will need to focus on sweat prevention and or sweat repellent - anything with a poly and less seams... you do not want chaffing.

 

 Underwear especially for a women must have critical thought, as I am slightly heavier chested and need good protection from chaffing and breast support whilst running with a backpack on, a good seam free and firm fitting sweat repellent bra is critical, it needs to be tried on with your back pack..... hot spots and chaffing will occur if not. The range of specialist sports bras are endless, women's underwear at the best of times is expensive, however shop around and as long as its a poly/nylon fabric you are in good support.  I have opted for Kalenji Underwear including my briefs, again when choosing briefs, you need minimal seams..... minimal seems means less chaffing and again poly/nylon as its needs to repel sweat.

 

 The debate is out regarding running tights, shorts, 3/4'rs, full length, what type of fabric etc etc - its personal choice, for the desert some prefer shorts, some opt for compression fit or loose and breathable...  whilst others like 3/4 and full length for night running, its all down to fit, choice and comfort, above is my 'spare' 3/4 running compression tights, by Haglofs.

 

 You will need a base layer in the evening when the temps drop and especially for night time running, again there are loads on the market, this one is thermal and I got it at a great price from TK Max, the brand is #Layer8, its comfy and compression like and its perfect for me. (It has thumb holes).

 

 The del la crem of sweat repellent and compression running wear - does not come cheap only 1 is needed, shop around as prices do fluctuate - the above is the X-Bionic Ladies Fennec Running Shirt - it comes with a two year guarantee.

 

  The del la crem of sweat repellent and compression running wear - does not come cheap only 1 is needed, shop around as prices do fluctuate - the above is the X-Bionic Ladies Running 3/4 Power Tight  - it comes with a two year guarantee.

 

 Gaiters are a must for any desert marathon - sand prevention and protection, shop around as there are loads on offer, however a lesson learnt - the size is based on your calf and not on your shoes size.... I have big feet, however my ankles and calves are smaller in comparison :) These gaiters are branded with Raidlight - and got them from a bunch of great great lads who own #racingtheplanet. Click on the link.

http://uk.racingtheplanet.com/store/?clickref=9080289-474508&gclid=CLTW7fTKy7wCFRDLtAodxVsAkQ

 

 My Charity T-Shirt - supporting my son and other children all the way.

http://www.brainwave.org.uk/?_$ja=kw:brainwave+charity|cgn:Brainwave_EX|cgid:5382910205|tsid:3457|cn:Brainwave+-+Brand+Like|cid:52529885|lid:11459090799|mt:Exact|nw:search|crid:28196779325|dvc:c|adp:1t1

 

 Modelling my gaiters and trail shoes.

 

 The #gaiters attach to the Velcro that has been stitched onto your trail shoe.

 

A plethora of socks - socks are the most most most most important, part of your kit, without socks your expensive trail shoes may as well be used as fuel to keep you warm whilst stuck in the middle of the desert floor, alone and unable to walk due to blisters and what ever else happens when you don't have the correct protection. NEVER EVER COMPROMISE ON FOOT WEAR...... NEVER EVER! Here is a selection of mine, from Nike Calf Compression knee highs to Speed X-Bionic to toes socks by Injinji, however nothing beats #Feetures Socks which are made to withstand even the worst of the worst.

 

Well this should wrap up clothing for now, keep your eyes peeled for Kit and Essentials next.

 

 

 

Warm and #blisterfree wishes

 

Jani

#UltraMarathonVirgin





WHAT IS THE BEST AND WORST PART OF TRAINING ????

Wello Everyone

Good morning, its Friday the 14th of Feb, are you feeling the Love...........???? :-)

 have to laugh ;)

I have had a few Facebook messages, asking me what is the best and worst part of training...... ummm how do I answer this, lets start with this example...... you have the most amazing dress to wear to the part of all parties, however you are just two inches too wide for it to fit perfectly, do you 1) try and take it to a tailors to have it altered 2) try a crash diet only for it to fail after the first hour of seeing a slice of fresh double chocolate cake 3) visit your plastic surgeon and pay the price that would kill even a millionaire???  That's what training is like, that old bloody cliché of no pain no gain still comes up.

However it does not need to be painful, remember LIFE IS ABOUT CHOICE....... you are what you think, you are what you eat and you are how you live your life.

I am sure you all know what its like after you have taken a long brisk walk on a cold fresh morning, on you return and opening your home door, that feeling hitting your face fresh pumping blood, that feeling of being alive, feeling good, well that's the first start.... feeling alive.

