Tough and challenging 100kms mission to represent our longest weekly mileage so far. This was after some 84kms challenge two weeks after and indeed we kept going.

Indeed, the human body is capable of extraordinary feats of endurance, but also has protective mechanism to prevent total annihilation. It is only natural that the body will shut down before physical destruction occurs. Listen to your body when it speaks. Mine did after a total of 94.4kms. At a point yesterday and with the sun and heat I got into Tony's car for a ride back to BI. I was struggling.  I have never in many years debated whether to run 5.6kms to complete a set goal like I did yesterday. It was tough. Rather than think so much of meeting my weekly running target, I thought more of Ram (Sallah meat)‎ and only felt satisfied when I had some after about 9pm. (irony, I would usually not eat meat).

I was blacking out. Blacking out sometimes, after a tedious physical activity is the body's ultimate act of self preservation. Running 84kms, 90kms 100kms can induce so much on the body and mind.....but best to step over the edge when we have to and will feel good for it. Just as NGD's knees is feeling good after meeting 27% of his weekly task. I would have loved to be on 100kms but I woke up feeling good too after meeting 94.4%...., no pains, no aches no strains unlike the past few days. So in earnest, I do not not regret not running 5.6kms last night (just a bit..wink). So Ma Bull feel better!! 92% is still a pass mark. No it is excellent. (cos I know you....)

My point is, though success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have left‎, it still pays to be responsible. When it comes to physical activities, listening to your body is VERY important. We are not teenagers.

Unlike many of us, I am not particularly sure I was born with innate talent. Though many think I am. I think I have always just worked hard to develop any gift. The only way I knew to succeed is always to try harder than anyone one else and I don't mean this with running alone. My strongest quality being I try not to give up. Enough!!

So, as we progress in this race, know one thing, at some points your highs will become higher and your lows lower. The fluctuations will set in. For those prepping for their first marathon, it may even be worse as we get closer to the day, but keep focus. We are all well trained, we are all in good shape irrespective of whether we joined all the training plans or not, I can guarantee that. I didn't train close to this or knew half this much before my first marathon, yet I finished sub 3:50. My target for us all was 4:30 but now I see many sub 4s and sub 4:20s. This is exciting. Am happy about our team efforts. Our values are same and makes our efforts valuable. God on our side, we shall conquer Athens. All of us!! Amen. ‎

So welldone again everyone. Do not "shoot" yourself for not meeting 100kms...like I almost did this morning, until I chose to look at the brighter side after seeing NGD's message. My body feels great. We are all doing great just running....whether training for a marathon or not. Let's keep focus, and remember we only live once, but if worked right, once is just enough. It may seem like we are suffering now, waking 5;15am to train and then attack the challenges of our respective jobs thereafter. Yes it may be "suffering".....but only he who suffers remembers.

That said, huge congratulations to the Force and The Stud for meeting the 100kms target. Great feat. Both are just in great shape. Welldone!!‎

I can never emphasize it enough how important it is to always listen to your body. If you can take only thing from this post, let it be to learn to always listen to your body.

Hormone #1 -- The Internal Fountain of Youth

This hormone is ground zero for your body's ability to repair itself from daily wear and tear -- I am talking about human growth hormone or HGH.

No wonder its nickname is the "youth" hormone -- it helps you burn fat, shape muscle, strengthen joints, build strong bones, make skin tight, smooth and radiant and heals damaged tissue.

But the less HGH you have, the MORE your body composition is made up of fat and the LESS it is made up of muscle -- NOT what you want at any age.

Unfortunately, by the time you turn 35, levels of this youth hormone have plummeted to the point where your body shape starts going to hell in a hand basket.

Plus, you ache more, your skin is more coarse and wrinkly, your organs start to degrade... everything just seems to NOT work as well any more... THAT's how powerful HGH is.

Hormone #2 -- The Master Metabolic Regulator

Fatigue, constipation, body aches and pains, loss of interest  in things normally important to you -- these are all signs that your master metabolic regulator is on the fritz.

Your thyroid hormone is in charge of your metabolism, but as you age, your thyroid function starts to decline -- in fact, it's estimated that over 40% of the adult population has an under-performing thyroid.

Consider this: If you eat the same calories when you are 40 as you did when you were 30, but your metabolism is 20-30% slower, what do you think happens?

You get fat and you get tired.

But the problems don't stop there as a slow thyroid can really mess with your mind, causing memory, focus and concentration issues. 

It also disrupts your mood -- bringing on depression and general loss of interest in things that are normally important to you.

Hormone #3 -- Your Primary Fat Maker Switch

There are 80,000+ toxins that are in everything from the air we breathe to the foods we eat to the liquids we drink .

As we age, our ability to detoxify these poisons decreases and they begin to do REAL damage... and eventually BLOCK our hormones, insulin in particular.

When insulin -- your blood sugar controller -- is blocked, you become an outright fat making machine as your pancreas cranks out ever more, which signals to your liver to crank out even MORE fat while locking existing body fat in place, preventing it from being burned for energy.

In fact, the average fasting glucose level rises 6-14 mg/dL for each 10 years after age 50, all cause by our cells becoming LESS sensitive to insulin's blood-sugar lowering powers.

You Do NOT Have to Live with These Problems Forever!

Unfortunately, most people THINK that hormonal problems are just something they'll be doomed to live with as they age -- that is unless they want to go on an expensive and potentially DANGEROUS regimen of hormone replacement shots.

 ...so imagine all these mishaps and you still think "No MFC" is a big thing. just for one month when it should actually be a lifestyle. By the way no MFC means no Meat, Fish and Chicken consumption. Then we are on a long thing ooo.
 For planning a marathon race. It is a MUST. A prerequisite to prove that Kobby's link soo wrong. After the finish line you shall be strong enough to parry and toast. Not write a bad experience.
And that is what I believe is the focus.