What a weekend. Sportsmans dinner on Friday night, charity concert on Saturday night. Left for the Etape Caledonia race at 3am Sunday morning with 2 hrs sleep - ideal preparation? This is the longest bike ride to date, 81 miles, and I increased my average speed from 14.5 mph to 16.3 mph for 4hr 58 min & 32 sec losing 4,400 calories along the way. The race was eventful with plenty of accidents - my friend and experienced cyclist Jacques went over the handlebars on a fast down hill stretch and did some damage to a tree and a dry stane dyke (wall). Before the ambulance could get to him he dusted himself down and completed the race 16 minutes quicker than me! After the race we did spend 4 hours in A&E but he'll be fine. Andres led the 4 x 5 man teams, it must have been the biggest team in the event, and managed to cross the line with his son in a respectable 4hrs 34 mins.
As I crossed the line I reflected on the race. I am 89 days away from Ironman and have to swim 2.4 miles before getting on the bike and completing 31 miles (112 mile in total) more than this race before running a marathon. Looking at my training schedule my coach understands what's ahead as it increases considerably from tomorrow. Next target the half ironman in Wales 12-13 June.
Finally thanks to my wife Fiona for carrying the burden of watching our son in the cup final while also organising the rest of the family, I think racing 81 miles was easier and certanly less stressful! The result went the wrong way but he has two more trophies to chase before the end of the month - I don't know where he gets it from!
Monday 17 May 2010
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