Lets get the worst part of training out of the way first.....I am not going to lie, well I could and say training is awesome, and its simply amazing as I scoff another piece of chocolate cake.... well the truth is, just like anything in life you get out what you put in, don't expect to look like Cindy Crawford whilst doing one sit up and having a protein shake...

TRAINING IS HARD HARD I COULD SWEAR BUT AS THE TEARS ROLL DOWN MY EYES AT TIMES, AND I SEE THE "YOU ONLY HAVE 5 MINUTES LEFT" THOSE 5 MINUTES LITERALLY FEEL LIKE 18 HOURS..... but just as you think and feel you cant any more, that is the precise point when you are at your strongest..... believe it people, the its the strongest point, for the simple ability to feel pain, means you can go another 10 more minutes and if you can do another 10 minutes you can do 12 and so on.  However when you are tired and you don't have an Olympic Team Manager behind you and or a full support system, the motivation to go that bit extra is then all down to self.  Self reliance is a must, however for me the,

WORST OF THE WORST  part of training:

1) GETTING UP AT 04:15AM IN THE DARK & COLD & OR JUST SIMPLY GETTING UP
 
(Find a strategy that works for you, I use Music as a motivation, my iPhone's alarm is set to P!nk's #Try)

2) ULTIMATE WORST:   ICE BATHS F%&*.......

(Again Find a strategy that works for you, I use 'being a mother', as a good start, that short sharp breath / blow strategy when going into child birth - use that strategy)

How true is this ......

BEST OF THE BEST part of training:

1) HAVING THE ABILITY TO GET UP AT 04:15AM KNOWING I HAVE LEGS TO WALK, A BODY THAT WORKS AND GRATITUDE FOR EVERYTHIG IN MY LIFE
 
(My son Bastian and Music spur me on)

2) ULTIMATE BEST:   THE FEELING WHEN YOUR SKIN RETURNS TO NORMAL AFTER AN ICE ICE BATH & KNOWING YOU HAVE MADE IT & ARE EVEN FITTER THAN YOU WERE 2 HOURS AGO.

(How do I celebrate that: A simple strategy - "The universe/world does not owe me anything, rather I owe it gratitude for giving me the ability to be alive and to live and love - JHW"

Those sum up my BEST and WORST parts of training, remember in life its all about choice, #CHOICE, if you open up to choice, and accept that your life is in your own hands, no matter how difficult it is, you have the choice to sink down into a black hole or to get up and go for it; I always choice the latter.

Right that's me for the time being, next blog post will be a write up on Clothing.

Fitness and #blisterfree wishes

Jani xxxxx

#UltraMarathonVirgin

FUNDRAISING NEWS

Wello again

SO FAR:  £567.50

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JanetWillicott-160mile-desert-run

As I said, I am feeling guilty for not training tonight.... but still feeling sorry for myself........ what is getting me through the daunting and ridged training schedule, sore body and ice baths is firstly my son and the thought that I will not only help two charities, but the monies raised will go towards helping those who really really need it. 

Having been the recipient or rather my son being the recipient from the charity Brainwave, for the last 3 years, the monies are spent wisely and are used to fund special Occupational Therapists and or Speech and Language Therapists who help children like my son, to obtain or try to obtain a reasonable sense of a 'normal' life.  The NHS told me 5 years ago "your son will never amount to anything, give up now and accept it". 

One thing that gets on my nerves and what infuriates me the most is being told CAN'T - that just makes me will myself to do it, so for 2 years I researched and research and finally one day or rather one morning, in the wee early hours of the morning at 02:36am to be precise, I stumbled across Brainwave, and the rest as they say is history. 

Please see their website:

http://www.brainwave.org.uk/

My other choice for choosing charity was based on a variety of factors, it had to be a small, one who does more work with very little publications or acknowledgements, and it had to be around water, as I am currently working on a massive music concert event to raise funds for major water charities, plus water for me means "the life blood to sustain all life forms", without water, life cannot exist, yet the worlds governments spend zillions on discovering outer space, yet can't dam afford to plan into their budgets a cohesive way forward to getting water secured for all...... my head bloody hurts thinking about it!

Well, I was attending a student/work based conference late in 2013 and on the agenda was talk about a charity set up by the Environmental Health Professionals in the UK called Water for Kids, I immediately contacted the Chairman and boom the rest as they say again is history.  Please take a look at their website, the work that is done is carried out by volunteers and the smile on those recipients faces when they have a TAP and a TOILET for the first time is indescribable.

Thanks to all those who have helped raise such a wonderful amount of money, please keep the monies coming in. 

http://waterforkids.org.uk/

Thank you all, need to dash, am starving again, love and blister free wishes

Jani xxxxxx