My Reason for this blog - NICK

I have just written out a cover letter to go with my CV. A question was asked about an idea that I could put across for a research test as this is a part of the next application stage. This got me thinking as to why it is I am writing this blog and the following occurred to me. (this is what I wrote and sent)

Research Test.

I am currently in training for an 8 stage ultra running event this September known as the GORE-TEX® TRANSALPINE-RUN
http://www.transalpine-run.com/alps_cross_start.htm

It covers a total horizontal distance of around 320km, has 15,000ft of elevations and 14,500ft of descents. So you know I am starting this being a novice long distance runner.

 In my blog http://nick-collins.blogspot.com/ I am tracking my strength conditioning training, running data and the psychological impacts the training is having on me. I am a novice at putting this data together in a way that would be suited to a research journal but I am finding that weekly updates, researching training techniques and putting my thoughts on a page for all to scrutinise is carrying over into my working life. It has been a wakeup call to continue to try and find the best ways for me to approach the training and the ultimate goal I have set myself. Ultimately at the end of my event I want to be able to summarise my words in a way that proves you don’t have to follow traditional ‘internet’ running training to complete an event like the one I am doing. Very rarely do you see running advice that says anything of the need to perform training within a gym environment.

I am training to break the mould for the everyday runner up to the ultra runner. To have a physique that has an abundance of lean muscle tissue, one that is strong, structurally balanced, flexible and looks good without clothes on. I want to show that combining thought out nutrition, supplementation, strength conditioning, Interval and endurance work that you can perform to a better level than what is currently accepted. I am my own test subject.

* an idea I would be interested in is seeing where my body is getting its energy from pre, during and post running to determine if I am being an efficient runner or just depleting my body- I don’t have the facility to do this at current*

So what started out just a bit of fun for myself in actual fact seems to have a more pre-determined goal. 

I wasn't asking myself why it was I am actually doing this but when I was asked the question I came up with my own ultimate goal....who knew!!??

Just goes to show that maybe we should ask ourselves on a more regular basis what our goals actually are and make strides to getting them done.  

Nick